After the whole family was swept away, I lay down flat

Chapter 677 Observation
After a long talk with Jin Jiashu, Haijiao carefully observed the movements of the Jin family over the next few days.

Jin Jiashu didn't seem to care about his failure. He resumed his regular life before the provincial examination, going to the front yard of Chen's house every day to ask his teachers Xie Wenzai, Cao Gengyun and Lu Bainian for advice on his homework.

His classmate Wu Ke had not returned yet, apparently because his cousin Wu Qiong was ill, so he asked the teachers for a few days off. Xie Wenzai and others did not care, and told him to just take care of his family. Cao Gengyun knew that he was determined to go to the Imperial College, and he went out to help him get information.

The Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion invited Xie Wenzai over again. It was unknown what important matter they were going to discuss. Only Lu Bainian was left in the family, but it was enough for him to give Jin Jiashu some advice on his writing. Also taking Lu Bainian's class was Geng Tianyou, the grandson of the old county magistrate Geng Zehuai.

Four years ago, the old county magistrate Geng, through the relationship of Xie Wenzai, asked General Tang, who was serving in Shanxi, to rescue his daughter and grandson from the son-in-law with bad intentions. General Tang was a straightforward military general. He was not impatient to argue with the Zhang family. He simply used his power to force Zhang's son-in-law to write a letter of peace and break off relations with his eldest son. Although the Zhang family was reluctant, they were looking forward to getting rid of Geng and her son as soon as possible, so as to make room for the third daughter-in-law and let the third son marry the newly widowed daughter of a high-ranking official in Beijing. If the matter got out of hand and was delayed for too long, and the family's reputation was ruined, this marriage might change at any time. Therefore, they finally chose to give in, and did not cause any trouble afterwards. They also vaguely said in front of relatives and friends that Geng's mother and son died of illness.

Geng, who had escaped, had no time to pay attention to the little tricks of his family. She quickly brought her son and followed General Tang to Chang'an, fearing that she would be harassed by the Zhang family again.

She and her son will never have anything to do with the Zhang family again in this life, nor will they go back to Datong, the place of sorrow. Let the people of Datong think that they are really dead, so as to avoid entanglement in the future.

Geng returned to her mother's home and was quickly accepted by her father and brothers and sisters-in-law. Geng Zehuai also changed his grandson's name from Zhang Tianyou to Geng Tianyou, directly recognized him as a descendant of the Geng family, and included him in the family tree, eliminating his daughter's worries. The child was weak since childhood and was not well taken care of in the Zhang family. When he was sick, he could not see a doctor or take medicine properly. It was not until he left the Zhang family that the military doctor beside General Tang diagnosed his pulse and took some symptomatic pills to cure his illness. However, his illness was delayed for a long time, leaving some sequelae. He has been slowly recuperating in the past few years and has improved. However, compared with other boys of the same age, his body is still weaker.

Geng Tianyou is now studying with Lu Bainian. In addition to the basic Four Books and Five Classics, he also studies some poetry, calligraphy and painting. The Geng family has no requirements for his academic performance or fame. They only hope that he can be healthy, study for a few more years, and not be blind. However, Geng Tianyou himself is still very strong-willed. While trying to stay healthy, he also hopes to make greater progress in his studies, and hope to pass the imperial examinations in the future to fight for his mother, and also to repay his grandparents, uncles, and aunts. He can't tolerate himself relying on his maternal family for his whole life, but can't do anything for the Geng family.

Jin Jiashu and Geng Tianyou get along well. He seems to understand a young man who is very talented but has been delayed in his studies, and what he should work on if he wants to pass the imperial examination. Geng Tianyou's trust and closeness to him far exceeds that to Wu Ke, second only to Haijiao. However, the elders are also happy to see that several young people can become good friends and help each other in their studies. When they are free on weekdays, they will also encourage several students to discuss their homework together.

Haijiao has now completed his studies at the Weiwei School in Chang'an. Apart from his own affairs, he only needs to go to his uncle every other day to ask for advice on his homework. Now he goes there every day on the pretext of having nothing to do. Seeing Jin Jiashu's untroubled appearance, and his gentleness, kindness, and thoughtfulness in guiding Geng Tianyou's studies, he can't help but admire him immensely.

Haijiao said privately to his sister Haitang, "I feel more and more that Xiaojin must have been a great man in his previous life. If he hadn't been unlucky enough to meet the assassin sent by the Sun family, he should have had a better future. He is not like me. I have lived two lives and am actually a man in his thirties. He is not even eighteen yet, but he is so calm. He will definitely have a great future!" Haitang said, "He has such a background and backers, and he has real talent and knowledge. As long as he doesn't die prematurely, he will have a great future."

Haijiao hesitated for a moment: "What I reminded him that day...he shouldn't have forgotten it, right? Did I miss something?"

"Brother has reminded me clearly, there shouldn't be anything missing." Haitang thought this was enough. "If you had given me more details, Brother Jin would have been suspicious. He's not a fool without his own ideas. If we hadn't gotten to know him well enough over the years and he hadn't trusted me enough, your speculations would have been enough to arouse other people's suspicion. So, let's just do this and don't go any further."

Haijiao nodded and sighed, "Although I have changed a lot of things in this life, which is a good thing, but things have changed, and the information I know may not be useful. When I was in Suzhou that year, I prepared a lot of opportunities for myself to make meritorious deeds. Now that the time and place have changed one after another, I can no longer benefit from it. Fortunately, Commander Tudu has a good impression of me. Even if I don't do well in the martial arts examination, I can still find a job through his connections, which is better than my previous life."

Haitang smiled and said, "Brother, the results of the provincial examination will be out soon. You will definitely pass. A military candidate who can pass the provincial examination in Shaanxi will definitely get good results in the imperial examination after entering Beijing. Compared with other candidates, you have a big advantage in the Four Books. I don't believe you will not pass the military examination. When you have a good reputation and are appointed by the court, the difference between you and your previous life will be like heaven and earth. How can you be just 'stronger'?"

Haijiao smiled embarrassedly: "That's not the way to say it. There are always people better than you. I know too many talented people. I don't even dare to say that I can win among them. How can I dare to guarantee that I can pass the military imperial examination? If I brag too much and fail in the end, wouldn't it make people laugh? I don't want people to talk about me..."

Haitang didn't intend to continue his conversation. Her brother was fine in other aspects, but he always lacked confidence. Maybe it was because he had lived in the bottom of society for too long in his previous life, he always couldn't believe that he could have a bright future in this life. Although he seemed cheerful and confident on the surface, in fact, when he was alone, he would always hesitate in his heart, fearing that everything he had experienced was just an illusory dream.

In fact, in Haitang's opinion, her brother is already good enough. His lack of confidence is all psychological. As long as he really passes the imperial examination and becomes a military officer with a high rank, he will put aside all the unpleasant memories of his previous life, right?

Haitang calmly changed the subject: "After my brother passes the imperial examination, he will go to Beijing with Zhou Yijun and his sister to take the imperial examination. If the imperial examination goes well, you should be able to be appointed as an official by the court in the middle of next year. I hope you will stay in Beijing to serve. Grandpa's term of office will end next year or the year after, and he may be transferred to Beijing. Then our family will be reunited in Beijing."

(End of this chapter)