Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 26 Before the County Examination
  Of course, this is just Jia Lian's personal speculation and may not be the truth. However, Jia's mother supported Jia Zheng's second wife to sit in the Hall of Rongxi, and the fact that Jia She, the heir to the title, was expelled to the east across the courtyard was before her eyes.

The four families of King Jia, Shi and Xue were both alliances and competitors. Currently, the Wang family has the advantage because of Wang Ziteng's presence.

After much deliberation, Jia Lian felt that he was still too young, which was the biggest disadvantage. As the saying goes, if your mouth is hairless, your work will be weak. How many people like Gan Luo come out in two thousand years? It must be unpleasant to be treated like a child. In history, many courtiers suffered from misfortunes because they treated the king like a child.

If you want to seize the right to speak in the Jia family, you must first make a difference in the imperial examination. It's not that he never thought about joining the army, but the strategy formulated by Jia Daishan's generation was to abandon martial arts and follow literature. Therefore, Jia Lian didn't practice martial arts much since he was a child. Moreover, the sword has no eyesight on the battlefield.

Jia She didn't know what he was thinking, so he asked Mrs.

Jia Lian didn't want to be fooled. He simply stated that it would not have any impact and that the greetings should not be omitted.

Mrs. Xing had no choice but to give up, saying that the words had reached her and she was not only responsible.

It can also be seen from this incident that Mrs. Xing has a very irresponsible character. She cannot be blamed for this, it is Jia She's fault.

In the days that followed, Jia Lian concentrated on studying. During this period, he took the time to go to Daxing County Government to register for the exam, which was scheduled for the first day of June.

On May 28th, before school ended in the afternoon, Old Master Fang faced a group of students and coughed: "It's a holiday tomorrow. Let's have a good rest and prepare for the county exam. I wish you all good luck in the exam!"

As soon as the old master left, there was a commotion in the classroom. They were all thirteen or fourteen-year-old children, full of energy. They gathered together in twos and threes and talked away.

Squad leader Li Dong came to talk to Jia Lian: "Brother Jia, how confident are you that you will take the county examination on the first day of June?"

Jia Lian was a little curious about his question and responded modestly: "Where can I be sure? It's just to get familiar with the process."

After hearing this, Li Dong smiled and said in a very positive tone: "I also have to go back to Wanping County to take the exam. I'll see you at my house for the exam."

Seeing what he said, Jia Lian smiled and waved his hand: "This is my first time, so I'm not sure I will pass."

Li Dong smiled and treated Jia Lian as being humble. In terms of knowledge, Li Dong knew very well that Jia Lian's knowledge was among the best in the class, especially in the arithmetic subject. He had no rival in the entire Qingyun Academy. In daily arithmetic, Jia Lian didn't even need to attend the class. The reason is simple: the content is too simple for Jia Lian.

"There is a county examination, which lasts for two days. Brother Jia must pay attention to food and rest after he returns. Don't get sick and delay the imperial examination." Li Dong was really kind-hearted. Of course, he must Looking at people, people with impure minds will think, why are you cursing me?
  Jia Lian, who was in the Jia Mansion, naturally believed deeply in these words. He folded his hands and said with a smile: "Thank you very much!"

The first thing Jia Lian told Guixiang when he got home was: "Now you don't have to wait for others to deliver the food. You can go to the kitchen and keep an eye on it yourself. Don't be afraid of ten thousand, just be afraid of what happens." Guixiang understood immediately after hearing this. Is there anything dirty going on in the backyard?
  "Second Master, just don't worry. If anything goes wrong, it's mine." Guixiang agreed.

Guixiang went to the kitchen and stared at the cook making dinner, and shouted: "Second Master wants to take the county exam. Everyone, please be careful, your eyes are round. Don't look back and spoil Second Master's stomach. Everyone in this kitchen counts." , can't even run away. The easy way is to drive him out of Rongguo Mansion, the hard way is to have his hands and feet broken, and to be sent to the Yamen to sentence a slave who harmed his master to jail. "

This is what he said, and Jia Lian didn't say it. Guixiang said it, which means what he said will be fulfilled in the future.

During dinner, a woman on Jia Mu's side relied on her seniority and complained to Jia Mu: "Brother Lian, Guixiang in the yard, uses chicken feathers as command arrows to give orders in the kitchen."

When Jia Mu heard this, her face became solemn, she put down her chopsticks and asked in detail. The old lady didn't add anything to it, she just repeated Guixiang's words and added: "Those people in the kitchen, who are not old people for many years? In all these years, I haven’t seen any master suffer from a bad stomach, and this unexplained incident made everyone’s hearts tighten.”

After hearing this, Mother Jia glanced at the old woman and said with a smile: "I am forty years old and my grandson is three years old. From tomorrow on, don't go to the kitchen. Go home and take care of your grandson."

After hearing this, the mother-in-law suddenly looked horrified and looked at Jia Mu in horror, with tears and snot running down her face. She begged, but Jia Mu was unmoved. The rough men around her came up and carried the woman out.

Everyone at the scene looked solemn. Mother Jia coughed and said, "Some people can't tell the difference between superior and inferior. Let's take this as a warning."

At this time, everyone saw clearly what kind of character this kind-hearted Shi Taijun was.

Jia Mu has seen a lot of dirty things in the Shenzhen compound. Even if many things are not so eye-catching, Jia Mu would not be able to speak.

When it comes to the future affairs of the Jia family, Jia's mother does not dare to be careless at all. Anyone who has any inappropriate thoughts will be killed without mercy.

The story reached Jia Lian's ears in the evening, and she thought to herself that the old lady was not an easy person, she could weigh the scales at critical moments.

Speaking of Rongguo Mansion, Jia She has no ambition. Jia Zheng may have some, but a humble background has ruined his bright future.

There is a lot of emphasis here. In ancient times, the imperial examination was the right way, and other ways of promotion were called "miscellaneous". In a situation like Jia Zheng's, it would be considered dead among civil servants, and he would be in the fourth rank at most. Unless he takes the route of a military official, he will have no future in fighting on the battlefield. The question is, is it possible? This is a young man. There is also a whole body of stinky problems.

When the two sons failed to live up to expectations, they could only count on the grandson. To be on the safe side, Jia Yuanchun was added.

It can be seen from this that Jia Mu is probably the one who has the most overall view of the Rongguo Mansion. However, she is still a woman and cannot do much.

Jia Lian soon felt the importance from Jia Mu. Nine servants came first and patrolled in three shifts. No one else was allowed to disturb Jia Lian's preparation for the exam. Pens, inks, paper and inkstones were also delivered. When Jia Lian came to pay his respects the next day, and when she thanked Jia Mu again, the old lady said something important: "Earlier, Brother Zhu took the exam, and I prepared some sobering pills." Sandalwood and eating.”

The subtext is: As long as I am here, no one can or dare to make trouble at this juncture. Jia Lian really couldn't respond to this, after all, he had to bear the blame. I can only thank Mother Jia again and again for her love.

It can be seen that when it comes to the rise and fall of the Jia family, Jia's mother is relatively reliable.

In contrast, Jia She just asked Mrs. Jia Zhen from next door also came to take a look, accompanied by Jia Rong, who was three years younger than Jia Lian. It is said that the genes of the first two generations of the Jia family are indeed good. Jia Zhensheng has a handsome appearance, and Jia Rong is also a handsome little boy.

After meeting, Jia Zhen said a few polite words and left, while Jia Rong stayed and complained when no one was around: "Second Uncle Lian, if you don't go to the clan school, no one will take me to play, and I will be bored alone. "

Jia Lian felt that this boy was not telling the truth, so he deceived him casually: "Don't you play well with Jia Qiang?"

When Jia Rong heard this, her face turned red, as if someone had taken advantage of her, and she defended in a low voice: "Jia Qiang is like a girl. Besides, his parents are gone. My father likes him very much and always lets him accompany him." , the monthly payment is as good as mine.”

When Jia Lian heard this, his views were shattered. This piece of shit Jia Zhen can really do it. Jia Qiang and Jia Rong are of the same age. They used to go to the clan school, Jia Lian was the eldest, and they were the junior followers. They all had a lot of fun playing together. Whenever something extraordinary is done, Jia Lian takes the lead. For example, in Rongning Street, he is domineering, bullying men and women, and fighting cocks and lackeys.

According to Jia Rong, now that Jia Lian is not leading the team, it is no longer fun for everyone to go out and bully others.

Jia Lian also secretly smiled bitterly in his heart, that is to say, he is too young. How old is he to be able to sleep in a brothel and play a role in a theater troupe?
  To sum up, he is so perverted at such a young age. Playing with real flowers.

One thing is like this. As a man in this era, as long as you don't delay giving birth to a son to carry on the family line, you can play with girls or boys, no one will say anything to you, and no one will think you are abnormal. It is common for a legitimate son of a powerful family to have one or two handsome servants with him in case of emergencies.

Well, Jia Baoyu and Qin Zhong, Jia Baoyu and Jiang Yuhan, are probably this type of friendship.

"You should also study hard. Not to mention taking the exam for fame. If you take over the title of Ning Guofu in the future, you will have to take care of all aspects. If you go out to socialize without studying, you will be looked down upon. Also, the harmony of yin and yang is Righteous way, don't learn some outrageous things and make people laugh." Jia Lian thought, Jia Rong is still young, so she can still be saved. If you really get good grades in studying and develop your self-confidence, you won't be as afraid of Jia Zhen as in the novel.

Jia Zhen is a potential threat that must be eliminated, and Jia Rong is likely to be a useful chess piece by then.

When thinking of this, Jia Lian became more affectionate towards Jia Rong. Isn't it just acting? I'm familiar with it!

"Reading is the most boring thing. Reading books gives me a headache." Jia Rong naturally refused to read and retorted naturally.

Jia Lian rolled his eyes and whispered: "Are you stupid? If you don't read, don't know how to count, and don't have enough knowledge, even if there is an opportunity to make a fortune in the future, you can only watch it slip away. Forget it, I'll follow you. I can't explain it in a sentence or two. I'll tell you about money-making activities after the college exam is over. By then, I will have fame and fame, and I won't be able to take care of it at home. I'll make you rich and take you out for a wander."

After what he said, Jia Rong's eyes were so bright that they could be used as flashlights. He was naturally convinced of Jia Lian. Back when everyone was a scumbag in ethnic studies, when everyone was in the limelight on Rongning Street, the dog Jia Lian who passed by would kick him. At that time, Jia Rong felt that Jia Lian was very impressive. Now he can still read as long as he wants to read. Jia Rong is even more convinced.

"Really?" Jia Rong's voice trembled when he spoke. The outside world is very exciting, but he is still a little young now and is not allowed to go out without anyone at home.

"Don't worry. When I win the prize, we can make money together and you won't have to ask your family for money." Jia Lian continued PUA. He is the boss in the system. He has no other ability. It's not like he can screw a child with three fingers. .

"Yeah, I'll wait." Jia Rong nodded like a chicken pecking at rice, seeming to see a bright future.

Jia Lian thought to himself that if he wanted to make money in the future, it would be no problem for this boy to be an errand boy and he had enough status. He would not bully others and no one would take the initiative to flirt with him. The biggest problem of the Jia family is that their income has dropped sharply, but they still refuse to give up their luxurious life. This problem would be difficult for an ordinary family to solve, but for the Rongguo Mansion, it is really not difficult to solve. It is just because the men in the family are not living up to expectations.

On the first day of June, at the end of Yin Shi, Magistrate Wang of Daxing County was dressed neatly under the care of his concubine.

The so-called "full of evil, attached to Guo Jingshi" is a bit exaggerated, but it also vividly explains the embarrassing situation of the Daxing County Magistrate.

There are many powerful people in the capital, so Magistrate Wang has to keep his tail between his legs at all times. Compared with the local level, where the sky is high and the emperor is far away, the county magistrate is the highest power holder in a county. As the old saying goes, the county magistrate who ruins his family will destroy his family. As a county magistrate at the feet of the emperor, if you are not careful, the county magistrate will be the one whose armor is broken.

When the county examination came again, Magistrate Wang carefully read the list of applicants and specially circled some important names.

For example, Jia Lian is a candidate in the red circle. He is a direct descendant of the dignified Duke Rong. He is just living at home and waiting to die. Wouldn't it be good to receive a title in the future? If you have to take the imperial examination, should I let you pass it or not?
  If you have excellent talent and academics, it won't be a big problem, but if you are someone who is somewhere between passable and mediocre, it will be really fatal. After giving it, Magistrate Wang, who was a Jinshi, was despised by the literati. If he didn't give it, he would offend the Jia family to death.

No matter which outcome, Magistrate Wang wants to see! It is difficult to be the county magistrate in the capital. If you have to say there is something gratifying about it, it is probably at the level of the sixth grade. Generally, county magistrates are at the seventh rank, and those who are even worse are from the seventh rank.

With two subordinates, Magistrate Wang came to Gongyuan. Everything was ready, waiting for him to announce that it was open.

"Open the door." With an order, the candidates were waiting to line up to enter the venue.

Jia Lian was also queuing up, and the leader of the family, Lao Sun, said: "Second Master, the younger one will lead the way, you can go in first."

Such arrogant words came out of Lao Sun's mouth without any embarrassment at all. He was really used to it.

"Put down your things and you all go back. It's just a county test." Jia Lian waved his hand and dismissed Lao Sun and others who wanted to perform well. There was Xiao An beside him, carrying the test box in his hand.

Although I went to bed early last night, I didn't sleep well. I got up twice during the night. Although he was very excited, Jia Lian was still nervous when he took part in the imperial examination for the first time. After waiting for more than ten minutes, I felt a little sleepy.

Jia Lian, who was waiting in line honestly, had actually been targeted by Magistrate Wang for a long time. Magistrate Wang also heard Lao Sun's arrogant words and was waiting for Jia Lian to do something outrageous to scare the monkeys and solve the problem once and for all.

Unexpectedly, Jia Lian did not give Magistrate Wang a chance to express his character as a civil servant. Magistrate Wang was very sorry for this. After all, in this county examination, there was only one candidate from a distinguished family. In most cases, the children of distinguished nobles will go to the Imperial College to study.

(End of this chapter)