Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 782
"Although the emperor beats them hard, these are the only ones who can use them with confidence." Dai Jin said.

The fourth elder brother rubbed between his brows, noncommittal.

"But after inquiring, I understand, what was wrong with Jingyang Palace that day?" the fourth elder brother asked.

Dai Jin bowed and said: "Master Hui, two people from the Yonghe Palace were lost this time, and no one knows the details. There was also a loss on the other side of the palace. I think about it for a day. Apart from the birth of the concubine, there is no other major event here. This is the only thing that can make Master De and Concubine Yi take care of it."

Speaking of this, he hesitated for a moment, and said: "On the other side of the palace, there are rumors that Elder Twelve was injured. Because no one has seen it, and they don't know whether the news is true or not."

Although I knew something was wrong, but I think the palace handled it cleanly, and no noise came out.

The fourth elder brother put aside the matter and said, "West side, do you have a letter?"

"The report from the Ministry of War is that the situation in Tibet is in a confrontation. There is Lhazang Khan asking for medical treatment from the court. The news from the northwest is that the city of Potala has fallen and Lhazang Khan is dead. It is also said that there is Qinghai Taiji I voted for Zhungeer, but it was all rumors in the army, and there was no evidence." Dai Jin said.

The fourth elder brother was silent for a while and said: "What do you think? Will Huang Ama fulfill the wish of the old fourteen?"

Dai Jin thought for a while, and said: "The situation in the northwest is so corrupt that it has already spread from Xinjiang to Qinghai and Tibet. If the imperial court does not send troops, it will be even more difficult to destroy Jungar once he has established a firm foothold in Tibet. Now, it is designated to send a large army to the northwest. If you want to get sick in the spring of next year, the army will be sent to the northwest this autumn and winter. Among the princes, only the fourteenth brother can lead the army."

"Poor thirteenth brother." The fourth elder brother sighed, with a look of disappointment on his face.

Dai Jin is his confidant, so he naturally knows that this sigh is also a feeling from the master.In the past few months, the concubine De and the fourteenth elder brother in the palace are a bit more "intimate" than when they were here in the past.

As a brother of the same mother, the fourth elder brother is still the elder, but in the eyes of the concubine De and the fourteenth elder brother, it is only a person who can be used, how can it not be chilling?

*
On the Cao family's side, Cao Yin's news is better than others.As early as the chief examiner of the examination did not announce the money, Cao Yin became busy.

Because the ninth day of the ninth day was about to end, on the seventh day of the seventh day, he sent people to Haidian Garden to pick up Brother Cao Xiang.Originally, the steward also asked Qian Chenqun to come here, but Qian Chenqun had already resigned from the hall and couldn't come here, so he took the book boy to the Jiaxing guild hall.

Brothers Cao Xiang, one for each, are the resumes of the two examiners, as well as their articles.What is rare is that there are also their early exam-taking strategies and comments on the students' articles.

A thick book, about two inches high.

How can I prepare these in one day?It was because of Cao Yin's intentions that he prepared a copy of the materials of several Jingtang who are qualified to be the chief examiner, so that it can be so cheap.

This is also the practice of imperial examinations, try to figure out the preferences of the two chief examiners, and avoid their taboos.Of course, those who have the conditions to do so are all scholars from high-ranking families, and students from poor families. Even if they have the heart, they have nowhere to specialize.In the market, those sold for a few taels of silver are mostly fabricated by speculators, and few of them are true.

Cao Xiang worked as a teacher in Henan Prefecture for a year. Although he was assigned by the magistrate to supervise taxes for a few months, he spent the rest of his time in charge of local school administration.

Those scholars have also pondered the articles of his "teacher".

It has only been a few days since the chief examiner of this year's exam has worked hard, and my uncle is preparing for these.Holding the thick booklet in his hands, Cao Xiang felt a fever in his chest, and said in a low voice, "The imperial doctor has told you that uncle's body should be rested, but uncle is worrying about his nephews."

Even though Cao Fu was one year younger than Cao Xiang, he was always quick-witted, and he knew that this was a baby for the exam.However, with all sincerity, he was looking forward to his uncle's healthy life.

He put down the booklet, pulled Cao Yin's sleeve, and said: "Uncle also said, let the nephews only serve as a warm-up show, why do you have to spend all your time making these for the nephews? Uncle's love, nephews Of course I am grateful. But if you tire uncle, won’t your nephews become unfilial people?”

Cao Yin patted his hand and said with a smile: "The only thing I can do for you is this. It's not that this is a trick, but there are rules for everything. There is no rule without rules. If you want to try, you must According to the rules of the imperial examination, even if there is no benefit to you, there will be no harm."

Cao Fu wanted to say more, but Cao Yin had already put on a straight face, and said: "It's only a few days, you two have to recuperate and prepare for the exam in the next few days. Uncle doesn't ask you to jump the dragon's gate with a carp, I just hope You can perform as usual, don’t be stage fright. No matter whether you are good or bad, you know your own level, even if you have not prepared for these days in vain.”

Cao looked down and saw Cao Yin's solemn appearance, put down his arms, stood beside Cao Xiang, and listened with his hands down.

The uncle and nephew were talking when they heard footsteps outside, and then a servant said: "Master, the uncle is back."

"Yong'er come in, your two little brothers are back." Cao Yin raised his voice.

Cao Yong also went directly to the study when he heard from the porter that Brother Cao Xiang was coming.It has been more than a month since their brothers went to Haidian to study last month, and it is rare for the brothers to meet each other with a big gift.

As the elder brother, Cao Yong had to ask a few words about their homework.

Although he did not go through the imperial examination, his good calligraphy came from master calligraphers, and the masters in Da Xiaojia also praised Cao Yong's cleverness again and again, so the two brothers Cao Xiang respectfully answered his cousin's questions about his homework. , Did not dare to complain and contempt at all.

After exchanging pleasantries, Cao Yin sent them back to Dong Mansion first.

Only Cao Yin and his son were left in the room. Cao Yin took out a booklet from the drawer and handed it to Cao Yong.

Cao Yong knew that his father had been preparing the "exam-reading book" in recent days, and he saw that Brother Cao Xiang had it in his hand just now.Now that they have all of them, the ones in their hands are naturally for others.The only candidate who had a relationship with the Cao family was Qian Chenqun, the former teacher of the Cao family.

"Qian Chenqun has the style of great Confucianism, and there will always be a bright future. It's just that his temperament is weaker, and he lacks the heart of utilitarianism, otherwise he will definitely be able to become a cabinet minister. However, with his great talent, even if he can't be a cabinet minister, he can still be a minister. Establish the world with articles." Cao Yin said.

"Father, he has a withdrawn personality. Even if he sent this to him, he may not be able to use it." Cao Yong said.

Qian Chenqun's book is full of anger, and he is a little noble in his bones, so Cao Yong said so.

Cao Yin stroked his beard with a smile, and said: "It's not for him to use, it's just for him to accept this favor. If you don't succeed in this subject, you can come back and teach God to bless them for a few years."

Seeing what his father meant, he was a little certain that Chen Qun would land the money.

Cao Yong was very surprised. If it is said that stereotyped kung fu of invading adultery, even the two Cao Xiang brothers combined can't compare with Chen Qun.

"Father, is there something wrong with Qian Chenqun?" Cao Yong thought about it, and there was only this.

Cao Yin nodded, and said: "In the 44th year of Kangxi, when the emperor was on a tour to the south, he saw Qian Chenqun's poems. He loved his talent and ordered his retinue to return to Beijing to take the exam. He refused to go because of his mother's illness. It would be better to be someone else. , will not dig out the past more than ten years ago. This Zhao Shenqiao is in an embarrassing situation now, he does not seek merit, but only seeks no faults, how can he name this person?"

Cao Yong listened, can only be speechless.

Qian Chenqun was famous in the south of the Yangtze River before he reached the weak crown, and he had no official career for more than ten years, which is also the influence of this incident.

As an official in the same dynasty as Zhao Shenqiao, Cao Yong originally had sympathy for his situation, but now he knows that poor people should have something to hate.

As expected by Cao Yong, even if Cao Yong went in person, Qian Chenqun still declined the kindness of Cao Fu.Rao is so, Cao Yong also left the booklet.

Qian Chenqun is famous but not powerful. Since his mother asked him to take the exam, if he failed the exam, he would not return home disappointed.

There are many expenses in the capital, and it is not easy to live in.Being able to go to Cao's house to set up a museum can also be regarded as providing Qian Chenqun with a piece of pure land.

Cao Yong left the brochure to provide a step for him to return to Cao's house.

Qian Chenqun is not a long-winded person either. Seeing that Cao Yong insisted on this, he didn't say much.Even if it is sent, he will not read it, and he will not imitate the mediocre and pollute the saint's article.

After Cao Yong left, he looked at the booklet for a long time, with a wry smile on his face.I despise other people's pursuit of fame and fortune, but laugh at a hundred steps at fifty steps.

As the only child in the family, instead of serving the widowed mother, staying in the capital, isn't it impossible to break the desire for fame and fortune?
In the guild hall, there are also exam candidates from fellow countrymen.Even if there are those who find these outside, they are all well hidden, for fear that others will miss them.The Cao family can prepare a portion for him, but this friendship should be remembered...

*
In a blink of an eye, it was the ninth day of the ninth day.

Cao Yong thought about sending his two cousins ​​off, so he got up early.Unexpectedly, Cao Yin also got up at Lanyuan.

On the other side of the East Mansion, the luggage and the people who followed have all been prepared.Cao Song also got up early, and when he saw his uncle and cousin coming out, he hurriedly brought his two younger brothers to greet him.

Seeing that Brother Cao Xiang was still in good spirits, Cao Yin nodded.

Seeing what he meant, he wanted to see his nephews off in person, Cao Song hurriedly stopped him.

Cao Yin said with a smile: "It's rare to get up so early. I just took advantage of your light to go out and look at the street scene. It's getting late, so don't talk about your mother-in-law."

The Cao Song brothers could only look at Cao Yong helplessly. Seeing that his father was in a good mood, Cao Yong didn't want to go against his will. He took the reins from the servant and helped his father mount the horse.

The Cao Song brothers had no choice but to get on their horses and keep up.

On Cao Fu's side, after going through the provincial examination last year, he was no longer afraid of taking the exam; on Cao Xiang's side, he remembered the situation of the provincial examination four years ago, and thought of Cao Shuo, and couldn't help feeling sad.

Cao Yong was afraid that the pressure on his cousins ​​would affect the test status, so he only picked up easy topics along the way.For example, how to repair the Haidian garden, how many months passed to escape the summer heat, and so on.

When they got outside the venue, Cao Yin and the others turned the reins when they saw Brother Cao Xiang's end.

The sky was dim and bright, Cao Song went directly to the palace to be on duty, while Cao Yong accompanied his father back to the mansion.

After a while, the father and son returned to the gate of Cao's mansion.

The sky is full of red clouds in the east, and it seems to be another sunny day.

Cao Yin looked at the rising sun in the sky, and said to Cao Yong with a smile: "Today's exploration of flowers must come from the Cao family..."

(End of this chapter)