Great Qing Xiangguo

Chapter 4

Having nothing to do this day, Chen Jing, Zhang Qian, and Li Jin found a teahouse to chat.Thinking of Chen Jing's generosity, Li Jin always felt sorry, and said: "Brother Chen is a hero, I will never forget Li. If there is good luck in this life, I will definitely thank you!"

Chen Jingdao: "Brother Tai said so, you will see yourself outside."

Suddenly, a person approached behind him and asked softly, "The three of you must have come to Beijing for the exam?"

Looking back, it was a pockmarked man.Zhang Qian said, "So what?"

Mazi said: "I have a few treasures here, which will definitely help the three high school champions."

Chen Jing smiled and said: "Your words are clearly false, there is only one champion, how can you guarantee that all three of us win?"

Li Jin glanced at the man, and said: "It's nothing more than "Big Title Library", "Small Title Library", "Complete Documents", "Book of Beads" and the like."

Mazi looked at Li Jin, and said, "Hey, this guy is knowledgeable! He must be a veteran of the examination room, right?"

Hearing this, Li Jin felt ashamed and wanted to explode immediately.Zhang Bang saw Li Jin's thoughts, and quickly laughed at himself and made fun of the pockmark, saying: "I said brother, you can't even flatter me? I failed in the third test, and I am angry, and you still say that I am a veteran in the examination field? "

Mazi smiled and said, "It's my fault that I can't speak. You can choose one of my treasures, and you can jump over the dragon's gate with a carp, and you won't use it next time!"

As Mazi said, he took out a small notebook from his pocket, and said, "This is called "Five Beauties of Classics and Arts", and the characters on it are too small for the old man to see! Look, one grain of rice can cover five characters!"

Chen Jing smiled and said: "Please, the three of us brothers can't see well, and you can't read such small characters clearly, you'd better look elsewhere!"

Mazi said again: "Don't be busy, don't be busy, I still have something good here." As Mazi said, he took out a round inkstone from his arms.

Zhang Jian took a look and said, "Isn't it just an inkstone?"

At this moment, he suddenly heard shouts from outside, and Mazi hurriedly put away the "Five Beauties of Economics and Art" on the table, but it was too late to put away the inkstone.Just as Mazi was about to go out, two burly men came in, standing at the door without looking sideways, with an imposing manner.Mazi had a ghost in his heart, and stood there trembling.The two men were both dressed as bannermen, one stout and the other tall and thin.They didn't open their mouths, but the burly man raised his hand, and suddenly a dozen soldiers with swords rushed in from outside the door, and rushed up to grab Mazi.Mazi cried out for injustice, but was taken away by Bingyong.The two men didn't speak, they found a seat and sat down.Guessing about these two unusual characters, the shopkeeper hurriedly stepped forward to pour tea carefully, then bowed and retreated.

Zhang Qian's hands trembled slightly, and the inkstone was right beside him.Chen Jing said softly: "Brother, don't panic, don't touch the inkstone." The stout man picked up the teacup and looked around coldly.He was just about to drink tea, when he suddenly caught a glimpse of the inkstone on the table here, he walked straight over.Zhang Jian cupped his hands to strike up a conversation, but the man ignored him, picked up the inkstone and looked upside down.He didn't see any flaws, so he put down the inkstone and went back to the table.The two men only took a few sips from the teacup, did not speak, sat down for a while, dropped a few copper coins and left.

Xiao Er came over to refill tea, Li Jin asked: "Xiao Er, who is so arrogant?"

Xiaoer said: "I don't know, I'm afraid it's someone from the palace, who has been wandering around this area recently. I said, don't touch this inkstone, it will cause trouble!"

Zhang Jian said: "I don't believe it!" He put the inkstone into his arms.

Xiaoer smiled and said, "Everyone is earning your juren's money right now! The examiner is collecting money. Just now, Mazi and the others were selling "Big Question Library". Our inns, restaurants, and teahouses also want to do your business. .Business, it's all business!"

Chen Jing took out the copper plate and put it on the table, said: "Brothers, I'm afraid this is a place of right and wrong, let's go."

The three of them were strolling in the street, Chen Jing said: "Brother Zhang, you still lost that inkstone, you are afraid of getting into trouble!"

Li Jin also said: "Yes, the three of us are all dutiful scholars."

Zhang Jian smiled and said, "I know, I just took it back and thought about it to see what it is."

Passing by Baiyun Temple, I saw a stall selling calligraphy in front of the temple, and the person selling calligraphy was Gao Shiqi.I saw a dilapidated cloth banner hanging behind him, with two large characters "selling characters" written on it, and a line of small characters written on it: writing letters, petitions, and couplets.Chen Jing asked: "Isn't that Qiantang Juren Gao Shiqi?"

Li Jin said softly: "My dear brother doesn't know something. How can he be a juren? He's just an old boy who has tried and failed! This person is also strange. Every spring, he comes to Beijing to gather with the juren and look at him eagerly. Watching others take the exam, and watching others win the Jinshi and parade through the streets on horseback."

Zhang Qian sighed, "Poor scholars all over the world!"

Li Jindao: "What's more pitiful is that he always wants to make friends with people, but others don't pay much attention to him. Some scholars are really like that!"

Zhang Qian said: "He actually came to sell calligraphy. Let's go and have a look."

Chen Jing grabbed the two of them and said, "It's better not to go, don't embarrass them."

Zhang Qian said: "It's nothing, he lives in the same shop as us, it's a predestined relationship!"

Gao Shiqi was writing with his head down, Li Jin stepped forward and cupped his hands and said, "So it's Mr. Gao Shiqi, Brother Qiantang!"

Gao Shiqi raised his head suddenly, with a slight embarrassment on his face, he immediately calmed down and said, "Ah, it's Li Juren! Shiqi was studying in the capital, and he was short of money. The shopkeeper is about to drive me out. Dare I ask these two students?" Brother?"

Chen Jing and Zhang Qian reported their families, and they were very polite.Gao Shiqi laughed and said, "I've met the two Juren! This Chen Xuexiong is only twenty years old, right? What a youthful achievement! Shiqi's teeth are too long, I'm ashamed!"

Chen Jingdao: "Mr. Gao, why should you be too modest? Your handwriting is really skillful!"

Gao Shiqi sighed: "What's the use of writing well!"

Zhang Bao said: "As the saying goes, words are the clothes of a literati. It is said that in the examination room, if there is no good calligraphy, the article will be discounted in the eyes of the examiners immediately."

Gao Shiqi still shook his head and sighed: "I'm really ashamed. There are quite a few people who said the words are good, but the good words didn't add a few coins to my pocket."

At this time, someone behind Chen Jing suddenly said: "No, from today onwards, Mr. Gao's words will become silver, and will become a lot of silver!"

Chen Jing and others looked back, only to see a person who was unpredictable, nodding and smiling.Gao Shiqi saw that this person had an extraordinary appearance, he hurriedly cupped his hands and said: "Dare to ask your Excellency who is the immortal king? Please enlighten me!"

The man also cupped his hands, and said: "I am Zu Zeshen, a commoner. The secrets of heaven are subtle, and I should give you a secret room. Mister, why not come with me."

Gao Shiqi stood there in a daze, speechless for a long time.Zu Zeshen laughed loudly and said, "Mr. Gao, if I'm not wrong, you are already penniless. I'll find a family background for you, and I won't charge you any money. Isn't that okay?"

Gao Shiqi thought that he was at the end of his life anyway, he didn't care about gains and losses, so he quickly stood up and bowed, saying: "Mr. Zu, please accept the next bow!"

Zu Ze shook his hand and said: "Don't dare, I will worship you in the future!"

After Zu Zeshen finished speaking, he turned and left.Gao Shiqi hurriedly packed his luggage, greeted Chen Jing and the others hastily, and followed Zu Zeshen away.There were a lot of onlookers, none of them could figure out what was going on, they just said that the calligraphy seller had met a god.

Chen Jing always worried about Zhang Qian's inkstone.One day Zhang Jian went out, Chen Jing went to his room, looked at the inkstone repeatedly, and sure enough, he saw a mystery on the cover, which opened with a twist, and a small book was stuffed inside.When I opened it, I found that it was "The Five Beauties of Economics and Art", and the words on it were as small as ants.Chen Jing was amazed at how sophisticated people can think of ghosts nowadays.He hesitated again and again, but still put "Five Beauties of Economics and Arts" back.Back in the room, he regretted again, he should have quietly taken out the "Five Beauties of Economics and Arts" and tore it up, otherwise Brother Zhang Qian might have an accident in the examination room.

A few days later, when Chen Jing was discussing with Li Jin, Zhang Qian pushed the door open and said a strange thing.Zhang Jian looked mysterious, and asked, "Do you still remember that Zu Zeshen who called Gao Shiqi away a few days ago?"

Li Jin asked: "What's wrong?"

Zhang Jian said: "That's the magic of the capital! He has the ability to tell the truth! Then Gao Shiqi was immediately recognized by him as wealthy. Do you know where Gao Shiqi has gone? He has already entered Zhan Shifu's servant!"

Li Jin asked in surprise: "Is this really the case?"

Zhang Qian said: "If you don't believe me, go out and have a look, most of the people in Happy Forest have gone to Zu Zeshen for a look!"

Chen Jing shook his head and said: "I never believed in the theory of fate. The so-called nonsense is strange!"

Zhang Ban laughed and said: "My dear brother, the sage Confucius also said to respect ghosts and gods and stay far away! Even though it is far away, after all, respect comes first! Let's do the math!"

Chen Jing suddenly remembered something, and said: "Brother Zhang, you should just throw away that inkstone."

Zhang Jian said: "I have looked at it carefully, and it is a very ordinary inkstone. My inkstone happened to be smashed, so let's use this to enter the examination room. Go, go to Zu Zeshen's house to have a look."

Chen Jingdao: "You guys go, I want to read a book."

Li Jin also wanted to have a look at the freshness, and said: "I don't care about reading for a day and a half, just go and watch the excitement."

Chen Jing couldn't evade any further excuses, so he had to go with him.It turned out that many people in the capital knew about Zu Zeshen, so they found his house after casually asking.As soon as he arrived at the door, he saw Zu Zeshen seeing off the guests.Chen Jing felt that he had seen this person somewhere before.The man's eyes were sharp, he sized them up quickly, and strode away.Zu Ze looked at the man's back, nodded and smiled again and again, very respectful.Zu Zeshen didn't see the three guests until the person turned around the corner, and asked with a smile, "The three Juren must have met before Baiyun Temple?"

Zhang Ban was very surprised, and said: "Mr. Zu has a good memory."

Zu Zeshen was very indifferent, and invited the three of them to drink tea in the room.Entering the gate, turning around Xiaoqiang, you can hear the noise of people.It turned out that the living room was already full of astrologers, and when everyone saw Zu Zeshen enter the door, they all rose to pay their respects.

Zu Ze said deeply: "Thank you for your love! There are so many people here all at once, what do I think? Today I don't look at the faces, I just chat with you."

Zhang Jian asked: "I heard that Gao Shiqi in Qiantang, Mr. Meng Zu saw the sign of wealth and honor, and immediately fulfilled it. Now he has gone to the court to listen to the affairs?"

Zu Ze said with a deep smile: "Mr. Gao has met a nobleman, and now he has enshrined in the inner court and went to Zhan Shi's mansion as an errand. That is a special errand for the emperor!"

Someone asked, "What does Zhan Shifu do?"

Zu Zeshen said: "To serve the emperor's daily life, what kind of chariots and horses are driven by him, it's all the business of Zhan Shifu!"

Another person asked: "I heard that there is an experience department under Zhan Shifu, who specializes in washing royal horses. Didn't Mr. Gao become Bi Mawen?"

Everyone laughed, saying that washing horses is for the emperor to wash royal horses, so what does Sima do?
Zu Ze said with a deep smile: "Joke, joke. You all have great ambitions, and you must look down on Zhan Shifu. But Zhan Shi is also a third-rank official!"

All the people sighed, and one person said: "My home is connected to the county government, and it is rare to see the county magistrate of Qipin. It is hard to see him go out once, and the gongs are played to clear the way. It is like singing an opera. It is so majestic! The people all said, To raise a child, you have to be the magistrate of the county, that's called Guangzong Yaozu! But that's only the seventh rank! The head of the horse washing in the court is the third rank!"

Zhang Jian asked: "May I ask Mr. Zu, what noble person did the old boy in Qiantang meet in his life?"

Zu Zeshen pretended to be mysterious, and said: "The guest I just sent away, can you see it? He is the current imperial guard, the celebrity around the emperor, Mr. Suo'etu! Mr. Gao Shiqi asked this Suo'etu Mr. Tu took a fancy to him at a glance, and directly led him into the imperial court as a servant!"

Only then did Chen Jing remember that the person who left just now was the man he had seen in the teahouse a few days ago.The crowd exclaimed repeatedly, forcing Zu Ze to take a deep look.But Zu Zeshen said: "I intend to make a name for you, today we will only drink tea and chat, not look at faces."

Zhang Qian said: "Mr. Zu, how can these people care about drinking tea? They are all concerned about their own future. Please tell me, Qiantang Gao Shiqi, why did he let Mr. Suo fall in love with him, a man who sells calligraphy for a living from the front of Baiyun Temple How about a poor scholar who stepped into the palace with one foot?"

Zu Zeshen laughed loudly, and said: "Toad Palace can win laurel, and there is a shortcut in Zhongnan! People, each has his own destiny! Zu said he didn't look at the physiognomy today, but he can say something. I took a rough look, and you Everyone, the only way to go is to study and take scientific examinations. What about Gao Shiqi? He can be an extremely powerful minister without taking scientific examinations!"

Zhang Qian and all the judges murmured in envy.Li Jin was a little angrily, and his face gradually turned red.Chen Jing didn't speak a single word, he didn't understand how Gao Shiqi became prosperous, but he didn't believe Zu Zeshen's words.He thought there must be some reason behind it, it's just that the world doesn't know about it.

Coming out of Zu Zeshen's house, Li Jin was in a bad mood and didn't want to go back to the inn, so he went for a walk alone.It wasn't until dark that Li Jin returned to the inn.There are many people around the store, and they are all discussing bribery in the examination room.Li Jin listened for a while, and said: "It's been less than 20 years since the country ruled the world, and the atmosphere in the examination hall has been so corrupted! It hurt the hearts of scholars all over the world, and this world will not last long!"

Someone said: "We are still here waiting for the test. I heard that the No. 2 Scholar, No. 1, and Tanhua have already been decided! No. 8000 Scholar, [-] taels of silver; No. [-], [-] taels of silver; Tanhua, [-] taels of silver!"

Some people heard this and said that they would not take the exam, and they would pack their bags and go home tomorrow.

Li Jindao: "To tell you the truth, I already know who gave the money and who took it. Tomorrow I will go to the Shuntian Mansion to sue! Whoever has blood, give me strength tomorrow!"

When Li Jin said this, everyone gathered together and asked him, "Is what you said true?"

Li Jin said: "This is a matter of losing your head if you don't manage it, who dares to talk nonsense?" There are a few tempered ones, and they all said that they are willing to accompany Li Jin to Shuntian Mansion tomorrow.

There was a lot of shouting and cursing here, Gao Shiqi was dressed in new clothes, he opened the curtain and came into the store.Someone immediately came up to him and said flatteringly, "Isn't this Gao... Mr. Gao?"

Gao Shiqi was very proud, but his mouth was modest: "I just came to work in front of the emperor, how can I be a grown-up? You should be a brother."

The man said: "Brothers are commensurate, isn't it right? By the way, this is Mr. Gao's love for us. Brother Gao, you are lucky. Now that you are prosperous, don't forget our brothers! The so-called crossing the same boat, 500 years of cultivation. We After all, these people have lived under the same roof for so long, the fate is even deeper!"

Gao Shiqi smiled and said: "It is destined, it is destined, it is indeed destined. Everyone is talking, I will go to the store to pay the bill and pack my luggage!"

Li Jin saw that these people usually ignored Gao Shiqi, but now he was so hot, he felt tired of seeing them, so he turned and walked away.

Zhang Jian was studying his book when he heard someone knock on the door.He ran to open the door, and it was Gao Shiqi who came in with a happy face.Zhang Qian cupped his hands and said, "Ah, Mr. Gao! You have risen to prominence in the blink of an eye, what should I call you?"

Gao Shiqi smiled and said, "You're welcome! We are destined to be together at last, we should be like brothers."

Zhang Qian hurriedly said, "Brother Gao, please sit down!"

Gao Shiqi sat down and said: "Brother Zhang, your friend Li Juren, if he is talking nonsense outside, he will be killed!"

Zhang Qian shook his head and said: "Oh, Chen Jing and I have both told him, so please persuade him not to stop!"

Gao Shiqi said: "Chen Jing is young and mature, he will become a master."

Zhang Jian asked: "Brother Gao, why are you here? You are on a royal mission now!"

Gao Shiqi said: "I left in a hurry the next day, and my luggage is still in this store. I came here to pick it up. Brother Zhang, I believe in fate. It is fate that you and I met."

Zhang Bang was very grateful in his heart, and said: "It's a great fortune to meet Brother Gao."

Gossiping for a long time, Gao Shiqi said, "Maybe Gao can help you with your scientific research this time."

Zhang Ban's eyes lit up immediately, although he was doubtful in his heart, but he couldn't hold back his hand, he said: "Ah? Please, Brother Gao."

(End of this chapter)