Beautiful step by step

Chapter 34

Yishan layman Liu Yundao is a thin old man who is exactly the same as Liu Jijiu, the difference is that he has a well-trimmed beard and a dusty robe. .

Liu Rong personally led the three of them in, called Uncle, he nodded, put down the book in his hand and glanced at them.

"That's the kid?"

As if he had gotten used to his indifference and pickiness, Liu Rong nodded, his voice still calm and unhurried: "He is Yan Yun. This time, he and his elder brother entered Beijing with the Northwest Army. This is his elder brother, who was just promoted to governor a few days ago. .”

"Oh."

After a reply, he picked up the book again, seemingly engrossed in reading it, forgetting that there were three other visitors in the room.

Uncle made this move again, Liu Rong felt helpless.After ordering the servant girl to serve tea, she personally led the three of them to sit aside.The study room is very spacious, with a small table about a foot wide between the chairs, and some candied fruits are placed on the table.Wei Wei pulled Ayun to sit down, pointed to the layman Yishan behind the desk, put his middle finger between his lips to signal him to keep silent.Yan Heng sat down on the other side, seeing the tacit understanding between his younger brother and Ah Mao who were particularly energetic after changing into new clothes, he felt relieved for a while, and sat upright with them.

For a moment, all three of them crossed their hands on their laps, looked at their noses, noses, and hearts, and sat in the same posture.After ordering the maid to pour the tea, Liu Rong turned her head and saw this, a slight smile appeared on the corner of her lips.He really complied with the sentence that it's not that one family doesn't enter one family, the Yan family's two big and one small ones are pleasing to the eye, and they are also extremely well-behaved.This time uncle will not say a word, just read a book and drive people away, right?

Liu Rong was right, Liu Yundao said he was reading a book, but actually focused most of his attention on the three of them.In fact, from the moment they entered the door, he was quite satisfied after seeing their faces clearly.His seemingly strict three-point requirements are not nonsense.Talent and intelligence are a must. The imperial examination is held every three years, and each session only takes more than a hundred people. If you are not talented, you will definitely not pass the exam.

As for looks, this court selects officials for looks, and even the Holy Majesty favors the jade-like crowned King Duan.As far as he is concerned, he naturally likes good-looking ones, at least teaching them is pleasing to the eye.And it's not enough just to look good, he has a little bit of physiognomy, and he generally doesn't want to teach people with cruel and mean faces.However, the three members of the Yan family on the opposite side, not to mention their appearances are all high-class, and there is nothing wrong with their faces.Even Mrs. Yan in the middle, although her life will bring calamity, if she can survive, she will enjoy inexhaustible wealth in the future.

He was three points satisfied after meeting each other, and now seeing them sitting in order, they did not show displeasure at all because of his negligence.Especially that child, who seemed to be naughty at his age, but now he was sitting quietly beside his brother and sister-in-law, his face full of seriousness as he sat upright.

Satisfied, he put down the book and coughed, his sharp eyes swept over Yan Heng: "Yan Zhenfu was promoted a few days ago? The old man doesn't understand the twists and turns. Can this young man explain a thing or two?"

His gaze finally fixed on Yan Yun, seeing him looking over and asking this question, Yan Yun was taken aback.

Wei Wei under the sleeve carefully patted his leg and gave him an encouraging look.Although no one expected this person to be so straightforward when he came up, it's not appropriate for them to interrupt right now.

Yan Yun thought for a while, stood up and said crisply: "Because my brother's credit for killing the enemy was robbed by Mr. Wu, and later the emperor found out, and in order to praise my brother for his good work, he was promoted to another official."

Thoughts are smooth and articulate, but this is not enough, Liu Yundao continued to ask: "Then what do you think about this matter?"

What does he think?This stumped Ah Yun, he rubbed his hands and looked at Sister Ah Mao, seeing her smiling at him softly, he became bolder for a while.

"To be honest, I hate the Wu family. But my brother told me that people have to bow their heads under the eaves, and sometimes they have to endure it. The Wu family is very powerful. If we hadn't met Sister Ah Mao, we would have stayed with her In the capital, maybe my brother will have to endure longer before he can make his mark."

Speaking of this, Ah Yun raised her head and looked at Ah Mao full of admiration. The emotion in the little guy's eyes softened her heart.In fact, it has nothing to do with her, Ah Heng is capable, a person like him may be suppressed for a while, but in time he will always come out ahead.

Liu Yundao's voice was far away, with a trace of temptation in his tone: "Then do you want to take revenge on the Wu family?"

"revenge?"

Not only is Ah Yun a bit confused, but even Wei Wei is suspicious, is this really an assessment?In general, when a gentleman recruits an apprentice, doesn't he just take a sentence from the book, and let the students express their opinions by breaking the topic like the imperial examination?But Layman Yishan's questions are more bizarre than the last, and they are even worse than his three basic requirements for accepting disciples.

Is he really not a secret agent sent by the Wu family?Seeing Liu Rong at the side, she forcibly suppressed this doubt.

"Do you want to or don't want to?"

Liu Yundao walked up to the little guy, bent down to look at him, and asked him oppressively.

Ah Yun clenched his fists: "I want to! I want to, but not now. You should think twice before acting, and endure when you should."

Although he is only four years old, the thoughts in the little guy's mind are extremely clear at this moment.The eldest brother and sister Ah Mao are his closest relatives, and the Wu family framed them, that is his enemy.But just like how the eldest brother taught him how to deal with his stepmother at home alone when he was away on an expedition, sometimes the enemy is too strong, so he has to show weakness to paralyze him and accumulate strength secretly.Otherwise, acting aggressive and provocative will only arouse their vigilance, and then bring disaster.

Liu Yundao's eyes are so vicious, Ah Yun's little thoughtfulness can't be hidden from him at all.If he is a scholar full of benevolence, righteousness and morality, he will definitely feel that he is too narrow-minded.But he is just a big layman, so at this moment he thinks of Ah Yun so much.This kid is good, with thick eyebrows, big eyes, red lips and white teeth, and he can still sit still, not naughty like ordinary kids; moreover, he is smart, and his thinking is so clear at such a young age; Knowing forbearance, such a person is the easiest to mess around in officialdom.

What he lacks now is the accumulation of knowledge and the experience of means.And these are precisely the easiest things for him to do.

Liu Yundao has been obsessed with learning all his life, and now at the age when half of his body is buried in the loess, he suddenly has some understanding.Years of wars have been fought in the northwest, and Japanese pirates often invade the southeast. Although Dai Viet won most of the time, the deepest reason is that this is a peaceful and prosperous age.A rich country can afford to raise soldiers, and can also provide strong horses and sharp swords.However, if the peaceful and prosperous age wants to continue, it is not enough to rely on a wise emperor. It is more important to rely on the tens of thousands of people in Da Viet to live affluently, pay taxes and support enough troops to deter the barbarians.

And the most basic thing for the common people to be rich is that the tiller should have the land.A further step is that the common people can have the power to protect themselves when the landlords annex the land.To do this, the wisdom of the people must be opened up.

However, this is contrary to the wishes of the bureaucrats.For this reason, he looked through the historical materials of the past dynasties, and many people with lofty ideals had this idea, and the most recent one was Wei Xiang of the Xiandi Dynasty.He initiated the abolition of hereditary titles, and the land property of officials and common people paid taxes together.This action offended the public, and under heavy pressure, the first emperor was finally deposed from office and seized the title, and exiled to the bitter cold frontier.

After the death of his old wife, he was alone and had no interest in life, but this discovery aroused his fighting spirit.He admired Wei Xiang, but now that he is old, it is impossible to enter the court again.In addition, he has no successors under his knees, so he urgently needs a closed son.He despises mediocre people, and the children of aristocratic families will take care of their own interests first, leaving only the children of poor families.However, there are very few students from poor families. How can it be so easy to find the right one?

For a whole year, when he was almost desperate, the heavens sent Yan Yun.He is only four years old, but already so smart.Even if he does not have the courage to challenge the civil and military authority of the Manchu Dynasty in the future, he will become an outstanding person.With this apprentice, he will not waste his life.

"From today onwards, you will stay here, temporarily living in the wing room, and take a bath every ten days."

Seeing Layman Yishan's expression was gloomy and unclear, standing there for a long time without opening his mouth, Wei Wei and Yan Heng almost regarded him as a refusal.After all, Ah Yun bluntly said that he would not retaliate because he was not strong enough. If Yan Heng was still a bitter little cabbage who was greedy for military achievements, then it could be said to be brotherly love.However, Yan Heng has already been wronged, and Wu Gong, the instigator, has already been punished. At this time, he still thinks about revenge, which makes people feel narrow-minded and reluctant.

At that time, people were very strong, and as the saying goes, three years old and old, Ah Yun's words are really not elegant at all.It would be reasonable if layman Yishan looked down on him.Wei Wei has already started to make up his mind, and after returning home, he asked someone to find out which academy in the capital is better, and tried to find a way to send Ah Yun in.Unexpectedly, in a twist of fate, he actually agreed.

But stay here now... Wei Wei bit her lips: "The layman is willing to teach, we are naturally grateful. It's just that it's not appropriate to live here. Firstly, Ah Yun didn't clean up his daily things in a hurry, and secondly, it was too much. Disturb the house."

Liu Rong, who was listening quietly at the side, said: "My little nephew is about the same age as Ayun, and the house is fully equipped for daily use. It's just... Uncle, Ayun is still young and can't leave his relatives, and they live in the same city and are not far away. How about letting him take his lunch break here, and save some effort, and go back after school at night?"

Liu Yundao has never paid much attention to these things, and as soon as he heard that it would not affect his study, he agreed indifferently.

So Ah Yun stayed at noon that day, even though he first arrived in a strange place and there were no familiar people around, he was not used to it.But in the past, when the eldest brother was not at home, his father and stepmother treated him like a stranger.In comparison, the servants of Liu's mansion only had curiosity and no malice in their eyes, and he adapted well after a while.

As for Liu Yundao, who was accepting apprentices for the first time, although he had infinitely ambitious plans in his heart, it would take at least ten years.Now facing a little Douding who didn't even hit his waist, he was a little at a loss.

When he saw the food box on the table, he had an idea and walked over with it.

"master."

Seeing him coming, the little guy quickly stood up straight and greeted him very respectfully.Just now he had kowtowed to formally become a teacher. Before leaving, Sister Ah Mao told him that the master and master of heaven and earth are also half fathers.

Liu Yundao put the food box on the table, and beckoned to him: "Well, Ah Yun, sit down, come and have some snacks."

As soon as he opened the food box, he regretted it a little. It turned out to be a snack from Guangyuan Building.Guangyuanlou dim sum does not take away, only a plate is served on each table during meals, for guests to grind their teeth while waiting.

But... Among the dishes in Guangyuanlou, he loves dim sum that doesn't charge money the most.It's not because he doesn't charge money, but because there is a rumor in Beijing that the Yishan layman, who has become a book lover and seems to have long since transcended the common world, is fond of sweets, and because of this, his two back molars have broken out early.

Seeing those snacks that were obviously specially made and a bit more delicate than those used in Guangyuan Building on weekdays, Liu Yun's heart was bleeding.If it weren't for the responsibility of being a teacher, he really wanted to regret it immediately.

"Snacks are too sweet to cause tooth decay, Ah Yun should eat less."

Yan Yun nodded. He didn't like sweets very much, but he was too embarrassed to refuse when the master called.It's great to not have to eat too much these days.Picking up the least sweet one, he ate it slowly.

Sensing his dislike, Liu Yundao heaved a sigh of relief, and at the same time had a plan in mind.It's too weird to go to Guangyuan Building alone. If you bring the Liu family you are familiar with, most of them know that he has a temper and will compete with him for snacks.If it were a newly recruited apprentice...he would simply be the best meal buddy!
Thinking about it this way, his level of satisfaction with Ah Yun, which was almost full, soared straight up, and after breaking through the full point, it soared upwards.

"Has Ah Yun ever been able to read?"

"Well, Sister Ah Mao taught the Three-Character Classic and the Hundred Surnames, and also learned a little about the Thousand-Character Classic, but some characters are more difficult to write, and I haven't learned it yet."

Liu Yundao rested his hands on the side of the food box with the dim sum: "You mean...you can write the characters in the Three Character Classic and the names of hundreds of families?"

Yan Yun was a little embarrassed: "Master, Sister Ah Mao said that my hands are too weak to hold the brush, so we always dipped our fingers in water to make gestures. I only know what the characters look like, but I can't actually write them."

Is this ashamed?
Liu Yundao randomly tested two similar characters, and found that not only did he not remember any gestures, but he could even tell the origin and meaning of these characters.He was unbelievable when he was happy, how old is he?Even a scholarly family, a child who is soaked in ink from birth cannot do this at the age of four.

After asking clearly, he learned all these within a month, and when he could remember most of the things after reading it, Liu Yundao was so surprised that he almost broke through the sky.

Never forget!This is the dream of every scholar in the world.Dayue has been in power for a hundred years, apart from Wei Xiang during the late emperor, he is the second person with a photographic memory.Thinking of what he didn't realize until his later years, and remembering that this coincided with Wei Xiang's ideas, he couldn't help feeling that this was an arrangement from heaven.

Swallowing a mouthful of snacks, seeing the old god in front of the master from the temple, his expression suddenly became crazier than the idiot Da Zhu at the entrance of his hometown village, A Yun looked melancholy at the gate of the courtyard, doubting sister Ah Mao's eyes for the first time.

Is this master really reliable?
Ayun, who stayed at Liu's house over there, deeply felt that his master was unreliable, and silently planned to be self-reliant in the future.Wei Wei and Yan Heng, who had just left the Liu residence, were stopped by Liu Jijiu.

"Yan Zhenfu, to be honest, this old man has a good understanding of folk arts and crafts, and often discusses with his colleagues from the Ministry of Industry. It's just that this old man really didn't see what was installed under the carriage."

Wei Wei was stunned, what does it mean to have a good understanding, and often discusses with those people from the Ministry of Industry, isn't the president of a university who doesn't want to be an engineer a good scholar?

She really didn't expect Mr. Liu to be so straightforward, but it was her wish to use his hand to let the heavens hear about the spring.Yan Heng thought the same way, the two looked at each other, and he spoke.

"Liu Jijiu has good eyesight. To be honest, I was very good at these handicrafts in the Northwest Army. After entering Beijing not long ago, when he had nothing to do, he thought of something that could be placed under the car to reduce vibration. He I wanted to dedicate this thing to the emperor, but my official position is low."

Speaking of the willow sacrificial wine, he also understood that Yan Zhenfu wanted to use his hand to give this credit.Although he could hear the use of his words, but he understood that if this matter can be accomplished, he would also have a share of the credit after Longxin Joy.Ever since Madam Yan went to be Madam Yan's official guest in order to give her daughter a sigh of relief, the two families have become friends.In the officialdom, there is mutual benefit and reciprocity, and now that Yan Heng is showing goodwill, he doesn't need to push it out.

"I don't know where that person is, is this old man lucky enough to visit?"

Hearing this, the two invited Liu Jijiu to the carriage and sat in the carriage all the way without feeling any swaying, Liu Jijiu knew the value of this thing better.After seeing Ding Youde, he was full of admiration, but his attitude was a bit too polite.

Ding Youde lived in the post house with the Northwest Army that came this time, the sacrifice of prisoners has been finished, and the army will return to the Northwest in a few days.He was packing his things when Yan Heng told him to go out.

He not only admired Yan Heng.He was a little dizzy, and his legs were weak when he fought.If Yan Heng hadn't given him a few heads, he would still be a big soldier now, and would have to charge into the battle as cannon fodder if there was a war. How could he be a small flag comfortably and be able to go to Beijing with the army.He remembered Yan Heng's kindness. After Wu Gong ordered someone to harass Xiao Yu and returned a month ago, he left the Wu family. For this reason, he was often excluded.Now that Wu Gong was deprived of office, seeing such a big event, only one Wu Gong was involved, and the almost unharmed Wu family became even more powerful.Therefore, not only did his situation not improve, but he was even more isolated because of his closeness with Yan Heng.

Seeing that the armor on Ding Youde's body was somewhat damaged, Yan Heng probably understood his situation in the army.Thinking of this, his desire to let Ding Youde stay in the capital became more urgent.Although the imperial court ordered military households not to be allowed to come out of the country without reason, it is not impossible for him to get the emperor's dispensation with his skills.

"Liu Jijiu, this is Ding Xiaoqi."

"It turned out to be a small flag, and I have admired it for a long time."

Liu Jijiu, Jijiu is a senior official, why are you so polite to him?Ding Youde trembled, and after listening to Yan Heng's explanation of his intention, he became more apprehensive and shook his head again and again.

"It's just a simple thing, it's nothing."

It's really nothing, after all, he has been good at making these little things since he was a child.It's just some ingenious tricks, compared to Yan Heng's bravery and skill in fighting and Liu Jijiu's extensive books, they really can't be put on the table.

But the more he said this, the more Liu Jijiu took it seriously.He already knew about springs along the way, and he greatly appreciated such an ingenious design.If this is nothing, then how capable is Ding Xiaoqi?

So Liu Jijiu stopped ordering, took Ding Youde back to the mansion, and directly sent a letter of recommendation to Emperor Qinglong's imperial case.As the Imperial College Jijiu, one of his functions is to recommend talents.There are many high-ranking families in the capital, and he recommended this family to offend that family. In the end, he simply did not recommend anyone, and even his own son passed the imperial examination.

I hadn't seen Guozijian's recommendation letter for many years, and now one came suddenly, and Emperor Qinglong opened it immediately out of curiosity. This was a big deal, and he summoned Ding Youde that afternoon.And Tongyuan Commercial Bank prepared it early, and the enlarged luxury version of the second-generation shock-absorbing carriage was also inspected and sent to Yuqian.

The day before Wei Wei and Yan Heng set off to return to Liangzhou, Ding Youde had already been disqualified from the military, and entered the Shanxi Institute of the Ministry of Industry to start work.And Liu Jijiu and Tongyuan Trading Company also have their own rewards, only Yan Heng is calm.Wei Wei probably understood that it was not that Emperor Qinglong didn't know, but he just didn't want to make him too conspicuous.

Although there are only six grades in the house, all construction matters are handled by the handicraft department.Ding Youde had no interest in joining the army, so he used the savings he and Yan Heng had earned over the years to buy a courtyard next to the courtyard of the Wei Family.The yard is ready-made. After moving in, he solemnly came here to thank him, and patted his chest to promise that he would take good care of Wei's mother.

Letting go of the last sliver of worry, Wei Wei took inventory of her belongings, bid farewell to Wei's mother and A Yun with tears in her eyes, and followed Yan Heng to board the carriage to the northwest.

(End of this chapter)