Idle courtiers

Chapter 204
Hearing Tang Shunzhi's explanation, Zhou Nan also wanted to understand the truth, and said: "The boy is so lofty and far-sighted, Mr. Tang taught him well."

He was also shocked. He really didn't expect the Suzhou Wang family to be able to take the exam so well. They are really a family of grandparents and four scholars!By the way, his son seems to be called Wang Shiqi. In the 17th year of Wanli's Jiangnan Township Examination Jieyuan, he became a Jinshi in [-]th year. He is in the same discipline as Yuan Keli in Suizhou and Dong Qichang in Yunjian.He was awarded the head of the Ministry of War, served as a member of the Ministry of Rites, and later served as a doctor of the Ministry of Officials.

This royal family is not human!

It seems that the Wang family is very good at teaching their children.

Perhaps, under Wang Shizhen's personal guidance, I might be able to take the exam!
Tang Shunzhi laughed loudly: "Actually, Yuan Mei really likes your song "Like This Star Wasn't Last Night, For Whom the Wind and Dew Standing at Midnight". However, he already regards you as the student he admires most in his heart, how can he be willing to listen to others?" brag in front of you."

The two talked again, and Zhou Nan asked Tang Shunzhi if he was feeling better.

Tang Shunzhi was also moved when he saw the concerned expression on his face.The Tao has recovered, and the spirit is stronger than before.It's just that the old man doesn't enjoy every meal without meat, Zimu, you let me have more vegetables and less meat, which is very uncomfortable.

Before he knew it, Zhou Nan had already stayed in Tang Shunzhi's mansion for a whole day.

The dignified Secretary of the Household Department of Nanjing, this time he came to Beijing to say goodbye. He didn't know how many official duties he had at hand, and how many important people he had to meet. Naturally, Zhou Nan couldn't delay him any longer, so he got up to leave at the right time.

Tang Shunzhi personally sent him to the gate, and told him to study hard and get a good reputation, and the two parted ways.

When Zhou Nan returned to his home, he took out a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Zhu Congchen who was already waiting beside him: "Hey, here you are."

Zhu Congbai: "What is this?"

Zhou Nan: "What else can it be? Of course it's a letter written by Mr. Tang to your wife, advising you and your husband to get back together. You should go back soon!" All he could say was "Get out of here."

Zhu Cong was overjoyed and cheered: "I can finally go home, thank you Zimu, thank you Zimu, thank you for your kindness. There will be great rewards in the future."

Seeing that he was so happy that he was about to cry, Zhou Nan felt contemptuous in his heart.Sarcastically said: "Brother Zhu, why don't you leave home these few days, be free and happy? How can a bad wife at home compare to Xie Yuhua, who is gentle and considerate outside. By the way, last time I bought your land , Didn’t I give you 20 taels of gold? Anyway, I’m not in a hurry, I might as well go to Jiaofangsi later.”

Zhu Congchen: "This, this..."

Zhou Nan made a serious face on purpose: "Why, you are reluctant to part with the money, Brother Zhu, you are so stingy that you are not a real man, and I really despise you."

Zhu Congchi blushed anxiously: "Zimu, if you say this, you will be born. Is this the kind of person I am, Zhu Congchi? You have helped me a lot, and it is not impossible to ask you once. It's just, just ..."

"Just what?"

Zhu Cong said in a low voice: "I got your 20 taels of gold last time when I sold the land. My wife knew about it. She returned the money to Zimu. To put it bluntly, all the gold and silver on me belonged to her. My wife's eyes There is only money in it, and every penny and penny is counted. I have spent more than 30 taels of silver in the past few days, and I am worrying about what to do with her, but I dare not lose money again. Farewell, farewell!"

After all, the soles of the feet are oily.Afraid to be slow, Zhou Nan dragged him to Huajie Liuxiang.

Seeing his distressed appearance, Zhou Nan felt relieved.It is conceivable that Zhu Congchi must have suffered cruel domestic violence when he returned home today.There are no two days in the sky, and there are no two masters in the family.The position of the family, if not occupied, must be occupied by the spouse.

After this blow, Zhu is expected to be locked up at home until the Chinese New Year.

Finally get rid of this nasty toad.

This guy stays at my house every day, he doesn't bite people, he responds to people

After Zhu Congchen was sent away, it was already dark.Zhou Nan had nothing to do, first took "Mencius" and memorized a chapter, and then memorized a model essay for the top list in the previous North Zhili Township Examination, feeling vaguely rewarded in his heart, as if he had touched the threshold of classical Chinese writing.

In fact, the most difficult hurdle for the time traveler to travel to ancient times to take the imperial examination is how to write in classical Chinese.

There is no shortcut to this matter, but it is to read more, memorize more and write more.

Zhou Nan was not a lazy person, and reading was not a chore for him.The only thing I was worried about was that Old Tang had been in Beijing for about ten days. As soon as he left, he would formally study crafting under Wang Shizhen.

This Wang Shizhen's family has undergone major changes, and his personality is extreme, so he is not easy to get along with.

Zhou Nan offended him today was a bit ruthless, but I think the days of studying in the future will not be too pleasant.I have to make up for my studies in advance, so that Teacher Wang can't make mistakes, and I can't find an excuse to punish me physically.

After reading for a long time, Zhou Nan was really tired, so he washed his feet and went to bed.

He put his head in his hands and thought to himself, this time he failed to become Tang Shunzhi's student. Although it was disappointing to become the direct descendant of the master of Xinxue, it would be nice to be Wang Shizhen's student.

In real history, in a few years, Wang Shizhen will serve as Zhejiang Zuo Zhengzheng and Shanxi Procuratorate, which are high-ranking officials.In the Wanli period, he was appointed as the inspector of Huguang, the right minister of Guangxi, and the governor of Yunyang.By this stage, he was already a standard feudal official.

Later, he was dismissed and returned to his hometown because of his wickedness to Zhang Juzheng, the first assistant in the Wanli period. After Zhang Juzheng died, Wang Shizhen returned to Yingtianfu Yin and Nanjing Military Minister.

Judging from this person's resume, it is simply a template for successful people.In fact, Wang Shizhen was a leader of scholars and literary circles during the Longqing and Wanli years, and his disciples and old officials were all over the world.

Moreover, he was born in a prominent Suzhou family.

Suzhou people can read, and have produced countless high-ranking officials and famous ministers. In one sentence, I became his student, and I can be regarded as born in a famous family, and I have a mountain to rely on.

From this point of view, there are much more benefits than being under Tang Shunzhi's sect.

Thinking of this, Zhou Nan suddenly became excited.

This excitement led to insomnia, and I didn't fall asleep until the middle of the night.

In the haze, Zhou Nan suddenly dreamed that he was really lying on the embroidered bed of a slim woman and wanted to fight.

Just in time, suddenly, the woman's face changed into that of the Ninth Prince, and said viciously: "Pay back the money if you owe money, and pay with meat if you have no money. Thousands of miles away."

Zhou Nan's shock was no small matter, and he woke up instantly, and the sky outside the window was already bright.

It feels wet and sticky on the pants.

Zhou Nan let out a groan of bad luck, and then remembered that since he left Huai'an and went to Beijing for such a long time, his life has been dull, and he has not known the taste of meat for a month.The so-called water overflows, non-manpower can contend.

It's just that I should have dreamed of the enchanting woman who taught Fang Si that day. It felt weird to dream of that tomboy Jiu Gongzi.

After washing up and having breakfast, Zhou Nan went to the pedestrian department as usual.

The lock hall failed, he also wanted to understand.Anyway, I am just a decoration, and no one cares.At worst, come to the company every day to report and leave as soon as you arrive, without delaying your time.

As soon as he arrived at the Department of Pedestrians, the book office directly under Zhou Nan came to wait on him attentively, boiling water to make tea, and serving refreshments.

After finishing the work, he didn't leave. Instead, he took a towel whose original color could no longer be seen and wiped the tables, chairs and coffee tables repeatedly.

The secretary's surname is Guo, he is a native of Xuzhou in his forties, with a reputation as a scholar, he has been working as a secretary for several years.This guy's head is completely bald, because the floor heating in the room is very hot, and Zhou Nan, the boss, has no airs.Guo Shuban simply took off his hat and let the shiny top door breathe.

Zhou Nan was dazzled by his head, and he was also puzzled.His nickname of "Sangmenxingxing" has spread to the Pedestrian Department. Not only other colleagues, but even his subordinates respect him, and usually stay in the house for a whole day without seeing anyone.

This Guo Shuban is strange today, and it's all in front of his eyes.

Zhou Nan was worried about her studies, and planned to go home to endorse after some time, but she was embarrassed to slip away because Guo Shuban was there.

He asked: "Guo Shuban, do you have anything to do, sit down and talk."

Guo Shuban took advantage of the situation and sat down on the chair, then looked around and saw that there was no one else, then asked in a low voice: "Pedestrians, do you feel that the number of people in the office has decreased a lot these days, but do you know why? "

Zhou Nan: "What is the reason?"

Guo Shuban: "It's the end of the year, and it happens to be the period of our company's Beijing inspection. Pedestrians are moving up and down, and Zhou Pedestrians must also prepare early."

Zhou Nan was very surprised: "This year, the exam is held every three years. Didn't it just finish the exam last year? Why did you take the exam again this year... no, it was the year before last." .In fact, the day he got the job was the year before last.

Guo Shuban replied: "Zhou Xingren, you have forgotten that foreign officials take the test every three years, and the major yamen in the capital take the test every six years. This year, the six-year period will expire. Therefore, the people in the department have been out these days. gone."

"So that's how it is." Only then did Zhou Nan understand. No wonder the people in the department said this for a while, they all ran out to earn political achievements and complete their goals and tasks.

He is just a display in the pedestrian department, and no one will look for him if there is something in the department.What's more, Zhou Nan was transferred to Qingzhang's imperial property in the capital a while ago, so he was naturally not an example of the appointment.

Seeing Zhou Xingren's expression of indifference, Guo Shuban became anxious: "Pedestrian, you should ask for an errand. This time, the Beijing Inspection is related to the promotion and dismissal of officials. If you don't pass the exam, the consequences will be disastrous."

Zhou Nan's complexion changed drastically after he reminded him.I am a pedestrian as a scholar, breaking the rule that non-jinshi are not allowed to be pedestrians.The so-called upright gentlemen in the company also rejected him a lot, wishing to drive him back to his hometown immediately.

Ordinarily, going home to study is exactly what Zhou Nan wants, and anyone is willing to do the work that takes money and does not work.The problem is, if the Jingcha pass this time, the official hat on his head will be taken off.In the future, even if you are selected as a Jinshi, it is impossible to enter such a fast-moving department.Besides, even if I study hard and have Wang Shizhen's guidance, I may not be able to win the Juren. Who can explain clearly the things in the examination room?
Without the official position of pedestrian, his own way of retreat would be cut off.

I have been in the Pedestrian Department for half a month, and I have no merit at all. This time, the Jingchao will definitely pass the comments.

Zhou Nan jumped up suddenly: "That's right, I'm going to ask Qin Sizheng for an order to send an edict to condolences to the minister. By the way, isn't Yan Shifan seriously ill? How about I go to express condolences on behalf of the court?" a bit."

Seeing Zhou Xingren's expression change, Guo Shuban touched Guangliang's head, and said to himself: Mr. Zhou, you know you are in a hurry, what did you do so early?Other book offices followed the pedestrians on errands, and went to local places to eat and drink.I followed Zhou Xingren, not only was there no benefit at all, but I was beaten by Li Wei, which was really unlucky.

The Department of Pedestrians, as the name suggests, is an errand department.On weekdays, he preached decrees for the imperial court, comforted ministers, and went to local places to preside over sacrifices. When other ministries were short-handed when they were on errands, they had to be dispatched to help, and a kaleidoscope of magic oil was prepared.

Every pedestrian in the company is equipped with a book office.

The sources of these book offices are mostly local government school students, such as the supervising students in the Guozijian who are always unable to get out of the prison.Those who come to work as errands, one is to eat some salary to make a living, but after a certain number of years, if they are lucky, they can make up for miscellaneous activities.

Seeing Zhou Xingren being excluded in the yamen, Guo Shuban felt that his future might be affected by his own adults.He and Zhou Nan are like grasshoppers on the same line, with the same spirit and branches, and one heart.

Guo Shuban said angrily: "The errand to visit Mr. Xiaoge has already been taken. I think about it, pedestrians can go to Sizheng to ask for an errand, and it will definitely work." It's all right to please him, others are rushing to do it, can it be your turn?
Zhou Nan: "What errand?"

Guo Shuban: "October [-]th, the official schools in the prefectures of Northern Zhili will pay homage to the most holy master of Dacheng."

(End of this chapter)