Do you know that it starts with Meng Tong?

Sun Zhigao turned around and caught a glimpse of his father-in-law's submissive look. He couldn't help but feel proud: After all, he is a businessman and his like, and he cannot be on the stage. When the academic master comes to such a big event, I still have to rely on me, Sun Zhigao, to support him!

Just then, bang!boom!boom!Nine crisp gongs sounded in a row, and the south of Youyang City suddenly jumped up and down.

In feudal society, there was a clear hierarchy of superiority and inferiority, and gongs were sounded to clear the way, and there were also distinctions between high and low. The seventh-grade county official knocked seven times, the fifth-grade magistrate knocked nine times, and the provincial and governor-level officials knocked eleven times.

The admiral's academic administration is at the same level as the prefect. When the gong is sounded to clear the way, there are nine gongs.

It was preceded by a title board with the words "Admiral Jiangnan Academic Affairs", "Avoidance", and "Silence", followed by dozens of soap-clothed government servants with waist knives in their hands. In addition, there were countless masters, long followers, and servants accompanying them on both sides. There are soft sedan chairs with green hoods on the left and right sides.

Wei Chen knew in his heart that the people sitting in these two soft sedan chairs must be Jiangnan Academician Wang Wenqing and accompanying him Feng Jing, the magistrate of Youyang County.

The soft sedan stopped at the gate of the Yi Xue. Feng Jing, the magistrate of Youyang County, got off the sedan first, walked to another soft sedan, opened the sedan curtain, and said respectfully: "Master Xuezheng, the Sheng Family Yi Xue has arrived."

Everyone at the gate of Yi Xue lowered their heads and kept silent, not daring to breathe.

Not long after, an official in his 40s stepped out of the sedan chair.

Wei Chen lowered his head and took a sneak peek. When he saw the white pheasant patch embroidered on the chest of this man's official robe, he knew that this man must be Wang Wenqing, the political scholar from Jiangnan.

This academic official looks approachable, and his official authority is not even as high as that of Magistrate Feng next to him, but his temperament is more like that of a teacher in a school.

Wang Xuezheng and Feng Zhixian were walking and chatting. Sun Zhigao, Shi Kai, Sheng Wei, and the Jin gentry of the county followed the two imperial officials cautiously and joined the Yixue.

After a while of greetings, Wang Xuezheng and Feng Zhixian took their seats in the lecture hall. Sheng Wei on the side quickly arranged for someone to bring tea and water.

Wang Xuezheng had the demeanor of a kindly elder. He twirled his beard and asked, "Who is the teacher of the free school?"

? ”

Sun Zhigao stood up quickly and said: "Back to Master Xuezheng, it is Sun Zhigao who was born late."

Although Shi Kai also wanted to talk to Master Xuezheng, he was more of a teaching assistant in Sheng's free school, so he was not qualified to stand up and reply at this time.

When Wang Xuezheng heard the name Sun Zhigao, his expression paled a bit: "Sun Zhigao..., I have heard of your name and heard that you have extraordinary talent. You passed the college examination at the age of 12 and became a scholar. You are known as Youyang. child prodigy."

Wang Xuezheng's words sounded like praise, but in fact they didn't mean the slightest bit of praise.

To say that Sun Zhigao was selected as a scholar when he was 12 years old is actually to ask him: Why is it that more than ten years have passed and the academic administration of this province has changed several times, but you, a child prodigy, are still a scholar now?

Hearing the unfinished meaning of Wang Xuezheng's words, even though Sun Zhigao was as thick-skinned as a city wall, he couldn't help but show embarrassment at this moment. He was annoyed that the other party exposed his shortcomings, but he didn't dare to refute.

The other party is an academic and political official in Jiangnan. He is in charge of the culture and education of a province. He can take away his reputation as a scholar with just one sentence. If you talk back to him, isn't it like lighting a lantern in a manhole - looking for shit?

Seeing Sun Zhigao's face turning blue and purple, it was so wonderful. Wei Chen in the audience couldn't help but laugh secretly, thinking that someone could finally cure this unlearned Sun Xiucai.

Seeing that Sun Zhigao was so embarrassed that he just wanted to find a crack in the ground and crawl in, Feng Zhixian, who was sitting next to Wang Xuezheng, smiled and came out to smooth things over and said: "I heard that Sun Maocai is very strict in teaching students. There are many outstanding students in this free school." generation."

After saying that, Feng Zhixian glanced at Sun Zhigao indifferently. The reason why he helped Sun Zhigao to rescue him was not because he had any good impression of Sun Zhigao. In fact, he also had great disdain for this person.

But at this time, in front of the Master of Academic Affairs, Sheng's Yixue represented the face of Youyang County, and Feng Zhixian, as the magistrate of Youyang County, could not let the county lose its face.

"Oh?" Wang Xuezheng chuckled upon hearing this, and did not continue to pester Sun Zhigao with questions. Instead, he asked about the students' studies: "Which one of you has read the Four Books?"

Hearing Wang Xuezheng's words, Sun Zhigao felt relieved and breathed a sigh of relief. Wei Chen, who was waiting in the hall, immediately became energetic. He and another nominal student representative stepped forward and replied: "Return to Xuezheng Sir." If so, I’ll read some later.”

"Read some?" Wang Xuezheng smiled when he heard this: "Before I became a Jinshi, I only read some Four Books."

He then pointed at the student next to Wei Chen and asked, "Where did you read the Four Books?"

The student who was called was named Chen Jun, and he was one of the best in the Sheng Family Free School in his studies. However, when he heard Wang Xuezheng’s question, he felt a little frightened for some reason. He mumbled and replied: "Wansheng..., Wansheng has finished reading "The Analects of Confucius". ", working diligently on Mencius and The Great Learning."

Seeing Chen Jun's shrinking look, Wang Xuezheng could not help but frown slightly and asked: "Since you have read the Analects, let me ask you, if a gentleman is not serious, he will not be powerful, and if he is not learned, he will not be solid. What is the explanation?"

"Late birth..., late birth..."

Chen Jun's clenched palms were full of sweat, his eyes were speechless, and Wei Chen beside him was secretly anxious for him.

Wei Chen has been studying in the free school for half a month and has gotten to know some of his classmates. He knows that Chen

Jun is a rare scholar among free scholars, and this question asked by Wang Xuezheng was not difficult for him at all.

But Chen Jun may have never seen such a big shot as Wang Xuezheng. At this moment, he was so nervous that he couldn't even use [-]% of his ten successes.

Wang Xuezheng waited for a long time, but lost his patience. Seeing that Chen Jun still couldn't give an answer, he turned around and asked Magistrate Feng with a smile: "Is this the outstanding talent you said?"

Feng Zhixian felt shameless, laughed awkwardly, and turned to glare at Chen Jun.

Chen Jun was already extremely nervous, but when Feng Zhixian glared at him, he was so frightened that his legs became weak, his face turned pale, and he looked like he was about to faint.

Wei Chen secretly thought that something was wrong. If Chen Jun really fainted in front of Master Xuezheng, then the Sheng Family Yixue would be in great disgrace!

When Feng Zhixian saw Chen Jun's shaky appearance, he secretly regretted it and quickly winked at Sun Zhigao who was standing aside.

Before Sun Zhigao understood the situation, he stared at Feng Zhixian for a while, which made Feng Zhixian almost curse him on the spot.

It was Shi Kai and Sheng Wei who were standing next to him who understood what Feng Zhixian meant and called on a few students to help Chen Jun down to rest. Feng Zhixian breathed a sigh of relief.

After this unpleasant episode, Wang Xuezheng, who was originally enthusiastic about taking the exam, was in a bad mood. When he looked at the remaining Wei Chen, his eyes became cold.

Feng Zhixian himself also lost confidence in Sheng's Yixue. In order to avoid further embarrassment, he suggested to Wang Xuezheng: "Master Xuezheng, it's getting late. Why don't we have tea and rice first?"

Wang Xuezheng said with a smile: "I've heard that Youyang is a land of fish and rice, and the rivers are good for people, so I'd like to give it a try."

The two hit it off immediately, and both stood up and left the table. The subordinates beside them also moved to clear the way for Shangguan and lift the curtain.

When Wei Chen saw this, he was secretly worried. He had worked hard to prepare for this academic visit for half a month, could it just go to waste?

"My lords, please stay!"

Chapter 11 A Blockbuster

It was not Wei Chen who spoke, but Sheng Wei.

He changed the Sheng Clan School to the Sheng Clan Free School, recruiting students from all over Youyang, and also provided free food and accommodation to poor students. He spent real money on the free school every year, which had his own far-reaching considerations.

Even if Wang Xuezheng was able to come to Sheng's righteous school this time, Sheng Wei was secretly working hard.

Sheng Weisa went out with a full 100 taels of silver to feed a master next to Wang Xuezheng and let him blow the wind in Wang Xuezheng's ear.

Sheng Wei knew in his heart that if Master Xuezheng was allowed to leave today, the reputation of Sheng's Yixue would be completely ruined, and all his plans would be in vain.

Therefore, Sheng Wei could only stand up and ask Wang Xuezheng and Feng Zhixian to stay.

However, Sheng Wei was in too much of a hurry at the moment, and his hasty behavior was inevitably a bit inappropriate. Simply speaking, his action of stopping the two superiors was very reckless, especially since he was just a merchant, so it was even more inappropriate.

If you meet a mean and arrogant Shangguan, you may have to punish him on the spot.

Feng Zhixian turned around and looked at Sheng Wei with a very unhappy look on his face.

This Sheng Wei is usually well-informed and bold in his actions. Why is he so clueless today?

Just when Feng Zhixian was about to reprimand Sheng Wei, he saw another person coming forward, it was Shi Kai, a student in the free school.

Shi Kai took a step forward, bowed and said in salute: "It is not that there are no disciples in Yi Xue who can be cultivated. Please try again, Master Xuezheng!"

Wang Xuezheng turned sideways and took a look at Shi Kai. Seeing that he was not wearing the Sifang Pingding scarf, he knew that he had no fame, and immediately asked: "Who are you?"

Shi Kai said: "Shi Kai, who was born late, luckily passed the government examination three years ago, and now he is listed as sitting in the free school."

Wang Xuezheng nodded when he heard this. He did not look down upon Shi Kai because he was just a boy. Instead, he said warmly: "Be calm when facing big events. Be calm and then you will be at peace. After you are at peace, you can worry. After you worry, you will gain. As a teacher, you should carefully teach this principle to your students."

Shi Kai knew that Wang Xuezheng was talking about Chen Jun's timidity just now, and he immediately looked ashamed. Chen Jun was his elected representative, and he was also to blame for what happened.

Shi Kai gritted his teeth, took a step forward, and said loudly: "Master Xuezheng is here, I would like to ask you to try again for the last person."

Wang Xuezheng smiled and was noncommittal.

Shi Kai was overjoyed immediately, knowing that Wang Xuezheng acquiesced, and quickly said to Wei Chen behind him: "Wei Chen, you memorized the four books well, why not let Master Xuezheng take the test?"

Memorize the Four Books?

Hearing what Shi Kai said, everyone present shook their heads secretly.

Among the Four Books and the Five Classics, the Five Classics can be taken as electives, but the Four Books are compulsory courses. Anyone who is aspiring to take scientific examinations will not memorize the Four Books by heart?

Nowadays, Shi Kai actually asks the academic master to memorize the Four Books for the examination. Isn't it ridiculous?

However, some people followed Shi Kai's gaze and saw a young Meng Tong standing up, it was Wei Chen who was alongside Chen Jun just now.

After seeing Wei Chen's age, everyone understood Shi Kai a little bit.

At this age, it is quite good to be able to read something like three hundred thousand books. It is indeed quite rare to be able to memorize scriptures like the Four Books.

When Wei Chen saw Shi Kai nodding to him, he immediately cheered up, took a big step forward, and gave Wang Xuezheng a deep treatment.

He bowed and said: "Student Wei Chen, please ask the academic master to come up with a test for the school!"

Wang Xuezheng had met Wei Chen before, but at that time he was focused on Chen Jun, who was taking the exam, and didn't pay much attention to this Mengtong who looked to be only about ten years old.

At this time, he looked at Wei Chen again and realized that this Mengtong was calm and mature, and his demeanor was much better than the previous Chen Jun.

Wang Xuezheng couldn't help but his eyes lit up and he praised: "You have such dignity and magnanimity at such a young age!"

Hearing Wang Xuezheng's praise, Sheng Wei and Shi Kai couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief. Even Feng Zhixian, who had previously been determined to leave, also took a look at Wei Chen.

Wang Xuezheng smiled and asked: "Just now, your husband said that you have learned the four books. How are you memorizing them?"

Wei Chen replied: "Returning to Master Xuezheng, my students have been studying Mencius for the longest time. It can be said that they have learned it by heart."

Before Wei Chen finished speaking, he heard Sun Zhigao in the crowd sneer: "Recite it backwards like a stream? Why don't you recite it backwards for me to see?"

Ever since Sun Zhigao heard that Wei Chen handed Shu Xiu over to Shi Kai, he had been quite dissatisfied with Wei Chen. He felt that Wei Chen was deliberately humiliating him, so he never wanted to see Wei Chen.

Forget it on weekdays, seeing Wei Chen showing off his face in front of Wang Xuezheng, Sun Zhigao couldn't help but made a sarcastic comment out of some unknown reason.

The rest of the people present were a little stunned when they heard Sun Zhigao say these words, not knowing what Sun Zhigao meant.

Aren't you from the same family? Why are you trying to break things up?

When Sheng Wei heard the news and saw that the person speaking was his good son-in-law, he was so angry that he almost had a myocardial infarction. He wanted to go over and slap Sun Zhigao hard.

What is the situation now?

The Sheng's righteousness represented by Wei Chen has both prospered and suffered losses along with the Sheng's righteousness.

As a free school teacher and the son-in-law of the Sheng family, Sun Zhigao actually undermined his own people in public. He was extremely stupid!

But Sheng Wei also knew the virtues of his son-in-law. He only cared about himself and probably didn't care about the honor and disgrace of the Sheng family at all.

At this time, Sheng Wei could only hope that Wei Chen could live up to his expectations and handle himself appropriately in front of the academic master.

Wei Chen looked calm, turned around, cupped his hands, and said loudly: "Thank you, Mr. Sun, for the tip!" Then he turned to Wang Xuezheng and asked respectfully: "May I ask Master Xuezheng, can students memorize "Mencius" backwards? ?”

When Wang Xuezheng saw Wei Chen's calm look, he couldn't help but be stunned. Then he laughed, waved his hand and said, "Let's get started!"

"It is true that there is no existence, and it is true that there is no existence. It is also like this, and the people who live there are holy and close..."