In Jianning County, Sishui Prefecture of the Great Xia Dynasty, there were many families named Yun.
But in the past five years, when mentioning the Jianning Yun family, everyone subconsciously thought of only the branch in Jiang'an County.
Because, in this once ordinary family, a first-class imperial concubine of the current dynasty, Virtuous Concubine Yun Qingzhu, came out.
As a result, the Yun family's old house in Jiang'an County has become a place where officials of all sizes in the state visit once or several times a year.
As Concubine De became more and more favored and gave birth to a prince, the Yun family became even more prosperous. Unless a county magistrate had a long history or served in Jiang'an County, it would be difficult for the old man of the Yun family to receive him in person.
Now, as the important event of Concubine De's marriage is getting closer, the Yun family is uncharacteristically closed to all guests, and only a very few people who are close to it can enter the house to talk.
Everyone has no objection to this. Although keeping a low profile at this time will not be the choice of most people, it is something that everyone can understand.
At this moment, the door of Yun Mansion is still closed.
But in the main hall of the mansion, Mr. Yun, who rarely showed up, was chatting cordially with others.
Mr. Yun was in his sixties, and his appearance still retained the handsomeness of his youth. He was also in good spirits. He looked at his friend next to him with a cup of tea in his hand, "Brother Zicheng, I finally waited for you to come. I'm not busy yet." Get up, let’s have a drink these days.”
Opposite him was an old Confucian scholar wearing a small crown. Hearing this, he stroked his long beard under his chin and said with a smile: "Brother Kang Le, you have so many people here, why do you still expect me, a sour scholar who only knows a bright head but a poor scripture?" ?”
"You and I, two idle Yun Yehe who don't care about fame and fortune, have finally talked about our friendship together, but you want to say such vulgar words." Mr. Yun pointed at him with his hand, "Just for your words, you should be punished with three drinks. cup!"
As he spoke, the two old friends, who had known each other for decades, laughed together.
The old Confucian's name was Su Shidao, and he was a professor at Zhouxue.
Although his rank is not high, he is also a great scholar who is famous all over the world. In his early years, he and Mr. Yun studied under Mr. Guanlu, a great figure in the literary world. This friendship has been maintained until now, so he is much more pure than others. This closed door Xie Ke's Yun Mansion can also be opened for him.
He slowly suppressed his smile and gently stroked his long beard, "Autumn is coming soon. If it weren't for Empress Dowager De's marriage visit, Master Xuezheng knew about our relationship and specially made a special trip for me to have a holiday. How could I come to your house to take some time off?"
"Qiu Wei." Mr. Yun stopped scraping the tea foam and asked, "Are there any talented people in this state?"
Su Shidao shook his head, "How difficult! Since the death of my mentor, there has been no literary leader in Sishui Prefecture. The number of people studying has dropped sharply, and the writing style has become worse and worse. If I can't compare with Yunmeng Prefecture in the spring next year, I'm afraid I won't be able to compete with Yunmeng Prefecture in the autumn. The number of people to be lifted up will be reduced a lot.”
Mr. Yun took a sip of tea in silence. The Great Xia Dynasty valued culture, especially the imperial examinations. Officials who did not come from the imperial examinations were often discriminated against and found it difficult to reach high positions.
As an important link between the past and the future, the admission ratio of the provincial examinations held by each state is often comprehensively assessed by the Ministry of Rites based on the state's population, taxation, education level, etc., plus the number of places granted by the imperial court based on various considerations. The state can admit the total number of candidates who can participate in the Spring Festival.
Sishui Prefecture and Yunmeng Prefecture have similar populations and taxes. With the help of a group of talented scholars headed by Mr. Guanlu, Sishui Prefecture reversed years of decline, suppressed Yunmeng Prefecture, and successfully obtained more admission places.
But now it has been unable to compete with Yunmeng Prefecture for two consecutive terms. If it loses again this term, Surabaya Prefecture will give up its ten candidates' places. After that, the strong ones will get stronger and it will be difficult to turn around.
Mr. Yun slowly put down the teacup, "In Jiang'an County, there is a scholar named Zeng Jimin who seems to be quite talented?"
Su Shidao shook his head slightly, "This boy is diligent and practical, but not a talented person. There should be no problem in passing the exam, but it will depend on luck next spring."
"Mr. Mingquan's great-grandson seems to be said to be like an ancestor?"
"How can you still not understand what others say?"
Mr. Yun frowned, "So, the entire Sishui Prefecture can only count on Zheng Tianyu this time?"
Speaking of this name, Su Shidao finally felt a little more happy, "Zheng Tianyu is the son of Zheng Yuanwang, the prefect of Jianning. From his family background, appearance to talent, he is impeccable. It can even be said that the family background that makes others envious has become his most important thing." It's an inconspicuous thing. Among people, people are outstanding in talent and learning. Jinshi is a matter of grasping it. But Brother Kangle, you also know that it doesn't help if you are alone! Now we are all looking for talented people everywhere, but it's a pity that it's difficult!"
He took a sip of tea and said, "Brother Kang Le, are there any talented people in Jiang'an County who you can recommend to me?"
Mr. Yun waved his hands and smiled bitterly, "In this place, there are quite a few libertines eating, drinking and having fun. If Zeng Jimin doesn't even catch your eye, how can there be anything else!"
"The style of writing is gone, the style of writing is gone!" Su Shidao sighed, "Brother Kang Le, how long has it been since we heard of some amazing articles and poems written by talented people in the state?"
Mr. Yun nodded, "It's true that I haven't seen anyone write any good words in a few days. The decline of writing style is not limited to poetry!"
Su Shidao shook his head and sighed bitterly, "If it is true that the number of Sishui Prefecture's personnel is reduced in our hands, tell me, how can I face my mentor?"
After sighing, he quickly woke up and said with a wry smile: "Speaking of you and I haven't seen each other in the past two years, why bother talking about these depressing words? You should always talk about something pleasant. If you blame me, you should be punished with three drinks."
"Haha, that's right!" Mr. Yun laughed and nodded, comforting him, "You don't have to worry so much. Maybe one day a knowledgeable farmer will appear."
"You are lying. If I want to expect this, I might as well hope that Zheng Tianyu will pass the first-level exam!"
"Things in this world are unpredictable. Who can say for sure! Your and my teacher, Mr. Guanlu, was also born in Gengyushi."
"Then let's borrow some good words from Brother Kang Le! Haha!"
The two of them laughed, but no one really took it seriously, just to give a peaceful reason for the short-term fun at the moment.
Immediately, Mr. Yun ordered his servants to prepare wine and food, and he and his old friends were going to climb up in the backyard to enjoy the chrysanthemums and get drunk before resting.
But now the concierge came in a hurry, "Master, Feng Shanggong would like to see you."
Mr. Yun frowned.
Su Shidao said quickly: "Brother Kang Le, please be busy if you have something to do. I have to stay here for a few days, so there is no rush."
"That's not the case. This person is from the palace. He is serving the little girl. He is here to take the lead in arranging everything. It's not a bad idea."
"Then I'll avoid it."
"No, brother Zicheng will meet with me. If there is any inconvenience, you can be a villain for me."
Su Shidao was slightly startled, then nodded and smiled.
The concierge went down, and soon, Feng Xiuyun came in holding a long box, saluting Mr. Yun respectfully and saying hello.
Mr. Yun responded without being close but not indifferent, and then introduced Su Shidao to Feng Xiuyun.
After learning that Su Shidao was a great scholar of the time and a professor of state studies, Feng Xiuyun, who was accustomed to seeing scenes in the palace, felt a little more uneasy for no reason.
"What's the reason for Mr. Feng coming here this time?"
Mr. Yun didn't have the patience to talk in circles, so he spoke calmly.
Feng Xiuyun said quickly: "This servant is in the palace and has received much grace from the Queen. On this trip, I collected seventeen volumes of calligraphy by famous artists and presented them to the old master to thank the Queen for her grace."
After speaking, he held the long box in both hands and raised it high.
Mr. Yun narrowed his eyes slightly. Although he didn't understand the situation in the palace, he understood that the other party wanted to show his kindness to his daughter through him. He thought for a moment, "It's rare that you have such intentions. Su Daru happens to be here too. I Just enjoy it with him, and there’s no need to accept it.”
After hearing this, Feng Xiuyun breathed a sigh of relief and quickly handed over the box, adding, "If it catches your eyes, please accept it without hesitation."
Mr. Yun was noncommittal and ordered his servants to bring a table and open the box on the spot to appreciate it.
Picking up the first painting, Mr. Yun smiled slightly at Su Shidao and said, "Brother Zicheng, look, this is actually the calligraphy of Feng Zigao (his cousin), how rare it is!"
As he said that, he nodded slightly towards Feng Xiuyun and said, "You are interested."
Su Shidao came over and looked at it carefully, "It's a pity that Feng Zigao was either in a bad mood or knew that it was given to Brother Kang Le. The lines were a little more restrained, making this cursive script a little less wild and wanton. It's really Pity."
"Not bad." Mr. Yun nodded slowly, "I also collected two of Feng Zigao's calligraphy works, and this one is indeed a little inferior."
As he said this, he put it down and picked up the second one.
Feng Xiuyun's heart sank, and the fingers on her lower abdomen quietly stirred, feeling uneasy.
"Oh, this is Qian Ziyou's calligraphy."
Mr. Yun picked up the second piece of characters and laughed.
"Haha, Qian Ziyou? It's true." Su Shidao came over and smiled playfully, "When Qian Ziyou personally came to the door with his words and couldn't get in, maybe he didn't expect that his words would one day appear in your eyes like this. In front of you?"
Mr. Yun waved his hand, "Those who don't know are not guilty. It doesn't matter."
Feng Xiuyun's heart sank to the bottom. This word she regarded as her last hope seemed to be the kind of thing that the old man despised.
This time I really stole the chicken but lost the rice.
Mr. Yun then flipped through a few more pieces. Occasionally there were some structures or charms that caught his eye, but the whole piece was not enough to arouse his interest in collecting.
Listening to comments such as "full of craftsmanship", "painting tigers cannot be compared to dogs", "the structure is acceptable, but the form and meaning are too poor", Feng Xiuyun gradually despaired, secretly laughing at herself, fearing that it was true. In response to what she said last night, I can only hope that the old lady will not take credit for her hard work, but her hard work, and will remember her.
However, if you can't please the old man, what's the point of such hard work!
Feng Xiuyun's eyes were filled with bitterness and her heart was at a loss.
Just when she gave up all illusions, she suddenly heard two voices speaking in unison.
"Huh?"
