"Okay, let's stop arguing. Just these two lines of poetry don't show true talent and learning. There are people who only write one or even two lines in their lifetime."
After arguing for a while, Su Shidao took the initiative to give in, "With the return of Empress Dowager De, there will be activities in Jiang'an City in the past few days. The state school has also organized some great scholars to hold a literary meeting the day after tomorrow. Congratulations, Congratulations! Let him go to the literary conference to try and find out what level he is at. Let’s not argue for now!”
Mr. Yun shook his head, "That's you. His calligraphy has already entered the hall with just this calligraphy, and it has become a school of its own. I don't have to wait any longer."
"The person named Yun! You're shameless, aren't you!"
Su Shidao rolled up his sleeves, as if he had returned to the school decades ago.
Mr. Yun laughed and said, "Okay, okay, let's wait until the cultural meeting. Do you think you can beat me then?"
Su Shidao was startled, then slapped the table, "Place the wine! If I don't drink you down today, my surname will not be Su!"
...
The next day, morning.
"Second brother, the weather is very nice today, why don't we go for a walk?"
In the small courtyard of the Xia family in Nantian Lane, Xia Ningzhen, who had regained a lot of energy, came to the courtyard, looked at Xia Jingyun, and took the initiative to propose.
After washing her face, putting on clean clothes and tying her hair, she looked as bright and beautiful as the flowers on the branches in spring.
In her eyes, this cousin who was once just a nerd has now changed his perception and become handsome and talented, so the little girl is naturally willing to get close to him.
"Your second brother is not well yet. If you want to go out, my father will accompany you." Xia Mingxiong looked at his little cotton-padded jacket thoughtfully and volunteered.
Xia Ningzhen held her forehead, "Hey, I suddenly feel dizzy and don't want to go."
Xia Mingxiong:......
Xia Jingyun smiled and said: "Ning Zhen's proposal is very good. Staying in this old nest is not conducive to recovery. Brother, will you come with us?"
Xia Yunfei thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.
Xia Mingxiong sighed for a while as he looked at his daughter who happily jumped out the door.
A moment later, Xia Jingyun, his cousin Xia Dingyuan and his cousin Xia Ningzhen were walking slowly in the city.
It was good to go out for a walk. As I chatted with others along the way, everyone found out about Concubine De's marriage plan.
Xia Jingyun also suddenly realized, and some things that he thought were unreasonable were instantly understood.
For example, why do you need to build that high platform, why do you have to meet the construction deadline so urgently, why can you win rewards from three adults by offering a solution yourself.
And why did Shang Gongtai and the officials who would serve as supervisors appear in this small county in the southwest of the empire.
He didn't know much about the concubine's marriage visit, and his only impression was the Yuan concubine's visit to the bride in Dream of Red Mansions.
For this reason, the Jia family even built a grand view garden with great fanfare, but Concubine Yuan didn't even spend the night when she came back.
But unlike Concubine Yuan, Concubine De came back from the capital with great fanfare. It was definitely not as simple as visiting relatives. Even if that was the original intention, Emperor Chongning and the imperial bureaucrats would add various incidental considerations to this trip. Purpose.
Because of this, the small city of Jiang'an became very lively and prosperous as Concubine De's wedding was approaching.
There are not only red-faced vendors but also gorgeous brothel girls hawking along the streets;
What stands out is a vibrant one.
"Bah! Shameless!"
Xia Ningzhen glanced at the coquettish women with large patches of white skin exposed and shaking handkerchiefs, and cursed in a low voice.
As a result, he turned around and found that his two brothers' eyes were wide open.
"Big brother and second brother! You guys!"
Xia Jingyun immediately withdrew his gaze. Unable to press his gun, he had to stick out his buttocks slightly and said with a serious face: "Sister, don't think too much, I am thinking about you. There are so many girls committing themselves to brothels. Where is the virtue of the court and the responsibility of local officials?" As where..."
Xia Ning had a look of admiration on her face when she heard this, and twisted Xia Yunfei's arm, "Brother, look at my second brother! He is thinking about those unclean things every day!"
Xia Yunfei scratched his neck, and Xia Ning responded tit-for-tat, "What? Then tell me, what are you thinking about?"
Xia Yunfei lost his momentum and glanced at Xia Jingyun resentfully.
The three of them continued walking forward. Xia Jingyun looked around, but he was making secret calculations in his heart.
He still wanted to take the imperial examination. First, he had to find a way to clear the Xia family of their crimes and restore their status as a civilian.
It's useless to file a lawsuit and file a lawsuit over this matter. The participating players and the referee are all members of the other party, so there is no chance of winning.
The most reasonable solution is to find a larger backstage or powerful people to take action and use magic to fight magic.
Now that Concubine De is back and dignitaries from all over the world are gathering, this is the best opportunity.
But having worked as a project manager for many years, he understands that the most important thing in making friends is equality.
If he flattered others with a shy face, it was up to him whether the other party would help him or not. Even if he helped him, he might become his vassal for the rest of his life. Therefore, he thought that the best way was to become famous first. After he became famous, many things would change. Make it simple.
Solving this kind of thing also becomes an investment rather than a gift and exchange.
Not only is it conducive to redress, but it can also provide some convenience for future imperial examinations.
When Concubine De comes back, the density of powerful people in Jiang'an City is probably unprecedented in a century. As long as she plans carefully, it will not be difficult.
Before that, Xia Jingyun glanced at his cousins who were leisurely beside him.
I still need to make more money!
Only when you have no worries about your future can you concentrate on “taking the public exam”!
But where to get money?
While flashing through his mind various ways his predecessors had made a fortune, Xia Jingyun followed his cousins to a wide square next to the county government office.
On weekdays, notices are posted here, and occasionally important gatherings are held here.
At this moment, it was surrounded, and a group of people were busy inside.
"Brother, what are you doing?"
"You don't even know this?"
It's easy for you to get beaten up if you chat like this... Xia Jingyun cursed, cupped his hands and said, "Brother, please give me some advice."
"Empress De Fei is going back to her hometown to visit her relatives. Can those of us from our hometown not express our gratitude? From tomorrow on, all kinds of celebrations will begin one after another. I heard that all official warehouses in Sishui Prefecture will open warehouses to release grain. Jianning County Porridge shacks will be set up in every county to provide relief to refugees and homeless people."
The man said proudly: "Our Jiang'an County is even more powerful. From tomorrow on, let alone the porridge shed outside the city, there will be a temple fair in the city. He said that he specially asked Master Yun to build it according to the way the empress looked when she was a child."
Suddenly, the man lowered his voice and showed a smile that all men knew, "It is said that there are also courtesans from Zhongjing City who come to give alms. When do you think we can see someone of that level? Who is not in the city these days?" Secretly save money, prepare to take a good look at their smiles and voices, and spend money like water."
"Ahem." Xia Jingyun glanced at his cousin who looked at him with an unfriendly expression, "Well, brother, let me ask you what you are doing here!"
"Oh, this is the literary meeting. It will start the day after tomorrow. Master Xuezheng of Zhouxue has personally arranged it. At that time, many great scholars and students from all over the country will come. It is not interesting for a group of people to recite poems and write poems. Let's talk about it. Brothel, it is said that Ningbing girl..."
"Thank you, brother, for clearing up the confusion."
Xia Jingyun spoke quickly, then said goodbye and left.
What are you thinking about? Things like flowers and plants are only done by vulgar people.
People like him don't need flowers.
Looking at Xia Jingyun's back, the man shook his head regretfully, opened his folding fan and fanned himself, "Hey, it's a pity, I'm not of the same mind."
Xia Jingyun did not leave directly, but went around to the other side of the square and asked another person.
This person was much more reliable. He didn't talk about so many strange things and just told the story about the literary meeting.
To put it bluntly, it is still a way to highlight the prosperous times. It is not only the filial piety of the Sishui Prefecture literary circle towards the empress, but it is also an important part of the cultural aspect of Empress De Fei's trip.
What really makes Xia Jingyun excited is that the Wenhui will finally select a leader, who will not only be rewarded with five hundred taels of silver, but will also be able to attend the welcome banquet of Empress Dowager De.
Xia Jingyun couldn't help but think, if he could get Wenkui.
Once you have money, your family will have no worries;
Having a reputation will help whether you are rehabilitating someone or taking an imperial examination;
The most important thing is that if you can attend the welcome banquet of Empress Dowager De, there is great hope for redress.
"Brother, you look a little moved?" The man saw Xia Jingyun's look and asked with a smile.
Xia Jingyun was also very honest, "I just don't know how to participate?"
"If you want to participate, you just need to register there." The man pointed to a pergola not far away, then smiled and said tactfully: "There is another way to play this cultural meeting, and that is to place bets. Jade Gambling House has opened a handicap, and you can bet on Wen Kui, which I think is more suitable for a person with mediocre literary talent like me."
You are good at talking... Xia Jingyun smiled and nodded, "Thank you for your advice, brother."
"You're welcome. Let's witness Mr. Zheng's style of winning Wenkui together in the future."
I take back what I just said...
Xia Jingyun turned around to say goodbye and walked towards the pergola where he signed up.
