Yang Quanqi put aside his worries, took out a volume of silk book from his sleeve, and said: "Yang has been in Luoyang for several years and has written the "Luoyang Map", which records the geography and customs of Luoyang City. I also ask Xi Gong to correct it."
The maid handed the book to Xi Hui. Xi Hui looked through it a few times and said with a smile: "The Yang family passed down the Book of Documents to their family. They have never forgotten their ancestors' aspirations. They can write books and commentaries after military service, which is admirable." "
Yang Quanqi sighed: "How dare or forget the aspirations of our ancestors. After the Yang family crossed the river, my late father and Yang were both no longer in the fourth rank, and the rest of the clan were reduced to lower ranks. This is really something the Yang family hated. My late father never forgot it when he died. Quan Qi really feels ashamed of his ancestors for urging him to revive the reputation of the Yang family."
Looking at Yang Quanqi's sad face, Xi Hui consoled him: "The Yang family crossed the river a little later, and the court has already agreed on the rank. If you want to change it, it will involve a lot of things, so you should plan it slowly."
In fact, Xi Hui knew very well that the Yang family crossed the Yangtze River too late and the marriage was inappropriate. In addition, the Yang family had served Huan Wen and was regarded by the court as a lineage of the Huan family. How could the Yang family be promoted.
Yang Quanqi also knew that this matter was very difficult. When his father Yang Liang was alive, he would complain to the Ministry of Officials every three years, hoping to promote the Yang family to a higher rank, but he was unable to do so until his death.
He was sitting in Luoyang and was promoted to General Longxiang for his meritorious service. He originally thought that if he made more contributions, the Yang family would be promoted. However, he was defeated and demoted. The hard-earned title of General Longxiang was in vain. He didn't know when the promotion would happen. There is hope.
With a long sigh, Yang Quanqi lowered his head to drink tea, feeling that his mouth was full of bitterness.
Xi Hui pointed at Yang Anxuan and the others and said: "The seven generations of the Yang family are famous for their virtues and have numerous talents. If Quanqi is based in Xinye, he will definitely be able to make great achievements and be valued by the emperor. What's more, there are three tigers in the family, and the family reputation will be restored soon."
Yang Quanqi smiled and said, "Mr. Xi has given me too much praise. I hope he will take more care of the dog next year."
The nine-grade Zhongzheng system selects officials. The state selects a Dazhongzheng, and then the Dazhongzheng selects a county Zhongzheng (a small Zhongzheng). The grade is determined based on family background, morality, and talent. The Xiao Zhongzheng assists the Dazhongzheng in reviewing and then submits the evaluation results to the Situ Mansion for review. After approval, it is then sent to the Ministry of Personnel as a basis for selecting officials, and for conferring, promoting or removing officials.
However, now the ranking has become almost entirely based on family background, so there is a saying that "there is no poor family in the upper class, and there is no noble family in the lower class".
Next year will be the year of the triennial appointment. As the governor of Yongzhou, Xi Hui is the grand righteous recommended by the court. If he can win his favor, it will be a good opportunity for the Yang family to change their destiny.
Yang Quanqi was worried. It would be difficult for An Shen to be promoted to the fifth rank. An Yuan was set to the sixth rank in the 16th year of Taiyuan, so it would be difficult for him to be promoted. An Xuan would be old enough to be promoted next year. Duke Xi had a good impression of him and said Maybe it can be rated as fourth grade, but if it can be set as above three grades, there is hope for the family's revitalization.
Xi Hui shook his tail and refused to comment on Yang Quanqi's desire. Although he was a great official, his rank was based on his family background and county magistrate. The emperor ordered Jia Bizhi to write the "Genealogy of the Eighteen Prefectures" (3), which was kept in the Secret Mansion. This book was used to distinguish the rank of scholars and common people, and to select officials and discuss intermarriage. Based on this, the Yang family was considered to be a fourth-grade military family, and it was almost impossible to stand out.
However, dynasties still come and go, and families also change. The Yu family, which was once prosperous in the past, is now just a name. If there is an outstanding person among the three sons of the Yang family, I might as well support him and it will be a good story.
Thinking of this, Xi Hui smiled and said: "Master once asked his disciple Zhiyu. I would like to ask the three nephews what their aspirations are?"
Xi Huixing came and asked questions casually, but Yang Anshen and others did not dare to take it lightly. Xi Hui is the great master of Dingpin, and one word can determine whether a person will rise or fall. If he can leave an impression in his mind, it will be of great benefit to promote and Dingpin in the coming year.
Yang Quanqi put down the tea bowl and said in a deep voice: "Mr. Xi has a question, please think about it before answering."
Yang Anshen was the eldest brother. He chanted for a moment, then bowed his hands and said, "Mr. Xi, Anshen knows that he has few talents and limited knowledge. He can only study hard, not lose his family reputation, be diligent in royal affairs, and be loyal to the court to serve the court."
Xi Hui nodded, commented "Shou Cheng" in his heart, and said with a smile: "The Yang family is a gate of virtue. If my nephew is loyal to the country, he will surely imitate his ancestors and shine the lintel of the gate."
As soon as Yang Anshen finished speaking, Yang Anyuan said impatiently: "The world is uneasy when we are crossing south. I am willing to lead the cavalry to wipe out Beirong, reorganize the Jin Dynasty, and return the capital to Luoyang."
It was Huan Yuanzi again, Xi Hui disapproved of it in his heart. It had been nearly a hundred years since the imperial court had traveled eastward, during which he had failed many times in the Northern Expedition. How could the capital be returned to Luoyang? This was just what a kid with a yellow mouth said casually.
With a wave of the tail in his hand, Xi Hui said calmly: "It doesn't matter, you are young and energetic."
Yang Anxuan paid attention to Xi Hui's expression. His eldest brother Shoucheng and his second brother Jiandai had already spoken to each other. Xi Hui's expression was dull, and it was obvious that neither of them liked it.
Thinking about it, Xi Hui successively served as the minister of Sanqi, the minister of Huangmen, the prince's right guard, and the governor of Yongzhou. During this period, he served as the Zhongzheng of Shanping County and examined many outstanding men. He had heard such words too many times.
Jin people are good at talking, so the only way to impress Xi Hui is to win by surprise. Yang Anxuan organized his words and said: "Mr. Xi, Anxuan has no great ambitions. He is willing to learn how tea in a cup rises and falls as he pleases, and the sweetness and bitterness follow the fate. All he wants is for the fragrance to remain unchanged."
Xi Hui was stunned, savored it for a moment, and laughed loudly: "Wonderful."
…………
When they came out of Qixin Hall, both Yang Quanqi and Yang Anshen looked happy. Yang Anyuan was envious and jealous of Yang Anxuan. The third child was really lucky. Thanks to the fate of Governor Xi, it will definitely be of great benefit to the final product in the coming year.
Yang Anxuan's expression was indifferent, thinking about some excuse to see Hu Fan. His actions seemed urgent, but he couldn't be hasty. In Qixin Hall, Yang Quanqi had bid farewell to Xi Hui and was preparing to return to Jiyang City tomorrow.
If you have ambitions in the world, you must not miss out on talented people. Yang Anxuan made up his mind to become familiar with Hu Fan even if he was a bit of a rogue.
On the pretext of buying a gift for Qiu'er, Yang Quanqi left the post house and came to the Governor's Mansion to find Hu Fan. Hu Fan didn't expect that Yang Anxuan really came to him to learn archery, so he said awkwardly: "I still have official business at hand, and I won't leave office until Youshi."
When Shen Zheng didn't arrive, it was still more than half an hour before leaving the Yamen. Yang Anxuan said with a smile: "It doesn't matter, let's go to the market to buy some things, and then I'll treat Brother Hu to a casual meal. Because I have to return to Xinye tomorrow, and I can't do anything for fear of missing the opportunity. Ask Brother Hu for advice.”
Hu Fan nodded in confusion. It was said that there were many people with excellent archery skills in Yang Quanqi's army. Why did Yang Anxuan identify him?
When leaving the yamen, he was stopped by Mao Yin, the military officer, which delayed him for a quarter of an hour. Hu Fan hurried out of the yamen and saw Yang Anxuan waiting in front of the mansion with a smile, without any sign of helplessness.
Hu Fan apologized: "Brother Yang, I'm sorry for the delay. I'll treat you to this meal."
Yang Anxuan was not too polite and followed Hu Fan to a wine shop not far away. The business of the wine shop is good, the lobby is full of diners, and the aroma of wine and coriander is fragrant. Hu Fan was obviously a regular visitor. The waiter led him through the lobby, behind which were two rows of monasteries. From behind the hanging brocade curtains, the sound of singing and drinking from silk and bamboo could be heard.
Grilled mutton, steamed sea bass, fried mallow, a stack of Chinese biscuits, and a pot of wine, the two chatted happily. When the wine was half full, Hu Fan stood up and drew his bow, saying: "The body must be straight, the force should be gentle, and the arrow should be set calmly (4)..."
In fact, most of what Hu Fan said about Yang Anxuan is known, but stones from other mountains can attack jade, and what Hu Fan said is extraordinary.
Yang Anxuan, with a flattering attitude, also stood up and followed Hu Fan's example, asking: "What does it mean to use gentle force? Is my stance wrong? Can I raise my Qi when drawing the bow?"
"The wrist should be flat, and the front punch should be level with the back eye...the force should be on the elbow, not the shoulder..." Hu Fan taught Yang Anxuan the Yi Zhu Incense Kungfu before the two sat down again, raised their glasses and drank with each other, looking at each other. And laugh.
Yang Anxuan sighed: "Brother Hu is weak in his youth, but his shooting skills are so incisive. It's really impressive. Even the veterans on the battlefield may not have the profound insights of Brother Hu."
Hu Fan was tickled by Yang Anxuan's words and said with a proud smile: "To be honest with you, Brother Fool has been practicing archery since he was a child. Every time he got something, he recorded it in a book. In more than ten years, he accumulated two volumes, divided into step shooting and flat shooting. , barrel shot..."
Yang Anxuan listened to Hu Fan's talk with a smile. After Hu Fan finished speaking, he said: "Brother Hu's discussion of 'Five Levels, Three Zai, Two Qus, Three Straights, and Nine Taboos' is truly the key to archery. Why not practice it?" Write it down and teach it to those who know it, and teach it in the army to strengthen the army."
Hu Fan shook his head and said: "Firstly, I have little qualifications, and it is too early to write a book; secondly, the theory of archery is not perfect, and there are still shortcomings in riding and archery. By the way, An Xuan, you will guard Luoyang with your father and brother and the Hu people." He knows how to fight, is familiar with riding and shooting, and is willing to teach you."
Yang Anxuan did not hide his secrets, and said: "It is more difficult to shoot from a horse than from a standing position. When the horse is galloping, it rises and falls, making it difficult to determine the accuracy. Only when both the man and the horse are at their highest point are they suspended in the air for a moment. That's when archery is best..."
Hu Fan got excited after hearing this, stood up and said, "Brother An Xuan, why don't we practice on the school field?"
There are two schools in Xiangyang, the east and the west. Hu Fan took Yang Anxuan to the east school. Xiaoyang is just inside the city wall, covering an area of three to four hundred acres. Hu Fan was the counselor of the imperial conquests. He wanted to use the school grounds guards but he did not dare to stop him.
The brazier was lit, and arrow stacks were set up. Yang Anxuan and Hu Fan stood thirty steps away.
Hu Fan drew his bow and shot three arrows in succession, all of which hit red hearts. Yang Anxuan applauded and cheered. Hu Fan handed the bow to Yang Anxuan and said with a smile: "Anxuan, you also have a try."
Yang Anxuan secretly laughed in his heart, he could hit the red heart from a distance of thirty steps with his eyes closed. However, he did a full set of tricks and shot three arrows, one in the center and the other two arrows not far from the target.
Hu Fan smiled and said: "An Xuan's archery skills are very good. When you reach my age, you will definitely surpass me."
He also ordered people to find war horses, and Hu Fan asked Yang Anxuan to practice riding and shooting. Yang Anxuan no longer hid his clumsiness, galloped and shot two arrows, both of which hit the arrow stack.
Hu Fan praised: "It's dark at night, the basin fire is swaying, and the horse is unstable, but An Xuan can still hit the arrow stack, which is really remarkable. It's a pity that An Xuan will leave Xiangyang tomorrow, otherwise I will ask An Xuan for advice on riding and archery." "
Yang Anxuan shrugged and said, "Nothing else, but my hands are familiar."
Hu Fan was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "What a wonderful thing to say."
Yang Anxuan also laughed loudly in the darkness. This time he came to Xiangyang City, and these two "wonderful words" were his biggest gain.
