Chapter 100. Villain (Part 1. [First update]
As spring approaches, many scholars from all over the country go to Beijing to take the exam, either to make a name for themselves, to show off their talents, or to prove their knowledge. They often compete with each other in the gathering place, including articles, six arts, poems, and couplets. , between the battle between victory and defeat, there is always a lot of excitement to watch. 【Read the latest chapter】
At this time, on the street of the club, not far in front of Zhao Junchen, there was a simple martial arts arena, which was just made up of a few tables.
There is a bamboo pole standing next to the ring, with a white cloth three feet long and two feet wide hanging on it, with the word "Dou Lian" written on it.
Obviously, this is an arena where couples are invited to fight.
However, on the ring at this time, a young scholar who looked like the ringmaster was sitting there. His eyes were dim and empty, and his face was gray and despairing. He seemed to have been hit hard, but for some reason he was wearing a white mourning dress and looked Extremely eye-catching.
Beside him, several other scholars were softly comforting.
At the same time, a middle-aged scribe in moon-white Confucian attire seemed to be about to leave the ring. The mocking and sarcastic sneer seemed to be etched on his face, which made people look disgusting, but was blocked by a young scholar. steps.
"Xiao Wenxuan, you are going too far. Do you really think we can't defeat you?"
The young scholar pointed his finger at the middle-aged scribe, his eyes were threatening, his face was full of anger, and he shouted loudly.
The middle-aged scribe still sneered, not afraid, glanced at the young scholar in front of him, and asked: "Oh? Could it be that you won this gambling battle? Isn't it true that you can't beat me? You guys, If you are pedantic and stupid, you are not as talented as others, what else can you do besides arrogant words? Since you have set up an arena to bet and compete for money, is it possible that we, the contestants, are only allowed to lose but not win?"
At this point, the middle-aged scholar named Xiao Wenxuan, the sarcastic tone in his voice became more and more obvious, and he said: "Also, Su Yao, what do you mean by blocking here? If you want to win back the money, you can compete again. , but the premise is that you still have money in your hands. If you don’t have money... Although you are not knowledgeable, you must have heard of the saying 'a good dog doesn't block the road', right?"
After hearing Xiao Wenxuan's sarcastic counterattack, the young scholar named Su Yao's face became more angry, but he could not say anything to refute. He just pointed at Xiao Wenxuan with his finger and trembled all over.
Seeing Su Rao like this, Xiao Wenxuan was even more unforgiving. After sneering, he asked: "What? You can't even understand people? Or are you saying that you can't afford to lose and want to regret it, and plan to take the money back by force? If That’s really the case, just say it and I will return the money directly with both hands. You have the strength in numbers, but I am alone, so I can’t defeat you.”
Su Rao was already furious and had already planned to use his fists, but after hearing Xiao Wenxuan's sarcasm, with everyone watching, he found it difficult to take action, and his expression changed for a while.
"Brother Su." At this moment, the champion in mourning clothes finally managed to cheer up under the comfort of his companions. He also stood up, but in a sad voice, he said slowly: "Our skills are not as good as others. If you are willing to admit defeat, just let him go, don't lose your ambition in vain."
"But if we just let him go, wouldn't all the hard work these days have been in vain? Where can we find money to help you return home and observe your filial piety?"
Su Yao asked unwillingly.
After hearing Su Yao's rhetorical question, the champion in mourning clothes couldn't help but remain silent.
………
In fact, according to Zhao Junchen's slightly cold temperament, he didn't like to join in the fun, but when he saw the ring leader in mourning clothes and the argument between Xiao Wenxuan and Su Rao, he couldn't help but feel curious and moved towards the ring. go.
It is human nature to watch the excitement, not just Zhao Junchen. As the quarrel emerged, the arena that originally seemed a little lonely was quickly filled with people. Most of the onlookers looked expectantly, waiting for the next development.
However, although Zhao Junchen was a little curious, he did not want to crowd with the crowd, so he just stood on the edge and watched the conflicts on the ring. He was still curious. By chance, a conversation between the two scholars in front of him happened. Let him understand the whole story.
………
"Brother Liang, it turns out you are here too. Brother Yu is a little confused as to what is going on here? Such a literary arena was originally a way for literati like us to prove our knowledge, but now it has turned into a quarrel in the street, giving way to passers-by. It would be an insult to politeness to watch a joke.”
Although he said this, while criticizing, this person was still watching the conflicts and disputes in the ring with interest, without any intention of stopping them.
This "Brother Liang" obviously understood the whole story. When he saw an acquaintance asking, a trace of pride flashed on his face, but then he sighed and said: "Brother Zhang, you are here too. Hey, I do know a little about the things here. .Brother Zhang, can you see the scholar in mourning clothes? His name is Li Rui. He is a famous talent in Jiangxi and the leader of the arena here. Although his family is poor, he has good knowledge and is best at the art of couplets. This spring, with his talent and learning, he is very likely to be shortlisted for the apricot list. Unfortunately, God is not fair. A few days ago, his fellow Jiangxi villagers brought news that his mother had passed away. "
"Brother Zhang" exclaimed softly: "That's it. No wonder he is wearing mourning clothes."
"Brother Liang" also shook his head and sighed, his voice full of sympathy: "Yes, I have met this Li Rui a few times, and I know a little about his situation. His father died young, and his mother has taken care of him all these years." I am a very filial person. I heard the news of my mother's death. Not to mention the sadness in my heart. I cried and fainted several times after hearing the news. Then I got seriously ill. Now I finally recovered from the illness, but I can no longer care about it. I stayed in Beijing to take the Chunwei Examination, and I wanted to return to my hometown to honor my mother."
"Brother Li Rui is truly admirable for his sincerity and filial piety."
"Having said that, things are always unsatisfactory. Li Rui is from a poor family. In order to treat his illness a few days ago, not only did he use up all his money, but he also owed a lot of money to the hospital. How can he still have money to return to his hometown to observe his filial piety? ?Although there were donations from friends from the same hometown, it was only a small amount of money, so he had set up an arena here five days ago, using money as a bet, betting on couplets with others, hoping to win some money for his return home, even though he did this It’s insulting to politeness, but it’s excusable.”
At this point, "Brother Liang" changed the topic, and suddenly there was a little more contempt in his voice, and said: "Originally everything went well. Brother Li Rui is good at couplets. After several days of gambling, he finally accumulated some silver. , just enough to return home to pay off the debt, and was about to stop, but he never thought that Xiao Wenxuan suddenly appeared and provoked him with words. Taking advantage of brother Li Rui's recovery from a serious illness, he was mentally and physically exhausted and won many games in a row. He actually took all the money. I won. Hey, speaking of it, Xiao Wenxuan and Li Rui were friends, but they suddenly turned against each other a few days ago for some unknown reason. Now Xiao Wenxuan is acting like this, probably with revenge in mind. And if you win, you win, it all depends on your ability. , I never thought that Xiao Wenxuan would make many sarcastic remarks after winning. Li Rui's friends from the same hometown were naturally dissatisfied, so that was the reason for the current conflict."
Hearing what "Brother Liang" said, "Brother Zhang" also spat at him and said bitterly: "He takes advantage of others' danger, prevents them from fulfilling their filial piety, and is also narrow-minded. This Xiao Wenxuan is really a villain!"
"Brother Liang" also nodded, then sighed again and said, "It's a pity. Although Xiao Wenxuan has a bad character, his knowledge is solid. Li Rui's close friends are no less talented and knowledgeable than me, but In order to stand up for Li Rui, he fought with Xiao Wenxuan, but he was still no match. Not only did he fail to get justice for the Li Rui brothers, but they both suffered a total defeat, and his own money and reputation were involved. From this point of view, I'm afraid that's not the case either His opponent, otherwise he must seek justice for Brother Li."
"Oh? If even Brother Liang is not Xiao Wenxuan's opponent, I will be even worse. It's such a pity."
………
While "Brother Liang" and "Brother Zhang" were talking, Zhao Junchen understood the whole story and frowned subconsciously.
Not only because what Xiao Wenxuan did was indeed excessive, but also because of the two "gentlemen" who were sanctimonious and full of benevolence and morality.
Without him, although these two people looked angry and spoke with righteousness, looking at their attire, they did not look like people who were short of money. However, since they knew Li Rui's plight, they did not intend to help. He didn't intend to stand out, he just stood aside and watched the excitement, making various comments with great interest, and there was excitement in his voice and expression. Zhao Junchen had already seen through the two people's character.
In fact, it is not just the two scholars in front of me. There are probably many insiders among the audience. Regarding Li Rui's experience and Xiao Wenxuan's actions, some are angry, some are sympathetic, but more They were still watching the excitement with great interest. Except for Li Rui's friends from the same hometown, no one else had the intention to intervene.
"That's right. Now that the test is approaching, this arena is based on money as a bet. In addition, Xiao Wenxuan is not low in knowledge. If he rashly steps forward and loses, he will not only lose money but also lose his reputation. Who can Are you going to cause trouble for yourself?"
While thinking secretly, Zhao Junchen shook his head.
It is human nature to worry about things that have nothing to do with oneself, including Zhao Junchen.
At the same time, Xu Qingyan also heard the whole story, and couldn't help but show anger, and suggested to Zhao Junchen: "Master, this Xiao Wenxuan is really not good at preventing people from fulfilling their filial piety. Do you want Master to teach him a lesson?"
Although Xu Qingyan is a villain, he still has basic moral concepts.
Even in Xu Qingyan's eyes, preventing people from fulfilling their filial piety is a heinous crime.
And in Xu Qingyan's view, Zhao Junchen was the top pick of the year after all, so he was naturally very talented. He couldn't handle the little-known Xiao Wenxuan, couldn't he?
Zhao Junchen did not answer, but shook his head slightly, then turned back and walked out of the crowd.
Seeing Zhao Junchen like this, Xu Qingyan couldn't help but be stunned. He didn't understand what Zhao Junchen meant, but he still hurriedly followed.
After leaving the crowd, Zhao Junchen came to the other side of the street, took the birdcage from Xu Qingyan's hand, and then ordered: "Qingyan, go see that Li Rui and help him with some money. It doesn't take much. I think it's thirty or fifty." Two is enough for him to return home and pay off his debts, but that’s it, there’s no need to do more or say more, just think of us as doing a good deed every day, and I’ll be here waiting for you.”
Although a filial person like Li Rui only met by chance, Zhao Junchen didn't mind helping him.
Regarding Zhao Junchen's decision, Xu Qingyan was puzzled and asked: "Master, don't you plan to teach Xiao Wenxuan a lesson? Let me tell you, with your ability, Master, it is not easy to win against him? It can be regarded as teaching him a lesson. Let him know that there is someone above him, and it will save him from being a villain."
Xu Qingyan thought highly of Zhao Junchen's talent, but his words were not wrong. Zhao Junchen still vaguely remembered some famous pairs in later generations. If he used them to fight Xiao Wenxuan, he might not win, but he would think so. Will not lose.
But Zhao Junchen didn't want to do this.
"Qingyan, with my current status, I don't have to join in the fun, and I don't need to be in the limelight. So what if I win against Xiao Wenxuan? It's okay to help me when I see this kind of thing, but There’s no need to get involved.”
Hearing Zhao Junchen's explanation, Xu Qingyan thought about it and it was indeed true. With Zhao Junchen's current status, many things he did would be embarrassing.
Therefore, although he was a little reluctant, Xu Qingyan nodded and went back to find Li Rui.
………
At this time, on the ring, Xiao Wenxuan has not left yet. He is still arguing with Li Rui, Su Yao and others with a mocking and sarcastic look. Li Rui, Su Yao and others are obviously not good at eloquence, and their expressions are... Black or red, but there is no ability to refute it.
But soon, Zhao Junchen saw Xu Qingyan squeeze through the crowd, get on the ring, say something to Li Rui, throw away some silver coins, and then leave quickly regardless of the stops from Li Rui and others. .
However, for some reason, after seeing what Xu Qingyan did, Xiao Wenxuan stopped entangled with Li Ruisurao and others, and followed Xu Qingyan out of the ring.
After a while, Xu Qingyan returned to Zhao Junchen, and Zhao Junchen did not waste any time, and took Xu Qingyan deeper into the street.
In Zhao Junchen's view, this matter was just an insignificant episode, and there was no point in wasting time.
However, although Zhao Junchen did not want to cause trouble, before he took two steps, someone not far behind him called out: "The young master in front of me, please stay and talk."
Hearing someone calling, Zhao Junchen turned around helplessly, but when he saw the person calling behind him, he couldn't help but be startled.
He originally thought that it was Li Rui who came to thank him, but he didn't expect that the one who told him to stay was Xiao Wenxuan, who had been in trouble with Li Rui and others in the ring before.
On the other side, Li Rui and others were still crowded by the crowd of onlookers, unable to move even an inch.
Xu Qingyan had a very bad impression of Xiao Wenxuan. When he saw that it was Xiao Wenxuan who asked to keep him, he couldn't help but sneer and sneer: "What? Are you addicted to preventing others from fulfilling their filial piety? You yourself took advantage of others' danger and used the money that others used to return home to observe their filial piety. Not to mention taking it away, now that my young master is kindly sponsoring it, do you still want my young master to take back the money?"
When Xu Qingyan was sarcastic, Xiao Wenxuan had already walked up to Zhao Junchen. He was slightly startled when he saw that Zhao Junchen was young, dressed in luxurious clothes, accompanied by his entourage, and carrying a birdcage in his hand. He looked like a dandy.
Obviously, Zhao Junchen's image is somewhat different from what he imagined.
Xiao Wenxuan didn't care about Xu Qingyan's sarcastic remarks and had no intention of refuting. He actually nodded with a serious face and said: "Young Master, your servant is right. This is what I mean when I meet you." , if possible, please take back the silver that was used to support Li Rui. I wonder if you would be willing?"
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ps: First update.
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