Chapter 101. Villain (Part 2. [Second update]
At this time, Xiao Wenxuan may be asking for help. Xiao Wenxuan's face is serious, less sarcastic and mean, but not as annoying as before.
It's just that the words in his mouth are really the words of a villain.
On the other side, Xu Qingyan never expected that Xiao Wenxuan would actually make such a despicable and shameless request, which was just his sarcasm.
Therefore, as soon as Xiao Wenxuan finished speaking, before Zhao Junchen could reply, Xu Qingyan became furious and shouted loudly: "You guy, you are so shameless and shameless? Aren't you the one who was raised by your mother and father?..."
Xu Qingyan wanted to scold him again, but in the middle of his words, he was interrupted by Zhao Junchen with a wave of his hand.
Looking at Xiao Wenxuan in front of him with interest, Zhao Junchen asked: "Since I have given away the money, it is no longer mine, how can I get it back? However, I would like to hear your reasons. .”
Seeing Zhao Junchen's refusal, which seemed to be non-negotiable, Xiao Wenxuan frowned, as if he wanted to say something, but then shook his head and said slowly: "Looking at the money you finance Li Ruiyin, it's thirty or fifty taels, I'm afraid your family is rich. , it is obvious that a playboy who does not know the world has a good heart, but he does not know that he has done bad things with his good intentions. But because of this, although I have my reasons, I can't explain it clearly to you, and even if I tell you, you can't Agreed, if that’s the case, why should I explain? That’s all.”
As he spoke, Xiao Wenxuan was about to turn around and leave.
At the same time, the sarcastic and mean mocking smile appeared on his face again, and he looked like "everyone is drunk but I am sober", which made people unhappy.
Seeing Xiao Wenxuan like this, Xu Qingyan was furious again and planned to take action, but was stopped by Zhao Junchen.
"Whether I can understand it or not, I'm afraid it's my business, and since you made the request, you have to explain the reason. If you can really convince me, I may not agree."
Zhao Junchen said.
Xiao Wenxuan's performance aroused Zhao Junchen's interest.
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Xiao Wenxuan frowned slightly, but still stopped, looked at Zhao Junchen a few more times, and finally asked in a cold voice: "Master, do you think that based on what Li Rui is doing now, it is really Are you paying filial piety to his deceased mother?"
"Is not it?"
Before Zhao Junchen could answer, Xu Qingyan asked rhetorically.
Xiao Wenxuan sneered and said: "Mediocre views! Li Rui's mother worked hard all her life and tried her best just to provide him with education and literacy, hoping that one day he would be able to obtain fame. However, now that spring is approaching, with Li Rui's talent and learning, he has great potential. Maybe he was named in the apricot list, but because his old mother passed away, just for the sake of the name of a 'filial son', he easily gave up the opportunity that his dead mother had fought so hard for him to make, so that his old mother's life's hard work was in vain, and his life's expectations were all gone. Destroyed, are you really fulfilling your filial piety by doing this?"
Obviously, Xu Qingyan had never thought about the problem in this way. He couldn't help but was stunned. He vaguely felt that it was reasonable, but he still retorted: "You are trying to make excuses. I have Chao Chunwei once every three years, but Li Rui paid his mother's funeral and observed mourning." There is only one chance. According to what you said, it is just for a chance to have a good marriage. Is he going to let his old mother die in peace and have no one to send her to her death? "
"That's why I say you are a mediocre person." Xiao Wenxuan curled his lips, full of sarcasm: "Of course, I have a spring visit every three years, but there are unforeseen circumstances, and I gave up this spring visit, and the next spring visit It is already three years later. Three years, whether it is long or short, who knows what will happen in these three years? Not to mention that Li Rui is just a useless person. A scholar who is ignorant of worldly affairs and does not know how to run a business, in three years he may not be able to even pay for his trip to Beijing."
After a pause, Xiao Wenxuan said again: "Also, Li Rui is already twenty-seven years old. If he delays for another three years, he will be in his thirties and will no longer be considered young. His energy and mental strength will turn from prosperous to mature. Decline. By that time, even if knowledge has improved, the chances of being named on the apricot list are far less than they are today. Even if he is lucky enough to pass the joint examination, and his Majesty will determine the ranking in the palace examination, he will suffer a great disadvantage if he is older. He is obviously the second best in talent, but he is afraid that he will only be ranked as the third best in the end. In this case, how can he be worthy of his deceased mother? And how can such behavior be regarded as filial piety? "
Speaking of this, Xiao Wenxuan seemed to think of something, and a look of sadness flashed across his expression.
Listening to Xiao Wenxuan's explanation, Xu Qingyan was still a little dissatisfied, but Zhao Junchen nodded secretly.
In the imperial examination process, age may seem irrelevant, but in fact it has a huge impact.
The imperial examination seems to be a test of talent and learning, but the impact of physical strength and energy cannot be ignored. Take the Chunwei Examination as an example. There are three exams before and after, each exam lasts for three days, and the exam venue is extremely small, only four or five meters long and wide. After putting the ruler in the table and chairs, it was even difficult to turn around. During the three days, I ate, drank, pooped and slept in it. Needless to say, it was hard and arduous. Those who were older and less energetic would not be able to do it at all. If you can't survive it, how can you get good results in the examination?
What's more, after the general examination, there is also the palace examination, and the ranking is determined by the emperor. At this time, in order to show the prosperity of the civil society of the dynasty, the rankings of first, second, third and third are often given to the younger ones, and the two talents and knowledge are not much different. The younger the Gongsheng students are, the higher their rankings are.
Since ancient times, in the imperial examinations, results have always been achieved at a young age. The older you get, the less likely you are to succeed. It is for this reason.
………
Looking at Xiao Wenxuan in front of him with interest, Zhao Junchen, who had been silent all this time, suddenly smiled and said: "It turns out that what you did was all for the sake of Li Rui, and it was also because of my good intentions that I did bad things. But Hearing what you said made me even more curious. Why didn't you explain these words to him in person? It is said that you and Li Rui were once good friends. Although they are now against each other, if you explain patiently, I think he will be able to listen. And Why do you need to play the villain?”
Seeing that Zhao Junchen seemed to agree with his point of view in his words, Xiao Wenxuan was stunned.
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Confucian views had long dominated the world. The concept of "filial piety is the foundation of all good deeds" has long been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, especially in the eyes of scholars. When parents pass away, even big things are not as important as It is important to pay homage to parents during their funerals. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Xiao Wenxuan’s views are deviant in this era.
But then, the sarcasm in Xiao Wenxuan's expression became more obvious, and he said coldly: "There are countless mediocre people in the world, how many people can see through it? Then Li Rui is a foolish and filial person. He only knows that filial piety is the first, but he doesn't know at all How can I show my filial piety? To him, my words are nothing more than fallacies, so how can he listen to them?"
Then, after a moment of silence, Xiao Wenxuan said in a low voice: "What's more, he has already severed ties with me. Although I have told him this, it has made him even more disdainful of my character."
Then, as if he didn't want to say too much and was not used to showing his true feelings to others, Xiao Wenxuan's expression gradually became impatient. He changed the topic, looked at Zhao Junchen and asked: "After I win the money from him, I cut off his hopes of returning home, and with the encouragement of words, I had already made him want to take part in the spring examination again. Unexpectedly, your master and servant suddenly became kind-hearted, but it ruined my plan. Now I am After explaining the reason, it seems that you don't seem to be a pedantic person, and you didn't reprimand me, and you understand it. In this case, are you willing to get back the money that was used to support Li Rui?"
Zhao Junchen smiled half-heartedly and looked at Xiao Wenxuan in front of him again.
Under Zhao Junchen's scrutiny, Xiao Wenxuan's eyes flashed with annoyance, and he was obviously not used to being looked at like this.
After a moment, Zhao Junchen suddenly smiled, shook his head and said: "What you said is reasonable, but unfortunately you still failed to convince me because you forgot one thing."
Xiao Wenxuan raised his eyebrows and asked, "Oh? I wonder what it is?"
Zhao Junchen sighed softly and said: "You can understand your thoughts and ideas, and so can I, but the world can't understand them. If others learn the news in the future, they find that Li Rui was at home when his mother passed away. Not only did he not return to his hometown to observe his filial piety, but he sought fame for himself. With the impeachment papers, it is expected that Li Rui would be deprived of his fame and despised by the world. In this way, you have harmed Li Rui's future."
Xiao Wenxuan retorted: "I also understand this, so I won him the money to return home and stopped his desire to observe filial piety..."
Zhao Junchen waved his hand and said: "At that time, he may not have a chance to explain. What's more, in the eyes of many people, even if Li Rui has no money to return home, even if he begs on the street, he should return home to honor his mother as a filial piety." First. The most important thing is, even if this matter is not discovered, with Li Rui's temperament, his mother has just passed away, but he is forced to take the spring examination. Do you really think he can still get good results? Even if he does not lack Talented and learned, but mentally disturbed, it would be better if he didn’t lose his reputation.”
Xiao Wenxuan originally wanted to persuade Zhao Junchen, but he suddenly found that he was gradually convinced by Zhao Junchen.
Seeing Xiao Wenxuan gradually becoming silent, Zhao Junchen shook his head and said leisurely: "Sometimes, you and I understand some truth and think it is right, but if it is wrong in the eyes of the world, then you and I can only follow it. Thinking it is wrong, no matter what you or I think. It has nothing to do with hypocrisy or integrity, otherwise it will only be regarded as a heretic and ostracized and suppressed by the world. The four words "go with the flow" are by no means just a choice of how to live in the world. The fundamental way for us to survive is because you and I cannot go against the general trend. Although the truth is in the hands of a few people, it is never a few people who determine the general trend."
While speaking, Zhao Junchen looked at Xiao Wenxuan again and saw that he was thoughtful, but the mocking and sarcastic look on his expression remained unchanged. So he seemed to be advising, but also seemed to be mocking himself, and said leisurely: "I see that you seem to be feeling a little guilty in your heart. I have an idea that is different from the world. Although I have not stated it clearly, I am afraid that there is also a sense of loneliness in my heart that the world is drunk and I am alone. But please forgive me for being brief and profound. Here, I will say a few more words. In this world, after all, How many smart people there are and how many confused people are often the most difficult thing to guess, because everyone in the world is pretending, so you and I must also pretend. Many people understand many truths, but no one says it clearly. Regardless of the world Whether you are really drunk or pretending to be drunk, whether it is true that the whole world is drunk and you are the only one awake, or you think you are sober alone, if you cannot pretend to be drunk among everyone, then you are destined to have no good results."
After a pause, Zhao Junchen's voice was slightly colder, and he said: "If you can't follow the crowd and keep company with the mediocre people in your eyes, and you still look like you are alone, then you can learn from Tao Yuanming and hide from the world. Why bother? When you join the world and see mediocre people in your eyes, you are annoyed, but you can't change the thoughts of mediocre people in your eyes?"
As Zhao Junchen finished speaking, Xiao Wenxuan's expression changed, and finally lost the sneer and sneer look before. After a moment, he was about to say something to Zhao Junchen, when suddenly, several calls came from behind him.
"The benefactor stays behind, the benefactor stays behind."
But it was Li Rui and others who finally squeezed through the crowd of onlookers, packed up the arena belongings, and chased Zhao Junchen.
………
Within a moment, Li Rui, Su Rao and others were chasing after him.
When they saw Zhao Junchen talking to Xiao Wenxuan, their expressions changed.
As for Xiao Wenxuan, at some point, sarcasm and meanness appeared in his expression again, as if he was dismissive of Li Ruisurao and others.
Li Rui glared at Xiao Wenxuan hatefully, then hurriedly came to Zhao Junchen, bowed to Zhao Junchen and said, "Thank you so much for helping me with the money, so that I can return to my hometown to observe my filial piety. Please pay my respects to my benefactor." .”
As he spoke, Li Rui knelt down to thank him.
However, as soon as he was halfway kneeling, he was supported by Zhao Junchen.
"The man has gold at his knees. I only supported you with dozens of taels of silver. It's not worth your kneeling. Don't be too polite."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Li Rui was even more fond of Zhao Junchen. He looked at Zhao Junchen with grateful eyes and said: "To my benefactor, it is only a few dozen taels of silver, but to me, it is... Fulfilling filial piety and human relations has a different meaning."
However, having said that, Li Rui was still unable to kneel down and thank him despite Zhao Junchen's insistence.
After being helped up by Zhao Junchen, Li Rui asked: "I wonder if my benefactor can tell me Gao's name? Can he be from the capital? The money my benefactor funded is not a small amount. I will definitely try to repay it after I return to my hometown."
Zhao Junchen shook his head and said: "It's just a few dozen taels of silver. It's not a small amount in your eyes, but I don't take it to heart. As for my last name, you don't need to know. If we are destined to see each other again in the future, why bother?" Forced?"
To be honest, Zhao Junchen actually likes to deal with so-called "gentlemen" such as Li Rui and Su Rao, because their thoughts and emotions are reflected on their faces, and dealing with them does not require a lot of effort and is very easy.
However, Zhao Junchen realized that he was not the same person as them after all, so he did not intend to have a close relationship with them.
Facts have proved that Zhao Junchen’s idea was right.
Li Rui couldn't help but be stunned when he saw that Zhao Junchen not only did not tell him his name, but also sounded distant in his words.
After talking to Zhao Junchen for a few more words, and seeing that Zhao Junchen really had no intention of getting along with him, Li Rui finally left wisely, saying that he would find a way to repay Zhao Junchen's kindness in the future. Seeing that he looked serious, it was not a lie. .
However, before leaving, Li Rui glanced at Xiao Wenxuan, who was standing aside and had not left, and suddenly said: "My dear friend, although I don't know your origins yet, but I think you are from an extraordinary place, so for the sake of your reputation, I , Xiao Wenxuan, you'd better not have more contact with him. In fact, he has his own reasons for being in trouble with me today. I admired his talent in the past, and we were close friends with him, but I never thought about Xiao Wenxuan. He actually surrendered himself and took refuge in Zhao Junchen, the most famous corrupt official in the court! I despise his character, so I cut ties with him for this reason! Looking at his actions before and after, we can already know what his character and temperament are like. I hope my benefactor will consider it more."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ps: Second update.
< >, reading is a kind of enjoyment, it is recommended that you collect it.
