Let’s not talk about Chu Jiayi’s misunderstanding in her heart. 【Read the latest chapter】
Just when Zhao Junchen took Xu Qingyan and Fang Ru to the main hall, in the main hall of the Zhao Mansion, those people from the Zhao family in Yangzhou were also gathering at the door, waiting for Zhao Junchen's appearance with a cautious attitude. .
In fact, the Zhao family is considered a local wealthy family in Yangzhou, but they have never seen such a gorgeous and luxurious mansion as Zhao Junchen. And the various rules in the palace of a powerful person like Zhao Junchen in the capital are unprecedented for the Zhao family. Coupled with Zhao Junchen's current power in the court and the complicated relationship between the two parties, now he finally has to deal with When Zhao Junchen met, they couldn't help but be informal.
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Among them, Zhao Deqing, the current head of the Zhao family in Yangzhou, was feeling particularly anxious and complicated at this time.
When Zhao Junchen's mother was kicked out of the clan, Zhao Deqing was not the head of the Zhao family, so the decision was not made by him, but Zhao Deqing did not stop him, and even supported it - although Zhao Junchen's mother, It is his biological sister!
Regarding this matter, Zhao Deqing believed that neither the Yangzhou Zhao family nor himself had done anything wrong, and this thought and attitude has not changed to this day.
Without him, the Zhao family is a wealthy family in Yangzhou. How many pairs of eyes are watching? And if a woman in the family becomes pregnant before marriage, how much impact will it have on the family's reputation?
The elders of the family can collude with the government to seize fertile farmland, and the younger members of the family can bully men and women, but this is absolutely not allowed if a woman in the family becomes pregnant before marriage and loses the family's face!
This kind of thinking is not just Zhao Deqing's. In this era, most of the landowners and wealthy families think this way.
However. The only thing that Zhao Deqing didn't expect was that after being kicked out of the clan, Zhao Junchen not only did not starve to death, but actually became successful and not only became the number one scholar. And in just a few years, he has become one of the most popular and powerful officials in the court!
In this way, the existence of Zhao Junchen, the illegitimate son, is not only no longer a shame for the Zhao family in Yangzhou, but has become a glory! Not only will it become an honor, but it will also bring great benefits to the Zhao family!
Under such circumstances. With Zhao Deqing's profit-seeking nature, he naturally wanted to get back together with Zhao Junchen. Over the years, he sent people to Beijing many times to contact Zhao Junchen, but Zhao Junchen did not want to see the Zhao family in Yangzhou. For Zhao Deqing, these He has shown goodwill repeatedly over the years. But he ignored him and just treated him coldly.
Just when Zhao Deqing's mind was getting colder, he never expected that Zhao Junchen would take the initiative to contact the Zhao family! Not only did he contact the Zhao family, he also proposed to select several children of the Zhao family to enter the Imperial Academy to become supervisors, and even select a Zhao family woman to be brought into the harem to become a noble!
Whether it was Zhao Junchen's proactive contact or the great benefits Zhao Junchen brought. This all made Zhao Deqing ecstatic, and the future glory of the Zhao family in Yangzhou seemed to have appeared in his eyes. Therefore, after the New Year, Zhao Deqing personally took the elders of the clan to the capital to see Zhao Junchen. Strike while the iron is hot and step up efforts to repair the friendship between the two parties.
But I never expected that Zhao Junchen had already taken the initiative to contact them, but when they came to Beijing to ask for a meeting, they were still hot-faced and cold-hearted. Although Zhao Junchen connected them to the Zhao Mansion to stay. They also entertained them with delicious food and drinks, and did not restrict their freedom, but they insisted on dragging them away. To this day, it has been delayed for ** days.
Then. Only then did Zhao Deqing realize that Zhao Junchen probably still resented the Zhao family in Yangzhou.
Now that he is finally meeting Zhao Junchen, how should he deal with Zhao Junchen who is still resenting the Zhao family in Yangzhou? And how will Zhao Junchen treat people like himself?
Thinking of this, Zhao Deqing felt a little uneasy.
After all, with the power in Zhao Junchen's current hands, how much benefit it can bring to the Zhao family, and how much disaster it can bring to the Zhao family, everything depends on Zhao Junchen's thoughts.
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While thinking about it, Zhao Deqing suddenly remembered something, and hurriedly asked his cousin Zhao Deshun, the only elder in the clan with the title of Juren: "Deshun, I saw him later, what should we do? What should we do?" Although he is his elder, he is now a high-ranking official in the court. Do you call him by his name to show affection? Or do you call him 'sir' to show submission? Do you want to salute him? "
In the Ming Dynasty, because the gentry could reduce many taxes, the wealthy families in various places usually had several members who had obtained the imperial examination. In the Zhao family of Yangzhou, this role was played by Zhao Deshun, and Zhao Deshun was among the Zhao family. , and his status is second only to Zhao Deqing.
After hearing Zhao Deqing's inquiry, Zhao Deshun pondered for a moment and said in a low voice: "Although today is a family banquet, there are not so many rules, but from my point of view, Mr. Zhao's resentment towards our family has not disappeared, and he Nowadays, he is also noble, so it is better to be more cautious in his words and deeds. Bow when necessary, and also call him 'sir'. Then look at his response. If his attitude is better, then we will slowly appear to be in line with him. It's okay to be affectionate, but if he is serious, we have to be more respectful and careful."
Zhao Deqing nodded repeatedly and quickly told Zhao Deshun what he meant.
Most of the Zhao family members who came to Beijing were Zhao Junchen's uncles and uncles, and many of them had higher seniority. However, no one resisted Zhao Deqing's instructions, and they all agreed.
After all, after not contacting him for many years, the Zhao family in Yangzhou still regard Zhao Junchen as someone they need to please, rather than as a relative of the clan.
At this moment, Zhao Deqing suddenly heard two juniors from the clan behind him discussing something softly.
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"Zhao Xuantong, have you heard? This time, Mr. Zhao seems to be arranging all of us juniors to be supervisors in the Imperial College! Hey, that's the Imperial College! Isn't it the place you've always wanted to go? I heard that only the Juren Or only scholars recommended by the local academic administration can enter. I also heard that once you become a supervisor, if you are recommended by the Imperial College, you can directly enter the court and become an official without passing the imperial examination. Hehe, our clan has this person. Mr. Zhao, you are truly blessed!”
The one who speaks. The look on his face was full of frivolity and pride. It was Zhao Xuancheng who had met and talked with Zhao Shancai before.
The person who was talking to Zhao Xuancheng was a young man named Zhao Xuantong. He was also a younger generation of the Zhao family in Yangzhou, but compared with Zhao Xuancheng. This Zhao Xuantong is much calmer, and his expression is quieter and more delicate.
Zhao Xuantong explained: "If a scholar enters the Imperial Academy, he or she is called a 'jujian'; if a scholar recommended by the local academic administration enters the prison, he or she is called a 'gongjian'. As for the 'yinjian', there are only a limited number of places. The above-mentioned officials in the capital can only arrange for one junior to enter the Imperial College, and Master Zhao will not be able to arrange it. So if we people can really enter the Imperial College under the arrangement of Mr. Zhao, I think it will be the 'Enjian', specially appointed by His Majesty. Admission to prison.”
After hearing Zhao Xuantong's explanation, Zhao Xuancheng was in a daze at first. Obviously he didn't know this at first, but then he curled his lips and said: "Xuan Tong, you are showing off your knowledge again. Among us cousins, you are the one who likes reading the most, and you always say that if we don't study, we will have no knowledge and knowledge. You always show off your knowledge and knowledge. But let me tell you, what's the use of studying like this? Haven't you always wanted to go to the Imperial College these years but couldn't?
I'm not as knowledgeable as you. But the result? If the news comes true, we will not only be able to enter the Imperial College directly, but with Mr. Zhao’s care and management in the future, we will also most likely be recommended by the Imperial College. Being able to directly become an official is easy and convenient, but it is better than you who only study hard. Much more useful! Let me tell you, if you study hard all day long, you will almost make your brain stupid. "
"The books of sages can increase knowledge and cultivate sentiments, so how can they make the brain stupid when reading?" Zhao Xuantong couldn't help but retorted. But there was a bit of stubbornness in his expression, and he really looked like a nerd.
Zhao Xuancheng said proudly: "Why not? What is the purpose of studying? Isn't it just for fame and being an official? But after you become an official, what can you use the things in your books? You have to rely on your own means and become an official. Backer? If you really believe in the things in the sages' books, do you think you can survive in today's officialdom? "
Zhao Deqing was about to say "Quiet" when he heard the voices of Zhao Xuancheng and Zhao Xuantong getting louder. Suddenly, someone outside the main hall of the Zhao Mansion said coldly: "Studying is useless? But if you can't even read the most useless and simple reading well, what will you be able to accomplish in the future?"
Hearing this voice, all the Zhao family members in the main hall turned their heads to look, only to see a young man in luxurious clothes and elegant temperament looking at them with a frown.
They didn't know who this young man was, nor had they seen him, but behind him stood Xu Qingyan, the director of the Zhao family who had greeted them before, and the Zhao family attendant who had been entertaining them these days. Concubine Fang Ru!
And Zhao Junchen was the only one in the Zhao Mansion who could let Xu Qingyan and Fang Ru follow them.
Obviously, the person coming is none other than Zhao Junchen!
Thinking of this, the faces of the Zhao family members in the main hall changed one after another, and then, under the leadership of Zhao Deqing, they all saluted Zhao Junchen and called him "Sir."
Among them, Zhao Xuancheng, who had just been directly refuted by Zhao Junchen, looked even more pale and frightened.
But Zhao Junchen ignored the salutes and greetings from the Zhao family members and just stared at Zhao Xuancheng with a frown.
Zhao Junchen did not expect that the theory of "the uselessness of reading", which was once popular in later generations, was already put forward by someone at this time.
"For your own good, remember what I'm going to say next." Zhao Junchen said slowly to Zhao Xuancheng: "Reading, whether it is rote memorization or reading comprehension, all you need to do is work hard and you don't need to be intrigued or tired. It’s hard work, and you don’t need to look at other people’s eyes. Everything depends on yourself. It can be said that reading is the simplest thing in the world. If you can’t even read well, but wishfully think that you can do other things well, that’s just wishful thinking!
In this world, from ancient times to the present, there are certainly people who have no knowledge and skills but can achieve great things, but they are very few! There are certainly people who study hard but end up useless, but they are also very few! Don't have such a lucky hope, and don't just think about leaving your destiny to others, otherwise you will only achieve nothing in the end. "
Zhao Junchen's voice was cold and calm, and he did not mean to be angry, but it also frightened Zhao Xuancheng to death. After hearing Zhao Junchen's words, he was stunned and did not react.
Seeing Zhao Xuancheng's appearance, Zhao Deshun on the side quickly said: "Why are you standing there in a daze! Why don't you quickly thank Mr. Zhao for his careful teachings to you!?"
After hearing Zhao Deshun's reminder, Zhao Xuancheng trembled and finally reacted and hurriedly said to Zhao Junchen: "Thank you so much for your teaching."
Zhao Junchen ignored Zhao Xuancheng. Instead, he turned to look at Zhao Xuantong and asked: "Listening to what you two just said, you like reading very much? Have you obtained any honors?"
Unexpectedly, Zhao Junchen would turn to him again, but Zhao Xuantong, who was originally a bit nerdy, did react faster than Zhao Xuancheng. He quickly replied: "My lord, I just passed the scientific examination last year and got the student quota. I will take the provincial examination next year."
Zhao Junchen nodded and said, "Can you recite the "Li Xue Pian" written by Song Zhenzong back then?"
Zhao Xuantong nodded, and then recited: "A rich family does not need to buy fertile land. There is thousands of bells of millet in the book. There is no need to build a high building to live in peace, there is a house of gold in the book. Don't hate an unscrupulous matchmaker when marrying a wife, there is a beauty like jade in the book." When you go out, don't regret that there is no one to follow you. There are many cars and horses in the book. If a man wants to realize his life's ambition, he reads the Six Classics diligently in front of the window."
Zhao Junchen nodded appreciatively and said: "Every word is correct. It seems that you have studied hard. The reason why the sages' books are valued by the world has its own reasons. If you read it carefully, it will be more profound than you think."
After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Zhao Xuantong naturally nodded in agreement.
Zhao Junchen's words were naturally not perfunctory. These days, Zhao Junchen always took the time to study the legendary and mysterious "Emperor's Mind Technique". But I discovered that this so-called "emperor's mind" is actually what Confucianism has learned at a high level. The "Emperor's Mental Technique" taught by He Ming to Zhao Shancai is actually just a generalization.
However, Zhao Junchen said these words suddenly, and naturally it was not just a whim.
At least, after hearing Zhao Junchen's remarks, Zhao Deqing and Zhao Deshun looked at each other and nodded thoughtfully.
Zhao Junchen's statement actually made it clear to the Zhao family what changes he would need from the Zhao family in the future. And what kind of talents are planned to be promoted from the Zhao family. Zhao Deqing and Zhao Deshun are smart people, so they naturally understand the implication.
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On the other side, after teaching Zhao Xuancheng and Zhao Xuantong, Zhao Junchen turned to look at Zhao Deqing, the current head of the Zhao family, and asked: "Are you Zhao Deqing, the current head of the Zhao family?"
What Zhao Junchen said was not polite. There was no intention of respecting Zhao Deqing, his biological uncle, but Zhao Deqing did not dare to be angry at all. He just bowed and said: "Yangzhou Zhao Deqing, I have met your lord."
Zhao Junchen nodded, pointed to the banquet next to him, and said, "Today is a family banquet. There is no need to be formal and polite. Let's all sit down."
While talking, Zhao Junchen came to the table first and sat down.
As Zhao Junchen took his seat, people from the Zhao family also took their seats one after another.
Nearly twenty people from the Zhao family came from Yangzhou, but two tables were filled. Among them, the elders of the family sat at one table with Zhao Junchen, and the younger members of the Zhao family sat at the other table.
Then, Fang Ru sat next to Zhao Junchen, and Xu Qingyan sat with him on another seat.
After everyone sat down, the maids of the Zhao family got the dishes like water. The banquet had already begun. However, those people from the Zhao family in Yangzhou secretly looked at Zhao Junchen and did not dare to take down their chopsticks to pick up the dishes. He didn't dare to speak casually.
Zhao Junchen has not shown the slightest hint of intimacy since his appearance. Of course, everyone in the Zhao family can see this, so they are especially careful with him.
And Zhao Junchen now treats the Zhao family as officials, but he does not consider their feelings. After the dishes are prepared, Zhao Junchen first raises his chopsticks, picks up the dishes on the plate, and casually says: "Everyone, feel free to do as you like. As I said, since it is a family banquet, there are not so many rules and there is no need to be too rigid. The cooks in my house are pretty good. There are a few dishes that would be good even if they were placed in the palace. You can try it out to see if you like it.”
However, everyone in the Zhao family did not even dare to shirk politeness. After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, they all took down their chopsticks to taste the vegetables, and then praised them one after another.
Zhao Junchen turned to Zhao Deqing and said: "The government has been busy these days. You all came all the way from Yangzhou to visit me, but I couldn't take care of you for a while. I hope you don't take it off."
Zhao Deqing was responding to Zhao Junchen's call and putting food on his plate. After hearing Zhao Junchen's words, he quickly said, "Sir, we are all a family, so there is no need to see anyone outside."
They clearly said they were a family, but they still called 'Sir' in their mouths, which seemed a bit nondescript.
While speaking, Zhao Deqing carefully looked at Zhao Junchen's expression, and couldn't help but feel happy when he saw that Zhao Junchen did not object to the word "family" in his mouth.
Zhao Junchen continued: "Actually, in two months, I will go south with His Majesty on his southern tour. I originally planned to see you at that time, but I didn't expect that you would take the initiative to come to Beijing to find me. , in this case, I just want to ask you, are you ready for what I asked you to do?"
Zhao Deqing nodded repeatedly and said: "If we are not prepared, how can we dare to come here to ask for an audience with you? I hope you can rest assured. Now in our Zhao family, there are nine girls of the right age. According to your instructions, all of them have been recruited into the clan. Watch, all those who were engaged have broken off their engagements, and those who have sweethearts have also broken up, waiting for the adults to come home to choose."
Seeing Zhao Junchen nodding with satisfaction, Zhao Deshun on the other side asked in disbelief: "Sir, does the emperor really want to select a girl from our Zhao family to be a noble in the palace?"
Zhao Junchen glanced at Zhao Deshun and said: "Of course, otherwise why would I ask you to do these things? In addition, Your Majesty also plans to ask me to recommend some children of the Zhao family to enter the Imperial College, saying that there is no limit to the number of places. However, although His Majesty said so But I can’t be too arrogant, so I only plan to select five or six people from the clan to recommend to the Imperial Academy, and you should also carefully screen them in this regard."
Recalling the different attitudes Zhao Junchen had towards Zhao Xuancheng and Zhao Xuantong just now, Zhao Deqing and Zhao Deshun both nodded.
Suddenly, remembering the news he had just received not long ago, Zhao Junchen asked: "By the way, do you know Zhao Shancai, a talented man from Jiangnan? Is he related to the clan?"
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ps: The second update today, a 5,000-word chapter! Seeking Like!
...(To be continued...)
