It's approaching September.
The autumn weather is crisp in Nanjing, and it is also the time to enjoy chrysanthemums and write essays. It coincides with the gathering of scholars in Nanjing, and the literary style in the city is very important.
On this day, Zhu Houzhao, led by Sun Che and Gong Yeping, went to attend a cultural gathering, and then...
He became depressed.
He still used the same old tricks as when he attended cultural conferences in various places on his way south. They were all clichés, but he couldn't get enough of them when he arrived in Nanjing. On this day at the cultural conference, he was ridiculed to his face.
"...A child who is no more than ten years old and whose knowledge of craftsmanship is not yet complete. Or maybe he has read a few words in the works on psychology and thinks he has some talent, so he thinks he can do anything?"
"In terms of fame, anyone here is higher than you."
"In terms of talent, everyone here can talk it out. I just want to ask you, can you?"
Zhu Houzhao screamed in anger. He rolled up his sleeves and wanted to hit someone, but Sun Che stopped him.
Zhu Houzhao shouted: "Who said I can't do it? Come here!"
"Okay, are you going to write poems? Or are you going to let anyone here come up with a topic and judge the winner based on their craftsmanship?" The other party was angry.
Gong Yeping said: "Are you so ashamed that you know that our young master is young and do not discuss academic matters with him, but you still decide the outcome with poems and articles? Is it possible that your understanding of mental studies is too shallow and you are not even as good as him? Want to bully others?"
"Who are you talking about?"
A crowd stood up on the opposite side.
He looked like he was about to fight, but Zhu Houzhao looked a little alone.
The leader opposite smiled and said: "If you are not good at learning, just go back and study for a few more years with your tail between your legs. In a few days, there will be a literary conference held by Yingtian Mansion. At that time, Lai Guogong and famous people from Lingnan, Jiangxi and other places will All the Confucian scholars were present, and I heard that Cheng Min, Bachelor of Political Science, personally presided over it. A ten-year-old child will only hurt Zhongyong in the end!"
"It's too much to bully someone!"
Zhu Houzhao had a smooth life, how could he ever suffer such ridicule?
He wished he could go up and tear the man's mouth out right away, but he didn't have the upper hand at all, and he regretted not bringing more people with him.
…
…
Wait until you go downstairs.
Zhu Houzhao said to Liu Jin: "Go and send troops, I will level this building for him!"
Liu Jin hurriedly said: "Master, let's not make trouble. This is not the capital. You...your identity must be kept secret."
Just as he was talking, Sun Che and Gong Yeping came out, both of them looking unhappy.
Originally, he and his "big benefactor" Zhu Shou came out to show off, or help the benefactor to show off, in order to get some money from this kid for food, drink and fun. Who would have thought that today he failed to show off and was still beaten? When someone scolds someone head-on, it feels like eating fly excrement.
"Young Master, don't be the same as them. If I find you a literary club tomorrow, you will definitely be able to overwhelm them." Gong Yeping said.
Zhu Houzhao said: "Are my talents and learning terrible?"
"ah?"
Gong Yeping and Sun Che were both surprised.
It's enough to say that you're not good at learning, but you actually use "bad" to describe it?
Is this self-reflection?
You were looking like you were going to eat someone upstairs just now, why are you looking so downcast now? The mood changes too quickly, right?
Sun Che said: "Master Zhu's talent and learning are not bad, especially his understanding of mind science, which is rare in the world. As for the so-called craftsmanship and other knowledge, it takes time to accumulate. Even if you don't have fame now, you will definitely be famous in the world. .”
Zhu Youtang shook his head and said: "It's impossible. I will never be named on the gold list in my life."
"Why?" Sun Che asked, "Could it be that the young master is..."
Just say, you are not from Leji, right? In the Ming Dynasty, except for Leji and Daishen, everyone was eligible to participate in the imperial examination, even military households were no exception.
Zhu Houzhao didn't want to explain to Sun Che and the others, so he asked Gao Feng on the side: "Have you visited the Jiangning County government office before? When will they release him?"
The implication was that after he got Hu Feng out of the cell, he would part ways with Sun Che and the others.
From what Sun Che and Gong Yeping heard...
If you can't help me make a name for myself, I'll be embarrassed if I go out with you, so let's break up.
Sun Che said hurriedly: "We went to see him before. He is fine there. As long as we contact his family and pay the atonement money, we can come out. We also gave the accommodating money. How dare the jailer embarrass a living member? "
"Yeah. Let's go back to the inn."
Zhu Houzhao's mood was waning.
It was originally agreed that Hu Feng would rent him a large villa to live in, but because Hu Feng was accidentally convicted and imprisoned, the matter was postponed for now.
Zhu Houzhao also felt that it was a wonderful thing to live in an inn and enjoy the fireworks of the world that he could not experience in the palace.
But his mood... wasn't very good.
…
…
At this time, he was in a cell in Jiangning County.
As a "visitor", Zhang Zhouzheng and Yin Wuxiong of Yingtian Prefecture went to the county government office to visit Hu Feng, who was accused of pushing someone downstairs.
When the officials brought Hu Feng out, Zhang Zhou and Wu Xiong were dressed in casual clothes. Even the county magistrate could only stand aside and laugh.
The magistrate of Jiangning County is none other than Mi Jing'an, the former magistrate of Shangyuan County.
Originally, Mi Jing'an was just a civil servant. After his term as magistrate of Fuguo County, Jingxian County, he should resign and return to his hometown. However, because he paid homage to Zhang Zhouzhong early at the dock when he was liberated from the Yuan Dynasty, the Nanjing official department directly assigned him another job. The magistrate of Jiangning County...
At this moment, Mi Jing'an felt that he had met his relatives, and he was very respectful to Zhang Zhou.
"Here we come." Mi Jing'an smiled.
"Yes." Zhang Zhou stood up, and Wu Xiong stood up as well.
Mi Jing'an was the only one at the scene wearing official uniform. He didn't know who Hu Feng was, so he was panicking. Who is this? Is it worthy for Duke Lai Guo to visit the county government in Jiangning County in person? Should I let him go immediately?
Hu Feng didn't have to kneel down when he saw Mi Jing'an. He said, "Mi Zhixian, can the students leave?"
Mi Jing'an said: "Don't worry, there is someone here who wants to see you. You two, I will not disturb you, please leave first."
At this time, Mi Jing'an also had a sharp eye. When the superior came to ask a prisoner who had been detained for several days, it was better to avoid him and avoid hearing anything he shouldn't hear again.
…
…
Wu Xiong did not avoid it.
Wu Xiong also wanted to know the background of the guy Zhang Zhou came to see today. Judging from what Ying Tianfu had checked before he came, Hu Feng was just an ordinary student, nothing special.
But because Zhang Zhou was born in "Xuanmen", maybe this student has unknown abilities?
"You two." Hu Feng didn't know how to address him, so he just bowed his hands in salute.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "No need to be polite. I heard that you were imprisoned, so I wanted to come and have a look. I heard that you are very talented and learned."
Hu Feng also had a certain amount of knowledge and was a philistine. He saw that a person who even the magistrate of Jiangning County was afraid of must have some background. He said: "I read the books of sages and do not dare to show off in knowledge. I also want to learn more from the sages." Study hard and strive to achieve something in the future.”
"Very good, ambitious." Zhang Zhou nodded, "I heard that you have two friends who are also involved in and researched the emerging psychology?"
"It's all superficial knowledge," Hu Feng said. "There's no research involved."
"Very good, he has a bright future." Zhang Zhou pointed at Wu Xiong with a smile, and glanced at Wu Xiong, probably saying, "Look, this is a talented person."
Wu Xiong said: "I have checked his case and found that his crime is not serious. He can go back at any time."
Zhang Zhou nodded and said: "The compensation must be in place and the ransom must be paid, but you can't be too greedy, especially you can't think about stealing other people's wealth."
Hu Feng was confused.
Is this talking to me? Why is it like a heavenly book?
Who are these two?
We didn’t say anything when we met. Why are you here educating me?
Are you my dad? Or my teacher? Why are you telling me this?
"Come here." Zhang Zhou ordered.
Immediately, someone came in, holding a wooden box. Zhang Zhou said: "There are five strings of money in it, which should be used to compensate for the medical expenses of the injured. Sir, this way you will not be involved in the case and you can leave."
Hu Feng was a little curious about the two people in front of him before, even a little disrespectful. At this time, he immediately changed to a respectful expression and said: "Your Excellency, what virtues and abilities do you have to deserve your appreciation? Could it be that you are an old friend of mine? ?”
"Hmph." Wu Xiong hummed.
He was thinking, if you can really become an old friend with this Lai GuoGong, you will be prosperous.
Zhang Zhou shook his head and said: "Before I came here, I didn't know you. I just heard about your reputation. When you go back, treat others with your heart. Don't tell anyone about what happened here today. Just say that your relatives and friends have sent you to atone for your sins." A fine of silver will allow you to get out of the cage. Let's go. See you later."
"That……"
Hu Feng was not completely confused now. He had his brains smashed into pieces and his brains were all mush.
Just give me money and let me go?
Such a good thing?
"Master Hu? Please." The county government officer hurriedly came forward to invite Hu Feng out.
Hu Feng was dejected, but he could only thank Zhang Zhou first and left the county government office.
…
…
"Who is he?" Wu Xiong finally couldn't help but ask after Hu Feng left.
Zhang Zhou said: "The prince's people."
"hiss."
Wu Xiong now knew that the prince was in Nanjing, but Zhang Zhou did not tell him any more details and did not allow him to leak them to the outside world.
At the moment, Wu Xiong thought that Hu Feng was Zhu Houzhao's follower brought from the capital. He instantly felt that Mi Jing'an had done something very stupid and wanted to teach him a lesson. Mi Jing'an was not at the scene, so he couldn't say anything nonsense...
"Anyone who can be admired by the prince will definitely have a bright future in the future. It doesn't matter if I help him." Zhang Zhou said with a smile.
"Yes." Wu Xiong thought that Zhang Zhou was establishing a relationship with the people around the prince.
But actually.
Zhang Zhou just came to redeem himself in order to avoid the "distraction" of Zhu Houzhao. Of course, he had a more "important" thing to do.
…
…
"Sir, we're here." After Zhang Zhou and Wu Xiong said goodbye at the yamen gate, Zhang Zhou got on the carriage and stopped not far away. Liu Gui came over to report.
"Yeah." Zhang Zhou said.
Immediately, a man who looked like a scholar followed Xu Jing and came closer.
The car curtain was not opened.
Xu Jing said on behalf of the man: "I told the young master just as he said. It is said that when he left... the young master's face turned green with anger. He was probably... burning with anger."
The scholar said: "I am just a ten-year-old child, and what I say is from my heart."
Zhang Zhou said from behind the curtain: "Very good, he can handle things. I'll give him a reward."
"Here you go!" Xu Jing then threw the reward purse that he had prepared to the scholar.
The scholar was about to leave happily.
Xu Jing reminded: "If you dare to speak out, you know the consequences, right?"
"I know, as I said, I will leave Nanjing today and never come back again. You two, please watch."
…
…
The person who went to ridicule Zhu Houzhao was the one Zhang Zhou asked Xu Jing to find.
immediately……
It's time for Zhang Zhou himself to appear.
Zhu Houzhao has become wild, and we can't let him continue to be so wild. In addition to giving him a blow to his self-confidence and letting him know that there is a way out there, it is also to help him recover his mind and cultivate his nature as soon as possible.
Zhang Zhou was also thinking about this matter.
If you want to make Zhu Houzhao famous and make his trip to Jiangnan worthwhile, you must first make Zhu Houzhao want to become famous.
If this kid doesn't have... how can he grow a face for him? How could Zhu Youtang be so happy and then punished for running away from home?
"I worked really hard for this naughty child." Zhang Zhou also felt that he was a bit tired as a nanny.
…
When Zhang Zhouren arrived at the inn, he just said hello to the counter, and was led upstairs by Dr. Cha to the door of Zhu Houzhao. He saw Liu Jin and Gao Feng talking at the door. When they saw Zhang Zhou, their eyes were filled with tears. A surge of panic.
It probably feels like being a thief and being caught.
"You two don't have to be polite, I'm here to pay homage to Mr. Zhu Shou." Zhang Zhou said with a smile.
"Inside." Liu Jin hurriedly came over and saluted.
"Yes." Zhang Zhou nodded, "Let's pass it on."
Liu Jin knocked on the door and heard Zhu Houzhao's voice coming from inside: "Don't bother me! If you have anything to do, solve it yourself!"
"It's Mr. Zhang...he's here," Liu Jin said.
"Which Mr. Zhang?" Zhu Houzhao said angrily.
"Ahem!" Zhang Zhou coughed twice.
When Zhu Houzhao heard the sound, he immediately felt something was wrong, and then came over to open the door. After seeing Zhang Zhou, his eyes showed a little surprise at first, and then he closed the door with a "bang" as if a mouse had seen a cat.
"You're very polite." Zhang Zhou waved his hand, meaning that Liu Jin and Liu Jin should step aside first, and then he opened the door and went in.
Zhu Houzhao sat on the chair and did not get up to greet him. He said gloomily: "Why did you find me?"
"Hmph!" Zhang Zhou closed the door and said coldly, "Do you really think you are so powerful that you can hide it from everyone? Do you know how many people will suffer because of your willfulness?"
"Anyway, as long as you don't have to suffer, I'm not here to see you." Zhu Houzhao was still arrogant.
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty already knows about your journey south. I told him not to let you go back in a hurry. Otherwise, why do you think your journey south was so smooth?"
"You...you knew where I was?"
Zhu Houzhao was shocked.
My personal escape plan is all under your control, Zhang Bingkuan?
Then he thought of something, slapped his thigh and said, "That's right, who are you? You can just count with your fingers and know where I am, right? Then you..."
"Why didn't I send you back to the capital, nor show up in person, but let you eat, drink and have fun all the way south, spend the money you got from your two uncles everywhere, and let you wander around Nanjing city?" Zhang Zhou asked.
"Well. Why?" Zhu Houzhao asked.
Zhang Zhou said: "Isn't this what you like?"
Zhu Houzhao exclaimed: "Tsk, tsk, when did you become a traitorous minister who caters to my prince's preferences?"
Zhang Zhou shrugged and said, "In the eyes of ministers, am I not a treacherous minister?"
"Forget it, is there such a treacherous official like you who does big things for the imperial court? But I won't argue with you. At last, you still have some sense of loyalty and didn't send me back to the palace directly..." Zhu Houzhao seemed to have become a traitor now. Reasonable person.
Zhang Zhou said: "What? Have you had enough fun in Jiangnan? Do you want to go back?"
Zhu Houzhao remained silent.
Zhang Zhou asked again: "I heard that you encountered some unhappiness today?"
Zhu Houzhao frowned and said, "I can't hide anything from you. How many people have you sent around me?"
Zhang Zhou said: "Not really, but there are rumors from outside that there is a ten-year-old child who came to Nanjing from the capital to visit relatives. He has a good understanding of the study of mind, and he even stands out in many academic circles. Isn't this you?"
"Am I...so famous?" Zhu Houzhao asked with excitement as if he had swept away his previous displeasure.
Zhang Zhou said coldly: "When you become famous, people will naturally target you, wanting to compare you with your talent and steal the fame that should belong to you."
"Oh." Zhu Houzhao said, "You mean, the person who made trouble for me today did it on purpose?"
Zhang Zhou thought to himself, you are right, they did it on purpose, or I secretly instigated them to do this.
"How? Does it feel good to be inferior to others in learning?" Zhang Zhou said, "What you have experienced is exactly what I have experienced."
Zhu Houzhao lowered his head, suddenly as if he and Zhang Zhou were sympathetic, and said: "I understand, they are just jealous of me and know that I am famous, so they want to suppress me... No wonder you have done so much for the court. My father obviously thinks highly of you, but he still wants you to come to Nanjing to avoid suspicion. Those literati are unreasonable."
Zhang Zhou said angrily: "Can you please don't knock over a boatload of people with one stroke? Are you not a scholar? Am I not?"
"I didn't talk about the two of us." Zhu Houzhao said, "We are different from them. Think about it, the civil servants who are most respected by those literati are the same. By the way, Mr. Zhang, can you... can you... "
"If you have anything to say, just say it," Zhang Zhou said.
Zhu Houzhao said with a look of longing: "I think... I want them to know that they are wrong."
"so……"
"I want to surpass them in terms of talent. Not only do you have to teach me about mental studies, you also need to teach me about mental studies. I heard that there was a big literary conference recently. I... I want to stand out and make those literati feel ashamed when they see me. They no longer dare to look down on me, a ten-year-old scholar.”
Zhu Houzhao expressed his ideal.
Zhang Zhou thought to himself, I finally lived up to my hard work.
Zhang Zhou said: "You are cheating."
Zhu Houzhao said: "Mr. Zhang, you don't mean to say that you don't have the ability to suppress them, do you?"
"Haha." Zhang Zhou said with a smile, "The method of provoking generals is of no use to me. However, I have told His Majesty in advance that when you go south, you will increase your knowledge and knowledge, and at the same time, you will let the world know about your talent and ability to govern the country. You deserve the name of Crown Prince. I told Your Majesty that I want to make your name famous in Jiangnan, otherwise what meaning will this article have to me?"
"Really?" Zhu Houzhao was very excited, "Will you do this essay meeting for me?"
Zhang Zhou nodded and said: "My reputation does not need to be accumulated through cultural gatherings, but you need this kind of prestige. This will also allow you to be extra merciful when your Majesty punishes you after you return to the capital. "
Zhu Houzhao said with a grateful look on his face: "Either way, Mr. Zhang is good to me. I understand. You are working so hard for me. I...sir, you tell me, and I will do what you say."
(End of chapter)
