Hearing these two words, Liu Xingnan's face changed drastically.
"Brother Chen, how did you hear this news?" Song Che waved his hand and said with a smile: "Don't worry about how I learned about it. In short, everyone is stuffing their pockets and money, and you can't ignore it -" But Before he could finish his words, Liu Xingnan retorted: "No, no, no, this... this is bribery. Besides, the door package is fine, but the money is a bottomless pit. I heard that some people sell their land in order to do these things. It’s simply a criticism!” Song Che said: “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, Brother Chen, the most important thing I don’t need is money.”
"Sir, Boss Chen is right," the little book boy Lu An said: "Sir, think about it, our family background is not as good as those wealthy students, and without this worldly sophistication, how can we stand out in the provincial examination? Anyway, Boss Song is sponsoring it, so you don’t need to spend a penny..."
"Lu An!" Liu Xingnan yelled angrily: "After all, you have been with me for so long and have read a lot of Confucian classics. How come you have forgotten the most basic etiquette, justice and integrity? Even if I lose my reputation, I will never engage in such favoritism. It's a matter of opportunism." She turned to Song Che again and said: "Brother Chen, I understand your kindness, but I read the book of sages. Even if I am not a sage, I vow to be a gentleman. This bribery matter, Don't mention it again!" He Qiu nodded, very satisfied.
Song Che elbowed him. He Qiu cleared his throat and asked: "Brother Liu's righteousness, Gong admires him very much. But Gong thinks he has little talent and knowledge, so he still wants to try the back door. But I just arrived in Jinling today, and I am not familiar with the ways here. I don't know. Brother Liu, can you give me some guidance?"
"Oh, Brother Gong, I see you are gentle and well-spoken, but why are you so worldly? I advise you not to give bribes. Otherwise, if you are caught, you will be disqualified from the exam and be banned from taking the exam for life, and at worst... The worst case scenario is going to jail!" She sincerely advised her.
He Qiu said: "I just want to ask about the market. If it is too dark, I won't send it away. Brother Liu, can you do me a favor, for the sake of my brother-in-law?" Liu Xingnan struggled for a moment. , sighed softly, and said: "I just came to Jinling yesterday. I only heard other classmates mention it during dinner, saying that if you want to have a relationship, you can go to Ruyi Building in the east of the city. There is a special Chuanchuan gang there. You recommended it, but I don’t know the specific process." Song Che and He Qiu looked at each other knowingly.
"Brother Liu, why don't you go and have a look too?"
"Ah? I won't go, I won't go..."
"Oh, it doesn't matter. I won't lose any meat if I go and see. Maybe there will be some surprises?" Song Che ignored Liu Xingnan's refusal and even dragged him into the carriage.
Ruyilou is a teahouse. In the early morning, there were Confucian students coming in and out. As soon as Song Che and the others entered the gate, a thin old Confucian scholar with a playful smile came up to him and asked, "Are these young masters this year's candidates?"
"They are candidates," Song Che pointed at He Qiu beside him and Liu Xingnan who was hiding behind him, and then touched his chest to introduce himself: "And I am the sponsor." The old Confucian scholar laughed: "You can see it, see it. Come out, the ring on the thumb of the official will tell you that he is a big business person." Song Che said: "In that case, there is no need to go through those fancy procedures, just be more straightforward, I am not short of money here!" The old Confucian scholar stopped talking nonsense and led a few people upstairs.
After reaching the second floor, he turned three or four turns left and right. The old Confucian scholar stopped in front of an elegant room. There was a row of masks hanging next to the door. The old Confucian scholar pointed at the masks and said with a smile: "Guys, pick a mask." Let's go into the room again? Keep it a secret, you can't go wrong."
"That makes sense." Song Che and He Qiu picked a mask and put it on. Liu Xingnan gently tugged on Song Che's sleeve, his voice timid,
"Brother Chen, I think I don't want it anymore..."
"You're already here, so what's the harm in going in and taking a look?" Song Che took another mask and put it on Liu Xingnan's face.
The old Confucian scholar first knocked hard twice on the door, then gently knocked three times in succession, and finally whispered inside: "The God of Wealth has arrived."
"Creak..." The door slowly opened, and behind the door stood a six-foot-tall, slightly fat middle-aged man. He waved Song Che and the others into the room.
The room was not small, but very dark. There was only one small candle lit, and it was like a conference room. There was a podium at the front, and there were about a dozen chairs under the stage. Before Song Che and the others, there were already four people on the chairs. wait.
If he hadn't lived in ancient times, Song Che would have really thought that he had entered a pyramid scheme.
"Take your seats first. When all the people are here, I will explain the relevant matters to you." The fat middle-aged man lowered his voice.
Song Che and the others took their seats. The Confucian scholars in the seats were silent, at most they only looked at each other, but everyone was wearing masks, so who knew whom?
"Liu Chaozi!" Unless she is special. She has a special height, special eyes, and a white-washed Confucian robe.
So she was recognized. I saw a Confucian scholar standing up, pointing at Liu Xingnan and exclaiming. Liu Xingnan covered his mask and tilted his head.
"Haha? It's really you!" Wang Zhipeng stepped over several chairs and came to Liu Xingnan, reaching out to pull off the mask.
Song Che grabbed his wrist first and said coldly: "Have you forgotten what I told you yesterday? I can split three bricks with one palm and flatten your head with one fist!" Wang Zhipeng shouted : "Who are you, and why do you have to protect her everywhere!" Song Che said coldly: "You are allowed to bully her everywhere, but you are not allowed to protect her everywhere, why?"
"Stop it!" The fat man hurriedly came over to stop him.
"Do you know whose territory this is? How dare you make trouble here? Are you tired of living?"
"Oh?" He Qiu asked: "Then tell me, whose territory is this?" The fat man spoke very steadily and said in a deep voice: "You are not qualified to know, and he is someone you can't afford to offend. , so please be honest with me, do you understand?" Song Che then let go of Wang Zhipeng's hand.
"Boss, your threshold is too low, isn't it? Look at this person, even her clothes are patched, she looks poor. How can she afford to pay for the exam?" Wang Zhipeng pointed at Liu Xingnan and mocked.
The fat man said: "You don't care how she is dressed. Everyone must obey the rules when entering this room. If you don't obey, I guarantee that you won't even be able to step through the gate of Gongyuan!" Wang Zhipeng snorted lightly and had to go back Take a seat.
Liu Xingnan sniffed and wiped his tears secretly.
"Brother Liu, don't be sad, he will cry louder than you soon."
