Mr. Wenzhu?
I really don’t know him!
Seeing that his nephew was really shocked, Zhou Dashui said: "Mr. Wenzhu is a big shot. Even if the prefect is invited by him, he will go there immediately. It's a good thing for you that you turned away the housekeeper of Meng Mansion. This is really too much." It’s too rude.”
oh……
Who is Meng Lanshan to have such a great reputation?
"I'm just a humble official. I don't know much about these big shots... I'll just tell you what I know." Zhou Dashui took a sip of tea and began to talk.
Rumor has it that this Meng Lanshan was a Jinshi in the dynasty, with a wealth of knowledge. When he was released, he offended the court officials and waited for a year before he was released as a ninth-grade official.
He was so angry that he canceled his appointment as a civil servant through his connections, and improved his position as a deacon in Tai Hospital.
The emperor agrees with this!
Meng Lanshan came from a medical family and had superb medical skills. He quickly established a foothold in the Imperial Hospital and demonstrated his ability to bring people back to life in several critical illness treatments. He finally overcame his colleagues and took the position of imperial physician.
When the late emperor was still alive, he once praised him and said: "A generation of apricot forest saints."
Although the word "imperial physician" and "imperial physician" are the same, they are thousands of miles apart in status. Imperial doctors only treat distinguished people such as emperors, empresses, and princes, while the patient base of imperial doctors is much lower-end.
After years of ups and downs in officialdom, Meng Lanshan's reputation has grown.
Firstly, because of his proficiency in medicine, officials all wanted to be friends with him. In this long journey of life, who dares to say that he will be free from illness and disaster? What's more, his son has now taken the imperial examination and is currently serving as the chief of Dali Temple. He can be said to be young and promising.
Taken together, the Meng family can be regarded as a hot spot in the eyes of the officials, so it is crowded with people.
As he grew older, Meng Lanshan called himself Mr. Wenzhu and studied some paintings on weekdays for pleasure.
According to rumors in the official circles, Mr. Meng had a wide network of contacts. Princes, clans, nobles, and court officials all had close friendships with him, and his popularity was not generally good.
Blessings come with misfortunes...
The turning point happened last year, when the octogenarian old man Meng went to Hexi. According to the custom, when Meng Lanshan lost his father, he had to ask the emperor for Ding You to give up his son, which meant resigning from office and going home to observe filial piety.
Ding You's resignation has happened since ancient times. The minister wrote an affectionate poem in memory of his strict father and loving mother. In grief, he said that he would resign and go home, build a hut with grass and observe mourning for three years.
As for the emperor, he usually chooses to 'seize love'. The so-called seizing love means disapproving and retaining: the country still needs you to exert your energy, you can't abandon me.
As a result, the monarch and his ministers seemed to be singing a duet, and they were polite on the surface.
Generally speaking, the emperor would veto the minister's Ding You's request on the grounds that justice comes first.
Then there are worries and rejections again. It only takes three times, and the final result is the third time.
In this process, there is another hidden meaning, which is to see whether the emperor is satisfied with this minister. If you are satisfied, you will basically win love three times and continue to work. If you are dissatisfied, then it is: My dear, I am touched by your filial piety, so I will accept you...
What is surprising is that Meng Lanshan's invitation to Ding You was approved directly without any attempt to steal his love.
Some people say that the emperor was dissatisfied with Meng Lanshan's friendship with the nobles, so he did not steal his love. Some people also say that the emperor was moved by Ding You's words on the book, so he fulfilled his filial piety.
It's all guesswork, but no one dares to overestimate the holy will. It's okay to think about it, but you can't say it out loud.
By the standards of power, Meng Lanshan seems to be an old man who is declining.
Meng Lanshan returned to his hometown, Yongchuan Mansion, and lived his post-Dingyou life here.
From Qi Yu's perspective, he and this old man can be regarded as fellow villagers, but fellow villagers return to their hometown, and he and he are not related at all, so why did he invite him?
Although I was flattered, I felt uneasy in my heart.
Uncle Zhou believed that there were only advantages and no disadvantages to making friends with such a big shot, so there was no need to worry at all.
Thinking about it, now that I am naked, I am not qualified even if I want to be used by others. If I am really used, it means that I am valuable.
As for how it is, we can only ask when we meet.
Putting this matter aside, Uncle Zhou began to worry about his nephew's schedule.
Coincidentally, a colleague from the county government happened to be going to the capital city on business, so Qi Yu took a ride with a group of civil servants.
This not only saves legwork, but also eliminates the need to spend money. This move by my second uncle is really wise.
Qi Yu was not stingy either, so he added a few extra dishes to the waiter during the meal as a thank you.
After arriving in Fucheng, the two said goodbye and went about their own business.
After getting off the car, Qi Yu looked around and couldn't help but be stunned!
Oh, it is indeed a Fucheng!
Compared with the county town, the Fucheng is more grand and grand, with roads extending in all directions, pedestrians coming and going, and a prosperous scene.
Qi Yu was not in the mood to hang around, he had to do business first.
First, you need to report to the government office's ceremonial room, and then Mr. Jing Cheng will verify your identity. Only after it is correct will the admission ticket be issued, that is, you will get the admission ticket.
After doing this, it’s time to start solving the accommodation problem.
Now, there are two options.
The first is to stay in an inn, which is simple and straightforward, but will cost a lot of money. Moreover, it is now the opening time for exams, and candidates from all counties are gathering here, so the price of the inn has also increased.
The second option is to stay in a residence hall. The residence hall is a place opened by the government. It is mainly used for official receptions, but it is also open to students during scientific examinations. The cost is relatively affordable, half the price of an inn.
Qi Yu thought for a while and decided to stay in an apartment. Didn't his second uncle say that there will be plenty of money to spend in the future, so he should save money if he can.
After some troubles and guidance from passers-by, we finally found the location of the apartment.
After the clerk in charge checked Qi Yu's receipt, he said lazily: "Second floor, T-shaped room, dry number bed, upper bunk bed."
This series of positioning words made his ears numb, so Qi Yu hurriedly found a pen and wrote it down.
After thinking about it for a while, I felt the charm. It seemed that the accommodation conditions were not ideal.
Oh, I guessed it right.
As soon as I opened the door, an intoxicating smell hit my nostrils, from shoes, socks, and all the barefoot masters...
Ahem!
This feeling is really familiar, like the boys' dormitory in later generations of universities.
However, everyone is fair. I have also been through the dust and have no feet to wash.
Confucius said: I have been in an abalone house for a long time without smelling its smell.
Once you get used to it, you won't find it unpleasant.
"Xiao Ke Qi Yu, I have met you all."
"I have admired you for a long time!"
Long... look up? Do we know each other?
After chatting for a while, it became quiet and everyone went about their business.
At this time, a burly young scholar came over and introduced himself self-consciously: "I'm Qi Jing, brother Qi, please give me some advice."
"Don't take it seriously, brother, you're too polite." Qi Yu took a closer look and saw that this man had a face like a basin, eyes like bells, and was stronger than a butcher who killed pigs.
After the introduction, the two started chatting.
Qi Jing's ancestral home was in Shandong. He moved to Yongchuan Prefecture two years ago, so he is half a foreigner. His grandfather was a general, and under the influence of his family, he also learned some martial arts, which is quite unusual among literati.
Qi Yu, however, believed that with his body, it would be a waste not to take the martial arts exam.
Qi Jing didn't think so. His grandfather said that peace and prosperity were the world of literati.
"I didn't expect the environment of the apartment to be so bad. Is this a place where official business can be held?" Qi Yu said with emotion after taking a look at the mottled broken bed and the lame bench.
"Brother Qi doesn't know that the apartment is divided into three levels: upper, middle and lower. The first level is used to receive distinguished guests, and the decoration is elegant and pleasant. The second level is used to receive ordinary officials, and it is well-organized and well-furnished. The third class is used to receive idlers, such as the people who persuade the corvee, or us."
I see!
In the eyes of the government, there is no difference between the candidates and a bunch of idlers. Even if they are looked at with admiration, it will be after high school.
Qi Jing is very talkative and has a very open-minded personality, giving Qi Yu a feeling of loyalty and sincerity.
After chatting for a while, the two of them went about their business.
Most of the candidates read books, and the practice of sharpening a gun in battle is common to ancient and modern times.
Qi Yu first took a bath and changed into clean clothes, and then he felt relaxed. However, the water in the bath was too cold, which made him sneeze several times.
The night was also very difficult. It was so cold, and people came in and out of the toilet from time to time. The sound of splashing came along with the smell. I really wanted to sing a song: Tuberose...
What's more, Qi Jing's snoring was like thunder, bombarding everyone's ears.
However, no one dared to say anything. This guy was tall and thick. If he was offended, the consequences would be disastrous.
Qi Yu had just slept peacefully when it dawned, and then there were the sounds of washing and paying respects.
Forget it, don't sleep anymore, go eat.
There was a stall selling breakfast outside the apartment door. Qi Yu ordered something to eat after sitting down, and then took the opportunity to ask the vendor about the way to Meng's Mansion.
"Thanks for the advice, brother!"
"Young master, you don't have to be polite."
Things in Fucheng are expensive. A bowl of clear noodle soup costs 20 cents. In the village, you can buy half a chicken.
Walking straight along the central avenue of Fucheng, you will arrive at Meng Lanshan's former residence not far away.
This is a magnificent mansion with blue bricks and glazed tiles, brackets and cornices. It looks very impressive.
The concierge was an elderly servant. After he took the invitation, he asked Qi Yu to wait outside the door.
Qi Yu was a little nervous and hurriedly went over the etiquette that he should pay attention to in his mind, then straightened his clothes and stood there politely.
The door opened again, and my old servant Ding made a gesture of invitation: "Master Qi, please."
"Thank you, uncle!" Qi Yu deliberately lagged half a body behind with a humble expression on his face.
Contrary to imagination, the interior of this mansion is not luxurious, but simple and elegant.
There are several peach blossom trees in full bloom in the yard, exuding a faint fragrance, which makes people feel relaxed and happy.
The south wind blew off a few petals on the tree, and then they landed on the stone table. The old man sitting next to him swept them gently, and the table became clean again.
He was dressed in a plain robe, and he was in his fifties, with gray hair on his temples, elegant and free-spirited, giving people a feeling of being in harmony with the world.
Seeing Qi Yu's eyes startled, the old servant Ding hurriedly reminded him in a low voice: "This is my master."
"Oh... Qi Yu, who was born late, has met Mr. Meng." Qi Yu saluted hurriedly.
"Qi Yu?" Meng Lanshan glanced at him and said with a smile: "Young Master, you don't have to be polite. The title of Sir is a bit harsh. You might as well call me Mr. Wenzhu."
"Yes, sir!"
"sit down!"
Qi Yu thanked him, sat down half his body sideways, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you sir for this invitation. I should have come as soon as I heard the call, but now the government examination is approaching, so I wasted some time." , I hope you will forgive me."
"Are you going to take the government examination?" Meng Lanshan glanced at him again and said with a smile: "So, you are still a white person who has never been a child."
"I am born late and have a stupid talent, which made my husband laugh." Qi Yu smiled awkwardly.
At this time, a maid served the tea with a lowered eyebrow, and then left politely.
"Tea please!"
"Thank you, sir!"
Meng Lanshan smiled faintly: "Do you know why I am looking for you?"
Qi Yu shook his head: "I don't know if I was born late."
"Unify the country!"
