In the blink of an eye, it’s the fifteenth year of Yong’an.
After three years of fighting, the emperor finally captured a state in the Yong Dynasty next door and avenged the bloody death of 100,000 soldiers.
When the army returned to the DPRK, a bright red carpet was rolled out ten miles away. People lined the streets to greet them and shouted long live Emperor Yong'an.
The emperor rewarded him for his merits, and Xu Mingyang returned to the position of prime minister and was granted the title of Duke Xu.
For a time, the Xu family was at the height of its power and had unrivaled prestige.
In the same year, the Great Yan Dynasty opened its doors to recruit scholars.
Those who pass the county examination, state examination, and palace examination can be called the emperor's disciples.
Students from all over the world are gearing up to find a stable job in this troubled world.
And Zhang Aotian also stayed in the Piping Department for two years, receiving instruction from Fourth Master Xiao day and night.
"I have taught you everything I can teach you. Go ahead. How big a wave you can make in the future depends on your own abilities."
Tomorrow is the time for the county examination. After Zhang Aotian packed his luggage, he knelt respectfully in front of the bedroom door and kowtowed:
"Fourth Master's teachings must be kept in mind by the disciples."
In just two years, Zhang Aotian seemed to have changed into a different person, exuding a scholarly atmosphere from the inside out. Whether he was bowing or kneeling, he was meticulous and impeccable in terms of etiquette.
Fourth Master Xiao comes from the royal family and has received strict education since childhood. He must undergo training in walking, eating and dressing. Every detail must be corrected, and every move must conform to the royal style.
After he went out and stood in the crowd, even if he didn't say a word, the people knew that he was either rich or noble.
The aristocratic family has been passed down for thousands of years, and what distinguishes them from the common people lies in the word "ritual".
Today, Zhang Aotian has been completely transformed by the teachings of Fourth Master Xiao, and he has the image of a child of aristocratic family.
In addition, the child has been drinking spiritual springs and eating spiritual things for two years, and the shortcomings in his body have been made up. He has grown up and is much taller than his peers.
If you go to take the county examination, where you go will make the examiner's eyes shine and give you an outstanding evaluation.
Fourth Master Xiao sat cross-legged on the stone bed and calmly ordered:
"If anyone asks you about your origins in the future, don't mention me."
"Disciple, obey."
The child kowtowed three more times, carried his luggage, and walked out of Steakhouse No. 4. When he saw Lei Peng in the corridor, he suddenly felt a headache.
After seeing Lei Peng every day for two years, Zhang Aotian was still a little afraid of him. He always felt that the golden-armored uncle would get angry and beat his head to pieces with a slap.
Lei Peng has become more violent in the past two years, and there have been a few unruly pickpockets who secretly hide demon organs, often in front of children.
"Hello, Uncle Lei..."
Zhang Aotian pretended to be calm and saluted.
Lei Peng said with a dark face: "Ma Liu is really cruel. If I don't come back for two years, I won't be afraid that you will die in the Piping Division."
Zhang Aotian explained in a low voice: "Sixth Master knows that you will take care of me, Uncle Lei."
Lei Peng snorted coldly: "I'm afraid I fell into his trick."
In life, many things can actually be calculated.
For example, if Ma Liu doesn't come back to the Piping Department for a long time, Lei Peng will definitely come looking for him.
For example, if Wang Lang didn't bring back the strange stone for delivery, the Xu family's disciples would definitely investigate the cause and effect, and send someone to look at the bookstore to find out the clues.
And Lei Peng brought Zhang Aotian back to the Piping Department. Based on their old friendship, Fourth Master Xiao would definitely protect his child.
After getting along day and night, the children will always be taught some principles and abilities.
Ma Liu has good intentions and has tried his best to pave the way for Zhang Aotian. How far he can go depends on his fortune in the future.
Lei Peng looks rough on the surface, but is actually very careful. How could he not be able to guess Lao Liu's thoughts after such a long time?
He was angry in his heart, but he actually liked Zhang Aotian.
"It's enough for you to take the scientific examination this time and work hard. I can't guarantee that you will go to high school, but as long as you have real materials, you won't be buried."
Lieutenant Lei had a wide circle of friends, and most of the civil and military officials in the court were his friends. He had secretly greeted the child.
"Thank you Uncle Lei."
Zhang Aotian looked grateful, knowing that Lei Peng was cold-hearted and warm-hearted, and also knew that he was able to get in touch with these top people because of Liu Ye.
Lieutenant Lei personally sent the child out of the peeling department and warned:
"If you don't make the list, don't be discouraged. Come back to Papis and become a pickpocket like your sixth uncle. If you learn the magic of immortality, you may be able to live forever in the future."
"..."
Zhang Aotian shuddered. He was very grateful at first, but now he just wants to run.
Isn’t it too long to live as a pickpocket?
"I'm better suited to studying."
With a hasty answer, the child ran out of Jiyao Yamen with his head down.
Walking on the broad street, Zhang Aotian took a deep breath and felt the air was extremely fresh. He had a feeling in his heart that he had learned a lesson and a master had come down the mountain.
When he returned to Caishikou Street, he looked at the bookstore that was open. There was still a person sitting in the store, and he was stunned.
"Sixth Master!"
The child was overjoyed. When he saw Ma Liu, he forgot all the etiquette. He threw aside the earnest teachings and ran towards the shop with long strides.
Ma Liu looked at the child with a smile and said:
"I haven't seen you in two years. I have grown taller and look like a little adult."
"Master Liu, where have you been in the past two years? Why don't you even get a letter from me?"
Zhang Aotian was very excited. He looked at Ma Liu's unchanged appearance, with no trace of time on his face. He marveled at the immortal cultivator's ability to maintain his appearance. He still enjoyed Ma Liu's affectionate touch on his head just like he did when he was a child.
"Master Liu has done a lot in the past two years, and he has worked hard like you to lay a solid foundation. I look forward to one day accumulating more."
In the past two years, Ma Liu traveled all over the Yan Dynasty, using the alias "Hong Shi", accumulating virtue and doing good, punishing rape and eradicating evil, and completely eliminated all the resentment around him.
He has seen the memories of three thousand monsters and has countless knowledge in his mind, but after all, it is not his own personal experience.
You have to step into the world and see the weird ways of the world in order to transform those memories into your own experience.
Zhang Aotian moved a small stool and sat next to Ma Liu. He held his chin with his hand and said with a longing face:
"Master Liu, have you done anything interesting in the past two years? Can you tell me about it?"
"It's all about intrigues, there's nothing to talk about."
Ma Liu shook his head, thought for a while and then said:
"But I met an old friend. I don't know if he died after being slapped by me."
"Old friend?"
Zhang Aotian was curious.
Ma Liu nodded and said:
"This old friend's name is Sun Long. He once had a grudge against me. Half a year ago..."
Half a year ago, Ma Liu traveled to the foot of Kwai Sin Sect Mountain.
Seeing that a large family in the town was getting married, and they were usually very charitable and often helped poor people, so they had a good reputation, so they sneaked into the yard and had a wedding drink.
Who would have thought that while he was eating, someone made trouble during the dinner, and he suddenly stood up and shouted:
"Who stole my five thousand taels of silver?"
After shouting, he refused to give up and insisted on making this wealthy family pay compensation.
Anyway, you lost the money. If you don’t give it to me, I won’t be able to leave.
On the big day, something like this happened, which made everyone upset, so the host tried to persuade the scoundrel to go aside, so as not to disturb other people's enjoyment.
As a result, all the good things have been said, five thousand taels of silver, not a dime less, otherwise I will make trouble here and disturb the marriage.
In ancient times, squires mostly kept local ruffians in captivity, and most scoundrels did not dare to act recklessly in their homes.
But this scoundrel has an origin. He is the nephew of a disciple of Kuixian Sect. He has done evil things and no one can control him.
The most outrageous thing was that he raped a civilian girl, killed her parents, and then sold the civilian girl to a brothel, but no one dared to take care of it.
The owner was helpless and couldn't afford to offend him, so he had to pay to settle the matter.
And Ma Liu also heard the rogue's deeds from the people around him, and felt that this wedding banquet should not be in vain.
Especially when the scoundrel stood up and shouted, spittle almost flew into his face. He couldn't bear it anymore, so he took out the banknote from his arms and slapped it on the table.
"I'll pay these five thousand taels."
Both the master and the rogue were stunned.
"you are……?"
The host thought about it and couldn't remember who this person was.
The rogue didn't care about that. He just thought that this person was a friend of the master's family, helping to rescue him. He grabbed the banknote and checked it. It was true. He immediately gave Ma Liu a long salute with joy:
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me. Just take the money and keep your voice down so as not to disturb others."
The scoundrel obeyed and walked out happily.
then.
That night.
And he was buried alive.
