Traveling to another world and becoming a local owner

After a while of greeting and pleasantries, Zhang Ling saw that there was still some time before dinner, so he invited the two to go out for a walk.

Wangshan Village is backed by mountains. Although it is autumn, the scenery is still pleasant. The red leaves on the mountains are like colorful clouds, and the gurgling stream is refreshing.

The three of them strolled along the country path. The distant mountains were dark blue, the nearby water was misty, and the mist was light. It was like a paradise. The soft sunlight sprinkled on the gorgeous clouds, and the mountains lying in the distance were looming. The village built against the mountain was like an ink painting, and there was occasionally smoke rising from the roof.

"This scene is very attractive. Only such a beautiful scenery can give birth to such a great talent like Brother Zhang." Zhou Yixing complimented, unable to help but sigh in his heart.

"Yes, Brother Zhang, if you have any good sentences, let us appreciate them." Xia Wenshan also made a timely suggestion.

"I'll try my best." Zhang Ling closed his eyes and tried hard to recall the classic poems in his mind.

The two men saw that he was in deep thought and did not disturb him. They just stood aside and waited quietly.

"The autumn wind blows and the white clouds fly, the grass and trees turn yellow and the geese fly south." Zhang Ling opened his eyes and suddenly said this.

"Okay, this sentence is very good!"

"anything else?"

"The orchid is beautiful and the chrysanthemum is fragrant, and I can't forget the beautiful woman in my heart." Zhang Ling looked at the two of them with a faint smile.

"Haha, funny."

"Just these two sentences?"

"Um, I had some thoughts that I haven't thought of for the moment." Zhang Ling was a little embarrassed. It's not that he didn't remember the following sentences, but it was inevitably a bit inappropriate to say them out loud at this time.

"These two lines are already excellent. Poetry requires inspiration. It can't be forced." Zhou Yixing said with a smile.

"Yes, Brother Zhang has always been an outstanding writer. This matter cannot be rushed." Xia Wenshan immediately echoed.

"Well, these lines are not quite appropriate, so I'll write another one:

Stone bridge, shallow water, bay side,

The sun sets in the west and the water reflects the sky.

The reeds and orchids on the shore are dark blue,

Smoke rises from the farmhouse at the foot of the mountain.

"Good, good, this poem is really exquisite, Brother Zhang is really quick-witted."

"Yes, this poem is just right for this situation. It is really appropriate for the time and the scene. Brother Zhang is so talented. I have to admire him!"

The two looked surprised and couldn't help but admire.

"It's just a crude work. I hope you two are happy with it." Zhang Ling said with a smile, looking unworthy of the honor.

The three of them exchanged a few pleasantries, and Xia Wenshan changed the subject with an embarrassed look on his face: "Brother Zhang, we came here today with the intrusion of others, actually we want to taste the Huangliang Immortal Wine again."

"Yes, Brother Zhang, I wonder if there is any stock. Last time, the jar of wine you brought back was taken away by my father, and he didn't leave a drop for me! It made me worry day and night and I didn't sleep well." Zhou Yixing looked aggrieved and melancholy.

Zhang Ling suppressed his smile and quickly said, "It's almost noon now, and the wine and food should be ready at home. Please come to my humble abode, brothers. We must not leave until we are drunk today."

"Haha, okay, I won't go home until I'm drunk!"

"Don't go home until you are drunk..."

The three of them returned to the Zhang family's courtyard, where Aunt Wang and several other women had already prepared the meal.

After Zhang Ling asked the two to sit down, he called Xiao Cui aside and said, "Sister Xiao Cui, please go to the straw shed and find Daniu to get some Huangliang Xianjiu. I want to entertain the two young masters."

After hearing this, Xiao Cui turned around and left. After a while, she returned with a large jar of wine.

Since there were guests at home, Zhang's mother, a woman of modesty, did not go to the hall to eat. Xiao Cui needed to serve the lady, so she did not stay for long. At the huge dining table, there were only three people left and Lin Xiner who was called over.

"This is the new wine we brewed last night. How about you two try it?" Zhang Ling opened the jar of wine. Xin'er was about to pour the wine, but he stopped her and then filled the glasses for the two of them himself.

"This wine is still the best. The aroma alone is intoxicating." Zhou Yixing couldn't help but sigh as he looked at the wine in the glass.

"We still have some stock at home. Brother Zhou, take some with you when you go back." Zhang Ling put down the jar of wine and said with a smile.

"Haha, thank you very much, Brother Zhang! I'll drink first to show my respect." Zhou Yixing was very happy and raised his glass and drank it all.

"Brother Zhang, how much stock do you have at home? I wonder if you can take some back to the company." Xia Wenshan, who was standing by, immediately asked after hearing this.

"After I came back yesterday, I asked someone to make some overnight. Together with the previous stock at home, there should be about a hundred pounds." Since it was mentioned last time that the daily output of Huangliang Xianjiu was low, Zhang Ling was not in a position to explain more at this time.

"So many?" Zhou Yixing asked in surprise, his tone sounding a little excited.

"Well, I'll have people step up the brewing in the next few days. Although I can't guarantee the supply, it shouldn't be difficult to make several dozen kilograms a day."

"That's great. Come, let me toast to Brother Zhang." Xia Wenshan was very happy and picked up the glass and drank it all.

The three of them were drinking and eating, chatting happily. Halfway through the meal, Zhou Yixing suddenly asked, "Brother Zhang, are you interested in taking the imperial examination?"

Zhang Ling was startled when he heard this: "Brother Zhou, why do you ask this?"

Zhou Yixing did not answer, but looked at Lin Xiner beside him.

Zhang Ling saw this and immediately understood what he meant: "Brother Zhou, don't worry too much. Xin'er is my personal maid and will never talk too much."

"In that case, I will tell you the truth without hiding anything from Brother Zhang. My father is a student of Mr. Lu, the Left Minister of the Secretariat. Nowadays, disputes are raging all over the country, and the court is no exception. Not only are there civil and military divisions, but there are also many factions and internal fighting."

"Minister Lu was born in Jingzhou, and most of his students and former officials are from Jingzhou. However, the court has been in constant dispute in recent years, and the talents of our Jingzhou lineage have dwindled. Lord Lu has already instructed his students and former officials to get to know and support talented people in Jingzhou. If these people are lucky enough to enter the court one day, they can also help Lord Shangshu."

"What does Brother Zhou mean?" Zhang Ling was a little confused when he suddenly brought up these things.

"Last night, my father heard about Brother Zhang's great talent and was delighted. So today, he specially ordered me to come and pay a visit. If Brother Zhang is interested in entering the official career, my father is willing to lend a helping hand. I only hope that after you pass the exam, you can do your best for our Jingzhou clan." Zhou Yixing explained his purpose in one breath, as if he had a feeling of relief.

He had been observing Zhang Ling for the past two days and felt that he was indeed a man of rare talent, and that he and others might not be able to flatter him. His father was well versed in the ways of being an official, but he came from a poor family and was not well received in the officialdom.

At the end of the year before last, his father went to visit the prefect and learned about this. Since then, he has been very concerned, hoping to use this as an opportunity to make further progress. However, Yingyang County is a remote place, and he has been searching for more than a year, but he has not encountered any good talents. Who would have thought that Zhou Yixing would run into him. After hearing about it, County Magistrate Zhou felt that Zhang Ling was indeed a great talent. If he was cultivated, he would have a chance to pass the imperial examination, so today's event happened.

"The official career is difficult. There are more than a million people seeking education in the world. Why do you think I can pass the exam, Brother Zhou?" Zhang Ling understood what the other party meant and asked directly.