Patriarch, he doesn't want to take the imperial examinations

On November [-], Qin Xuezheng came to the county school to assess the students' homework.

Three days later, after the assessment was completed, Qin Xuezheng returned to the capital.

The students resumed their previous looseness, and many of them stopped coming to the school.

Meng Zhen is one of them.

Mengzhen sits in the study every day and reads and writes articles, and occasionally goes to Tong Zisheng to have a look.

Tong Zisheng was seriously ill this time, the doctor said earlier that he would recover after recuperating for ten and a half months, but after ten and a half months passed, Tong Zisheng was still ill in bed.

In the blink of an eye, it entered the twelfth lunar month.

It was not until the middle of the twelfth lunar month that Tong Zisheng's illness completely recovered.But although the disease is cured, the mental state of the person is not very good.

At the beginning, Huanhuanxi came to the capital to join relatives' homes. He originally thought that living in relatives' homes would be more comfortable, as convenient as living in his own home, and he would have a good study environment to prepare for the exam.

But who would have thought that he would suffer from the symptoms of acclimatization when he first arrived, and he was delayed for seven or eight days, but before he could breathe a sigh of relief, because he drank too much alcohol that day, he developed a high fever at night, and then he was bedridden .

The disease was fatal, and it took more than a month to recuperate in bed before he recovered.

As a result, he didn't read the book or write the article. There is still more than a month before the exam, but how can he make it in time.

Tong Zisheng was anxious and depressed, and told Meng Zhen the worries in his heart. He thought that Meng Zhen was also a scholar, so he should be able to understand his distress.

Meng really understands his distress, but what's the use of pouring out the bitter water, you have to act quickly.

It happened that his study was also big, so he asked Tong Zisheng to come over to read and write articles with him every day, and the two of them urged each other to discuss and make progress together.

The twelfth lunar month has a lot of snow and the sky is also cold. Most people seldom go out, and they all huddle in the house to warm themselves by the fire.

The fire in Mengzhen's study was very hot, after a while, Tong Zisheng felt his mouth was dry, and he had to drink a lot of water to relieve it.

Usually at this time, Meng Zhen would ask his servants to reduce the charcoal in the stove, so that Tong Zisheng would not feel so uncomfortable.

In the middle of the twelfth lunar month, all the schools and colleges in the county were on vacation one after another, and Meng Che was also on vacation to relax at home.

If it was this time normally, Meng Che would definitely be called by Meng Zhen to the study to study and compose with him, but this year Meng Zhen is accompanied by Tong Zisheng, so he has too much time for Meng Che.

It just so happened that Meng Che was at ease, without his father's control, his life was not too comfortable. Today he went to play with that friend, and tomorrow he invited that classmate to come to play at home, or bring his younger brother and little niece at home, or be alone Sit in the house and read and practice calligraphy.

Ten days passed like this, and on the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, Mengzhen's third son, Mengze, returned from the capital.

Tong Zisheng had never seen Mengze before, but he only heard from the family that after the two greeted each other, Tong Zisheng was extremely surprised by the way Mengze walked with a limp on one leg.

He only knew of the existence of this cousin at home, but he had never heard anyone say that this cousin had problems with his legs and feet.

With surprise, Tong Zisheng asked doubts in his heart: "What's the matter with third cousin's leg?"

Mengze was already sensitive in his heart, and he was immediately ashamed when his pain was mentioned face to face.

But he couldn't help but respond to the visitor from afar, so he whispered: "It was broken."

"It was broken, who beat it?" Tong Zisheng asked after him.At that time, Meng Zhen, Meng Hong, Meng Che and several servants were standing beside him, everyone changed their faces after hearing what he said, and the atmosphere was a little stagnant for a while.

Tong Zisheng also noticed the changes on everyone's faces, but he still didn't know what happened to Mengze, so he turned his head to Mengzhen: "Cousin?"

Feeling the embarrassment in the atmosphere, Mengzhen turned around and went back to his room without saying anything.

What can he say, he can't say that he was the one who beat him, Mengze's leg was broken by the original body, and the evil done by the original body, he can bear some of the blame, but he can't bear some of it.

Seeing his father entering the house without saying a word, Mengze was actually sad. Although he didn't expect his father to admit his mistakes to him, his father's indifference and attitude of staying out of the matter made him somewhat chilled.

He rushed back in a hurry, and went to the old man to see if he was in good health as soon as he entered the door. He thought that the distance between him and his father had already been eliminated after all these years of getting along with each other warmly and warmly.

But once the matter involved his broken leg, both of them knew it well and kept silent. It turned out that the superficial benevolence and filial piety these years were all deceitful.

Mengze tightened the burden on his body and the medicine box in his hand, with a slightly sour nose, he turned and walked out of Mengzhen's courtyard.

"Mengze!" Meng Hong shouted from behind, and followed closely.

Leaving Meng Che at a loss, it's not good for him to follow the two brothers, and it's not good to stay here.

Those years were young and ignorant, but now that he has grown up, he already knew that his third brother's leg was broken by his father because of his mother's framing.

Now Tong Zisheng asked about third brother's crippled leg, everyone felt embarrassed and scattered.

And as a person hated by the third brother, how could he run towards people with a shy face, and his father was obviously unhappy with his dark face.

After thinking about it for the last time, Meng Che simply went back to his room.

Tong Zisheng saw that everyone was gone all of a sudden, he felt baffled, the three cousins ​​had just come back, he just asked about the lameness, why everyone avoided it, it made the third cousin's legs look like he Hit the same.

Tong Zisheng turned around and went into Mengzhen's room, seeing that Mengzhen had already taken a book and was sitting by the window, he walked over, hesitated for a moment, and asked: "Cousin, third cousin's leg..."

"Could it be that you beat me?"

In fact, he had already vaguely guessed that the Meng family was so careful to avoid talking about the third cousin's lame leg. Still can't figure out who it is.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished asking, he was reprimanded by Meng Zhen: "Shut up!"

"You really did it. Why did you do that? The third cousin doesn't look like that kind of evildoer."

Tong Zisheng thought that he was talking too little, and Mengzhen told him to shut up, but he still kept asking, but in the end, Mengzhen got a sharp look, and the disgusted look in his eyes only made him blurt out the word "scroll".

Then Tong Zisheng shut up and walked away tactfully.Don't talk about it, don't talk about it, the family affairs of their Meng family didn't bother him, he was just curious.

As soon as 29 is over, it will be New Year's Eve soon.

On New Year's Eve, the whole family sat around to have a New Year's Eve dinner. Because of the unhappiness yesterday, no one spoke at the dinner table, only the two children were chattering.

"It's New Year's Eve, why are you all so sad, like weeping in mourning, come on, cheer up."

Meng Qing poured a small cup of wine for everyone, he came back this afternoon, he didn't know what happened yesterday, seeing everyone's gloomy faces, he said a few words to cheer up the atmosphere.

"First of all, we respect our father," Meng Qing said holding up the wine cup, "I wish you good health and a long life."

Meng Zhen let out a "hmm", picked up the wine in front of him and drank it down in one gulp.

Then Meng Qing raised his glass to Tong Zisheng again, "I will be able to take the exam soon, so I wish Cousin Tong a bright future for being named on the gold list."

Tong Zisheng hurriedly picked up the wine cup and said with a smile: "By my cousin's good words, I hope I can go to high school. In the new year, I also wish my cousin a prosperous business and a happy life."

Seeing him drinking to the brim, Meng Qing hurriedly stopped him, "Cousin Tong, wait a minute!"

Tong Zisheng just took a sip of the sweetness on his lips, when he suddenly heard Meng Qing stop drinking, put down the wine cup, not knowing what he meant, "What's the matter, big cousin, is there something wrong with the drink?" But the big cousin's father just now I just drank it, so it was obviously not a problem with the drink.

Meng Qing explained: "I'm afraid Cousin Tong will be unwell, so it's better not to drink alcohol."

Tong Zisheng knew that he was worried because of the last time he was drunk and fell ill, but this time it was different, it was just a small glass of blessing wine, can he still get drunk?

"Thank you big cousin for your kindness. It's just a small cup, it's okay." Tong Zisheng picked up the wine cup again, and drank the wine in his hand slowly.

Meng Hong, who was next to him, saw the whole process in his eyes, and thought, first bless father and then bless Yuan Ke, then it will be his turn, I don't know what Meng Qing will say to him.

However, Meng Qing did not speak after waiting for a long time, Meng Hong wondered, what happened to Meng Qing, don't you plan to bless him?

Meng Qing stared at him for a long time, and Meng Hong became impatient after waiting, so he said: "You will get married in half a year, and I don't expect much from you. I wish you a happy marriage and a big fat boy soon."

Hey, Meng Hong waited for a long time to say this, obviously not in line with his expectations, but anyway, if it is a blessing, he has nothing to lose.

Meng Qing toasted one by one, it was all for Meng Hong here, and he turned his attention to Meng Ze again.

"Mengze is not young anymore. He has reached the age of starting a family. It will be your turn when Menghong gets married this autumn."

Hey, this time it was still Meng Hong muttering in his heart, this Meng Qing was thinking about other people's marriage every day, and after this was over, he was worrying about that, last time it was him, this time it was Meng Ze, next time there is Meng Che and Meng Yuan .

He is obviously their elder brother, but he is more like their father.No, Meng Zhen had never interfered with them like this before, Meng Hong was tired of Meng Qing's endless troubles.

"Brother!" Mengze, who had been silent all this time, called out, and Meng Qing hurriedly responded, "Brother knows what you are worried about, but don't worry, I will definitely find you a marriage that suits you, you just need to rest assured Busy about your business, you don't have to worry about anything else."

"Brother, that's not what I want to say." Monze said calmly.

"Oh, what is that?" Meng Qing was a little puzzled.

Not only Meng Qing, Meng Zhen Meng Hong who was present was also quite surprised.Meng really thought, this Meng Qing was so tired of worrying about other people's marriages every day that he, a father, was bored.

Meng Hong looked at Meng Ze, hearing what he meant, as if he was dissatisfied with Meng Qing's arrangement.

There is a saying that the more silent a person is, the more unexpected he is when he resists.

Just when they were waiting for Mengze to rebel against Mengqing, Mengze said, "I...I already have the right person."

Um?Everyone has turned from surprise to surprise just now, do you have the right person?When did this happen, and why they don't know at all.

"It's my master's daughter." Monze said again.

Now everyone couldn't sit still, and they all looked forward to it, waiting for Mengze to continue talking.

Monze briefly talked about his affairs.

But he said that Mengze had a master whose surname was Zhou and whose name was Tingru.There are two daughters in Master Zhou's family. The eldest daughter married a scholar a few years ago. Later, the scholar passed the Jinshi examination and was assigned to serve as an official in other places, and the eldest daughter followed.

The second daughter is two years younger than Mengze, and has been guarding the two elders.Master Zhou thought that the eldest daughter was too far away, so he thought that the younger daughter would have to be close to her in the future.

It just so happened that the youngest daughter is now at the age of looking for a husband's family, and the two elders of the Zhou family inquired for her for a long time but failed to find a suitable husband-in-law, so they finally turned their attention to Mengze.

At the age of ten, Mengze was sent to Huichun Hall as an apprentice, and studied medicine with Master Zhou, and accompanied him for nearly ten years. Master Zhou knew Mengze's character very well.

Except for the lameness of the child, other aspects are impeccable. Master Zhou didn't dislike him, and intended to betroth his youngest daughter to him.

However, Mengze did not dare to agree. Because of his useless leg, he actually felt very inferior, and he even dared not even think about marrying a wife.

The master enlightened him, asking him not to belittle himself, and to discuss his marriage with his family while he was home for the New Year. The master waited for his good news.

Just at this moment Meng Qing mentioned this matter, Meng Ze knew very well that with his elder brother's temperament, he must find a marriage for him, he was not willing to disobey, so he told his master's plan.

Meng Qing was very happy when he heard this, and hurriedly said: "This is the best, it is better to find someone who knows the basics than someone who doesn't know. You go back and tell your master that your family is very much in favor of your marriage, and when your second brother's marriage is over, you can get married." do yours."

Monze was a little embarrassed: "Master also said that we should save money to buy a house in the capital and stay by his elders' side."

Meng Qing: "You don't need to worry about this, if you get married, the eldest brother will give you a flat."

But Mengze looked unhappy, and Mengqing said again: "If you have any other requirements, you might as well put them up together. Brother will do his best to satisfy you."

Monze shook his head, thinking how good it would be if his leg hadn't been crippled.Then he won't feel that he is not worthy of the master's daughter.

But in front of his father, no, even if not in front of his father, you must never say this.

Otherwise, it will cause disharmony between father and son.

Seeing that he was silent, Meng Qing thought that he had nothing to ask for, so she shifted her gaze to Meng Che.

Meng Che was sitting upright long before his eyes shot over. His eldest brother has always been orderly and principled in his speech and actions. After the two brothers above are finished, shouldn't it be him.

"It's time for you to change to a new academy when the spring begins. Brother, I wish you success in your studies and happy every day."

Meng Che loves to hear these words, it's rare for his elder brother to say something to make him happy, and he accepts it happily, feeling that this year is really enjoyable.

"Thank you, big brother. I will definitely study hard and strive to be named on the gold list in the future, so that we can honor our Meng family."

He was only 12 years old after this year, and his brothers would not let him drink alcohol, so he toasted everyone with tea instead of wine.

Next, Meng Qing said some happy words to the two children. After he finished speaking, Meng Zhen said a few words, and then asked Ah Qing to bring the red envelopes he had prepared in advance and distribute them to everyone present. everyone.

The moment Tong Zisheng got the red envelope, he thought of his family far away in Suzhou, feeling sad for a moment.

On the day when he was supposed to be reunited, he was a guest in a foreign country. What are his parents, elder brother and younger sister doing now? Will they be like him, thinking about each other.

As he thought about it, he felt more and more that the food in front of him was bland and tasteless, and the happy atmosphere on the table had nothing to do with him.

Everyone was immersed in the joy of the New Year, and no one noticed his unhappiness.

In this way, with everyone's beautiful vision, we ushered in a new year, the 16th year of Zhaoping.

Zhaoping 16 years, spring, first month.

The imperial court issued an imperial decree. This May coincided with the 60th birthday of the emperor's biological mother, the Empress Dowager Xiaoxian.

And for the students all over the world, the township meeting Enke was specially opened to show the emperor's long grace and the court's love for talents.

When the news reached the ears of students from all over the world, everyone was excited. Under normal circumstances, unless the new emperor ascended the throne, the emperor or the empress dowager had a birthday, the imperial court would only grant permission to Enke.

Enke, the imperial examination that manifests the meaning of divine grace, is a rare opportunity.Kaienke means that candidates who fail the provincial examination do not have to wait another three years, and can take the examination again this year.

For candidates, this is undoubtedly a nectar from the sky, and it will be enough for everyone to have a good time.

Human joy is interlinked.Like all the candidates who failed in the provincial examination, Meng Zhen was so excited that he almost burst into tears when he received the news of the imperial court's Enke.

People, always think in a good direction. If he passes the Enke Township Examination this time and the Imperial Examination next year, he will be able to ascend immediately.

He has been looking forward to it for so many years, and spent so much time and effort in studying, isn't it for this moment.

Because this news was so exciting, Meng Zhen felt that he was full of energy and was obsessed with books all day long. He wished he could take the provincial examination in August soon.

Not only the candidates who failed the provincial examination were happy, but even the candidates who had passed the examination and were preparing to take the general examination in February were also very excited.

For the candidates, Enke is undoubtedly an extra bargaining chip. Even if they fail the exam this time, they can wait for the next year to take the exam.

One more chance, one more chance of winning.When the candidates were thinking like this, the nervousness before the exam suddenly eased a lot. Once the mind was relaxed, the whole person became relaxed, and reading was not so boring.

The son Tong Zisheng is also in a happy mood. It's great that the imperial court opened Enke. Even if he fails the exam this time, he can do it again next year.

There will be two chances to take the exam, but if you work hard, you should be able to pass the exam.

With Tong Zisheng thinking this way, the day of the test will soon arrive.

The general examination is presided over by the Ministry of Rites, and the examination place is at the Gongyuan of Shuntian Prefecture. It is held every three years in February of the next year of the township examination. Because the examination time is in spring, it is also called the spring examination or Chunwei. All students can take the exam.

The general examination is the same as the rural examination, and it is also nine days and six nights, three consecutive examinations, and the items in the examination are the same as those of the rural examination.

Tong Zisheng entered the venue on the eighth day of February, stayed there for three days and two nights, and left on the afternoon of the tenth day.

This is the first test session.

Immediately after the [-]th, I will enter again, and I will still stay there for three days and two nights. After the second session ends in the afternoon of the [-]th, I will enter again on the [-]th, and I will come out in the afternoon of the [-]th. It's officially over.

Meng Hong met him outside, his heart skipped a beat when he saw that his face was worse than his father's when he came out of the examination room after finishing the provincial examination.

Tong Zisheng's head was dizzy, he couldn't touch the ground when he walked, and his whole body was light, as if a gust of wind could blow him down.

The February wind in the capital is still strong, and it also brings a small amount of wind and sand. Tong Zisheng almost couldn't open his eyes, and his feet were unsteady. If Meng Hong hadn't helped him in time, he might have been lying on the ground eating dirt by now. up.

"Hey, what's the matter with you, a test, no matter how you look at it, it can kill you."

Tong Zisheng shook his head and didn't want to say a word. Afterwards, supported by Meng Hong, he took a carriage and returned to Xianghe County.

After getting out of the carriage, he supported the stone pillar in front of the Meng Mansion and "wow" vomited.

"Hey, are you okay, but what's wrong?" Meng Hong stepped forward and patted him on the back a few times.Look at this, it can't be acclimatization again, can this symptom still come intermittently?

Meng Hong was very puzzled, and when Tong Zisheng felt more comfortable after vomiting, he sent him back to the house with his arms.

Tong Zisheng fell ill again.

Find a doctor to see.The doctor said that the patient was physically and mentally exhausted, and he would recover after a few days of recuperation.

During this period, Mengzhen came to visit him every day when he came back from school, but Tong Zisheng was lying on the bed all day, looking sickly, his complexion looked worse than when he was sick years ago.

"Nephew Tong Xian, what's on your mind?" This man is young, but he looks sluggish. Meng Zhen thinks that apart from being sick, it should be more mental torture. .

Tong Zisheng just shook his head: "Cousin, it's okay, I just feel a little tired."

Meng Zhen then said again: "The weather is right now, the wind is sunny, you go out to the back garden for a walk, breathe the fresh air, maybe your body will be completely healed."

Hearing what Meng Zhen said, Tong Zisheng also thought that it was not a good thing for him to lie in bed all day, and his depression was not a good thing, so he was accompanied by Tong Liang, and he took a break in Meng's garden every day after meals. Gradually improved.

Half a month later, there will be a trial date for the rankings.

Early in the morning, Meng Hong accompanied Tong Zisheng to the Gong Yuan in the capital to read the rankings, while Meng Zhen sat in the courtyard basking in the sun, the youngest son, Meng Yuan, and the youngest granddaughter, Meng Xue, surrounded him, chattering and running around. stop.

"Meng Yuan!" After the two children had run wild enough, Meng Zhen called Meng Yuan to the front, "You recite the "Li Weng Conversation with Rhyme" between the emperor and the ancestor and the grandson, and listen to it for the father."

From last year's township examination to the end of this year's general examination, in the middle half a year, Meng Zhen had already taught Meng Yuan the entire content of "The Verse of the Li Weng" to Meng Yuan. Not only could Meng Yuan recite the full text, but he could open his mouth to read any paragraph in the text.

Mengzhen asked him to recite the line between the emperor and the grandson, and he stood obediently, with his little hands behind his back, his head held high, and he began to recite in a decent manner:

Kings face each other, ancestors face grandchildren.Sunset against Chao Tun.Lantai is opposite Guidian, and the island is opposite the mountain village.

The stele sheds tears, and the poem invokes the soul.Complain to Wynn.The mausoleum buries gold and exhales, and the fields plant jade to take root.

The beaded curtains of Xiangfu hang down during the day, and the corners of the border town face dusk.The maple leaves are in the middle of the mountain, and the haze in autumn is worthy of leaning on a stick; the pear blossoms are all over the ground, and the door will not be opened when the night comes and the wind and rain come.

……

The voice was loud, and the words were pronounced clearly, word for word. Meng Zhen was very satisfied with what he heard, and kept saying yes.

"Meng Yuan," Meng Zhen pulled him forward and let him sit in his arms, "I'll ask you again for my father, how old are you this year?"

"Five years old." Meng Yuan replied.

The five-year-old here refers to the imaginary age.

"Then this fall, you should also go to school, where you can learn to read and write with the children, would you like to?" Meng Zhen asked again.

Meng Yuan said again: "Is school fun?"

Meng Zhen: "It's fun, there are so many kids, you can play with whoever you want."

"Really?" Meng Yuan danced, "I am willing, I want to play with the children."

Meng Zhen patted his head, he is so obedient, much more obedient than the previous two years, and he understands a little bit, which makes people not feel so tired.

At this time, Meng Xue also came over and called "Grandpa", and Meng Zhen hugged her and sat on the other leg.

Meng Xue is two years younger than Meng Yuan, the little girl has a quiet temperament, she only chattered a few times when she ran wildly with Meng Yuan, and became obedient and quiet when she was in front of adults.

"Mengxue tells grandpa about the sky and the earth, the rain and the wind, okay?" Meng Zhen not only taught Meng Yuan to read, but also taught Meng Xue, but Meng Xue was young and didn't remember as much as Meng Yuan.

"Okay!" The little girl's voice was soft and soft, and she recited the first line of "The Li Weng Conversations".

Word for word is correct, and the memorization is very fluent. Meng Zhen encouraged him a bit, and then called the servants to come over and take the two children down to wash their hands and eat.

Afterwards, Meng Zhen went back to the study room to read books all morning, and after lunch, he waited for nearly two hours before Meng Hong and Tong Zisheng came back from the capital.

The faces of both of them were not very good, and Meng Zhen could tell at a glance that they did not pass the exam.

Tong Zisheng stepped forward and said listlessly, "Cousin, I failed the exam."

Meng Zhen was not surprised, he just asked: "What is your plan for the future, will you stay here and wait for the exam next year, or go home and have a look?"

"I'm going home!" Tong Zisheng said almost without thinking, "I'll be back in two days!"

The author says:

Enke is here, and the ascension is not far away. We strive to finish it within two weeks. Hehe, this pace is too fast.

Writing articles is usually at night, and it will be updated at [-] am in the future, and [-] the next day.