The drought was severe in summer this year, but it was as cold as the winter moon in late autumn, and it was even colder in October.
The township examination will be held in August next year, and many students in the academy will have to pass this time. Seeing that the days are numbered, the atmosphere of studying in the academy is particularly strong.
In the past, I had to go to the Six Arts class once every three days, but now I only go there once in ten or so days, and my main focus is on the article.
In the early years, there were five-art interviews in the provincial examination, and the six-art interviews were tight. However, this time, talented students from poor families often failed to pass the interview. All students from rich and noble families were accepted. For the sake of fairness, it is also more open to the world. If you are a scholar, the interview for the five arts in the township examination will be cancelled.
The Bairong Academy was opened early, and still retains the tradition of the Six Arts. Although it does not focus on students' learning, it can also allow poor students to experience it. There is always something useful when they come.
The weather was so cold that Du Heng wore an extra quilted vest under the hospital uniform in the early days. Although the style was a bit rough, it was really warmer.
When I recorded the main points of the teacher in class, my hands were not so stiff, and I could write very smoothly.
He thought the cotton cloth was good, so he went to the shop after school in the afternoon, and said that he would go with Qin Xiaoman to buy some more cotton cloth, so that he could add winter clothes to Water Celery and Da Zhuang.
The fog in the market was heavy, and the common people walked with their hands in their hands and their necks curled up, exhaling a white mist.
However, it is still early before the end of the new year, and the county has not yet had any festive atmosphere, and it is even more lonely and cold if it has not been decorated with lights.
The two came out of the shop with the cloth in their arms, and saw a hawker selling candied haws on the street, Du Heng bought a bunch of candied haws for Chengyi Xiaowa.
"Don't take hawthorns, but sweet pears."
Qin Xiaoman reminded, the little boy doesn't like sour things, but only sweet ones.
Du Heng loves his only little baby very much, even if sugar is expensive now, he is willing to spend money to buy some food for the child.
It's just that the little guy has grown a lot of deciduous teeth, and children's teeth are relatively fragile. Du Heng is afraid that eating too much sweets will damage his teeth, so he always feeds him according to the amount.
"Give him this candied haws, but don't give my brother any sweets at night."
Qin Xiaoman wrapped the candied haws and put them in his cotton-padded jacket, and he is not afraid of being smothered this day: "I have to drink sweet water at night. Willing to sleep, how can it be so easy to let go."
"Just a few more words to coax him, I dipped some sugar water for him to taste yesterday and he was willing to sleep. The little guy is so easy to coax." It was also weaned
first When I was young, in order to keep the baby from the milk, I would give him some sweet food when he was having a fuss, but the milk was cut off at the back, but the sweet food was put on again.
"Understood."
Qin Xiaoman responded, and the two climbed into the carriage and put all the things in the carriage. Neither of them could bear to let the other drive the carriage alone to be exposed to the cold wind, so they simply sat outside together in tacit understanding. Cold, but we share the joys and sorrows.
"Rein~"
"Slow down."
Qin Xiaoman reined in his horse, and an ox cart loaded with big sacks came ahead, staggering and almost colliding with their carriage.
"It's been a while, and the cattle and horse carts in the county are still rushing to deliver grain."
Qin Xiaoman drove the horse, and said, "Our family's grain has not been sold this year, and I heard that the price of grain has risen again today. Do you think we should take it to the grain store now?"
After the autumn harvest this year, the farm laborers rushed to deliver the grain to their homes, and there were people at home, and the house was wide, so there was no problem with stacking grain.
Next, Du Heng looked at the weather and this year's harvest, guessed that the price of grain might rise, and said to take a look at it slowly, and then look at the price of grain after missing the upsurge of grain sales.
The recovered grain was not rushed to the county seat.
Let Du Heng say for sure that this year's grain harvest is not as good as in previous years, and the price of grain in the initial autumn harvest is similar to that of last year. As a result, the grain harvest is not good, and the grain price is almost the same as that of Jixian County.
Now that there is another war in the northwest, food is much more expensive.
"Don't worry, anyway, our family is not in a hurry to buy any money, and we still have plenty of money, so we don't need to sell food now."
Qin Xiaoman tilted his head, didn't say much, and answered Du Heng.
After driving the carriage to the house, it was already dark, and Chengyi was afraid of the cold, so he huddled in the stove and cooked with water celery. Hearing the sound of the horse outside, he ran to the door suddenly: "Daddy!" Qin Xiaoman jumped out of the car
, He picked up the warm little guy who was roasting by the stove, and stuck it on his body again and again: "Our Bao'er is so warm today." Chengyi held
Qin Xiaoman's face with his warm little hands: "Yi My brother will cheer up my little daddy, and my little daddy won’t be cold anymore."
Qin Xiaoman kissed his white fleshy cheek: "It's so good."
"I know that little Bao'er is so good, so today Daddy bought something for Xiao Bao'er." I bought sweet candied haws."
Chengyi watched as his little dad took out a bunch of red candied haws from his arms as if juggling, and clapped his hands happily, showing a row of deciduous teeth: "Thank you, dad."
Du Heng stopped the carriage and kneaded it. Rubbed the little guy's head.
"Boss."
Da Zhuang originally didn't want to disturb the intimacy of the family, but because the matter was urgent, he had no choice but to interrupt.
Seeing Du Heng look over, Da Zhuang held a brocade box and handed it over: "Someone came to the family today, so I left this box and went, saying it was from someone named Xiao." Du Heng raised his brows slightly and opened the box
. , the inside is not any gold or silver artifacts, but a thin piece of deed paper.
Qin Xiaoman put Xiao Chengyi, who was licking candied haws, on his lap, picked up the deed paper, and read it word by word: "Anjiu Street, Pingyun Lane, Erjin Courtyard Room." After reading Qin
Xiaoman Xiaoman's eyes widened indifferently: "This, who is this? Why did you send this to our house!"
After Du Heng was selected as a scholar, many came to flatter him, and his family took a little poultry, melons and fruits from his farm laborers, and the villagers didn't want anything as a gift.
In fact, it is also for long-term considerations. In case of finding a decent job in the future, the folks who came to give gifts come to ask for things, and talk about the kindness of the past. Will this help or not?
Qin Xiaoman also has an abacus in mind, many things can't just look at the immediate good, but also have to think about the long-term.
Although he was used to seeing people trying to stuff things into their homes, it was the first time he saw such a precious thing.
It looks like a thin piece of paper, but it is a second yard in a good location in the county town, and it costs hundreds of taels of silver.
It was so hot that he was so frightened that he quickly put it back in the box.
Seeing this, Du Heng briefly told Qin Xiaoman what happened at the banquet that day.
"I originally refused, but I didn't expect that member of the staff not to let go of the idea, but he looked down on me."
Supporting scholars has always been a favorite of merchants, and the cost of betting in advance is indeed much less than the cost of Zhou Xuan's already-made treasure, humane Is the icing on the cake is not as good as sending charcoal in the snow.
Not to mention merchants, even many scholarly families also intentionally cultivate and promote scholars.
"Then we can't take this thing!"
Qin Xiaoman said immediately, he wanted to buy a house in the county, but he didn't dare to take such things that others sent up.
Not to mention that he is down-to-earth, and he is used to buying everything by saving every penny. His father is a scholar, so he knows the nobility of a scholar better than other farmers.
It is that some scholars who pass the exam can be exempted from paying taxes, and some merchants drag their families and want to donate their family property to join the juren, and many juren refuse to accept it because they have a clean reputation.
He felt that he was really flustered to accept things from others for nothing like this.
Seeing Qin Xiaoman's appearance as if he was facing a formidable enemy, Du Heng chuckled: "Now you know that I didn't go to the county town to make friends. There are many "good people" in the county who want to buy things for scholars, and I will return them all. I brought it to the house. It’s just that there are no free noodle cakes in the world. Today, I have been favored by others, and you will have to give them whatever they want in the future.” He had a deep understanding. Back then, he had eaten
Qin Xiaoman’s bread . The rice cakes that eat people's mouths are soft, and they will be trapped later. If you want to be a husband, you have to be a husband.
Qin Xiaoman laughed: "That's not entirely true, I didn't stop you from leaving." "
Yes, I am willing to be a door-to-door son-in-law."
Chengyi licked the candied haws: "What is a door-to-door son-in-law?"
" He is the father who can cook and make clothes for our brother Yi."
Chengyi blinked her eyes in disbelief that the son-in-law who came to the door could do so many things: "Daddy is so good!" "
Chengyi will also do door-to-door when he grows up." Son-in-law."
Du Heng laughed, "You can't be a door-to-door son-in-law."
Chengyi heard her father denying herself, and suddenly felt that the candied haws in her hand were not sweet: "Why?" "
Because the threshold for door-to-door son-in-law has really been raised , our little one is so short, how can we cross it."
Chengyi blinked, the threshold of their house was obviously not high, and Brother Qin could cross it in a short while holding his hand.
He felt that his father was scaring him, so he pursed his mouth and whispered, "I'm going to be a door-to-door son-in-law!"
Qin Xiaoman kissed his son's face, and after eating the candied haws, his face was so sweet: "Okay, okay, I'm going to I want it."
The next day, Du Heng returned the things to Xiao's house in person.
Returning the gift is a bit hurtful, but Du Heng is determined not to make such an opening.
If you don't have a relative or a family member, once the news gets out, others will know who you are. Not only will it be easier for people to handle, but you will also not be able to keep your reputation as a Qingliu scholar in the future.
"Xiao Fu didn't dare to accept such a big gift from Member Xiao, and now I want to return it and beg for a cup of tea."
When Xiao Fu heard that Du Heng came to the door, he personally received the person and received the returned things, with a slightly strange expression on his face.
But after all, he is a slippery merchant, so he only said: "It's because Xiao was abrupt. I had a brief talk with Du Xiucai that day, and I was quite sorry for Du Xiucai's difficulty in studying. That's why he acted so recklessly. I hope Du Xiucai will not be offended." That's right."
"The winter tea that just arrived this year, Du Xiucai tasted it." "
Mr. Xiao's love is so generous, how can Xiaosheng not know, but such a generous gift really frightens Xiaosheng." Du Heng took a sip of tea and said: " Knowing that member Xiao is taking care of scholars, please ask member
Xiao if you have something to do this time." "When the Qin family met, Xiao admired Du Xiucai more, and Du Xiucai was able to send Xiao. Feel free to mention it."
Xiaoman thought in his heart It is not his business alone to buy a house in the county seat. Du Heng naturally also had to make a plan, thinking about making a living in the family.
Recently, the food stores in the county are very popular, and the price of food is high, so anyone who can afford it wants to get a share.
Du Heng counted it up. Their family now has a lot of grain stockpiles. In previous years, they hadn't eaten up the many stones accumulated over the year. This year's dozens of stones of grain have not been sold at all.
Not only do they have food on hand, but they also have a lot of farmland. When the five acres of paddy fields at home are distributed next year, the autumn harvest can increase the grain production by a few stones.
Not to mention the big grain business, I started a small grain shop by myself, relying on the contacts in the village, it is not a big problem to collect grain, this business can be done.
However, if the store business can run smoothly, it must be done without stumbling blocks.
Today I came here to return the gift, and by the way, I begged the owner of the Daliang shop in this county to let me out, so that the people from the Daliang shop will not crowd out his small shop, which is considered a debt of favor, and I will do it in the future come and go.
Compared with accepting and granting the gift of the mansion, this kind of favor does not make people catch it, and it can be advanced or retreated in the future.
In fact, Du Heng didn't want to offend anyone. Although Xiao Fu was just a merchant, and his status was far inferior to that of the country gentry, after all, money could make ghosts fight, and if annoyed people made trouble with him, the financial resources of the Xiao family were enough for him to be cruel. Eat a pot.
And from a simple social point of view, this person is also quite obsessive, if he refuses directly, he may have to start from the side.
Simply follow his wish to make friends.
Xiao Fu had a smile on his face, seeing that Du Heng didn't reject him too much, and was willing to keep a little contact with him, he was also very happy.
"Du Xiucai opened his mouth. It's easy to talk about everything. He should still come and go frequently." "
Mr. Xiao is benevolent, so it's natural to keep in touch."
Du Heng drank two cups of tea here before going out. Back at his shop, Qin Zhiyan found him again.
The prefect came to Luoxia County on his way from Qiuyang County for inspection.
No wonder Qin Xiaoman said that the number of police officers patrolling the streets and markets in the county has seen more with the naked eye these days, directing the order in the streets and markets in the county, and the roads have flown a lot.
I also saw the servants of Dianshi Menzi in the workshop repaint the broken walls of the Gongyuan.
He ordered the shops in the county to clean up the front of the door and hang up the red lanterns for the New Year in advance.
Although it was a temporary hustle and bustle, the county magistrate took care and urged the people under him to get things done, and the city soon took on a new look.
At the other end of the magistrate, the gentry, elders, and young talents in the county were gathered to meet the magistrate's inspection and questioning.
As the top three in the college entrance examination, Du Heng has an outstanding appearance, and he is the benchmark for young talents in this county. He is indispensable for welcoming the prefect this time.
This time is an honor that is hard to come by. All the scholars in the county want to show their faces in front of the magistrate, and they will encounter some opportunities in the future.
Du Heng didn't think about what to say on the day of welcoming the magistrate, so he just bought a decent set of clothes, so that he wouldn't look too shabby and lose the face of the county, then he ignored it and just waited for the magistrate to come. county.
During the waiting days, he and Qin Xiaoman were preparing to open a new grain shop in the pan shop.
With the first experience, and having done business in the county town for a while, he is a little better than the layman who started the business.
With the reputation of a scholar, it is easier to rent a shop, and others look at the famous gentry.
The matter was handled quickly, and the shop was quickly sold out, and Qin Xiaoman led Da Zhuang to handle the follow-up matters.
Du Heng was not in Xiumu and did not go to the academy that day, because the prefect of Jintuan Prefecture, who had been talking about it for a while, finally arrived in Luoxia County.
After lunch, Du Heng and Qin Zhifeng went to the county government office together. After the county magistrate ordered people, some gentry and elders from the county came together, and young scholars who were famous also attended. The threshold is slightly high, and only those who are scholars and above have the opportunity to meet the prefect in person.
Many children in the families of small officials have no chance even if they want to come.
A group of people had been waiting to meet the prefect Qi Kaisheng at the gate of the city where the coldest wind was strongest in the winter moon. For the sake of dignity, everyone was ashamed to wear too gorgeous clothes or lose the strength of a scholar. Not to be rude.
Young people like Du Heng are strong and healthy, but they can still bear it, but the squire couldn't help taking out a handkerchief from his sleeve to straighten his nose after suffering.
After waiting in silence for an hour, I heard the sound of galloping chariots and horses, and the prefect finally arrived.
A line of guards with knives went forward to open the way, with an open carriage in the middle, followed by two lines of soldiers.
This time the magistrate went down to the county for a lot of battles. After all, he came to check taxes and escort the army to collect grain and grass.
The carriage stopped at the gate of the city, and a lean middle-aged man wearing a black gauze hat and an embroidered python blue official robe got out of the carriage.
Before Du Heng could clearly see the appearance of this fourth-rank official, the magistrate had already greeted him first: "Mr. Xu has been exhausted all the way, so it can be considered that he arrived at the county safely. The officials and the scholars from the county are waiting for you to arrive." Qi Kaisheng raised his eyes and
swept Glancing at the people in the cold wind, he said: "It's hard for you to wait for a long time. It's windy and cold here, so let's go to the city quickly."
A group of people followed the magistrate into the city and returned to the county government.
The guards with swords walked in the front to open the way, followed by the magistrate, accompanied by the county magistrate, followed by a few small officials, and then the squires. Except for the soldiers on the tail, young people like Du Heng were already in the team. at the very end.
The magistrate came from Qiuyang County and sat in a carriage all the way. His legs and feet were sore and numb, but walking was comfortable; while the bodies of the waiting people were already frozen, and their bodies also warmed up after walking like this, which was in line with everyone's wishes. .
Along the way, the county magistrate carefully introduced the market order, the autumn harvest and farming in the county to the magistrate.
Although Qi Kaisheng kept his hands behind his back and didn't speak, he also watched and walked all the way.
Seeing the lanterns and festoons in the city, the people's business is still lively, and their expressions haven't changed much since they got off the carriage, making it impossible to see whether they are satisfied or dissatisfied. It made everyone feel more anxious, and the most difficult thing was the magistrate, who was even more frightened.
"This is the Gongyuan. Since you are passing by here, let's go in and have a look."
The magistrate pointed to the place of the Gongyuan. .
Leading people into the Gongyuan: "The magistrate is most concerned about the students' studies and training manpower for the court. The officials are worried about the magistrate's worries, and they always repair the county school.
" , It’s nothing to watch, but whether the Gongyuan is dilapidated can also reflect whether the local area attaches importance to the selection of students and responds to the imperial court’s important scientific examinations.
Qi Kaisheng walked along the Gongyuan and walked inside. Although it can't be said that the repairs are very good, it is good to see.
Turning around and returning to the door, Qi Kaisheng said: "There will be an exam this year."
As soon as the words came out, the person had already stopped by the bulletin board of the Gongyuan. Faded, but you can still vaguely see the list of personnel on the top, and the essays of the unnamed candidates on the side. Naturally, the transcripts here are just for readers to show, not the original ones.
Seeing that Qi Kaisheng was watching seriously, the county magistrate didn't dare to say more.
Waiting for people to look away, Babaer, the magistrate, said: "This year, there are nearly a hundred more candidates for the court examination than last time."
Qi Kaisheng nodded, and said, "Where are the top three in the court examination?" "
Where are they ?" , here."
"Yan Yu, Zhang Huairen, Du Heng. Haven't come to meet the magistrate yet."
The three scholars immediately walked to the front respectfully after hearing the words, saluting and saying hello together.
Qi Kaisheng looked at the three people who came up, they were all tall, short and fat, two were old, and the only one was young, this young appearance was amazing, and against the backdrop of the two older faces, it was even more graceful.
"Your name is Du Heng?"
"My lord, the student is right."
"I happened to glance at your article. The article is concise, but it can be called every word, and I have some insights,"
Du Heng said quickly: "Students don't Thank you, sir, for your appreciation."
Qi Kaisheng couldn't help but look at Du Heng again.
The magistrate's eyes were bright, and when the group continued to walk towards the county government office, he winked at Du Heng and told him to go ahead.
Although he didn't speak to the magistrate on the way to the county, Du Heng benefited from seeing Qi Kaisheng's appearance clearly because he walked ahead.
Qi Kaisheng has a narrow face and thin lips, and he doesn't show his emotions much. He is a capable and promising official.
For now, the fourth-rank official is already the biggest official he has ever seen.
Quickly returning to the county mansion, Qi Kaisheng said a few words to the squire who should be accompanying him, and it was worthwhile for everyone to accompany him, and then he dismissed them after entering the county mansion.
Du Heng breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that this is the end of the day, but before he folded his body, a voice said: "Du Heng, you stay."
Hearing that he was called, Du Heng looked confused, but he could only follow through.
Apart from him, there were a few young scholars who stayed behind. Du Heng glanced at them, and he probably didn't recognize them, but he had clear eyebrows, and none of the elderly squires stayed behind.
Du Heng didn't know why, so he accompanied the magistrate for a stroll in the county government office. It was getting late, and the county government office had prepared a welcome banquet, but several people were left to drink with the magistrate.
The few scholars who were left behind during the banquet were eager to try and raised their glasses to respect the magistrate, but Qi Kaisheng drank the wine, the scholars were secretly happy, and wanted to sing praises, but the magistrate displeased him.
A few scholars didn't dare to speak anymore, and they accompanied the banquet like vases.
At the end, after drinking for three rounds, the magistrate asked, "Du Heng, are you married?"
Du Heng got up quickly and told the truth.
The magistrate was silent, and after a reply, he said: "You should study hard and don't slack off." "
Students must follow the teachings of the adults."
After a feast, I couldn't figure it out. When I left the county, it was already dark.
Only then did the scholar dare to speak: "I thought that being left behind would give me a chance to get closer to the magistrate. I didn't want to win favor, so I could get acquainted with each other anyway. But I never said a word." "Almost got reprimanded
, If you really don’t show your emotions and anger, we, the younger generations, really need some time.”
Several scholars sighed and shook their heads.
"It's Du Xiucai who is very popular with adults. After all, he is the top of the list in the college examination."
Du Heng, who had been silent all this time, said: "It's too serious, and even Xiaosheng can't do it. Please say a few more words."
Everyone sighed together, braved the cold wind to the entrance of the county government office, and bid farewell with hands folded, and then dispersed in different directions.
Du Heng looked at the sky, there were dark clouds, and he couldn't see any moonlight or stars. Although the street market was lit with red lanterns for the New Year, it was cold and the people were sparse. The street market that was set off by the lanterns became more and more lonely .
He took a breath of cold air, rubbed his hands and walked under the eaves of the corridor, the wind shaved his face like a blade, at this time, no matter how thick he was wearing, his bones would still be stiff from the cold.
It's no wonder that the scholar complained, Baba'er had a drink with him, he was cramped and didn't eat enough, he didn't ask for a star and a half, and he had to go home late at night.
Du Heng didn't take a few steps, he only heard the sound of rattling. At first he thought it was the sound of wind, but when he looked up, he found snow particles, scattered on the house and splashed to the ground in the winter wind.
When he walked in front of his shop, the street was especially quiet, the shops on one street were all closed, and there was not even a single person.
It was an accident that the magistrate asked him to eat, and at this hour of discussion, the family probably thought that he would not come back, and it was common for Qin Xiaoman to close the shop early and go back.
Du Heng braved the wind and snow aimlessly, knowing that he couldn't find any horses and carriages at the gate of the county seat, but he still walked towards the gate of the city.
"Hurry up, if you take two steps slower, the city gate will be unlocked."
In a daze, Du Heng saw a familiar small carriage parked at the gate of the city, and beside the carriage was a man wrapped in a turban with only a pair of eyes exposed waved at him.
Du Heng was a little stunned, suddenly smiled, and trotted towards the wind.