Xu is due to all kinds of inexplicable rumors, I don't know when it began, the number of young scholars who visited the vine garden suddenly increased. There is almost an endless stream of people who come alone and in groups. The threshold of the vine garden is almost about to be taught to step on them, and all kinds of official dialects with local accents are swirling in the meantime, and there is talk and laughter inside and out.

At the beginning, Mr. Song entertained them with great interest, and even held a few small cultural meetings for them temporarily. He also specially invited his group of old friends to comment on the poems and songs written by these scholars, and pointed out their doubts when understanding the meaning of the scriptures and making strategies. Their comments soon spread, and the subtleties are needless to say, and they have won the praise of many scholars, as if they are the rise of another group of celebrities in Beijing.

However, when Mr. Song realized that the purpose of many people's visits was not actually to meet friends in writing, but to get acquainted with the prince and pay a visit to the king of Sinanjun, he immediately closed his door. In the end, he is different from the famous Mr. Zhou Jiyan, although he often says that he will be famous in Chang'an with the prince, but in fact, he doesn't like these opportunistic tricks and fame-seeking, and he doesn't like to be used by others.

"I thought they were really here to answer questions, but I didn't want to-" As long as he remembered his honesty in the past few days, Mr. Song couldn't hide his annoyance, "The old man also pities them for coming all the way to Chang'an to take the exam, it is difficult to get those posts of the good literary club, and if you have doubts, you can't find the right person to ask for advice." Unexpectedly, all they were staring at was the King of Xin'anjun! Only those who can say good things for them in front of the examiners!! ”

He was furious, and the rest of the hermits were much calmer, apparently already surprised. This said: "The old man still thinks it is strange, why so many people suddenly come to visit you. I see, it makes sense. Another said: "We are not well-known in Beijing, and we can let these scribes come over, naturally not because of your master and apprentice, but because the place where you live is the courtyard of King Pu." ”

The old man admitted that our master and apprentice were indeed unknown. But when these people came to us, they seemed to know us quite well. Mr. Song furrowed his eyebrows, "Some people do come for fame and fortune, and some people seem to be very interested in Zixian and want to make friends with him." This is strange, when did Zixian's reputation spread? ”

This group of hermits is all hermits, who only care about learning behind closed doors on weekdays, and all kinds of news have always been very lagging behind, and no one has heard any rumors. So, the gentlemen immediately ordered their disciples to go out to inquire about what rumors were being spread by the scholars in Chang'an City now.

"If you talk about it carefully, you can't blame them for chasing fame and fortune." Mr. Song seemed to think of something, and sighed, "There is only one examiner in the provincial examination, and he is a low-ranking official examiner. If you can get the appreciation of high-ranking officials and nobles, and vigorously recommend it in front of the examiner, you will not be able to say that there will be a turnaround. The more famous he became, the more cautious the examiner became, and the less he dared to offend his many admirers. The county test and the government test are all doing this, and the provincial test will certainly not be an exception. Since everyone acts this way, if they don't follow the crowd, they are very likely to fall off the list. ”

Nowadays, the selection of officials is based on a system of tribute and examination, relying on the imperial examination to identify talents, so that the vast number of people of insight take the initiative to advance to the official career, regardless of whether they are high or poor. But in the final analysis, the influence of the wealthy families and aristocratic clans is still there, and there are still some traces of observation. Being able to get the recommendation of a noble person will affect the judgment of the examiner to some extent, and it is easier to get a good evaluation.

Even if it is a prince Xian, it is impossible to refuse the kindness of the king of Xin'an to recommend him, let alone refuse the scholars of the Guozijian to say good things for him in front of the examiner of the Ministry of Officials. He has outstanding talents, a handsome appearance like a Zhilan jade tree, and the background of the children of the Langya Wang family, all of which are his strengths. In the same way, being appreciated is also his strength. The higher the strength, the more you gain, and it makes sense.

At this time, another old gentleman asked, "Where is your disciple?" Why haven't you seen him for the past two days? ”

Mr. Song stroked his long beard and said, "He received many posts from the literary club and the poetry club every day, and some of them were really difficult to refuse, so he went to the literary club." Speaking of which, he is busier than the old man these days, and he has disappeared all day long...... "complaining in his mouth, but he does not hide the smug look on his face, which is really speechless."

The old gentlemen who had endured him for many years simply couldn't bear it anymore, and rolled up their sleeves one after another: "Hmph, you have only cared about showing off your disciples all these years, have you forgotten yourself?!" Isn't it closed today? Just right, let's compare a few of them, in a row! Whatever you want to compare, we've got you covered! ”

Mr. Song was startled, and then raised his chin very confidently: "Okay! What do you want to compare? Come one by one! ”

At the same moment, Wang Zixian sat in the midst of a group of scribes, calmly talking about what he had seen and heard in the past two or three years. He went to a very large number of areas, and after a few sentences, the person who was sent by the state government took over with surprise and joy. After the two talked, everyone around them listened with relish. After a while, the people around him were impressed by him—not to mention his talents, but in terms of his broad knowledge, those who were decades older than him were not as good as him.

However, this group of them is only a corner of this meeting. More scribes still gathered around Yang Qian Yangzhuangtou not far away, listening to him talk eloquently and cheering from time to time. Some people even brought fine wine, and whenever they heard the joy, they raised their glasses and drank it, which was very pleasant.

Wang Zixian actually didn't expect that in the literary meeting held by Zheng Qin and Zheng Langjun, he would be able to meet Yang Qian and his brothers. He didn't mean to avoid Yang Qian and the others, but he heard the rumors in Beijing and decided to take a step back. lest he be used by others, provoke Yang Qian for no reason, and urge him to take the initiative.

When he had not yet obtained the Jiadi head, this qiē praise and fame were all vain, and naturally he could not compare to a real Jiadi head. And he had no intention of stepping on Yang Qian's reputation to pave the way for himself at such a time.

Even if he had the heart to deal with Yang Qian, it would be too early for a single qiē. I just don't know, what are the plans of the people who are secretly fueling the troubles? He is just a nobody, pushing him out to arouse Yang Qian's anger, the worst outcome is that he is wiped out, and Yang Qian will probably no longer be the image of the beautiful son of the past.

Heh, who can profit from this?

The prince's gaze fell on Zheng Qin, who was walking here with a smile. After this Zheng Langjun got the middle head, his demeanor seemed to be much gentler than in the past, and the sharp feeling of being there in the past disappeared without a trace, and he seemed to be more sophisticated in human affairs. At that time, because Yang Qian was too popular, he retreated year after year, and only then did he regain his confidence and seize the top. However, it is the same head, A and B are not the same, and he is still firmly suppressed by Yang Qian.

Perhaps, it is this jealousy and unwillingness day after day year that changes a person. How interesting is it that the person who used to openly accuse Yang Qian of hypocrisy has now become the same hypocrisy?

Carefully speaking, Wang Zixian actually didn't want to guess that these rumors were all promoted by Zheng Qin. However, thinking of Zheng Qin's recent speech and demeanor - not mentioning that he and Yang Qian had already put aside old grievances and friendships, and tactfully and actively conveyed these rumors to him, all kinds of temptations; Taking advantage of such a time to hold a literary meeting, he quietly invited him and Yang Qian over, as if expecting them to have a conflict in the literary meeting-all this had to make him think a little more.

Does Yang Qian know that these rumors are all Zheng Qin's handwriting? If he is aware of it, but still comes to this meeting, what is his intention? If he didn't know it, he gave Zheng Qin, as the master, such a face, how would he feel when he learned the truth in the future? Tsk, that seems to be interesting too.

"Zixian, I haven't seen you for a few years, and your demeanor is the same as before." Zheng Qin walked to the front and looked around at everyone with a smile, "A certain Zheng Qin Zheng Mianzhi, I have seen you." Xu is because he was born in the Zheng family in Xingyang, and when he reported his name, he was still a little reserved, but he was not offensive.

"Why does Zheng Zhuangtou need to be so polite, a certain person is just a white body, how can he afford it?" The prince smiled slightly and returned the cross-handed salute.

When all the scribes heard him mention Zheng Qin's name, they immediately saluted and greeted him. In any case, the other party is both the main family and the head of the family, even if Fang Cai is a little negligent, he only cares about entertaining Yang Qian and Yang Xiangtou's brothers, and does not care about other guests, it is understandable. What's more, they are all moving with the intention of ascending to the top, and in the future, this young man will be a senior in the officialdom, and he is a son of a high-ranking family, so he should naturally make friends with each other.

After greeting each other, Zheng Qinfang sat cross-legged beside Wang Zixian: "I just saw you talking very happily from afar, I don't know what interesting things are you discussing?" ”

"It's just a trip to see and hear." Wang Zixian replied with a smile, "If Zheng Zhuangtou is interested, why don't you also talk to us?" ”

"The place where I live is only Xingyang and Chang'an. Speaking of what you have seen and heard, it is better to dedicate yourself to your son. Zheng Qin paused lightly and replied. Since he was a child, he has aimed to be admitted to the top of the science department, and after worshipping a famous teacher, he has studied hard day and night, how can he have any free time to travel all over the world?

So, Wang Zixian changed the topic and took the initiative to ask Zheng Qin for advice on strategy and poetry, as well as the experience of provincial examinations. Zheng Qin was quite proficient in this way, and naturally talked endlessly, seemingly almost teaching everything, and soon won the favor of the scribes around him. Everyone gathered around him, their eyes were on him, and the topics were all around him, and Wang Zixian was just one of them. This scene was enough to make the smile on the corner of his mouth deeper.

Soon after, Wang Zimu came quietly and said in a low voice: "Big brother, Senior Brother Yang wants to see you......"

Yang Zhuangtou's invitation naturally can't help but go. The prince then confessed to Zheng Qin: "Let's go and see Brother Yang, and come back later to listen to Brother Zheng's guidance." ”

Hearing this, Zheng Qin's face was a little more concerned: "If Brother Yang has any misunderstanding, you will send someone to call me, and I will explain it to him for you." ”

"It's just some false rumors, what can Brother Yang misunderstand? Brother Zheng can rest assured. The prince smiled, arched his hand, and then left with the prince. And Zheng Qin glanced at the backs of the two brothers, and the corners of his lips hooked slightly.