The first one, dressed in a red-topped crane official uniform, with white hair, is Jiang Chun. He won the favor of Qianlong, and awarded the Guanglu doctor a grade, and he was driven by this time, wearing official uniforms, and his status was several grades higher than that of the Yangzhou prefect. Seeing Qianlong walking in front of him, Jiang Chunzi was also a little excited, and said, "Doctor Jiang Chun, Chen Guanglu, come to see the driver!" For a while, the people behind, regardless of the official gentry, also saw each other.

Qianlong helped Jiang Chun up and said with a smile: "Guangda, I haven't seen you for four years, I didn't expect you to be so old." I remember that you were ten years younger than me, how could you be so young that your beard was as white as mine? "Jiang Chun took over five times before, had close contacts with Qianlong, and often donated money and grain, sharing worries for the country, because Qianlong has always had a good impression of him, and at this time he did not call him by name, only said the name.

Jiang Chun also had no choice but to laugh and say: "The emperor sleeps at night, and the ministers naturally don't dare to slack off, so they have to be diligent and cautious day and night." The minister didn't have much talent, so his hair turned gray early. ”

Qianlong said: "I have heard about your welcome. I talked about relieving the country in the Qing Dynasty, this folk, the first is your Jiang family, it's too late to thank you. Today's welcome is still in Kangshan, right? ”

Jiang Chun hurriedly said: "It's the minister who deserves to die, it's really ashamed to bother the emperor to ask about this." The emperor came all the way, the boat and car were tiring, and Chen Kangshan's home was now ready. I hope that the emperor can enjoy himself today. ”

Qianlong waved his hand, and for a while the ministers stood up one after another and went in the direction of Kangshan. Qianlong also returned to the chariot, and Lushu began to march towards Kangshan. After meeting the team before, following Jiang Fang and the Jiang family's attendants, they were also here to maintain order on the scene, and when they saw that the Lu book was opened, they also stood aside. When Jiang Fang glanced back, he saw the faces of Ruan Chengxin's father and son, vaguely behind him.

Jiang Fang thought that the Ruan family had married Jiang Cai, and he was already close to him, and he got a letter from the Ruan family the day before yesterday, Ruan Yuan had passed the government examination and had excellent results, and he was also happy these days. Thinking of this great opportunity, how could he not let the father and son of the Ruan family see the holy driver? He sent a servant and asked him to invite the father and son of the Ruan family in a while.

When Ruan Chengxin and his entourage were about to leave, they suddenly saw the servants of the Jiang family coming, saying that it was a banquet in Kangshan in the afternoon, and hoped that Ruan Chengxin and his son would also attend. Ruan Chengxin didn't have any suitable reason to refuse, so he agreed and took Yang Ji with him. Jiang Mansion prepared for this feast, and specially invited more than 20 cooks in Yangzhou City, and the whole family of servants were mobilized, and the dishes were sumptuous, and it was nothing for Yang Ji alone.

After a while, enter the Dekang Mountain Garden, only to see that the surroundings are like a fairyland, the garden starts from the front of the door, it is a product of strange flowers and stones, rockery and flowing water, and the reflection is interesting. The three members of the Ruan family, where have they seen such a garden weather? For a while, his footsteps slowed down. Ruan Yuan's father and son were still able to restrain themselves, but Yang Ji only felt that he was in a fairyland, and he gradually couldn't control it, so he wanted to touch these exquisite mountain stones. Fortunately, Ruan Chengxin's eyes were sharp, so he quickly held him down and whispered: "I can't touch it, I want to kill my head." After such a threat, Yang Ji was willing to stop.

Qianlong Junchen and others are still in the front hall, because Jiang Chun has donated materials for the country several times, and he has done it very properly several times, Qianlong has always had a good impression of him, and he can't help but ask a few words about his parents. After all, the father and son of the Ruan family were not from Jiangfu, so they couldn't participate, so they went directly to the back garden.

Entering the back garden, I saw that there was an open space in the middle, and a high platform had been erected, and it seemed that there would be a big drama staged that night. Looking further forward from the stage, there is the back hall, at this time the doors are open, and the back hall is quite high, just enough to watch the stage performance in the hall. At the entrance of the hall, the tables have already been arranged, and this is the place where Qianlong Junchen and the Jiang family brothers and sons watched the drama at the dinner.

From the stage to the back hall, there is a distance of more than ten zhang, and the table is already full at this time, and people are gradually seated at this time. It seems that the juniors of the Jiang Mansion who do not have a high status, and the officials of all sizes in Yangzhou City, are about to take place below. The father and son of the Ruan family were led to a position in the middle and back, and sat down together, Jiang Fang's design was quite exquisite, the position of the father and son of the Ruan family could not only see the back hall in front of them, but also show that they were humble, and they did not dare to sit in front of them, offending the dignitaries.

The audience has rules and regulations, but no one has an opinion. However, the stage was the place where Qianlong and the high-ranking officials had a banquet on this day, and some officials were inevitably needed to guide them. At this time, there were several first- and second-grade high-ranking officials, directing the rearrangement above. A first-class official saw that the layout on the stand had gradually become in line with the rules of the imperial court, so he walked down and happened to see Ruan Chengxin and others. When the official saw Ruan Chengxin, his eyes changed slightly, and he walked over.

When Ruan Chengxin looked at it fixedly, although the man had a lot of gray hair, he was still quite personable and behaved calmly. It was Liu Yong who I met in Yizheng County six years ago, and at this time he had been promoted to the Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry.

Ruan Chengxin was surprised and delighted, and hurriedly took Ruan Yuan and went down to see Liu Yong. Liu Yong smiled and said: "There's no need to bow down, Ruan Gong, have you been okay in recent years?" Ruan Chengxin also said that Ruan Yuan was admitted to the county school.

Liu Yong was naturally very pleased, and said: "Boyuan, that day in the Yizheng County Office, I knew that you should have a future in the future, and your Mr. Li Qingshan and my father Wen Zhenggong are old friends." You have to be taught by him, not to mention the test student, even if it is a provincial city, I don't think it's a problem! But how could Boyuan come to the Jiang family? Ruan Chengxin also told about the marriage between Ruan Yuan and Jiang Cai, and by the way, he talked about the marriage of the Jiang family in the previous generation. At this time, Liu Yongfang knew that the Ruan family and the Jiang family still had such a past.

Liu Yong said: "Since Bo Yuan and the Jiang family have become in-laws, why don't you go to the main hall to have a look?" Now the emperor is in the main hall, and he is summoning the children of the Jiang Mansion, you are smart and intelligent, I think it is much higher than the Jiang family. Maybe the emperor will be happy and reward you with some things. ”

When Ruan Yuan was driving at the dock before, he also glanced at Qianlong, although he already knew what he looked like today. But think about it, if you go to meet the car, you must be able to communicate with the most honorable person in the world. In this way, I feel that my life is in vain. Then he said: "Daddy, since you can go, how about the child go to see the emperor?" ”

"Don't go." I didn't expect Ruan Chengxin to say so resolutely.

Ruan Yuan was also taken aback, and hurriedly asked: "Daddy, since I married Cai'er, I am also half of the Jiang family, so what's the harm in going to see the emperor?" ”

"You fool!" Ruan Chengxin was already a little angry, and said: "Your surname is Ruan, not Jiang!" I went to see the emperor, what does the emperor think of you? It's this child of the Jiang family, if you don't have talent to learn, the emperor looks down on you, you have passed, don't you think you are just a villain who caters to your wishes? Besides, what is your current status? The house has tried, but it is only a child! You, a child with a foreign surname who relied on his wife to come to Jiang's house for dinner, did you want the emperor to laugh at you? Don't go! ”

Seeing that his father suddenly became stern, Ruan Yuan was also stunned and didn't dare to say more. On the contrary, Yang Ji saw the fun watching the play, and hummed softly: "If you want to shoot a sycophant, you were kicked back first, right?" ”

Liu Yong saw that Ruan Chengxin's attitude didn't seem right, and hurriedly said: "Boyuan, don't be angry first, your father is right, if you don't learn enough, you will go to the emperor, and you won't be able to please him." My father is in the first class, and I have seen the emperor since I was a child, but the emperor has always been quite cold to me. It wasn't until I was admitted to the Jinshi that I asked about my studies. So in my opinion, if there is fate, you will always ...... if you take the examination in the future" But at this time, Liu Yong seemed to remember a very important thing. Suddenly changed the topic and asked, "Bo Yuan, what is Ling Zu's name?" ”

"It's Shangyu Xiatang." Ruan Yuan replied. If the other party really doesn't know the name of his family, it is not offensive to ask in a respectful tone, so Ruan Yuan also answered Liu Yong seriously.

Who knew that when Liu Yong heard this name, he fell into deep thought for a while.

After pondering for a long time, Liu Yong suddenly said to Ruan Yuan quite solemnly: "Boyuan, I can trust your talent, and I think it will be okay to take the imperial examination in the future." It's just that after the imperial examination, you will definitely consider being an official, but I'm afraid that at that time...... I'm saying it too soon, but if that day comes, you'll have to think carefully. ”

After speaking, Liu Yong said goodbye to the Ruan family father and son and went elsewhere. Ruan Yuan looked at his father, and his heart was also full of doubts. Why didn't his father even want him to see Qianlong once? Why did Liu Yong suddenly talk to himself about being an official?

After a while, Qianlong ended many meetings in the front hall, and came to the back hall together accompanied by Jiang Chun brothers, He Shen, Wang Jie and others. At this time, the children of the Jiang family, other salt merchants, and officials of Yangzhou gradually arrived in the back garden. The ministers and gentry bowed down together for a while, the mountain shouted long live, Qianlong replied flat, and asked everyone to take a seat.

Seeing that the sunset is gradually setting in the west, Jiangfu should be fully prepared with lanterns and torches, and Manchu and Han dishes are also presented one by one. Soon, even the side table where Ruan Yuan and the three of them were sitting was filled with all kinds of wine and delicacies. The dinner began, and the hall was full of harmony.

In the blink of an eye, after three rounds of drinking, it is time to comment on the bomb. Jiang Chun asked Qianlong for his will, and then informed the artists in the audience to perform on stage one after another. Wu Tianxu, regardless of his advanced age, walked forward to the stage again, and said that Zhang Yide broke the bridge according to the water, and first made a commanding gesture, seeing that the audience had been attracted, he opened his mouth and eyes, gestured with his hands, and without making a sound, the audience was free to thunder in both ears. Then Gu Jinzhang came to the stage and said a paragraph of "The Story of Jingjing". has performed several masterpieces in this way, and the final finale is the most popular commentary "Jade Dragonfly" in Yangzhou at that time.

This "Jade Dragonfly" tells such a story: there is a rich son named Shen Guisheng, although he is married, but his conduct is not good, one day when he arrives in the Fahua Nunnery, he sees the beauty of the nun Wang Zhizhen, and actually commits adultery with him. Afterwards, Wang Zhizhen gave birth to a son and was raised by a family surnamed Xu. But after the child grew up, the Shen family unexpectedly found the Xu family, saying that the child was from his own family and wanted to claim it back. In the end, seeing that the evidence was conclusive, the child Xu Yuanzai was finally brought back, and later became a big official.

This story flourished in Suzhou in the Ming Dynasty, and all along, many people think that this story is really there, and the child Xu Yuanzai in the text is the first assistant of the Wanli Dynasty in the Ming Dynasty. Shen Shixing's family was in Suzhou, and Shen Jia'er heard that this drama was quite suspicious of alluding to Shen Shixing, and had a long-term dispute with the government to demand that the play be banned. In order to avoid suspicion, the people of Suzhou later changed Shen Guisheng to Jin Guisheng. But the story has been introduced to Yangzhou before, and most of the people in Yangzhou don't know what Shen Shoufu is, and there is no taboo, but they retain the Shen family of the original story. In the Qianlong period, the artist Fang Shannian was good at commenting, which made this "Jade Dragonfly" all the rage.

The original play of "Jade Dragonfly" is quite long, so naturally it cannot be performed in its entirety. On this day, I had to prepare some of these wonderful passages, Jiang Chun sat under Qianlong, and naturally explained a few more words to help Qianlong understand the plot.

I heard on the stage that the unscrupulous talent Shen Gui had ascended to the Fahua Nunnery, so he wanted to see the nuns in the nunnery. The abbot of the nunnery said: "The wife of Lan Xiaoqinglan, the governor of Nanjing, is the protector of Xiaoan. But Shen Guisheng said: "Nalan Xiaoqingyuan is the son of my family, and my father promoted this child when he was there, and he is now the governor of Nanjing." That puppy is also the protector of Baoshan? ”

Seeing this, the nun sang helplessly: "I heard that the nun stuck out her tongue, the manager is a member of the Shen family, if I neglect Shen Gongzi, I will not be able to demolish the nunnery." As he spoke, he didn't dare to refuse Shen Guisheng anymore, and he entered the nunnery.

Qianlong listened and was quite displeased. He didn't know the origin of this play, but he read more history books of the Ming Dynasty, and he had the impression that the Ming Dynasty did not have a family and soared into the sky, and he made the story of the general manager all the way. There was indeed a position of governor in various parts of the Yuan Dynasty, but in the Yuan Dynasty, there did not seem to be many such people. However, after entering the Qing Dynasty, there were often military attaches who were born as slaves in the Eight Banners, and they were able to serve as high-ranking officials because of their outstanding military achievements. asked Jiang Chun: "Guangda, when is the story of this comment?" ”

Jiang Chun replied: "The minister doesn't know very well, it is said that it is from Suzhou. Said ...... It's a matter of a former dynasty's first assistant, right? ”

Qianlong muttered: "If the former Ming said that the first assistant surnamed Shen, it should be Shen Shi. But at that time in the Ming Dynasty, Nanjing Jiangning Mansion was the capital of the company, but where was there a son surnamed Lan who could be the governor of Nanjing? ”

Jiang Chun still didn't answer, He Shen knew what he meant, and knew that Qianlong thought that this "family child" might involve this dynasty, in case he felt that he was alluding to this dynasty, he was afraid that this "Jade Dragonfly" would not need the Shen family to complain, and Qianlong himself would be banned from acting. I also felt that Qianlong and Jiang Chun had a dialogue, and the language was very polite, Jiang Chun should be a person trusted by Qianlong, maybe he had a good relationship, and he could help him in the future.

He is familiar with officialdom, and he pays attention to the resumes of the ministers of the DPRK and the Central Committee on weekdays, and suddenly remembered a person, so he helped Jiang Chun relieve the siege, and said: "Lord Jiang, the current governor of Hedong River in this dynasty is surnamed Lan, in fact, he was born in Jinshi, and has nothing to do with his family's children. The surname Lan is not significant, but it will make people listen to it interestingly. If Lord Jiang watched this drama read like this, he was afraid that it would be spread in the future, and it would make people look down on Lord Lan. "In fact, at that time, the governor of Hedong River, named Lan Dixi, was a native of Shanxi, and He Shen remembered this section, so he mentioned Jiang Chun, this play needs to be revised.

Jiang Chun was so shrewd, listening to He Shen's order, and thinking of the birth of a child, he already understood for a while, and said: "Thank you, Your Excellency, the emperor was negligent, and he almost delayed Lord Lan, and the minister told them afterwards that the relevant content must be changed." Since the relevant ones have to be changed, it is natural that "family children" cannot be said.

"It doesn't matter if you don't change it." Qianlong thought that since this story was handed down by the Ming Dynasty, presumably the people would not think much about it. He added: "It's just that this story is really bad, I remember that the last time I came, you also arranged a commentary, called "Trial of Diao Case". It was a good play, I remember. ”

Jiang Chun didn't answer for a while, Jiang Fang knew the reason, and quietly said to Jiang Chun from behind: "Brother, the "Trial of Diao Case", the prefect checked the script the year before yesterday, and it has been banned. ”

"Trial of Diao Case" involves a married woman Diao Liu's adultery with outsiders, although in the end Diao Liu's was finally corrected for violating the law of the country, this is also a story of preaching and edification. However, some people think that the adultery scene is a work of "prostitution", and they even banned the play together. When Jiang Chun heard this, he probably understood the reason for the matter, but he didn't dare to say it directly. said: "Your Majesty, the "Trial of Diao Case" is really good, but it's a pity that the foolish people are ignorant, the song is high and low, and no one is acting now." In fact, this Yangzhou comment is not what the minister is best at. The minister's family was originally in Huizhou, where there was another minister's troupe, if the emperor was willing, the minister was willing to go to Beijing to help the emperor. ”

Seeing the gentlemen and ministers in the hall talking freely, it was not finished for a while. The father and son of the Ruan family in the audience watched "Jade Dragonfly", but they also thought it was quite interesting, the father and son of the Ruan family did not go out much on weekdays, and they did not want to waste money on such expensive long comments, but this time it was an eye-opener. Ruan Yuan saw the conversation between the monarchs and ministers in the hall, although he couldn't hear what he was talking about, but he felt that the atmosphere was very harmonious, and he also smiled: "Dad, you see that the emperor and Uncle Jiang are like two friends who have known each other for many years. ”

Ruan Chengxin said: "Your Uncle Jiang has greeted him six times, and the emperor naturally treats him differently. What do you have? Have you taken the driver? The emperor sees you, but he is just an ordinary scholar, how good can he treat you? Yang Ji also disdained him, drinking and eating by himself.

But Ruan Yuan looked at the Qianlong monarchs and ministers in the hall, and couldn't help but have a hint of imagination: If I could also sit in front of the emperor, how good would it be? After all, he is not deeply involved in the world, and he does not know much about the court and the world.

Seeing that this drama will continue to be performed, it is the part where Shen Guisheng intends to rape the nun Wang Zhizhen, Wang Zhizhen is kind by nature, and wants to persuade Shen Guisheng to abandon evil and follow good, and the two are at a stalemate for a while. Qianlong is so shrewd, seeing this paragraph, he can't help but sigh: "This girl is so confused, seeing this foolish child, she is like a beast, and she still wants to persuade him?" Quanda, I watched this drama and felt a little heartache. ”

Jiang Chun hurriedly said: "Don't worry, the emperor, this script is to warn the world, there are many unvirtuous people in the world, and it is not good to persuade them." Most women are kind by nature, and they are also prone to losses. After watching this drama, I know that there are these wicked people in the world, so I know how to protect myself and will not suffer any more losses. ”

Qianlong said with a smile: "If this is the case, this drama is not bad, and it has the purpose of edification." Quanta is in the people, and he can also share the worries of the country and do educational things, which should be rewarded! Wang Jie, a glass to Mr. Guangda. ”

Wang Jie went south with Qianlong, although he was close to him, he was always a little unhappy when he remembered what happened before. Seeing Jiang Chun and He Shen talking to each other on this day, they actually looked down on Jiang Chun. But even so, if Qianlong had asked him to toast on weekdays, he would not have shirked. But at this time, it was the mourning period, and it was originally impossible to drink, so how could it be overstepped at this time? Then he replied: "Your Majesty, the ministers are still guarding the system, and this drinking thing ......"

"It's a state affair." Qianlong said: "Wang Jie, you are the secretary of the military department of the DPRK and the Central People's Republic of China, and you are a model in the world for your academic virtues on weekdays. Today, Quanta asked people to perform this play, originally to educate the people, and it is the same journey as you. If you don't respect this wine, who will I let you to? Although you are in control, but the affairs of the state are important, so you drink this cup! ”

Seeing that Wang Jie hesitated for a while, He Shen immediately smiled and said: "Lord Wang, your mother is filial piety, and the world knows it." Drink this cup of wine, and people in the world can still say that you are not filial because of this cup of wine? Moreover, this cup of wine is the will of God, and by drinking it, you are loyal to the country. The so-called loyalty, filial piety, loyalty and filial piety, which comes first, Lord Wang can think clearly. "Since He Shen took office, Wang Jie has not befriended him, so He Shen has always been dissatisfied with Wang Jie in his heart, and at this time there is a rare opportunity to cater to Qianlong and squeeze Wang Jie, so he naturally has to seize it.

Seeing that Qianlong urged again and again, and He Shen fanned the flames, Wang Jie didn't dare to say more, so he had to pour a full glass of wine and drink a glass with Jiang Chun. But the wine that Jiang Chun prepared that day was an old wine, and Wang Jie's wine was not high, so he thought that he didn't have to drink, but he didn't care. But after drinking a glass at will, it was no longer enough to drink, and his head gradually hurt, and he couldn't raise his head again.

Yang Ji also drank a lot below, watching this scene, he felt that this little nun was too confused, no matter what happened in the future, she was asking for her own hardship, and it had nothing to do with him. Fortunately, most of the officials and gentry in the audience were watching the play, and no one paid attention to such a small person. Ruan Yuan's father and son looked at Yang Ji and felt that if the father and son could take him home, they would not trouble the Jiang family.

Unconsciously that it was getting late, it was already the second watch, and the kind-hearted Xu Governor's Mansion took in the child to raise him, but because the child was the blood of the Shen family, he had to return the child to the Shen family. The story is nearing the end, Qianlong read it, but he is quite worthless of this Xu prefect. "Although this story is interesting, I don't think it's actually humane. That Xu Zhifu has raised the child for 20 years, and he has long been like his own parents with the child, how can he let him go back because the child's biological father is the Shen family? This Shen Guisheng was originally a beast, so he couldn't leave an heir, and he was also to blame. Could it be that twenty years of kindness is not as good as that night of cheating? Quanta, there are some parts of this story that I don't think are good, but I still have to change it, you can remember it. ”

Jiang Chun listened to it and knew that it was a great fortune that "Jade Dragonfly" was not directly banned from performing, so he naturally said yes again and again. Qianlong said to the ministers again: "You are an official on weekdays, and you have to participate in the big trial every year in the court, and you have to participate in them one by one, whenever you encounter a similar case, don't be stubborn in the name of what biological parents, if the biological father is ruthless, the adoptive father will do his best, and let the child be filial to the adoptive father, can you remember?" "Ministers should be. In fact, people are not plants and trees, who can be ruthless, this kind of thing everyone knows that the adoptive father is naturally more respectable than the biological father. But similar things, Confucianism does not explicitly say that you should abandon your biological father and follow your adoptive father, so many officials are afraid of trouble, and they still have to rely on their biological father, which is not something that the emperor can change with a word.

He Shen saw that Qianlong was displeased, and he also had a way to solve his worries, and said: "Actually, the minister thinks that the emperor can be relieved." This comment speaks of the previous dynasty. The kings of the previous dynasty were confused, and the ministers were reluctant, so they naturally died. But my dynasty is different, my dynasty is the king of the sage, and the minister is a virtuous minister, how can it be compared with the previous dynasty? When Qianlong heard this, he was also a little satisfied.

Suddenly, I heard Wang Jie say: "What you said is very true! If the monarch is wise and virtuous, my Qing Dynasty can naturally be forever! It turned out that Wang Jie was getting drunk, and when he heard He Shen's flattering words, he couldn't help but criticize a few words, and at this time he was delirious, so he couldn't care about Chaoyi.

Although Wang Jie was drunk, it was indeed rude to suddenly say such a sentence. The ministers in the middle of the seat couldn't help but be a little panicked, and they whispered for a while. A second-grade official in the back immediately shouted: "Wang Jie, don't be so rude!" Seeing that he is quite young, not a few years older than Ruan Yuandu, he is Qianlong's nephew Fu Chang'an, who has always been in harmony with Shen and Wang Jie.

Qianlong listened, of course he knew what Wang Jie meant, he had always looked down on He Shen, this "minister" article, in Wang Jie's opinion, naturally did not exist. I'm afraid that the word "Junming" will also be discounted, and I can't help but feel a little unhappy. But he also knew that these words were originally admonishing Qianlong, not a big rebellion. He didn't want to listen to people, but he still knew in his heart what the minister's character was. Then he said: "It's okay, Wang Jie is drunk, you can help him go back first." Wait until tomorrow, and let him return home to guard the system. ”

For a while, the two ministers in the back row walked up and helped Wang Jie to retreat gradually. Qianlong also passed down the will, and the banquet was over, and the officials and gentry in the hall returned home on their own. Ruan Chengxin saw that the song was over, and he also told Ruan Yuan to prepare to leave Jiangfu. Ruan Yuan was still looking at the hall, he couldn't hear what Wang Jie said, he only felt that the relationship between the monarch and the minister was really unusual. But his father urged him again and again, so he had to reluctantly help Yang Ji and go back together.

Qianlong said goodbye to Jiang Chun, and the group drove to the Gaomin Temple Palace to rest. He has a lot of opportunities, and it is inconvenient to stay in Yangzhou for a long time. After staying in Gaomin Temple for a day, the monarch and his party boarded the ship and set off and returned to the capital, and Yangzhou also returned to its usual appearance.

Yang Ji lived in Ruan's house after that, and he always looked down on Ruan Yuan's scholarly dress, so he simply prepared servant clothes and hats, and helped Yang Lugao work on weekdays. Whether it is sprinkling the hall or preparing meals, they are very active. Yang Lugao persuaded him several times that he didn't have to do this, but he didn't listen, insisting on not being a fellow traveler with Ruan Yuan.

On the morning of this day, I saw Ruan Yuan and Jiang Cai come to Nguyen Cheng Xin Chen Province again. According to the etiquette at that time, children should greet their parents in the morning and evening, commonly known as "morning and dusk province", Yang Ji did not understand it at the beginning, but after seeing it a few times, he got used to it. It's an ordinary day. Suddenly, Ruan Yuan said: "Daddy, the child and his wife have already discussed, and they will prepare today, and they will leave the day after tomorrow to go to Yizheng Guanxue." ”

Ruan Chengxin hurriedly said: "Why should Bo Yuan be in such a hurry, it's only June, don't worry." Ruan Yuan said: "Back to Daddy, the child thinks that the next year's hospital examination will be in March and April, and this looks like there is only half a year left." The child doesn't know how to test the law in the college exam, if you go to the official school over there, and have deeper qualifications than the child, it's good to ask in time. Best...... It's best to recruit students in the next year, so that your father can rest assured. ”

Ruan Chengxin thought about it, and his son made sense, so he said: "Dad has also heard that this Yizheng County School, Mr. Wang has recently come, he is a first-rate person in Huaiyang, if you go to meet him, maybe you can have more friends in the future, then go." ”

Ruan Yuan thanked his father, looked at Jiang Cai, and couldn't help but feel a little sad thinking that he was about to leave. Said: "Cai'er, I will not be back for a while, you stay at home, don't worry." ”

Jiang Cai said: "Master, what do I have to worry about, you said that we have only been married for more than half a year, but I think ah, looking at my husband, half a year is enough." In the past six months, whenever you have time, you have always missed me, and I am afraid that I will be tired of whatever I do. With such a character as yours, where else can you find it in the world? That's why I'm not worried, but on weekdays, Master must remember to eat more, don't read books, and forget the hour. Although Ruan Yuan and Jiang Cai have not been married for a long time, Ruan Yuan always thinks about Jiang Cai, and he is extremely affectionate on weekdays, Jiang Cai naturally has a deeper trust in Ruan Yuan than when he first entered Ruan's house.

Ruan Yuan went back to his room to prepare his clothes first, looked at Yang Ji, and politely made a gesture, but Yang Ji didn't care about any courtesy, and accepted it directly. I thought in my heart, this son of a loser only knows the love of his children all day long, what can he do? It's best to go, and when I was thinking like this, I suddenly heard Ruan Chengxin say:

"Yang Ji, this time you will go with Bo Yuan, how about it?"

Yang Ji was shocked, and Ruan Chengxin smiled: "Actually, letting you go, it's not for you to take care of Boyuan." He himself is old, so he will naturally take care of himself. I have something else for you to see, when my family was naturalized in Yizheng, I used to buy some land, about 100 acres. That's probably going to be a ...... It's been almost 80 years, and the family has been divided several times, and some have been divided among other elders and brothers, and there are more than ten acres in my name. You might as well go and take a look, this year's rent still has to be collected. ”

In fact, the Ruan family's land in Yizheng was already a matter of the Kangxi period, and after two generations of separation, there were not many people who passed on to Ruan Chengxin. Some other distant relatives of the Ruan family lived in Yizheng and Gongdao Bridge in the north of Yangzhou, and Jiao Xun married the daughter of a cousin of Ruan Chengxin, and has been living in Beihu, very close to Gongdao Bridge. It's just that the Ruan family is busy with affairs on weekdays, and they rarely move around with these cousins and brothers, so Yang Ji doesn't know. After listening to Ruan Chengxin's words, after probably understanding the situation, Yang Ji stopped talking, thinking that this place is only a day's journey from Yizheng, and it is only a matter of time before he gets rid of Ruan Yuan, so he will endure it for one more day, so what's the matter?

But Yang Ji was still a chess player, and Ruan and Yang arrived at Yizheng County after a while. Ruan Yuan had been to Yizheng and knew that there was a Zifu Temple near the north gate, which was specially used for scholars to settle down. So I went there and booked a room. Seeing that Ruan Yuan was ready, Yang Ji turned around and left. But as soon as I walked out of the door, I thought about it, and I didn't know where Ruan's family property was. I had to go back and ask Ruan Yuantian where he was located.

"What's wrong? Can't bear me? Just out and back? Ruan Yuan smiled: "If you want to dump me, it's not difficult, you have to do your own business first, right?" Although Ruan Yuan knew that there seemed to be some festivity between Yang Ji and him, he also knew that Yang Ji was quite kind by nature and had no evil thoughts. Thinking that even if he never said a word to himself, he should never say sarcastic words to him. So on the very few occasions when the two of them had to meet to take a photo, Ruan Yuan was still very polite, and even occasionally joked to ease the atmosphere. After all, Yang Ji has some old friends with the Ruan family, and if he really messes with him, it is always a matter that is not in line with the popularity of reading.

But jokes are jokes, but Ruan Yuan was prepared, and took out a map from the baggage, indicating the location of Ruan's family's farmhouse, where it still belonged to Ruan Chengxin, and handed it to Yang Ji.

Yang Ji was also a little embarrassed, but he still wanted to save face, and said, "Less proud!" Don't always think of yourself as a person. If Xiao Engong hadn't asked me to come over, I would have loved to stay at home. As he spoke, he took the drawings as well, and he didn't want to look up, so he went out with his head down.

Ruan Yuan was also a little amused when he saw Yang Ji like this. But the matter of the examination was important, so he stopped talking, and after cleaning up properly, he walked in the direction of the school palace. The school palace is located in the east of the middle of Yizheng County, Yizheng County was originally not big, Ruan Yuan did not go far, and he arrived at the main gate of the school palace. After reporting his name and verifying his identity, he entered the official school.

In front of the official school is the Dacheng Hall and the Minglun Hall, which is safe and sound, these places are empty, and there are few people coming and going. Ruan Yuan looked at the layout of the official school, there were a few side rooms on the left and right, and seeing that there was no one in the west for a while, and there were two people coming and going in the east, he went to the east first to see if there were any people in the same way.

When I walked to the side hall, I could only hear the sound of quarrels. Ruan Yuan hurriedly listened to it, and it turned out that one of them said: "Mr. Ci Zhong told me that day, the Sui Dynasty Guizi music entered the Central Plains, and then gradually used it, and the Central Plains music could not be circulated, so it can be seen that the music that prevails now is not the right sound." ”

When Ruan Yuan heard this voice, he felt that it was Jiao Xun, and he was immediately overjoyed. I heard another person: "I don't think Mr. Cizhong's words are reasonable. From my point of view, this music has the genus of spring and snow, and the genus of the lower riba people. Are all the pleasures that prevail today all the people of the lower riba? I don't think it is necessarily, if it is because a certain music comes from the Central Plains, it is called Yangchun Baixue, and a certain music is from the Western Regions, it is called the lower Riba people...... Haha, this music theory is too shallow. ”

Ruan Yuan seemed to be a little familiar with this voice, so he walked to the door and said, "Student Yi Zheng Ruan Yuan, I have come to see the two gentlemen." ”

The door opened suddenly, Ruan Yuan looked at the person in the door, sure enough, it was Jiao Xun, he was overjoyed for a while, and hurriedly hugged Jiao Xun, and said, "Litang!" I didn't expect God to have mercy on you and me, and we can still meet here. What is the matter with the ritual in the hall? Jiao Xun has already started the word, called Litang, and Ruan Yuan called it by the word.

Jiao Xun said with a smile: "I knew that Bo Yuan had ordered the fourth place in the county school, so I was so happy, I came to wait for you!" But thinking about it, this is not all the case, and said: "Actually, I am already a student, so I need to find a place to continue to prepare for the township examination in the coming year." I heard that there was a Mr. Wang Rongfu who was only eight years old, so he came to ask for advice, who knew that as soon as they met, this almost fought. ”

Ruan Yuan looked at the door, and sure enough, there was still one person, although he was only wearing coarse cloth clothes, but his eyes were full of arrogance, as if everyone in the world was just like this. Then he bowed and said: "In Xia Yi Zheng Ruan Yuan, dare to ask Mr. ......"

The man said: "In Xia Wang, the word Rongfu, the old brother Jiao Litang Jiao just now, what he said is in Xia." He told me before that he had a friend who was going to study, named Ruan Boyuan, who was you, right? ”

Wang Zhong was named in this newspaper, but Ruan Yuan was taken aback. It turned out that Wang Zhong had been well-known in Huaiyang many years ago, and as soon as a "Mourning Salt Boat Text" came out, it revived the text after it had been silent for thousands of years. Ruan Yuan thought about what his father said about Mr. Wang, who must also be this person, and couldn't help but be very happy.

But listening carefully to Wang Zhong's accent and hearing that he was the author of "Mourning Salt Boat Text", Ruan Yuan suddenly remembered something and asked: "Brother Rongfu, when I was a child, I went to this Yizheng, and that day there was an unexpected fire on the river, burning many salt boats. At that time, there was a scholar behind me, and that man once said, 'Whoever gathers the remnants of the head of the civet is in the same hole, and the ashes are collected and the remaining bones are burned.' I didn't know it at the time, but later I read Brother Rong Fu's article and realized that it was Brother Rong Fu's work. At that time, on the bank of the river, could it be Brother Rong Fu? ”

Wang Zhong smiled: "Haha, I don't want Bo Yuan to be there at that time!" People are also fierce? How cool is it from the sky? What is the husband, and this is the extreme! It seems that there is a fate between you and me! It's just a pity that the tragedy at that time, I still can't forget it, Bo Yuan and I have a fate, which is a fortunate thing, but don't mention the events of that year. But listening to Ruan Yuan's ability to read out the words he wrote, he was also happy in his heart, thinking that although this boy was young, he might be a confidant, and he gradually had a good impression.

Ruan Yuan naturally agreed, and bowed again: "Brother Rong Fu is merciful and compassionate, and the younger brother was able to meet today, and it was really in vain." ”

Jiao Xun was afraid that the two of them would suddenly be silent and forget about other things, so he hurriedly interjected: "Boyuan, you came here today, the time is just right." A few days ago, when I was in Jiangdu, I met Mr. Ling Cizhong and had a lot of exchanges with him. Today is here, and I met Brother Wang again, with the strength of several of us, Bo Yuan wants to take the exam, isn't it easy? "Ling Cizhong was the Confucian Ling Tingkan at that time, and he was already quite famous among Confucians at this time, and he was regarded by Jiao Xun as his teacher.

Wang Zhong said: "You don't mention Mr. Cizhong, in my opinion, it's just that." In this world, I only think that there are two people above me, one is the late Mr. Dongyuan, the other is Mr. Jiading Xinlin, and then I am below. You teach such a vulgar Confucian, but I am afraid that I will mistake my brother Bo Yuanxian. In fact, Ling Tingkan was also a talented person at that time, but Wang Zhong has always been arrogant and looks down on almost all scholars in the country, so he also scolded him together.

Ruan Yuan said with a smile: "Brother Rong Fu is a genius in the world, but the younger brother is still young after all, and if he listens to the words of his predecessors, he will always not suffer." ”

Wang Zhong said: "Don't listen to the nonsense of outsiders, if you want to take the test for this student, just listen to me, it's enough." If I name me, you'll know that this student exam couldn't be easier. Brother Ruan Xian, do you know who Jiangsu Xuezheng is at the moment? ”

Ruan Yuan was preparing for the exam, of course, he would have heard of the examiner, and said, "Little brother heard that it is Xie Yong Xie Shilang in the imperial court?" ”

Wang Zhong said: "It's Gong Xie!" But you may not know that when I was taking the exam that day, my mentor was also this Xie Shilang! He had a lot of dealings with me that day, and I knew very well the key to being a scholar. So Brother Boyuan, if you come to Yizheng County to study, it will be equivalent to...... I know the exam questions for next year in advance! ”

When Ruan Yuan heard Wang Zhong's words, he was naturally overjoyed. It seems that with the help of Wang Zhong and Jiao Xun, as long as you work harder, the Yangzhou Academy Examination next year should be no problem.