But even so, Ruan Yuan had made up his mind to enter Beijing, so he found a day and went to Yangzhou Mansion to visit Xie Yong, and told him that he was willing to go north with the teacher.

At this time, I saw a servant outside coming over and delivering a letter, "Master Xie, Mr. Xin Li and Mr. Yuanru are here and are waiting outside." ”

Xie Yong smiled and said, "Boyuan, today is a double happiness!" You decided to go north, Mr. Xin Lian came to see me again, and Yuanru also came? Then I'll have to treat them well! As he spoke, he walked to the door of the school in three steps and two steps. Ruan Yuan also followed the teacher and walked to the door. I saw that Qian Daxin was still full of spring breeze, standing in front of the door, and there was a white-faced scholar behind him, with a slight beard.

When Qian Daxin saw Xie Yong, he also hurriedly stepped forward and said with a smile: "Brother Jinpu, I haven't seen you for half a year, and your complexion is not bad." This is? Bo Yuan! I remembered, I have read the list of Jiangning Mansion, and Bo Yuan has also taken it in it! Haha, you have to talk to me for a few more days about this "Twenty-Four History"! ”

Of course, Xie Yong was also overjoyed, and asked: "Xin Lin, you don't enjoy happiness in your hometown in Jiangnan, what are you doing in Yangzhou?" Is it to see me, or is it to see Boyuan? ”

Qian Daxin said with a smile: "You are close to me, if it is just you, I am reluctant to give up the silver of one or two ferries." I was lecturing in Jiangning, no, Yuanru was also there, he was also preparing to go north to take the exam, and the old man thought that he had only learned people, and he always wanted to talk to him. I didn't think that the day before yesterday, Mr. Eryun's post in the capital also arrived, saying that he hadn't seen him for many years, and he wanted to talk to me! You see, aren't all these coincidences asking me to return to the capital? In that case, then I have no choice but to be respectful rather than obey. Bo Yuan, if you have won this township test, would you like to go north with us? Ruan Yuan also told Qian Daxin about his preparation to enter Beijing with Xie Yong. Mr. Eryun's name is Shao Jinhan, and the last part of the "Twenty-four History" "History of the Old Five Dynasties" was rediscovered, and it was because of his merits that he also had a lot of opinions on "Erya", and he was a scholar who ran through the classics and history.

Qian Daxin listened to Ruan Yuan's words and was naturally overjoyed. But Ruan Yuan looked at the white-faced man behind Qian Daxin, but he felt a little familiar. He has only been to Jiangnan once, it seems that he has not seen it during the year, if it is not Jiangnan knowing, or because he has been to Yangzhou, he wants to come forward to ask the truth. Qian Daxin saw Ruan Yuan's curiosity and said with a smile: "Bo Yuan, this is Sun Yuanru of Yanghu, a famous Xingyan, in terms of knowledge, he is second to none in this Jiangnan." How? Did Bo Yuan know each other before? ”

Ruan Yuan hurriedly bowed his hand and said with a smile: "It turned out to be Brother Yuanru, who was disrespectful." It's just that I want to ask, has Brother Yuanru been to Yangzhou before? It seems that he had a relationship with Brother Yuanru before. ”

That Sun Xingyan smiled and said: "Brother Bo Yuanxian, since you are filial piety on the same list this year, you are also a classmate." Twelve years ago, I did come to Yangzhou once, when I was in Anding Academy, and Mr. Meng Dongyuan gave a lecture for one day, and I still feel that I have benefited a lot. "Filial piety is an ancient title, and the Qing people often use filial piety to refer to people.

Ruan Yuan listened to his introduction, and suddenly remembered that when he was eleven years old, he and a scholar named Sun Xingyan and a scholar named Hong Liangji went to Anding Academy to listen to Dai Zhen's lecture for half a day. At this time, in retrospect, the white-faced man named Sun Xingyan was vaguely like this. Daxi said: "Could it be ...... Brother Yuanru who met in Hongqiao that year? On the wine shop that day, the younger brother took the liberty to listen to Brother Yuanru talk about Prince Zhaoming, so he followed, I didn't think that today, you and I can meet again! ”

Sun Xingyan was also overjoyed when he heard Ruan Yuan's words, and stepped forward to hug Ruan Yuan and said, "Boyuan, I didn't expect you and me to have such a fate!" I was just a joke that day, but I didn't want to lead you up, I used to listen to Mr. Higashihara's lectures, and today I am the same list, it seems that you and I are destined to be confidants! It's just that I didn't expect you to be admitted to the lifting of people so quickly, and I will be miserable, brother, and since then, it has been 12 years since then! ”

Ruan Yuan was also very happy, and said with a smile: "Yuanru, in fact, when I was reading the papers with Master Xie En, I heard him mention you, saying that if you have succeeded in governing the "Shangshu" over the years, the first thing is Brother Yuanru!" Haha, Brother Yuan Ru entered Beijing this time, I think he has already set a Jinshi quota, right? ”

Sun Xingyan said with a smile: "But this will try, after all, it is still the first four books." Okay, okay, we're not the ones who do the eight shares, what are we doing with all this? Boyuan, the wine shop in Hongqiao, I still remember it vividly, his Wensi tofu, that knife skill, that taste, hehe, Yangzhou is a must! Of course, it's also a must! You see that the shredded tofu is floating on the soup, but you don't realize it at all, what a superb knife technique this is? I've been here for 12 years, and I haven't met a second one! Wensi tofu is a specialty of Yangzhou, so Sun Xingyan has this saying.

Hearing this, Qian Daxin couldn't help laughing, and said: "Boyuan, this Yangzhou is your hometown, and you can't do without us for food and wine on weekdays!" I see, today we will be led by Bo Yuan, and then go to the Hongqiao for a meal. Seeing that this golden autumn season is almost over, if you don't eat a meal of crab, you will have to wait until next year! As he spoke, he pulled Xie Yong, Sun Xingyan and Ruan Yuan, and went to Tongsimen. The four of them feasted on this day, no problem.

After a few days, Ruan Yuan, Qian Daxin, Sun Xingyan and others talked about the history of the scriptures, and they also had some fun. Seeing that the day of Xie Yong's departure was approaching, Qian Daxin and Sun Xingyan were not from Yangzhou, so they began to prepare for the departure after playing here. But Ruan Yuan has grown up in Yangzhou for most of the past 20 years, and at this time, he is a little reluctant to think of leaving his hometown. In the next few days, he said goodbye to Sun Qian and others, and lingered in Yangzhou, looking at Xiao Qinhuai and Slender West Lake, and was always reluctant to leave. Qian Daxin and others knew that he was reluctant to give up, and they also let it go and did not interfere. Qian Daxin also said to Sun Xingyan that Ruan Yuan is so nostalgic for Yangzhou, he is a loving person, a well-educated person is easy to get, and he knows that he is difficult to find. It is a blessing for the two to meet a friend like Ruan Yuan.

In addition to lingering in Yangzhou, Ruan Yuan also sent letters one after another to say goodbye to the relatives and friends of the teacher. On this day, Qiao Shuyou replied that he was relieved to have a student like Ruan Yuan who dared to go north to take the exam, and only wished Ruan Yuan to go to high school as soon as possible. But thinking that Li Qingshan's body has gradually weakened in the past two years, and I heard that the people at Dong Zici said that he was bedridden for menstrual months, so he set a day to come to see the teacher, and Yang Ji also followed Ruan Yuan.

All the way into Li's house, Ruan Yuan said hello, and then entered Li Qingshan's bedroom, seeing that although the teacher was smiling, his spirit was not as good as it was back then, and he didn't feel sad, and said: "Mr. Li, it's useless to be a student, and I can't ask a good doctor to treat Mr., so the teacher can't get out of bed." ”

Li Qingshan said with a smile: "Bo Yuan, after you took the exam, you have been in high school for many years, although the teacher has been in good health for the past two years, but he is happy in his heart." I know my illness, even if you invite Langzhong, I'm afraid that my body won't be able to survive. I know a lot more about medication than you do. ”

Ruan Yuandao: "In fact, students know that if it weren't for the teacher's help, I am afraid that the students will not be able to pass the exam in the future." The teacher also brought the medicine that day, but he ......, "Thinking that my mother died before Li Qingshan's medicine, my eyes gradually moistened for a while, but I couldn't say a word."

Li Qingshan said: "Boyuan, you are a person who values love and righteousness, and the teacher likes it, but after all, you are still young, and there are some things that you have to be calm." You should go to the capital to take the test, but you must know that this world is the most difficult. The teacher once heard from the people of Beijing that only five out of 100 people were finally admitted. If you don't want to stop at the beginning, but want to be a jinshi, you should remember that it is normal to fall into the first place once or twice, and don't be impetuous. The teacher was supposed to take the exam that day, and it was the fourth time that he was admitted to a fellow jinshi. ”

Ruan Yuan nodded, remembering Li Qingshan's words. Even if the Jinshi is admitted, there are also "three first-class" points, and there are only three people in the first class, called the Jinshi and the first. The second class is generally about thirty or forty people, called Jinshi origin, and most of the Jinshi can only be ranked in the third class, called the same Jinshi background. In the Qing Dynasty, there were not too many scholars, and there were about 100 to 200 people at a time. However, in order to show the emperor's favor and win the trust of scholars, the Qing Dynasty opened many enkes, and often held examinations for two consecutive years.

But Ruan Yuan thought that he had always had a doubt before, he had never asked Li Qingshan, and he didn't care. But at this time, I am afraid that goodbye to the teacher is the trick. I couldn't help but blurt out: "Teacher, in fact, the student has always had a problem, but it's just ......"

Li Qingshan said with a smile: "You want to ask, I was already in the top three of the Jinshi that day, and I was supposed to enter the court as an official, but I didn't have time to be selected for an official position, so I returned to my hometown to teach, what is the reason, right?" Ruan Yuan was also a little embarrassed, but the teacher had no choice but to nod his head.

Although Li Qingshan has been bedridden for many years, when he talks about this past, he is interested, but there is also a trace of sadness in this interest. I only heard him say slowly: "Boyuan, I am a jinshi in the thirty-sixth year of Qianlong and the year of Xinmao. After I was admitted, the Cabinet Scholar Zhuang heard about my test paper and wanted to see it. Master Zhuang was very good, and when he saw that my family was poor, he wanted to give me some silver to subsidize my family, but I felt that it was useless, so I refused. But Mr. Zhuang was a man, and I saw that he was humble and hospitable, and I thought that I could make a deep friendship, so I made an appointment with him. I knew Liu Wenzheng before in the court, and he was below. ”

"But later, because I was only a third-class jinshi, I was not allowed to enter the Hanlin Academy, and I had no branch to study, so I had to be idle in Beijing and be an alternate magistrate. It can be known that there is a vacancy in the county, how can it be so easy, even if there is a vacancy, there are many people waiting to fill the vacancy in front, where can it be my turn so soon? And so I ...... I waited for three years at once. Until one day in the thirty-ninth year of Qianlong, Master Zhuang ...... At that time, he was promoted to squire, and I was also used to it, and he came to me again, saying that he had heard about the selection of the officials, and I finally had a gap to fill, and I chose to be the magistrate of Huining County, Gansu. I thought to myself that although Gansu has a long way to go, it is always a place to show your ambitions, and if you do well in the future, you will have the opportunity to be promoted. Haha, at that time, I was not allowed to confer an official in Beijing for three years, and the enthusiasm in my heart for serving the officials and the people had weakened a lot, but I still thanked Mr. Zhuang and went back to prepare by myself. But I didn't expect that night, a man dressed as a squire unexpectedly said that he was looking for me. ”

"I don't know the squire, and the accent is a little weird when I think about it now. He claimed to be a native of Huining County, Gansu Province. This time, he came to the capital thousands of miles away to sue the prefect of Gongchang Mansion, where he was located. But the reason for this, I don't know what the reason is, I don't know what the inside story is. ”

He said that his family was originally in Huining, and it was also a wealthy family, and it was not rich and expensive, but it also had a lot of land. It's a pity that he is dull by nature, and he can't read Chinese, and in the last year, he heard that there was a donation in the house, and he donated fifty stone wheat, so that he could make up for the students of the house, and if he doubled, he could also go to Beijing to make up for a national student. He donated 100 stone wheat to Gongchang Mansion, just to make up for a prisoner. Seeing that the wheat was also delivered, the government told him that the matter of the prisoner would take some time, and he was not in a hurry, so he went back to his hometown and waited. ”

"But one day, a man came to the house, and without saying anything else, he asked, 'I heard that you want to donate a prisoner, but what about a hundred stone of wheat?' When will you pay it? So saying, he took out the slip of the day that he had signed. The squire was puzzled, and asked about this hundred stones of wheat, which he had handed over the day before yesterday, but why did he donate again? The official document also has its own official seal, so how can it not be counted? Hurriedly asked the family to bring the official documents, which had their own official seals, thinking that they would not be wrong. ”

"Who knew that the two people in the palace actually said: 'The prefect has already asked us to find it, you only have the credentials of the prisoners that day, and the vouchers of receiving a hundred stones of wheat, we have never seen it, I think you are fake. If you want to make up for this prisoner, hurry up and pay the food, and don't be verbose. In fact, the imperial court donated money to the prison in Gansu, but after his reign today, it has not been able to do so for many years, but it was that year that the court did not know who it had heard, and it actually reopened the donation prison. At that time, everything was hastily created, and the credentials were not finely made, and it was very easy to be faked. The man saw that his credentials were indeed a little rougher, and he wanted to defend his innocence with the government, but it was also difficult. ”

But he thought about defending himself with the government, always asking for his own hardships, it was better to donate another hundred stones, although he donated more, as long as he could make up for the birth of the country, he would not lose anything, so he thought about donating again. But the other man below suddenly said, 'Brother Wang is wrong, he did not hand over a hundred stones of wheat, but the lord said silver. We can't take away so much wheat from you, but the adults said it would be more convenient, and a hundred stones of wheat will give you three hundred taels of silver. When he heard this, the squire became even more panicked. He said that his family is in Gansu, but his family has some land, and the whole territory of Gansu is not rich, and he has little silver, but where can he find three hundred taels of silver? Besides, if it weren't for the year of the great calamity, one hundred taels of wheat would have been bought, but why should you pay as much as three hundred taels? Moreover, the original intention of this donation was to store surplus grain in case of disaster and famine. ”

"When the prince saw that the squire was unwilling to pay the silver taels, he said, 'I forgot, but my lord specially instructed me to ask for silver instead of wheat.' We have little grain in Gansu, give us silver, and we will go to Shaanxi to buy grain and buy more. As for why you are asked for three hundred taels, don't you know how many difficulties there are in opening up the joints of the imperial court? In this peaceful season, you also donate a prisoner, and I will donate a prisoner, and the prisoners will only have a few places a year, and they don't spend much money, how can they get to you? If you give us three hundred taels, we will give you the credentials at once, and you will be in prison for a living, and you will not be verbose. ’”

"The squire didn't have that much cash in his hand, but how could he get it? I had to invite the two of them back first. Unexpectedly, after that day, these two men would come to the squire's house every day to ask for money. Seeing that they were persecuted like this, the squire felt that something was wrong, and the court had not been able to donate for many years, so why did he suddenly open his mouth again? I'm afraid that the donation is nothing. Although his family is in Gansu, he has a distant relative in Beijing, so he came to the capital and wanted to tell his relatives about it. He also learned that I was the next magistrate of Huining County, so he came to me overnight, wanting me to help him find some people in the court and report the matter to the court. ”

When Ruan Yuan heard this, he thought about the words and phrases of Gansu, donating to prisons, and changing wheat to silver, and suddenly remembered something, and said: "Teacher, what you said about Gansu can be related to the case of fraud in the 46th year of Qianlong?" ”

Li Qingshan nodded and said, "Actually, the matter of grain donation to the prison was reopened three months before I had to give Zhizhi County. It's a pity, the first person to be sacrificed is only the teacher and me...... No, maybe it's the squire. At that time, I only thought about helping him, and it was the first thing I did to know the county. But how did I know that so many people were implicated behind this. I told you that I knew Bachelor Zhuang, who once told me that he had a good relationship with Yu Minzhong, a university scholar at that time, and that Liu Wenzhenggong, whom I knew, had died last year, and that the successor was also Yu Minzhong. I thought that if I told Yu Zhongtang about this matter, I might be able to solve it. The next day, I told Mr. Zhuang about this, but after several days, there was no news. And in those days, even the squire did not know where to go. ”

"The next day, the documents of the ministry came down, and I will go to Huining County to take up my post in the next day. But in those few days I thought, something was wrong. The squire told me the location of his relative's house, and I went to see it that day, but unexpectedly his house was empty. He said that his family was not rich and had limited manpower, but he would never be like this? Bo Yuan, you see that although my body is weaker on weekdays, I am never afraid of things. But that day, I was inexplicably a little scared. ”

"When I returned to my apartment, I remembered the ins and outs of this incident, and the more I thought about it, the more I dared not think about it again. I'm afraid that the squire has already encountered an accident, and I don't know how many ghosts and ghosts there are in Gansu. Thought of there...... Alas, Bo Yuan, it's the teacher who is useless, and the teacher doesn't dare to go to Huining. The next day, he informed the officials that he returned to Yangzhou due to illness, and from then on, he did not ask about the officials. ”

Later, the emperor found out about Gansu's fraudulent relief, and Wang Kangwang and Chen Huizu all fell to the ground. And even in the middle hall, it is also involved. When the teacher thinks about it now, he is a little afraid, if he really went to Gansu that day, Boyuan, I am afraid that I will not be able to see a student like you. ”

The so-called Gansu bailout was the largest corruption case in the Qianlong period. Officials from almost all provinces of Gansu are involved. The so-called imposting refers to the fact that the court officials at that time did not collect grain in the name of donating to prisons, but only collected cash, but only filled their own pockets, and did not use any purpose for the court to prepare for famine. That year, Su Forty-three rebelled against the imperial court in Gansu, and Wang Tingzan, the political envoy, voluntarily donated money, and only then did he accidentally expose the matter. At one time, there were as many as 40 or 50 corrupt officials.

Ruan Yuan listened to Li Qingshan's words, and he didn't feel a little sad, held Li Qingshan's hand, and said, "Teacher, the student is confused, I don't know that the teacher still has such a past." It is the best way for the teacher to abandon the official and not go to the official on the same day, so why are you useless, teacher? It's just that back then, students didn't know the height of the sky, and they still wantonly spoke in front of you, and now that I think about it, I really regret it. ”

Li Qingshan said with a smile: "Bo Yuan, when I was young, I was also a person who didn't like eight shares. If you do everything properly, the teacher will not be so interested. If you dare to say that Baguwen is not, the teacher will know that you are not a person who is conservative and submissive. However, your experience is still shallow, if you blindly seek innovation and change, eclectic, but have no academic foundation to support, you are afraid that you will go astray, and it is the teacher who has mentioned you more. But this entrance to Beijing will be ...... Bo Yuan, even if you get into the Jinshi, the road ahead is not so simple. The teacher took the Jinshi exam, but in the end, he didn't become an official for a day, and he didn't receive one or two salaries. ”

Thinking of this, thinking that Ruan Yuan was young after all, and he was not deeply involved, he was afraid that he would enter the capital and not know how to advance or retreat in case of trouble, so he would harm himself, so he said: "Bo Yuan, the teacher knows, if you go, you may never see you again." The teacher has some words at the end, if you can listen to them, the teacher will go, and there will be no regrets. In the imperial court, it seems to be peaceful, but there are those who are selfish, there are those who are clever and sexual, and there are even some who are national thieves who are fake public and selfish, and who are flattered and bullied! If you enter the capital, you will inevitably have some contacts, and when the time comes, you will ...... I remember when you first came to my study hall, I asked you in the chapter of 'three years of study', and I said at that time that learning by doing nothing is studying for three years, and in the end there is nothing to gain. While you are preparing for the exam, you should also think clearly, what are you doing when you study and become an official? And who should be the people with whom they should associate? Speaking of this Jinshi, what I just said is in the middle hall, not only is it a Jinshi, he is still the champion of the second year of Qianlong, but he finally ...... Alas...... The teacher is not worried that you will not be able to pass the Jinshi exam, but at the moment, the teacher is only afraid that the person you have made is not human, and you will miss your life. ”

Ruan Yuan heard the teacher's sincere words, so he was naturally grateful and nodded. Seeing that Li Qingshan's body was weak, he said so many words, and he couldn't bear it. I went outside and poured some water and fed the teacher to drink.

Li Qingshan drank some water, but also felt tired, and gradually fell asleep. Ruan Yuan naturally didn't know at this time, and the following year, Li Qingshan died of a serious illness, and this day was also the last time he saw Mr. Li.

Ruan Yuan saw that Li Qingshan had already fallen asleep and was not good to disturb again, so he said goodbye to the Li family and prepared to return home from Dongguan. Seeing his sour expression, Yang Ji knew that the gentleman in the house might not be in a good situation, so he didn't say much, so he followed Ruan Yuan all the time, and gradually arrived at Dongguan.

Dongguan is one of the most prosperous markets in Yangzhou, with many shops, all kinds of trades, and many pear orchards for opera performances. It's just that at this time, it is already dusk, and the pedestrians are gradually thinning, and many shops are reluctant to open at night, so they are ready to close. Yang Ji saw Ruan Yuan walking forward, and suddenly walked around a corner, but there was a vacant lot, and there was no one running a shop here.

Yang Ji was puzzled, only to see Ruan Yuan walk forward, looking at this clearing motionlessly, during which there were also people walking through it, but no one stopped here. After looking at it for a long time, Ruan Yuan suddenly smiled and said, "Do you know? When I was a kid, this was my favorite place to play. ”

Ruan Yuan looked at it and laughed, but Yang Ji listened, but there was a slight choking sound in it.

Seeing that Ruan Yuan was in a heavy mood, Yang Ji didn't dare to joke, and said, "Boyuan, this ...... What kind of place is this? ”

"The place where martial arts are fighting." Ruan Yuan smiled: "You can't think of it, we Yangzhou City, there are actually a lot of people who are good at boxing and martial arts." ”

"I didn't expect you to love watching these when you were a kid." Yang Ji looked at Ruan Yuan's weak scholarly expression, and seemed to really don't understand: "Then who are some people here?" ”

"When I was a child, I saw Xu Erguan, Cao Sanniang, and Xu Wuyong." As Ruan Yuan spoke, he couldn't help but recall the scene when he watched the martial artists fight each other. "Do you know, in the past, we had a woman here who lifted the stone lock, named Cao Sanniang, her body was strong, and they all called her 'Meat King Kong' at that time. There is a Liu Gongzi in Yangzhou, and his martial arts and boxing skills are not bad, and one day he was invited to fight on the street, thinking that although Cao Sanniang is strong, she is always a woman, and she will definitely beat her in strength. But who would have thought that after only one round of fighting, I saw that Cao Sanniang stretched out her hand, hooked it, and put it on the ground. It's only been one round, and I was shocked...... I couldn't say anything, but Uncle Yang called me to remember to go back. ”

Yang Ji said: "That's why you told me that although you were born weaker, you have always insisted on practicing martial arts?" ”

"That's not all the reason." Ruan Yuandao: "Practicing martial arts or my father taught me, my father often talks about "Zizhi Tongjian" and listens to me on weekdays, and the military battles in it are the most interesting to listen to when I was a child. My father is also good at riding and archery, and he often teaches me some things, so as a scholar, maybe I have more work than others on top of the bow horse. There is also the pear orchard over there, which you look small, but it is also cheap, and my father also took me there once when I was a child. ”

Thinking of the pear orchard, Ruan Yuan couldn't help but think about it: "What we went to listen to that day was "The Story of the Peony Pavilion", and we were lucky. I have forgotten who Du Liniang was that day, but when she sang the "trouble" section, I saw her shape, and when I heard her read the words, I couldn't save it, I didn't know before and after the play, but I also cried. "Trouble" is the twentieth play of "The Peony Pavilion", Du Liniang died of love in this play, and later returned to her soul after death, Ruan Yuan also listened to the drama and only knew.

Thinking of this, Ruan Yuan couldn't help laughing at himself: "I don't know what to do, go deep...... Liyuan, Wusheng, Yangzhou City, once I go today, I don't know when I will return. You say, I ...... Can I go back to Yangzhou again and watch Mr. Dong's "Peony Pavilion" again? Even if he can come back, Mr. Dong is still old...... And Mr. Li, you didn't see him today, I'm only afraid of ...... I'm just afraid of ......" Speaking of this, the tears could not be stopped, and gradually slipped down, and the shirt was wet for a while.

Yang Ji couldn't help but feel a little sad when he saw Ruan Yuan's true feelings revealed, or perhaps, it was Ruan Yuan's feelings that made him break through the last barrier. He began to believe that Nguyen Yuan was a friend worth making.

After all, Yang Ji traveled south and north, and his experience was richer than Ruan Yuan's. Seeing that Ruan Yuan was sad to this point, he knew very well that at this time, what Ruan Yuan needed was not a person who cried with him and shared sadness with him, but a person who could cheer him up, walk out of Yangzhou, and have the world in mind! And who else could that person be at the moment besides himself?

He has always been straightforward and does not embellish himself, so he said: "Boyuan, I know that you have been in Yangzhou for a long time, and you are reluctant to be here." Can...... But...... It's a big deal! You just say me, it took me more than a month to walk from Daqing Village to Changsha Mansion. Later, two waterways, all the way to your Yangzhou, that was nearly two months. I heard you say that I only walked five of the 18 provinces in the Central Plains, so you say, how big is this world?! You are reluctant to Yangzhou, but outside of Yangzhou, there are people you have never seen and things you have never seen. If you are reluctant to go out because you are reluctant to Yangzhou, then what you lose is many times more than what you are reluctant to lose! ”

"You are reluctant to Yangzhou, so are you willing to be willing to the capital and Jiangning Mansion? You are from Yangzhou, aren't you also from the Qing Dynasty? Bo Yuan, this Qing Dynasty is so big, you still have tens of thousands of miles to go in the future, but ...... Can't you waste the rest of your life because of this little prosperity in Yangzhou? ”

Ruan Yuan listened to Yang Ji's words, and although his sadness could not be exhausted, he couldn't help laughing, and said, "Yang Ji, you ...... When will you be willing to say such a thing to me? I don't see you reading much on weekdays, but I didn't expect that what you said is actually not bad. ”

"You...... Didn't you talk to me so much today? Yang Ji replied, and at this time, he gradually felt that maybe Ruan Yuan already had some place in his heart.

Ruan Yuan turned his head, and although Yang Ji saw that his eyes were still red and swollen, his face was much more relaxed.

"You're underestimating me, aren't you?" Ruan Yuan said with a smile: "I have already set October 20, and when I go north, I will walk with him. I didn't say that I was going to stay in Yangzhou and not leave? It's just that I've lived here for twenty-three years, and I still have some feelings, and if I leave without saying a word, won't I become a person who is unkind? Do you think if I were that kind of person, would you still want to be with me? ”

Yang Ji didn't need Ruan Yuan to point it out, and he already knew this section in his heart, and said, "That's ...... So what did you do like that? I'm about to cry, I thought you didn't want to leave? ”

"Feelings belong to feelings, and reason belongs to reason." Ruan Yuan said: "The big things that should be done must be done." But you can't lose your original temperament just because you want to do big things? I guess it's tiring to be like that, right? ”

Seeing the sunset gradually setting, although Ruan Yuan was still reluctant, he gradually turned south and prepared to go home. Yang Ji knew that Ruan Yuan did not care about anything else because he was attached to his hometown, so he was also relieved and followed Ruan Yuan to his home.

As he walked, Ruan Yuan suddenly said, "You just said that I have tens of thousands of miles to go." Even if I really got into the Jinshi, I might not have gone that far to become an official, right? Or are you just trying to exhaust me? ”

"When you go out for a walk, you will know how big the world is, so you won't feel that your Yangzhou is the first in the world. You see, I have eaten Wuchang fish in Hanyang Mansion and whitebait from Poyang Lake in Jiujiang Mansion, and the taste is very different from your Yangzhou Mansion? In my opinion, it is still the whitebait of Poyang Lake, which is delicious enough, and you can't do the fish here. ”

"You're kidding! We Yangzhou people can't do anything else, if we lose to Jiujiang people when we make fish, are we still called Yangzhou people? ”

"Then why don't you go eat once? Jiangxi is not far from here. ”

"If you really get the jinshi, you can also score to be an official in Jiangxi. What if I get to Shanxi and Henan? Haha, Jiangxi doesn't have to think about it. ”

"What if it goes to Jiangxi? Have you ever bet on dice? It's the same thing. ”

"Don't talk about dice, my family never plays that."

……

While laughing, the two have returned to Luowan. Ruan Yuan saw that the day of going north was approaching, and he also began to pack up and prepare books for the exam. In the blink of an eye, October 20 arrived.

On this day, the Ruan family separated from each other at home, Ruan Yuan and Jiang Cai went north together, and Yang Ji wanted to see the scenery of the northern country, so he also asked to go together. Ruan Chengxin saw that he and Ruan Yuan had a deep friendship, and he no longer had any worries, so he quickly agreed. It's just that Liu Wenru is still young, and after Ruan Yuan discussed with Jiang Cai, he felt that he couldn't take care of her if he took her, so he sent her back to Jiang Mansion for the time being. Seeing that the parting was imminent, Liu Wenru was naturally reluctant to Jiang Cai, and also cried with each other, and it was easy to separate.

Ruan Chengxin and Yang Lugao stayed at home, after all, Ruan Yuan went to live in the capital for a long time, or whether he would return to Yangzhou in the future, everything was unclear. The Ruan family's business is still in Yangzhou, and the whole family can't go north because Ruan Yuan is taking the exam. Although Ruan Yuan was reluctant, he had no choice but to say goodbye to his father and Uncle Yang. hired a car, took Jiang Cai and Yang Ji, and went to the Tianning Temple dock together.

When they arrived at the wharf, they saw Xie Yong, Qian Daxin, and Sun Xingyan waiting at the wharf, so the group went forward one after another, carrying the clothes and books used onto the boat one by one, which naturally took some effort. Seeing that Xie Qiansun and the others had finished decorating, Ruan Yuan's boat was gradually sorted out. I saw that outside the dock, two familiar figures appeared. Seeing that the figure was getting closer and closer, Ruan Yuan could already see clearly, one of the two was Jiao Xun and the other was Wang Zhong.

Ruan Yuan was naturally overjoyed, and hurriedly stepped forward and met the two first. Jiao Wang and the others returned the salute, and Jiao Xun said: "Boyuan, the capital is two thousand miles away from here. In the future, if you are alone in the capital, if you have something, your brother-in-law will not be able to help, but you have to take care. But then again, within a year, Jiao Xun's parents died, and I am afraid that he needs help even more.

Ruan Yuan also knew Jiao Xun's difficulties, and said: "Litang, I am in Beijing, with the help of Teacher Xie and Mr. Qian, it shouldn't be difficult." It's you, in fact, I haven't been living with you, I was thinking that after taking the exam, I would get a job and make my family more comfortable. But now there is more ...... Litang, I was originally a student in the house, and the monthly moon can still be issued for some time, and then it will be handed over to you for withdrawal. I'm in the capital, and there is also the head office Yinyou, so it's no problem to live my life. ”

Jiao Xun was grateful, and he also knew that since Ruan Yuan had made up his mind, he was disrespectful, and he didn't say anything more humble, stepped forward to hug Ruan Yuan, and said, "Bo Yuan...... Brother-in-law doesn't have much ability, he can't help you, you take the exam yourself, you passed, brother-in-law, your sister...... are also happy...... "Thinking that I don't know when I will be able to meet Ruan Yuan, I gradually shed tears."

Ruan Yuan comforted Jiao Xun for a while before helping him stop his tears. Looking at Wang Zhong, under the face that seemed to be smiling but not smiling, he was also a little reluctant, knowing that Wang Zhong was arrogant, so he said: "Brother Rong Fu, this name of Huaiyang's first genius will naturally be Brother Rong Fu in the future." ”

Wang Zhong said with a smile: "This is natural, Boyuan, don't think that you have passed the exam, you can sit on the top spot between Huaiyang." In terms of learning, you are still a little far away from me. Have you read my "The Truth or Error of the Great Dai Li"? I kid you not. Bo Yuan, one day, you will be able to write your own book and speak, and then come and grab the title of Huaiyang's first genius with me! ”

Ruan Yuan also knew that Wang Zhong was not only proficient in Confucian classics, but also had his own research on Xunzi, who had been neglected in Confucianism for many years, and even Mozi of the Mo family. said: "Brother Rong Fu, there are four schools of Confucianism and Taoism, Brother Rong Fu is able to penetrate it, and the younger brother is really out of reach." If you and I can still see each other in the future, in this section of "Mozi", the younger brother still has to consult Brother Rongfu. ”

Wang Zhong said: "I hope you and I can have a goodbye day." Bo Yuan, although you have to give me the position of the first talent in Huaiyang, I will not allow you to lose face if you try. Think about it, if you can be the top student in the capital high school, then I will no longer be the first talent in Huaiyang. When the time comes, I can tell you that I, Wang Rongfu, am the number one talent in the world! Ha ha! ”

Ruan Yuan listened to Wang Zhong's words, and couldn't help but feel funny, and said with a smile: "Then Brother Rongfu should take care, if the younger brother really wins the champion, go back and write you a big plaque of 'the world's first talent', put it on your main hall, let everyone look at it!" ”

The feeling of parting was also diluted a lot for a while, but although the three of them couldn't help laughing, there was finally a time to part. However, in half an hour, the passenger ship had gradually departed, Ruan Yuan said goodbye to Jiao Xun and Wang Zhong, boarded the passenger ship, and went all the way to the capital.

Seeing the city wall of Yangzhou, it has gradually blurred, and finally it is no longer visible. The river in front of him radiated to the northwest, and it seemed that it had reached Zhuyu Bay, and the passenger ship turned around, turning from the ancient canal to the Grand Canal, which was a completely new territory for Ruan Yuan. Thinking that in the future, he didn't know when he would be able to return to his hometown, Ruan Yuan couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy in his heart.

Jiang Cai saw that Ruan Yuan was sullen, and also walked over, and said with a smile: "If the master is unhappy. I have something to be happy about here, Master, would you like to hear about it? ”

Ruan Yuan was naturally puzzled and asked, "Madame has been at home for a long time, and she is actually happy?" Let's hear it. ”

Jiang Cai's cheeks were flushed, and he didn't want to speak for a while, so he only took Ruan Yuan's hand, slowly put it on his lower abdomen, and muttered for a long time before he mustered up his courage and said softly:

"Master, we have children!"