Located on the northwest edge of Huaiguo, separated from Wu by the Dan River in the west and by a Taihang Mountain in the north, Thanh Hoa City is an important commercial town connecting the three countries. The city has a large population, but many people are merchants who come to do business, and they belong to the floating population. Although he bought a property in Thanh Hoa City, most of his wife and children were not in the city.

Most of the wealthy businessmen were outsiders, and the people at the bottom could not afford to go to school, so there were only two academies in the entire Thanh Hoa City. One is the Songlin Academy, located in the southwest of the city, is the largest academy in Thanh Hoa City, and the mountain chief is the great Confucian Niu Zheng in the city, Niu Songzhu. The other academy is called Shanyang Academy, which is the private school of the Wang family, a large family in the city. A well-known merchant in the city of Qinghua of the Wang family, after the family grew stronger, he wanted to move closer to the Qingliu world, so he spent money to invite a famous gentleman to teach his children. Later, after the academy became famous, it also began to accept children with foreign surnames.

Zhang Shumo scratched his head, he wanted to make a name for himself in the Qingliu world, and the most direct way was to go to the academy to study, but his eloquence was not good, and most of the academy would not accept it, so how could he make the academy accept him?

"Brother-in-law!"

Zhang Shumo was thinking about it, when Lou Guang pushed open the door and walked in. Seeing that Zhang Shumo was still thinking about things, Lou Guang stomped his feet anxiously: "Brother-in-law, why have you locked yourself in the house and not come out these days?" People outside say that you lied to your sister, and you don't know any big officials in the capital at all! ”

"You, do you believe me or do you believe in them?" Zhang Shumo looked up at Lou Guang, if someone in the Lou family believed in him, I am afraid it would be Lou Guang.

"Of course I believe you! Outsiders say that my brother-in-law is stupid, but in fact, I know that my brother-in-law is not stupid at all. You can do such a difficult thing to choose crickets, what else can't you do? ”

After hearing this, Zhang Shumo shook his head with a smile: "Since this is the case, then why are you in a hurry." When the time comes, you will know the truth and falsehood. ”

"I'm not in a hurry, but even my mother and sister believe it, they are in a hurry now, and my mother and mother are still saying that my brother-in-law is not."

"Hey!" Zhang Shumo sighed, for the mother and daughter, he can't make them believe in himself at present, unless Lu Li can come back now. Thinking of Lu Lizhang Shumo, he hurriedly asked: "Yes, yes, is Boss Lu of the other door wine and restaurant back?" ”

Lou Guang touched the back of his head: "It doesn't seem to be, anyway, I haven't seen it in the past few days, is my brother-in-law worried that he didn't get the letter?" ”

"No, it's okay, I'm just, just ask." After speaking, Zhang Shumo raised his chin. Although this Qinghua City is far away from the capital, it is enough to ride a fast horse for 30 days to go back and forth, even if Lu Li's footsteps are slow, it has been more than two months now, and he should come back. But it doesn't matter if he doesn't come back, as long as the letter can be delivered.

After sending Lou Guang away, Zhang Shumo decided to go to the two academies to have a look, so as to find out some news.

Walking out of Lou's house, Zhang Shumo unconsciously glanced at the restaurant opposite, and sure enough, the door was closed, it seemed that Lu Li really didn't come back. This made Zhang Shumo feel a little uneasy in his heart, but there was no other way at the moment, he could only hope that Lu Li had other things to do, so he couldn't come back in time.

Zhang Shumo walked all the way south along the street, he planned to go to Songlin Academy first, after all, Songlin Academy was more famous than Shanyang Academy.

Pine Forest Academy is located in the southwest corner of the city, the location is relatively remote, and the area around the academy is also very deserted. When Zhang Shumo arrived, there was no one at the gate of the academy, but the gate was opened.

"Yes, anyone?"

Zhang Shumo knocked on the door, and a middle-aged man walked out of the courtyard after a while.

"This son came to the academy, I don't know what to do?"

Zhang Shumo hurriedly saluted the middle-aged man: "First, hello sir, I want to ask, ask if your academy can accept students and students as big as me?" ”

As soon as the middle-aged man heard Zhang Shumo's words, he raised his eyebrows: "Stuttering and still want to read?" You can't speak well, how do you do an article? And I see that you are not young, you have long passed the age of studying, so please go back. ”

Coldly put down this sentence, and the middle-aged man closed the courtyard door without waiting for Zhang Shumo's explanation.

Zhang Shumo smiled helplessly, although he had expected this to be the result, but he did not refuse so simply as the other party. Leaving Songlin Academy, Zhang Shumo walked towards Shanyang Academy again, although he didn't report any hope, but he had to try to know the result.

Shanyang Academy is the opposite of Songlin Academy, the academy is located on a lively street, and the entrance is even more magnificent, which looks a little out of place with the word "academy".

Before he arrived at the gate of the academy, Zhang Shumo saw two people talking at the gate of the academy with cricket jars. The man holding the cricket jar was a little younger, and he had a bit of a market air on him. The other man was an old man in his 50s, dressed as a scholar.

After looking at the two of them, Zhang Shumo couldn't help but guess: the two were standing at the gate of the academy, and the old man was dressed as a scholar, thinking that he should have a good relationship with Shanyang Academy; The middle-aged man was holding a cricket jar in his hand, and most of the things the two talked about were related to crickets. This cricket is their strong point, when they were young, because no one played with them, fighting crickets was their greatest pleasure, and this cricket became their own specialty. Thinking of this, Zhang Shumo quietly leaned in.

"This is not good, if it is less than 10 taels of silver, it will definitely not be sold! I spent a lot of effort to get this cricket from Xu Liangcheng, if you don't want it, I'll sell it to someone else. ”

The middle-aged man was holding a jar of crickets, and it seemed that the two were buying and selling crickets.

The old man couldn't help frowning when he heard the other party's words: "10 taels? Zhao San, you can't help but make too much money, right? ”

"Mr. Li, you said that as long as the goods are good, no matter how expensive they are. This cricket is the best color, you take a closer look, the head color is green gold, the head is high and round, the forehead protrudes and the eyes are high, it is the best Bodhi head in the best! If you give this cricket to Wang Gongzi, Wang Gongzi will definitely like it. ”

The old man thought for a while, and then sighed: "That's it! Since it is a gift, you can't be stingy, as long as the prince is happy, this academy will be safe. After saying that, the old man went to get the money.

"First, sir, and slowly."

Zhang Shumo stopped the old man, and the old man turned to look at Zhang Shumo: "What advice does this son have?" ”

"How dare you point out and instruct, just bear and worry that your husband will eat and suffer." Zhang Shumo said while saluting the old man.

Zhao San was unhappy when he heard it: "Where did you come from, wild boy, what are you talking about?" Do you think I've fooled Mr. Li? ”

Zhang Shumo smiled slightly: "I didn't lie to you, you know it yourself." I, I ask you, can this cricket fight? ”

Zhao San's eyes narrowed, and he said viciously: "Hairy boy, don't talk nonsense if you don't understand, I'm an authentic Bodhi head, how can I not fight?" Say nonsense again, watch Lao Tzu smash your mouth! ”

The old man looked at Zhang Shumo and said, "If this son sees something wrong, just say it." ”

"First, sir, this cricket is indeed a Bodhi head, but his body and body are frail and bearded, and he is already old, and he can't fight or fight. Don't believe it, you, you see. ”

After speaking, Zhang Shumo grabbed a dog's tail grass on the side of the road and began to tease the crickets. Ordinary crickets get angry when they are teased, but this cricket does not react when it is teased.

After reading it, the old man knew that he had been deceived, and he was furious: "Okay, you Zhao San, you dare to deceive the old man!" ”

When Zhao San saw it, his heart became flustered: "Mr. Li, I, I was also deceived, I will settle accounts with that person." After saying that, he took the cricket and ran away.

The old man nodded slightly to Zhang Shumo: "Thank you for reminding me, the old man Li Yi is the head of this Shanyang Academy, if you have something to do in the future, you can come to me." ”

Zhang Shumo was overjoyed when he heard the identity of the old man, and hurriedly gave a big gift to the old man: "Hello Mr. Li, Mr. Li, I, I came here this time, just to come to Shanyang Book and Academy." I don't know if the academy is willing to accept me as a student? ”

Li Yi's face instantly became embarrassed when he heard this, and in order to express his gratitude just now, he said casually, who knew that he was in the arms of this kid. He's a stammer, how can he make a fuss? But his own words have been released just now, if you reject his words, wouldn't it make people gossip?

Thinking of this, Li Yi asked with difficulty: "I don't know why Xiaoyou wants to study?" You know, with the eloquence of Xiaoyou, I'm afraid ......"

Hearing Li Yi's words, Zhang Shumo hurriedly rubbed his hands, bowed his body at ninety degrees, and gave a big salute.

"Mr. Li, Mr. Li, Zhou Yiyou, Youyun, Tian, Tianxingjian, the gentleman is self-improvement, self-improvement, I know that my body and body have defects, but still, still care about self-improvement, I hope that the first and Mr. will be perfect!"

Because Shanyang Academy is located in the downtown area, Zhang Shumo immediately attracted many people to stop and watch. When Li Yi saw this situation, he hurriedly went to pull Zhang Shumo: "You kid, get up and talk first!" ”

Zhang Shumo was pulled by Li Yi a few times, and then straightened up. Li Yi looked at it twice and said, "I can also quote scriptures when I hear you speak, have you read books before?" ”

"Mr. Hui, Mr. Hui, I used to read and read for a few years when my family and family were well-off, but now my family and family are in the middle of the road, so I don't read or study anymore."

Li Yi nodded, thinking in his heart: Although this kid stutters when he speaks, he can be regarded as a scholar based on his behavior, but this academy is the property of the Wang family, if I rashly make a stutter and enter the academy to study, I am afraid that the people of the Wang family will be dissatisfied in their hearts. It is better to arrange for him to be a miscellaneous servant, even if he returns his favor, it will not cause dissatisfaction among the Wang family.

Thinking of this, Li Yi said: "Since your family is in the middle of the road, where do you get the money to study?" In this way, there is a shortage of handymen in my academy, so you can come over if you want. I do chores on weekdays, and I can read with the students in my spare time. How is it? ”

Zhang Shumo was overjoyed in his heart, and hurriedly bowed again: "Thank you, sir, the boy is willing, willing." ”

Li Yi smiled and nodded: "Okay, you come with me." By the way, what's your name and where do you live? ”

"Mr. Hui, Mr. Hui's words, the little boy's surname is Zhang, his name is Shumo, and his family lives in the city and Lou's house in the east of the city."

"What?" Li Yi's face instantly fell: "You are the stupid son-in-law of the Lou family?" ”