Zhang Fan comforted his mother, seeing that her mother was tired after today's events, she let her lie on the bed to rest, and bothered Ma County to ask the officials to disperse the crowd gathered in front of the door with kind words, so as not to disturb her mother. Suddenly, Zhang Fan saw Ma Xianling gesturing to himself, as if he had something to say, Zhang Fan came to Ma Xianling, and was about to speak, Ma Xianling waved his hand to stop and said: "This is not the place to talk, and follow me to the county office, I have something to discuss with you." ”

"It's just a mother at home...... I was a little relieved. Zhang Fan was a little worried about his mother.

"It's okay, I'll leave someone here to take care of it." Ma County Ling said, summoned a servant, and carefully instructed him to stay in front of Zhang Fan's house, if Zhang's mother woke up, tell her that Zhang Fan would go back to the county government with him to discuss things, so as not to worry about Zhao. If anything happens, report it immediately. The official promised and sat in the living room of Zhang Fan's house.

Zhang Fan saw that the Ma County Order was properly arranged, so he relieved himself and followed him to the mansion behind the county office.

"Today I heard that Hu Er beat you on the street, what's going on?" Ma Xian Ling talked about this matter first.

"It's that Hu Er who came to me for no reason, he was beaten with a military stick by Sergeant Meng the day before yesterday, and he wanted to find me to vent his evil anger. I did it on the spur of the moment, and I'm ashamed to think about it now. Zhang Fan said.

"That Hu Er is a disaster on weekdays, I saw that he didn't make any big trouble, and no one sued the official, so I went with him, who knew that he dared to tease my two nieces. I saw him beaten with a baton, and I thought that he would restrain himself, but he still wanted to do that revenge. Ma Xianling said angrily, "This time, I arrested him and his gang in prison, thinking that I can't make any waves, and the virtuous nephew can rest assured." ”

"Thank you Ma County for ordering the people to eliminate harm." Zhang Fan looked at the head and said, "I don't know what else the adults have to say about me coming this time?" ”

"I almost forgot." Ma Xian Ling patted his head and said, "Virtuous nephew, you now have this Shaanxi Jieyuan, and you have fulfilled your grandfather's wish, congratulations!" ”

"Thank you, my mother, my mother has worked hard for me for more than ten years, and now I can repay her well." Zhang Fan was also very happy.

"Now that you are from a rising background, you can be regarded as stepping into the official career with one foot, do you consider reporting to your hometown in Yangzhou?" Ma Xianling never forgot what the Zhang family entrusted him.

"It should have been like this, but my lord talked to me that day, and when I got home, I didn't dare to ask my mother about it, but I also knocked on the side to inquire, and it seemed that my mother didn't want to say something. I think this matter is still slow. Zhang Fan refused.

"It's fine." Ma Xianling also felt that Zhang Fan's grandfather must have some instructions from Zhang's mother, so he didn't persuade him anymore, and said, "What are the plans of the virtuous nephew in the future, whether to enter Beijing to participate in next year's examination?" ”

"As it should be, the late students also plan to read more books at home and prepare to enter Beijing next year to catch the exam." Zhang Fan said.

"And are you ready for the entanglement on the road?" Ma Xian Ling asked, "Jingshi is not far from this county, nor is it close. Although the free man will send you to Beijing at that time, there will always be some expenses after arriving in the capital. ”

"This ...... Late students will figure it out. Zhang Fan didn't have any idea for a while, so he had to answer like this.

"Why don't you get some money from the old man?" Ma Xianling said.

"Absolutely not, how can I accept adult money!" Zhang Fan flatly refused, "My mother and I will find a way." ”

"Don't be in a hurry to refuse, I'll analyze it for you." Ma Xianling said, "I know that your mother does some needlework every day, washes clothes for this big family in the city, and subsidizes the family, although she does not make much profit, but she can always save some money." ”

Zhang Fan nodded, not knowing why Ma County's order said so.

"Then think about it now, now in your capacity, which big family would dare to let your mother work for them?" The county order points out the theme.

"This ......" Zhang Fan really didn't think about this question, and he didn't know what to do for a while.

"Just now it's just one of them, and the other is ......" Ma Xian Ling picked up the tea on the table, took a sip, moistened his throat, and continued, "I have some friendship with your old family, they asked me to find you, and now I have found it, but you don't let me say it, I also have a troubled conscience!" ”

"My lord......" Zhang Fan just wanted to speak, but was interrupted by Ma County's order.

"I'm not just trying to fund you for that, either." Ma Xianling continued, "The old man also praises you, and thinks that if you have to enter the official career, it will be considered my luck to be Ming, and the old man also wants you to do one thing." ”

"Dare to ask what, do what you can, do not hesitate." Zhang Fan replied.

"Hehe, I appreciate that from you." Ma Xianling praised it and said; "It's not a one-day thing, it's something you have to do from the day you enter officialdom."

“……？” Zhang Fan was a little puzzled.

"I want you to welcome you in small things, but you can't do it overnight in big things, you have to figure it out slowly."

"This ......" Zhang Fan didn't know why Ma Xianling would ask him to do this.

"I'll explain it to you." Ma Xianling said, "We must be flattered on small things, so as not to make big enemies, especially some villains, especially for the rejection of other people's small things, especially in mind, he will inevitably be framed in the future." ”

"Yes, that's a late understanding." As a "latecomer", Zhang Fan knows a lot about thick black and other things, how can he not know the sinister nature of the villain!

"As for the big things, don't do them overnight. There are always enemies in the court, and your impatience may become a means for others to attack you, even if it is for the benefit of the country and the people, and not for the benefit of the world. It is necessary to understand that all parties are powerful, and the interests of each force can be accomplished. Otherwise, they will be deposed like some foolish loyal ministers. When Ma Xian Ling said this, he actually scolded a foul word, and his face was dark, obviously because he was feeling.

"Thank you, sir." Zhang Fan thanked him, he didn't know the story of Ma Xianling, but he knew that Ma Xianling must have experienced something. He knew that Ma Xianling was teaching him the way to be an official. A sixty-year-old man who could be regarded as an unknown acquaintance, but had something to do with his hometown that he had never seen, said these words to himself, which really moved Zhang Fan.

"That's all for today." Ma Xian Ling sighed, called a subordinate, gave some instructions, and said to Zhang Fan, "Later, I will ask my subordinates to go back with you, and help you bring your family to the east of the city, I have a small courtyard there, just for your mother and son to live." If you change to a better place, you can also study with peace of mind. As he spoke, he took out a bag of things and handed it to Zhang Fan: "Here is some silver, take it for expenses first, if it's not enough, I'll send someone to send it." ”

Zhang Fan excused himself, so he had to accept it, and then asked Ma Xianling: "My lord, I know that you take such good care of me because of the relationship between your ancestors, but I don't want to tell my mother about this, what should I do?" ”

"If your mother asks, she will say that the county rewarded Xinke Xie Yuan for the honor of winning a famous person for the county. If Lingtang comes to ask, I will naturally help with it. Ma Xianling said.