I came back all the way from Huaining and walked for three days, but I was still a little tired.

Back in the room, Yang Congyi lay down with his clothes, thinking about a good night's sleep.

However, Chen Ru's analysis in the study just now lingered in his mind and could not be dispersed. He couldn't have imagined that a simple personnel appointment would be so complicated to such an extent, affecting the imperial court, stirring up the locality, and implicating so widely. These things are too shocking for him, a college student, but at the same time, they are too far away.

Politics is never easy, but luckily he's not interested, so he doesn't have to bother with it.

Not to cause chaos to the country, to live and work in peace and contentment, and to live a good life is to be patriotic. When he saw this sentence before, he felt that it was very right, ordinary people, what are you doing with the hearts of so many national leaders, which national leaders will be worse than ordinary people, they are all full of food and leisure.

When he came to the Song Dynasty, he was an outsider, what did national affairs have to do with him, besides, he was not even a scholar, and if he did not pass the imperial examination, it was impossible to participate in politics at all, of course, he didn't want to participate, so he should first experience in Hongchen, and then go to the mountains to cultivate.

Yang Congyi thought a lot, but he couldn't fall asleep, so he simply stopped sleeping, got up and washed his face with cold water, and began to meditate and practice. After a few weeks of luck, my heart gradually calmed down.

I didn't pick up a pen for two months, and now that I'm back, it's time to continue practicing calligraphy. After grinding and lifting the pen, it was a little rusty, and it took a while to regain the feeling of writing before.

In the Song Dynasty, the status of scholars was very high, and the treatment was also very good, even if they did not participate in the imperial examination, it was good to read more books, and if they could write a good hand, of course, it would be better. Yang Congyi doesn't think about the imperial examination, if he practices his words well, Yang Congyi can still work hard, after all, he has time, as long as he is willing to spend more time, there will always be gains.

I copied a few copies in a row, and gradually warmed up my hands, looking at the words I wrote, it was not too ugly, and the horizontal and vertical hooks and skimming points were also presentable, and I didn't look like a beginner at a glance, and I had a certain foundation. After all, when he was in school, he still had a certain foundation in hard pen writing, and it was much easier to learn brush writing.

"Brother Yang, I'm so interested."

Suddenly, he heard someone enter the house, Yang Congyi finished writing, turned around and said, "Brother Guo, long time no see." ”

Guo Qing came to the desk, looked at Yang Congyi's handwriting, and praised: "Yes, your handwriting can go to the examinee." ”

Yang Congyi said: "Forget it, it's still a candidate, it's still far away, I'll just practice it." He put down his pen and began to clean up the table, "What have you been doing lately?" ”

Guo Qing said: "I was about to tell you, I heard that you were back, so I hurried over to find you." ”

Yang Congyi smiled: "Oh, there is a good thing? ”

Guo Qing said guiltily: "How can there be." Last month, I went to Luzhou, and I didn't find a profitable deal for more than half a month. Later, I met a few merchants who wanted to go to the north to sell horses, and I heard that selling a horse from the north to the south could make a lot of money, so I thought about doing it with them, and spent a lot of money to get a certificate for selling horses in the government, and went to Anfengjun with them. Who knows, but suffered a big loss. ”

Yang Congyi restrained his smile and asked, "What's the matter, can you be deceived?" ”

Guo Qing nodded helplessly: "Speaking of which, I'm angry, those guys are too unauthentic." I had never sold horses, and I couldn't tell whether they were good or bad, so I asked those horse sellers to help me choose horses, and they said that they chose all good horses from the northern grasslands, and I spent 600 yuan to buy ten good horses, and the money I brought with me was basically used up. Who knew that when I returned to Luzhou, I didn't know that I had been deceived when I arrived at the horse market, it was not a grassland horse at all, it was all an inferior horse, and a horse could not even be sold for twenty yuan, and there was no return, and all the money you borrowed from me was lost. ”

Although Yang Congyi was prepared, he thought that even if he couldn't make money, it was always okay to keep his capital. The result of this bloodless loss really made him feel a little distressed. Although he said at the beginning, it doesn't matter if he loses, but in fact, he still hopes that Guo Qing can make money, after all, he is still down-to-earth and hardworking, and the restaurant is also running well, so he lent him so much money, who knew that he would be so imprudent and lose it all at once.

By now, it's too late to say anything. Yang Congyi had to be relieved and comforted: "If you lose, you will lose, how can you make a sure profit or lose money in business." But your heart is big enough, 600 yuan is not a small amount, all used to buy horses is indeed risky. But it doesn't matter, it's inevitable to be deceived, and if you suffer a loss right away, just study hard and find the field again. ”

Guo Qing said: "Who said no, I suffered a big loss this time, and I also learned a lot." But now that I have lost all the money you borrowed from me, as well as my own capital, my net worth is not even enough for a hundred yuan, and it is difficult to find a field again. ”

Yang Congyi said: "Don't be discouraged, it's nothing to fail once, it's a lot of money for a hundred yuan, and if you find a good deal, you can still earn it back quickly." ”

Hearing this, Guo Qing asked tentatively: "If the capital is less, you can't do a big deal." Do you still have any money, lend me some more, I must be cautious this time, and I will definitely not be deceived again. ”

Yang Congyi was silent, the money is not easy to earn, he only has 300 wen a month, which is given by Lord Chen in excess, and ordinary officials only have more than ten wen a month, dozens of wen. Although Master Mo gave away a lot of money at the beginning, he couldn't afford to throw it out so lavishly. He is now a person, and he basically has no expenses to live in the yamen, if he goes out to live, he will get a lot of money every month for renting a house, and the money given by Lord Chen is not enough for food every month, let alone renting a house. The money in hand still needs to be saved, and I can't tell when I need it urgently.

But now that Guo Qing has spoken, Yang Congyi is a thin-faced person, so it is difficult to refuse, so he said: "I don't have much money left, so I can only take out twenty taels of gold, and any more will be gone." ”

When Guo Qing heard that Yang Congyi could borrow twenty taels of gold, he immediately smiled and said with a smile: "Brother Yang, I really helped my younger brother a lot." When I make money, I'll share 60% of your profits. ”

Yang Congyi hurriedly said: "Don't, don't talk about making money first, this time you can keep the capital, work steadily, accumulate experience, you can make money in the future, and it's not too late to share profits." ”

Guo Qing said with a smile: "Brother Yang, don't worry, you won't lose again this time, just wait for the money." ”

Yang Congyi shook his head in his heart, how could it be so simple to make money, but it was not good to hit him, so he persuaded: "Don't be careless, even if you can't make a lot of money, try not to lose, even if you lose, you can't lose any more money, otherwise I will only have to eat soil in the future." ”

Guo Qing said with a smile: "Brother Yang, don't worry, I will definitely be careful this time." ”

Yang Congyi said: "Then I'll wait for your good news." ”

The two sat idly and talked about their experiences in the past two months, and before they knew it, it was getting late.

Guo Qing got up and said goodbye: "Brother Yang, it's not early, I'll go back first, when is it convenient for you, go to my house to sit." ”

Yang Congyi said: "Okay, let's talk about it when we have time." Remember to come tomorrow to get the money, it's not easy to find me when it's late. ”

Guo Qing said yes and left quickly.

Not long after Guo Qing left, a backyard maid came to call Yang Congyi and asked him to go to the backyard for dinner.

In the backyard, Yang Congyi has never been there, and there is a family member of Lord Chen. In the county government for more than half a year, he has seen it a few times from afar, and he has never even seen his face clearly. He is not Chen Ruye's personal entourage, nor is he a relative, and he is still a little flattered to go to the backyard to eat.

Yang Congyi followed the maid all the way, Yang Congyi didn't ask much, and the maid didn't say much, and the two walked into the backyard silently.

It wasn't until I got to the living room that I heard the maid shouting: "Master, Yang Zhutou has arrived." ”

At this time, I only heard Chen Ruye's voice coming from the back of the living room: "Okay, you go down first." But no one came out.

The maid didn't say much, and left directly, leaving Yang Congyi alone.

It's the first time I've come to someone else's house, and it's not easy to look around. Yang Congyi stood quietly in place and waited for him.

After a while, Chen Ru came out in civilian clothes, and when he saw Yang Congyi still standing there, he said, "Don't be so restrained, just sit down." ”

After Yang Congyi saw Chen Ru sit down, he sat down on a chair opposite him.

Chen Ru said with a smile: "I'm fortunate to be on official business these days, I should have given you leave, and I was also allowed to rest and rest, but I was suddenly transferred, and the successor magistrate couldn't arrive for a while, so there were many things that needed to be dealt with and handed over." It's going to make you hard again. ”

Yang Congyi said: "In such a big county, all things have to be done by adults, and adults are fortunate." If there is anything I can do, that can share the worries of the adults, the adults just tell me. ”

Chen Ru exclaimed: "It is rare to know the general situation, to be faithful and reliable." Then he said: "You came to Taihu County for a year, and during this period, there was a lot of misunderstanding, which made you suffer a lot, and you did not hold a grudge and resented others, which made me very gratified." Especially after leaving you to work in the county office, I found that you have a pure temperament, a down-to-earth work, and a strategy in your chest. ”

Yang Congyi praised Chen Ru, he was very embarrassed, and hurriedly pushed back: "My lord's praise, I'm just doing my best to get things done." ”

Chen Ru continued: "I came to you today because I asked you something and wanted to hear your thoughts. ”

Yang Congyi said: "If you have something to do, just give orders." ”

Chen Ru hesitated a little and said, "Since that's the case, I'll say it directly." I don't know if you'd like to be my long-term follower? ”

Long follow? Yang Congyi was a little stunned when he heard this, following is an entourage, isn't a long-term follower just to be an entourage? He never thought of doing the work of his entourage, and he was quite free to be a head catcher, so he could leave at any time if he wanted to. But the entourage is estimated to be difficult, and it needs to be attached to the master's house, so it is not so easy to get away. What he always thought about was to experience and see the world, and maybe he would go to the mountains to practice Taoism and cultivate immortals in the future. Chen Ru suddenly asked him to be a long-term follower, he had never had this idea, and he was not mentally prepared, but he was very clear in his heart that he would not be a long-term follower. So he replied: "Thanks to the love of adults, I haven't read much, I'm afraid it will be difficult to take on a big responsibility." To be honest, in fact, what I yearn for more is freedom, and traveling all over the mountains and rivers of the Great Song Dynasty is what I want. ”

Chen Ru was a little disappointed when he heard this answer, but then he was relieved, and then said: "People have their own aspirations, and it is inconvenient to force them, since this is the case, I will not mention this in the future." ”

Yang Congyi secretly breathed a sigh of relief and thanked, "Lord Xie." ”

Chen Ru smiled, put down the topic of long-term entourage, and said: "This time, Lord Li suddenly left office, and Huaining was left without one to govern, so I am afraid that it will be lost if it is delayed." I want to go to Huaining early tomorrow morning, but my relatives and family members are not able to go with me for a while. You have just returned from Huaining, and you are familiar with the way, and I want to entrust them to you, and when I have settled down a little, you will escort them to Huaining in three or five days. Would you like to? ”

Yang Congyi thought to himself, Huaining is only more than 300 miles away from Taihu County, and it will be there in two or three days. So he replied, "Don't worry, my lord, since my lord can trust me, I will definitely live up to my trust." ”

Chen Ru smiled and said, "Okay, so I'll rest assured." "After saying what I want to say, it's time to eat. I only heard Chen Ru shout "Someone is coming", and saw a maid enter the living room.

"You go and see if the meal is ready." Hearing Chen's command, the maid replied: "Yes, master." And he hurried out.

Before the succession of the county magistrate arrived, Yang Congyi was asked to take care of it, and the officials of the county government also asked him to restrain one or two to avoid trouble.

While the two were talking, the maid came back, only to hear her reply: "Master, the meal has been prepared." ”

Chen Ru got up and said to Yang Congyi: "Okay, let's eat." After saying that, he walked first.

Yang Congyi consciously got up and followed, without saying anything more.

When I entered the room, I saw that Mrs. Chen's mother and daughter were already sitting at the dining table, and the dishes and chopsticks were ready.

As soon as he saw Mrs. Chen, Yang Congyi immediately saluted and said respectfully: "Mrs. Chen, I'm bothered." ”

Mrs. Chen pulled the little girl to get up and salute back: "Yang catches the head, there is no need to be polite." The little girl also returned the salute to Yang Congyi along with Mrs. Chen's appearance.

After seeing that they had seen the ceremony, Chen Ru said to Yang Congyi: "Okay, sit down and eat." Then he took a seat at the Lord's seat.

Yang Congyi asked Mrs. Chen to sit down first, and then sat down on the last chair.

Seeing that everyone had already taken their seats, the maid who was waiting on the side stepped forward and poured wine into the wine glasses in front of Chen Rushi and Yang Congyi.

Chen Ru picked up the wine glass and said, "I will leave many affairs to you in the future." ”

Yang Congyi got up and picked up the wine glass and said, "Don't worry, my lord, I will definitely live up to my trust." ”

Chen Ru asked Yang Congyi to sit down, saying that he was having a light meal at home, so he should not be polite. After the two drank the wine in the glass, the maid was full again.

After Yang Congyi returned a cup, everyone moved their chopsticks.

During the banquet, Chen Ru introduced Yang Congyi to Mrs. Chen in detail, and there was a lot of praise.

Mrs. Chen was very happy to hear this, and added vegetables to Yang Congyi again and again. Obviously, Chen Ru had already entrusted Yang Congyi to escort them to Huaining, and discussed with her in advance.

Since Chen Ru was going to Huaining early tomorrow morning, he didn't drink too much wine, and after three glasses of stomach, the ceremony was finished.

After finishing the meal, it has already been a long time since the lamp was held, and it should be explained, Chen Ru has already explained, and the rest is Mrs. Chen's business, but she is not in a hurry to talk about it at this time. Chen Ru is promoted today, and on the day of great joy, their family should have a lot to talk about, so it is inconvenient to continue to disturb.

So after sitting down for a while, Yang Congyi got up to thank him and left.