In June of the eighteenth year of Qianping, Shao Xu returned home for more than a month, during which he went out a few times occasionally, basically reading books at home. The jade building rises from the millet, and the dazzling shadow gives birth to flowers. The evening arrives at dawn, and the morning returns at dusk. Such words and phrases are useless to read, even if they are sent by my father, I can't stop reading them completely, and I am depressing to think about it. At this time, the emperor's capital, is the occasion of the Dan test, the children of the families endowed with the name of the talent are gathered in the emperor's capital, the three years of the Cai Dan test, is a grand meeting of the selection of talents in Dajing, the top of the list directly into the palace to discuss politics, but also an opportunity to shine in front of Emperor Jing, once the emperor appreciates, it is better than decades of hard work, such a great honor, all the children are eager to try, once can be famous. At this time, in the Xingguo Mansion, Shao Xi and Shao Ke brothers are preparing to show their skills in the Caidan exam, Shao Hu has never recommended his own children to enter the Caidan exam, this is a great opportunity. It's just that why didn't the third brother enter the talent test this time, and he said that he was already eighteen years old, even if he went to see the world, it would be good, could it be his father's idea, Shao Xi thought in his heart. Shao Hu did not oppose or support, over the years, the powerful people in the Dajing court have risen one by one, each fighting for power, only his father has been in the name of the prince for many years, and has not held any real power. Today, the real power figures in the court should be Dazai, Lu Shangshushi, and Tian Yi, the supervisor of the Lingzhong Books, who won the trust of Emperor Jing and was favored for a while. Shao Xu heard that the eldest brother and the second brother could enter the Linxing Pavilion to participate in the Caidan test, but he did not go, and he was a little disappointed in his heart, he longed for a chance to enter the court, and the man should stand on the court and achieve fame. Stunned, like an eagle trapped in a cage.

Shao Xu suddenly felt depressed in his heart, so he went to Pan's Mansion to find Pan Yao, and Shu Shu was depressed. When he arrived at Pan's house, the house slave reported that the son was not in the house, and asked where he went, but he didn't know where he was, so he packed up his mood and went to the market. Looking at the bustling street market in the imperial capital, he didn't have any nostalgia at all, and walked straight away.

A few days later, Pan Yao came to the Xingguo Mansion to find Shao Xu, and the two left the mansion, rode on horseback, and went to the small peach forest in the suburbs. "Brother Ziheng, what have you been busy with lately, is it so difficult to see you?" "Xiaoxu, are you blaming me, but as soon as I returned to the mansion and listened to the next person, I rushed to find you, without delaying for a moment, and I was so wronged by you to say this." Pan Yao looked at Shao Xu beside him with an aggrieved look, and continued: "That's it, that's it, you must have something on your mind, you might as well talk to me about it, and I can solve it for you." ”

"Brother Ziheng still understands me, you are only three years older than me, and you are already the best among the children of Dijing, but I have never been involved in the career, my father did not let me participate in this talent test, but I can only read the work of the hermit at home, I live up to this young man, I don't do anything, I seem to be unwilling, but I hate myself for not being able to change anything." After Shao Xu finished speaking, he couldn't help but sigh and sigh in frustration.

"I want to be like you, and I don't want to be involved in a career and end up at ease." Pan Yao patted Shao Xu's shoulder and said. "If you want to participate in the Caidan test, I also have a way, the Caidan test can be participated in by all families, as long as there is a letter from the head of the family, I can get an extra letter of recommendation from my father, just try, you are young and have the right to see the world, every child of the high family can enter the examination and selection, and generally will not be meticulously studied."

"Wouldn't this be inappropriate, let my father know that he will not spare me." Shao Xu was a little hesitant in his words, but he wanted to see it anyway, so it would not be in vain. "Brother Heng, I'm willing to try, and I'll be content if I can see it." "Then wait for the news of my brother, I will definitely not disappoint you." Pan Yao swore and said. It's just a talent to try, and there are many talented people, and it's just a matter of going through.

After Shao Xu said goodbye to Pan Yao, when he returned home, he was in a good mood every time he thought that he could go to see Xia Caidan, but he was afraid of being blamed by Shao Hu when he found out.

After five days, Shao Xu was really anxious to wait at home, and thought that it was better to go to Pan's Mansion to find out the news, so he went to Pan's Mansion. At the gate of the house, after the report of the subordinate, the son was not at home today, after listening, Shao Xu secretly scolded in his heart, Pan Yao, this kid, is not looking for me to be happy, or he didn't worry about this matter at all. The more I thought about it, the more angry and frustrated I felt, and just when I wanted to leave, a familiar voice came from behind me-----Brother Xu, you are going back, I have what you want in my hand." Shao Xu turned around and saw that Li'er was already standing at the door of the mansion, still holding a letter in her hand, thinking that it was a letter of recommendation, Pan Yao, this kid deliberately made me anxious. But..... Today's Li'er is dressed in a light blue dress, her face looks like a shy peach blossom on the branches in March and April, and her slightly pink cheeks are the girl's transparent and watery face, with bright eyes and bright teeth, looking forward to the brilliance, Shao Xu is gradually fascinated by it.

"Brother Xu, you want it, but this is not for nothing, you have to promise me one thing, what I can't think of for the time being, but when I think about it, you can't break your word." Shao Xu didn't want to think about it, and immediately responded, thinking that just because it was Li'er's request, there was no reason to refuse, and there was a letter of recommendation.

"Agreed so quickly? Li'er looked incredulous, you are not allowed to lie to me. So he stretched out his finger and said: "Brother Xu, pull Gougou, don't regret breaking your word, otherwise you will die alone and old alone." ”

"Good, good." Shao Xu also stretched out his hand after saying that, hooked it with Li'er's hand, and blushed in an instant, this was the first time he had contact with a woman, and he couldn't help but rejoice, but he let go immediately. After receiving the letter of recommendation, he said goodbye to Li'er and returned home.

A few days later, there was already a sea of people outside the Xuanping Gate of the Imperial Palace, and the people and children of all families gathered here, waiting for the start of the second session of the first test of the Caidan test, the results of the first game had been out the day before yesterday, and the remaining people were only about 200 people.

The two brothers of the Shao family entered the Xuanping Gate early, because they were hand-picked by Emperor Jing, the first batch of children of the big families were all exempted from the entrance examination.

Shao Xu also waited here with the crowd, the Xuanhua Gate opened, and a group of people shouted. Then everyone flocked to the door, and the guards lined up, all tall and strong, and their eyes were open, and the momentum was majestic. All the children showed their letters of recommendation and entered, and the idlers were all stopped outside the door, and Shao Xu also entered the city gate. The children walked to an open space and saw a desk in front of them, and there were three people standing in front of them, who should be the examiners of the second examination. The examiner of the preliminary examination signaled all the children not to make a noise, and said loudly: "Today's test is to memorize and recite the annotations "Strategy of Strategy", in order to test your understanding and memory of strategy, and the quota is ten. After hearing this, the children's expressions were solemn, and ten of the two hundred people were all worried, and there was no shortcut. After a while, the guards placed pen and paper on several rows of copy. The children took turns to read and memorize the words on the paper, and then returned to the copywriting to write and annotate silently, with a time limit of one stick of incense, and most of the children were discouraged in such a short time. At this time, Shao Xu was calm and relaxed, calmly coping, never stopped writing, and finished writing in a while, waiting for the final result. After the time of a stick of incense, a group of examiners sat on the desk to review the papers, which lasted for three hours. All the children sat or stood, anxiously waiting for the final result, all thinking of entering the Star Pavilion, which was an honor.

Everyone waited anxiously for three hours, the guards gathered all the children, and the examiner slowly walked to the children, opened the scroll in his hand and read: "There are those who can enter the Star Pavilion, Xu Wenqi, Liu Wei, Lu Yixu, Zhang Zhong, Liu Rengang, Wu Fan, Shao Xu, Mao Zongxiang, Kuang Bo, Guo Liang. The above ten people are allowed to try to enter the pavilion, and the other children can go back, and these ten people will come to receive the letter of entering the pavilion of Linxing Pavilion and enter the pavilion tomorrow. These ten children also retreated after thanking the examiner, Shao Xu looked excited, very happy, never thought that he could enter the Linxing Pavilion so smoothly, and then thought of how to talk to the family about this, enthusiasm was immediately extinguished, I don't know what my father will know, just don't mention it for now.

When he returned home, Shao Xu went to Shao Xi's residence. "Big brother, are you there?"

"Who's calling me?" Shao Xi shouted outside the door;

"Big brother, it's me."

"It's the third brother, it's so late, what's the matter with me." Shao Xu didn't dare to be too loud, and said in a low voice: "Big brother, let me go in and talk to you in detail." Shao Xu hurriedly put on his clothes, opened the door, led Shao Xu to the study, and the two brothers sat down.

"Third brother, what the hell is going on, are you going to die as a brother in a hurry, did you do something that you are afraid of being scolded by your father for knowing something, or do you have something to help your brother, do you say it?"

Shao Xu eased his emotions and said, "I... I wanted to participate in the Caidan exam, but my father didn't reply to me for a long time, so I was in a hurry to find someone to impersonate me to recommend a substitute for it, and today's results are out, and I successfully entered the Linxing Pavilion. ”

"Third brother, you are not small." Shao Xi was a little surprised. "You hurry up and confess to your father, you can't go on like this, if you knew this was the case, I wouldn't have sent a book to call you home, I'm really doing this too much."

"It's big brother...... I thought it was my father who asked me to come back. Shao Xu suddenly felt a shock in his heart, disappointed? No, it should be despair! He should think that I don't have much talent, I'm unwilling, I have to show my ambitions in the talent test, Shao Xu said negatively. Shao Xi hurriedly persuaded: "Third brother, don't be impulsive, I don't think my father is disgusted with you, he has been strict with you since he was a child, it should be for your good, or he doesn't want you to enter this complex and changeable court too early." ”

"I know, big brother, my brother knows it." After speaking, Shao Xu said goodbye to his brother. Shao Xi couldn't help but sigh when he looked at the figure of his younger brother leaving.

In the early morning of the next day, the last batch of children of Linxing Pavilion also entered the pavilion, and the month-long evaluation and study officially began. Entering the Linxing Pavilion is the highest honor for the children of the Dajing family, and this Linxing Pavilion is opened by the former Taifu Tao Jingzhi. This Tao Jingzhi is the emperor of the dynasty, how many people want to see his style, this time the talent test is presided over by him, which is a rare opportunity for all the children, equivalent to learning from the most famous Confucianism today.

Hahaha, a hearty laugh came, and all the children looked at the sound in unison, and a white-haired old man with a thin figure and ordinary body appeared in front of him. The old man's clothes were a little shabby. "Why are you here?" The white-haired old man asked, stroking his beard. All the children were silent, looking at each other silently, but no one dared to say a word. "Emperor Tao Gong is not Erer." One of the children woke everyone up with a word, only to see the man get up and want to leave.

"The name is not sought after by the vulgar, and it has been dissipated in ten years. The body is just a pair of skins, and it has returned to Turkey for a hundred years. Talent is not obvious, and the heart is hidden. Tao Jingzhi stood up and said to the man. After hearing this, the man's expression changed greatly, and he hurriedly bowed down and said: "The late Zhong is rude, I hope that Tao Gong will forgive me, but I still go home to study, and I don't work hard to Tao Gong." Tao Jingzhi muttered to himself: "This son is talented and will have great success, but unfortunately he is arrogant and proud, and he will not go far." ”

Shao Xu was shocked by that person's demeanor, so proud. "Is this person Zhong Yue, Zhong Bochou?" Shao Xu said alone. "It is him, the Zhong family is the most noble family in addition to the Tian family over the years, this Zhong is only about thirty years old, but he is already His Majesty's close attendant Yulin Zhonglang General."

Tao Jingzhi talked to the children about military strategy and strategy, and the children were indifferent, these people obviously prefer some ways of being officials and governing the country, and they don't know much about this military strategy. Shao Xu listened attentively, he had also read some military books and strategies from Mr. Tian before, and he liked it very much, but the old man often only brushed it aside, and only made brief notes, Shao Xu also liked to read this military book when he was young, but every time he was pressed to read the book of self-cultivation and life, he could only peek at some marching notes, brief or something. After Tao Jingzhi finished speaking, all the children had different expressions, some seemed to understand, and some were confused. "Sir, what you said about marching should be orderly in advance and retreat, the formation is not chaotic, but there are unforeseen circumstances, and the changes in the war are instantaneous, and the students believe that the marching laws and regulations should be strict, and the training in the past should be mainly based on strengthening the combat ability of individual soldiers, with dozens or hundreds of people as a formation, and the wartime can be flexible and changeable, and there is no need to stick to the rigidity of the large array. Shao Xu stood up and said. Tao Jingzhi's face flashed with joy after hearing this, and then he calmed down: "Son, how old is it." Shao Xu replied: "The student has just turned 18 years old, and he has not yet reached the age of the crown, and the talented student has many words, but he is only inspired by Mr. 's words." Tao Jingzhi laughed, the young man was really vigorous. Thinking that this is a piece of jade, it will become a great tool if you carve it carefully, and this knowledge is really not easy. That's all for today, and you will go back to read this "Military Strategy", and then write down a commentary on your opinions.

The disciples said goodbye, and Shao Ke stepped forward after seeing Shao Xu's figure and said, "The third brother has also come to the Star Pavilion, why don't you tell the brother, can you report it to your father." Shao Xu was a little displeased,

Slowly said to Shao Ke: "Thanks to the second brother's care, I will tell my father later." ”

Shao Xi saw the two of them from a distance, as if they were about to spark, so he hurriedly stepped forward and put his hands on the two of them: "Second brother, third brother, what are you doing here, are you waiting for brothers, do you know?" ”

"I've seen Big Brother." The two said in unison. "What is the eldest brother talking about, is there anything important?" Shao Ke asked with a fox on his face.

"It's not a big deal, I thought you knew in advance that I was going to invite the second brother and the third brother to the Jade Hulou for a small gathering today, let's go, I wait for the brothers to get together once."

The three brothers of the Shao family went to the jade pot tower together, this jade pot tower is very magnificent, and its name comes from an interesting story of the first emperor Yuan Emperor. In the early years, Emperor Yuan loved to taste folk food when he visited a wine shop, and when a group of people passed by a wine shop, his fragrance came to his face, and Emperor Yuan went inside to find out. A bunch of ingredients in a sand pot, Emperor Yuan tasted it, loved it very much, and asked the store what the name of this dish was and what it was made of. This is the best mutton and fish, six treasures (referring to six kinds of red beans and other six kinds) stewed, called six treasures fresh. After hearing this, Emperor Yuan felt that such a good dish was not worthy of an ordinary sand pot, and after returning to the palace, he gave a jade pot to the wine shop, and the store was renamed Jade Pot Building, and then became the exclusive supply of the royal family and princes and ministers.

After the three Shao brothers came to the Jade Pot Tower, they were welcomed to the upstairs elegant seat. "Second brother and third brother, don't be polite to your brother today, although you let go of eating, your brother has been very rich recently, Shao Xi said with a smile." Shao Xu and Shao Ke expressed their gratitude to the eldest brother, Shao Ke looked at Shao Xi, he couldn't figure out the intentions of his eldest brother.

Shao Xi raised his glass and said: "Second brother and third brother, it's rare to get together today, the three brothers and I will talk about wine, not to mention family affairs, national affairs, world affairs, how about a good talk." ”

"My brother has never drunk wine, I hope my eldest brother will forgive me, if my eldest brother wants to talk about the narrative, my younger brother should accompany me." Shao Xu bowed his hand and said slowly.

"The third brother doesn't drink alcohol every day, I accompany the eldest brother to drink, and today I have said something to the third brother, and I will take a cup for myself." Shao Ke's eyes were a little sharp, and he smiled slightly.

"The second brother also cares about me, today I thank the eldest brother for his hospitality, and the two brothers have a sip of wine here to express their gratitude." After finishing speaking, Shao Xu raised his wine glass and wanted to take a sip. "The third brother is slow, drinking like this may hurt your body, you don't drink alcohol on weekdays, so let's eat some food first." After Shao Xi finished speaking, he immediately motioned to the little guy next to him to add food for Shao Xu.

"Thank you for your care, brother, I will give you a glass to the two brothers today." After speaking, Shao Xu drank it all, and then took several glasses. The third brother is so sincere, he will suffer a loss outside, don't drink it today, the words of the brother have no other meaning, I hope the third brother will forgive me, you drink tea to relieve the bar, Shao Ke hurriedly asked the next person to hand the tea to Shao Xu. Shao Xu only felt dizzy, his vision was a little blurry, wine was really not a good thing, his mouth began to break thoughts, and he sent out all the emotions that he had not been treated and looked down upon by his father over the years, and the more he spoke, the more energetic he became, as if he wanted to pour out the past things.

"Third brother, you really drank too much today, don't get drunk and beat up your brother later." Shao Xi hurriedly got up and walked towards Shao Xu and patted his back. Shao Ke, who was on the side, seemed to have just mentioned that his interest had been interrupted, and then he recovered, looking at his eldest brother and third brother with a calm expression.

"Second brother, let's stop here today, the third brother is drunk like this, because he is not thinking about his brother."

"The eldest brother is reasonable, the third brother, who has never drunk a drop of alcohol, is so open to drinking, today is enough, it seems that the eldest brother has a bigger face." Shao Ke also stepped forward to help his third brother. Shao Xi looked at his second brother, who seemed to be approachable, but he always felt that there was a hint of chill in his eyes, and he would not be an absolute good person. As for Shao Xu's younger brother, he loves him very much, and Shao Xu has always relied on him as his eldest brother. The three Shao brothers returned home, and a group of subordinates helped Shao Xu into the room.

The next morning, Shao Xu slowly got up from the bed, his head was still in such pain, according to the second brother's temperament, his father would know it today. "Third son, the master called you to Cuihua Pavilion."

"Do you have anything to say?" Shao Xu suddenly felt bad in his heart, his father should have known. The man replied: The old man didn't say anything, but just asked the villain to call the third son to go. I know, Shao Xu hurriedly got up to freshen up, change clothes, and followed the subordinates to Cuihua Pavilion.