With Chongzhen's order and the cooperation of Jinyiwei, plus a large amount of evidence, after the three divisions of the trial of Sun Yuanhua's case soon had a result, after deliberation Sun Yuanhua was declared acquitted, because the imperial court has revoked the position of governor of Denglai, no longer established, Sun Yuanhua's original official position is gone, can only wait for Chongzhen to decide to stay in the future.

On the fourth day of October, Xu Guangqi, accompanied by his sons Xu Ji and Liu Fan, personally came to the prison of the Criminal Department to welcome Sun Yuanhua, who was about to be released from prison. Liu Fan also met the famous cannon casting master of the Ming Dynasty for the first time. At this time, Sun Yuanhua was already fifty-one years old, and he had suffered humiliation and torture for a year, and suffered the greatest betrayal and grievance in his life. When Liu Fan saw him, he couldn't believe his eyes, Sun Yuanhua, who had just been released from prison, was ragged, unkempt, his hair was gray, and his expression was very haggard, looking like an old man who was about to die from a distance. Even Xu Guangqi, who had a sickly face, looked better than him.

Sun Yuanhua walked out of the gate of the criminal department under the care of two jailers, and the long-term prison life that did not see the light of day made him squint his eyes, and when he saw Liu Fan and his party standing opposite, he immediately burst into tears. Quickly stepped forward and knelt down in front of Xu Guangqi with a "poof", "Student Sun Chuyang meets his teacher!" As soon as the words fell, he cried bitterly.

Xu Guangqi was also full of excitement, helped Sun Yuanhua to look at it carefully, and said half-loudly, "Chuyang!" Suffered! It's all to blame for the teacher's incompetence and can't save you! I can only watch you suffer in prison! "Let's talk about old tears.

Sun Yuanhua choked up a little and said, "Disciple, don't blame the teacher!" I only blame the disciples for not being filial, and the teacher is worried about the disciples! A handful of years old and running around begging for me! The disciple has no shame to face the teacher! I am already content to see my teacher again in this life! ”

Xu Guangqi comforted: "Chu Yang, don't be a little daughter!" This time, you can return safely thanks to the help of the people! You have to thank him! ”

Sun Yuanhua put away his tears and said to Liu Fan on the side, "Thank you for helping the people!" This grace Sun Chuyang is toothless and unforgettable! But there are orders, and it is necessary to go to the soup and the fire! ”

Liu Fan hurriedly helped Sun Yuanhua up and said, "Mr. Chuyang's words are serious!" You may not know that the teacher has already accepted me as a disciple! Now we are brothers, a family, and it is natural for us to help each other! Don't say thank you! ”

Sun Yuanhua glanced at his master with some surprise when he heard this, and only when he saw him nodding was he sure that this was true, he couldn't help but say to Liu Fan, "I didn't think that Dao Enshi would accept a closed disciple in his later years!" It is rare to be favored by the teacher! There must be great talents! I'll ask for advice another day! ”

Liu Fan said, "I don't have any talent!" Just interested in Western affairs! Teacher Meng did not give up, and it is already a great fortune to be accepted as a disciple! Where can I compare to my brother! Tell the truth! I've admired my brother for a long time! This time, I also helped out out of respect! ”

Sun Yuanhua was a little surprised when he heard Liu Fan's words! was about to speak, but heard Xu Guangqi interrupt, "Okay! You two stop complimenting each other! Now the early sun is back safely! There will be time for you to get to know each other! Besides, the teacher has asked all of you friends to come to your home to wash the dust for the early sun! Second, ask them to be a witness and officially accept the people as disciples! At this time, the guests are afraid that they are already impatient! Our master and apprentice can't be rude! You should go home first! ”

The two hurriedly said yes, and the four of them took a carriage to Xu's mansion together, and when they returned to the mansion, they were already full of guests and friends, and Xu Guangqi naturally had a lot of friends in the sea for a long time, not only friends from the DPRK and China, but even many Western missionaries. Seeing such a lively scene in the hall, Liu Fan couldn't help but sigh, his move was right! With the help of Xu Guangqi's master and apprentice, at least he won't have to worry about how to find these Western scientists in the future.

When everyone in the hall saw that the four of them had returned safely, they immediately stepped forward to congratulate them, and the four of them also returned the salute one by one. After Sun Yuanhua freshened up and returned, Xu Guangqi sat on the main seat and said loudly, "Thank you friends for coming to cheer!" This time, Xu invited you to come, mainly to be a witness, today the old man will accept Jimin as the old man's closed disciple! ”

In ancient times, there was a strict emphasis on accepting apprentices, as the old saying goes, "One day as a teacher, a lifetime as a father!" "In ancient times, the status of a teacher was only that of parents, and even above that of kings. After Xu Guangqi finished the announcement, led by Sun Yuanhua as a disciple, Liu Fan wore green clothes and followed Sun Yuanhua into the main hall.

Xu Guangqi sat on the main seat, Liu Fan approached, kowtowed three times, held the salute and the apprenticeship post with both hands, and said respectfully, "Zhili Liu Fan admires Mr. benevolence, and is willing to bow to the apprentice, please be a disciple" Wait until Xu Guangqi agrees to accept the salute and apprenticeship Liu Fan can serve tea, and after drinking this cup of worship tea, Liu Fan officially became Xu Guangqi's disciple.

The atmosphere was solemn and solemn during the whole apprenticeship! Only after the ceremony did everyone come forward to congratulate. Li Xiaohu and others, who are Liu Fan's relatives, naturally can't be absent, and even Xiaozhu and Xiaohe also said to Liu Fanqiao, "Congratulations, master!" Bye Grace! ”

Just when many guests stepped forward to congratulate, a family member outside the door suddenly shouted, "The prince has arrived!" The hall was silent for a moment, and everyone looked out the door. saw Wang Chengen walking in with two little eunuchs. Said to Liu Fan and Xu Guangqi: "Miscellaneous family, hurry up, hurry up, or come one step late!" In the emperor's mouth, congratulations to Jimin for his apprenticeship! A pair of royal jade ruyi! ”

Then he said to Liu Fan and the others, "Xu Ge Lao! Helping the people! Congratulations! ”

Liu Fan hurriedly replied: "Thank you, Your Majesty for your love!" Thank you, Princess! The Maharaja, please take a seat! ”

Wang Chengen refused with a smile: "No! Your Majesty's will has been brought, and the miscellaneous family is in a hurry to go back to restore their lives! I won't stay! Then he whispered to Liu Fan: "Your Majesty also said that your kid is not kind!" Such a big thing was not even notified to Your Majesty! Your Majesty is angry! I order you to come to the audience tomorrow! Helping the people! Your Majesty is angry! Ask for your own blessings! After finishing speaking, he ignored Liu Fan's shocked expression, said goodbye to Xu Guangqi, and turned to leave.

After Wang Chengen left, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became warm, and everyone looked at Liu Fan with deep envy and awe. What was originally just a routine polite word has become cordial and warm. Liu Fan smiled a little bitterly in his heart, this is to roast him on the fire! I was a little helpless and moved by Chongzhen's hand.

The apprenticeship came to an end in a joyous atmosphere. Liu Fan was worried about those Western missionaries, and the next morning, he found Sun Yuanhua and asked him to accompany him to visit these people. Sun Yuanhua thanked Liu Fan for his kindness and did not shirk it, and took Liu Fan to the residence of these people.