Su Jinyao immediately walked up, blessed (shēn), and looked up at the middle-aged man in front of him, and knew that this person's (shēn) share was definitely not low in this yamen. But he couldn't scream indiscriminately, so he just said lightly: "Su Jinyao said hello to Mr." ”

The middle-aged man didn't introduce himself, and the little guy just stood aside respectfully and didn't speak. I heard the man ask Su Jinyao, "Are you looking for Zhang Chengliang?" ”

"Yes." Su Jinyao nodded and said directly: "I had a relationship with Uncle Zhang before, and I saw him again a while ago, so I had to tell him to let my younger brother come to the government-run school in this town to take the exam." Today, my brother entered the examination room, and I thought about coming to say thank you to Uncle Zhang. ”

The middle-aged man frowned, and asked in a puzzled tone, "On the one hand, he recommended your brother to come here for the exam?" ”

"Yes, my brother's name is Su Cheng, and our family is in Pingshan Village, which is a very poor mountain village. Uncle Zhang took a break when he passed by, and said a few words to my brother, and then praised my brother for his cleverness, and recommended him to come here to take the exam. Otherwise, how could we, the children of the ravines, know such a big thing. I'm afraid that I won't be able to come to this town once a year. ”

Su Jinyao was telling the truth, but it was true that a few words made the point clear, that is, to let this middle-aged man know that it was Zhang Chengliang who really appreciated Xiaocheng'er and gave them the news.

The middle-aged man looked Su Jinyao up and down again, and secretly felt that this little girl was also polite and moderate, her clothes were neat and clean, and her beautiful eyes were even clearer and wiser, so he asked, "Then your brother is under the teacher of that gentleman?" Do you have a letter of recommendation from your teacher? ”

Su Jinyao shook her head and said, "My younger brother has never been to a formal school, but my mother is knowledgeable, she taught me and asked me to teach my younger brother." ”

"Oh." The middle-aged man nodded, and said nothing more. seemed to think for a while, and then said to Su Jinyao: "Little girl, Zhang Chengliang doesn't work in this yamen, he is an official in the county, and I don't know when he will come here." So if you want to look for him to thank you, I'm afraid you won't be able to find him. But I can tell you to go back today. ”

Su Jinyao nodded and said, "Then thank you, sir." My name is Su Jinyao, and my family has opened a small water shop called 'Quanqing Bamboo Fragrance' on the official road in Pingshan Village, selling water. And Uncle Zhang met there. If Mr. can see Uncle Zhang again, please tell him on his behalf that the two sisters and brothers of Quan Qingzhuxiang will express their gratitude, and that's it. ”

"Spring clear bamboo fragrance? That's a good name. Okay, I've written it down, and if I see Brother Cheng Liang, I will definitely tell you. After the middle-aged man finished speaking, he was about to go in, but he stopped after crossing the threshold, turned his head to Su Jinyao and said, "The results of the exam will not be released until the end of the month, and after the exam, take your brother home and wait for news." On the first day of the next month, just take him to the school to report. ”

"Yes, thank you, sir." After Su Jinyao listened, her eyes suddenly lit up, and her heart was also overjoyed.

The middle-aged man's words had already been said so clearly, how could such a smart person as Su Jinyao not understand. On the surface, he spoke official words and told Su Jinyao to wait for the (rì) period of the list.

But the key is in the last sentence, he has directly told Su Jinyao to take Xiaocheng'er to the school to report on the first day of next month, doesn't that prove that no matter what the grades are, Xiaocheng'er has been admitted?

And the reason why Su Jinyao came here to find Zhang Chengliang is just to fight for a chance for Xiaocheng'er. She knew that Xiaocheng'er was smart and hardworking, but the situation of their family was not taken seriously. If it is really fair competition and the results of the exam are very real, then Su Jinyao knows that Xiaocheng'er will definitely be on the list and among the best.

But Su Jinyao clearly knew that a pair of barbarian brothers of the Wu family would come here to take the exam, so what the process of the exam was and what the results were, you can imagine. Driven by such conditions, even if Su Jinyao didn't want these smoky miasma relationships to affect Xiaocheng'er, if she didn't think of a way, she was afraid that Xiaocheng'er wouldn't even have a chance to compete fairly.

Now, although I don't see Zhang Chengliang, it is obvious that Zhang Chengliang's "signboard" is bright and has already played the role of 本 (shēn).

Although Su Jinyao didn't know what the middle-aged man's share was, judging from the fact that he could directly set the matter of Xiaocheng'er going to the official school, his (shēn) share was definitely not low. By the way, Su Jinyao can also guess that even Zhang Chengliang's (shēn) share must be small, otherwise this middle-aged man would not have heard someone looking for Zhang Chengliang and came out to meet him in person.

Su Jinyao didn't leave immediately, but moved to the side, standing in a less conspicuous place and waiting.

waited until the little guy sent the middle-aged man in and came back, and then stepped forward, still stuffing another penny of silver in his hand, but he didn't ask anything, only said: "Thank you little brother for helping." "And he turned (shēn) and left.

Su Jinyao knew that if she could show (shēn), the man would introduce himself or let the little guy introduce him. And he refused to say, and he guessed that he (shēn) was not low, so there was no need to ask.

The reason why I gave this little guy another penny of silver was that I really thanked him for asking about this matter wholeheartedly. It's better than someone who takes the money and doesn't do anything, goes in and rests for a while in a place they can't see, and turns around and says they can't find this person.

Second, Xiaocheng'er was admitted to the government-run school is basically a certainty. If there is really anything going on in the future, Su Jinyao will definitely still come here, and when the time comes, it is better to have such a relationship that uses money to get through first than to find someone now but can't find a way out.

The little man who guarded the door looked at the extra penny of silver in his hand, and looked at the slender back that had left, and already remembered this little girl who could talk and do things.

Su Jinyao returned to the door of the school, and the children who took the exam had not yet come out. Su Jinyao stood under the big tree she agreed with Xiaocheng'er and waited, so as not to let the children who take the exam come out for a while, there are many parents, and there are many children, and Xiaocheng'er can't find herself for a while.

------------

Su Jinyao was waiting under the tree here, and she didn't know each other with the parents around her, so no one talked to her. Just after a while, Su Jinyao saw Wu Shengjin walk out of the corner door on the side of the school. I guess it's the master who has been entertaining him.

However, as soon as Wu Shengjin came out, he looked left and right and walked towards Su Jinyao. When the distance was close, he greeted Su Jinyao first: "The second girl of the Su family, waiting for your brother here?" The old man really didn't expect that you would bring your brother here to take the exam. ”

When Su Jinyao went to beat the Wu family brothers for the first time, the old grandfather of the Wu family first admitted his mistake to her, admitting that it was his own child who beat people wrong, so Su Jinyao did not have a bad impression of Wu Shengjin. Since Wu Shengjin greeted him first, Su Jinyao also politely called "Grandpa Wu", and then promised: "Yes, knowing about this government-run school, I have been planning to let my brother try it." ”

Wu Shengjin said: "Okay, this is a good thing." I heard that you are still literate, and your brother was also taught by you? Good boy. ”

He kept praising Su Jinyao, but Su Jinyao was stunned, and he didn't know what he was planning.

Then I heard Wu Shengjin say: "However, this government-run school is not cheap, and the food expenses are all responsible for themselves." I saw that your family has built a new house, and I guess I have borrowed a debt, right? If your brother is admitted, it will be a long-term expense, and your family can afford it? ”

Su Jinyao narrowed her eyes, no matter how smart she was, she still didn't understand what kind of medicine Wu Shengjin, the old fox, was selling in the gourd. Therefore, I can only say without being salty: "I can afford it." The three of us work in a family, and we can't afford to support a younger brother who is studying. ”

"Three?" Wu Shengjin pretended to be puzzled and asked, "Is your father's leg getting better?" ”

"See, my dad is practicing walking every day. Although the progress has not been modest, it is not entirely hopeless. Besides, my father can weave baskets and sell them for money; My sister grows vegetables, and selling vegetables after a while is also an income, even if she eats it herself, she can save a lot of money to buy vegetables. I can also collect some old goods to sell, so I don't have to worry about the (rì) at home. ”

Su Jinyao said, pondering what Wu Shengjin meant. guessed that he cared so much about whether his family could afford to study in a small town, because he wanted to know what the Su family made a fortune on? It doesn't seem to be. Even if the Su family bought horses and built a new house for a while, they have never been too extravagant, and most people still think that the Su family is borrowing money.

Moreover, the Wu family has always been a wealthy family in the village, and the Su family has built such a few new houses, which is nothing in the eyes of the Wu family, so naturally they will not think that the Su family has really made a fortune. So what other plans does Wu Shengjin have?

Su Jinyao was figuring out when she heard a bronze bell ringing, and it was the end of the school's exams.

Su Jinyao took this opportunity to nod at Wu Shengjin and said, "Grandpa Wu, my brother has finished the exam, and I have to pick him up." ”

"Oh, go, go, go." Wu Shengjin still said with a smile. However, he asked with a concerned face: "Our carriage is parked at the back of the school, do you want to take the carriage back together?" ”

"No need, thank you Grandpa Wu, we came on horseback." After Su Jinyao finished speaking, she waved her hand and left directly.

There was no need to talk to Wu Shengjin, but Su Jinyao was still wondering what the old man's plans were. He seems to care a little more about his family, and this kind of care is not like just to inquire about the secrets of making money.

Su Jinyao was thinking about it, when she heard a woman next to her and another woman talking: "Hey, Zhuo's family, your little sixth son is also coming to take the exam?" How many exams did you take from your village? ”

The woman who was asked replied, "Two families came, our family and the Zhu family. However, one of the six children in our family is literate, and the three children of the Zhu family are all literate, so don't we just come to the exam together. ”

"Yo, there are four people from your village? Then you'll have to plan ahead. I heard that not everyone can enter this government-run school, except for the exam, even if they are all admitted, there are only two children in each village. ”

"Really? And this said? I don't know. No, I'll have to talk to his dad about it. Let's see if he has any acquaintances in the town, help to ask clearly, and then settle the matter. ”

After the woman had finished speaking, she hurried through the crowd at the entrance of the school. It seems that the child's father should be over there.

Originally, Su Jinyao didn't understand Wu Shengjin's plan, but after listening to the conversation between the two women, she suddenly understood that Wu Shengjin was afraid that the only two places would not fall on his two grandsons.

At this time, Su Jinyao also reacted, no wonder the Wu family only brought Wu Erman and Wu Sanli two children to the exam. Dare (qíng) said that they had already set up the personnel themselves. And Wu Shengjin asked himself before, he must have wanted to make himself think that the cost of the school was high, and he would retreat. In this way, the two places in their Pingshan Village will fall on the heads of their Wu family.

Thinking of this, the original good impression of Wu Shengjin was reduced by a few points, and I felt that the sentence "ginger is still old and spicy" is indeed true. And this Wu Shengjin is clearly a smiling tiger, who cares on the surface, but secretly is already calculating others.

Su Jinyao had already figured it out here, and the door of the school over there was also opened. Dozens of children ran out of it, and it was like school was over.

Su Jinyao was still some distance away, and she could already see the shadow of Xiaocheng'er (shēn) clearly. Not because of how familiar she was with her younger brother, but because Su Jinyao found that Xiao Cheng'er turned out to be the most conspicuous one among the children. Those who are not in a hurry are not in a hurry, nor are they crowded, and they do not run around like those children, but take care of the people left and right, and do not run into them.

Su Jinyao smiled slightly, feeling full of comfort. Not to mention anything else, just with the demeanor of Xiaocheng'er, it is really incomparable to other children.

Su Jinyao didn't crowd forward, just stood there and looked at the small city from a distance. It wasn't until Xiao Cheng'er noticed her gaze that she raised her hands and gave him a thumbs up.

Xiao Cheng'er raised her eyebrows, looking proud, and then raised her hands and responded to Su Jinyao with a pair of thumbs.

For a while, the chatter of dozens of children and the inquiries of parents seemed to be quiet. The distance between Xiao Cheng'er and Su Jinyao is getting closer and closer, and the people around the pair of sisters and brothers are blurred, only they are very clear in each other's eyes. One is full of comfort and praise, and the other is silently revered and (ài) wear.

In Xiao Cheng'er's eyes, he regarded Su Jinyao as an almost perfect model. In his heart, Su Jinyao's position cannot be replaced by anyone, and the warmth, surprise and future brought to him by this sister are the ones he is most grateful for and cannot reciprocate.

Su Jinyao and the others came closer, patted him on the shoulder, and asked, "Are you hungry?" Second sister, please go down to the restaurant today. ”

Xiao Cheng'er was stunned, looked at the other children and adults around him, and asked Su Jinyao: "Second sister, why don't you ask me if I did well in the exam?" I don't care what questions I took the exam? ”

"Is it necessary to ask? I knew my brother would do well in the exam. Moreover, no matter what the question is, even if you really can't, then you have finished the test, and now it makes no sense to ask (tǐng) badly? So I won't ask, let's go to a restaurant for dinner. Then wander around town again, buy something good to eat, have fun, have a little more fun, and then go home. After Su Jinyao finished speaking, she walked out of the crowd with her arms around Xiaocheng'er's shoulders.

Xiao Cheng'er didn't expect Su Jinyao to trust herself so much, but she still couldn't help but say, "No, second sister, you have to be like someone else's adult, ask me." ”

"Must I ask?" Su Jinyao pretended not to know, shook her head and said, "Then what if I don't ask?" I don't want my brother to have an easy time after the exam. ”

"No, second sister, you ask, you ask me if I did well in the exam." Xiao Cheng'er actually took Su Jinyao's hand and begged vigorously.

Seeing Xiao Cheng'er's reaction, Su Jinyao knew even more that there was no need to ask at all. But she didn't want Xiaocheng'er's joy to be disappointed, so she said with a straight face: "Okay, since that's the case, then the second sister will ask you well." How did you do on today's exam? Is the topic difficult? ”

"Ha, I did a good job. These questions are too simple. It took me only one meal to write three pages, and then I sat there until the bell rang, and I was suffocated. Xiao Cheng'er's face was proud, and his eyes were helpless, as if he really felt that the questions in this exam were too simple.

Of course, Su Jinyao had long expected such a result. But he still pretended to be surprised and said, "Did you really do so well in the exam?" Well, I was going to eat casually, but now I have to find a big restaurant and have a good meal. Let's go, there are many restaurants on the main street over there, and it is also noisy, so let's go directly to the main street. ”

After speaking, Su Jinyao also handed the bamboo tube filled with water to Xiao Cheng'er and said, "If you encounter any exams next time, you don't have to sit and wait." After writing it and checking it, you can ask Mr. if you can hand in the paper in advance. If you say no, forget it, if you say you can hand in the papers and go first, you don't have to sit and waste time. ”

After listening to Su Jinyao's words, Xiao Cheng'er slapped his head and said, "Oh, look at me stupid, I didn't expect it to be like this." I thought that even if I was sitting, I would have to wait until the bell rang to get out. ”

"Poof" Su Jinyao also smiled, rubbed Xiaocheng'er's brain, and said, "Okay, don't be poor, let's go." Today, even children and adults have come to more than 100 mouths, and if they all go to restaurants to eat, I'm afraid they won't be able to find a seat when it's too late. We're going to have to do it early. ”

Xiao Cheng'er followed Su Jinyao (shēn), went with her to lead the big black horse, and walked towards the main street. As she walked, Xiao Cheng'er looked left and right, and then said to Su Jinyao: "I can't remember the last time I went to town." I just remember that my mother took us there. ”

Su Jinyao heard Su Xiangui say the same, and was afraid that Xiaocheng'er would miss her mother again if she talked about it, so she said: "In the future, you will study in this town, but you are much better than me and your eldest sister." ”