Fan Zhongyan was deposed from Beijing due to the failure of the Qingli reform, and is currently serving as the governor of Dengzhou, but rushed back to his hometown to worship because of his mother's death.

At this time, it coincided with the Pingjiang Mansion examination, and there were too many scholars who came to seek advice, which was very annoying.

In order to seek tranquility, Fan Zhongyan hid in an old friend's house in Jiangwan Village by Taihu Lake, and today happened to meet Fan Ning telling children about Journey to the West.

Fan Tiezhou hurriedly invited the third uncle into the house, and Zhang Sanniang hurriedly took out the best tea in the house to boil water for the third uncle to make tea.

Fan Zhongyan looked at the room, the room was brightly lit, and the furniture was made of wood, which looked relatively rough, but it was clean and tidy.

"Tie Zhou, how did your father move here?"

Fan Tiezhou sighed, "It's not because of his weird temper, the third uncle should know." ”

Fan Zhongyan nodded, although he and Fan Ning's grandfather Fan Dachuan were cousins, they rarely spoke.

Fan Dachuan has had an eccentric temper since he was a child, and he is difficult to get along with his clansmen.

Fan Zhongyan looked back at Fan Ning, who was still confused, and said with a smile: "Didn't you suggest that I use ice water to compress the wound?" ”

Fan Tiezhou hurriedly asked, "What's wrong with the third uncle?" ”

"I just accidentally twisted my ankle, and Ning'er suggested that I compress my foot with ice water."

"I'm going to fetch water from the well!" Zhang Sanniang was quick with her hands and feet, and hurriedly went to get the wooden basin.

"No!"

Fan Tiezhou hurriedly stopped his wife, he took out a small porcelain bottle from the drawer and handed it to Fan Zhongyan.

"This is the ointment I made on the mountain to collect medicine, it is very effective for bruises, the third uncle try it!"

Fan Zhongyan took the ointment with a smile, removed his shoes and socks, and wiped it evenly on his ankles, and immediately felt a burst of coolness penetrate into his skin, and his ankles immediately stopped hurting.

After a while, Fan Zhongyan put on his shoes and socks again, walked a few steps, and turned out to be completely fine.

"What kind of medicine is this? It's amazing! Fan Zhongyan asked in surprise.

"My nephew doesn't know the name either, so take it from the third uncle! Just apply it again in the evening. ”

"I don't need to, I'm just curious." Fan Zhongyan smiled and put the medicine bottle back on the table.

Fanning on the side was moved, there was such a good medicine at home, but he didn't know it!

If you open a shop in the town and treat bruises, wouldn't it be a lot of money?

At this time, Fan Zhongyan smiled and beckoned to Fan Ning, "You come to me!" ”

Fanning hurriedly stepped forward and took a closer look at this famous politician and writer in history.

Fan Zhongyan is actually a very ordinary old man in the countryside, but there is a gentle atmosphere that ordinary people do not have.

However, Fan Ning's eyes were sharp, and he found that there was a kind of sadness in Fan Zhongyan's eyes that could not be concealed.

After thinking about it carefully, Fan Ning had an epiphany, it should be the story he just told that affected Fan Zhongyan's mood.

Thinking of this, Fanning felt a little guilty in his heart.

Fan Zhongyan smiled slightly: "You invited me to your home with sincerity, you should want me to test your talents, and I will give you this opportunity today." ”

Fanning's face flushed, it turned out that his careful thinking had long been seen through by others.

At this moment, an old and hoarse voice came from the yard, "Da Lang, why are the fish caught this time so small?" ”

This voice made the room quiet all of a sudden, Zhang Sanniang's face sank, and she had a bad attack in front of the guests, so she went to the backyard with an unhappy face.

Fan Zhongyan smiled, got up and walked towards the courtyard, Fan Ning had no choice but to follow behind.

I saw a tall and thin old man standing in the courtyard, with gray hair, black skin, and a face covered with small pockmarks.

His eyes are very distinctive, the whites of his eyes account for most of them, and a pair of eyeballs are like two little black beans stuck to the whites of his eyes.

This old man was Fan Ning's grandfather, Fan Dachuan, who was carrying a large fish basket in his hand at this time, and was looking at the dozen strings of fresh fish under the eaves with disgust.

At the gate of the courtyard stood another tall young man, about twenty years old, with a pale face, a slightly thin body, and a pair of hands that were fairer and more delicate than a woman's hands.

His name was Fan Tongzhong, and he was one of Fanning's youngest uncles.

Fan Tongzhong studied in the county school and was the only talent in the Fan family, and his father Fan Dachuan pinned all his hopes on him.

At this time, Fan Tongzhong also looked at the courtyard of his eldest brother's house with the same disgust, as if walking into this courtyard would cast a layer of dust on his talent status.

But when he looked into the room, his eyes were full of eagerness and anticipation.

The world-famous Fan Xianggong actually came, what a good opportunity for him!

At this time, Fan Tiezhou ran out of the house and said excitedly: "Daddy, why are you here?" ”

"Of course you don't want me to come!"

Fan Dachuan snorted coldly, "Are you afraid that I will ruin your good deeds!" ”

Fan Tiezhou was stunned, he didn't understand what his father meant.

He hurriedly took out a fish basket from the water tank and handed it to his father with a sincere smile.

"I was lucky to go to the lake this time, and I caught more than a dozen osmanthus fish, all of which were good fish of one catty, with fat meat, and the child was specially left for my father to replenish his body."

"Let's put it aside!" Fan Dachuan waved his hand, as if driving away a fly.

At this time, Fan Zhongyan came out of the house and said with a slight smile: "I haven't seen you for many years, but the second brother's demeanor is still the same!" ”

Fan Dachuan immediately smiled and pointed to his youngest son behind him.

"Shiro takes care of me at home, my health is not bad, this child is filial! The gentlemen in the county praised him for his good conduct. ”

Fan Zhongyan smiled faintly, "I think Da Lang is also very filial." ”

Fan Dachuan glanced at his eldest son dissatisfied, "He's just average!" It's far worse than Shiro. ”

Fan Tiezhou gently pulled Fan Ning, "Kowtow to Ah Gong!" ”

"No need!"

Fan Dachuan decisively refused, "A nerd like him kowtows to me, and he will only break my life!" ”

Fan Tiezhou hurriedly explained: "Father, Ning'er is different now than before. ”

"Humph! I don't know what he looks like? ”

Fan Dachuan glared at his eldest son fiercely, and said to Fan Zhongyan: "The family is unfortunate! My eldest son has been dull since he was a child, not the material for reading, and he is even more stupid to have a son. ”

"Second brother, you are too modest."

"Hey! You don't know how stupid this kid is, I asked him what his name was at the beginning of the year, and he actually told me the next day, you say that such a stupid nerd can still study? ”

Fan Dachuan was heartbroken, and let out a long sigh, "What did I, Fan Dachuan, do, to have such a stupid father and son behind me." ”

Fan Tiezhou was scolded by his father so ashamed that he lowered his head and didn't dare to speak.

Fan Zhongyan glanced back at Fan Ning, his eyes full of sympathy.

Fanning smiled faintly, his ears were calloused by this grandfather's eccentric deeds.

Desperately belittled his father and himself, nothing more than trying to set off how good his youngest son is.

Fan Dachuan felt that the heat was almost over, so he beckoned to his youngest son.

Fan Tongzhong hurriedly ran forward and gave Fan Zhongyan a deep salute.

"Student Fan Tongzhong, give a salute to the prime minister!"

Compared with the respect of Fan Tiezhou's father and son, this Fan Tongzhong put his family affection aside, and his mouth was fair, and his philistine heart can be seen.

Although Fan Zhongyan was unhappy in his heart, he didn't show it on his face.

He smiled and asked, "Where did Shiro study?" ”

"The students are studying in the county school, and they are going to go to Cheung Chau to take the exam in a few days."

Fan Dachuan next to him hurriedly added: "My Shiro is now a showman!" ”

The talent of the Song Dynasty is different from that of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and it is not a kind of fame.

Generally speaking, as long as you get the recommendation of the county to participate in the exam, you can be called a showman.

Because he is the only one in the village, Fan Dachuan is extremely proud, and he praises him for how smart he is and how easy he is to be admitted to Xiucai.

Fan Tongzhong seized the opportunity and hurriedly took out a stack of manuscripts from his bookbag and presented them to Fan Zhongyan.

"Here are a few articles and poems written by students, please give me advice!"

Fan Zhongyan took the manuscript and flipped through it, and returned it to him with a smile.

"Not bad! I hope to hear good news from you. ”

Fan Tongzhong was so excited that tears were about to fall, and his voice was choked.

"Xianggong's teachings to students will definitely be remembered by students."

Fan Dachuan also felt hopeful, and hurriedly struck while the iron was hot and said, "I heard that there are no disciples behind the third brother, see if you can ......"

Fan Ning burst out laughing, his grandfather actually wanted the fourth uncle to be Fan Zhongyan's heir, he really wanted to think of it!

Rao is Fan Zhongyan no matter how self-contained, he finally couldn't help it at this time.

He grabbed Fan Tongzhong, who was about to kneel and kowtow, and said to Fan Dachuan: "I'm still on business today, so I'll go first, and I'll visit my second brother another day." ”

At this time, he didn't want to stay any longer, he turned back to Fan Ning and Fan Tiezhou and nodded, turned around and left the courtyard.

"It's all your fault, I missed this opportunity!"

Fan Tongzhong angrily accused his eldest brother and nephew, as if he was stained with the bad luck of their father and son, and Fan Zhongyan looked down on him.

He stomped his foot hard, covered his face and turned around and ran away, what a good opportunity! It was ruined by that little fool.

Fan Dachuan was also trembling with anger, and his anger was sprinkled on his eldest son.

"What a rare opportunity for Fan Xianggong to come to the village, you didn't invite him to guide your fourth brother, but you only thought about your own son, so that your fourth brother lost this opportunity in vain, you touch your conscience and think about it, are you worthy of me, worthy of your fourth brother?"

Fanning was furious and slowly clenched his fists.

But he gave his father face, didn't tear this face, just looked at this unreasonable grandfather coldly, and didn't say a word.

Fan Tiezhou swallowed his anger and said, "Daddy, Ning'er can indeed study." ”

"Whew!"

Fan Dachuan spat heavily on the ground and pointed at the three broken thatched huts with a sneering face.

"Look at what your family is like to be poor, and you still want your stupid son to go to school in this situation? I won't talk about wasting money, but more importantly, it will make the people in the village laugh, you are shameless, I can't afford to lose this old face! ”

"You're embarrassed to say we're poor!" Zhang Sanniang finally couldn't help but rush out.

She tries her best to save face for her husband and doesn't worry about her father-in-law, but she will never tolerate her father-in-law bullying her husband and son like this.

She glared at Fan Dachuan and said, "What did you give Da Lang when they split up last year?" The land and real estate had to be left to the fourth child, so he drove us out.

We have no fixed residence, and thanks to a little dowry from me, these three rooms have been built, and I will ask you one question, is Da Lang your son? ”

The more Zhang Sanniang spoke, the more sad she became, and her eyes were red.

"Why didn't Da Lang study, don't you know? He went down to the lake at the age of fifteen to fish and support his family, but you are here to say that he is stupid, you should touch your conscience and think about it! ”

Fan Dachuan's face was red and white for a while, and he simply let it go.

"Since you all think I'm unfair, then I'll tell you the truth, my biggest wish in this life is to have a son who is an official, but Dalang fishes, Erlang does business, and Sanlang does inverted doors, and I can't count on it.

Now only the fourth child is successful in his studies, and he is the most hopeful of becoming an official, so I expect him to glorify his ancestors after becoming an official, and he can also give me a pension and send me to the end, so don't blame me for favoring the fourth child a little more, and you are kind to the fourth child, that is, filial piety to me. ”

"Daddy, I didn't say that your old man is partial." Fan Tiezhou hurriedly persuaded.

"But your wife said it, huh!"

Fan Dachuan snorted heavily, turned around and left, but when he walked out of the door, he suddenly turned back, picked up the basket full of cinnamon fish, and scolded and left.

．．．．．．．

Fan Zhongyan returned to his residence along the river, and he was very emotional.

Obviously, the grandson is wise and foolish, and he is a rare beautiful jade talent, but Fan Dachuan turns a blind eye, obviously the youngest son is a straw bag, but he treats it as a pearl.

wrote a bunch of nonsense articles, and actually wanted to be his heir to Fan Zhongyan, and if he Fan Zhongyan was deposed again, he would not fall into depravity.

At this time, Fan Zhongyan suddenly faintly heard Fan Ning calling himself.

When I turned around, I saw Fanning rushing from behind, holding a piece of paper in his hand.

Fan Zhongyan stopped, wondering in his heart, what does this kid want to show himself?

After a moment, Fan Ning came panting and handed the paper in his hand to Fan Zhongyan, "This is a poem written by my grandson, please advise the third grandfather!" ”

Fan Zhongyan looked at his red little face, a wave of pity welled up in his heart, and he bent down to touch Fan Ning's little head.

"Okay, I'll be sure to read it!"

Fan Zhongyan thought about it, then took out a jade pendant from his waist and handed it to him.

"There is a library building in the Fan family's main hall in the town, and you can enter it with this jade pendant."

Fan Ning took the jade pendant and bowed deeply, "Thank you for the third grandfather!" ”

Fan Zhongyan smiled and stroked his head, "You work hard, and when I come back next time, write a few more poems for me." ”

"My grandson will definitely work hard!"

After a pause, Fanning smiled again and said, "This poem may make the third grandfather feel better." ”

After saying that, he ran away without a trace.

．．．．．．．．

Fan Zhongyan walked slowly along the river, reading the words that Fan Ning wrote to him as he walked:

Don't listen to the sound of the forest beating the leaves, why not groan and walk slowly. Bamboo cane shoes are lighter than horses, who is afraid? A cloud of smoke and rain is Ren Ping's life.

The steep spring breeze blows the wine and wakes up, slightly cold, and the mountain is obliquely shining but welcomes. Looking back at the bleak place, there is no wind and rain and no sunshine.

Fan Zhongyan was shocked in his heart, he couldn't believe that this would be a word written by an eight-year-old child, and he might not be able to write it himself!

Fan Zhongyan stopped and read it over and over again, and he finally understood the philosophy of life contained in this poem.

Although it only depicts the occasional wind and rain encountered on the way in the wilderness, it sees deep meaning in simplicity, and gives birth to strange scenes in ordinary places, showing a kind of open and detached mind.

The corners of Fan Zhongyan's eyes suddenly moistened a little, and this poem is clearly a righteous literati who strives for liberation in a bumpy life.

This is written about yourself!

At this time, Fan Zhongyan thought of Fan Ning's pure gaze, and thought of the infinite vitality contained in his red and fluttering smile, and at this moment, his heart became full of vitality.

．．．．．．．．

In the room, Zhang Sanniang was still complaining about her husband.

"It's rare that the third uncle likes Ning'er, and you don't let the third uncle help, where is it so easy to get into Yanying Academy?"

Fan Tiezhou repaired the hoe and answered his wife's complaints in a muffled voice.

"Let's just rely on our own ability to take the exam, if we can't pass the exam, we will go to the government-run school in the town, no matter where we go, I believe that my son is the brightest pearl."

Zhang Sanniang sighed, "I also hope that Ning'er will give us a good fight, and let your father see how he treats the pearl as rubble!" ”

At this moment, a cough suddenly came from outside.

Fan Tiezhou hurriedly came out of the house, but saw that it was the third uncle standing in the courtyard.

Fan Tiezhou scratched the back of his head, "Is there anything else wrong with the third uncle?" ”

Fan Zhongyan smiled slightly: "I forgot to ask just now, I'm going to the capital tomorrow, I don't know if Ning'er is willing to leave home for a month?" ”