At the beginning of June, the summer solstice.

Lin Mansion, the young Nanshan is not too hot, wearing a cloth bag tiger hat, riding a bamboo horse under his crotch, and running to the backyard boudoir, shouting his Lin Xiaomei while running.

"Little sister, come out and play, I brought you a candy man!"

"Little Sister ......"

Before Nanshan shouted for the third time, the little sister of the Lin family had already taken the initiative to run out of the backyard, and when she saw Nanshan, she waved and shouted: "Brother Nanshan, I'm here, I'm here......"

Nanshan Huhula came to Lin Xiaomei, took out a sugar man wrapped in oil paper from his arms, and handed it to Lin Xiaomei.

"Eat it, I just bought it, it's still hot!"

Lin Xiaomei took the sugar man, squinted a pair of little fox eyes, stretched out her little fragrant tongue to lick the food, and her little face was full of sweetness.

"Little sister, why do you smell of plums?"

Nanshan rode a bamboo horse, walked around Lin Xiaomei, and smelled the fragrance of plums on Lin Xiaomei's body while circling around.

As soon as she talked about plums, Lin Xiaomei, who licked the candy man, suddenly opened her fox eyes wide, pulled Nanshan and said.

"Brother Nanshan, the green plums in the backyard are almost ripe, let's go pick the green plums."

When Nanshan heard this, he didn't say anything, and pulled Lin Xiaomei and ran to the backyard in a hurry.

In the backyard, looking at the tall green plum trees, Nanshan looked back at Lin Xiaomei, who was also riding on a bamboo horse, holding a candy man in one hand and holding her clothes in the other, and said softly.

"Little sister is off the horse, I'll dig green plums for you!"

Lin Xiaomei squinted her fox eyes, reluctantly got off the bamboo horse, and stood aside and looked at Nanshan.

Nanshan didn't say anything, he smiled, he also got off the bamboo horse, lifted the bamboo horse high, and greeted the green plums on the tree.

Syllable!

The sound of bamboo poles and branches hitting each other sounded, and the next moment, five or six green plums fell one after another.

"Little sister, pick up the plums!"

Seeing that some green plums fell, Lin Xiaomei had already run out first, picked up the green plums, lifted her shirt and carried them.

"Brother Nanshan, there are not enough plums, and my little sister still needs it!"

Nanshan laughed and continued to raise the bamboo horse and destroy the plum tree.

"Brother Nanshan, the little sister still wants plums, let the mother make honey green plums for the little sister, and these green plums cook wine for the father......"

In this way, one uses a bamboo horse to beat green plums, and the other lowers his head to pick up green plums, and the picture is suffocating.

There is a poem that says: The concubine is the first to cover the forehead, the drama in front of the flower door, Lang rides a bamboo horse, goes around the bed to make green plums, lives together in the long trunk, and the two are not suspicious.

……

The sun and moon rotate, the morning fog and the sunset, and soon autumn begins.

On September 9, the market town, with red walls and green tiles, is lined up one after another.

Because the world has been peaceful for a long time, the characters are numerous, the shops in the alleys are gathered, and there are countless stalls in the market.

Early in the morning, there is a morning market open, and the buying and selling are simple.

Reading Lang Nanshan carried a book bag, walked out of the house, crossed the small bridge, and saw an old farmer holding a large bundle of red acacia seeds at the head of the bridge, standing on the side of the road, bowing his head and lowering his eyes, and did not sell.

Nanshan walked over and asked the old farmer.

"Uncle, how do you sell this thing?"

"It's all country things, if the little boy wants it, he can take all the two pennies."

Nanshan shook his head and smiled, took out a copper coin from his arms, and handed it to the old farmer.

"It's not easy to be precious, I only have a penny, can you choose the most beautiful one."

"Yes, of course, please take care of yourself, little boy!"

Nanshan stretched out his hand, picked a branch of the most plump and mellow acacia seed, and after hiding it in the book bag, he said goodbye to the old farmer and went to the school.

In the evening, Nanshan returned home and did not go home directly, but went to the next neighbor's house.

In the backyard of the Lin family, Nanshan carefully took out the acacia seed from the book bag and handed it to Lin Xiaomei.

"Little sister, for you!"

"Brother Nanshan, what is this?"

The red acacia is very cute, after listening to Nanshan say that this thing is edible, Lin Xiaomei took one and tasted it, sweet and greasy, extremely lovely.

"This is the legendary Acacia Seed, also known as Red Bean!"

"Brother Nanshan, what is Acacia?"

This question stumped Nanshan.

However, when he saw Lin Xiaomei's fox eyes staring at him without blinking, Nanshan thought for a while and said.

"I don't know what a lovesick child is, but I have a poem to tell."

Just when Lin Xiaomei wanted to ask, Nanshan had already turned her head, looking at the autumn colors and evening outside the window, and read it vividly.

"Red beans are born in the south, and a few branches are sent in spring."

"May you pick more, this thing is the most lovely."

Hearing this lovesickness, Lin Xiaomei blinked her big eyes, slightly confused, slightly ignorant, and slightly serious.

"I'll go back first, little sister!"

"Okay, Brother Nanshan!"

……

In February of the following year, Pingyang County held a children's examination (children's subject), and Nanshan participated in the children's examination at the age of seven.

The children's examination is the starting point of the imperial examination, and only those who pass the children's examination are eligible to participate in the official imperial examination.

The children's test that Nanshan participated in this time was the first round of the county examination hosted by the county magistrate, and only three subjects were examined, namely Xiucai, Mingjing, and Jinshi. (Tang system)

Xiucai subject, to put it simply, is actually a question, and this subject is the most difficult.

The content of this subject is mainly based on policy questions, and the so-called policy questions are asked by the examiner and the candidates give answers. (The end point of this course is the interview of the emperor himself)

The Ming classics are simpler, and the content of the exam is mainly based on classics.

To put it bluntly, it is best to be familiar with the scriptures of the saints, and to be able to memorize, write and understand.

Of course, the difference between the advantages and disadvantages of this subject lies in who understands more sage scriptures and has more scriptures.

The last subject is the Jinshi course, which examines current affairs and poetry and literary talents, and candidates generally need to understand the comprehensive knowledge of politics, governance, education, production and other aspects, and answer questions in this way.

In the county examination room, Nanshan easily passed the 'interview' of the county master.

The question raised by the county magistrate is 'how to reduce theft in the city', this question is for ordinary children, they must immediately come up with a way, and tell it clearly in front of the county magistrate's noodles, ordinary children's children have long been trembling all over, and there is nowhere to put their hands.

But for Nanshan, such a question is simple and easy.

Nanshan made three points:

The first point is to set up public security patrols on the streets of the county, and it is best to carry knives to work, so that all the people can see it, and the people and property will be safeguarded.

The second point is to set up a special bandit arrest fast, and set up a corresponding arrest bounty in order to achieve performance.

The third point is to impose heavy penalties and special rectifications to highlight thugs in order to set an example.

Nanshan said these three things, so that the county magistrate, who stabilized the main examination position, glanced at Nanshan.

The county lord is not looking up to Nanshan because of what Nanshan said, these things are taught by the school teachers, and the private school is also involved, and even the questions that the county lord is asking now are revealed in private.

The real reason why the county lord thinks highly of Nanshan is that Nanshan's tone, speed of speech, self-confidence, attitude, etc., when he speaks and answers questions, makes the county lord's eyes shine.

In this way, Nanshan easily passed the first subject of Xiucai and got a high school result.

In the next exam, it will be easier for Nanshan.

For children, memorizing and writing the scriptures of the saints is the most basic, and the difficulty is that a small number of topics need to be briefly expounded on the scriptures of the saints.

Nanshan easily passed the exam and got a good score in middle school.

The last exam is the Jinshi subject, which is the latest tax system promulgated by the imperial court, and the other part is based on the topic of the family and the country, and you can write poems and questions.

At this moment, no matter who you are, in the tax system, you have to choose a good thing to say, even if you put forward an opinion, it is very tactful.

For a group of children, the main thing is to look at the final poems and songs.

At this point, Nanshan is not inferior to others, excerpting a "Prodigy Poem", and immediately drank to the full.

"Since childhood, he has learned a lot of talents, and he has high ambitions in his life;"

"Others have swords, but I have a pen like a sword."

"Chao is Tian Shelang, and the twilight is in the Tianzi Hall;"

"There will be no seeds, and men should be self-reliant."

Three days later, the children's test list was released, and Nanshan successfully won the primary title of scholar [Xianggong].

This is slightly different from the imperial examination of the Ming and Qing dynasties, it is not called Xiucai, but the Xiucai at this time is the real talent, all-rounder, and the top one.

In this book, the world is a little different, the students who pass the children's examination and obtain the qualification for the imperial examination are called [Xianggong], and those who are recommended by the famous scholar school to obtain the examination qualification are called [Shengtu].

And Nanshan is a veritable [Xianggong].

After this examination, Nanshan won the name of prodigy because of the children's department to write "Prodigy Poems", and it is known to women and children in ten miles and eight towns.

……

In August, Nanshan was reading by the window, accompanied by the summer cicada.

"Brother Nanshan, what do you see I brought you?"

In front of the windowsill, a small head poked out, a pair of fox eyes blinked, and the little expression full of anticipation was very cute.

Nanshan looked at Lin Xiaomei, who was combing small tassels and sticking mutton fat jade hairpins on her head, and said affectionately.

"Little sister, when did you arrive?"

"Hee-hee...... Brother Nanshan, I've just arrived! ”

Lin Xiaomei's big fox eyes were full of happiness and joy, and while giggling, she didn't forget to take out the small basket she brought from behind her.

In the small basket, there are four small osmanthus cakes.

"Brother Nanshan, try the osmanthus cake that my mother made for me!"

Nanshan nodded, and there was also a bright smile on his face.

After taking the osmanthus cake, Nanshan saw Lin Xiaomei's expectant eyes, and the little fragrant tongue that couldn't help but stretch out and lick her lips, and instantly understood something.

"Whew...... My little sister and I eat together, and it is fragrant for two people to eat! ”

Nanshan handed out the osmanthus cake in his hand and handed the osmanthus cake directly to Lin Xiaomei's mouth.

After Lin Xiaomei took a bite, Nanshan reached back and took a bite herself.

"Brother Nanshan, thank you, you are so good!"

"Hehe......"

Nanshan looked at Lin Xiaomei and laughed.

The little girl is simple, the food she brought was eaten by others, and she had to thank others.

In this way, Nanshan and Lin Xiaomei sat at the desk on the windowsill together, you and I took a bite, you and I were nong, and the depth of love was as hot as fire.

……

Every year is the same, and the years and months are not flowers.

In the blink of an eye, five years have passed.

Another Flowing Fire June, the same place.

Nanshan is twelve years old, and Lin Xi is also twelve years old.

Three days later, Nanshan will go to the state capital (Youzhou) to take the exam and participate in the next level of scientific examination to be held in the state capital in August.

On the day of parting, Nanshan and Lin Xi did not have much grievances.

Because, just today, they are engaged.

The Nan family and the Lin family are neighbors of each other, know each other's roots, get along well, and the two children love each other, and the adults soon reached a consensus and fulfilled Nanshan and Lin Xi.

Moreover, Nanshan has the name of the township, and the career is promising, and in the past few years, there are countless people who come to the door to propose relatives.

Of course, the only daughter of the Lin family, Fang Ling, is twelve years old, her beauty is amazing, and there are countless people who propose marriage.

However, Nanshan and Lin Xilin's little sister did not react, and in the end, before Nanshan was preparing to travel far away to catch the exam, the Nan family went to the Lin family to propose marriage.

Over the years, the two families of Nanlin have had a tacit understanding with each other, and this proposal hit it off.

Study, desk near the window.

Nanshan and Lin Xi sat together as always, looking at the trees and flowers outside the window together.

"Brother Nanshan, your loquat is almost ripe!"

"Little sister, it's not my family, it's our family!"

Nanshan looked at the golden loquat in his yard and thought of something.

"Do you want to eat it?"

"Uh-huh!!"

Lin Xilin's little sister has become more and more energetic in recent years, and when Nanshan said that it was our family, the fox's eyes were shining, and her little face gradually turned crimson.

Taking advantage of her greed, she opened this short meeting in Nanshan, and Lin Xilin's little sister soothed herself.

"There is plenty of rain and sunshine this year, and the loquat must be big and sweet!"

Nanshan came in with a large bamboo plate of loquats, picked out the largest of them, peeled and cored, and fed it to Lin Xiaomei personally.

"How? How does it compare to last year? ”

After Nanshan finished feeding a loquat, he asked Lin Xi how sweet the loquat was, and the latter puffed up his little mouth and couldn't figure it out.

After Lin Xiaomei swallowed the loquat, she squinted her fox eyes and said happily, "It's sweeter than last year's."

Nanshan also peeled one himself and put it in his mouth, which has a sweet aftertaste, which is really delicious.

"Brother Nanshan, I'll peel it with you!"

Nanshan nodded, pushed the loquat to Lin Xiaomei's side, and took out a sage classic and read it by himself.

Three days later, three miles away from Pingyang Town.

Nanlin's two families came to say goodbye to Nanshan, and Lin Xiaomei, who was still giggling with Nanshan two days ago, suddenly cried a lot.

Nanshan took out a small wooden box from his arms and handed it to Lin Xiaomei, only to stop Lin Xiaomei's sobbing.

Lin Xiaomei looked at Nanshan with red eyes, her eyes full of inquiry and curiosity.

"Go back and see!"

Lin Xiaomei nodded, and also took out a green silk sachet from her arms and stuffed it into Nanshan's hand.

The sachet was as light as nothing, and when Nanshan touched it, he knew that it contained a wisp of green silk from Lin Xilin's little sister.

"When I get back, take care of myself!"

Bidding farewell to his parents and the elders of the Lin family, Nanshan reached out and stroked the hair in Lin Xiaomei's ear, turned around and got into the carriage.

"Brother Nanshan, come back early, little sister is waiting for you......"

……

Next to a pile of thatched grass in the distance, a young beggar with sword eyebrows and starry eyes looked at Lin Xiaomei who kept waving his hand to Nanshan and muttered.

"Little Engong...... Xiao Engong...... Little Eun Gong ......"

This young beggar is the little beggar Qingbei who was unintentionally saved by the fox-eyed Lin Xiaomei a few years ago.

Now Qingbei has become a lonely family, and his grandfather, an old beggar, froze to death outside the city last winter.

By the time the young beggar Qingbei came to his senses, the Nanlin family had already returned to Pingyang Town with their subordinates.

Looking at Lin Xiaomei's distant back, the young beggar Qingbei's face showed a trace of firmness.

"Little Engong, I always remember your life-saving grace!"