After the whole family was swept away, I lay down flat

Chapter 701 Something happened
Jin Jiashu spoke sarcastically to Ma Shangyi and then walked out.

He was dissatisfied with Ma Shangyi's actions, but now was not the time to quarrel with her, so he just said a few sarcastic words. This was also a warning, reminding her not to ruin Wu Ke's blind date with Miss Xin, otherwise she would not be able to explain to anyone.

After returning to his room, he took out the book again.

Before he could enter the provincial academy next year, he had to make up for his previous lack of foundation and practice his writing. Teacher Xie always said that his articles were full of spirit, but his lack of foundation made his writing style rather simple and not as sophisticated as Wu Ke's.

Furthermore, Mr. Xie was a top scholar more than 30 years ago. Although he has been reading and writing for many years, he is not living in the prosperous literary style of the Central Plains. He has limited knowledge of the popular writing styles in the court, and is not clear about the taboos and preferences of the examiners in Beijing. If he were to take the provincial examination in Chang'an, he could still cope with it. However, if he were to take the metropolitan examination in Beijing, there would definitely be many shortcomings. Studying in the prefectural school would allow him to be exposed to the famous contemporary essays in his country in recent years and learn about the latest news of the imperial examination. The benefits outweigh the disadvantages. Mr. Xie also strongly supports his entry into the prefectural school. If he had not taken the initiative to propose it, Mr. Xie would have been ready to write to his old friends in Beijing to ask for the textbooks and collections used in the Imperial College in the past ten years. He and Wu Ke entered the prefectural school together, which saved Mr. Xie a lot of trouble.

Although Jin Jiashu was still thinking about the Hai family and wondering what happened in Yunyang Prefecture, which led to the lack of news from Guard Lin, when it came time to study, he immediately concentrated and began studying hard and writing.

They had a simple lunch. It was getting dark as evening approached. Lights were turned on all over the house. Jin Jiashu put down the brush in his hand, stretched his tired arms, and stood up.

Luga Wa brought him some freshly cooked noodles and hot chicken soup, which she kept warm on the stove, and reminded him to eat when he was hungry. She also told him, "I'm sorry, Xiao Jian, but I'm here to tell you, Master, that the date for his wedding has been set, which is November 18th. We're going to set up two tables of wine at home. Please come and enjoy the feast."

Jin Jiashu laughed and said, "That's a bit ridiculous. Xiao Jian is getting married, so of course I have to go and congratulate her, and I have to give her a generous gift. What's there to be embarrassed about? Xiao Jian has become shy now."

Lu Gawa laughed and said, "My brothers are all laughing at him. Getting married is a great thing! If he comes in person to announce the good news to the young master, and then goes to Mammy, he might even get two great awards, and even two more tables of top-notch food. Why would he need to worry about money?!"

Jin Jiashu raised his eyebrows: "Is Zhou Xiaojian short of money? Why didn't I hear him mention it?"

Luga Wa said, "He doesn't lack money to live on, but he recently heard that the army is short of people and wants to recruit a group of surplus soldiers. He is of the right age and family background, and he is good at riding, shooting and martial arts, so he should be selected. But his uncle said that if he wants to be safe, he has to spend a lot of money to arrange it. He is trying to find a way to raise money recently, but he is embarrassed to ask the young master."

Jin Jiashu guessed that the army was short of people. Could it be because Tu Rong took his men back to Beijing, General Zhou was going to take over as the commander of Shaanxi Dusi, and General Zhou Liu took his men to Shaanxi Xingdusi, and the Northwest Frontier Army had a major personnel transfer, so they needed to add new personnel? If so, it would be a good opportunity for Zhou Xiaojian. Unfortunately, among his good friends, Hai Jiao, Zhou Yijun, and Zhou Sujun, who had connections in the army, were either stationed at the border or followed Tu Rong into Beijing. If he wanted to find a way to arrange things for Zhou Xiaojian, there were not many people he could ask for help. Although Guard Lin had people under him and was registered with Shaanxi Dusi, their team was still part of the imperial guards and was not under the jurisdiction of Shaanxi Dusi, so it was not easy for them to interfere in the personnel affairs of the Northwest Frontier Army.

So he said, "I'll write a letter later, and you can take it to the Tang family and give it to Tang Meng, asking him to come out and see if he can help Zhou Xiaojian. Zhou Xiaojian's uncle claims to have connections, but he may not be reliable. It's better for us to ask someone else for a favor."

Lu Ga Wa said hurriedly, "Young Master is right. In fact, we are also wondering in our hearts. If Zhou Xiaojian's uncle really has connections, why doesn't he spend money to find a position for his own son? Only his eldest son has filled the vacancy, and the other three sons are idle at home! I'm afraid he wants to cheat Xiao Jian brother of a sum of money and use it on his own son? Xiao Jian brother's grandmother is afraid that Xiao Jian brother will miss this opportunity and will not be able to join the army. She also believes his uncle's words, so she has been urging Xiao Jian brother to raise money, and even reduced a few tables for the wedding banquet. They are relatives, and we outsiders can't say anything. If Young Master can help Xiao Jian brother find a way, it will be safest. I will go and tell Xiao Jian brother not to rush to send the money, and at least wait until Young Master has news!" Jin Jiashu nodded and let him go, but he was thinking that if Tang Meng couldn't help, he would have to go to the people of the Zhenguo Mansion in person to ask. If it really doesn't work, he can just bow his head to Ma Ma, apologize, and let Ma Ma ask her nephews and nephews at home to find a solution?
Thinking of this, he left the house and went to the east wing.

There was no one in the east wing. Ma Shangyi had gone out at some point, and the lights were not even on. Confused, Jin Jiashu turned to the front yard and saw Ma Shangyi walking towards him in a hurry, holding an opened letter in her hand, with an unsightly expression on her face.

Jin Jiashu's heart moved, and he hurriedly greeted: "Madam, what's wrong? Did something happen?"

When Ma Shangyi saw him, her face became even uglier. She hesitated to speak, then pulled his wrist into the house, sat down beside the kang, and said solemnly, "Brother, I just received an urgent report from Guard Lin who sent someone from Yunyang Prefecture. Something happened to your cousin!"

Jin Wu's accident happened very suddenly.

After two days of bargaining, Guard Lin and the butcher had agreed on a redemption price and paid a deposit. The butcher was quite satisfied with the price and immediately handed the contract to Guard Lin. He also went to the government to file a case and restored Jin Wu's household registration as a good citizen. During this process, he never asked for Jin Wu's opinion and didn't care. His daughter was still a little reluctant, but after her son-in-law said something disparaging about Jin Wu, she stopped talking.

Guard Lin paid the remaining money and ordered Jin Wu to pack his luggage and leave with him. Jin Wu didn't have much stuff. His personal belongings were either stolen when he encountered bandits or lost over the years. He only had a few old clothes left. Even his parents' spirit tablets were ordered to be thrown away because the butcher's family and his new son-in-law thought it was unlucky. If he hadn't been reluctant to part with those old clothes, it wouldn't have been a big deal if Guard Lin took him away immediately.

However, Jin Wu repeatedly asked Guard Lin that he had not thrown away his parents' tablets, but had hidden them and some worthless relics left by his parents in the mountains. He wanted to find all these things and take them away.

Guard Lin had been away on business for many years and missed his parents and relatives, so he softened his heart when he saw this. He accompanied Jin Wu to the foot of the mountain that the other party mentioned. He believed the other party's words that he would be back soon and let him go to find the things.

However, Jin Wu never came back. Guard Lin waited at the foot of the mountain for a night, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong. When it was dawn, he followed Jin Wu's footprints up the mountain and found a cliff. He found Jin Wu's shoes on the cliff and suspected that he had accidentally stepped on the wrong shoe and fell off the cliff, with no trace left.

The terrain below the cliff was steep, so Guard Lin couldn't go to check. He searched the mountain for two days, but couldn't find any trace of Jin Wu. After leaving the mountain, he asked on the main roads, but didn't hear of a young man of this height and appearance passing by. He could only believe that Jin Wu was really buried under the cliff.

(End of this chapter)