The Concubine Wushuang of Red Mansion

Chapter 120 The situation of the Zhen family
"It turns out that we are responsible for organizing the Quhu Wine Drinking Festival, inviting the literati from the south of the Yangtze River to have fun together, and also like to drink wine and recite poems. The Xiong family does not have such a big garden. I went to borrow the Liang Garden a while ago, and the Xu family Take this matter over."

Jia Cong and Xiong Tingyan accompanied Xiong Bichen on the verandah. As they walked, Xiong Tingyan told Jia Cong the background of today's poetry competition. Ming Min, this time, the eight major salt merchants in Jiangnan are here, and the five prominent families in Jiangnan are also here to support us. Today’s grand occasion is also rare!”

Jia Cong did not expect that he would have such great influence and be able to alarm this important figure in the Jiangnan world.

"Not to mention the Jiangnan salt merchants, who are the five noble families?" Jia Cong asked.

Seeing that the large flower hall in front had arrived and was filled with people, who were all looking over here, Xiong Tingyan swallowed his words and whispered, "Junior brother will know in a moment."

Jia Cong looked over. In the huge flower hall, the people sitting on the left and right were clearly differentiated. At a glance, he could tell that the group in the south were white-haired elders from the Wenhua family, while the group in the north were thought to be fat salt merchant tycoons. , although the two are in the same flower hall, there is a Chu River and Han boundary separated in the middle, with clear distinctions.

Seeing Jia Cong and others coming, these people all stood up one after another, not because of Jia Cong, but because Xiong Bichen was the revered grandmaster.

"Gong Defu, you are late! We have been waiting for you for a long time!" One of the old men with white beards said in a loud and authentic voice.

Xiong Bichen returned the salute and said, "Dear Mr. An, it's not that I'm late, it's that the other gentlemen came early. I must be the one who caused the trouble!"

Huang Ang, nicknamed Jing'an, was about the same age as Xiong Bichen. He looked around at Jia Cong and said, "Is this your little disciple Jia Cong? Are you finally willing to pull him out for us to see him today?"

Xiong Bichen looked at Jia Cong with loving eyes. Anyone could see that he was extremely satisfied with his disciple, "This is Duke Jing'an of the Huang family in Jinling. In the past, I taught you to read Brother Jing'an's articles. You I like it very much, and I’m lucky enough to meet you today. If you have any doubts, you can ask Brother Jing’an for advice in person!”

"It's easy to talk about! I've heard about you, young man Ruiqi Qianyun. I just like children like you. I also want to see your handwriting!"

How could Jia Cong not know the name of Huang Ang, who had been in Jiangnan for three years? This was a great scholar as famous as his husband. He was born in a poor family. He entered school at the age of 12 and became the top scholar in high school. He had extraordinary knowledge and noble character. When he was old, he had written many works. , enjoys a high reputation in the literary world and is a highly respected person.

Jia Cong saw that his clothes were all washed white, and there were patches on the thousand-layer soles of his shoes. He felt admiration in his heart and saluted respectfully.

"It's just your temper. You're too upright. Look at today, these people are here to attack you. You can offend all the students in Jiangnan on your first day in Jiangnan. You are No. 1 !”

Jia Cong knew in his heart that Duke Jing'an wanted him to bow his head slightly and help him ease the conflict between him and the Jiangnan literary world.

Jia Cong had no such intention, saying, "The junior's literary name does not match his age, so it is understandable that the world will question it. They should not obstruct the coffins of my grandfather and mother; if they just want to expose the junior, That’s fine; they are stepping on me to make a name for themselves. Now that we are in opposition, no matter how humble I am, in the eyes of others, I will be cowardly, which just confirms that I am full of idiots.”

The people around him felt quite uncomfortable after hearing this. Having all their thoughts wiped away was like having their clothes stripped off.

Duke Jing'an laughed loudly, "Mr. Defu, your disciple is quite clever!"

Xiong Bichen was very pleased to see that Jia Cong had thought of this. His disciple was not only extremely talented, he was also very good at writing articles and sentences, and he always came up with new ideas. The most rare thing was that he was not a bookworm, and he was more worldly and sophisticated than he was. The senior brother who is 20 years older still needs to practice more.

Xiong Bichen is not worried about today's game. Jiangnan literati have a good reputation and want to use Cong'er to become famous. It is really hard to say who will succeed in the end.

"Jia Cong, three years ago, after my unsatisfactory grandson was scolded by you, he went back to study poems and books for three years just to compete with you today. After being here for three years, I believe your knowledge has improved. Ying Ye has reached another level!”

Jia Cong didn't know this person, so Xiong Tingyan said from the side, "That day, when your ship arrived at Jiangning Pier, a total of two students confronted you. One of them was Li Zheng, and this is Li Zheng's ancestor, Wang Zhonggong."

Jia Cong stood up after saluting and said, "Thank you so much for the compliment, Duke Wang! Learning is like sailing against the current. If you don't advance, you will retreat. There is also a saying that live until you are old and learn until you are old. Brother Li Zheng has been studying with his head hanging on the beam and his buttocks thorns for three years. In order to compete with Jia Cong, Jia Cong was extremely touched by this attention. Although Jia Cong also continued his studies, it was not just for today's competition."

Li Fangying felt offended and felt very uncomfortable. He said bluntly, "I didn't expect that Duke Defu's disciple would be so supportive. It seems that today, he can single-handedly challenge many of my students in Jiangning? "

Xiong Bichen smiled but did not answer, with an attitude of letting his disciple deal with it. Li Fangying was so angry that he fell backwards. This old guy always protected his shortcomings. If Jia Cong didn't have some skills, I'm afraid he wouldn't have brought Jia Cong here.

For a moment, Li Fangying felt a little unsure.

Jia Cong behaved respectfully and said, "Looking at my father-in-law, I don't dare to trust you. Since ancient times, there has been no first in literature and no second in martial arts. I don't dare to speak nonsense and dare to challenge many students in Jiangnan on my own. Although I am young and ignorant, , I also followed my husband to learn benevolence and righteousness, set my ambitions, know the purpose of studying, do not fight hard for the sake of strength, be honest and diligent in learning, and take the world as my responsibility!"

"That's why the kid would say that studying hard for three years was not for today's game."

In this way, the structure of the Li family's boys seems to be too small. If the younger generation does not have such a structure, they should be the convenience supervision of the elders, rather than supporting them from the sidelines.

However, Li Fangying did not get angry out of shame. Instead, he smiled heartily and said to Xiong Bichen, "Mr. Defu, you really have made a good disciple!"

Not everyone around him is as open-minded as Li Fangying. Some people nod in appreciation, while others disapprove. They feel that although Jia Cong is young, he is very pretentious. Such rhetoric is to pave the way for a sudden defeat. Presumably, he got the guidance from the Xiong family.

"Boy Jia, I am Xu Yuanshan, a salt merchant from the south of the Yangtze River. Three years ago, boy Jia carried his spirit south, and my grandson blocked the coffins of my grandfather and your father. It was really disrespectful. Today, I formally apologize to boy Jia!"

An old man covered in silk and brocade walked up to Jia Cong and bowed his head to the end, not allowing Jia Cong to get out of the way.

When Xiong Tingyan saw a salt merchant, he stepped forward to step on his junior brother. When he was about to step forward to defend him, he was pulled by Xiong Bichen. He was very puzzled.

Xiong Bichen was a great scholar of his generation, but his disciple was bullied by a salt merchant and refused to defend him. The others were equally puzzled, but when they saw Xiong Bichen looking at Jia Cong with gentle eyes, they suddenly realized that he was going to train his disciple.

Jia Cong simply stood there calmly. When the man stood up and looked at each other, Jia Cong did not see any apologetic emotion in the man's eyes, so he knew that this man was retreating in order to advance, embarrassing him. .

While he was making an apology, he called him "Jia Xiaozi". It must have been three years ago that his righteous curse brought a lot of confusion to the Xu family.

"Three years ago, my boy only said that he was from the Xu family, so Jia boy didn't know the origin of my Xu family. I wonder if Jia boy has known about my Xu family in the past three years?"

Jia Cong slowly shook his head, "When I, Jia Cong, am in the palace, the father-in-laws in the palace will also call Jia Cong, Mr. Jia. I not only inherited the title of Lord from my ancestors, but also single-handedly won the emperor's imperial edict from the eight-year-old son." I read Hanlin classics and I am not white. I don’t know why, Master Xu insists on calling me Jia Xiaozi? "

Jia Cong said, "Just now, when I was talking to Mr. Wang Zhong, I called myself "boy" out of humility!"

Jia Cong's words actually have the meaning of being persuasive.

Xu Yanshang's face turned red.

At this time, everyone remembered that the young man in front of them was not just a white-clothed boy who had just come out of the children's examination room, but they saw that no matter how humiliated he was, he was not impatient or impatient, and took it indifferently.

It seems that even if the sky falls, it will not disturb him!
To what extent can a person's heart be strong enough to tolerate the honor and disgrace in the world without being shocked?
"Jia Cong, if you have the ability, you can compete with me. My grandpa kindly apologized to you, but you are so humiliating!" Xu Geshen and others had already surrounded Jia Cong when they saw him coming in. What happened just now , everyone saw it.

Although Li Zheng was also angry with Jia Cong's words, Li Fangying taught him very strictly and had to be more mature. Xu Jishen wrote Jia Cong's name on every page after humiliating himself three years ago. The corner became his motivation for reading every day, thinking that one day he would make this kid kneel down and beg for mercy.

"Competition?"

Although coming here today is to settle what happened three years ago, how could Jia Cong easily let these people get their wish?
Jia Cong turned around and looked around at the students gathered outside the flower hall. Behind them, across a pond, on the winding verandah, among the willows and flowers on the bank, were the girls from the south of the Yangtze River who had heard the wind.

When he glanced over, those girls and ladies seemed to be electrocuted all over. He felt a flash of lightning and thunder in the young man's narrow and clear eyes, and everyone screamed in surprise.

"It's Jia Yuanze who said, 'It's snowing tonight, can you have a drink?' Oh my god, he saw me!"

"My grandfather made rubbings of his calligraphy and copied them every day. He also said that if he hadn't been so young, he could be a master."

"My brother bought his poetry collection and collected every one of his poems. He was so addicted that he stopped reading. My father gave me a severe beating the day before yesterday. He also said that since he liked it so much, he might as well go Forget it, just be Jia Yuanze’s son.”

"Hahaha……"

The discussion came, the sound was too mixed to be heard at all, Jia Cong ignored it, but raised his eyebrows and looked at Xu Geshen and asked, "I wonder what Brother Xu wants to compete with me, Jia Cong?"

"When it comes to poetry and books, I, Jia Cong, think that both my calligraphy and my poems have been handed down to the world. I believe that Brother Xu has also read and appreciated them. If I think that there is someone whose talent overwhelms mine, I can take it out and let them know. All you great Confucian brothers, please give it a try, do you and I still need to compete?"

"In the past three years, every book published in Jiangnan's bookstores has been purchased by the stewards in my house. They have not even left behind the story books. I, Jia Cong, have never heard of any of Brother Xu's masterpieces in the past three years in Jiangnan. .Of course, all the senior students..."

Jia Cong paused, and once again glanced at the people with different expressions, "Maybe there are people who keep a low profile and bide their time, but I am ignorant. I have studied hard for three years, just to let Cong know that there are people outside the world. Anyway, people like this can stand up!"

"Jia Cong, don't bully others too much!" Xu Geshen was humiliated by Jia Cong again and again, but had no reason to refute. At this time, his face was pale, his eyes were bloodshot, and he was furious.

He worked hard for three years, but Jia Cong denied his qualifications with just one sentence. Such humiliation was more uncomfortable for him than killing him. "Hahaha, young man's spirit, scolding Fang Qiu, good!"

Two people came from behind the rockery. The first one was in his fifties, with a handsome face and eyes like lightning. He was dressed in brocade clothes and had a jade belt around his waist, which showed that this person had an extraordinary status. The one who was accompanying him and groveling was actually Ma Yan.

Jia Cong looked at this person quietly, having already guessed his origin, but he also didn't expect that the Zhen family would also come.

Xuannian felt that the Zhen family should also come.

"Mr. Xiong, you are so courageous! You can single-handedly conquer all my students in the south of the Yangtze River. This courage is admirable!" Zhen Yingjia has an elegant temperament and is in a high position. She carries the pressure of a superior in her behavior. When he opened his mouth, the whole audience was silent.

Xiong Bichen didn't take this kind of flattery seriously.

The head of the Zhen family has limited qualifications. Although he behaves like a scholar, he is not good at writing articles and sentences, and he lacks the courage to make decisions when necessary. Major matters in the family are still decided by the backyard, and no one knows I came here today at someone's instigation.

Xiong Bichen stood up and saluted, "Master Zhen, this is a fault of my teacher's teachings. I have always taught him that as a scholar, you should keep the common people in mind, and the literati have a good reputation. This is a bad habit. Don't let him get into it. This is So, that’s why he is like this, and he hates the poetry and poetry competition among these literati."

"Mr. Xiong is the emperor's teacher. His knowledge is admirable, and the principles he teaches are not accurate. However, since all the students from Jiangnan are here today, why not do this, my nephew, for my sake Come on, give them some face and clear the suspicion on you. After all, at your age and with such talent, you are not only jealous but also unconvincing."

The Zhen family and the Jia family are family friends. The Jia family still has 5 taels of silver stored in the Zhen family. It is such a deep friendship to be able to deposit money with each other.

What Zhen Yingjia did was to help the Jia family suppress him.

Jia Cong knew this truth very well, and he also knew that since he was here at the Hongmen Banquet today, he could only sit there until the end of the banquet.

Five prominent families and eight salt merchants, with one action, these people gathered at least [-]% of the wealth in Jiangnan.

"Three years ago, since my senior brother agreed to today's game of drinking Quhu, since I dare to come to the banquet, I will not back down. To be honest, drinking Quhu took too long, and I would rather have someone with me. I fight one-on-one or one-on-many to determine the outcome, but unfortunately, three years have passed and no one can represent Jiangnan Literati to challenge."

Jia Cong said to Zhen Yingjia, "Since Mr. Zhen has spoken, I dare not not follow the instructions of my elders and ask Mr. Zhen to select ten people with quick thinking. Today I will drink wine and come to Jiangnan. I can't rely on infamy to gain a foothold." !”

As soon as Jia Cong said this, all the students' faces turned dark.

Zhen Yingjia didn't care about Jia Cong's sharp tongue. After all, it was the literati from Jiangnan who started the provocation in the beginning. He heard that in the past three years, some people without self-awareness came to Jia Cong's house to harass him. He smiled and said, "There are three people from Jiangning Academy. There will be one person from each of the other academies, a total of ten people, no age limit, you and I will compete with Jia Cong, if anyone wins, we will be rewarded heavily!"

No one cares about this huge reward. For the past three years, the Jiangnan literary world has been looking forward to this day for a long time. No matter who defeats Jia Cong in today's performance, his reputation will spread far and wide, and there is no need to raise expectations.

Everyone wants to step on Jia Cong's shoulders and rise to the top, which is why Jia Cong hates it so much. No one wants to be a stepping stone for others.

Soon, ten people were elected from Jiangnan, represented by Li Zheng and Xu Geshen, including one person from each of the five famous families. The rest were from farming and studying families, and had long been famous in Jiangnan.

After Zhen Yingjia came forward, Xiong Bichen's face became very ugly. This was not just a matter in the literary world.

In the past three years, even though Xiong Bichen has repeatedly defended Jia Cong, the temptation of a "name" is too great for scholars.

Three years ago, Jia Cong was only eight years old. He was already known as "the best in both poetry and calligraphy." To promote one's own reputation.

Jiangnan literary world has been building momentum for three years just for this day.

Once Jia Cong loses, the reputation of the winner will skyrocket in an instant.

But with Zhen Yingjia's testimony, the meaning is different.

In addition to being the grandson of Duke Rong, Jia Cong's ability to reach this day also relies on his own ability.

The president of the Jinling Provincial Tiren Academy has the authority to make secret reports. If he says something in the secret report and the palace hears it, Jia Cong will be upset and leave.

Since ancient times, poor places have been used as battlefields, and rich places have been used as granaries.

The rich land of Jiangnan has always been the breadbasket of the world. If Jiangnan is rich, the world will be safe. Jiangnan has always been rich. These wealthy people have to be willing to take out the money in their pockets.

The relationship between the imperial court and Jiangnan could never be weaker or stronger.

Only then did Xiong Bichen understand that three years ago, the students from Jiangnan who gathered at the dock were not just jealous and questioning of Jia Cong. It turned out that there was a deeper meaning. The Zhen family wanted to incite the students from Jiangnan, which was too much. Easy.

The first time Jia Cong saw Zhen Yingjia, he understood the joints and was not afraid.

The Zhen family is nothing more than that!

He was extremely lucky that after Wu Zhou, the history of the Red Mansion had shifted. Those literati and poets in later history did not appear in the history of the Red Mansion. He was not alone in facing the provocation of Jiangnan students, but had a huge Poets troupe.

However, before the Jia family's affairs were settled, the Zhen family rushed forward. He did not expect that the relationship between the Zhen family and the Jia family would become so close.

Jia Cong was deep in thought, with light flashing in his eyes. The war in the southeast could be exploited.

But after meeting the master, he was considering the details carefully.

On the women's side, three ladies with good talents and beauty were selected to kneel at the upper reaches of the Qingxi River in Tianquan Pavilion, pouring wine and serving glasses. Jia Cong and other 11 people also sat on the ground on both sides of the Qingxi River, waiting for the glasses coming from upstream. Floating in the stream, everyone's eyes are fixed on it. I wonder who will stop in front of this first glass of wine, and whose mouth will the first poem come from?

"I wonder if we are composing a random poem today, or are we going to formulate a poem title?" Jia Cong asked, tapping his hand lightly on the Taihu stone by the stream.

Every move he made was casual, and his natural attitude attracted the attention of many ladies. The arrogance that Jiangnan students thought of him turned into courage and brilliance because of his outstanding appearance.

The other ten people looked at each other. It is not that they have not thought about this problem. They also have a proposed poem title. The scenery is infinite all year round, and there are so many things that can be included in poems. In the past three years, they have held countless poetry meetings and planned. So much poetry, so much preparation, just to deal with today.

Originally, they had shortlisted ten poem topics. If Jia Cong was less unruly, they would definitely find a way to come up with them. But at this time, the ten people who had suffered so much humiliation did not dare to speak.

Seeing that the wine glass was swaying down from upstream, it was spinning in front of Li Zheng. He had no choice but to pick it up and said, "Brother Jia, why don't you come up with a poem title!"

This is a joke!

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Brother Li is just kidding. Guests and hosts are welcome. You should come up with a poem title!"

Xu Geshen hated Jia Cong deeply. Thinking that he was already like this, he would pull Jia Cong down today no matter what, and said with a smile, "If that's the case, then let's use the feud between friends as the title of the poem!"

The whole place was silent, but there were many honest and upright people who were sweating for Jia Cong. This was obviously bullying Jia Cong!

Among the many people present, there is no one younger than Jia Cong. Those who are qualified to participate in today's event are all fifteen or sixteen years old. Their families have already arranged for marriage, even if there is no elegant thing like gambling on books and spilling tea. You can also hear a few lamentations from your daughter’s house.

Only Jia Cong is 12 years old. It is difficult to recognize the interest of a daughter at such an age.

"If Brother Jia feels embarrassed, we can't change the title of the poem." Xu Geshen was afraid that Jia Cong would question it, so he blocked the words first.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "I have never known what a feud is. Fortunately, the first glass of wine is not in my hands. Brother Li, please, let me see it and learn it on the spot!"

Xu Jishen's face turned the color of pig liver. Half of his plan was miscalculated.

He didn't expect that Jia Cong was so alert. He said it to death first. After that, whatever good words he had came from Li Zheng and others, rather than him who knew his daughter's interests and had feelings at such a young age. And hair.

At the age of 12, if he can write a good poem about a girl's relationship, it only means that Jia Cong is a born prostitute, which is not a good reputation.

A person can be crazy and arrogant, but he cannot be vulgar.

(End of this chapter)