Fu Shanhe

Chapter 12: The Young Master of the Marquisate
"Master Mu, Madam invites you to come over for a chat!"

The sudden invitation made Li Mu slightly stunned.

This aunt attached great importance to etiquette and was especially concerned about avoiding suspicion. The few times they met were when Marquis Zhenyuan was at home.

Even if he went there to pay his respects under normal circumstances, there would be a bunch of maids and servants, not to mention an invitation to him.

"Miss Xiao Cui, do you know why my aunt asked me to come over?"

Hearing the question, the maid blushed and said hesitantly:
"The three young masters of the mansion have returned from the academy, and Madam wants you brothers to get together."

Hearing this answer, Li Mu smiled slightly.

When it comes to treating illegitimate children, my aunt is indeed a lady of great virtue. She gives them all the treatment they deserve, and no one can find fault with it.

"Oh, my three cousins ​​are back, so I have to meet them.

Miss Xiao Cui, please lead the way!"

……

After passing through more than a dozen doors, they arrived at the back garden. They saw three young men and four girls standing on both sides, respectfully listening to the lecture of the Marquis's wife.

If nothing unexpected happened, these three boys were his cousins. He had seen two of the four girls on the first day they arrived, and the other two were probably concubines.

Perhaps because he had a legitimate daughter, the Marquis of Zhenyuan and his wife did not think highly of these two illegitimate cousins ​​and never introduced them to him individually.

"Cousin Mu, come here quickly!"

The girl who was shouting was the second daughter of the wife of the Marquis and the youngest daughter of the Marquis of Zhenyuan.

At the age of four, she was at her most active and lively. Relying on the favor of the Marquis of Zhenyuan, the rules of the mansion were almost like wind in her ears.

"Li Yu, pay attention to the rules!"

The wife of the Marquis could not help but scold.

There are so many children in the Marquis's Mansion, and every one of them is well-behaved in front of her, but the youngest daughter has become the black history of her educational career.

"It's okay, Auntie, we are all family here.

Cousin Yu is just a little more lively, which is not a bad thing in our family of military honors."

Li Mu said with a smile.

It’s no wonder that my uncle favors him. Who can not like this lively and active little meat ball?

"I'm sorry to embarrass you, Yu'er has taken his father's temperament from a young age.

Don't just stand there, go meet your cousin Mu!"

It can be seen that the wife of the Marquis is good at the art of language. Being naughty and mischievous has become her father's style, and she immediately put the blame on the Marquis of Zhenyuan.

But my uncle would definitely be willing to take the blame. He would probably think that the daughter is like her father as a compliment.

"Meet my cousin!"

After a few brief greetings, the Marquise left with her family, leaving the venue to the four brothers.

After reviewing the glory of his ancestors, Li Mu quickly became familiar with his three cousins.

The topic shifted from the family development history at the beginning, to the strange stories in the capital, and finally to the court.

"Someone in the academy is instigating the petition. Has the court struggle reached this point?"

Li Mu asked in surprise.

The struggle between the Qingliu Party and the Eunuch Party began after the current emperor ascended the throne. It is nothing new.

However, the battlefield of the fight between the two sides was mainly the court, and now even the students of the academy wanted to be dragged into it, which showed that someone obviously wanted to escalate the battle.

“Brother Mu, you have lived in Hanzhong for a long time and you may not know that submitting a letter to an academy is nothing new.

Ever since the dispute over the crown prince began a hundred years ago, the students of the academy have participated in several subsequent major events.

However, most of those who like to make trouble are children from poor families. They want to take the opportunity to show off in the hope of getting into the sight of the court officials.

The children of officials don’t miss this opportunity, and generally won’t join in the fun.”

Li Sen explained calmly.

There was a hint of arrogance in his words, and it was obvious that he looked down on this kind of speculative behavior.

"Brother, don't flatter them. These things are always caused by the children of civil servants.

They encouraged their classmates to charge into battle and serve as cannon fodder, while they themselves hid behind to reap the spoils. They are a bunch of despicable villains!"

The second brother Li Lai's words directly revealed the truth.

"Second brother, it's fine to say these things at home, but don't say them outside!"

Li Sen hurriedly persuaded.

Everyone knows the truth, including the poor children who were instigated.

There is no fool among those who get into the academy without any connections and based solely on their own abilities.

Knowing there are risks, people still take the risk and jump in. It is all because of profit that they get into trouble.

The imperial examination track was too narrow. It was held only once every three years, and the number of admitted candidates was no more than one or two hundred.

Even if you get to this point, it is still extremely difficult to get a good position without connections.

In addition to the power inherited through blood, there is also a network of relationships consisting of fellow villagers and teachers.

If you want to do well in the court, you must have at least one of the three relationships mentioned above.

For children from poor families, the best choice is to become a disciple of a senior official in the court and have a smooth journey through the imperial examination to become an official.

After sorting out his thoughts, Li Mu instantly understood why the capital city, which possessed numerous political resources, had not produced a top-level academy.

Political speculation requires a price to be paid.

If you win the bet, you can certainly get a ticket to a career in politics; but if you lose the bet, you will lose a lot of skin if you don't die.

In fact, speculation for advancement is not welcomed in official circles, and people will be wary of it no matter how good the reasons are.

"Humph!

I'm not stupid, how could I offend someone for no reason? "

Li Lai said with disdain.

If it wasn't for his good friend who got involved, he wouldn't be so angry.

Unfortunately, it's useless to get angry. Since both of you are willing to do something, why should outsiders stop you?

Unless you can provide others with a better way, the best option is to let go of the desire to help others and accept reality.

The Zhenyuan Marquisate does have political resources, but they are mainly concentrated in the military.

The three brothers may not even have enough connections in the civil service group to share in the future, let alone outsiders.

"Okay, big brother, second brother.

You two should stop arguing all the time, can't you give me some peace of mind?"

"Shut up!"

As soon as the third brother Li Long opened his mouth, the two of them refuted in unison, and Li Mu almost laughed out loud.

The relationship between these three brothers is really complicated.

The eldest is arrogant, the second is honest, and the third is good at making enemies.

The fact that such a group came together and did not fight on the spot was a success of the education in the Marquisate.

"My three cousins, your uncle will be back soon.

I think we are going to test your homework, so while there is still time to prepare, why don't you come here today?"

As soon as the ultimate move was used, the three people who were originally in a fight instantly became eggplants hit by frost.

Judging from their painful facial expressions, the three of them will not perform very well in the academy.

However, this is also in line with the consistent level of the children of nobles. After so many years of military-to-civilian transition, there are only a few who pass the imperial examinations and become Jinshi, let alone Juren.

It's no use asking a famous teacher to teach you, because talent is something that cannot be forced.

As things have developed to this point, no great scholar is willing to accept the children of nobles as their students, as it is really shameful.

(End of this chapter)