No war in the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 32 Dengke Building

Zhang Daocheng already knew who the outsider in the study was. He stood up angrily at first, but soon became dejected. He only had this one daughter, whom he spoiled to the sky, but now she was an extrovert.

It was probably the maid who tipped off Zhang Chulan, and Zhang Chulan, who was confined at home, rushed to the study.

As expected, Zhang Daocheng's servants did not dare to stop the eldest lady Zhang Chulan. The study door suddenly opened and Zhang Chulan rushed in.

"father."

Seeing Su Ze, Zhang Chulan still took care of her image. She thought of her old father Zhang Daocheng and saluted, then smiled at Su Ze:

"Aze, you're really okay!"

Zhang Daocheng snorted coldly and said:
"You have no respect for your elders! When you get married, how will you serve your aunt and uncle?"

Zhang Chulan stuck out her tongue and pretended to be well-behaved.

Zhang Daocheng felt even more upset, as if his own cabbages had been eaten by pigs.

"Dad is discussing important matters with Su Lang. Lan Niang, please leave first."

Zhang Chulan said stubbornly:
"What's so important that you can't say it to my face?"

Faced with such youthful and passionate feelings, Su Ze, a time traveler, also felt the warmth.

He took a closer look at his childhood sweetheart. The girl, who had grown up, was no longer the short follower in his memory. As the daughter of a merchant, she was lively and active. With the youthful aura, the lively and energetic girl was like a little sun. No wonder the whole Zhang family doted on this Lady Lan.

"Uncle, Su Ze already roughly understands the whole story."

Zhang Daocheng frowned. He was very satisfied with Su Ze now. Being able to please the emperor meant that as long as he could pass the imperial examination, he would have a bright future.

But he didn't expect to offend the queen and prime minister of the time, which cast a shadow on Su Ze's future.

It turns out that the court is not something that ordinary people can get into.

Zhang Daocheng thought about how every time he went to visit Zhang Yaozuo's cousin, the other party was already in a high position but was always frowning and worried every day. He also thought that if Su Ze could not pass the imperial examination, it would be good for him to do business well.

Even if he didn't find a son-in-law, he could give the young couple some start-up capital and let them live a good life with his own resources.

Zhang Daocheng had a plan in mind and said to his daughter:

"Su Lang came to see me for something. Now that it's settled, send him back quickly so as not to delay his imperial examination."

Zhang Daocheng still gave the childhood sweethearts a chance to spend time together and ordered his daughter to see the guests off.

Zhang Chulan immediately became happy and pulled Su Ze out of the study.

Faced with the girl's passionate feelings, Su Ze, the soul-transmigrating Zhongdeng, felt a subtle emotion.

This time, Zhang Chulan was still chattering non-stop, but Su Ze temporarily put aside the troubles around him and listened to Zhang Chulan talk all the way.

When they arrived at the gate of the mansion, Zhang Chulan showed a reluctant expression and said to Su Ze:

"Aze, although Dad said that you wrote the petition to save yourself, I also dragged Dad to the palace to meet Zhang Xiuyuan. What do you think? Isn't that righteous enough?"

Looking at Qingmei who was asking for credit, Su Ze also smiled and asked:

"Then what reward do you want?"

Zhang Chulan said:
"Am I that kind of person? I want to eat the cold cakes from Qionghua Tower, but my father has confined me to my room these days and I can't go out to eat."

The yellow rice jelly at Qionghua Tower is very famous and is one of the famous snacks in Bianjing City. People line up there early in the morning every day, and even if there is no one, they only buy one. Zhang Chulan said again:

"You should prepare for the Ministry of Rites exam these days! By the time you're done, Dad will probably be less angry. Will you come with me to eat then?"

Su Ze nodded and agreed. Zhang Chulan smiled sweetly and said goodbye to Su Ze reluctantly at the gate of the mansion.
-
Just when Su Ze was seeking the truth about the evil book case from Zhang's house, Wang Anshi also found Yang Zong.

As the saying goes, there is no first in literature, and there is no second in martial arts.

Yang Zong's talent was also well-known in Bianliang City, so he was somewhat hostile to Wang Anshi, who was also famous for his talent in Bianliang.

Yang Zong passed the Imperial College examination on his first attempt this year, and ranked first among all the Imperial College candidates.

Although the Imperial College examinations were somewhat rigged, getting first place still held some value.

In addition, Yang Zong's elder brother Yang Cha was also a Jinshi, the son-in-law of the then Privy Councilor Yan Shu, and now served as an official in the Censorate.

You should know that the Censorate and the Court of Remonstration in the Song Dynasty were collectively called Taijian, and they had very great power, similar to the prosecutors of later Korean countries. They could impeach important officials of the court based on rumors, write letters to advise the emperor, and investigate illegal activities in the local area. It was a position that all young officials dreamed of.

As the son-in-law of the prime minister, a Jinshi, and an important censor, Yang Cha naturally had a bright future.

If Yang Zong could also pass the imperial examination, then there would be two brothers from the same family who became Jinshi. This would be comparable to the fame of Song Xiang and Song Qi, two of the Four Tiansheng Friends, who both became Jinshi, and they would become brothers who became Jinshi.

Throughout the Northern Song Dynasty, only Su Xun and his sons could match their success in having three Jinshi in their family.

When Wang Anshi arrived at the Dengke Tower where Yang Zong was staying temporarily, he still pulled at his shabby scholar's robe uncomfortably.

Of course, Wang Anshi would not feel uncomfortable because of his personal image. He simply disliked Yang Zong as a person.

Yang Zong, like most famous scholars today, was arrogant and unrestrained because of his talent.

Dengkelou was originally a main store selling wine in Bianjing, and also operated some hotel and restaurant business. It was originally ranked at the bottom among the 72 main stores.

However, since several scholars who stayed there passed the imperial examinations a few years ago, the inn was renamed Dengke Tower and scholars with literary reputation in Bianliang City were invited to stay there for free.

In Wang Anshi's view, these scholars who lived in Dengke Tower would flatter each other every day instead of studying hard, or drink day and night and discuss state affairs.

Yang Zong refused to live in his brother's house in Bianjing City and insisted on living in Dengke Tower, which led to Wang Anshi not having a good impression of him.

Wang Anshi was naturally disgusted with these scholars who talked big but had no real ability. Although Yang Zong was really talented, he did not interact much with him in his daily life.

If it weren't for helping Su Ze to find out information, Wang Anshi would not have come to Dengkelou.

Because Yang Zong was so famous, and his brother was the son-in-law of a prime minister, Dengke Tower reserved a special seat for him on the third floor.

Just as noon arrived, Yang Zong had already gathered with a group of friends for a drink.

Wang Anshi was even more displeased by the smell of alcohol in the restaurant. When he went up to the third floor, he heard a scholar say:

"Yang Lang, I dreamed yesterday that you called yourself 'Longshou Shanren'. I wonder what that means?"

Wang Anshi frowned. He disliked these mysterious things the most.

Yang Zong said:

"Dragon Head, I will win first place in this imperial examination!"

"A hermit, a self-proclaimed person without any official title, how can I win the championship but not become an official? Why is this so?"

(End of this chapter)