A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 65: Learning and Practicing
Zhang Fangping received Song Xuan's affirmative answer and then extended his hand:
"Twelfth brother, you must give it your all and make sure everyone else knows our brotherhood!"

Snapped.

Song Xuan responded with a high five as if amused.

Zhang Fangping seemed extremely excited. It took him a while to calm down. He then began to wipe the inkstone and practice writing.

Song Xuan suddenly felt that he seemed to lack some of the aura that a young man should have, perhaps because he didn't want to go through the college entrance examination for the second time.

But he immediately discarded all distracting thoughts, and Song Xuan also spread out the paper and took out the slightly rotten copy of the Analects.

Copy it down first to strengthen your memory, and use it as a new textbook when school starts.

Learning Chapter.

"The Master said, 'To learn with a constant practice, is it not a pleasure? And to have friends come from distant quarters, is it not a pleasure?'"

In addition to copying, Song Xuan also took Zhang Fangming's lecture notes and began to check them to strengthen his impression of the Analects.

After all, the meanings of ancient and modern times are different in some places.

The two of them practiced on their respective weaknesses. When Zhang Fangping was a child, he could not afford to buy writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstone, and no one in his family was literate.

It was impossible for him to teach Ouyang Xiu to read and write on the sand using reed stalks as pens, like his mother did (teaching her son by drawing on reeds).

After all, Ouyang Xiu's mother was a lady from a prominent family in Jiangnan and was well-educated.

Therefore, Zhang Fangping's handwriting is not very beautiful, and he needs to practice diligently to get more points on the paper and make the examiner more comfortable reading it.

In addition to solid knowledge, these are all details that need to be paid attention to. The handwriting of those who passed the imperial examinations is all neat and beautiful, which is pleasing to the eye.

Song Xuan and the other man had been working hard until dinner time, when the dark-skinned Bao Zheng stood outside the door.

Seven people sat around a round table. Song Xuan, who was holding a bowl, couldn't see Bao Zheng's face, but his teeth were really white.

"Shi Er Lang, I'm sorry, I haven't found a suitable place to stay. I hope you can take me in for a few days."

"Brother Bao?" Song Xuan recognized Bao Zheng's voice and spoke quickly:
"Xiao Jiao, serve a bowl of rice to the guests and eat together."

Bao Zheng came forward, first thanked him, then swallowed his saliva subconsciously, but he still insisted:
"It's great that Shi Er Lang is helping me. I want to go out to eat."

Nowadays, with the influx of students, most of the affordable hotels and guesthouses are full. Of course, there are also some homestays, but they also take more time to find.

The high prices of inns are beyond the reach of ordinary students.

Bao Zheng's father was an official and his family was well-off, but Bao Zheng was in a state of "hard training" and did not have much money.

He was reluctant to spend a lot of money to stay in an inn.

If he had not been worried that sleeping on the street would make him sick and delay his entry into Yingtianfu Academy, he would have really considered sleeping on the street before entering, but ultimately gave up.

After so many years of studying, I still have to be cautious.

Bao Zheng finally put aside his pride and asked Song Xuan to help him.

"Sit, sit, sit."

Song Xuan didn't show that Bao Zheng smelled bad. He pulled him over and brought over a bamboo stool, asking him to eat with him.

"There's no need to be so formal about having a meal."

Everyone laughed a few times, which eased Bao Zheng's embarrassment.

At this time, Bao Zheng had not yet developed the ruthlessness he had developed after the death of his parents. Of course, after his son died, he became even more unscrupulous.

He even dared to ask Song Renzong, who also had no son, to quickly appoint a crown prince, which made Song Renzong very angry.

But when he thought that Bao Zheng also had no son and that they were in the same boat, Song Renzong's anger subsided.

He really has no selfish motives.

Forget it, the one who knows food is a hero.

That's it for now, let's get started.

Bao Zheng also picked up the bowl and chopsticks and shoveled rice into his mouth.

This morning I only had a pancake to satisfy my hunger, and I haven't eaten anything else since then.

Zhang Fangping saw Bao Zheng as if he was fleeing from his calorie crisis, and he felt that the way he ate was a waste of Xiao Jiao's cooking skills. According to Twelve Brother, Zhu Bajie couldn't eat fine bran.

After all, many of the dishes were invented by Twelve Brother himself and taught to Xiao Jiao.

After Bao Zheng finished eating the food, he finally breathed a sigh of relief:

"The food at Shi Er Lang's house is very different from the food at my hometown. It's really delicious. I'm sorry to have made you laugh."

Song Xuan put down the dishes in his hands. It was someone's turn to wash the dishes today.

Zhang Fangping and Tao Hong cleaned up together, and Bao Zheng quickly stood up:

"I'll come, I'll come."

"Brother Bao, please take a seat." Song Xuan handed the unsold cold soup to Bao Zheng:

"You can't escape the job of washing dishes. Everyone takes turns washing dishes, and I have to wash them too."

"I see."

Bao Zheng used to think that everyone called Song Xuan "Young Master" and he didn't have to do anything.

But today, after hearing the student surnamed Han reveal Song Xuan's family background in the academy, I could understand why he would eat at the same table with his fellow students and wash dishes together.

"Let's wait until tomorrow and wash these dishes together."

Song Xuan stood in front of the basin and washed his hands. "Brother Bao has been on a long journey today, so he should go wash up first. Xiao Jiao, you can take care of him later."

"okay."

Jiao Ming responded quickly.

Song Xuan took a paper fan and strolled outside to enjoy the cool air, and also to get to know his neighbors.

Putting aside the fact that Song Xuan was approachable, the fact that Captain Ding was beaten at the doorstep made the surrounding neighbors realize that this newcomer was powerful.

Therefore, everyone's conversation in the evening seemed very relaxed. After all, there were not many customers coming to do business at this time.

It would be better to exchange information with each other, which would bring us closer to each other.

At that time, whether we encounter thieves or need to put out a fire together, we can help each other.

Bao Zheng ate and drank his fill, rested for a while, and then decided to take a bath.

He wanted to rinse with a towel, but when he entered the so-called bathroom, he found it was very different.

He was greatly surprised by the cleanliness of the toilet and the flushing water.

Even the water valve that controlled the shower surprised him.

He didn't know how much water was in the bucket hanging above, but when the warm water hit his dark face, he felt extremely comfortable.

Bao Zheng opened his eyes and saw that this place had been newly renovated.

These were probably improvements made by Song Xuan after he bought the house.

He had almost no idea where Shi Erlang got these things from.

Bao Zheng had too many questions in his mind.

But when I thought about the guy who just took too long to shower, the others still needed to take a shower.

Bao Zheng quickly took the prepared soapnut water and poured it on his hair, rubbing it vigorously, praying that he would not get lice or the like during his journey.

After washing up, Bao Zheng felt much refreshed.

He was wearing wooden clogs and shouted loudly, "I'm done washing," and went back to the room.

Bao Zheng opened his package and took out the copper coins and counted them.

Shi Er Lang treats me so well, I wonder how much I should pay him?

With so many students entering the city, it might be difficult to find a job as a clerk in a short period of time.

(End of this chapter)