Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 51 Another one who wants to take in a disciple

After the burning pain in her fist subsided, Hai Yue strolled out of the Censorate.

What I was thinking about all the way was still the "strange dream".

Folk beliefs and superstitious customs were already prevalent in the ancient south, and there were many evil sacrifices and lewd offerings.

This is caused by multiple reasons, such as the geographical environment, tropical and subtropical climate, dense primeval forests, poisonous snakes and miasma, typhoons and floods. All these factors can easily arouse people's awe and mystification of nature, prompting people to pray for peace through sacrifices.

There is also cultural integration. Ethnic minorities are prone to witchcraft, sacrifices, and beliefs in ghosts and gods. In the process of integration among ethnic groups, superstitious customs are also borrowed from each other.

But the rumors about this misty village seem to have gone beyond ordinary customs and have a clear direction.

"Shisanlang!"

Just as he was thinking about it, Min Ziyong came towards him, obviously he had been waiting for him for a long time.

Hai Yue said directly: "Mr. Lu did not ask about the details of the kidnapping case."

"it is good!"

Min Ziyong heaved a sigh of relief, a smile on his face: "Dong Weng is with Wang Tixue, Shisanlang, come with me!"

This was a way of returning a favor. Haiyue didn't really need it, but it was difficult to refuse, so she followed him.

When they arrived at another backyard of the government office, they saw Wu Lin sipping tea, with an elegant and handsome civil servant sitting opposite him.

He was in his thirties, already wearing the robes of a fourth-rank official, with patches of geese embroidered on the lapels, and a plain silk sash tied around his waist. His every move exuded a scholarly air.

This person is Wang Shifang, the deputy envoy of the Guangdong Provincial Surveillance Office and the director of education. He was born in the Wang family of Taicang. There was a famous person named Wang Shizhen in his family.

Haiyue stepped forward to greet him. Wang Shifang took a quick look and nodded, saying, "I have read your two essays. At the age of seventeen, you have written such a magnificent piece of writing, just like a piece of jade from Kunshan. In the future, it will surely become a jade from Jingshan!"

Haiyue thought, is this compliment directed at me? My writing is so comprehensive and comprehensive that a Jinshi-born inspector wouldn't fail to notice it. Then she glanced at Wu Lin, who was sitting beside her, stroking his beard and smiling, and bowed, saying, "I'm unworthy of this!"

"Haha! No need to be so humble!"

Wang Shifang stroked his beard and smiled, then began to test his knowledge, his words revealing his intention to accept him as a disciple.

The Guangdong Provincial Education Commissioner is not only the chief examiner of this year's college examination, but also the provincial examination will be held in Guangzhou next year. If Hai Yue and Hai Rui pass the examination, Wang Shifang will be the brothers' teacher.

Among scholars today, there is a trend of "disdaining the relationship between teachers and students, and valuing the relationship between students and mentors", because teachers who teach are often retired and can only train students, while teachers in official circles are in power, and some are even high-ranking officials in ministries and halls, and the connections they bring are completely incomparable to the former.

But Haiyue noticed that although Wu Lin next to her had a smile on his face, his eyes occasionally flashed with a strange look.

Wang Shifang is already a provincial education commissioner at such a young age. Does he have a good backer?
Yes.

Nor is it.

Because this person is the son-in-law of the late Minister of Rites Mao Cheng.

Who was Mao Cheng? Well, when the Jiajing Emperor first ascended the throne and was discussing a grand ceremony, Yang Tinghe proposed the "Pu Yi" (Pu Yi) and appointed Mao Cheng as the Minister of Rites. Mao Cheng then met with over 60 officials, including ministers and censors, and presented the stories of Emperor Ai of Han and Emperor Ying of Song. They proposed that Emperor Xiaozong be the emperor's father, and his biological parents be the emperor's uncles and parents.

Simply put, Mao Cheng was Yang Tinghe's close friend who personally forced Zhu Houcong to abandon his biological parents and replace Emperor Xiaozong as his father.

Zhu Houcong has always been brooding over this matter. Even Yang Tinghe, who retired and returned to his hometown, could not escape the reckoning. He was buried with the rites of a commoner last year. The prime minister of two dynasties and the veteran minister of four dynasties all ended up like this. Fortunately, Mao Cheng died earlier, in the second year of Jiajing, otherwise he would definitely have been even more miserable than Yang Tinghe.

Let’s look at Wang Shifang again. He came from a prominent family and scored second in high school, but now he is the provincial education commissioner in Guangdong. The reason is obvious.

Of course, although Yang Tinghe and Mao Cheng have passed away, their disciples and former officials are not so easy to disperse.

For a scholar from Qiongshan, being able to become a disciple of such a person is actually quite good. Having a backer in officialdom is what many people dream of.

This was also Wu Lin's second-best way of repaying his gratitude. If you didn't want to be introduced to Yan Song, the former Imperial College Director, then he would introduce Wang Shifang, the Guangdong Provincial Supervisor of Education. After all, he had to repay the favor.

However, Haiyue still had no intention of becoming his disciple.

In fact, his historical knowledge was not enough to remember the life background of every official clearly. He really didn't know that this father-in-law was hated by Jiajing. He just keenly noticed that there was something wrong with Wu Lin's expression. He felt that there was a trap, so of course he would not take the opportunity to become his apprentice.

As questions and answers were exchanged, the aroma of tea filled the air.

The atmosphere gradually became tense.

Seeing that this person had no intention of bowing down, Wang Shifang's expression became a little dull and his tone became obviously unhappy.

He is a fourth-rank educational supervisor and would never condescend to offer an invitation. How could this little student be so ignorant?
Wu Lin was also a little surprised, and finally showed a hint of embarrassment.

Haiyue always abided by her duties as a student, as if she was really here just to be tested on her knowledge. After all the questions were asked, she bowed and took her leave.

As soon as he walked out of the yard, he heard a faint voice behind him: "Brother Yunxiang (Wu Lin's courtesy name), what do you mean?" "Brother Jimei (Wang Shifang's courtesy name), don't be upset, maybe it's just youthful shyness..." "Humph! People born in Qionghai are unteachable!"

Haiyue curled her lips, feeling very relieved.

Disciples and teachers are indeed more popular than teachers and apprentices now, but if they turn against each other in the future, the situation will be reversed.

The choice of tutor for the imperial examination is a rule of the officialdom. One cannot choose one actively, and it is impossible to give up fame and fortune just because one does not like the tutor for a subject after passing the exam.

If Yan Song was the imperial examination teacher, Hai Yue would not care, as long as she did not flatter him too much. Even if the other party became a traitor, she would turn against him and scold him, which would still be a good story of not getting involved in corruption, and she would be praised by the world.

But if it is a personal request and you have become a disciple, then betraying your master at that time would be considered despicable.

That's why Haiyue doesn't want to follow Yan Song's path and enter the Imperial College. It's not that she can't jump ship in the future, but why bother?
He wanted to enter the Imperial College based on his own abilities.

"Thirteenth Lang! Thirteenth Lang!"

Just as he was thinking about it, Min Ziyong caught up with him from behind, an awkward but polite smile on his face: "Why don't you become my disciple? Oh! If you make Wang Tixue angry, your next college entrance examination results will not look good!"

"I don't have the talent to be a top three scorer. I only took the college entrance examination to gain more experience and prepare for the main examination in the future!"

Haiyue was calm, but she felt helpless about another matter: "Master Min, it doesn't have to be like this..."

He got involved in the Blood Totem case initially to repay the favor of Procurator Shao Jing, then for the stability of his hometown Qionghai, and ultimately to eliminate the remnants of the Annan Assassins.

Wu Lin's life was saved purely by chance.

As a result, Wu Lin wanted to repay his favor, but Hai Yue was unwilling to accept the method he chose, which made both parties feel embarrassed.

Why bother?
Min Ziyong laughed dryly and felt unhappy.

You are a scholar from a small place. Although you have some talent, you should also seize the opportunity to move up and accept the rare gift. It is really tactless of you to be picky!
There are times when you regret...

"Master Hai!!"

Accompanied by a loud call, a Jinyiwei hurried over, clasped his fists, and handed over a jade pendant with a somewhat respectful expression: "It's great that the young master hasn't left yet. Master Lu ordered me to give this to you. He said that he had a great time just now. You must come to find him after you enter the capital!"

Haiyue's fist still ached slightly, but thinking of the fight just now, she also felt quite happy, so she took it over: "Tell Lu Sheren for me, I will definitely go!"

"Okay! Okay!"

The Jinyiwei grinned, clasped his fists again, and left happily.

Haiyue put the jade pendant into her waist and turned around to see Min Ziyong dumbfounded.

(End of this chapter)