Mang Shusheng's Ink Painting Practice

Chapter 100: Danqingmen's Century of Shame
It was another wonderful boating trip on the lake.

Zhao Yifu didn't think about anything in his mind, he just wanted to cherish the peaceful feeling of being immersed in the mountains and rivers at this moment.

When he gets there and sets up the prayer table, he will have to accept the beatings from those two living fathers again...

He used to be very happy about this opportunity, but now he feels tired.

It’s not that he’s ungrateful, it’s just that he prefers to arrange his practice at his own pace.

In his opinion, spiritual practice can be hard, but the heart must be peaceful and happy.

But now he always felt that he was being forced and full of urgency, and his heart gradually became irritated.

To be honest, in this situation, Zhao Yifu can completely infuse Yang and spiritual energy into the sword and kung fu talent trees in his soul to accelerate his understanding.

But he was not happy.

He didn't like his well-planned training plan being disrupted like this.

It's not like he's stuck at a bottleneck with no way out. He has his own path to follow, but he's being forced to explore other forks first...

This slight sense of urgency suddenly dissipated today. When Zhao Yifu was breathing the fresh air on the lake, he had already made a decision in his heart.

Perhaps the ancestor's swordsmanship and Emperor Wenheng's swordsmanship are both extremely good, but perhaps if you miss this opportunity, you will never have it again.

But in Zhao Yifu's view, he values ​​his current state more. It's not that he lacks foresight, but he thinks it is more important to make the most of every moment.

"Whoo~"

He exhaled a long breath of foul air.

His mood also brightened.

Suddenly, I saw a fat crucian carp with its back exposed by the boat.

He laughed and stretched out his legs to make a feint in the air.

As he did this, a scimitar-like stream of water immediately appeared on the lake in front of him.

The big fat fish was kicked onto the boat.

“Good fish!”

Wu Zhong immediately stepped forward and picked up the fish. He scraped his fingers across the fish's body, and the scales fell off.

How could someone who grew up by the lake not know how to cook fish?
He knew that his young master was not in a hurry at all, so he parked the boat in the lake, then skillfully cut open the fish's belly, took out the internal organs and washed them with lake water.

Then he took out a coal stove, put a pot on it, and cut the big fish into three parts.

The fish tail is placed next to the coal stove, coated with salt and roasted over a slow fire, while the fish head and belly are placed in the pot to stew soup.

"Meow meow meow~"

Yiyi was spinning around anxiously.

After a while, when the fish soup had boiled for about five minutes, Wu Zhong took out the fish head and placed it on Yiyi's plate.

It wanted to eat but couldn't, and could only cry out in anxiety.

Only then did Wu Zhong begin to add salt and a small amount of spices to the fish soup.

Spices are expensive, but the young master likes them.

When the fish soup is ready, the fish tail is also roasted.

Wu Zhong placed the fish soup and the freshest fish belly meat in front of Zhao Yifu, and he picked up the grilled fish tail and started eating.

At this time, Yiyi's fish head had just cooled down, so the two of them and the cat enjoyed it together.

To be honest, this kind of life on the water is really leisurely and happy. Zhao Yifu even wants to float on this lake for a few more days.

It has to be said that the old servant Wu Zhong's life skills are really maxed out. He cooked three dishes with one fish at the same time, satisfying the needs of three gourmets, and it was very delicious.

After eating the fish, Zhao Yifu lay down in the cabin. He was already thinking about whether he should get a bigger boat. Wouldn't that be more comfortable?
At this moment, he deeply understood why the rich people in his previous life liked to go out to sea on yachts.

But the prerequisite is that someone has to take care of everything for him. Otherwise, if one person manages a ship alone, he will be a hard-working sailor instead of enjoying himself.

By the time they arrived at the Mozhou Wharf, it was already dark. Martial law was in effect at that time, and people on the wharf were not allowed to disembark and enter the city.

But this certainly couldn't stop the two people and the cat. They took advantage of the night to avoid the sight of the patrolling soldiers and easily returned to their doorstep.

"Meow meow~"

Yiyi called out at the door.

The door was immediately opened from the inside.

Two big cats stood beside them like guards, but Zhao Yifu and Wu Zhong were no longer surprised.

Originally, Wu Zhong was worried that his cat might become a spirit.

But after encountering a challenger to the land god, he now looks forward to all the cats in his home becoming spirits.

Zhao Yi Fu immediately became busy and happy. After all, the cats and dogs at home had not been pampered for a long time, so he had to pet them one by one.

It must be said that this night was definitely the day when the defense of the 'Zhao Mansion' was the most lax, and the 'Zhao Cat Tribe' was in a drunken stupor all night.

That night, the cats made the cutest noises, and the dogs hummed and purred.

Zhao Yifu also had a good time playing cat hunting, and then he found that there seemed to be more cats in the yard.
Later he felt that it didn't matter. It would be the same whether he raised more or less children, and he could afford it.

As for the divine invitation diagram...

After he returned home, he immediately hung it up to worship it, but he did not stay in front of the painting anymore.

Even if the two big guys in the picture were practicing swordsmanship, he would just pet cats and dogs.

Soon the two bosses also stopped, probably because they felt it was boring.

But they nodded approvingly at the same time.

The two bosses are fighting, but how can they not know the mystery behind it?
If Zhao Yifu follows their path and strives to move forward, then even if he reaches the extreme, he will not be able to escape their path of swords and spears.

But on the other hand, if Zhao Yifu continues to move forward step by step at his own pace, no one will know how far he will eventually go.

Anyway, Emperor Fuyou's swordsmanship was not taught by his master, and Emperor Wenheng's swordsmanship was entirely based on his own understanding.

Of course, no matter what, this also reflects the care and tolerance of the two bosses towards Zhao Yifu.

I'm afraid that even at this moment, Zhao Yifu didn't know how much benefit his relationship with these two people would bring him.

……

In the provincial capital of Nanhu, the papers for this provincial examination are still being marked.

There are as many as 3000 scholars taking the Enke exam this year, but only about twenty of them can be selected, and the admission rate is less than %.

There is no way around it, because many people with knowledge and connections are waiting for the autumn examination next year, and those who come to take the exam this year are those who lack academic ability and are just trying their luck.

Even if the requirements for this class are not too high, they cannot be set too low either.

The examiners were busy marking the papers.

Suddenly, an examiner looked up in surprise and said, "This candidate's essay is quite interesting."

The examiners nearby came over to read together.

An old man shook his head for a moment, then said with a look of disdain, "The entire article is written in plain, straightforward language, and the arguments are scattered and lack conclusion. I'm afraid this policy paper doesn't meet the standards, right?"

But the younger examiner next to him said, "But don't you think that the points raised by this candidate are actually very feasible?"

"Everyone understands what this question means, but what's remarkable about this scholar is that he completely circumvents those arguments and instead offers a variety of practical proposals centered around the issue of 'the common people having no land.' This is truly remarkable." Another examiner said, "That being said, this is ultimately an imperial examination, and his essay doesn't follow the rules."

The examiners discussed for a while until the chief examiner was alarmed.

The examiner walked over and took a look, then marveled at it.

He said: "This article is good, but it does not conform to the principles of policy writing."

"Well, let's put it in the middle for now, but mention it when you report it."

At this point, the examiner who first discovered the essay said somewhat unhappily, "But if that happens, I'm afraid his ranking won't be very high. Isn't that burying a talent?"

The examiner sneered and shook his head: "Bury? No, it's protection."

Several people were at a loss.

The examiner sighed and said, "Well, since we are colleagues, I will explain everything to you."

"Isn't it possible that you can clearly see the current political disputes?"

An examiner said, "That's right. The Ministry of War is implementing a policy to strengthen the military, the Ministry of Works is reforming the craftsman system, the Ministry of Revenue wants to remeasure land and population, the Ministry of Personnel wants to streamline the number of officials and re-establish the review mechanism, the Ministry of Justice also wants to impose stricter penalties, and my Ministry of Rites, under the auspices of the Shangshu, wants to cut unnecessary ceremonial expenses..."

"The leaders of the six ministries are all vying for reform. This kind of grand occasion has never been seen before."

Another person said, "The Prime Minister's opinion is rather ambiguous, and I haven't heard him leaning towards either side. The Emperor, on the other hand, is quite delighted by this scene and can't wait to take action."

Another person snorted coldly, "What good is this? Isn't it good for everyone to just maintain the status quo and live peacefully?"

"Why is there so much trouble? The six ministers have launched major initiatives one after another, but I heard that there are still different opinions within the six departments that have not been resolved..."

At this point, the examiner said, "Okay, let's stop here."

"Since you all know that these are just the willful actions of the six ministers, then you should also know that there are still many people in the court and even in the local areas who do not want these changes to happen."

"Therefore, there will inevitably be a great upheaval in the Great Xu court. Who knows how many people will lose their official positions and how many will be able to ascend to heaven."

"Under these circumstances, the candidates taking this round of the Enlightenment Exam are essentially just cannon fodder."

"Especially those who stand out will definitely be treated well."

"Since he's a good talent, we should keep him hidden and let our superiors decide how to place him."

One examiner hesitated for a moment, then said, "In that case, why not let him take the exam again next year?"

However, the examiner said, "No, I see that this boy's writing style is already well-organized, but this style of writing is not popular in the imperial examination hall. Perhaps after this time, he will never pass the exam."

"In our Great Xu Dynasty, and even in the previous dynasty, how many talented and famous people have never passed the imperial examination?"

"Stop talking, just leave it at that."

"The essays of the candidates admitted from each province will be submitted to the Prime Minister's Office for review. The Prime Minister will make the decision."

"Yes!"

The examiners responded respectfully.

……

Zhao Yifu had a relatively carefree time these days. The only bad thing was probably that someone from home sent him a message that his third brother would be sent to live with him for a while soon.

Zhao Yifu didn't have any objections, but he was worried that his third brother would not be able to adapt to the group of kittens at home.

That evening, it was already the beginning of September, and his test results should be out in two or three days.

However, what Zhao Yifu did not expect was that his master came to see him again that night.

During this period, he began to practice the "Danqing Wanxiang Method" on his own. According to his habit, he would think about it for a while before going to his master with questions, so he did not see his master in the past two days.

I didn't expect Liang Zhongzhi to come here by himself today.

As its Yin spirit floated over the courtyard wall, some new kittens in the house began to meow.

But after Youhua Da Niu howled loudly, everyone quieted down.

Zhao Yifu also discovered that Hua Da Niu was now almost the leader of the cats in the house.

Of course, Yiyi's status is transcendent.

"Master, why are you here?"

Zhao Yifu bowed deeply.

Upon hearing this, Liang Zhongzhi drifted into the courtyard and sat down at the stone table. He said, "Your results are out. You should be ranked 24th on the second list. This means you've officially become a juren."

Master knew the result in advance again... It turns out that he has connections in the court.

Zhao Yifu said cheerfully, "That's great."

Liang Zhongzhi said unhappily, "What's so good about that? Do you know that there were only 26 people on the list of candidates for this provincial examination? What do you have to be proud of when you're ranked last?"

Zhao Yifu: "..."

His expression froze, as if he was a little overwhelmed by his master's scolding.

Then he muttered, "It seems that I am not suitable for studying and becoming an official..."

Liang Zhongzhi immediately became alert when he saw this. This apprentice cannot be scolded. If you dare to scold him, he will lie down. This is something you should praise!
Liang Zhongzhi then forced a smile and said, "Alright, there's actually some inside information here. Your policy essay was actually highly regarded by the chief examiner, but due to the special nature of this special exam, they deliberately lowered your score as a protection."

Zhao Yifu heaved a sigh of relief after hearing this and said, "So that's how it is."

Liang Zhongzhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then said, "Alright, the reason I came to you this time, besides telling you about this matter in advance, is also to let you know about a humiliating history of our sect."

Zhao Yifu was very confused. He couldn't understand what kind of humiliating history his harmless Danqing Sect could have?

He asked in confusion, "Master, given our status as a pure Yang culture, we shouldn't have any history of humiliation, right?"

Liang Zhongzhi said gloomily: "You don't understand... Today I want you to understand the situation here."

"A hundred years ago, our sect experienced a brief period of glory, but was suddenly nailed to the pillar of shame."

Zhao Yifu pondered it for a moment, wow, doesn't this coincide with the time when the Great Xu Dynasty moved south?
Liang Zhongzhi chuckled and said, "Guess when was the most glorious time for our Danqing Sect?"

Zhao Yifu murmured, "Could it be the 'Emperor Daozong' who gave up government affairs and devoted himself to calligraphy, painting, and Taoism?"

Liang Zhongzhi nodded heavily, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself.

Zhao Yifu asked earnestly, "Then, who taught this emperor?"

Good boy! He kept shouting "Good boy" in his heart. He originally thought that his Danqing Sect was harmless, but now he realized that they had been in trouble once!

Liang Zhongzhi said: "It's the former leader."

"He felt he had let the sect down and had already expelled himself from the sect before his death."

"Our Danqing Sect was also depressed for a while because of this. Many people began to devote themselves to the mountains and rivers and were unwilling to get involved in officialdom anymore."

"It was only with the current leader Qiu Yuzi's integration that he was able to return to the imperial court thirty years ago to avenge his previous humiliation."

This shame is really hard to erase.

Because when the Chinese people moved south more than a hundred years ago, external enemies were only a driving force, the fundamental reason was that they themselves were too rotten.

I have to say, it is quite a strange thing that there was an emperor in history who was proficient in everything except music, chess, calligraphy and painting, but was ignorant of state affairs.

　Today's Chapter

　　
　
(End of this chapter)