Do you know that it starts with Meng Tong?

Wei Chen suddenly said: "May I ask my uncle why he spared no effort to set up a charity school?"

Wei Chen's topic jumped too far, and Sheng Wei didn't react for a while, and subconsciously replied: "Of course it is to accommodate the lonely people, teach them without distinction, and make up for what the official school can't do."

Wei Chen said seriously: "Uncle, there are only you and me here, why do you deliberately make such a formality? Please tell the truth, uncle."

Sheng Wei remained silent, but the expression on his face betrayed him, proving that he was not at peace inside at the moment.

Seeing that Sheng Wei refused to say anything, Wei Chen did not press any further, but continued: "Uncle, do you know that when Master Xuezheng asked me what reward I wanted?

, why didn’t I give it to Yi Xue instead of giving it to him? "

Sheng Wei's expression changed again and again, and he gritted his teeth and said, "I accept your love for this matter. The fruit wine workshop counts you [-]%, the Zhang family and his wife [-]%, and no more!"

When Sheng Wei said this, he had a look of pain on his face, but Wei Chen did not answer his words, smiled noncommittally, and said, "May I ask my uncle why you betrothed your wife to Sun Zhigao?"

"Wei Chen!"

Hearing Wei Chen's words, Sheng Wei's face suddenly darkened, and the cold light in his eyes made people shudder.

Wei Chen pretended not to see Sheng Wei's ugly expression and continued: "I would venture to guess that Sun Zhigao was selected as a scholar when he was 12 years old. His uncle thought that he had a bright future and would be like the Shanda people in Yangzhou in the future. , will it become another towering tree that protects the Sheng family?"

"It's a pity that it's been a long time, and being older may not be better. Sun Zhigao still disappointed my uncle in the end."

When Wei Chen said this, he suddenly changed the topic, looked directly at Sheng Wei, and asked: "What does uncle think that I am taller than Sun Zhi?"

Sheng Wei was stunned for a moment, and then said in a gentle tone: "You also want to be my son-in-law? I also have a little daughter, who is about the same age as you..."

"Ahem, uncle was joking."

Wei Chen coughed a few times in embarrassment, and quickly stopped Sheng Wei's words, and continued: "Young man is not talented. He is only ten years old this year, but he is already appreciated by Master Xuezheng. As long as Master Xuezheng is in Jiangnan for one day, I will cross the county, The three levels of government and hospital are easily accomplished, and the reputation of a scholar can be said to be easily achieved."

Sheng Wei nodded secretly, thinking that what Wei Chen said was quite right.

That day when Wang Xuezheng was taking the examination of Wei Chen, Sheng Wei saw that he wanted to accept a disciple. In the end, the reason for not letting it go was because Sheng Wei guessed that Wang Xuezheng was the chief examiner of the college examination, and Wei Chen was likely to become a disciple soon. To participate in the college examination, Wang Xuezheng had to avoid suspicion.

But even without the title of master and apprentice, Wang Xuezheng's appreciation and support for Wei Chen was already palpable, and everyone in the officialdom of Jiangnan Province knew it.

Among the first three levels of the imperial examination, the county examination, the government examination, and the college examination are all unnamed. The county examination is conducted by the county magistrate, the government examination is conducted by the prefect, and the college examination is conducted by the academic administration.

Needless to say, Wei Chen almost passed the college examination with certainty, so will the county magistrate and the prefect take the risk of offending the academic administration and depose Wei Chen in the first two rounds of examinations?

The answer is nine times out of ten, no.

As long as Wang Xuezheng is in Jiangnan Province, Wei Chen's reputation as a scholar is already guaranteed. It is not an exaggeration to say that he will be able to win it.

At this point, Sheng Wei finally understood what Wei Chen was trying to say.

Sheng Wei started a charity school, married his daughter, and curry favor with his cousin. All these behaviors were ultimately for one thing, which was to build a political umbrella for himself.

And today's Wei Chen has the same potential as Sun Zhigao back then.

Wei Chen was asking if Sheng Wei dared to place a bet on him in advance, betting that he would not make the same mistake as Sun Zhigao!

As for being a member of the fruit wine workshop, it is both a bet and a favor. If Sheng Wei takes a step back now, he will get more generous rewards in the future!

Sheng Wei stared into Wei Chen's eyes, trying to see if there was an old monster's soul living in this small body.

A mere ten-year-old child can understand the world to such an extent. What kind of monster is this?

Wei Chen looked at Sheng Wei with a smile on his face, his eyes full of youthfulness and innocence.

The two looked at each other for a long time, but in the end it was Sheng Wei who was defeated first, and sighed dejectedly: "That's all, I'll do as you say."

Wei Chen also breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this.

Although he looked calm and calm just now, pointing out the situation, in fact he was always worried and trembling, walking on thin ice, for fear of showing his timidity in front of Sheng Wei.

For an old fox like Sheng Wei, the depth of the city cannot be compared to that of Wei Chen. If he hadn't been thinking about the favor he had received from volunteering to study, even if Wei Chen had the glycerin formula in his hand and Wang Xuezheng was covering it, Sheng Wei would never have done it. He's so easy to talk to.

"In the final analysis, I am still too weak and lack confidence!"

Wei Chen sighed secretly and became more determined to obtain fame.

After discussing the matter of the fruit wine workshop, Wei Chen no longer stayed any longer. It was getting late. He had to go back to Yixue to report today, so he stood up and left immediately.

He had just walked a few steps when he heard Sheng Wei suddenly say behind him: "Xiannie, what I said about my little girl earlier was not a joke..."

Wei Chen hesitated slightly, then quickly quickened his pace and ran out as if running away.

Sheng Wei sat in the hall, looking at Wei Chen's back, with a smile on his lips, and murmured: "Young people are still young people after all..."

Chapter 19 Farewell

With Sheng Wei keeping an eye on the fruit wine workshop, Wei Chen no longer has to worry about it.

Wei Chen's main job is still a scholar, so he cannot do business by himself. He must find a suitable person to run the business on his behalf.

Although Wei Ruyi and Zhang Ming were close to Wei Chen, after all, they were only from peasant families and had low vision, so they could not control such a large business.

After much deliberation, among the people I know, Sheng Wei is the most reliable.

For so many years, although Sheng Wei has been using the banner of Sheng Hong, he has never caused any trouble to Sheng Hong. This alone is very rare.

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, officials were businessmen, and businessmen were officials. Collusion between officials and businessmen was tacitly understood by everyone. However, if one went too far, he would still be impeached by the censor, so it was common to abandon one's official position and title.

Wei Chen didn't want to worry about those bullshit things all day long after he became an official in the court.

Therefore, Shengwei, which is worry-free and trouble-free, has become the best choice.

After leaving Sheng's house, Wei Chen went to the market again, picked up a basket of newly-launched fruits and vegetables, and prepared some sauce and meat. Then he returned to Sheng's Free School and handed the gift to Shi Kai.

Even after accepting Wei Chen's things, Shi Kai still showed no pretense and asked Wei Chen to test his homework at home these days as usual. After a few interrogations, Shi Kai saw that Wei Chen had not studied hard these days.

Then he straightened his face and lectured: "It's natural for people to worry about family matters, but you need to know that studying is the foundation of your life. The county examination is imminent, how can you slack off for one day?"

Seeing Wei Chen lowering his head and looking obediently obeying the instructions, Shi Kai sighed and said: "We are born in a peaceful and prosperous age. For poor people like you and me, the only way out is to take the imperial examination. .

Wei Chen, you are talented and in your prime. You should cherish your time and study hard. Don't waste half your life like a teacher, only to regret it later! "

Speaking of this, Shi Kai seemed to feel something in his heart, and his words were actually choked up.

Wei Chen was filled with guilt. Mr. Shi was not a person who could easily get emotional, but now he actually shed tears for himself. His sin was really too great!

He quickly said: "Sir, please don't get angry. The students have written it down and will never do it again in the future!"

Shi Kai's eyes were slightly red, and he raised his hand and patted Wei Chen on the shoulder: "Good boy, there is no need to blame yourself. I am just expressing my feelings as a teacher, it has nothing to do with you."

Wei Chen said in confusion: "Sir, what are you doing..."

Shi Kai laughed at himself and said: "It's funny to say that I have been studying for my teacher for decades, but in the end I don't even know where the door of the Rural Examination Gongyuan opens.

So what if I got No. 2 in the government examination? Isn’t he still a poor old boy?

During the New Year and the holidays, I was hungry and had to shamelessly go to Master Sheng's house to beg for a couplet to be written just so I could make ends meet. My character as a scholar was completely lost in me. "

Wei Chen's heart skipped a beat, feeling that something was wrong in the atmosphere. Why did Mr. Shi suddenly talk about this?

As if he could see the doubts in Wei Chen's heart, Shi Kai waved his hand and said seriously: "I have decided to resign as a teacher. I'm afraid I won't be able to teach you anymore."

Wei Chen couldn't help but turned pale with shock: "Sir, what did the student do wrong?"

Shi Kai shook his head and sighed: "You are very good. It's because of my teacher. My teacher has decided to take another college examination in August. Regardless of whether he passes the exam or not,

No more regrets in this life. "

Since the academic administration came that day, Shi Kai's long-dead heart has been rejuvenated. After weighing and struggling for more than a month, he has finally made up his mind.

"Sir, I don't want you to leave."

Wei Chen really wanted to say this, but then he thought about it. The pain in Mr. Shi's heart was that he failed in the hospital exam twice and was still just a child.

Now Mr. Shi has finally made up his mind to face this scar head-on. As a student, how can he stop his teacher from making up for his regrets?

When he thought of this, Wei Chen immediately gave up the idea of ​​trying to persuade him to stay. He bowed respectfully to Shi Kai and said, "Student knows that this is your long-cherished wish in your life, and I will not stop you. I wish you the best in the college examination." !”

Shi Kai was startled for a moment, then nodded happily: "Okay, okay, okay! I didn't expect that after two years of studying in a free school as a teacher and teaching countless students, you are my disciple who understands my thoughts best.

Wei Chen, you can be appreciated by Wang Xuezheng, which shows that you are not a thing in the pool. As a teacher, your studies are shallow, so it is okay to introduce you to the school, but as for the Confucian teacher and the professional teacher, you dare not become one.The road ahead is still up to you to walk on your own. "

Wei Chen said quickly: "Sir, please don't say that. Students are truly lucky to have your teachings."

Shi Kai smiled and said: "On the occasion of parting, I don't have anything to give you as a teacher. You can take this book, Chapters of the University, and read it."

With that said, Shi Kai opened the package, took out a book and handed it to Wei Chen.

Shi Kai's gift of the book had the intention of preaching. Wei Chen did not dare to ignore it, so he immediately took the book and bowed solemnly.

Seeing the reluctance in Wei Chen's eyes, Shi Kai said with a straight face: "Okay, all the feasts in the world must come to an end. As a man, don't act like a girl. Wei Chen, do you still remember the prodigy who taught you? poetry?"

The prodigy poems in Shi Kai's mouth are books that are usually read during enlightenment. The language is simple and easy to understand. Reading them makes people feel high-spirited and full of energy. They wish they could pass the Jinshi examination and enter the court immediately.

Wei Chen had long memorized this poem by heart. When he heard it mentioned in Shikai script, he straightened up his chest and read loudly:

“The emperor values ​​heroes, and his articles teach you how to behave;

Everything is inferior, only reading is high.

……

In the morning, he was Tian Shelang, and in the evening, he went to the Tianzitang;

There will be no seeds, and the man should be self-improvement.

……

Visit the fragrant grassland in spring and enjoy the green lotus pond in summer;

Drink yellow flower wine in autumn and sing poems about white snow in winter. "

"Okay, I recited it word for word." Shi Kai nodded and said with emotion: "Being a farmer in the morning and ascending to the emperor's hall in the evening. This is the lifelong pursuit of many scholars!

When I first came to the voluntary school as a teacher, I thought I had no hope of studying in this life, but I was unwilling to give in. I always wanted to teach a few successful students.

Wei Chen, if you can pass the imperial examination, or even pass the Jinshi exam, you will be considered as living up to the expectations of a teacher! "

"Yes, the student wrote it down."

After Wei Chen heard Shi Kai's sincere message, he wished he could hang his head on the beam and prick his buttocks immediately, and study hard from then on to repay his kindness to his husband.

"Okay, let's go!"

Shi Kai turned his back and choked with sobs.

……

During the evening class, Shi Kai announced in the lecture hall that he was leaving.