Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

Chen Fu was taken aback and said nothing more.

Several sons of officials looked at each other, exchanged glances, and then quickly followed.

New book launch, please read it!

Chapter 2 Han Men Li Xue 20

As the twelfth lunar month approaches and the new year draws near, both students who have been studying diligently and farmers and skilled craftsmen have already passed their busiest period.

From now on, all we need to do is prepare for the New Year, celebrate the festive season, and make the year ahead a joyous one.

As a result, everyone was idle and bored.

Along the way, because Chen Fu and the others were following, the group of nearly ten people was very conspicuous.

Someone spotted Jiang Zhao and two strongmen carrying the six gifts for his studies, realized something, and quickly asked, "Young Master Jiang, are you going to become an apprentice?"

“Exactly!” the pageboy Hesheng replied politely.

"Let's go together."

Passersby immediately became interested and quickly followed.

The same scene repeated itself, and soon the number of people had reached dozens.

The group of dozens of people was quite conspicuous. When passersby asked, some of the curious onlookers spontaneously replied, "Jiang Dalang has tried to become an apprentice twice but failed. This is his third and final attempt!"

Yangzhou, situated by the river and the sea, was already a prosperous place with many people studying and learning, and the Plum Blossom Academy was famous throughout the world.

Along the way, there were already over a hundred people, including students from poor families, children of officials, and even some minor officials, who were eager to join in the fun.

When one or two people walk together, no one pays them any attention.

When a group of ten or so people are together, the lively atmosphere creates a more noticeable scene, making them stand out on the street and attracting more attention.

When a hundred or so people are together, even the most oblivious pedestrians will look up and glance over, and then ask what's going on.

This drew even more people to join in the fun.

The incident of Jiang Zhao getting drunk at the poetry gathering and his desire to visit her three times to become her disciple had been brewing for some time and had become a hot topic.

Of ten pedestrians, at least one or two would choose to follow and take a look.

In addition, many of the people who came to join in the fun were scholars, and their conversations inevitably carried a certain elegance. Those ship merchants who traveled to various places and wanted to appear cultured would also quickly follow along.

Jiang Zhao said he didn't care about saving face in order to find a good teacher.

I visited three times!

If this were to happen, it would be a rare and wonderful story.

If it doesn't work out, it will still be a rare topic of conversation.

If that's the case, why not witness it with your own eyes?

The boat trip is boring, so you need to have something to brag about!

The group, led by Jiang Zhao, formed a long line of pedestrians that stretched for hundreds of meters.

For a moment, the place was crowded with people.

Han Mansion.

As Han Jiayan, who was in charge of welcoming guests, watched the crowd approaching from afar, his heart trembled slightly.

so many people?

Among these people, there were scholars, wealthy farmers, skilled craftsmen, merchants, servants, and纨绔子弟 (sons of wealthy families who were spoiled and dissolute), probably seven or eight hundred in total!

Looking back, people were still rushing over excitedly, and some even spread the word, attracting acquaintances and friends to come in twos and threes. The number of people would probably increase.

A short while later, a group of people approached.

Jiang Zhao stopped and bowed, saying, "Brother Shimao."

Han Jiayan was Han Zhang's third son. He was honest and upright, and good at reading and writing. Jiang Zhao often asked him for advice and discussed articles with him. The two were quite familiar with each other.

Jiang Zhao stopped in his tracks, and the onlookers also quickly stopped and moved to both sides to broaden their field of vision and try not to miss any details.

"Brother, there's no need for such formalities." Under the watchful eyes of thousands, Han Jiayan became somewhat nervous.

"A few days ago, I instructed Hesheng to deliver the visiting card. I wonder if Uncle is here?" Jiang Zhao asked expectantly.

The crowd fell silent upon hearing this.

Han Zhang was not in the residence on the previous two occasions, but this time he was...

"Yes, of course I am. Please come in." Han Jiayan nodded and reached out to welcome him.

The crowd became completely lively.

Jiang Zhao took a step forward excitedly, but then seemed to realize something, his smile froze, and he stepped back.

He shook his head and sighed, "I admire your talent and wish to become your student. However, the matter of becoming a student ultimately depends on mutual consent."

There is an old saying: "Once or twice, but not a third time." Now, I have visited three times. If I had not been asking for your guidance for six years, knowing that you are not annoyed with me, and having the precedent of "three visits to the thatched cottage" which succeeded in three attempts, I would not have had the courage to become your disciple three times.

Even so, we should not bother you too much.

This time, I'll trouble Brother Shimao to go in and inform him. I'll wait quietly outside. If Uncle still refuses to see me, then it's my presumptuousness. From now on, no matter how much regret I feel, I will never mention the matter of becoming his disciple again.”

After Jiang Zhao finished speaking, he sighed deeply and bowed to the door.

His sincere desire to learn is evident.

Visiting the thatched cottage three times is an act of courage.

Once or twice is acceptable, but not a third time. Stopping at the door is the mark of a gentleman.

"Wait a moment." Han Jiayan nodded quickly and strode inside.

Jiang Zhao reached out and handed the umbrella to the pageboy, took a step forward, lowered his head and bowed, adopting a very humble posture.

Chen Fu shook his head and sighed, "The eldest son has made up his mind, so let's respect his choice. Everyone, please step back and don't surround the main gate. It would be impolite and displease Lord Han."

The onlookers quickly stepped back about ten paces.

In this way, Jiang Zhao's sincerity was quite evident as he stood alone in the snow.

Just then, Jiang Zhao glanced back and saw that some people didn't have umbrellas, so he quickly waved and said, "Hesheng, go and buy more umbrellas."

The biting wind chilled people to the bone.

Jiang Zhao's every breath sent wisps of white smoke flying around him.

People were talking about it enthusiastically.

"In ancient times, there was the story of thrice visiting a thatched cottage to seek a wise minister; now, there is the story of thrice visiting the Han family to seek a good teacher. If they succeed, it will be a legendary tale!"

"To be honest, such a sincere desire to learn from a master three times is truly admirable. If all my students had such sincerity, I would treat them like my own children."

"Standing in the snow in front of the door is both a sign of respect and sincerity."

"Speaking of which, Dalang is undoubtedly a first-rate child prodigy, and he has been studying under Lord Han for six years. Why then is he unwilling to accept a disciple?"

“Dalang is under a lot of pressure! If it really doesn’t work out, this would be an offensive act on his part.”

study

An elderly man with a black beard and sideburns, and a thin figure, held a bamboo scroll and read it attentively. Even though his face looked a little haggard, his every move was full of dignity.

This man was none other than Han Zhang, the prefect of Yangzhou.

At thirty-seven years old, he was a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet and a Grand Master of the Palace, a first-rank official, very young, and definitely a strong contender for the top position among all officials.

However, the 43-year-old prefect of Yangzhou was too old, and as a mere fifth-rank official, he had no future prospects whatsoever.

Unfortunately, both of them are him.

One is him six years ago, and the other is him now.

With his future uncertain, Han Zhangren looked much thinner and more haggard.

Ultimately, no matter how good your mindset is, if you suddenly fall from the peak of your life, it's impossible for you to be indifferent to everything.

After all, he was once a prominent figure in the government.

At thirty-seven years old, the Grand Secretary, to put it bluntly, had a chance to rise to the top position among all officials, even if he had to wait out seniority.

However, the political landscape is ever-changing, and all of that is now history.

"Jiayan, what do you say?"

“Father, my eldest son came to visit. He stood in the snow, and many people were watching him,” Han Jiayan replied.

"What are those who are watching and waiting saying?" Han Zhang slowly stood up.

"The onlookers included people from all walks of life, from scholars and farmers to artisans and merchants, and the exact number was probably over a thousand. The fact that the eldest son failed to become an apprentice twice, and that he said he didn't care about losing face, has earned him a lot of praise for his sincerity," Han Jiayan answered truthfully.

"Hmm." Han Zhang nodded, put down the book in his hand, waved his hand, and said, "Go ahead, and tell them that I am currently fast asleep. Those who are watching must not be negligent."

Han Jiayan nodded repeatedly.

Neither the father nor the son mentioned once whether they would take on apprentices.

Chapter 3 Han Men Li Xue 20

"Big Brother." Han Jiayan walked out quickly.

He hesitated for a moment: "Father is fast asleep. Does Eldest Brother have something important to attend to?"

Jiang Zhao bowed solemnly and said, "What could be more important than becoming a disciple?"

"Uncle is exhausted from working for the people and is sound asleep. Please do not disturb him. Please inform him when he wakes up."

As he spoke, Jiang Zhao straightened up, becoming even more respectful.

Many people praised it.

"Their sincerity in seeking knowledge is both admirable and awe-inspiring!"

"To be honest, Lord Han is a person who has been demoted. At this time, many officials are afraid of being implicated and dare not associate with him. But Dalang is eager to learn and hopes to become a disciple. His sincerity in seeking knowledge and respect for teachers are evident."

"The esteemed [Qilin of Huainan], a scholar who became a Xiucai at the age of ten, could be considered a potential prime minister. Yet, he is neither arrogant nor haughty, but instead humbly seeks knowledge. He is truly a rare talent in the world!"

"If his sincere pursuit of knowledge three times were to succeed, it would be a remarkable story. After the New Year comes the imperial examination, and when I arrive in Bianjing, I will have plenty to talk about."

"That's right. Throughout history, people have said that once is enough, twice is enough, but not three times. Yet, only Emperor Zhaolie of Han visited the thatched cottage three times, and only Dalang sought to learn from him three times!"

There were simply too many people, so Han Jiayan had to have his servants serve hot tea and light a fire at a distance to avoid any neglect.

Just then, several servants entered carrying about a hundred umbrellas.

Jiang Zhao looked back twice, bowed apologetically, and said, "Jiang Zhao's matter of becoming a disciple was originally a trivial matter, but it has caused you all to be soaked in the snow. It is truly my fault."

As he spoke, several sensible servants went to deliver the umbrellas.

This drew praise from many people.

The servants were very efficient; in no time, everyone had an umbrella.

For a time, Jiang Zhao was alone, standing alone in the winter snow.

As winter snow falls, a bonfire is lit, hot tea is drunk, and scholars witness and discuss the scene, which inevitably adds a touch of elegance and creates the atmosphere of an open-air tea party.

For scholars, the atmosphere is paramount.

This added to the lively atmosphere, making it hard for people to leave.

No poetry gathering, tea party, or assembly can compare to this kind of scene and atmosphere.

The snow fell, covering Jiang Zhao's black hair in a thin layer, which slowly thickened.

One quarter of an hour

a stick of incense

Half an hour

Three incense sticks.

Those who were just there for the fun were fine; a bunch of people gathered together, and with a fire to warm them, they weren't cold at all.

Jiang Zhao stood respectfully the whole time, but his body couldn't help but feel stiff.