That night, the Jiangnan West Road Guild Hall was brightly lit and very lively. Song Mu was also smelling of alcohol. It was not until very late that he could finally leave and return to his room to rest.
But when Song Mu just stepped into the room, he saw that Tao Fengming in the room had not fallen asleep today. He was sitting on a chair, holding a hand stove and seemed to be thinking about something.
Even Song Mu's arrival was not noticed at all.
Song Mu's expression became solemn, and his body was full of energy. The drunkenness was instantly dissipated, and then he stepped forward.
"Master, haven't you gone to rest yet?"
Song Mu stepped forward and asked softly. Tao Fengming came back to his senses at this time, raised his head and looked at Song Mu. There seemed to be no expression on his old face, and he just asked Song Mu to sit aside.
Song Mu first helped him replace the hand stove, and then sat down next to him, wondering if he had done anything inappropriate today, and waited to listen to Tao Fengming's teachings.
But Tao Fengming didn't make any move, he just sat there blankly. After a while, he suddenly searched in his arms for a while, and then handed something to Song Mu.
Song Mu looked carefully and saw that it was Tao Fengming's white jade scroll.
This is Tao Fengming's personal soldier who has been nurtured for many years. It is Tao Fengming's most precious thing. He has used various magical powers several times. When Song Mu saw this, his face was full of astonishment.
Song Mu looked at Tao Fengming and was about to speak.
Tao Fengming let out a slight breath, and then said softly to Song Mu.
"You are now at the level of a Jinshi. It will be of great benefit to have more civil servants at your disposal."
After hearing these words, Song Mu looked at the white jade scroll handed over by the other party. At this moment, he still shook his head slightly and said.
"Master, Hewenjuan is your civil servant. It's not my turn to take charge yet."
"I have Kawasawa, that's enough."
"If my things are of no use to me, I can throw them away; if they are useful to you, they are treasures. Don't talk too much about them."
Tao Fengming, however, had a firm look on his face. He immediately put the white jade scroll into Song Mu's hand, as if it was just an ordinary thing. Then his expression seemed to finally relax, and he met Song Mu's eyes with a slightly cloudy look.
"Jing Zhao, you have to remember that from now on, you are the only one who can protect yourself."
Song Mu immediately trembled when he heard these words, and heard some different meanings from Tao Fengming's words. Tao Fengming had already spoken again.
"I know what you are saying. Now that you are a Jinshi, you have the ability to protect yourself, but this so-called self-protection depends on what kind of things it is."
Saying this, Tao Fengming's face became a little serious, and he spoke to Song Mu in a deep voice.
"You have entered the court of Dawen. Serving as an official is very different from studying. What's more, the dangers you encounter will not only come from this monster, but also from everyone around you."
Tao Fengming's words were very serious and even contained a hint of warning.
These words sounded not only a warning, but also a command.
After saying these words, Song Mu actually felt a little at a loss, and even felt a little uneasy and lonely in his heart.
It seemed that he had completely lost Tao Fengming's support.
Tao Fengming also saw Song Mu's lonely and even uneasy expression, but this time he looked at Song Mu and said in a deep voice.
"Jing Zhao, a scholar cannot be without great perseverance, but as the saying goes, the road ahead is arduous and the road is long, one should be ambitious, do you understand?"
Song Mu was silent for a moment, then clenched the scroll in his hand, and finally nodded heavily.
He has been in this world for three years. In the past three years, the reason why he has gained so many insights is because of his master. His master's teachings have benefited Song Mu a lot.
This time, the master completely let go, but with this advice, he was afraid that Song Mu would make the same mistake again. The young man was full of energy, but steel is easy to break, so he had to remember these and forge ahead.
"Master, Jingzhao remember this. In the future, you must think twice before doing anything."
Seeing the change in Song Mu's expression, Tao Fengming seemed to have finally let go of a burden in his heart. He coughed twice and spoke to Song Mu again.
"I know what you are thinking, but I have not left. I can also give you some advice on some matters in the future."
"It's just that you can't just use it. In that case, it's my fault."
Song Mutian fully accepted Tao Fengming's advice.
After doing all this, Tao Fengming said nothing to Song Mu. Song Mu helped him lie down to rest, but at this moment, he was completely sleepless.
There will always be a day for people to walk on their own, but this day is so imminent, Song Mu feels that the road ahead seems to be shrouded in fog.
…
In the early morning of the next day, Song Mu got up early to study as usual. He declined many invitations, but received an unexpected one.
This was a post sent by the Ministry of Rites. Song Mu opened it and looked at it. He just asked a simple question.
Ask Song Mu if he has time to go to the Ministry of Rites and discuss something.
As for what it was about, although it was not written clearly above, Song Mu knew it clearly in his heart.
It must be about my article on Confucianism, and maybe I will also ask about the Three Character Classic.
Song Mu was mentally prepared for this, so he told Tao Fengming and set off immediately.
Among the six departments of the Wen Dynasty, the Ministry of Rites was the highest, but its official offices were not located on Zhuque Street like other departments. Instead, they were at the foot of the imperial city, on the side of Jingfeng Gate, and could even be accessed from the imperial city at any time.
Therefore, in this era, the Ministry of Rites was the institution that all officials aspired to serve.
Anyone who can become an official in the Ministry of Rites has a very promising future, and to become one of them, each one must be extraordinary. Even here, it once became a reserve place for high-ranking officials of the Wen Dynasty.
After Song Mu arrived here, he handed over the post and waited outside the door. At this time, an official came from outside. When he saw Song Mu, he immediately stepped forward and handed over his hand.
"Song Zhuangyuan, why are you here?"
Song Mu looked up and saw that it was Li Kaize. He quickly held up his hands and explained his intention.
When the other party heard Song Mu's intention, he immediately took Song Mu inside and asked Song Mu to wait inside.
"I think this is the first time that the number one scholar has come to our Etiquette Department. This place is usually very busy. The number one scholar will have a cup of tea here first and wait for a while."
Li Kaize said this and asked again.
"Let me go and take a look. Some of the elders should be here today. I heard that you were here, and they must also want to hear about your article."
"However, I am somewhat interested in the article about the No. 1 Scholar, and I may have to worry about it some more in the future."
Saying this, Li Kaize was about to leave when an official from the Ministry of Rites walked in and raised his hand towards Song Mu.
"The Number One Scholar and I are coming this way. The boss is in the scholarly realm."
Hearing this, Li Kaize was stunned for a moment. He seemed a little surprised that several adults actually wanted to ask Song Mu to go to this place.
Then he turned around and smiled.
"It seems that there is no need for Li to bother me. No. 1, it seems that I will ask this question next time."
Song Mu also bowed his hands in a deep voice, and then walked aside under the guidance of the official.
After passing through several corridors, a small courtyard appeared in front of him. There was chatter in the courtyard. Song Mu adjusted his clothes a little and stepped in.