After seeing off the Mu family father and daughter, Zhang Yuan went back to the study to practice a few pages of Chinese calligraphy. Fan Zhen and Wu Ting came. They were still reading. They had finished reading "Zhou Rites" and "Ritual Rites" and now started reading "Zhou Li". "Eight Great Masters' Notes", eighty volumes, also borrowed from Xizhang. Zhang Rulin has tens of thousands of books in his collection. A few days ago, he told the boy servant who was in charge of the collection that Zhang Jiezi from Dongzhang came to borrow books and let him do as he pleased. , "Eight Masters of Literature" was borrowed yesterday afternoon. This book was edited and selected by Mao Kun, an ancient writer during the Jiajing period, and became very popular -
To write eight-part essays well, one must have a foundation in ancient Chinese prose. Zhang Yuan has no intention of skipping this step and directly learning eight-part essays, and he has a certain literacy in classical prose. He has read a lot of Han Liuousu's prose, liked it and understood it well. This time Ting Fan and Wu read "Eight Masters of Literature" and asked them to read the chapters first. They found that he had read half of them, so they skipped the chapters he had read. In this way, it is estimated that the book can be read in ten days. , and then there are the forty volumes of "Wen Zhengzong" compiled by Zhen Dexiu, a great scholar of the Southern Song Dynasty. It is also expected to be completed in ten days. I will start learning crafts in late August, in an orderly manner, and will not disrupt my study plan because of my bet with Yao Fu. , just a little more urgent.
In the evening, Fan Zhen and Wu Ting resigned. Zhang Yuan had dinner with his mother. Before he was full, Da Shitou ran in and said, "Master, the county magistrate sent someone to invite you. He said there is something important."
Zhang's mother, Mrs. Lu, said: "Hey, it's almost dark today, what does the county magistrate want from you?"
Zhang Yuan knew what County Magistrate Hou was looking for, so he said: "It must be a matter of scientific examination. Didn't County Magistrate Hou promise that the child will pass the county examination next year? The child will come back as soon as he goes." He hurriedly ate a few mouthfuls of rice from the bottom of the bowl. After finishing, he rinsed his mouth and face, took Xiao Xinu Wuling with him to the county government office and went straight to the mansion.
Hou Zhihan, the magistrate of Shanyin County, stood in front of the gate of Lashe Academy with a frown on his face and a look of hesitation on his face. Seeing Zhang Yuan come in, before Zhang Yuan came forward to salute, he said: "Zhang Yuan, you have disappointed this county so much." Wow, you are showing off your youthful ambition and making a bet with Yao Fu. Do you know that you have ruined your future in the imperial examination!"
Zhang Yuandao: "The students are studying hard day and night, and the students are sure to write a satisfactory eight-legged essay in three months."
Hou Zhihan looked at Zhang Yuan carefully. The young man looked indifferent. He didn't seem to be arrogant just because he and Wang Jizhong had recently received praises from him and Wang Jizhong. But why did he start a bet with Yao Fu in the school? Well, it should be Yao Fu treacherously and deliberately provoked Zhang Yuan with his words. After all, the young man couldn't calm down, so he made such a losing bet with Yao Fu. Alas, although this boy is smart and diligent, he is still immature. Now, Falling into the trap of old litigator Yao Fu——
"Come in and talk."
Hou Zhihan went back to a small room on the left and sat down, while Zhang Yuan stood waiting.
Hou Zhihan looked out the window at the dusk and said, "I heard that you went to Dashan Temple to study with Mr. Qidong. Didn't Mr. Qidong take you under his wing?"
Zhang Yuandao: "Mr. Qidong advised students not to take part in the imperial examination and to follow him and concentrate on their studies. The students declined."
Hou Zhihan said "Hey" and thought to himself: "This Liu Zongzhou is really out of season. This is like a groom who is about to enter the bridal chamber. Suddenly a monk wants to persuade the groom to shave his head and become a monk. It is really embarrassing and bad mood. Zhang Yuan refused well."
For Hou Zhihan, of course he hopes that his disciples will take the imperial examination and become officials. The bigger the official position, the better. He said: "Since you know the glory of the imperial examination, why do you gamble your future with Yao Fu's vindictiveness!"
Zhang Yuandao: "Students don't want to be ranked with gentle scum like Yao Fu, and want to deprive him of his fame and honor through this gamble."
Hou Zhihan shook his head repeatedly and asked, "Are you sure of victory?"
Zhang Yuan said without hesitation: "Students are confident."
Hou Zhihan sneered: "It's just based on your bad habits after three months!"
Zhang Yuan was silent. Of course he relied on more than just stereotyped writing. He also had other powerful weapons, but it was inconvenient to tell the magistrate Hou now.
When Hou Zhihan saw that Zhang Yuan was silent, he said seriously: "Zhang Yuan, this county cherishes your talents. My teacher, Mr. Jian'an, also asked me to take more care of you, but you are so willful and willful. Even if you can do it by then,
How can you guarantee that more than thirty-six of the fifty-four living beings will recognize you if you publish the eight-part essay that is clear and standard? Yao Fu has been a living being for many years, and he is familiar with many people. How can you bet against him, unless you
If you can write impeccable prose like Mr. Qidong or Mr. Ji Zhong, you may be able to convince everyone - Zhang Yuan, can you write it?"
Zhang Yuan replied: "Of course I can't write it."
Hou Zhihan also knew that Zhang Yuan couldn't write it, so he said: "If you can't write it, you can't win. Rather than letting you lose face and become a laughing stock, it's better to cancel this bet now. Anyway, you are still young and neither
A gentleman is not a man, and he is not afraid of breaking his promise. With this county making the decision for you, Yao Fu does not dare to threaten you. How can he stop you from taking the scientific examination?"
"Well, cheating, cheating is actually not bad. It can make Yao Fu angry almost to death. Who told me that I am only fifteen years old? Children's words are unbridled, children's words are unbridled."
Zhang Yuan thought like this and said: "The students are grateful for the county magistrate's care and concern, but students who read sages' books, although they are young, how can they be dishonest in what they say? Doesn't it make people like Yao Fu look down upon?"
Hou Zhihan glared and said: "How come you have become pedantic at such a young age? Don't you know how to obey authority in emergencies?"
Zhang Yuandao: "It's not that students don't know how to adapt, it's that students are sure to win."
Hou Zhihan was silent for a long time and said: "Zhang Yuan, this county has spoken to you so much and made it so clear, are you still so self-righteous?"
Zhang Yuan said sincerely: "Please trust the students, the county magistrate, they will never let you down."
Hou Zhihan stared at Zhang Yuan coldly, and Zhang Yuan faced it calmly. A paper-shaded lamp on the table reflected the two people's shadows on the wall, and the huge shadows remained motionless.
After a long time, Hou Zhihan's face softened and he said: "In that case, the county will wait and see. You can take care of yourself."
Zhang Yuan bid farewell to Magistrate Hou and walked to the door. He heard Magistrate Hou behind him say: "Young man, don't try hard to save your face. It's still too late to turn back in time."
Zhang Yuan turned around and bowed to Magistrate Hou and said, "The students will not regret it."
Hou Zhihan watched Zhang Yuan leave calmly and thought: "This Zhang Yuan seems to be confident. Could it be that he really has some strange plan?"
Hou Zhihan thought for a while, shook his head, and said to himself: "Anyway, I can't think of any good countermeasures. Alas, let him go. Whether he will disappear from the public or become famous depends entirely on him."
…
Zhang Yuan returned to his home, read, practiced calligraphy, and did not even mention sleeping.
Before noon the next day, just after Zhang Yuan sent Fan Zhen and Zhan Shiyuan away, Lu Yungu came to the door. Lu Yungu had just heard about the bet between Zhang Yuan and Yao Liangguan at the drug store. He was very anxious and hurried over -
"My dear brother, how can you make a bet with Yao Litigator? This man is extremely treacherous and you can't beat him. My dear brother loves to learn and think deeply. If my dear brother says that in three years' time he will be the best among all the people in this county in the art of making eight-legged crotch."
I believe you, but it won't work for three months. What's more, even if you win, this Yao Litigator will cheat. He has done many harmful things, how can he keep his promise? When the time comes, he will refuse to give up his life.
There is nothing you can do about your fame, but if my good brother loses, then he will be unforgiving and hold on to you."
Zhang Yuan smiled and said: "Brother Lu is worried, but I am sure I can beat him. I have ways to deal with him if he cheats on me, but it's just not convenient for me to tell my brother clearly now."
"really?"
"really."
Lu Yungu stood up and said, "Okay, Brother Yu, I believe you." The young Zhang Yuan is the most fantastic person he has ever met in his life, and he is not just a fantasy.
Before Lu Yungu could send him out, Zhang E ran over again and shouted: "Jiezi, it's a disaster, it's a disaster. The eldest father is furious and wants you to answer the question. It's about the bet between you and Yao Liangguan.
Father knows, you should be careful."
Zhang Yuan smiled helplessly: It is so difficult to hide a clever plan. Ask this question and ask that question. My uncle is no better than others. I can't hide it. I must tell this uncle completely about this plan.
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People need the courage to persevere and go their own way. Please vote for Zhang Yuan, he deserves it.