The night is like pine smoke and ink smeared in the water, spreading from the horizon. The snow is still falling, but it falls in this night, as if it is as black as the night.
As a rule, after the scholars of the world were admitted as Jinshi, the emperor would personally host a banquet to entertain these disciples of the emperor. Therefore, Lingzhu and others did not wait for Ronglu to come back to have dinner together.
They chatted in front of the warm stove and waited for Ronglu to come back.
Suddenly, the closed door was pushed open by someone, and a slender and tall figure appeared in front of everyone wrapped in the wind and snow.
The howling cold wind came with frost and snow, extinguishing the brightness in the room. Only the charcoal fire in the stove was still flickering on and off, and occasionally there were a few crisp crackling sounds of charcoal.
Through this light, you can see that he is a handsome and outstanding man. His eyes are like fine black jade. Even at night, they still shine brightly, like stars in the sky. He is the eldest son of the Niu Hulu family -
—Niu Hulu Ronglu.
"Ama, E Niang!" Following this choked voice, Ronglu knelt in front of Lingzhu and his wife and kowtowed heavily, "My son failed to live up to A Ma's mother's expectations and had to be ranked seventh in the second class. Please ask the two elders
Punishment.”
He has always been very confident in his talent and learning. He believes that with his literary talents and his second place in the examination, even if he does not get the first place in the examination, he will still be ranked first. Who wants to be ranked first in the palace examination?
He was only ranked seventh in the second division. Although this ranking was already very high, he was not satisfied.
He is well aware of his family's situation, and he also understands that he is the only hope for the whole family to break this predicament, so he studies hard in the hope that one day he can regain his family status, but now he is still a little behind...
Ling Zhu slowly came to the kneeling Ronglu, placed his broad palm on Ronglu's shoulder, and said in a deep voice: "Get up, men from our Niu Hulu family don't have the habit of kneeling at all times, get up!"
"Ama, don't you blame me?" Ronglu asked in shock.
"Blame you? Hahaha..." Ling Zhu laughed and helped him up personally and said: "Why should I blame you? What's wrong with being ranked seventh in the second class? How many people can't even pass the exam to become a scholar in their lifetime, let alone
Jinshi, you have achieved this result and Amma is too late to be happy for you, so how can I blame you!"
"Yes, your mother just heard that you were a top 2 student in high school, and she was so happy that she couldn't close her mouth." Mrs. Fucha wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
"Whether it's the first grade or the top pick, it's just temporary glory. The road ahead is the most important. You need to fight for your future and glory. Amma has confidence in you!" Ling Zhu's words rekindled Ronglu's enthusiasm.
Confidence, said word by word: "Yes! My son will try his best to fight for it and never let Amma down."
"Okay! Okay! Okay!" Ling Zhu patted his son who was taller than him on the shoulder and said three good words in a row, obviously feeling extremely happy.
"Congratulations, big brother!" Ling Ruo and others also stepped forward to congratulate. No one knows better than them that big brother has worked hard for today, and he deserves all of this.
This night was a joyous one for the Ling family. It had never been as lively as it was today in many years. Everything made them full of hope for the future.
Everything lasted only ten days, and an official document ten days later completely shattered their good mood.
On the ninth day of November, the Ministry of Officials issued an official document: Ronglu, a second-level Jinshi, was selected as a seventh-level inspector with experience, and was sent to Jiangxi to be in charge of criminal matters and litigation affairs in Jiangxi Province.
When the Lingzhu family heard the news, it was like a bolt from the blue. According to the custom, three people in the first class, the top ten in the second class, and some outstanding talents will be selected as Shujishi and enter the Hanlin Academy as editors.
position, why did Ronglu not only not be selected as a common scholar, but also be promoted to an official position?
Although according to the experience of the Chasi and the editors, the editors and editors are both seventh-rank officials, but in fact they are very different. There is an unwritten convention in the court: non-Jinshi will not enter the Hanlin, and non-Hanlin will not join the cabinet. Shujishi are also known as
Those who become Shujishi will have the opportunity to rise to the top.
But now Ronglu has been released. This is tantamount to being demoted in disguise. He will never have a chance to stand up again in his life. Besides, there are many uncivilized natives in Jiangxi who are brave and fierce and have no control. Once they are angered, they will
He could die at any time.
Why did things take a turn for the worse? Ling Zhu shamelessly went to the Literary and Selection Department of the Ministry of Personnel to inquire, which is responsible for the performance evaluation, promotion, etc. of officials, so he would definitely know some inside information. Finally, an official who had some friendship with Ling Zhu secretly told him,
Ronglu was already selected in the list of Shujishi, but due to the intervention of one person, he was eventually released. This person was Shi Chongde, who had just been promoted to Minister of Rites.
Shi Zhongde wanted to completely destroy Ronglu and not leave any chance for the Ling family to stand up.
Ling Zhu was filled with anger and hatred, but what could he do? He didn't have the capital to fight against the Shi family. Even if he couldn't bear it, he had to endure it, otherwise it would only bring disaster.
Ronglu thought he could show off his talent and serve the country from now on, but reality gave him a slap in the face. So what if he has a lot of knowledge? What if he was a Jinshi? A word from others can make you unable to stand up and become discouraged.
When you are cold, you can only drink to relieve your sorrows. A talented person is forced to become an alcoholic. He is not like a human or a ghost. It is sad...
Mrs. Fucha had to comfort Ling Zhu while also worrying about her son. She was exhausted both mentally and physically and finally fell ill.