Let’s not talk about Chu Jiayi’s misunderstanding in her heart.
Just when Zhao Junchen took Xu Qingyan and Fang Ru to the main hall, in the main hall of the Zhao Mansion, those people from the Zhao family in Yangzhou were also gathering at the door, waiting for Zhao Junchen's appearance with a cautious attitude.
.
In fact, the Zhao family is considered a local wealthy family in Yangzhou, but they have never seen such a gorgeous and luxurious mansion as Zhao Junchen. And the rules in the mansion of a powerful person like Zhao Junchen in the capital are even more...
This was something the Zhao family had never seen before, coupled with Zhao Junchen's current power in the court and the complicated relationship between the two parties, they were finally about to meet Zhao Junchen, but they couldn't help but be unrestrained.
…………
Among them, Zhao Deqing, the current head of the Zhao family in Yangzhou, was feeling particularly anxious and complicated at this time.
When Zhao Junchen's mother was kicked out of the clan, Zhao Deqing was not the head of the Zhao family, so the decision was not made by him, but Zhao Deqing did not stop him, and even supported it - although Zhao Junchen's mother,
It is his biological sister!
Regarding this matter, Zhao Deqing believed that neither the Yangzhou Zhao family nor himself had done anything wrong, and this thought and attitude has not changed to this day.
Without him, the Zhao family is a big family in Yangzhou. How many pairs of eyes are watching? And a woman in the family got pregnant before marriage. How much impact will it have on the family's reputation?
The elders of the family can collude with the government to seize fertile land, and the younger members of the family can bully men and women, but this is absolutely not allowed if a woman in the family becomes pregnant before marriage and loses the family's face!
This kind of thinking is not just Zhao Deqing's. In this era, most of the landowners and wealthy families think this way.
However, the only thing that Zhao Deqing did not expect was that after being kicked out of the clan, Zhao Junchen not only did not starve to death, but actually became successful. Not only did he become the number one scholar, but in just a few years, he became a
One of the most popular and powerful officials in the court!
In this way, the existence of Zhao Junchen, an illegitimate son, is not only no longer a shame for the Zhao family in Yangzhou, but has become an honor! Not only is it an honor, but it can also bring great benefits to the Zhao family!
Under such circumstances, with Zhao Deqing's profit-seeking nature, he naturally wanted to get back together with Zhao Junchen. Over the years, he sent people to Beijing many times to contact Zhao Junchen, but Zhao Junchen did not want to see the Zhao family in Yangzhou.
, Zhao Deqing's repeated overtures of kindness over the years have been ignored and treated coldly.
Just when Zhao Deqing's mind was getting colder, he never expected that Zhao Junchen would take the initiative to contact the Zhao family! Not only did he contact the Zhao family, he also proposed to select several Zhao family children to enter the Imperial College to become supervisors, and even asked
Choose a girl from the Zhao family to bring into the harem and become a noble!
Whether it was Zhao Junchen's proactive contact or the great benefits Zhao Junchen brought, Zhao Deqing was so happy that the future glory of the Zhao family in Yangzhou seemed to have appeared in his eyes. Therefore, after the new year, Zhao Deqing has
He personally led the clan elders to the capital to ask for a meeting with Zhao Junchen, hoping to strike while the iron was hot and repair the friendship between the two parties.
But I never expected that Zhao Junchen had already taken the initiative to contact them, but when they came to Beijing to ask for a meeting, they still felt hot and cold. Although Zhao Junchen connected them to the Zhao Mansion, it was delicious.
He entertained them with delicious food and did not restrict their freedom, but he insisted on not seeing them. So far, it has been delayed for ** days.
Then, Zhao Deqing discovered that Zhao Junchen probably still resented the Zhao family in Yangzhou.
Now that he is finally meeting Zhao Junchen, how should he treat Zhao Junchen, who is still resenting the Zhao family in Yangzhou? And how will Zhao Junchen treat people like himself?
Thinking of this, Zhao Deqing felt a little uneasy.
After all, with the power in Zhao Junchen's current hands, how much benefit he can bring to the Zhao family, and how much disaster he can bring to the Zhao family, all depends on Zhao Junchen's thoughts.
…………
While thinking about it, Zhao Deqing suddenly remembered something and hurriedly asked his cousin Zhao Deshun, the only elder in the clan with the title of civil servant: "Deshun, I saw him later, what should we do? What should we do?"
Although he is his elder, he is now a high-ranking official in the court. Should he call him by his name to show affection? Or should he call him 'sir' to show submission? Do you want to salute him? "
In the Ming Dynasty, because the gentry could reduce many taxes, the wealthy families in various places usually had several members who had obtained the imperial examination. In the Zhao family of Yangzhou, this role was played by Zhao Deshun, and Zhao Deshun was among the Zhao family.
, and his status is second only to Zhao Deqing.
After hearing Zhao Deqing's inquiry, Zhao Deshun pondered for a moment and said in a low voice: "Although today is a family banquet, there are not so many rules, but from my point of view, Mr. Zhao's resentment towards our family is still there, and he
Nowadays, he is also noble, so it is better to be more cautious in his words and deeds. When he needs to salute, he should salute, and he should also call him 'sir'. Then look at his response. If his attitude is better, then we will slowly appear to be in line with him.
It's okay to be affectionate, but if his attitude is serious, we have to be more respectful and careful."
Zhao Deqing nodded repeatedly and quickly told Zhao Deshun what he meant.
Most of the Zhao family members who came to Beijing were Zhao Junchen's uncles and uncles, and many of them had higher seniority. However, no one resisted Zhao Deqing's instructions, and they all agreed.
After all, after all, they have not been in contact for many years, and the people of the Zhao family in Yangzhou still regard Zhao Junchen as someone they need to please, rather than as a relative of the clan.
At this moment, Zhao Deqing suddenly heard two juniors from the clan behind him discussing something softly.
…………
"Zhao Xuantong, have you heard? This time Master Zhao seems to be arranging all of us juniors to be supervisors in the Imperial College! Hey, that's the Imperial College! Isn't it the place you have always wanted to go? I heard that only Juren can be
Or only the scholars recommended by the local academic administration can enter. I also heard that once you become a supervisor, if you are recommended by the Imperial College, you can directly enter the court and become an official without passing the imperial examination. Hehe, our clan has this person.
Mr. Zhao, you are truly blessed!"
The person who spoke, with a look full of frivolity and pride, was none other than Zhao Xuancheng, who had met and spoken to Zhao Shancai before.
The person who was talking to Zhao Xuancheng was a young man named Zhao Xuantong. He was also a younger generation of the Zhao family in Yangzhou, but compared to Zhao Xuancheng, this Zhao Xuantong was much calmer, with a quieter expression.
delicate.
Zhao Xuantong explained: "If a person enters the Imperial Academy, he or she is called a 'Jujian'; if a scholar recommended by the local academic administration enters the Imperial Academy, he or she is called a 'Gongjian'. The 'Yinjian' has a small number of places and is ranked among the fourth-ranked imperial guards."
The above-mentioned officials in the capital can only arrange for one junior to enter the Imperial College, and Master Zhao will not be able to arrange it. So if we people can really enter the Imperial College under Master Zhao's arrangement, I think it will be the 'Enjian', specially appointed by His Majesty.
Admission to prison."
Hearing Zhao Xuantong's explanation, Zhao Xuancheng was a little stunned at first. Obviously he didn't know this at first, but then he curled his lips and said: "Xuantong, you are showing off your knowledge again. Among our cousins, you are the one who likes reading the most.
They always say that if we don’t study, we will have no knowledge or knowledge, and we will show off our knowledge and knowledge at every turn. But let me tell you, what’s the use of studying like you do? Haven’t you always wanted to go to the Imperial College all these years but couldn’t?
I'm not as knowledgeable as you. But what's the result? If the news comes true, not only can we enter the Imperial College directly, but with Mr. Zhao's care and management in the future, we are also very likely to be recommended by the Imperial College, and we can directly become officials, which is easy and convenient.
, but it is much more useful than you who only study hard! Let me tell you, if you study all day long, your brain will become stupid."
"The books of sages can increase knowledge and cultivate sentiments, so how can they make the brain stupid when reading?" Zhao Xuantong couldn't help but retorted. But his expression was a little stubborn, but he really looked like a nerd.
Zhao Xuancheng said proudly: "Why not? What is the purpose of studying? Isn't it just for fame and being an official? But after you become an official, what can you use the things in your books? You don't have to rely on your own means and become an official.
Backer? If you really believe in the things in the sages' books, do you think you can survive in today's officialdom?"
Hearing the voices of Zhao Xuancheng and Zhao Xuantong getting louder, Zhao Deqing was about to say "Quiet". Suddenly, someone outside the main hall of Zhao's residence said coldly: "It's useless to study? But if you can't even read the simplest and most useless
If you can’t read well, what will you accomplish in the future?”
Hearing this voice, all the Zhao family members in the main hall turned their heads to look, only to see a young man in luxurious clothes and elegant temperament looking at them with a frown.
They didn't know who this young man was, nor had they seen him, but behind him stood Xu Qingyan, the director of the Zhao family who had greeted them before, and the Zhao family attendant who had been entertaining them these days.
Concubine Fang Ru!
And Zhao Junchen was the only one in the Zhao Mansion who could let Xu Qingyan and Fang Ru follow them.
Obviously, the person coming is none other than Zhao Junchen!
Thinking of this, the faces of the Zhao family members in the main hall changed one after another, and then, under the leadership of Zhao Deqing, they all saluted Zhao Junchen and said hello, "Sir."
Among them, Zhao Xuancheng, who had just been directly refuted by Zhao Junchen, looked even more pale and frightened.
However, Zhao Junchen ignored the salutes and greetings from the Zhao family members and just stared at Zhao Xuancheng with a frown on his face.
Zhao Junchen did not expect that the theory of "the uselessness of reading", which was once popular in later generations, was actually put forward by someone at this time.
"For your own good, remember what I'm going to say next." Zhao Junchen said slowly to Zhao Xuancheng: "Studying, whether it is rote memorization or reading comprehension, all you need to do is work hard and you don't need to be intrigued or tired.
It’s hard work, and you don’t need to look at other people’s eyes. Everything depends on yourself. It can be said that reading is the simplest thing in the world. If you can’t even read well, but you wishfully think that you can do other things well, that’s just
wishful thinking!
In this world, from ancient times to the present, there are people who have no knowledge and skills but can achieve great things, but they are very few! And there are people who study hard but are useless in the end, but they are also very few.
Less! Don't have such a lucky hope, and don't just think about leaving your destiny to others, otherwise you will only achieve nothing in the end."
Zhao Junchen's voice was cold and calm, and he did not mean to be angry, but it also frightened Zhao Xuancheng to death. After hearing Zhao Junchen's words, he was stunned and did not react.
Seeing Zhao Xuancheng like this, Zhao Deshun on the side quickly said: "Why are you standing there in a daze! Why don't you quickly thank Mr. Zhao for his careful teachings to you!?"
After hearing Zhao Deshun's reminder, Zhao Xuancheng trembled and finally reacted and hurriedly said to Zhao Junchen: "Thank you so much for your teaching."
However, Zhao Junchen ignored Zhao Xuancheng. Instead, he turned to look at Zhao Xuantong and asked: "Listening to what you two just said, do you like studying very much? Have you obtained any honors?"
Unexpectedly, Zhao Junchen would turn to him again, but Zhao Xuantong, who was originally a bit nerdy, did respond faster than Zhao Xuancheng. He quickly replied: "Sir, I just passed the scientific examination last year and got the student quota.
I will take the provincial examination next year.”
Zhao Junchen nodded and said, "Can you recite the "Li Xue Pian" written by Song Zhenzong back then?"
Zhao Xuantong nodded, and then recited: "A rich family does not need to buy fertile land. There is thousands of millet in the book. There is no need to build a high building to live in peace, there is a house of gold in the book. Don't hate an unscrupulous matchmaker when marrying a wife, there is a beauty like jade in the book."
When you go out, don't regret that there is no one to follow you. There are many cars and horses in the book. A man who wants to realize his life's ambitions reads the Six Classics diligently to the window."
Zhao Junchen nodded appreciatively and said: "Every word is correct. It seems that you have studied hard. The reason why the sages' books are valued by the world has its own reasons. If you read it carefully, it will be more profound than you think."
After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Zhao Xuantong naturally nodded in agreement.
Zhao Junchen's words are naturally not perfunctory. These days, Zhao Junchen has always taken the time to study the legendary and mysterious "Emperor's Mind". However, he discovered that this so-called "Emperor's Mind" is actually exactly
Confucianism has learned high and profound contents. And the "Emperor's Mental Technique" taught by He Ming to Zhao Shancai is actually just a kind of induction.
However, Zhao Junchen said these words suddenly, and naturally it was not just a whim.
At least, after hearing Zhao Junchen's remarks, Zhao Deqing and Zhao Deshun looked at each other and nodded thoughtfully.
Zhao Junchen's statement actually made it clear to the Zhao family what changes he needs from the Zhao family in the future and what kind of talents he plans to promote from the Zhao family. Zhao Deqing and Zhao Deshun are smart people, so they naturally understand.
The implication here is.
…………
On the other side, after teaching Zhao Xuancheng and Zhao Xuantong, Zhao Junchen turned to look at Zhao Deqing, the current head of the Zhao family, and asked: "Are you Zhao Deqing, the current head of the Zhao family?"
What Zhao Junchen said was not polite. He didn't mean to respect Zhao Deqing, his uncle at all. However, Zhao Deqing did not dare to be angry at all. He just bowed and said: "Yangzhou Zhao Deqing, I have met your lord."
Zhao Junchen nodded, pointed to the banquet next to him, and said: "Today is a family banquet. There is no need to be formal and polite. Let's all sit down."
While talking, Zhao Junchen came to the banquet first and sat down.
As Zhao Junchen took his seat, people from the Zhao family also took their seats one after another.
Nearly twenty people from the Zhao family came from Yangzhou, but two tables were filled. Among them, the elders of the family sat at one table with Zhao Junchen, and the younger members of the Zhao family sat at the other table.
Then, Fang Ru sat next to Zhao Junchen, and Xu Qingyan sat with him on another seat.
After everyone was seated, the maids of the Zhao family got the dishes like water, and the banquet had already begun. However, those people from the Zhao family in Yangzhou were all looking at Zhao Junchen secretly, and they did not dare to take down their chopsticks to pick up the dishes at will.
I didn’t dare to speak casually.
From the moment Zhao Junchen appeared until now, he has not shown the slightest hint of intimacy. Of course, everyone in the Zhao family can see this, so they are extremely careful with him.
And Zhao Junchen now treats the Zhao family as officials under his sect, but he does not consider their feelings. After the dishes are prepared, Zhao Junchen first raises his chopsticks, picks up the dishes on the plate, and casually says:
"Everyone, feel free to do as you like. As I said, since it is a family banquet, there are not so many rules and there is no need to be too rigid. The cooks in my house are pretty good, and there are a few dishes that would be good even if they were placed in the palace.
You can try it and see if you like it."
However, everyone in the Zhao family did not even dare to shirk politeness. After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, they all took down their chopsticks to taste the vegetables, and then praised them one after another.
Zhao Junchen turned to Zhao Deqing and said: "The government has been busy these days. You all came all the way from Yangzhou to visit me, but I couldn't take care of you for a while. I hope you don't take it off."
Zhao Deqing was responding to Zhao Junchen's call and putting food on his plate. After hearing Zhao Junchen's words, he quickly said: "Sir, we are all a family, so there is no need to see anyone outside."
They clearly said that they were a family, but they still called "Sir" in their mouths, which seemed a bit nondescript.
While speaking, Zhao Deqing carefully looked at Zhao Junchen's expression, and couldn't help but feel happy when he saw that Zhao Junchen did not object to the word "family" in his mouth.
Zhao Junchen continued: "Actually, in two months, I will go south with His Majesty on his southern tour. I originally planned to see you at that time, but I didn't expect that you would take the initiative to come to Beijing to find me.
, in this case, I just want to ask you, are you ready for what I asked you to do? "
Zhao Deqing nodded repeatedly and said: "If we are not prepared, how can we dare to come here to ask for an audience with you? I hope you can rest assured. Now in our Zhao family, there are nine girls of the right age. According to your instructions, all of them have been recruited into the clan.
Watch, those who were engaged have already broken off their engagements, and those who have sweethearts have also broken up, waiting for the adults to come home to choose."
Seeing Zhao Junchen nodding with satisfaction, Zhao Deshun on the other side asked in disbelief: "Sir, does the emperor really want to select a girl from our Zhao family to enter the palace as a noble?"
Zhao Junchen glanced at Zhao Deshun and said: "Of course, otherwise why would I ask you to do these things? In addition, Your Majesty also plans to ask me to recommend some children of the Zhao family to enter the Imperial College, saying that there is no limit to the number of places. However, although His Majesty said so
But I can't be too showy, so I only plan to select five or six people from the clan to recommend to the Imperial Academy, and you should also carefully screen them in this regard."
Recalling the different attitudes Zhao Junchen had towards Zhao Xuancheng and Zhao Xuantong just now, Zhao Deqing and Zhao Deshun both nodded.
Suddenly, remembering the news he had received not long ago, Zhao Junchen asked: "By the way, do you know Zhao Shancai, a talented man from Jiangnan? Is he related to the clan?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ps: The second update today, a 5,000-word chapter! Please like!
...(To be continued. Please search Piaotian Literature, the novel will be better and updated faster!
