Chapter 134 How can you be bright when you are born with beauty?
Wang Er is a servant who came with the Shangshu Mansion. On the ship, he mainly manages the private treasury brought by Cui Zhaoquan. There is no need for personal soldiers, just to prevent anyone from feeling that there is no distinction between public and private matters.
There was also 800,000 taels of silver that was transported with the ship this time, all of which were official silver of nine or eight colors. When I checked it that day, I pulled off the silk cloth and saw that the boxes were packed in dense rows like dumplings, and they were all gilded.
The bright silver ingot is dazzling at first glance.
Cui Zhaoquan noticed that everyone present suddenly stared blankly. He could restrain himself, but his servants might not be able to.
Moreover, Cui Zhaoquan was a little uneasy about the emperor sending another eunuch to follow him. Naturally, he was more cautious. He separated the public and private affairs very clearly and refused to let anyone get the slightest clue. He also refused to let his servants manage the public treasury, so as not to make it unclear if something went wrong.
.
After Wang Er heard this, he quickly came in with a wooden tray.
On this wooden pallet, there are two palm-sized brocade bags, slightly bulging, obviously containing something.
Cui Zhaoquan picked one up seemingly casually and handed it to Shao Sisen with a smile.
It was a gift from an elder and could not be declined. Shao Sisen hurriedly took it with both hands and bowed to express his thanks.
Su Ziji was also given a bag. He held it in his hand and felt that it was not light in the hand. He did not know what was inside, but he thought it should be an inkstone or good ink, something that scholars could use.
"Let's all disperse. There is no limit to learning. You must not be complacent. Go!" Cui Zhaoquan gave the things and let the two of them go out. For a while, only Cui Zhaoquan and Eunuch Zhang were left on the deck.
The two were silent for a long time. Inspector Zhao gently put down the cup in his hand and chuckled: "Master Cui, last time you were silent because Su Ziji was so talented and talented. Why are you silent this time?
"
"This eunuch!" Cui Zhaoquan looked at Inspector Zhao curiously, knowing that if he didn't tell him, he might not give up.
In fact, after reading Su Ziji's revised article, Cui Zhaoquan had a desire to talk.
If you just say it in person or to others, it will easily spread, and it will be a praising of Su Ziji.
On the other hand, Inspector Zhao is the chief eunuch and must have a very strict mouth.
Thinking of this, Cui Zhaoquan sighed: "I am surprised for the first time. I feel that the younger generation is awesome. This level is actually a talent of a Jinshi. Compared with me, it is only a hairpin difference."
"The second time I saw it, I was shocked. Although I had read about it in history books, in reality, I had never thought that there really was someone who understood the truth from what he had pointed out!"
"At the level of this second article, I can no longer be a teacher for a day. Tell me, can I not be emotional or silent?"
Although Su Ziji's article before revision surprised him, it was still acceptable. However, after the revision, he read it several times and checked it word by word. According to his level, it was all flawless and no flaws could be found.
Even if he did it when he was in his prime, that would be it.
Supervisor Zhao was slightly surprised. He still felt a sense of pride that was difficult to express to outsiders. He chuckled and joked: "Is it possible that he is the same as the second best?"
Cui Zhaoquan smiled bitterly and said: "It's almost the same. If I insist on being picky, I can only say that it still lacks the experience that comes with age. Alas, but this is not a shortcoming. Young people have energy and vitality, and are more suitable."
"Su Ziji has such a talent, but this time he was thrown into the team to go to the southwest. He missed the exam period. I am afraid that someone in the Imperial Academy is jealous of his talents."
Such a talent must have irritated many people. It was ridiculous to be included in the list by mistake. After reading Su Ziji's article, Cui Zhaoquan immediately understood that someone was jealous of Su Ziji and caused the mistake.
Three years.
As a scholar, it is difficult for Cui Zhaoquan not to feel sympathy and pity for Su Ziji.
Director Zhao listened and just smiled and responded casually: "Master Cui said, it is possible. People, it is always like this. If a tree is as beautiful as the forest, the wind will drive it away!"
I thought to myself: "This is not caused by someone from the Imperial Academy, but by King Qi."
"However, Su... Su Juren's talent and learning can be praised by Cui Zhaoquan, which surprises our family. Cui Zhaoquan does not know Su Juren's identity. Such praise shows that Su Juren himself is outstanding and has extraordinary charm."
"This trip to the southwest will definitely protect the Su people. If we catch up with the imperial examination, we may become famous all over the world. By then, the emperor may recognize me."
Thinking like this, I already have an idea in my mind.
Besides, Su Ziji and Shao Sisen left the boat and went back to their own boat. Shao Sisen couldn't help but glance at the bag Su Ziji was carrying.
"I don't know what Master Shangshu gave us." Seeing that Su Ziji had no intention of opening it and looking at it, Shao Sisen couldn't help but say this.
Su Ziji just smiled: "No matter what it is, it's all encouragement from the elders."
"That's what Brother Su Xian said." Shao Sisen twitched his lips and had to say.
Su Ziji had already said this, and it seemed very deliberate for him to open it again and let each other take a look inside.
It wasn't until he returned to his room that Shao Sisen closed the door, frowned slightly, and opened the bag in his hand.
After seeing the inside clearly, his expression changed slightly, and he was a little surprised.
"This is... Shanhuang Inkstone?"
Shanhuang inkstone is a specialty of Duanhuang Prefecture in Yiling Province. The inkstone is made of Shanhuang stone. Because the high-quality Shanhuang stone is not only slightly yellow in color, but also occasionally has red dots on it, it also has a faint fragrance, which is similar to the fragrance of plum blossoms, so it is good.
Fan Huang Inkstone is also called Shan Huangmei Inkstone.
The better the Shanhuang plum inkstone, the more the red dots on it resemble plum blossoms, and the taste is fresher and refreshing.
As soon as the bag was opened, Shao Sisen was also pleasantly surprised by the faint fragrance that hit his face.
Although the official purchase price of the original mining land is much cheaper than the market price, it is very respectable to give this to the accompanying imperial students.
Even if it is given by a serious teacher during the holidays, it is nothing more than this, and it may not even be so precious.
"I just don't know if there is also Shanhuang Inkstone in Su Ziji's bag?"
Taking out the inkstone and playing with it in his hand, Shao Sisen was overjoyed and couldn't help but think about Su Ziji's bag.
I thought that this kind of concern would disappear after a while, but I didn't expect that because of this thought in my heart, I was restless for the next time, and I couldn't even read the book in my hand.
"No, if I don't know what's in Su Ziji's bag, I'm afraid I won't be able to calm down."
"But it looks like Su Ziji doesn't want me to know."
After thinking about it, Shao Sisen did something he would never do normally.
He lived next door. When he heard the door of Su Ziji's room not far away, he slowly listened and saw that the footsteps were far away.
"It should be convenient." Shao Sisen thought.
Although there is a bucket in every room, it is only for backup. In fact, it can be used outside, and everyone basically goes out.
After gently pushing the door open and walking out, he found that no one was in the passage, which was normal because the crew members lived on this ship. Shao Sisen came to the door of Su Ziji's room and knocked on the door several times.
"Brother Su Xian? Brother Su Xian, are you here?" He called softly twice more.
No one answered.
It seemed that Su Ziji had indeed gone out just now. Thinking of this, Shao Sisen said, "Brother Su Xian, I'm coming in to find you." He pushed the door open and walked in.
The cabin was empty and there was no one in sight.
His next move was very fast, and after only rummaging for a moment, he found a silk bag with basically the same color pattern as his in the corner.
There was a rope on it, so I quickly untied it and looked inside. The heart that Shao Sisen was holding suddenly fell into the river. It was wet, not to mention how uncomfortable it was.
"It's not just a mountain yellow inkstone, but also a piece of ink?"
"Mozhu...it's actually Mozhu."
A piece of ink that looks like a piece of ink-colored bamboo is also a specialty product. Like the mountain yellow plum inkstone, in the eyes of scholars, it is a noble and elegant thing.
It's not that Shao Sisen can't afford such things, but the things given by Lord Shangshu are in different quantities, which represents different attitudes.
Su Ziji had one more thing in his bag than him. This must be because in the eyes of the minister, Su Ziji was obviously better and more talented than him.
"No!" At this moment, Shao Sisen was suddenly startled by the sound of footsteps approaching the door.
He quickly tied the bag and put it back in its place. He only had time to straighten up when Su Ziji walked in from the outside and was looking at him in confusion.
"Brother Shao, what are you doing?"
"I'm here to find you!" Shao Sisen said. As soon as the words came out, he felt that his voice seemed to be a little louder. He hurriedly restrained himself and tried to say calmly: "Ah, before I entered the door just now, I thought you were there, but it turned out that I was here.
When I opened the door, I realized I had heard wrongly."
This was a bit perfunctory, but I couldn't say anything.
There were no secrets in Su Ziji's room, and he just happened to go out. This reason makes sense.
Su Ziji didn't care much, glanced at Shao Sisen and said, "So that's it. Brother Shao is looking for me, there must be something important?"
"It's nothing important. I just wanted to ask you, do you want to study together later?" Shao Sisen took the initiative to invite in order to cover up his guilty conscience.
Su Ziji thought for a while: "Everyone is a little tired after writing articles today, why not change it to another day?"
"Okay, let's do it another day!" Shao Sisen always felt that the way Su Ziji looked at him was wrong, and thought to himself: Does Su Ziji know what he just did?
Thinking about it this way, he became even more embarrassed and hurriedly said: "Since you are tired, I will stay soon and you can rest!"
After saying that, he hurried out.
"..." Su Ziji was actually not paying much attention just now, but now this expression made him a little alert. Standing, his eyes subconsciously glanced at the position of the brocade bag. He had always been attentive, so he naturally noticed the position of the bag.
, it changed a bit when I left with myself.
"It turns out he came here for this thing." He shook his head and was speechless to Shao Sisen and Su Ziji.
After leaving Su Ziji's room, Shao Sisen returned to his room with a pale face. As soon as he closed the door, he leaned back and breathed heavily.
"Sweet and gentle, I did such a thing..." He wiped his face with guilt and discomfort: "But I have studied hard for many years, and am I really not as good as Su Ziji?"
"Since you have Su Zi's status, why do you need me again?"
In the same class, there is such a mountain pressing down on you. For scholars, especially those who want to become famous, it is simply a blow to the head.
For the first time in his life, Shao Sisen felt jealous.