Chapter 24 A poor family in the world is one family
"Thank you sir, I just don't want to rush to a strange place. That would not be a good thing for me, but a bad thing." Du Ning said very carefully.
"This year's county examination is scheduled for the first day of February. It's still half a month away. You need to make more preparations."
Dongfang Xiong said: "There are nine counties under the jurisdiction of Nanping Prefecture. Which county do you plan to go to take the imperial examination? With your level of composing poems about the state and writing articles about the country, it should be no problem to compete for the top spot. This is a challenge for any good boy.
Achievements that I want to compete for.”
Du Ning thought for a while and replied: "I have considered going to Yulin County to take the county examination. It is the most famous place in Nanping Prefecture."
Dongfang Xiong's expression changed slightly: "Among the nine counties under its jurisdiction, Yulin County is undoubtedly home to outstanding people and talented people. If you go to the best county, you will miss the number one case leader if you are not careful."
"Since we have to take the exam and compete for the top spot, we naturally have to choose the best county liberal arts college to take the exam. Only by advancing bravely can we stand out. Otherwise, I would rather not take the exam."
Du Ning said proudly, but in his heart, he was thinking that his literary palace had already included many books, and he did not dare to compete for the first place under such a huge advantage. That would be too much. p>
"Well said!"
"I admire Mr. Du for his pride and arrogance from a humble family!"
"A role model for our generation of scholars."
Everyone showed admiration.
Dongfang Xiong was stunned for a moment, then laughed: "Okay, I will convey the matter to Mr. Ye, and you can go there to take the exam. I hope you can get good results."
"Students should do their best," Du Ning said.
"If you have anything you don't understand, you can come to the Academy of Arts at any time. There are many scholars in our Academy of Arts and Sciences. Whether it's poetry or articles, we can give you pointers..."
"Ahem! Communication, I'm talking about communication."
Dongfang Xiong originally wanted to say "advice", but when he thought about Du Ning's poems becoming Mingzhou and Wen Zhangzhenguo, he was afraid that those Hanlin officials might not be qualified to give advice, so he hurriedly changed his mind.
Mr. Hanlin present looked embarrassed, but no one showed any dissatisfaction.
Li Changsheng and others suppressed their laughter and did not dare to laugh at this time. Being rude in front of Hanlin would leave a bad impression on the other party.
Du Ning knew that this was Dongfang Xiong's intention to help him, so he said gratefully: "I will take the time to go to the liberal arts college to ask the gentlemen for advice."
Mr. Hanlin showed a little smile, which made them appear to be much closer.
After chatting for a while, Dongfang Xiong and others said goodbye and left.
Li Changsheng said to Du Ning: "I have a cousin who works as a private tutor for Meng Tong in Yulin County. He is an eighth-level scholar in Confucianism and Taoism. He is also the leader of the Hanyi Society in Yulin County. Remember to tell me when you go to Yulin County.
Please send him a letter for me."
There are nine counties under the jurisdiction of Nanping Prefecture, and each county will have a branch of Hanyishe. After all, there are many students from poor families, and many scholars gather together to form a mobile "literary academy". No matter where they go, they can sit and discuss Taoism.
Du Ning felt warm in his heart. Li Changsheng ostensibly asked him to send a letter, but in fact he used this letter to get acquainted with his cousin. After arriving in Yulin County, his cousin would take care of Li Changsheng for his sake. "Okay, I will let Brother Li know when the time comes."
Du Ning agreed, after all, it was impossible to refuse such a small effort.
…………
Jingwen forty-one years.
The twenty-sixth day of the first lunar month.
Yulin County is the largest county in Nanping Prefecture, and it is also the county with the most developed economy and the most prosperous literary reputation.
At noon that day, a carriage drove down the driveway and stopped in front of a mansion.
This is the "Li Mansion", and there are two small stone lions at the door to ward off evil spirits.
Duning got off the carriage and took out copper coins from his purse to pay the coachman.
"Thank you for your hard work, this is your fare."
"Thank you, sir, please walk slowly."
The driver collected the copper coins and drove away.
Du Ning came to the mansion and knocked on the door gently. After a while, a man in robes came out. Seeing that he was a stranger, he asked: "Excuse me, sir, who are you looking for?"
Du Ning cupped his hands and said: "I am Du Ning, a student from Suzhou Academy of Arts, here to visit Mr. Li Changming."
"Du Ning? But Mr. Du, who wrote the article "Horse Theory" in the Nanping Prefecture Academy of Literature to subjugate the country?"
When the other party heard this, his attitude suddenly became respectful, and his face showed a little joy.
"Exactly." Du Ning replied.
"It turns out it's Du Zhenguo. I'm Li Changming. You're polite."
After Li Changming finished speaking, he bowed to Du Ning, "I have admired his name for a long time, and it is like thunder in my ears. I just don't know how I can recognize Li? How can I know Li's residence?"
"Your cousin in Nanping Mansion asked me to send you a letter."
After Du Ning finished speaking, he handed Li Changsheng's letter to Li Changming.
Li Changming took the tour, nodded slightly after a moment, and smiled at Du Ning: "So that's it, Mr. Du came to our Yulin County to take part in the county examination. If you don't mind, please stay in a humble house for a few days to make your landowners happy."
Friendship."
"This..."
"My cousin asked me to take good care of you. We are both students from a poor family, so you won't deny my cousin face, right?" Li Changming said seriously.
"Being respectful is not as good as obeying orders, so I'll excuse you." Du Ning thanked you.
"Haha... come inside and invite me!"
Li Changming welcomed Du Ning into the house, and at the same time shouted carelessly: "Madam, we have a distinguished guest at our house today. Go kill a chicken to make soup, and go to Daniu's house to get two pots of wine."
Du Ning said hurriedly: "Brother Li, there's no need to be polite. Just keep everything simple."
"Hey, we are all from a poor family, Mr. Du doesn't need to see anyone outside." Li Changming said with a smile.
"Master, who is here? So happy?"
A young woman in her twenties came from the back room. When she saw Du Ning dressed in civilian clothes, she smiled and said a blessing: "Hail, young master."
Li Changming smiled at Du Ning and said, "This is Chou Jing Fang Suzhen. How about it? Pretty, isn't it?"
"Master..."
Fang Suzhen's face turned red and she actually looked a little shy.
"Du Ning has met my sister-in-law."
Du Ning responded respectfully. Li Changming was Li Changsheng's cousin, and was only a few years older than him. This "sister-in-law" was not only cordial, but also brought us closer to each other.
"Madam, do you know who he is? He is the famous Mr. Du Ning, the Du Zhenguo who wrote "The Theory of Horses". Brother Changsheng asked us to take good care of him in his letter."
"It turns out Mr. Du is here. Please sit down in the room."
Fang Suzhen was so enthusiastic that she hurriedly walked into the house to make tea and prepare fruits and snacks.
"Brother Li can have such a good wife, what more could a husband ask for."
"Master Du is laughing."
The two came to the living room and sat down, drinking tea and chatting.
"I have read a little bit about Mr. Du's deeds in the "Yulin Newspaper". You are really a noble son of our poor family, and you really cheer for us. It is a blessing for our Yulin County that you can come to our Yulin County to take the county examination.
With your literary talents, you will definitely win the first place in the case."
"Brother Li, thank you for the award. Yulin County has outstanding people and is famous far and wide. It is not easy to win the case." Du Ning said modestly.
"Since Mr. Du has come to our Yulin County and is also a student of Hanyi Club, Li has a gracious request." Li Changming said.
"Brother Li, please tell me that if it is within your ability, Du will do his best."
"Winter is gone and early spring is here. Our Hanyi Club and Jieying Club in Yulin County will hold a 'Wing Chun Poetry Meeting' in the 'Bichun Garden' tomorrow. With you coming to help us, we will have this poetry meeting
We will definitely win." Li Changming said with a smile.
If there is a branch of Hanyi Society in Yulin County, there will naturally be a branch of Jieying Society.
These two literary societies are simply bitter rivals, and they schedule a time to compete every season.
"I see, all the poor families in the world belong to the same family. As long as it's Hanyi Club's business, it's my Du Ning's business. Please ask Brother Li to take me to the Wing Chun poetry meeting tomorrow!"
"Okay! Mr. Du is indeed our 'poor town'. I will rely on you a lot tomorrow." Li Changming said happily.
"It is obligatory."
Du Ning nodded lightly. The literary society is one of the activities that promotes the learning progress of scholars. Regular participation only has advantages and no disadvantages.
The two continued to chat. Since the age difference was not very big, they were very attracted to each other and couldn't wait to meet each other.
Unconsciously, it was already evening, and Du Ning was having dinner at Li Changming's home.
Fang Suzhen specially stewed a large bowl of chicken soup and gave Du Ning a big chicken drumstick.
It contains Chinese herbal medicine, which not only tastes great, but also nourishes the body.
Du Ning said that he had never tasted such delicious food. You must know that Li Changming's family is not rich. Except during holidays, even regular guests at home may not have delicious food.
Suddenly, Duning seemed to have a festive atmosphere.
The poorer the family, the more delicious the food they cook, maximizing the value of the existing ingredients. Even a bowl of home-cooked tofu is a delicacy in the world.
Du Ning couldn't help but think of the time when he lived on Blue Star. When he was a child, his family's conditions were poor. No matter what kind of food his parents cooked, Du Ning would eat it with gusto.
But when I grew up, my economic conditions improved as I joined the workforce, and my food improved a lot. I could eat big fish and meat at almost every meal, and I could eat whatever I wanted, but I could no longer taste the food I had in childhood.
That taste.
Now, that feeling was tasted again in this world, which made Du Ning's nose sore, and a tear of emotion fell from the corner of his eyes.
"Master Du, why are you crying?" Fang Suzhen asked.
"No, I... I'm just too happy. I have never eaten such delicious food." Du Ning said with a smile.
"Since Mr. Du likes it, then you should eat more."
Fang Suzhen was very happy, which showed that her cooking skills were very good.
"Yes! Eat more. I'll ask my wife to catch another one for stew tomorrow, but we have agreed that at tomorrow's Wing Chun poetry meeting, you have to defend the students of Yulin County Hanyi Society, otherwise
...I will punish you...I will punish you by eating one less chicken drumstick." Li Changming said seriously.
Du Ning didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and said: "Okay, in order to be able to eat delicious chicken legs, I must bring honor to Hanyi Club."