On the 22nd day of Mengxia month in the third year of Shengping, Chen Cao's master and servants left Xu's thatched cottage at the foot of Lion Mountain and embarked on the road home. Dr. Xu Zao deliberately took a break from school for half a day and took his son Xu Miao to send Chen Cao off to school.
More than 20 students from poor families also came to see Chen Caozhi off. Chen Caozhi was knowledgeable, talented, gentle and reserved, and was very popular in the school.
As for those gentry students, except for Ding Chunqiu, Zhu Yingtai, and Zhu Yingting brothers, no one else had close contacts with Chen Caozhi. Ding Chunqiu and Zhu Yingting had returned to their hometown, but for some reason there was no sign of Zhu Yingtai?
That day at the post house in the south of the city, Zhu Yingtai said he wanted to see off Chen Caozhi. Judging from his usual behavior, he was only proud of his talent and learning, but not his family background. Moreover, the Zhu brothers came to Xu's school for more than two years.
Yuedu interacted with Chen Caozhi, Xu Miao and other children from poor families, but ignored the children of the gentry. Therefore, Chen Caozhi felt strange that Zhu Yingtai would see him off in the future, and ordered Ran Sheng to go to the farmhouse rented by Zhu Yingtai.
Go and have a look, don't let anything happen!
Ran Sheng had long legs and a strong body, and ran as fast as flying. After a while, he came back to report that Mr. Zhu had moved away early in the morning.
Chen Caozhi was very surprised. No matter how rude Zhu Yingtai was, it was impossible for him to leave Wu County without saying goodbye to Dr. Xu. Last time, Zhu Yingting left in such a hurry, and he only left after saying goodbye to Dr. Xu early in the morning! Again!
I thought: "Perhaps Zhu Yingtai is waiting at the post to see me off."
Master Li of the Zhenqing Taoist Academy knew that Chen Caozhi was returning to his hometown today, so he had been waiting under the ancient cypress in front of the courtyard. When he saw Chen Caozhi approaching surrounded by a group of people seeing him off, he stepped forward to greet him and said:
"Early in the morning, the Taoist priests led the Taoists to recite the "Taipingdongji Sutra" to pray for Chen Langjun. The three officials of heaven, earth, water, five mountains and four mountains, and the gods of rivers and valleys will bless Chen Langjun for a safe journey."
Chen Caozhi entered the Zhenqing Taoist Temple and came out after three qing dynasties. Master Li insisted on sending Chen Caozhi to the post house in the south of the city. As the group passed through the city, there were the women, idle men and young children behind them.
The women and girls were greedy for Chen Cao's handsome appearance and free and easy demeanor, while the idle men and children were watching the fun, but they all said it was to see Mr. Chen off. When they arrived in the south of the city, hundreds of people had gathered.
As they walked out of the south gate, old women, young women, and girls continued to deliver eggs, fruits, and cookies to Chen Caozhi's oxcart. The Wujun women were more elegant and delicate, and did not throw the fruits directly at Chen Caozhi.
Ran Sheng grinned with joy from ear to ear, turned the car slightly, lifted the curtain covering the car, and stored it as much as he wanted.
Lu Na, the prefect of Wu County, was waiting in a carriage to bid farewell to Chen Caozhi. He saw a large group of people coming. At first, he was shocked, thinking that a civil uprising had occurred. Then he saw that the person walking in front was
Chen Caozhi and Xu Zao, a doctor of county studies, realized that they were the crowd seeing Chen Caozhi off. They couldn't help but smile and sigh: "It is said that Wei Jie arrived in Jiankang, and the crowd was like a crowd. Today I believe it."
Lu Na then said to the people of Wu County who were seeing Chen Caozhi off: "Lu will appoint Chen Caozhi as the literary director of Wu County next year. You can see Chen Caozhi every day."
The farewell crowd was infected by the atmosphere and felt a bit inexplicably happy. This shows that there is a long tradition of crazy star-chasers in later generations.
Lu Na encouraged Chen Caozhi, and Chen Caozhi said goodbye to Ambassador Lu and Dr. Xu, bowed to the people of Wu County, and left the post pavilion on the road. The bold girl chased him and pulled off the sachet he was wearing.
It was given to Chen Caozhi. Chen Caozhi took it with a smile. It's not like he had to marry this girl after accepting the sachet. It's just the custom in Jiangzuo. Why refuse this kind of love in front of the crowd?
Finally leaving the farewell crowd, I actually collected dozens of sachets, all of which were embroidered by these women themselves, with flowers, birds, insects, fish, and green inlays. There were many ingenious ones.
Xu Miao and Liu Shangzhi were about to see Chen Cao off again. Liu Shangzhi looked at the pile of sachets in Chen Caozhi's hand and said with a smile: "In the future, don't go with Zizhong and watch those women one by one."
I only look at Zizhong and don’t even look at me, Liu Shangzhi, and my heart is broken, how can I not feel sad?”
Xu Miao, who had always been cautious and serious about words, couldn't help laughing at this time.
Ran Shengxi said eagerly: "Xu Langjun, Liu Langjun, look, here is a cart of fruits, cookies and eggs. Oops, a lot of the eggs are broken!"
Liu Shangzhi looked in from the car cover and saw that there were really piles of melon and fruit omelets. He felt even more sad. He reached out and took out a bunch of cherries and ate them. He said, "I'm really angry. I need to eat more."
Some."
Xu Miao, Ran Sheng and others laughed again.
Far away from the post pavilion, except for Xu Miao and Liu Shangzhi, all the other people seeing him off have disappeared. Chen Caozhi felt quite melancholy. Zhu Yingtai did not come to see him off. Thinking of the past two months, it can be said that
Spending time together day and night, debating chess, talking about poetry and painting, there was a sense of sympathy for each other. The friendship that had grown up unknowingly could be felt by each other without having to express it. However, Zhu Yingtai did not come to see him off today. Last night, the two of them were playing chess in Taolin Xiaozhu.
In one game, Chen Cao lost a small amount, and Zhu Yingtai asked with a smile: "Mr. Chen, do you feel that you have won too much against me these days, so when we part ways, would you allow me a game?"——
Chen Caozhi looked back at the shrinking city of Wujun and said in his heart: "Farewell, Brother Yingtai, I wish you will meet Liang Shanbo soon. Don't let tragedy turn into a butterfly, but be safe and happy."
Xu Miao and Liu Shangzhi took Chen Caozhi to Qingpu, more than thirty miles away, and then they said goodbye with tears. When leaving, Xu Miao said that he would come to Chenjiawu to live for two months after he was selected for the imperial examination in August.
, studying and practicing calligraphy with Chen Caozhi.
Liu Shangzhi said: "Xianmin, when the time comes, you come to Wu County to see me first. I will ask for leave from Lu Shijun and accompany you."
It was early afternoon when we arrived in Qingpu. Chen Caozhi wanted to rush to Huating early tomorrow to meet Lu Weirui, so he left Qingpu for another journey. He saw the sun setting in the west, twilight rising, and there were often thatched cottages and farmhouses on the roadside, and inns with wine flags in the wind.
But he didn't see it. After walking for several miles, he found a roadside inn to rest and came to feed the cattle. Ran Sheng gave the innkeeper ten cents and asked the innkeeper to boil all the eggs in the oxcart with salt water so that the eggs would not be eaten.
It goes bad easily and can be eaten for several days. When Uncle Jing took him wandering around, he often gave him eggs boiled in salted water, which he felt were the most delicious in the world.
Early the next morning, after feeding the big Luxi cattle that were driving, he drove to Germany and set out on the road. Because he was going to see Lu Weirui later, Chen Caozhi had to be careful and walked side by side with Ran Sheng. He saw a red sun rising.
So he sat in the carriage to prevent the dust from staining the snow-white linen clothes along the way. Beautiful men are not immortals who can be spotless. They have to be like the mirror, which must be wiped diligently at all times to shine.
Ran Sheng was so happy. He ate a salted egg and two sweet cookies while walking.
When Lai De saw that Ran Sheng was too good at eating, it was necessary to give him a blow, so he asked him: "Xiao Sheng, can you recognize all the words in the book? Miss Run'er will take a test on you when you go home."
Ran Sheng almost choked on the egg yolk and said: "I can recognize all the words in the Analects. The night before yesterday, Xiao Langjun watched me read it from beginning to end. Every word is good - right, Xiao Langjun?"
"
After getting Chen Caozhi's approval, Ran Sheng was happy and said: "Brother Lai De, I can use my skills. Not only can I recognize the words in the Analects, but I also understand the principles in it. Xiao Langjun has taught me the power of Zihanyan.
With fate and benevolence."
Laide asked: "Xiao Sheng, why does Uncle Jing force you to read? Fortunately, my father doesn't force me to read, otherwise I would have a hard time."
Ran Sheng said: "Uncle Jing said that my father and mother are both literate, so Uncle Jing must force me to be literate too."
Chen Caozhi had never asked Ran Sheng about the origin of Jing Nu. When he heard Ran Sheng talking about his parents, he asked: "Xiao Sheng, do you still remember the names of your parents?"
Ran Sheng shook his head and said: "I don't remember. When I was four years old, Uncle Jing took me to escape here and there. When I was seven years old, Uncle Jing took me across the river and wandered around. Since Meng Cao last May
The young man took him in, and Uncle Jing and I lived a stable life——" He sniffed.
Chen Caozhi sighed slightly and asked no more questions, lest the lonely young man would be sad.
At noon, the three masters and servants came to Huating, and saw the fat deacon from Lu Mansion and two servants of Lu Mansion standing under the eaves of the restaurant beside the road. When they saw Chen Caozhi, the fat deacon Huang came up to him and said with great joy: "Chen Caozhi"
Mr. Lang is finally here, and I have been waiting here all morning."
Chen Caozhi asked: "What's the matter?"
Deacon Huang Fat said: "I don't know what's going on, but I think it's Miss Wei Rui's affair. It was ordered by the big steward. I must invite Chen Langjun."
Chen Caozhi then followed the deacon of the Lu family into Huating Villa. The last time he came to this grand manor was in mid-February. After more than two months, the scene of the manor was completely different. The Mengxia mulberry leaves were thick, and there were thick shades in Changjin. Silkworm farmers
Sometimes, there are no idle people in the fields, men are plowing and women are mulberry trees, and there is a prosperous scene everywhere. Chen Caozhi deeply feels that the economy of the gentry manor during this period still has its progressive effect.
Arriving at the big house of Lu's villa, Lu Weirui's personal maid, short hoe, was waiting there. She smiled and saluted: "Chen Langjun, my little lady is painting and feels that the painting is not good. I want to ask Chen Langjun for advice."
Lai De and Ran Sheng stayed in the villa to dine. Chen Caozhi followed the maid Duan Xi directly to Meiling Xiaoxi Garden to meet Lu Weirui.
In the late Mengxia month, the weather was very hot due to direct sunlight. Chen Caozhi walked to Xiaoxiyuan, sweating slightly on his forehead. He wiped it with a sweat towel. His face became whiter, his eyebrows were like ink paintings, and his lips were bright red. This austere look
The maids in Xiaoxiyuan were stunned by Yingting's masculine charm.
The short hoe smiled and said: "Look at it, each of his eyeballs look like they are about to fall off."
The lively and bold maid responded: "Mr. Chen is handsome, and we love to look at Mr. Chen. Mr. Chen is not your hoe, so you can't allow us to look at him?"
The little maid, Dan Ho, said shyly: "What nonsense are you talking about? Chen Langjun belongs to Miss Wei Rui!" As soon as these words came out, Dan Ho knew that he had made a mistake, stuck out his tongue and made a face.
The maids who were originally smiling suddenly realized something, all of them lost their voices, and their expressions were a little strange.
