There are only 4,000 registered households in Qiantang County. The high-ranking gentry only have eight surnames: Quan, Zhu, Gu, Fan, Du, Dai, Ding, and Cu. The rest of the common people who have passed down poems and books are less than 100 households, and there are still some sporadic households. There are also students of Confucianism among the poor households in Qiantang County. Therefore, although the Qiyun Mountain Climbing Fair on September 9th every year is a top priority in Qiantang County, there are not many young scholars participating, only more than a hundred people. It can be said that the talents are the best among all the talented people.
When the four masters and servants of Chen Cao arrived at the foot of Qiyun Mountain, it was about three o'clock in the morning. They saw oxcarts everywhere, cows croaking, children and servants coming and going, it was very lively, and there were also officials and subordinates from the county department, looking eagerly. They should be waiting for the Shangguan to arrive, but those young scholars who are looking forward to being admitted are not waiting at the foot of the mountain. They are busy climbing and having fun. If they are respectfully waiting at the foot of the mountain for the Zhongzhengguan to criticize, then it is a vulgar thing, and the Zhongzhengguan will not pay attention to it. When Zhongzhengguan evaluates a character in Denggao Yaji, he mainly looks at the graceful blending with nature and all things that he shows when traveling in the mountains and forests, as well as the wonderful appreciation that evokes emotions and feelings when he touches the scenery——
Of course, if you are hiding on the cliff of a cave where Zhongzhengguan cannot see you, then it will be useless no matter how you look up at the vastness of the universe, the prosperity of categories, and the endless wonderful rewards. The purpose of attending the gathering is to express yourself in front of Zhongzhengguan. , this requires finding the most suitable position between being decent and public, and maintaining a free and natural demeanor while pursuing quality.
These are what Ding Youwei said to Chen Caozhi. Ding Youwei always wants to help Xiaolang as much as possible.
Laifu asked his son Laide to guard the ox cart, while he and Ran Sheng accompanied Chen Caozhi on the mountain. Laifu had followed Chen Qingzhi to participate in the September Nine Elegant Gathering before, and was familiar with the path of Qiyun Mountain.
Laifu was carrying the food box for the picnic, and Ran Sheng was carrying a roll of mat and a long wooden box, and followed Chen Caozhi up the stairs.
Because the city sergeant and her daughter like to climb Qiyun Mountain, the county office has invested in repairing the mountain road and building three pavilions in the past ten years, namely "Fengle Pavilion", "Yicui Pavilion" and "Guanlan Terrace".
The stone-step mountain path winds up, and after walking for about a hundred steps, there is a clear spring on the left side of the mountain path, with a trickling stream, jumping beads and splashing jade, reflecting the sunlight, the spring flow is fresh and clear, and people immediately want to take a sip.
Fengle Pavilion was built beside this clear spring.
There are three levels of trees in Qiyun Mountain. At the foot of the mountain are tall oak trees. After Fengle Pavilion, there are large tracts of bamboo forest. Going up from "Yicui Pavilion", there are only pine trees and fir trees.
Among the lush forests and bamboos, there are young scholars in twos and threes wandering around. Some are playing and playing with strings, some are arguing with each other, some have moved their desks to the mountains and are painting or writing books, and some are angry and gloomy. He muttered with a face and wondered what he was complaining about?
When these scholars saw Chen Caozhi, they stopped reciting poems, stopped playing Ruan, and stopped arguing. They all stared at Chen Caozhi, as if the beautiful woman Luo Fu was described in "Mo Shang Sang" "The farmer forgets his work." He who plows or hoe forgets his hoe, comes back angry with each other, but sits and watches Luo Fu——"
These scholars not only looked at Chen Caozhi fiercely like this, but every newcomer would be scrutinized by them in this way. Their eyes were extremely picky. However, Chen Caozhi's handsome demeanor still made them stunned for a moment, and then they whispered to each other and asked who this person was. who?
At this time, no one knew Chen Caozhi.
After passing the bamboo forest path, there was the "Yucui Pavilion" in front of it. Someone blocked the way under the pavilion, and Laifu whispered: "Young gentleman, it seems that you have to answer questions before you can go there, but the gentry children don't have to answer questions, so they can go up as they please."
It seems that the scholars near Fengle Pavilion are all students from poor families who failed to answer the questions. The total number of people participating in the gathering was only a hundred or so. After being blocked by this barrier, the only ones left were the children of the noble family and a few talented people from poor families.
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Ran Sheng said "Humph": "They are deliberately making things difficult for us!"
Chen Caozhi waved his hand and stepped forward, only to see County Prime Minister Feng Mengxiong looking at him with a smile. He walked a few steps forward and saluted.
Feng Mengxiong only nodded towards him and did not exchange greetings. Instead, he turned to the person sitting on the "Yicui Pavilion" and said, "Master Fu, this is Chen Caozhi."
The man stood up and leaned on the railing and looked down: "I recognize him. I met him once at Mr. Zakikawa's place."
It turned out that Magistrate Wang was here to check the situation personally. Chen Caozhi bowed deeply to the pavilion and waited for the question to be asked.
Wang Deyi was condescending, looked at Chen Caozhi carefully, admired it very much, and said: "Mr. Zhikawa appreciates it more than Yicui Pavilion!" He waved his hand: "Please come to the viewing platform."
Before he finished speaking, he heard someone on the mountain road sneer: "When will the common people from poor families be able to pass Yicui Pavilion without answering the questions?"
Wang De frowned and looked sideways, recognizing that it was Chu Wenbin from the Chu family, Chu Wenqian's younger brother. Since the last time Chu Wenqian lost to Chen Caozhi, a young boy from a poor family, Qian Tang,
His reputation plummeted, and he was even more criticized than when the Ding family married a daughter into a poor family. The wealthy people in Qian and Tang Dynasties were not amazed at Chen Caozhi's superb calligraphy, but were greatly surprised that Chu Wenqian would agree to compete with Chen Caozhi in calligraphy.
I don't understand. I think that in this kind of competition, regardless of winning or losing, my face has been greatly reduced, let alone losing!
Wang Deyi, the county magistrate, had no choice. He also came from a poor family and did not dare to offend these nobles, so he changed his words and said: "Chen Caozhi, let's listen to the question - Confucius said, 'A gentleman has no weapons'. How do you explain it? It must be based on the Analects of Confucius.
"Answer with Confucius' original sentence."
"A gentleman does not use utensils" comes from "The Analects of Confucius: Weizheng Chapter", which means that a gentleman should not be like utensils, only useful in one aspect, but should be comprehensive, knowledgeable and versatile.
Chen Caozhi thought for a moment and replied: "I am not as good as an old farmer."
Wang Deyi was naturally aware of the various answers to this question. He raised his hands and said with a smile: "Wonderful answer, please come forward."
"I am not as good as an old farmer" comes from "The Analects of Confucius: Zilu Chapter". It means that Fan Chi, a disciple of Confucius, asked Confucius to learn farming. Confucius replied: "I am not as good as an old farmer." This sentence has several meanings, one of which is similar to
"A gentleman has no weapons" coincides with it, so it is appropriate to use it as an answer.
Chen Caozhi saluted Magistrate Wang and Feng Mengxiong respectively, but asked Chu Wenbin, "Do you have any questions?"
Chu Wenbin looked a little embarrassed. He gave a cold "hum", flicked his robe sleeves, smelled the fragrant wind, and went up the mountain with his two servants.
Feng Mengxiong reminded Chen Caozhi of Chu Wenbin's identity in a low voice. Chen Caozhi also guessed that incense powder was the Qiantang Cu family's style. He immediately thanked Uncle Feng for the reminder, and then discovered that there was someone behind Uncle Feng.
There was a boy servant, with his head lowered and looking at his feet. He had an oval face and delicate features. Could it be Feng Lingbo?
Chen Caozhi nodded to Feng Lingbo, and with Laifu and Ran Sheng climbed to the "Guanlan Terrace" at the top of the mountain. Then they turned around a cliff and suddenly heard someone behind him calling out: "Cao's little husband—Cao's little husband—"
"The voice is quite like Xiaochan.
Chen Caozhi stopped and looked back, only to see the pretty girl who had overturned the ox cart appeared on the mountain road. She put her hand on the maid's shoulder and caught up with her, panting.
Chen Caozhi was even more confused. This girl had made him wary when she deliberately wanted to take his car, and now she suddenly appeared here. She probably wasn't out of good intentions——
Regarding Chen Liu who was expelled from Chenjiawu, as well as Master Lu and the Chu family, Chen Caozhi, who seemed to only know how to study and not know what was going on outside the window, did not take it lightly. It is difficult to guard against villains. He wanted Qian Tang and Chen family to become
For high-ranking nobles, every step must be taken carefully and there is no room for mistakes.
Chen Caozhi took a few steps down and said with a smile: "It turns out it's you. I was just looking for you."
The young man's smile was as warm as a spring breeze, and his eyes were deep and charming. Anyone who saw him would be stunned, and this girl with gorgeous makeup and beautiful clothes was no exception. She asked blankly: "Are you looking for me?"
Chen Cao said: "That's right. Madam, please come with me." He took the lead and walked down the mountain.
Although the girl had ulterior motives, she could only follow Chen Caozhi down the stairs. She felt confused as she looked at the young man's fluttering Ge shirt and his calm and elegant steps.
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I have a bit of a cold and the update is late. Sorry, I will continue to work hard. There will be another update at night. Please vote for recommendations again!
