When Xu Guanzhong heard Xiao Tang's question, he forced a smile and said, "Brother Xiao is worried too much. What can I have to worry about, little brother?"
Yan Qing walked up to Xiao Tang and whispered: "Guan Zhong is still worried about the matter of this year's eight-line major. Although Brother Xiao intends to take care of Guan Zhong, brother, you also know that Guan Zhong is soft on the outside and strong on the inside. He can't stand the court." It was a move to win a scholar. But Xu Shishu had high hopes for Guanzhong, so Guanzhong hesitated a little under the dilemma."
Yan Qing also briefly talked about Xu Guanzhong's situation. It turned out that although Xiao Tang intended to recommend Xu Guanzhong to Liang Zhongshu, Xu Guanzhong did not want to borrow external help and only wanted to gain fame based on his own talent and learning.
But the county magistrate and prefects who presided over the scientific examination on Hebei East Road all knew that Xu Guanzhong seemed to have a close relationship with Xiao Tang, and they all wanted to be the person who recommended Xu Guanzhong, and could also have a relationship with Xiao Tang and even Liang Shijie .
Xu Guanzhong had a delicate mind and was a man of great talent. He was not willing to give in for five buckets of rice, so he did not even bother to be a disciple of the prefectural magistrate. But Xu's father was an honest scholar and wanted Xu Guanzhong to pass the scientific examination. The conflict between getting ahead, principle and family affection makes this talented person who is still in his academic years unable to do anything.
Although Xiao Tang was well aware of Xu Guanzhong's character, it was difficult for an upright official to interrupt household affairs. This kind of matter could only be solved by the free hermit who traveled thousands of miles in the Water Margin. Xiao Tang did not want to interfere now. There were too many, so he said: "Guanzhong was supposed to be studying hard in the cold window, but he was too distracted by my Lefang affairs. This is because I lost my mind."
After hearing this, Xu Guanzhong hurriedly said: "Brother Xiao, please don't say that! When I played the piano and flute with Xiao Yi in the Jinfeng Yulu Tower, I really felt happy in my heart. Today was originally a happy event for the return of eldest brother, so there is no need to wait for me. Trivial matters disturb my interest."
Shi Xiu hugged his arms and said with a smile: "Brother Guanzhong, you are a scholar. Rough guys like us can't have your exquisite mind. But after getting along for several years, we can be considered brothers. I am the elder brother." There is only one thing to advise you: How can you be happy when you are so entangled? If you don’t want to get a job and become a husband, then just don’t do it! Why are you just hesitating here? You also said that today is a good thing for Brother Xiao to return to the house. Brothers, let’s celebrate, and all your worries will be over with a few bowls of wine!”
Xu Guanzhong smiled awkwardly and replied to Shi Xiu: "Brother Shi Xiu taught you a lesson."
Shi Xiu had a decisive and capable temperament, but Xu Guanzhong would inevitably feel a little embarrassed when he spread his words. When Xiao Tang saw this, he also said: "If this is an idea, find a place to have a drink. I met Hua when I was escorting Mizhou." Brothers Rong, Zheng Tianshou, Hou Jian, Shi Qian and other brothers also happen to be very close to each other."
Xiao Tangsui met Shi Xiu, Yang Lin, Xue Yong and other former stewards of the Xiao Mansion, as well as Hua Rong and Zheng Tianshou who had returned to Daming Mansion after meeting on Jingdong Road, as well as the newly recruited Hou Jian, Shi Qian and Duan Jingzhu. Together we found a restaurant in Daming Mansion to kill sheep and chickens and make a feast to celebrate.
At the banquet, Hua Rong had a dashing appearance and well-spoken conversation, Yan Qing was suave and handsome, with a brilliant tongue, Shi Xiu was brave and spoke sharply. There were also Yang Lin and Zheng Tianshou, Xue Yong and Hou Jian, Shi Qian and Duan Jingzhu, etc. People in twos and threes also came to the same place to drink, and the atmosphere was very lively for a while.
After Xu Guanzhong poured himself a glass of wine, he found Xiao Tang looking at him. Xu Guanzhong smiled and said: "Brother Xiao, I made you laugh again today."
Xiao Tang shook his head and said, "What's the joke? But you should understand your father's hard work. After all, in his heart, getting a good name is a major event to honor our ancestors."
"But my father doesn't understand!" Xu Guanzhong became a little excited after a few glasses of wine: "I think our Song Dynasty also produced many wise and capable officials, such as Fan Wenzhenggong, Bao Su Xiaogong, Chen Gongbi and so on. The current struggle for power within the inner-party is nothing more than flattering favors, seeking power and wealth, without any concern for the happiness of the world after being upright and just! Those who are evil and evil, jealous of the virtuous and capable, like ghosts and monsters, are all evil. Those who are loyal and upright will be trapped in prison.
Confucius once said that disciples do not need to be inferior to their teachers, and teachers do not need to be more virtuous than their disciples. There is no need to be noble or humble, neither long nor short. Where the Tao exists, the teacher exists. But in the current imperial court, is there any high-ranking official who still has the heart to teach the teacher? The world is right?"
As soon as Xu Guanzhong spoke impulsively, he couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. He was similar in age to Yan Qing, and he didn't have many worries when talking to Yan Qing. But when Xiao Tang heard the insights he had hidden in his heart, he still felt a little embarrassed. cautious.
Xiao Tang laughed and encouraged Xu Guanzhong: "Guanzhong has seen clearly. What's the point of living a happy life after reading all the books of sages? People live only one life and one autumn, so of course they must live happily. If so, Follow your heart and your own wishes, Guanzhong, what are your future ambitions?"
Xu Guanzhong thought about it carefully and said: "If I have the opportunity in the future to travel around the world and broaden my horizons, it would be a good thing to be accompanied by piano, flute, painting, old friends and fine wine. But what ambitions can I have now? It is nothing more than supporting my father well. My mother, just do your best to be filial."
Yang Lin laughed loudly when he heard this and joked to Xu Guanzhong: "It seems that we will never see my brother Guanzhong become an official. But as the saying goes: He who dares to subdue the tiger can climb the mountain, and he can subdue the dragon. It’s time for me to go to sea. Brother Guanzhong has no intention of obtaining fame and seeking a future. Wouldn’t it be a pity that he is full of knowledge?”
Xu Guanzhong took a long sip of wine, shook his head and sighed: "Who is this guy? He lives like a moose in the river. He has no fists and no courage, and his job is in the wrong rank."
Yang Lin and Shi Xiu looked at each other, scratched their heads and said with a bitter smile: "I think I am quite shrewd, but compared to Brother Guanzhong, I look like an illiterate fool. As Brother Shi Xiu often said, I may still know the meaning of each word that Brother Guanzhong read, but when I put it all together, I can only guess what he is saying, and I have no idea what he is talking about."
After hearing this, Yan Qing smiled slightly and explained: "Brother Yang Lin, what Guanzhong quoted is from the Book of Songs "Xiaoya Qiaoyan", which means that corrupt officials have neither ability nor courage and rely on despicable means to gain power. The reason why this world is so chaotic is because Guanzhong is not willing to join in the trouble with that group of people."
Yang Lin smiled and said to Shi Xiu: "Look, I'm just talking about some commonplaces. But in front of Brother Guanzhong and Xiao Yi, I'm just doing the same thing."
After Xu Guanzhong pondered for a moment, he slowly raised his head, his expression regained a bit of his previous coolness and indifference, and said to Yang Lin: "Brother Yang Lin, as the saying goes, I would rather carry the shoes of a gentleman than work with a villain. Cai. I live happily under Brother Xiao, why should I worry about fame and family background?"
After hearing this, Yang Lin, Shi Xiu and others burst into laughter and said in unison: "We understand this! We should have said this a long time ago."
At this time, Xiao Tang and others suddenly heard someone at the table next to them sigh: "Twenty years have really been wasted! I have studied hard to get a good background, but to this day I have achieved nothing. What will happen even if I get the honors? Hang up.
I am a candidate for a false position, I have to flatter those bird officials, and I have to endure all the scorn to do the work of a small official. Humph! Why should a man be subordinate to others? It is better to have a happy life with his brothers, drinking and drinking all day long.
This life!"
Everyone looked around and saw the man dressed as a scholar in white. The tall man drinking with the scholar in white raised his thumb and said: "Brother, you are a learned man. It is rare for you to show loyalty to a rough guy like me. With my brother's
With your talent and my little strength to support you, why can't you make a name for yourself? Why do you need to work as a low-level official and suffer the indignity of others?"
Xiao Tang was quite amused when he saw him, and smiled at Xu Guanzhong: "It seems that scholar is not destined for fame."
Xu Guanzhong was also worried about the scientific examination. When he heard what these two people said, he agreed with him, so he raised his hands and asked: "This brother is not willing to use all his studies in his life to serve the powerful? To be honest, the same is true for my younger brother."
Like this."
"Oh?" The scholar in white turned his head and looked over. Seeing that Xu Guanzhong looked very talented, and the people sitting at the table seemed to be extraordinary, he asked, "Look at this handsome and upright little brother. Why are you so angry?"
Xu Guanzhong replied: "Although I have passed the Chunwei exam in recent years, the troubles I have encountered since then, well, let's not mention them."
Unexpectedly, when the scholar in white heard this, his face couldn't help but blush, and he quickly changed the subject and said: "Xiao Ke Wang Lun, known as the 'White Scholar' in the world. Haha, this is my close friend Du Qian, 'Touching the Sky', drinking and acting recklessly here.
These complaints made everyone laugh."
Xiao Tang's face suddenly became confused.
The white-robed scholar Wang Lun, the first-generation leader of Liangshanbo, must be capable but not capable, and must be broad-minded. He cannot be a civilized or military man. It seems that he has not yet gone to Liangshan to become a bandit. In the Water Margin, he wants to bombard him because of his lack of ability.
When Lin Chong and Chao Gai left, Lin Chong fired him and killed him with a knife, causing Chao Gai to usurp his position as the leader of Shuibo Liang Village.
Xu Guanzhong's reasons for not becoming an official are completely different from his. With Xu Guanzhong's intelligence and knowledge, it is a sure thing to seek an official position through the imperial examination. But now this child has some angry-qing attributes and is playing with Yan Qing.
I have been with him for a long time, and I miss the carefree days very much. But Wang Lun is not a good scholar. He will never pass the provincial examination based on his literary talent and insights. Even if he is playing tricks, he doesn't know how many differences there are between him and Wu Yong, the wise star in Water Margin.
magnitude.
However, Wang Lun's appearance is indeed good. He is handsome and dressed in white, and his words are more than enough to fool the big bosses in the world. With Du Qian, a "touching the sky" and such a tall follower, it is no wonder that Chai is easy to make friends with.
Join the association to support him and help him become the Lord of Liangshan.
Wang Lun asked Xu Guanzhong again: "I wonder what I call this little brother?"
Xu Guanzhong replied: "Little brother Xu Guanzhong, this is my eldest brother Xiao Tang. The escort just returned to Daming Mansion today from a long journey, so I am here to celebrate with all my brothers."
Wang Lun was shocked when he heard this, and he and Du Qian stood up and bowed to Xiao Tang: "Could it be Xiao Renxia from the famous mansion? I am a villain who has eyesight but cannot see Mount Tai. I hope you will be forgiven."
I didn't expect to meet this Xiao Tang here... Wang Lun thought to himself, I am an unqualified scholar. Because he couldn't stand the bad luck, he and Du Qian planned to go to Cangzhou Chai Jin Chai official, if
It would be nice to be able to get some money from Mr. Chai's officials and have the capital to find a good place to hang out.
But although Chai Daguan has a far-reaching reputation in the world, how can he compare with Xiao Tang in terms of power and means in Hebei and Hebei? If you can curry favor with him, why worry about having no way out?