The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 165 Want to open Enke?

After the hospital examination that year, Lu Xiangsheng invited Jia Huan for a drink in a provocative way. Firstly, he wanted to make friends with her, and secondly, he wanted to use Jia Huan as the head of the case to enhance his reputation. Unexpectedly, Jia Huan yelled, and the responders gathered. Seventy or eighty candidates came all at once to eat and drink, almost bankrupting him.

Originally, Lu Xiangsheng thought that Jia Huan was unkind and a brat who wanted to take the opportunity to punish himself. At that time, he was so worried that he was ready to sell his horse to raise money to cover up his shame. However, when it was time to check out, he found that Jia Huan had secretly handed over the money to him. After settling the bill, he realized that he had judged a gentleman with a villain's heart. Apart from being ashamed, he was even more grateful to Jia Huan. Therefore, after a few years, when they met in Yangzhou, Lu Xiangsheng expressed his sincerity. Inner joy.

At this time, Jia Huan and Lu Xiangsheng were sitting across from each other. After a few glasses of wine, the conversation started. Lu Xiangsheng asked, "Jia Huan, have you been in Jinling these past few years?"

Jia Huan nodded and said, "We will build a house for my mother."

Lu Xiangsheng couldn't help but be in awe. The country governs the world with filial piety. It is necessary to observe filial piety for the deceased elders. Whether they are ordinary people or princes and ministers, they must abide by it. Otherwise, they will be scolded, and officials may even be impeached. , even the black gauze hat is not guaranteed, but there are not many people who can really build a hut to guard the tomb. After all, it is too hard. It may not be difficult to guard the tomb for ten days and a half, but it really has to spend three years in a simple hut. , nine out of ten people can't do it, it takes someone with great perseverance.

"As the saying goes, it is better to travel thousands of miles than to read thousands of books. Student Lu's visit to Yangzhou must be a study tour." Jia Huan changed the topic.

Lu Xiangsheng looked a little unnatural and said mockingly: "That's right."

When Jia Huan saw this, he knew that the other party had something to hide, so he smiled and said, "Student Lu, are you in trouble? Although Huan can't, if there is any use, he will definitely do whatever he can to help."

Hearing this, Lu Xiangsheng's heart warmed slightly, he shook his head, and said a little embarrassedly: "Thank you, classmate Jia, for your kindness. I have no difficulty... Well, I'm not afraid of classmate Jia's jokes. I came to Yangzhou this time for a study tour, but in fact I am helping my family. Send a batch of goods here for delivery.”

Jia Huan couldn't help but suddenly realized that as the so-called scholar, farmer, industry and commerce, business has always been regarded as a despicable profession, and merchants have always been at the bottom of the contempt chain. Lu Xiang was promoted to be a scholar, but he was engaged in business. He was probably worried that he would look down on him, so he left. Awkwardly, he smiled and said: "I wonder what a big deal it is. You have to eat with your own hands. What's so funny? The real ones who should be laughed at are those lazy people who have healthy limbs but starve to death on the street. Oh, and there are Those so-called elm-headed people who won’t give in to five buckets of rice.

In my opinion, heroes should not ask where they come from. Their professions are not distinguished by high or low status. Work is honorable and making money is justified. As long as they do not violate national laws and do not harm their conscience, why should they care so much? "

Lu Xiangsheng couldn't help laughing when he heard this: "Classmate Jia's ideas are always so different, but if you think about it carefully, it makes sense. Haha, labor is glorious and making money is reasonable. This sentence is worth explaining."

Jia Huan happily raised his glass to drink with Lu Xiangsheng. The latter was not a pedantic person in the first place. After listening to Jia Huan's "high remarks", he seemed to relax and started chatting about things at home.

Lu Xiangsheng's family background is average, not as good as those above, but more than below. His grandfather Lu Lizhi was born in Juren. He served as a county magistrate, and the highest he served was a county magistrate. For a Juren, the seventh-grade county magistrate is the ceiling of his official career. It is impossible to think about going any higher.

Lu Xiangsheng's father, Lu Guolin, was not as good as him. He had been taking the imperial examinations all his life and failed to even pass the examination. He was nearly half a century old and had nothing to do, relying on his old age to make ends meet.

A few years ago, Lu Xiangsheng's grandfather Lu Lizhi passed away. The little property he saved as a county magistrate was divided among the brothers, but there wasn't much left. Lu Xiangsheng's father, Lu Guolin, was not engaged in production and had been eating grain for several years. The seeds gradually became unsustainable.

Lu Guolin originally placed all his hopes on his eldest son, Lu Xiangsheng. Unfortunately, although Lu Xiangsheng won No. 5 in the college examination, he failed in the subsequent provincial examination and lost his name in Sunshan. He did not get the honorary title.

At this time, Lu Guolin finally couldn't hold on anymore. At the end of last year, he moved his family from Shunde Prefecture in North Zhili back to his hometown of Yixing County, Changzhou, South Zhili.

The Lu family still had a few acres of land in Yixing County. Lu Xiangsheng followed his father back to his hometown. While farming and studying, he assisted his father Lu Guolin in doing some business. Although Lu Guolin was not good at studying, he had some savvy in business and soon opened a business. The business of the dyeing workshop is not bad, and it is enough to support the family. Lu Xiangsheng came to Yangzhou this time to deliver a batch of fabrics to the owner.

After listening to Lu Xiangsheng's narration, Jia Huan smiled and said: "Look, this is the so-called removal of trees to death, and removal of people to life. If you are poor, you will change, and if you change, you will be prosperous."

"What Mr. Jia said makes sense. If you are poor, you will change. If you change, you will be successful. If you don't change, you can only wait for death." Lu Xiangsheng drank the wine in one gulp with deep emotion and sighed: "Last year, I failed in the provincial examination. My family was in financial difficulties, so I had to raise money." When my family moved back to their hometown, I felt extremely uncomfortable at the time, but now that I think about it, it’s actually not a big deal.”

Jia Huan raised the jug and filled a cup for Lu Xiang, and said with a smile: "Congratulations to Mr. Lu for crossing a threshold in his life. By the way, since Mr. Lu has moved back to his hometown, shouldn't he just take the next provincial examination directly in Yingtian Mansion? ?”

Lu Xiangsheng nodded in agreement.

Jia Huan said happily: "In this way, you and I can compete on the same field again, and maybe we can join hands to win the championship together. Wouldn't it be great!"

Lu Xiangsheng was stunned for a moment, and then said happily: "Could it be that classmate Jia's household registration has also been moved back to Jinling?"

Jia Huan nodded.

Lu Xiangsheng couldn't help but secretly wonder. He had heard that although Jia Huan was born in Rongguo Mansion, he was not welcomed at home and was even ostracized by his aunt. Now it seems that he should be inseparable. Otherwise, how could he move his household registration back to Jinling alone? It's like being exiled.

But this was Jia Huan's family matter. He didn't say anything about it himself, and Lu Xiangsheng didn't hesitate to ask. He raised his glass and drank with Jia Huan again, and asked: "In the past few years, I wonder if Jia Huan has been paying attention to the situation in Liaodong?"

Jia Huan nodded and said, "I often read the Di newspaper."

Lu Xiangsheng clenched his wine glass and said angrily: "Yuan Hongtai has no military knowledge, and he can't even be considered a soldier on paper. He has nothing but blood. How can he not do bad things? Now that Shenyang and Liaoyang have fallen, everything east of the Liaohe River is in the hands of the enemy. The strength of the Jin Kingdom has greatly increased. It has become my number one confidant in Dajin."

Jia Huan silently took a sip of wine and thought to himself, more than just a personal problem, if the wheel of history continues to run according to the trend of the late Ming Dynasty, I am afraid that the entire Jin Dynasty will also be destroyed by the Jurchens in the end.

Lu Xiangsheng raised his head and drank the wine in the cup, and said sadly: "It's a pity that I have no knowledge and no way to serve the country. If I fail the next provincial examination again, I plan to abandon literature and join the military and go directly to Liaodong to join the army. Even if I die on the battlefield, This life is not in vain!"

Jia Huan smiled and said: "Classmate Lu's determination to serve the country with fists and fists is really admirable. However, Classmate Lu has a talent that can be defeated by thousands of people. It would be a pity to be a soldier on the front line. I dare to say that Classmate Lu will succeed in the provincial examination three years later." It’s bound to hit, if you don’t believe it, you might as well wait and see.”

Lu Xiangsheng felt a little hot when he heard this, and said in a deep voice: "Thank you, classmate Jia, for your kind words, but... maybe we don't have to wait three years."

Jia Huan's heart was moved and he asked quickly: "What's the explanation?" Lu Mingsheng whispered: "Next year will be the [-]th birthday of the Supreme Emperor. There are rumors that the emperor intends to open Enke, so there may be an additional provincial examination in August this year. Finally, There will be definite news next month."

"Seriously?" Jia Huan blurted out.

Lu Xiangsheng nodded and said excitedly: "If we really add Enke, with the talent of Mr. Jia, he will be named on the gold list. If I am lucky enough to be admitted to the exam in the same year as Mr. Jia, I will die without regrets."

"Classmate Lu is so complimentary." Jia Huan said modestly, but secretly clenched his fists. As the saying goes, to become famous early, you must study in time. The same is true for being an official. The officialdom is a place where qualifications are most important. The older you are when you become an official. The lighter, the higher the natural upper limit. You can refer to the famous minister Yang Tinghe during the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty. He passed the imperial examination at the age of 12 and became a Jinshi at the age of 19. Finally, he became the chief minister of the cabinet and was a very popular minister.

What's more, according to the timeline of the original work, the Jia family was raided five or six years later. The sooner he enters the officialdom and gains the ability to protect himself, the safer he will be. Moreover, Jia Huan has not forgotten that he was in The promise made by Aunt Zhao before her grave - to get the Jia family's property. If you don't have the strength to step on the Jia family and punch the Wang family, how can you get the Jia family's property?

1 years is too long, so it is best to seize the day and take part in the provincial examination two years in advance. Moreover, after three years of hard study, Jia Huan has absolute confidence that he can pass the provincial examination and obtain the status of a civil servant.

Next, Jia Huan and Lu Xiangsheng chatted for about half an hour before they said goodbye and went back home.

Let's say that Jia Huan returned to the Xunyan Yushi Yamen, entered through the corner door, and returned to his residence. He found that Ping'er was playing the violin seriously and imitating his own posture. The posture is graceful and graceful. If you put it on a cheongsam, it will be very pleasing to the eye.

Jia Huan was already a bit drunk, but now he couldn't help but feel hot. He crept over, preparing to surprise the maid from behind, but he bumped into the stool, making a loud noise, and immediately stopped where he was in embarrassment. land.

"Ah, Third Master is back!" Ping'er turned around and found someone sneaking around. His pretty face turned red immediately and he put the violin back into the case in embarrassment.

"When did the third master come back? He was so quiet that it shocked people." Ping'er scolded as he stepped forward to take off Jia Huan's outer clothes and brought him water to wipe his face and wash his hands.

Jia Huan put his arms around the pretty maid's slim waist and hugged her, and said with a smile: "Sister Ping'er, do you want to learn the violin? I'll teach you!"

Ping'er felt sweet in her heart, shook her head and said: "My servant is clumsy, how can I learn this? Third Master should give it to Miss Lin."

Jia Huan exclaimed, "How did Sister Ping'er know?"

Ping'er smiled a little proudly and said: "Third Master has never been a favoritist. The sisters have all given gifts, so how can they miss out on Miss Lin's share? And I know that Miss Lin has a short piano, and she must be able to play it." Yes, it is just right for Third Master to give her this violin."

Jia Huan gently pinched the pretty maid's smooth chin and said with a smile: "Sister Ping'er is getting smarter and smarter, um, and getting... um."

As someone spoke, his hands searched up and down the pretty maid's body, touching everything.

Ping'er felt hot all over and was so embarrassed that he whispered coquettishly: "Little ancestor, please stop making trouble. Be careful and Miss Lin comes in and bumps into you. I don't want my face anymore."

These words startled Jia Huan, and he quickly let go of his hand. Lin Daiyu seemed to like to carry out sneak attacks. She was always elusive. This was also the case in the original work. Because of this "skill", she could always hear or see something. He tends to do things he shouldn't, and is suspicious and easily jealous, so there are always a lot of troubles between him and Jia Baoyu.

Of course, Jia Huan was not narcissistic enough to think that Lin Daiyu would be jealous of him, but it was quite embarrassing to be caught cuddling with the pretty maid, and Lin Daiyu did occasionally visit unexpectedly during this period.

At this time, Ping'er chuckled and said, "Miss Lin came here not long ago. I'm afraid she won't come again."

Jia Huan couldn't help but laugh and cry. He took a sip on Ping'er's little mouth like a revenge and asked, "What does Sister Lin want from me?"

"Nothing happened. I chatted for a while and then left. Oh, by the way, the tassels I asked her to tie the day before yesterday were finished today." Ping'er took out the lotus leaf sachet and handed it to Jia Huan to see. I saw that there were indeed two new tassels under the sachet.

Jia Huan felt a strange emotion in his heart. He took the sachet and tied it around his waist. He smiled and said, "I'm going to see Sister Lin." After saying that, he picked up the piano case and walked out happily.

Ping'er was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly chased after him and asked, "Sir, don't you want to eat first?"

"I just ate and I'm not hungry yet. Sister Ping'er, you can eat first." Jia Huan carried the piano case and arrived at Lin Daiyu's residence with ease.

It is now noon, the temperature is estimated to be around [-] degrees, which is still quite hot. The atmosphere of early summer is getting stronger and stronger.

Lin Daiyu's residence was very quiet and quiet. There were many bonsais planted in the yard. The two women were dozing under the shade of the courtyard tree. Jia Huan did not wake them up and went to the outside of the house without seeing any waiters. The maid, I don’t know where she went.

Jia Huan gently put the piano case down, and through the bead curtain inside, he could vaguely see Lin Daiyu leaning on the bed and taking a nap. He was about to exit, but he heard Lin Daiyu inside sigh and murmur like she was dreaming: "Every day I feel sleepy at home!"

When Jia Huan heard this, his heart moved. He opened the curtain and walked in. He smiled and said, "Sister Lin, why do you feel so sleepy every day?"

Lin Daiyu was so ashamed that she quickly closed her eyes, covered her face with her sleeves and pretended to sleep, trying to get through.

It turned out that Lin Daiyu had secretly read "Miscellaneous Books" and "The Romance of the West Chamber" in the past few days. Even taking a nap was part of the plot in the book. She couldn't help but read out this line of dialogue. It happened that this line was also a line from the heroine Cui Yingying when she missed Zhang Sheng. , but was overheard by Jia Huan, so he was so embarrassed that he almost crawled into a crack in the wall.

(End of this chapter)