Crowned the New Han Dynasty

Chapter 25 A scholar is sitting in front of a desk, with a boy waiting beside him.

As if to confirm Chen Yun's guess, when Chen Zhi walked into the hall, the first thing he saw was Chen Chi's unhappy face.

Last time, when Chen Zhi's house was on fire and a creditor came to visit, Chen Chi showed no emotion or anger, but now his unhappiness was written on his face. In the eyes of the servants and maids, Chen Zhi had gone too far and angered the head of the family. , but Chen Zhi knew that was not the case.

"The system of the Chen family is a little chaotic, and there are signs that the head of the family is blocked from information, so the response is a little slow. However, with Chen Chi's status, he can show his true intentions and true feelings to the people of the Chen family. Either he is in an urgent mood or You treat me as your close nephew, let me see which one you belong to."

With this thought, Chen Zhi received the ceremony with a normal expression, his sleeves fluttering in his manner.

Chen Chi didn't let him wait any longer and pointed it out directly: "Shouyi, you are confused! How can you write letters to people casually? For fifty dollars a letter, you are cheating on yourself, and I am even more sorry for your good handwriting! Not everyone can get the calligraphy treasures of my Chen family! If it weren’t for the complicated things in Tianfu these days, and I just received the news, I would never let you be so ridiculous."

Chen Zhi replied calmly: "So that my uncle will know that my nephew did this out of helplessness. I don't know anything else. I can only rely on my handwriting to make a living. If it's not accurate, , my nephew really doesn’t know what to do, the whole family is still waiting for dinner.”

"Stop fooling me here."

Chen Chi looked at Chen Zhi dumbfounded, "Do you think you are so handsome and helpless?"

"I already guessed that you were going to say this. Compared with when I was a child, it hasn't changed at all. So, Shulin Zhai was originally selling calligraphy and painting. In the past few years, natural and man-made disasters continued, so I had to put it aside. Those calligraphy and paintings are still there. In the warehouse, I will ask people to deliver it to you later, and then I will arrange a cashier and a shopkeeper to help you run it, so just review it honestly. You are still running the store and it will not affect the bet."

Is the teacher who gave the question a helping hand in cheating?

Chen Zhi was a little surprised. He didn't expect that in the end, the examiner would directly help with the questions, and even solemnly said that there was no foul.

In fact, Chen Chi has been admiring the article written by Chen Zhi whenever he has free time in the past two days. The more he reads it, the happier he becomes. He has regarded Chen Zhi's calligraphy as a treasure of the Chen family and a trump card for maintaining connections in the future, and uses it as a After discussing with several members of the clan, Ping suddenly heard a report from Chen Yun, saying that Chen Zhi was writing letters for him. He could write a single word for fifty dollars, so how could he sit still!

"It wasn't Chen Yun who reported it. I didn't know. You are really fooling around. How could it be my generation to write the letter on your behalf?" Chen Chi felt much more relaxed after giving the solution, and he sounded like he was scolding his nephew. smell.

Chen Zhi bowed his head to accept the instruction. When Chen Chi had finished what he said, he added another sentence: "In this current situation, it is difficult to sell calligraphy and painting. If my nephew wants to pay off his gambling debt, he will inevitably have to resort to calligraphy."

"What I can help you is limited. You are not young anymore. There are some things you can take care of." Chen Chi pondered for a moment and made a decision. "Let's do this. I will choose another gentleman to come over. If anyone asks for help, I will help you." Record it so that the world can know.”

Well, just ask someone to record it. This is not a low-key job at all.

According to Chen Zhi's original intention, he definitely didn't want to be so high-profile, but Chen Chi repeatedly expressed his goodwill, and it was difficult to refute his face, so he had to nod in agreement.

After the decision was made here, Chen Chihu changed the subject: "Now that we have finished talking about the store, it is time to talk about the selection of the academy. With the accountant and shopkeeper, the store does not need you to worry about it. Focus all your energy on your review. Since you are here today, go to the bookstore first. I have informed the steward a few days ago to prepare a book boy for you, so that you will not have to worry about trivial matters."

"Book boy?" Chen Zhi nodded, understanding what Chen Chi meant. He was treating himself as a key seed for the next generation of the Chen family. It must be one of the results of his efforts to smooth things over these days.

After thinking about this, Chen Zhi had no idea of ​​refusing, because having the book boy by his side would save him a lot of trouble, and what he disliked the most was trouble, so why not do it.

After finalizing these, there were some useless inquiries. After the conversation was over, Chen Zhi said goodbye to Chen Chi and went straight to the library.

As soon as he came out, he fell into the eyes of those who were interested.

Above the small building, Chen Xuan was a little surprised and said: "Seventh brother seems to be in business as usual, it doesn't look like he has been punished. Judging by his posture, is he going to the Book Pavilion?"

"He is holding on. Otherwise, according to his character, how could he go to the bookstore? He must have been forced to study after being reprimanded by his uncle." Chen Yun was also a little confused, but she still insisted on sneering and maintaining herself. The image of strategizing, "Just watch, it won't be long before you can see a good show."

Unfortunately, several pieces of news came later, which made his face darken. Chen Xuan next to him had a look of astonishment, and his eyes towards Chen Yun changed.

"This... this fourth brother's calculations are not very accurate. Then why does he look so confident?"

At the same time, in a side room in the backyard of Chen's house, four teenagers were gathering together, three of them were comforting the last one.

"Think openly, Master Zhi is still a young master after all. Following him will help us gain some horizons, which will facilitate our future promotions."

"Yes, I heard that the eldest master has attached great importance to Chen Zhi recently. Maybe his fortune will turn around."

"Relax, it's not a big deal. It will only take a month or two at most. After the screening, if Chen Zhi is rejected, you will definitely be able to come back."

The four of them were all eleven or twelve years old, but their eyebrows had a look of maturity that did not match their age. The boy who was being comforted by the other three people had his brows furrowed and his face full of sorrow, as if he was about to face a life decision.In fact, this is also true.

This young man's name is Chen Wu, and the other three are Chen Yu, Chen Shu, and Chen Hua. They are all sons of the Chen family. His father and even his grandfather are servants and servants of the Chen family.

In this family servant system, the slave status is connected with the Chen family, and there is also an internal promotion system. Just like Chen Jue seizes the opportunity and wants to take advantage of it, the career careers of young children like Chen Wu often start with the young master and The ladies are related, among which the book boy is considered the best.

Chen Wu and the other three people were all chosen as book boys for the young masters. They would be sorted out one after another in the next two days - after all, the family power is not what it used to be. Otherwise, when the young masters are learning, they will be separated one by one. With a book boy, there is no need to wait until now.

A total of four people from the Chen family participated in Guijing's selection this time. In addition to Chen Zhi and Chen Yun, there were also Chen Qing, the youngest son of Chen Chi, who was the ninth in Chen Zhi's generation, and Chen Xuan, Chen Yue's second son. Ranked tenth.

According to the division of management, it was Chen Wu who wanted to serve as Chen Zhi's book boy. However, in Chen Wu's view, this job was definitely a disaster. Even though there were rumors that Chen Zhi was about to turn around in the house recently, as Chen Yun deliberately With all the news and rumors released, everyone looked down upon Chen Zhi again.

"What future can I have with such a master?"

This was Chen Wu's first thought after hearing the news.

It's a pity that he couldn't control all this. His father was just an ordinary gardener in the Chen family. If Chen Wu hadn't shown cleverness and intelligence since he was a child, he wouldn't even have the chance to become a book boy, so how could he choose?
"The three of them comforted me on the surface, but in fact they must have all breathed a sigh of relief." Looking at the three "friends" in front of him, Chen Wu became more and more unwilling. I’m just gloating about my misfortune! I’m going to be miserable!”

After thinking about it, a little maid came over and informed Chen Wu to go to the book pavilion to serve his master.

When Chen Wu heard this, he trembled all over.

"Young Master Zhi is indeed here. It's probably because of that incident. I don't know how he was reprimanded." The other three people winked at each other and showed pity to Chen Liuliu. The incident in their mouths , naturally it was the matter of Chen Zhi writing letters on his behalf in the market place. In the eyes of the servants in the mansion, this matter was insulting to the family tradition and would definitely be criticized vigorously.

"Oh, I can't help it. I'll leave first." Chen Wu said dejectedly, and then left with the little maid. As he walked, he couldn't help but ask in a low voice: "Sister, I heard that Master Zhi this time When I came back, I was scolded by the elder. How is he feeling now? I wouldn't have been scolded in the past, right?"

This question was asked very skillfully. It inquired about the behavior of the superior without leaving any trace, without giving the impression of being a spy. At the same time, it was secretly exploring the character of the new master, while collecting timely intelligence, and deliberately showing weakness to win sympathy. Heart.

The little maid didn't think so much, and just said with a strange look: "We thought that the master called Master Zhi over to reprimand him, but it turned out that it seemed to be a compliment, not only to the accountant, but also to the shopkeeper. Do you know what’s going on?”

"What?" When Chen Wu heard this, his sober mind suddenly became confused. When he came to the book pavilion and saw the person he would serve in the future, the doubts in his mind turned into sighs.

This is not the first time that Chen Wu has seen Chen Zhi. In the past, when he saw Chen Zhi from afar, he would tell some interesting stories about Chen Zhi and laugh. But this time, the feeling is completely different. According to the current rules, from now on In the end, Chen Zhi was the foundation for him to stand on. The three friends said that they could leave after being screened. This was simply comforting. Unless Chen Zhi took the initiative to fire him, it would be difficult for Chen Zhi to get rid of him. Even if he could leave, he would still be there. It had a great impact on him.

"This is life."

With a certain thought of accepting his fate, Chen Wu walked towards Chen Zhi, who was sitting on the floor, flipping through a book, particularly engrossed.

Chen Wu's sharp eyes saw the words "Five Chapters of the Book of Shang Jun" on the cover. Since he was a candidate for a book boy, he also attended the Mongolian School to learn some words.

At least he knew how to read. I thought he would never come to the bookstore.

After thinking about it, when he arrived in front of Chen Zhi, Chen Wu called out two words with difficulty: "Young... Young Master."

Logically speaking, he should be called Master Chen Zhi, but when Chen Taigong was still alive, although his sons were generally separated, they kept close contact with each other. Therefore, the title "Master" was reserved for Chen Chi's generation in the Chen family. , Chen Zhi's generation is still called young master and young lady. However, with the death of old Mrs. Chen, the connection between the two sons has gradually become thinner, so the titles will naturally change, but this is all for another day.

"You are Chen Wu, right?" Chen Zhi put down the book in his hand and turned around with a smile, "You look quite smart. I will trouble you in the future."

"Young master, what are you talking about?" Chen Wu quickly replied with a few polite words, and he looked like a master and servant smiling happily. However, Chen Wu also summed up Chen Zhi in his heart, "Looks approachable, slightly different from the rumors, but It cannot be ruled out that he is a moody master, I hope he will suffer less in the future."

Time passed slowly as Chen Zhi read and thought about things.

On the other side, a guest came from Shulinzhai.

This man was dressed as a servant, but he was wrapped in a cloak, and he had an air of grace when he walked. He was holding the snow, and under Cui Shi's surprised eyes, he knocked on the open door of the store and asked in a respectful voice: "May I ask where Mr. Chen Zhichen is?" Well, I'm in Wangchuan and I need to see you for something."

　Thanks to "Leader of the Holy Knights", "Li Sunjian", "I Don't Want Nicknames", "Obsidian Tail", "Boundless Seas of Bitterness", "Move Your Words" and "Zhongshan Canghuang" for their rewards!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)