Picturesque Rivers and Mountains in the Red Chamber

Chapter 58 2.35 Let us brothers be of one heart

Volume Two

2.35 Then let us brothers unite

"Hey, the deer roars, eating the apples of the wild, I have a guest, playing the harp, harp and sheng——"

Loud but not neat recitations, accompanied by the "Lu Ming" elegant music as the background, rang out in the "Grand Auditorium" of Qianhusuo, which was originally used as an examination room. Such heroic and extraordinary martial arts practitioners were all reciting the Book of Songs with awkward expressions, which seemed a bit inconsistent no matter how you looked at them.

That's right, this is the "Deer Ming Banquet" in the autumn of the 48th year of Longwu's martial arts competition. The person sitting in the center is naturally the examiner, or "seat master" Chen Ruiwen. The examiners below sit in order according to their rankings, and then everyone plays according to the rules. "Lu Ming" elegant music, singing "The Book of Songs * Xiaoya * Lu Ming" chapter, the problem is that you can't expect a bunch of martial artists to understand this, even if they have been trained in advance, today's recitation is still very head-scratching.

The martial arts examinations of the Great Zhou Dynasty basically followed the imperial examinations, and many of the systems were copied. For example, the Deer Ming Banquet was indeed called the "Eagle Yang Banquet" at the beginning, but then gradually no one mentioned it again, and the name and regulations gradually changed to imitation. The imperial examination was carried out, even including the "Singing Deer Ming Psalm" just passed.

"Come, everyone, have a full drink of this cup and congratulate today's grand event!" Somewhat scrawledly ended the very embarrassing procedure, and finally got to the main point of the banquet. Chen Ruiwen, who had seen many such problems, did not feel uncomfortable, and he could even finish the task. The queen smiled and picked up the wine glass, "Ziyang, you come first, you are a great martial artist, you won't say that you are not a good drinker, right?"

"The teacher has your destiny, how dare the students disobey?" Zhou Yang smiled slightly, picked up the wine bowl with three taels in front of him and drank it down in one gulp, winning a lot of applause - yes, it is already the tenth day of August, and the results of the martial arts examination were released yesterday. He officially became the No. 1 in the Qiu Wei of this martial arts competition, or it is also called the martial arts Jieyuan!
"Hahaha, this is my style as a warrior!" Chen Ruiwen nodded with satisfaction, pointed at the people in the room, his voice was full of pride, "We, the generals, will immediately gain the fame and glory from the battlefield, and cherish our lives. In the prosperous age, there is no place to use it. It doesn't matter. There are many opportunities to make contributions here in the grassland, northwest and southern borders. It depends on whether you have this ability!

Today is such a grand event. As the examiner of this subject, I feel deeply honored. Looking at you, the most powerful of us, and even a young man like Zi Yang who is not as good as a weakling, I really feel that I am old. I don’t envy you for your fame, because my ancestors have made great contributions to future generations. I envy you for being in your prime and having plenty of time to serve the imperial court and your Majesty! "

"How has the teacher ever gotten old?" Zhou Yang naturally did not forget to be afraid of being slapped with rainbow farts at this time. "Let's not say that the teacher does not look like he is still in his forties. What is his real age? As the saying goes, 'the old man is brave, the ambition is a thousand miles, the martyr is in his twilight years' ', the ambition is endless', the ancients still had such ambitions, students believed that the teacher would never be bad, not to mention, there is a saying, 'Ginger is still spicy when you are old'!"

"You, if I hadn't seen your performance in the examination room and just looked at your appearance, and if you had put on a scholar's robe, I wouldn't have believed that you were one of my generals!" Chen Ruiwen couldn't help but smile. Pointing at Zhou Yang, he said, "What's more, your kung fu is actually stronger than those five big and thick warriors!

I have been in the army for more than thirty years. I have met and even led countless martial arts practitioners and martial arts scholars. It is not uncommon to talk about "double good", but these "three good" skills can appear in the autumn of martial arts. The Great Zhou Dynasty has not appeared for nearly ten years!As for those poor people, there have been newcomers to the imperial examination every year in recent years, and even the idea of ​​'genius' is no longer new.

Forget it, today’s banquet is for you young people. I’m here, and you are all restrained. In such a long time, among all of you, only Ziyang dared to talk to me. If you stay any longer, I’m afraid this banquet will It can't get hot either——Ziyang, you're originally Jie Yuan, so take care of the rest of the time! "

"Students take orders!" It seems like it's a cold start, but in fact this is also the custom. The teacher usually only brings a glass of wine to the banquet, says a few words, and then leaves the stage, handing the stage to these younger generations. This banquet is actually a "social occasion". Basically, who you have a good relationship with and who you don't deal with will be settled after this meal.

"Hahaha, wise brother Ziyang, I didn't expect that you are only twenty-nine years old and already have such skills!" For example, someone who doesn't know his identity, won the martial arts examination only when he was older, and always says "good brother" , there must be no communication value, Zhou Yang just politely picked up the wine glass and took a sip, and then ignored him.

Fortunately, his performance in the examination room completely overwhelmed everyone, so that after the entire banquet, no one dared to say anything like "I don't accept it". As the saying goes, "There is no first in civility and no second in martial arts." Who really Who do you admire?But if you are faced with an existence that you are completely incomparable to, there are not many fools who are really stubborn, at least not at the scene. A "Deer Ming Banquet" can also be regarded as hello, me, hello, everyone.

"Brother Xianwen (Meng Kun), Brother Dongjie (Yuan Xiu), Brother Guangsheng (Zhao Tong), Brother Guanqun (Jiao Zhen), Brother Yilong (Li Feng), we brothers hit it off immediately. Unfortunately, today's situation is special. It’s not convenient to talk in depth. I know you will be very busy next time. I’ll plan a game in a few days and we brothers will have a good drink!” Finally, the banquet that lasted for more than an hour ended, and Zhou Yang, as half the host, After sending away all the people in the same year, there were only a few people left worthy of close friendship, so we simply took a walk on the school grounds together.

"Seeing the demeanor of Brother Ziyang, I really feel that the past 30 years have all gone to dogs." Jiao Zhen, the oldest but also the lowest ranked person, smiled bitterly and handed over his hands, "Unfortunately, today should be the last time Brother Ziyang and I will meet each other." Let's sit together and have a drink. Next time we meet, I'm afraid I'll have to call you "sir." "Hahaha, since Brother Guanqun said it so straightforwardly, it would be pretentious if I continue to use clichés." Zhou Yang was no longer polite, he Naturally, there is a purpose in choosing these people. "I can see that all the brothers are depressed for various reasons. You must be worried about the future, right?"

"We are not like the Ziyang brothers, who have already passed the martial arts exam at a young age. Next spring, as usual, we will at least be a martial arts scholar." Meng Kun's temper is worthy of his tall and thick appearance, "A few of us Only Brother Guangsheng has further hope. No one can be sure whether he can find a suitable position in the future, and how can he be calm?"

"So what if you have strength? Although I am confident in my own skills, the situation at home is really bad." Zhao Tong also had a bitter expression, "There is no way Chunwei will participate again next time. If we can't find a suitable position as soon as possible, , I’m afraid that within three to five years we will inevitably be arranged to get married by our families, and we will be trapped in a small courtyard for the rest of our lives - Brother Ziyang chose a few of us this time, so it must be useful, right?"

"Huh?" Zhou Yang was stunned for a moment. He obviously didn't expect Zhao Tong to be so direct. Then he glanced around and found that the other four people were staring at him with the same interest. He could only shake his head speechlessly. If anyone thinks that the ancients are stupid, then he is the one. Fool, "It seems that I have become a villain in vain. Now that you have guessed it, you must have no objections?"

"Hahaha!" Meng Kun and the other five laughed extremely happily.

Zhou Yang deliberately selected these people. Except for Zhao Tong, who is in a special situation, the other four are all the kind who have no chance of progress and can only be positioned as martial arts practitioners, and then try to see if they can operate a position. The problem is that Zhou Yang The dynasty has been in existence for nearly a hundred years, and it has already entered a "stable period". There are not enough Jinshi in each term, so where are the opportunities to promote people?This is true for civil servants, and it is the same for generals!
"No wonder Brother Guangsheng didn't drink much just now, but he repeatedly talked about his lack of ambition at home several times." Zhou Yang pointed at Zhao Tong speechlessly, then gave him a smile and said, "I just wanted to see it. , is there anyone who is willing to help? I just happened to be here and jumped in eagerly.

Okay, there's nothing to say. As the saying goes, 'a good man has three gangs'. Unfortunately, the next spring semester will not be until the year after next. But no matter what, I still can't run away as a martial arts scholar. To be honest with you, although I have returned from overseas, But fortunately, the noble people valued it, so there was some way to do it.

Once the spring is over, a suitable position must be indispensable. However, since my younger brother has returned from overseas, he has no relatives and family background, so there is naturally a lack of available people around him. Judging from what you guys mean, you should have no objections? "

Just as everyone in modern society knows that friendships in schools are the most reliable, the "same year" of imperial examinations and military examinations in feudal society is the most common official social circle, and it is also the only network that Zhou Yang can build, because other types such as family background, He can't get involved in any of the country gangs or cronies.

"Since Brother Ziyang likes it, I naturally have nothing to say." Zhao Tong, the bastard of the family who was self-taught with his biological mother's meager savings and almost suppressed by the entire family after his biological father's death, was the first to express his opinion, "It's a pity that we have to do it again." Wait two years."

"Brother Ziyang can use it, I, Old Meng, have nothing to say." Meng Kun, who looked quite rough, spoke second.

"The friendship between the poor and the humble is the most unforgettable. Don't be sad when you are rich in the future." Yuan Xiuwen, who looks quite bookish like Zhou Yang, wrote a nondescript limerick, which made everyone else roll their eyes, "Xiaosheng, who weighs more than 100 pounds, just pay Give it to Lord Jie Yuang!"

"Thank you!" Li Feng solemnly cupped his hands and ended with two words.

"Since no one said anything, I naturally did the same!" Jiao Zhen, the oldest, made a "concluding speech."

"Okay -" Zhou Yang was very glad that he chose martial arts, otherwise he would never have received his future arms so openly, "Then let us brothers work together, and sooner or later we can cut off iron and metal, and there is no need to choose a day anymore. , Brothers, let us find a suitable place and we will not return until we get drunk tonight!"

"Ha ha ha ha--"

(End of this chapter)