The literary giants of the late Ming Dynasty began by copying books

Chapter 14 Forced to be a pawn

After five days of sailing, the boat finally arrived in Fuzhou. Wang Wenlong was led into Gao Yin's mansion by Lin Shiqing.

As soon as he reached the door, Lin Shiqing put his hands behind his back and taught Wang Wenlong a lesson: "When you see your father-in-law later, you must be more polite and don't talk or move around randomly."

Wang Wenlong nodded and said with a smile: "Thank you, friend Lin, for your guidance and care." As he said that, he quietly thrust a large silver worth of five taels into Lin Shiqing's hand.

Lin Shiqing weighed the weight of the silver and nodded proudly.

He thought to himself that although Wang Wenlong was annoying, he had some eyesight, and he would be able to give him less eye drops in front of Gao Yin in the future.

Lin Shiqing led Wang Wenlong into the house. Wang Wenlong quickly stepped forward and saluted Gao Yin with his fists clasped.

"Student Wang Wenlong has met Eunuch Gao."

Lin Shiqing couldn't help but be stunned for a moment. Although this kid had been close to Li Bajin and others along the way, he still seemed to be a bit of a scholar. However, when he came to Gao Yin, he looked completely fawning. There was really a big gap between him and him. Too big.

Gao Yin took a look at Wang Wenlong and felt a little satisfied when he saw that he was a high-ranking person.

Gao Yin said: "Are you Wang Wenlong who wrote "The Scholars"?"

"If I go back to my father-in-law, I'm a student."

Gao Yin nodded: "Do you have any fame?"

"Back to my father-in-law, the student grew up in the West. He just returned to his hometown in the Ming Dynasty this year and has not participated in the scientific examination."

Gao Yin was a little surprised: "This is strange." He thought Wang Wenlong was a scholar who grew up in the Ming Dynasty. "I have never participated in the imperial examination, how can I know so much about Confucian affairs?"

Wang Wenlong came up with the reason he had made up a long time ago: "The student's parents invited a Ming Dynasty scholar in the West to enlighten the villain."

"The student's teacher was a scholar who failed to achieve his goals in the Ming Dynasty. He said that he was rejected by some shameless scholars because of his noble ambitions, and he left the West in despair. He even did not return to China because of this, and finally died in the West. Student The stories in the book are what he told his students."

Gao Yin originally hated literati for a long time because he was scolded too much. Hearing Wang Wenlong's words, he felt sad and said: "These scholarly scum are really disgusting!"

Wang Wenlong curled his lips inwardly, thinking that in the hearts of the people, the man in front of him really wanted to eat his flesh and sleep on his skin.

Wang Wenlong was thinking about what attitude he should adopt when facing Gao Yin along the way, but in the end he realized that there was really nothing he could do for the time being. Gao Yin was deeply favored by Wanli, and he was not someone he could fight against at this stage.

There is no point in pretending to be a celebrity and not cooperating with Gao Yin. If Wang Wenlong had the reputation of being a civil servant, he could ignore Gao Yin. If Gao Yin dared to bully him, everyone in the scholarly community would help him.

But in fact, Wang Wenlong has never even entered the examination room, and he is not even a scholar. Does Fujian Shilin know who he is?If he was really punished by Gao Yin, I'm afraid no one would come out to help him.

Wang Wenlong thought about it again and again and found that his only choice was to obey Gao Yin's wishes, so as soon as he entered the room, he did not pretend to be civil and showed a dog-legged look.

Gao Yin was a little disappointed when he heard that Wang Wenlong was a scholar without fame. Although he said that he hated those stinky old people, he still had some admiration for scholars in the Ming Dynasty. He originally wanted to recruit some scholars to come. Work as a staff member in the government.

But after a conversation, he felt that Wang Wenlong was quite likable to him, so he ordered: "In that case, you can stay in my house and be a staff member first. Whatever the title, you can slowly get it in the future."

Wang Wenlong knew in his heart that after staying in this dead eunuch's house and working as an aide, if he was not hated to death by others in the scholarly community, then what was the point of trying for fame?
At this time, the academic examination was not anonymous. After he became Gao Yin's staff, he took the imperial examination. If he met a scientific examination official who paid attention to reputation, he would probably have his papers written down directly.

If you stay and work in his house, I'm afraid that your reputation in Shilin will be ruined in the future.

And this kind of guy doesn't know how to keep his subordinates at all. Historically, Gao Yin, like all eunuchs, always left his subordinates to take the blame.

In other words, only a fool like Lin Shiqing would happily do things for him, thinking that he could use this to get a step higher.Wang Wenlong tried to struggle, "If I go back to my father-in-law, I am just a writer of novels and have no practical skills..."

Gao Yin said: "I have read "The Scholars" written by You. If you are not well-versed in human nature, how could you write such a masterpiece?"

"Don't you want to stay in my house and help me?"

"This……"

Gao Yin's eyes widened: "If you talk any more, I will take you directly to the judicial office! According to Huang Jia Wence, you are originally from Jianyang County and have no fame, so how can you come to Fuzhou? This alone can lock you up for three years!"

I'm going to you!

Wang Wenlong couldn't help but curse in his heart. It turned out that this damn eunuch was waiting for him here.

In the Ming Dynasty, there was a Huangjia Law. In theory, except for those who were registered as merchants and those who had achieved fame, no one could leave within ten miles of their registered residence.

However, this law had been in place since the time of Zhu Yuanzhang, and no one would arrest him even if he complained to the Yamen. Otherwise, all the merchants doing business in the world would be potential criminals, and the entire business of the Ming Dynasty would no longer need to be done.

But Wang Wenlong had no doubt that Gao Yin in front of him could get him in when he was angry, and it was reasonable and legal.

Wang Wenlong also regretted in his heart. This guy only dared to do this because he bullied him into having no roots.

If he had already gained some fame after a few years, even Gao Yin would never dare to send a few people to arrest him from home.

Damn it, I must make a name for myself quickly, or else I will always be bullied.

Seeing that Wang Wenlong did not dare to resist anymore, Gao Yin waved his hand and called Lin Shiqing over: "Take Wang Wenlong to find a house to live in, and then tell him the rules of the house."

Wang Wenlong was about to cry but had no tears. He wanted to be a good person, but he didn't expect to be forced to become the eunuch's minion.

Lin Shiqing led Wang Wenlong out of the house, and when he came to the door, he suddenly snorted at him and said viciously: "You are an honest man, but you are also a bad guy with many evil intentions!"

Wang Wenlong felt baffled.

What Wang Wenlong didn't expect was that the way he had been appreciated by Gao Yin just now had greatly increased Lin Shiqing's sense of crisis. He felt that Wang Wenlong might threaten his position as an adviser with his clever writing.

Lin Shiqing took Wang Wenlong directly to a side house. The furnishings in the house were quite neat, and there was a well at the door of the house, so water was convenient.

"From now on, you will live there, eat three meals a day with us, and wait for your father-in-law's summons."

Lin Shiqing then explained in detail which houses in the mansion Wang Wenlong could go to, and which places were where Gao Yin had his office and where he would meet guests. He was not allowed to set foot there without Gao Yin's instructions.

At this moment, a long-time supervisor came to call Lin Shiqing: "Mr. Lin, my father-in-law is calling you."

Lin Shiqing seemed to have a light on his face. He turned back to Wang Wenlong and said:

"See? My father-in-law can't leave me for a moment. I advise you to keep your mind at ease. People in Eunuch Gao's house are not so easy to mess around with. Don't think that you can become Eunuch Gao's confidant by writing two good-looking articles!"

Watching Lin Shiqing leave, Wang Wenlong frowned: "I'm sick..."

(End of this chapter)