As the saying goes, "The second of February, the dragon raises its head."
After the second day of the second month of the lunar calendar, the coldness of winter gradually disappeared, and everything began to recover. It was time for farmers to prepare for spring plowing. Inside and outside of Bianliang City, one could clearly feel the warmth of the spring river. The buds and blooming flowers on the trees, the farmers and peddlers who came to the city to buy and sell all kinds of things for spring plowing, and the farmers' children who followed their parents to the city on the streets all felt warmer and more at ease with the arrival of spring.
Apart from the big event of spring plowing, the more lively event in Bianliang City in February might be this year's imperial examination in spring. The imperial examination was a grand event to select scholars for the country. According to tradition, it was held once every three years. But such a rule was not necessarily true. Sometimes the emperor felt that there was a shortage of talents, or the literary world was flourishing. In the Wu dynasty, it was not strange for the imperial examination to be held once every two years or even once a year. Especially after the plan of the northern expedition was set, whether it succeeded or failed, a large number of useful talents would be needed in the future. In recent years, the selection of scholars had become more frequent.
Although the Ministry of Personnel had been troubled by all kinds of idle and redundant officials, for the emperor, he could never have too many talents who could really be of use.
As the imperial examination was approaching, the candidates who came to the capital had actually gathered before the New Year. Since the New Year, all kinds of literary gatherings had been held frequently. Scholars participated in these gatherings to seek opportunities to stand out, or to deliver examination papers to various officials and literary magnates, hoping to gain the favor of high-ranking officials.
In fact, in the various important examinations of later generations, in order to avoid favoritism and fraud, it was a matter of course not to let the examiners see the names of the examinees. But in fact, before the Wu dynasty, the names of these examinations were not obscured. In the Tang dynasty, the examiners' names were all clear to the examiners. The examination was more about whether the students had fame outside of the examination room, and whether they had the ability to manage. In a sense, this was also a test of the other party's interpersonal relationships and background. But there was a certain reason to select officials based on this.
After the first generation of the Wu dynasty, the names of the examinees began to be obscured in the examinations. But the custom of the examinees passing examination papers everywhere did not change. After all, if they managed it well, they might get the examination questions or receive guidance from the seniors. Even if they passed the examination, these interpersonal relationships would still be of great use. And the heated discussion of these matters also made the literary atmosphere in Bianliang more prosperous and enthusiastic. For those who really liked this kind of thing, they would really enjoy it.
Around the beginning of spring, there were also some scholars who came to Ning Yi's residence to deliver their papers and pay a visit. No one knew where they found their connections.
Especially in the few days of February, there were a few groups of students who came over. Some of them wanted to ask Ning Yi for advice on poetry, while others came to criticize Ning Yi's actions. For example, a supervisor of the Imperial College named Chen Dong, who was quite a famous scholar in Bianliang, after paying a visit to Ning Yi, he accused Ning Yi of currying favor with the business world, saying that he could not contribute to the country even though he was useful, and that he had read the books of the sages in vain. Ning Yi had a headache listening to his words and chased him out.
Fortunately, the other party had already said what he wanted to say, so he didn't dwell on it for too long. This Chen Dong was a few years older than Ning Yi and was rather hot-blooded. Among the students of places like the Imperial College and the Imperial College, although he was not considered the most talented, he had always been a representative with the ability to rally supporters.
When Ning Yi mentioned this to Yao Zunian, it was said that Chen Dong had even written several articles to criticize the Imperial Tutor Cai Jing, who was no longer in office. Of course, his luck in the imperial examinations was a little worse. He had a reputation, but he never got an official position. It was probably because of Cai Jing's hidden influence.
"However, Chen Dong took the initiative to scold you, which means that your reputation in the capital has been quite good recently. However, for you to make things like this for two restaurants, I am a little disappointed that you did not live up to my expectations … "Wenren Bu 'Er commented on this matter." I can understand Chen Dong's feelings very well. "
To create such a situation at this time, in fact, it could be considered as Ning Yi's intentional management in a certain aspect. In the past few days, the news that the great scholar Ning Liheng's two new works would be released by Takeshi in the city had spread in the literary circles of Bianliang. Most importantly, Miss Shishi had even turned down a few important invitations for the performance of these two new works. After this news spread out, it caused a lot of waves.
The ninth of February was the first round of this year's Spring Examination. January and February was the best time for the scholars in Bianliang to build their reputation. The news that Ning Yi had spread at the end of January immediately made many people recall the many poems that he had released during the Dragon Boat Festival a year ago. Therefore, some people were looking forward to the contents of the two new works, while others were rubbing their hands together, waiting for the day when the poems would be released so that they could surpass the other with better works.
In short, no matter what kind of mentality they had, they had attracted enough attention to the two Takeshi in Bianliang City, which were named "Evening Glow" and "Swift". Although it had only been a few days, the two Takeshi had become full of business, even the lotus root coal and coal stove business had increased several times. During this period, of course, there were also people with more connections who had begun to inquire about Ning Yi's news and background.
Even if the two restaurants were full, they could not accommodate that many customers. Using the hunger marketing methods of the later generations, whether it was Li Shishi's name or his own poems, there was more potential that could be unearthed. For example, when he returned home, Su Yanping and the others had suggested that he and Li Shishi should have an ambiguous relationship, so that they could visit the Fan House more often. However, Ning Yi knew when to stop, so he rejected these suggestions.
"It's enough to make people hate me. After all, doing business is a small stream. I want to open a restaurant with a poem, so that people can follow the poem. If in the end, everyone's curiosity is focused on Li Shishi, wouldn't all the business go to the Fan House? You guys only know how to come up with bad ideas … "
Business was business.
After Tan'Er, Xiaochan, Yunzhu, Jin'Er, and the others left one after another, Ning Yi, who was guarding his family, felt a little lonely.
Of course, this feeling wasn't depressing, but it made him feel a little strange. When the spring rain fell, Ning Yi would often deal with things at home, taking care of the child. Sometimes, he would turn his head and say to Ning Xi, who was sitting in the small car beside him, "When Dad is done, I will bring you to find your mother, who ran away from home, okay?"
The child in the wooden car shook the small toy in his hands. "Oh!" He nodded and clapped his hands in response.
"When the time comes, I will spank her!"
"Ah ah!"
"See, you also think that I make sense."
He smiled, picking up the brush and starting to write.
When Tan'Er and Xiaochan left, Xing'Er followed. Most of the time, it was either Juan 'er or the wet nurse that they had hired to take care of the child. Ning Yi didn't intend to let this go on for too long. Other than feeling a little lonely around him, the Ning Mansion was actually quite lively.
After talking with Ning Yi, Su Wending and the others didn't think much of the small conflict between the husband and wife. In fact, they still thought this conflict was proof that Ning Yi didn't know how to pick up girls. Zhu Biao took on the responsibility of training the Ning Mansion's guards, and at the same time, he was experiencing everything in the big city of Bianliang.
On the other hand, around the end of the year, there were also relatives of the Su family visiting. One of them stayed, the second son of Zhizhou Song Mao, who was related to the Su family. His name was Song Yongping. He was ranked fourth in Song Mao's branch, so his family called him Xiao Si. It was said that he was intelligent since young, and had the reputation of being a child prodigy. At the age of 19, he became a scholar, and this time, he came to the capital to participate in the Spring Imperial Examination.
Song Yongping had the experience of coming to the capital with his father before, so he was quite experienced. He came to the capital with two servants, made friends, and delivered the examination papers in an orderly manner. He looked dignified and dull, but in fact, he was quite smart and talented. Because he was born in an official's family, it could be seen that his impression of the Su family was quite conservative. Especially towards Ning Yi, it could be seen that his impression was complicated.
The Su family's son-in-law, but he also had the reputation of being the number one scholar in Jiangning. Last year, when the Su family was exterminated, he saved the entire Su family. It could be seen that he was very capable, but he didn't get involved in the officialdom … Song Mao could still get this information if he wanted to, but if it was passed to Song Yongping, it would be hard to say what would happen.
After he came to the Ning Mansion, he was quite close to Su Wending and the others. But as the son of an official who became a scholar at the age of 18, when he met these merchant relatives, of course he would feel superior. On the one hand, he maintained his cultivation and politeness. On the other hand, he was also observing Ning Yi, who sounded quite complicated.
However, when he came to the capital this time, he encountered the matter of Su Tan'er running away from home. A man who couldn't even control his own wife, it was hard to say how great his ability was. And although he was close to Su Wending and the other brothers, and the atmosphere of the family was also very relaxed and lively, relaxed and lively meant that there was no dignity. For a child like Song Yongping who came from a serious official's family, everything could only be in this direction.
This brother-in-law … may be smart, and also has the powerful means of ordinary smart people, but he is only as smart as a businessman, and probably can't be seen in public. He doesn't put on airs, and can play with the children at home alone, so there is no dignity. As a relative, he is a person who can be made friends in leisure time. But recently, he had a lot of important things to do, so he didn't have the time to deliberately manage.
At the beginning of February, this young scholar who moved into the Ning Mansion said so about his brother-in-law. Although he heard that he even had a relationship with Li Shishi, and might be able to help him, he didn't want to use such a relationship for the time being because of his pride as a scholar. As for the relationship between him and the Right Prime Minister, in fact, Song Mao and Qin Siyuan had been in contact before. This time when he came to the capital, before he came to the Ning Mansion, he first visited the Right Prime Minister with his father's letter.
For Song Yongping, who was used to official contacts and was well aware of the relationship of interests, he thought it was very clear that it was not impossible for businessmen to get in touch with the upper class. But even if you got in touch with them, it was just business contacts, and the other party may not take you seriously. Of course, he didn't need to ask for help since he had the ability. And in his opinion, even in the heart of the Right Prime Minister, the existence of his father was certainly higher than that of his brother-in-law.
Although the old man had mentioned the name of his brother-in-law twice after seeing him, of course, it was just a means of expressing affection …
As for the idea of his brother-in-law, Ning Yi certainly didn't want to explore it. If he really wanted to talk about cheating in the examination, Song Mao didn't say anything, and his business had not reached this step. As for the degree of intimacy, since the other party came, it was enough for him to prepare a good enough environment for him to prepare for the examination. After going to the Qin Mansion, he also mentioned this matter to Yao Zunian and others, and Yao Zunian gave some key points of the examination. On the fourth day of the New Year, Qin Siyuan also mentioned his brother-in-law to Ning Yi, and conveniently gave Ning Yi a few questions, "Take it back and let him have a look, but I don't know whether he will get it or not. Take it back and let him review it carefully …"
After saying this, he talked with Ning Yi about the next spring plowing.
Ning Yi knew Qin Siyuan's character, and he wouldn't help in this kind of thing for personal gain, because it was really too small, and there was no need for him to do it. These possible points were mostly guessed by him after chatting with other officials, but naturally, they were much more reliable than the outside world. After going back that day, he conveniently gave it to Song Yongping, "Prime Minister Qin asked me to give it to you, so that you can have a good rest these days and review by the way. And this one, it was guessed by Mr. Yao Zunian in the Prime Minister's Mansion. "
Song Yongping naturally knew Yao Zunian's name. On the day he visited, the old man was also there. After knowing that he was Song Mao's son, he even said a few words of encouragement to him.
Thinking back, when Qin Siyuan was dismissed, his father was also one of the people who visited.
That night, Song Yongping was reading in the courtyard with a book in his hand. Thinking of this matter, he shook his head and smiled faintly.
Sending charcoal in the snow was much better than icing on the cake. His father's face was really very useful, and his brother-in-law should also benefit from this matter. After all, they were a family, and it was natural to let them benefit a little …
Therefore, the next morning, he chatted with Su Wending, Su Wenfang, and the others more harmoniously …
After breakfast, Ning Yi said goodbye to Song Yongping and the others and went out to Fanlou. The two Takeshi performances were on the sixth and seventh day of the Chinese New Year. Today, it was necessary to meet with Miss Shishi, who was in charge of the performances. After Fanlou, he still had to go to the Qin Mansion to check the latest news from the Office of Secret Investigations about the Seven Buddhas of the South.
Although he had decided to settle Takeshi's matter after the Spring Quarter Examinations, he would take his child to find his mother, and probably wouldn't be able to wait for the Seven Buddhas of the South to enter the capital. But at least he still had some concern about the current situation of Chen Fan and the others. The Ministry of Justice had already made a decision to escort the prisoners to the capital and attract the people who broke out of the prisoners along the way. They would gradually lure out the rebels and catch them all in one fell swoop. They also sent two experienced and capable chief constables to participate in this matter. No matter what, he at least hoped that Chen Fan wouldn't be involved in this matter and lose his life.
Of course, this matter was ultimately not something he could influence. Other than watching the progress, he had no other choice …
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