Promotion and fortune in Song Dynasty

To Liu Qi's blurted question, Lu Ci only replied lightly: "You will know tomorrow."

It wasn't what he did at all, but what the little prince wanted to do.

Although Liu Qi wanted to ask, he hesitated for a while, but gave up. He had known Lu Ci for many years, and he knew that if the other party didn't want to reveal it, he really wouldn't say a word.

Zhu said it was a thoughtful look.

Judging from the fact that Brother Lu came back nearly two hours late and got the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet given by the imperial court, it was probably His Royal Highness's idea.

Either Brother Lu was assigned a new errand, or because of the accumulation of achievements in recent months, Brother Lu was about to be promoted.

Zhu said that with a slight movement in his mind, he had already guessed the truth.

But his face remained calm, and he only said in a warm voice: "Brother Lu, do you want to take a bath first? The hot soup is ready."

"It's exactly what I want." Lu Ci said with a smile, "It's troubled Brother Zhu."

Liu Qi looked left and right, and suddenly realized that among the three, he had the most redundant arrangements.

He felt inexplicably sour, and suggested unexpectedly: "Then how about I wipe your back for you?"

Hearing this, Di Qing, who had been keeping her head down obediently, suddenly raised her eyes and looked straight at Liu Qi.

The corner of Lu Ci's mouth twitched: "I appreciate your good intentions, but you should leave your unique skill of wiping your back with your hands to be enjoyed by your mother-in-law."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Ci walked back to the house, with Liu Qi who was not forgiving behind him: "Well, you Lu Qiaotong, you are the one who crosses the river and demolishes bridges like this? If I didn't get your letter, I need to ask If Chong Niang helped, how could you end up complaining bitterly, and now it is the reason for you to tease me..."

Zhu said with a helpless smile, watching the backs of the two people disappear behind the closed door, shook his head, turned to look at Di Qing, who was serious and serious, and said gently: "If you are hungry, let's fill your stomach with some snacks first." "If you are not hungry, why don't I help you read those few pages of the book again?"

Although Di Qing has ordinary aptitude in literary and fu, his temperament is calm and serious, and he has great perseverance. He believes that hard work can make up for one's weakness.

This is far more than some extremely talented but arrogant men who want Zhu Shuo to love.

Originally, it was only out of trust and respect for Lu Ci that he passed on his love to Di Qing, but after getting along with him these days, he has a lot of understanding of Di Qing's temperament, and he has a deep affection for Di Qing, and he spares no effort in helping him. up.

Di Qing chose the latter without hesitation: "Qing is cheeky, I need to trouble Brother Zhu again."

Zhu said with a smile: "It's a little effort."

So, when the hungry Lu Ci came back to the living room with his half-dry long hair twisted out of anxiety, plain and comfortable casual clothes, and Liu Qi who had not rubbed his back and was pestering for an explanation. At that time, I saw the little prince delivered a table of luxurious imperial meals as promised. The two people who did not move their chopsticks first ignored the fragrant wine and dishes, and only concentrated on studying the contents of the book.

——So hardworking.

Lu Ci laughed: "Although there are thousands of grains in the book, there is still a lack of a master chef. Don't read it yet, use it up before the dishes are cold."

The two turned their heads almost at the same time, and nodded at the same time. They put down the books in their hands at the same time, walked to the big round table and sat down.

Because the people in this room are all friends who have known each other for many years, and they don't talk about ethereal politeness.

After Lu Ci stretched out the chopsticks first, Liu Qi followed closely, and then Zhu said, Di Qing was the last one.

The first thing Lu Ci saw was the beautifully grilled leg of lamb in the middle.

He couldn't help attacking it first, and after tearing off several pieces of mutton that was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, juicy but not greasy, he couldn't help admiring: "The craftsmanship of this imperial chef is really extraordinary."

He misunderstood it, and took it as an imperial meal sent by the palace.

Di Qing, who was sitting next to Lu Ci, suddenly blushed when he heard this compliment.

Liu Qi laughed loudly, looked at Di Qing and said, "Did you hear that, Brother Di? If you don't have a good place to go someday, you can still stay at Yu Yu's house and be his cook."

Lu Ci was taken aback, turned his head suddenly, and looked at Di Qing in amazement: "Is this actually your craft?"

Di Qing's cheeks were hot, and he couldn't speak at all for a while.

Zhu said, frowning, disapproving: "Di Di hasn't finished yet, you shouldn't say such unlucky words."

Liu Qi gave a perfunctory 'Oh': "Brother Yu is outspoken, I'm sorry, Brother Di."

Di Qing shook his head.

No no no, this is extremely auspicious!

He cried out silently.

Lu Ci raised his eyebrows, but there was no smile on his face, and he asked coldly, "Didn't Brother Zhu give you enough homework, so that you still have time to go hunting in the city?"

He has always disapproved, let alone encourage Di Qing in a disguised form to abandon his studies at a young age and go hunting and other dangerous things.

When he was in Fenzhou, Di Qing knew the terrain of the surrounding mountains very well, so it's no big deal, now that he has not been in Kaifeng Mansion for a long time, it is extremely dangerous to return to his old business?

He called people to the capital, not to enslave child labor to hunt game for himself, let alone for any reward.

And it was purely because the other party was pleasing, the situation was a little pitiful, and I worked very hard to catch his eye, so I offered the best opportunity.

Just like when he first saw Zhu Shuo living alone in the cave, he took the initiative to invite someone to live with him because he liked Zhu Shuo's pure, kind and sincere nature.

Di Qing had never heard Lu Ci speak in such a cold tone, and felt hurt for a moment, but was stunned.

Zhu said he quickly explained.

Hearing that it was not Di Qing who disobeyed and risked hunting just to please himself, but just went to the market to snap up the mutton that was in short supply, Lu Ci's expression softened completely.

"It's my fault. I misunderstood you." Lu Ci always admits his mistakes. He was extremely straightforward, and even poured Di Qing a cup of freshly squeezed hawthorn juice. While rubbing Di Qing's head affectionately, he said earnestly: "But when you were in Fenzhou, I told you not to do hunting anymore. You are young, so you should be taken care of honestly and concentrate on your studies."

Speaking of this, Lu Ci paused, and simply added another sentence, so that Di Qing would be more likely to believe: "Whenever you can get a name in Gongju, that will make me happier than giving me a thousand lamb legs. .”

Di Qing forced a smile, clenched his fist uneasily, and let it go again.

To him, the difficulty of passing the tribute exam is obviously much higher than hunting a thousand sheep.

What's more, at his age, at most he can catch up with the next tribute examination, and there is a high probability that he will not pass.

If you go hunting outside the city in your spare time, it will make Lu Gongzu unhappy; but if you don't go, then you will have to go out and not in, relying on the little money he brought from Fenzhou and saved along the way, soon It's time to sit and eat.

He neither wants to be Lu Gongzu's burden, nor does he want to leave Lu Gongzu's side so early.

What can I do then?

Di Qing only felt that since he was born from the womb, he has never been in such a dilemma, or had such a big worry.

Lu Ci's entanglement with Di Qing can more or less be guessed.

Based on his understanding of Di Qing, a prematurely mature little guy, he was probably worried about money.

Lu Ci smiled, gave Di Qing a chopsticks of food, and explained: "You don't have to worry about money. After accepting your seventeen sticks that day, I made my own decision and invested it in my mother's small economy , It has become a living money to make money. Although the profit is not much, it is more than enough for you to eat and drink alone."

On this point, what Lu Ci said was true.

Not only the living expenses paid by Di Qing, but also the salaries Liu Qi and Zhu said were partly sent back to support the family, and the rest was put into Lu Ci's hands, so that he could help invest in Lu's mother's business in Mizhou Up.

Because Lu Mu gave birth to Lu Ci, a three-yuan and first-ranked Wenqu star, almost everyone in Mizhou knew about it. She was quick-witted and immediately opened a bookstore. Even though the scale is small, the business is very good. It's booming.

"As for reading..."

When he looked at Liu Qi, the latter immediately understood, and replied confidently: "There are many academies in Beijing, and I am also working in the pavilion. I am a bit thin-skinned. Although I can't go to learn too much, other places, after a while Day, I can always pick the best one for you to go."

Zhu said and nodded, and added: "Before I find it, I will take the position of teacher and teach you some basics."

Lu Ci laughed: "Brother Zhu signed the title in one fell swoop, which is too modest."

Zhu said he waved his hand, and Liu Qi's mouth twitched: "I'm really sorry, I only won the second round."

Zhu said that it is not easy to make a modest resignation.

A few people chatted and laughed, and made the decision to let Di Qing stay in Beijing for a long time to study.

Di Qing was stunned, and it took him a while to react, and hurriedly said: "This is not—"

Before Di Qing could utter any excuses, Lu Ci coughed lightly, interrupted him, and changed the subject very naturally: "Have you ever heard of Zhiju?"

Zhu said that with a thought, he immediately guessed that Lu Ci's next mission might be related to Zhiju: "I've heard a little bit about it."

Liu Qiyi said: "I don't know much about it. The last edict was over 20 years ago, right?"

At that time, he was still a boy with long hair, so he didn't care about these things.

Di Qing knew nothing about it.

Lu Ci smiled and bewitched: "Those who should be recruited can be white or have officials. Those who enter the third class in the end are more likely to be promoted, and those who enter the fourth class can also be promoted to an official, even if they only enter the third class." Those who are in the fourth class can also be transferred a little bit..."

Liu Qi debunked it expressionlessly: "However, since the founding of the Song Dynasty, there have only been five rounds of competitions, and there are only 12 people in total."

The difficulty can be imagined.

Although his reaction was a step slower than what Zhu said, now he has come to his senses - it must be that Little Taotie was assigned to an errand related to the military, and he was unwilling to suffer alone, so he dragged them into the water together to be him as a companion Son.

The key point is that, apart from Lu Ci, who has been promoted like a monster, it is only two months before he and Zhu Shuo will be fully qualified in three years.

After the Ministry of Officials has done their research, they will be able to raise it under normal circumstances.

Why do you have to relive the pain of preparing for the Gongju, and take the trouble to take this exam, just to get up to the next level sooner?

To Lu Ci's surprise, the two friends had already mastered the lesson. Although his main purpose was to change the topic, he was a little surprised that his intention was seen through immediately.

But he has always been thick-skinned, even though he was condemned by the eyes at this time, he still looked calm, without any guilt, and said shamelessly: "The important thing is not the result, but the participation."

Unlike Zhu Shuo, who was kind and restrained from laughing, Liu Qi chuckled on the spot, and said without appreciation: "Then I really have to thank Yu Yu for her kindness."

Lu Ci said generously, "You're welcome."

Liu Qi: "..."

There was nothing Lu Ci could do in terms of words, and as revenge, he had no choice but to viciously snatch away a large piece of mutton that was most favored by Lu Ci.