Promotion and fortune in Song Dynasty

In the eyes of the world, Suizhou is just an inconspicuous backcountry, and there are very few rich families living in the area, and Ouyang Xiu is most familiar with the nearby Li family in the south of the city.

When he was younger, he played with several descendants of the Li family because they were about the same age, and luckily got a lot of opportunities to borrow books.

It's a pity that those friends who had "friendship" with him later stayed in the ethnic studies with better conditions for further study after a little longer.

With the estrangement of the relationship, it became more and more difficult for him to open his mouth to continue to borrow books, and before he knew it, there were only nodding acquaintances left.

It has been a wonderful thing for many years to be able to touch the rich collection of books so happily and read them at will.

Ouyang Xiu, who entered the study for the first time, was dazzled by the dazzling collection of books at once, and his eyes were shining brightly, touching this and flipping through that.

He was embarrassed to borrow books for the first time, so he seemed insatiable, but there were so many things he wanted to read and couldn't bear to let go...

Before making the final choice to borrow books for the first time, he frowned, feeling really entangled.

When Ouyang Xiu was still having a hard time making a choice, the generous Lord Lu had already returned to his room in a considerate manner.

The students who were left behind, how could they save their plans like a cloud, gradually lost their interest, and soon found a reason to leave; and they were really full of longing for the hustle and bustle, and they also chose the books they wanted to read , I couldn’t wait to borrow it home, and I was going to read it carefully; Ouyang Xiu was the only one left with two books in his hand. Afterwards, he smiled and said, "My lord, just now I have asked the lord that you can borrow the two books, don't be too embarrassing."

Ouyang Xiu was taken aback for a moment, and then his face was flushed.

...His "dilemma" gesture just now made people ignore it, and let the generous landlord know about it.

"Thank you."

Ouyang Xiu, who really wanted to borrow the two copies together, quickly got rid of the little embarrassment because his long-cherished wish was fulfilled, thanked this kind servant solemnly, and said sincerely: "Please trouble me , thank Lu Gong for me."

The servant nodded.

After politely leading Ouyang Xiu out of the gate, he didn't delay for a moment, and hurried to Lu Ci's room, and recounted the conversation just now.

Lu Ci was lazily lying on the rocking chair, staring at an ordinary wood grain on the beam, as if in a daze aimlessly.

Hearing this, he didn't make any response, and just nodded his head briefly for a long time, expressing his understanding.

Xiafu has seen his dispirited look recently, although he was very worried, but he couldn't say anything to comfort him, so he retreated silently.

After the servant left, Lu Ci still maintained the posture of lying on the gently shaking rocking chair, seemingly indifferent.

After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly and slowly closed his eyes, as if he was thinking about something quietly.

And at this moment, Ouyang Xiu, who was carrying two heavy books on his back, returned home with unconcealed joy.

His mother, Mrs. Zheng, was washing the clothes of her employer in the courtyard, when she heard a slight movement from the wooden door, she couldn't help calling out with a smile: "Xiu'er is back?"

"Mother."

Hearing the greeting, Ouyang Xiu quickly put the book bag carefully on the bench, then searched for the sound, and said distressedly: "Why do you take on these jobs to wash again? Didn't I say that it's cold in winter, if it's short In addition to expenses, I can also take on some copying jobs—”

Mrs. Zheng shook her head and interrupted him: "It's the beginning of spring after Chinese New Year. How can it be called winter? Xiu'er only needs to study hard. I know it in my heart, and I won't try my best."

Her Xiu'er is filial and considerate, but she is not someone who can be lazy.

Although it was early spring, the weather was still very cold. Xiu'er had always been weak. Even in a house burning with coarse coal, her hands and feet were cold.

If it's for studying, she can barely hold back the pain in her heart and say, "It's hard work"; but if it's for subsidizing the family, she will let Xiu'er copy some non-helpful textbooks. If it delays her studies...it will damage her future. How could it be possible to make up for it with just a few hundred dollars?

Seeing that Xiu'er wanted to come up to grab the clothes in her hand to wash, Zheng's eyes turned, and he threw the half-washed clothes into the clean basin, and waved his feet to the side, and just happened to see Ping Ri's clothes out of the corner of his eyes. The empty but bulging book bag hurriedly changed the subject and said, "Why did you bring home the books from the school? Could it be that you took the wrong one?"

"Mother misunderstood."

Ouyang Xiu was not so easily fooled.After explaining the origin of the book in a few words, he helplessly looked at the exaggeratedly surprised mother who wanted to ask: "Mother, you..."

"Oh, I forgot!"

At this moment, Mrs. Zheng really remembered something that she wanted to say before, but was driven away by the interruption just now, and hurriedly said: "Your Uncle Ye is taking advantage of the many holidays. Come back, I'm at home now, go and have a look."

The effect of these words can be described as immediate.

Ouyang Xiu was stunned for a moment, his eyes lit up, and he ran away without a trace.

"I know you have a good relationship with your uncle Ye."

Mrs. Zheng smiled lovingly, and waited for his back to disappear at the door, then bent down to turn back the wooden basin that had been secretly hidden, and seized the time to continue washing.

If it is the person Ouyang Xiu respects the most in this world, apart from his biological father who passed away early, it must be Ouyang Ye.

Although Ouyang Ye had to support his family and his widow, sister-in-law and nephew with a salary, it was very difficult in all aspects, but he never refused for a moment.

In addition to providing material assistance as much as possible, he often asks his nephew's homework when he has spare time, and is often amazed by the talent that this nephew showed when he was young, and praises him in front of Mrs. Zheng.

It's just that after the expiration of his uncle's term as the Tuiguan in Suizhou, he has been traveling all over the country and rarely returns to Suizhou.

Strictly speaking, it has been three years since he last saw Zheng's mother and son.

"Xiuer!"

Ouyang Ye, who was talking with his friend with his head down, caught a glimpse of a figure walking quickly out of the corner of his eye, and subconsciously looked up.

Almost in the blink of an eye, he recognized the identity of this pale and thin young man from the eyebrows and eyes that were very similar to those of his dead brother when he was young: "I was about to go to your house, but I told you to come first."

"uncle."

Still out of breath, Ouyang Xiu walked up to Ouyang Ye, stood still first, then lowered his head and cupped his hands and said, "Long time no see."

"I won't bother you two uncles and nephews to catch up on the past." Seeing this situation, the friend smiled knowingly, and said goodbye on the spot: "Just remember to have a few drinks with me before you return to office! "

"Alright," Ouyang Ye didn't refuse, and responded with a smile along with the words: "To thank you for your fulfillment, I will definitely."

After seeing off his friends, Ouyang Ye looked at Ouyang Xiu with a smile, feeling a little bit relieved: "The last time I saw you, I seemed to be a young man with a long hair, but this time I saw you, you are already a tall and handsome man... "

Whether you look at the eyebrows or raise your hands or feet, you can vaguely see the demeanor of your brother back then.

If the elder brother is still there, he will be proud of this son.

When Ouyang Ye thought about it, he couldn't help being a little sad. After meeting Ouyang Xiu's adoring eyes, he quickly restrained his feelings, and asked with a smile about the studies of his nephew, whom he had been optimistic about since he was a child. .

"You've only turned seventeen, why bother to end?"

After learning that Ouyang Xiu had passed the examination last fall, Ouyang Ye was taken aback for a moment, and shook his head disapprovingly: "Haste makes waste, and the same is true for scientific research."

Ouyang Ye recalled his ups and downs in the tribute exams, and he knew very well the harm of spoiling the seedlings and getting too many failures-financial resources and time are still trivial matters, and the most serious thing is the blow to the originally high-spirited young man.

Once that vigor is thwarted, even if you have real talents and learning in the future, it will be difficult to perform well under extreme tension and worrying about gains and losses. That is the hope that has been cut off at the root.

Ouyang Xiu pursed his lips.

Although he didn't think so, he didn't want to refute his uncle's kindness out of caring.

How could he not know the harm of frequent failures?

However, the family is destitute all the year round, and life is difficult. In addition to daily expenses, there is also a large amount of expenses brought about by private schools, paper and pens, etc.

Now, apart from my uncle's uninterrupted efforts to support me, I have to rely on my mother's hard work to support me.Even if you can hold on now, your body will be worn down sooner or later.

He was already unable to make ends meet, not to mention that his sister was about to marry in two years, but the family couldn't afford any decent dowry at all...

In order to improve his depressed family situation, his only way out is to 'responsibly serve his relatives' as soon as possible.

Ouyang Xiu's face was troubled, Ouyang Ye thought about it and understood, and couldn't restrain his heartache.

The young man is eager to establish a career, isn't it because of his honest and filial piety?

It's just that even if he has the heart, facing his salary that seems to be a drop in the bucket after being divided, he can only sigh helplessly.

It was still Ouyang Xiu who didn't want to see the rare reunion with his uncle, but was shrouded in a heavy and condensed atmosphere, wasting the time for talking, so he quickly cheered up and invited him to come over for a sit-down.

Ouyang Ye couldn't understand his thoughtfulness, and his heart was even softer. Without saying a word, after agreeing, he talked and laughed with him all the way, and walked to Zheng's temporary rented house.

Before the door was opened, the two had already smelled a tempting aroma of food.

"Sister-in-law's culinary skills are getting better and better." Ouyang Ye smiled and opened the door to enter. Sure enough, he saw a table of delicious dishes that were still steaming hot. cooked meals."

Mrs. Zheng felt good in her heart, but she still said angrily: "It's clearly just plain food, I can't afford my uncle's praise."

Ouyang Xiu couldn't help smiling.

After the family sat down around the table, because they rarely got together, they didn't pay attention to the rules of 'no talking when eating, no talking when sleeping', but talked and laughed.

But in the end, uncles, sisters-in-law, and men and women are different. To avoid suspicion, the person who communicated with Ouyang Ye the most during the dinner was naturally the only nephew in the family, Ouyang Xiu.

After hearing Ouyang Xiu shyly explain the reasons for his failure, Ouyang Ye felt deeply regretful at first, and then comforted him by saying: "You are the first time to come to the stage, and you have no experienced guidance, so you will make the mistake of falling into the official rhyme, which is very common. But, you don't have to think about it, just pay special attention in the future."

Ouyang Xiu had heard similar words from his friends countless times, but he was still unable to go out for a while due to the disappointment caused by his accidental miss in the first examination room, and he just curled his lips bitterly and nodded slightly when he heard the words.

Ouyang Ye could see that he was still brooding, and he wanted to say a few more words. Ouyang Xiu had already pulled himself together, and smiled and talked to him about the good things that happened this afternoon.

"—The master with the surname Lu?"

Ouyang Ye thought back for a while in confusion, then shook his head: "I've never heard of it."

In Suizhou, a remote state and county, few unrelated outsiders moved here, most of them came to recognize their ancestors and return to their ancestors.

Not to mention a scholarly family who has the financial resources to purchase manors and collect books from the very beginning.

At any rate, he had served as an official in Suizhou for three years, and had read countless files. If he had ever lived in such a family, he could not have no memory of it.

Ouyang Ye was also aroused a bit of curiosity: "What is his specific name, do you know?"

Ouyang Xiu was slightly taken aback.

After what his uncle said, after thinking about it carefully for a while, he was surprised to realize that he had never heard the generous lord report his past experience or his name from the beginning to the end.

"I just remember that when He Lang called him 'Lu Gong', he didn't make any modest remarks, but accepted it calmly..."

Ouyang Xiu rummaged through his memory for a while, and finally found some clues that could prove his identity.

What he can still see is that most of the books on the bookshelf have subtle signs of being turned.

This is enough to prove that the owner's house is not some arty, buying books as a display, but has actually read them all.

So many books, and in such a short period of time... Whether it is to read carefully or to watch flowers on horseback, it is extraordinary for ordinary people.

Ouyang Ye nodded thoughtfully.

When the two uncles and nephews were thinking about each other in silence, Ouyang Ye suddenly thought of something, and was amused by his absurd conjecture on the spot: "To be honest, the most worthy of the 'beautiful and incomparable' is the educated man with the surname Lu. Under the sun, I am afraid that only the emperor's favorite minister, Lu Ci and Lu Yuyu, who is currently serving in Beijing, can afford it."

It's just that such an upstart, hot upstart, how could he somehow come to this humble and poor state, Yuan County, and stay at home all day long, doing nothing?

"If this Master Lu is the Lord Lu," Ouyang Ye raised his cup and laughed at himself casually, "Then I will eat this cup and wine together."