Promotion and fortune in Song Dynasty

Although Ouyang Ye had a drink with his nephew whom he hadn't seen for a long time, he had a sense of proportion and didn't get drunk.

So early the next morning, he regained his energetic appearance, and went to reunite with his friends who had parted early yesterday.

While happily changing cups and cups, Ouyang Ye suddenly remembered the manor owner whose surname was Lu mentioned by his nephew, and couldn't help asking.

It’s just the news that a small manor has changed hands. It’s not a sensation at all, let alone that the new owner even signed the deed by sending servants to act as agents. …

So much so that when Ouyang Ye asked, these friends who held various positions in the government office knew nothing about it.

Ouyang Ye couldn't find the answer, so he didn't pay much attention to it, he just put this little question to the back of his mind, and happily went on to drink with his friends.

In the blink of an eye, three days had passed, and despite Ouyang Ye's reluctance, he hurriedly embarked on his way back to his post.

If it was the past, when he separated from his friendly uncle, Ouyang Xiu would not show it on the face, but he would be depressed for several days in his heart.

But this time, because there are countless books to borrow and read, which more or less distracted his mind, and he was thinking about the half-read book at home, unknowingly, Ouyang Xiu quickly went from sad to sad. Freed from the mood.

Mrs. Zheng, who had always been worried that Xiu'er, who had admired her uncle since she was a child, would be unhappy because of parting, after careful observation for a while, saw that Ouyang Xiu seemed to be obsessed with studying. She was surprised and completely relieved.

While preparing food for Xiu'er with a smile, she couldn't help being very grateful to the generous Lord Lu who was willing to lend precious books to students who were not relatives or friends.

During the New Year's Eve, except for being dragged by his best friend Li Shuqiang to participate in an elegant gathering, Ouyang Xiu almost stayed at home, concentrating on his studies all the time.

He read the two borrowed books for the first time that night.In the next few days, I chewed carefully, tasted it over and over again, and made notes on blank paper.

Although he didn't know whether Master Lu's words of "you can come to borrow books at will in the future" said that day, whether it was sincere or just a polite remark.

But he knew that he had to have the cheek to try it, and he couldn't let this opportunity slip away.

So after thoroughly reading these two books, Ouyang Xiu rushed to the day before the college would resume classes, carried the borrowed books on his back, and brought a small box of pastries specially prepared by his mother, and summoned up his courage to go there. to the manor.

Li Shu happened to arrive just before he went out, and originally wanted to ask him out, but when he heard that he was going to return the books and borrow them, he waved his hands hurriedly and said, "Then I won't accompany you, Uncle Yong, this time." I’ve gone, the one I borrowed, but I haven’t turned a few pages yet.”

His family doesn't rush him to end, and it's rare for him to have consecutive holidays, so he can relax and relax, why bother to work so hard?

Everyone's situation is different, Ouyang Xiu only nodded to Li Shu who showed an embarrassed expression, and walked out without any advice.

From his house to Lu's Manor, even if he walked quickly, he still had to walk for an hour.

It would be much easier to rent a donkey instead of traveling, but Ouyang Xiu never thought about it—money is tight at home, how could he not be able to walk this far, and waste that money?

However, the recent spring rains have been continuous, and the ground is wet and muddy. When he finally walked to the gate of the manor that he had visited once, most of his thin shoes had already been submerged by the muddy water, and he was very embarrassed.

Ouyang Xiu pursed his lips in embarrassment.

He has long been used to the biting cold of shoes and socks soaked in dirty water, but he was negligent. He forgot to bring a new pair of shoes as he usually does before going to the academy—how could he step into the shoes with such dirty soles? The windows are bright and clean, and the study room is spotless?

After hesitating for a moment, Ouyang Xiu decided not to knock on the door, but to go back home and come back with a change of socks.

It's just that what he didn't know was that Lu Ci, who was in the study on the second floor, had seen clearly how he hesitated, finally made up his mind, and was about to turn around and leave.

Lu Ci immediately recognized this pale and thin young man as the famous "drunkard" in history books.

Seeing that someone came quietly but hesitated at the gate, although he didn't know the specific reason, it was impossible for someone to leave without making a sound.

Then he summoned his servants and gave him a few simple instructions. The servant who took the order ran out of the gate and brought back Ouyang Xiu who hadn't gone far.

Ouyang Xiu, who looked surprised, had not yet figured out what was going on, and was taken into the warm hall by the burning charcoal basin by the enthusiastic servants.

He was about to be ashamed of the mud footprints he left behind, so he had to take a new suit of clothes and shoes and socks handed over by the other party, which was much thicker than the one he was wearing, and went to the cubicle to change.

When he returned to the hall with a full belly full of question marks and a clean body, he saw the owner of this place who he had seen that day, wearing a linen mourning dress with an unrestrained and unrestrained demeanor.

"The student took the liberty to come to the door and disturb Lu Gong."

Ouyang Xiu didn't know that the polite and preferential treatment he received from his servants was all because of the order of the handsome gentleman in front of him, and he immediately performed a big gift.

"Uncle Yong, you don't need to be too polite." Lu Ci smiled: "I'm new here, I'm not familiar with the place, and I have a filial piety, so the door is really deserted. Thanks to you, I made a special trip to pay New Year's greetings. I welcome you again. But, how can it be called 'disturbing'?"

Ouyang Xiu was provoked by this heart-warming words, so he raised his head after a long while, blushed and said truthfully: "...don't dare to hide it from Mr. Lu, the students didn't come here purely to celebrate the New Year, and they have other purposes."

With Lu Gong's exquisite mind, how could he fail to see the real purpose of his endorsement?

Instead of taking the step of "visiting the New Year" with no conscience, it is better to admit it honestly, so as to be worthy of the heart.

Lu Ci blinked, and was amused by the truth: "Since Uncle Yong is honest with each other, then I won't hide it from you - after that day, you will be the first one among you to visit."

In fact, the one who wanted to visit the most was He Qiyun who took the lead.

It's just that he was terrified by Lu Ci's clear eyes that day, and he felt guilty. Even if the elders in the family persuaded him openly and secretly, he would not dare to make friends with him easily.

Ouyang Xiu was taken aback when he heard the words, and didn't know what to say for a moment.

He is not familiar with the other students, and he doesn't know the thoughts of others, so he can't justify them, it's better to keep silent--as for the thoughts of adding insult to injury, he has never had it before.

Seeing him showing a slight embarrassment, Lu Ci smiled slightly, and did not continue to linger on this topic, but changed the subject: "Seeing that you really love studying, I have something to say to you, but it is inevitable that there will be friendship." If you are suspicious of shallow words, you just pick and listen."

Ouyang Xiu's expression froze, he subconsciously straightened his body, bowed his head and said, "Please speak, Mr. Lu."

"If what I expected is not bad," Lu Ci said in a gentle tone, but his words hit the nail on the head: "You study hard in the cold window, and you naturally have the heart to advance through the scientific examination. In my opinion, human energy is limited. Before, the books you read should not be too complicated, but should be specialized."

Ouyang Xiu was stunned for a moment.

The people around him, whether they are friends, classmates, or his wife, all persuade him to read more and read more. Seeing him often holding books in his arms, they only praise him for his hard work, but there is no one who is as straightforward as Lu Gong. It reveals the crux of the problem that he has been vaguely aware of but hard to describe.

Although it was just a simple sentence, he was like enlightened, and instantly realized the difference in level and realm between the two sides.

Facing this faintly smiling, but majestic Duke Lu, Ouyang Xiu's mentality was completely different.

He bowed deeply, and said sincerely: "I would like to ask Mr. Lu to teach the students a few more words."

"You can't be called a teacher." Lu Ci sneered slightly, and said in a warm voice: "Although you and I have only met each other twice, it is not difficult to see that you have such ambitions in your heart. As long as you have good talents and learning, you will be famous all over the world sooner or later. However, going to the exam is different from writing poems and essays in ordinary times. It is important to have excellent knowledge and excellent vocabulary, but often some people ignore the more important rules, so that they are deposed, and they are defeated."

Of course, Lu Ci did not have any doubts about how excellent Ouyang Xiu's talent was.

However, the scene in the scientific examination is completely different from the freedom of writing poems and songs in the usual collection, and pays more attention to detailed rules.

Official rhyme, word count, footnotes that must be written in the answer sheet... It seems basic, but it is often unknown to students with less experience in the field, so that they are dismissed in a daze.

The examiners who mark the papers have different standards, but for the most obvious mistakes of rhyme, dot, missing rhyme, more or less words, it is absolutely impossible to miss them.

As long as it is a test paper that violates these, there is no need to look at it at all. At best, it is a pity, and it will be divided into the pile that was dismissed.

Speaking of the understanding of these systems, as Lu Ci, who once won the Sanyuan by chance, and later served as the examiner for the tribute examination and the chief examiner for the Zhikege examination, he really deserves Ouyang Xiu's worship. And that one 'teach'.

"Don't get me wrong," Lu Ci said with a smile when he met Ouyang Xiu's expectant eyes, which were hesitant to speak, "I never mean 'study is useless', but whether it is for food, rice, oil, salt, Whether it is to support the family, or to help the people and serve the king, you need to keep your true desire first, study the time and literature first, gain fame, and only when the conditions and tools are ripe can you get rid of the shackles, isn't it free?"

It is obviously unrealistic to talk about the pursuit of ideals in the dilemma of being unable to feed oneself.

But if you want to climb the ladder of imperial examinations, you have to study the rules honestly and strive for an early pass.

After being an official for so many years, Lu Ci has never seen someone who is famous by relying on tribute, but then dismisses the "Shi Wen" of the corresponding exam, and even hates it deeply.

However, the most important thing in the exam is the basic format of government documents.Even if you pass the imperial examination and then serve as an official, it is impossible to write four or six parallel essays.Besides, parallel prose is only a type of style, and there are many excellent works out of it. Just because scientific research only focuses on parallel prose, it is too extreme and one-sided to have a rebellious and exclusive attitude towards it.

Besides, if you want to write four or six essays well, it is not a simple thing that can be done by "letting go of your body"-in addition to the style, the meaning of thought, and many skills, the most important thing is the understanding of the examination system of.

For Ouyang Xiu, who is from a poor family and lives in a remote and culturally backward Suizhou, what he lacks most is the guidance that a person who is familiar with this field can give.

Whether it is a master from Suizhou State School or a teacher in a private school, I am afraid that there are very few people who have really played the game and achieved rankings in the game, and even none of them are high school students. How can I provide him with any good? suggestion?

Lu Ci's words were quite simple, but he successfully changed Ouyang Xiu's state of mind drastically.

Lu Ci stopped short, and after these words, Ouyang Xiu, who was deep in thought, was left behind, and went back to his room first.

And Ouyang Xiu sat for a long time like a sleepwalker, borrowed a book in a daze, even under the persuasion of his servants, was helped onto the donkey, and was escorted all the way back home, his mother was surprised to thank him... …

Many things failed to leave much imprint on his heart, but all remained on the scene just now.

Seeing that he was out of his mind and kept silent all the time, Zheng was worried, but held back from asking.

But lying on the bed, staring at the tent, after an unknown amount of time, Ouyang Xiu suddenly got a jolt, sat up suddenly, lit the lamp that he was usually reluctant to light, and after scanning the bare walls of the house, he buried his head and began to write.

What is formed by pen and ink is a book with gorgeous and formal wording.

At this moment, his heart, like a mirror, is unprecedentedly clear and enlightened.

Even if he is a villain who is aggressive and anxious for a while...he still wants to try to seize this opportunity, and beg this Duke Lu to give him some guidance for him who has been groping in the fog.

The author has something to say: in history, Ouyang Xiu really went on a special trip to study in order to ask someone to teach him the skills of the examination room, so he wrote such a book, but it was written for Xu Yan.