Old things in the Red Chamber

"You don't understand, a good pen, ink, paper and inkstone is like your favorite treasured sword, BMW and precious armor. You kill the enemy with the sword, and I use the pen to compete with others. Therefore, if you want to do a good job, you must first benefit yourself Instrument, your pen, my brother confiscated it."

Jia Cong took away a writing brush on Jia Xun's writing desk, and handed it to the servant behind him, "Hold it, it's a good thing."

The servant held it with a bitter face, he already held a box of ink ingots in his hand.

"You're almost done. Let me tell you, just the 12 yuan ink has made my flesh hurt for a long time, and you are still not satisfied."

Jia Xun looked at Jia Cong with his hands behind his back, looking around with his eyes in his study, and took away what he liked, knowing that he was here to suppress it.

"I don't know, I thought you were from the army. You said that I am not as thick-skinned as a serious warrior. I just found out today that you scholars are the ones who are shameless."

"Brother, if you have the ability, you should go to the gate of the tribute courtyard and call. It is useless to tell my younger brother. Seeing how stingy you are, my younger brother will stop picking. After a few days, my younger brother will be on the list, and then come to accept my elder brother. Congratulations." He waved his hand to let the boy back down, and Jia Cong pulled up a stool and sat opposite Jia Xuan, "I heard that before the exam, I want to ask for auspicious luck and a good fortune. My classmates went to worship Wenquxing together. Just do the opposite and come to find you, brother."

"I'm not Wenquxing. If you think there are too many people worshiping Wenquxing, and you want my brother to take you to the Confucian Temple, we can discuss this."

"Not to worship the Confucian Temple, brother, are you an official of the imperial court?"

"Yes."

"Some people say that imperial court officials have the luck of the imperial court, and even the things they use are stained. I use your pen, as if I have a little bit of imperial luck. Isn't it more effective than asking for clay sculptures in temples? Oh, there are so many candidates in the world, and Wen Quxing is too busy for the old man, especially he himself is the one who begs him. Didn’t it mean that all the champions come down to earth? One in three years, one in three years, my brother counts, there are many in the world. How many Wenqu stars, he can't handle it himself, let alone take care of others."

"Gao Lun" Jia Xuan put down the teacup, "You said it earlier, the pens I usually use are for my own use, and I will bring you the ones on the desk in my yamen. Those are official documents, no worse than the ones you just brought The one that went was strong."

"A little scholar, using your pen to approve official documents is a bit overkill. I will give it to me when I am admitted to Jinshi. I have made up my mind. When I am admitted to Jinshi, I will use your pen for official documents. When I take the imperial examination, Use your uncle's pen to approve official documents, after all, he is a senior official than you."

Jia Xun didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Let me tell you the truth, the correspondence documents of the Ministry of War are all worrying about the petty officials, the more official ones, unless it is a memorial, they rarely do it. Take your uncle as an example, even if it is a memorial, it is also an aide. They wrote it, you, you should use my pen to go all the way to the palace test."

Jia Cong has gained knowledge, and took the boys back to his home, first to greet Jia She, because he was already a young boy, he stood in front of Jia She with his chest upright, as if Jia She was the first Seeing Jia Xuan's appearance for the first time, for no reason, made Jia Amnesty a lot happier.

"How about relaxing? I heard that the Confucius Temple and the Confucian Temple in the east of the city are lively. Have you gone to worship?"

"The sage who worships Confucius every day, and usually respects Wenquxing. There is no need to go there today. It is better to spend time in peacetime than to hold Buddha's feet temporarily. Today, my son went to his uncle's house. Brother Xun is taking a rest today. My son is cheeky. Ask for a good box of ink and a good pen."

The pen was used, and Jia Amnesty didn't care, the ink was really good ink, when I opened the box, I smelled a delicate fragrance, the color was bright black, and each ingot was engraved with a scene, as if it was a work of art by the gods. Not bad.Jia Amnesty picked up one piece, "This is... the Moon Reflected in the Three Pools" put it down and picked up another piece, "This is... the evening glow of Lei Feng" Then he took out the ink ingots one by one and spread them carefully on the table, except for the scenery of the West Lake. There are still a few pieces of scenery with mountains and peaks, "This is the Junji Peak of Songshan Mountain, this is the Lushan Mountain Waterfall, and the sunrise on Mount Tai is a good thing." I also took out the box containing the ink ingots and looked at it. I turned it over and over again. At the bottom, there is a line of small characters. Because it is too small, it took a lot of effort to read it clearly, "It turned out to be a masterpiece of Master Cao in the previous dynasty. Sure enough, there are no worthy people under the great reputation."

After sighing, he committed the Jia family's old problem, and said to Jia Cong, "Nie Zong, such a good thing has been ruined in your hands."

Seeing his father, Jia Cong turned his face instantly, and closed his mouth half-opened in response, "My son respects the master."

Jia Amnesty really liked it, but he didn't do anything like stealing his son's gift, but his son still had to be beaten. "Nie Zhan" just scolded him, and thought about his exam tomorrow. Too much scolding is not good for the exam. , "This thing is older than you. I see that the seal on the box has passed through the hands of several people before it got into your hands. You should cherish it even more. Let me tell you that you are not allowed to use this box of ink ingots. There is no shortage of ink ingots at home." What you use should be passed on to your son, do you hear me?"

Jia Cong obediently agreed, and went back to the yard with the box in his hands.

As soon as he returned to his yard, his nanny greeted him, "It can be regarded as coming back. I made the robe for the third master. The third master will try it on and wear it tomorrow. The basket that the third master ordered to be brought into the examination hall was prepared by myself. Yes, I will watch it with my own eyes today, and hand it over to the third master tomorrow."

Since Jia Cong moved to Jia She, his treatment has been much better than when he was a child. He used to live with his nanny, but now he has four servants, two second-class maids, and two rough maids.There is a separate courtyard, the north is the courtyard of Jia Lian and his wife, and the west is neighbors with the Grand View Garden. Sometimes when I see Jia Baoyu holding the moon with stars, I also laugh at myself, "I also live next to the Grand View Garden."

Today's two neighbors are uneasy. Since Jia Lian was beaten and scolded by Wang Xifeng for a few days, it is rare that he dared not choke with Wang Xifeng.Ping'er went to Rongguo Mansion to find a good sore medicine, and declared to the world that Jia Lian was not doing well and was beaten by the elder, so as to avoid the topic of Jia Lian being beaten because he had a head and tail with a woman.

The members of the Jia family came to inquire about Jia Lian's injury in a symbolic way, and they came more to flatter Wang Xifeng. They laughed and scolded loudly in the yard all day, fearing that Jia Cong would miss Jia Cong's study, or Jia Amnesty scolded Wang Xifeng's companions. After a while, the whole family fell silent.Today, the Grand View Garden next door is not quiet anymore, even though the Grand View Garden is full of girls’ homes, it’s easy to cry loudly.

"Mommy, what's going on next door?" Jia Cong put the box away, heard the crying sound, it was vague, it was not obvious during the day, but it was very scary when he heard it at night.

Jia Cong's nanny is also angry, our brother is going to take the exam tomorrow, you little hoofs are still acting like monsters, but she is soft-spoken and can only swallow her dissatisfaction.

"Third Master, I heard that Second Master Bao next door is ill. These little hoofs are sad and are crying outside our yard. I cursed several times through the wall."

"Second Brother Bao is sick, why are you crying next to our courtyard wall, it's far away from Yihong Courtyard."

His nanny didn't dare to say anything, and finally said, "Why don't you go to the master's study to study, where it is quiet, the master doesn't use the study..."

"I don't usually read, how much I can read at this time, I usually work hard, and I don't care about this moment. Let them cry."

"What's this called? Blight escape."

On the day when the rankings were released, Jia She and Jia Gu were sitting in the restaurant. The good seats on the second floor were taken up early, so the two of them could only sit downstairs, next to the window, watching the scholars crowding in. Squeeze to see the list.Jia Gu took a bite of the dish and asked Jia She, "Didn't your old lady see this move?"

"Of course the old lady didn't see it. I figured it out. As shrewd as an old lady, she sometimes misses it. Not to mention Baoyu, his old man Jia Zheng has played this trick all his life, and the old lady didn't see it."

Jia Amnesty also snorted, fully expressing his disdain for Jia Zheng and his father.

From time to time, people squeezed out from the crowd, either elated or distraught, Jia Gu sighed, "Let me say, these people, if they know that they are not a scholar, they don't have the day, so don't force it. Look, young men, Juveniles and old people are all crowded together, don't you know if you can pass the exam?"

"I know, if Jia Laoer didn't know, why would he pretend to be sick before the exam? It's not pretending to be sick. It's really sick. He has a fever and scalds his hands. The old lady said back then that he had a light hand and couldn't suppress it. Now It was Baoyu's turn, and it was the same in the past few days. He was vomiting and diarrhea. The imperial doctor invited four or five, and poured several bowls of medicine. He heard that Jia Cong entered the venue alone, and the examination hall was closed, so he fell asleep completely. After eating, I didn’t vomit, and within two days, I was alive and kicking.”

"He..." Jia Gu didn't know what to say.

"He is a handsome child. I saw that no one in the family can compare with his brain. But he doesn't like reading, and I don't like reading, but he can't compare with me. I There is a younger brother who claims to be able to read, but he doesn’t have one.”

Jia Amnesty's servant squeezed over and announced the good news with a smile, "Master, I have won. Our family's third master No. 20."

Jia Gu laughed at that moment, "How many people are there in the entire list?"

The boy stammered, "There are 30 people."

second last

"It's fine if you win. Don't show embarrassment to the child when you go back. I will send someone to send him my congratulatory gift. A meal with the family will be lively and lively."

Although Jia She felt that his son's ranking was too difficult to talk about, he also knew that there were more than 1000 people in Ying Tianfu's exam, and getting a 28 in the exam was already a big deal. "You don't need to ask, I will send him to kowtow to you at night."

The first happy event since the Chinese New Year made Shi Taijun feel a little better.When the good news came, Shi Taijun joked with his family members.

In addition to the Jia family, there are also some relatives, such as the two cousins ​​of Jia Zhu's wife Li Wan, Mrs. Xue's mother and daughter and Mrs. Xue's niece, and Mrs. Xing's niece. people.

Hearing that Jia Cong got the No. 20 eighth place, Shi Taijun first gave Yuanyang a box of brushes, four or five new books and a few knives of paper, and then asked Mrs. Wang to open the warehouse to find materials to make clothes for him, "they boys want face , gave him newly cut clothes, and let him go out in a decent manner."

Mrs. Wang would not do this kind of thing in person, so after giving an order, someone would rush to do it.

Her younger sister, Mrs. Xue, looked at her expression and knew that she was uncomfortable, so she forcibly stood up for their mother and son, "Poor Baoyu, she just ate badly before the exam, otherwise, this time she is also famous in the gang, and your family has a bright future." .”

Mrs. Wang went on to say, "Those little girls were careless, and it was still cold, so they gave Baoyu cold food. Baoyu has never suffered such a crime."

Regardless of what they thought in their hearts, the people in the room comforted each other like this, and said that next year Baoyu will definitely be the number one. Speaking of happiness, it seems that Baoyu has already become the number one.

Mrs. Wang felt a little better in her heart, don't care what others think, anyway, Shi Taijun really thinks that his grandson's bones are weak, and his spleen and stomach are weak, "Just say what I said, don't let Baoyu read books these days, and nourish his body , it won’t be too late to read books after raising them well.”

Mrs. Wang took a look at Shi Taijun to make sure that she was not talking ironically, and she was relieved a lot.

The one who is worried is Jia Zheng. The Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of War have the same days of rest. If Jia Gu is interested, please go and wait for the announcement with Jia Amnesty. Jia Zheng is not in the mood. When the boy comes to report, he will ask again "It's true, Cong'er was hit?"

"That's right, Master Cong. The 28th Master Cong, the people who announced the good news have already gone to their yard."

Jia Zheng felt a little uncomfortable, "Why did the person who announced the good news go to the next door, and he should report to the mansion."

The boy didn't say a word, and the other passengers who were sitting comforted him, "It must be for convenience, I just found a door closer and went in."

This is just to cover up shame, outsiders don't know, but the servants who announced the good news are clean, and they knew that the two brothers in Rongguo Mansion would not deal with it. On such a happy day, it is natural to report the happy event to the right master.

In order to make Jia Zheng happy, the ministers of the Qing Dynasty began to praise Baoyu. What they said was elegant and well-founded. Your Excellency, luck is not good now, but Zhenggong don't be discouraged, the second brother knows what he is capable of, a small scholar is not easy to catch, Zhenggong wait until next year."

Everyone else echoed "Yes, yes," and "Yes, yes, yes," which made Jia Zheng's face, which was about to fall, stick up again.

"Forget it, let's wait for that Nizi to take the exam next year. Fortunately, he is not very old, and he can wait. If it is a few years later, even if he is sick, the old man will send him to the exam hall himself."

Jia Cong's life has completely changed. This is his heartfelt emotion. When he saw Jia Lan and Jia Huan, he felt that this change was so thorough.He almost couldn't help cheering and wanting to jump up, but he held back, after all, it was in the old lady's yard, and the elders were still there. He dared to do this, and what was waiting for him were the rumors and The scolding of the elders.

During the day, knowing that I had won the list, I first went to thank my teacher, then exchanged names and ages with other people who were on the list, and then quickly went to my master to thank me.When I got home, it was already dark.

"You bring a gift tomorrow, first go thank the few gentlemen who have guaranteed you." Shi Taijun instructed Jia Cong.

This is what it should be, if it weren't for the master to set up a bridge, he would have to go back to Jinling to take the exam.

Shi Taijun went on to praise Jia Cong, Jia Baoyu was contemptuous, Jia Huan was jealous, and Jia Lan was envious when it was Jia Lan's turn. Jia Lian was still lying in her yard because of an injury on her buttocks.

"I asked about your size today, and I made clothes for you. Because of your brother's filial piety in our family, you made them plain, and you will take them back later."

Jia Cong leaned over and thanked him.

Shi Taijun said again, "Yuanyang, take out 500 taels of silver from my private house and give it to Conger. Men can't go out without money."

Jia Cong thanked again.

Shi Taijun said again, "I let everyone Lai see, the boys who followed Cong'er out were all in bad shape, so I dialed six for him, and followed Cong'er first."

Jia Cong thanked again.

Then it was to raise the daily food standard and the monthly silver allowance, which was slightly lower than Baoyu and a head higher than Jiahuan. I kowtowed happily on the spot, and told her that 50 taels is not a small amount.

Shi Taijun also gave Jia Cong one of his second-class maids, named Glass, to take care of Jia Cong's daily life.

It took more than half an hour for this tweet to end, and it was quite a ritual. After it was over, he asked Jia Cong to sit next to him. The world respects the left. Shi Taijun drove his sons away, leaving his grandson and great-grandson to have dinner together , Let Baoyu sit on his left, let Jia Cong sit on his right.The purpose is to warn Jia Cong that in terms of family status, he cannot surpass Jia Baoyu.

It's a pity that Jia Baoyu doesn't understand the old man's desire to protect.He returned to Yihong Courtyard and complained to Xiren, "Cong'er looked cute at Yuxue back then, but she didn't want to grow up to be like a lucky ghost."

Knowing his problem, Xiren poured him a cup of tea and persuaded him, "At any rate, you should read a few more books. I'm afraid it will take a few days, and the master will test you."

When Jia Baoyu heard this, he was struck by lightning immediately, holding a teacup, muttering to himself, "Sister Lin won't persuade me to make progress."

As soon as Xiren heard it, she knew that something bad was going to happen. Others didn't know, but she knew Baoyu's eccentricity, and she didn't have any side to Qingwen because she was a bit like Aunt Lin, who made a dexterous girl into a child. Miss.

"Baoyu, I can't say this anymore in the future. In a few days, my aunt's brother will be arrested."

Jia Baoyu put the teacup on the table in a distressed mood, called Sheyue to serve him, and led them into the inner room, Xiren watched them go in and closed the door, flustered with anger, anxiety and embarrassment, thinking inwardly Sheyue is not like Qingwen, she is a simple-faced and cunning person, and often pretends to be a docile person. She doesn't know how to persuade Baoyu to make progress, but she just messes around with him.

Angrily stomping her feet a few times, she turned and went outside. Qiu Wen sat on the kang outside knocking melon seeds, and called her, "Sister Xiren, let's kowtow together."

Xiren was so angry that he didn't want to talk to her.

Qiu Wen leaned on the kang, "The elder sister is not here, so I will guard it. If someone bumps into it, it will be ugly."

Xiren blushed, knowing what she meant, thinking that Qiuwen was much more honest than Sheyue, so he put away the annoyed expression on his face, "It's better to work hard and you will get tired first, I'll go and see the gift list , I heard that the other yards were sent to Mr. Cong, it would be rude for us to send them late, if it is delayed until tomorrow, the word will not sound good."

Qiu Wen also knew this reason, and didn't stop her, she just sat on the kang and knocked melon seeds, after a while, a little girl appeared in front of the door, Qiu Wen didn't see it, after a while, the little girl The girl came over with a bag of pumpkin seeds and put them on the kang table. "Sister, this is what we usually eat. Give sister a different taste and try something new."

"Understood, put your things down, and you can go."

The little girl was a little reluctant, and she didn't touch Baoyu's room because she wanted to see Baoyu.Now Qiuwen knew that Baoyu must not be disturbed by others, and stared, "If you are told to go out, you should be obedient, and when people see you touching the room, someone will clean you up."

The little girl was excited, and quickly gave Qiu Wen a blessing, "Thank you, sister, I will talk to my sister in a few days." After speaking, she turned and ran away.

Autumn pattern sighed.My fingers poked and pulled the bag of pumpkin seeds a few times, but they didn't knock, and they still knocked the seeds.Xiren came back in a hurry, and sat opposite Qiuwen, "Where did you get the pumpkin seeds?"

"It's been here all the time, but it was pressed by melon seeds just now. My sister didn't see it. The pumpkin seeds are also fragrant. Do you want to try it?"

Xiren waved his hand, looking very thoughtful, Qiu Wen glanced at her, "Did you send it to Third Master Cong?"

"No, there are a few things I want Baoyu to make up his mind about."

Qiu Wen glanced at her, knowing that someone's ulterior motives were not about drinking, "Our second master is a man who shakes hands, you let him make up his mind, it's better for you to make up your mind, where is the thing, I brought a little girl to give it to you." Cong Sanye sent it, seeing that the places will be locked later, it will be too late to go after a while."

Xiren quickly took out the gift list in his sleeve, and said affectionately, "Your hard work, sister Qiuwen."

Qiuwen waved her hand, went down the pit, dusted off her clothes, took the gift list, saw the little girl who had just given her pumpkin seeds in the yard, and pointed casually, "Follow me."

Xiren watched Qiu Wen and the little girl leave Yihong Courtyard with the gift box in their arms, and then sat back on the kang, gathered the melon seeds together, looked at the door absently, and listened to the movement in the inner room.

When Qiu Wen came back with the little girl to give presents, there was still no movement in the inner room.Qiu Wen came in without asking, put some gifts on the kang table, blew out some candles, unfolded his quilt on the outer kang, closed his clothes and lay down.

Not long after Qiuwen lay down here, the inner room opened the door, Xiren quickly stood up, Sheyue brushed her black hair shyly, "Sister Xiren, please fetch me a basin of water." After finishing speaking, she closed it. Door.

Xiren went to the door to call for water, passing by Qiuwen who was sleeping outside, Qiuwen had already fallen asleep, and did not turn over for a long time, the little girls gave Xiren the water, Xiren put it at the door, and came back to sit next to Qiuwen Yes, sit here until dawn.