In the past two days, Zheng felt that the way her eldest brother looked at her was not right, as if she was a kidnapper.
Zheng was right. Han Ze felt that Zheng, his brother's wife, was too idle and overreaching. She even interfered in the affairs of their first wife's family. Not to mention interfering in the affairs of the first wife's family, the key point was that she was so crazy that she acted as a matchmaker for her niece who was only eight years old, and even went to her nephew from her mother's family. This made him very unhappy. Even if he didn't like it, she was just his brother's wife, so he couldn't say more.
Besides, as a man, he cannot argue with a woman. Just because he cannot argue with his brother's wife does not mean he cannot argue with his own brothers. In his opinion, it is all the second son's fault that his wife is meddling in other people's affairs, so Han Erlang suffered.
Han Erlang felt puzzled as he had been looked down upon by his elder brother from time to time in the past two days. He secretly wondered if he had offended his elder brother at some point. However, he could not find the reason after searching over and over again. He could only tremble in distress and endure the cold stare from his elder brother without any complaints.
A few days later, the excitement of Han Ze passing the exam gradually faded, and no one came to visit the Han family. The county school opened on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, and it was the end of April, more than a month away. It was the busy farming season, and except for Han Ze and the children, all the Han family members were busy working in the fields.
Han Ze had nothing to do anyway, so he wanted to go to the fields to help with hoeing the fields. However, his whole family disagreed, so he gave up the idea. He thought that if he didn't go to the fields to help with hoeing the fields, he could still copy books.
After the New Year, he had copied half of the Four Books and Five Classics that he had started, and he should be able to finish it in the remaining month. In this way, he could get ten taels of silver and would not have to worry about the expenses of going to the county school.
I copy books during the day, and when I have nothing to do at night, I teach the children to read. Jinxiu is eight years old and Jinye is six years old, so it’s time for them to start learning.
When the original body was in good health, she did teach Jinxiu a lot of words. In the original body's memory, Jinxiu was smart and good at reading. She could remember many words after being taught twice. The original body often lamented why she was not a boy. If she was a boy, she could have taken the imperial examination.
As for Han Jinye's original body, he fell ill before he could teach him, so he didn't know what his aptitude was. Regardless of his aptitude, in Han Ze's opinion, six or seven-year-old children should learn to read and write. He went to the town to buy paper and pens, and let them practice writing strokes first, learning five words every day.
Han Ze taught for a few days and found that both children were very smart. However, Jinxiu was older and more patient. She could sit there and write silently for an hour without saying a word. Only when Han Ze asked her to take a rest would she get up and stretch her muscles.
Jin Ye was different. After sitting there and writing for half an hour, he would become distracted. He would either get up to go to the toilet or look for water to drink. Anyway, he always had something to do.
One child just sat there and couldn't get up, and the other child was like a child with ADHD. This was not a solution, so they were given a task: write three sheets of paper in half an hour, and they could rest after finishing.
After a few more days, the two children gradually got used to daily learning. Han Ze increased their learning workload and allowed them to learn six words every day.
Han Jinxiu didn't say anything. In her opinion, it would be so comfortable as long as she learned embroidery and read with her father every day. She didn't have to cut grass for pigs and do housework like other children in the village.
Han Jinye felt pressured and pouted, complaining, "Daddy, can you write less?"
Han Ze looked at him calmly and nodded happily: "Okay."
Jin Ye jumped up joyfully. Han Ze smiled and said slowly, "We're making dumplings at noon, so you don't have to eat. You can have half an extra steamed bun."
Jin Ye's excited face dimmed, "Why?"
Their family only makes dumplings once in a long time. It was only these days that my father passed the imperial examination, so they made dumplings a few times. He likes to eat dumplings, so it would be fine if the family didn’t make dumplings, but after making dumplings, they didn’t let him eat them. It seemed like they were deliberately trying to make him greedy. This made him feel worse than beating him up.
Han Ze narrowed his eyes and said slowly: "Except for your younger brothers and sisters who are still young, your grandparents, your second uncle, your third uncle, your mother, your second aunt and your third aunt, all have things to do. Everyone will finish their work on time, so they eat dumplings with peace of mind. But you didn't complete the task given to you by your father, how can you have the nerve to eat dumplings?"
Jin Ye wanted to say he was embarrassed, why was he embarrassed, but looking at his sister staring at him, he said unwillingly: "Okay, I'll write."
Han Ze smiled and said, "Starting tomorrow, you will write two more words than your sister every day."
Han Jinye exclaimed, "Why? I'm younger than my sister, shouldn't I have two fewer big characters?"
Why should younger people write more? This is obviously unfair.
Han Jinxiu kicked his foot and said, "I'm a girl, and girls can't take the imperial examinations. You're a boy, don't you want to take the imperial examinations and become an official? You're such a loser. Dad is a scholar, and when you grow up, don't fail to become a scholar and embarrass Dad."
Being looked down upon by his sister, Han Jinye was not convinced. He was very successful. It was just that his hands hurt from writing too much. Even if his hands hurt, couldn't he take a break? He studied very hard, and sometimes he just wanted to take a break. His sister looked down on him too much.
"I am definitely better than my father. My father is a scholar, and I will be the top scholar and become a high-ranking official." He expressed his ambition loudly.
Han Ze smiled and nodded: "Yes, you are ambitious. Dad is waiting for you to pass the imperial examination and become a high-ranking official."
Han Jinye's face flushed, and he felt a little weak. The villagers always talked about the top scholar exam, but he didn't know what the top scholar was. He only knew that the top scholar was very powerful, more powerful than his father. From the tone of his father, it seemed that the top scholar exam was not easy. That's right, since the top scholar was more powerful than his father, it must be difficult to get the top scholar exam.
But then he thought about how smart he was, even smarter than his father, and he would definitely pass the exam and be more successful than his father. After thinking about it, he regained confidence, and he puffed out his chest and said loudly, "I will definitely pass the exam and be the top scholar, and I will definitely not bring shame to my father."
Seeing his boastful look, Han Jinxiu kicked him twice again. He jumped aside, his eyebrows wrinkled like a caterpillar: "Why do you keep kicking me?"
Han Jinxiu ignored him and continued writing big characters. What could she say? Didn't she want to see his boastful look? You're still taking the top scholar exam. It's good enough that you can pass the exam to become a scholar. But thinking that her father was a scholar, her eldest brother should at least pass the exam to become a juren, so she looked up at him and said, "Let's make it easier for you and just pass the exam to become a juren."
Her father is a scholar, and she is not like her silly brother who doesn't know what a top scholar or a juren is.
Han Jinye didn't appreciate it, "Who are you looking down on? I won't let you make it easier. I want to be the top scorer and become a high-ranking official."
Han Jinxiu couldn't help rolling her eyes. She had thought that he was young and didn't know anything, so she made it easier for him. She didn't expect him to be so ungrateful. She said, "Okay, I'll wait for you to pass the imperial examination and become a high-ranking official."
Han Ze glanced at the little guy with puffy cheeks, then looked at Han Jinxiu with a smile: "Jinxiu, let's remember this for him."
Han Jinxiu smiled and said, "I will definitely remember it."
Han Jinye was unaware and said to himself: "You don't have to remember it, I can remember it myself."
Han Ze smiled and said, "Since you want to take the exam for the top scholar, then start practicing calligraphy. A top scholar cannot have messy handwriting."
Han Jinye groaned and asked in a low voice: "Can I write later?"
Han Jinxiu curled her lips and didn't hesitate to hit him: "Aren't you going to take the exam to become the top scholar? Your handwriting is not as many as mine, nor as good as mine. How many top scholars are there in the world?"
Han Jinye covered his mouth and bulged his eyes: "If I write it seriously, it will definitely be better than yours."
Han Jinxiu glanced at him and said, "Then write it out for me to see."
Han Jinye's face was tense. He glanced at his sister, sat on the table, picked up the brush, and said, "Wait. I'll write right away."
Han Jinxiu blinked at her father. Han Ze looked at her with appreciation. Han Jinxiu blushed slightly and lowered her head awkwardly to continue writing big characters.
Zheng found that her elder brother had been teaching Jinxiu and Jinye to read recently. Thinking of the benefits of passing the imperial examination, she discussed with her husband at night: "Go talk to your elder brother tomorrow and ask him to teach our Dabao. Dabao is smarter than you, and maybe he will pass the imperial examination and become a scholar in the future."
Han Erlang turned over and said: "Do you think taking the exam to become a scholar is like selling cabbages? Anyone can take it."
Zheng was not convinced and patted his shoulder: "Of course not everyone can pass the exam to become a scholar, but doesn't our Dabao have an uncle who is a scholar? Let his uncle teach him more, and he will have more hope than others."
Han Erlang sat up and said, "What you said makes sense. Our father, who can't read a single word, was able to raise a scholar. I'm not good at reading, but at least I know a few words. One of us two boys will definitely be good at reading. Even if neither of us is good at reading, we are still young. Who knows, maybe we will have a child who can read in the future?"
Zheng thought so too.
Han Erlang said: "I will tell my elder brother tomorrow."
Zheng thought for a moment and said, "Several children in my eldest brother's family have names. Shouldn't our eldest child also have a name?"
Han Erlang thought for a moment and asked, "What's a suitable name?"
Zheng looked at him: "How would I know?"
Han Erlang raised his head and thought, "We need a good name. We are counting on Dabao to pass the imperial examination. Why not call him Han Caixue?"
Zheng shook her head: "It doesn't sound good."
"Han Boxue?"
“This is good.”
"Not very suitable, Han Xuewen?"
"This is good too."
"Just call me Han Xuewen."
He taught two children, and three children, and since they were his own nephews, there was no reason for Han Ze to refuse them. He found an old brush in the pen holder, washed it, and gave it to Dabao, who was now renamed Han Xuewen.
In the first few days, Dabao was not used to the name Han Xuewen. When the family members called him Xuewen, he was confused and didn't know who they were calling. After a few days, he got used to it and started calling him Xuewen.
It rained a lot these days, so the family couldn't go out to work in the fields. The family stayed at home to rest. The three daughters-in-law were sitting in front of the main room door doing needlework, and several children were bending over the desk writing big characters. Aunt Yan brought Yan Hong to the door.
Han Jinye and Han Wenxue heard the noise and looked up curiously. Only Han Jinxiu remained sitting at the desk, not moving at all, writing the task assigned by her father neatly, stroke by stroke.
Han Ze glanced at them indifferently, and Han Jinye and Han Wenxue immediately sat down, picked up their pens and started writing seriously.
Aunt Yan glanced at them covertly and then looked away. Instead, Yan Hong looked at them with envy. He was already ten years old this year and had finished his enlightenment books long ago. He should have gone to the town's private school, but his family had no money, so he could only carry a few enlightenment books and recite them over and over again every day.
Aunt Yan chatted with Wang Caiwei for a while, sat for a while, and then explained her purpose of visit, hoping that Han Ze would accept Yan Hong as his disciple.
Han Ze was not surprised. In the plot, Jinxiu was the heroine, and Yan Hong was not only the hero, but also the student of the original body. He glanced at Yan Hong, thinking that this was the big pig's hoof who had taken advantage of his own little cabbage. Even though he didn't know whether this kid and Jinxiu were destined to be together in this life, he was extremely unhappy and didn't want to accept him. But he always liked children, and looking at his expectant and envious little eyes, he didn't want to admit that he couldn't harden his heart when facing such a child.
He raised his eyebrows and said, "Jinye, give him paper and pen, and ask him to write something for me."
Han Jinye was delighted that he could finally take a break. Han Ze glanced at him, and he quickly suppressed the joy in his eyes and carefully handed the pen to Yan Hong.
Yan Hong took the pen, sat on the table, and wrote seriously: "When a person is born, his nature is good..."
Han Jinye read out a word every time he wrote it. When he finished writing, he gave it to Han Ze and stood in front of Han Ze nervously with his fist clenched.
Han Ze glanced at it casually. Although the handwriting was immature, it was already very good for his age. However, it was okay to accept him as a disciple, but he couldn't easily agree to it, lest he become arrogant. So Yan Hong looked at him with embarrassment, and his heart tightened, but he didn't dare to say anything more.
Han Ze smiled and said, "I will go to the county school in a few days. I am afraid I will not have time to teach you. In this case, are you still willing to become my disciple?"
He was telling the truth. Even if he became his disciple, he would not be able to spare the extra time to teach him. It would be better for him to go to the school in town.
Yan Hong glanced at his mother. Aunt Yan was a little hesitant. She said, "Let's go back..." and think about it.
Yan Hong interrupted her mother and said, "I want to become your disciple."
If the teacher is willing to accept him as a disciple, he should be grateful and there is no need to think about it.
Han Ze understood Yan's mother's thoughts and said indifferently: "You should think it over carefully before coming."
After seeing off the mother and son of the Yan family, Han Jinxiu put down her brush, looked at her father, and asked in a low voice: "Dad, are you willing to accept Yan Hong as your apprentice?"
Han Ze was surprised and asked her with a smile: "What do you mean by that?"
Han Jinxiu said, "If Dad didn't want to take him in as his apprentice, he wouldn't have let him write. But Dad also said that he would go to the county town to study in a few days, so how could he have the time to teach him?"
Han Ze chuckled. This child is really smart. He said, "You three siblings must not fall behind in your studies. Dad plans to rent a house in the county town. We will move there so that we will have time to teach you."
He was just thinking about this matter and had not discussed it with Han Youtian yet. He thought that regardless of whether he discussed it or not, his father would definitely support the children's studies.
Han Jinxiu tilted her head and frowned as she asked, "Dad, I still need to learn embroidery from my master, how can I go to the county town?"
Han Ze had taken this into consideration. By then, Jinxiu could spend half a month at home learning embroidery with Grandma Lu, and another half a month in the county town studying with him.
Han Jinye's face fell after hearing what his father said. He had thought that when his father went to the county town, he would not have to study and write every day. He did not expect that his father had no intention of letting him go. He said reluctantly, "Dad, can we not live in the county town?"
Han Ze put the piece of calligraphy written by Yan Hong in front of him and said, "Look at Yan Hong's calligraphy. This is what a future champion should write. You have the nerve to be lazy with your messy handwriting."
If nothing unexpected happens, Yan Hong might become the top scorer in the imperial examination in the future, and he is not wrong.
When Han Jinxiu heard what her father said, she looked over curiously and said, "Hey, it's really well written."
Han Ze smiled and said, "This handwriting has taken at least three years of practice. If you study hard and practice diligently, you can also reach this level. It all depends on whether you can endure hardship."
Han Jinxiu was aroused by her competitive spirit and said unconvincedly: "I can definitely endure hardship." After saying that, she looked at her brother.
Han Jinye curled his lips. What are you looking at me for? I, I didn't say that I can't endure hardship. He straightened his chest and said, "I can definitely endure hardship. I want to be the top scorer in the imperial examination."
Han Ze patted his little head and said, "Our future number one scholar, go practice calligraphy. Don't just talk and do nothing. You won't be able to pass the exam that way."
Han Jinye had a sad face. Why did he have to say that he wanted to be the top scorer in the imperial examination? Why did he have to be so competitive
In the evening, Han Ze told his plan to Han Youtian and his wife, and Han Youtian did not object. Zheng was reluctant to leave. She thought that her eldest brother's family had moved to the county town, and if Xuewen wanted to study with her eldest brother, he would definitely have to go to the county town. She was very reluctant to leave at such a young age.
Han Erlang was also reluctant to let her go, but there was nothing he could do about it, so he consoled her, "Sister-in-law won't mistreat Xuewen."
Zheng knew that her eldest sister-in-law would not mistreat Xuewen, but Xuewen had never left them, and she couldn't bear to let him go for the time being. She considered and said, "How about sending Xuewen to the town's private school?"
Han Erlang frowned: "What a waste of money."
Zheng thought about it and felt it was unreliable, so she lamented, "Forget it then."
For the sake of her child, she endured it.
Han Erlang didn't expect that she had figured it out. He said, "If you really miss your child, I'll take you to the county town to see him."
The next day, the mother and son of the Yan family came again, carrying a gift for apprenticeship. Since they wanted to apprentice to him, Han Ze had to be responsible for him, and said bluntly: "I will go to the county town to study in a few days. Have you considered what to do?"
Yan Hong thought for a moment and said, "Master, you are willing to accept me as your disciple. I think you have some plans. I will listen to you."
Han Ze nodded in satisfaction and said, "I will rent a yard when I get to the county town. After I settle down, your master's wife and the others will move over. You can come with us then."
When Yan's mother heard this, she thought it was a good idea and said, "But the child is still young, so I'll have to trouble you, sir."
Han Ze waved his hand and said, "Since I have already accepted him as my apprentice, it won't be a big deal."
As for whether this disciple would be the official match for his daughter, it all depended on whether they were destined to be together. He would not stop them, and of course he would not take the initiative to propose marriage. If someone wanted to marry his daughter, even if she was his disciple, they had to rely on their own abilities.
Yan's mother smiled and nodded. Master, master, once a teacher, always a father. She was no longer polite.
Han Ze smiled and said, "I don't plan to teach you new knowledge these days. Just practice calligraphy at home today. Use my brush first. I will prepare paper and pen for you tomorrow."
Their family was not well off, and they had three students. Yan Hong could provide the books for his studies, but they had to prepare their own paper and pens.
Yan Hong was delighted and said quickly, "Yes, Master."
Han Ze handed him the pen. He found a place to sit down and began to write. He wrote very seriously, even more seriously than Han Jinxiu. Han Ze nodded repeatedly, worthy of being the future top scholar.
Han Jinye watched his movements and compared them secretly. No wonder even his father said Yan Hong could pass the imperial examination. With that serious look, he was better than him. But Han Jinye's father was a scholar, so how could he admit that others were better than him? Thinking of this, he also wrote seriously, determined not to be outdone by Yan Hong.
Han Jinxiu, who had always studied hard, raised her head at this moment, looked at her younger brother with interest, and then looked at Yan Hong. She felt deeply that her father was a shrewd and scheming person. Jinye was naturally smart, but also playful. He needed his father's instruction when studying and practicing calligraphy, otherwise he would be lazy and fail to complete the tasks assigned by his father.
Compared with Yan Hong, who is hard-working and studious, his shortcomings are exposed. But Jin Ye is so competitive that even she is not convinced, let alone Yan Hong, whose competitive spirit is aroused all of a sudden.
Han Jinye didn't go out to play for the whole morning. He competed with Yan Hong. After Yan Hong finished writing a big character, he also finished one.
At noon, Yan Hong returned home. Han Jinxiu smiled and said, "Dad, I know why you want to accept Yan Hong as your apprentice."
Han Ze patted her little head and said with a smile: "Then tell me, why did Dad accept him as his apprentice?"
Han Jinxiu tilted her head: "Is it to inspire your brother?"
Han Ze wanted to say, "My daughter, you think too much. Your father was just too excited to accept Yan Hong as his apprentice." As for the fact that accepting Yan Hong would stimulate Jin Ye's competitive spirit and enable him to calm down and study and practice calligraphy, it was an unexpected gain.
However, he certainly couldn't say that, so he glanced at her and said seriously, "Didn't you finish writing the big characters this morning?"
Han Jinxiu stuck out her tongue. She had been busy visiting her brother and Yan Hong in the morning, and had missed out on practicing calligraphy.
Han Ze glanced at her and asked, "Are you going to Grandma Lu's place to learn embroidery this afternoon?"
Han Jinxiu nodded.
Han Ze said, "It seems that Dad taking Yan Hong as his apprentice has both advantages and disadvantages."
Han Jinxiu blinked, "What's the harm?"
Han Ze raised his eyebrows: "Jin Ye was inspired by him to be competitive, and you have never delayed your studies, but because of Yan Hong's arrival, you didn't complete the task assigned by your father. Isn't this harmful?"
Han Jinxiu uttered a small "ah". Han Ze said calmly: "Finish the rest of the big characters when you come back tonight before going to bed."
Han Jinxiu said "oh".
When Han Ze was packing his bags and preparing to leave for the county town, Doctor Wang and his brother-in-law came to the Han family. The two families had already fallen out, and the old couple Han Youtian did not understand their intention. Doctor Wang did not say much, and said bluntly: "The two children want to divorce, I came to ask what you think."
Old Lady Han said frankly, "We have severed our relationship with Daya. She doesn't need to ask for our opinion on what she wants to do."
Even after Daya divorced, she would not let her return home. Of course, based on Daya's hatred for her family, she would not necessarily be willing to return home. Thinking of what she had done to Han Ze, she could not feel sorry for her daughter. Even if she wanted to divorce, she had no idea.
Doctor Wang sighed, knowing that what Han Daya did was too vicious, and it was normal for the Han family not to care about her. However, whether the Han family recognized Han Daya was the Han family's business. They were originally married to the Han family, and now the two children were going to divorce, so he must tell the Han family so that they would know.
The author has something to say: I am exhausted!!! Good night!!!