Zhuang Ji'an said: "Being ordinary is also a blessing. I don't think there is anything wrong with the current life."
He has perfectly inherited his father's indifferent fame and wealth, and feels that it is a very happy thing to live his life so plainly and unrestrainedly.
His wife was speechless for a long time.
Zhuang Ji'an hesitated, and when he went out in the morning, he was a little out of his mind, and then "coincidentally met" Zhou Man who was out for a walk.
Zhou Man smiled and waved at him, "Nephew also came out for a walk?"
Zhuang Ji'an was slightly older than Zhou Man, stepped forward silently, and saluted, "Master."
"I see that my nephew has a sad face, is there something embarrassing?"
Isn't it the matter of going to Beijing that you mentioned
Zhuang Ji'an hesitated for a moment, and asked: "Master, is the capital so good that so many people flock to it."
After thinking for a while, Zhou Man said: "Chang'an is the most prosperous city I have ever seen, and it is also the most tolerant city. It covers everything. Although I like walking around very much, I have to admit that the days I lived in Chang'an were the most important for me. The most pleasant and convenient day, where people can see far ahead and learn new things every year, so it is very yearning.”
"I know that you grew up with your father. Although senior brother is stubborn, he doesn't like fame and fortune. You have learned three points from him, and you don't want to be an official. But this world is big," Zhou Man said, "Your children may not want to see it." Take a look at the wider world outside."
"I proposed to let them go to the capital, not thinking that they will become officials in the future, become famous, and become princes and ministers, but I want them to become stronger, have a higher vision, and when they grow up to be able to make decisions in the future, they can choose The way to go." Zhou Man said: "Whether it is to become an official, or to do other things, they have the ability to make more choices... This is what my husband taught us since we were young. When you only have the ability to cultivate yourself, you You can only choose self-cultivation, but when you have the ability to level the world, you can choose your own path."
Zhuang Ji'an looked at Zhou Man in astonishment, unable to recover for a while.
Zhou Man smiled and said, "Do you think it's amazing, as if you don't know your grandfather at all?"
Zhuang Ji'an was silent for a while and then nodded slightly.
Zhou Man said: "Senior brother has a knot in his heart, why doesn't sir not?" She sighed and said, "Think about it again, I still hope that you can give your children more opportunities, and the beloved son of parents has a far-reaching plan for it." , the pain of parting today, the children may thank you in the future."
Zhuang Ji'an turned back silently, and as soon as he got back to the yard, he heard Zhuang Jiran humming and singing in the room.
Zhuang Jisi came out and said, "Brother, go and see the second brother, he is going crazy, he has been singing since he woke up in the morning, but he still sings so badly."
When Zhuang Jiran heard this, he poked his head out and said, "What's wrong with that? Brother, have you decided whether to let Chen'er go or not?"
Zhuang Ji'an asked, "Are you really going to the capital?"
"Go, why don't you go?" Zhuang Jiran said: "Father already asked my grandfather last night, saying that if I go to the capital, I can still go to the Imperial College to study. You wait for me to test Mingjing."
Zhuang Ji'an: "What if you fail the exam?"
"If you fail the exam, go back to your hometown to take the county government exam. Anyway, it's hard to get promoted as a petty official. There's not much difference between being an official a few years ago and a few years later." Zhuang Jiran said: "And our family is not short of money now, don't worry. , my monthly expenses are very small."
He also turned around and asked the people in the room, "Really, lady?"
The people in the room responded.
Zhuang Jiran said: "And I asked my aunt, I can still make money by copying books. Although it is not much, it should be enough to buy some pens, ink and paper. Now that paper is getting cheaper, the cost of copying books and reading is also lower."
Zhuang Ji'an gritted his teeth, "Okay, I'll let you take Chen'er there, but he's only eight years old, you have to take good care of him."
Mrs. Chen who was in the room also came out, and said straight away, "Don't worry, Uncle, we will definitely take good care of Chen'er."
In her opinion, they took advantage of going to the capital, not to mention other things, only the grandfather's quota, which should have been given to the long house, ended up taking advantage of them.
Although she has limited knowledge, she also knows that Guozijian is the most powerful school in Dajin, there is a prefectural school above the county school, and the Guozijian is above the prefectural school.
In the past three days, the guests at the banquet said that students who can go to the Imperial College can become officials after they come out.
What Mr. Zhuang was thinking at this time was not the issue of being an official, but Zhuang Jiran's age. He happened to be stuck in the upper age limit for admission to the Imperial College this year.
Concern is chaos, he can't help but doubt whether Zhuang Jiran can really enroll in Enyin.
Bai Shan comforted him, "Don't worry, sir, as long as you complete the enrollment procedures before the Chinese New Year."
"But..." Mr. Zhuang paused and said, "We missed the fall enrollment, can we still be kind at this time?"
After thinking for a while, Bai Shan said: "The time has not passed yet. Now write a letter and go back. Tokon Jijiu will help you sign up. There will be a vacant spot. When you return to Beijing, sir, you can enroll directly."
Mr. Zhuang stroked his beard and said, "Kong Jijiu is upright, I'm afraid he won't agree."
Bai Shan got up, "I'll go to Man Bao and ask Kong Jijiu what he likes."
Kong Jijiu naturally likes good paintings, good calligraphy and good books, but besides that, he also likes good medicines.
Zhou Man thought for a while and said, "Actually, besides painting, calligraphy and books, he also likes delicious food."
Who can surpass the Confucius family in the collection of lonely books in the world
So no matter what good calligraphy and painting books they produced, it might be difficult to impress Kong Jijiu, but the food was different, especially when it was contaminated with medicine.
Zhou Man chuckled and said, "I've been particularly interested in health preservation for the past two years, so I'm researching some health regimens."
In fact, after the emperor made a fuss about the elixir, she began to delve into health preservation methods, especially the most interested in health preservation through food, and the emperor also expressed concern about this.
Zhou Man said: "One of the recipes uses very precious ingredients."
"What ingredients?"
"Truffle!" Zhou Man said with a chuckle, "This is an excellent thing. Not only can it be made into pills, but it can also be used as a seasoning. I got some last year, and Tete asked my sister-in-law to use it and other mountain mushrooms to make it." Fresh sauce, you only need to put a little of this thing when making soup and stir-frying, and it will be very delicious.”
Zhou Man sighed and said, "It's just that there are too few, I'm a bit reluctant, but for the sake of Mr., I'm going all out."
Bai Shan: "A bottle of sauce?"
Seeing his suspicion, Zhou Man leaned close to his ear and whispered.
Bai Shan: ...
He was silent for a long time before saying: "It seems that I have never seen you eat such a good thing."
Zhou Man: "Who said I haven't eaten it, I've used it twice since I made it."
Bai Shan's eyes widened, "Did you really cook by yourself when you said you cooked in the spring?"
"Of course, you think I'm pretending to be the soup made in the kitchen?"
Bai Shan: "That's not the case, I just thought you might just talk but not move, and then guard the soup the whole time. I didn't expect you to do it yourself." It's amazing, he thought the soup was good at that time.