When talking about the provincial examination, Zhao Wenhua sighed with regret, "Zihou is very talented, like a jade from Dongshan. I also read Zihou's answer sheet at that time. He should be a top candidate. But those two old bastards Zhang Tao and Wang Da said that it was not a good thing for Zihou to become famous at a young age, and they ranked Zihou last on the list. Unfortunately, when I got the news, the list had already been posted, so it was too late. Those two old bastards almost ruined a pillar of our dynasty."
Ahem…
You are going to cause trouble.
Zhu Ping'an remained calm on the surface, but in his heart he was secretly resentful of Zhao Wenhua. This Zhao guy was deliberately making things difficult for him.
Theoretically, Zhang Tao and Wang Da were his teachers for the provincial examination. If he did not speak out when his teacher was criticized in front of others, he would certainly be looked down upon in this feudal society that respected teachers.
but
Zhao Wenhua has just become his own master again.
What should students do when a teacher criticizes another teacher? Whether they step on a teacher or support a teacher, they are only shooting themselves in the foot.
This would test one's adaptability and interpersonal skills. Zhu Ping'an even suspected that Zhao Wenhua was reporting back on him for rejecting his proposal to be a son-in-law.
"I have no virtue or ability to deserve such appreciation from Master Zhao. I am unworthy of it. Ping'an's abilities are limited, but I will work harder to repay Master Zhao's appreciation. On the day of the provincial examination, Masters Zhang and Wang were also well-intentioned. Taking into account that Ping'an was too young at the time, they were afraid that Ping'an would become proud and complacent and forget the truth that learning is a journey of hard work." Zhu Ping'an stood up and bowed to Zhao Wenhua with a deeply moved look.
"Haha, luckily it's Zihou who can understand the good intentions of Zhang and Wang. If it were any other hot-blooded young men, they would have been crushed by the good intentions of Zhang Tao and Wang Da. We must know that the strong are easily broken..." Yan Song joked with a smile, stroking his white beard. He commented that Zhang Tao and Wang Da had a good starting point, but their methods were too hasty.
"What godfather said is very true." Zhao Wenhua agreed.
call
Zhu Ping'an breathed a sigh of relief when he saw this. No matter what, this matter was finally over. Facing Yan Song and Zhao Wenhua, Zhu Ping'an still felt very pressured, especially Yan Song. Although Yan Song always smiled gently and looked like a kind elder, Zhu Ping'an knew what kind of boss who could make things happen with a wave of his hand was behind this kind elder's face.
"Actually, there is one thing that is a pity." Zhao Wenhua said with regret.
"What's the matter?" Yan Song asked.
"What you don't know, godfather, is that Zihou was almost going to become your granddaughter's son-in-law." Zhao Wenhua said with a regretful smile, pointing at Zhu Ping'an.
"Oh?" Yan Song sat up straight, very interested in what Zhao Wenhua said, and motioned Zhao Wenhua to continue.
"On the day of the provincial examination, I read Zihou's answer sheet and felt sorry for his talent of being the top scorer. I was also afraid that what Zhang and Wang did would ruin the talent of the future pillars of our Ming Dynasty. So I had the idea of finding a son-in-law from under the list. Because I had official duties and could not leave, I sent my housekeeper to find a son-in-law from under the list." Zhao Wenhua said this and shook his head with a look of regret.
"How?" Yan Song narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Unfortunately, Zihou replied that he already had a virtuous wife. As the saying goes, it is better to demolish ten temples than to get married. I had no choice but to give up." Zhao Wenhua shook his head and said regretfully.
"Oh, Zihou already had a good wife at that time?" Upon hearing this, Yan Song turned his gaze to Zhu Ping'an, and then asked doubtfully, "Zihou, I remember hearing a few days ago that you went back to your hometown to get married?"
As soon as Yan Song finished speaking, Zhao Wenhua turned his gaze to Zhu Ping'an. Under his gray-black eyebrows, his eyes were like a wolf patrolling on the grassland.
Under the gaze of these two pairs of eyes, Zhu Ping'an suddenly got goose bumps on his back. These two people had really strong auras.
"Oh, that's right. My wife and I have been childhood sweethearts and have been engaged for a long time, but due to our age difference and the need to study for the imperial examinations, we were not able to get married until last month in our hometown," Zhu Ping'an explained.
"Oh, I see." Yan Song stroked his beard and nodded. Zhao Wenhua also nodded, looking gentle again.
Then Yan Song asked Zhu Ping'an some questions about life as if he was chatting with his family, and carefully reminded Zhu Ping'an that he could bring a mat next time. Yan Song said that he would inform the guards on duty in advance and they would make concessions if necessary.
The guardhouse is low and faces southwest. In summer, it is like a furnace, too hot. Moreover, there is only a simple bed and bedding in the guardhouse, no mat or anything. If you are on duty at night, you can't sleep at all.
Zhao Wenhua had been the Sizhi of the Cabinet before, and he also reminded Zhu Ping'an of some precautions, especially that the Cabinet was located in the Western Garden. When Zhu Ping'an was the Sizhi, if there was no imperial edict, he must remember not to leave Wuyi Palace at will, so as not to offend the nobles.
Zhu Ping'an listened attentively and thought that the audience was about to end and it was time to resign.
After Yan Song and Zhao Wenhua finished their advice, Zhu Pingan stood up and bowed to Yan Song and Zhao Wenhua, saying goodbye politely, "Thank you for your teachings, Prime Minister and Master Zhao. Listening to their words today is better than ten years of hard study. I have benefited a lot. I have also taken up a lot of their time and delayed their work. I will not bother them anymore. I will come to visit them another day."
"Oh, speaking of thanks, it should be me who thanks Zihou." Yan Song stood up from his seat and said.
Hearing
Zhu Ping'an was stunned. What was Yan Song trying to do
But even though he was stunned, Zhu Ping'an reacted quickly. Seeing Yan Song stand up from his seat, he immediately stepped forward and bowed to Yan Song, saying, "Prime Minister, you are embarrassing me. How dare I accept your 'thank you'?"
Yan Song, the Prime Minister who was second only to the emperor and above everyone else, thanked a mere sixth-rank official like himself. This only shows that Yan Song was humble and respectful to the wise, and that he had a noble character, etc., which was full of praise.
But if I accepted Yan Song's thanks calmly, then I would be accused of various derogatory words such as being ignorant of respect for elders, being high and mighty, being extremely bold, and being arrogant and rude.
If I were to be labeled with this hat, my career would be hopeless and I would be crushed and unable to get up.
Therefore, Zhu Ping'an would pay great tribute to Yan Song first and then say that he dared not.
"Zihou, don't be so polite. My thanks to you are from the bottom of my heart. Sit down, Zihou, sit down and talk." Yan Song helped Zhu Ping'an up, patted Zhu Ping'an's hand, and asked Zhu Ping'an to sit down and talk.
"If the Prime Minister doesn't sit down, Zihou dare not sit down." Zhu Ping'an bowed and insisted.
"Okay, let's all sit down and talk." Yan Song nodded and smiled gently. After sitting down, he motioned Zhu Ping'an to sit down as well.