Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan returned home later, and it was Guo Ziyu who opened the door. He told the two that many people came to pay New Year's greetings to Old Cen and Jiang Kangning. Because the two were not in their own homes, those people came here. Old Cen and Jiang Kangning let them both pray for the New Year with peace of mind, so they didn't ask them to come back.

Shao Yunan was relieved upon hearing this. It stands to reason that on the second day of the new year, they all go back to their parents' homes. If it wasn't for the people who are celebrating the New Year today in the village, they would not go there. Unexpectedly, there are still people like them who choose to pay New Year's greetings on the second day of the new year. But Shao Yunan was just wondering.

Old Cen and Jiang Kangning's guests came, and Shao Yunan and Wang Shijing had to say hello as the hosts. When the two entered the room, they saw that Old Cen and Jiang Kangning's guests were there, and Jiang Kangchen was also there. Qing Ge'er and Nizi were sitting in Jiang Kangning's arms. Seeing the two, Cen Lao immediately greeted them: "Anger and Ishii are back. The old man and the county magistrate are overwhelmed today and are entertaining friends here. Come and come, this old man will introduce you to the two of them."

Everyone present stood up to salute, and Shao Yunan and Wang Shijing hurriedly returned their salute. Shao Yunan glanced at the guests, except for one, he didn't know any of them. He also didn't know the person he knew, it was Kang Rui. The people who came were all men, and Shao Yunan couldn't help but think: [They're not all bachelors, right? 】

Old Cen's guests included squires and clerks from Yongxiu County, as well as friends for many years, as well as three of Old Cen's students who were said to be excellent. Of course, there were a few others who came to flatter. Most of the people who came to pay New Year's greetings to Jiang Kangning were flatterers. He has no friends here. Old Cen and Jiang Kangning have some overlapping guests. The two of them didn't hide where they were celebrating the New Year, so when the first day of the new year was over, these people were so busy paying their respects that they didn't even care to accompany their wife back to their parents' home, of course, except for those who were single. However, these are not all the people who came to pay New Year's greetings to Old Cen and Jiang Kangning. New Year's greetings to two people every New Year should last from the second day to the fifth and sixth day of the new year. For example, the students and masters of the county school and Baiyue Academy usually come to pay New Year's greetings to Cen on the third and fourth grades of junior high school.

Old Cen and Jiang Kangning both chose to spend the New Year at the homes of Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan. The two children of the two called Uncle Jiang Kangning, and both of them called Uncle Jiang Kangning. Old Cen is even more affectionate to Shao Yun'an "Angel". No one who comes to pay New Year's greetings here is a fool. How can they not understand how much Old Cen and Jiang Kangning value these two people, except for Kang Rui, who is still in charge, the others They were all polite to Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan, and naturally they were also a little curious.

Wang Qing, Nizi, and Jiang Moxi, who was carried out by Jiang Kangchen, got a lot of lucky money. Most of these people didn't stay for lunch, and Elder Cen and Jiang Kangning didn't stay either. Only Kang Rui and three county school students were left behind by Elder Cen. After Kang Rui's wife passed away, he never married, and he didn't have any children or daughters. If he didn't want to, Old Cen would still want to call him here to celebrate the New Year.

The lunch was prepared by Guo Zimu, and Shao Yunan went to the kitchen to fry three dishes of appetizers, and also asked Guo Ziyu to bring rice wine and yellow wine to serve. Wang Shijing was left by Old Cen to accompany the guests. Shao Yunan and Wang Shijing both understood that Cen Lao did it on purpose. Although Old Cen is no longer in the court, his influence still exists, even the prefect of the Nanfu Palace will give three points to Old Cen. Old Cen brought Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan's family under his wing in front of these people, firstly to elevate their identities, and secondly to protect them. Shao Yunan and Wang Shijing deeply recorded this kindness. For old Cen's love and gratitude, everything is superfluous, it is better not to do it.

The three students left by Cen Lao were named Su Hongshan, Cao Xuerong, and Chen Dong. They were all students of Fuzhou Guozijian, and they were all recommended by Cen Lao to Guozijian. All three of them were directly qualified as Tong Shenglang and got the status of Xiucai. However, due to Elder Cen's suggestion, they did not continue to participate in the subsequent exams. In this year's opening, the three people who have accumulated strength for three years have great hopes of being able to become Jinshi in one fell swoop, and even have the ability to hit the top three.

The three meet every year to pay New Year's greetings to Old Cen. In ancient times, teachers had to pay special respects to teachers, and there could only be one teacher for life. Teachers in county schools could only be called masters. Although Old Cen is only the master of the three, the three of them meet every year to pay New Year's greetings to Old Cen and thank Old Cen for his favor. After Mr. Cen resigned and returned to his hometown, he never accepted any more students. Being able to be kept by Mr. Cen also showed that Mr. Cen valued the three of them.

There were only a few adults at the dinner table, and all three children were taken by Guo Zimu to the small restaurant in the kitchen to eat. With outsiders around, Guo Zimu would never show his face. Guo Ziyu was the housekeeper, and he didn't even come to the table, so he was busy saying hello. At the table are Lao Cen, Jiang Kangning, Jiang Kangchen, Shao Yunan, Wang Shijing, Kang Rui and three students. For the ancient Guozijian, Shao Yunan only heard the name but did not understand the truth. The three were talking about Guozijian. He and Wang Shijing both had a quiet meal. Jiang Kangning, the county magistrate, also spoke with them, and Jiang Kangchen didn't interrupt.

After drinking two glasses of rice wine, Chen Dong raised a toast to Shao Yunan and Wang Shijing. The two of them picked up the glasses and were a little puzzled, how did it turn to them? That Chen Dong said: "The students of Dongting County School mentioned the two masters, especially Xiaoge Shao's perception of the way of being a teacher. Dongjing was amazing. Seeing it today is a worthwhile trip. The three of me I came to see the dean today, and I am actually quite curious about Shao Xiaoge."

Su Hongshan and Cao Xuerong also raised their glasses, Shao Yunan glanced at Cen Lao, picked up the glass, and said modestly: "Ashamed and ashamed. If it is not a last resort, I should not go to the county school to report a family scandal. Speaking of which, I still owe Cen Sorry old man."

Old Cen smiled and waved his hand, looking like he didn't care. Wang Shijing picked up the wine glass and said: "As the head of the family, I need my wife to stand up for me, and I feel ashamed. All three are scholars full of knowledge. Blessed."

Chen Dong smiled and said, "Brother Wang is very polite. I am waiting for you to come uninvited today."

Shao Yunan hurriedly said: "Everyone, don't be polite. It's still me and Brother Jing who have dipped in Old Cen's light. Only today can I see outstanding students like you. My house is also full of brilliance."

Old Cen smiled and said: "You guys, don't be so polite to each other. Chen Dong, Hong Shan, Xuerong, the old man will leave you to wait today. First, I will listen to the homework of the three of you. Although the three of you are not my students, But the old man has always been optimistic about you. For the scientific examination in August, the three of you must do your best."

The three immediately stood up and bowed in salute: "The principal's teachings, students should not forget!"

Old Cen pressed his hands to let them sit down, and then said: "The second time, I also want you to meet An Ge'er and Shijing's family. You must have heard about them. How much does the old man like them? The county magistrate recognized the two of them as righteous younger brothers, and in the future, no matter how much the three of you worship, in the eyes of the old man, you will have to protect his family a lot."

The three were shocked, Kang Rui frowned slightly, and Shao Yunan and Wang Shijing were also surprised. Old Cen knew about their maintenance, but they didn't expect Old Cen to speak so bluntly in front of others.

Old Cen stroked his long beard and said: "This old man has experienced joys and sorrows, laughter and curses in his life. Let the old man and his wife not feel lonely even if they have no children by their side. What's more, their children, one is the wife's disciple, the other is the old husband's disciple, they are also the old husband's family. "

"Old Cen?!"

Shao Yunan exclaimed, Wang Shijing was also shocked, Jiang Kangning smiled clearly after being stunned. The three students looked at each other, suppressing the surprise and curiosity in their hearts.

Old Cen showed a loving smile to Shao Yunan: "Brother Qing may not be smart enough, but he is a good boy who is very studious. He and Nizi also comforted my wife and I without the loneliness of my grandson Chenghuan. Ange'er and Ishii, The old man wants to take Brother Qing as his disciple, are you two willing?"

Wang Shijing pulled Shao Yunan and stood up, and Shao Yunan's eyes turned a little red. Wang Shijing bowed deeply to Cen Lao: "Cen Lao, you can value it, it is a blessing for my husband and wife, and it is also a blessing for Qing brother."

Shao Yunan said in a nasal voice, "Old Cen, I want to hug you."

"Ha ha."

Cen Lao opened his arms, Shao Yunan stepped forward and bent over, hugged Cen Lao, his voice choked: "How can you be so kind to me?"

Old Cen paused with his arms, and then laughed out loud: "You little fox, you will flatter me."

"I'm telling the truth, more true than pearls."

"Ha ha."

Old Cen patted Shao Yunan quite hard.

Shao Yunan let Cen Lao straight up and said, "Brother Qing has no grandfather. In the future, you will not only be Brother Qing's teacher, but also his grandfather. Ishii and I are your other two sons."

This time the person who was stunned became Old Cen. Shao Yunan pulled Wang Shijing over: "Old Cen, Brother Jing and I have no parents. Brother Jing and I will be filial to you in the future!"

Old Cen came back to his senses, smiled again, and smiled happily: "Okay! Haha, the old man has changed his mind! The old man wants to recognize you as adopted sons!"

Shao Yunan sniffed: "No."

Old Cen's face sank: "What did you say?"

Shao Yunan said, "It's not like you don't know about my family's situation. If you recognize me and Brother Jing as our sons, we will definitely have trouble in the future. Brother Jing and I regard you as our father in our hearts. But come on, let's hold the ceremony of recognizing the relatives. You choose a good date and accept the young brother. "

Cen was always speechless, and pointed at Shao Yunan: "You, you, why are you thinking so much. Okay, I'll listen to you. First choose a day to accept Brother Qing as your apprentice, and later on when you think it's suitable, the two of you will come to give it to you. The old man becomes a son!"

"Dad~"

Shao Yunan followed up with a goosebump squeak, which made everyone shudder, and Cen couldn't laugh or cry, but his heart was very warm.

Shao Yunan's straightforward "flattery" and thought for Old Cen made the three students have a good impression of him, and they naturally wouldn't take lightly those whom Old Cen liked. As for the fact that his daughter-in-law found a father for himself, Wang Shijing was completely left to him. Cen Laoken's blessing of being a father to the two of them is something that no one else can ask for. Wang Shijing only felt that his daughter-in-law was getting more and more powerful.

This recognition of my father was settled in half seriousness and half joke. Shao Yunan was making trouble, but both he and Cen knew that this matter only waited for time. When the atmosphere recovered, Old Cen continued: "Brother Qing is very hard at studying. If you keep going like this, it will not be difficult to go to Guozijian in the future. Just don't tell him about it first, so that he will not feel proud."

Shao Yunan nodded and said, "Even if he goes to Guozijian in the future, I think he should take it step by step. Let's start with Tong Shenglang first. As long as he is skilled, it is not a problem to start with Tong Shenglang. , you shouldn't be afraid of exams. Being afraid in your heart is a sign of guilty conscience, and it shows that your knowledge is not solid enough."

"Okay, okay, it's great for you to think so." Boss Cen praised. He likes Shao Yunan's atmosphere in certain aspects.

Shao Yunan's atmosphere made the three scholars present feel ashamed. It was because they went to the Guozijian that they were directly promoted to scholars and did not participate in the childbirth test.

Shao Yunan also thought of this, changed the conversation and said, "Brother Qing has suffered a lot before, but now he is living a good life. If there are shortcuts in his studies to let him go, it will not be good for him. Extravagance is easy, from extravagance to thrift is difficult. In life, it is impossible for him to return to the hard days of the past, so he has to endure more hardships in his studies. There are still many hardships to be encountered in life, and it is good to get used to it earlier. "

Everyone else's expressions changed, and Kang Rui's eyes showed surprise. Old Cen stared at Shao Yunan: "'From frugality to luxury... from extravagance to frugality is difficult...' Good sentence, good sentence! Anger, this sentence Is there a source for the words?"

Shao Yunan paused in his heart, and immediately said shamelessly: "There is no source, I thought so myself."

Everyone's eyes looking at Shao Yunan have the same meaning - [This person can say such a warning word! 】

Kang Rui's look at Shao Yunan was no longer the contempt he had before, and the three scholars were even more different.

The reason why this sentence is known to later generations is that Sima Guang quoted a sentence of others in "Xun Jian Shi Kang", so it was known to the world. The source of the original text of this sentence is unknown to Shao Yunan, but this sentence is basically known to everyone in his world. It's not that Shao Yunan was deliberately shameless, it was because he couldn't bring out anything Sima Guang, let's start with his introduction to the tank, so it's better to be cheeky, it's not the first time anyway.

Kang Rui, who hadn't looked at Shao Yunan since the first time he saw him, let alone spoken to him, said, "This is a great word! How many students have become famous and forgot their original intentions of becoming an official, embezzling money and accepting bribes; There are many children who do mischief because of the money in the family and run rampant in the countryside, all because of the word 'luxury'."

"Yeah! That's a great word!" The three scholars didn't say what they thought, but their faces were full of admiration. Shao Yunan, who admired so much that he had a deep face, couldn't stand it.

"Haha, good! Good!" Old Cen laughed, not knowing what to do.

Jiang Kangning said with a proud expression: "It's a pity that Anger didn't take the exam. After the emperor ascended the throne, he allowed his husband and wife to take the exam. As long as Ishii agrees, why don't Anger take the exam this year? ?"

Jiang Kangchen also agreed: "It is recommended by Elder Cen that An Ge'er can directly test for talents. With An Ge'er's knowledge, Tong Sheng's test is a talent."

Kang Rui and the three scholars all spoke out to encourage Shao Yunan to participate in this year's scientific examination. Old Cen didn't speak, and when Shao Yunan made his own decision, Wang Shijing held Shao Yunan's hand tightly and stared at him. Shao Yunan didn't look at Wang Shijing, but said with a smile, "I still like to be my farmer. Although I have some ink in my stomach, I'm still far from getting a job title. I don't have any ambitions either. Well, I am very content with my family. Besides, in three hundred and sixty lines, every line can be a champion. I don’t want to be the champion of learning, but I can also be the champion of other scholars. If each of us is a scholar If you are the champion, then the country will not be able to progress.”

Shao Yunan's last two sentences subverted everyone's perception. Old Cen clapped his hands: "'Three hundred and sixty lines, every line is a champion...', Anger, Anger, just say this to you, you are qualified to be the champion of this knowledge!"

"I'm ashamed of myself, I'm ashamed of myself." The three talented scholars who had come here with a curious attitude really felt ashamed.

Kang Rui saw Shao Yunan's eyes light up, but his mouth retorted: "Scholars, farmers and businessmen. Scholars are the leaders. The reason why scholars study is to gain fame, serve the court, and contribute to the country. If everyone is like Shao Xiaoge. , isn't there no one in my court? No one is an official, so what's the point of progress?"

Shao Yunan knew that Kang Rui had always looked down on him, and he didn't understand why Old Cen maintained their family. He could see that Kang Rui deliberately wanted to test him. Even if he continued to be cheeky, he couldn't show his cowardice. Since we are going to test him, everyone will debate and debate. Anyway, up to now, no one has raised any doubts about his "change", not even Cen Lao and Jiang Kangning, who know there are tricks in it, have never inquired about it. Shao Yunan can't help but boldly guess that these people may want his " Variety".

Thinking this way, he has no worries.