Sword narration is painful in the world

Ming Dynasty, Zhengde period.

The fatuous emperor Zhu Houzhao relied on his ancestral influence and regarded the country as dirt. He was not only infatuated with wine, sex, and dogs and horses all day long, but he also favored traitors and did not care about government affairs.

Grand Master Yan Rong and Grand Eunuch Liu Jin took the opportunity to take over the government. The two men worked together in collusion. As for all the officials in the court, they would not take it unless they were relatives, and they would be greedy for any visible wealth.

For a time, all the dirty officials under his command were as good as wolves and tigers, extorting violent taxes and harming the loyal and good.

Since then, the dynasty has declined, the rivers and rivers have been declining, the people have complained, and the people are in dire straits.

It is said that in the east gate of Dengfeng County, Kaifeng Prefecture, there lived a mother and son who were living in embarrassment and from a poor family.

His mother, Zhao, was already over sixty years old, and her son Hong Lingquan's father died of illness when he was eight years old.

After Zhao's late husband became a widow, because he had no means of life, he could only work as a chore for a wealthy family to make up for the family income. He also lived frugally all day long, saving his little money. , for orphans to study.

This Hong Lingquan was actually smart and knowledgeable since he was a child. Although he was poor, he had great ambitions. He endured hardships every day and studied hard.

His hard work paid off. Hong Lingquan, who was ambitious and studied hard, finally lived up to his parents' expectations at the age of eighteen and became a scholar in the county.

Just when her mother was happy and proud, one day, Hong Lingquan received news from his mentor:

In the coming year, a major national examination will be held in the capital.

In that dynasty, the capital exam was the only way out for all the scholars in the world.

Hong Lingquan has great ambitions. He has worked hard for many years. In fact, he has long-cherished wishes. He only hopes that one day he can get a title on the gold medal list.

This wish is, firstly, to honor our ancestors, and secondly, to bring happiness to the people.

Hong Lingquan, who had suffered a lot since childhood, only hated the countless humiliations and injustices in the world. Not to mention the land of Kyushu, just in the city of Dengfeng, you could see the wealthy men and women bullying men and women everywhere, in the land of fish and meat.

Seeing the miserable working people around him, who had nowhere to redress their grievances and no way to avenge their grievances, they could only swallow their anger and seek compromise. Hong Lingquan couldn't help but feel sad and worried. He could only secretly make up his mind:

Although I am temporarily unable to eliminate harm for the people, let alone relieve the suffering of the people, if I gain fame one day, I must think about the people of the world and be an upright and upright official who can uphold justice, eliminate rape and kill evil, and be a breeze.

Full of ambition, Hong Lingquan wanted to tell his mother what he was thinking, but when the words came to his lips, he was afraid that his mother would be embarrassed by what she heard, so he could only hesitate to speak.

Hong Lingquan knew in his heart that his old mother worked hard all day long and was exhausted. The little money she earned in exchange was only enough to sustain the family's half-starved days.

If you really want to go to the capital to take the exam, you will need money for food and accommodation during this thousand-mile journey. Where will you get all the expenses?

Seeing his mother's skinny face and frosty temples, Hong Lingquan couldn't bear to speak, but he couldn't help feeling hesitant and depressed all day long.

A few days later, Mrs. Zhao saw that her son's frown had been dull these days, so she called him over and asked:

"Quan'er, mother has something to say to you."

"Mother, if you have any orders, just tell me. I will obey your orders." Hong Lingquan put down the remaining pages of the scroll in his hand and bowed respectfully.

Seeing her son wearing a patchwork coat of various colors, although his body was a little thin, he could still hide his majestic appearance between his brows, Mrs. Zhao felt distressed and asked:

"Quan'er, mother, I see that you have been looking sad and depressed recently, but you are not feeling well. What's on your mind?"

"Mom, the baby is fine. It's just that you have to work hard every day." Hong Baoquan was stunned for a moment and then said with a faint smile.

Lifting the dark pottery pot with missing ears on the table, and pouring a glass of warm water for her son, Ms. Zhao added:

"No, you know your son better than your mother. Mom can see that you have important things on your mind. If you have any words or thoughts, just tell mom. Your father died young and his life was short. From then on, we, mother and son, depended on each other. We have never experienced any hardships. However, you have something on your mind and you still want to hide it from your mother?"

After hearing what his mother said, Hong Lingquan felt sad again.

These bitter years have already tortured my prematurely aging mother enough, so how could I add more trouble to her?

Then, Hong Lingquan slowly shook his head and said with a smile: "Mom, my child is very good. Even if something happens, I won't dare to hide it from you."

After hearing this, Mrs. Zhao looked at her son's sword-shaped eyebrows and said:

"Quan'er, what are you thinking about in your mind? Mother knows it clearly in her heart. You don't want to mention it to mother, and I can't blame you. This is your filial piety. Mother also heard from the neighbors that there will be a big exam in the capital next year. Looking back Over the years, my son has sat on a cold blanket and worn out stone inkstones, studying holy books with all his heart. What do you hope for? Although my mother is not as good as Meng's mother who moved three times, she is frugal and only allows you to study, isn't it? Do you want to seek fame and glory for your ancestors one day?"

"Mom, I have this intention in my heart, but it's just that." Hong Lingquan saw that his mother had figured out his thoughts, so he stopped avoiding it, but he still didn't have the heart to say it out loud.

Seeing the embarrassment and naivety on her son's face at this moment, Mrs. Zhao smiled again:

"My son is worried about the hassle, silly boy. Since my mother is determined to let you come to Beijing, she will not let you leave empty-handed. In fact, I have already prepared it for you. Look what this is."

With that said, Mrs. Zhao took out a small black cloth bag from her arms and opened it in front of Hong Lingquan.

Hong Lingquan looked up in shock and saw that this small package had three layers inside and three outside. It had been wrapped, wrapped and wrapped again, and finally a layer of red cloth was revealed.

I saw Ms. Zhao untiing the red cloth. It turned out that there was a pair of silver bracelets, a pair of earrings and some scattered silver coins and copper plates.

Hong Lingquan was surprised again and again and said:

"Mom, what are you doing?"

"Quan'er, this pair of silver bracelets and this pair of silver earrings are the dowry your grandma gave me when my mother and your father got married. There are also these scattered silvers that my mother has accumulated over the years. You can take them all. You must have paid for it”

At this time, Hong Lingquan was already speechless with excitement and guilt. He knelt down in front of his mother, choked with sobs and shouted:

"mother"

Lifting her son up with both hands, Ms. Zhao looked at Hong Lingquan again and said:

"Son, you have grown up, and it is time for you to fly out of your nest like a little eagle and go out to see the world. As the saying goes, people are poor and their ambitions are endless, and their aspirations are as long as the rainbow. If you can pass this big exam If you win an official position, you will make a difference for the country and the people in the future, and you will be satisfied as your mother. This can be regarded as the virtue of the Hong family."

After carefully taking the small package from the mother's hand, Hong Baoquan held it with both hands and finally couldn't hold back the tears.

After tidying up her son's clothes, Ms. Zhao said seriously:

"When children from rich families travel, they ride on horses or sit in sedan chairs. It's not too late to wait until after the New Year before leaving. But my son only has two legs, so choose a good and auspicious day and leave early. Leave early. In one day, I can arrive in the capital early. When I have spare time, I can review and consolidate the books again. What do you think?"

"My mother's words are absolutely true, and I will obey my mother's wishes."

At this moment, Hong Lingquan's thoughts were heavy, and his heart suddenly felt as uncomfortable as being stabbed by a knife.

He knew very well that over the years, his mother had endured hardships for him and had put in too much effort. It was just like what the ancient poem said:

Who says that the heart of an inch of grass will be rewarded with three inches of sunshine?

At this time, Hong Lingquan looked at his mother's haggard face and couldn't help but choked up and said:

"Mom, I'm really worried that my child will have to travel far away from you." After saying this, Hong Lingquan couldn't help but burst into tears.

After hearing this, Mrs. Zhao hurriedly smiled kindly and comforted:

"Good son, no matter what the outcome of your trip to Beijing is, you will always be my mother's support and pride. Even though my son can go to Beijing with confidence to take the exam, you will also work hard for your own future in this life. Mother, this Your body is still strong. Besides, after you leave, there will be one less mouth in the family. From now on, my mother will be able to eat fully."

Knowing that her mother was trying to comfort her with ease, Hong Lingquan remained silent while feeling sad.

Upon seeing this, Mrs. Zhao said again:

"Quan'er, I'm going to take the big exam here. If you don't get on the list, I hope you can come back soon so that my mother won't miss you at home."

Holding back tears, Hong Lingquan could only respond softly:

"Mother, I will remember it."

Seeing Hong Lingquan like this, Mrs. Zhao couldn't help but feel comforted. She recalled that on the night she was pregnant, she had dreamed of a red star falling into her belly at the speed of thunder. She couldn't help but think about it again.

There was nothing to say that day, so the mother and son rested separately.

When she got up early the next morning, Ms. Zhao planned to light a fire and bake some coarse grain cakes so that she could pack her son's luggage and prepare for his departure soon.

Unexpectedly, when Mrs. Zhao opened the door and took a look, she was surprised.