Red Mansions: My Book is Cool

After experiencing the brutal baptism of the rural examination, Jia Cong felt that it was easier to pass the examination.It's the same thing, it's the second time familiarity, the exam format is pretty much the same, just get used to it.After Dr. Wang's devil training, my level has improved a lot.Moreover, the examination was highly anticipated, and the imperial court prepared carefully for the candidates.Although the test takers have to be locked in the examination room for nine days and nine nights, at least the conditions of food and accommodation are much better than those in the rural examination.

The weather in the capital was still cold in the spring, but Jia Cong's constitution was not resistant to cold and heat, and he thought he could adapt.Jia Dairu had earlier ordered Zhu to remove his best mink fur cloak, it was a birthday present given to him by his father when he was still alive, he always cherished it very much, but now he did not hesitate.Jia Cong entered the examination room wrapped in that mink fur, so keeping out of the cold was no problem.Jia Cong touched the mink fur that had been removed, secretly moved in his heart.

Coming out of the examination room exhausted, Jia Cong breathed a sigh of relief, looking back at Zhuang Su's examination room, he suddenly felt that there seemed to be some kind of providence in the dark.At that time, if I hadn't known the end of the Rongguo Mansion, in a life of incomparable wealth and luxury, there was a butcher's knife hanging over my head that would be ruthlessly brought down by smuggling a house and selling it. I probably wouldn't have worked so hard. .Then, as a young man, he was not forced to a dead end, nor could he come here.Fate, misfortune, and life circumstances are really amazing things!

After the dust settled, it was time to wait anxiously for results in the test.Jia Dairu and his wife have been to various temples and Taoist temples in the capital that have efficacies for several days, offering incense and praying devoutly, but they are usually diligent and thrifty, but now they don't hesitate at all for sesame oil money.Seeing beggars on the street and in front of the house, they also generously donate, thinking that this is adding blessings to Jia Cong, God can always see their sincerity, right?

Jia Cong knew that this was the wish of his grandfather and grandmother, and he didn't want to stop it, so he simply let them go and let them find peace of mind.Chen Shushang finally waited for him to finish the exam, and hurried to the door to ask for the manuscript. Dao old readers came to the bookstore to ask questions from time to time, and he was already forced to do nothing.Jia Cong didn't have time to relax, so he had to sit in the study all day long and concentrate on writing the collection of detective cases.Unexpectedly, in ancient times, he actually wanted 996, what a hard worker!

In this way, Jia Dairu and his wife and Jia Cong were so busy that they finally waited for the day when the trial would yield results.

Since the day when Jia Cong went to take the test, Jia's mother also ordered people to keep a close eye on Jia Dairu's situation.On the day when the list was released, Mother Jia also got the news immediately.

"What, brother Cong has recruited eight tributes?" Jia Mu exclaimed in surprise, the tea in her hand couldn't help shaking, and spilled out of the cup.

"Yes, old lady, Mr. Confucian's family has already gone to Sanfa to announce the good news. The firecrackers rang for half an hour before they stopped. Now, there is an endless stream of people coming to congratulate. The elders have all gone in person." The visitor reported honestly.

Jiamu's heart was suddenly sour and dazed. She collected herself and ordered, "Go and call your Second Master Lian."

"Lian'er," when Jia Lian came, Jia's mother hurriedly said to him, "Brother Cong will pass the test. This is a great joy for the family! You go and prepare a decent gift to send. There are many days these days." People will come to congratulate him, and he must be in a hurry. He is a small family, how has he experienced this? You help him with cooking! In addition, the clan may have to serve him congratulations. Brother, tell me, it would be cheaper to arrange it in our mansion!"

"Old lady, grandson is going to prepare the congratulatory gift right away, so it's okay to help brother Cong with the entertainment." Jia Lian hesitated and said, "It's just that the banquet is in our house, can Mr. Confucian agree?"

"Go talk to Brother Cong and tell him what I mean. Mr. Confucian's family has always been poor, and now he is throwing a big banquet for the sake of face, which will inevitably lead to famine in the future. This is also a good intention of mine!" Jia Mother's face darkened.Jia Lian didn't dare to raise any objections, so he had to agree.

It is expected that Jia Dai Confucianism will be very lively in the past few days. Jia Cong's ranking is still relatively high. There is no hope for the first rank, but the second rank should be no problem.Then he will be the second person in the Ningrong Second Mansion after Jia Jing to be awarded Jinshi in decades.What's more, when Jia Jing passed the exam, he was already in his early thirties.And Jia Cong, who is not yet 20 years old this year, is obviously even more rare.With the gold-lettered signboard of being a Jinshi, even with seniority and step-by-step promotion, Jia Cong's official position will surely surpass Jia Zheng's in more than ten years.And that was, he was still in his prime!Jia Cong was far more tactful and tactful than Jia Zheng in dealing with things, and his future would not be bad.

"If Baoyu brought this excitement, it would be great, then our Rongguo Mansion can be said to have successors!" Mother Jia thought silently, feeling unwilling and regretful in her heart.

But immediately, she comforted herself again: After all, Baoyu is a man of great fortune, Brother Cong is just a step ahead!Right now, his succession has become a reality, and it cannot be changed.Now it's time to think about how to win over him one or two, so that he can still be close to Fuchu in the future.After all, Jia Dairu is just the grandfather he just recognized, so how can there be much affection?

Not to mention what Jia Mu's plan is here, Jia Lian rode a horse to congratulate Jia on behalf of the Confucianists in the next room.Still at the entrance of the alley, I saw the noisy and continuous stream of people, and it was a scene of joy.Seeing this, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart, his concubine brother really has some ability and luck, others only thought that he went to Jia Dai Confucianism, he must be in a difficult place, down and out.Unexpectedly, in just two years, he turned over by himself, and even the old lady thought of being able to win over him.

It seems that today, all the prominent members of the Jia family have come to Jia Dai Confucianism. Even the patriarch Jia Zhen has arrived in person, discussing with Jia Dai Ru and Jia Cong with a smile on his face. After Jia Cong's palace examination, the ranking will be officially determined, according to court rules. Arrangements for erecting Jinshi monument.The last time, was also the only time when the Jia family erected a Jinshi stele, and it was when Jia Jingzhong was a Jinshi.It has been more than [-] years, and the Jia family has regained its former glory.

Jia Lian looked at the visitor's hospitality and said congratulatory words, and complimented Jia Dairu and Jia Cong. Jia Dairu's face was flushed, and he smiled happily. His old face was full of energy, and he brought Jia Cong back and forth to greet the guests. There is no sign of fatigue.Mrs. Zhu entertained the female relatives who came to congratulate her in the inner room, and laughter and laughter came from the door from time to time.This is the honor and dignity that Jia Dairu's family has never had!Jia Lian couldn't help thinking that this scene would never have existed in his family before.Jia Dairu is really a blessing in disguise!

After presenting the congratulatory gift, Jia Lian took a moment to call Jia Cong aside. After congratulating him on high school, he tactfully explained what Jia Mu meant, and then looked at him expectantly.

"Second Brother Lian," Jia Cong said calmly, "I have to take part in the imperial examination in a few days, and then the result can be decided. At this moment, An Sheng should keep a low profile and not attract attention! I appreciate the old lady's kindness." No, it’s not necessary just to set up wine in the Rongguo Mansion. After all, the name is not right. Everyone knows the situation in my family, and there is no need to slap my face and make a fat man extravagant. Just invite good friends and clansmen. .”

"Besides, please don't worry, old lady. Even if I set up a few more banquets, my family can afford to invite guests!" Jia Cong felt that at this time, we should show a little bit of grandeur, lest the Rongguo Mansion would be arrogant and conceited. Holding himself tight, he said proudly, "Second brother Lian, don't worry that I will be in a difficult life, I will have a way to get money. There are only poor scholars in the world. When will you hear that there are poor scholars?"

""

Jia Lian couldn't persuade Jia Cong, so he could only watch him confess his crimes to himself, and went to greet the new guests.Seeing him in the crowd like stars holding the moon, with high spirits, Jia Lian suddenly had another thought: Jia Dairu was a blessing in disguise, so why not Jia Cong?If he is still in Jia's house at this moment, how can he have a bright future, today's good luck is a phantom in a dream!

"Second Brother Lian!" Jia Zhen came over to greet Jia Lian: "You have come to congratulate Brother Xicong too. That's right, after all, you were brothers before, and you are closer than others."

"Brother Zhen, don't make fun of me. Brother Cong and I were not close in the past, and besides, there is Jia Rui's incident between us. My brother, I am really embarrassed to face him!" Jia Lian sighed. : "Now that he's in his early years, I'll pick him up, and he doesn't look good. I have to come today, the old lady ordered."

As he said that, he told Jia Zhen about Mother Jia's plan, and shook his head helplessly: "But Brother Cong refused to agree to it first, and I dared not talk to Mrs. Confucian. Alas, after returning home, the old lady will complain about my incompetence again." Already!"

After hearing this, Jia Zhen couldn't help but sneered when she was reminded of the previous incident: "That incident? Haha, second brother, at that time, both of us felt that we were wronged, and we would rather pay a big price to wipe it off. I beat Rong'er half to death, paid money and shamed my face to make amends. You here, not only spent money, but also succeeded Brother Cong. Otherwise, how much advantage would it take to have a Jinshi brother? Have a bright face? You are sure to win the title in the future, Brother Cong is always a good arm in the officialdom, and can support each other. It's a pity, but now it's empty!"

"However, after Rong'er inquired about the truth and found out the real situation, it was not the case. The old lady had already made up her mind that Brother Ji Cong would be the one, because I asked someone to calculate it, and Brother Cong was destined to restrain Baoyu, so I can't tolerate him. Jia Rui's incident was just incidental. Or rather, it has nothing to do with it at all!" Jia Zhen thought of it, and felt a kind of indignation at being manipulated.

"I also heard about it." Jia Lian sighed, "But it can't be just because of this. Mr. Confucian caught Sister Feng and Rong'er's life, we all know that."

"Second brother Lian, don't you understand the old lady's partiality?" Jia Zhen said sharply, "You were accused of being accused by the court and seized the title because of this, she may not be worried."

"Think about it," Jia Zhen lowered her voice and said, "When your title is gone, who will it fall on? Who does the old lady want to inherit?"

Jia Lian was silent for a moment, and said two words from between his teeth: "Baoyu!"

"That's right, the old lady naturally wants to give it to Baoyu. But after all, this is Dafang's title, and Uncle Xie is not just your son."

"So, why did you take the opportunity to succeed Brother Cong?" Jia Lian gritted his teeth and said, "But it's not right. After Brother Cong became the successor, Jia Dairu agreed to calm things down, so my title can be preserved?"

"Hehe, second brother Lian, you only have sister Qiao as your daughter right now, will you have a son to inherit in the future?" Jia Zhen patted him on the shoulder sympathetically: "Let's have some fun in the future! The old lady still wants to win over her." Brother Cong? I heard that when Brother Cong was in Rongguo Mansion that day, he wanted to take the imperial examination, but the old lady stopped him and insisted on leaving him with Baoyu. If he hadn’t come out, hehe, wouldn’t he just be buried?”

Hearing this, Jia Lian's face was gloomy and dark, his eyes were cold, and he gritted his teeth secretly.

"So Brother Cong may not hold grudges against us, we should get close to him." Jia Zhen said: "In the future, maybe the men in our two mansions will not be as good as he is. Be more courteous and courteous in daily life. It doesn't cost anything, it's better than Concubine Xiande's place to worry about?"

Jia Lian was disturbed and complained: "In order to build the Grand View Garden, more than half of the mansion was emptied! But only those who went out were not seen, and the empress did not seek any benefits for the mansion. The eunuch in the palace often Come to fight the autumn wind! Fortunately, the old lady and the second wife are still long and short all day long, so what's the use of it!"

""

Jia Zhen and Jia Lian complained.Jia Lian had a lot of thoughts in his mind, and when he came back, he reported to Jia's mother, saying that Jia Cong still had to wait for the palace examination, and he didn't want to make a big fuss, so he briefly said what he had said.

The imperial examination is very important, and Mother Jia can't rush it, so she has to wait patiently.

Ten days later, the imperial court held a palace examination, which was presided over by Emperor Mingzhuang himself.Jia Cong and Dr. Wang analyzed the emperor's personality traits, political ideas, and recent political issues, etc., and speculated on the topic of his policy discussion.Fortunately, although he didn't hit all the marks, he got half of the marks right. In addition, Jia Cong's youth and vigor during the palace examination also took advantage of it.During the general examination, the examiner can only see the paper, but no one can be seen.But the 20-year-old Gongsheng in the main hall is naturally more pleasing to the eye than the 40-year-old. The emperor and the chief examiner also hope that the elected officials can serve for a few more years.

Therefore, the result of the palace examination is that Jia Cong's ranking has been raised again.In the end, many freshly released Jinshi were dressed in official uniforms and three-branched nine-leaf crowns. They stood respectfully in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony and listened to the roll call of the deacons.

"Eight No. 20 of the second class, Jia Cong, a tribute from the capital, was born as a Jinshi!" Hearing the resonant voice of the deacon, Jia Cong raised his head suddenly, and then lowered his head respectfully, with a smile involuntarily on the corner of his mouth, but his eyes were Wet up.

It's really not easy to go all the way!He finally fought for this day!