The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

In the few days after the first day of junior high school, Chen Heng suddenly became a frequent visitor to the Lin Mansion. This is funny. He thought he was here to take a good class and supplement his extracurricular knowledge.

Who would have thought that all he had done in the past two days was the boy work of serving tea and water. Chen Heng was not taboo about this matter. He could also see that Uncle Lin was taking this opportunity to bring him with him to see more of the world. It can be regarded as making up for the inherent shortcomings of a poor boy like him.

After all, the guests who can come to visit Lin Mansion at this time are not necessarily rich or noble. That is also very important in Yangzhou city. The chief bookkeeper of the Sixth Section of the government office is indispensable, and there are not a few wealthy businessmen who come to establish connections.

Whenever these people came to visit, Chen Heng would stay in the study with his uncle, writing down the person's name and appearance, and watching them talk to his uncle while actively broadening his knowledge.

The beauty of it can only be understood but cannot be expressed in words. Because these are all immediate examples, every time after the guests leave. Lin Ruhai would grab Chen Heng again and start explaining on the spot the purpose of the guest's visit this time and the profound meaning of each sentence.

Does the other party have an ulterior motive or something else? Whenever Chen Heng made a mistake in answering something, Lin Ruhai would punish him by writing an essay.

Lin Ruhai's father passed away early, after he passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi. It was also in the officialdom, where I struggled alone for a long time that I gradually accumulated this wisdom.

There are so many people in the world who read books, but very few people know how to use them.

When a carpenter learns his craft, he can create a finished product. What about scholars? Can reading good books help you govern a country?

Heng'er, you have to remember. After finishing the explanation, Lin Ruhai said earnestly, As you said the day before yesterday, studying and being an official are two different things. People who have finished studying will wishfully think that they are still good. Dealing with knowledge.

Most of the unappreciated people in the history books were trapped in this situation. He thinks that he can travel the world just by virtue of his knowledge. Are they stupid? Are they not good enough at reading? actually not.

It's just that they forgot that since he became an official, he has been fighting against the sky, the earth, and the hearts of the people. How to take advantage of the situation, how to control the current situation, and how to grasp people's hearts for your own use.

On this basis, being able to uphold one's original intention, restrain selfish desires, and benefit the people is the true way for sages to help the world.

Yes, uncle. Chen Heng, who was bowing to listen to the instructions, quickly raised his hand to salute. He was really grateful to Lin Ruhai for being so patient in teaching him.

He suddenly remembered a couplet written by Cao Gong in the Red Mansion: Insight into world affairs is knowledge, and understanding of human feelings is writing.

For Chen Heng, Lin Ruhai was the second noble person he met in his life. The first nobleman was Wang Xianming. The master carved a small boat with his own hands in Shanxi Village and pushed the boat to Lin Ruhai, so that the latter could take Chen Heng into a new world.

On this day, there were quite a few people visiting my door. Just after Lin Ruhai finished talking to Chen Heng, an unexpected guest appeared in front of them.

Study and politics. Chen Heng quickly saluted the person who walked in.

Mei Jin, who was wearing a long-sleeved scholar's robe, was also startled by Chen Heng's appearance. However, he was very good at cultivating his energy. He first said hello to his official Lin Ruhai before turning the topic to Chen Heng.

I didn't expect to meet you here. Have you studied your homework seriously recently? Mei Jin said in a friendly tone, sounding like an elder whom she had not seen for a long time.

Unfortunately, Chen Heng has only seen this kind of treatment from Xue Biao and Su Zhao during his years in the academy. When he was thinking about how to answer, Lin Ruhai had already come out to help him.

This incompetent boy was delayed in his writing because of the refugee incident last year. I caught him and taught him personally in the past few days. Lin Ruhai laughed and waved to Chen Heng, Heng'er, pour tea for Mr. Qi.

Yes. Chen Heng responded and quickly stood up and took the teapot.

Heng'er? Isn't this Chen Heng a poor boy from the countryside? Why are you so close to the new prefect? Mei Jin secretly screamed in her heart that it was too bad. If she had known that she was in the academy in the past, she should have been nicer to this kid.

By the time Chen Heng finished pouring the tea, Mei Jin had already reacted. Since the prefect used the word 'teacher', it meant that he didn't want to discuss official matters openly.

Then just follow his lead and continue talking. A plan is born in the heart, and the words come to Mei Jin's mouth.

Resettling disaster victims is a good thing that benefits the country and the people. You can have such courage and courage at a young age. Even if you delay some homework, with Heng'er's talent and a little hard work, he is enough to outperform most mediocre people.

Brother Shi, there is no need to criticize Heng'er too much. When I was in the academy, I felt that he was a promising person, and his future achievements would probably be even higher than mine.

Listening to Mei Jin's echo, Chen Heng's expression was very subtle. The other party directly called himself Heng'er, which was really kind and weird.

However, he would not take Mei Xuezheng's words seriously, which is the same as 'your child is actually a smart child, as long as he is willing to work hard', it only needs to go in the left ear and out the right ear.

‘Brother’ Lin Ruhai smiled slightly, held up tea and invited Mei Jin to have a drink with her. After the two put down their teacups, they chatted for a while about piano, chess, calligraphy and painting. The atmosphere seemed very relaxed and pleasant.

Mei Xuezheng saw this, but felt anxious in his heart. He came to visit the Lin Mansion this time because he wanted to hand over his name.

Nowadays, the parties in the court are constantly fighting, and a centrist like him who has no support at the top and no support at the bottom is having a headache about his future after entering Beijing.

Being able to serve as an academic in Yangzhou for a few years was already a sign of bad luck. Mei Jin didn't dare to hope that this good luck would be brought to the capital.

There are only a few official positions in each yamen in the capital, and they are like carrots and pitfalls. If you enter the capital in such a hasty manner, you will be in a bad position.

Fortunately, Mei Jin was not completely brainless. He circled the topic and used Lin Ruhai's words to introduce Chen Heng's policies in the house. After Mei Xuezheng picked up the article and read it, he applauded repeatedly.

It's well written. Based on this article alone, it will be easy to get the first place in the college examination in the future. After Mei Jin finished speaking, she pretended to regret and said, It's a pity that such a talented person was not chosen by me personally. Heng'er, Why don't you take the college examination when you are appointed as a teacher? I don't know if I will take advantage of Li Bian or Tian An for this good thing.

For academic officials who are in charge of imperial examinations and academic achievements, having a young scholar is a real political achievement. On the surface, Mei Jin was regretting missing Chen Heng, but the real meaning behind her words was to tell Lin Ruhai that the next Yangzhou academic administrator would be either Li Bian or Tian An.

Lin Ruhai heard this and thought for a moment. Although I don't know where Mei Jin got the inside information, I think there is nothing wrong with it. It's just that the quality of these two candidates can be taught to Heng'er after the other party leaves.

Haha, no matter who takes advantage, it will be the court that takes advantage in the end. Lin Ruhai pretended not to care, and glanced at Chen Heng with a smile, Don't take your teacher's words seriously, remember to be arrogant and arrogant. What's next? Life requires you to study harder.

Yes. Once again, Chen Heng was used as a messenger by his uncle, so he had no choice but to accept it shamelessly.

Uncle, are you using this to point out that Mei Jin shouldn’t be arrogant and complacent just because she has been an academician for several years?

That's right. Mei Xuezheng couldn't help but nodded, Your Majesty will be very happy to know that a young talent has come out of Yangzhou.

When she said this, Mei Jin wanted to put a few big words on her face, Brother, who doesn't know that you are His Majesty's confidant? Just do it and accept me for Your Majesty.

After being taught by Lin Ruhai in the past few days, Chen Heng could also understand the meaning of Mei Jin's words.

The uncle used the word court, but Xuezheng responded with the word Your Majesty. Judging from the conversation, Mei Xuezheng, who was eager to express his position, responded a little irritably.

How could the scheming Lin Ruhai not see it? He was still chatting calmly and calmly, and all he was talking about was the situation in the capital. It wasn't until Mei Xuezheng couldn't sit still that Lin Ruhai finally spoke up.

When Mr. Bu Tang came to Beijing to take up his post, he often told me that he had little chance to get close to Brother Mei in Yangzhou. I think it would be a pity for Mr. Bu Tang to wait until Brother Mei went to Beijing to report on his work...

Before Lin Ruhai could finish speaking, Mei Jin stood up overjoyed and said, I also admire Mr. Bu Tang's personality and knowledge. If I had known that Mr. Bu Tang had such thoughts, I should have paid a visit earlier. This is really my fault.

In the past, when Wei Yinghong was still serving in Yangzhou, Mei Jin, who was benefiting from both sides, was always thinking about her own little thoughts and did not dare to visit too much. Now that Wei Yinghong has been promoted to the position of left minister of the Ministry of Rites, anyone with a discerning eye can see that he will become the next minister of the Ministry of Rites.

Mei Jin was also very upset. If he had known that the other party had such an official career, he should have hugged his thighs tightly.

He said a bunch of apologetic words again, all he meant was that he was too embarrassed to come to the house in the past. Lin Ruhai accepted them one by one with a smile. When they were almost chatting, when she saw Lin Ruhai suddenly holding up tea, Mei Jin also knew that she had to get up and leave.

When Mei Xuezheng left happily, Lin Ruhai immediately pulled Chen Heng to start teaching. After breaking down the previous conversation, he asked the junior what he still didn't understand.

Chen Heng thought about it carefully and asked, Uncle, is this person who studies politics really useful?

It's not that Chen Heng was belittling Mei Jin, it was her flattering and bullying attitude that made it hard for people to like her.

Moreover, when Mei Jin was serving as an academic administrator, she published several books on shed rules and urged students who were taking exams to buy them.

This is money-making in a big name, just because it is a long-established practice in academic and political affairs in various provinces. Even if Wei Yinghong and Lin Ruhai were dissatisfied, they would not be able to interfere.

The so-called study rules are compiled by each academic administrator, including the knowledge points about the exam and the rules of the exam room, etc. Each book costs only a few taels of silver, which makes some poor people suffer from headaches.

Is it really a good thing to bring someone like this, who has a bad official reputation in private, into his own camp?

Heng'er, everyone has his uses. Lin Ruhai picked up his hand and put it on Chen Heng's forehead, pointing with a smile, A person like him who forgets his life when he sees small gains and cherishes his own life when doing big things. You yourself Think about it, when he walks into Brother Wei's house, will the Emperor's people come looking for him? With such a win-win situation, do you really think he can hold on?

Then he switched over? Chen Heng was a little surprised. Since he was going to be poached, why did he have to work so hard today? Could it be that Mei Xuezheng was so important, or was it because of the relationship between the party and the government that both parties wanted to rob each other individually?

Lin Ruhai smiled and shook his head, You don't understand people's hearts well enough. As long as a person like him can have both sides, he will be sold at a high price. He will just stay in the middle and be a mute monk, neither offending us nor offending the other party.

Understand, this is the legendary fence-sitting faction. Chen Heng continued to ask, What if the other party promises a huge profit and pulls him over?

Isn't this a good thing? Think about it yourself. Lin Ruhai glanced at Chen Heng and signaled the other party to use his subjective initiative.

Chen Heng closed his eyes and thought for a while, and soon understood what Lin Ruhai meant.

After all, the resources of the court are limited. No matter what promises are made, they must be allocated and fulfilled. If you always make empty promises, how can you win the trust of others afterwards?

And investing too many resources will inevitably affect the progress of other people in your own faction. Wouldn't this cause conflicts? The airborne troops have been rapidly promoted. What do other hard-working veterans think and think?

From this point of view, maybe Uncle Lin never thought of wanting him in the first place.

Chen Heng suddenly realized that he truly realized the cruelty of political struggle. He told Lin Ruhai what he was thinking, but the other party added another sentence.

You have missed one thing. We are now secretly plotting to patrol the salt censor. Only with him openly attracting the Emperor's attention can Jia Yucun's mission be truly guaranteed.

Yangzhou Chess Saint Lin Ruhai chuckled, Have you figured it out now?

I understand. Chen Heng nodded quickly.

Very good. Give me your experience in writing three articles and four books when you go back tonight. Lin Ruhai assigned another homework.

Ah?! Oh. Chen Heng looked bitter. Why was he adding homework one level at a time? The mountain leader's homework hadn't been finished yet.

In fact, it's no wonder that Lin Ruhai is strict. He hopes that this child can broaden his horizons and realize that people's hearts are sinister. I am also worried that Chen Heng’s character has been damaged, and I hope he will not forget his original intention.

Then while explaining his strategy, he asked him to continue studying the teachings of the sages. How could Lin Ruhai not know that this feeling of looking forward to Shu was contradictory. It's just that he really wants to teach Chen Heng well, so he thinks of having both.

In this world, there are many people who can read, and there are also many people who can use strategies. There may be very few people who always adhere to their true intentions and do not lose themselves in the materialistic officialdom. They remember to serve the people and the country.

With Lin Ruhai's abilities and Chen Heng's intelligence and studiousness, if in the end he only teaches a mediocre person who can become an official, wouldn't it be a waste of good talent?

The two of them didn't rest for long when another visitor came to their door.

What a coincidence today, everyone who came up was an acquaintance.

Jia Yucun was even more surprised when he saw Chen Heng. He had long thought that the policy written by Chen Heng was so excellent, and there must be an expert's guidance behind it, but he never expected that the person who taught him was Lin Ruhai.

But for some reason, Chen Heng was unable to attend his meeting with Uncle Lin in person. Lin Ruhai found a random reason and kicked Chen Heng out of the study.

Chen Heng had a moment of leisure and simply sat in the corridor outside the study. He continued to think about Mei Xuezheng. If the other party persisted and was not won over by the other party, wouldn't Uncle Lin's plan be in vain?

But after thinking carefully about Lin Ruhai's opinions on people's hearts and thinking about Mei Jin's previous behavior, Chen Heng felt that the other party would definitely not be able to hold on. They will only continue to sit on the wall, or switch to a side that is more beneficial to them. Later generations often say that character determines destiny, and this is probably what it means.

Hey. Chen Heng shook his head. What he saw and heard today will be written down in a book later.

Lin Ruhai and Jia Yucun talked for a long time in the house. When the other party walked out of the door, his face was already full of joy. The slight trembling of the tiger's beard at the corner of his mouth allows people to see the other person's happiness at a glance.

Heng'er, how are you preparing for your homework recently?

Reporting to Xuezheng, I have never dared to relax for a day. Chen Heng answered very respectfully. Lin Ruhai had taught him that when a person is satisfied with his ambition, you should be more cautious in your attitude towards him.

Because at this time, every good thing you show will be regarded as three points. One point of jealousy will be regarded as seven points.

Once the poverty of the past is washed away, he will be supported by nobles in the officialdom. Jia Yucun was in a really good mood. He humbly told Chen Heng a few key points of study before turning around and leaving.

Remember to visit Yinglian when you have time. She often nags you in my ear.

Yes. Chen Heng hurriedly bowed and saluted, sending this noble man who was about to become prosperous properly away.

The half-open door of the study room allowed Lin Ruhai to see the situation outside the door very clearly. Although he couldn't hear the conversation between the two, he could see Chen Heng's appearance.

He is a good boy and has lived up to my teachings. Lin Ruhai nodded happily and waited until Jia Yucun was sent out by his servants. He then said: If you don't come in yet, what are you doing outside in the wind? Do you think you are in good health and are not afraid of the cold?

Uncle, you have really become more and more fond of scolding me recently. Chen Heng curled his lips and hurriedly ran into the house. This man is also interesting. When he sees the child come in, he immediately starts to test him.

Do you know why I kicked you out just now?

I don't know. Chen Heng answered confidently.

My wife, you were born into a poor family. Such people are often sensitive and sharp-minded. They often regard past difficulties as obscure matters and are unwilling to mention them too much. Such people are often very save-faced.

Lin Ruhai signaled Chen Heng to quickly pour him tea. He had been chatting with Jia Yucun for a long time, and his mouth was very dry. Let him say something that is not worthy of publicity in front of juniors he knows well. That is not showing kindness. That's enmity. You stupid boy, you understand.

That's it. Chen Heng, who had learned another lesson, nodded repeatedly and planned to write down everything when he went back tonight.

Lin Ruhai, who was probably a little tired after meeting several guests in a row, informed the concierge to block the guests behind him. He took the chessboard from the bookshelf and played a few games with Chen Heng. Then he got up and went back to the house to take a rest.

In the huge study room, only Chen Heng was left, sitting at his small table, summarizing what he had learned today, while holding the books and reading carefully.

He was only halfway through the homework assigned by the mountain leader when a light cough suddenly came from behind him. Chen Heng thought it was his uncle who had left and returned, so he quickly turned around and said, Uncle, you...

Hey, my good nephew. The smiling Lin Daiyu slipped in at some point and was following her brother's mischief.

You girl. Chen Heng was helpless and could only shake his head, How did you think of coming here?

Brother, don't be angry. It was obvious that she took the initiative to make fun of him, but she was the first to stop him. Daiyu smiled and picked up the food box in her hand and said, Yu'er knows that brother studies hard, so he came here to give him snacks.

I am waiting for my uncle's guests, thinking and thinking, and now I have to summarize my homework. After Chen Heng was busy, he was indeed a little hungry, and he immediately said happily: My sister understands me, please bring it to me.

Today is an update of at least 8,000 words. This chapter is 5,000 words, and there will be more in the next chapter. Hahahahaha. Please give me a vote. Please give me a vote.