The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

Several immediate superiors took the first step along the post station of the Ministry of War. The junior officials who were still in Shenzhou had to have fun. It's interesting to say that they set out in winter and it would be midsummer when they returned to the capital.

After all, Chen Heng missed his first spring in the capital. Fortunately, the scenery in Shenzhou is not bad, and everyone enjoyed themselves in the city. After the snow melts, the official road becomes extremely easy to walk. Although the journey from Shenzhou back to the capital is long, there is no need to stop and go like before, so the time left is quite ample.

Today is the last day for Chen Heng and his group in Shenzhou. They all met to hang out and buy some things to take back to their families. Of course, official robes were not allowed to be worn. The officials of the military and household departments changed into their regular clothes and went shopping in their own directions.

Chen Heng was not exempt from vulgarity, so he led Xinda and Xianglian around the city. On the way, he stopped an old man with his grandson and wanted to know about the lively places in Xia Shenzhou.

Old man, old man. Chen Heng caught up with this local man. The old man stopped when he heard the sound, turned around and looked at the young man up and down, and asked with a smile: Is he from the south?

Chen Heng also smiled, How did the old man know?

The old man gave a good-natured laugh and said, Our kids all like to call themselves uncle. Just like you southerners, they speak politely. After laughing, the old man learned that Chen Heng wanted to buy some specialties to take home. , pointing to Siping Street in the north of the city. There are things that fly in the sky, run on the mountains, and swim in the sea.

Chen Heng was overjoyed when he heard this and hurriedly led his people there. When we arrived at Siping Street, we saw a huge crowd of people and shops as densely packed as fish scales scattered on both sides. From time to time, people in strange clothes walked out.

Xinda and Xianglian were surprised by this, and Chen Heng was also surprised. He stood at a stall with fewer people, bought some food, and asked the store owner about the origins of these people.

Damn it, Xiao Langjun is talking about them. The store owner spit out the peel on the ground and said cheerfully, Did you see the one with the round hat? They are from North Korea, and they only fought there a few years ago. Zhan, there are many young and old people who come to us for refuge. Look at the shortest one...

The shopkeeper's face showed the same disgust as seeing Wu Dalang, They are from Japan, and they came to us specially to buy some ginseng and other things. I heard that this stuff is very valuable when it comes to them.

Seeing the regretful tone of the store owner, Chen Heng asked if there were many people coming in this group. The store owner replied: There will be more after winter, and less in summer. There will still be a wave of people coming in autumn, and it is like this every year.

Chen Heng nodded. Although Dayong did not explicitly ban the sea, most northerners were still not very enthusiastic about going to sea. Even though I know this thing can make money, I think of the long journey and risk dying in a foreign land. All kinds of things are far less real than the fact that his wife and children are in trouble.

After asking the store about some Shenzhou specialties, Chen Heng walked into the street. Along the way, there are indeed all kinds of things. Whether it is deer antlers, bear bile, pine nuts, etc., or rare treasures such as seal skin, tiger bone wine, wild ginseng, etc.

It's a pity that Chen Heng doesn't have much money anymore, so he can only be a spectator asking for the price. The people of Shenzhou were also curious about him as a visitor from the south, which was newer than the Koreans. Curious northerners gathered around him, asking him how he came and what he was doing.

Chen Heng also felt puzzled. How could he let others see the details at a glance even though he was speaking in standard Mandarin. This was good, as he suddenly became a popular item on the street, and was looked at curiously by a bunch of northerners.

Little boy, come here, come here, take a piece of fruit, take a piece of fruit, it doesn't cost you any money. It's really strange that children from the south are still coming to our place. You don't look like a businessman.

Are you from Shanxi, Xiaowa? What, no? Then why did you leave Shanhaiguan to fight against the siege?

Would you like to come and have a cup of tea? I'll tell you about our place.

Chen Heng walked all the way and refused politely. Unknowingly, he used the hem of his robe as a container to receive a bunch of melons and fruits given by the store. The most speechless thing was that an aunt who had received the news shouted out at the top of her lungs: Neighbors, there is a southern kid on our street. Yes, he is a scholar from Yangzhou. Come and see, come on. look.

You say it's fresh or not, but Yangzhou people didn't stay in the world-famous city and came to the north all the way. Dayong is so vast that it is difficult for people who live in the same city to recognize the surrounding neighbors.

Everyone was having fun, but Chen Heng was caught off guard by the enthusiasm. He took Xinda and Xianglian to hide in a food shop and had lunch before the enthusiasm of the shopkeepers dissipated.

As usual, he wandered around the streets in the afternoon. After playing for a while, Chen Heng saw a foreigner with black hair and blue eyes being surrounded by neighbors on the street. The anxiety on his face suggested that he was lost. The two parties were talking like chickens and ducks, and they couldn't understand each other's meanings, making the situation even more embarrassing and troublesome.

Chen Heng saw this and listened for a while. Hearing that this person was speaking English, the evil memories in his heart couldn't help but come back to life. He rolled his eyes and stepped forward to take the conversation. After several conversations, we learned that this man was from Great Britain. He arrived in Luzon first with his own merchant ship, and then moved to Japan. Here again, I followed several Japanese border merchants and came to Northeast China via North Korea to see the world.

Chen Heng asked the Japanese people what they looked like and asked the neighbors to help them find them. It was not easy to find a few Japanese people. As soon as they came up, they kept having fun and made a lot of noise. Seeing that nothing happened, Chen Heng led Xinda and Xianglian away.

On the way back, Liu Xianglian was still secretly amazed at the appearance of the foreigners, Chixing, why do you think they have blue eyes? What a ghost, how can such a good person look like this?

Who can explain this clearly? Chen Heng laughed and didn't answer. Only Xinda was very curious, when did the second brother learn this barbaric language. Seeing that someone close to him was asking the question, Chen Heng had no choice but to blame the matter on Pei Huaizhen, saying that it was the teacher who taught him.

The three returned to their residence and had dinner with their colleagues. Everyone also heard about the liveliness of Siping Street and knew that there was a scholar from Yangzhou who saved a barbarian and could speak barbarian language.

Seeing that this matter was getting more and more mysterious, Chen Heng quickly stood up and explained. In the entire mission, there were not many southerners, and he was the only one from Yangzhou. It would be better to admit it quickly so that everyone would be less suspicious.

He set off the next day and returned to the capital twenty days later. Compared with setting off in winter, returning in summer takes much less effort. As soon as they enter the city, everyone must first go back to the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Household Affairs to report on their work.

They were stuck on time to return. The next day was June 18th, and they could still rest at home for a day. In addition, it was already afternoon when we entered the military headquarters. Master Yao didn't ask them to talk too much. He just told everyone to put everything in order and not to delay going to the Yamen on the 19th.

Everyone, including Chen Heng, was overjoyed and thanked Shangfeng for his care, and everyone immediately dispersed.

After returning to the Yangzhou Guild Hall, the place was still filled with a festive atmosphere after the palace examination. As soon as they saw their own Mr. Jie Yuangong coming back, everyone reacted enthusiastically. Some asked why Chen Heng did not participate in the examination, and some asked why Chen Heng was wearing official robes.

They were all from the same hometown, and many of them were successful candidates in the same scientific examination. Naturally, Chen Heng was at a loss to answer questions. After the warm reminiscing, Chen Heng asked about the situation of this interview.

In this year's examination, the students from Yangzhou also made some achievements. Du Yunjing, who has been studying abroad for three years, passed the Jinshi examination with a good result of fifth place in the second list. It can be regarded as gaining some reputation for the Yangzhou Provincial Examination.

Chen Heng was overjoyed when he heard this. Back then, Du Yunjing fell behind Cui Youdao in the provincial examination, and he knew that Du Yunjing would not give in. Now it can be regarded as the end of all hardships and a blockbuster success.

Later, Chen Heng heard many complaints from his disciples. Some people want to return to their hometown to continue preparing for the exam, and some people also want to find a job in the Sixth Ministry after seeing Chen Heng's official robe. When these people asked Chen Heng what he meant, he couldn't answer much. I just said that the nearest household department is the most short of people, so you can sign up for a try.

But when these people heard that the household department was the most tired, they all gave up the idea. They were more interested in the aristocratic Ministry of Rites. Although it was not as good as the Hanlin Academy, at least their lives were more leisurely. It would be even better if he could be selected by the officials. It doesn't matter whether he takes the imperial examination or not.

Chen Heng couldn't comment, so he had to remain silent. After listening to them discuss the excitement of the No. 1 Scholar Parade, he sat with them for a while, then returned to his room with the letter that Xinda had brought from the Primary School.

The letter is from Qian Dayouliu. He failed the examination this time and has no intention of staying in the capital to die. He only waited until March in the guild hall. Seeing that Chen Heng had not come back yet, he got up and went home to prepare for the wedding. He also left a deposit check and token from a Shanxi bank, saying that all the money entrusted to him by the Chen family was in it. Withdrawing money with tickets and tokens can be said to be a child's play.

This matter can be left to Xinda. Chen Heng rested in the guild hall for a day and then returned to the Ministry of War to start work.

They have been on a heavy mission recently, and the border fighting has stopped. People at the headquarters have to calculate the military merits of various places, and also compile the list of soldiers who died in battle. They should distribute money and honor those who should receive titles.

With such a huge amount, just relying on the ministers, scholars and petty officials in the ministry would be extremely busy. It's just that everyone in the world has a dream of becoming a Jinshi, and there are not many people who are willing to study at the same time.

Not only women love to gossip, but men actually gossip a lot too. The censor of Zuodu, who fell ill in the spring, finally got Li Zhi's permission and was able to retire and return home after making three concessions.

As soon as he left, the atmosphere among the senior officials in the DPRK became obviously tense. Who will get the official position of the second rank? People below also have various speculations.

The location of the Ministry of War is the most interesting. They are just across the street from the Hanlin Academy. Every day I would open the window and stare at the opposite side to see when an eunuch would run over and ask for an order from the Hanlin Academy.

There must be a set process for promotion to the second grade. Everyone took some time out of their busy schedule to talk about this matter to show their specialness as a Beijing official.

This matter is probably a bit of a stretch. Chen Heng is busy doing things and has no time to think about it. Because he was seconded to the Ministry of Revenue by Yao Ziran to help deal with the tea and horse market.

Yao Ziran's idea was also very clear. The Minister of War conveyed Li Zhi's decree that a large portion of the surplus from the tea and horse market in the first three years would be used to appease the border officers.

In order to avoid errors in the accounts, Shangshu asked Zuo Shilang to take charge. Zuo Shilang appointed a capable doctor to supervise the affairs. The doctor Yao naturally fell in love with Chen Heng as his assistant.

This is a great thing. If it is done well, it will be a great achievement for you and me. Yao Ziran directly mentioned Chen Heng, indicating that he would judge merits impartially. The two are now in the same boat, and the former naturally hopes that the latter can help.

Seeing the opportunity presented to him, Chen Heng naturally would not refuse, and was immediately invited. The next day, he accompanied Yao Ziran to meet with the Right Minister of Hube.

There is nothing the people in the household department can do, there are simply not enough manpower. This time they snatched the imperial examination but did not snatch the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Officials. Even the Ministry of Industry, which was not very popular on weekdays, relied on the leisurely yamen environment to snatch away many failed candidates, which really made the people in the Ministry of Households very angry.

What, a new scholar? Don't think about it. Those who can enter the Hanlin Academy should enter the Hanlin Academy. Those who cannot enter the Hanlin Academy can serve as parent officials in Shangxian County when they go to local places. Isn’t it easier and more comfortable than a household with a lot of work but little money?

The people in the household department were undoubtedly the happiest about the arrival of Yao Ziran and Chen Heng. Don't worry about whether you can go back later, just help now.

In such a busy and dark environment, Chen Heng wandered between the two departments alone, which made his colleagues in the military department look hot. But there was no way, Yao naturally took a fancy to Chen Heng and chose him.

Half a month later, the position of Zuodu Yushi was finally revealed, and Lin Ruhai, who was then the prefect of Yangzhou, was naturally promoted. The imperial edict issued from the Hanlin Academy ran right in front of Chen Heng.

Estimating the time, we can meet Uncle Lin and his family in the capital around mid-July. Thinking of this, Chen Heng couldn't help but feel full of energy.

…………

…………

July 18th, a very ordinary day.

Thanks to Li Zhi's fight with the Supreme Emperor, Chen Heng, who was almost busy to death, had a moment of respite. Today was the day that Uncle Lin and his family arrived in Beijing. Chen Heng slept until the sun was shining, and then he got up with a little energy.

He has been really tired lately. All things put together, it is almost impossible for his feet to touch the ground. He and Yao Ziran often slept together in the Ministry of War, and even had to squeeze in for meals.

How are you? You don't look haggard, do you? After washing and dressing up, Chen Heng asked Xinda behind him. Seeing the dark circles under his brother's eyes, the latter immediately shook his head and said, Why don't you sleep a little longer?

The biological clock he had developed since he was a child was here. Chen Heng really couldn't sleep. He simply said: Let's go back to sleep after picking up the teacher and the others. After finishing this period of work, it's almost time to rest.

Second brother said the same thing last month. Xinda was looking for a fan for Chen Heng. The summer in the capital is really hot. If you don't wear this when you go out, God will teach you not to be too confident.

Chen Heng took a round-headed Shaoxing fan, walked around and smiled, This time I will definitely keep my word.

The two went out and took a car straight to the ferry. When we arrived, there were no boats visible on the river. Chen Heng found another shady place and read the Jingshi Daily he bought on the way to pass the time.

The waiting time was a bit boring at first, but it changed after the Jia family arrived. The people who come out of their house can really be said to mobilize troops and mobilize people. Four or five carriages came together, carrying the men and servants of the mansion. It was really too lively.

Naturally, Jia Baoyu and Xue Pan were among them. When they got out of the car, they didn't even see Chen Heng under the tree. It was when the family came to seek shade under the tree that they saw each other.

When Jia Lian saw Baoyu and Xue Pan staring at Chen Heng, he also began to look closely. They had met in Yangzhou before, but it was so long ago and Chen Heng had changed so much that Jia Lian couldn't remember it.

Chen Heng didn't pay much attention to it. Although he didn't wear official robes today, his civil official demeanor had slowly developed. The long history of the Ministry of War, one stroke after another, is more important than Mount Tai's human life. His Qi nourishing skills are even better than Yangzhou's.

The ship is coming!!

In the crowd, a servant suddenly raised his finger and shouted softly.

Everyone looked over together, and sure enough they saw three official ships breaking through the waves on the river. At that moment, another group of officers and soldiers arrived urgently. These people were from the Five Cities Military and Horse Division, and were responsible for maintaining order in the city and doing various chores. Equivalent to Dayong’s Public Security Bureau and Comprehensive Law Enforcement Bureau.

To tell a more interesting thing, their superiors are also the Ministry of War. Even the documents for their new deputy commander were written by Chen Heng.

The reason why I want to talk about this person is because the deputy commander named Lu stood in front of Chen Heng and took the initiative to talk: Master Chen, why are you here?

No kidding, the deputy commander of the fifth rank must be polite when meeting people from the Ministry of War. The appointment and dismissal of generals in the world all come from the Ministry of War, and their prestige is evident.

Jia Lian on the side still didn't think of Chen Heng, but when he heard the commander calling him sir, he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows, finding this scene somewhat interesting.

In the eyes of Baoyu and Xue Pan, who looked like they were suffering from constipation, Chen Heng smiled, raised his hands to the visitor and said, What a coincidence, I can meet Mr. Lu here.

Everyone carried the sedan chair. Although the Wucheng Military and Horse Department was a government office that was even less popular than the Ministry of Household Affairs, Lu Yingxiong's official position could not be faked.

The reason why Lu Yingxiong was so warm to Chen Heng was because Chen Heng was sitting next to him when he went to see Yao Ziran. When Lu Yingxiong saw that the two of them behaved intimately and spoke casually, he immediately remembered Chen Heng, who had written a document for him.

Don't think that only high-ranking officials of the third rank are officials. In the capital, for officials below the fourth rank, the ones who have the most dealings are not the high-ranking officials who come and go. These people were all guests of the Imperial Study Room and Li Zhi's right-hand men. The people Lu Yingxiong has the most contact with are people like Yao Ziran and Chen Heng. Even the crown prince Li Xian was in charge of petty officials below the fourth rank and helped Li Zhi govern the country.

The two chatted casually for a few words, reminiscing about the friendship they didn't have in the first place. Lu Yingxiong suggested that we go out to have a meal together next time the Ministry of War takes a break. Seeing Chen Heng nodding, the friendship that was not there was begun.

As soon as the ship's plank was put down, Lu Yingxiong, who was returning, had already led his officers and soldiers to surround him. Second-grade officials have pomp, but the pomp is not that exaggerated.

Lu Yingxiong was in charge of the Yangzhou Tax Bank who went to Beijing with Lin Ruhai, and they wanted to transport it intact to the Ministry of Household Affairs. Until this matter is dealt with, even Uncle Lin will not be able to get off the boat, not to mention the Jia family coming to pick them up.

After his subordinates had finished their important work, Lu Yingxiong went to the ship to apologize to Master Lin, and then left quickly with his men. The Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Division is indeed miserable.

At this point, the Lin family slowly began to unload their luggage. The servants of the Jia family, who had been prepared, immediately drove the carriage to help. Soon, Uncle Lin and his family disembarked from the boat.

Jia Lian and Baoyu stepped forward, calling uncle and uncle non-stop. Xue Pan stood aside, thought for a long time, and then also called uncle.

They were all juniors who had not seen each other for several years. Lin Ruhai agreed with a smile and looked around the scene on the street before seeing Chen Heng under the tree in the distance. The latter had a headache because there were too many people here and how to come up to say hello.

Sister Lin, it's been a long time since I last saw you.

When Baoyu saw Daiyu, half of his soul was lost. He remembered that all the elders were there, but he only leaned in front of his cousin, smiling while blocking the other person's sight.

Xue Pan's eyes almost rolled up when he looked at it, Okay, wait here, I'll tell my sister when I get back.

Lin Daiyu was still very angry because of Chen Heng's incident. Seeing Baoyu's smiling face, he became even more angry. Now I have nothing to say, I just tiptoe to look for someone in the crowd.

She looked for a long time but didn't see Chen Heng. He thought that the other party didn't know the day he arrived in Beijing and was disappointed because of this. Lin Jue on the side had already jumped up and pointed to the tree in the distance and said: Sister, look, it's the eldest brother.

Ben's still slightly disappointed expression immediately turned into uncontrollable joy in front of Jia Baoyu. Lin Daiyu stood on tiptoe, waved to someone, and said happily: Brother.

Seeing that the other party was not able to come over, Lin Daiyu pulled Lin Jue as a shield. The two of them walked through the busy crowd and headed straight towards Chen Heng.

As soon as they met, Lin Daiyu, who was in a happy mood, said softly: Brother.

Sister. Chen Heng nodded, and he was also looking at the other party. We haven't seen each other for more than half a year, and Sister Lin has grown taller. Needless to say, she already looks beautiful. The biggest change is that she has begun to say goodbye to bean sprouts.

Ha, this place is hard to say, I will be beaten by my sister.

But counting the time, she is already fourteen years old this year. By February next year, the cardamom girl will have her haircut.

Brother, why are you so haggard?! Lin Daiyu noticed the difference in Chen Heng at the first glance. My brother is already dark, but his skin color can't cover up the dark circles under his eyes. He looks so haggard.

It's just busy, even busier than in Yangzhou. Chen Heng shook his head in distress.

When Jia Min saw the two people talking in the distance, she couldn't help but whisper to her husband: It's like giving her wings to fly out.

It was no longer easy to use his young age to get away with it now. Lin Ruhai rolled his eyes and said, Brothers and sisters have a deep love.

Just help the evildoer. Jia Min glared at Lin Ruhai. Seeing Jia Lian leading several younger brothers up to pay homage, he also said a few words to the juniors. Seeing Jia Baoyu frequently looking behind her, she suddenly felt that it would be better for her daughter to stand over there.

It's hard to guess what this mother is thinking.

Aunt, I'll let someone take you home right now. Jia Lian began to be careless. When leaving the house, the old lady repeatedly told Jia Min to go back.

But who is Jia Min? She had been wary of this move and glanced at her steward, You have prepared the carriage, but your servants don't know the way. Steward Xu, let your servants drive the carriage.

Yes, ma'am.

The steward agreed immediately.

How could Jia Lian let them get away like this? This time, he would have to peel off the old lady's skin. He immediately spoke out to persuade him. At this time, another group of palace guards came to the pier, led by an eunuch sitting in a sedan chair.

As soon as the eunuch got off the sedan, he ran straight to Lin Ruhai and said loudly: Master Lin, if your Majesty wants you, you can come to the palace to see him.

Summoned by the emperor, Lin Ruhai had no choice but to apologize to his wife and juniors, and then asked the servants to enter the palace together with their court clothes. Before he had taken a few steps, the eunuch walked around to Chen Heng and said in front of everyone, Mr. Chen, you are here too. Come to the provincial guild hall. Your Majesty said that if you see You, I want you to enter the palace together.

Ah?! Chen Heng was stunned. He didn't even have time to take the order, so he subconsciously looked at Daiyu. He just agreed with his sister to go shopping together on the street.

Lin Daiyu didn't know the general temperament. Seeing this, she quickly pushed Chen Heng. Only then did the latter react, and said as if waking up from a dream: Yes...ah, I obey the order.

We'll talk about it when I get back. Leaving behind a few words, Chen Heng walked towards Lin Ruhai who was waiting for him.

Yes. Lin Daiyu responded softly, feeling an indescribable joy in her heart.

The eunuch led the teachers and students who were smiling at each other to a car, stretched out his hand and said: Mr. Lin, Mr. Chen, please get in the car. The driver took down the horse stool and led the teacher and student to the car.

Seeing that the two most important people were asked to leave by Li Zhi, Lin Daiyu had no choice but to lead her younger brother back to Jia Min. Jia Lian seemed to finally remember, clapped his hands fiercely, and said, I remember, isn't that person my uncle's student in Yangzhou?

When Jia Min heard this, she smiled and said, That's not true.

The teacher and student were called away at the same time. Even Jia Min felt a little strange in her heart.

Is he already so big?!

Jia Lian sighed. He actually didn't expect that the boy who was reading in the study could now enter the palace to meet the saint. Not many people in their family have this opportunity.

That's right. Lin Daiyu said the same thing. Seeing Baoyu's expression change, she smiled even brighter.

Lin Ruhai was right when he said that his daughter was indeed partial.

The Wucheng Bingma Division is the five government offices. I will not explain them in detail here. There is no need to waste words. You can just know them.