Be a master through ancient times

Because the distance was relatively long, the magistrate's guard of honor set out first, and then magistrate Yang, Chu Ci and Chu Xiaoyuan got into the carriage and headed for Changxi Village.

When approaching the entrance of Changxi Village, the county magistrate got out of the carriage, sat in a sedan chair, and gonged ahead to clear the way, slowly heading towards the village.Chu Ci and the others followed on foot.

Chu Xiaoyuan whispered to Chu Ci: "Uncle, being an official is really prestigious."

"Yes, so you have to study hard in the future to become a high-ranking official and let everyone see your majestic side." Chu Ci patted his little head.

Chu Xiaoyuan nodded: "Well, I will study hard. The master praised me yesterday, saying that I can recite books quickly!"

"Is that a compliment to you, or to Kua Yu'er?" Chu Ci asked casually.

"..."

Chu Xiaoyuan pouted, uncle really can't chat!

"Crackling, crackling", the sound of firecrackers kept ringing, and after the ground was covered with red flowers, the county magistrate slowly got off the sedan chair.

He was wearing a mandarin duck men's suit, and his demeanor shocked the common people.

"Welcome to the old parents!" The mayor of Ping'an Town led the village head and the elders in the village to salute together.

"All elders and elders, please be free. I am here today to congratulate you. There are virtuous and upright people in Changxi Village, which shows the good style of the village. I have already ordered people to build a memorial archway. When the time comes, it will be erected at the entrance of the village. People who come and go look up."

"Thank you old parents! If it weren't for your good governance, what kind of virtue and ability would there be in our village to produce such a talented person!" said the old man in the village. Every time he said a word, his body would tremble. Chu Ci was very worried about him. Say a few more words and the whole person will be piled on the ground.

County magistrate Yang obviously also had this concern, so he comforted the old man a few words, and then let them sit on a bench not far away.

"Plaque please!"

Two yamen servants with big knives on their waists looked solemn, and they worked together to lift up the plaque covered by the red cloth.

"Chu Xiucai, this is for you, you should unveil the plaque yourself."

"The old parents are sorry, the student has an unfeeling request, I hope the old parents can agree." Chu Ci said.

"Let's talk." County magistrate Yang looked at him with kind eyes. He had learned to speak yesterday, and he is expected to be promoted in the next year. Now he has no choice but to confess this treasure.

"The student was born by his mother who suffered from pregnancy in October. I have benefited a lot from her upbringing since I was a child. There is no way to repay the kindness of my parents. Therefore, the student wants to ask his mother to unveil this plaque together, and ask the old parents to help .”

"Filial son! My dynasty has always ruled the world with benevolence and filial piety. Your filial piety is commendable. How could I be that wicked person? Hurry up and invite Mr. Xiucai's mother."

As soon as the county magistrate issued an order, someone immediately went to invite him.A group of people surrounded Chu's mother who was at a loss. When Chu's mother saw the old man in official uniform, her legs went limp in fright, and she almost fell to her knees.

"Mother!" Chu Ci took a few steps, then knelt down in front of her and kowtowed three times. "The child has been studying for many years, and his mother and brother-in-law have been worrying day and night. Today, the child has received this honor. I also invite my mother to unveil the plaque with me."

"Xiao Er, get up quickly." Chu's mother was moved to tears, "Mother promised you."

Others were also very moved. This picture of a loving mother and filial piety is what the elders expect to see.

Chu Ci and Chu's mother stood aside, reaching out to tear off the red cloth covering the plaque at the same time.In an instant, four big characters shining with golden light appeared in front of people's eyes.Under the sunlight, the light seems to be more intense, making people afraid to look directly at it.

The yamen servants carried the plaque around the village, and the villagers looked outside the doors of each house. Whichever door they carried, they knelt down to greet the county magistrate.

Finally, they came to the ancestral hall.

Father Chu's memorial tablet had already been placed in the middle. Chu Ci, Chu Guang and Chu Xiaoyuan lit incense and worshiped before welcoming the tablet in.

County magistrate Yang stood above and read a passage, and then gave Chu Ci a brand new flying fish suit and 20 taels of silver.Chu Ci immediately stated that he would donate the 20 taels to the village, and let the village use it as incense money for repairing the ancestral hall and offering sacrifices to the elders.

Usually, the elders in this ancestral hall can only receive some incense during the New Year and festivals. There is no one to take care of them on weekdays, and they are not so particular about rural people.However, after this plaque is hung, incense must be provided every day to show respect, and the elders will simply let the elders enjoy the blessings.The 20 taels of silver, not to mention too much, can be used for at least four or five years.

The plaque was hung on the beam in the middle, and the moment it was hung, it seemed that the whole ancestral hall had changed.

The village chief led the crowd to worship, and the ancestral hall will be called Xianliang Temple in the future.

The women in the village gathered together to set up several tables of good wine and food to entertain the people in the county.County magistrate Yang wanted to promote, so he said that the county government is currently short of manpower, and asked Chu Ci if he had any intention of recommending someone to be the head of the warehouse.This warehouse manager is just guarding the warehouse, occasionally running errands, five qian per month, and there is no shortage of filial piety in four seasons, and there is often oil and water to be fished. You can get two to thirty taels a year casually, which is more cost-effective than farming. many.

Hearing what he said, Chu Ci thought of a suitable person in his heart.His eldest brother has a generous temper and is not good at words, so he is not suitable to work in the county government, otherwise he will take the blame for others one day and don't know what is going on.

But his uncle was different.He guards the gate of the town yamen all the year round, and he has long practiced the skills of talking to people and talking nonsense when he sees people. After more than ten years of hard work, he has already figured out some twists and turns.Never follow other people's way easily.Moreover, although his uncle is somewhat sophisticated, he still has a good conscience.There is a person in the yamen, and it will be more convenient to do anything in the future.

Therefore, Chu Ci recommended his uncle to Magistrate Yang with a smile.County magistrate Yang doesn't care who goes, as long as Chu Ci speaks, the face will be sold to him after all.He gave a few instructions to the master who was sitting on the right hand side, and the master immediately went to the mayor's table and settled the matter within a short while.

After lunch, County Magistrate Yang and the others rushed back.With the approval of the head of the mountain, Chu Ci can stay at home for two days before going back.He entrusted Zhong Liyu to Zhang Wenhai and others, because there are still some urgent matters at home that need to be resolved.

"Mother, brother, sister-in-law, this is 500 taels of silver, which I got by selling books."

"What... what? There are so many?" The Chu family felt too excited. He got back a house deed and a land deed a few days ago, and now he got back 500 taels of silver notes. Could it be that they haven't gone out for a long time, and now Is outside money not as valuable as it used to be?

"Yeah, I didn't expect so many copies to be engraved. Presumably people from other counties also came to buy it." He still only took a few cents to get so much money. It seems that the ancient practice questions are really very good. Best seller!

"Put this money away. When you and Xiaoyuan go to Beijing for the exam, we will hire an escort to protect you." Chu Guang said,

"No, brother, this money is used to repair the house."

"Even if it is built like a village chief's house, it only needs seven or eighty taels. Put all the other money away." Chu Guang corrected.

"Uh, bro, I think our house needs to be bigger. I'm going to take the imperial examination this year. When I pass the exam, I need to treat my classmates and villagers to a banquet for a few days. If so The yard is too small, so I'm afraid it won't look good at that time. Besides, Xiaoyuan is growing up, and he will have many friends in the Mengtong Hall of the county school, and it is inevitable that he will invite people to play at home."

After hearing Chu Ci's words, Chu Guang hesitated.Indeed, when they were scholars in the second year of junior high school, their family was poor, and no one would criticize them if they made it a little rough.After Xiaoer has won the Juren, if the family is still in that shabby state, I am afraid that Xiaoer will be looked down upon by others.

"Then build a big house! I will discuss with the village chief tomorrow to buy the land behind our house."

"Brother, by the way, let's also buy the small hill behind the land. When the time comes, we will plant seasonal flowers and plants there, and decorate it more elegantly. No matter when we walk in, it will be very beautiful." Chu Ci Liren's romance bursts in an instant.

When he was reading Peach Blossom Spring, he often imagined that he could have such a piece of land.

Chu's mother and Chu Guang looked at each other, feeling that their second child was a bit of a prodigal.Buy a mountain bag to grow flowers and plants?Isn't it more affordable to grow a la carte and raise some chickens and ducks?

In the afternoon, the villagers brought their things to Chu's house to congratulate.Wave after wave of people crowded the small courtyard of the Chu family to the brim.Only then did Chu Guang feel that what Xiaoer said was reasonable, the house must be bigger.

"Oh, I used to say that our A Ci is up to date, and we are different from us in terms of appearance and demeanor. No, it's really promising to be awarded by the court."

Uncle Chu Ci's voice was heard from a distance, and the villagers didn't say much when they saw a foreign visitor, they put down their things and left after talking.

Aunt Chu smiled at everyone, and went to the kitchen to help Mother Chu.

"Uncle, you came just in time. I have something to tell you."

"What's the matter? As long as you open your mouth, uncle will do it for you. I have already told you that when I was there, all the people I knew were respectable people."

"Hehe, that's exactly what happened. When I was having dinner with my old parents today, he suddenly said that there was a lack of a warehouse manager in the yamen, and he wanted me to recommend someone. I wanted to recommend my brother, but my sister-in-law is pregnant. It’s about to give birth, and the family has just bought a field, so I can’t leave for a while. I recommended you, Uncle, to him. If there is no accident, they will notify you when you go to town tomorrow.”

"Oh, oh, it's very, very! Oh, your eldest brother really can't go, your sister-in-law has such a big belly, it's better to rest at home. By the way, your mother is not in good health. When she is about to give birth, I will ask your aunt to return home. You can rest assured that my family will help you cook for a few months."

Uncle Chu was so happy that he didn't know what to do.

He thought for a while, and then said: "A Ci, you recommended my uncle to the county government, and my uncle doesn't know how to repay you. I just don't know if those people in the county government get along well. What if I offend someone inside? , not only didn’t repay you, but it would be bad if I got you into trouble.”

Chu Ci couldn't help laughing, this uncle is really a lot of tricks, he just asked about the situation of the county government in a roundabout way, and he had to put his name on it.

"It's okay, Uncle, you have to be brave enough to go, the old parents are the most lenient and loving, and they won't just sit back and watch them bully you."

"I'm relieved when you say that. By the way, He Yi is on your aunt. I'll go get it." He got up and hurried to the kitchen.

The two brothers Chu Guang and Chu Ci laughed. They just saw him holding a red envelope in his hand, why did they go to Auntie's place in a blink of an eye?I think I felt that I got the benefits of Chu Ci, and thought that the original He Yi was too light, so I secretly went to increase the money.

Sure enough, after a while, Uncle Chu took out a congratulatory instrument, with two taels of silver wrapped in it, probably stuffing all the money on his body into it.

"A Ci, congratulations to you. You have received this honor today. I hope that you will also win the Guibang in the next provincial examination, and you will be awarded the yellow first prize."