Poor Family

  Chapter 70 Going to the city to rush for the exam

  Li Yanqing invited Zhou Tong into the house. Zhou Tong saw a pile of polished semi-finished stones in the corner of the yard, so he picked one up, looked at it and asked with a smile, "Did Hu Cheng also teach you this stone-breaking technique?"

   "Reporting to Master Zhou, Uncle Hu pointed out the student's techniques, and he also taught me a few sword techniques."

  Zhou Tong nodded, "Stone hitting and archery go hand in hand. It's rare for young masters like you, but why don't you practice flying knives?"

  Li Yanqing hesitated and said: "There is still room for turning around when hitting a rock, but if the flying knife sees blood, it will be a knot."

  Zhou Tong applauded in his heart, this child understands the truth, does not go to extremes, but also sticks to his promise, and does not betray his friends, he is a rare and good seedling, and he has the idea of ​​accepting disciples in his heart.

   "You're right. If you use the throwing knife tonight, even if I have face, I won't be able to untangle this deadlock. Take me to see who you arrested!"

   "Master Zhou, please go this way."

Li Yanqing brought Zhou Tong to the back room, and the two of them walked into the room. The light was on in the room, and there was a **** man wearing a heavy shackle sitting on the ground, his feet tied, his head hanging listlessly, and beside him stood a The nine-year-old girl was holding a pounding mallet in her hand, staring fiercely at the **** man like a kitten, as if she was ready to hit him with a stick at any time.

Li Kui was also quiet, he was really afraid that the little lady would act recklessly, as long as he moved, the little lady would be beaten facelessly with the mallet, although a few hits were nothing, but if the news spread, Where should he put Li Kui's face?

  Li Kui saw Li Yanqing, and hurriedly said: "Hurry up and call this little lady out, she is next to me, I am so unlucky!"

  Li Yanqing said with a smile: "I have already discussed with your leader, I will let you go back now."

   Magpie panicked immediately, "Little official, don't let him go, he said he would kill me!"

  Li Kui was very proud, and bared his white teeth at the magpie, saying: "Little lady, are you scared now? Hurry up and get me a bowl of wine, and I will spare you!"

   "I am not afraid of you!"

  The magpie raised the hammer and tried to hit her again, but Li Yanqing hurriedly stopped her, "Don't be afraid, he's just scaring you, the dignified Liangshan hero can't get along with a nine-year-old lady, he can't afford to lose face."

  Li Kui snorted angrily, "Since you have reconciled with my brother, let me go quickly, don't really annoy me."

   Li Yanqing wanted to try Zhou Tong's ability, so he stepped forward and lifted the tendon rope from Li Kui's feet, and then opened Li Kui's heavy shackle. Zhou Tong was secretly amused, this brat actually wants to try himself?

Li Kui was freed suddenly, and suddenly roared and punched Li Yanqing's face, which made the magpie scream. screamed, and his body immediately went limp.

  Zhou Tong snorted and let go of his wrist, "Even if Lin Chong sees this old man, he has to kneel obediently. How dare you act presumptuously in front of this old man?"

  Lin Chong is the most skilled martial artist in Liangshanbo, and even Li Kui dare not provoke him. Although Li Kui is reckless, he is not stupid at all. He immediately guessed who this old man is, "You are Mr. Zhou?"

   "I will be the guarantor. Li Shaolang and Song Gongming have reconciled. Come with me! I will take you back to the inn."

  Now that Li Kui knew that the man in front of him was Master Lin Chong, the world-renowned Iron Arm Zhou Tong, he didn't dare to be presumptuous anymore, and obediently followed Zhou Tong away.

  At this time, Zhou Tong asked Li Yanqing again in a low voice: "You can't even believe the old man about Hu Cheng's whereabouts?"

  Li Yanqing smiled faintly, "If I can't trust Master Zhou, I won't accept Master Zhou's mediation, but the whereabouts of Uncle Hu is another matter, I won't tell anyone."

  Zhou Tong laughed loudly, "Good! Good!"

Although he didn't tell himself about Hu Cheng's whereabouts, Zhou Tong could vaguely guess some clues. Hu Cheng's father was buried in the Daming Mansion. When Ye Luo returned to his roots, Hu Cheng would definitely take his mother back to his hometown. His other apprentice, Lu Junyi, was the Daming Mansion. I believe he can help me find Hu Cheng.

  Zhou Tong led Li Kui out of the courtyard, turned back to Li Yanqing and said, "Calm down from now on, take the county school exam well, and we will have a chance to see you again!"

  Li Yanqing bowed and gave a long salute: "Thank you Master Zhou for helping Yanqing relieve today's misfortune. Yanqing will definitely take the county school exam seriously and live up to Master Zhou's high expectations!"

  Looking at the figures of Zhou Tong and Li Kui disappearing into the night, Magpie worriedly asked: "Young official, that black-faced villain won't come again!"

   "Don't worry! He won't come again."

  Li Yanqing looked at the sky, then asked with a smile, "What time is it now?"

   "It's almost five o'clock!"

  Li Yanqing stretched his body for a long time. Although he didn't sleep all night, he didn't feel sleepy. He took a deep breath of the cold air and smiled at the magpie: "Go to the kitchen and get me something to eat. I'm going to start running!"

At the same time when Li Yanqing started his unshakable daily running, Song Jiang and his party quietly left Zhangji Town and headed south. Song Jiang kept turning his head and looking north. All the people under his command left Xiangzhou, and Song Jiang still couldn't forget this matter.

In the early morning of the fifth day of February, Yao Ding called Li Yanqing into his study. Yao Ding looked a little sad. For five years, he taught Li Yanqing carefully, and finally it was time to part. Already rickety, it seems that his back is as thin as a child, but his pale hair tells people that he is almost seventy years old.

   "You are leaving Lushan Academy today. I still remember when I asked you five years ago, why do you want to study? You said to read more books? If I asked you this question again today, how would you answer it?"

Yao Ding spoke very slowly, but there was a hint of expectation in his old eyes. Li Yanqing did not answer. He has been thinking about this question, but so far he can't think of a complete answer. He hopes to be admitted to Jinshi, and to complete the title of the gold list that scholars dream of. , to realize the long-cherished wish of his father and master for many years, and he also hopes to do his part for the coming era of disaster.

  These are all things he wants to do, but they are not complete, just like the pieces of a puzzle, they are just one piece, but they can't show the whole picture of the puzzle. Li Yanqing himself doesn't know what the whole picture should be?

   After a long silence, Li Yanqing lowered his head and said apologetically, "Master, I don't know either!"

  Yao Ding was not disappointed, his eyes began to flash a gleam of light, and the wrinkles on his face were stretched away by a smile, "Actually, this is the answer I want."

Li Yanqing was startled, he didn't understand why Master said that, Yao Ding took his hand, and said slowly: "Lushan Town is just a small valley, when you walk out of the valley, you will see endless white mountains , when you walk out of the mountains, you will find the endless plains outside. When you cross the plains and cross the big rivers, you will see a more magnificent sea. Only then will you understand why you were Want to study? It’s a pity that I may not hear your answer by that day, I hope you don’t forget what an old man told you today.”

  Li Yanqing knelt in front of Master, tears came out, and said with a choked voice: "Master must live a long life, and wait for Yanqing to come back and tell Master the answer!"

  Yao Ding lovingly stroked his beloved student's head, "Go! Go and get me the first place in the county school exam, go and get me into the Juren and Jinshi exams, so that Master's hunchback can straighten up again."

   "Master take care!"

  Li Yanqing kowtowed three times, stood up and left Lushan Academy quickly. Yao Ding watched his apprentice walk out of the school, his old eyes were full of expectations.

A quarter of an hour later, more than 20 students from Lushan Town boarded six bullock carts and went to the county seat to take the county examination. played.

Every student’s mood is very complicated. This is the first test in their life. Being admitted to the county school means that they can continue their studies. After two years, they will either take the Fajie Exam or the State Examination , can continue their life journey.

  If they fail to enter the county school, most people have to bid farewell to their study career, or go home to farm, or go out to do business, and embark on another life path.

The four of Li Yanqing were sitting in the second bullock cart, and Li Er was also squeezed together with them, but Li Er was not too depressed, he smiled at everyone: "The patriarch has already contacted me, if you don't pass the county exam If I don’t want to study, I will go to Anyang Academy to study, and I will be able to take the state examination after two years.”

Anyang Academy is a school founded by private individuals. It is a junior school at the same level as the county school. It is far from being compared with the four major academies in the world, but it is also a relatively famous academy in Xiangzhou. It was founded by a retired official 20 years ago. Li Wengui's The eldest grandson Li Feng also went there to study.

   Li Er actually said what Li Yanqing heard, and he was a little proud. The patriarch didn't only care about Brother Qing. This time, the patriarch didn't even help Brother Qing, only helped himself.

  But Li Yanqing was staring out the window in a daze, and didn't hear his words. Li Er felt a little disappointed, and then poked Wang Gui next to him with his arm, and asked with a smile, "Your grandfather should find a good relationship for you, right?"

  Wang Gui snorted disdainfully and said: "Of course, the magistrate of Dao Dao personally approved the note. My name is already on the enrollment list of the county school, and so is Lao Tang!"

  Li Yanqing has gradually come out of the sadness of parting with Master. He never heard Tang Huai mention this matter, so he asked Tang Huai with a smile: "Old Tang, is that so?"

"I am not very sure!"

  Tang Huai glanced at Li Er, and said vaguely: "My family asked me to concentrate on the exam and not worry about other things. I don't bother to ask more questions."

With Li Er, an 'outsider', Tang Huai obviously refused to tell the truth, so Li Yanqing stopped asking more questions. At this time, Yue Fei said slowly: "I heard that the magistrate of this martial arts test is personally in charge of the test, including archery, weightlifting and running. , As long as you pass two of them, you can enter the school."

  The four of them sat up straight, and asked in surprise: "Didn't it be said that you must pass all three before you can enter school?"

Yue Fei smiled, "It should be the state's interference. If all three items must be passed, then most of the students will fall into the field of archery, and few can be admitted to the county school. This is too much. Now it has been changed to two passes, in fact, as long as you pass the running, there is basically no problem in the martial arts test."

   Tang Huai continued: "There is also a difference here. If you fail in archery, then the future martial arts instructor will still be the old beetle. But if you pass the archery, then Master Zhou will become the martial arts instructor."

  Not only Wang Gui and Tang Huai were extremely excited, but Li Yanqing and Yue Fei also yearned leisurely. If they could learn martial arts from Zhou Tong, it would not be in vain for them to take the county school exam.

  Everyone was still living in Tang's Inn, and the room had already been prepared. When everyone was carrying their luggage, Li Yanqing suddenly heard someone calling him from behind. When he turned his head, it turned out to be the second patriarch Li Wengui, which was beyond his expectation.

  Li Yanqing hurriedly stepped forward to greet him. Since Li Wengui resigned from the post of Du Baozheng, he has been staying in Tangyin County for a long time to take charge of Li's properties in the county and Anyang County.

   This is also the division of labor between him and his elder brother Li Wenyou. Li Wenyou manages the land, while he manages the property. In name, it is the property of the clan, but in fact more than half of it belongs to them personally.

   Li Wengui rarely showed a smile on his face, "Does Qinger have time? How about we have a light meal?"

   Standing next to Li Wengui is a young man who is his beloved grandson Li Baoer. He also took the county exam with Li Yanqing this year.

  Li Yanqing didn't know what the second patriarch wanted him to do, so he nodded silently.

  Li Wengui took Li Yanqing to the Liji Tavern not far away. It is a tavern opened by Li Wengui in the county seat.

  They sat down by the window on the second floor, and Li Wengui poured Li Yanqing a glass of wine with a smile, "Qinger, we haven't seen each other for almost three years!"

   Li Yanqing suddenly had a feeling that he had lived so peacefully in the past few years, was it because Li Wengui moved to the county and was not in Lushan Town?

  Li Wengui saw that Li Yanqing did not answer himself, and asked with a smile: "Is your father still in Anyang?"

   "Thank you ancestors for your concern, daddy is still in good health."

"That's good!"

  Li Wengui drank a glass of wine, then slowly said: "For decades, my biggest experience is that the clan can thrive and prosper through mutual help among clan members. I wonder if Qing'er recognizes this?"

There is nothing wrong with this statement, but it depends on the occasion when it is said. For example, Li Yanqing looked at Li Baoer who was sitting next to his grandfather. This kid was the worst in his batch of Lushan Academy candidates. After the exam, Li Wengui said that the tribe should help each other. What does this mean?

  Li Yanqing smiled and nodded, reluctantly agreeing to his words.

  Li Wengui was secretly delighted, so he patted his young grandson's head lovingly and sighed: "Tomorrow is the county exam. I am very worried about Bao'er, and Qing'er also knows his situation. To be honest, I am really helpless!"

   "This shouldn't be difficult!" Li Yanqing laughed.

Li Wengui knew what Li Yanqing was referring to, and said: "Of course there are ways, but they are always ugly. To be honest, I hope that Bao'er can perform well so that the county can also send happy news to the door, and honor my ancestors for me. My first few My grandson doesn't even have this chance to show off, Bao'er is my last hope, can Qing'er understand my feelings?"

   "Of course I can understand that every elderly person hopes that their children and grandchildren will be successful. This is human nature."

  Li Wengui saw that Li Yanqing was not on the road, so he cut to the chase: "Qing'er, you are a smart kid, why don't we make a deal!"

'trade? ’ Li Yanqing immediately felt disgusted. Just now he said that the tribe should help each other, but now it has become a transaction. I am afraid that mutual help is just a fancy word, and the transaction is Li Wengui’s real idea.

  Li Yanqing restrained the resentment in his heart, and asked lightly: "I don't know what the transaction that the ancestor of the second clan mentioned refers to?"

"Anyway, Qing'er is only twelve years old this year, and she is the youngest among the county school candidates this year. Can Qing'er give up this year's opportunity to Bao'er and take the county school next year? In return, I will let your father take charge of all the family business. What do you think of the ledger?"

  Li Yanqing couldn't say a word, but he actually let himself give the opportunity to his grandson, thanks to him thinking it out!

  Li Yanqing was angry in his heart, but there was no expression on his face. He still asked calmly: "I don't quite understand the meaning of the second patriarch. The county examination has always been very strict. How can I give up the opportunity to Bao'er."

  Li Wengui thought that Li Yanqing was tempted, so he lowered his voice and said, "At the end of the exam, when you write your name on the paper, write Baoer's name on your paper, and your name on Baoer's paper, so it will be seamless."

  Li Yanqing couldn't believe his ears. He died in this kind of thing in his previous life, and his father ruined his life because of it. Now Li Wengui actually wants to let himself be the knife catcher again.

   Li Yanqing was furious in his heart, stood up abruptly and said: "Elders should have the morality of elders. Although Yanqing is young, he also knows shame. I will never agree to this matter, so I bid farewell!"

   After finishing speaking, Li Yanqing turned around and left angrily. Li Wengui was so angry that his face was livid, and he didn't speak for a long time. Suddenly, he slammed his fist **** the table.

   【April 1st, a new January, I hope everyone can support us so that Laogao can be successfully launched on May 1st! 】

  (end of this chapter)