Chapter 146: Hong Xiucai
After waiting for a moment, Sun Boming and Manager Xia came back, apparently having bought all the gifts for becoming a disciple.
Sun Shan jumped off the chair and walked over to Sun Bomin.
Shopkeeper Xia said with a smile: "My dear, I will go with you. Mr. Hong's school is in the west district, not far from here, and we will arrive in a short walk."
Sun Bomin didn't know the exact location of Hong Xiucai's residence, but Manager Xia knew it just in time. He smiled and said, "Okay, thank you for your help. It will be quicker if someone leads the way." It was almost noon and the court was about to be dismissed. It was a good time to go now so as not to delay Hong Xiucai's meal.
Sun Shan and Sun Boming followed Shopkeeper Xia, while Xia Zhiguang stayed behind to look after the store. For businessmen, it was best to wait in the store for customers for twelve hours a day.
Huangyang County was small, so it only took a few steps to walk from the east district to the west district. The three of them soon arrived at Hong's Academy, and on the way they passed by the "Jinbangtiming" bookstore, where they saw Xia Dalang swatting flies at the counter out of boredom.
Sun Bomin said to Shopkeeper Xia, "My dear, Shanzi and I can go in. There is no need to trouble you. Go back to the shop. Business is more important."
Shopkeeper Xia was always a little afraid of scholars, so he didn't dare to go in. He said hesitantly, "My dear, do you really not need me to go in?"
It would be better to follow him in, Sun Boming thought.
Not to mention that Shopkeeper Xia was afraid of scholars, Sun Bomin was also afraid. It was said that scholars did not like large crowds, and they were afraid that too many people would follow them to sign up and they would be unhappy.
Sun Bomin could only take Sun Shan in by himself.
Sun Bomin shook his head and said, "No, I'll just take Shanzi in. Sorry to bother you today."
Seeing that Sun Bomin really didn't need him, Shopkeeper Xia breathed a sigh of relief and said, "My dear, accompany Shanzi inside. After you sign up, come to my house for dinner. I have arranged for someone to cook."
Sun Bomin waved his hand quickly: "No, after signing up, we will go back and not eat."
How could Manager Xia let Sun Bomin go? It was noon, and it was unreasonable not to eat.
He shook his head and said, "My dear relatives, your meal is already cooked. You can come to my house to eat later. Go in quickly. School will be over soon. Remember to come to eat. It's already cooked at home."
Shopkeeper Xia waved his hand and let Sun Boming in. He was not afraid that he would leave without permission because the ox cart was still in the backyard of the shop.
Seeing that Sun Bomin was still about to refuse, Sun Shan quickly said, "Father, sign up first, and we'll talk about other things later."
I have been standing in front of the door of Hong's School and talking. Someone inside came out to check the situation. If I don't take the opportunity to go in, what will I be waiting for?
Sun Bomin also saw someone coming out of Hong's school. He took Sun Shan to a middle-aged man guarding the gate and said hurriedly, "My dear brother, I am here to bring my son to school. This is a letter from Master Zheng. Please give it to Scholar Hong."
The middle-aged man was about the same age as Sun Boming, and had a similar height and build, but his face was much paler and he didn't look like he often did farm work.
When the middle-aged man heard someone bringing their child to register for school, he said in confusion, "Study? If they want to study, they should come after the New Year."
Sun Bomin explained, "Yes, we are here to register first and will enroll after the new year. My son was studying under Master Zheng before, but Master Zheng said that if he wants to go further, he must become a disciple of Scholar Hong. This is a letter from Master Zheng, he is an old friend of Scholar Hong."
The middle-aged man understood that it was an acquaintance who introduced him, so he asked, "Master Zheng, which Master Zheng?"
Sun Bomin said innocently, "He is from Zhengjia Village, Mingyang Town. His grandson is also studying here with Hong Xiucai."
The middle-aged man knew who Sun Bomin was talking about. The number of scholars and students in the county could be counted on ten fingers, so it was hard not to recognize him.
He bowed and said, "My last name is Hong. Please wait a moment. I will be back soon."
After saying that, he took the letter and walked into the school.
When Sun Shan heard the surname "Hong", he realized that the middle-aged man was a relative of Mr. Hong.
When hiring people to do things, people usually choose blood relatives. In this era, blood relatives represent oneness, and they prosper together and suffer together, so people are usually hired based on personal connections.
After waiting for a while, the middle-aged man came out and said politely, "Come in, the master wants to see you."
Sun Bomin and Sun Shan followed the middle-aged man into the school and found that there was something special inside, with small bridges, flowing water and houses, which was very unique.
Pass through an archway and walk inside to find several rooms.
Sun Shan took a few glances and saw students studying, so this must be a classroom. He walked through several classrooms and reached the innermost one.
The middle-aged man stopped and knocked on the door.
There was a response from inside, with full of energy.
The middle-aged man opened the door and instructed Sun Bomin and Sun Shan to go in.
Sun Bomin and Sun Shan nodded to the middle-aged man and walked into the house. As for the apprenticeship gift they brought, the middle-aged man put it in the outer room as soon as they came in.
Sun Shan and Sun Bomin saluted Hong Xiucai.
Mr. Hong stood up and motioned Sun Boming and Sun Shan to sit down.
Sun Shan looked up and saw that Hong Xiucai was about the same age as Master Zheng. He was wearing a light green gown, had a long beard, was tall and thin, had a long face, and had prominent cheekbones. He didn't look easy to get along with. As for his true personality, he needed to get to know him after getting along with him.
Hong Xiucai started first: "Sun Shan, right?"
Sun Shan didn't expect that he would be called first, so he quickly got off the chair and bowed to Hong Xiucai: "Yes, Master."
Hong Xiucai nodded and said, "I read Zheng Tongsheng's letter. He said that you are a good student and want to go further and continue to take the imperial examination. Are you sure you want to do this?"
Sun Shan cupped his hands and said firmly, "Master, yes, I want to take the imperial examination."
Hong Xiucai hummed and said to Sun Bomin, "Sun Bomin, your son is going to take the imperial examination. There are some things I must tell you first."
Sun Bomin was sitting restlessly. When he heard Hong Xiucai calling him, he stood up quickly and said nervously, "Master, go ahead."
So what Sun Shan heard was that Hong Xiucai and Sun Bomin were calculating the cost of studying, from enrollment to the imperial examination.
For example, ask: "Does your son live in the school?"
Sun Bomin replied: "I live in the school."
Then Mr. Hong added 500 coins on the side.
As Hong Xiucai asked, he calculated the accounts and finally concluded that it was similar to Sun Shan's. He said seriously: "Your son will have to spend at least 80 taels from now until the first imperial examination. I heard that your family is just a farmer. This amount of money is a huge sum for you. Are you ready?
80 taels is the minimum. If you want to go on several more scientific expeditions, you will need more money.
You also know that no one in Huangyang County can pass the exam in one try and become a scholar. Your money may be wasted. Are you ready?"
Sun Shan had already settled accounts with Sun Bomin, but Hong Xiucai's re-calculation still made Sun Bomin's heart beat fast, and he secretly cursed that studying was a waste of money. But his son wanted to do it, so he had no choice but to let him do it. He was the only child in the family, and all the money in the family was his anyway.
Sun Bomin said firmly: "Master, I know. Before we came, Shanzi had already calculated the bill for our family. We can still afford it."