Chapter 163 Preparing to go to the county to study
In any case, the New Year arrives as scheduled, and with the sound of firecrackers, the new year has come again.
Since Sun Bomin did not return home before the Lunar New Year, Su did not return to her parents' home either. On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Sun Bomin led Sun Shan and others to Hulingshan Village early in the morning.
Sun Shan seldom went to his grandmother's house, only once a year. The moment he stepped into the village entrance, Hulingshan Village was still the same Hulingshan Village, still poor and depressed.
Sun Shan cut a few more peach branches and put them in the room. When Huang saw them, she said lovingly, "My dear grandson loves flowers. No wonder he is so good at growing them."
The family members laughed happily.
This time he went to the city to sell flowers, and sold a total of 60 taels. After spending 3 taels on roast goose and 2 taels on souvenirs, he had 55 taels left. As for the cost of growing flowers, Sun Shan paid for it at first, but later Sun Bomin couldn't stand it anymore and paid for it himself. He was even more obsessed with growing flowers than Sun Shan.
Sun Shan took it upon himself to give each of the four sisters of the Sun family one tael of silver. Although it seemed like a small amount, it was earned through hard work.
Sun Boming and Huang didn't think much of it, but Su was strongly opposed to it.
Finally, after sweet talk and promises, Su was persuaded to give 1 liang to her four sisters.
As for Sun Shan, he took 10 taels, and the rest was divided among Sun Bomin, Su, and Huang. Huang naturally didn't want it, so all of it went into the pockets of Sun Bomin and his wife.
Su said cheerfully, "Shanzi, we will continue to sell flowers next year."
Then he whispered, "Shanzi, Dad and Mom will save the money and give it to you in the future. Study hard and don't worry about money. It would be best if you can pass the exam to become a scholar like Jing'er did."
Sun Shan was stunned. Why did Su's style of painting change? Before, he studied hard and worked for Aunt Sun, but now he studies hard and takes the exam to become a scholar?
Su Shi did not notice Sun Shan's surprise and continued to say cheerfully, "My Shan is smart, no worse than Jing'er."
I thought to myself that Shanzi was so young but he was already coming up with ideas to make money for the family. There was no kid within a thousand miles who could compare to my Shanzi.
At the beginning, Sun Bomin and Su also asked Sun Shan why he could grow flowers of different colors?
Sun Shan directly said something he saw in a book. Books contain everything. As long as you read a lot of books, you will understand everything.
Sun Boming and his wife believed it because every time Sun Shan went to the county town, he would only go to the "Jinbangtiming" bookstore to read books, unlike other children who clamored to buy delicious and fun things.
Zheng Dalang also joked: "Brother Bomin, your kid really likes reading books, and he is reading books about farming. Oh, I think he will be a master of farming in the future."
Su thought of this and continued to instruct: "Shanzi, when you study, you should not only read books about farming, but also read books about how to take the examination for a scholar. You are so smart, you will definitely be able to pass the examination for a scholar."
Sun Shan was very happy that Su supported him in the imperial examination, and said happily, "Mother, don't worry, I will study hard and pass the examinations for the title of scholar, juren, and jinshi in the future, so that you can become the wife of an official and receive a salary from the court."
After Su heard this, her dry, thin face lit up with brilliant colors, and she touched Sun Shan's face happily: "Okay, my dear Shanzi, mother is waiting."
On the fourth day of the New Year, Sun Bomin took Sun Shan to visit Master Zheng, bringing gifts bought in the city.
After listening to Sun Bomin's story about how Sun Shan became Hong Xiucai's apprentice, Master Zheng said happily, "Hong Xiucai is a sincere man. You can rest assured that Sun Shan will study under him."
Sun Bomin patted his head honestly and said, "Master, I know. Thank you for your introduction."
Afterwards, Master Zheng introduced his second grandson, Zheng Hongwen, to Sun Shan and said, "You two should have a good chat. In the future, you can get along well with each other in Hong's School and help each other."
The thirteen-year-old Zheng Hongwen was tall and thin. He smiled and said, "Shanzi, don't be afraid. If you encounter any problems in school, come to me."
Sun Shan hummed, and the two chatted about some of the rules of Zheng's Academy, mainly Zheng Hongwen talking and Sun Shan listening. He summed it up in one sentence: In the academy, don't do anything, learning is the most important thing. Everyone in the academy is determined to take the imperial examination, and everyone just focuses on studying hard.
He also suggested: "Shanzi, when you have time, go to the "Jinbangtiming" bookstore to read books. There are no books to read in Master Zheng's school. If you want to take the path of the imperial examination, you must have a broad horizon. We can only read more books."
Sun Shan said sincerely: "Brother Hongwen, thank you, I understand."
After saying goodbye to the Zheng family and returning home, De Geer brought Yang Qingbei over.
The moment he saw Sun Shan, Yang Qingbei was slightly excited: "Shanzi, long time no see."
In fact, it wasn't that long since we last saw each other, but Sun Shan was about to leave Zheng's School, so it would be difficult to see him in the future.
Sun Shan took Yang Qingbei to the study and bedroom and took out a copybook: "Qingbei, this is what I brought back from the city. I'm giving it to you."
Yang Qingbei took the calligraphy copy solemnly and said with emotion: "Shanzi, thank you."
De Ge'er thought that Sun Shan was going to give Yang Qingbei a good gift without telling him, but when he found out it was a copy of calligraphy, he immediately lost interest.
He pulled the two people out of the Sun family's old house, muttering: "Shanzi, my little brother from Tsinghua and Peking University, it's New Year's Day, let's not discuss academic matters, let's go out and play."
The three of them came to the threshing ground in the village. Deger took out his various toys, such as spinning tops, diabolos, and stone beads. He called his friends and gathered a group of children to play together.
Sun Shan and Yang Qingbei also joined in, and the whole threshing ground was filled with laughter.
Before he knew it, years had passed and Sun Shan officially went to the county town to study.
Su nervously checked the package, thinking about packing it today and leaving for the county town early tomorrow morning.
He shouted to Sun Bomin, "Shanzi's father, did you put Shanzi's pillow into the sack?"
There are too many things and I don’t know whether I have put them away or not.
Sun Bomin also forgot and said anxiously: "I don't know either, you take a look."
When he said he would take a look, he had to open the sack and pack it again.
Su did not mind the trouble. He untied the sack and checked everything one by one. He found the quilt, the mat, the mosquito net, and only felt relieved when he finally found the pillow.
Huang was busy packing clothes for Sun Shan and called out, "Shanzi's mother, how many sets of clothes should you take? The weather is still cold, so you must bring more thick clothes."
Grain Rain, Beginning of Summer, Grain Full and Cold Dew help to pack up daily necessities.
Thinking that my brother is a particular person, he should bring a toothbrush, salt for gargling, and soap for washing hair. He should bring two buckets, one for bathing and one for clothes. He should also bring two towels, one for wiping his body and one for wiping his hair.
I packed up a bunch of things in a mess.
The corner of Sun Shan's mouth twitched. This was not like going to school to live in the dormitory, it was more like moving.
Huang suddenly thought of something, and hurried to the bedroom, brought out a large jar, and called Su: "Shanzi's mother, fry these salted fish, cured duck, and cured meat, put them in small jars, and take them to the school to eat. There is nothing good to eat in the school, so you must bring more meat."
Su quickly responded and went to do it in a hurry. Her mother-in-law was right. Studying was hard enough. How could she not eat well?