Chapter 306 Hanlu's Marriage
As the Chinese New Year was approaching, after selling all the goods, Sun Shan prepared to go home.
He put all the bags in the car, and bought a lot of high-quality paper, ready to copy the Four Books and Five Classics. He also bought a lot of copybooks, and went back to practice calligraphy.
There would be a provincial examination two years later, but he had no plans to take part in it, so he still had plenty of time.
During these years, you need to lay a solid foundation, read more, write more, and experience more.
His knowledge is too narrow and he has read books very superficially. He only knows the meaning of the books but cannot derive other interpretations.
It would be a lie to say that I’m not depressed, but after being sad, I still have to keep moving forward.
He is still young and has time to work hard.
Sun Shan picked up some specialties from Sunjia Village and sent them to He Shuqiang and He Chunyuan. Sun Shan was very grateful to Mr. He for his help, especially his good friend's evaluation of him, which enlightened him and made him realize how inadequate he was and how difficult the path to becoming a juren was.
He Shuqiang and He Chunyuan ate the oranges with relish.
He Shuqiang said reluctantly: "Brother Shan, you are going home. I can't bear to see you go home."
As he spoke, he stuffed the freshly peeled tangerine into his big mouth and ate it with such relish, not showing any reluctance at all.
He Chunyuan squinted his eyes, ate the oranges with a smacking sound, and said happily: "Brother Shan, the oranges in your house are really delicious. I want to eat them again next time."
It was said that Madam He had restricted He Chunyuan's food intake. After not seeing her for a few days, Sun Shan could not tell whether she had lost any weight.
Jiao'er, Ke'er and Jianzi sat obediently on the chairs, eating oranges in small bites.
Jiao'er was the older sister who helped Sun Shan look after his younger brother and sister. She said crisply, "Oranges are delicious, but we won't be able to eat them unless Dad comes back."
Although Guangnan Province and Huguang Province are adjacent to each other, the distance between them is far, and my cousin He Shujin has no way to go home.
Jiao'er was unhappy.
When I see delicious oranges, I remember that my dad can’t eat them.
Sun Shan was so moved that he said, "Jiao'er is so filial."
He Chunyuan said cheerfully: "Jiao'er, your father can't eat it, so I'll help him eat it. I also like to eat tangerines."
He Shuqiang echoed, "Jiao'er, uncle likes to eat it too. I'll help your father eat it."
Sun Shan's forehead was filled with black lines, and he quickly stuffed the tangerine into Jiao'er's pocket.
I’m really scared that this fat brother and sister won’t even let go of the children’s food.
On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, Sun Shan, Sun Bomin, the village chief and Uncle Sun set out to return to Sunjia Village.
Before leaving, Aunt Sun secretly talked to Sun Shan and said, "Shanzi, here are 50 taels. Keep it. When you go to Zhangzhou Prefecture to study, you will need money to buy everything. Take it with you. If it is not enough, don't be shy and ask Aunt Sun. Do you know?"
Sun Shan quickly shook his head and said, "Aunt, I don't want it. My family has money."
Ignoring Sun Shan's struggle, Aunt Sun stuffed the banknote into his pocket and said earnestly, "I can only give it to you if I have it. If I don't have it, I can't give it to you even if I want to. You keep it and use it slowly."
After a pause, Aunt Sun continued, "You should study hard in Zhangzhou Prefecture first, and then come to Guangzhou Prefecture to study when you have the chance, or go to another place to study like your eldest cousin. You are still young, so take your time."
Our Sun family is very lucky to have a scholar like you.
I'm telling you the truth. I'm naturally happy that you've made progress in your studies. It doesn't matter if you're standing still.
You are a scholar, which is better than most people. The eldest aunt was happy.
I remember that your father and I couldn’t even afford to eat and almost starved to death.
Who would have thought that many years later, my son would become a scholar, and my brother's son would also be a scholar. My eldest aunt and your father are already very satisfied."
Aunt Sun patted Sun Shan's little hands with a smile on her face, and there was no trace of the winter coldness on her face.
Sun Shan nodded, accepted the money from Aunt Sun, and said solemnly: "Aunt, I understand. I will try my best to study. Whether it will be good or not depends on God's will."
Sun Shan said goodbye to Aunt Sun and Hejia Village. Sitting in the car, he looked at Guangzhou City going farther and farther away, and felt very calm inside.
After leaving the city gate, they gathered at the Guangzhou headquarters of Zeng’s Escort Agency, waiting to set off.
This time, the escort was Zhu Biaotou, an old acquaintance of Sun Shan's from his first visit to the provincial government, and the one driving the carriage for them was Escort Zhang.
Zhu Biaotou said very politely, "Mr. Sun, long time no see."
Sun Shan also smiled and said, "Boss Zhu, how are you? Thank you for your hard work on the journey."
Zhu Biaotou quickly arranged the vehicles, and the group slowly walked towards Huangyang County.
Sun Shan found that both Escort Leader Zhu and Escort Master Zhang were extremely warm and courteous to his family, and were busy arranging things for him. This was an unprecedented treatment.
At first, I thought that Zhu Biaotou was impressed by my status as a scholar, so he wanted to make a good impression and make me feel at home.
But as he watched, he found that Zhu Biaotou became more enthusiastic towards Sun Boming.
Sun Shan asked doubtfully, "Father, is Zhu Biaotou too enthusiastic? He takes care of us in every possible way. I am not used to it."
Sun Bomin smiled innocently: "Hey, I'm not used to it either."
Uncle Sun added, "Yes, you are so enthusiastic. You have arranged everything for me. I am so embarrassed."
The village chief said, as if you were country folk who had never seen the world, "Can you not be polite? It's your family that became relatives with the Zeng family. Serve us well, Zhu Biaotou, so that we can speak well of him in front of the Zeng family."
Uncle Sun suddenly realized: "Oh, I'm so stupid that I can't even remember this. Hey, brother, we are all blessed by you."
Sun Bomin scratched his head and said cheerfully, "Actually, just act like you normally would. It's uncomfortable to be too enthusiastic."
Sun Shan was confused and asked, "Grandpa Village Head, Father, Second Uncle, did I miss something? Why can't I understand what you are saying?"
Sun Shan had a vague guess in his mind, but he was not sure and urgently needed Sun Bomin's answer.
Sun Bomin patted his forehead and said embarrassedly: "Shanzi, I forgot to tell you. Jiajun and Hanlu are engaged. We will become relatives with the Zeng family."
As soon as Sun Bomin arrived in the city, he first comforted Sun Shan, then became angry with Sun Shan, and finally treated him calmly.
Then he was busy selling goods and shopping and forgot to tell Sun Shan about this.
Sun Shan looked at Sun Boming in astonishment. He had only been in Guangzhou for two months.
How come the poor student Zeng Jiajun is about to become his brother-in-law?
Sun Shan found it hard to accept it for a moment.
Sun Boming explained that he followed Zeng Dadongjia when he came here, and he followed Zeng Dadongjia when he left, and Sun Shan and Zeng Jiajun were classmates.
As time went by, the two people became more and more familiar with each other and had more and more topics to talk about.
Parents either talk about their children or they talk about their children.
Don't know why.
As they chatted, they talked about the marriages of their children.
Mr. Zeng was preparing to see Zeng Jiajun, while Sun Boming had already seen Hanlu.
Your family has an unmarried son and my family has an unmarried daughter, and just like that, the spark was ignited. Zeng Dadongjia and Sun Boming took the initiative to arrange marriages for their children.
After returning home, the relatives of both sides discussed it and found that it was natural for them to become in-laws, so they got engaged quickly.
At that time, Sun Shan was busy taking exams and knew nothing about what was going on at home.