Chapter 546 Chongzheng Academy
Manager Xu said calmly, "Mr. Sun, if there is nothing else, I will go back first. There is still a lot of work to do in the mansion."
Sun Shan glanced at Manager Xu, this was an order to expel him.
But as a human being, we still have to be as shameless as Uncle Sun and Aunt Sun.
Sun Shan said quickly, "Hey, Manager Xu, I'm very sorry that I can't go to the government school. But there is a college in Qingliang Mountain nearby, which I heard is not bad. I want to study there. I wonder if Manager Xu can help?"
Sun Shanhai did not wait for Manager Xu to speak, and continued, "Manager Xu, I am a person from Guangnan. I came to Jinling and was forced to stay here by chance. I am really a stranger in a strange land. I don't know anyone except Manager Xu. I want to find a college to study in, but I can't find one. I have no choice but to trouble you, Manager Xu.
I heard that there is a college on the nearby Qingliang Mountain that accepts students from other places. I thought, since I can't go to the prefectural school, I might as well find a college that is close. This place is close to Qingliang Mountain, which is convenient for me to go back and forth.
Manager Xu, do you think I am right? I heard that this Chongzheng Academy has a close relationship with your family. Manager Xu, I wonder if the rumor is true?"
In fact, Sun Shan had no idea whether Chongzheng Academy had any relationship with the Xu family. Even if there was no relationship, he would say so so that Manager Xu could help.
He had already heard that Chongzheng Academy, like Yuelu Academy, was divided into classes for scholars and classes for juren, and that one could go in for further studies.
Although it is not as well-known as Yuelu Academy, it is the largest academy in Jiangnan, so it won’t be a wrong decision to go in and study there.
Now he can only beg the Xu family for help to get in. It is impossible for him to pass the exam on his own.
Manager Xu's mouth twitched and his face was filled with black lines.
I have misjudged the person. This Mr. Sun is not honest at all.
It was mentioned earlier that the Yingtian Prefecture School was just a smokescreen, and his target was actually the Chongzheng Academy on Qingliang Mountain.
Judging from his expression, he had already found out everything. What about Qingliang Mountain being close to where he lives? Bah, that's just an excuse.
He wanted to study at Chongzheng Academy not because of the distance, but because Chongzheng Academy was the best academy besides the Yingtian Prefecture School.
Mr. Sun also found out that the Xu family had some relationship with the academy, and he had done his homework long ago.
His goal has always been to get the Xu family to write him a letter of introduction so that he could study at Chongzheng Academy.
Haha, what a cunning Mr. Sun is, he has quite a lot of tricks up his sleeve.
Manager Xu wanted to reject Sun Shan's request, but he wondered if something bad might happen if he rejected him.
In the past, the Xu family would not have taken a scholar seriously at all. Even if he was poisoned to death in the Xu family inn, they would have been able to suppress it.
In Yingtian Prefecture, the Xu family is the king, and no one dares to pick lice on their heads.
But times are changing too fast.
The current emperor is in poor health, but the Duke of their family is also in poor health.
The Duke and His Majesty are from the same hometown, childhood friends, and are about the same age.
In recent years, the Duke has actually had to see a doctor quite often. To put it bluntly, the Duke's Mansion has already prepared for the death of Duke Xu.
When you get older, you can’t refuse to accept your old age, but you can’t refuse to die either.
Manager Xu was afraid that Sun Sunshan would talk nonsense outside and be used by others, and that the Duke in the capital would also know about it. If he died of anger, who would take responsibility for it?
It won't work if someone else takes the responsibility, because their Duke can't afford to make any mistakes.
The Duke's Mansion is called the Duke's Mansion because of Duke Xu. If Duke Xu was no longer here, I wonder if it would still be called the Duke's Mansion.
Just like if the most promising scholar in your family was killed by a horse-drawn carriage, the coachman must indeed take responsibility, and even pay with his life.
But the life of a groom is not as precious as the life of a scholar in your family. No amount of compensation can make up for the loss.
Manager Xu secretly glanced at Sun Shan several times, suppressing his reluctance in his heart.
He said with a fake smile: "Mr. Sun, our Xu family does have a relationship with Chongzheng Academy, but we can't guarantee that Chongzheng Academy will accept you. Chongzheng Academy is the largest academy in Jiangnan, and it is very difficult to get in."
In order to show his support for education, Duke Xu did invest some money in Chongzheng Academy.
When I invested the money, I didn't think about any return.
The descendants of Duke Xu were not in Yingtian Prefecture at all, let alone studying there.
The young masters of the Xu family either studied in the palace, or studied in the Imperial College or the Imperial Academy. None of them stayed in Yingtian Prefecture.
However, the Xu family has invested in Chongzheng Academy, so it is still possible to squeeze someone in.
Sun Shan was secretly delighted. Sure enough, the Duke's Mansion was related to Chongzheng Academy. Haha, it was good that they were related. He couldn't use force against the Xu family. He could only resort to the trick of gaining sympathy.
Sun Shan said in a low voice: "Manager Xu, please help me. I am stranded in Jinling this time. If I don't find a college to study, I am afraid that I will forget everything in three years, let alone take part in the imperial examination.
Duke Xu has been through hundreds of battles and has spent his entire life in military service. He has always been by the emperor's side and has been loyal to him throughout his life. He is truly admirable.
I also want to study hard and have the opportunity to serve the court like Duke Xu in the future.
Manager Xu, you don't want me to be stranded in Jinling because I need to recuperate, unable to find a college to study in and thus neglect my studies, unable to go to Beijing to take the exam to showcase my talents, and unable to work for the court, right?"
Sun Shan looked at Manager Xu with moist eyes, but since he was not a professional actor, he couldn't shed tears.
Manager Xu: ·············
Sun Shan continued to look at Manager Xu with wet eyes.
Manager Xu fled wildly, leaving behind a message: I will go back home first and contact you again in a few days.
Sun Shan waved his hand and shouted enthusiastically, "Manager Xu, I'll be waiting for your good news at Jinxiufang."
Manager Xu paused for a moment, then quickened his pace and disappeared in the crowd at a run.
Sun Shan saw that there was half a pot of tea left, which was the top-grade Yuhua tea.
He said to Gui Ge'er and Sun Dali, "Come and drink the tea, don't waste it."
He called the waiter over and asked, "Young man, is this tea supposed to be on Manager Xu's account?"
The waiter smiled slightly, nodded and said, "Sir, yes."
Sun Shan nodded with satisfaction and said, "Good, very good."
Manager Xu said he would contact Sun Shan in a few days, but just one day later, he asked his servant to bring a letter of recommendation.
Sun Shanzheng expressed his desire to invite Manager Xu for tea to thank him for his help.
The servant said, "Mr. Sun, our steward Xu said that he is very busy recently and cannot go out for tea with you."
What it means is that don't look for him no matter what, Sun Shan, get as far away from him as possible, they are not very familiar with each other.
Sun Shan pretended not to understand and nodded, "Yes, since Manager Xu is busy, there's nothing I can do. It's normal for a noble to be busy. I'll treat him to tea when he's done."
After the servants left, Sun Shan looked at the letter of introduction and thought about reporting to the academy in two days.
He did not stay in the academy this time, which was an hour away from Qingliang Mountain.
Sun Shan thought that he could walk there in the morning and walk back in the afternoon as exercise.
After all, the imperial examination requires not only a good brain but also a good body.
The round trip walk took a total of 2 hours and I felt great.