Chapter 700: Finally Met My Cousin
Sun Shan turned around, the afterglow of the setting sun shone on the wall, and he saw a man walking in.
When the man saw Sun Shan, he smiled widely and said in a gentle voice, "Shanzi, you are finally here."
Sun Shan looked at his eldest cousin He Shujin carefully. He hadn't seen him for five or six years, but his cousin was still as handsome as ever.
He is in his early thirties but looks to be in his mid-twenties or early twenties. Apart from his more mature temperament, nothing else has changed.
She had red lips, white teeth, a slender figure, and walked in slowly in a green robe.
Sun Shan was stunned for a moment, then said with a smile: "Cousin, why are you getting more and more handsome?"
There is no man in Guangnan who doesn't like being called handsome. Even a handsome man likes being called handsome.
Sure enough, the cousin smiled even more brightly, shook his head and said, "You, stop flattering me."
Douzi ran up and said seriously, "Dad, what Uncle Shan said is right, you are a handsome boy."
Then he added: "Dad, I look like you. I am also a handsome guy."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone burst into laughter.
Jiao'er glared at her third brother, who was conceited at such a young age and thought he was the most handsome man in the capital.
Fortunately, I only said it at home. If I said it outside, it would be so embarrassing.
At this time, my cousin's wife also came out of the house and quickly asked the maid to pour hot water so that my cousin could wash the dust off his face.
When Sun Shan first arrived in Beijing, his first impression was the dryness, and his second impression was the dust.
After only two days here, I feel the dust and exhaustion here and I am really not used to it.
A talented scholar in the south of the Yangtze River wrote in his notes: "In the lands of Yan and Qi, there is wind every day; the dust rises to the sky, and one cannot see even a little distance. When people from the south of the Yangtze River first arrive, they find it very hard, and the locals do not care at all."
Sun Shan finally got a taste of this kind of weather.
After washing up, cousin He Shujin let Sun Shan into the study.
He Shujin smiled and asked, "Shanzi, how are my father, mother, uncle and aunt?"
Sun Shan said repeatedly, "Good, my aunt and uncle are both very good, and everything is fine with the family. The old lady had a birthday banquet not long ago, and there were many people eating at the banquet, so it was very lively."
In fact, it wasn’t long ago, but I was traveling on Sunshan for too long, so it felt like the old lady’s birthday had just passed.
Hearing this, He Shujin smiled knowingly: "I just hope my great-grandmother can live a long and healthy life."
Sun Shan said with a smile: "Cousin, the old lady is not deaf or blind, her brain works very fast, haha, she is full of energy. She even remembers your childhood clearly."
Hearing this, He Shujin smiled even more gently.
Then he asked, "Tell me about your first trip to Beijing to take the exam. I never expected to encounter something like this."
He Shujin sighed for Sun Shan.
Both physically and mentally, he was hurt. What an unlucky Shanzi, poor Shanzi.
Sun Shan made a long story short and concisely described in detail what happened during his first trip to Beijing to take the imperial examination.
He Shujin was amazed when he heard this and said that there are all kinds of things in the world, and nothing is impossible to happen, as long as you can't think of it.
Sun Shan said cheerfully, "Brother, let bygones be bygones. Although I didn't make it to the capital that time, I did gain a lot. I went to Chongzheng Academy to study, and my knowledge increased a lot. I also made a lot of money. Haha, I don't have to worry about travel expenses anymore."
He Shujin was happy, nodded and said, "A blessing in disguise. Some things are destined by heaven. You go to the academy to study, and you will have a deeper knowledge, which will be more beneficial for the examination. It's good that you think so."
Then he changed the subject and said with a smile: "Come, let me see if your knowledge has increased. Let me test you."
Sun Shan's face fell. He had just met his cousin for a few minutes and he was already being tested by him.
I remember the first time I went to Hejia Village, my eldest cousin saw Sun Shan and De Ge'er, and he grabbed them to take an exam.
I didn’t expect that after so many years, my cousin is still a mentor.
The eldest cousin gave Sun Shan a thorough assessment and also carefully read several articles that Sun Shan brought with him.
The assessment was stopped only when it got dark and my cousin's wife called for help outside.
The eldest cousin said seriously: "Shanzi, do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"
Sun Shan was stunned for a moment, and immediately said, "Brother, we are cousins, what can't we talk about? Just talk as usual, good or bad, I can accept it."
He Shujin chuckled, nodded and said, "Okay, then I'll tell you the truth."
After a pause, he continued, "Your knowledge is solid, but it's not original. I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to stand out."
Sun Shan thought his cousin was going to say something, but it turned out that Sun Shan already knew about this aspect.
He has always maintained a simple style, and it is impossible for him to be innovative and grand.
I said resignedly, "Cousin, you are not the only one who said that. The teacher also commented on me in this way. He said that the articles I wrote were well-founded, but they were not original and did not make me feel refreshed."
To sum up, Sun Shan's articles are plain and very rigid, just like writing a diary.
What do you eat in the morning, what do you eat at noon, and what do you eat at night? Others can tell what you ate today and what your article is about at a glance.
There are not too many prefixes, not too much flourish, it is written clearly, without any rhetoric.
Sun Shan's articles have opinions and arguments, and are straightforward, just like bookkeeping, with costs, revenues and profits all clearly visible.
Sun Shan's pragmatic style is good, but it is not suitable for the current imperial examination and does not stand out at all.
He Shujin nodded and said, "The candidates who can enter the imperial examination are all very knowledgeable. If you want to stand out from them, you have to impress people, not only with your literary talent, but also with your viewpoints, or with examples that you cite extensively.
Your essay is standard, without any major mistakes or highlights. It is indeed difficult to stand out from the crowd of candidates. However, our goal is not necessarily to be at the top, as long as we are on the list. Many people make mistakes in the exam, but your essay is stable and does not make any mistakes. "
After a pause, he continued, "Shanzi, don't be discouraged. You still have a chance to make the list."
Sun Shan smiled bitterly. His talent was limited, and his ability to write articles was also limited.
He is best suited for those tedious tasks and also best suited for those exams where one is one and two is two.
If you have too strong a subjective consciousness, it is really not suitable.
It’s not that I haven’t worked hard these years, but hard work does not necessarily lead to success.
I remember Lord Zhou Ruozhou said that the chances of passing the Juren exam are very high, but the chances of passing the Jinshi exam are very slim.
I hope God will not let down those who work hard, especially those like him.
Sun Shan smiled helplessly: "Cousin, I know. This is my style, and I can't change it. It would be the best if I can make the list, but it doesn't matter if I don't. I have tried my best."
He Shujin comforted him, "Shanzi, don't be discouraged. There are many more places for admission next year than in the past. We still have a chance. From now until next year's examination, I will give you some questions to do. Diligence can make up for lack of talent, and the early bird catches the worm."