Chapter 709 Du Jieyuan
When Zhu Pengyun heard Sun Shan talking about the cold-faced scholar Yu Nanwang, he was filled with envy.
He sighed and said, "Brother Yu was very successful in Yuelu Academy, and now he is even more successful."
Qian Yingyang agreed repeatedly, saying, "Yes, Brother Yu is really amazing. We are far behind him."
It was difficult to reach the heights in Yuelu Academy, and it is even more difficult now.
Sun Shan felt that the gap between his former classmates had widened, and Zhu Pengyun and Qian Yingyang felt the same way.
If the next examination is held, the gap between those who pass and those who fail will widen rapidly, and everyone will start to worry about their future.
Sun Shan had just met Qian Yingyang and Zhu Pengyun for a short time before the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month arrived.
This day begins with "Thanking the Kitchen God" and the New Year is coming to an end. Every day's activities are carefully arranged.
The so-called "Xie Zao" is "Xiaochu", which means "Little New Year".
There is a saying that the Little New Year in the north is on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, while in the south it is on the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month.
Cantonese belongs to the south, but the Little New Year's Day is the same as in the north, on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month.
However, Sunjia Village did not take the New Year's Eve very seriously. Huang and Su just took a piece of pork, blanched it and offered it as a sacrifice.
The He family held a ceremony to worship the Kitchen God early in the morning, and in the evening, my eldest cousin and his family came over for a reunion dinner.
The old lady was very well prepared.
Fish is placed on the dining table to represent abundance every year, bean curd represents abundance, and lettuce represents making money.
Everyone took a few bites, hoping to eat the good wishes into their stomach.
On the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month, Sun Shan made an appointment with Kong Yi, whom he met in Texas.
In the teahouse, Kong Yi saw Sun Shan and shouted happily: "Brother Sun, I'm sorry, I'm late. The road is not easy to walk on after the snow. Oh, this damn weather is really cold."
Sun Shan poured tea and water, handed it to him, and said, "Hurry up and drink some tea to warm your body."
Last time, Kong Yi forgot to meet his good friend because he was watching the play "Selling Oneself to Bury One's Father".
Sun Shan once suspected that the reason he was late this time was probably because he had read some gossip on the way.
The tall and thin Kong Yi seems to be really afraid of the cold.
Sun Shan smiled and asked, "You live in the north, why are you afraid of the cold?"
Kong Yi took a sip of tea, the fragrance was refreshing, and of course more importantly, it warmed his stomach, body and numb hands.
Shaking his head, he said, "Brother Sun, that's not true. Being afraid of the cold is a physical condition, not something that has to do with where you live."
Seeing that Sun Shan was wearing all kinds of clothes, he said with a smile: "Brother Sun, I think you are afraid of the cold too. Haha, you are wearing more clothes than me."
Sun Shan said happily, "It has never snowed in my hometown since I was born. When I came to the capital, the air suddenly dropped and I couldn't stand it. I had to put on more clothes. This weather is really uncomfortable. I hope it will get better after the New Year."
Kong Yi took another sip of tea, ate a candied fruit, shook his head and said, "Brother Sun, don't expect much. It will be even colder after the New Year. We should wear more clothes to avoid getting sick from the cold and not being able to participate in the imperial examination."
This was Sun Shan’s first time taking part in the imperial examination, and Kong Yi’s first time as well.
But Kong Yi, who was lively and active, had already found out the details of the imperial examination.
He said with certainty: "Brother Sun, it must be still cold in early February, and you need a strong physique to pass it. Many people came out after entering the first test and gave up the second test."
Kong Yi glanced at Sun Shan but didn't tell him the reason.
Sun Shan already knew what was going on, but he still asked politely, "Why? Brother Kong, do you know?"
Kong Yi patted his chest and said with an expression of "I don't know anything in this world", "Brother Sun, that's because he went in with only a thin layer of clothes and was exposed to the cold wind for three days, so he got sick when he came out. Haha, I have already found out clearly. I must practice how to endure the cold before the examination."
Sun Shan asked curiously, "Brother Kong, how can we survive the winter? Are we not allowed to wear thick clothes when entering the venue?"
Kong Yi's face fell, and he said depressedly: "What else can I do? I can only endure it. My relatives and friends can only endure it."
Sun Shan thought there was some way to keep himself warm, but it turned out Kong Yi had no way either, and he couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Sun Shan and Kong Yi talked about this and that, focusing on the weather, scenery, and culture of the capital.
Of course, they are talking more about the imperial examination in February next year.
Kong Yi stayed at his uncle's house.
His uncle was the chief academic officer of the Imperial College, a fourth-rank official.
The reason I came to visit before was to see my uncle.
Sun Shan could never have imagined that any scholar he picked up on the street would come from a family background of officials.
From this perspective, it seems that it is easy to be an official, and there are officials everywhere.
Then he smiled and said, this question is like asking on the train: Have you bought tickets to go home?
Having reached the level of a juren, who doesn’t know a few officials?
Sun Shan and Kong Yi discussed in an easy-to-understand manner the "examination situation" they had learned about.
Both of them were full of curiosity and looked forward to the examination with fear and excitement.
As they chatted, Kong Yi suddenly pointed to the teahouse across the street, patted Sun Shan on the shoulder and said, "Brother Sun, look across the street."
Sun Shan followed the direction of his finger and saw a man in a black mink coat walking into the teahouse opposite.
Then sit in a seat by the window.
Sun Shan asked in confusion: "Brother Kong, who is that?"
No matter who he is, Sun Shan is definitely a nobleman.
A black mink fur coat is something that ordinary people simply cannot afford. No, even wealthy people cannot afford it.
In just a few seconds, you can feel the shiny gloss on the sable fur.
It was obvious that Sun Shan couldn't afford it.
They didn't even dare to touch it, for fear that if a hair fell off, they would have to pay hundreds of taels of silver.
Kong Yi's eyes sparkled, and with a loving smile on his face, he said softly, "Brother Sun, that is Du Liubo."
Sun Shan's eyes widened and he asked in surprise, "Is he Du Liubo?"
Who is Du Liubo?
I am from Yuzhang!
However, he grew up in Beijing and is one of the hot candidates for this year's top scholar.
It is said that he knew a thousand words at the age of three, could recite Tang poems at the age of five, was familiar with the Four Books and Five Classics at the age of seven, and was proficient in poetry and songs at the age of eight.
At the age of nine, he could break stones with his chest. No, he could ride a horse and shoot arrows.
He won the first place in the scholar examination at the age of eleven and the top scorer in the juren examination at the age of
From these rumors, one can feel Du Jieyuan's intelligence and talent.
Kong Yi nodded: "Yes, he is Du Liubo. Brother Sun, Du Jieyuan is so powerful, what should we do? Why did he follow us into the arena?"
Sun Shan looked at Kong Yi speechlessly.
After two brief exchanges with Kong Yi, Sun Shan knew that the person in front of him was not a top student, but was about the same level as himself.
As for why he was so sure, Sun Shan knew his own worth, and the students who could get along with him were all of average to lower level.
There is no top student who wants to be good friends with him.
This is called birds of a feather flock together.
A white swan will not fall into a pile of crows.
Sun Shan is undoubtedly one of the crows among the crows, and the same goes for Kong Yi, Zhu Pengyun and Qian Yingyang even more so.
Sun Shan said coldly: "Brother Kong, even if Du Jieyuan comes with us, it won't affect us. He is the favorite for the top scholar. We, we are happy to be on the list. We can't compare with Du Jieyuan, we can't compare."
Du Jieyuan was so talented, why didn’t he make the list after he turned sixteen?
That's because he didn't take part in the examination at all.
Not long after Du Jieyuan won the title of Jieyuan in high school, his mother died. Three years later, he stopped mourning. Then his father also died. He observed mourning for a total of six years.
I just finished my filial piety this year, so I will enter the examination hall with Sun Shan next year.
Du Jieyuan was also a poor man, as his parents were no longer with him.