Chapter 286 The Promise of Childhood (Large Chapter)

"Haha, virtuous brother Jiezi——"

"Zhang Jiezi, I haven't seen you for two years, you are so famous. """

"Brother Jiezi, I'm polite."

"Brother Jiezi, wise brother, and foolish brother are here."

The four people on the steps were all smiling, bowing to each other and welcoming them down. These four people were Qingpu Yang Shixiang, Shangyu Ni Yuanlu, Suzhou Feng Menglong, Huating Xia Yunyi——

Zhang Yuan was overjoyed and said happily: "Why did the four of you come together? Is the wind blowing from the southeast to the northwest?"

Everyone laughed.

Ni Yuanlu, who was dressed in fresh clothes and looked like a woman, said: "I asked Chen Meigong for painting skills in Songjiang. I knew that my eldest son was in the Imperial College, so I took a roundabout way to visit. I met Brother Yang and Brother Xia in Qingpu, and Brother Feng in Suzhou.

He said that he was here to visit Zhang Jiezi, so he accepted him as a fellow traveler and went with him happily."

Ni Yuanlu is Zhang Dai's good friend. Zhang Yuan and Ni Yuanlu only met once when they watched the performance of "The Peony Pavilion" in Shanyin Garden the year before last. They have no friendship. Their impression of Ni Yuanlu is that this person has mysophobia. Also, Ni Yuanlu's calligraphy and painting are worthy of mention.

Known as a rising star, her reputation has gradually increased in recent years——

Yang Shixiang said: "Brother Jiezi, the collection of contemporary works that you commented on in Qingpu last time was published on the seventh day of July. It sold 1,300 copies within seven days. Paper is expensive in the three counties of Songjiang."

Ni Yuanlu said: "I watched that collection, and I benefited greatly from Jie Zi's insightful comments. I was really impressed by Jie Zi's talent."

Feng Menglong said: "Brother Jiezi, Brother Yu has written five volumes of "Warning Words for the World"."

Zhang Yuan said happily: "Brother Feng writes quickly, I should give you a sneak preview."

At this time, Lu Dayou came out from behind the building. On the orders of Lu Tao and Zhang Ruoxi, Lu Dayou followed Yang Shixiang to Jinling to meet Zhang Yuan and report on the progress of the preparations for the deployment of the "Shengmei"——

While they were chatting, Zhang Dai heard that Zhang E had sent someone to inform him, and he came out with the "respect card for coming out and coming in" from the Imperial Academy. He was very happy to see that the house was full of guests.

Ni Yuanlu came here for an exclusive interview with Zhang Dai, Yang Shixiang, Xia Yunyi, and Feng Menglong came here about Hanshe and Hanshe Bookstore. The four of them and their servants totaled fifteen people. Naturally, the cook at Chanju couldn't cook meals for so many people.

, Zhang E said: "Li Xueyi, the head of the old courtyard, just sent someone to invite my three brothers to a banquet. You all can go together. I asked Neng Zhu to send ten taels of silver there first, and let the people from the Xiangzhen Palace prepare the food and drinks -

—”

Ni Yuanlu interjected: "It must be clean."

Zhang E said: "Why do you need to give orders? Those famous prostitutes in the old courtyard eat very clean food and seem to have mysophobia."

Yang Shixiang said happily: "It's really strange that prostitutes have mysophobia."

Zhang E said: "Why can't prostitutes have mysophobia? They can accept clients they like and reject clients they don't like. Why not?"

Zhang Dai frowned and said: "Third brother, don't talk about this. Dear brothers, I'm afraid I won't be able to accompany you. I have to go back to the Imperial Academy before holding the lamp. It's already sunset by now."

Zhang E smiled and said: "What's the difficulty? Send someone to ask for leave from Dr. Guozijian. Just say that you have a sudden cold and you are not taking any medicine -"

At this time, a manservant from Danyuan ran over panting and reported to Zhang Yuan: "Mr. Zhang, your father has arrived and is talking to my master in Danyuan. My master wants to keep him for dinner."

Zhang Yuan was extremely happy that his father had finally arrived. After worrying for several days, he felt relieved at this moment. The reason why his father found Dan Yuan first was probably because his letters were all sent by post in the name of Teacher Jiao——

Zhang Yuan raised his hands to Yang Shixiang and others and said, "My dear friends, I'm sorry, I have to rush to see my father immediately."

Zhang Dai said: "Uncle Wu is back, so of course we have to go see him, and I don't have to pretend to be sick to ask for leave." Then he wrote a post and asked his servant to send it to the Imperial Academy to ask for leave from the doctor of Xiudaotang——

Zhang E said bluntly: "It's terrible now. Zhang Jiezi has been put on a tight spell. He has to be honest and can't go to the old courtyard. Aunt Wang Wei is looking forward to it."

Because Zhang Yuan's father was in Jiao Hong, it was inconvenient for Yang Shixiang and the others to go and see him. Zhang Yuan asked Laifu to go to the Zhuangyuan Restaurant on Chengxian Street to open a few tables for Yang Shixiang and others to have a dinner. He, his eldest brother Zhang Dai, and his third brother Zhang

E rushed to Danyuan, but Mu Zhenzhen did not follow her. She wanted to clean up the room and make the bed for the master and his entourage to stay temporarily——

There is a six-mile road from Ting Chan Ju at the foot of Jiming Mountain to Danyuan. Zhang Yuan and others were walking in a hurry. Zhang E asked: "Jiezi, when was the last time Uncle Wu came back?"

Zhang Yuandao: "It was three years ago. That year my father came back to celebrate his fiftieth birthday. The latest chapter of the Holy Church"

Zhang E said: "My fifth uncle is away from home all the time and rarely comes home. To be honest, I have forgotten what my fifth uncle looks like. Do you remember meson?"

Zhang Yuan laughed and said: "Nonsense, how can I not remember it!" He said in his heart: "I really don't remember much. My father's impression is very vague. I am the fusion of souls from two lives. I completely inherit Zhang Yuan's emotions in this life.

Mother Lu's love is deep in her heart. She still remembers the eye disease she suffered the summer before last. She was so anxious that she sought medical advice from everywhere for him. She recited the Mantra of the Great Master in White over and over again at night. Mother's love is deeply touching——"

But Zhang Yuan's inherited feelings for his father Zhang Ruiyang were quite indifferent. When Zhang Ruiyang was thirty-four years old, his uncle Zhang Rulin recommended him to Kaifeng as a clerk in the Zhou Palace. At the age of thirty-six, he returned to his hometown and lived there for more than a month. The following year, Zhang Yuan

After he was born, Zhang Ruiyang only came back every two or three years, and each time he only stayed for a few months. When Zhang Yuan was a child, his father and son were separated again before he got to know his father well——

Zhang Yuan, his eldest brother, and his third brother rushed to Danyuan. Dusk was already sinking, and the lamps were already lit in Danyuan. Jiao Runsheng and Zong Yishan came out to welcome him. Jiao Runsheng said, "Jiezi, your Majesty is chatting with my father in the teahouse."

Zhang Yuan followed Jiao Runsheng into the tea house, and saw the white-haired Jiao Hong drinking tea and talking with a thin old man in his fifties. Zhang Yuan stopped and pondered his emotions——

The thin old man had already stood up. He was of medium build, with a wide forehead and a pointed chin. He was wearing a Huayang scarf and a green cloth straight skirt. His eyes were sharp. As soon as Zhang Yuan came in, he stared at Zhang Yuan and shouted: "Xiao Yuan——"

"

This is his father Zhang Ruiyang. Although Zhang Yuan has changed a lot compared to three years ago, and he came in with Zhang Dai and Zhang E, Zhang Ruiyang did not mistake his son. Zhang Yuan took a few steps and prostrated himself at his father's knees: "

Father, the child kowtows to his father——"

Zhang Dai and Zhang He also hurriedly presented themselves to the fifth uncle and announced their names, lest the fifth uncle would not recognize them.

Zhang Ruiyang smiled with a smile on his face and said: "Zhang Dai, Zhang E, okay, okay, you are all grown up. Uncle Five will hardly recognize you." While lifting his son Zhang Yuan up, he looked up and down at his son's prison uniform.

He smiled even more happily. He had just talked with Jiao Hong. Jiao Hong praised Zhang Yuan very much, which made Zhang Ruiyang very happy. Jiao Taishi was a domestic scholar with high moral and prestige. Zhang Yuan was able to get Jiao Taishi to accept him as his disciple and get such a good reputation.

You can imagine Zhang Ruiyang's joy at the compliment——

Lu Dayou also came to Danyuan and kowtowed to Zhang Ruiyang. Zhang Ruiyang recognized Lu Dayou and asked his daughter Zhang Ruoxi how the family of four was doing——

Zhang E didn't want to stay in Danyuan for dinner, so he said: "Uncle Wu, my nephew and my eldest brother have prepared a banquet at a restaurant on Chengxian Street outside the Imperial Academy to welcome Uncle Wu from the dust - Mr. Jiao, please come with us."

Jiao Hong originally wanted to keep Zhang Ruiyang for dinner, but thinking that he would have a lot to say when his father and son were reunited with their relatives, he said: "Mr. Yuquan, I won't keep you here anymore. Let's have a good time chatting with your relatives."

Zhang Ruiyang's nickname is Yuquan. Zhang Ruiyang is also quite restrained in front of Jiao Hong. He is just a low-ranking official, not even a scholar. He has no qualifications to sit and drink tea in front of Jiao Hong, the world-famous number one scholar. Just because he is Zhang

Yuan's father, Jiao Hong, was Zhang Yuan's teacher. Only then did Jiao Hong treat him with courtesy. You know, even Zhang Rulin had to call himself an "attendant" in front of Jiao Hong——

Zhang Ruiyang said respectfully: "I'll take my leave that night, and I'll bring my puppy to see the old man tomorrow."

Jiao Runsheng saw off the guests on behalf of his father. Zhang Yuan followed his father out of the teahouse. Suddenly he saw an old man rushing over to greet him. He looked up at his old face covered with black spots and said with great joy: "Young Master, my old slave Fu Cheng

, Young Master, do you still recognize the old slave?"

Three years ago, Zhang Ruiyang went back to Shanyin to celebrate his fiftieth birthday. Fu Cheng didn't come back because he was ill, so it's been six years since he returned to Shanyin——

Zhang Yuan thought about it briefly and said happily: "It's Uncle Fu. How could I not remember that at the Lantern Festival Lantern Festival when I was six years old, Uncle Fu carried me to see the lanterns of Shimeitang."

Fu Cheng suddenly smiled and said repeatedly: "The young master has a very good memory. The young master has made a career. He is already a scholar at the age of seventeen. The master no longer has to leave home to seek work, and can finally go home and enjoy happiness."

"

Fu Cheng had been a servant in Dongzhang since he was a child. He was several years older than Zhang Ruiyang. He had stayed with Zhang Ruiyang in Kaifeng for twenty years. He was homesick in his old age. This time Zhang Ruiyang decided to quit his job in the Zhou Dynasty and return to Shaoxing. Fu Cheng was also very happy -

—

Two more people came to greet Zhang Yuan. One was Fu Cheng's son Fu Dagong, who was twenty-seven or eight years old. The other Zhang Yuan had never seen before. He was a healthy servant about twenty years old. He crossed his hands and said: "Little

I have met the young master since I came to Wang."

Zhang Ruiyang said: "Lai Wang is from the north, and he is my long-term follower in the Zhou Palace. This time I resign and return to Shanyin, Lai Wang will definitely follow me. ("")"

Lai Wang said: "Thanks to the benevolence and righteousness of the governor, the villain has been taken care of, and he has volunteered to be a servant of the Zhang family."

Zhang E smiled and said: "The names of Laiwang and Laifu are like brothers. Now everything is better, Laifu is prosperous again, and no one can stop meson from rising to the top."

Zhang Ruiyang was about to ask who Lai Fu was when Wu Ling ran over and said, "Master, the sedan has been hired." He kowtowed to Zhang Ruiyang.

Fu Dagong pinched Wu Ling's thin arm and said with a smile: "Xiao Wu, you haven't grown up much compared to three years ago. Look at the young master, you are already so tall."

Zhang Ruiyang rode in the sedan chair, while Zhang Yuan supported the sedan chair and answered his father's questions as he walked.

Zhang Ruiyang has not seen his son for three years, and his son is taller than him. It is the first time for his son to take the scientific examination, and he is the first to take the county examination, the government examination, and the road examination. It is like a dream. They are having trouble with Feng Shui——

Zhang Ruiyang asked about the situation at home, Zhang Yuan's engagement and Zhang Ruoxi's situation. Zhang Yuan answered them one by one. Zhang Ruiyang was extremely pleased and sighed: "My father is fifty-three this year. He has worked hard for most of his life, and now he can finally rest in peace."

"

Zhang Yuan couldn't help but be moved after hearing his father's emotion. It has been really hard for his father to make a living outside for so many years. Although his parents have been married for thirty years, they have not spent much time together. He said: "My mother has also been looking forward to this day.

Well, from now on you and your two elders can live together for the rest of their lives."

Zhang Ruiyang said "hmm", put his hand on the back of his son's hand holding the sedan chair, patted it, and said repeatedly: "It's so happy to be a father, so happy." Looking at the rising moon in the eastern sky, he slowed down and said leisurely

: "I still remember that when my son was six years old, my father came back from Kaifeng and stayed at home for forty days. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, he left Shanyin to go north. You followed Ruoxi and your mother to take your father to the Bazi Bridge. You combed your hair

Chongtian Huan, holding the corners of my robe and preventing me from getting off the boat, I said that when you pass the exam, your father will no longer have to go out to seek employment. Just say that you went to take the exam yesterday, and if you pass the exam, your father will stay at home and enjoy the blessings——

At that time you couldn’t even tell the difference between yesterday and tomorrow, haha.”

Zhang Yuan's eyes were moist. His mother also told him this interesting childhood story the night he passed the road test. This seems to be a promise that every child who is doted on by his parents will have. The promise is that he will treat his parents as he grows up.

Zhang Yuan once made such a promise to his parents in this life. How can he not cherish it when he has both parents in this life?

Zhang Dai said: "Fifth uncle, Jiezi's studies were guided by Mr. Wang Jizhong of Kuaiji, Mr. Huang Yongyu of Hangzhou, and Taishi Jiao. They are all famous teachers and scholars. Next year's Hangzhou Provincial Examination, fifth uncle will wait for good news."

Zhang Ruiyang was happy in his heart and said: "We must guard against arrogance and impetuosity, and study hard." Then he asked Zhang Yuan a few sentences about the meaning of the Four Books, and Zhang Yuan answered in a satisfactory manner -

Zhang E, who was behind him, snickered and said to himself: "Uncle Wu still doesn't know what kind of person his son is now, and he still thinks that Jie Zi has not yet enlightened him. If he takes such a simple question on the Four Books to test Jie Zi, won't he let Jiao Taishi and Gu Jijiu drink?"

They were laughing their heads off." He asked Fu Cheng in a low voice: "Uncle Fu, my fifth uncle has been away from home all the time, so he doesn't have a concubine?"
To be continued...