Li Yanqing invited Zhou Tong into his home. Zhou Tong saw a pile of polished semi-finished stones in the corner of the yard, so he picked up one, looked at it and asked with a smile: "Is this stone-killing technique also taught you by Hu Cheng?"

"Report to Master Zhou, Uncle Hu has given instructions on the students' techniques, and he also taught me a few sword techniques."

Zhou Tong nodded, "Stone shooting and archery are in line with each other. It is rare for young masters like you, but... why don't you practice flying knives?"

Li Yanqing hesitated and said, "There is still room for turning around when hitting the stone. When the flying knife sees blood, it will form a beam."

Zhou Tong praised in his heart that this child was wise and did not go to extremes, and insisted on his promises and did not betray his friends. He was a rare good seedling, and he had the idea of ​​accepting disciples in his heart.

"You're right. If you use a flying knife tonight, even if I have face, I can't untie this knot. Take me to see the person you caught!"

"Master Zhou, please go here."

Li Yanqing took Zhou Tong to the back room. The two walked into the room. The lights were on. A big black man was sitting on the ground wearing heavy shackles, with his feet tied up, and he was hanging his head listlessly. Next to him was a young lady of eight or nine years old, holding a pounding hammer in her hand, staring at the big black man fiercely like an eagle, as if she was ready to beat him with a stick at any time.

Li Kui was quiet. He was really afraid that this little lady would do whatever she wanted. As long as he moved, the little lady's stick would be beaten without any shame. Although it was not a big deal to get hit, if this matter was spread, where would Li Kui's face be put?

When Li Kui saw Li Yanqing, he hurriedly said, "Call this little lady out quickly. She is next to me, I'm so angry!"

Li Yanqing smiled and said, "I have already negotiated with your leader, so I will let you go back now."

The magpie suddenly panicked, "Young official, you can't let him go, he said he would beat me to death!"

Li Kui was extremely proud and opened his white teeth to Xi Que and said, "Are you afraid now? Go and get a bowl of wine for me to drink, I will spare you!"

"I...I'm not afraid of you!"

The magpie raised the pounding hammer and was about to hit her again. Li Yanqing quickly stopped her, "Don't be afraid, he just scared you. The dignified Liangshan hero and a nine-year-old lady can't get along with him. He can't afford to lose this face."

Li Kui snorted angrily, "Since you have reconciled with my brother, let me go quickly, don't really annoy me."

Li Yanqing was determined to try Zhou Tong's ability, so he stepped forward and picked up the cow tendon rope on Li Kui's feet, and opened Li Kui's heavy shackles. Zhou Tong felt funny in his heart. This little brat actually wanted to try himself?

Li Kui suddenly gained freedom, suddenly roared and punched Li Yanqing in the face, which scared the magpie so much that he screamed. Zhou Tong quickly grabbed Li Kui's wrist and used his iron arm to force it. Li Kui screamed like a pig, and his body immediately collapsed.

Zhou Tong snorted and let go of his wrist, "Even if Lin Chong sees me, he will have to kneel down obediently. Do you still dare to be arrogant in front of me?"

Lin Chong is the most skilled martial arts person in Liangshanpo, and even Li Kui dare not provoke him. Although Li Kui was reckless, he was not stupid at all. He immediately guessed who the old man was, "You... are you Mr. Zhou?"

"I will be the guarantee, Li Shaolang and Song Gongming have reconciled, you come with me! I will take you back to the inn."

Since Li Kui knew that the person in front of him was Master Lin Chong, Zhou Tong, who was famous all over the world, he did not dare to be arrogant anymore and followed Zhou Tong obediently.

At this time, Zhou Tong asked Li Yanqing in a low voice and said, "Can you even trust Hu Cheng's whereabouts?"

Li Yanqing smiled faintly, "If I can't trust Master Zhou, I will not accept Master Zhou's mediation. However, Uncle Hu's whereabouts are another matter, and I will not tell anyone."

Zhou Tong laughed, "Okay! OK!"

Although he did not tell himself about Hu Cheng's whereabouts, Zhou Tong could vaguely guess a clue. Hu Cheng's father was buried in Daming Mansion. When Ye Luo returned to his roots, Hu Cheng would definitely take his mother back to his hometown. His other apprentice Lu Junyi is a wealthy family in Daming Mansion. I believe he can help him find Hu Cheng.

Zhou Tong took Li Kui out of the yard and turned to Li Yanqing and said, "From now on, calm down and take the county school exam well. We will have a chance to see you again!"

Li Yanqing bowed and bowed and said, "Thank you, Master Zhou, for relieving Yanqing today's trouble. Yanqing will definitely take the county school entrance exam seriously and live up to Master Zhou's high expectations!"

Looking at Zhou Tong and Li Kui's figures disappearing into the dark night, the magpie asked worriedly: "Little official, that evil man with black face will not come again!"

"Don't worry! He won't come again."

Li Yanqing looked at the sky and asked with a smile: "When is it now?"

"It's almost five o'clock!"

Li Yanqing stretched out his body for a long time. Although he had not slept all night, he didn't feel sleepy. He took a deep breath of cold breath and smiled at Xi Magpie, "Go to the kitchen to find me some food, I'm going to start running!"

Just as Li Yanqing started running every day, Song Jiang and his party quietly left Zhangji Town and headed south. Song Jiang kept looking north. He was always a little regretful. He could not take a talented young man like Li Yanqing into his command. Everyone left Xiangzhou, and Song Jiang still missed this matter.

.........

In the early morning of the fifth day of the second month, Yao Ding called Li Yanqing to the study. Yao Ding seemed a little sad. For five years, he carefully taught Li Yanqing, and finally it was time to part. Yao Ding was already thin, and his back was hunched at this time, making his back look thin as a child. He was just a pale head telling people that he was nearly 70 years old.

"Today you are leaving Lushan School. I still remember that I asked you five years ago, why do you want to study? You said to read more books? If I ask you this question again today, how will you answer?"

Yao Ding spoke very slowly, but the old eyes were filled with a hint of expectation. Li Yanqing did not answer this question. He had been thinking about this question, but he still couldn't think of a complete answer. He hoped to pass the Jinshi exam, complete the golden list title that scholars dreamed of, and realize his father and master's long-cherished wish for many years. He also hoped to do his best for the upcoming disaster era.

These are all things he wants to do, but they are not complete. They are like puzzle pieces. They are just one of them, but they cannot show the full picture of the puzzle. Li Yanqing himself doesn't know what the full picture should be?

After a long silence, Li Yanqing lowered his head and apologized: "Master, I don't know either!"

Yao Ding was not disappointed. A trace of light began to flash in his eyes, and the wrinkles like jujube river core on his face were stretched open by a smile. "Actually, this is the answer I want."

Li Yanqing was stunned. He didn't understand why his master said this. Yao Ding held his hand and said slowly: "Lushan Town is just a small valley. When you walk out of the valley, you will see endless capped mountains. When you walk out of the mountains, you will find that there is an endless plain outside. When you pass through the plain and cross the river, you will see a more magnificent sea. Only then will you understand why you were studying back then? It's a pity that I may no longer hear your answer by that day. I hope you don't forget the instructions of an old man to you today."

Li Yanqing knelt in front of his master, tears gushed out, and he said in a choking voice: "Master must live for a hundred years, wait for Yanqing to come back and tell his master the answer!"

Yao Ding caressed the head of his beloved disciple, "Go! Go and take me the first place in the county school, go and get me the juren, get the Jinshi, so that my master's hunchback can straighten up again."

"Teacher, take care of yourself!"

Li Yanqing kowtowed three times, stood up and quickly left Lushan School. Yao Ding looked at his disciple and walked out of the school. His old eyes were full of expectations.

A quarter of an hour later, more than 20 students from Lushan Town got on six ox carts and went to the county town to take the county exam together. This time, Yao Ding did not follow him. He had signed up for the students, and it finally depends on the students' performance.

Every student's mood is very complicated. This is the first test of their life. After entering a county school, it means that they can continue their studies and study. Two years later, they either take the Examination or the State school exam, and they can continue their life journey.

If you fail to get into county school, most people have to say goodbye to their studies, go home to farm, or go out to do business, and embark on another path of life.

Li Yanqing and the other four sat in the second ox cart, and Li Er was also crowded with them, but Li Er was not too frustrated. He smiled at everyone and said, "The patriarch has contacted me. If I can't get into the county school, I will go to Anyang Academy to study, and I can still take the state school exam in two years."

Anyang Academy is a privately established school. It is a junior school at the same level as the county school. It is far from comparable to the four major academies in the world. However, it is also a relatively famous academies in Xiangzhou. Twenty years ago, it was founded by a retired official. Li Wengui's eldest grandson Li Feng also went there to study.

Li Er actually said that Li Yanqing heard this. He felt a little proud. The patriarch was not only concerned about Qing Ge'er. This time the patriarch did not even help Qing Ge'er, but only helped himself.

However, Li Yanqing was stunned when he looked out the window and didn't hear him. Li Er felt a little disappointed. He poked Wang Gui next to him with his arm and asked with a smile: "Your grandfather should have found a good relationship for you, right?"

Wang Gui snorted disdainfully and said, "Of course, the note approved by the magistrate of Dadao himself is already on the admission list of the county school, so is Lao Tang!"

Li Yanqing had gradually emerged from the sadness of parting with his master. He had never heard Tang Huai mention this matter, so he asked Tang Huai with a smile: "Old Tang, is that true?"

"I don't know very well!"

Tang Huai glanced at Li Er and said vaguely: "My family asked me to concentrate on the exam and ignore other things. I'm too lazy to ask more questions."

With Li Er as an "outsider", Tang Huai obviously refused to tell the truth, so Li Yanqing stopped asking more questions. At this time, Yue Fei said slowly: "I heard that this martial arts examination was the magistrate personally taking the exam, taking archery, weightlifting and running. As long as he passed the two items, he could enter the school."

All four of them sat upright and asked in surprise: "Didn't you say that you must pass all three items before you can enter school?"

Yue Fei smiled, "It should be the state interfering. If all three items must be qualified, then most students will fall into archery, and few of them can get into the county school. This is too much. Now it has been changed to two items. In fact, as long as you pass the running, there will be basically no problem in the martial arts exam."

Tang Huai said again: "There are differences here. If the archery item is not passed, then the martial arts teacher will be the old beetle in the past. But if the archery passes, it will be Master Zhou who will be the martial arts teacher."

Not only were Wang Gui and Tang Huai extremely excited, but Li Yanqing and Yue Fei also yearned for it leisurely. If they could learn martial arts from Zhou Tong, it would be a waste of their participation in this county school exam.

.........

Everyone was still living in Tang's Inn. The room was ready. When everyone was carrying their luggage, Li Yanqing suddenly heard someone calling him behind him. When he turned around, it turned out to be the second clan leader Li Wengui, which was beyond his expectations.

Li Yanqing hurriedly stepped forward to greet him. Since Li Wengui stepped down from his post as Dubaozheng, he has been in Tangyin County for a long time, in charge of Li's industries in the county and Anyang County.

This is also the division of labor between him and his brother Li Wenyou. Li Wenyou is in charge of land and industry. In name, it is the property of the clan, but in fact most of it belongs to them personally.

Li Wengui rarely showed a smile on his face, "Do you have time for Qing'er? How about we go for a simple meal?"

There was a boy standing next to Li Wengui. He was his favorite grandson, Li Baoer. He also took the county exam with Li Yanqing this year.

Li Yanqing didn't know what the second clan leader asked him to do, so he nodded silently.

Li Wengui took Li Yanqing to the Li Ji Tavern not far away. It was a tavern opened by Li Wengui in the county town. It is one of the three major taverns in Tangyin County. There is also a branch in Anyang County and Daming Prefecture.

They sat down by the window on the second floor, and Li Wengui smiled and poured a glass of wine for Li Yanqing, "Qing'er, we haven't seen each other for almost three years!"

Li Yanqing suddenly felt that he had lived so peacefully in the past few years, was it because Li Wengui moved to the county town and was not in Lushan Town?

Seeing that Li Yanqing did not answer him, Li Wengui asked with a smile: "Your father is in good health in Anyang!"

"Thank you for your concern, Dad is in good health."

"That's good!"

Li Wengui drank a glass of wine and said slowly: "Over the past few decades, my greatest experience is that the family can only flourish and develop through mutual assistance among the tribe. I wonder if Qing'er agrees with this?"

This statement itself is not wrong, but it depends on the occasion. For example, now, Li Yanqing looks at Li Baoer sitting next to his grandfather. This kid is the worst academic candidate among their Lushan Academy candidates. He is about to have a county exam tomorrow, but Li Wengui said that his tribe members should help each other. What does this mean?

Li Yanqing nodded with a smile and barely agreed with his words.

Li Wengui was secretly happy, so he touched his young grandson's head caressed and sighed: "Tomorrow is the county exam. I am very worried about Baoer, and Qinger also knows his situation. To be honest, I am really helpless!"

"This shouldn't be difficult!" Li Yanqing said with a smile.

Li Wengui knew what Li Yanqing said, and said, "Of course there are solutions, but they are always ugly. To be honest, I hope Baoer can perform well so that the county can also send good news to me and glorify my ancestors. My first few grandchildren did not have this opportunity to perform. Baoer is my last hope. Can Qinger understand my mood?"

"Of course I can understand that every elderly person hopes that their children and grandchildren can have a future. This is human nature."

Seeing that Li Yanqing was not on the road, Li Wengui simply said straight to the point: "Qing'er, you are a smart child, why don't we make a deal!"

‘Trade?’ Li Yanqing suddenly became disgusted. He just said that his tribe members should help each other, but now it has become a transaction again. I am afraid that helping each other is just a beautiful word, and trading is the real thought in Li Wengui.

Li Yanqing restrained his disgust and asked lightly: "I wonder what the transactions mentioned by the ancestors of the two clans mean?"

"Anyway, Qing'er is only twelve years old this year, and she is the youngest of the county school candidates this year. Can Qing'er give up the opportunity this year to Bao'er and take the county school entrance exam next year? In return, I will let your father take charge of all the books of the family industry. What do you think?"

Li Yanqing couldn't say a word, but he actually asked himself to give the opportunity to his grandson. It's a pity that he could think of it!

Li Yanqing was angry, but there was no expression on his face. He asked calmly: "I don't quite understand the meaning of the second clan leader. The county exam has always been very strict. How can I give the opportunity to Baoer?"

Li Wengui thought Li Yanqing was moved, so he lowered his voice and said, "At the end of the exam, when you write your name on the paper, you write Baoer's name on your paper, and Baoer's name on your paper, so that it will be seamless."

Li Yanqing couldn't believe his ears. He died in this kind of thing in his previous life, and his father ruined his life because of this. Now Li Wengui wants to make himself a knife-catching man again.

Li Yanqing was furious in his heart and stood up and said, "Elders should have the morality of elders. Although Yanqing is young, he knows shame. I will never agree to this matter and say goodbye!"
Chapter completed!