To the north of the school, a courtyard wall is separated by the Ge family’s private house in Shuikou Township.

Ge Lide lived in the county government offices most of the time. Only after the school starts in the township school, he would come every few days and stay for a few days.

Since his son became the magistrate of Zhushan County, Ge Lao has become a legend in this county. The Ge family is also quite low-key and basically cannot hear news about them. Only on some important occasions can the Ge family be seen.

Ge Lao devoted himself to teaching in the village school. Although he did not show up often, he knew the situation of the students in the school.

After passing through an inner door guarded by the servants of the Ge family, Zhu Xiu stepped into the courtyard.

There is a spacious wing room on both sides of the east and west, with a bedroom in the middle, and the courtyard is also filled with rockery bonsai, flowerbeds and meadows, and a small vegetable field.

Although he is not rich and luxurious, he also has a bit of elegant and quiet beauty. From this point of view, Mr. Ge is not a person who wants to enjoy himself.

The door of the main hall was open, and Zhu Xiu deliberately stepped a little harder, and even coughed before approaching.

"Is it Zhu Xiu? Come in and sit down, I have something to say to you."

Ge Lide's voice came from the room, and Zhu Xiu quickly responded to "Yes", lowered his head and walked in quickly.

The felt mattress that was warm on the ground in winter has not been removed, and the entire bedroom is covered with a wide high-legged red-brown pear wooden desk near the east window, surrounded by bookshelf. Ge Lide was sitting behind the desk, squinting his eyes, sniffing Zhu Xiu’s two answers carefully.

The layout of the inner hall study is somewhat later in life. At first glance, it feels like I have entered the principal's office. Zhu Xiu laughed in his heart, but his legs did not dare to be negligent, so he hurriedly stepped forward to bow.

"Students pay homage to Mr. Ge!"

"Sit down! I've finished reading!" Ge Lide said without raising his head.

Zhu Xiu was not restrained either. He moved a rope bed to sit at the desk and waited patiently.

A quarter of an hour later, Ge Lide raised his head with unfulfilled desire, put down two answer sheets, looked at Zhu Xiu, and said in a harmonious voice with a smile: "The handwriting is completely different from yours before! I have never seen the brushwork and fonts before. But I can see that your handwriting is already a bit hot."

Zhu Xiu sat upright, smiled and nodded and said, "It made Mr. Ge laugh. This kind of thin small calligraphy was seen by my father when he was young in an ancient book. He started practicing it when he was young, but he had never understood the key points. He did not dare to take it out and show his ugly words until he had gained something recently."

Ge Lide did not doubt that he had, and sighed: "Once one suddenly realized, it was a complete transformation effect. It was rare, rare! If Zhu Juren saw you in the Spirit of Heaven, he would definitely be relieved. The Zhu family has a talented and successful successor."

Zhu Xiu echoed a few words and laughed in his heart. With the psychological construction he had set up in the Tao family before, he is gradually showing some extraordinary things, and will not arouse the suspicion of these people who were once familiar with him.

Ge Lide carefully folded the two answer sheets in half and pressed them under the two classics, obviously intending to collect them as a copying template for a new style of fonts.

"This small test question was decided after discussing with Liu Da. It is not difficult, but it involves a wide range. You can get the top spot, which is enough to show that you have a solid foundation in your studies. At the Tao family, you were not lucky enough to defeat Tao Sheng, but because of your accumulation of strength!"

Ge Lide looked kind and the more he looked at Zhu Xiu, the more satisfied he was. Not only was he outstanding in appearance, but he also had excellent talent and knowledge. Such a handsome young man in Qingyan was the representative figure of the Shuikou Township School in his mind.

Zhu Xiu didn't know that his appearance had become a plus point in Ge's mind, so he quickly bowed and said a few polite words.

"However, there are still three months before the county school enrollment, so you must not relax during this period. It is important to know that the questions in the county school entrance examination are usually mainly based on the meaning of the memorial and the meaning of the memorial, but the number of questions is much larger than this. Sometimes there is an additional oral test to examine the physical appearance, mouth and courage of the freshmen. I have founded the school for many years and have seen many candidates. I usually have a solid foundation, but I am prone to perform abnormally when I am on the spot. It is a pity that I don't want you to repeat the same mistakes!" Ge Lide warned slightly.

Zhu Xiu did not dare to be negligent and said respectfully: "Thank you, Mr. Ge, for your teachings, the students will definitely remember them! They dare not relax!"

Seeing that Zhu Xiu was not anxious and had a positive attitude, Ge Lide nodded with satisfaction, and once again showed a kind smile on his face: "According to the rules set by me, the winner of the small test will enjoy additional benefits. In the future, the east wing in the back house will be allocated to you as a place for your rest and stay overnight. If you need to stay overnight, just say to the person guarding the back house and he will let you in. If you need to write and write books, just tell Liu Da, and he will do it for you."

Zhu Xiu was stunned, then looked full of surprise. He was thinking about how to ask for a separate dormitory, but he didn't expect that Old Man Ge would give him a pillow and took the initiative to mention this.

And it is also the wing room in the back house, which is more spacious and quiet and has a better environment. Ge Lide acquiesced that he can enter and exit the back house at will except this main hall.

This is a treatment that even Tao Sheng can't enjoy.

"Thank you, Mr. Ge!" Zhu Xiu stood up happily and bowed.

Ge Lide smiled and pressed his hands down to sit down, and said in a harmonious voice: "For excellent students, I will provide him with the most comfortable environment. As long as I can get into the county school, I will also reward you without hesitation."

Zhu Xiu didn't care what reward Ge Lide would give, but since he said that, Zhu Xiu couldn't help but have other thoughts in his heart and asked tentatively: "Ge Lao, the student has developed the habit of studying alone at home. He often sits alone in the edge of the canal and recites it. He found that this method helps me remember and keeps open-minded. In the future, can he beg Mr. Ge to give students more time to study and allow students to go out? If he is in the school, he may disturb other classmates and he will not be able to calm down."

Ge Lide didn't expect Zhu Xiu to make such a request, frowned and pondered without saying a word.

He knew that in fact, many scholars with deep talents and knowledge have their own strange learning habits.

For example, in Fangshan Academy, some people like to sleep during the day and light up the lamps and read scriptures at night to write articles.

Some like to run outside the mountains, build huts, and work for farming and studying.

Some like to read while fishing, but in short, they have all kinds of quirks.

It is just that giving a student such broad freedom and authority has never had a similar precedent since its establishment. Ge Lide was a little unsure of attention for a while, and he was also suspicious and worried about Zhu Xiu's consciousness.

Zhu Xiu quickly patted his chest and promised confidently: "Students are willing to accept the teaching examinations of Mr. Ge and Mr. Liu regularly. If there are any signs of regression in their studies, the students are willing to accept the punishment of Mr. Ge!"

Ge Lide nodded slowly and said in a deep voice: "Okay, I promise you to do this. However, every twelve days, I will ask Liu Da to give you a test paper. If you can't get above the pass, you must return to the school and sit in the hall immediately!"

"Thank you, Mr. Ge, for your understanding! Mr. Ge, and his students admire you!" Zhu Xiu was secretly happy, but his expression was very solemn, and he stood up and bowed.

Ge Lide smiled and said, "Liu Da will set up some key chapters in the county examination these days, and teach you some of the rules and techniques for the county examination. After hearing these, it will be no longer late for you to leave!"

Zhu Xiu agreed readily, but he had already won the greatest freedom for himself anyway, so he didn't have to worry about leaving for the past few days.

"Old Ge, the student has something to ask for advice!" Zhu Xiuyi bowed and whispered.

Ge Lide smiled and nodded, signaling him but said it was okay.

"Students want to ask Mr. Ge. If a son-in-law wants to leave his post and become an independent household, will the county government card be strict? What are the requirements?"

Ge Lide showed doubts on his face. He was about to ask Zhu Xiu why he cared about such things. Seeing his eyes flashing a little, he thought of something and shook his head and laughed.

"You are probably asking for someone else? Is he Tao Cunzheng's son-in-law? What's the name?"

Zhu Xiu smiled and handed a flatterer: "Ge Laoyingming! This person is called Zhou Jincai."

"Yes, Zhou Jincai! Why, he didn't give up? He had his ideas hit you?" Ge Lide shook his beard and snorted.

Zhu Xiuqi said: "Listen to what Mr. Ge said, it seems like he knows what this person is thinking?"

Ge Lide said lightly: "A few years ago, he came to Zhushan County alone to see me and asked the same question to me."

"Dare you ask Mr. Ge how he replied at that time?"

Ge Lide glanced at Zhu Xiu and smiled faintly, "I didn't say anything, and I didn't see him. I sent him to send him away, but just told him that I would stay at the Tao family with peace of mind. It would be difficult for me to leave the Tao family as a identifiable person. I did not tell the Tao family about this, and it was already considered to be the end of kindness and righteousness."

Zhu Xiu heard the contempt in Ge Lide's tone and tentatively said: "Let the students ask more questions, is it possible for Mr. Ge to do this?"

Ge Lide smiled and said, "Without absolute, the identity of a son-in-law is indeed not nice, but it still belongs to the category of civilians. It is necessary to become an independent household registration. However, the procedures are quite complicated and you have to have some tricks in the county government. What's more, what is Zhou Jincai's identity and what qualifications are there to ask me for work?"

"If the Tao family had not produced Tao Chang...hehe~~"

Ge Lide did not continue to stroke his beard, but his smile was very thought-provoking.

Zhu Xiu understood what he meant. If Tao Chang had not been a county student from Tao family, Ge Lide would not have taken the Tao family seriously.

Zhu Xiu lowered his head and was silent. He felt that he had underestimated the gap between the feudal hierarchies too much.

The Ge family is already a serious gentry class of 800 officials and gentry. Not to mention the magistrate of Zhushan County, Ge Lide himself was also a tributer from the village.

If Tao Chang had not been a county student from Tao family, he would not have the right to sit with Ge Lide to have a meal, drink and talk.

The old Zhu family does not have the financial resources of the Tao family, and can maintain the decency in front of outsiders today, which is not entirely due to the afterglow left by the tribute scholars in Zhu Daquan Township.

And he, Zhu Xiu, was able to stand here today, let Ge Lide talk to him with a kind look on the one hand because he is Zhu Juren's son, but more so, Ge Lide saw his potential in taking the exam.

In an instant, Zhu Xiu had a deeper understanding of the times he was in.

All are inferior, but the power of the era of high school study and lifelong imperial examinations has gradually become prominent.

Ge Lide tasted the tea, as if he was worried that Zhu Xiu would have any thoughts because of what he said just now, and said with a gentle smile: "Of course, your Zhu family and the Tao family are still different after all. After all, your father is also from a tribute scholar in the village, which is a pity...ah~"

Zhu Xiu smiled and said nothing. Old Man Ge said this but was insincere. Zhu Daquan was dead. The Zhu family and the Tao family were no different in his eyes, and they were even worse.

Otherwise, when the Tao family instigated to take away his school quota, why didn’t Ge Lide come out and say something? He still let the Tao family jump up and down.

If it weren't for his little show that he had defeated Tao Sheng, leaving the Tao family speechless, and at the same time, Ge Lide had successfully seen the possibility of taking the exam in him, thus saving the last dignity of the Zhu family.

If the person who lost at the beginning was himself, Ge Lide would have been happy to watch him leave in shame.

As a senior in the village, Old Man Ge cherishes the reputation of the Ge family and is also very considerate of his work. He pays attention to his work and makes people unable to find fault.

If he directly ordered to expel himself from the school and spread it, it would inevitably be said that he bullied the orphan and widowed mother, and Zhu Daquan would leave and die.

He lost to the Tao family with dignity, and there was nothing to say even if he left.

"Old man Ge, Old man Ge, you are really a slippery man!"

Zhu Xiu laughed in his heart. He is not a novice in society. He can see Ge Lide clearly after thinking about it.

"Zhu Xiu, you are a scholar. Don't hang out with rural merchants like Zhou Jincai. If you study well, you will be admitted to the imperial examination and become an official, and those merchants will rush to curry favor with you!" Ge Lide taught earnestly.

Zhu Xiu bowed and said yes, and said with a smile: "This is because the student owes Zhou Jincai a favor. He promised to ask him. No one can stand without trust, so he still needs to ask Mr. Ge, how can he ask Mr. Ge to help and promote this matter?"

Ge Lide put down the teacup, saw Zhu Xiu's expression firm, and thought for a while and smiled: "I really don't know how Zhou Jincai convinced you to come forward. Well, since you are here to ask me, there will naturally be solutions. As long as you can get into the county school with the previous three grades this year, I will come forward to do this!"

Zhu Xiu grinned without any hesitation and bowed, "Then it's a matter of determination! Thank you Mr. Ge for your fulfillment!"

Ge Lide nodded with a smile, without saying anything, watching Zhu Xiu leave.

After Zhu Xiu left, Liu Da walked in and smiled helplessly, "Old Ge, I heard what you said just now. This year, the county school freshmen only recruited twelve people, and it is not easy to get the top three from more than 100 candidates in eleven townships! Although Zhu Xiu was enlightened, his grades were still unstable. Tao Sheng was only 60 to 70% sure he would pass the exam."

Ge Lide stood up and walked to the door of the house, stood with his hands behind his back, and said with a faint smile: "No hurry, I want to see how much potential Zhu Xiu can burst out under heavy pressure. Isn't this child giving you and me a big surprise today?"

Liu Da smiled and said, "It seems that Mr. Ge is really optimistic about him. Not only do he have any favorable treatment, he is also allowed not to come to attend classes. This is a preferential treatment that even Zhu Jingyi has never enjoyed."

Ge Lide said: "Zhu Xiu is different from his father. His father has a calm personality, tough and hardworking personality, while Zhu Xiu is flexible in his mind. The talent he has shown now seems to be higher than his father. Different talents have different ways of cultivating them, just like Fangshan Academy, allowing students to read according to their own personality. What the school has to do is to test the achievements they have learned."

Liu Da smiled admiringly: "If Shuikou Township can pass the two county students this year, it will all depend on Ge Lao's education! The number of talents under the rule of Ge County Magistrate has emerged, which is a heavy political achievement. Perhaps in a few years, another Fangshan Academy will be born in our Shuikou Township."

Ge Lide laughed. He devoted so much energy to the village school, and his main purpose was to increase political achievements for his son, establish fame for the Ge family, and broaden his connections.
Chapter completed!