Xiaoyaoshanjun

Chapter 17 The Scholar

After the Chinese New Year, 19-year-old Tian Buli continued to sell tofu at the stall.

On the evening of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, while the young men and ladies from the city went out to watch the lanterns and chat about poetry, Tian Buli and his companions were eating in the house.

Mr. Bing said, "Hu'er is hopelessly stupid. I plan to send him to the countryside to farm."

Tiger, Leopard and Dog were sitting at a small table eating alone, while the three adults were sitting at the same table.

After doing something wrong last time, Tiger, who was already lacking love, suffered even more and was often slapped by the dragonfly.

Tian Buli said directly: "That's not necessary. What happened before was because he was young and ignorant. He just needs to be a good boy in the future."

Mr. Bing nodded and sighed, "Thanks to the benefactor for the past six months, I and these good-for-nothing children have been a burden to the benefactor and the damselfly."

Dou Niang showed an impatient expression, "Eat when you're full, study hard, no one will say anything to you, why are you feeling ashamed all day long, you should study hard and pass the exam to repay me and Tian Ge'er in the future, and save the three children from suffering!"

Tian Buli said, "Sir, don't be so cowardly. Only people with high spirits can be respected. I used to smile at everyone, but I was always looked down upon. Not only by scoundrels, but also by neighbors who took advantage of my young age and asked me to borrow money."

"I haven't mentioned these things to you. Telling them will only make everyone feel upset and sigh together, and it won't solve the problem."

"It's only because I get angry that people on the street treat me like a human being. Who dares to say those gossipy things recently?"

"Sir, I think highly of you, but you can't look down on yourself. Otherwise, how can others think highly of you?"

Mr. Bing was in mixed emotions and said respectfully, "Thank you for your guidance, sir. I am grateful for your guidance!"

Tian Buli said something else, "Now we are the only tofu sellers on the street. Although we don't have the business from Liu's family, we don't have the extortion from the lackeys and scoundrels, so we make a lot of money."

"Using force is not a long-term solution. I plan to work with you on the February exam. If we fail, we will move to the countryside and settle down on a piece of land to live on. We can take the exam again next year."

Hu Yuwei nodded and said, "Okay, let's sell this yard and buy some land for our benefactor. Then let the three children figure out a way to make ends meet in the future."

Tian Buli said hurriedly, "No need. Tiger and Leopard can just continue to sell tofu. Gou'er can follow Master or Damiang. I don't plan to farm for the rest of my life. I just want to have a farm home there. Master and his family can live there, too. We are poor and weak, so we can only survive if we take care of each other."

"It's definitely better to be a city dweller than a country dweller. Tiger and Leopard grew up here and are familiar with this place."

"After two or three years, they can start their own business. Now they just need to eat well and grow taller."

Tian Buli and Mr. Bing were chatting in the house.

After dinner, the three children washed the pots and dishes, and soaked the beans before going to bed.

Tian Buli and Mr. Bing used the hot water boiled in the pot to drink tea instead of wine.

Dou Niang sat on a chair next to the kitchen, mending Tian Buli's socks by the light of the oil lamp.

Mr. Bing and Tian Buli kept themselves warm by the earthen stove, roasted some sweet potatoes with the residual heat, and chatted about poetry and articles.

After half past eight, everyone went back to their rooms to sleep.

After the first month of the lunar year, the county gradually became quiet. People were farming, and people were working. There were few people on the streets.

Not everyone can take the county exam. In addition to the exam fee, you also have to find a gentleman to guarantee your innocence.

Mr. Bing had thought about this matter a long time ago, and had quietly helped Tian Buli find connections.

He was originally from the city, and although he had little money or power, he shamelessly asked his former teacher to guarantee him.

After all, my parents died tragically and this was their last effort to take the exam before they died. It would be hard to refuse both morally and logically.

Mr. Bing led Tian Buli towards the North City, and whispered, "I have no doubt about your ability, my benefactor. This time my teacher will test our knowledge, and he can almost guarantee us both."

"My mentor doesn't like people who are frivolous and talkative. My benefactor, please try not to laugh when the time comes, otherwise he will be displeased."

Tian Buli nodded, "Then I'll just say I'm staying at your house as a helper. That way I can save face."

Mr. Bing thanked with relief: "Thank you for your understanding!"

Tian Buli met the old man in a yard. The old man didn't like them very much and didn't show any expression towards the fish and eggs that Tian Buli sent.

Fortunately, the two of them were not fools and had no problem memorizing texts, translating ancient Chinese texts, and expressing their own opinions.

After the old man wrote two guarantees, the two gave him some small change as a thank you. After leaving, Tian Buli sighed and said, "Scholars really make money."

The patient can now walk long distances, and now only coughs occasionally, and his speech has gradually returned to normal.

I still can’t do physical work, and my complexion looks pale and weak.

It gives people the feeling that there is a wisp of spirit holding on, and if it is destroyed, there will be death.

Mr. Bing sat on the cart borrowed by Tian Buli and was pushed forward by Tian Buli.

"Our city is not one of those beautiful places in the southeast. There is a Haitian Prefecture to the east of us. Some of the counties there have hundreds of thousands of people and more than 2,000 Tongsheng."

"In our Yanque City, there are only 50 quotas for Tongsheng per county every year. It is said that there are only more than 500 Tongsheng in the county now, but less than 100 of them remain."

Tian Buli was not so depressed, and said with a smile: "Those who stayed behind are for retirement, and the rest either went to other places to become high-ranking officials or to travel and study to make progress."

"I am just accompanying you through the formalities, sir. You can rest assured and take the exam. In this life, if you have a friend who supports you to the end, what reason do you have not to work hard and believe in yourself?"

Mr. Bing smiled and said, "What you said is true, I have figured it out. No matter what happens this time, I must try my best!"

"Yes!" Tian Buli encouraged, "Let's go buy a chicken and make chicken soup tonight."

Mr. Bing said hurriedly: "How can I spend more money? I have already spent too much money today!"

"Hahaha!" Tian Buli laughed loudly.

There were a few gangsters drinking and eating meat at a table by the window in a nearby restaurant. When they heard someone laughing, they impatiently reached for their knives.

As soon as I looked at the madman on the side of the road, I found that it was a young man pushing a sick scholar.

Like... a filial son pushing his sick father?

Mr. Bing asked softly, "What are you laughing at, benefactor?"

"Hahaha!" Tian Buli was full of pride.

The drunkards nearby were about to jump down to teach the arrogant young man a lesson, but Tian Buli happily recited a poem.

"Have you not seen that the water of the great river comes from the sky! It flows to the sea and never returns!"

Although he is young, his voice is full of heroism and he is obviously a martial artist.

"Don't you see the white hair in the mirror of your parents' hall? It was black in the morning and turned into white in the evening!"

"You must be happy in life, and don't let the golden bottle face the moon."

"I was born to be useful! Even if I spend all my money, I will come back~!!!"

Tian Buli laughed loudly, "Come on, even if I have to borrow money today, I will let you have a good meal!"

If Dou Niang were here, she would definitely say that he was spending money recklessly and borrowing money to eat good food.

Mr. Bing could understand Tian Buli's thoughts, and he also wanted to be as free and happy as Tian Buli.

"Okay! Let's go have a nice meal together!" Mr. Bing also became free and easy, no longer sighing or worrying about useless things.

Tian Buli had no intention of making money or gaining fame from other people's poems, but if he used them to comfort people, I believe Li Bai would not mind it.

There is a tacit understanding between men.

Several chivalrous men upstairs looked at the father and son on the road.

“He is a scholar and a filial son. Old Four, drink your wine and don’t cause trouble!”

The boss quickly reprimanded the man who was looking for trouble.

Shi Laosi withdrew his hand. Even if the boss didn't say anything, he didn't plan to say anything.

The underworld has its own rules, and scholars have their own rules.

(End of this chapter)