What a lucky world!

Chapter 54 That year I put my hands in my pockets...

"it is good!"

Suddenly, a loud cheer rang out, breaking the silence in the square.

Everyone looked over and saw a scholar in Confucian robes sitting next to Song Haowen. The scholar, about fifty years old, pointed at Zhang Mu and said, "What a man, rising from the mud without being stained, washing in the clear water without being evil."

"This statement fully captures the essence of a gentleman's conduct!"

"After what happened today, I'm afraid there will be many more people who love lotus in the world!"

Song Haowen smiled and said to Zhang Mu, "This is Master Liu, the instructor of Huaiqing County."

Zhang Mu quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Master Liu."

"No need, no need!" Master Liu waved his hand. "Today, I am grateful for your wonderful advice, and it will make everything clear."

After saying this, he looked at the group of students from Huaiqing County and said, "Confucius said: When three people walk together, there must be one who can be my teacher."

"You just judged people by their clothes. How can you be a gentleman?"

"If you can understand what little friend Zhang Mu means by lotus, then this trip to Wan'an County will not be in vain."

"Hurry and apologize to young friend Zhang Mu!"

After Master Liu finished speaking, some of the students from Huaiqing County looked dissatisfied, while others blushed, but they all bowed to Zhang Mu and apologized.

Zhang Mu quickly stepped aside, not daring to accept the gift. Meanwhile, Song Haowen addressed the students of Wan'an County, saying, "There is no order of learning; the most accomplished are the teachers. My teachings today have been of great benefit to you all. Why don't you express your gratitude?"

The students from Wan'an County also bowed and said they were willing to learn.

Zhang Mu declined the gift again.

However, in this atmosphere, a clear female voice suddenly rang out.

"Mr. Xiao Zhang, I have a question."

The voice was clear and pleasant, like the sound of a spring. Even though there was a hint of coquettishness in the words, it still made people feel relaxed and happy.

Zhang Mu raised his head and saw a young student in an emerald green coat at the end of the seat where the teachers were sitting. The student had red lips and white teeth and a handsome face. He was about the same age as Zhang Mu, perhaps even younger. Even though he was dressed as a man, he still had a charming look on his face.

Zhang Mu frowned slightly, not because she was asking him a question, but because he hadn't noticed her at all. If she hadn't asked him, Zhang Mu wouldn't have known she existed.

But with such a beautiful and charming appearance, sitting among a group of old masters, how could she not attract attention? Especially Zhang Mu, with the blessing of Zhenwu fate, his senses were particularly sharp.

This is not a question of ignoring her, but rather some means by which people deliberately ignore her.

Zhang Mu was not the only one who suddenly noticed her presence. At this time, the students in Wan'an also seemed to have just discovered such a pretty girl. The self-proclaimed scholars all puffed out their chests and raised their heads, while those who were not so worthy had their eyes wide open.

"My last name is Li, and my nickname is Shishi." The woman stood up and bowed. "I've been traveling with my fellow students. Today, I heard Mr. Zhang's talk about loving lotus, and I was deeply impressed."

Li Shishi?
It's a good name.

Zhang Mu replied, "I am only a warrior, I do not dare to be called a master."

Li Shishi smiled faintly and said softly, "Just now I heard Mr. Xiao Zhang say that when you fellow students commented on plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum, you didn't even touch on the essence of them. I wonder what Mr. Xiao Zhang has to say."

As soon as Li Shishi said this, the students from Huaiqing County immediately reacted and looked at Zhang Mu in unison.

Yes, you said you love lotus, so we admit that you love it well, love it wonderfully, and love it amazingly.

But you love yours, and you end up stepping on us. It's like everyone is holding a girl, and you come and say I'm short to the girl in my arms, how can I tolerate this?
You have to give an explanation.

Zhang Mu looked at Li Shishi helplessly, and saw a hint of cunning in her bright eyes.

Well, the girl is helping Huaiqing County find a place to fight.

He looked at Song Haowen again.

When Song Haowen saw Zhang Mu looking at him, he shrugged his shoulders, his meaning was very clear.

You provoked it yourself, so you have to deal with it yourself.

Of course, Song Haowen was also prepared to smooth things over for Zhang Mu later. After all, he was a warrior, and it was enough for him to say what Lian Junzi said.

however……

There’s a saying: That year, I put my hands in my pockets...

Zhang Mu cleared his throat, put on a harmless smile, and his eyes seemed to reveal a sense of reminiscence.

"It's not that I look down on you, it's just that I've heard better."

"When I was young, my mother taught me a few poems. I don't remember them all, so I'll just give you a few lines to share with you."

"The plum blossom stands proudly in the snow, its fragrance remains undimmed even in the cold."

"There is no intention of struggling for spring, and once everyone is jealous. It will be scattered into mud and crushed into dust, but only the fragrance will remain the same."

"Orchids grow among grasses, expressing their aspirations through their indifference, yet possessing their own dignity."

"Sitting for so long I didn't realize the fragrance in the room, when I opened the window a butterfly flew in."

"Bamboo, rising from humble beginnings, remains unyielding and unyielding, and wind and rain cannot break its joints."

"Once shared the rain and dew with the weeds, and will eventually follow the pines and cypresses into the frost."

Zhang Mu paused at this point, and Master Liu suddenly became anxious: "Where's the chrysanthemum?"

"I am a member of the Chrysanthemum Party!" "Tell me quickly."

Zhang Mu looked at Master Liu, hesitated for a moment, swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue, "When my flower blooms, all other flowers will die," and said:

“Everyone praises the chrysanthemum as a hermit among flowers, but they don’t mention that hermits also have pride.”

"I would rather die with fragrance on the branch than be blown away by the north wind."

After reading the last sentence, Zhang Mu bowed again.

After listening to this, Master Liu murmured, "I would rather die with fragrance on the branch than be blown away by the north wind..."

"OK……"

But then he looked at Zhang Mu again: "Why are they all half-verses? Don't you remember the complete poems your mother taught you?"

Zhang Mu gave a wry laugh. "My father died young, and my mother, in order to raise me, often told me these things while washing clothes. I was only two or three years old at the time, and I only heard them once. How could I remember everything?"

"Even if I wanted to listen again later, Jiaci would no longer be here."

After hearing Zhang Mu's answer, everyone fell silent, and their eyes softened a little when they looked at Zhang Mu.

They seemed to see a talented woman beating clothes and reciting poems to teach the children around her.

At this moment, the image of the mother is personified.

Then, the picture shattered, leaving only the lonely figure in the square.

The warrior attire he wore was truly impressive.

Their previous attitude was really wrong!

Master Song twirled his beard and asked, "Were these poems written by your mother?"

Zhang Mu shook his head: "Maybe."

Master Liu sighed, "If your mother were still alive, she would be a legendary female poet..."

Li Shishi bowed again, her tone not without guilt, and said, "Mr. Zhang, please accept my condolences. This is my fault. I apologize to you, Mr. Zhang."

Song Haowen stood up and said, "Let's end the debate today."

"Students from Wan'an County, when you return, carefully read the poem Zhang Mu spoke today, and carefully comprehend the gentlemanly meaning within it."

Master Liu nodded and gave the same admonition to the students from Huaiqing County.

At this moment, only Li Shishi was blinking her big eyes, looking at Zhang Mu who was standing in the lecture square below, with a hint of measurement in her eyes.

……

After the debate, the teachers gave lectures to the students and expounded on the great principles of sagehood.

Zhang Muben was also interested in listening, but after listening for a while, he found it boring and his eyelids gradually became heavy.

But there happened to be Li Shishi, who kept watching Zhang Mu and secretly reported him to the patrolling instructor, causing Zhang Mu to be woken up several times. Later, even Master Song, who was lecturing, found out and directly made Zhang Mu come to the bottom of the podium to enjoy the supreme VIP seat in the classroom.

The lecture ended an hour later. Master Song tapped Zhang Mu, who was secretly using his martial arts to attack his acupoints, with his ruler, signaling him to follow him.

……

"Poetry dominates the whole scene, why do you turn a deaf ear to the meaning of scriptures?" As soon as he entered the quiet room, Song Haowen sat down and asked Zhang Mu while looking at him.

Zhang Mu said helplessly: "Master, I am a warrior. Those poems were said by my mother, or written by my father. They have nothing to do with me."

Song Haowen made himself a cup of tea, glanced at Zhang Mu, and said meaningfully, "What a pity... If your parents were still alive, I'm afraid you would be one of us."

Zhang Mu didn't respond, but took out the secret letter from his arms.

"Master, this is what Madam Zhuang asked me to give you."

"Hmm?" Song Haowen took the secret letter doubtfully, opened the sealing wax with the paper knife on the table, took out the letter inside and looked at it, his face suddenly became solemn.

Zhang Mu did not ask any more questions. After Song Haowen finished reading, he said softly, "Master, if there is nothing else, I will go back and report."

Song Haowen nodded. When Zhang Mu reached the door, he suddenly remembered something and said, "If the young lady from the Li family comes looking for you, help her if you can. Perhaps there will be a bond of friendship in the future."

Zhang Mu asked curiously, "What does she want me to do?"

Song Haowen did not answer Zhang Mu's question, but said: "The young lady of the Li family is the only daughter of the Huaiqing County Magistrate. She has been included in the list of the Ministry of Rites and will enter the palace for selection in the spring of next year."

Zhang Mu frowned slightly. He didn't expect that such a young girl would have to enter the palace for selection.

Animals!

Zhang Mu wanted to ask more, but Song Haowen waved his hand: "I still have some things to deal with, you go back first."

Zhang Mu nodded and bowed to say goodbye.

……

When Zhang Mu slowly returned to the escort agency, he saw Chunxi standing at the door. He quickly stepped forward and greeted her, "Sister Chunxi, you..."

Before Zhang Mu could finish, Chunxi grabbed Zhang Mu and said, "You're finally back. Come on, go to the flower hall. We have a distinguished guest."

Zhang Mu: (｀;)?

A distinguished guest? What does it have to do with me?
(End of this chapter)