I am collecting entries in reincarnation

Chapter 591 It was just normal at that time

The next day, there was a new carriage at the entrance of Dongjia Village. It was not Mr. Ma from Mr. Zhao's family, but a taciturn middle-aged man with calluses on his hands. Although he was not talkative, his driving skills were no worse than Mr. Ma's, and the journey was still very stable.

Fang Yun took Li Ming with them. Just before going to the county government office, Fang Yun and Li Ming each bought some fruits as gifts. They were not expensive, just a token of their appreciation.

They also knew that even if they lost everything they had, they would not be able to move the local county magistrate. This was more of a courtesy. After all, they came to seek advice, so this was the proper thing to do.

The county government office was not far from the Academy of Literature. Li Ming was slightly stunned at the intersection, looking at the different atmospheres on both sides and gave a meaningful smile.

Probably because the county magistrate had already greeted them, a bailiff at the gate of the county government office recognized Fang Yun and Li Ming, greeted them, and led them to the backyard of the county government office.

The first half of the county government office is the well-known yamen, where the county magistrate handles cases and makes judgments, while the second half is where the county magistrate lives and works.

Due to the laws of this world, officials generally serve in other places and are not allowed to serve in their hometowns. Therefore, they naturally do not have their own residences and have to live in the office.

Of course, as an official you cannot travel alone. You must bring three or five followers, legal advisors, wives, etc., and all of these people must have accommodation. So even if you are just a small county magistrate, the backyard of the county government office is not small. If it were not for the yamen runners leading the way, I am afraid that the two of them may not be able to find the county magistrate for a while.

At this moment, County Magistrate Du was having a meal. After the yamen runner reported, County Magistrate Du asked with a pleasant face, "Have you eaten yet?"

Fang Yun said, "I've already eaten at home."

Li Ming also nodded, indicating that he had eaten.

County Magistrate Du smiled and said, "You can dine with me next time. And you don't need to bring these fruits. I appreciate your kindness."

Then he asked the servants to clear away the leftovers, said something to his wife, and asked them to follow him to the study.

County Magistrate Du's study looks very simple, but the furniture is arranged in a very grand manner, revealing the man's mind.

County Magistrate Du was not polite. After the three of them sat down, he immediately began to explain: "I have read your papers several times. Fang Yun, you have got all the meanings correct, without a single mistake or omission. This is very rare. Considering your family background, it is a bit incredible. Perhaps..."

Immediately, Magistrate Du saw Li Ming's wide eyes and realized he had made a mistake. He coughed lightly and said, "Perhaps you are a genius born with innate knowledge. Your argumentation may be a little weak, but your language is refined. Considering your age, it's a pretty good article. As for your poetic talent... Hahaha, I've uploaded your two poems and Xu Gongwang's poems to the Literary Newspaper. If you produced three poems in a row in one try, perhaps it will become a legend. Young man from the Dong family, you've taken advantage. Your poems are far inferior. If you're lucky enough to be published in the Literary Newspaper and widely circulated, perhaps it will gain an extra layer of glory, which will be beneficial to your future cultivation."

County Magistrate Du first commented on Fang Yun, then turned to look at Li Ming and said, "Young man from the Dong family, you are not bad either. Your calligraphy and essays are both top-notch, and your poetry is also quite good. What's even more rare is your age. It's a sure thing that you two will go to Guangyuan Academy. As a local official and someone who appreciates talent, I naturally want to lend you a hand."

Then, as if he had thought of something, he said, "Xu Gongwang naturally has the support of his entire family. You two are not bad in talent, and Fang Yun is even better than him. But when it comes to family background, there's a world of difference. Even though you may be able to beat him in the boy's test, your family background will play a role in the subsequent exams that you may not imagine. I only hope that you can work hard and make up for my painstaking efforts!"

The two of them naturally responded in unison. County Magistrate Du nodded in satisfaction and then began to teach.

He also teaches students in accordance with their aptitude and does not stick to one aspect. He feels that Fang Yun still has a lot of room for improvement in his argumentation, so he first explains how to write an article and teaches from the beginning, which can be said to be without effort.

Just as Dong Yan said, County Magistrate Du was also a genuine Jinshi, and he really had a lot of knowledge. Li Ming had only passed the examination for a scholar in his previous life, so he didn't dare to disobey him at this moment. Combining his own experience, it would be of great help.

Both of them fully demonstrated the spirit of "a good memory is not as good as a bad pen" and wrote down the important points with swift strokes of the pen. Seeing this, County Magistrate Du was even more satisfied. He talked for nearly an hour and finally left a question for the two of them as homework for the next class, thus ending today's teaching.

Just as Fang Yun and he were about to leave, County Magistrate Du suddenly said sternly, "I'm teaching you this today. If your writing tomorrow doesn't satisfy me, you don't need to come here anymore!"

Fang Yun immediately bowed and said, "Master Du, don't worry, I won't let you down!"

Hearing this, County Magistrate Du nodded and said to Li Ming, "Same to you."

But in comparison, it was obvious that he did focus on Fang Yun. Li Ming didn't care. After all, he didn't intend to be in the limelight in this life. Having Fang Yun as a cover was perfect.

What County Magistrate Du did was also human nature. After all, Fang Yun was the number one seed.

Then the two of them left the county government office together. There was a carriage waiting at the door. It was still early and County Magistrate Du still had official business to attend to, so he couldn't waste too much time teaching the two of them. Fang Yun then took Li Ming to the bookstore to buy some books that were not available in the village.

He was the first in line, and besides the silver sent by Mr. Zhao, several other wealthy families also gave him additional silver. He was now relatively well off, but he still sighed, "Literature is difficult, harder than ascending to heaven. Just this has cost me most of my fortune. No wonder they say it's difficult for a poor family to produce a noble son. I can't even afford these books, how can I study, how can I take the exam?"

Seeing that Li Ming didn't answer, he continued to talk to himself: "But I want to give it a try!"

"I believe Brother Yun'er, you are different." Li Ming laughed and said casually.

Fang Yun also laughed and said, "Being a student is just the beginning. There is still a long way to go. You have to do your homework when you get home and think carefully about the questions that Teacher Du gave you. Otherwise, it will be embarrassing to be kicked out."

Li Ming smiled and said, "I don't need to worry about it, Brother Yun'er, don't worry."

Time flies, and half a month has passed in a flash.

The two made rapid progress under the guidance of County Magistrate Du, and the talents displayed by Fang Yun and Li Ming also made County Magistrate Du secretly happy, but he never showed it and always acted like a strict teacher. Only his wife knew that County Magistrate Du had shouted in his dreams several times that the best place to have a son should be in Dongjia Village.

That day, after County Magistrate Du finished his lecture, he did not assign questions as usual, but instead sighed deeply.

Without waiting for Fang Yun and Li Ming to ask, he directly pulled out two letters from the desk.

"This is a letter from Guangyuan Academy. Congratulations! You can go to Guangyuan Academy to continue your studies."

Although he was saying congratulations, County Magistrate Du couldn't help showing a hint of sadness.

Fang Yun was a little excited, but he still bowed twice to County Magistrate Du and said, "Master Du's teachings will never be forgotten by me, Fang Yun!"

Li Ming followed closely behind, bowed deeply and called him Master Du.

County Magistrate Du turned around and said after a long silence, "The Xu family is very unhappy with you for taking Xu Gongwang's first place in the case. They have been making many subtle moves, both overt and covert. I have already blocked them for you, but if you go to Guangyuan Academy, I will be out of reach. The most I can do is take care of the elderly and children in Dongjia Village for you."

"The Xu family?" Fang Yun's expression was startled. Although he knew Magistrate Du was protective, he hadn't expected the Xu family to actually engage in such a scheme for the top spot. He showed a hint of gratitude and was about to bow again. But Magistrate Du waved his hand, saying, "I'm not saying this to ask you to thank me or remember me. I simply value your talent. You're excellent, both of you. You shouldn't be buried in obscurity. You should contribute to the court. Who knows, you might even win glory for our race on the battlefield of the Three Clans, instead of wasting away among these insignificant people."

"In any case, Master Du, you deserve this respect!"

Fang Yun insisted on bowing, so Li Ming had no choice but to bow to County Magistrate Du again.

This time, Magistrate Du did not stop him. He simply said, "Let's set off tomorrow. Don't delay."

After saying that, he waved his hand, intending to leave. Fang Yun and Li Ming naturally would not be so tactless as to stay any longer. They took the letter, packed up their things and left.

After returning to Dongjia Village, Li Ming pondered for a long time and finally took out the letter during dinner.

"Dad, this is what County Magistrate Du gave me today. He told me to get ready and go to Guangyuan Academy tomorrow."

Dong Jie was startled, and the chopsticks in his hand suddenly fell. He then hurriedly bent down to find them on the ground. After a long while, he finally found the chopsticks from the ground with red eyes, and said with a wry smile: "I am old and can't see things clearly. It's dark now, and I have to spend a lot of time looking for a dropped chopstick."

Then, as if to confirm, he asked, "Are you leaving tomorrow?"

Li Ming nodded and said, "Brother Yun'er and I have already agreed to leave early in the morning. County Magistrate Du has already arranged the carriages and horses. We just need to prepare some clothes and luggage."

"Okay, okay, okay." Dong Jie opened his mouth and uttered a few good words. He wanted to say something else, but he could only laugh dryly.

"Guangyuan Academy is a good place. Study hard and strive to pass the imperial examination to become a scholar or juren, bringing honor to our Dong family. By the way, your brother Qing also studied at Guangyuan Academy for two years. I've talked to the village chief and asked him to write a letter to Dong Qing, asking his friends to take care of you."

Li Ming felt an inexplicable pang of sadness in his heart. Perhaps this was the only way his father, an old scholar, could think of to help him.

So he nodded and said, "Brother Qing used to come back twice a year, I think I will be the same."

Dong Jie nodded when he heard that, and then urged, "Eat more. I'll ask your Aunt Yue to help you put things away."

After saying this, he hurriedly put down his chopsticks and the half-eaten bowl of rice, and rushed out of the room in two steps.

Then there was the sound of hurried footsteps. Aunt Yue followed Dong Jie into the room and looked at Li Ming and said, "Why are you leaving tomorrow? I... I haven't had time to cook you a few delicious dishes. I didn't know today. If I had known, I would have cut up the hanging meat and stewed the bones for you. It's still early, so I'll cook it for you now and you can take it with you on your way tomorrow morning."

Listening to Aunt Yue's anxious voice, Li Ming felt even more distressed. He quickly forced a smile and said, "No need, Aunt Yue. Please help me find some clothes to change into."

"Okay, okay, I'll go right away!" Aunt Yue nodded hurriedly after hearing this and walked hurriedly towards Li Ming's room.

Afterwards, Dong Jie did not sit down to eat, but just stood at the door, his eyes never leaving Li Ming. If it were someone else, Li Ming might feel a little uncomfortable, but at this moment he just seized the time to eat, picking up several dishes on the table and putting them into his bowl.

Although there are many regrets, Li Ming knows very well that in the eyes of these two ordinary parents, being able to ask them to do more for him is the most filial behavior.

"Okay, okay, I've packed two sets of clothes for you for spring and summer and autumn and winter, as well as shoes and insoles. Oh, I should have known that you were going to study at Guangyuan Academy. I should have made you a few more pairs of soles and insoles." Aunt Yue was holding a bundle in her hand and was still blaming herself. Her chattering reminded Li Ming of his relative on Blue Star. Although they looked different, their love for him was the same.

Dong Jie blamed him, "What did I say? You should have done it a long time ago. Oh, it's not too late now."

Li Ming quickly shook his head and said, "It's okay, it's enough, it's enough. But Aunt Yue, you can't just stop making it when I'm gone. I'll be back for the New Year. If it's not made by you, I won't be used to wearing it. I've been wearing clothes and shoes made by you since I was a child."

Aunt Yue smiled rarely. The wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and the silver threads in her hair showed that she was aging. She was just an ordinary middle-aged woman, but at this moment, her smile was the most beautiful smile Li Ming had ever seen.

That night, Li Ming fell asleep very late, and the lights in Fang Yun's room were also turned off late at night.

Nothing happened that night. On a hazy morning, a horse-drawn carriage quietly stopped at the entrance of Dongjia Village.

Both families were waiting here before dawn. There wasn't much noise, just a hint of sadness.

Neither Fang Yun nor Li Ming had anyone to see them off. The two seemed to have a tacit understanding and did not publicize anything in the village.

After putting the luggage on the carriage, Aunt Yue took Li Ming's hand and said softly, "Xiaoyong, studying in a large academy is different from here. You must listen to your teacher, be nice to your classmates, make some friends, but still focus on your studies."

Listening to these chatterings, Li Ming was rarely impatient. He was not a real fourteen-year-old child, but he was still moved by these most ordinary and sincere feelings every time.

Dong Jie didn't say as much as Aunt Yue. He just looked over Li Ming's luggage over and over again before leaving. Every time he looked over it, he remembered something he wanted to pack in. But in the end, most of the things were taken out by Aunt Yue, saying that they were too heavy. Now that they were about to part, he just smiled and said softly.

"My son, it doesn't matter if you can't finish your studies. Your father has lived a good life as a scholar."

"What are you talking about?!" Aunt Yue gave Dong Jie a sidelong look.

Seeing this, Li Ming couldn't help but smile knowingly.

When the driver urged them to get on the car, Li Ming casually touched the luggage bag that Aunt Yue had placed on the car and felt something hard. Then Li Ming opened the bag and saw that it was a purse. It contained not only the silver reward from the court for their retirement, but also an extra dozen or so taels of loose silver. It was not much, but it was basically all of Dong Jie's savings over the years.

At this moment, Li Ming's tears flowed silently down his cheeks.

He swore secretly in his heart.

"For eternity, I will never be merciless!"

PS: Thanks to Yunmengxing, yho, Huancangzi, book friend 202111191656256634, and book friend 20180328160537202 for their monthly ticket support, thank you very much.

(End of this chapter)