Chapter 21 Chapter Twenty

It is said that when Kuang Chaoren read the payment slip, his face immediately turned ashen-colored. It was really "separating the two roof bones, and pouring countless cold ice down".I couldn't say it out of my mouth, but I thought to myself: "I'm involved in two of these things; if it's interrogated, it's great to get to the bottom of it!" At that moment, Jing Lanjiang left the torture room and went back to the street. , Jing Lanjiang said goodbye.When Kuang Chaoren arrived home, he hesitated all night without going to sleep.The lady asked him what was wrong, but he couldn't tell the truth, so he just said: "I am a tribute now, and I want to go to Beijing to be an official. It is inconvenient for you to live here alone, so I have to send you to Yueqing's house. You are in my mother's house." Right now, I'm going to Beijing to be an official, and I'll take you up when I'm happy." The lady said: "You just go to be an official, I'm here, and I took my mother as a companion. You tell me to go to the countryside, and I will Can you get used to living there? This is impossible!" Kuang Chao said: "You don't know, I am at home, and I have a few living wages every day; after I go, where does your solar eclipse come from? Dad's side is the same In difficult times, how can he have spare money to support his daughter? You are about to be sent to live in your mother’s house. The house there is narrow. I am going to be an official now. You are my wife. It’s not decent to live there. It’s better to go home. Now This house can transfer forty taels of silver. I will take a few taels and add them to Beijing. You can take the rest and put them in my brother’s shop. Duck, there are ducks every day, what’s not to be happy about?” The lady repeatedly refused to go to the countryside, but he came to force her all day long, and was so anxious that she cried and made noise several times.He didn't care whether the wife was willing or not, but he asked the people in the bookstore to transfer the house and brought the money back, but the lady refused to go after all, so he invited his father-in-law and mother-in-law to persuade him.The mother-in-law also refused.Seeing that his son-in-law was going to be an official, the father-in-law, Mr. Zheng, scolded his daughter for not knowing what to do, and he really taught him a lesson.The daughter couldn't resist, so she agreed.Call a boat and put some guys and everything on it.Kuang Chaoren asked his uncle to send his sister home, and wrote to his brother P to say that he would add the money to the store and spend it every day.When I set off on a certain day, the lady cried and said goodbye to her parents and went to the boat.

Kuang Chaoren also packed his luggage and came to the capital to meet Li Gejian, who was overjoyed.After asking, he repaired the granary again, and entered the university as a tribute to the university, and he became more and more happy.He said to him: "Xian Qi, the imperial court is now taking the exam to teach and study, and the students are taking care of it. I guarantee that Xian Qi can get it. You can carry your luggage to my apartment and hang around for a few days." Kuang Superman promised and moved the luggage.After a while, I asked Kuang Chaoren if he had ever been married.Kuang Chaoren thought to himself, the teacher is an adult, and if he told him that his father-in-law is a servant of the Fuyuan, he might make him look down on him, so he had to answer: "Not yet." , is also a man's 'Marquis of the Plum Blossom'. But this is also on me."

The next night, an old butler was sent to the study and said to Kuang Chaoren: "Master Kuang pays homage to Master Kuang. Because Master Kuang was mentioned yesterday and he has not congratulated on marrying his wife, Master Master has a niece who was brought up by his wife since childhood." Yes, I am nineteen years old this year, with outstanding talent and looks. Now in the office, my master wants to recruit Master Kuang as his nephew. All congratulation expenses are prepared by the master, so Master Kuang doesn't need to worry about it. So the younger one came to congratulate Master Kuang. " When Kuang Chaoren heard this, he was startled. He thought about going back to the one he said he had married, but he said he hadn't the day before yesterday;Then he changed his mind and said, "it's a good story about Cai Zhuangyuan recruiting Niu Xiangfu in the play, so what's the matter!" Even if he agreed.

I was overjoyed by the admonition, went in and talked to my wife, chose an auspicious day, put up lanterns and streamers, paid hundreds of gold dowry, and married my niece to Kuang Chaoren.On that day, with a lot of fanfare, Kuang Superman's gauze cap, round collar, gold belt and soap boots, first bowed to the admonisher and his wife, and introduced the bridal chamber with a lot of music.Remove Fang Zhong, and see that the bride, Miss Xin, really has the face of a fish and a wild goose, the face of a closed moon and a shameful flower, the figure is beautiful, and the wedding attire is neat. That soul is all floating in the clouds.Since then, surrounded by pearls and emerald greens, Yaner was newly married and enjoyed the blessings of heaven for several months.

I don't want to study for the exam, but I have to go back to my province to get the exam.Kuang Chaoren had no choice but to say goodbye to Miss Xin with tears in his eyes. When he came back to Zhejiang, he went to his old father-in-law Zheng's house first as soon as he entered Hangzhou.Entering Zheng's house, the shock was no small matter, I saw Father Zheng's eyes were red from crying, and the person on the guest seat opposite was his elder brother Kuang Da, and his mother-in-law was howling and crying, Superman Kuang was frightened and went to The father-in-law made a bow, and then said, "When did you come here? Why are you crying like this?" Kuang Dao said: "You move in Li, wash your face and drink tea, and talk to you slowly." Kuang Chaoren washed face, went in to see my mother-in-law, was knocked on the table by my mother-in-law, hit the bench, cried and said: "It's always you, a natural and man-made disaster, that sent my delicate daughter to death!" Kuang Chaoren only knew Zheng Zheng at this time Mrs. Shi is dead, so she hurried out to ask his brother.Kuang Dao: "Since you left, my sister-in-law came home. She is the best person, and my mother is very happy. I think he is a native of the province, and he is not used to life in our country. Besides, what your sister-in-laws do in the country is the same as your sister-in-law. He couldn't do it either, and there was no reason why someone would sit in vain and ask his mother-in-law and sister-in-law to wait on him, so he was anxious and vomited blood. He was even more sorry to rely on the mother's health to take care of him instead. One day Two, two days and three days, there is no good doctor in the village, and he is gone after less than a hundred days of illness. I also just arrived, so Mrs. Zheng and Mrs. Zheng cried when they heard it."

When Kuang Chaoren heard these words, he couldn't help shedding a few tears, and asked: "What will happen next?" Come out, even if you free up some beards, it won't help. There is no other way, so I have to use all the coffins and quilts prepared for my mother." Kuang Chaohumane: "That's all." There is no place to stop, so I have to wait for you to come back and lay the soil at the back of the temple. You are here just in time, pack up quickly, and go back with me." Kuang Chaoren said: "It's not a matter of laying the soil. I think now I am There are still a few taels of silver, elder brother will take it back, and add two more layers of thick bricks on the foundation of your sister-in-law's house, so that it will be more solid, and it will take a few years. Just as the old man said, he is an imperial wife. Those who know how to draw will chase a portrait for him, and draw the phoenix crown mending suit, and offer it at home on festivals and festivals, and ask the youngest daughter to burn incense, and his soul is also happy. It is the mending that I made to go home with my mother that year. If the relatives of the family invite wine, ask the mother to wear it to look different from everyone else. In the future, when I am at home, I will also be called 'Master'. Be dignified in everything, and don't put yourself on airs. I will have in the future. In this place, it is unavoidable that even brothers and sisters-in-law are appointed to share the glory." Kuang Da was dazzled by what he said, his whole body was numb, and he followed what he said.In the evening, Zheng's family prepared a drink, had dinner, and stayed at Zheng's house together.Go shopping the next day.Kuang Chaoren handed over dozens of taels of silver to his brother.

Three or four days later, Jing Lanjiang came to talk with Jiang Shuban in the execution room, and saw that Zheng's house was shallow.To be invited to sit in the tea room, Kuang Chaoren has a different tone recently. Although he didn't say anything, he meant that he would not come to the tea room. Jing Lanjiang guessed what he meant, and said: "Mr. , my little brother is about to take over the wind for Mr. now, let's sit in the restaurant now, and we will be crowned." He invited the two of them to the restaurant and poured wine, Jing Lanjiang asked: "Sir, you are an official who teaches. , but is there anyone who can choose?” Kuang Chaoren said: “Why not choose? Like us, who were born in the right way, the test is for the inner court, and most of the students who teach every day are the children of relatives.” Jing Lanjiang said: “It’s okay Is it the same as usual teaching?" Kuang Chaoren said: "No! No! We are also like a yamen inside: the public seat, ink, brushes, and inkstones are all set up. I went in in the morning and was promoted to the public seat. The student They send the books up, I just use a Chinese ink pen, and he goes down. The students are all adults above the third rank, and when they come out, they are the governors, fu, ti, and town, and they all kowtow in front of me. Like this Imperial College The sacrificial wine is my teacher, he is the son of the current Zhongtang, and Zhongtang is the teacher. The teacher was sick the day before yesterday, and all the officials who greeted him at the court were gone. They just invited me in, sat on the edge of the bed, and talked for a while come out."

Jiang Xingfang waited for him to finish speaking, slowly brought it up, and said: "Pan Sange was in prison, and he told me repeatedly the day before yesterday that he heard that your lord came back, and he wanted to meet for a while to talk about his suffering. I don't know what you want, sir. Kuang Chao said: "Brother Pan San is a hero. When he is not in trouble, he meets us and sits in the hotel. There must be two ducks. There are also many mutton, pork, chicken and fish, like in this shop. He doesn't eat the vegetables that cost as much as the price. It's a pity that he is tired now. He should have gone to see him in the prison, but the younger brother can't compare to being a student. Since he is doing business for the court, he has to According to the rewards and punishments of the imperial court, if you go to such a place to see people, you will not know the rewards and punishments." Jiang Xingfang said: "This city's official is not your husband, you just go to see friends, what rewards and punishments are there for you?" Unknown?" Kuang Chao said: "You two gentlemen, I shouldn't say this, because it's okay in front of my confidant. The things Pan Sange did, even if I was a magistrate, I wanted to interview him. Now Instead, I went into the prison to see him. Could it be that he was punished by the court? The higher-ups know that this is the taint of the younger brother's life in officialdom. How can this be done! It's a waste of your heart, Mr. Jiang, and pay homage to Third Brother Pan, and take care of everything. If the younger brother is lucky, he will get a fat place when he goes back. In any year For half a year, it would not be worth anything to bring a few hundred silver to help him." Seeing what he said, the two probably had no reason to argue with him, and after drinking, they dispersed.Jiang Xingfang went to the prison to reply to Pan San.

Kuang Chaoren made up his mind, so he packed his luggage and boarded the boat.At that time, I first chartered the head cabin of a dangban boat, and went to Yangzhou to board the boat at the head of the Duanhe River.When you get on the boat, there are two people sitting in the middle cabin: an old man with a cocoon silk gown and silk shoes; a middle-aged man with a sapphire blue gown and powder-soled soap boots, both wearing square scarves.Kuang Chaoren saw that he was a well-dressed man, so he sat down with him and asked his name.The old man said: "The cheap surname is Niu, and the word is commoner." When Kuang Chaoren heard what Jing Lanjiang said, he said, "I have long admired you." Asked that one again, Niu Buyi replied: "This Mr. Feng, the word respect Zhuo'an is a newcomer in this department, and he went to the Beijing Normal University for a trial." Kuang Chao said humanely, "Is Mr. Niu going to Beijing too?" Niu Buyi said, "I won't go, my brother, but I want to visit some friends in Wuhu County on the upper side of the river. Because I was on good terms with Mr. Feng, we occasionally went on the same boat, and only arrived in Yangzhou. My brother bid farewell, and boarded another boat in Nanjing, and went to the Yangtze River. What is your name in Xianxiang, sir? Where are you going today?" Kuang Chaoren said his name.Feng Zhuo'an said: "Mr. is a Zhejiang Xuan family. Zun Xuan has several disciples who have met." Kuang Chao said: "My literary name is enough. Since I came to Hangzhou that year, five or six years now, I have not seen the examination papers, ink Volumes, room books, running scripts, manuscripts of famous masters, and "Four Books Talking about Wei", "Five Classics Talking Books", "Anthology of Ancient Prose"-the family has an account, and there are ninety-five volumes in total. The articles selected by my brother, every As soon as it comes out, the bookstore will sell 10,000 copies. Customers from Shandong, Shanxi, Henan, Shaanxi, and Beizhi are all scrambling to buy them, but they are worried that they can't get them. There is also a poor manuscript that was engraved the year before last, but it has been reprinted now. The third board. To tell the truth from the two gentlemen, the people who study in these five provinces, the younger brother is the one who is grand, and they are all on the desk, with incense and candles, offering the "divine tablet of the former Confucian Kuangzi"." Wu Buyi laughed and said: "Sir, you are mistaken! The so-called 'prior Confucians' are Confucians who have passed away. Mr. Kuang is still alive, so why should he be called so?" Kuang Chaoren blushed and said, "No! The so-called 'prior Confucians' are That's what you say!" Niu Buyi didn't argue with him when he saw what he said.Feng Zhuoan asked again: "There is another Ma Chunshang who is in charge of the election. How about the contestant?" Kuang Chao said: "This is also a good friend of my brother. This brother Ma Chun has more than enough reason and law, but not enough talent; so his anthology is not very good. All right. Anthologies are always based on behavior, if not, the bookstore will lose money, only the anthology of my younger brother is available in foreign countries!" They were talking to each other.After a few days, I didn't realize I had arrived in Yangzhou.Feng Zhuo'an and Kuang Chaoren changed the Huai'an boat to Yujiaying to start a drought and went to Beijing.

Niu Buyi took a river boat across Nanjing alone, and came to Wuhu, where he found a small nunnery at the entrance of the floating bridge.This nunnery is called Ganlu nunnery, with three fronts: a statue of Wei Tuo Bodhisattva is enshrined in the middle; the left one is locked and some firewood is piled up; the right one is used for walking.Entering a courtyard, there are six halls and three rooms, and two rooms at the back of the hall. One is where an old monk lives in the nunnery, and the other is the guest room where Niu Buyi lives.Niu Buyi went out to visit friends during the day, lit a lamp at night, and recited some poems and so on.Seeing him alone, the old monk often made tea and sent it to his room, and talked with him until the first or second watch.If it is a season of cool breeze and bright moon, we will talk with him about the past and present affairs in the front courtyard, and we get along very well.

One day, Niu Buyi fell ill. He invited a doctor to come and took dozens of medicines, but nothing worked.That day, Niu Buyi invited the old monk into the room to sit on the edge of the bed, and said: "I am more than a thousand miles away from home, and I live here as a guest. No children, only one wife, not yet forty years old; a friend who came with me the day before yesterday went to Beijing for an exam; now the teacher and father are like flesh and blood. In my bedside box, there are six taels Yinzi, if I die, I will ask my master to buy me a coffin and a few coarse clothes, sell them off, and ask my masters to recite a scripture for me and help me to ascend to heaven. The coffin will find an open space there Put me in the deposit box, write 'Mr. Daming Buyiwu's coffin' on the head, don't burn me, if you meet a relative in my hometown, take my funeral back, I am under Jiuquan, and I am also grateful to the teacher and father After hearing this, the old monk couldn't stop his tears from falling, and said, "Layman, don't worry, it's auspicious. If you are a little bit uphill, it's all on my old monk's shoulders." Niu Buyi struggled again, took out two books from under the mat in the bed, handed them to the old monk, and said, "These two books are poems I wrote in my life. All the people are on it, I am reluctant to be obliterated, and I will hand it over to my teacher and father. Fortunately, I met a later talented person who passed it on for me, and I will die with peace!" The old monk took it with both hands, seeing him with a trace of anger, he couldn't help it. Confused, he hurried to his room, fried some longan and lotus seed soup, took it to the bed, helped him up to eat with him, he couldn't eat anymore, took two sips of the soup reluctantly, and still fell asleep facing the bed.At night, there was a sound of phlegm, a gasp, alas, and died.The old monk cried a lot. It was the third day of August in the ninth year of Jiajing, and the weather was still hot.The old monk hurriedly fetched money to buy a coffin, and put on clothes for him. He asked a few neighbors to bury him in the room, and within his busy schedule, the old monk went to his own room. Putting on a cassock, holding a hammer in his hand, he went to his coffin and recited the "Curse of Rebirth".When the coffin was finished, the old monk thought: "Where are we going to find an open space? It's better to make room for him to lay the coffin in this firewood room." He told his neighbors.He took off his cassock, moved the firewood to the big courtyard with his neighbors, and placed the house as a coffin.Take a table and enshrine the incense burner, candlestick, and soul streamer; all are ready.The old monk cried again while leaning on the altar.Sitting everyone in the big courtyard, cooking a few pots of tea and eating.The old monk cooked a meal of porridge, made a dozen or so catties of wine, bought some gluten, dried tofu, vegetables, etc., and went to the nunnery, where he and a neighbor cooked the pot.The old monk made arrangements by himself, first held the wine in front of Wubu's coffin, made a drink, paid several obeisances, and then took it to the back to break up with the crowd.The old monk said: "Mr. Wu is a stranger. Looking back here today, there is nothing. The poor monk can't support me. Amitabha has mobilized all the donors to come to work all day. The monks can't prepare anything. I only have a glass of water and wine, and some vegetarian dishes, and sit with you. You are just doing a good deed, don't be negligent." Everyone said: "We are all neighbors of fireworks. When we encounter such a big event, we should serve .But it’s still costing the teacher and not being the son of man. All of us feel uneasy, why did the teacher say this?" At present, everyone finished the wine, vegetables and porridge, and dispersed.After a few days, the old monk really invited eight monks from Jixiang Temple to worship Niu Buyi for a day of "Liang Huang's Repentance".From then on, the old monk recited lessons every morning and evening, opened and closed the door, and must add some incense and shed some tears in front of Wubu's coffin. At the appointed hour of that day, the old monk had finished his evening class and was about to close the door when he saw a boy of sixteen or eighteen years old, holding a wooden scripture scroll in his right hand and a book in his left hand, coming in and sitting at Wei Tuo's feet. , Reflecting on the glazed lamp, I read it.It was not easy for the old monk to ask him, so it took him more than two days to read.The old monk closed the door and fell asleep.At this time the next day, he came to read again.I read it for four or five days in a row.The old monk couldn't bear it any longer. When he saw him enter the door, he stepped forward and asked, "Little Tanyue, whose family are you from? Why do you come to study in the poor monk's nunnery every night?" He made a bow, called "Teacher Father", and said his name without leaving his hands.Because of this, there are different teachings: