Everyone was not familiar with the alcoholic nature of spirits, and it didn't take long for them to get drunk, and Li Dui, who had the smallest amount of alcohol, was even more drowsy. Even if a few people were not convinced, they could only disperse and compete with the spirits after a while.

When Su Shen arrived at his son's side, he saw that there was a lack of Du Zhongxiao, and asked strangely: "Why don't you see the little official Du who makes wine?" ”

Su Song said: "He was afraid that something would go wrong with the steamed wine, so he went over early to watch." ”

Wang Su, who came over, laughed: "This son is somewhat interesting. I asked him to come and steam wine, just because he was the only one who could do it, and where would he really think of him as a craftsman. In the end, he is a reader, it is rare to have a fate today, and he should talk about some articles and poems with others, why do he still look at steamed wine. ”

After speaking, together with a few people, I went to the small courtyard next to the steaming wine to see Du Zhongxiao. Several of them were drunk, so they followed.

In the eyes of these people, reading people are different from ordinary people, reading is the main business, and everything else is incidental. Even Wang Su himself, he just asked Du Zhongxiao to talk about the method of steaming wine, and he kept him here for the next few days, which meant to save the carry, not to let him watch here conscientiously. But I didn't expect Du Zhongxiao to be very dedicated and actually treat steamed wine as a career.

When I arrived in the small courtyard, I saw Du Zhongxiao leaning against a big tree as when he came, holding a book and reading it intently.

Hearing the sound of footsteps, Du Zhongxiao looked up and saw that everyone was coming, and hurriedly got up and saluted.

At this time, Wang Su's alcohol was up, and he asked Du Zhongxiao: "Xiaoyou is not drinking outside, what book are you reading here?" ”

Du Zhongxiao said respectfully: "Back to the official, it is a collection of poems from the first few Jinshi who I bought yesterday, and I have nothing to do to take a look." The little reading was taught by his father since he was a child, and his family learning was superficial, and he couldn't compare with others. In the past, it was rare to see these in my hometown, but I am really happy to see them at this time. ”

Ye Qingchen said with a smile: "You went to the capital to study, why did you only look at these." There are many such books in Beijing, even if you buy them and read them. How many celebrities and sages are there in the capital, you should read more sage books and ask for advice everywhere, so as not to come to the capital once in vain. ”

Du Zhongxiao arched his hand: "What the official said is true." It's just that students have always been clumsy in words, and they have a lot of words in their hearts, but they don't know what to say in person, which makes people laugh at it. I have read the sage books, but there is no famous teacher to explain them, so I have to work hard. ”

Ye Qingchen said: "If you work hard, you should read some classics." The commentary on the Thirteen Classics newly printed by Guozijian is very good, so you go and study it carefully. Which of us doesn't have some sake lees in our family? You help cook a lot of wine, and walk around with the pavilion officials in your spare time, as if you were reading these books here. Don't be afraid that no one will pay attention to you, we will help you talk about it, there are always discerning talents. ”

Wang Su also said: "You are asked to help cook wine, not for these benefits." You are a scholar after all, and we are also looking for some knowledgeable young people to study with you. Otherwise, if you come to the capital, you won't go in vain. ”

Du Zhongxiao thanked him again and again. He was sitting together for a long time outside and couldn't say a few serious words, so it was better to come over and read a book, but he didn't expect to let others persuade him. It is precisely because of this that others see him as loyal and honest, but they are more willing to help.

If you are an ordinary scholar, it is difficult to see Ye Qingchen and Wang Su. Others let Du Zhongxiao have this opportunity because of Li Dui's relationship. At this time, Buddhism flourished, and Du Zhongxiao's practice of steaming wine from sake lees and then giving porridge to the poor was naturally pleasing, and many large families wanted to do it. In fact, the money saved by steaming wine alone may not be in the eyes of Wang Su and others.

Everyone was drunk, and you persuaded Du Zhongxiao for a while, and went with a smile. Tell Du Zhongxiao that he steamed wine for several large families, prepared some dishes, invited some officials who were idle in the pavilion to come, teach or communicate, and let Du Zhongxiao have some knowledge. Pavilion officials are idle, but their incomes are also low, which is regarded as a benefit given by these high-ranking officials to young officials.

Looking at the backs of everyone leaving, Du Zhongxiao was a little dazed. In fact, Du Zhongxiao's purpose in coming to Beijing this time is very simple, that is, to prepare for the imperial examination, and the most important thing is to make up for the shortcomings in his knowledge. Everything is studied for the exam, and he doesn't care how much he really learns. However, there are not many scholars in this era who are as utilitarian as Du Zhongxiao. Everyone reads the books of sages and sages to find the truth of governing the country and saving the people from it, which is so utilitarian and quite despised.

Putting down the book in his hand, Du Zhongxiao sighed and looked at the sun in the sky.

Born in a peasant family, who doesn't want to find a backer in the court, how many detours will be avoided in the future. It's just that Du Zhongxiao understands that finding a backer in this era comes at a price. From the beginning of participating in the Liberation Examination, if a scholar wants to embark on the road of the imperial examination, he must find a guarantor. The guarantor is not in name, and if something goes wrong, he will be jointly and severally liable. After being a jinshi, it is still the same after becoming an official, in addition to being promoted in turn, many times it is necessary to be promoted by high-ranking officials.

At this time, it was the time when the dispute between gentlemen and villains arose, and one accidentally got involved in the whirlpool of party disputes, and what was even worse was that Du Zhongxiao didn't know which was the gentleman's party and which was the villain's party. It is even more unclear when the Gentlemen's Party will gain power and when the Lilliputians will gain power.

Staying away from party strife and protecting oneself is the principle that Du Zhongxiao set for himself. When he is not deeply involved in the Korean dispute, he will never clearly state his political stance and will not be a victim of other people's party disputes. Therefore, when he entered Beijing this time, Du Zhongxiao really came to collect necessary materials for the imperial examination and find experienced people to learn from his experience.

If he is separated from Wang Su and others, it is Du Zhongxiao's intention, which is his way of survival in this era. At this time, the dispute between gentlemen and villains is emerging, and the new party and the old party are still taking shape, and this is the right path. Not to mention Du Zhongxiao, even the representatives of the old and new party struggles, such as Wang Anshi and Sima Guang and others, are actually far away from the whirlpool of gentlemen and villains.

Unexpectedly, the more Du Zhongxiao behaved like these characters, the more they felt that Du Zhongxiao was indifferent to fame and fortune, and their impression was getting better and better. Du Zhongxiao sighed, although the capital is good, it is not a place to stay for a long time.

Out of Wang Su's house, Su Shen said to Su Song: "The little officials of the Du family are very interesting, today is full of friends, it is when he shows his face in front of all the officials, but he runs to read a book alone." The articles of the predecessors of the imperial examination, what is there to see. ”

Su Song said: "That's not the case. I talked to Du Xiaoguan, he was born in a different place, and he really hasn't seen this. Now there is only one year left before the next liberation, and I am really interested in this imperial examination, and now is really the time to work hard. ”

Su Shen nodded, which he hadn't thought about. Of course, these people can't understand the difficulties of Du Zhongxiao's people, and they can't figure out how people who read books can't even see those books.

After thinking for a while, Su Shen said to Su Song: "This Du Zhongxiao has a clear mind and is very measured in his work. If you have nothing to do recently, you have to prepare for the imperial examination, walk around with him more every day, and discuss articles. Now that the war in the northwest is difficult, and there is an undercurrent surging in the DPRK and China, I am afraid that something big will happen. Alas, you are a little more distant from those characters who like to make trouble. ”

Su Song arched his hand and said, "I think Du Zhongxiao makes wine very interestingly, steaming wine from the lees, which has never been imagined before." Wouldn't it be better for me to steam wine with him these days, and to prepare for the karma? ”