Chapter 220 Zhang Juren’s Visit
When erecting a monument, it is necessary to write an inscription, because it is to inspire the descendants of Xiahe Village, and the inscription must be particularly good. The village elder and village leader were not satisfied with the inscription provided by the engraver, so they came early in the morning to tell Zhu Pingan and his family about erecting the monument and flagpole stone. In fact, the main reason was to come and ask Zhu Pingan to write the inscription.
As a result, Zhu Pingan and his family were not able to continue eating breakfast, so they headed to the center of the village where the monument was erected, surrounded by the village elder, village leader and fellow villagers who came after hearing the news.
Because of the erection of monuments and flagpole stones, Zhu's father could not drive the ox cart. As usual, he asked his elder brother Zhu Pingchuan to take over and drive the ox cart. Now almost everyone in the town is accustomed to or relies on Zhu. The family's ox cart is gone.
The center of Xiahe Village is an open space specially set aside by the village. If there is any important event in the village that needs to summon everyone, the village chief will summon everyone here. There is a towering tree in the center. This tree was planted by the ancestors of the ancestors of the ancestors. It has a history of more than three hundred years. The tree has many forked branches, winding and jagged, covering the sky. Block out the sun. Every summer, people in the village like to come here to enjoy the cool air, especially the women in the village who like to bring a stool to sit under the tree, and gather in groups to sew soles, embroider flowers or something.
Now there is a stone tablet about ten feet high standing under the big banyan tree, and there is a stone platform around the stone tablet.
In the middle of the stone stele is engraved a line of words, "In the 30th year of Jiajing's reign, Zhu Ping'an was established as a member of the Xinhai imperial examination." The two sides are left blank, waiting to be engraved with an inscription to encourage future generations.
When Zhu Ping'an and others rushed to the big banyan tree, dozens of people from the village came over after hearing the news. Usually the village didn't have much fun, but now there was such a big happy event for the whole village. , naturally everyone came to watch the excitement with their children in their arms. Taking Zhu Pingan as a role model, they instilled in their children the idea of learning from Zhu Pingan, and the scene was very lively for a while.
About not long after Zhu Pingan and others arrived, a villager came over and said that Zhu Pingan's family had another visitor.
Before the villagers could explain clearly, a sedan chair came staggering over there. Two carriages followed, full of things.
The scene was so grand that everyone in the village looked there. Soon the sedan arrived in front of Zhu Pingan and others. A middle-aged man wearing a brocade robe got off the sedan.
This is Zhang Juren, who is from the next town over and is in his forties. He used to be the county magistrate in Wangjiang County. Ding You was at home last year. Because Zhang Juren's wife is from Kaoshan Town, Zhang Juren is also very familiar with Kaoshan Town. This time Zhang Juren's wife went to her parents' home, and Zhang Juren came with her. I heard that the thirteen-year-old Zhu Juren happened to be from Kaoshan Town. So I just paid a visit.
"Hahaha, I came uninvited. I hope I haven't caused any trouble to Mr. Zhu and your village." Zhang Juren was a former county magistrate. He also spoke well and smiled as soon as he got off the sedan chair. He took the initiative to greet Zhu Pingan with his hands raised.
“It’s a great honor for Zhang Juren to come to our Xiahe Village.” Muramasa is also a well-rounded person and has met Zhang Juren before. He is also worried that Zhu Pingan does not know Zhang Juren. So as soon as Zhang Juren finished speaking, he took the initiative to welcome Zhang Juren.
After listening to Muramasa's words, Zhu Ping'an also knew that the person coming was a civil servant named Zhang. It seems that he has quite a reputation in Kaoshan Town, otherwise Muramasa wouldn't know him.
"I have long admired Zhang Juren's name. It is our whole Xiahe Village's honor that Zhang Juren can come to our Xiahe Village." Zhu Ping'an also raised his hands forward and was generous, although he had never heard of Zhang Juren at all.
Before Zhang Juren came, his uncle Zhu Shouren was in front of his fellow villagers and in front of Zhu Pingan. They all still had a arrogant attitude, meeting Zhang Juren at this moment. Uncle Zhu Shouren immediately crossed his legs, looking extremely respectful and dignified. It's like a primary school student meeting his teacher. Uncle Zhu Shouren wanted to go up and say hello, but he was afraid of being left out and felt awkward.
"I came in a hurry and didn't prepare any generous gifts. I hope Mr. Zhu won't take it personally." Zhang Juren said with his hands in hand, and a servant next to him handed an envelope into Zhang Juren's hands.
"Young Master Zhu has already been elected to the throne before he has even lost his crown. It is really gratifying and congratulatory. Brother Yu has no respect. I would like to send you 50 taels of congratulations and some fruit and vegetable gifts. I hope Mr. Zhu will not dislike it." Zhang Juren He handed the envelope to Zhu Pingan and said congratulations.
The fifty taels of silver were given as promised. The surrounding villagers took a breath and stared at the envelope in Zhang Juren's hand, especially the uncle Zhu Shouren's eyes.
Zhu Ping'an declined with a smile, "No reward for no merit."
Zhang Juren insisted on paying, pretending to be angry, "Master Zhu, you think it's too little?"
Zhu Pingan shook his head and gave in.
"You and I will have to support each other in the future. Mr. Zhu is like this, but he just looks down on me, Mr. Zhang, in public." Zhang Juren insisted and put the envelope into Zhu Pingan's hand, his tone a little excited. .
Zhu Ping'an couldn't shirk it, so he had to accept it.
Only then was Zhang Juren satisfied, and then he chatted with Zhu Pingan, Cunzheng Village Elder and others for a long time. When he heard that Xiahe Village was about to erect a monument and flagpole stone for Zhu Pingan, Zhang Juren became even more interested. Because Zhang Juren had experienced his tribe erecting monuments and flagpole stones for him, he still had some experience. Zhang Juren talked about his experience incessantly, which benefited the village elders, village leaders and others a lot.
After simply modifying the styles of the stele and flagpole stone, it was time to write the inscription and find a stonemason to carve the stele.
"Brother Zhu Xian is young and promising. He is well-known throughout the southern Zhili region. The inscription on the inscription raises his hand. It is also a blessing to encourage the underachievers."
When I heard that the inscription was still missing for the erection of the monument, Zhang Juren also praised Zhu Ping'an for handwriting the inscription. Zhang Juren also wanted to take the opportunity to see Zhu Pingan's literary talent, because he heard that Zhu Pingan was the last person on the list of candidates, but he also heard people say that Master Zhao caught his son-in-law under the list and the reversal of the Lu Ming Banquet, which makes people wonder. Zhu Ping'an's literary talent is somewhat curious.
When it came to the inscription, his uncle Zhu Shouren was a little ready to make a move. It seemed that he had made preparations in private.
Zhu Ping'an was originally asked to write the inscription, but now Zhang Juren is here. It would be embarrassing if Zhang Juren is ignored. Village elder Muramasa summed it up, and then his uncle Zhu Shouren also expressed his opinion.
"It's rare that we have two successful candidates in Xiahe Village. Why don't we both leave calligraphy treasures to encourage future generations." After the total was completed, Muramasa came out and suggested.
"As long as Brother Zhu Xian is here, I'll forget it." Zhang Juren smiled and shook his head.
"The stone tablet needs inscriptions, there are stone pillars on both sides, and calligraphy is also needed, and the ancestral hall also needs calligraphy. Zhang Juren should not refuse."
Muramasa invited again, and finally Zhang Compromise He said, "I see that the two sides of this stele are left blank, as are the stone pillars. Since it is to encourage future generations, why don't we all write one or two couplets and select a few at that time? The rest can be done if necessary in the future. Reference.”
Zhang Juren's proposal played into the hands of his uncle Zhu Shouren. Seeing Zhu Ping'an's name on the golden medal and the erection of a monument, his uncle Zhu Shouren was also very jealous. If he could carve his own inscription on the stone tablet, wouldn't he also be famous for generations to come? ……
Zhang Juren proposed Of course, Muramasa would not object, and Zhu Ping'an had no objection, so Muramasa arranged for a few juniors to carry a few tables and chairs, set up pens, inks, paper and inkstones and placed them under the banyan tree. The village elder, Muramasa and uncle Zhu Shouren and other literate people also They all followed Zhu Pingan and Zhang Juren to the table, ready to splash ink. (End of this chapter)