Amidst the noise of the morning market, Xu Xian went straight to a bookstore on the street of East City. Although Qiantang County was not a small county, there was only one bookstore like this.
After all, most of the people here were commoners who had never attended a private school. Those who had the money to study naturally had a lot of books. Only people from poor families like Xu Xian would occasionally visit the bookstore.
In Xu Xian's memory, he had never bought a book before. He would only look at it in the shop or rent it for three copper coins to copy. After all, books were precious things that ordinary people could not afford.
At this time, the aristocratic families often measured their strength by the number of books they had. The ancients often said that there was a golden house in the book, which was not groundless, especially for some lone copies that were often priceless.
The most famous example was the famous talented woman Li Qingzhao. After her husband died, many villains coveted her family's collection of books. They even used their feelings to deceive Li Qingzhao. It could be seen that the ancients were obsessed with collecting books.
Xu Xian put aside these wild ideas in his mind and looked at the boss who was about to open the shop. He immediately put on a smile and went forward,""Long time no see, Mr. Sun. How have you been?”
The owner of the bookstore was surnamed Sun. He was also one of the many examinees in his early years. However, he fell behind year after year and gradually lost the mood to study. Fortunately, his ancestors had some money, so he opened this shop.
There weren't many people studying in Qiantang County. They were all from the same circle, so Boss Sun was familiar with Xu Xian. When Xu Xian came up and called him " Sir ", Boss Sun naturally beamed with joy.
Although Boss Sun had been studying for many years and failed to pass the exam, he had always regarded himself as a scholar. Compared to the title of Boss Sun, he obviously preferred Xu Xian's title for himself.
Boss Sun was delighted, but he said with a smile,"I can't do that. I'm just a child. How dare I call you mister?”
Xu Xian saw the smile on his face and thought to himself that flattery could never be seen through. Then he bowed and said,"Mr. Sun is a famous scholar in the county town and also Xu Xian's senior.”
"Haha, I haven't seen you for a few days. Xu Xian, your mouth seems to have been smeared with honey. However, you know the principle of not visiting a temple without a reason.”Boss Sun raised his goatee and smiled.
Xu Xian thought that there was hope and quickly went forward to praise,"Mr. Sun, you really have sharp eyes. I can't hide anything from you. I've been tight on money recently, so I came to ask for a job copying books. I hope Mr. Sun can help me!”
Boss Sun hesitated when he heard the first half of Xu Xian's words. At first, he thought that Xu Xian was here to borrow money. He wondered if he would be generous if he was in a good mood today.
He didn't expect Xu Xian to change the topic and actually want to work for him. He was even more delighted. He thought that Xu Xian was really a wonderful person today. He knew that he had fallen into his trap, but he didn't feel unhappy at all.
Boss Sun was in a good mood. He immediately waved his hand and said,"You beat around the bush, kid. So this is what you're thinking. But don't worry, since we're both scholars, I, Sun Cheng, naturally know what's going on.”
"Thank you, Mr. Sun!" Xu Xian was afraid that he would return, so he immediately bowed happily and thanked him.
Seeing Xu Xian's actions, Mr. Sun laughed and said,""Alright, I won't be long-winded. Other people who copy my books will be charged one copper coin per book, but you're a clever person.”
Xu Xian immediately rejoiced, thinking that his words today had not been wasted. He did not expect Sun Cheng to be so generous today. One had to know that two copper coins for a book was probably not a treatment even in Hangzhou City.
"Thank you, Mr. Sun. I will definitely copy the book for you and live up to your expectations!”Xu Xian said.
Unexpectedly, Sun Cheng's expression suddenly changed and he said unhappily,""Why don't you try to improve yourself? I see that you're a scholar, so I have high hopes for you. The county examinations are in February next year, so you should prepare more and not just copy books for me.”
Xu Xian then remembered that the annual county examination would be held in February next year. Although Xu Xian had studied for so many years, he still could not pass the county examination. In other words, Xu Xian was not even a child yet.
It was no wonder Sun Cheng said that about him. Xu Xian was secretly annoyed. He did not expect Xu Xian to be so disappointing in this world. No wonder he later changed his profession to become a doctor. He did not know why his son was the reincarnation of Wenquxing.
Xu Xian naturally knew that the status of scholars in this era was still very high. If they could pass the scholar examination, they would have a reputation. They did not have to kneel in front of the officials, let alone be exempted from corvee and taxes.
Although Xu Xian didn't have any thoughts of becoming a scholar, he felt that becoming a scholar wasn't bad. He couldn't just kneel when he saw an official in the future, right? Moreover, it could also be considered as fulfilling his sister Xu Jiarong's wish.
"Teacher, don't worry. This copying is just a temporary job. I will definitely prepare well and strive to pass the capital examination next year!”Xu Xian said arrogantly.
Generally, scholars would first take the provincial or county examination, then the academy and capital examination. As long as they passed the capital examination, they would be officially a scholar. That was why Xu Xian said so.
Although Sun Cheng knew that Xu Xian was spouting nonsense, he didn't want to dampen Xu Xian's enthusiasm. Wasn't he so high-spirited when he was young?
"Alright, you have to make a name for yourself in the county examinations next February. Don't forget my contributions!”Boss Sun was afraid of Xu Xian's shoulder and thought highly of him.
Xu Xian naturally knew that it was better to send charcoal in the snow than to add icing on the cake, but he was wondering where his White Lady was.
After exchanging pleasantries, Xu Xian walked into the bookstore. Although he had never come here to copy books before, he would often wander around and read books, so Xu Xian was very familiar with the place.
Sun Cheng pointed at a few books on the bookshelf and gave some instructions before returning to the front to take care of the bookshop. Xu Xian looked at the books in front of him. Most of them were " Three Character Classic " and " The Analects of Confucius ".
It wasn't strange that only these common books could sell. So Xu Xian patiently ground the ink and arranged the blank books. He officially began his first job.
Xu Xian held the brush with one hand without any hesitation. Everything went smoothly. In addition, Xu Xian had learned a lot of calligraphy when he was studying in the Chinese Department in his previous life. Today, he wrote beautifully.
In order to have a meal today, Xu Xian did not dare to slack off at all. After an hour and a half, he still did not have the intention to rest. Sun Cheng came over from time to time to take a look, and he was even more satisfied.
Xu Xian, on the other hand, seemed to be possessed. He could not feel the interference of external objects at all. A mysterious feeling filled his heart. If possible, Xu Xian hoped that he could continue writing like this.
Xu Xian, who was writing furiously, suddenly let out a long sigh. His hand movements slowed down. It turned out that he had unknowingly copied the last word.
Xu Xian felt refreshed after putting away the pen. He didn't feel tired at all. Looking at the Tao Te Ching on the desk, Xu Xian felt even more incredulous.
Could it be that he had become a genius in reading?
As if to verify his own thoughts, Xu Xian took out a blank book and began to copy.
"Dao can be said, but it is not the same. A name can be called a name, but it cannot be called a name.
There is no name for the beginning of heaven and earth; there is a name for the mother of all things.
······”
Xu Xian was excited to find that the Dao De Jing, which he could barely remember, seemed to have been engraved in his mind. Xu Xian's calm heart could not help but tremble.
A gentle breeze blew past, and the books on the shelves began to flip. Only the paper under Xu Xian's pen was as steady as Mount Tai. Sun Cheng, who happened to pass by, was surprised and roared in disbelief,"This, is this the aura of literature?"
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。