Chapter 9 The value of the Seven Sons of Jiangnan! The fifth year of Tiansheng, the twenty-first day of the twelfth lunar month. Three years have passed in a flash, and the flower snow in Yangzhou is still dancing as fiercely as it was back then. The ice and snow fluttered in the air, covering the earth with a layer of white frost. A layer of ice condenses on the surface of the withered branches, and new branches quietly emerge, each one green and elegant, full of vitality and elegance. On the bank of the Yangzhou River, dozens of boats were quietly waiting for dozens of candidates on the shore. There, dozens of candidates were bidding farewell to their relatives and friends and were about to embark on the journey of imperial examinations. The candidates are in their forties, thirties, and twenty years old, and it is a unique sight at first glance. It was okay for the older candidates who had taken the imperial examinations several times, but some young candidates who were away from home for the first time could not help but talk more with their family and friends, making people wait for a long time. However, both the servants, the boatmen and the owners of the boats were waiting very patiently.
There is no other reason. Once this imperial examination is over, there is a high probability that some of these candidates will pass the imperial examination and become Jinshi, which will make them successful. All the waiting is worth it, and rushing or being lazy is not good. "Hong'er, this time all the candidates will go to Beijing ahead of schedule and recuperate for two or three months. The imperial examination will be held in the spring. After you arrive in Beijing, remember to visit Lord Han with a letter and find out a little about the style and preferences of the examiner this time. As for the rest, your father can no longer teach you anything, just act according to your own judgment." Chu Yu smiled gently. He valued this eldest son who had great hopes for him. "Father, don't worry!" Chu Hong nodded slightly. He didn't feel any anxiety about being away from home. Instead, he was more excited. "Brother Zifeng, Brother Zifeng!" "Brother Chu!" "Zifeng!" Chu Hong looked up and saw six students jokingly waving and coming over in a dignified manner. "The Seven Sons of Jiangnan, are they here to help Chu Zifeng take the exam?" "It seems so. Five of the seven will take part in this exam. They must have come here to say goodbye." “Each of them has an extraordinary demeanor!” Chu Yu stroked his beard and nodded with satisfaction: "Since they are here to take the exam, then go over and say goodbye to them!" Chu Hong smiled and nodded, then walked towards the few people slowly. Two years ago, the Tongpan of Yangzhou was transferred and the new Tongpan Sheng Hong took the position. According to the custom, Chu Yu warmly welcomed and entertained Tongpan Sheng Hong in person. During the banquet, he kindly selected seven young students who were quite famous in the Jiangnan area, collectively known as the "Seven Sons of Jiangnan". Chu Hong is undoubtedly among them and is the leader of the "Seven Sons of Jiangnan".
Among these "Seven Sons of Jiangnan", except for Wang Ang, the son of Wang Ben, the prefect of Quanzhou, and Sheng Changbai, the son of Sheng Hong, the magistrate of Yangzhou, who were both young scholars, all of them were successful candidates. Choosing the [Seven Sons of Jiangnan] was a matter of borrowing Chu Hong's reputation, using Chu Hong's reputation to indirectly raise the reputation of the others. When others saw that Chu Hong was among the [Seven Sons of Jiangnan], they naturally looked up to the others. But Chu Yu is not a person who would suffer a loss, so he would certainly not choose these [Seven Sons of Jiangnan] for no reason and make others successful for nothing. There are two theories here. First, use the "Seven Sons of Jiangnan" to spread Chu Hong's reputation. Among the Seven Sons of Jiangnan, Chu Hong's reputation is overwhelming. Once someone sees one of the Seven Sons of Jiangnan, they will definitely mention Chu Hong, which will definitely speed up the spread of Chu Hong's reputation. Secondly, the other members of the [Seven Sons of Jiangnan] were carefully selected by Chu Yu. When the remaining six become capable, Chu Hong, as the leader of the [Seven Sons of Jiangnan], will receive considerable rewards in terms of reputation. Two years have proved that Chu Yu's plan is indeed effective and a win-win situation. The Seven Masters of Jiangnan: Chu Hong, Zhang Jie, Wang Ang, Chen Duan, Sheng Changbai, Li Mu, and Su Dan. At first glance, it seems that they are just like that, and I don’t recognize any of them. Chu Hong didn't think so, and even felt that his father's vision was really amazing. Chu Hong had read the original novel and happened to know the achievements and endings of the remaining few people. Therefore, he knew that the value of these "Seven Sons of Jiangnan" was extremely high. There are seven people, at least three cabinet ministers, and even an immortal evergreen who has been appointed prime minister three times. Isn’t that scary? Among the seven sons, Sheng Changbai is the son of the Yangzhou Tongpan, and he will be a powerful figure who will be appointed as prime minister three times and be honored in the Imperial Ancestral Temple in the future. But Wang Ang is not bad either, this easily overlooked person will be a cabinet minister working with Sheng Changbai in the future! In addition, Chu Hong's goal is to enter the cabinet, which means he can barely be considered as a cabinet minister. That...hiss! How terrifying! Apart from these, Zhang Jie, Chen Duan, Sultan, and Li Mu never appeared in the original novel. However, not showing up only means that it has no effect on advancing the plot, and it does not mean it is bad. The requirements for being selected as one of the Seven Sons of Jiangnan are not low, and the remaining people are also gifted geniuses. It is only a matter of time before they accumulate some experience and pass the imperial examination. If the three prime ministers can lead the team, the remaining four people will have great achievements in the future if they can produce a Jinshi. Moreover, with three prime ministers and ministers, it doesn't matter what the rest of the people have achieved, and the value of "Seven Sons of Jiangnan" will not be affected. In just a few breaths, everyone gathered together and talked with each other. Yangzhou had a prosperous business and its merchant ships were particularly advanced, so most of the candidates for the imperial examinations chose to take merchant ships from Yangzhou to Bianliang. The other few of the "Seven Sons of Jiangnan" also had this plan, which was why they got together. Whenever they get together, they naturally flatter each other. This flattery made Zhang Jie and Chen Duan among the Seven Sons very proud and enthusiastic. "I, Zhang Jie, have studied for more than 20 years. This time, I will definitely succeed in one go!" "I, Chen Duan, believe that I am also a talented scholar in Yangzhou. If I don't pass, who will?" Chu Hong raised his eyebrows slightly. He knew the talents of these two people very well. Apart from the two younger ones, Sheng Changbai and Wang Ang, their talents were just below average among the "Seven Sons of Jiangnan". They were quite good at writing poems, but their knowledge accumulation for imperial examinations was not very good. This time it was estimated that it would be a bit uncertain, and whether they would pass or not would all depend on the examiner's decision.
These two people...don’t they know that they shouldn’t set flags randomly? "Brother Hong?" "Brother Hong!" At this time, a gentle and soft voice, like the sound of flowing water, came from the side. Chu Hong raised his eyes and looked over. It was the eldest daughter of Sheng Hong, the Tongpan of Yangzhou, and also the elder sister of Sheng Changbai. Her name was Sheng Hualan, and she was now in her prime. She is also his fiancée. The girl has a fair and tender neck, moist red lips, and long hair like a waterfall. She is wearing a willow-colored short brocade jacket with silver and gold double phoenixes, and a light green waisted long skirt with soft willow patterns, which makes her look even more dignified. The faint smile is intimate yet distant, and the girl's childishness can still be seen faintly, but her gentle, generous, and well-educated temperament can't be concealed. Chu Hong immediately looked at them with an apologetic smile, then walked towards Sheng Hualan. When they were about three or four meters apart, Chu Hong stopped. People's words are scary. You should behave more properly in public so as not to ruin a girl's reputation. Although the two are already engaged, they have to be more careful about etiquette. Otherwise, wouldn't they be ruining their own woman? "This time when you go to Beijing to take the exam, Hualan wishes Brother Hong to pass the exam and be on the list of successful candidates." "Don't worry, Sister Hualan!" Chu Hong smiled gently at Sheng Hualan. Sheng Hualan's ears turned red, but she did not seem to be at all stage fright, and her eyes did not avoid. She looked unique, yet dignified and generous. If the new Tongpan Sheng Hong's biological mother was not the only daughter of Xian Yongyi Hou, and Sheng Hualan had not been by her side for many years to listen to her instructions, it would have been difficult for her to develop such a dignified and elegant temperament. Really, that’s pretty good! However, Chu Hong was very sensible and did not stare at him closely, looking like a modest gentleman. In this world, the only communication between men and women in public is congratulations. After a few words to each other, Chu Hong looked like he was ready to leave. Sheng Hualan wanted to say a few more words, but considering there were too many people, she lowered her head slightly and stepped aside to make way. "wait for me!" light! It is so light that it is almost inaudible. Sheng Hualan raised her head slightly, her eyes slightly filled with joy, but she saw Chu Hong striding towards the candidates, as if those extremely light words had never happened. But, Sheng Hualan can guarantee that there really is such a sentence, and it is very light! Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Chu Hong and the other candidates boarded the merchant ship and left. When she looked back, Sheng Hualan smiled brightly. …… (End of this chapter)