Chapter 21: Pang De's Public (3/3) Seeking recommendations, seeking collection

  Deng Jie came back in the evening.

  Kuai Zheng did not assign him any new tasks, but instead let him continue to sort out household registration.

  However, Kuo Cheng said that the household registration rectification does not have to be too tense, and it's okay to take it slow. As for Deng Cai, he was sent to the villages under Ji Yang's jurisdiction to assist in collecting local household registration records... I heard that the workload is huge, and it's estimated that he won't even return by New Year's Eve.

  "So, in other words, Deng has completely lost power?"

  Cao Nan couldn't help but ask a sentence, with a tone that was unmistakably gloating.

  "Anan, how can you say that?"

  "Big brother is just carrying out his orders to patrol the villages and towns, how can it be said that he has lost power? In my opinion, it's not necessarily a loss of power, maybe it's the county magistrate testing him."

  Cao Peng lowered his head and ate, without interrupting.

  I actually agree with Deng Jie's views to some extent.

  If the news from Xiangyang is unfavorable to Cao Peng, then Deng Cai's trip to the countryside is likely to add more credit to him...

  In this day and age, no one is a fool.

  Kuai Zheng, as a member of a prominent family, must have had some exceptional qualities since he was pushed forward.

  "Brother-in-law, where is the other side of the river?"

  "Across the river?"

  Cao Peng nodded and said: "It's just on the other side of the river bend behind the house."

  "Oh, after crossing the river, that's Neyang Town. The other side of the river belongs to Neyang... Ah Fu, why did you suddenly ask about this?"

  Cao Peng did not answer Deng Ji's question, but instead asked again: "Whose field is that on the other side of the river?"

  "This... if we cross the river from here, it seems to be Zhang Village... I remember that piece of land on the other side of the river originally belonged to the Zhang family in Neyang. In fact, including where we live now, also used to belong to the Zhang family's property. If it weren't for the Taiping Rebellion causing chaos everywhere, who knows if we would have been able to get our hands on this place... Ah Fu, you mustn't go provoke them, the Zhang family is not someone to be trifled with."

  "Zhang's family is very powerful?"

  This time, without Cao Peng opening his mouth, Zhang Shi couldn't help but ask.

  Deng Ji showed a respectful expression, "The Zhang family of Neyang is an official family, with three generations serving as officials. They are the local aristocracy. But if that's all, it wouldn't be worth our fear. The Zhang family is not only an official family but also a well-known medical family in this area. To say nothing of distant times, before the mid-Peace era, my uncle was practicing medicine in Jingzhou and saved countless lives. Even the rebel leader Zhang Jue had to dismount and walk when passing through Zhang Village."

  The current head of the Zhang family is named Zhang Zonghan, who was once a senior minister of the previous emperor.

  His son Zhang Ji was not only a skilled doctor, but also the governor of Changsha during the Zhongping period. If it weren't for the Taiping Taoist uprising that caused a major plague in Nanyang, Zhang Ji might have become a provincial governor. This man's medical skills were unparalleled, and he was kind to others, with excellent moral character. When Liu Xiangzhou took office as the provincial governor, he made a special trip to visit Zhang Ji at his home in Neiyang, wanting to recruit him for government service. However, Zhang Ji declined because he was busy compiling a medical book at the time... Liu Xiangzhou had ordered that the local officials of Neiyang must not disturb Zhang Village...

  Anyway, don't go looking for trouble.

  "If you offend Director Zhang, maybe even Mr. Yuan An won't plead for you."

  Cao Peng was taken aback for a moment, then grinned.

  It seems that this small Nanyang County is indeed a place where dragons and tigers hide... But who is Zhang Ji again?

  Cao Peng scratched his head and chuckled: "Brother-in-law, you just relax. Not to mention there's a river in between, why would I provoke him for no reason?"

  "I'm just reminding you, so you won't get into trouble."

  Deng Ji said so, and also knew that Cao Peng was not a troublemaker.

  "Mother, give me another bowl of porridge."

  Cao Peng raised the bowl and handed it to Zhang Shi.

  "Ah Fu, your appetite has increased a lot over the past two days," Zhang said to himself.

  It seems like it's probably that way after careful consideration.

  When Cao Peng was just reborn, he was full after drinking half a bowl of porridge.

  Today is already the second bowl of porridge... In addition, I also ate two more buns, compared to before, my food intake has increased by at least double or more.

  This also shows that my recent training has been effective?

  It's not just Cao Peng's appetite that has increased, Wang Mai can also eat more than before!

  Watching the two little wolves gobble down their food, Mrs. Zhang's mouth was muttering non-stop, but in her heart, she couldn't help but feel delighted. Being able to eat is a blessing, eating a lot means having a good body... This is a very simple and rustic idea, not worth mentioning to others.

  That night, Deng Ji and Wang Maibang helped Cao Ju build a stove, while Zhang Shi and Cao Nan sewed clothes under the lamp.

  As severe winter is passing and spring is approaching, it's time to prepare the seasonal clothes. It's a new year, after all... one should wear something new.

  Cao Peng was forced by Deng Ji to go to the study room, picked up a copy of "Xiao Jing" and began to review his lessons.

  Deng Ji learned that Cao Peng was valued by Pang Yuan'an, so he also attached great importance to it. In this life, he had no hope of worshiping at the gate of Lumen Mountain, but if Cao Peng could, he felt happy too. Upon learning that Cao Peng had already studied "Cangjie Pian", Deng Ji began to prepare.

  According to the custom of the late Eastern Han, after enlightenment, one had to study "Xiaojing", "Lunyu", and "Shi" in sequence, followed by "Shangshu", "Zhouyi", "Chunqiu", "Guoyu", and "Liji". This was also the mainstream curriculum and required course. After studying these courses, one could choose a direction... For example, the Yang family of Hongnong specialized in "Shangshu", while the Yuan family of Runan excelled in "Mengshi Yi". The previous courses were the foundation and key to their later specialization.

  In addition to compulsory courses, there will also be some family training articles for selection, cultivating virtues and sentiments.

  For example, one of the most popular family precepts in the late Eastern Han Dynasty was Ma Yuan's "Letter to his brother's son, Yan Dun", which was widely known among scholars.

  Most of the books in Deng Jia's home were reproductions.

  He made a rule for Cao Peng: review after dinner for half an hour, and then study for another half an hour.

  Although the study time was not long, Deng Ju had very strict requirements. Homework would be left every day, and if it wasn't done well, Cao Peng would be punished.

  Although it was only a few days, Cao Peng felt that Deng Jie not becoming a teacher was really a pity...

  ——————————————————————————

  The next morning, Cao Peng and Wang Mai came to the riverbank again.

  The sky was not yet bright, and the two of them began to do their exercises. Cao Peng finished his Tai Chi fist and started jogging, then in the midst of running, he practiced the Eight Pieces of Brocade Staff. His hands held up the heavens and regulated the Triple Burner, opening left and right like shooting a bird. He spat out true words with a voice like thunder, circulating yin and yang to invigorate his spirit...

  After finishing the Eight Pieces of Brocade, Cao Peng started walking slowly with a gasp.

  However, unlike the first day after finishing the exercise, the whole body felt like it had lost power. Although the body was tired, the blood and energy became more vigorous.

  When blood and energy are abundant, the spirit is strong.

  Cao Peng slowly moved his limbs and subconsciously looked towards the opposite bank of the river, where he saw the old man from yesterday standing on the river dike.

  The old man seemed to have felt Cao Peng's gaze and nodded at him from afar. Cao Peng, having received Deng Ji's warning, bowed his head in a polite gesture. Afterwards, the two went their separate ways and never crossed paths again. By the time Cao Peng finished practicing and looked towards the other side of the river once more, the old man was nowhere to be seen.

  "A Fu, what have you been staring at all day?"

  "It's okay... nothing happened!"

  Cao Peng smiled and went home with Wang Mai.

  Just arrived at the door of his home, Cao Peng was stunned...

  Only a horse carriage was seen at the gate. Cao Peng recognized it at a glance, and this horse carriage was the one given to him by Sima Hui back then.

  Wang Meng is back!

  Cao Peng said: "Tiger Head Brother, your dad is back!"

  Wang Mai excitedly jumped up the stairs, and before he even entered, his voice rang out, "Dad, you're back?"

  With a loud and clear laughter, Wang's majestic figure appeared at the entrance of the hall.

  "Dad, you're back."

  Wang Mai excitedly ran over and hugged Wang Meng's sturdy waist with one hand.

  Wang Meng was taken aback, a strange light flashing in his eyes, "Tiger Head, it's only been a few days of work, you've made great progress!"

  There is a way to tell if someone has made progress with just one move. Wang Mai followed Cao Peng's training for several days and indeed showed improvement. However, if you're not a discerning person, you wouldn't be able to notice his progress. Cao Jing wasn't a discerning person; the skills he had were still from when he was forced to practice by Wang Meng.

  Deng Ji, a typical bookworm, would be even less likely to notice Wang Mai's change.

  But Wang Meng was different, although he was only a third-rate martial general, his vision and strength were there. The change in Wang Mou came from a spiritual transformation. Compared to when he left Jiyang, Wang Mou's temperament seemed to have added some ferocity, some inexplicable changes. But what exactly was this change? Wang Meng couldn't say either. He just simply felt that Wang Mou had become more formidable.

  "Uncle!"

  Cao Peng stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

  Wang Meng saw Cao Peng and was stunned again.

  Maybe it's because Cao Peng's foundation was too poor before, so the feeling of change is also very big.

  His body still looked weak and frail, the feeling of illness had not disappeared. But it seemed to have gained a few points of spirit, that pale small face, also added a few colors. Looking at Cao Peng, then looking at Wang Mai, Wang Meng suddenly realized, the smile on his face, even more...

  Cao Ju pulled Wang Meng back to the main hall and sat down, with Wang Mai and Cao Peng accompanying them.

  Zhang was dragged out by Hong's wife early in the morning to go shopping, and only Cao Nan was left at home.

  "Dad, Ah Fu didn't ask you to return the car, why did you drive it back again?"

  Wang bought it curiously and asked.

  Wang Meng hehe smiled and picked up another package from beside the wooden couch.

  "Ah Fu, this is for you."

  Cao Peng was taken aback, got up and walked over, taking the package from Wang Meng's hand.

  Cao Ju smiled and said: "Tiger Head, your father not only brought the carriage back, but also brought two gifts... Go out and see what's in the stable?"

  "Isn't the stable empty?"

  Wang bought a puzzled get up, step outwards walk.

  Wang Meng asked: "A Fu, guess what?"

  Cao Peng had just sat down and was about to open his package. Upon hearing Wang Meng's inquiry, he lifted his head and smiled slightly, "In the horse stable, of course it's something that should enter the horse stable."

  "Ma... Ah Fu, there are two horses!"

  Outside, Wang's surprised shout came over.

  Cao Peng pursed his lips and remained silent.

  He gently opened the package and found seven or eight bamboo slips inside. He picked up one of them, feeling heavy in his hand... He gently opened it.

  "Classic of Filial Piety?"

  Cao Peng hastily put down the bamboo slips and picked up another volume.

  Treatise, Poetry...

  "Uncle, what's this?"

  "It's yours."

  "Has Uncle seen Mr. Yuan An?"

  Wang Meng shook his head, "I didn't see him."

  "These..."

  "This is a gift from Mr. Xiao Peng."

  "Mr. Xiao Pang?"

  At this time, Wang Mai excitedly ran into the hall and stuttered: "A Fu, there are horses in the stable, two horses..."

  "In the stable, of course there are horses, it's not a place for raising pigs."

  Wang Meng's face sank, "Tiger Head, sit down... looking at you like this, what kind of appearance is this? Two horses have already made you lose your composure, how can you accomplish great things in the future?"

  Little did he know, when he first got those two horses, he was even more excited than Wang Mai.

  Wang Meng explained: "When I arrived in Xiangyang, Mr. Yuan An was not there."

  I couldn't enter the Pong family's gate, so I thought and thought, and then I thought of Mr. Sima Hui De Cao. Fortunately, Mr. De Cao had left his address before, and after inquiring at Tanxi, I found his residence. Unexpectedly, at Mr. De Cao's house, I met young Mr. Pong.

  Mr. Xiao Pang listened to me explaining the intention and then asked about your situation.

  He said that this car was a gift from Mr. Yuan An, and it doesn't make sense to take it back. Then he took these few volumes of books from Mr. De Cao and said they were for you.

  Mr. Xiao Pang also asked me to bring you a message: "A man's life is straightforward, but his birth is lucky and innocent."

  Cao Peng's face changed color involuntarily.

  He knew this sentence was from "On Ren and Yong" article.

  A person must be honest, only honesty can be open and aboveboard. Although some people can survive by relying on crooked means, that is just luck.

  In other words, he has already understood Cao Peng's meaning.

  Mr. Xiaopang is not blaming Cao Peng, but hopes that he will live a bright and upright life in the future, rather than relying on crooked ways and cleverness to get by... From another perspective, Mr. Xiaopang also appreciates Cao Peng and hopes he can become a good person.

  Wang Meng didn't understand the meaning of this sentence, he just brought it up for conversation's sake.

  Ke Cao Peng felt a hint of pressure, slowly stood up, respectfully bowed to the book in front of him, and saluted.

  "Students, be taught!"

  This is an inexpressible personal charm.

  Even if you haven't met this person before, you can still feel his impressive and convincing demeanor from his words and actions.

  Mr. Xiao Pang, whose name is Pang Ren, is the brother of Pang Ji.

  Perhaps people don't know who Pong Ren is, but mention Pong De Gong and they will definitely have an impression.

  Wang was originally very happy, but seeing Cao Peng's appearance, he also became serious and stood beside Cao Peng, bowing to the ground in front of the book.

  Those two horses aren't good horses either.

  Hehe, Mr. De Cao said that the power is a gift for you. In addition, Mr. Xiao Peng also said: If one day, you feel that your learning is enough to go to Lumen Mountain, then he will welcome your arrival at Lumen Mountain. But if you can't satisfy him, he absolutely won't let you step into Lumen Mountain half a step."

  This is to say that Pongde Gong should accept it and can take Cao Peng as a student.

  Of course, now it's just nominal, doesn't count...

  The books in the package were probably gifts from Pongde to him. Although they are just a few bamboo slips, they have extraordinary significance in this era.

  Cao Ju's face was flushed with excitement, and he was overjoyed that his son could gain the appreciation of Pang De. In fact, he didn't understand the situation of the Pang brothers at all, only knowing that they were famous figures in Jingzhou. As for what differences there were between Pang Ji and Pang Ren, he really couldn't say.

  Cao Peng couldn't help but feel a wry smile in his heart: being valued by such an important figure was probably also a kind of burden.

  Lowered his head and looked at the book scrolls in the package.

  Cao Peng was speechless for a long time...