r18novel Chapter 33 Wang Min Enters the Capital
Chapter 33 Wang Min Enters the Capital
"Young Master Ma also won," Xiaoman added.
Zhao Sheng's attendant calmly reported, "Your name is not on the list."
Wang You and Ma Ping were still immersed in their surprise when they heard this and came back to their senses. Just as they were about to comfort Zhao Sheng, Zhao Sheng said with a smile, "Congratulations to Ziqian and Debon."
"Brother Zhao, you don't need to worry. It's the same if you take the imperial examination in a few years," Liang An comforted him.
"That's right, it's still hard to say whether we'll be awarded official positions after the palace examination. Maybe we can even take the imperial examination together in the future," Ma Ping chimed in.
"You're right."
Zhao Sheng laughed and said, "I had expected the result and don't care. It's a great joy that you've all made the list today. I'll treat you to a proper celebration at Guangyuntai."
"Don't!"
Wang You said anxiously, "If my father finds out I went to a brothel, he'll break my legs. Besides, how old am I? If I go to a brothel, won't people laugh at me?"
Although people in ancient times looked down on women in brothels, they did not object to visiting them.
Even most women would feel uncomfortable about their husbands going to brothels, but would not cause any conflict because of it.
This is not just because men are stronger than women, but because brothels were the most common places of entertainment in ancient times.
In ancient times, when it was permissible to have multiple wives and concubines, high-ranking officials and nobles did not visit brothels for the purpose of seeking pleasure.
Don't say that prostitutes know how to please men or that concubines serve men with their beauty. If it's just to satisfy that kind of desire, they are no worse than prostitutes.
High-ranking officials and nobles have no shortage of women in their homes, so there is no need for them to go to brothels.
The brothels frequented by the upper class and the brothels visited by ordinary people are two completely different concepts.
Those famous brothels cultivated talented women, providing more emotional value than anything else.
Why do so many literati and scholars like to frequent brothels?
It's not that they've become depraved, but rather that they all have some pent-up frustrations in their hearts for various reasons.
Because of their lack of knowledge, it is difficult for the average person to understand.
The courtesans were talented and knew how to please people.
While pandering to them, he also used his talent to speak very pleasingly.
It made them feel like they had found a kindred spirit.
Besides these, many people simply go there for entertainment.
Men, when they go out for drinks, always need someone to keep them company, talk to them, pour them drinks, and so on.
The Sheng family, having suffered at the hands of courtesans, did not restrict men from going to brothels, even though they avoided sharing a roof with them.
To put it bluntly, it means you can go to brothels and have fun, but you can't redeem someone and take them as a concubine.
Although visiting brothels was not considered a moral issue in ancient times, Wang You was still young, and if he went there, he would definitely be branded a playboy.
Not to mention what his family would think if they knew, he just righteously copied four lines from Zhang Zai's poem. He went to a brothel at such a young age. Is this how he's supposed to bring peace to the world?
The four lines he copied spread throughout Bianjing thanks to Ouyang Xiu's dissemination.
It's not just in Bianjing; it's already spreading to surrounding prefectures and counties.
It won't be long before it spreads throughout the world.
Why did people in ancient times enjoy writing poetry?
Not only because poetry can express emotions, but more importantly because poetry is easy to spread.
When someone is talented and writes very well, most people only hear about it.
After all, articles often run to hundreds or thousands of words, making them difficult to spread widely.
But poetry is different; you can memorize it after listening to it a few times.
Through poetry, one can gain fame faster and allow more people to see their talent.
Although the four lines by Hengqu are not poems, they are short in length, profound in meaning, and have the rapid dissemination capabilities of poems.
It's just that when Ouyang Xiu mentioned these four lines to others, he always avoided talking about the author.
He did this not to take it for himself, but to protect Wang You.
It's certain that even without saying these four sentences, Wang You would have been remembered in history and admired by scholars.
Once the author's identity is known, many readers will visit him.
In the short term, Wang You needs to participate in the prodigy exam and cannot be disturbed.
In the long run, Wang You is still young, and if he is constantly surrounded by admirers, it will not be good for his growth.
Ouyang Xiu did not hide anything; he specifically invited him over and asked him in person.
Wang You did this to increase his reputation; the temporary concealment had no impact on him.
Moreover, since Ouyang Xiu meant well, he naturally had no reason to refuse.
But this matter will be made public sooner or later. When people hear that he went to brothels at the age of nine, no matter how good the four lines of Zhang Zai are, he will be despised by scholars all over the world.
Later generations believed that words and deeds were separate, and that a person's poems, articles, or books, as long as the meaning and ideas they expressed were correct, would not be condemned because of the author's character.
Just like the author of "Sympathy for the Peasants," how many people know that he had no pity for the common people at all, but was actually a corrupt official?
However, in the eyes of the ancients, words and deeds were inseparable.
Moreover, the more virtuous and respected a person is, the higher the moral expectations people have for them.
Although Wang You could not be considered a highly respected person, after the spread of the four lines of Zhang Zai, he was seen by many as a person with ideals and ambitions.
Therefore, people will have very high moral expectations of him.
Why were words and actions inseparable in ancient times?
Because your words are all expressions of your own thoughts.
When others agree with you, it means they agree with what you say, but more importantly, they agree with you as a person.
So what you call righteous indignation is actually the work of a petty person.
If others still approve of you, some will use your behavior to ridicule and slander those who approve of you.
Therefore, it was impossible for Wang You to go to such a place, even if he was indeed curious and wanted to see it.
Ma Ping was tempted for a moment, but seeing Wang You's unwavering refusal, he regained his senses and also refused.
Zhao Sheng had only said it casually in a moment of joy, and when the two refused, he suggested going to Fanlou.
Seeing that Zhao Sheng was indeed not unhappy about failing the exam, Wang You and Ma Ping were relieved.
Thinking about it carefully, it makes sense. Zhao Sheng must have come from an official family. Even if he failed the imperial examination, let alone a child prodigy taking the test, so what?
He could still be granted an official position through hereditary privilege, so it wouldn't hinder his career.
Wang You did not wait for a hereditary title because he wanted to see if he could do something for this era in the future.
He is not a saint, but he has witnessed too much suffering among ordinary people since childhood.
He also wanted to try to do something within his capabilities.
If it is impossible for him, he will not persist.
His privileged background had a significant impact on his future.
…………
"Young master, the lord has arrived."
As soon as Wang Yougang returned home, the gatekeeper hurriedly came to greet him.
"What?"
Wang You was taken aback upon hearing this and asked, "Why is Father here?"
"The master didn't say anything, so I dare not ask any further," the gatekeeper said.
Wang You nodded and hurriedly entered the mansion.
At first, he was surprised that Wang Min had come to the capital, but he quickly realized that Wang Min, like Sheng Hong, was probably in the capital to report on his duties.
In other words, Wang Min is going to be promoted, but it's unclear whether he will be transferred to another place or come to the capital to serve as an official.
Upon arriving at the main hall, Wang You did not see his father. He inquired and learned that his father had gone to take a bath.
Wang You then sat down in the hall to wait.