Chapter 32 The Genius of the Sima Family (1/2)

Sima Yi carried a big baggage and walked towards Zhengwu Hall.

"Good morning, Mr. Sima!"

The gatekeeper rushed out warmly and invited Sima Yi in.

Zhengwu Hall is the most famous martial arts hall in Anchang County. It has produced many martial arts scholars over the years, and even several martial arts candidates.

Countless students who want to learn martial arts and become martial arts scholars are all trying to get into the Zhengwu Hall.

However, the number of places is limited, and ordinary people cannot enter the Zhengwu Hall to study even if they have sharpened their heads.

As for the high tuition fees at Zhengwu Hall, it is not something ordinary people can afford.

Sima Yi's cousin Sima Hong was admitted as a martial arts scholar in the early years. Now he serves as a teacher and deputy hall leader in the Zhengwu Hall, and is preparing for the martial arts examination.

"Fourth brother!"

"Haha! Fourteenth brother, you are here!"

Sima Hong was in his thirties, and the two of them were usually relatively close among the brothers in the clan.

"Looking at your happy face, you must have brought me good news!"

Sima Hong rubbed his beard on his face and asked enthusiastically.

"Hey! I actually got a good-looking ginseng in the black market last night. It's at least more than 20 years old."

Sima Yi said, taking off the baggage on his back and untying it. There was a large bag of pills and a ginseng plant inside.

“This ginseng is really good!”

"I can already feel that Ren Du is full and swollen. Once I take this ginseng, I should be able to open up the Qi Sea Dantian."

When Sima Hong said this, a sense of vicissitudes of life arose in his heart for no reason.

I learned zhanzhuang at the age of 33, boxing and kicking at the age of 5, swordsmanship at the age of 8, and mastered eight martial arts at the age of 12.

At the age of 14, he was admitted as a martial arts scholar and became the most talented boy in Anchang County.

At the age of 18, he entered Taoism through martial arts, sensed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, reached the first level of Qi training, and became an immortal cultivator.

After that, it took another ten years to reach the second level of Qi refining.

After so many years, the difficulty of practicing martial arts and cultivating Taoism, not to mention the huge amount of wealth consumed, only you know the suffering you have suffered.

Everyone who practices martial arts in the world dreams that one day they can achieve righteous results and become immortals and enter the Taoism.

As long as you reach the fourth level of Qi training, you will have the opportunity to take the martial arts exam.

Once you succeed in the exam, you will step into another vast world, far beyond what the small martial arts gym in front of you can compare with, and the various resources available will also increase exponentially.

"Ren Du Chongyang, are you about to break through to the third level of Qi training?"

Sima Yi was a little surprised. The fourth child improved too quickly this time.

"Well, it's thanks to you that you found these pills for me. They are cheap and very effective."

Everyone in this world knows that martial arts and Taoism have a future, but there are very few who can actually embark on this path.

Without him, most people would not even be able to eat, so where would they have the resources to practice!

As a direct descendant of the Sima family and the deputy head of the Zhengwu Hall, Sima Hong did not have that much financial resources.

Pills such as Peiyuan Guben Pills cost 10 taels each, and you can only take two pills a month.

Fortunately, Sima Yi helped him find a batch of cheap Dali Pills.

In total, one stone was only a few hundred taels of silver. He ate some of it himself and resold part of it at a higher price.

In this way, you can still earn hundreds of taels of silver, which means you don't have to spend any money on the food you eat.

"Fourteen, can you tell me where you bought these pills?"

Sima Hong asked curiously. He had never seen this kind of pill before, and it seemed that only this fourteenth brother had the channel.

"Stop! Put away your greedy heart."

"It is impossible for me to tell you the things that are entrusted by others and are loyal to others."

Sima Yi immediately and righteously rejected his cousin's request.

“It’s fine as it is now, why kill the goose that lays the egg?”

"Hey! I'm just curious, are you so serious?"

"Do I, Sima Hong, look like a bad guy?"

Sima Hong pointed at his face covered by his beard and cried out.

"It's quite similar. At least with your dignity, it's easy to scare children when you go out."

"I am a dignified, seven-foot-tall man. There is no need to worry about the details of appearance. It is enough for a man to have strength."

Sima Hong didn't care about his appearance.

"Say Xiaoyi, are you really not going to practice martial arts and then take the martial arts route?"

"If I don't go, I want to become a famous doctor and save the world!"

Sima Yi has been determined to become a famous doctor since he was a child, and to relieve the suffering of diseases for people all over the world.

"Studying medicine can't save the world. It's a waste of your great talent!"

Sima Hong said, shaking his head with some regret.

"You have to know that the elders of the clan value you because you have the best talent."

"Why are you so stubborn!"

Sima Hong still wanted to continue persuading him, as the elders in his family had given him tasks.

"Learning martial arts is boring. I want to become a famous doctor."

"Anyway, there are so many of you in the clan practicing martial arts and serving as officials, and I am not the only one left."

Although everyone has always said that he has great talent, Sima Yi has no interest in martial arts at all, and he gets sleepy as soon as he practices.

"Did you know? I heard my dad mention it last time. He said that with your talent, you have a high chance of building a foundation and becoming a foundation-building monk in the future."

"That is a strong foundation-builder. In the eighteenth generation of our Sima family, we have only had one foundation-builder ancestor."

"The important responsibility of leading the family to prosperity falls entirely on you."

Sima Yi has heard many such rhetoric since he was a child. He was also excited and practiced seriously when he was a child.

But he never found any talent in himself. He only found practice boring and his progress slow.

As time went by, he became less and less interested in practicing.

"Let's not talk about cultivation today. Please help me get some letters of recommendation for the Wu Xiucai exam. A friend of mine needs it."

"This is the name and household registration."

Sima Yi handed Er Gouzi's household registration list to Sima Hong.

"Okay, this is simple. Just sit here and wait for a while. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Sima Hong said, stuffed the household registration into his arms, and left holding the large bag of pills.

Walking to the edge of the martial arts field, there was an instructor giving guidance to the students.

Sima Hong waved to the instructor, and the man ran towards him happily.

"Hall Master Sima, what's the matter?"

The instructor wiped the sweat from his forehead and turned out to be Ergouzi's cousin Zhang Youliang.

After Zhang Youliang was admitted as a scholar, he used his connections to stay as a teacher in Zhengwu Hall, where he could make some money and continue his studies.

"Zhang Youliang, Dali Pills have arrived. How much do you want this time?"

"I'm a little short of money recently. My land rent hasn't been collected yet. Can I pay it on credit for a few months?"

Although Zhang Youliang was usually very imposing in front of Er Gouzi and often beat and scolded him, at this moment, he looked down and down, just like a little daughter-in-law.

"Okay! I'll give you 100 pills on credit, which equals 10 taels of silver."

Sima Yi was quite cheerful and counted 100 pills to Zhang Youliang with a wave of his hand.

I bought this pill from Ergouzi and resold it again, and the price doubled.

After a long detour, the buyer turned out to be his cousin.

"Thank you!"

Zhang Youliang happily took the 100 Dali Pills and thanked him repeatedly.

"Don't be too quick to thank me. Write a letter of recommendation for me."

"No problem, who can I write for?"

In response to the deputy hall master's instructions, Zhang Youliang patted his chest and promised that not only would he do it, but he would also do it beautifully.

"Oh, I didn't notice who it was."

Sima took a look at the household registration list.

"Sanchazi Town, Zhang Ergou..."

"Zhang Ergou?"

Zhang Youliang almost jumped up when he heard Er Gouzi's name.

"I think we live in the same place as you, and we are from the same family as you. Do you know each other?"

Sima Hong also noticed it and asked curiously.

"I've met him a few times, but I'm not very familiar with him."

Zhang Youliang didn't tell anyone about his relationship with Ergouzi. It can't be said that he was bullied by me since he was a child.

At the same time, he was also anxious in his heart, wondering how Ergouzi got involved in the Sima family.

However, Deputy Hall Master Sima spoke. Even if he had a hundred reluctances in his heart, he had to write beautifully.

Immediately, Zhang Youliang started writing. In a moment, a sponsorship letter was completed. He then wrote his name on the signature line and stamped it with his personal seal.

"Thank you!"

Sima Hong took the recommendation letter, dried the ink, put it in his arms, thanked him and turned away.

"It's a small effort, but it's not worth mentioning. From now on, if the hall master can find anything useful, just ask."

Zhang Youliang waved at the back of Hall Master Sima Yi, but there was no trace of joy on his face.

Sima Yi didn't wait long. Before he finished the cup of tea, Sima Hong had already returned with three letters of recommendation...

…………

Only one day later, Ergouzi appeared at the county academic office again.

This time he came prepared, with all the materials in hand.

Sima Yi originally wanted to come with him, but just as they were about to go out, a critically ill patient came to Huichun Hall.

It was important to save people, so we could only let Er Gouzi come first, and he would come back later.

"stop!"

It was the same doorman, picking his teeth and looking at Ergouzi sideways, ready to drive him away.

This guy has too little eyesight, and he doesn't even take a pee to look at himself. He's just a country bumpkin farming and wants to be a martial arts scholar.

I have been guarding the door of academic affairs for decades, but I don’t dare to have such an idea!

But this time Ergouzi was emboldened by Sima Yi, but he was more confident. When he saw the concierge coming to stop him again, he didn't pay much attention.

He gave away more than 20 silver coins in total, but he still couldn't raise the dog to maturity, and he still bared his teeth when he saw him.

Anyway, this is a watchdog that never gets enough food.

I won’t feed you today!

"Are you still going to stop me from going to the Yamen to apply for the exam?"

Without saying a word, he didn't bother to pay attention to the concierge and walked straight inside.

"good!"

The concierge stepped aside harshly. He wanted to see how this country bumpkin could get three letters of recommendation in one night.

If you can't get the recommendation letter, hehe...

The concierge followed Ergouzi silently and did not help him lead the way.

The Xuezheng Yamen is not big. Ergouzi had already inquired about it before he came. He walked in through the main door and went straight to the lobby in the middle.

In the lobby, the scribe nicknamed Cheng Waizui was still taking a nap.

The scribe may have just had a sweet dream, but now he was disturbed, and he felt very angry.

He looked sideways at Er Gouzi and ignored him. He walked to the washstand, twisted a wet towel and slowly wiped his face.

After wiping my face, I slowly arranged my hair and beard, and even wiped my eyebrows a few times in front of the mirror.

It can be seen that this unattractive scribe usually pays great attention to his appearance.

Ergouzi could only wait there like a piece of wood.

Finally, when the clerk finished washing, Ergouzi rushed forward, took out three letters of recommendation from his arms, and wanted to sign up.

"Go! Go! Go!"

The clerk shouted and pushed Er Gouzi aside impatiently.

"You blind bumpkin!"

"Didn't you see that I was busy all day and didn't even have time to drink a cup of tea?"

Er Gouzi didn't have Sima Yi's confidence after all, so he could only step aside obediently.

He watched the clerk wash the teapot slowly, take out the tea leaves and brew a pot of tea, and sip it slowly.

He wanted to step forward to sign up several times, but was glared back by the clerk.

The doorman who followed in was secretly proud.

Bumpkin, you don't want to spend money to make arrangements after entering the government office, but you still want to do things!

Er Gouzi got Sima Yi's promise that he would not give silver this time.

With that money to give to others, it is better to buy more meat buns for yourself.

As expected, the clerk refused to do anything unless he was paid. Er Gouzi saw him drink three pots of tea, go to the toilet five times, and wash his hands six times...

Er Gouzi made up his mind and simply stopped being anxious. He would wait here until Sima Yi came.

His unhurried waiting made the clerk a little anxious, and pretending was also tiring.

Fortunately, the two finally didn't have to wait any longer.

A young man came in from outside. He was very imposing. Before he spoke after entering the door, he had already frightened the clerk.

"Mr. Sima!"

"Why are you here in person? If you have anything to say, just let the servant come and tell him."

The clerk hurriedly got up to greet him at the door, and was so enthusiastic that he almost wagged his tail.

The visitor was Sima Yi, and he didn't intend to give him a good face.

This Cheng Waizui only got this job because he had a relationship with Sima.

"I heard that you can't get things done without money?"

"Even if you give money, you can't get things done?"

Cheng Waizui smiled awkwardly and said, "It's not others. If you have anything to do, just let the servants come and tell them, and they will do it for you."

"Hmph! I don't have that much face."

"Cheng Waizui, you took those few taels of silver just to visit the brothel one more time and reward the prostitutes inside.

Have you ever thought that these few taels of silver may be all the property of ordinary people. Without these few taels of silver, they may not be able to survive?"

Cheng Waizui was scolded by Sima Yi, and he bowed and smiled the whole time.

"Sir, your teaching is reasonable. I will definitely change my past and do things in a down-to-earth manner in the future."

Cheng Waizui's attitude was very sincere. Anyway, he has been in the government for so many years and has become slick. He will correct his mistakes as soon as he knows them, and he will make the same mistake again after a few days.

How can you get things done without money in the government?

If you break the rules, no one will tolerate you, even the Sima family can't protect you.

The young master of the Sima family is ignorant of worldly affairs and too naive, so he can just deal with it face to face.

Sima Yi saw Cheng Waizui seriously reviewing in front of him, decided to change his past and vowed to draw a clear line with corruption, so he could only give up for the time being.

"Then why are you still standing there? Do things for others!"

Sima Yi pointed at Er Gouzi who had been standing by and watching the show.

Cheng Waizui then realized that he had offended this god, which led to Sima Gongzi's scolding.

It is true that you can't judge a person by his appearance. He looks like an ordinary farmer, but he can actually get in touch with the Sima family.

Thinking back then, how much effort he put in to get in touch with the Sima family.

He also married the ugliest woman in the entire Sima family to get this job today.

With Sima Yi's presence, there is naturally no suspense about such a small matter as applying for the exam. It only took half a quarter of an hour to get it done.

"Hahaha...Brother Zhang is a handsome man with great potential at a young age. I was wrong about him!"

Cheng Waizui's attitude changed too quickly. He held Er Gouzi's hand and seemed very close.

"Brother Zhang, if you have time in the future, just come to me for tea and chat. The door is always open to you."

At Cheng Waizui's signal, the doorman had prepared a bag of silver and returned all the silver he had received before.

"Brother Zhang, please take care of me when I get admitted!"

After a while, Er Gouzi and Sima Yi walked out of the academic office, and the clerk and the doorman personally escorted them to the door.

"Slow down, young master."

"Brother Zhang, come and have tea and wine with us when you have time."

The two smiled and watched Er Gouzi and Sima Yi go away, and then returned to the office.

Er Gouzi followed Sima Yi, and only at this moment did he realize that the family behind Sima Yi was so powerful.

I used to think he was a rich young man who didn't know much, with a little money at home, but not too much.

"Sima Yi... Mr. Sima, thank you!"

Er Gouzi suddenly felt that calling him by his name would be too offensive.

"You should just call me Sima Yi, I'm not used to hearing Mr. Sima."

"Actually, I don't like dealing with people in the government office. If I get involved with them, I will become like them sooner or later."

"Fawning and flattering to the superiors, and showing all kinds of ugly faces to the subordinates."

"Don't think that Cheng Waizui said nice things today, he can only be honest for two or three days at most, and then he will be the same again."

"If one day I become like them, I feel sick just thinking about it, what's the difference between lying in a pile of maggots."

Er Gouzi didn't know much about what Sima Yi said, so he could only understand half of it.

Sima Yi might just want to find someone to talk to, so he continued to talk to himself.

“I run a pharmacy, I treat illnesses and save lives, I don’t have to deal with them, I earn my own money and spend it myself, every penny I earn is clean, it’s my own money, I feel at ease when I spend it.”