Fan Zhongyan was demoted from the capital due to the failure of the Qingli reform. He is currently serving as governor in Dengzhou. He rushed back to his hometown to pay homage to the temple on his mother's death day.

At this time, Pingjiang Prefecture was about to be tested, and there were too many scholars who came to ask for advice, which was very annoying.

In order to seek peace and quiet, Fan Zhongyan hid at the home of an old friend in Jiangwan Village by Taihu Lake. Today he happened to meet Fan Ning telling the children about Journey to the West.

Fan Tiezhou hurriedly invited Uncle San into the house, while Zhang Sanniang quickly took out the best tea in the house to make tea for Uncle San.

Fan Zhongyan looked at the room and found that the room was bright and the furniture was made of wood, which looked rough, but it was clean and particularly tidy.

"Tiezhou, how could your father move here?"

Fan Tiezhou sighed, "It's not because of his strange temper, what Uncle San should know."

Fan Zhongyan nodded. Although he was cousin with Fan Ning's grandfather Fan Dachuan, he rarely spoke.

Fan Dachuan has had a strange temper since he was a child and is difficult to get along with his tribe members.

Fan Zhongyan looked back at Fan Ning who was still confused, and smiled and said, "Didn't you suggest me apply ice water to the wound?"

Fan Tiezhou quickly asked, "What's wrong with Uncle San?"

"I just accidentally twisted my ankle, and Ning'er suggested that I apply ice water to my feet."

"I'll go dig well!" Zhang Sanniang quickly went to get the wooden basin.

"Need not!"

Fan Tiezhou quickly stopped his wife. He took out a small porcelain bottle from the drawer and handed it to Fan Zhongyan.

"This is a ointment I made from going up the mountain to collect herbs. It is very effective for bruises and injuries. Uncle San will give it a try!"

Fan Zhongyan smiled and took the ointment, removed the shoes and socks, and applied it evenly on his ankles. He immediately felt a wave of coolness penetrated his skin, and the ankles immediately stopped pain.

After a while, Fan Zhongyan put on his shoes and socks again, and after walking a few steps, he was completely cured.

"What medicine is this? It's very magical!" Fan Zhongyan asked in surprise.

"My nephew doesn't know his name, so I'll accept it! Just apply it to me again in the evening."

"I don't need it anymore, I'm just curious." Fan Zhongyan smiled and put the medicine bottle back on the table.

Fan Ning, who was standing beside him, was moved. He didn't even know that there was such good medicine at home!

If you open a store in the town and specialize in treating bruises and injuries, wouldn’t you be rich?

At this time, Fan Zhongyan smiled and waved to Fan Ning, "Come to me!"

Fanning hurriedly walked forward and carefully looked at the famous politician and writer in history.

Fan Zhongyan is actually a very ordinary country old man, but his every move has a kind of gentleness that ordinary people do not have.

However, Fan Ning's eyes were keen, and he discovered that there was a kind of sorrow in Fan Zhongyan's eyes.

After thinking about it carefully, Fan Ning suddenly realized that the story he just told should have affected Fan Zhongyan's emotions.

Thinking of this, Fan Ning felt a little guilty.

Fan Zhongyan smiled and said, "You have invited me to your home with sincerity. You probably want me to take your talent test. Today I will give you this opportunity."

Fan Ning's face turned red, and it turned out that his little thoughts had been seen through by others.

At this moment, an old and hoarse voice came from the yard, "Dalang, why are the fish caught this time so small?"

The sound suddenly calmed the room. Zhang Sanniang's face darkened. She was not easy to attack in front of the guests, so she went to the backyard with an unhappy expression.

Fan Zhongyan smiled and stood up and walked towards the yard. Fan Ning had no choice but to follow him.

I saw a tall and thin old man standing in the yard with gray hair, shiny skin and small numbness on his face.

His eyes are very distinctive, with most of the whites occupying the whites. A pair of eyeballs is like two small black beans stuck to the whites of his eyes. More white than black is less, and there is always a hint of coldness.

The old man was Fan Ning's grandfather Fan Dachuan. At this time, he was holding a big fish basket in his hand and was looking at the dozens of fresh fish under the eaves with disgust.

At the gate of the courtyard was another tall young man, about twenty years old, with a pale face and a slightly thin body, and his hands were whiter and more delicate than women's hands.

His name is Fan Tongzhong, and he is Fan Ning's youngest uncle.

Fan Tongzhong studied in the county and was the only scholar in the Fan family. His father Fan Dachuan placed all his hopes on him.

At this time, Fan Tongzhong also looked at the elder brother's yard with disgust, as if walking into this yard would make his identity as a scholar covered with dust.

However, when his eyes looked into the room, he was filled with enthusiasm and expectation.

Mr. Fan, who is famous all over the world, has come. What a great opportunity for me!

At this time, Fan Tiezhou ran out of the house and said excitedly: "Dad, why are you here?"

"Of course you don't want me to come!"

Fan Dachuan snorted coldly, "You are afraid that I will ruin your good deeds!"

Fan Tiezhou was stunned. He didn't understand what his father meant.

He quickly took out a fish basket from the water tank and handed it to his father with a sincere smile.

"This time I went to the lake and caught more than a dozen mandarin fish, all of which were good fish with a fat meat. The child specially left it for his father to replenish his body."

"Let's put it aside!" Fan Dachuan waved his hand, as if he was driving away a fly.

At this time, Fan Zhongyan came out of the house and smiled and said, "I haven't seen you for many years, and my second brother is still as handsome as ever!"

Fan Dachuan immediately smiled and pointed to the youngest son behind him.

"I have Silang take care of me at home. My health is pretty good. This child is filial! The gentlemen in the county praise him for his good character."

Fan Zhongyan smiled faintly, "I think Dalang is also very filial."

Fan Dachuan glanced at his eldest son with dissatisfaction, "He is just average! He is far behind Silang."

Fan Tiezhou gently pulled Fan Ning, "Kowtow to grandpa!"

"No need!"

Fan Dachuan refused decisively, "A little fool like him kowtows to me will only cost me my life!"

Fan Tiezhou quickly explained: "Father, Ning'er is different now than before."

"Hmph! I don't know what he looks like?"

Fan Dachuan glared at his eldest son fiercely and said to Fan Zhongyan: "It's a misfortune! My eldest son has been stupid since childhood. He is not a good source of study. He is even more stupid when he has a son."

"Second brother, you are too modest."

"Hey! You don't know how stupid this child is. At the beginning of the year, I asked him what his name was, but he actually told me the next day that you said that such a fool could still study?"

Fan Dachuan felt heartbroken and sighed again, "What kind of evil did I, Fan Dachuan, have done? There is such a stupid father and son behind me."

Fan Tiezhou was scolded by his father and looked ashamed, lowered his head and dared not speak.

Fan Zhongyan looked back at Fan Ning, his eyes full of sympathy.

Fan Ning smiled faintly, and his ears were called out to his grandfather's partial deeds.

He tried hard to belittle his father and himself, just to highlight how outstanding his youngest son was.

Fan Dachuan felt that the temperature was almost the same, so he waved to his younger son.

Fan Tongzhong hurriedly ran forward and bowed deeply to Fan Zhongyan.

"Student Fan Tongzhong, greet my husband!"

Compared to the respect Fan Tiezhou and his son respect him, Fan Tongzhong threw family affection aside and called him a husband, which shows his philanthropy.

Although Fan Zhongyan was unhappy, he did not show it on his face.

He smiled and asked, "Where is Siro studying?"

"Students are studying in the county and are preparing to go to Changzhou to participate in the Examination Examination in a few days."

Fan Dachuan next to him quickly added: "My Silang is now a scholar!"

The scholars of the Song Dynasty were different from those of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and they were not considered a kind of fame.

Generally speaking, as long as you get recommended from the county to participate in the trial, you can be called a scholar.

Because he is the only scholar in the village, Fan Dachuan was extremely proud and praised him for being smart whenever he met Silang and how he could easily get into the scholar.

Fan Tongzhong seized the opportunity and quickly took out a stack of manuscripts from the book bag and presented them to Fan Zhongyan.

"These are several articles and poems written by the students. Please give me some advice!"

Fan Zhongyan took the manuscript and flipped it out, and returned it to him with a smile.

"It's not bad! I'll get a good test, I hope to hear good news from you."

Fan Tongzhong was so excited that tears were about to fall, and his voice choked.

"Students will definitely remember the teachings of my husband to students."

Fan Dachuan also felt hopeful, so he quickly struck while the iron was hot and said, "I heard that there are no disciples behind my third brother. Can you see if you can...?"

Fan Ning laughed out loud. His grandfather actually wanted his fourth uncle to be Fan Zhongyan's heir. He really could think of it!

Even though Fan Zhongyan was so well-educated, he could finally not help it.
To be continued...