Many famous people in history had unhappy childhoods, especially Mencius' saying that "a great responsibility comes from heaven, and so do Han Yu and Ouyang Xiu, eight famous people in Tang and Song Dynasties". Han Yu's parents died when he was a child, and Ouyang Xiu's father died very early.
Compared with them, Ceng Gong seems more unfortunate.
When Ceng Gong was eight years old, his mother died.
/kloc-when he was 0/8 years old, his father, who was an official abroad, was dismissed and returned to his hometown, and the only source of income for the whole family was cut off. Father was in poor health, and the important task of supporting the family suddenly fell on Ceng Gong. It was a big family, and the problem of eating for the whole family became more important than reading.
Ceng Gong had to give up her dream of getting a bachelor's degree and work around to earn money for the life of a dozen people in her family. He described that feeling in an article, "I ate all the misery in the world, running around day and night just for a meal for the whole family."
Just as Ceng Gong was forced by life and felt breathless, his father suddenly received an imperial edict to let him go to Beijing. Ceng Gong came to Beijing with his father, but what he never expected was that his father could not bear such a big surprise and died with joy. Ceng Gong is penniless and friendless in Beijing. Seeing that even his father could not be buried, he had to write to Du Yan, the retired prime minister, for help. Du Yan appreciated Ceng Gong's studious spirit and gave generously, which enabled him to bury his father.
No matter how hard life was, Ceng Gong never forgot to study. He built a study for himself, named "Gold Don't Change". He described it this way: "There is a wasteland near our home. After ploughing and pruning, I will build a thatched cottage and fence it. This is my study. My study is very good. I won't change it with money or power, because I have ambitions in my heart, and I am just waiting for the right time. "
At the age of about 24, Ceng Gong had the opportunity to take the imperial examination. He went to take the exam with confidence, but unfortunately he failed in Sun Shan. At that time, Ouyang Xiu, a literary leader, appreciated his literary talent very much and felt wronged for him. Ceng Gong didn't complain. He said to Ouyang Xiu, "I didn't pass the exam, mainly because my knowledge is still immature."
On his way home, he wrote to Ouyang Xiu: "I saw many displaced people, and their lives were particularly hard. My grandparents are officials, so I don't have to be displaced like them. Although my life is bitter, compared with these ordinary people, I am already very satisfied. " Seeing this, Ouyang Xiu's reaction was to "start writing and be determined". He was initially moved by Ceng Gong's article, and now he is impressed by his own ambition.
After returning home, Ceng Gong studied hard to improve his knowledge while taking care of his family, waiting patiently for a second chance. At the age of 35, Ceng Gong and his eldest brother went to Beijing to take an exam, but the result was frustrating, and both brothers failed. After returning home, the depressed brothers were laughed at by their fellow villagers. Someone made up a ballad for them: "Once every three years, two scholars in the Zeng family were killed. There is Shuang Yanzi between the eaves, and a pair flies away. "
But Ceng Gong is Ceng Gong, "Nanfeng didn't care at that time, and urged his brothers not to be lazy". No matter what others think or say, he still goes his own way.
Many things happen. At the age of 39, Ceng Gong walked into the examination room again.
This time, not only in high school, but also in his family created a miracle: six people in the same family, including his brother, cousin and brother-in-law, won the lottery at the same time.
Some people say that Ceng Gong's success is not so much due to his diligence as his mentality, which is quite reasonable.
In the long course of life, it is common for a person to encounter difficulties, even setbacks and failures.
At this time, the most important thing is to face it calmly, not from society and others, but from yourself. When we look at the problem like this instead of complaining angrily about the injustice of fate, the sun will fill our future sooner or later.
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