Master From the King's Fort Chapter 3

At the end of the Si hour, the candidates gathered under the list gradually dispersed, and the tranquility in front of the Imperial Examination Hall began to return to its former state.

All those who made the list were delighted. Some were so excited that they had tears in their eyes, trembled all over, and almost went crazy. Most of those who didn't make the list were disappointed and depressed.

Both returned home in tears, the former with a smile in his tears, while the latter was full of sadness and only wanted to get drunk.

Most of the ambitious and energetic candidates can quickly cheer up, return to the inn, pack their bags and return home, and then study hard in preparation for the exam in three years.

Some candidates who have failed the imperial examination several times have no intention of trying again. They either write letters to their families or look for fellow townsmen in the court and try to register with the Ministry of Personnel. When a vacancy occurs, they will be granted an official position.

Most of the candidates who were appointed as officials were sent to other places, and it was rare to be appointed to prefectures and states. It was common for two magistrates in the county government and school officials. Occasionally, those who were lucky or had real practical talents would get the seal of the county magistrate, but most of them were in remote areas, such as the southwest, or the poor counties in the far north.

Even so, it is much better than waiting at home for the same subject. If you perform well in office, you may have the opportunity to be promoted to the capital and be in the court.

There are few stupid candidates who can overcome all obstacles and enter the imperial examination in Beijing. Even if they get stuck in a dead end for a while, they will gradually come to their senses and find their own way out.

There are scholars who die of poverty, but there are no juren who die of hardship.

This was true throughout all dynasties since the rise of the imperial examination system, and was especially true after the Ming Dynasty.

By the time everyone had left, the book boy had already eaten four pancakes and burped unexpectedly, which made Logan Yang chuckle.

The boy's face immediately turned red, he lowered his head, and remained silent.

"Nothing." Logan Yang put his hands behind his back and said with a smile, "Being able to eat is a blessing. You are still young, so this is the way to go."

The servant boy remained silent and his face turned even redder.

Logan Yang shook his head, knowing that too much is as bad as too little, and said no more. After a while, the blush on the boy's face faded, and he gradually returned to his usual appearance.

The master and servant stood by the roadside without attracting anyone's attention.

On the contrary, it was the candidates who passed by, some chatting and laughing freely, some ecstatic, some depressed and sighing, some lost, which caused Logan Yang to turn his eyes frequently. Although he did not show it on his face, he already had some thoughts in his mind.

It seems that my previous behavior in the inn was a bit out of line.

It's not bad, it's too good.

When you first enter the officialdom, you are most afraid of being noticed. As a small shrimp, you should rest wherever it is cool. If you don't understand the situation and don't have a backer, you dare to stand out and be swallowed by the fish.

If you are lucky, you can keep your life. If you are unlucky, you will not even be cannon fodder, and your body will be gone.

Unfortunately, things have come to this point and regret is not an option.

Fortunately, there is still a month before the palace examination, which is enough time for him to sort out his thoughts and make adjustments.

While he was thinking, Li, Wang and Cheng were already walking towards him.

All three were on the list, and all were selected as the current imperial examination candidates. However, only Mason Wang looked happy, while Li and Cheng were both happy but also worried, with somewhat complicated expressions.

Because Mason Wang was ranked within the top 100, he had a chance of getting into the second place. Li Chun and Ethan Cheng were both ranked after the top 100, and Ethan Cheng was even ranked after the top 200. There was a 90% chance that he would be ranked in the top three in the palace examination. The gap between their expectations was too big, and they were both very distressed.

Same as the Jinshi, like the lady.

The first place in the second and third class are both called "Chuanlu", but their value is very different.

I would rather be the tail of a second-class chicken than the head of a third-class phoenix.

It would be fine if you didn't make the list, but even if you passed the examination, you had to become a fellow Jinshi. This was a big blow to the candidate who thought he had great talent and wanted to take revenge.

Seeing the expressions of the three people, Logan Yang remained calm, just bowed and congratulated them without saying a word.

Persuasion?

Showing weakness at first will be in vain.

If the other person is broad-minded, he may be able to accept your kindness. But if he is narrow-minded, he may think that he is deliberately mocking you, secretly laughing at you, and stabbing you in the chest.

Don’t say what you shouldn’t say, and don’t do what you shouldn’t do.

Sometimes, "good intentions" are linked to "self-righteousness".

Past experience guide for the future.

With work experience in front of him, Logan Yang could not afford to take it lightly.

"It is a blessing that the four of us are on the same list this year."

Soon, Li Chun and Ethan Cheng suppressed their complicated feelings and said, "We should celebrate."

After these words were spoken, not only Logan Yang breathed a sigh of relief, but Mason Wang as well.

What is worrying is not the scarcity but the inequality.

Everything is afraid of comparison.

As the joy faded, Mason Wang realized something was wrong. Fortunately, Li and Cheng were not narrow-minded and they explained it to each other, so there was no quarrel among the four.

"I am the host, please don't fight with me. Brother Yang is young, so please don't fight with me for the food."

"Don't worry, we will eat the rich man."

As the mood improved, several people couldn't help but start joking.

What does treating have to do with age?

Logan Yang pretended to be puzzled, which made Wang, Li and Cheng feel very happy. The slight estrangement they had at first disappeared, and they liked Logan Yang even more.

When he was in high spirits, Mason Wang added that he had a younger sister at home who was young, beautiful, and kind-hearted, and could be a good match for him.

Li Chun didn't know the details and looked surprised.

Ethan Cheng said, "Don't believe him. He cheated me, but he wants to cheat Brother Yang?"

"Why do you say that, Brother Cheng?"

"It may be true that she is a woman of good character and young." Ethan Cheng pointed at Mason Wang and said, "Ask him how old he is."

"geometry?"

Ethan Cheng glanced at Mason Wang and said, "He is still in his infancy!"

Li Chun was speechless, not knowing how to react.

Mason Wang pretended to be calm, held his head high and put one arm behind his back, as if to say: I really mean well, but if you don't appreciate it, you will regret it later.

Logan Yang laughed. Is this a sister-con?

After such banter, the four of them became closer.

We returned all the way to Fulai Building, where the shopkeeper personally greeted us at the door. His round face, like a bun, was so wrinkled from smiling that his teeth were showing but his eyes were not.

"Four gentlemen, please come upstairs!"

Upon hearing that four tribute scholars had come to the inn, the innkeeper could not sit still. He ordered his waiter to tell the kitchen to prepare fish, meat, vegetables and good wine, waiting for Logan Yang and his three companions to come back.

"Today, the star of literature shines brightly, and our shop is also prosperous and glorious. I am proud of it!"

The shopkeeper smiled and led the four people to their seats.

"I have prepared a banquet for you four gentlemen, please come and have a look."

Logan Yang lagged behind by half a step and did not come forward.

Wang Zhongyin, the leader of the four, said, "We appreciate the good intention of the store owner. But we can't use the wine for nothing."

He called the servant boy to take out a silver coin, which was heavy in his hand, weighing at least five taels.

Being able to stay in a room in the inn for two months, the three of them, like Logan Yang, had no shortage of money.

Among them, Mason Wang's family had thousands of hectares of fertile land and two tea gardens. A fellow sea merchant moved to Ningbo Prefecture and never lost contact with his clan. Wang Gongshi was well-respected by his clan and never worried about spending money, so he could be called a "local tyrant".

Having said this, the shopkeeper happily took the silver coins.

Seeing that he was reluctant to leave and seemed to have something to say, Logan Yang's heart moved slightly, vaguely aware of his intention, but he was not in a hurry to speak. Li Chun tried several times, Wang and Cheng had been observing secretly, so why didn't he do the same?

To gain a foothold in the officialdom, it is true that you need to expand your network of contacts, but you also need to understand the character of your "connections". If you are not careful, it is not impossible to be trapped in the southern hemisphere.

Rather than regretting it in the future, it is better to take precautions now.

Logan Yang always believed in the four words "self-preparedness": be prepared for future troubles.

All things are difficult at the beginning, but if you make a good start, even if there are thousands of obstacles, you will eventually be successful.

Sure enough, Li Chun also noticed the shopkeeper's expression, thought for a moment, and said: "I see that there are poems and essays of former advanced scholars hanging in the shop. The shopkeeper must be a good writer. If you don't mind, we are willing to write poems and calligraphy for the old man."

"That's great! Thank you, gentlemen!"

The shopkeeper was overjoyed and wanted to bow.

Seeing that his hair and beard were gray, the four people did not dare to accept the gift in full. Later, the shopkeeper called out his eldest grandson and bowed to the four people. Only then did Logan Yang and others sit down and accept the gift in full.

After the wine and food were served, Logan Yang personally held the pot and poured wine for the three people.

The four of them were in high spirits and no longer needed the servant to serve them. They asked the innkeeper to bring some food for them to enjoy.

"Brother Li is considerate of others. He will definitely benefit the people when he is away from home, and he will also be able to make great achievements in the court."

"Brother Yang is right."

"Brother Li should be a role model for our generation."

After three rounds of drinking, the four of them were relaxed. Mason Wang was in the best mood, and Li and Cheng were not much behind. The three of them wanted to play a drinking game, but Logan Yang was not good at it. He drank three cups of wine in a row, and his cheeks were flushed.

"Please forgive me, my three brothers. I really can't hold my liquor."

Li Chun knew that he was very drunk yesterday, so he couldn't persuade him anymore. He said, "In this case, why don't you write a poem for the store owner first, and let us read it."

Logan Yang waved his hands repeatedly and said, "I am not good at poetry and prose, how dare I show off my skills in front of an expert. Please, brothers, take the pen while I grind the ink. Finally, I will leave my name. If someone asks me about it in the future, I will have something to talk about, and I won't be called a 'clumsy man'."

Li Chun was stunned, Mason Wang laughed so hard that he fell forward and backward, Ethan Cheng spat out a mouthful of wine and was speechless for a long time.

Logan Yang had no choice but to cover his face with his sleeves.

He was not hiding his incompetence on purpose, he just couldn't write poetry. Using other people's poems? He couldn't write them.

Unexpectedly, the three men thought he was being modest, so they held him tightly and forced him to do it. The guests eating in the restaurant watched the excitement and responded accordingly. Only a few scholars sitting in the corner had gloomy faces, clenched their bamboo chopsticks, and the veins on the back of their hands were exposed.

"How could a top three person be so arrogant?"

"You are just a little kid, you don't know how high the sky is or how deep the earth is!"

"How can such an incompetent person be worthy of being called out at Donghua Gate!"

Several people did not lower their voices. Li Chun and others immediately stopped smiling, looked in the direction of the voice, and then sneered.

"I was wondering who it was. Turns out it was you." Ethan Cheng snorted coldly.

"What about me?"

A scholar in a blue shirt slammed the table and stood up, his face flushed, clearly drunk.

"Wang Bing?"

Mason Wang frowned, recognizing that he was his fellow countryman who had traveled to Beijing with him. He thought something was wrong and said to Ethan Cheng, "This man is a candidate from the same county as mine. He was ranked among the top in both the county and provincial examinations. He must be unwilling to fail this time. He thinks highly of himself and is a very narrow-minded person. Don't argue with him."

Although the words were not excessive, the meaning was quite impolite. He was almost pointing at Wang Bing's nose and telling the three people sitting with him: This is a mean person with high aspirations but poor skills, and his mind is not as big as a needle tip. Let him perform monkey tricks, and we should just watch the fun and ignore him.

Logan Yang and others understood and were about to reveal it, when they suddenly heard the candidate next to Wang Bing say angrily: "There is still a long time to come, so don't be so arrogant!"

Upon hearing this, Logan Yang did not say anything, but Li Chun and Ethan Cheng became furious.

The word "Ru" could be used as an insult during the Tang and Song dynasties.

It is said that scholars kill people without shedding blood and scold people without using any dirty words. This is exactly the case.

Several people have passed the imperial examinations and are feeling very proud of themselves, but how can they let it go when they are insulted in front of others?

"you..."

Ethan Cheng was about to slam the table, Li Chun and Mason Wang were also furious. Logan Yang quickly stood up and grabbed Ethan Cheng, saying that this matter was a little strange and he should not be reckless. He should be patient.

It's fine to fight with words, and it's fine to fight with anger, but it's really not good to have a reputation of fighting spread.

Even though the civil officials of the Ming Dynasty had always had this custom and did not take armed fighting in the court as an offense, the four of them had not yet become officials, not even Jinshi, so they really did not have the capital to be fighters.

"What?" Seeing that the four men only glared at him without any radical actions, Wang Bing and the others were even more pleased with themselves and shouted, "You young boy, who is ignorant and unskilled, got the prize by luck, yet you don't feel ashamed and are complacent, pretending to be a scholar!"

What's up?

Logan Yang's eyes became fierce. Was this directed at him?