When the Mentor returned home, his wife had prepared a bowl of hangover soup. However, the Mentor pushed her aside, "I didn't drink any wine today, I don't need this soup. I have matters to attend to, don't disturb me."
As he said this, he stormed into the study room, leaving the Mentor's wife in a daze, unsure of what she had done wrong.
It was said that the moment the Mentor entered the study, he looked for a memorial and wanted to write an article to remove Tang Zhen's title. Today was such a big scandal, and it would affect the reputation of Slow River County. The Mentor was an upright and upright person, and could not tolerate a single grain of sand. At this moment, he started writing.
The Mentor did not attend the conference today, and thus did not know about this. Sometime later, someone came to inform the Mentor of what had happened on the boat. When the Mentor heard this, he was shocked, "This is bad, I have to find the Mentor to discuss this."
As soon as he finished speaking, he left in a hurry.
When Pei Zi Yun reached home, his mother had already prepared a bowl of soup. It was a hangover soup. As he drank it, he felt his stomach warm up. He placed the bowl down and smiled, "Mother, the Autumn Examinations are only ten days away. I have to go to the city."
…
Dong An Prefecture, Zhang Mansion
The next day, a pot of tea was boiling on the stove. Steam could be seen coming out of it, and a chessboard was placed on the table. Zhang Jie Yu walked into the room and could not contain his anger. He kicked the stove, causing the tea and the fire to spill onto the floor. The fire and the tea mixed together, making a sizzling sound. Smoke and ashes rose up.
Zhang Jie Yu sat down on the chair, his heart was filled with anger. He stood up and swept the entire chessboard onto the floor, "This kid must have seen through my ploy. That's why he dared to tease me. I want to kill him."
At this point, Li Wen Jing, who had been following behind Zhang Jie Yu, had been deep in thought. He then walked forward and saw the chessboard on the floor. He hurriedly said, "Jie Yu, this is a new dynasty. He has an Elementary Scholar title. We can only tempt him and frame him. We cannot make a move directly. If we make a move directly, we will offend the Imperial Qi.
Hearing Li Wen Jing's words, Zhang Jie Yu calmed down a little. Achieving the Dao was an important matter, and he couldn't be too careful. However, he really couldn't take this lying down. "Let's use the hands of mortals then. Our Holy Gate should have other connections other than the Black Wind Bandits under me, right?"
"Of course there's more. We're from Holy Jail Sect. We have people on the Lu River."
"However, he is an Elementary Scholar who came to the prefecture to take the Elementary Scholar examinations. Attacking him with mortals is fine. However, if we were to kill him, we would not be able to escape the eyes of the local river deity. Once the Divine Dao of the Imperial Court comes to investigate, we would be in big trouble."
Seeing that Zhang Jie Yu was about to explode in anger, Li Wen Jing added, "But if you fall into the water, get sick, eat something bad on the way, or get beaten up by someone, that's a small matter."
"Regardless of whether it is the scholars from the capital or the province, or even in the examination hall, it is very common for them to fall sick."
"No matter how smart he is, as long as he doesn't pass the examinations this time, he would have to waste three years. Being an Elementary Scholar is just a small achievement. If we really wanted to kill him, our Holy Gate would be able to do so. It's just that we would have to pay a small price. After this sensitive period of time, if Zhang Jie Yu is still angry, we shall just kill him."
Zhang Jie Yu's anger subsided, "Alright, let's do that. I shall leave this matter to you."
Li Wen Jing nodded his head and said, "I shall inform the Luo Gang now!"
…
Hou Du Town, Li Mansion
Li Mansion wasn't located within the capital of Dong An Prefecture. Instead, it was located about twenty miles away from the main road. It was located in a small town called Hou Du Town. The town was bustling with activity. At this point, a group of people walked over, and the people on the street all gave way to them.
"Who are these people?"
"It's Yang Kun from the Luo Gang. He has a great reputation."
"Pei! What great reputation? He's just a fugitive from the pugilistic world. "Someone said disdainfully.
As they neared the entrance, Yang Kun pointed, "This is the Li Mansion. The few of you stay in the town and look for a place to stay. I shall go and see Master Li."
As he finished speaking, Yang Kun walked in. He was a burly man around thirty years of age. When he entered the mansion, he was extremely careful. He saw Li Wen Jing bending over his desk and writing a letter. From afar, he shouted, "Greetings, Master Li."
It turned out that during the previous dynasty, Yang Tong Shou had formed a gang. In the beginning, most of the gang members were homeless beggars. They stole and robbed. When the magistrate found out about this, he was enraged and ordered for the gang to be arrested.
The patrolling officers obeyed and killed several people. They captured Yang Tong Shou and were about to execute him. At the critical moment, Holy Jail Sect lent a helping hand. After being beaten forty times, Yang Tong Shou was released from prison. He then hid in the town to recuperate. He changed his ways of doing things. When officials and rich people were celebrating, he would go and help them.
Slowly, he changed his ways of doing things. Gradually, the officials decided to take over the transportation of salt, grain and cotton to the Luo Gang. The Luo Gang collected protection fees and earned money for the transportation of goods.
As of now, Yang Kun was the second generation leader of the gang. However, he was still respectful towards Holy Jail Sect.
"It's good that you're here. I have something for you to do!" Li Wen Jing shouted. He then stood up and paced around. He looked out the window at the blooming flowers and muttered to himself.
"Master Li, as long as it's something on the Lu River, just tell me. Everyone within a hundred miles will give me face. Even if a few people sink, it's a small matter." Yang Kun said.
Li Wen Jing laughed coldly, "That's not necessary. But it's not a small matter. Send your trusted aide to handle it. Go to Slow River County and supervise the docks."
"Keep an eye on all the Elementary Scholars who are heading to the province for the examinations."
"This person's name is Pei Zi Yun. I have a portrait of him here."
"Master Li, is he drowning in the river?" Yang Kun asked excitedly.
"No, now is the time for the examinations. It's a sensitive time. You can't kill anyone. Just let him fall into the water and let him catch a cold." Li Wen Jing instructed softly, "The water may not be too cold now, but it doesn't matter. After he falls into the water, just sprinkle this medicine on him."
"I guarantee that he will catch a cold."
"So it's just this matter. Don't worry, I will handle it for you." Yang Kun patted his chest and said.
… …
Slow River County, Mentor's House
This time, the Mentor had a stern expression on his face. Pei Zi Yun didn't know that the Mentor and Mentor had just argued about Tang Zhen, and could only lower his head.
The Mentor then said, "You're still young, and need to polish yourself. You're only fifteen years old and you're already an Elementary Scholar. It's hard to avoid success. How can you go to the province like this?"
Pei Zi Yun looked at the Mentor and thought to himself, did he offend this person?
The Mentor then said blandly, "Ambition doesn't depend on age. The Emperor values essays. This kid's essays have reached a certain level. Old friend, don't argue with me."
The Mentor gave a huff and turned around to walk to another room.
The Mentor then said, "This time I've called you here, I have no other instructions. There are only two."
"Firstly, your essays have already removed the Yin Qi. This is a good thing. But you must not be too full of Yang Qi. This is a taboo in the examinations."
"Secondly, I want you to know. This time, the Governor of the Province Examinations has been decided. "
The Governor of the Province Examinations was actually the chief examiner of the High Scholar Examinations. He was appointed by the Imperial Court and sent from the central government to the province to preside over the examinations.
In order to prevent cheating, it was not announced to the public. However, once the appointment was made, the local officials would know about it. Even those who had connections would know about it. Ordinary candidates could only find out about it themselves.
The examinations were fair. Knowing who the chief examiner was, one could then analyze his essays and prepare for the examinations. From this point, the Mentor wasn't a pedantic person.
After all, everyone else could analyze his essays, except for him. That would be unfair.
Pei Zi Yun then asked, "May I know who it is?"
The Mentor lowered his voice, "It's Hu Lu Zhou."
"Hu Ying Zhen, his excellency?"
This person became an Elementary Scholar at the age of fifteen, a High Scholar at the age of eighteen, and a Grand Scholar at the age of twenty-two. He was famous throughout the lands. He was only thirty-five years old, and he was already presiding over the examinations?
"Yes, the news has been relayed to us. Have you seen his excellency's essays?" The Mentor asked.
Pei Zi Yun replied, "This disciple has seen some, but I'm afraid it's not complete."
The Mentor nodded his head, "This is a compilation of Hu Lu Zhou's essays. You should study it on the way. Although the essays are written in terms of structure and structure, but the examinations are of great importance. It's normal for there to be some changes."
"I shall not keep you any longer. There's not much time left. Hurry and go, don't delay on the way."
"Yes!" Pei Zi Yun bowed respectfully and left.
After some time, the Mentor walked over and said, "You've treated him well. Why can't you be more forgiving towards Tang Zhen?"
"He's been studying hard for ten years. Once he's stripped of his title, he won't be able to take the examinations again. Shouldn't you reconsider?"
"Old friend, you don't have to say anymore. This is a completely different matter." The Mentor waved his hands and said, "Although this person is young, he has the jade of the Jing Mountain, and the pearl of the Spirit Serpent in his mouth. He's a talented person. How can Tang Zhen compare to him?"
…
Pei Zi Yun rushed to the docks. This world was similar to the Song Dynasty, where commerce was flourishing.
Although the officials were of high status, they would often marry merchants. Although this was the beginning of the country, the waterways were already well established. Boats and boats of fruits, bamboo fans, mats, pillows, rations, medicine and ceramics were all flowing in and out of the city. Pei Zi Yun arrived at the docks. It was July and August, and he was sweating profusely.
He stood under a shed and looked around. He saw that the river was wide and far away, thousands of boats were sailing on the river. There were seven or eight large boats docked at the docks.
However, there was only one boat that was waiting for a guest. He walked towards it and saw the owner of the boat. Seeing that there was a guest, he smiled and welcomed him, "Dear guest, are you a husband heading to the province to take the examinations?"
"How did you know?"
"Just by looking at your attire, I can tell. Besides, I've already booked a boat for a few other husbands. My boat is very deep, and I've prepared two sacks of watermelons. My dear guests, you can enjoy the watermelons on your journey."
"The boat fare isn't much. There are beds and bedrooms, and the food is fresh. A good room only costs one tael of silver."
This price wasn't cheap, but Pei Zi Yun wasn't interested in saving a few hundred coins. He had earned four thousand taels of silver, and had given his mother three thousand taels of silver. In reality, he still had a thousand taels of silver on him. Even if he had used some, it wouldn't have been more than ten taels of silver. He then said, "Then let's book a good room …. Shall we depart now?"
"Husband, the boat isn't full yet, and we have to wait for a few more guests."
"We will depart this afternoon."
Of course, if Pei Zi Yun wanted to book the boat, he could depart immediately. However, Pei Zi Yun didn't want to waste time like that. He then said, "Alright, I shall head to the hotel and have a meal. Call me when you depart."
He was talking about a hotel about fifty meters away, and the captain acknowledged.
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