As it turned out, the conversation at the table had shifted from officialdom to literature. Naturally, it was inevitable that they would talk about Sir Fan, who had shocked the world with his poetry last year. Fan Xian pretended to hold the wine cup and sip it, but he was prepared. If this guy dared to say one bad word about him, he would throw the cup of wine in his hand out to relieve his anger.
Unexpectedly, Shi Chanli stood up. His face was flushed like a peach blossom, and he began to recite mushy words. Tears streamed down his face as he said, "I've been reading the Banxianzhai Poetry Anthology for months. How can I read other people's poems? How can I have the courage to pick up my brush and write again? Although there are a few poems that I find strange, with Sir Fan before me, how can I be a little Shi? How sad, how sad. "
Fan Xian beamed, thinking of those lovely people who criticized their leaders for not taking care of their rest.
Hou Jichang, however, said disapprovingly, "Poetry is outside the realm. What can it do to govern the country?" Having said this, he turned to Fan Xian, who had been cold all day, and asked for help. "What do you think, Sir Fan?" He couldn't help but look at Fan Xian again. "Oh, it's you!"
Fan Xian was shocked again. Had he been recognized? The lighting in the exam hall was not very bright. Aside from people like Yang Wanli, who dared to look him in the eye and talk to him with his eyes, not many people dared to look at the examiner's face.
Hou Jichang's next words came very quickly. "Earlier, when I was buying wine, I brushed shoulders with Sir Fan."
Fan Xian immediately remembered that this was the scholar who had carried the two pots of wine. For some reason, such a small matter made Hou Jichang seem much more friendly toward Fan Xian, and he began to speak enthusiastically. Not only did Fan Xian find it strange, even Shi Chanli was a little confused.
"Sir Fan and Sir Fan are of the same school. Why don't you tell us what you think of Sir Fan's Banxianzhai Poetry Anthology?"
"I'm just borrowing from others." No matter how thick-skinned Fan Xian was, he couldn't bring himself to praise himself in front of others.
Who knew that Shi Chanli would become angry when he heard this? He put down his chopsticks and said, "Is Sir Fan the same as Master Zhuang? I thought highly of Zhuang Mohan's character, but I didn't expect him to be such a muddle-headed scoundrel. Master Fan, if you're less educated, you shouldn't say such ridiculous things. "
Fan Xian was startled. Only now did he realize that he had long since established an unbreakable position in the hearts of the Kingdom of Qing's scholars. He smiled shyly, not knowing what to say. Seeing that Fan Xian was speechless, Shi Chanli became tipsy and jokingly scolded, "You are both young masters of the Fan family. How can there be such a big gap between you?"
…
…
At this moment, Yang Wanli finally woke up under Cheng Jialin's care. The first thing he saw was Fan Xian's beautiful face. He was quite frightened. He quickly stood up and bowed to Fan Xian. "Sir Fan … why are you here?"
"Master Fan? Which Master Fan? "The other three men at the table were confused. They didn't know why Yang Wanli was so nervous.
Yang Wanli smiled bitterly. "This is the person I mentioned earlier, Sir Fan junior, who let the students into the examination hall … Brother Shi, don't you like Banxianzhai poems the most? Hurry up and pay your respects. "
Only now did Shi Chanli realize that the person he had just scolded was Fan Xian himself! The intense shock made him jump up from his chair. He didn't know whether to bow to Fan Xian or not. He looked very awkward. Even Hou Jichang and Cheng Xilin, who were much calmer, had their mouths wide open. They looked at Fan Xian, not knowing what to say.
Fan Xian had long since become a first-class figure in the hearts of the world's scholars. Later, he married the Prime Minister's daughter and became a fifth-level scholar at the Imperial College at the age of 17. No matter how one looked at it, he was the object of the scholars' envy. And his Banxianzhai poems had long since become popular. The image of the red light floating above the clouds had become one with the name Fan Xian.
Fan Xian smiled a little embarrassedly. "What? So surprised to see a living person? "
Hou Jichang was the first to wake up. He smiled bitterly. "So you are Sir Fan junior. I apologize for my lack of manners earlier."
Shi Chanli's eyes shone. He bowed deeply to Fan Xian and said sincerely, "Thanks to Brother Yang, I was actually able to meet Sir Fan junior today. It is truly a great fortune."
Fan Xian shook his head and smiled. "The examination is over. I don't want to stay in the manor forever, so I came out for a walk. I knew that Yang Wanli was staying in this inn, so I came to find him. I didn't expect my luck to be so good. Earlier at the table, I listened to your wise words. It was not a wasted trip."
The crowd couldn't help but feel ashamed. They thought back to how they had talked and talked in front of this great scholar. Now that they thought about it, it was indeed a little absurd. Even the proud Hou Jichang smiled bitterly. "It's all Wanli's fault. He was drunk all along."
At that moment, Cheng Xilin, who had been speaking slowly, finally introduced himself. "Sir Fan, my surname is Cheng. Cheng Xilin." Thinking that he might be able to form a relationship with this popular figure of the court, Cheng Xilin, the scholar of Shandong Road, felt inexplicably nervous. He stuttered.
Everyone was startled. Soon after, they heard the mistake in his words. They couldn't help but burst into laughter. Cheng Xilin's face also reddened. He mumbled, not knowing what to say. Fortunately, his laughter diluted some of the shock in everyone's hearts.
Hearing that Sir Fan junior had come to find him, Yang Wanli couldn't help but feel a little puzzled and flattered. "What orders do you have, Sir Fan junior?"
Fortunately, these people all knew what they were doing, and most of them still had the selfish thought of putting the treasure on their table. So they didn't make a ruckus. The students inside and outside the inn continued to drink and make merry. No one knew that Sir Fan junior, who was often mentioned, was in the inn at that moment. Otherwise, there would have been a great deal of noise and excitement.
Fan Xian had originally just wanted to give Yang Wanli a hint, but he hadn't expected such a situation. Naturally, it wasn't appropriate to talk about it. He smiled and said, "No matter what, Brother Yang and I are fated to share a robe." He turned to Shi Chanli and said, "Brother Yang and I are fated to share a robe." He then turned to Hou Jichang and said, "Brother Hou and I are fated to meet, so there are some things I would like to remind you all."
As soon as these words came out, even Cheng Xilin, who had not been named, became nervous. Hou Jichang could no longer maintain his calm expression. Every scholar wanted a good future, and this Sir Fan junior was the censor of this year's civil service examination. Now that he had come here without avoiding suspicion, what he had to say was naturally very important.
Fan Xian paused and considered his words. "The court examinations will be held on the first of March. You should all make some preparations."
The students were shocked, and their hands, hidden in their sleeves, could not help but tremble. These words seemed ordinary, but the hidden meaning was shocking. Sir Fan junior was a popular figure in the court, and behind him was the Prime Minister, Count Sinan. If anyone could know the list of the top three ahead of time, Fan Xian certainly had the right to do so. Since he had asked everyone to prepare for the Palace Examination, that meant... they would definitely make the list!
Fan Xian put a finger to his lips and made a gesture for silence. He smiled and said, "Not necessarily. I'm just here to remind you all."
Hou Jichang said absentmindedly, "Minister Guo has been arrested and imprisoned. The list will certainly change."
Fan Xian quietly replied, "I don't remember Brother Cheng and Brother Shi, but Brother Hou and Brother Yang will definitely make it." Hou and Yang were overjoyed. No longer boasting, they stood up and bowed deeply to Fan Xian. They knew that from now on, the two of them were definitely going to worship this young teacher, unless they did not want to have a broad official career and a prosperous future.
Cheng Xilin and Shi Chanli were slightly disappointed, but they thought that Sir Fan junior just didn't remember clearly, and that there would not be a good result tomorrow. They comforted themselves.
It was clear that the inn was no longer a suitable place to talk. Yang Wanli respectfully invited Fan Xian into his room and then served him good tea. After a while, he sincerely said, "Sir Fan junior, I have no money, no power, no mouth, and no face. I really do not know how I could gain your favor, and I do not know why you would take the risk to come and tell me this news."
The words "no money, no power, no reputation, and no reputation" really spoke of the bitterness and powerlessness of those without connections. Fan Xian smiled and shook his head. "You all know the state of the examination field of Qing. Although the list of the top three has not yet come out, it has generally been decided. As for why I have come today, it is because I am afraid that you will give up on yourself. You will not review your studies, and you will not respond. If you lose face in the Palace, I am afraid that my face will not be good either. You must know that outside the exam hall, many people saw me let you in. I might as well say that I have taken a small risk, but it does not matter. "
Today, the examiners in the capital were all frightened and uneasy, but Fan Xian said it did not matter. The students could not help but be surprised.
Now that things had come to this, these clever people naturally understood the meaning of Fan Xian's visit. They looked at each other, and Hou Jichang bowed first. "Thank you, teacher." Yang Wanli bowed again. Even Shi Chanli and Cheng Xilin were no longer sitting, and bowed to Fan Xian.
Fan Xian looked at the four scholars who were a few years older than him, and he could not help but feel a little strange. He smiled. "I am not the father-in-law of the Prime Minister's manor, and I am not Minister Guo. Besides, I have money, and I will have even more money in the future, so you do not need to worry. I only value your talent and virtue. As for after the palace examination, you will enter the court as officials. As long as you are loyal, diligent, and work for the benefit of the country, I am sure that I have not misjudged you. Naturally, I will be happy."
These words were very gentle, but they were very cold. The four were shocked, and they agreed sincerely. After chatting for a while, Fan Xian found out that the reason He Zongwei did not participate in the spring examination was because of the death of an elder in his family. He sighed a few times, and then took his leave.
After leaving and getting into the carriage, Fan Xian frowned and said to Teng Zijing, "Why am I still not used to doing this?"
Wang Qinian appeared in the carriage at the right time, and replied softly, "Because deep down, you are still a scholar, not an adult."
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