In the Ruyi Square, Magistrate Dong sat on a chair and leisurely sipped tea. The man in embroidered robes walked around the shop, his gaze never leaving the calligraphy on the wall.
A few guards stood at the door and occasionally glanced at the young man in the room. Their eyes were full of surprise.
Professor Feng was not too surprised. Although this Li Yi's personality was mischievous, his talent was real. No one could deny this. Official Yan's plaque was for sure this time.
As the man in embroidered robes walked around, he couldn't help but click his tongue in surprise.
These paintings were strange and unconventional. He had never seen such a painting technique in his life. However, what shocked him was the various poems inscribed on the paintings.
Good calligraphy. The person who inscribed these poems was definitely a master in calligraphy. If it wasn't for the fact that he was very familiar with the calligraphy of the few famous calligraphy masters in the Jing Kingdom, he would certainly have thought that the other person was one of them.
"Young man, did these paintings really come from your hands?" The man in embroidered robes still couldn't believe that the master he had wanted to meet was actually such a young man. He looked at Li Yi and asked.
Li Yi raised his hands in a salute and said, "I had nothing better to do, so I casually wrote and drew. Please excuse me, sir."
Magistrate Dong had already introduced him earlier. The person in front of him was a high-ranking official from the capital. Although he didn't know his position, he was certainly much more important than a small county officer like him. He couldn't be lacking in the necessary etiquette.
"I had nothing better to do, so I casually wrote and drew …"
A rare blush appeared on the man in embroidered robes's face. He had studied this field for more than 20 years, but he couldn't even compare to a young man who casually wrote and drew … in front of an old friend, this old face was a bit embarrassing.
Originally, he had thought that if there really was an unknown master hiding in Qing An Fu, he would definitely not miss this opportunity. He would prepare gifts, pay a visit, and receive some guidance. Perhaps then, he would break through the difficult situation that he had been stuck in for a few years. However, the master had been changed to a young person, so naturally, it wasn't so easy to ask for guidance.
Seeing the conflicted expression on his face, Prefectural Magistrate Dong found it funny and said, "If I remember correctly, Brother Yan just said that if the words on the signboard were truly written by County Lieutenant Li, I should eat it. I wonder if Assistant Minister Yan's words still count?"
"Of course it counts." The man in embroidered robes snorted coldly and said, "My words have always carried enormous weight. When have I ever gone back on my word?"
"Guo Jiang, take down that signboard. We'll use it to accompany the wine when we get back!" He strode to the door and ordered a guard.
The guard didn't hesitate either. He leaped up and tapped twice on the wall. His entire body climbed onto the signboard, and he quickly removed the signboard with the words "Ruyi Square" written on it. He held the signboard firmly as he jumped to the ground.
The action of tearing down the plaque was done in one go, natural and smooth. It was obvious that this was not the first time he had done this.
This scene made Professor Feng's jaw drop. Magistrate Dong helplessly rubbed the space between his brows. Based on his personality, he should have known, he should have known …
When he was in the capital, he didn't know how many plaques had been taken down by him. It was to the extent that people who had hired a master to inscribe their inscriptions would take down their plaques and hide them at night to prevent them from being stolen at night …
He probably had his eyes on this signboard from the very beginning.
Magistrate Dong looked up to the sky and sighed. If he had known earlier, he would have taken the initiative to gain the upper hand. He wouldn't have let this fellow have it so easily. One had to know that he had his eyes on this signboard a long time ago …
As for asking Li Yi to specially inscribe his inscription, with his status, he couldn't bring himself to do it.
"It's rare to come across such a good dish to go with wine today. Brother Wen Yun, take your time and drink your tea. I'll make a move first!" The man in embroidered robes laughed heartily and strode out.
"Stealing in broad daylight. Yan, do you still have any shame?" Magistrate Dong shouted from inside the room.
"Haha, how can the affairs of a scholar be described as' stealing '?" The man in embroidered robes laughed wildly.
The guard carrying the signboard followed closely behind the man in embroidered robes. Under Li Yi's astonished gaze, he disappeared into the crowd.
He tore down the signboard just like that. He didn't even ask for the shop owner's opinion. Wasn't he being too damn direct?
He even said he was a high-ranking official from the capital. Were all officials in the capital like this?
"Haha, that's his personality. He's obsessed with calligraphy and has torn down countless signboards in his life. Now that this signboard is in his hands, I'm afraid he won't be able to get it back." Magistrate Dong stood up and said somewhat helplessly, "I will compensate you for the losses here."
What else could Li Yi say? In the Jing Kingdom, from the Emperor and Princess to the low-ranking officials, they were all the same. They liked to take other people's things for free. You can take away the signboard, but at the very least, you should at least show some appreciation, right?
Li Yi quickly got what he wanted. A man walked in and placed a piece of paper on the table. He said, "This is my lord's name card. If you come to the capital, you can use this name card to find him at the Yan Manor."
At first, Li Yi thought it was a banknote. After looking at it for a while, he found that there was nothing on the paper except for the word "Yan". Was this the so-called name card?
There wasn't even a complete name. It was extremely sloppy. Although the shop owner didn't accept money when the signboard was made, he wouldn't have exchanged it for such a useless piece of paper.
He casually threw the piece of paper on the table. The signboard had been taken away by that guy. It seemed that he wouldn't be able to get it back. After a while, when the Ruyi Workshop reopened, he would have to order another one …
Professor Feng saw that Li Yi didn't think much of Sir Yan's name card and reminded him, "Don't underestimate this name card. Sir Yan is an assistant minister of the Ministry of Personnel. The appointment, dismissal, examination, promotion, and transfer of civil officials are all handled by the Ministry of Personnel. Making friends with Sir Yan won't be bad for your future promotion."
Li Yi didn't know the background of the man in embroidered robes, but Professor Feng couldn't be clearer about it. The Yan family was considered a large family in the Jing Kingdom. Many people in the family held high positions and were deeply trusted by His Majesty. Making friends with the Yan family would certainly make his career much smoother.
Although the two of them didn't see eye to eye, Professor Feng only disliked him for not making progress. This was the professional quality of being a professor of the prefectural school. There were no personal grudges. His kind reminder this time was only in the hope that he could change his bad habits and work hard to obtain scholarly honors. Serving the country as soon as possible was the right path.
Li Yi didn't expect Professor Feng to say these words to him. Seeing the sincerity in his tone, he was slightly moved. Although the two of them didn't get along, it was undeniable that Professor Feng was a true gentleman. Putting away the name card, Li Yi bowed to him with a solemn expression and said, "I'll remember it."
"You're worth teaching," Professor Feng's expression softened and he said with satisfaction when he saw the change in him.
He had once again guided a young man with limitless potential from the wrong path to the right path. He felt a great sense of accomplishment.
This was the most talented and capable young man he had ever seen. Professor Feng really didn't want him to live a mediocre life, so he said again, "With your talent, it's a waste of your talent to be a mere county lieutenant. I have many friends in the capital who can write a few recommendation letters for you. You can go out and visit them. Coupled with your relationship with Sir Yan, if they jointly recommend you to His Majesty, I'm afraid you'll definitely become a county magistrate. As long as you work hard and make some achievements, there's a high chance that you'll be transferred to the capital in ten years. Within twenty years, it's not impossible for you to be in the imperial court."
Professor Feng's spittle flew everywhere as he spoke. It was as if his blood was about to boil.
"Cough, thank you, Professor Feng. It's just that I've yet to recover from my injuries. Let's talk about this another time …" Li Yi said awkwardly as he covered his chest and coughed a few times.
"What do you mean we'll talk about it in the future? Young man, how can you be so ignorant …" Professor Feng frowned and reprimanded him again, "We are scholars, and it is our duty to serve the country …"
Li Yi rubbed his slightly swollen head. This old man, here he comes again …
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