Chapter 169 (2/2)
Fan Xian shook his head and laughed ”The exams are finished, and I did not want to stay in o out for a walk I knew that Yang Wanli was staying in this tavern, so I ca at this table and listening to your high-minded discussions, I know this trip was not made in vain”
The scholars could not help but feel their e back on how they ran their mouths in front of one of the land's most eminent scholars, they felt ridiculous Even the proud and arrogant Hou Jichang forced a smile ”It's all Wanli's fault; he was drunk this whole ti Jialin finallyJialin” When he thought of how it seeet closer to one of the palace's favorites, Cheng Jialin, scholar of Shandong Road, felt inexplicably nervous, and he spoke haltingly
Everyone was stumped Then they suddenly noticed the error in his speech, and couldn't help but laugh Cheng Jialin's face went red, and henobody could hear Thankfully this peal of laughter had diluted some of their shock
Hearing that young Master Fan had co Wanli couldn't help but feel puzzled and somewhat overwhel Master Fan?”
Thankfully, all of the to keep him to themselves, they all stayed quiet so as not to let any of the other scholars drinking in the tavern know that the young Master Fan that they had all talked about for days on end was right beside them in this very establishment Otherwise, there would no doubt be chaos
Fan Xian had originally only co Wanli, but he had not expected such a situation Naturally he did not want to say much He smiled ”Anyway, it see” He turned to shi+ Chanli ”And half an umbrella connects me with you, brother And to you, Brother Hou,” he said, turning to him, ”it seems ere fated to brush past one another So, brothers, there are a few things I wish to call your attention to”
As he said this, Cheng Jialin, who he had notalso could not keep a calreat prospects for their careers To have Fan Xian - the proctor of the civil service exams - appear before them roused their suspicions; what he had to say was no doubt of the ut his next words ”Court examinations are on the first of March You should prepare yourselves”
They were shocked, and within their sleeves, they could not stop their hands froh the words sounded nor Fan Xian was a favorite of the royal court, and he had the Prime Minister and Count Sinan behind him If anyone knew in advance the names that would be on the list of third-rank candidates, Fan Xian would be one of the people with that authority Since he had told them to prepare for the court exams, then that er to his lips in a gesture to silence them He smiled ”It is not certain I have just co was somewhat despondent ”Minister Guo is ies to the list of na and Brother shi+ - I cannot remember if your names are on it,” he replied quietly ”But Brother Hou and Brother Yang, yours certainly are” Hou and Yang were both elated, and unable to contain their pride, they stood up and bowed deeply to Fan Xian, knowing that the young official had chosen the as they had the a Jialin and shi+ Chanli were somewhat disappointed, but as Fan Xian had said he couldn't reht that the next day ht still end well
The tavern was clearly not a suitable place for conversation Yang Wanli respectfully asked Fan Xian to come to his room and offered him tea After a while, he finally spoke ”Master Fan, I have no money, no authority, no mouth, and no face I truly do not knohat I could have done to deserve your attention, nor do I knohy you chose to take such a risk in infor me”
”Noscholars who felt powerless and miserable about their lack of social connections Fan Xian smiled and shook his head ”As the exam system is now, everyone knows that while the list of third-rank names has not been released, it has already mostly been decided As for why i came here today, it is because I feared that you would abandon yourself to despair, cast aside your books, and give up everything If you lost face in the hall, I would perhaps lose face too You should know that outside that exam hall,you that I have taken a few risks in this matter, but there was no harm in it”
Today, the examiners of the capital were all anxious When Fan Xian said there was no risk, the scholars were inevitably astounded
Now, these cleverThey looked at each other, and Hou Jichang bowed ”You haveWanli also bowed, and even shi+ Chanli and Cheng Jialin got up and bowed
Fan Xian looked at the four scholars, ere all some years older than hihed ”I am not my father-in-law, nor am I Minister Guo I have money, and in the future I shall have more money, so do not worry I only care about your scholarshi+p and your morals As for what happens after the court exa as you are loyal and diligent in ood of the nation, then I will know I have not ed you, and I will be pleased”
His words arreat coldness underneath The four of the the subject, Fan Xian asked why He Zongwei had not attended the exams They told hihed and took his leave
As he left and cli Zijing ”Why do I feel so unaccusto Qinian, ever the coe ”Because, master, deep down, you are a scholar, not a master”