The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 227 - 120 Playing the Flute (Please Subscribe)_3

Chapter 227: Chapter 120 Playing the Flute (Please Subscribe)_3

Scholar spoke leisurely: "Qiuyuan, you and I are friends in modest circumstances, let’s dispense with the formalities. You’ve never been one to have much money, so inviting me to the finest floating boat on Huai River to drink wine, you must need something. Just say what it is, I’ll do it if I can, and if not, I’ll find someone who can."

Feng Xifeng laughed: "Speaking with Wenyuan is indeed refreshing. I understand that on this return, Brother Wenyuan is here to participate in the South Zhili provincial examination, to enter the Court with a legitimate status. And it is for this matter that I worry about you."

Upon hearing this, Scholar fell into contemplation, then with a burning gaze turned to Feng Xifeng: "I heard that Qiuyuan’s future son-in-law is also taking part in the provincial examination. Wouldn’t you be worried that my relationship with Shen Junshan could block the way for the younger generation?"

As he spoke, he picked up his wine cup, downed it in one gulp, and followed with a light smile: "A father-in-law as a Five Classics Leader, a son-in-law as a Five Classics Leader, that would indeed be a splendid tale."

He not only knew that Xu Qing would participate in the provincial examination, but also that both Xu Qing and himself based their studies on "The Book of Changes", making them very real rivals.

Feng Xifeng coldly laughed: "Wenyuan, do you really think so poorly of me, Feng Xifeng?"

Seeing his friend get angry, Scholar hesitated, and asked: "What then is your meaning?"

Feng Xifeng: "Wenyuan, you are a smart yet conceited man. Participating in this examination, because of your ties with Shen Junshan, you would surely not display your full abilities, to avoid scoring too high and drawing attention, attracting trouble, right?"

Upon hearing this, Scholar was startled and said: "How can one casually relinquish the pursuits of fame and achievement? You think too highly of me."

Feng Xifeng: "Had this been ten years ago, you definitely wouldn’t yield. These years, having served at Yanyue Hall, surely you understand the principle of concealing one’s abilities to protect oneself."

Scholar’s expression changed slightly, he sighed: "Well done, Feng Qiuyuan, you’ve really figured out what’s at the bottom of my heart."

Feng Xifeng laughed heartily: "Wenyuan, you’re so muddled."

"How am I muddled, and only you, Feng Qiuyuan, are clever, right?" Scholar couldn’t help but retort.

Feng Xifeng shook his head: "If you’re hiding your talents, why go to the Capital, why be a staff member at Yanyue Hall? Getting involved in such major affairs and still thinking of keeping to yourself? Let me tell you, if we are to achieve great things and climb upwards, we either reach the mountaintop, or else tread in error and shatter to pieces. If you undertake great things, and yet cherish your own safety, it’s better not to do anything at all. With your wit, had you just taken care of yourself from the start, wouldn’t it be possible to eventually become a Governor of a province, retiring in peace?"

Scholar remained silent for a long while, then said: "Qiuyuan, you are right. I... indeed have stayed too long in the Capital, forgetting what I truly want."

Feng Xifeng: "In this provincial examination, not only can you not hide your talents, but you must also give it your all, and then..."

Scholar: "And then what?"

Feng Xifeng smiled faintly: "Then become a stepping stone for my future son-in-law."

"You... you jerk." Scholar couldn’t restrain his curse.

Feng Xifeng: "Look, you’re impatient again."

Scholar took a sip of tea to calm himself, and then said: "Do you think your future son-in-law has the abilities to surpass me in scholarly works?"

Feng Xifeng: "Beyond a certain level, it’s impossible to distinguish the quality of literature. But he has one advantage over you."

"What’s that?"

"That boy might not necessarily understand essay writing better than you, but he definitely understands people better."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Xu Qing is not just a scholar. In his nature, he carries the spirit of a knight-errant and an assassin. You should know about this."

"I have heard something of it."

"Do you recall that passage from Warring States Strategy about Zhao Xiangzi and Jing Ke?"

Scholar was well-versed in historical anecdotes, how could he not know about Jing Ke, and he said: "Jing Ke served commander Zhi Bo, attempted multiple times to assassinate Zhao Xiangzi in order to avenge Zhi Bo, and when captured, said that since ordinary people treated him well, he repaid them in kind; but as for Zhi Bo, who treated him as a National Hero, he too repaid as a National Hero."

At this point, Scholar paused and was taken aback, "This young man has such courage."

"The message ends here, Wenyuan. Think it over well when you return."

Scholar contemplated: "If he truly surpasses me in scholarly works and does not become the Five Classics Leader, I too will certainly not be content."

Feng Xifeng: "Good."

...

...

"Ordinary people treated me well, thus I repay ordinary people; National Heroes treated me as a National Hero, thus I repay as a National Hero." Shen Mo, the chief examiner of the South Zhili provincial examination, was currently residing in Examination Hall, declining outside visitors.

At this moment, he received a letter from an old acquaintance.

He was accompanied by two Embroidered Guards, day and night.

However, the two Embroidered Guards merely glanced at the letter and said nothing.

The content did not reveal much.

And their task this time was to supervise the chief examiner, Shen Mo, merely reporting major oversights to their superiors; minor things should not be grasped too tightly to avoid irritation.

After all, he was the Grand Secretary’s favorite student, and would soon enter the Cabinet.

Though Embroidered Guard doesn’t fear the Outer Court, they too have families, they too mingle in the Capital, often seeing each other.

To truly give their all for the Lord, the Lord must first take notice.

"What does Xie Wenyuan mean by writing this to me?" Shen Mo pondered carefully.

He naturally knew the source of the proverb, but what secrets might it hold?

He looked again at the sentence that followed.

"I hope that Shen Jun will be fair and just in this provincial examination, with discerning eyes."

This was common discourse, nothing remarkable.

Shen Mo looked at this sentence and felt an indescribable discomfort.

"Fair and just, with discerning eyes?"

He chewed over the words repeatedly until, suddenly understanding, he laughed and slapped the table: "Good one, Xie Wenyuan, taking me on such a roundabout."

"The great state examination for selecting talents cannot be influenced by the opinions of scholars." He sent an Embroidered Guard out with a message on his behalf.

He thought to himself: "This young phoenix from Jiangning does indeed have a bit of tiger’s character, it seems this man is indeed useful."

"You have such ambition, and if your academic level suffices, let this official see if you truly are unafraid of trials by fire."

He had originally thought that a young man of merely Scholar status stirring up the waters, full of pride and without experience, might not yet be of good material.

It could be useful to press him and then extend a helping hand at a critical moment for his own use.

But unexpectedly, he exhibited such fierce resolve.

Good, let’s see if you can endure it.

Whether you are indeed a true National Hero!