Early in the morning, Tang Shen arrived at the Fu Residence, where Wen Shu, the page boy, was already waiting for him.

Tang Shen was surprised, “So early?”

Wen Shu quipped, “Tang gongzi, as you know, sir is getting older. He doesn’t have much else to do each day, so he sleeps and wakes up early. He just finished admiring a pot of roses sent by Yao daren. Right now, he’s having breakfast in the flower hall.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

After Tang Shen entered the flower hall, Fu Wei greeted him warmly, “Young lad, go fetch another pair of bowls and chopsticks for Jing Ze. Jing Ze, have you had your breakfast?”

Tang Shen replied, “Yes.”

Fu Wei asked, “Stuffed?”

Tang Shen was puzzled, “???”

“No.”

Fu Wei waved his sleeves, “Then fetch another pair of bowl and chopsticks. Sit down, Jing Ze.”

Tang Shen: “…”

Fu Wei and Tang Shen sat together at the round table and started having breakfast. Unlike in Gusu, breakfast in Shengjing included porridge, side dishes, and some pastries and fried foods. After they finished breakfast, Wang Zifeng arrived.

Tang Shen hadn’t expected Fu Wei to invite Wang Zifeng today as well. Seeing his prized disciple, Fu Wei remarked, “Zi Feng, you’re a bit late. We’ve finished eating.”

Unlike their previous meeting where he wore a crisp crimson official robe, today Wang Zifeng was dressed in a silk satin long shirt. Servants cleared away the empty bowls and plates from the table, and the three of them moved to the study.

There was no incense burning in the hollow incense burner at the center of the study. Surprisingly, Wang Zifeng took out a box of aloeswood from a drawer, trimmed one end lightly, placed it in the incense burner, and lit it.

Soon, the study was filled with the fragrance of aloeswood. Fu Wei sat at the head, with Wang Zifeng and Tang Shen sitting to his left and right.

Tang Shen looked at Wang Zifeng opposite him and said, “Senior Brother Wang.”

Wang Ziruo replied, “Just call me Zi Feng. How did you like the pastries from Caiqi Villa?”

Tang Shen answered, “They were indeed delicious. I had my servant buy some to bring back home to taste.”

Fu Wei looked at the two of them, “Oh, have there been some things between you two that I’m not aware of?”

Tang Shen was about to explain when Wang Zifeng interjected, “Sir has summoned both of us here for a reason?”

Fu Wei remembered the main matter and immediately straightened up. He first looked at Tang Shen, “Jing Ze, you have a little over four months until the autumn exam. Are you confident?”

In the entire Great Song, the two most difficult places to take exams were the Jiangnan Academy and the Shengjing Imperial College. Tang Shen had just left the wolf’s den and entered the tiger’s mouth. Moreover, the xiangshi exam was the third most difficult of the three imperial exam stages. Every year, tens of thousands of candidates come to Shengjing to participate in the exam, but only a hundred of them are recruited, with a very high elimination rate.

However, with the golden finger of perfect memory, and some unique insights and views of his own on the eight-legged essay examination system, Tang Shen was 90 percent confident that he would be able to become a juren. But it would be very difficult to get a good placement in the ranks, and he didn’t dare to make promises.

Tang Shen: “As a student, I will do my utmost.”

Fu Wei thought to himself that this was not a good sign, feeling that Tang Shen might not be very confident. Wang Zhen, however, said nothing. He picked up his teacup, gently brushed the surface of the tea with the lid to diffuse the strong aroma, and took a sip.

Fu Wei and Liang Song were both among the four great scholars of the empire. Over the years, Liang Song had taken in many students, while Fu Wei was more selective, only taking in Wang Zifeng. Twelve years ago, Wang Zhen still often sought knowledge from Fu Wei. By the time he was past twelve, at fourteen, Wang Zhen had achieved the honor of sanyuan in the tongshi examination that year. Two years later, he passed the xiangshi examination and gained the honor of jieyuan. The following year, he became the zhuangyuan.

He was the first person in this dynasty to achieve the top three ranks in all three imperial examinations.

Liang Song was a teacher with numerous students across the land. As for Fu Wei, he truly didn’t have much teaching experience.

Back then, Wang Zhen didn’t cause him any worry. Now, thinking about it, Fu Wei realized that Tang Shen came from a rural background, and his conditions for studying were naturally not as good as those of the Wang family from Langya. His foundation was inherently weaker than Zi Feng’s. The fact that he could achieve the top ranks in Gusu’s tongshi examination showed his exceptional talent. But to achieve the top rank for the xiangshi or even become the zhuangyuan within a few short years was as difficult as climbing to the heavens. Perhaps if Tang Shen waited another three years, he could achieve a good rank, but now, at just fifteen years old, expecting him to become the zhuangyuan like Wang Zhen was indeed too demanding.

Fu Wei sighed and asked, “How are things at the Imperial College?”

Tang Shen: “The lecturers and professors have all been very kind to me, thanks in large part to Senior Brother Zi Feng’s earlier recommendation letter.”

Hearing “Senior Brother Zi Feng,” Wang Zhen’s hand paused slightly while brushing the tea. He looked at Tang Shen and said, “No need for such formalities, Junior Brother.”

Fu Wei turned to Wang Zhen: “Is the Ministry of Revenue busy these days?”

Wang Zhen smiled: “The country is at peace, the borders are free of conflict; officials are dutiful, and there are no reports of corruption. It is not the end of the year, so if you want me to say we are not busy, I will say we are not busy. However, while the Ministry of Revenue is not busy, I am somewhat occupied.”

Fu Wei: “What are you busy with?”

Wang Zhen: “Playing with birds and watering flowers. Whatever sir is busy with, I’m busy with too.”

Fu Wei: “…”

Fu Wei gave Wang Zhen a look: Your new junior brother is here, give your teacher some face.

Wang Zhen sipped his tea and didn’t respond.

Tang Shen observed the interaction between the teacher and student, suddenly realizing something. Could it be that Fu Wei wanted Wang Zhen to teach him?

As the saying goes, an elder brother is like a father. It’s not uncommon throughout history for senior brothers to teach in place of the teacher. But Tang Shen saw that Wang Zhen had no intention of teaching him, and in truth he wasn’t bothered. He was quite wary of Wang Zifeng now, and if they faced each other daily, he didn’t want to risk offending Wang Zifeng at some point.

Tang Shen said, “Regarding the xiangshi, I have confidence.”

Fu Wei: “Oh?”

Tang Shen noticed Wang Zhen also put down his cup, looking at him with interest. After thinking for a moment, he said, “The xiangshi examination has three sessions. The first session tests three essays and a five-character eight-rhyme poem; the second session tests five classical texts; the third session tests three policy questions. Except for the poem in the first session, the other eleven essays are all in the eight-legged essay format.”

Fu Wei: “That’s quite accurate.” He added indirectly, “Zi Feng’s eight-legged essays are excellent. Even Liang Bowen praised them highly back then.”

Tang Shen thought: The only person in our dynasty who won all three top ranks in the imperial exams, personally chosen by the emperor, his essays couldn’t be anything but good.

He continued, “I’ve always believed that the eight-legged essay isn’t without its rules.”

“Go on.”

“As everyone knows, the eight-legged essay is divided into eight parts: opening, amplification, preliminary exposition, etc., up to the conclusion. Many people think the xiangshi examination is the toughest of the three levels of the imperial exams, but I believe it’s the easiest to pass! Take Shengjing as an example. If ten thousand scholars take the exam each year, about two thousand will be eliminated right away due to improper handwriting, mistakes, or format issues.”

Wang Zhen suddenly said, “Continue.”

Tang Shen glanced at him: “That leaves eight thousand people. Each year, the chief examiner for the xiangshi exam must be a scholar from the Hanlin Academy, dispatched from the capital. In the end, no more than ten people will remain in Shengjing to grade the papers. Along with lower-ranked officials like education officials and book compilers, there are at most thirty people grading the papers. These thirty people have to finish grading ten thousand papers in three days. On average, each person grades one hundred papers per day. For the first session, each person would read three hundred essays and one hundred poems daily.”

Tang Shen changed his tone: “To err is human. If your handwriting is good, that’s half the battle. Then, as long as your essays are on-topic and avoid taboos, you have a fifty percent chance of passing! If you put effort into the opening and amplification to make a good impression, even if the rest is mediocre, you’ll still score well. So, sir, what I need to do is quite simple. For the eight-legged essay, I only need to focus on the first two parts. The rest, as long as they are not wrong, I should have no problem passing the exam.”

After Tang Shen finished speaking, the study fell silent for a moment.

Fu Wei recalled the boastful letters Liang Song had sent him. Indeed, his old friend had never lied; this student of his was truly outstanding, with limitless potential.

Fu Wei suddenly felt a desire to teach again. Personally grooming another high-ranking official would be far more interesting than playing with birds and watering flowers. If this were the modern world, he might describe his feeling with one concept: simulation game!

However, before Fu Wei could speak, Wang Zhen chuckled: “Junior Brother, what you said is not wrong, but your argument assumes that your handwriting is praised and your openings are impressive.”

Tang Shen was at a loss for words.

Theory is always rich, but reality is lean. He planned to use the scoring techniques of the college entrance exams in the modern world to take a shortcut, but he also couldn’t guarantee success.

Fu Wei: “What’s difficult about having good handwriting? Zi Feng’s handwriting is famous throughout the land…” All because I taught him well.

Before he could finish, Wang Zhen suddenly laughed: “Sir, you say my essays and handwriting are excellent, could it be you are asking me to teach my junior brother for you?”

Fu Wei: “Ai?”

Wang Zhen sighed: “If it’s sir’s order, I dare not refuse.”

Fu Wei: “…”

Tang Shen: “…”

Didn’t you just say you were busy playing with birds and watering flowers!

But Fu Wei didn’t refute Wang Zhen’s words. Compared to himself, having Tang Shen interact more with Zi Feng would probably be more beneficial for his future career.

After sending off the two students, Fu Wei grabbed a birdcage and instructed the page boy Fu Qin to find bird food for him. As he played with the canary in the cage, he recited a line: “The moths are like golden wisps of snow and willows? Liang Bowen, Liang Bowen, you sent your student to me, digging a big hole for me. How could I not understand your intentions? We’re old now, enjoying a peaceful life is best. Why get involved in those bothersome affairs again? This is the era of young people.”

Tang Shen left the Fu Residence, still feeling bewildered.

How come Fu Xiru and Wang Zifeng don’t follow common rules at all?

Before coming to Shengjing, Tang Shen thought for a long time about how to build a good relationship with Fu Wei and gradually approach Wang Zhen. Who knew that Fu Wei and Wang Zhen would hand him a pillow just as he was sleepy, the former sending the latter to his door, and the latter would also play along without refusal.

Tang Shen suddenly felt he might have misjudged them.

“They truly regard me as their student, as their junior brother!”

Tang Shen felt warm inside.

After leaving the Fu Residence, Wang Zhen asked, “Junior Brother, do you need a ride to the Imperial College? I can give you a lift.”

Tang Shen shook his head: “No need, Senior Brother Zi Feng, I have taken leave from the Imperial College today. I want to buy some things.”

Wang Zhen didn’t say much. He got on the carriage and said: “Then see you in a few days. You know where the Minister Residence is.”

Tang Shen asked: “Senior Brother, should I prepare anything for the visit? Perhaps write an essay or a poem for you to see my level?”

Tang Shen prepared himself to do a lot of coursework in the next few days.

But Wang Zhen said: “Just bring yourself.”

Tang Shen: “What?”

Wang Zhen smiled gracefully: “When you come to the Minister Residence, just bring yourself.”

Wang Zhen said so, but Tang Shen didn’t really take it to heart.

Wang Zifeng could become the zhuangyuan, even personally awarded the title “Unparalleled Scholar” by the emperor, because he was indeed very talented. Liang Song once said: “I’ve seen people with perfect memories before,” and it seemed that this person referred to Wang Zhen. Tang Shen also had a perfect memory, even able to recite texts backward, but this was a golden finger from the heavens after being reborn, which made him feel a bit guilty. Wang Zhen, however, possessed genuine talent and learning.

Tang Shen went home, first writing an eight-legged essay and then meticulously composing a test poem. After writing it once, he was still not satisfied and transcribed it multiple times with a fine brush before selecting the best two pieces in the guange text style.

At this time, Shopkeeper Lu arrived in Shengjing from Gusu.

Tang Shen settled him in his own courtyard.

Upon seeing him, Shopkeeper Lu said, “Everything is fine in Gusu. Those local gentry are just sycophants. When they heard that you came to Shengjing and apprenticed under Fu daru, the situation at Xiaxia Tower and Tang’s Logistics improved, with fewer underhanded tactics. Yao San said you called me to Shengjing to open a branch of Xiaxia Tower here? I thought a lot about it on the boat; Shengjing is near Liao and has plenty of cattle and sheep, so it is feasible!”

Tang Shen: “I do have this idea, but now I’m busy with the autumn exam. After the autumn exam, I’ll be busy with next year’s spring exam, so I can’t find the time.”

Shopkeeper Lu: “No hurry, little boss. Actually, I’m not in a hurry either. I’ll stay in Shengjing for now. We are outsiders here, so we need to understand the local ways before opening a shop. I’ll start by hiring a few workers from the middleman agency tomorrow and familiarize myself with Shengjing.”

Tang Shen smiled: “That sounds good.”

Three days later, Tang Shen took an essay and a test poem he had written to the Minister Residence.

The steward of the Minister Residence already knew his name and directly led him to the garden, saying that Wang Zhen was receiving guests and asked Tang Shen to wait a while. Tang Shen wandered around the garden, which had a manmade pond with over a dozen koi fish of various vibrant colors, all fat and well-fed, seemingly well-cared for.

The garden’s rockeries were jagged, flowers competed in beauty, and the willow trees by the pond stood independently, casting their reflections in the water.

After a while, a clear voice suddenly sounded behind him: “Mist envelops the cold water… moonlight shrouds the sand?”

Tang Shen was startled and turned around to see Wang Zhen walking from under the willow tree. The green willow buds brushed his shoulders and fell along his elegant white robe. Tang Shen composed himself and said, “Where did Senior Brother hear this from?” He then remembered, “I forgot, Senior Brother is from the Wang family of Langya and a native of Jinling.”

Wang Zhen opened his hand, and Tang Shen noticed that he was secretly holding a handful of fish food.

Tang Shen stared at him blankly, and Wang Zhen smiled, “Shall we feed the fish?”

Tang Shen could only take the fish food and scatter it into the pond with Wang Zhen.

The fish food caused ripples in the pond, and the koi scrambled for it. Tang Shen suddenly realized who had been feeding these koi so well.

As he threw the fish food, Wang Zhen asked, “What is the next line of this poem?”

Tang Shen hesitated and said, “Not far from a tavern I moor my boat in the Qinhuai at night.”

“And then?”

Tang Shen: “…”

Singsong girls, not knowing the bitterness of a conquered kingdom, sing gaily A Song of Courtyard Flowers on the river’s other side.

This was a poem about falling kingdoms!

Tang Shen: “…Then there’s no more. I saw it in a book that I can’t find now, and I don’t remember the second half.”

Wang Zhen: “What a pity.”

After feeding the fish, Tang Shen took out an essay and a test poem he had written. Wang Zhen was not surprised that he had written them in advance. He picked up Tang Shen’s writings and read them. After reading, he said, “Not bad.” Then he placed the papers aside and asked, “Little Junior Brother, have you thought about who will be the chief examiner for the xiangshi examination of Shengjing in four months?”

Tang Shen widened his eyes in shock and looked at Wang Zhen in disbelief.

What?! Is this a joke?

The exam hadn’t even started, and Wang Zifeng was already planning to open a back door for him to this extent?!

“It can’t be you, Senior Brother!”

Wang Zhen suddenly laughed. Tang Shen had grown quickly with good nutrition over the years, but he was still shorter than Wang Zhen by a head. Wang Zhen looked down at Tang Shen’s startled expression and found it both amusing and interesting. No matter how smart and quick-witted his little junior brother was, he couldn’t hide his thoughts from him and their teacher.

After all, he was just a handsome fifteen-year-old boy.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Wang Zhen poured all the fish food into the pond, thought seriously for a while, furrowed his brows as if troubled, and after a long sigh, said earnestly, “Although I’m not a Hanlin Academy scholar, if you really think so, I can try to compete for the position of chief examiner for this year’s autumn exams. However, since we’re fellow disciples, you should first ask our teacher to expel you from the school, so you won’t be disqualified from taking the exam because of me. With your guange style writing, I will definitely do my best to find your paper among the ten thousand, how about that?”

Wang Zhen smiled elegantly, but Tang Shen: “…”

Wang Zifeng is truly unreliable!

AN: Neighbor Wang: My junior brother is ultimately just a handsome fifteen-year-old boy.

Little Tang: You know I’m only fifteen?

Everyone: Beast!

If you would like to show some ♡  then please consider supporting this translator! ლ(⌒εー)ლ

Tang Shen felt a bit embarrassed. He looked up at Wang Zhen, momentarily unsure of what to do.

Wang Zhen smiled and said, “Junior Brother, shall we go?”

Tang Shen snapped out of it. “…Okay.”

The two of them got into the sedan chair, and Wang Zhen ordered, “To the Imperial College.” The sedan chair bearers lifted the chair and headed towards the Imperial College.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

The official system of the Song Dynasty mostly followed that of the previous dynasty, with strict regulations on the attire and lifestyle of officials. Officials without the proper rank could not use official lanterns or carriages beyond their grade. The sedan chair that a second-rank minister could use was very spacious, enough for two people to sit side by side without feeling crowded.

The streets of Shengjing were bustling with people and noise, but these sounds were kept outside the sedan chair. Tang Shen sat upright and proper.

The interior of the sedan chair was silent, with no one speaking.

As they passed by a street with snack shops, the cries of vendors could be heard outside. Wang Zhen opened his eyes and asked, “Have you had dinner?”

Tang Shen was taken aback and turned to look at him.

Even in the large sedan chair, the two were still quite close. Tang Shen turned his gaze away and, after adjusting, replied, “No, I haven’t.”

Wang Zhen instructed the sedan chair bearers, “Go to Caiqi Villa.”

The bearers responded, “Yes.”

Tang Shen was confused. Having just arrived in Shengjing, he had no idea what Caiqi Villa was. But since it seemed to be on the way, the bearers didn’t detour and continued straight. After a quarter of an hour, they stopped. After a short wait, the bearers handed in a package of pastries, still warm to the touch. Tang Shen opened it to find a packet of glutinous rice cakes, known as aiwowo.

Tang Shen immediately understood Wang Zhen’s intention, but he noticed that Wang Zhen had no intention of eating the pastries. Sensing something was amiss, Tang Shen carefully thought it over, then wrapped the aiwowo back up and said, “Senior Brother, how can I eat in your sedan chair?”

Wang Zhen looked at him and said, “I don’t mind.”

Tang Shen earnestly replied, “A gentleman doesn’t speak while eating or sleeping. Eating outside the dining hall is also impolite.”

Wang Zhen seemed a bit taken aback. He looked at Tang Shen for a while before smiling and saying, “Junior Brother, you are quite the character. Then let’s wait until your student records are sorted out to take the pastries back to eat. Caiqi Villa’s pastries are well-known in Shengjing. If you like them, you can try them again. They have many branches in Shengjing.”

“Since Senior Brother has recommended it, I will definitely try them.”

Soon, the sedan chair arrived at the Imperial College. Tang Shen followed Wang Zhen out of the chair.

Wang Zhen, still in his bright red official robes, was respectfully welcomed by the gatekeeper, who called for the dean. The dean was a portly old man with graying hair. Seeing Wang Zhen, he was surprised, greeted him, and said, “Wang daren.”

Wang Zhen returned the greeting, “Lin daren.”

“Wang daren has not visited the Imperial College for many days. What brings you here today? It is fortunate you came just in time, as I was about to leave. If you had come a bit later, only the few hundred students would have been here to greet you.”

Wang Zhen smiled, “I indeed have a favor to ask.” He stepped aside and said, “This is my Junior Brother, Tang Shen, courtesy name Jing Ze, from Gusu. He gained the honor of sanyuan in Gusu last year and is now here in Shengjing to study and participate in the autumn xiangshi exam in August. Can the Imperial College admit him as a student and transfer his student records?”

Dean Lin replied, “Naturally, it can be done. However, generally, gongsheng students entering the Imperial College require a recommendation letter.”

Tang Shen suddenly remembered that Fu Wei had mentioned writing him a recommendation letter but had forgotten to give it to him when he left Fu Residence. Tang Shen was about to say, “I’ll bring the recommendation letter tomorrow,” but before he could speak, Wang Zhen said, “I’ll write the recommendation letter.”

Dean Lin responded, “With a recommendation from Wang daren himself, there is naturally no issue.”

The three of them went to a study room where Dean Lin provided ink, paper, and brushes. Wang Zhen slightly rolled up his right sleeve, picked up an ink stick, added a bit of water to the inkstone, and started grinding the ink. Then, he selected a fine-tipped brush from the brush rack, dipped it in the ink, and began writing the recommendation letter.

Dean Lin commented, “Wang daren‘s calligraphy is elegant and vigorous, with a unique and upright style. I had the honor of seeing it half a year ago, and it remains as impressive as ever!”

Wang Zhen replied, “You flatter me, Lin daren.”

“It is the heartfelt truth.” 

This flattery was delivered by Dean Lin with a straight face, and did not faze Wang Zhen, who seemed to take it as a matter of course.

Tang Shen observed from the side, learning a bit from the interaction. Then, he quietly moved to the table and began grinding more ink.

When Wang Zhen finished writing two lines and needed more ink, he noticed Tang Shen grinding ink for him. He looked up at Tang Shen, who was focused on watching him write. Wang Zhen shifted his gaze, dipped his brush in the ink, and continued writing. In no time, he had finished the recommendation letter, dried the ink, and handed it to Dean Lin.

Dean Lin said, “That’s settled then. I will handle the student record matter. However, since the office has already closed for the day, I will transfer Tang gongzi‘s student record tomorrow.”

Wang Zhen suddenly said, “Transferring the student record from Gusu Prefecture might take a month.”

Dean Lin was taken aback. After thinking for a while, he asked, “What do you suggest, Wang daren?”

Wang Zhen hesitated, playing with his white fan, his fingers gently stroking the jade frame. “The Jiangnan Academy is not an impenetrable place. They lose one or two student records each year, which can simply be reissued. Sometimes records believed to be lost are found later, with no impact on the gongsheng students. The Imperial College is the holy land for cultivating the nation’s pillars. Focusing too much on student records is a failure of our official system.”

Dean Lin suddenly understood, “Tang gongzi’s student record will be at the Imperial College tomorrow.”

Wang Zhen smiled, “We’ll be leaving now, Lin daren.”

Dean Lin said, “Safe travels, Wang daren!”

Wang Zhen and Tang Shen left the Imperial College together.

Wang Zhen asked, “How long have you been in Shengjing? Do you have a place to stay?”

Tang Shen hadn’t yet recovered from the previous conversation. After a while, he said, “Yes, I live next to the Imperial College.”

Wang Zhen raised an eyebrow. “So you can go to classes at the Imperial College every day?”

“Yes.”

Wang Zhen said, “In that case, let me give you a ride.”

The two of them got back into the sedan chair, and Wang Zhen sent Tang Shen to the entrance of an alley. Tang Shen got out of the sedan and saw Wang Zhen use his white fan to lift the curtain. He said to Tang Shen, “Spring days linger, and the vegetation flourishes.”

Tang Shen didn’t respond immediately, but his sharp memory kicked in, and he instinctively completed the verse, “The orioles sing melodiously, and the fern is plentiful.”

This verse was from “The Book of Poetry.”

Wang Zhen smiled. “Junior Brother, don’t let yourself go hungry.”

Tang Shen: “…”

So, it was a reminder not to forget the package of rice cakes!

Tang Shen held the package of rice cakes. “Alright.”

The sedan curtain fell, and Wang Zhen’s pleasant voice came from inside, “Back to the minister’s residence.”

Before long, the sedan chair disappeared at the end of the alley.

Tang Shen held the package of rice cakes, watching the two official lanterns disappear down the road, and finally breathed a sigh of relief. Without Wang Zhen around, Tang Shen no longer adhered to the dining etiquette and started eating the rice cakes as he walked home.

“Oh, they really are delicious,” he said, eating two more.

After filling his stomach, Tang Shen reflected on the events at the Imperial College. He sighed, “Tang Jingze, this is the officialdom!” When he got home, Yao San had already prepared his bathwater, and Tang Shen began to bathe.

Even in ancient times, Tang Shen enjoyed bathing. In Zhao Family Village, he hadn’t had the conditions for it, as the family struggled for food, let alone bathing. But in Gusu, once the living conditions improved, Tang Shen resumed this hobby from his past life. He placed his hands on the edge of the bathtub and closed his eyes to relax.

Suddenly, Tang Shen opened his eyes in surprise, “When did he find out my courtesy name is Jing Ze?” After a moment, he added, “And he also knows I gained the honor of sanyuan in Gusu? Did Mr. Liang tell him and Mr. Fu in a letter, or did he find out by himself?”

Tang Shen: “…”

“What kind of person is my Senior Brother!”

Despite his sigh, Tang Shen decided to be even more vigilant around Wang Zifeng.

The next day, Tang Shen went to the Imperial College and found that he had been accepted as a student and his student record had been “transferred” there. Three days earlier, it had been the Empress Dowager’s eightieth birthday, and the entire Imperial College had a half-month break, so no students were attending classes. Tang Shen collected his monthly stipend and student uniform and returned home.

Having been busy for three days since arriving in Shengjing, Tang Shen and Yao San finally had some free time and decided to explore the vast city of Shengjing.

Shengjing, the capital of the Song Dynasty, truly lived up to its reputation.

Gusu prospered due to its geographical advantages, being a transportation hub of the south, thanks to the Grand Canal. But Shengjing was different. The Khitan and Liao people, rarely seen in Gusu, were common in Shengjing. They blended in with the common folk, distinguished only by their attire, and dined and drank tea like everyone else.

Before coming to Gusu, Yao San had said to Accountant Lin, “Though Shengjing is impressive, Gusu isn’t bad either.” But after seeing the real Shengjing, Yao San said to Tang Shen, “Little boss, I thought our business was big enough in Gusu and that we could succeed in Shengjing too. But now, I think Shengjing is too big, and our business might not succeed here.”

Tang Shen replied, “You’re not entirely wrong.”

Yao San asked, “Is there still a chance?”

Original soap, scented soap, and essential oils were indeed good sellers in Shengjing, but there was no Tang family in Shengjing, and Liang Song couldn’t help Tang Shen here. In Shengjing, high-ranking officials were as many as stray dogs! Tang Shen’s business was easy and profitable, but so long as it was booming it would attract envy and might not survive without strong backing.

Seeking help from Fu Wei and Wang Zhen was a good idea, but Tang Shen only had a teacher-student and Senior Brother-Junior Brother relationship with them. As the saying goes, even blood brothers kept different account books. Tang Shen’s business profits were substantial, and without a partnership, negotiations would be difficult.

As for logistics, that was even more unlikely.

Gusu had a population of over a hundred thousand, but Shengjing had millions!

Starting a logistics business would require more money than Tang Shen currently had.

However…

“Brother Yao, the boxiagong business is worth a try!”

Yao San was surprised. “But little boss, our Xixia Tower in Gusu succeeds because Tang’s Logistics provides fresh supplies daily. Shengjing doesn’t have that.”

“But Shengjing is adjacent to the Liao Kingdom.”

“Huh?”

Tang Shen smiled, “Those who truly love hotpot are not from Jiangnan but Shengjing!”

It was only in Shengjing where old Beijing hotpot mutton could be called true and authentic!

While in Shengjing fresh vegetables and meat couldn’t quickly be transported like in Gusu, it never lacked mutton or pork due to its proximity to the Liao Kingdom and the vast grasslands. Even beef, which was rare in Gusu, was common in Shengjing!

Tang Shen said, “Brother Yao, tomorrow let’s go to the agency to buy a few servants. We’ll rent a courtyard and settle them there. Also, when you return to Gusu, find Manager Lu from Xixia Tower and tell him to find me in Shengjing.”

“Alright. Little boss, do you plan to start a Xixia Tower branch business here?”

Tang Shen said, “That’s right!”

Yao San’s eyes lit up, “Then I’ll come with Manager Lu to help you in Shengjing.”

Tang Shen said, “You don’t need to come.”

“Huh?”

“When did I say I was starting the Xixia Tower branch business now? In five months, I’ll have to take the xiangshi examination. Brother Yao, I still want to earn an official title. I don’t need to win first place, but my rank shouldn’t be too low, or I’ll embarrass Mr. Fu and that Senior Brother Wang of mine!”

Three days later, Yao San took a boat south, returning to Gusu.

The Imperial College had not yet started its term, so Tang Shen lived alone at home, studying diligently day and night, enduring hardship to excel in his studies.

Fu Wei, as the Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy, was a renowned Confucian scholar, one of the four great scholars of the land. However, he had become accustomed to laziness over the years. Ever since Wang Zhen achieved the top scholar position eight years ago, Fu Wei had stopped overseeing Wang Zhen’s studies and had lost the habit of teaching. It was only after spending half a month tending to birds and watering flowers that Fu Wei suddenly remembered, “Huh, why hasn’t my new student Tang Jingze shown up?”

Wen Shu reminded him, “Sir, according to the schedule, Tang gongzi should already be studying at the Imperial College.”

Upon hearing this, Fu Wei felt a rare pang of guilt: “Alas, I am old. I accepted a student but have no energy to teach him, leaving him to study with other gongsheng students at the Imperial College.”

Wen Shu muttered, “You never seemed to care much when teaching Wang xianggong either. It was all due to Wang xianggong‘s intelligence and self-learning!”

Fu Wei responded, “Little page boy, what are you muttering about?”

“Nothing, nothing.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Fu Wei stroked his graying beard: “There are still four months until the autumn xiangshi exam, and this won’t do. Alright, have him come see me tomorrow. Tomorrow is also the Ministry of Revenue’s rest day; call Zi Feng over. I have something to instruct him.”

AN: Little Tang: My Senior Brother and I are not close; how can I ask him to help with my soap business?

Neighbor Wang: Junior Brother, I always felt that this little soap might have other uses.

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The sound of the qin gently echoed through the lush, flourishing trees in the garden. From a distance came the sound of voices, with Fu Wei’s intentionally stern scolding: “Early in the morning, where did you go to slack off again? You little rascal, am I too old to discipline you now? Tell me, where did you go to nap?”

A crisp young voice replied, “Sir, you’re wronging me! How could I slack off? I went to find music sheets for Wang xianggong!”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

“Oh, daring to use Zi Feng as an excuse? I’ll have to ask him if that’s true!”

Fu Wei walked into the garden with the page boys Wen Shu and Fu Qin.

These two page boys looked no more than eleven or twelve years old, their small statures making them appear much shorter beside Fu Wei. Seeing Wang Zhen sitting in the pavilion playing the qin, Fu Wei stepped onto the wooden corridor and entered the pavilion. The two page boys stayed outside, waiting without entering.

Fu Wei immediately said, “Zi Feng, did you send Fu Qin to find music sheets for you?”

The moment his teacher entered, Wang Zhen had already stopped playing the qin. He stood up, making room for Fu Wei to sit down. Upon hearing this, he lifted his eyes to glance at the page boy Fu Qin outside the pavilion. The boy, with his thick eyebrows and big eyes, nervously blinked at him, almost in tears. Wang Zhen smiled slightly, “There might be some truth to that.”

Fu Wei: “…”

After a moment, “Really?”

“Really.”

“…”

“You, Wang Zifeng, helping that boy instead of your teacher. This life is unbearable!”

Wang Zhen didn’t respond. Instead, he said to the two page boys outside the pavilion, “Pour a cup of biluochun for sir, the tea I brought back from Jiangnan a few days ago.”

“Got it!”

The two page boys seized the opportunity to slip away, leaving Fu Wei fuming. He pointed a finger at Wang Zhen, about to scold him as an ungrateful student, but just as he uttered the first word, Wang Zhen turned to look at him, his gaze clear and calm. Fu Wei immediately lost his steam and chuckled, “Zi Feng, that biluochun you brought back from Jiangnan is indeed excellent, very fragrant!”

Wang Zhen asked, “Have you played with birds and watered flowers today?”

Fu Wei: “Not yet. I still haven’t found that book, ‘Tales of Weijing.’ By the way, when did you arrive? You didn’t notify me in advance. Why did you suddenly want to play the qin? Oh, this qin… Isn’t this the jade qin I recently acquired at great expense after searching for it in Jiangnan for six months?”

Wang Zhen replied, “It’s a good qin.”

Fu Wei: “…”

Fu Wei said, “Zi Feng…”

Wang Zhen looked up at him, “En?”

Fu Wei: “You, you, you… This life is unbearable!”

Fu Wei felt quite aggrieved. If Tang Shen were still here, he would have been greatly surprised by Fu Wei’s current state. Sitting in the pavilion, Fu Wei petted his precious jade qin with a heavy heart. Clad in white, Wang Zhen took some fish food and stood by the pond, feeding the fish. These two didn’t look like a teacher and student. When the two page boys brought the biluochun tea, Fu Wei vented his frustration.

“Wen Shu, Fu Qin, look at this Wang Zifeng. Is he still…” Is he still human? He didn’t dare say that out loud and changed his words: “Is he still my good student? I just acquired this qin, and he took it out to play. Wait a minute, wasn’t this qin stored away? How did Wang Zifeng get it?”

The two page boys looked up at the sky.

Fu Wei: “…”

Ungrateful student, ungrateful page boys!

This life is unbearable!

After drinking the tea, Wang Zhen’s page boy entered the garden and handed him a sheet of music. Wang Zhen said, “Sir, would you like to continue sitting here drinking tea, or do you want to hear me play the qin?”

Everyone knew that Wang Zifeng of Langya excelled in all the arts, including music, calligraphy, and painting. However, Fu Xiru, known for his qin playing, was still angry with Wang Zhen. He snorted, “Do you think you play better than me?”

The page boy Fu Qin thought: Just who’s better? Don’t you have a clue?

Wang Zhen said, “I just found ‘Guangling San’ yesterday. Today, I came specifically to play it for you on the jade qin.”

Fu Wei suddenly stood up, “Is it the complete score of the ‘Guangling San’ that has been lost for over thirty years?”

“It is.”

“Hahaha, so that’s why you took the jade qin. Zi Feng, you truly are my good student!”

In the pavilion, Wang Zhen played the qin while Fu Wei listened with his eyes closed. Outside, page boy Wen Shu, skilled in qin playing, was immersed in the music, while page boy Fu Qin, not as adept, tried his best to learn by watching but was left bewildered. After Wang Zhen finished playing, he could only struggle out three words, “It’s really good!”

Talent truly leaves one without a choice.

Fu Wei’s mood improved. Wang Zhen tossed the remaining fish food into the pond, preparing to return to his post at the Ministry of Revenue. Fu Wei had never thought about how Wang Zhen, who was supposed to be on duty, managed to come here specifically to play the qin for him. Before leaving, he had a page boy give Wang Zhen a box of pastries, saying, “This is a specialty from Gusu brought by your new Junior Brother.”

Wang Zhen paused, “Student of Liang daren, Tang Shen from Gusu?”

“Yes.”

“He’s an interesting person.”

After Wang Zhen left, Fu Wei was still in a daze. He said to the page boy beside him, “Interesting, what kind of evaluation is that? When did Zi Feng meet Tang Shen?”

The two page boys silently looked up at the sky: If you ask us for the answer, we need to have known first, right?

Tang Shen had no idea that after he left, the specialty from Gusu he brought was given to Wang Zhen by Fu Wei. After leaving Fu Residence, Yao San, recalling the music he just heard, asked in confusion, “Little boss, I’m a simple man. I don’t understand. Since you knew he wasn’t the page boy Fu Qin but your Senior Brother, why did you still go into the pavilion and address him as Fu Qin?”

Tang Shen replied, “Brother Yao, if I had directly said that I recognized him, what do you think would have happened?”

“Huh? What else could have happened? Little boss, you’ve already apprenticed under Fu daru. You and Wang xianggong are fellow disciples. Meeting by chance, what else could happen?”

“Exactly, nothing would have happened.”

Yao San was even more confused.

Tang Shen said, “This Senior Brother of mine is no ordinary person. Leaving a strong impression on him is never a bad thing.”

Yao San scratched his head, “You’re right.”

Tang Shen curled his lips, thinking that perhaps this time, what he said might not be entirely correct.

In the letter left by Liang Song, he told Tang Shen that he wanted Tang Shen to study under Fu Xiru, not just for Fu Xiru’s reputation as a teacher but also for Wang Zifeng. Although Fu Wei had once been the Right Minister of the Palace Secretariat and a current court official, he was now old, had retired from active duty, and spent his days tending to birds and flowers as the Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy.

Tang Shen wanted to climb high and far, which was as difficult as ascending to the heavens. Unlike Wang Zhen, who was born as the eldest son of the prestigious Langya Wang clan with the support of an entire family, Tang Shen was an outsider in this vast capital of Shengjing. Not to mention having the power of a player, he didn’t even have the qualifications to be a pawn.

Liang Song hoped he could conspire and fight alongside Wang Zifeng, and more importantly, he hoped Tang Shen could seize the opportunity to build a good relationship with Wang Zifeng and then use him to pave his own way.

Wang Zhen was the only court official Tang Shen could currently approach and the best target for him to use.

“I hope the impression I left on him today isn’t a bad one,” Tang Shen thought. He even considered that Wang Zhen might have already seen through his little schemes. But he didn’t mind. If Wang Zifeng were a narrow-minded and suspicious person, it would be extremely difficult to advance through him, and it would be better to give up early.

After returning home that night, Tang Shen pondered deeply and finally concluded: “He knows who I am.”

Tang Shen suddenly regretted his rash contact with Wang Zifeng, but he had no way back now. After thinking all night, Tang Shen went out alone the next morning, first heading to the Imperial College. He handed in his card, met with the scholar responsible for student records, and after getting his confirmation, he went to the Fu residence.

Fu Wei was a bit surprised to see him, “Why have you come today? Did you encounter difficulties in Shengjing?”

Tang Shen nodded, “Exactly. Sir, I just arrived in Shengjing, and my student record is still registered at the Jiangnan Academy. Now it’s already spring, and I have to participate in the xiangshi examination in August. I’m not familiar with Shengjing and have no connections. Could you help me transfer my student record to the Imperial College as soon as possible?”

Fu Wei said, “So that’s it. I forgot to mention it yesterday. This is a simple matter. Since you are a gongsheng who received the honor of sanyuan, transferring to the Imperial College is not difficult. I can write you a recommendation letter. However, transferring the student record from Jiangnan Academy might be a bit troublesome.”

“Is it difficult?”

“Not really, but it requires some effort and might delay your studies.”

Fu Wei, as the Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy, managed the academy but was known for not attending to his duties and spending his days drinking tea and admiring flowers at home. To handle this, he would probably have to go to the Imperial College himself, or it would take at least half a month through normal procedures to transfer Tang Shen’s student record from Jiangnan Academy.

Suddenly, Fu Wei remembered his proud disciple’s comment about something “interesting” yesterday and chuckled to himself.

Busy the student, not the teacher!

Fu Wei calmly said, “In that case, I’ll have Wen Shu take you to find your Senior Brother. Such backdoor matters are easy for him; he deals with them every day.”

Tang Shen was delighted, not expecting to see Wang Zhen again by coming to Fu Wei today.

Tang Shen asked, “Is it Senior Brother Wang Zhen?”

“Just call him Zi Feng. Wen Shu, Zi Feng should still be at the Ministry of Revenue. Take Jing Ze to find him and get his student record transferred today.”

“Yes.”

Tang Shen followed Wen Shu to the Ministry of Revenue.

Outside the imposing gate of the Ministry of Revenue, two armored guards stood with spears. Wen Shu walked up confidently, and the guards seemed to recognize him, allowing him to pass without obstruction. After a whispered conversation, Wen Shu returned dejectedly, “Tang gongzi, I knew it. Wang xianggong isn’t at the Ministry of Revenue! He’s gone somewhere today. If you’re willing, we can go to the Minister Residence to find him?”

Tang Shen thought for a moment and said, “Alright.”

They then headed to the Minister Residence. As they approached the gate, they saw a sedan chair bearing the minister’s lantern being carried into the residence from a distance. Wen Shu’s eyes lit up, and he shouted, “Wang xianggong!”

A clear voice came from the sedan chair, “Stop the sedan.”

A white jade fan with calligraphy motifs extended from the sedan, gently lifting the curtain. Wang Zhen turned to look at Wen Shu and then shifted his gaze to the young man standing beside him, Tang Shen.

The young men from the capital and the young men from Jiangnan had a distinctly different appearance. He stood straight in the noisy street like a proud and fragile lotus, making people want to look at him.

A thought flashed through Wang Zhen’s mind: The young boys from Jinling and the young boys from Gusu are also different. At least, none of his younger brothers looked as clear and handsome as this Junior Brother, nor did they have as many thoughts. But it was quite interesting.

Pretending to meet Tang Shen for the first time, Wang Zhen got out of the sedan and asked Wen Shu, “Does sir need something from me?”

Wen Shu said, “Sir said Tang gongzi needs to transfer his student record from the Jiangnan Academy to the Imperial College, and he wants you to help, preferably today.”

Wang Zhen raised an eyebrow, “Today?” He glanced at the sky, “The Imperial College is about to close.”

Tang Shen suddenly said, “Tomorrow will do too.”

Wang Zhen looked at him for a moment and then said, “Let’s do it today. Wen Shu, you can go back. I’ll take my Junior Brother over.”

Feeling that he had completed his task, Wen Shu was reassured to leave Tang Shen with Wang xianggong.

Wang Zhen quietly looked at Tang Shen without saying a word, just watching him.

Tang Shen lamented internally, “I didn’t know it was Senior Brother yesterday and mistook you for a page boy. I was wrong.”

Wang Zhen said, “Mistaken?”

Tang Shen didn’t hear clearly, “What?”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Wang Zhen smiled, lifting the sedan curtain with his white fan, “The Imperial College is quite far. Let’s take the sedan. Junior Brother, come up.”

AN: Neighbor Wang: Look at my Junior Brother, as beautiful as a little lotus flower.

Little Tang: …I have a feeling that using Wang Zifeng to climb the ladder might be the worst decision of my life!

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The passenger boat had just docked at the Shengjing pier when Tang Shen, still inside the cabin, heard the bustling sounds of people and carriages. Yao San picked up three chests and, together with Tang Shen, left the cabin. Upon stepping outside, Yao San looked at the scene before him, stunned in place, and exclaimed after a long pause, “This, this is Shengjing?”

Even Tang Shen, who had seen the prosperous cities of later generations, was momentarily taken aback before saying, “This is Shengjing!”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Heavenly jade capital in the sky, five cities and twelve towers. Carriages and people bustling, pavilions and palaces clustered.

After disembarking, Yao San found a donkey carriage to take them to a nearby middleman agency. The roads in Shengjing were exceptionally wide, allowing eight carriages to travel side by side from the pier to the market district! Although it was March and Shengjing had not fully entered spring, the streets were crowded with pedestrians, and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares never ceased. There were two-story buildings, three-story buildings, and Yao San, lifting the curtain of the carriage, was amazed to see a four-story building.

The carriage driver chuckled and said, “You two don’t sound like you’re from Shengjing. Are you from the south?”

“We’re from Gusu Prefecture,” Yao San replied. “What place is this with a four-story building?”

The driver proudly answered, “This is our Shengjing’s largest restaurant, called Qianli Tower.”

Tang Shen mused, “Qianli Tower? Is it named after the line ‘to see a thousand miles, go up one more story’?”

The driver said, “You guessed it right. Little gongzi must be a scholar.”

The driver took them to the middleman agency. Although Shengjing was wealthy and the cost of living was high, Tang Shen was not short of money. With sufficient funds, things were easier than when he had first arrived in Gusu with limited means. Tang Shen had the agent find a spacious house in a good location, renting it for five taels of silver a month.

Yao San was a bit distressed, “What kind of house costs five taels of silver?”

Tang Shen pondered, “Brother Yao, why don’t we buy a house?”

Yao San’s eyes widened, “Little boss, the agent said this house alone would cost four hundred taels of silver to buy!”

Tang Shen thought for a moment, “That’s true. If I rank in the top three in the palace examination, I’ll be granted an imperial residence. No need to rush to buy a house.”

Yao San: “…”

He felt like he didn’t quite understand what the little boss was saying.

No, the little boss will surely rank in the top three!

… Probably.

Yao San busied himself cleaning the house and buying some necessities.

That evening, Tang Shen groomed himself carefully. He took his calling card and Liang Song’s letter to the Fu Residence. Fu Xiru’s reputation was also prominent in Shengjing, and Tang Shen easily found the place by asking a few people. However, this time he didn’t visit directly but handed over his calling card along with Liang Song’s handwritten letter.

“I am Tang Shen, Tang Jingze, from Gusu Prefecture. I will visit Fu daren tomorrow.”

The doorman accepted the name card, and Tang Shen turned and left.

The next day, Tang Shen got up early and washed himself thoroughly. Since Aunt Yao was not around, he could only use a silk band to tie his long hair at the back of his head. He took out the Gusu style embroidered robe he had brought specifically and carried Gusu specialty pastries, a box of original soap, scented soap, and essential oils. Tang Shen and Yao San then headed to the Fu Residence.

The doorman knew he was coming and welcomed him in. “Tang gongzi, please come in. Daren has been waiting for a long time.”

Tang Shen slightly bowed, “I made daren wait for so long; I am late.”

Seeing Tang Shen dressed in brocade and jade, appearing polite and dignified, the doorman had a good impression of him and said, “Tang gongzi, you are too considerate. Daren habitually gets up before dawn every day to feed the birds and water the flowers. He is now reading in his study.”

The doorman led Tang Shen to the study and knocked on the door. Before he could speak, he heard a displeased voice inside.

“You little rascal, I asked you to find a book for me, and here you are being lazy. You deserve a beating, don’t you?”

Immediately followed by a boy’s aggrieved voice, “Sir, you were just sleeping. While you slept, I went to find the book. When I returned, you were still sleeping. I looked at you and became sleepy too, yet you’re blaming me first.”

“I was sleeping because I was tired. I wake up before dawn every day!”

“To tease birds and admire flowers…”

“What are you mumbling about?”

“Nothing, nothing.”

The doorman knocked again, and there was a flurry of commotion inside. After a moment, an elderly voice called out, “Wen Shu, go see who it is.”

Soon, the study door opened, and a small, fair, and thin boy of about eleven or twelve poked his head out. “Uncle Zhang, why are you here?” He then saw Tang Shen behind the doorman, his eyes widened, and he quickly shut the door with a bang, turning around and said, “Oh no, sir, it’s Tang Shen from Gusu!”

“What? How come he is so early!”

Another bout of clattering sounds followed, and the boy named Wen Shu opened the door again.

The little boy, lowering his head, said, “Tang gongzi, sir has been waiting for you for a long time.”

Tang Shen: “…”

Whatever you say.

Tang Shen smiled slightly and said to Yao San, “Wait outside.” Then he entered.

It was a south-facing courtyard with two gates. As soon as he entered the study, Tang Shen smelled a faint scent of ink. There were four birdcages on each side of the main door, with slender golden chains tying four colorful birds. Seeing Tang Shen, they chirped noisily. In the center of the study was a carved incense burner. On the left was a Taishan stone screen, and on the right was a large bookshelf.

Halfway through, Tang Shen heard a cricket chirping. Turning his head, he saw a cricket gourd in one of the shelves’ compartments!

Tang Shen refocused and walked forward. On the Luohan couch sat an elderly man with white hair. This old man was secretly observing Tang Shen and quickly averted his gaze when Tang Shen looked at him, feigning nonchalance, “You must be the student Liang Bowen mentioned, who once said, ‘The rise and fall of the nation concerns everyone’?”

Sir had mentioned this to Fu Xiru?

Tang Shen nodded, “I am Tang Shen from Gusu, it is an honor to meet Mr. Fu.”

Fu Xiru held a book, pretending to read it, without noticing that it was upside down. “Liang Bowen left in a hurry. As you know, during that period, many old friends passed away, and I couldn’t visit them all. Hmm? What do you have in your hand?”

“Some specialties from Gusu.” Tang Shen said, taking out the pastries, soap, and other items one by one.

Fu Wei seemed unreliable, but seeing the pastries, he said nothing and showed interest in the finely packaged essential oils. “I’ve seen this before.”

Wen Shu, the boy, said, “Wang xianggong brought one from Jinling.”

Fu Wei clapped his hands, “Right! Zi Feng once brought one for me, called Golden Wisp? Golden Mist under the misty moon and cold water.”

Tang Shen laughed, “It should be Golden Mist of the snowy willow.”

“Golden Mist of the snowy willow? Vivid and beautiful, a good name, fitting!”

Thus, the distance between the two became closer.

Fu Wei gradually sat up straight, “You just arrived from Gusu. How is your stay in Shengjing?”

Tang Shen: “I arrived in Shengjing yesterday. I’ve gotten used to it so far.”

Fu Wei pricked up his ears.

Oh? Arrived yesterday and visited him today?

Fu Wei asked, “I heard you are fifteen this year and already passed the xiangshi exam?”

Tang Shen: “Indeed. I am unworthy of the praise.”

Fu Wei: “I also heard you can recite the Analects backwards?”

Tang Shen: “…”

Fu Wei: “And I heard you can recite the Four Books and Five Classics backwards?”

Tang Shen: “Yes, just an insignificant talent.”

Fu Wei suddenly laughed heartily, “I am the Master of Insignificant Talent, and you knowing some insignificant talents is wonderful! Eh, Jing Ze is here, what are you rascal doing? Why not serve Jing Ze some hot tea.”

Wen Shu immediately poured Tang Shen a cup of hot tea. Tang Shen thanked him and was about to drink when Fu Wei said, “Aren’t you going to offer me tea first?”

Tang Shen paused, looked up at Fu Wei.

Fu Wei sat in his seat, winked at him and smiled.

Tang Shen immediately stood up, holding the tea cup with both hands. Wen Shu placed a cushion on the floor, and Tang Shen knelt on it, raising the cup high, “Please, sir, have some tea!”

Fu Wei took the cup, sipped, “Wonderful!”

Thus, the apprenticeship ceremony was complete.

Now as teacher and student, Fu Wei became more casual, “Jing Ze, you don’t know, this past year Liang Bowen has always written to me, boasting about his excellent student! I have a student with a perfect memory, and he must have one who can recite backwards, really angering me. By the way, you really can recite the Analects backwards?”

Tang Shen smiled wryly, “Indeed.”

“Good, good. Recite a passage for me.”

Tang Shen: “…”

These old scholars are so unreliable!

Thinking this, Tang Shen obediently recited a passage backwards. Fu Wei praised him repeatedly, and time flew by. Wen Shu reminded, “Sir, it’s time to water the flowers.”

Fu Wei nodded, turned to Tang Shen, “I should go read.”

Tang Shen: “…”

Fu Wei: “If you need anything in Shengjing, come find me. If I can’t do it, your senior brother will. You can leave now, but come anytime if you need me. I have plenty of time.”

“Yes, sir.”

Tang Shen was about to leave when Fu Wei said, “Wait, Jing Ze, if you have time, help me find a book.”

Tang Shen wanted to become closer with Fu Wei, of course he wouldn’t refuse. “What book?”

Fu Wei sighed, “It’s called ‘Tales of Weijing,’ a miscellaneous book. I remember it being on that bookshelf, but I can’t find it. I love listening to… I mean, I love reading this book. Wen Shu, did you not put it back in the right place?”

Wen Shu shouted grievances, “Sir, you clearly put it away yourself, why are you blaming me.”

The three searched but couldn’t find it. Fu Wei huffed, “Go find Fu Qin.”

Tang Shen and Wen Shu left the study.

Just outside, Yao San approached. Wen Shu complained to Tang Shen, “Tang gongzi, you don’t know, our sir has a strange temper. Though I’m called Wen Shu, I’m actually best at playing the qin. We have someone who is best at reading and finding books but he is called Fu Qin. It’s just that I want to read every day, and he wants to be a music master every night. But his music… you’ll hear it, it’s terrible. I’ll find him now. Goodbye, Tang gongzi.”

Wenshu ran off. Yao San watched in surprise, “Is this Fu daren‘s page boy? How… odd.”

Tang Shen laughed, “You mean eccentric.”

Yao San scratched his head, and they left the Fu Residence.

Exiting the study’s door, they entered the garden.

Unlike Gusu’s residences, which often had ponds and lotuses, the Fu Residence’s garden had many exotic flowers and strange rocks, possessing a unique beauty. Walking around, Tang Shen and Yao San got lost.

Yao San: “Little boss, should I ask someone?”

Before Tang Shen could reply, a continuous, melodious qin sound reached them. They followed it, bypassed a rockery, and passed through a stone gate to see a pavilion with eaves and round roof. The pavilion stood over a manmade pond with a few koi. The pavilion was suspended over the pond, accessible by a wooden corridor.

In the pavilion, a young man in a white robe played the qin.

From a distance, his appearance was unclear, but the music was exquisite, like an immortal playing under the moon.

Even Yao San, who knew nothing about music, was captivated. Tang Shen had heard a lot of modern classical music, but this low and gentle melody was entirely different, possessing a unique charm. However, he didn’t get completely lost in the music; his eyes were fixed on the person in the pavilion. Suddenly, Tang Shen stepped onto the wooden corridor and entered the pavilion.

The moment Tang Shen walked into the pavilion, the music abruptly stopped.

The young man’s appearance was as beautiful as jade, with bright, clear eyes. After being in this era for so long, Tang Shen had never seen such a handsome man. His features were delicate yet not effeminate, and his demeanor was cool and ethereal, like an immortal from the moon! He lifted his head and quietly looked at Tang Shen, pressing down on the still-vibrating strings with his hands. His long black hair was tied up with a jade crown, and his white brocade robe, although seemingly simple, had intricate silver embroidery on the sleeves, each stitch showcasing the superb craftsmanship of top-tier embroiderers.

The two of them looked at each other for a moment.

Tang Shen suddenly smiled and said, “Are you the page boy, Fu Qin?”

The young man playing the qin paused, then slightly smiled without denying it.

Tang Shen said, “Sir has been looking for you. He has a book called Tales of Weijing.’ He couldn’t find it anywhere and wanted you to help find it.”

The man’s eyes flickered slightly before he finally spoke, his voice pleasant and carrying a hint of a gentle smile, “I understand.”

Tang Shen replied, “That’s good, then. I’ll be off.” With that, he turned and left.

Tang Shen walked up the wooden corridor without looking back and left the pavilion. He could clearly feel a gaze, almost tangible, hotly fixed on him, unwavering, until he left the secluded little garden.

After they left the Fu Residence, Yao San finally reacted, “Little boss, was that really Fu daren‘s page boy Fu Qin? He doesn’t look like it. That page boy Fu Qin’s clothes were too fine, much better than the ones worn by Wen Shu’s. And his playing wasn’t bad either. Although I, Yao San, don’t understand music, I found it pleasant!”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Only then did Tang Shen take a deep breath, his previously tense body finally relaxing.

“Of course, that wasn’t Fu Qin.”

Yao San exclaimed, “What?”

Tang Shen narrowed his eyes and said word by word, “He is my only senior brother, Wang Zhen, courtesy name Zi Feng.”

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A few days later, Tang Shen had Yao San call everyone over.

Everyone gathered in the house. It was a rare serious occasion. Accountant Lin, thinking Tang Shen was about to address the recent issue at Xixia Tower, said, “Little boss, though the Xixia Tower incident is a typical case, other restaurants in Gusu City have also shown some subtle movements towards us these days. However, our logistics business is doing well. We’ve been in Gusu City for over a year and have established ourselves so others will have a hard time intervening.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Tang Shen replied, “I’m not worried about that. Although Xixia Tower’s business is good, it only deals in special cuisine and doesn’t have much conflict of interest with other restaurants. As for the logistics business, it would take others at least another year or so to catch up. Today, I called everyone over to discuss something else.”

Yao San asked, “Little boss, what is it? Please tell us.”

“I’ve decided to go to Shengjing next month.”

Everyone was shocked.

Tang Huang’s eyes widened. “Brother, you’re going to Shengjing? Why suddenly go there?”

Tang Shen didn’t hide anything. “After sir left, I received a letter a few days ago. It turns out he found a new teacher for me. That person is in Shengjing and is named Fu Wei. I’m taking the imperial examination to become a juren in August and haven’t registered yet. Whether I take it in the Jiangnan Academy or in Shengjing makes no difference. Since I’ll have to go to Shengjing for the huishi exam next February if I pass, I’ve decided to go early and take the imperial examination directly in Shengjing.”

Accountant Lin exclaimed, “Fu Wei? Do you mean the great scholar Fu Xiru?”

“Exactly.”

Tang Huang asked, “Accountant Lin, you know him?”

Accountant Lin sighed, “More than just knowing him. I once told the little boss that over twenty years ago, the four great scholars of the world were Zhong xianggong, Liang xianggong, Fu xianggong, and Chen xianggong. Among them, Fu xianggong is the great scholar Fu Xiru. He was originally the Right Chancellor of the Palace Secretariat. A few years ago, due to his old age, wanted to retire to his hometown, but the emperor, valuing his talent, did not allow it and gave him a position overseeing the Hanlin Academy in name while actually spending his days gardening and bird-watching, living a leisurely life.”

Yao San asked, “Being a high official allows you to garden and bird-watch every day?”

Accountant Lin replied, “With the emperor’s favor, anything is possible.”

Yao San remarked, “Hearing that makes me want to be an official.”

Aunt Yao retorted, “But you have to pass the exams first!”

Accountant Lin continued, “It’s really inconvenient for the little boss to go to Shengjing alone. Being so far away from home, who will take care of you?”

Tang Shen had already thought about this and said, “I’ll arrange everything in Busy City and leave at the beginning of March. At that time, Brother Yao will go with me to Shengjing. Once I’m settled, he will return.”

Yao San agreed, “Alright, I’ll accompany the little boss.”

Accountant Lin nodded, “That’s acceptable. The little boss need not worry about Gusu City matters. With Yao San and me here, and with the Tang family in the west of the city, there won’t be any issues.”

Thus, Tang Shen’s trip to Shengjing was decided.

Aunt Yao began preparing Tang Shen’s travel clothes early, muttering, “Shengjing is much colder than Gusu. I heard it still snows in April,” as she packed thick cotton-padded jackets into the suitcase. Yao San also busied himself, reviewing the Tang’s Logistics and Xixia Tower’s business once more. Tang Shen checked the accounts with Accountant Lin again and left some funds for emergencies.

Only Tang Huang was sullen these past two days.

Tang Shen’s decision to go to Shengjing was too sudden, giving no one time to think it over.

At night, after dinner, Tang Huang was practicing calligraphy in her room, an assignment from Accountant Lin before he left. Tang Shen entered, watched for a while, and said, “You’ve started learning the Book of Poetry?”

The little girl pouted, lowered her head, and mumbled, “Yes,” without looking at Tang Shen.

Tang Shen found it amusing. Although he was a man, he could easily understand Tang Huang’s little girl thoughts.

Tang Shen said, “This calligraphy model is too good, not suitable for beginners. Before I leave, I’ll copy a Book of Poetry for you. You can practice copying my calligraphy. When you come to Shengjing, I’ll see how your handwriting has improved.”

Originally unwilling to talk to him, Tang Huang looked up in surprise after a while. “I’m going to Shengjing?”

Tang Shen replied matter-of-factly, “Yes, you are going to Shengjing.”

“I can go to Shengjing too?”

“Why wouldn’t you go to Shengjing?”

Tang Huang was overjoyed, but then she thought of something: “Brother, you said ‘when I go to Shengjing’… Can’t I go to Shengjing with you? When can I go then?”

“What would you do there now? It’s an unfamiliar place, and I’m also going there to test the waters first. I also have to take the imperial examination. If you come along, what can you do? I’ll have to take care of you.”

“I can cook for you, wash your clothes!”

“A maid can do that too, and besides… Ah Huang, do you really believe you can cook and wash clothes for me?”

Tang Huang giggled: “I don’t believe it either.”

Knowing that Tang Shen wasn’t really leaving her behind, Tang Huang felt much better. “Brother, you said you were going to take the huishi examination, to become a jinshi… You told me before that you didn’t want to become a jinshi, only a juren.”

Tang Shen raised his eyebrows: “I said that?”

“You did!”

“Well, if I said it, I did. Can’t I change my mind?”

“…”

This is truly the worst, most rotten brother in the world!

Seeing the little girl ignoring him again, Tang Shen smiled and said, “Before Mr. Liang left, he gave me a courtesy name, Jing Ze.”

Tang Huang knew this: “Ah, why mention this now?”

“Jing Ze, Jing Ze. So Ah Huang, I can’t let him down.”

Tang Huang was puzzled. After a while, she murmured, “Do you really have to go now? You can go after becoming a juren.”

Tang Shen was silent for a moment, then patted her head: “I have too many important things to do to waste any time. Also, your brother has a selfish reason.”

“What selfish reason?”

“I’ll tell you when you get to Shengjing!”

Tang Huang: “…”

“Not telling and keeping me in suspense, Tang Shen, you wait, when I get to Shengjing, I’m definitely going to beat you up!”

“Hahaha.”

After packing his luggage, Tang Shen went to the Tang Manor to inform Tang juren and Madam Tang about his trip to Shengjing.

Tang juren was surprised: “You want to study under Fu Xiru?”

Madam Tang said, “Why so sudden, without any time to prepare? What else do you need, tell us. Do you need to bring some servants and maids to Shengjing? How will you take care of yourself alone!”

Tang Shen answered one by one: “It’s the teacher Mr. Liang chose for me before his passing. Don’t worry, Eldest Aunt, I’m well prepared, and I won’t be going alone, Yao San will be with me.”

“Though Yao San is strong and sturdy, he is still a rough man. How about taking two maids from the Tang Manor?”

“No need.”

After bidding farewell to Tang juren and Madam Tang, Tang Shen submitted a withdrawal letter to Ziyang Academy.

Dean Zheng was quite surprised to receive Tang Shen’s withdrawal letter and asked, “You want to study at Jiangnan Academy?”

All the juren of Jiangnan could study at Jiangnan Academy once they pass the examination. Even though Tang Shen was currently studying at Ziyang Academy, his student status was registered at Jiangnan Academy, where he would take the xiangshi examination in August.

Tang Shen shook his head: “Dean, I want to take the exam in Shengjing.”

Dean Zheng said, “Why go so far? Your student status is registered at Jiangnan Academy, it’s not easy to transfer. If you have no connections, it’s better not to go to Shengjing. You can only take the exam at Jiangnan Academy.”

Tang Shen then explained about Mr. Liang finding a new teacher for him. Dean Zheng was silent for a long time and sighed, “Liang daren has really thought it through! As the Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy, Fu daren can easily transfer your student status.”

Dean Zheng approved Tang Shen’s withdrawal letter, and Tang Shen packed his belongings in the classroom. As he was about to leave, he saw Sun Yue standing at the door, looking at him anxiously. “Tang Shen, I heard you quit school!”

Tang Shen: “…”

He smiled wryly: “Where did you hear that nonsense? When did I say I quit studying!”

Sun Yue rushed over: “Teacher Qian said so! You’ve withdrawn from school, you won’t study at Ziyang Academy anymore.”

“I am indeed not studying at Ziyang Academy, but I am going to study in Shengjing. Don’t jump to conclusions.”

“Ah, that’s it…” After a while, Fatty Sun exclaimed in shock: “What, you’re going to Shengjing?”

Tang Shen: “…”

Could your reaction be any slower!

As Tang Shen was leaving, Sun Yue felt sad and accompanied him to Xixia Tower for a farewell meal.

Tang Shen said helplessly: “If you’re giving me a farewell, why come to my restaurant for a free meal? This counts as seeing me off?”

Sun Yue put a slice of mutton into the pot, swirled it around, and ate it. Satisfied, he squinted his eyes and said, “Why not? Tang Shen, why are you in such a hurry to go to Shengjing? Is Fu Xiru really that great? You could go to him after becoming a juren, Fu Xiru won’t run away.”

“How can I let down Mr. Liang’s painstaking efforts!”

Sun Yue muttered, “I think you’re just tired of Gusu and want to see the bustling Shengjing.”

Tang Shen said nothing. He put a chopstick full of vegetables into the pot: “The food is ready, eat up!”

“Okay!”

Half a month later, after packing his belongings, Tang Shen boarded the boat to Shengjing with Yao San.

On the canal, with the sunset glowing in the sky, Tang Huang and Accountant Lin stood at the dock, waving goodbye to Tang Shen. After a quarter of an hour, the dock of Gusu City became a small black dot, and the crying girl on the dock could no longer be seen.

Tang Shen sighed, suppressing his reluctance.

After another quarter of an hour, Gusu City disappeared into the horizon. Suddenly, a melodious ringing of a bell broke through the spatial distance, echoing above the canal.

This was the evening bell of Hanshan Temple outside the city!

“The Hanshan Temple outside Gusu City, the bell sounds to the ships at midnight. So this is what it means!”

Tang Shen suddenly felt that he already missed home, even though he had just left for less than an hour.

Yes, having lived in this era for two years, Tang Shen had already considered this place his home. From the beginning, he was wrong. He was already a person of Gusu, a person of the Song Dynasty, a person of this era. He once only wanted to be a wealthy country squire, not seeking fame or fortune, only seeking comfort.

But was that really the limit of what he could achieve?

That wasn’t the limit of what he could achieve. He was content with his current situation until the deaths of Mr. Liang, Grand Secretary Luo, and Zhao juren woke him up like a bolt from the blue, shaking him from the prosperous and wealthy Jiangnan water town.

Gusu was a rich place, where everyone had no worries, but the Song Dynasty wasn’t, this era wasn’t!

Along the way, Tang Shen observed the situation on both sides of the canal. Sometimes it was covered in snow, yet the porters still wore thin tunics, running between the docks to load and unload goods for these passing ships, earning one coin per trip. Sometimes the docks on both sides of the canal were so dilapidated that they couldn’t dock, which was completely different from the grandeur and cleanliness of Gusu!

This was the Song Dynasty, this was the true face of this era.

Day by day, they got closer to Shengjing. Tang Shen sat in the cabin, writing characters. He wrote regular script, repeatedly writing the word “谋” (strategy). Yao San couldn’t read, so Tang Shen would write fifty “谋” characters and then fifty “静” (tranquility) characters, asking him to throw them into the river or burn them.

“Little boss, what are you writing?”

“I’m writing my conflicting feelings!”

One “谋” (strategy) character was the way of being an official, the path he must take in the future.

And one “静” (tranquility) character was his last bit of peace at this moment.

From the moment he decided to go north to Shengjing and study under Fu Xiru, Tang Shen knew he had no way back.

He didn’t plan to take a new teacher after becoming a juren, even though that was Mr. Liang’s original plan, because from that moment he had truly decided to sever all ties with Mr. Liang!

How much dread and aversion the emperor had for the Songqing Party, Tang Shen saw clearly. He imprisoned Zhong Taisheng for twenty-six years before secretly executing him, not because of mercy, but because he knew Zhong Taisheng couldn’t die without reason. Even if he wanted to kill, Zhong Taisheng had to die deservedly, leaving no loopholes, otherwise, the literati of the world would criticize him.

Mr. Liang was demoted to Gusu, Grand Secretary Luo was never trusted with any important official duties.

Since the emperor ascended the throne, not a single Songqing Party member entered the Palace Secretariat, which was his death sentence for the Songqing Party!

Tang Shen wanted to enter officialdom, to become an official, a powerful minister, so he had to sever all ties with the Songqing Party from the start. While he was still a xiucai it was fine, Mr. Liang was the governor of Gusu, so even if Tang Shen studied under him, it could be called an enlightening teacher-student relationship, and they were actually not that close.

Once he passed the examination to become a juren, if Tang Shen’s nominal teacher remained Liang Song, it might arouse Zhao Fu’s suspicion.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Tang Shen didn’t dare to gamble on whether Zhao Fu was a distrustful and suspicious emperor or not. Therefore, he needed to become Fu Xiru’s disciple before passing the examination. Only when he had uncovered the truth and could personally rewrite the history of these loyal ministers who had sacrificed themselves would he say to the world and to Liang Song, “This student has accomplished it.”

This was his private ambition that he had never shared with anyone.

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The next day, Tang Shen and Xu Hui headed north to Shazhou County. After searching for a while, they found Zhao juren‘s house.

Xu Hui had the book in hand and was about to knock on the door when he heard crying sounds coming from inside. Tang Shen and Xu Hui looked at each other. Xu Hui knocked on the door, and a woman wearing white mourning clothes came to open the door. Seeing Tang Shen and Xu Hui outside the door, the woman looked confused. When she lowered her gaze, she found that Tang Shen and Xu Hui were both wearing white hemp, and that they were also mourning clothes.

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The woman asked: “I wonder who the two gentlemen are here to see.”

Tang Shen said: “We’ve come to find Zhao juren. Last year at this time, I came to Shazhou County with Mr. Liang Bowen, Liang daren, and borrowed a book from Zhao juren. It was this book.”

Xu Hui presented the book with both hands. 

Behind the woman, a middle-aged man walked up. Like the woman, his eyes were red and swollen from crying. He took the book and said to Tang Shen: “I remember. You are Liang daren‘s student. I heard that you scored a sanyuan last year. It’s a pity that you came a little late. My father left a few days ago. Thank you for coming to return the book.”

There was a coffin in the house. Just now, the man and woman were keeping vigil and mourning.

Tang Shen said: “Can we come in and offer incense to Zhao juren?”

“Please.”

Tang Shen and Xu Hui entered the house, and each gave Zhao juren a stick of incense.

Xu Hui said: “How did Zhao juren leave?”

As soon as these words were uttered, both the man and the woman hid their faces in tears. The man said: “My father hanged himself four days ago! I have known for a long time that Liang daren is gone, Luo daren is also gone, and so many great scholars are gone. My father did not want to live twenty years ago. However, despite all precautions, my father secretly took the hemp rope and hanged himself that night!”

Tang Shen and Xu Hui were stunned on the spot.

After the man’s explanation, they realized that this Zhao juren was also considered a member of the Songqing Party!

Twenty-six years ago, the Songqing Party was not called the Songqing Party, it was not a faction, it was just a young society that was admired by scholars all over the world. Who didn’t want to join the Songqing Party and express his admiration to the great scholars in the world? Zhao juren had the good fortune to attend a Songqing literary gathering once, and it was also at that time that he met Liang daru.

After Zhong daru was imprisoned in the imperial prison, Zhao juren was obstructed in his official career and was framed many times. In the end, he ended up in this situation and had no choice but to return to his hometown to farm the fields to make a living.

Only then did Tang Shen understand why Zhao juren, a juren, had such a difficult family situation. The first time he saw Zhao juren, he felt strange at how poor he was. He didn’t expect that the truth turned out to be like this.

“Everyone in the world knows that Zhong daru left, and the seven great scholars went with him. But no one in the world knows that my father also left with them!” The man was so distraught that he knocked the ground with his head, “Dad, you are so confused, how could you leave Hui Niang and me alone? This son has not taken care of and shown you filial piety!”

Tang Shen and Xu Hui were speechless as they left the Zhao family.

Xu Hui: “I don’t know how many people in the world have quietly left this world in a place where no one knows. The integrity of the scholars, the passion in their hearts, worth praises and tears.”

Tang Shen opened his mouth, but did not speak after all. He clenched his fist tightly.

Sir, you think it’s worth it, but is it really worth it?

The two of them were leaving Shazhou County by carriage, and Tang Shen saw Xiangshan Mt. from a distance. He still remembered how he and Liang Song came to Shazhou County a year ago, and the teacher and student went hiking together. Tang Shen: “Stop. Yu Zhi, I want to climb that mountain. Last year, sir and I came here and climbed that mountain together.”

Xu Hui: “Okay, but I still have things to do and can’t wait for you.”

“It doesn’t matter, I’ll go back to Gusu by myself.”

Xu Hui nodded.

Tang Shen got off the carriage and walked toward Xiangshan Mt. alone.

After crossing the Peach Blossom Stream and walking along the Incense Picking Path, Tang Shen climbed the rock steps and reached the top of the mountain. Standing on the top of the mountain, overlooking half of the scenery of Gusu. There was smoke from farmhouses in the distance, and nearby were the sea of ​​pine trees and the waves of clouds passing by, as well as the sound of birds singing.

Tang Shen stood on the top of the mountain and stood there for a long time.

After a long time, he said loudly: “The mountains stand tall and the scenery stretches. Although I can’t reach them, my heart longs for them!”

“The scenery, greatness.” (TN: “jing”=scenery, bright)

“The principle, truth.” (TN: “ze”=truth, reason)

“Sir, you know that I have always been cautious in my words and deeds, but I have also always been timid. Even if I talk about big ambitions, I never truly have big ambitions. I only care about the small family, not the big family.”

“Jing Ze, Jing Ze!”

Tang Shen opened his mouth, but was speechless.

From the very beginning, Liang Song wanted to tell him that as a human being, walking between heaven and earth, he could only live in peace and happiness in this life, but no matter when…

Jing Ze, you must never forget what you once said, the rise and fall of the nation concerns everyone!

At the beginning, he used Gu Yanwu’s words as a clever trick to become Liang Song’s student. But he never followed the words himself. In this world, there were Liang Song and Luo Zhen, who had no choice but to die in order to correct an eternal infamy. There was also Zhao juren, who died quietly in an unknown place. His name would never be recorded in the history books, but he had no regrets!

Tang Shen quietly looked at the Gusu Prefecture at the bottom of the mountain, and said to himself: “Don’t worry, the promise I made to you will definitely come true.” After that, he turned around and went down the mountain, returning to Gusu City at nightfall.

When Tang Shen returned home, Tang Huang and Yao San were very anxious and wanted to go find him.

Seeing her brother coming back, Tang Huang ran over and grabbed his arm: “I was so anxious! Brother, where have you been? Xu daren said that you were hiking in Shazhou County and you would come back. It’s so late now, and you finally came back.”

Yao San: “Little boss, there is food left for you in the kitchen. I will heat it up for you right now.”

Tang Shen: “Okay.”

After eating, Yao San went to boil hot water for bathing, and Tang Huang went back to her room to practice writing. This was the homework left by Accountant Lin. Tang Shen had taken a bath and was thinking about how to realize his ambition to his teacher that “the rise and fall of the nation concerns everyone” when he heard someone knocking on the door. Tang Shen opened the door, and it was Xu Hui standing outside.

Xu Hui looked travel-worn and had already put on a heavy cotton-padded jacket, as if he was going on a long trip.

Tang Shen asked: “Is Yu Zhi going to leave Gusu City and take office?”

“Yes. There is something before I leave. I have thought about it and decided to tell you now.”

Tang Shen: “Is it related to sir?”

Xu Hui: “Yes. Daren left me a letter before his death, which explained his posthumous affairs. My position as county magistrate was arranged for me in advance. It turns out that in the early morning of that day, the steward got the news, and after telling daren that Zhong daru died in prison, daren became determined to die. You came just in time, and he saw you for the last time and fulfilled his last wish, so he had no regrets when he left.”

Tang Shen: “Did sir have anything to say to me?”

Xu Hui hesitated for a moment and took out a letter from his sleeve. “This letter should not have been given to you at this time. Daren said, I should give this letter to you after you become a juren. But I can’t wait any longer. I am about to take office, and I don’t know when I will see you again. If you fail this year, would I have to wait three years to give you the letter? If something happens in these three years, I can’t guarantee it, so I can only disappoint daren‘s request and give it to you in advance.”

Tang Shen took the letter with both hands.

Xu Hui: “I’m really ashamed, but I can only do this, and I have to rush to take office.”

Tang Shen: “The mountains and rivers are high and the rivers are long. I don’t know if I will see you again in this life. Be careful along the way.”

“Thank you. No need to see me off.”

Tang Shen returned to his room and put the letter on the table. This was what Liang Song left to him who had become a juren. At this moment, he was just a xiucai. Should he open this letter or not? Xu Yuzhi was unburdened after throwing the problem to him. Now it was his turn to have a headache.

Tang Shen thought about it and decided: “Open it!”

When he opened the letter, he found beautiful calligraphy written in small regular script on the snow-white rice paper.

“Jing Ze, when you read this letter, I should have been gone for half a year. You and I are teacher and student. Having left you first, I am remiss in my duty. Now that you have passed the examination, I cannot see it with my own eyes, and it is also a great regret in my life. I know that you just want to live a stable life, which is fine. After I leave, if the Tang family changes and they no longer take care of you, you can go to Shengjing to find a person.

This person’s name is Fu Wei, with the courtesy name Xi Ru and the pen name of “Master of Insignificant Talent”. On that double ninth day, the painting we admired together was exactly his handiwork.

Fu Xiru has been friends with me for many years. If you trust this letter to him, he will take care of you for the rest of your life.”

“Sir!” Tang Shen’s voice choked up when he saw this. He didn’t expect that even if his teacher left, he would never forget him as a student and had arranged all the retreat routes for him!

However, there was a second piece of paper in this letter. Tang Shen pulled out the second piece of paper. When he saw the content clearly, his gaze became stern.

“If you intend to pursue an official career, as your teacher and a remnant of the Songqing Party, I will not be able to take care of you. As a student of Liang Bowen, you may attract fatal danger. If you decide to serve as an official, after you go to Shengjing, you will give Fu Xiru the silver leaf left in teacher’s letter and respect him as your teacher. From then on you cannot mention my name again.

Don’t be willful. Although Fu Xiru is not the head of the four Confucian scholars in the world, if you are his student, your future career will be bright.

However, you must remember that it is not a top priority to become Fu Xiru’s student. The reason why I ordered you to respect him as your teacher is because Fu Xiru has a student named Wang Zhen, whose courtesy name is Zi Feng. This person is the most proficient, competent and talented person at being an official I have seen in my more than 40 years of officialdom. He also has the Wang family of Langya as his backing. If you become Fu Xiru’s student, you will be the junior brother of Wang Zifeng. This is the only way you can become connected with him.

Wang Zifeng is a person who is unfathomable and cannot be simply believed, but he can also be trusted a little.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

If you can conspire with him as allies, your teacher I will be rest assured in heaven.

The rise and fall of the nation concerns everyone.

I hope that when you come to offer incense at my grave next year, you will bring the fruit juice you have brewed. It will be sour and sweet, and it can also bring back the taste of the living world.”

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