Chapter 44: The peril of Jiangning Prefecture, the third gate approaches

In the private room.

Su Wenjing stepped one foot out of the room.

He then heard Wang Fugui's complaints.

Gu Jin Nian and Su Huaiyu were very silent.

It was mainly a bit awkward.

"Brother Gu, Brother Su."

"This has exhausted me."

"If I really fail to pass this year's test, I will definitely go back and write an article condemning such arbitrary actions."

Wang Fugui continued to court death.

He declared he would go back and write an article.

However, when Wang Fugui arrived outside the private room's door, he saw Su Wenjing.

"Sir, who are you?"

Seeing an outsider present, Wang Fugui immediately became strict, his attitude turning humble.

"I am just passing by."

"May I ask, young friend, who are you?"

Su Wenjing smiled faintly, and instead asked what the other person was called.

"I am Wang Fugui."

Wang Fugui gave his name, and didn't think much of it.

"Oh, the eldest son of the Suzhou Wang family."

"I understand."

"I will take my leave first; if fate allows, we may meet again."

Su Wenjing smiled.

He didn't say anything more, but before leaving he glanced at Wang Fugui's feet, then slowly departed.

After Su Wenjing left.

Wang Fugui felt somewhat puzzled, he entered the private room and looked at Gu Jin Nian and Su Huaiyu, saying.

"Brother Gu, Brother Su, who was that old man outside just now?"

Wang Fugui was full of curiosity and couldn't help asking.

"Uh."

Gu Jin Nian was about to answer, but Su Huaiyu beside him spoke up.

"Just a passing scholar."

"It's no problem."

Su Huaiyu spoke, but did not tell Wang Fugui the truth.

"Oh."

Wang Fugui nodded, not really caring about that matter, but he continued speaking.

"Brother Gu, Brother Su, I, your younger brother, really can't take it anymore."

"We've been out for over two hours, and we simply can't find a token."

"Moreover, we don't know who leaked the news; now everyone knows to look for the token, in every street and alley, these people are practically bandits—if you go out now and see, any villager who dares step outside gets blocked."

"Even the waiter is surrounded by four or five people; I think we won't be able to pass the second gate."

Wang Fugui felt somewhat dejected.

He plopped onto a stool, picked up a cup of wine, and drank.

He was very depressed.

Moreover, he felt miserable.

"Brother Wang, don't lose heart."

"I have a business matter I'd like to discuss with Brother Wang; I don't know if Brother Wang is willing."

Gu Jin Nian comforted Wang Fugui, then began talking about business.

"Brother Gu, I don't have the mind to discuss business right now."

"If Brother Gu needs silver, just speak up."

Wang Fugui felt somewhat helpless; he currently has no inclination to deal with such matters.

Still talking about business.

Talk about a damn business.

Do you have any damn?

"Then, Brother Fugui, could you give me 100,000 taels of gold?"

Hearing that it could be taken directly, Gu Jin Nian spoke without hesitation.

But as soon as the words were finished, a surge of resentment welled up from within Wang Fugui.

"100,000 taels of gold? Eldest brother, my family does have money, but it's not under my control; if you want a few thousand taels of gold, I can give you that."

"To ask for 100,000 taels of gold outright? That's my annual living expenses!"

"Alright, I won't talk about happiness with Brother Wang."

"This business concerns the second gate's token; as long as Brother Wang is willing, I can guarantee Brother Wang will pass smoothly."

Gu Jin Nian smiled, but his eyes were serious.

"Pass the gate?"

"Is what Gu Jin Nian said really true?"

He clicked his tongue, stared at Gu Jin Nian, finding it hard to believe.

"I, the prince, never lie."

"It just depends on whether Brother Wang is willing to do this business."

Gu Jin Nian spoke up, quite seriously.

"Please, Your Highness, give the word; I, your humble brother, will be at your service."

If he can get through smoothly, he will surely take part.

"It's actually quite simple."

"Brother Wang only needs to do this, then that, and it'll be fine."

Gu Jin Nian whispered a long explanation into Wang Fugui's ear.

Wang Fugui, listening, suddenly understood.

However, after hearing the plan, Wang Fugui grew curious and looked at Gu Jin Nian, asking.

"Your Highness, if we do this, will it bring trouble?"

"I'm talking about Mr. Wenjing."

Wang Fugui basically understood.

Gu Jin Nian's plan is also simple: do this, then that, then collect the silver.

"No problem, just go."

However, Brother Wang must investigate thoroughly: those who are on good terms with Zhang Yun, or those who secretly harbor hostility toward me, must not be sold to.

"The rest can be done as you like."

Gu Jin Nian remained calm.

The price has been set at five hundred taels of silver each, so there's no worry about no one buying.

However, there's also the question of whom to sell it to.

Gu Jin Nian certainly doesn't want to sell to Zhang Yun—not out of dislike, but because the guy is useless.

After all this time, he hasn't even reached Qi Condensation.

He's really embarrassing his father.

Such a villain—better to get lost early; he's utterly worthless.

"Alright."

"Then Elder Gu will wait here."

"Leave the rest to me."

Wang Fugui didn't waste words, grabbed the token from the table and left.

Gu Jin Nian left one earth token, Su Huaiyu left three.

Wang Fugui took two as his payment, leaving one hundred sixty-five tokens.

After Wang Fugui left.

Gu Jin Nian, meanwhile, remained calm, waiting to collect the silver.

One hundred sixty-five tokens, by standard calculation, equal eight thousand two hundred fifty taels of gold.

However, that's the standard calculation; the scheme Gu Jin Nian just came up with will surely earn at least ten thousand taels of gold, no problem.

Thinking of this, Gu Jin Nian said nothing more, had the attendant open two upper rooms, and rested.

Meanwhile.

Inside Little Stream Village.

By a lakeside.

Su Wenjing stood silently, his gaze on the pond, lost in thought.

Just then, a figure slowly appeared behind him.

"Teacher."

"Jiangning Prefecture is likely in big trouble."

The visitor was a man in his late twenties, graceful and outstanding in demeanor, wearing a white scholar's robe.

As soon as he appeared, he lowered his voice and spoke, informing him of the matter.

"How serious is the trouble?" Su Wenjing fell silent, turning to face him.

According to the academy's student survey, Jiangning Prefecture not only has demonic mischief, but local officials and merchants collude, superiors and subordinates in conspiracy; if it truly erupts, the people may not survive, and a great disaster will ensue.

"I hope the teacher will personally see the emperor and inform His Majesty."

The man spoke up; he was Su Wenjing's student, appearing respectful.

"The court has already sent a Great Scholar to suppress the demons."

These days they've also been transporting grain; although Jiangning Prefecture is large, there are still many matters to handle at court.

Even if I were to see the emperor, I couldn't change anything.

However, you should prepare well, stockpile grain and fodder, and send it to Jiangning Prefecture at the critical moment; if Jiangning Prefecture is fine, treat it as a precaution.

If Jiangning Prefecture does encounter trouble, this grain shipment of yours could also add a mark to your future official career, understand?

Su Wenjing spoke.

It's not that he doesn't want to go see the emperor to talk; it's that the country has a huge amount of matters to report each day, and now the court should be sending grain.

It's time to send people; there's no need to say anything more now.

Some things are easy to say but hard to carry out; everything depends on the cost-benefit ratio.

When the cost exceeds the benefit, no one wants to do it.

It's no longer a matter of selfishness or selflessness, but rather forced by the bigger picture.

"The student understands."

"That's what the teacher pointed out."

The scholar nodded.

Finally, he continued speaking.

"Teacher, before I came, I heard that someone had collected all the Heaven-Earth Tokens."

"Such thinking is somewhat treacherous; I hope the teacher will pay attention, lest petty people succeed and harm our Da Xia."

He continued speaking, mentioning this matter.

"As for this matter, the teacher already knows."

"Within the rules, there is no treachery; on the contrary, in the teacher's view, this is a good thing."

"Cheng Ming, you are upright and hate evil like an enemy, but sometimes do not let prejudice arise in your heart."

Su Wenjing didn't mind; instead, he praised Gu Jin Nian.

"That is what the teacher taught."

"The student will remember."

"However, I fear the teacher's action today may displease some people at the academy."

"Moreover, I heard that a few days ago, those teachers at Da Xia Academy gathered, seemingly discussing something."

"Teacher, you are indifferent to fame and fortune, with one foot already stepped into the Sacred Realm, and you don't care about these people, but after all, they are troublesome little devils; one cannot guarantee they won't secretly cause trouble, should you need help."

"The student wishes to enter the academy to assist the teacher, and believes the Crown Prince will also agree."

Cheng Ming continued speaking, but as soon as he said that, Su Wenjing's eyes flashed with a hint of something unusual.

He felt slightly displeased with what this student had just said.

The teachers of Da Xia Academy, although they secretly harbor some dissatisfaction toward him, are ultimately scholars who educate and nurture virtue; to call them troublesome little devils is somewhat disrespectful.

"As a teacher, one must be respected."

"Cheng Ming, I hope that no matter what you do, you will hold fast to your original intention and not forget your purpose in entering officialdom."

Su Wenjing spoke calmly.

The latter's expression changed instantly, and then he bowed to Su Wenjing.

"It is the student's fault."

"Please forgive me, teacher."

He lowered his head, his eyes were fearful, and also somewhat unusual.

Su Wenjing did not dwell on this.

But he continued speaking.

"It's normal for Da Xia Academy to have opinions about me, after all my teaching method is completely opposite to theirs."

"However, pacifying them is simple: just set up a new hall, without disturbing the academy's foundation."

"That's enough."

"Tomorrow, you will oversee the third trial."

Su Wenjing appeared calm, not caring about these scheming and conflicts.

"I will dutifully follow the teacher's orders."

"However, teacher, I am not yet clear on what the third trial tests."

Hearing Su Wenjing say that, Cheng Ming's heart relaxed a little; moreover, being entrusted to oversee the third trial is a great honor for him.

"Essay."

Su Wenjing said calmly.

"What is the topic?"

Cheng Ming continued asking curiously.

"The state."

Su Wenjing said calmly.

The latter then firmly kept this topic in mind.

Just like that.

Su Wenjing waved his brush again, riding an immortal crane as he flew toward Da Xia Academy.

Leaving Cheng Ming alone.

Afterward.

Inside Small Stream Village.

Also, something happened.

Someone spread news.

The second trial is to collect tokens, and this has already spread in Small Stream Village.

But no matter how everyone searched, they simply could not find a single one.

Just as everyone was frantic and overwhelmed.

Then another piece of news spread again.

Someone had collected all the tokens.

As soon as the news came out, it drew a wave of curses.

"What, is this person missing a brain?"

"What, this person is sick, right?" The curses were huge, and even more people wanted to file a complaint.

But upon learning that the token was being sold, each for five hundred taels of silver.

The cursing voices instantly halved.

The place of sale was the tavern; the news had only spread for the time it takes to burn an incense stick, and the tavern was already packed.

Five hundred taels of silver per token, the price is not considered expensive.

Those who can enter the first gate are hardly ordinary people.

Token sales.

Over a hundred tokens sold out instantly.

The remaining ten tokens were sold by auction, and required immediate settlement.

The problem wasn't a big problem.

But a small dispute arose midway: there was a group of people not within the sale's scope.

It was Zhang Yun's group.

Such discriminatory treatment instantly sparked controversy.

But under the collective consensus, most people approved, after all, the unlucky ones aren't me.

It would be better if there were fewer people.

Thus, the 165 tokens were sold cleanly within about half an hour.

The total sale price was ten thousand taels of gold.

After the sale ended, the controversy grew even larger.

After all, most people didn't obtain a token, naturally breeding resentment, and various disputes arose at once.

But no matter how they clamored, Da Xia Academy seemed unwilling to get involved, with no one stepping forward to manage.

However, the matter nevertheless spread thoroughly.

Thus.

In the blink of an eye.

Then it was the next day.

Cauldron.

The third quarter of the Yin hour.

With the sound of a bell ringing.

A loud voice sounded.

«The second gate examination of Da Xia Academy has ended. »

«Please all students proceed to the village entrance to participate in the third examination. »

The voice sounded.

In an instant, Small Stream Village boiled over.

(End of chapter)