Chapter 52: Setting Out, Da Xia Academy

Da Xia Capital.

Xuanwu Avenue.

Two figures walked side by side, drawing some attention.

Mainly because the two people's statuses were far from ordinary.

One was the current Duke, the chief of the military generals.

The other was Da Xia Minister of Personnel Hu Yong.

The two gathering together inevitably shocked onlookers.

At this moment, Hu Yong's voice also began to rise slowly.

"Duke, the Da Xia Academy will commence in two days."

"I have read Gu Jin Nian's essays; the line 'the people are precious' truly captures the essence."

"If nothing unexpected occurs, after this Da Xia Academy, the court will welcome a capable minister, and the Gu Family will truly shine beyond compare."

Hu Yong spoke.

He smiled faintly, praising Gu Jin Nian and the Gu Family.

"Lord Hu, your words are indeed flattering."

"I may not be a capable minister, but I hope my grandson can work earnestly for the people; if he later becomes a Vice Minister, I will be satisfied."

Duke smiled lightly; before his own family he can be arrogant, but with Hu Yong he restrained himself considerably.

It's not that he's afraid of anything.

Rather, the two are not of the same camp; now that Hu Yong has come, how could he not understand the meaning? The Crown Prince was removed from regency, and Hu Yong, a loyal Crown Prince faction member, knows he cannot take sides, but Gu Jin Nian is different—previously he had no chance nor reason.

Now it is different.

Gu Jin Nian has displayed talent, possessing the qualities of a Confucian and Daoist capable minister; his future prospects are limitless, and he will eventually enter the court as a civil official.

Since he becomes a civil official, he must choose a faction; once the team is chosen, his entry into the court will be like a fish in water.

But Grandfather Gu is not foolish; he cannot let Gu Jin Nian get entangled in succession struggles so early.

"Duke, you are being modest."

"Gu Jin Nian's talent is more than enough to become a Minister, perhaps even Da Xia Prime Minister, assisting a wise ruler and creating a celebrated tale."

Hu Yong smiled and spoke.

Yet as he said this, a slight oddity flickered in Grandfather Gu's eyes.

"If such a day comes, I would die with peace, but Gu Jin Nian is still a mischievous child; though talented, the court is deep as water and still requires proper cultivation."

"Now I only hope Mr. Su Wenjing will tidy up the Da Xia Academy, making Gu Jin Nian suffer a bit; otherwise this child, spoiled since youth, has achieved so much, and his grandfather still worries."

Grandfather Gu smiled and spoke.

Only the latter half of his words seemed somewhat worried.

Yet these words were ultimately a polite refusal.

Hu Yong's meaning was clear: if Duke sides with the Crown Prince, after the Crown Prince ascends, Gu Jin Nian, still young, could be appointed Da Xia Prime Minister at sixty or seventy.

This counts as a transaction.

Unfortunately, the Duke was somewhat tempted but ultimately chose to avoid the topic.

A wise person speaks only to the point, never too thoroughly; seeing the elder this way, Hu Yong smiled faintly.

"Duke, there is a saying that the younger surpasses the elder; the young have their own destiny, so we need not worry too much."

"But Gu Jin Nian is indeed clever; my master is also moved. If the Duke is willing, I can recommend him."

He did not continue to press the issue, but changed his wording.

"Please convey my thanks to Mr. Ming Xin for his kindness; however, Gu Jin Nian will soon go to the Da Xia Academy, and the child is about to come of age, so let many matters be his own choice."

Hu Yong's master is a famous Great Scholar of Da Xia, whose reputation rivals Su Wenjing.

Willing to take Gu Jin Nian as a disciple is a good thing, but since it involves court politics, he politely declined.

"Very well."

"I understand the Duke's intention; then I hope Gu Jin Nian studies diligently. No matter what, as long as he serves Da Xia wholeheartedly, it is beneficial to the Emperor and to us."

Hu Yong smiled, then said nothing more; after a while, he also left.

At this very moment.

Duke's residence.

Gu Jin Nian sat inside the room, idly turning a stone, anticipating the ancient tree fruit.

This admission examination.

The resentment fruit had borne two pieces.

The talent fruit had borne four pieces.

And all were fully ripe; if no reward is given now, it would be hard to justify.

First release the resentment, then the talent.

Gu Jin Nian thought to himself.

The fully ripe resentment fruit filled Gu Jin Nian with curiosity.

Soon, as Gu Jin Nian's mind sank deeper.

In an instant, an ancient tree appeared in his mind, radiant as a saint, immensely grand.

Along with a pure gold‑colored resentment fruit falling down.

A beam of light flickered, and the next moment a talisman tile emerged.

It was not a paper talisman but a solid talisman tile.

【Thousand‑Mile Transmission Talisman】

The characters appear.

Accompanied by a burst of information, Gu Jin Nian instantly understood what this thing was.

It can transmit voice to any random person within a thousand li, imprint the other's aura, and even change into the other's voice.

Yes, it can change into the other's voice.

This is definitely a tool for online romance.

But the problem is, what's the use? Gu Jin Nian stared for the length of an incense stick and still couldn't figure out its purpose.

What would transmitting voice to others be for? Shouting someone awake at night?

To disgust people?

It's not that it's impossible.

The somewhat depressed Gu Jin Nian suddenly fell silent again.

This thing, for serious matters, indeed has little use, but if used to disgust people or to generate resentment, it seems okay.

Anyway, having something is better than nothing.

Only after picking the second fruit, Gu Jin Nian still hoped there might be something good.

Otherwise, doing this forever would be boring.

At that moment.

As the second resentment fruit fell.

At this moment, the resentment fruit again burst into golden light.

But this time, it was no longer a talisman or the like.

It was a strand of colored light.

Fine as a hair.

It entered his own body.

And this time there was no hint at all.

Yes, not a single hint.

Unlike before, which would tell what it was. "Weird day, playing this trick?"

In an instant, Gu Jin Nian was stunned.

The second resentment fruit just does this? Says nothing?

Pulling out some weird thing as a reward? If you can't give it, just say so? Why make this thing?

Somewhat frustrated.

This left Gu Jin Nian at a loss for words.

Rather than this, it'd be better to just hand over a talisman.

This ancient tree is indeed problematic.

After being frustrated for a while, Gu Jin Nian stopped messing around.

Switch to a talent fruit.

Open a new blind box.

Resentment fruits have many issues, but talent fruits are different; this thing is definitely good.

There are four talent fruits in total.

Gu Jin Nian didn't think much and directly took the first one.

At that moment, golden light dazzled.

Accompanied by four characters appearing.

'One Word, Thousand Pounds'

As it manifested, the golden light entered his own body.

And it came with a burst of information.

Focusing on talent, writing characters, each word as heavy as a thousand pounds.

Now, Gu Jin Nian felt invigorated.

He thought it was another Confucian‑Daoist thought, but unexpectedly it was a Confucian‑Daoist divine skill.

Talent condenses the character, each word as heavy as a thousand pounds.

What does this mean? In future encounters with enemies, although you can't wield a verbal sword, you could write an article and fling it at the opponent.

One hundred words equal a hundred thousand pounds; a thousand words, a million pounds.

Even strong practitioners of the third martial realm would likely be unable to bear it.

But his own talent probably isn't enough to write a thousand words; this divine skill also has a duration, and Gu Jin Nian doesn't know exactly how long it lasts.

Nevertheless, it is undeniable that this time a truly good thing was obtained.

Thinking that, Gu Jin Nian couldn't help but pick a second talent fruit.

As the talent fruit was taken.

An overwhelming surge of righteous qi rose, and the saint's scriptures sounded again.

Just like the first activation, listening to the holy words to elevate the Confucian‑Daoist realm.

About half a hour later.

Gu Jin Nian awoke from sudden enlightenment.

Although not a Confucian‑Daoist divine skill, such holy words still solidify his Confucian‑Daoist realm.

The third fruit was taken.

It was still Confucian‑Daoist holy words.

The fourth token is taken.

It is still the Confucian Daoist holy saying.

Gu Jin Nian did not show disappointment, for he had only just arrived at the first realm of Confucian Daoist, reading to condense Qi.

Compared with many talented youths, there are still many shortcomings; the three talent fruits compensate for the previous ten‑plus years of blank period.

And with the three Confucian Daoist holy sayings, the lofty righteous Qi within his body also became considerably stronger.

It is almost complete.

One more step forward, and he can reach the second realm of Confucian Daoist, Mingyi nourishing Qi, which is the Qi‑nurturing scholar.

The first two realms of Confucian Daoist can be directly broken through by lofty righteous Qi.

But upon reaching the third realm, the real difficulty appears; thereafter each realm requires heart verification to break through.

Otherwise, even if one writes a hundred timeless articles, the breakthrough cannot be achieved, because it is linked to one's state of mind.

The blind box is finished.

Gu Jin Nian did not think further, lifted a book, and began reading to nurture Qi.

To say or not to say.

Reading is still the royal path.

It lasted until late night, when the old master made a visit.

He said a few words; roughly, he went to Da Xia Academy, must study well, and if any trouble arises, go directly to Sixth Uncle.

Then he earnestly spoke about other matters.

Gu Jin Nian took it to heart.

However, one indisputable point is that he has not yet entered the court, not even received the hat, so many matters are fine to understand in his mind, but he must absolutely not take part.

One does what one's status permits.

One makes choices according to the situation.

This point, Gu Jin Nian, who has lived two lifetimes, knows clearly.

That is all.

In the blink of an eye, another two days passed.

In the Yongsheng era, the tenth day of the tenth month.

The matter of the Crown Prince being removed from regency, under the Yongsheng Emperor's hard stance, gradually calmed, while Minister of Rites Yang Kai fell gravely ill at home, sparking some controversy.

However, all the controversy was largely diluted as Da Xia Academy officially opened.

At this moment.

The sky had not yet brightened.

The Gu Family's jade carriage was already prepared.

This time, the Gu Family was not overly solemn.

Gu Jin Nian's mother, Lady Li, did not appear, crying sorrowfully.

After all, this trip, rare after months, follows the academy's rule: except for some grand festivals, academy students may not go out.

Even for parents to wish to see him is very difficult.

Its purpose is to let students study peacefully, receive education at the academy, and set aside worldly trivialities.

At the third quarter of the Chou hour.

Accompanied by a starting sound.

The jade carriage slowly headed toward Da Xia Academy.

Meanwhile.

A piece of news instantly shocked the imperial palace and court.

A flood broke out in Jiangning Commandery.

The final week free period.

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(End of Chapter)