Chapter 591: Chen Yan: I

"Mr. Chen… you are indeed putting us in a bit of a bind."

Li Chunfeng said wordlessly, "For all this time, haven't you realized what's special about you? We can see a little; it's enough if something good has happened to you lately."

"It's not that our ability is insufficient; even anyone else could at most see only this much."

"If you keep looking, even if you don't die you'll have to shed a layer of skin."

"Fine, fine, I won't bother you two." Chen Yan replied perfunctorily, "I told you there's a surprise coming your way; will you accept it?"

Yuan Tiangang and Li Er exchanged mournful glances; Yuan Tiangang said softly, "The Duke of Wei has spoken; can we still refuse this surprise?"

Li Chunfeng added, "If leaving one's hometown and going overseas to mine counts as a surprise."

"Look, look!"

Chen Yan, in anguish, said, "What kind of words are those? You say I've spoken, yet you think you can refuse?"

"Did I force you with my authority? Did I threaten you? Did I blackmail you with morality?"

"Moreover, that's a huge silver mine; if you go, you could grab a handful and put it in your own pockets, and I wouldn't argue about it."

"When you return, won't we have enough money to build more temples? I've long been annoyed by those bald donkeys; if we build more temples and recruit disciples, I will definitely support you in competing for incense offerings with those bald donkeys."

Li Chunfeng, expressionless, said, "Mr. Chen, please stop painting us big pies; our sect values compassion and has no intention of competing for incense offerings with anyone."

"Don't try to fool us."

Chen Yan clicked his tongue, spread his hands, and said, "All this talk, you seem a bit unwilling to go!"

"What do you think?" Yuan Tiangang retorted, "If bringing back Champa Rice requires us to observe the heavens, find the way, handle language barriers, and so on, we would naturally be willing."

"But the problem is, what can we actually do guarding a mine overseas?"

"Calculate how much silver ore we could extract today."

Chen Yan choked.

It does seem logical.

If they guard the silver mine, Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng's roles aren't particularly significant; having them or not seems no different.

Chen Yan stroked his chin, thought, and couldn't help but nod, "You make a valid point, so your main purpose in coming to me today was that you guessed I wanted you to set out, and you're politely refusing?"

Li Chunfeng shook his head, "That can't be said; if Mr. Chen believes we could be useful there, a trip wouldn't hurt."

"However, the two of us consulted a divination and think staying in Chang'an might be more advantageous, though we're not sure where the benefit lies."

"After pondering left and right, we came to Mr. Chen; are you scheming something in your mind again?"

Chen Yan, feeling indignant, said, "You consulted a divination and think staying in Chang'an is better; what does that have to do with me?"

"Shouldn't that be a matter for the two of you?"

Yuan Tiangang's eye twitched, "Mr. Chen, you really have no sense; now His Majesty thinks we are your people, and no one cares about us; titles like National Teacher and Grand Historian are practically meaningless."

"If it has nothing to do with you, then who else could it involve?"

Chen Yan: "......"

The words are coarse, but the reasoning isn't.

Now Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng, in Li Shimin's eyes, indeed seem to be under Chen Yan's command.

But the problem is, what can these two do staying in Chang'an?

Chen Yan thought it over, then suddenly recalled something, blinking, "By the way, His Majesty seems to have a position that suits you both."

The two laughed, a laugh tinged with helplessness.

"Alright, Mr. Chen, tell us what position it is, and we'll report tomorrow."

Li Chunfeng nodded.

"This matter… it's a bit uncertain; I need to discuss it with His Majesty."

"......"

After parting from Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang, Chen Yan kept strolling a bit before returning home.

But just as he returned, Qing'er came over.

"Young master, two guests have arrived at the house and have been waiting for you for a long time."

"Guests?" Chen Yan was startled, "Who?"

"I think they're called Lai Heng and Lai Ji, two brothers; I recall you met them a few times back in Weinan County, so I arranged for them to wait in the living room."

Hearing those names, Chen Yan suddenly realized.

So they were those two brothers after all.

Indeed.

The Imperial Examination is over; it's time they came to find me.

"Alright, let's go meet those two brothers."

Walking to the living room, he pushed open the door and saw the two brothers sitting dutifully, looking rather nervous.

Seeing him enter, they hurried to stand and salute, "A humble servant greets the Duke of Wei."

Chen Yan immediately laughed, "Come to think of it, it's been over half a year since we last met; I recall you were poised then—why do you look nervous now?"

The brothers were choked by Chen Yan's words, not knowing how to reply.

Can it be the same now?

Even though you're still the Duke of Wei.

But now you're the Minister of Revenue, a third‑rank official, just half a step away from the Prime Minister.

In contrast, they are just two recent Imperial Examination graduates, still unsure if they'll pass; the gap in status is enormous.

"Please sit!"

Chen Yan sat, raised his hand and patted, "Don't be so restrained; I'm still the same. Speak to me as you always have; we're old friends now."

The Lai brothers breathed a sigh of relief and sat down calmly.

Chen Yan asked, "How is it? After going through this Imperial Examination, how do you think you performed, and compared with the many other scholars, how does it stand?"

Lai Heng paused, feeling fairly confident inside, yet his face was very modest, "We don't know how the other scholars did, but thanks to the prior cultivation by the Duke of Wei, we think our performance was still quite good, and we have a chance to pass."

"Is that so?" Chen Yan was a little surprised, then calmly said, "Having confidence is a good thing. Anyway, you're so young; passing would be good. If you don't pass, at worst you wait for the next time; this time you can treat it as experience."

"Moreover, if you are unwilling to take the exam, I have already found a post for you—go directly to report to the Crown Prince. I guarantee your future will be boundless."

The Lai brothers were startled—Chen Yan had already found a back route for them?

The two brothers stood up and bowed deeply.

"Duke of Wei's great kindness, we brothers will never dare to forget!"

"No need for further polite words." Chen Yan waved his hand, indifferent, "You need not thank me; as far as I know, the Crown Prince, and even His Majesty, are already watching you."

"You have already entered their sight."

"Since you have confidence to pass, just wait for the results!"

Hearing this, the two brothers, who had some confidence, were completely stunned.

"Isn't it?"

"So we've entered the Crown Prince's, even His Majesty's sight?"

"......"