Chapter 220: I Have a Plan

Shenyi Gu, in the Town.

The local townspeople all know that today is the Entrance Assessment.

At first, they were very interested in this matter and curious. Later, they felt it was meaningless.

Seeing those young masters going through the motions perfunctorily, they felt a thorn in their hearts.

Comparing the two, those commoners would risk their lives to show their abilities, fighting tooth and nail for a spot, for a single opportunity. Yet that group of young masters stood to the side, as idle as if they were watching a play. The townspeople did not want to go over and add to their own frustration.

Therefore, this year, hearing there was an Entrance Assessment, the local townspeople could not muster any interest and simply did not go to watch.

A grocery store manager sat inside the shop, hands tucked in his sleeves to warm them, eyes half-closed as if he were about to fall asleep.

Suddenly, someone rushed in like the wind, threw themselves at the counter, and said urgently, "Manager!"

The manager opened his eyes: "What do you want to buy?"

In winter, it is nothing more than hand warmers, Animal Skin, or things to warm the hands and body.

The person hurriedly asked: "Do you have Bamboo Tube? The kind of Bamboo Tube for holding water, give them all to me!"

The manager opened his eyes wide in surprise.

With his discernment, he could tell that the guest before him was likely an attendant to some noble.

Why buy so many Bamboo Tube in winter?

Nobles do not use cheap things like Bamboo Tube to drink water.

Besides, there is not a high demand for drinking water in winter.

"I have them, but you want them all? There are more than ten!" the manager asked.

"Bring them, bring them, I'll buy them all!" the person urged.

The manager immediately cleared out the stock, muttering to himself: Are there really such suckers?

After the transaction was finished, the person carried a pile of Bamboo Tube and ran off.

With the Bamboo Tube sold, the manager was in a good mood. He had only just sat down for a moment when someone else ran over, panting as they asked: "Manager! Do you have any Bamboo Tube?" The manager said: "None left, just sold out."

That person did not say much more and immediately ran to the next shop.

The manager realized something was wrong.

Why buy Bamboo Tube?

Just as he was about to go and inquire, he saw the person who had bought the Bamboo Tube earlier running past, carrying that pile of Bamboo Tube.

Following behind them were more than ten people.

They were all familiar faces from the neighborhood.

"What are you doing?" the manager asked loudly.

Those running past had no time to enlighten him, but the manager soon learned from others—over at the Entrance Assessment, a noble's young master was hiring people to help cheer! At this, the manager finally remembered that the examination grounds did indeed restrict outsiders, but there was preferential treatment for local townspeople, who were allowed to go over and watch the battle. It was just that they had lost interest before, and few people had headed that way.

Now it seemed, something was different!

The manager hurriedly called for a shop assistant to watch the store, while he and the nearby neighbors ran toward the examination grounds.

On the way, he saw people running over from other streets and alleys, all with the same destination.

Some had heard the news and wanted to go earn some pay, others just wanted to go watch the excitement, and some were carrying cloth bags, likely intending to sell some goods. And that group of wealthy young masters and young ladies waiting to be examined had already begun a competition of status and financial power—

You hire ten, I hire twenty!

You hire twenty, I will hire fifty!

How could one lose in a matter concerning face and prestige!

Townspeople who had come purely out of curiosity to watch the excitement could not help but join in. These wealthy families were paying quite a lot of money to snatch people up! Money could be earned like this?

The rich really know how to play!

The townspeople suddenly felt that these outsiders were not so annoying after all.

Those who arrived early had already found ways to notify other relatives and friends: The people are stupid, the money is plentiful, come quickly!

And with more people watching, certain procedures at the examination grounds could no longer be so perfunctory.

During Wen Gu's first assessment, there were not many people watching yet.

When entering the grounds, the "cheering squad" immediately stirred up the atmosphere.

They all knew that the sound of drums could boost morale, but this was not a battlefield, so they avoided drums, and after choosing back and forth, this Bamboo Tube was the most suitable. Shenyi Gu did not have a rich variety of daily utensils, but there were many Bamboo Tube.

They could hold water, they could hold food, bamboo grew in the mountains, this thing was not precious, and it would not be a pity if it broke.

So they each had one, and as they watched "Young Master Rong" take the stage, they knocked the Bamboo Tube in their hands with a loud clatter.

People who did not know the truth immediately began to discuss.

"Who is that?"

"Looks very impressive!"

They had not heard of the Rong Family of Xinzhou, but seeing this commotion, "He must be very famous outside!"

The other pre-selected candidates were so angry their teeth itched.

That Rong fellow has no fame outside at all!

Is it fame visible only at the examination grounds?

A wealthy young master found his old friend from Xinzhou and asked: "Does that Rong Huan act so pretentious in Xinzhou too?"

The person from Xinzhou hesitated and said: "This... I have not heard of it before. But perhaps it is because his reputation was overshadowed by Wen Gu. Among the younger generation in Xinzhou, Wen Gu's reputation is too great! However, now that Wen Gu has retreated due to serious injury, young people are gradually revealing their reputations, and this Rong Huan might be one of them."

In this era, the importance of reputation goes without saying; sometimes, reputation is a pass!

In an era where information is difficult to circulate, noble families are very experienced in how to build and manage prestige.

Coming to Shenyi Gu, these young people from wealthy families naturally have more decent plans for "managing prestige."

However, plans cannot keep up with changes; that Rong fellow suddenly pulled this trick, and they had to grit their teeth and keep up, otherwise they would fall behind!

"As expected of someone from a small place on the border, a boorish person, truly lacking in refinement!"

"At such a young age, how can your vanity be so heavy!"

Some people would criticize others with a flurry of words on the surface, looking as if they held the other party's actions in great contempt. Yet, the moment they turned their backs, they would immediately tell someone to follow that same routine later! Patrol Lieutenant Yang listened to those onlookers, each and every one of them saying "that person surnamed Rong," with absolutely no one doubting whether that person was truly surnamed Rong.

Tsk!

Truly worthy of being someone who can serve as a Patrol Guard Division Vice Commissioner!

Such extraordinary courage and strategy!

If he didn't know Wen Gu's true background, Patrol Lieutenant Yang himself would have been fooled too!

As for the exam arrangements, they had long discovered that some people were playing tricks; they could have stopped it, but Deputy Envoy Wen didn't let them. He wasn't angry at all; instead, he seemed quite pleased. Patrol Lieutenant Yang was in no hurry and looked toward the exam grounds.

Each round had three groups participating simultaneously, with four people in each group.

The assessment was to have them retrieve the Medicinal Herb on the cliff face.

A Climbing Ladder had been set up on the cliff face, but it was only wide enough for one person to climb at a time.

The Medicinal Herb on the cliff face was about ten zhang from the ground, which is about the height of a ten-story building.

A whole crowd of people rushed over to grab the Climbing Ladder; it was not easy to snatch!

Among these twelve people in the first round, only Wen Gu was the pre-selected connection hire.

The other three in the same group as Wen Gu looked like ordinary refugees, but their individual abilities shouldn't be bad.

Wen Gu observed his group members.

Group member one had a burly build and looked very strong, but he didn't seem very clever.

Group member two had a nimble posture, but he looked like he had a tendency to fight alone and didn't have much desire for cooperation.

Group member three was not tall, was lean, and moved as slippery as a fish while running.

These three group members held an attitude of keeping Wen Gu at a respectful distance.

Wen Gu didn't continue to cling to them either; he just observed these civilians participating in the assessment.

Being able to come and participate in the Shenyi Gu assessment meant they certainly had special skills; even if they had no other special skills, their physical strength must be good enough to do labor. There wasn't much preparation time; the gong sounded, and a stick of incense was inserted into the Incense Burner.

There was a mark in the middle of the incense; when the incense was lit and burned to the middle, it was exactly one quarter of an hour. There would be a short break at halftime, and then it would continue.

A Weapon Rack was placed next to the grounds for them to choose weapons.

There were Rattan Shield, clubs, and bows; the tips of the Arrow were wrapped in cloth, and the blades and swords were not sharpened.

As soon as the gong sounded, everyone rushed toward the cliff face, wanting to be the first to seize the Climbing Ladder.

A burly figure holding a Shield rushed forward with a grunt.

Wen Gu, who was standing in place, was shoved by a Shield and stumbled several steps to the side before standing firm.

The onlookers outside the exam grounds saw this scene, and immediately some people burst into laughter with a "pfft."

They were happy to watch the person surnamed Rong make a fool of himself.

"The three groups in the first round were clearly arranged by someone on purpose."

In the first round of the assessment, they were unfamiliar with the grounds and unfamiliar with the people around them.

Of the three groups in the same round, the other two competing groups were either cooperating tacitly or just causing trouble. Looking at Rong Huan's group separately, they seemed fine, but with Rong Huan, the connection hire, those three might not have had any intention of cooperating and only wanted to show off their own skills as much as possible.

It appeared that Rong Huan was isolated.

They laughed gloatingly, but then thought of how that person surnamed Rong had stirred up the atmosphere in the first round, forcing them to spend a sum of money in vain, and the smiles on their faces collapsed. Some people also looked at the burly figure holding the Shield in the field and shook their heads repeatedly: "He looks like a brute; he never even thought about what kind of status the person he shoved away had! Offending such a young master in full view of everyone, will he have a good end? Sigh!"

In the field, Wen Gu did not have the awkward and bewildered expression that outsiders expected. Being shoved to the side, he took the opportunity to retreat to the edge and even asked the person supplying tea outside the field to hand him a cup of tea. Someone was boiling tea next to the exam grounds; it was provided by Shenyi Gu, a Medicinal Herbal Tea to warm the body in winter.

Not many medicinal materials were used, and they were very basic, but it was, after all, free hot tea in the winter.

However, people with status looked down on it, and ordinary civilians didn't dare to ask for it proactively.

"Rong Huan" was the first person today to ask for tea.

The person boiling the tea was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly poured a cup of tea and handed it over.

Others saw this and asked in surprise: "Can you drink tea in the middle of the assessment?"

"There is no clear rule forbidding it, so it should be allowed, right?"

Wen Gu didn't care what others thought; he held a cup of tea, stood on the side, and watched the situation in the field.

The freshly poured tea was very hot, so Wen Gu took out the Folding Fan tucked at his waist to fan it, but his gaze remained focused on the field.

Especially on the other three in his group.

Group member one held a Shield, wanting to shield a path for himself. His strength was great, but he couldn't withstand others also having strength; perhaps he couldn't compare to them individually, but two, three, or even four people working together could completely block him. Looking at group member three, as soon as the assessment started, this person was extremely fast, rushing toward the cliff face, and was indeed the first to touch the Climbing Ladder, but the next moment he was knocked off by someone, and that thin figure was easily shoved to the side. Group member two, however, persisted for quite a long time.

Someone used a long staff, wanting to pole vault, but group member two held a blade and neatly chopped the other person's long staff.

That stance of holding the blade reminded Wen Gu of Zhou Shan from before, County Lieutenant Zhou.

This group member two had very likely served in the yamen before.

After finishing the cup of tea, Wen Gu asked the person in charge of boiling the tea to pour four more cups and put them on a Tray to cool.

A Tray held exactly four cups.

Afterward, Wen Gu walked to the Weapon Rack and picked up a bow and a quiver.

From time to time, he would harass people from other groups to provide support for group member two.

The bow and arrows at the exam grounds were a bit awkward to use, but after practicing a few more shots, he adapted to them well enough.

Group member two noticed Wen Gu's support, but he only glanced over here briefly and continued to climb the cliff face.

It was a pity that people from other groups were staring at him and stubbornly dragging him down.

Clang.

The gong sounded; a quarter of an hour had passed, and it was the halftime break.

Looking at the three group members, who were either dejected or walking back with dark faces, Wen Gu went to get the tea.

The closest one was the burly group member one.

Wen Gu took the initiative and said: "How should I address this brother?"

"Zhao... Zhao Tieniu!" Team Member One panted, replying distractedly.

"Your name sounds so familiar! I am from the Zhao Clan of Xinzhou," Wen Gu said.

Team Member One's eyes were full of unwillingness; he was only thinking about how to snatch that Medicinal Herb on the cliff wall and did not want to talk to this well-connected person beside him! "Come, drink some tea, drink some tea! I had people let it cool in advance; it's just right for drinking!" Wen Gu picked up a cup of tea and handed it to Team Member One. Team Member One held the tea, dazed for a moment. The impatience in his heart stalled for a time.

Wen Gu looked toward the other two team members again, taking the initiative to hand the tea over: "Two brothers, have some to replenish your energy!"

Upon hearing that it could replenish energy, the other two hesitated, but still took it. It was not easy to continue giving him the cold shoulder.

Although this person was well-connected and a young master, he seemed quite easy to get along with.

Wen Gu looked very cheerful and said: "In the first half, everyone showed their skills, but the most important thing in the second half is to win!" The others' expressions sank.

Win?

How to win?

Is it that we don't want to win?!

Wen Gu softened his voice and said: "I have a plan that might win; are you all willing to listen?"

The three team members did not speak, but they did not refuse either.

Wen Gu beckoned and said: "Come, sit closer, even closer; let's conspire, don't let others hear!"

Team Member Two and Team Member Three, after considering it, moved a step closer to this side.

It was also because this well-connected person had helped them, so they were willing to listen a bit more.

Wen Gu whispered his conspiracy, saying this and that.

As he spoke, he handed the last cup of tea on the Tray to Zhao Tieniu: "Come, Brother Tieniu, drink another cup to replenish water and recover faster; you'll have more strength later!" Zhao Tieniu was embarrassed: "You aren't drinking?"

Wen Gu smiled in a friendly manner: "I have already drunk."

Seeing sweat bead on Zhao Tieniu's forehead, Wen Gu took out the Folding Fan tucked at his waist and unfolded it to fan him.

Small items like a Folding Fan could be brought into the venue after inspection.

Wen Gu said to Zhao Tieniu: "Did you remember everything I just said? Later, just do that; use the strength you used to shove me earlier and charge over!" Zhao Tieniu's dark face turned red, and he said with a lack of confidence: "That... I didn't mean to!"

Wen Gu said: "Then mean to do it later; take the strength you had then and multiply it by three or four times! Charge them!"