Chapter 70: Distinguished Guest

Nowadays the world is in dire straits; the knowledge taught in ordinary schools is of no use at all, so what is the point of a Study Tour?

Why would a Daoist Priest ask me about a Study Tour?

Although he did not know what logical connection there was in this, Zhao Mu still answered patiently—he had been on a Study Tour, had received guidance from such-and-such famous masters, had taken first place in poetry and prose at literary gatherings, and had participated in academic exchanges of certain schools...

Back then, with the emphasis on literature over martial arts, those of them who were Zhao Family descendants would be groomed in the direction of scholars if they had a talent for reading.

It was just that the Zhao Family's conditions were limited at that time, and they could not compare to the flourishing, wealthy, and noble clans.

But some achievements could be brought out to hold up appearances; regardless of how much truth they held, no one would go to verify them nowadays anyway.

Therefore, Zhao Mu spoke with righteous confidence, not afraid of being exposed as a fraud.

But as he spoke, he noticed that the smile on the face of this Qingyi Daozhang was gradually disappearing.

Realizing something was wrong, he finally stopped.

Qingyi Daozhang was expressionless: "Is that it?"

Zhao Mu:??

What else could it be?

What could a scholar like me do on a Study Tour?

Isn't it just those few things? Could it possibly turn the world upside down?

He truly could not understand what this Daoist Priest wanted to hear.

But considering the benefits this Daoist Priest could bring, he had to suppress his temper and maintain politeness.

"Uh, I don't know what you are referring to, Daoist Priest?"

Qingyi Daozhang's expression was distant: "Please return."

Zhao Mu walked out of the gate of the Fang with his head full of questions, still unable to figure out where exactly things had gone wrong.

Ignoring his attendant who was complaining on his behalf, Zhao Mu stepped into the carriage, still reflecting on the scene just now.

Why on earth was it?

When leaving Qingyun Fang to head back, a carriage happened to be coming from the front. Zhao Mu took a look; it seemed to be that person surnamed Wen!

Feeling a bit guilty, he lowered the curtain to stop looking outside and urged the driver: "Go fast, go fast!"

At the same time, in another carriage, Wen Gu, who had just returned from Zhao Zhai, noticed the outside.

Seeing that carriage, he asked Chang Shun: "Do you recognize that carriage?"

Chang Shun was a bit hesitant: "It seems to be from the direction of Zhaohui Fang..."

He did not name the person directly, but he was telling Wen Gu: Yes, that's right, it is someone from the branch of the Zhao Family living in Zhaohui Fang.

Wen Gu looked at where that carriage had come from; it was highly likely it had come out of Qingyun Fang.

Yo, poaching while I'm away?

It seems they didn't manage to poach anyone.

The carriage that was leaving quickly drove all the way into Zhaohui Fang.

After Zhao Mu returned home, he immediately reviewed the situation with his relatives and friends in the clan, and then everyone discussed it back and forth—

"There's no problem."

"Isn't that how Study Tours are always done?"

"Why would a Daoist Priest ask such a question? Interested in the Confucian School? Is this Daoist Priest sick?"

Another more steady young man pondered and said: "Perhaps this Qingyi Daozhang is more concerned with the affairs of craftsmen. Think about those formulas Wen Gu offered."

The others thought about it, and that was true.

But!

A scholar's Study Tour—what proper scholar would go to learn things from craftsmen?

"Don't be discouraged, there must be information we missed; let's investigate first, and go again after we find out clearly. The more he is like this, the more it proves he has real ability."

"Such a person of great talent and strange skills will not be easily swayed; this was only our first attempt at recruitment. Let's wait until we collect strange stories about craftsmen before testing him again; we shall also imitate the 'three visits to the thatched cottage'."

At this time, inside Qingyun Fang, Qingyi Daozhang was also angry.

A Study Tour that only involved some poetry, painting, and literary gatherings with great scholars?

Is this of any use to me?

Is there any benefit?!

With just this bit of learning, they are fit to order me around?!

I do the work, and I take the risk?

Do you take me for a fool?!

Get out!!

Besides...

Only by stepping on powerful people to get ahead can one's own brilliance be shown.

Stepping on idiots will only make one look like they are just slightly better than the idiots, lowering one's own class.

That person from the Zhao Family branch looked like he wasn't very bright.

Can't a powerful figure come to recruit me?

Tsk, it seems the talent I've displayed is still not outstanding enough.

The young Daoist attendant nearby was puzzled, observing Qingyi Daozhang's expression, and asked cautiously:

"Master, does a Study Tour have anything to do with these matters?"

Qingyi Daozhang said profoundly: "You don't understand, a scholar's Study Tour is very terrifying! It is also proof of one's strength!"

He deeply believed this point.

Opposite in Jingxing Fang, Wen Gu's carriage returned.

He Da received the news and immediately rushed back, keeping watch at the ward gate; upon seeing Wen Gu, he hurriedly recounted what had happened in the ward across the way.

He was acquainted with several laborers working in Qingyun Fang and knew of the movements on the opposite side.

Wen Gu appeared calm and did not mention the situation across the way, only saying to He Da, "Don't go out for a moment; wait at the ward gate, someone from the Patrol Guard Division will be delivering Honeycomb Coal Stoves."

He Da was pleasantly surprised.

The legendary Honeycomb Coal Stove was finally being delivered?!

As for the Patrol Guard Division, others might be afraid, but he... well, he was perhaps a little afraid, but not that afraid; he had even seen people from the Patrol Guard Division acting as guards for Ward Chief Wen.

Seeing Wen Gu react calmly to the events in Qingyun Fang, He Da did not dwell on it further and kept watch at the ward gate, waiting for the coal stoves.

Wen Gu arrived at the office for the two wards and sat down, thinking about the situation in Qingyun Fang.

It was not unexpected.

That dog Daoist Priest had always been a very pure person; whoever could bring him fame and fortune, he would lean toward.

The premise was that they could truly bring him fame and fortune, not just empty boasting.

When it came to bragging and swindling, the Daoist Priest had played that game for many years in the past; he had to be shown actual benefits before his mind could be swayed.

The collateral branches of the Zhao Family were not doing well themselves; how could they make Qingyi Daozhang believe in their promises?

That dog Daoist Priest was probably very frustrated right now.

Wen Gu shook his head, put this matter aside for now, and handled the official business at hand.

But today was destined not to be a quiet day.

A carriage with rather ornate decorations was driving toward Jingxing Fang.

Inside the carriage.

Two men in their twenties, dressed in fine clothes, sat facing each other.

"This Jingxing Fang is too remote; it doesn't even face the main road!"

"I don't understand; if I were valued by my uncle-in-law, I wouldn't have chosen such a small, broken place!"

The two were indeed descendants of the Shen Family, nephews of Lady Shen.

Learning that Wen Gu was being valued, they felt unconvinced in their hearts and came to meet this cousin.

They had discussed it many times in private; although they had never met Wen Gu, it did not prevent them from gathering together to criticize him.

Everyone was about the same age and had about the same status; we are all just muddling through our days, how could you be the one to get ahead!

As soon as Wen Gu left the gates of the Zhao Family, they began their preparations.

They sent two people first to test the waters with this cousin.

For this, the two of them had even specially changed into expensive gear.

Usually, they dared not leave their ward; many wards outside were quite dirty and chaotic, full of Epidemic Qi, especially wards located in such corners, which they despised greatly.

It was only because it was cold now that the various dangers related to evil spirits were greatly reduced; as long as one prevented infection from other diseases and brought a few guards, there was basically nothing to worry about.

The large carriage drove directly into Jingxing Fang.

The newly built ward gate had a path paved with stone slabs at the entrance, but after this section, it was just tamped earth.

Although it still looked quite shabby, it was at least stable and clean.

The people in the carriage looked at the sights inside the ward with a critical gaze.

He Da had good eyesight and saw that it was not someone from the Patrol Guard Division, but rather looked like a carriage from some noble family, with a young man lifting the curtain to look out.

That expression did not look very friendly.

If a noble were to come to Jingxing Fang, it must be to find their Ward Chief Wen.

Thinking of how the Ward Chief's reputation had soared over the past two days, He Da guessed that since there had been poachers before, could this time be someone looking for trouble?

He had heard that if the relationship was not very close, polite families would even send a Butie.

Coming uninvited without prior notice.

Seeing that the situation was not right, He Da's heart skipped a beat; he was quick on his feet, slipped around two buildings, and went to the office to inform them first.

"Ward Chief, it seems someone has come to cause trouble!"

He Da quickly described the scene in front of the ward gate.

Wen Gu stopped the official business in his hands.

Listening to He Da's description, this ornate style might be some relative of the Shen Family.

Cheng Zhi worried: "Ward Chief, the visitors are not here with good intentions!"

Wen Gu's expression was calm, and he said with a smile: "Don't panic, it might be a good thing."

He Da went out to observe and ran back not long after.

"Ward Chief, there isn't just one, there are two! They are dressed luxuriously and both have attendants and guards!"

Cheng Zhi was anxious: "What should we do?"

Wen Gu, however, stood up excitedly: "Double happiness is coming!"

He walked out quickly to welcome the distinguished guests.

He saw two young masters in brocade robes walking over with great momentum.

Their jade pendants chimed, their brocade shimmered, their splendor was dazzling, and their noble air was overbearing.

Noble air!

Noble!

Wen Gu looked at them, smiling sincerely, and bowed elegantly:

"Are you the brothers from the Shen Family?"

The older young man walking in front said with a sarcastic tone: "Ward Chief Wen is a very busy man; thinking that you definitely wouldn't have time to reach out, we could only come uninvited. Please do not take offense, Ward Chief Wen."

The younger one, who had a more flamboyant personality, raised his hand, about to follow up with a few mocking words, wanting to say he would fan away the poverty here.

Just opened his mouth, raised his hand.

Wen Gu grabbed his arm and pulled him into the room.

???

Ah, this...

This Cousin Wen is actually a warm person?

"Sit, don't be polite, we are all family, just treat this place as your own home."

Wen Gu pulled the person and walked quickly into the room.

"Little He, serve tea!"

Arriving at the desk, he tidied up the documents on the table, cleared a space, and looked at the two of them, saying:

"I had wanted to find an opportunity to invite you cousins to gather, but there were many affairs, and these past few days I have been filled with worries; seeing you today has suddenly cleared my mind!"

Wen Gu had the look of someone who had just seen a savior.

The younger Shen Liu had already been bewildered by Wen Gu's enthusiasm.

If Wen Gu's attitude had been bad, he would have known how to respond. But in this situation...

Cousin Wen seems like a decent person.

Shen Qing, who entered the room a step later, heard Wen Gu's words and let out a cold snort:

"You? What are you troubled by? Now that you are in the limelight, who doesn't know that the Zhao Family's young master, Ward Chief Wen Gu, is deeply trusted by the Head of the Family?"

"It is truly too difficult for me!" Wen Gu sighed at length, "I really have a belly full of grievances!"

Then he made a gesture toward Cheng Zhi.

Secretary Cheng had not yet developed a rapport, nor was he quick-witted enough, so he could only note the gesture.

Following the prompt, Cheng Zhi carefully took a sheet of drawing paper from the bookshelf nearby.

He remembered the Ward Chief saying that building these would cost a huge amount, even more expensive than the Daoist Priest's Danguan, and that it couldn't be built.

Wen Gu spread out the drawing paper, his gaze sincere and eager.

You brought this upon yourselves!

(End of chapter)