Chapter 377: The Words of the Wang Father and Son

377. Chapter 377: The Words of the Wang Father and Son

A look of approval surfaced on Liu Yong's face. He nodded and said, "Go back first. Go see your family. The silver for your treatment and recovery will be issued tonight. Focus on healing your body in peace."

Nie Hei hurriedly bowed in thanks and then walked out the door. Liu Yong turned his head and glanced toward the wooden hut. Zhao Jin's voice came from inside. Zhao Jin said with a laugh, "This man isn't bad. You continue the selection first. Zhaojing and I are going to the other side."

Wang Zhaojing had returned to Xuzhou together with his father Wang Youshan on the seventh day of the ninth month. The provincial exam results had already been released at the end of the eighth month. Without any surprise, Wang Zhaojing placed tenth and now held the status of a Provincial Graduate. He could also be addressed as "Lord Wang."

A Golden Presented Scholar, a Silver Provincial Graduate — having the status of a Provincial Graduate was already enough to dominate the local countryside. What's more, in the Wang family, the father was a retired capital official of the pure-stream faction, and the son was a newly minted Provincial Graduate. Both father and son held pure and noble status. The Wang family had thus become the foremost pure and noble household in Xuzhou.

Such family status might not count for much in Jiangnan, but in Xuzhou, where literary culture was not flourishing, it was truly astonishing. Not to mention that the Prefect Tong Huaizu had long since lost his influence; even in his best years, he would have had to bow and lower his head before the Wang family.

However, after the Wang father and son returned to Xuzhou, they did not stay at home to receive congratulations from all sides. One must understand that when a new Provincial Graduate returns home, the first order of business is to accept the dedication of land and property from all quarters, causing the family estate to suddenly multiply tenfold or several tens of times. The second order of business is to negotiate with the local gentry, effectively redrawing the boundaries of power and interests. The Wang family did not pursue such advantageous matters — of course, they also disdained to do so. The Wang father and son headed directly for He Village.

Although none of the positions Zhao Jin had established were held by Wang Zhaojing, Wang Zhaojing and the others seemed even closer than before he had left. All day long, he looked here and there, wanting to help with everything. Wang Youshan, on the other hand, was very leisurely. Accompanied by Uncle He, he strolled everywhere through this He Village that was undergoing renovation, paying no mind to the filth and disorder of the construction site.

The Internal Guard Unit was recruiting skilled fighters from all paths, and those abandoned core members of the Smelling Incense Sect were also among the recruits. Some time ago, someone had stirred up trouble among the refugees, attempting to make the refugees return north. At that time, quite a few people came forward to inform. The Zhao Camp had long since planted informants among the refugees, but it was these core members who played the key role. The confessions of Nie Hei and the others not only led to the capture of the person who came to incite them, but also unearthed those core members and sect followers hiding among the refugees who wanted to use the opportunity to escape.

Precisely because of this, Nie Hei gained recruitment value, and Zhao Jin also wanted to come take a look. Wang Zhaojing had originally said he should not participate in confidential matters, but Zhao Jin still brought him along.

"I never imagined that the Smelling Incense Sect actually had such elite fighters. It's a pity they didn't know how to value them, driving them to revolt and handing them over to us for nothing." Wang Zhaojing remarked with a sigh and a smile.

Although the wooden hut had been built hastily, it was fully equipped with all the necessary facilities inside. The two of them went to another room, sat down, and chatted idly.

Zhao Jin shook his head and said, "I'm worried these people are double agents sent to spy on us. Compared to skilled fighters like these, those inciting incense followers and sect members are nothing. Using those worthless ones in exchange for getting these skilled fighters to infiltrate our side — that's a deal worth making. It's only because we've gotten hold of Nie Hei's family that we dare to take him in."

"Elder Brother's caution and prudence are truly breathtaking. Perhaps it is precisely this caution that has allowed Elder Brother to build this enterprise." Wang Zhaojing said with admiration.

"I'm cautious everywhere, yet when matters come to a head, I always find there are places I've overlooked." Zhao Jin made a self-deprecating remark, then changed the subject and said with a smile, "Having passed the provincial exam this year, you'll soon be heading to the capital for the metropolitan exam, right? When do you set out?"

In the spring of the year following the provincial exam, the metropolitan exam is held in the capital, followed by the palace exam — Presented Scholar and Advanced Scholar. This is the pinnacle of the imperial examination path for a scholar.

"Your younger brother still plans to take the exam in three years' time. That way, the chances are greater. I'll stay in Xuzhou for these three years and devote all my strength to helping Elder Brother with his affairs." Wang Zhaojing said sincerely.

Zhao Jin said with a smile, "These three years, you should be focusing on your studies. Wouldn't helping me delay your progress?"

At this, although Wang Zhaojing still had a smile on his face, the smile shifted from happiness to wistfulness. He slowly shook his head, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Whether I can pass or not actually has little to do with my studies. A few months ago, both my father and I thought passing the provincial exam was hopeless. This time was merely to fulfill a wish. But the situation has changed in these past two months. The moment your younger brother first arrived in Nanjing, I knew I would certainly pass this time. If I had set my mind to it, being among the Five Classics Champions or even the Top Escort would not have been impossible."

"Five Classics Champions" refers to the top five of the provincial exam. Top Escort is the first place in the provincial exam. These are the most illustrious and glorious rankings in a province's provincial exam, promising boundless futures. Not to mention, the provincial exams of the Northern and Southern Metropolitan Regions draw the most attention in the realm. To achieve such rankings — calling the future boundless would not be an exaggeration.

To think Wang Zhaojing would speak with such certainty. Zhao Jin immediately grew interested. Wang Zhaojing did not hide anything. He dropped his smile and asked, "Does Elder Brother know of the Capital Evaluation?"

Zhao Jin shook his head. Wang Zhaojing slowly explained. The so-called Capital Evaluation and Grand Review refers to the Ministry of Personnel's assessment of capital officials every six years. Those with superior performance are promoted; those unqualified are dismissed. From the Hongwu era of the founding reign until now, according to the Great Ming's tradition, this Capital Evaluation had naturally become a tool of factional struggle. Whichever faction held power would use the Capital Evaluation to dismiss members of the opposing faction. When Wang Youshan returned home, the faction he belonged to was still at a disadvantage compared to the Eastern Forest. Now, they had gained the upper hand.

Although the Eastern Forest faction was still resisting desperately at this moment, everyone knew that in next year's Capital Evaluation, the Eastern Forest would be driven out of the capital. A large batch of people would lose their official posts, and a large batch of positions would be vacated. Wang Youshan was an Advanced Scholar by background and had followed the proper path of a pure-stream capital official. When he retired back then, he had done so readily, clearing the path for others. This time, someone remembered this favor. Word had already been spread that after the Capital Evaluation, the court would issue an edict to recall him to office, and there would be an exceptional promotion.

A pure-stream capital official living idly at home only has personal connections and status. If he returns to office, surrounded by fellow faction members, the situation would be entirely different. Everyone knew what this meant. Wang Youshan, in his early forties, was at the prime age for an official career. The Wang family had suddenly become blazingly sought after. Even in a place like the Southern Metropolitan Region where scholars gathered in droves, Wang Youshan was the focus of everyone's attention.

"... In the second month of next year, nothing will be settled yet. The metropolitan exam might have variables. In three years, the overall situation will be stable. Selection by tribute will be a matter of course. Perhaps even a Third Class ranking can be expected..." Wang Zhaojing wore a smile on his face, appearing very happy, but upon closer inspection, it always seemed rather ethereal.

"What do you plan to do?" Zhao Jin thought for a long time and could only ask this question.

Wang Zhaojing smiled and said, "Since the path to the blue clouds is so easy, your younger brother naturally will not refuse to walk it. However, these three years, there's no need to spend too much effort on my studies. I'll stay here and help Elder Brother with his affairs more!"

Zhao Jin nodded. A position had already been reserved for Wang Zhaojing beforehand. At this moment, Wang Zhaojing could no longer maintain the smile on his face. He said in a muffled voice, "Your younger brother has also seen the exam questions. Passing the provincial exam based on true ability would have been a matter of course. But now, I no longer know."

This was truly a case of complaining despite having gained an advantage. They were all friends and brothers here. Zhao Jin was about to play along and say a few words, but Wang Zhaojing changed the subject himself and continued, "This time, your younger brother has come and will not leave. But this visit is mainly to accompany my father. My father wishes to meet with you, Elder Brother, alone. He asked when would be convenient for you."

Wang Youshan wants to see me? Zhao Jin was stunned for a moment, then immediately reacted. He said with a wry smile, "A senior summons me, and he still asks if it's convenient? Let's go quickly!"

Zhao Jin had been close friends with Wang Zhaojing since childhood, and naturally had dealings with Wang Youshan as well. Wang Youshan was also very polite to Zhao Jin. However, after all, their family statuses were different. For Wang Youshan, with his pure and noble status, to treat Zhao Jin this way would already be considered cordial in the eyes of outsiders. But in reality, they were still quite distant, without any particularly deep connection. Yet now, a hotly sought-after pure-stream civil official about to be recalled to office actually wanted to come to He Village personally to see Zhao Jin. This truly defied common sense.

Even if Wang Youshan had not been recalled and was still living idly at home, it would have been perfectly natural for him to summon Zhao Jin to see him in Xuzhou, and Zhao Jin would have had to obediently go.

As soon as Wang Zhaojing mentioned it, Zhao Jin hurriedly returned with him to He Village. By the time they reached He Village, Wang Youshan had already finished his tour.

All pursuits are base; only scholarship is supreme. Zhao Jin gained a profound sense of this from the attitude of the Zhao Camp members toward Wang Youshan. Ruhui and Zhou Xuezhi practically enshrined Wang Youshan. They specially prepared a residence and invited the Old Man of Wangshan to stay, and even brought out their private collection of fine tea. Ruhui set aside the work at hand to accompany Wang Youshan, behaving exactly like a student attending to a teacher.

"You are busy with affairs here. I am intruding." Upon meeting, Wang Youshan spoke politely, not at all treating himself as an "honored guest" or "distinguished visitor." Moreover, he seemed to treat Zhao Jin as an equal.

"Uncle Wang jests." Zhao Jin found it strange and replied with a polite clasped fist.

"There's nothing special about this visit. It's just an idle chat between you and me." Wang Youshan said with a smile. He glanced at Wang Zhaojing beside him and added, "Zhaojing, you stay as well."

Ruhui grinned, then took his leave together with Zhou Xuezhi, leaving only the Wang father and son and Zhao Jin, three people in total.

"Sit. Today, we are just chatting idly." Wang Youshan gestured for Zhao Jin to sit. In this setting, Wang Zhaojing naturally stood behind Wang Youshan.

"... After hearing of your arrangements, and today seeing the regulations here with my own eyes, it is truly remarkable. Even Old He, who has seen grand spectacles, was full of admiration, saying that with such a camp and such formations, the security of the Xuzhou region is assured..."

"... You have done so many things. Although there has been no small amount of killing karma, it was all for the greater cause, for protecting the region and bringing peace to the people. No one will think you cruel and violent; they will only speak of your noble righteousness..."

Wang Youshan's words were very objective. Zhao Jin still did not know the purpose of his visit and merely listened with focused attention.

"... The present is not like the past. Back then, I thought I would spend the rest of my life in seclusion in the countryside, and that I had also implicated Xiaojing, preventing him from advancing in scholarly honors. That's why I wanted him to build a sphere of influence here in Xuzhou with you. The so-called gentry are all influential figures in their native lands. While I am still here, I can help him. If I am gone, he will have nothing to rely on. If you brothers build a sphere of influence together, that will also be a foundation for establishing yourselves..."