Chapter 70

Yueyang felt quite aggrieved. Although he had a considerable reputation, his official status was rather low. The most prestigious title he held was that of a scholar, and as for the position of the militia commander, it was not even worth mentioning, as it did not even qualify him to be on the official roster. Therefore, every time Yueyang met Zheng Fakui, his mood was not good, because his status as a scholar only exempted him from kneeling before officials below the county magistrate level. He still had to follow the rules when facing Zheng Fakui, a fourth-rank prefect.

However, Zheng Fakui's next action made Yueyang feel a bit better. Before Yueyang could kneel properly, Zheng Fakui had already stood up from his seat and quickly helped him up, smiling and saying, "I am already very satisfied that you, my virtuous nephew Yueyang, could come in time. There's no need for such a grand ceremony. Come, come, come... I will introduce you to two distinguished guests!"

With that, Zheng Fakui took Yueyang's hand and turned to the guest in the middle, saying, "Let me introduce you. This is Mr. Xu from Taiyuan Prefecture, and this is Mr. Tang, Mr. Xu's personal attendant. They have long admired your reputation and have specially come to meet you. You should get to know each other well."

As Zheng Fakui introduced them, Yueyang was taken aback because he felt Zheng Fakui's hand trembling slightly, and his attitude became notably solemn and respectful when mentioning the distinguished guest. This discovery made Yueyang quite surprised. It meant that Zheng Fakui was very nervous, and the only reason for such a loss of composure was that the old man in front of him must have a very significant identity, at least much higher than Zheng Fakui's.

This made Yueyang curious. Zheng Fakui was a fourth-rank prefect, and someone who could make Zheng Fakui nervous must have a much higher status.

Realizing this, Yueyang did not dare to be negligent and quickly stepped forward to bow to the old man, saying respectfully, "This junior, Yueyang, greets the old gentleman. May the old gentleman enjoy longevity and good health!"

"Hehe... No need for such formalities!" the old man smiled, "I have come to Ying Prefecture for two reasons. First, I haven't seen Shaoyu (Zheng Fakui's courtesy name) for a long time, so I came to visit him. Second, I heard several months ago that a young hero in Ying Prefecture led five hundred militiamen to defeat over ten thousand bandits. I was very curious, so I asked Shaoyu to invite you, Mr. Yueyang, to come. I hope you don't mind."

Hearing the old man's words, Yueyang became even more convinced of his guess. Although the old man spoke with a smile, a refined and strong official aura emanated from him as soon as he opened his mouth.

Thinking about this, Yueyang felt more confident and said respectfully, "I am honored by the old gentleman's favor! May I ask what advice the old gentleman has for me?"

"I dare not presume to give advice. I have heard that although Mr. Yueyang is a scholar by origin, you resolutely abandoned your pen to take up arms and organize the militia. When the bandits ravaged the countryside, you led the troops to reinforce Ying Prefecture and defeated the bandits. This is truly in the style of the Marquis of Dingyuan!"

Hearing the old man's words, even though Yueyang had a thick skin, he still blushed. Comparing him to Ban Chao was too much for him to bear. He said solemnly, "The old gentleman is too kind. As the saying goes, 'To protect the world, even the lowliest commoner has a responsibility.' And it is also said, 'The rise and fall of the nation concerns every commoner.' As a student of Ying Prefecture, how could I not contribute my share when the bandits are rampant?"

"Good, well said!" As soon as Yueyang finished speaking, the old man's eyes lit up. He slapped his thigh and said with delight, "What a fine statement! 'The rise and fall of the nation concerns every commoner!' Well said! Isn't this the great righteousness that we, the scholars, seek? Xueying, what do you think?"

The middle-aged man sitting to the right of the old man stroked his beard and praised, "Yes, Master Dong's words are very true. As the saying goes, 'Words come from the heart.' The fact that Mr. Yueyang can say such a profound statement shows that he has great aspirations and is not an ordinary person!"

Hearing the two men praise him, Yueyang's face turned red like a monkey's bottom. Although Gu Yanwu had not yet said this famous quote, he was now a twenty-year-old adult. If he were to be shamelessly pleased, it would be too inappropriate.

He quickly changed the subject, "The old gentleman is too kind. From your words and actions, I can see that you are not just an ordinary scholar. May I ask what your true identity is?"

"Ha ha ha... Mr. Yueyang, you truly have keen eyesight. I knew I couldn't hide it from you." The old man was not angry when Yueyang directly pointed out that he had concealed his identity. He frankly admitted, "Since that's the case, I won't hide it from you. My name is Xu Dingchen, and I am currently the governor of Shanxi Province. This is my secretary, Tang Xueying!"

As soon as Xu Dingchen revealed his identity, Yueyang, who had already been prepared, was still taken aback. A provincial governor was no small position, equivalent to a provincial governor and party secretary. He quickly knelt down and bowed, saying, "This junior, Yueyang, greets Governor Xu. If I have offended you in any way, please forgive me!"

"Ha ha ha... Get up, just for your statement of 'The rise and fall of the nation concerns every commoner,' I would not blame you, as it would make all the scholars in the world laugh at me." At this moment, Xu Dingchen appeared very approachable, waving for Yueyang to stand up and inviting him to sit down.

Since Xu Dingchen had revealed his identity, Yueyang naturally became more cautious, and the atmosphere in the study became more solemn and serious.

Seeing this, Xu Dingchen smiled at Yueyang, "Mr. Yueyang, there's no need to be so formal. I am not wearing my official robes today, so you don't have to be so拘谨, just be as relaxed as you were earlier."

Yueyang smiled bitterly, "Your position is the highest, so it's easy for you to say that, but we can't act that way."

Seeing that Xu Dingchen had revealed his identity, Yueyang decided to be straightforward and asked directly, "Governor Xu, if you have any matters to discuss, please just say so. As long as I can help, I will not refuse."

"Oh, it seems that Mr. Yueyang is also a straightforward person!" Xu Dingchen and Tang Xueying exchanged glances and laughed.

He stroked his short beard, pondered for a moment, and then suddenly asked, "Mr. Yueyang, what is your courtesy name?"

Yueyang quickly replied, "Governor Xu, my courtesy name is Zhenghong."

Xu Dingchen nodded, "Hmm, very well... I will call you Zhenghong, then."

"That is my honor!"

"If I remember correctly, Zhenghong, you are twenty-two years old. To have achieved the rank of a scholar at such a young age shows that you have worked hard. Do you plan to take the provincial examination next year?"

"Um..." Yueyang shook his head and sighed, "I am ashamed to admit it, but I have neglected my studies in recent years and probably cannot take the provincial examination."

"Is that so... What a pity!" Xu Dingchen's hand, which had been stroking his beard, stopped. After a moment, he said, "Zhenghong, have you decided to give up on the imperial examinations?"

Yueyang smiled bitterly and clasped his hands, "Please forgive me, Governor. With the bandits ravaging the land and the people suffering, how can I have the heart to take the imperial examinations? I fear I will disappoint you, Governor."

Although Yueyang said this, he thought to himself, "Imperial examinations? I'd have to be crazy to take them." He knew his own limitations. Growing up under the red flag, Yueyang had no idea how to write the required essays for the imperial examinations. If he were to take them, he would probably not even know how he would fail.

"Ah..."

Xu Dingchen sighed lightly and exchanged glances with Tang Xueying. Seeing Tang Xueying nod slightly, he turned back with a smile and said kindly, "Everyone has their own aspirations. Since Zhenghong has no interest in the imperial examinations, I will not force you. However, it would be a pity to see a young talent like you waste away. Here are two options for you. First, you can join the military, and I will recommend you to the court to become the commander of Ying Prefecture. Second, there is a vacancy for a conduct officer in Ying Prefecture. I can appoint you to this position using the authority of the governor's office. Choose one of them!"

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