Chapter 47

Perhaps this year was destined to be a year of many events. Apart from expanding his business, Ye Yu had heard the most about the recent increase in grain prices.

Originally, a dou of grain cost 130 coins, but now it had suddenly risen to 160 coins.

After a thorough investigation, Ye Yu found out that due to the flood in the Huai River this year, the autumn harvest had failed, and unscrupulous merchants were deliberately raising grain prices to make huge profits.

Ye Yu knew that the Pan family mainly dealt in cloth and grain, so the sudden rise in grain prices in Qingliu County must have something to do with the Pan family.

Although it was not a year of famine and there was no widespread starvation, the sharp rise in grain prices was a heavy burden for the common people. Therefore, Ye Yu inquired about the price increase from the acting magistrate, Liu Yuanshan.

Liu Yuanshan's answer was consistent with Ye Yu's guess. The flood in the Huai River had just subsided, and the price of grain in Shouzhou and Huainan had already reached 180 coins. In comparison, Qingliu County was one of the places with relatively lower grain prices.

Ye Yu had no authority to intervene in the price hikes by others, but the Pan family's excessive price increase was something he could not tolerate.

Initially, when Pan Chengfeng colluded with Lu Kun to harm him, Ye Yu did not make a big fuss out of respect for Pan Zhisuo. Even though Lu Kun had written down the conspiracy with Pan Chengfeng in the confession, Ye Yu did not come forward to confirm it.

This repeated leniency had already given the Pan family enough face. Although the grain price increase was not his concern and should be regulated by the government, he felt compelled to intervene in this matter!

Mid-September was the day of the provincial examination results announcement, which coincided with the blooming of osmanthus flowers, hence it was commonly known as the "Osmanthus List." Because the results were announced on the days of Yin and Chen, it was also called the "Dragon and Tiger List," both names carrying auspicious and elegant connotations.

On this day, Qingliu County was bustling with activity because Pan Zhisuo had become the only scholar in this year's Qingliu County. In this provincial examination, there were over 2,000 candidates from four counties, and only 15 were selected, making it a true one-in-a-hundred selection.

Pan Zhisuo not only ranked among the 15 but was also second, just behind the top scorer.

Due to the Pan family's intention to create a grand scene, Qingliu County had been as lively as the annual temple fair for several days.

At this moment, Ye Yu glanced at the invitation in his hand, thinking that Pan Zhisuo had indeed lived up to everyone's expectations. Although he had not yet taken the imperial examination in the capital, he had already made a name for himself.

Regardless of whether he had an invitation, Ye Yu felt he had to attend the banquet, both out of duty and personal interest.

The moonlight cascaded like a curtain of water, and the largest restaurant in the city, Tianxiang Restaurant, was already brightly lit. The entrance was bustling with a steady stream of guests.

Tonight, the Tianxiang Restaurant had been reserved by Old Master Pan to entertain the numerous guests.

Two servants stood on either side of the entrance, one checking the invitations and announcing the names, and the other receiving gifts. The liveliness of Tianxiang Restaurant in the evening had far surpassed that of Zui Chun Lou.

At this moment, Pan Zhisuo was not in the hall greeting guests but standing at the door, looking into the distance. It was not until he saw a wheelchair being pushed towards him in the dim moonlight that his furrowed brows gradually relaxed.

As the sound of the wheelchair became clearer, Pan Zhisuo hurried forward, "Brother Ye, I have been waiting for you for a long time!"

Seeing Pan Zhisuo's joyful expression, Ye Yu thought that it was indeed true that good news brings a person's spirits up. He clasped his hands in greeting and smiled, "Brother Pan, your success on the Osmanthus List is a cause for celebration. How could I not come to congratulate you?"

"Brother, you are too kind. If I had a choice, I would prefer a quiet place with two jars of good wine to enjoy with you."

"Ha ha! That's a good idea!" Ye Yu merely responded, then followed Pan Zhisuo into the restaurant.

By the time they reached the hall, it was already filled with guests, and all the notable figures in the city were gathered there. Ye Yu's arrival surprised everyone, but they did not forget to greet him.

Life is full of cycles. At Lu Kun's birthday banquet, everyone had been present, but at that time, Ye Yu was just a poor, smooth-talking young man in their eyes.

Now, after a year and a half, no one dared to underestimate this young man. In Qingliu County, apart from the long-established Pan family, Ye Yu had become the second richest merchant!

Although Ye Yu disliked this kind of superficial socializing, he had no choice in the business world and had to put on a smile to deal with one unfamiliar face after another.

However, the first person he needed to greet was Liu Yuanshan, as the acting magistrate had also been invited to the banquet. In the hall, there were those who greeted him with smiles, but there were also those who were displeased.

Pan Chengfeng was very unhappy to see Ye Yu there. He did not understand why Ye Yu had been invited to this banquet.

Compared to the cold expression of Pan Chengfeng, his elder brother, Pan Chengjun, was much more amiable. Although the cloth business he managed was in fierce competition with Ye Yu, he still greeted Ye Yu warmly, knowing that his son had a close relationship with Ye Yu.

Therefore, Pan Chengjun did not neglect Ye Yu but took the initiative to greet him.

Apart from Pan Zhisuo, Ye Yu did not recognize anyone else in the Pan family. When he learned that the middle-aged man with a kind face was Pan Zhisuo's father, Ye Yu became more respectful in his demeanor.

Although there are no father-son relationships on the battlefield and no age distinctions in business, in private, age differences should still be respected.

This was the first time Pan Chengjun had met Ye Yu. He had expected Ye Yu to be a young, arrogant, and self-important person, but now he found him to be very steady and polite.

This made Pan Chengjun secretly surprised and also marvel at the fact that Ye Yu's success was not a fluke.

As everyone was chatting, a clear sound of a wooden staff made everyone fall silent. Ye Yu looked in the direction of the sound and saw an old man with white hair, holding a pear wood staff, being supported by a servant as he walked into the hall.

Pan Zhisuo's face lit up, and he quickly ran over to help. Pan Chengjun and Pan Chengfeng followed closely behind.

"Little Ye, this is Old Master Pan..." Liu Yuanshan, with his hands behind his back, whispered to Ye Yu.

Ye Yu found it quite helpless that Liu Yuanshan always called him "Little Ye." He had wanted to ask Liu Yuanshan to change the way he addressed him several times, but never had the chance to say it.

The nickname "Little Ye" seemed friendly, but if you listened carefully, it sounded like "wild boy."

Ye Yu looked at the old man with a hunched back, who was the head of the Pan family, Pan Yue, and had a thought that he should not have.

He wondered if, when he was old, he would also have to worry about the business he had created, making his life devoid of any joy.

Was this really the life he wanted? No, his life should be full of excitement and variety!

While Ye Yu was lost in thought, Pan Yue had already greeted everyone and then approached Liu Yuanshan, bowing and saying, "Old man pays his respects to the magistrate!"

Liu Yuanshan hurriedly supported him with both hands, saying very politely, "Old Master Pan, there is no need for such formalities. In terms of seniority, I am your junior. Today is a joyous occasion for your grandson, so there is no need for formalities. Please sit down, Old Master Pan!"

Liu Yuanshan then moved aside to make room for Pan Yue, who, after several attempts to decline, finally said, "Thank you, Magistrate. I will take the seat."

After everyone was seated, Pan Yue looked around. Since Ye Yu was a junior, he naturally sat with the other young people, including Pan Zhisuo.

However, Liu Yuanshan seemed to have a specific intention and pulled Ye Yu to the main table.

This made Ye Yu a bit awkward. Although his current reputation made him worthy of sitting at the main table, everyone else was of the uncle or elder generation.

Even the youngest, Pan Chengfeng, was in his forties, making Ye Yu, at seventeen, feel quite out of place.

"Old Master Pan, this is Ye Yu, who has been in the limelight recently..." Liu Yuanshan seemed particularly attentive to Ye Yu tonight and introduced him to Pan Yue before Ye Yu could speak.

Pan Yue's cloudy eyes gradually regained their luster as he looked at Ye Yu, then narrowed his eyes with a smile, "Indeed, heroes emerge from the young. I never expected that our Qingliu County would produce such a talented young man like Ye Yu!"

"Old Master Pan, you flatter me! No matter how capable I am, I cannot match your grandson's success in the examination. No matter how successful I am in business, I am still just a merchant."

Ye Yu met Pan Yue's gaze, but even in that brief moment, he could not detect any emotional fluctuation in the old man.

"Oh? Ha ha..."

Ye Yu's words seemed to touch Pan Yue's thoughts, and he stroked his beard with a smile, "Indeed, Ye Yu has far-reaching insight..."

"Alas, alas! Everyone says that Ye Yu is the most talented, even my nephew admires him, but now it is my nephew who has topped the list! Ye Yu, what do you think of this situation?"

As soon as Pan Yue finished speaking, Pan Chengfeng sneered at Ye Yu.

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone at the main table fell silent. Pan Yue remained calm, saying, "Feng, do not be impolite!"

Ye Yu, hearing the father and son's act, felt speechless. He wondered if Pan Yue was really saying "do not be impolite" or if there was no hint of reprimand in his tone.

He could not understand why, despite his lack of intention to provoke, someone always wanted to纠缠 him to the death.

"Second Uncle, if Brother Ye were not disabled, he would surely have a place on the Osmanthus List! Why do you speak in such a hurtful way?" Pan Zhisuo, feeling that his second uncle was deliberately mocking Ye Yu, spoke up in his defense.

Pan Chengfeng, hearing this, pretended to be regretful, "Oh, so Ye Yu is disabled. Alas! What a pity! Truly, heaven envies talent!"

"Second Uncle..."

"Zhisuo, when did it become your turn to speak?" Pan Chengfeng turned to Pan Zhisuo, who was about to speak, and scolded him.