Chapter 11

The sky was overcast, and the rain that had started last night intensified, gradually turning into a torrential downpour.

In the heavy building, the dim corridor was illuminated by candlelight, revealing two figures.

"Xiaohe, how is Father's mood today?" This was Ye Zifan, responding to his father's summons.

"Second Master, the Old Master is in a good mood, but he has some concerns about the clan's descendants."

"That's good, I understand..."

The same suggestive dialogue as before, but Ye Zifan's response was somewhat bitter.

This woman held a somewhat exalted position and wouldn't reveal too much, but as the head of the second branch, he had his own channels of information and had a general understanding of the matter.

The top three ranks of the imperial examination, those who passed the examination, were just one step away from enlightenment, breaking through the barrier between the Dao and the law, and achieving true success.

Such a person, just one step away from immortality, though this one step was the difference between heaven and earth.

However, according to the court's custom, the top three ranks of the imperial examination, the状元 (zhuangyuan), 榜眼 (bangyan), and 探花 (tanhua), all received personal Daoist titles and had the opportunity to become disciples of the three Daoist Lords.

The second rank of the imperial examination could choose to study under an imperial lord or another immortal sect.

While the third rank, though mostly without the chance of immortality, were the backbone of the government officials, and had a good chance of becoming prime ministers or cabinet members. Being appointed as a county magistrate in a small county was just a formality, and once the old magistrate retired, they would immediately take over.

Such a person, whose father was once a scholar, could maintain some face, but as a mere scholar himself, how could he defy him?

All his hard planning might come to nothing.

"It's just a poem, I really can't bear it." Ye Zifan thought to himself as he walked.

Ye Qing returned to his own courtyard. A gust of wind hit his face, and the autumn rain made him shiver. He squinted and saw the entire Ye Manor shrouded in the autumn rain, hazy and indistinct. He couldn't help but exclaim, "What a good autumn rain!"

Following the path west and then north, he passed through the corridor, but there wasn't much rain falling.

He arrived at a main hall, where the main hall was quiet, and the window paper of the two rows of side rooms was tightly pasted, with faint human voices heard.

Not far from the corridor, there were Yiwulan plants. The branches split into two, extending three feet, with buds, and the autumn fragrance was invigorating. He touched them, lost in thought.

In ancient Earth, the Confucian classics and the imperial examination system had lasted for over a thousand years, and the status of scholars was different. In this world, however, the well-read were the Daoist scriptures, which not only contained knowledge but could also be transformed into actual power.

A scholar, even a junior scholar, was a talent needed by major Daoist sects and a close-to-the-people official. Even noble families would have to think twice before offending them.

All his hard planning was overshadowed by one word from someone else, and this feeling was not pleasant. His uncle must have felt the same way.

Thinking of this, Ye Qing pressed the copper cup in his chest, suppressing the desire to make more wishes. Although he currently had no Daoist powers and could not see his destiny, this wish must have consumed a lot.

Moreover, although he had obtained the qualification for the child examination, this trick could not be hidden, and he might have already angered his uncle and grandfather, so he had to be more careful.

"Destiny is not something I can control now, but my goal is clear, and I will surpass these geniuses one day."

Without further observation, he returned to his courtyard, and no one stopped him.

At the courtyard entrance, it was the same as usual, with smoke rising from the chimney behind the house, indicating that Qianqian was cooking inside.

"Qianqian, I'm back." Ye Qing closed the courtyard gate and walked into the house.

Qianqian was making porridge, preparing some simple food for him. Hearing his voice, her eyes immediately reddened, and she ran out in two steps, throwing herself into Ye Qing's arms.

"Master..."

Ye Qing was startled and a bit awkward. The girl's body was developing well, and the firm feeling against his chest gave him a strange sensation.

"Don't get so excited!" Ye Qing patted the girl's back, saying. In his two lifetimes of memories, he had never seen her so weak and emotional, but he soon understood.

No matter how much she grew later, she was still a sixteen-year-old girl, limited by her age and experience.

With his comfort, Qianqian quickly calmed down but did not leave his embrace. Blushing, she changed the subject: "Master, weren't you supposed to be confined to your room for three months?"

"On that day, I wrote a poem in an abandoned temple, and it was just so that the county magistrate saw it and appreciated my talent, specially summoning me. This is because your master has exceptional talent!"

This was a boastful statement, but Qianqian strongly agreed, nodding continuously and asking, "What about the confinement order?"

Ye Qing replied with a cold laugh: "Actually, the confinement order hasn't been officially lifted, but no one dares to confine me in the school anymore. As long as I don't leave the manor, there won't be any problems."

"Oh..." Qianqian was a bit confused. Although she was familiar with the Ye Manor, she rarely went out and had no concept of the county magistrate, only thinking it was a high-ranking official. She asked in a low voice, "What about the child examination, Master?"

"Nothing to worry about. With this person's word, who would dare to stop me? However, there are still ten days before the child examination, and I should focus on studying the classics and wait for the right time!"

Seeing that Ye Qing had a plan, Qianqian put her worries aside and quietly rested in his arms.

"Hey, aren't you worried at all?" Ye Qing pretended to be dissatisfied.

"Worried, but Master has never let Qianqian down before!"

"That's true." Ye Qing was speechless, looking down at her with a gentle expression.

Outside the building

Father and son sat facing each other. Ye Zifan looked gloomy, staring at the window paper fluttering in the wind. After a while, Ye Mengqiu asked, "Have you prepared everything for the child examination?"

"In this regard, there is a special clan school fund. I inventoried it yesterday, and there are still 137,851 taels. Every expense is recorded, and without your permission, no one can touch even a single tael or a single fen!" Ye Zifan replied.

"I'm very relieved that you manage this money. I look into the distance and say, 'This autumn rain is really cold. After the rain, the weather will briefly warm up. Distribute the expenses for the child examination!'"

"Yes!"

"Also, with the cold weather, the clan should conduct inspections. For the poor families, provide clothes for warmth and some food."

"The clan has 1,700 people, some of whom are poor, but none are without food. The clan's servants, however, are still poor and without food. I have already allocated 100 winter coats and 700 shi of food."

"You have done well. The clan is important, but the servants should not be neglected. Although the clan deity suppresses them, damaging virtue is not good. The clan's destiny is accumulated bit by bit and should not be wasted."

"Yes!"

There was nothing more to say, and a silence fell between father and son. Ye Mengqiu sighed and said, "Your fate is not good, and you only became a scholar. You manage the clan affairs, and I see that you handle them fairly and seriously. Even if there is a bit of favoritism, it is human nature. I understand your grievances."

Hearing this, although he was in his forties, Ye Zifan felt warmth in his heart. He could no longer hold back and bowed, saying, "Father... With your words, I have no grievances."

His voice trembled, and he paused, then asked, "Is that it? I'll delete Sheng'er's name when I get back!"

"That's not necessary... We can't ignore the face of that official. If Qing'er wants to take the child examination, we can't stop him. We'll report both names."

At this, Ye Mengqiu truly smiled coldly: "You have forgotten that the number of slots is not fixed. The imperial lord's reform allows all scholars to participate, but each clan's destiny is limited. To concentrate on a few descendants, the clan gradually established this list."

"The government also needs to balance the selection and cannot take only the descendants of one clan, no matter how excellent they are. Therefore, there is a process of accepting the list in advance."

Ye Zifan was stunned and then understood.

The Daoist law is sacred, and the purpose of the imperial examination is to select a group of people with wisdom, character, and destiny to cultivate the Dao. It's not just about literary talent but also about each person's destiny. If you want to register, no one will stop you, and you only need to pay ten wen as a fee, as per the decree of the Red Emperor.

But whether you are selected depends on your destiny.

In this context, the clan must adopt an elite strategy, concentrating the clan's limited resources or destiny on the most outstanding few.

"Bring me the golden pen and red paper!" Ye Mengqiu waved his hand and said.

"Yes!" Xiaohe, understanding his meaning, responded from outside. A moment later, a red paper and a golden pen were respectfully presented.

Ye Mengqiu paused, gazed at the candle flame, and then began to write. In a moment, four names were listed, with the last one being Ye Qing.

He drew three circles next to the first three names and only one circle next to Ye Qing's name, then stopped, looked at it, and nodded in satisfaction, saying, "Follow this list and report it to the county. Do you understand?"

"Yes!" Ye Zifan quickly responded, holding the red paper and respectfully leaving.

Leaving the building, he returned to his courtyard in the west. The rain had stopped, and a few servants stood at a distance, bowing. Normally, he would not return their bows, but today, in a good mood, he smiled and nodded at them before entering.

"Hubby!" As soon as he entered, Ye Gushi came forward, anxious, clearly having heard the news.

"Don't worry, look carefully." As an old couple, Ye Zifan did not hesitate and showed her the red paper. Ye Gushi glanced at it and saw her son's name, exclaiming, "Boundless Daoist Lord!"

She calmed down and continued to look at the list, seeing Ye Qing's name listed fourth. She paused and asked cautiously, "Didn't they say the Ye clan only has three slots?"

"Three is the usual number, but the county magistrate has spoken, and four is also acceptable." Seeing his wife still frowning, Ye Zifan pointed to the paper, "Look carefully."

Ye Gushi looked closely and noticed the different circles, understanding: "Is this...?"

"Hmph, this is the distribution of the clan's destiny. Father said we can't ignore the face of that official. If Qing'er wants to take the child examination, we can't stop him, but the clan's destiny cannot be completely ignored. Since Ye Qing insists on taking the exam, believing in his talent, the clan will allocate one-tenth of the destiny, which should be enough."

Saying this, Ye Zifan smiled coldly.

How foolish Ye Qing is, angering his father this way!

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