Chapter 60

Ye Qing and Lü Shangjing squeezed out of the street, both heaving a sigh of relief. They hired a cart and sat inside, as the stars began to sprinkle down.

Ye Qing couldn't help but laugh and said, "It's still auspicious. The sky was clear when the results were announced."

"Spring breeze, drizzle, ox cart, and passing the exam—what a refined event!" Lü Shangjing smiled. "Why must it be a clear sky?"

"Hmm?" Ye Qing was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly laughed and said, "Your words have a point. The wind and rain are natural, and without them, life would be less interesting."

Lü Shangjing smiled. "I didn't think that far. I just felt a bit emotional after seeing the results. When I passed the child examination, the scene was similar. I always hoped for a day like this, but it never came. Now, thanks to you, I've seen it once, and it's a comfort to my heart!"

After a moment of dejection, he held back, but Ye Qing knew that this man, after years of experience, was already well-prepared internally; he just lacked some external practice. Despite his emotional display, his inner depth was unfathomable. Ye Qing then said, "This is everyone's fate..."

Back at the inn, lanterns were hung, and the street was bustling with people. As soon as they returned, a waiter came out to greet them: "Ah, it's Master Ye, the seventh-place scholar. Please come in quickly. A banquet has been set up in the private room, a gesture of our small inn. We hope you will honor us with your presence."

Ye Qing looked around and saw a dozen or so people sitting downstairs in groups, all child scholars. Some were shouting and playing drinking games, some were drunk and dazed, and some were even crying from the alcohol.

Without a word, Ye Qing and Lü Shangjing climbed the stairs. On the second floor, the private room was also set up with a lavish banquet, clearly prepared by the innkeeper for other scholars.

On the third floor, the floor was clean, and a writing desk was set up in the southwest corner, complete with ink, brush, paper, and inkstone. The dishes were ordinary, but the wine caught his attention—it was Chunyi Han, a famous wine.

Lü Shangjing was also surprised and smiled. "Good wine, I've only heard of it but never tasted it. Now I will truly taste it."

They both smiled and sat down. A middle-aged man in a silk robe, with a few freckles on his face, bowed politely. "I am the innkeeper. This small banquet is a token of my respect."

Ye Qing nodded and took out a silver note. "This is ten taels of silver. I believe it's enough. I know your intentions; you want some poetry."

"However, I just passed the exam and am still in a sentimental mood. I can't think of any poetic inspiration."

The middle-aged man's face darkened slightly, showing a flash of displeasure, but it quickly disappeared. He sighed and said, "I apologize for the disturbance. I cannot accept this silver. I will take my leave."

With that, he left.

Ye Qing smiled but said nothing. At the Yellow Dragon Tower, he wanted to attend the Dragon Lord's banquet, so he let others take advantage. Now, without that, he wouldn't exchange a thousand years of green poetry for a mere banquet. As a穿越者 (time traveler), he remembered thousands of poems, but only about a hundred fit the scene, and he cherished each one. He wouldn't casually throw them away, as it would make him seem like a nouveau riche.

Ye Qing unfastened his sword and hung it, then took out a copper seal to examine it. For thousands of years, emperors and kings used jade seals. Those of the third rank and above used gold seals, those of the sixth rank and above used silver seals, and those of the ninth rank and above used copper seals.

His seal was a half-seal, small and light, with a rope for easy carrying. When he looked at it, he saw a faint red aura emanating from it.

Looking at the golden cup, he noticed that the green aura inside, which had been two-thirds full, had sharply decreased to about one-quarter, indicating that passing the exam had consumed it. The turtle-dragon pattern was faintly dissipating. The golden-yellow aura surrounding him was rapidly being absorbed by his destiny, subtly changing.

This was the process of extracting the green aura from the cup, converting it into golden-yellow aura, and then being absorbed by his destiny. The pale red aura of his destiny was gradually turning crimson.

"I can't use it all up, or I'll lose my connection to the Dragon Lord." In a moment, he decided not to use it, and the green liquid in the golden cup stopped evaporating. The golden-yellow aura surrounding him immediately thinned and was quickly absorbed.

"My innate destiny and family background are insufficient. The fortune bestowed by the Dragon Lord's banquet may not be enough to support me in passing the provincial exam. I need to find a way."

At this moment, only a faint crimson aura, the scholar's rank, continued to nourish his destiny. He thought, "The scholar's rank is significant, perhaps one-third of the Ye family's fortune."

The so-called one-third fortune during the exam was temporary, but this was equivalent to one-third of the entire Ye family's fortune.

"Having gained Lü Shangjing, known as the prime minister of the Yu family, who is skilled in internal affairs, I must not waste his talents."

"Land, money, reputation, and talent are all fortune."

With this in mind, Ye Qing raised his cup and said, "Sir, I have something to say, but I'm not sure if I should."

"Master, please speak freely," Lü Shangjing said, his eyes bright with interest.

Ye Qing smiled. "There's no need to be so serious. I was just thinking that in terms of literary talent, you are unmatched, at least at the level of a jinshi. I will seek your guidance day and night."

"However, for someone of your talent, teaching is too much of a waste."

"Since ancient times, prime ministers have come from counties, and generals from soldiers. I have 120 acres of private land, and the government has given me 50 more. If my family adds more, and I contribute some gold, we can make it 300 acres, all in one piece. Could you manage it, set some rules, and select some capable people?"

He paused and smiled. "There are no rules in the world, but as more people come, rules are created. Don't underestimate these 300 acres; having rules makes it a fertile field."

Lü Shangjing was taken aback, pondering Ye Qing's words. After a long moment, he smiled. "Master, to entrust me with such an important task, how can I refuse? I will do my best!"

"Good, we'll rest for a day and return home tomorrow. We also need to repair a temple and cast a golden statue," Ye Qing said after a moment of thought.

**Yu Family Residence**

The gates were wide open, and Yu Fan personally greeted guests at the entrance.

The hall was filled with over a hundred people, all dressed in formal attire, including officials and scholars. Even the governor and the most famous scholar of the region, Zhu Song, were present.

The guests raised their cups, laughing and toasting to Yu Fan's success in passing the exam and becoming the top scholar.

Yu Fan, kneeling, raised his cup to toast the officials and elders, his demeanor graceful and composed, winning the admiration of all.

The governor was taken aback and sighed, "The Yu family has such a son, what a blessing!"

Zhu Song smiled. "Originally, Zhang Minzhi was the most talented and should have been first, but after seeing the results, the top scholar of the region may have to yield."

Yu Fan's father, Yu Cheng'en, was delighted and laughed. "Fan, since Master Zhu says this, why not offer him a cup?"

Yu Fan agreed and offered a cup to Zhu Song.

The guests enjoyed the feast, and after they left, Yu Fan looked thoughtful. His tutor, Mr. Kou, who was about forty and had a handsome face, asked, "Master, what are you thinking?"

Yu Fan said, "Today, I saw Ye Qing, who ranked seventh."

Mr. Kou asked, "Is Master concerned?"

Yu Fan said, "It's not just that... When I saw Ye Qing, I also noticed an older man with him. It made me feel a deep pain, as if I had lost something important."

But seeing Mr. Kou's gaze, he didn't want to say more, just smiled and said, "However, I read Ye Qing's essay, and it truly is exquisite. I usually don't admire others in this regard, but I can't help but be impressed."

"There are many talented people in the world, many of whom are not recognized."

At this, he saw the guests toasting and the noise, the music, and the dancing girls, and he frowned, sitting up straight. "I was just a child scholar with no status, but now I have it."

"Mr. Kou, I want to start a school. What do you think?"

In this world, traveling scholars were common, and private schools were widespread. The most famous private school in the region was run by Zhu Song, with thousands of students, including many scholars and jinshis. This was why, despite being only a jinshi, Zhu Song was respected by the governor and the Yu family.

But Yu Fan's school had a different purpose. Mr. Kou clapped his hands and said, "Excellent, Master has finally taken this step."

This school would be a talent pool, a reserve for future needs.

The Yu family's reputation and location were not issues, but money was.

Yu Fan thought for a moment and said, "I am now a scholar, and the family will support me. I will visit my father and uncles tomorrow to discuss this. I believe they will agree and provide some support. Once approved, the school can be established."

"I need to focus on my studies and exams, so the daily management will be up to you. My private business can also be managed by you. I will not hesitate to spend all my money to make this happen."

Mr. Kou smiled and sighed, "With Master's heart and vision, many talented but poor scholars will flock to you. As the saying goes, within a hundred steps, there must be fragrant grass, and there will always be hidden talents to be found."

Yu Fan, not hiding his true intentions from Mr. Kou, chuckled and said, "This is my true intention!"

Mr. Kou coughed a few times and asked, "What will the school be called?"

"Since it's to find hidden talents, let's call it the 'Hidden Pearl School'!" The decision was made, and a faint green aura passed over Yu Fan's face. But at this moment, he felt a sense of emptiness and loss.