Chapter 14

"Zhen Shanggu, this Fang Yun used to be a complete fool who knew nothing, but why has he become so capable today? His methods are so ruthless. The top student must have been personally chosen by County Magistrate Cai. If I offend him, I offend County Magistrate Cai." Zhen Shanggu was in a state of utter confusion.

Fang Yun bowed to the crowd and said loudly, "I used to work hard at the Lucky Wine House, earning 500 copper coins a month. Yesterday, Manager Zhen fired me without paying me a single coin of my wages and even threatened to beat me. Today, County Magistrate Cai is hosting a student literary gathering at the Lucky Wine House, and I came on time, but Manager Zhen wouldn't let me in. Although I am a poor scholar, I have my principles. I will not enter the Lucky Wine House, and I will apologize to the County Magistrate tomorrow. Everyone, remember Manager Zhen and the Lucky Wine House. They only recognize clothes, not people."

After saying this, Fang Yun lifted his leg and walked away.

Zhen Shanggu hesitated, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone looking down from the second floor. He instinctively looked up and saw that almost all the important figures of the county were there, including County Magistrate Cai, Scholar Wang, and the prominent Su Juren.

Especially the 50-year-old Su Juren, who looked at Zhen Shanggu with an especially cold gaze.

The prominent figures of the county wanted to connect with the most promising students, and a wine house owner was actually trying to drive away the most promising and worthiest top student?

Zhen Shanggu was terrified, feeling as if ice had formed in his bones. Offending County Magistrate Cai was not a big deal, as he would leave after his term, but Su Juren had deep roots in Jixian County for three generations. The consequences of offending him were far more severe.

Zhen Shanggu gritted his teeth and quickly followed Fang Yun, saying, "Fang Yun, I am blind and didn't recognize you as this year's top student. Considering our long acquaintance, please forgive me."

Fang Yun stopped and said, "Manager Zhen, you are too polite. You didn't do anything wrong. The Lucky Wine House is your place, and you have the right to not let me in. Of course, if you let me in now, I also have the right to not enter. Goodbye."

Zhen Shanggu, remembering Su Juren's gaze, couldn't care less about his dignity and hurriedly grabbed Fang Yun's sleeve, pleading, "Young Master Fang, please forgive me. I am a dog who looks down on people, with eyes on my buttocks, only recognizing clothes, not people. I sincerely admit my mistake and will compensate you for your wages."

A light cough came from the second floor, and County Magistrate Cai said, "Speak up here. It's improper to pull and tug on the street!"

After saying this, County Magistrate Cai glared at Zhen Shanggu and then looked at Fang Yun with a smile.

Fang Yun immediately bowed and said, "Since the County Magistrate has spoken, I will comply." He then stepped into the Lucky Wine House without hesitation.

Zhen Shanggu was extremely shocked. He realized that Fang Yun's intention to leave was a pretense, and he was actually waiting for County Magistrate Cai's words. If he had insisted on leaving, it would have been disrespectful to the County Magistrate. So he deliberately shouted about the riddle to attract the attention of County Magistrate Cai and others, ultimately trapping his wine house and achieving two goals at once.

"Was he just pretending all along? This level of scheming is not much, but it is terrifying to see it in a child!" Zhen Shanggu suddenly realized that he was completely powerless against Fang Yun.

The two went up to the second floor, where a tall and strong Niu Man person stood at the door of the best room. Fang Yun glanced at him a few times and then walked in.

The best room was large, with three tables already set up, and nearly twenty people were seated, all standing up at that moment.

County Magistrate Cai, dressed in casual clothes and even smiling, still exuded an aura of authority that made people bow in respect. It was a combination of his talent, cultivation, and position.

"Speak, what exactly happened?" County Magistrate Cai asked with a smile.

Zhen Shanggu fell to his knees with a thud, slapping his own face and saying, "Your Excellency, it's all my fault! I am despicable and shameless, withholding Young Master Fang's wages, blinded by greed. I am willing to compensate."

"Who gave you permission to speak?" County Magistrate Cai said lightly, but his tone made Zhen Shanggu's hair stand on end, his eyes full of fear, like a rabbit caught by a lion or tiger.

No one spoke, and almost everyone's eyes carried a faint hint of mockery.

Zhen Shanggu lowered his head in defeat, finally realizing the vast gap between his status and that of a double-meth student.

Fang Yun bowed first and then recounted the events with Zhen Shanggu truthfully.

Everyone's faces showed anger, and Su Juren said sternly, "I never thought Jixian County would produce such a beast! If you only refused to let Fang Yun take the discarded vegetables home, it would be understandable, but why did you also insult him! Fang Yun's riddle poem was spot on; you indeed only recognize clothes, not people! You are worse than a pig or a dog!"

Zhen Shanggu was terrified, his whole body trembling.

Fang Yun smiled and said, "Today is a student literary gathering, but my personal affairs have delayed it. I will punish myself with a cup of wine as an apology. Manager Zhen, since you have admitted your mistake, I forgive you. You may go."

Zhen Shanggu looked up at Fang Yun in a daze, seeing his smiling face, seemingly truly forgiving him, but he knew in his heart that this matter would not be so easily resolved.

"Great composure! Everyone, please sit. Don't let that small man ruin our mood. As for the wine, there's no need for punishment." County Magistrate Cai made no effort to hide his admiration for Fang Yun.

Everyone sat down.

There were three tables in total. The first table was led by County Magistrate Cai, with officials and prominent families of Jixian County, the lowest rank being a scholar, and one seat reserved for the top student.

The second table was for this year's students, and the third table was for the county's renowned scholars.

There was one Jinshi and three Juren, and except for the students, the rest were all scholars.

Fang Yun politely sat at the first table, and just as he settled down, the door opened.

Fang Yun turned to see Fang Li and Fang Zhongyong walk in together.

Fang Zhongyong immediately bowed and greeted, while Fang Li only bowed and looked around, his gaze finally landing on Fang Yun's head, his eyes blazing with anger.

Fang Yun seemed not to notice.

After the two were seated, the literary gathering officially began. First, County Magistrate Cai toasted to the holy sages, then to the king and empress of Jingguo, and finally to all the students.

The theme of this literary gathering revolved around the county examination. County Magistrate Cai started with the first question of the holy sages' words, asking where Confucius was in the 27th year of Duke Zhao.

This was like a Jinshi giving a lecture, and it was also helpful for understanding the classics. Not only did the students listen attentively, but the scholars and Juren also listened carefully, preparing for future imperial examinations.

The scholars and Juren who had just learned the questions also thought deeply. They knew that Confucius was in Qi and Lu that year, but since County Magistrate Cai had asked this question, the answer would not be simple.

County Magistrate Cai said, "This question is exceptionally obscure, and even a Juren might not answer it correctly. I could only answer it because I read some books in the capital. Fang Yun, how did you answer this question?"

Everyone looked at Fang Yun. In scholarship, it is most taboo to know the result but not the reason. If Fang Yun could not explain the question clearly, his reputation as a double-meth student would be greatly diminished.

Fang Li interjected, "Zhongyong didn't answer it. Please, Top Student Fang, teach him and educate my unworthy child."

Fang Zhongyong looked embarrassed, then looked at Fang Yun, making an apologetic expression.

Fang Yun nodded slightly, indicating that he understood. He had long known that although Fang Zhongyong was somewhat arrogant, he was always quiet and had no bad reputation. On the contrary, his father, Fang Li, was notorious for parading around as the father of a prodigy, which many people disliked.

Fang Yun thought for a moment, organized his thoughts, and said, "At first, I also thought the answer was simple and only wrote Qi and Lu. But when I saw the sixth question, which was about the 'Book of Rites,' I was inspired and remembered that the 'Book of Rites' mentioned that Confucius attended the funeral of Ji Zijang's eldest son..."

Subsequently, Fang Yun explained the question in his own words, presenting the most solid and thorough explanation without any flaws.

When Fang Yun finished, the students and scholars present were still thinking, while those who had already understood praised him.

Fang Li's momentum weakened. He was also a student and knew the difficulty of the question and the perfection of Fang Yun's solution.

"Fang Yun is a great talent, and I cannot compare," Fang Zhongyong said softly, his voice tinged with melancholy but no resentment.

County Magistrate Cai smiled and said, "What a great Fang Yun. Although this method is complicated, it is most suitable for students. If you had used my method, I would have suspected you of cheating."

County Magistrate Cai then explained his own solution, using several rare books that even Wang Yuanjun and Su Juren had not read.

After comparing the methods, everyone looked at Fang Yun differently. His method was the right path.

Next, they continued to discuss some of the questions from the holy sages' words, and County Magistrate Cai even extended the discussion to the "Meaning of the Classics."

The "Meaning of the Classics" involves taking a sentence or part from the holy sages' classic works as a question, and the candidates write essays to explain and interpret the meaning.

If "Holy Sages' Words" is about memorizing the teachings of the holy sages, then "Meaning of the Classics" is about understanding and forming one's own insights.

After County Magistrate Cai finished explaining the "Holy Sages' Words," the food was served, and everyone ate and drank for a while. The next topic was poetry.

Since County Magistrate Cai had discussed the "Holy Sages' Words," it was Wang Yuanjun's turn to discuss poetry, but Fang Li preempted him, saying, "My son's poetry has the ability to surpass the county, but he only got a 'yi.' County Magistrate Cai said Fang Yun's poetry has the talent of Mingzhou. Can we see his county examination poetry?"

Many people remained silent, secretly looking at Wang Yuanjun.

Wang Yuanjun did not expect Fang Li to be so disrespectful, which was a major taboo.

Wang Yuanjun said expressionlessly, "I originally intended to keep Fang Yun's test paper at the county literary institute for future candidates to admire. However, after I passed his poem to the state literary institute's Grand Scholar Li, he said the poem should be sent to the state literary institute and that it is not only the best poem in the county this year but also the best poem in the county for hundreds of years! Grand Scholar Li said the poem will definitely be featured in the next issue of 'The Holy Way.'"

The room erupted in excitement.

"Did Grand Scholar Li really say that? To be enshrined in the state literary institute, no student's poem has ever received such treatment!"

"The best poem in the county this year? That's a significant title."

"If it can be featured in 'The Holy Way,' won't the county have another literary archway? With the unprecedented double-meth, Fang Yun will have two literary archways."

"Has anyone from our Jixian County ever been featured in 'The Holy Way'?"

"Indeed, no one has."

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