Chapter 19

Subsequently, passersby kept congratulating Fang Yun, leaving him no choice but to return their greetings one by one. When no one was congratulating him, a few classmates asked Fang Yun about the events of last night’s Child Scholar Literary Gathering. Fang Yun then selected some parts to tell them.

As they walked and chatted, Fang Yun found an opportunity to pull Liang Yuan aside and said, "Uncle from Dàyuan Prefecture is sponsoring me to open a bookstore. I happen to need a trustworthy manager, so I thought of you. You have experience working in a rice shop. As long as you hire a few old scholars, you can run the bookstore. The salary will be the same as a lecturer at the county literary academy, and you can read books in your free time. What do you think?"

"Bookstore?" Liang Yuan’s breathing quickened. Although a bookstore and a rice shop both involved business, working in a rice shop was very tiring, whereas a bookstore was different, and he would be a manager, with more time to read every day.

"Yes. I’ll give you two days to think about it. If you don’t agree, I’ll find someone else as soon as possible. I’ll give you five taels of silver per month now, and when the business grows, you’ll get a share of the profits," Fang Yun said.

"Let me think about it. I’ll give you an answer tomorrow."

"Alright."

Upon reaching the entrance of the literary academy, Fang Yun and Lu Lin bid farewell to their classmates and entered the academy together. They were led to a side room by someone inside.

There were already many child scholars in the side room. As soon as Fang Yun entered, those who knew him immediately clasped their hands in greeting.

Some called him Fang Anshou, some called him Fang Shuangjia, and a thirty-something child scholar was particularly enthusiastic, greatly admiring the line "How many flowers have fallen."

Fang Zhongyong was also there, respectfully bowing to Fang Yun.

Even if some people were不服气 or doubted Fang Yun, they did not dare to challenge him in this situation. If County Magistrate Cai found out, being scolded would be a minor issue, but being expelled from the literary academy would be disastrous.

After the greetings, a constable approached with some items, respectfully informing Fang Yun and Lu Lin that they needed to change into child scholar robes and wear child scholar swords.

Fang Yun and Lu Lin thanked the constable, changed into light blue child scholar robes, and looked at themselves in the mirror.

The child scholar robe had a slightly different design from ordinary long robes, with willow leaf patterns on the collar and cuffs. Only child scholars could wear it; others were not allowed, or they would be punished with eighty strokes of the cane.

The child scholar robe had a side for hanging decorations, which could hold the child scholar sword.

After hanging the sword, Fang Yun gently drew it, a cold light reflecting in his eyes. The sword was sharp, not as effective as a spear or a large knife on the battlefield, but sufficient for self-defense.

Next, the child scholars helped each other adjust their clothing to avoid showing disrespect to the sages.

When the auspicious time arrived, the child scholars walked out of the side room, and local officials were already waiting outside.

Then, County Magistrate Cai and Dean Wang led the fifty new child scholars into the temple dedicated to the sages, each standing behind a prayer mat.

County Magistrate Cai recited the "Ode to the Sages" again, expressing gratitude to the sages, and concluded, "County Magistrate Cai He of Jixian County, along with fifty child scholars, worships the sages, praying for their talent to strengthen our human race!" He then knelt down.

The others also knelt on the prayer mats.

Fang Yun felt the entire temple and the space around it suddenly shake, followed by an intangible force descending. Though it could not be touched, it reached directly into the heart, grand and majestic, making one involuntarily bow in reverence.

Strands of orange talent descended, landing on the heads of each child scholar.

Others could not see, but as a child scholar before the sages, Fang Yun saw a series of images.

A man in beast clothing fought to the death with demons using the most primitive stone spear, eventually establishing a human kingdom, becoming the first ancestor of the human race.

Someone tasted hundreds of herbs, sacrificing his life to save countless others.

Someone threw himself into a breach in a dike, using his body to block the flood, ultimately controlling the water disaster.

Someone recited the "I Ching" outside the city of Chao Ge, destroying countless demons.

Someone established an academy, educating the masses, fighting demons, and securing a thousand years of peace for the human race.

Someone established laws and led reforms, making the human race more orderly.

Someone...

Images of these sages flashed through Fang Yun’s mind, elevating his "Literary Palace."

Fang Yun had just become a child scholar, and his Literary Palace was originally just a void, perceptible but formless.

Now, Fang Yun "saw" a grand hall built of rough square stones appear deep in his mind. The hall was ancient and simple, with murals inside depicting the contributions of the sages to the human race.

Inside the hall was a statue of Fang Yun, also wearing a child scholar robe.

At first glance, the statue seemed unremarkable, but upon closer inspection, the statue’s eyes had a faint, warm, and soothing light, giving a sense of peace and tranquility.

Fang Yun vaguely guessed something but could not confirm it.

"Is worshipping the sages the same as worshipping oneself? Then..."

Subsequently, a wisp of orange mist-like talent appeared above the statue’s head, currently three inches long, as fine as silk spun by a silkworm.

"Child scholar talent is like silk, and scholar talent is like a needle. This refers to the talent in the Literary Palace and the talent one can mobilize."

Fang Yun "looked around" the walls of the Literary Palace, which had only murals and the statue. However, the roof of the Literary Palace was peculiar, resembling an endless void with only four stars of different sizes, one of which was very small.

The four stars emitted a faint light, illuminating Fang Yun’s statue and nurturing the silk-like talent, helping it grow.

"Those four stars represent the four poems like 'Spring Dawn'? I wonder how long it will take to reach the realm of the sages, where the stars tremble at my presence."

As Fang Yun was thinking, the Literary Palace gently shook, and his consciousness left it.

Fang Yun was surprised to find that everyone was looking at him enviously, even County Magistrate Cai.

Fang Yun then realized that he was different from others. The talent infusion for others probably just opened the Literary Palace without forming it, while he had taken the lead, step by step.

Fang Yun even suspected that even if other child scholars’ Literary Palaces formed, they would not be as complete as his, and they certainly would not have the murals of the sages.

"The worship of the sages is over. Let’s leave," County Magistrate Cai said.

After leaving the temple, County Magistrate Cai called Fang Yun aside and asked, "What are your plans?"

"I want to stay in Jixian County to consolidate my Literary Palace and set out for Dàyuan Prefecture in ten days to study at the prefectural literary academy," Fang Yun replied.

County Magistrate Cai said, "Going to Dàyuan Prefecture now might not be appropriate."

"Thank you for your concern, County Magistrate. Uncle Fang from Dàyuan Prefecture has just left and will handle this matter," Fang Yun said.

County Magistrate Cai thought for a moment and asked, "Is it Fang Shouye, the magistrate?"

"Exactly."

County Magistrate Cai looked in the direction of Dàyuan Prefecture and said, "The Liu family is in for trouble, and I can rest easy."

Fang Yun said, "I have two requests."

County Magistrate Cai smiled and said, "You’re not being formal. Go ahead."

"I want to take the scholar examination this year, but I have never studied the classics. I would like to ask for your guidance before going to Dàyuan Prefecture," Fang Yun said respectfully.

County Magistrate Cai did not immediately agree but carefully examined Fang Yun, finding that he was neither timid before a superior nor arrogant as the top-ranked child scholar and the nephew of a general, only respectful to his teacher. He secretly praised Fang Yun for his humility and confidence.

County Magistrate Cai nodded and said, "Good. The path of the sages is about overcoming obstacles, not competing with others but with time and oneself! Since you have the heart to strive, I will give you a helping hand. It’s a pity that others don’t understand this."

County Magistrate Cai looked regretfully at the child scholars leaving, not actively teaching them, but if a child scholar sought his help, whether flatteringly or straightforwardly like Fang Yun, he would assist.

Fang Yun looked curiously at the child scholars who left empty-handed, wondering why they ignored County Magistrate Cai, a "treasure trove of the imperial examinations." The experience of a jinshi (imperial scholar) was invaluable, and few in Jixian County or even Dàyuan Prefecture could receive such guidance.

However, Fang Yun soon realized that he was not a native of the area and lacked the strong hierarchical mindset. Influenced by the idea of equality, he did not see the jinshi as unapproachable. Additionally, as the top-ranked child scholar and praised by the county magistrate, he dared to seek a jinshi county magistrate as a teacher.

"Tell me your second request," County Magistrate Cai’s attitude became even more friendly.

"I want to come to the literary academy more often before going to Dàyuan Prefecture to read," Fang Yun said.

"Of course."

They agreed that from that day on, County Magistrate Cai would teach Fang Yun for one hour after dinner each day.

Leaving the literary academy, Fang Yun and Lu Lin bought some fruit and two chickens and went to Mr. Sun’s house to thank him for his teaching.

Afterward, Fang Yun and Lu Lin parted ways, and Fang Yun returned home. He saw Mr. Zhen standing in the courtyard with a cloth bag, and Yang Yuhuan was sitting on a stool doing needlework.

As soon as Fang Yun entered, Mr. Zhen hurried over with a forced smile and said carefully, "Fang Anshou, I’ve brought the money to compensate you. I just weighed it, exactly one hundred taels of silver, two hundred times the compensation. You said it, and I did it, willingly."

Fang Yun took the silver without a word and walked inside.

Yang Yuhuan stood up, looking at Fang Yun’s child scholar robe with joy and a hint of admiration.

Mr. Zhen became anxious, hurriedly following and bowing, saying pitifully, "Fang Anshou, I’ve admitted my mistake and paid the compensation. Please give me a clear answer. I’ve been on edge all day."

Fang Yun nodded and smiled, "I understand. I only felt relieved after completing the worship of the sages and being officially granted the title of child scholar. Thank you for your concern."

Mr. Zhen’s face turned pale, realizing he had been seen through. He had wanted to apologize and compensate Fang Yun yesterday but was reluctant to part with one hundred taels of silver. He had been waiting, hoping for an accident, but when everything went smoothly, he had no choice but to bring the silver.

Yang Yuhuan angrily said, "No wonder Mr. Zhen was acting pitiful. He was just calculating!"

Fang Yun said coldly, "Mr. Zhen, we are even. You can leave."

"I... I..."

"I had some words I wanted to say to you yesterday, but I forgot today," Fang Yun turned to look at Mr. Zhen, his eyes cold.

"I... I..." Mr. Zhen wanted to say more but was scared by Fang Yun’s gaze and involuntarily walked out.

Leaving Fang Yun’s house, Mr. Zhen felt a deep sorrow, muttering to himself, "How could I be so foolish! The Lucky Wine House makes at least five hundred taels of silver a year, but I lost a hundred taels over a few coins and offended Fang Anshou. How could I be so foolish! How could I be so foolish..."