Chapter 65

After the talk about killing demons was over, the food and drinks were served, and the sixteen people from the two classes began to drink and eat enthusiastically.

Before long, they started chatting about all sorts of topics, from stories of ancient sages to the private lives of current officials, from demon-killing experiences to secrets of the imperial examinations, and from amusing incidents at the academy. The atmosphere was excellent, with no hint of rivalry or hostility.

Fang Yun listened attentively to these stories to broaden his knowledge, while also observing these people. He found that although they were not perfect, they all had a good sense of propriety. People like Liu Zicheng were in the minority.

Before long, the conversation turned to the prefectural examination for the juren degree this year, which all the students from the third class would take. Only two from the second class and one from the first class, Li Yunchong, who was the top scholar last year, would participate.

Then, the group began to discuss classics, policy essays, and poetry. The prefectural examination no longer included questions on the words of the sages.

When the topic turned to poetry, they asked Fang Yun to share some insights. Fang Yun could not refuse and found some key points about writing poetry in the World of Extraordinary Books, combining them with what he had learned recently. He pointed out a few things they might not know.

These scholars listened so intently that they forgot to eat or drink. Some even took notes as they listened, for fear of forgetting.

When Fang Yun finished, no one spoke. Some continued to write notes, while others reinforced the memory in their minds.

As it approached seven o'clock in the evening, a knock on the door was heard, and then three people pushed the door open and entered.

The scholars in the room initially thought they were waiters from the restaurant. Some looked towards the door, while others did not. However, all those who looked towards the door stood up nervously, and those who had not turned around quickly did so and stood up as well.

Fang Yun also stood up, remembering that he had seen these three people in the canteen before, but they had been sitting far away, so he had not paid much attention. Three tall young men in black juren robes stood at the door, each with a pine tree embroidered on their cuffs.

The leader had a resolute face and piercing eyes. He clasped his hands and smiled, saying, "I am Ye Feng from the Lishan Society. Nice to meet all of you."

"Nice to meet you, Brother Ye," the group replied, clasping their hands in return.

"I and a few friends from the Lishan Society are dining at the Xiyue Tower. We heard you were here and came to take a look. I didn't expect to find Fang Shuangjia here. Would you be willing to let us talk with your favorite young poet for a moment, to discuss poetry?"

Chang Wanxu, seeing that they had come to invite Fang Yun, immediately smiled and said, "Then we'll let you have him, but if you try to get him drunk, be prepared for us fifteen scholars to come and challenge you to a drinking contest!"

"Haha, we wouldn't dare! Fang Shuangjia, would you like to talk for a moment?"

"Brother Ye, I would be honored to join you," Fang Yun replied.

"Please," Ye Feng said.

The four of them entered the next room, which was empty.

They sat down, and Ye Feng introduced the two juren, one from Changqu Prefecture named Huang Yusheng, and one from Dayuan Prefecture named Xu Jingxian.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Fang Yun smiled and said, "Since Brother Ye is the leader of the Lishan Society, you must be skilled in poetry. But I assume you have other reasons for inviting me here."

Ye Feng smiled and said, "Fang Shuangjia, you are indeed straightforward. I'll be direct: I hope you will join our Lishan Society. In August, I will leave Jiangzhou to participate in the capital examination. The position of leader will be passed to Yusheng. In two years, you will be the leader of the Lishan Society."

Fang Yun said, "As far as I know, the motto of the Lishan Society is: 'Heart towards the sages, ambition to stabilize the country.' Your true goal is not the path of the sages but the court. Is that correct?"

Ye Feng replied with a calm expression, "We all aspire to the path of the sages, but it is too difficult. Therefore, we aim for the next best thing, building our reputation and talents in the court. If we have the opportunity, we will step onto the path of the sages. If not, we will serve as high officials."

Fang Yun nodded and said, "This is the best path, but my ambition does not lie in the court, so I may not be able to stay in Jiangzhou or the Lishan Society for long."

"I know you have great ambitions and are a rare talent. We have discussed you many times. You will surely become a great scholar, and perhaps even a sage. If your ambition were only in the court, we three would not have invited you so formally. If you are willing to join the Lishan Society, I will immediately pass the position of leader to you."

Huang Yusheng and Xu Jingxian looked at Ye Feng in surprise, not expecting him to be so decisive. They did not object because if Fang Yun joined the Lishan Society, it would greatly benefit them.

"Thank you for your kindness, Brother Ye, but after I pass the scholar examination, I will go to Yuhai City to study, and I won't be able to stay in the provincial academy for long."

"I am from Yuhai Prefecture," Ye Feng smiled.

"In that case, when I go to Yuhai City, I hope Brother Ye will help me."

"That's not necessary. Not only is General Fang Shouye in Yuhai, but also Governor Zhang Poyue greatly appreciates you. Just being a half-friend of Sword Brow, you can walk freely in Yuhai City. The academy master has many old friends in Yuhai, and if you go there, they will likely welcome you at the city gates. It won't be my place to help you."

"Brother Ye is too modest," Fang Yun continued with polite words.

Ye Feng said, "How about this: we will hire you as a guest member of the Lishan Society, with a monthly salary of 100 silver taels. You will have the same privileges as the leader, and we will do our best to promote your literary reputation. What do you think?"

Fang Yun knew that a guest member was similar to an honorary leader, with a higher status than ordinary members. Most of the officials who had left the Lishan Society were honorary leaders.

Fang Yun was still hesitating when Ye Feng said, "We know that the Lishan Society is a small pond that cannot contain a great dragon like you. But as you rise to prominence, you will need capable subordinates, and fellow townspeople and society members are always the most trustworthy. I originally wanted to use your strength to surpass the Ying Society, but today I realize that the Jing Kingdom is too small for you. You will go further than us, and the small Ying Society is nothing. You can consider the Lishan Society as a stop on your journey, a place to rest, without hindering your path to the great society of the Holy Academy, which is your ultimate destination."

Fang Yun looked at Ye Feng and asked with a smile, "You are quite eloquent. Are you a student of the纵横家 (纵横家, a school of thought focused on diplomacy and strategy)?"

"No, I am a student of the military school, using talent to defeat enemies and using my heart to engage in politics." Ye Feng's eyes shone even brighter.

Fang Yun nodded and said, "Since I am already at odds with the Ying Society, I will temporarily join the Lishan Society, hoping that we commoners can support each other."

Ye Feng and the other two were overjoyed.

The four of them talked for a long time, setting the date for Fang Yun to join the society. Fang Yun then returned to the room where the scholars were.

When he entered, he found four more people in the room.

Like Ye Feng, these four were wearing juren robes and were chatting happily with the scholars.

Seeing Fang Yun enter, everyone stood up, and one of the tall young men smiled and said, "We are a bit late?"

"Who are you...?"

Chang Wanxu then introduced the four to Fang Yun. They all had connections to prestigious families. The tall young man turned out to be Zhang Ruhai, the son of Governor Zhang Poyue of Jiangzhou, and the Zhang family was a prominent family in Mizhou, but Zhang Ruhai's academic record was in Jiangzhou.

"Are you not considering joining our Ying Society?"

Fang Yun said, "I have offended the Liu family, so how could I join your aristocratic Ying Society? I have already agreed to become a guest member of the Lishan Society."

Zhang Ruhai said helplessly, "You are Uncle Fang's nephew and should have joined the Ying Society. It's all Liu Zicheng's fault. But don't worry, the Ying Society is not the Liu family's society. Since you are a Fang family member, you are one of us. If you have any problems in the future, you can come to me."

Fang Yun smiled and said, "Thank you, Brother Zhang."

Although Zhang Ruhai was a juren, he was as generous as his father and did not mind the small details. He pulled Fang Yun to drink, and the atmosphere in the room became exceptionally lively.

They drank until nine o'clock at night, and then everyone left the restaurant. Fang Yun had drunk quite a bit and was a bit unsteady on his feet, but his mind was still clear.

He took a carriage back home. As soon as he opened the door, the little fox ran over quickly, leaping into Fang Yun's arms and whimpering, as if complaining that Fang Yun had not visited her all day.

"I may often be out during the day in the future, and I will go to kill demons for ten to fifteen days at a time. You'll have to get used to it." Fang Yun said, petting Nu Nu's head.

Nu Nu's eyes showed a hint of worry.

The new house was very large. Besides Aunt Jiang and Fang Da Niu, there were two more maids and a gatekeeper. Tan Yu and Nie Shi did not live there.

After entering the house, Fang Yun chatted with Yang Yuhuan for a while, drank a bowl of sobering soup cooked by Aunt Jiang, and continued to study.

Fang Yun did not study until four in the morning as he usually did. He went to bed just after midnight.

The next day, Fang Yun continued to go to the provincial academy to study.

The morning was peaceful. Mr. Wang's first class was about the language of the demon race, which Fang Yun could hardly understand. He decided to let the World of Extraordinary Books "eat" some books on demon languages in the evening.

Then, the class moved on to the discussion of classics and poetry.

At noon, Mr. Wang announced the content for the afternoon and left.

Fang Yun was about to go to lunch with his classmates when he heard a voice in his ear.

"Come to my Mingjing Hall."

Fang Yun recognized the voice of the academy master, Li Wenying, and said to his classmates, "You go ahead and eat. I have some private matters and won't be joining you."

Fang Yun walked to the academy master's hall, looked up at the sign that read "Mingjing Hall," and knocked three times.

"Come in."

A strange wind pushed the door open.

Fang Yun bowed outside the threshold and said, "Student Fang Yun greets the academy master."

Li Wenying was sitting in a large chair behind a desk, looking at Fang Yun and smiling. "Come to the desk."

Fang Yun walked to the desk and saw nothing special, just the four treasures of the study and official documents. The middle of the desk was clean, with only a wool felt to place under the white paper.

"May I ask what the academy master needs?"

Li Wenying smiled and said, "I wrote a poem last winter. My talent was just a step away from reaching the prefecture level. If it had reached the prefecture level, it would have had a good chance of being published in the 'Wen Dao.' I asked a few friends for help, but none could improve the poem. Today, the blooming flowers outside reminded me of the plum blossoms of last year and the poem 'Early Plum.' Your literary talent is unparalleled in Jiangzhou, and even I cannot match you. Would you be willing to help me?"

Fang Yun said, "If the academy master is not afraid of my limited talent, I can try. But if I do poorly, please don't blame me."

Li Wenying laughed and scolded, "Don't pretend to be modest in front of me. How did you not fear my blame when you used my name to sell books? By the way, how are the books selling?"