Chapter 92

Fang Yun took the invitation and found nothing special about it, just like the literary society invitations he had received before, clearly not specially arranged by Li Wenying.

Beside him, Feng Zimo, the lord of the mansion, said, "Since Lord Li invited you, there must be a deeper meaning."

Yu Xingshu, however, said, "From my understanding of Lord Li, the words 'as much as possible' are not his true intention. If Lord Li really wanted you to go, he would directly invite you. But if he has his attendants say this, it's probably because he is acting on behalf of someone else."

Fang Yun said, "Since Lord Li values it so much, I'll go and see. However, Lord Li only said I should go, not that I should participate in the dragon boat race, right?"

Everyone was taken aback, and Feng Zimo smiled, "You are indeed quick-witted. However, the prizes for the dragon boat race are always substantial, and in recent years, they have become even larger. You should try to participate as much as possible."

"What kind of prizes could there be?"

"In the past, the two countries each contributed a piece of literary treasure as the prize. This year, Lord Li added a piece of dragon blood ink. The Qing country, not to be outdone, even took out a 'Mountain and River Chessboard' and accused Lord Li of being stingy, demanding that Yuhai City provide more treasures as prizes."

"Mountain and River Chessboard? They are really willing to part with it," Fang Yun said.

The material of the Mountain and River Chessboard is a very rare stone from Qing country, with patterns resembling mountain and river landscapes. It has no magical power on its own, but once made into a literary treasure chessboard, it can transform into a mountain and river landscape to trap enemies.

The Go literary treasure is quite special; the chessboard, black stones, and white stones each form a separate literary treasure. Only when combined do they become a complete Go literary treasure, and individually, they are useless.

In the hands of an ordinary player, a set of Go literary treasures is not much more powerful than a regular literary treasure. However, in the hands of a Go expert, a set of Go literary treasures can be several times more effective.

However, like painting and playing the zither, Go requires years of practice and consumes a lot of time and energy. Unless someone has a natural talent in this area, it is better to study the classics of the sages.

Qing country produces only four to five qualified Mountain and River Chessboards each year. Even if they are refined into literary treasures, they are not considered a waste, and their value far exceeds a piece of dragon blood ink.

"Do you have an interest?" Feng Zimo asked.

Fang Yun replied, "Before I reach the fifth realm in calligraphy, I won't delve deeply into the zither, Go, or painting. Occasionally trying them out for relaxation is fine, but the Mountain and River Chessboard is not very useful to me."

"That may not be the case. You have already shown talent in painting. Perhaps with a little effort in the zither and Go, you will achieve something. In the future, when you have good zither and Go literary treasures, you won't leave them unused, will you?"

"Perhaps," Fang Yun did not commit himself, mainly because there were too many things in the library. As long as they could enhance the strength of the human race, they could be used, and they might prove very useful.

General Yu said, "If the Mountain and River Chessboard is not useful to you, you can exchange it for something else. It might even be possible to exchange it for a Jinshi literary treasure."

"This month, I want to focus on preparing for the exam," Fang Yun said helplessly. He was eager to climb the Book Mountain. Only by obtaining the literary heart would his strength improve significantly. Otherwise, he would not be able to stand on his own without the power of eloquence.

Yu Xingshu nodded, "That's fine. After you enter the Book Mountain, you must strive to move forward. The higher you climb, the greater the benefits for our Jing country!"

"Oh? I didn't know that. What benefits are there?" Fang Yun asked.

Yu Xingshu scanned the crowd, and everyone except Feng Zimo left tactfully.

"After the prefectural exam, the top ten scholars from each of the ten countries will enter the Book Mountain. The country whose scholar climbs the highest represents the most prosperous culture of that country. The Holy Academy will reward holy pages, longevity fruits, or life fruits. When the scholars climb the Book Mountain, it's not a big deal, but when the juren (advanced scholars) climb the Book Mountain, it is said that the semi-saints of the ten countries will pay attention. Those who can climb to the top will inevitably become pillars of our human race, with great potential. Generally, the four great talents of each generation will stand out when the juren climb the Book Mountain, gradually becoming famous throughout the world."

"I see," Fang Yun said.

Yu Xingshu said seriously, "The path of the sages is extremely difficult! The human race must compete with the demons and barbarians, and humans must also compete with each other. You must compete for holy pages and literary treasures to avoid being killed by the demons and barbarians. You must compete for the qualifications to enter the holy places so that you can grow faster than others. The most important and most brutal competition is the ideological struggle of the sages. For example, your 'Three-Character Classic' has already offended the Xunzi family."

"Ah? I understand," Fang Yun was taken aback but quickly reacted.

The opening of the 'Three-Character Classic' is "At the beginning of human life, nature is inherently good," while the second sage Xunzi is the founder of the theory of inherent evil. This theory does not mean that people are inherently evil, but rather that people are born with a tendency towards evil, which is innate.

However, Mencius believed that people are born with a sense of empathy, a sense of shame, a sense of courtesy, and a sense of right and wrong, meaning that people are inherently good. Therefore, Mencius is revered as the founder of the theory of inherent goodness.

Thus, the Mencius family and the Xunzi family have been in opposition for hundreds of years, and they have never reconciled.

The disciples of Xunzi do not even accept the ideas of the second sage Mencius. If they have the opportunity, they will naturally suppress Fang Yun.

Fang Yun also knew that there were ideological conflicts within the families. For example, although the Han Fei family and the Li Si family both belong to the Legalist school, they have been enemies for generations due to the power struggle between Han Fei and Li Si. Some new sages also have personal grudges and national enmities.

Fang Yun sighed lightly. Since the Xunzi family is in Qing country, and Jing country and Qing country have always been at odds, the Xunzi family will spare no effort to suppress him.

Feng Zimo comforted him, "The Xunzi family is not very strong in our Jing country. As long as you don't leave Jing country, they can't do anything to you."

"I hope so," Fang Yun said.

Yu Xingshu asked, "If the Xunzi family sends someone to criticize you, what will you do? Will you submit or escape?"

Fang Yun thought for a moment and answered firmly, "I will neither submit nor escape. My path of the sages, no one can obstruct! Not even the family of a second sage!"

"Good!" Yu Xingshu and Feng Zimo smiled at each other.

It was already late at night, and the three of them did not talk much more. Feng Zimo and the others left, while Fang Yun's family stayed at General Dinghai's mansion.

Early in the morning, Fang Yun had breakfast with Yang Yuhuan and the Yu family. Fang Yun and the others got into a bull cart and were escorted by a team of soldiers to the mansion prepared for him.

After arriving smoothly, the family began to get busy. The state army also assigned two experienced and trustworthy veterans to serve as Fang Yun's attendants, providing close protection.

The new Fang mansion was a two-story courtyard, slightly smaller than the Daoyuan mansion but still sufficient.

Before lunch, Fang Yun sent Fang Da Niu to buy some high-end stationery as gifts and visited the home of the neighboring scholar Pang. The two did not reveal their identities but chatted for half an hour like ordinary neighbors, subtly reassuring each other. Fang Yun expressed his sincere gratitude.

Before evening, Fang Shouye sent someone to invite Fang Yun to his mansion for a simple dinner. Since it was his uncle's invitation, Fang Yun had no choice but to accept.

Before going to Fang Shouye's place, Fang Yun visited the neighboring general Lai, who was extremely热情 and wanted to keep him for dinner. Fang Yun said he had to go to Fang Shouye's place and managed to leave.

Fang Yun and Yang Yuhuan took a bull cart to the southern deputy city. At 6 PM, they arrived at the gate of Fang Shouye's mansion.

This place was far less grand than the Fang family's mansion in Daoyuan, and like Fang Yun's new residence, it was a simple two-story courtyard, devoid of any luxury, exuding a military iron-blooded atmosphere. It felt more like a fortress than a home.

Fang Yun nodded slightly to the gatekeeper and said, "I am Fang Yun. Please inform him of my arrival."

The gatekeeper immediately looked pleased and shouted loudly, "Young Master Yun has arrived!" Then he hurriedly invited Fang Yun in and led the way.

Fang Yun followed and passed through the first courtyard, entering the second courtyard. He saw four men, dressed casually but exuding a military aura, coming out to greet him. Behind them was a graceful young woman.

Fang Yun only recognized Fang Shouye and guessed that the young woman was his concubine.

"Brat, you've been quite the star lately! Arriving in Yuhai by flying page boat, even I didn't have that treatment!" Fang Shouye punched Fang Yun's shoulder lightly, treating him like a comrade in arms.

"Fang Yun greets all the uncles and aunts," Fang Yun immediately clasped his hands, while Yang Yuhuan did not speak but placed her hands on her abdomen and bowed slightly.

Fang Shouye and the other four men accepted Fang Yun and Yang Yuhuan's greetings, and the concubine also bowed slightly in return, saying nothing.

Fang Yun was not used to elders bowing to him, even if they were concubines. He was still not accustomed to some of the concepts of this era, but he kept everything in his heart. A certain idea was growing stronger, and he vaguely felt that it was a huge opportunity. If he seized it, his future achievements would be immeasurable.

"Let me introduce you!" Fang Shouye put his arm around Fang Yun's shoulder and introduced the three men one by one. His manner was not that of a scholar but full of the masculinity and directness of a soldier, making people feel close once they accepted him.

After everyone got to know each other, they went inside to eat and drink.

Fang Shouye was very fond of joking and talked incessantly. When the meal was almost over, the three generals left, and the concubine also took Yang Yuhuan away, saying she would give her some jewelry. Only the uncle and nephew were left at the table.

Fang Yun knew that the three men had come to meet and get to know each other, but they would not discuss deeply. They would gradually deepen their relationship in the future. Now, it was time for the uncle and nephew to talk about serious matters.

Fang Shouye took a deep breath, and the drunkenness on his face immediately diminished.

"Yuhai City is safe, but not necessarily comfortable," Fang Shouye looked at Fang Yun and said solemnly.

"Please give me your advice, Uncle."

"Do you know what idle talk I've heard?"

Fang Yun shook his head.

"Have you heard of Tong Chengling?"

"Of course, a minister of the Ministry of War and a Hanlin scholar," Fang Yun said.

"His eldest grandson, Tong Li, is in Yuhai and is participating in the prefectural exam this year. He has already declared that he will definitely win the top scholar and become a 'Mao Cai,'" Fang Shouye looked at Fang Yun.