Immortal Dynasty Hounds

Chapter 2 Studying Medicine Can't Save Yu the Great

Kong Ningyuan took out the "admission notice" from Bailudong Academy and respectfully presented it to Lianshan Jingcheng.

He Miaojun and Lian Shanjingcheng looked at each other in bewilderment.

"White Deer Cave Academy is about to enroll new students. Are you here to deliver the admission letter to Xiao Xin?"

"Yes."

"He hasn't even taken the exam yet, how did he get accepted?" He Miaojun didn't understand.

The order is reversed.

The scholar patiently explained, "Young Master Xin is a talented individual and has been recommended for advancement."

If one could be recommended to serve as an official in the imperial court, then one could certainly be recommended to enter an academy as well.

However, those who are recommended must have special skills.

He Miaojun was even more confused: "My son is a talented person? What makes him talented?"

At such a young age, Xian already knew how to advise Lian Shan Jingcheng to sell more aphrodisiacs.
From a business perspective, this was indeed a wise move, and Huichuntang's business flourished as a result.

But Bailudong Academy has a thousand-year history, so we can't just focus on that, can we?

Kong Ningyuan smiled slightly: "Madam, you may not know this, but Young Master Xin is a man of great talent, though he is accustomed to hiding his abilities. Since Young Master Xin is not going to say it, it is naturally inconvenient for me to reveal it for him. I can only say that Bailudong Academy needs a talent like Young Master Xin."

"You are Kong Ningyuan? One of the Seven Sons of Bailu? The Kong Ningyuan who shared pears at the age of four and became famous throughout Jiangzhou?"

Lian Shan Jingcheng felt that the other person looked familiar, and now he finally recognized him.

Kong Ningyuan was not a regular customer of the clinic, but rather a prominent figure among the younger generation in Jiangzhou. He became famous throughout Jiangzhou for sharing pears at the age of four. Later, he was recommended to the Bailudong Academy, with a high chance of being recommended to the imperial court.

Why would someone like that come to deliver an acceptance letter to my son?

Kong Ningyuan was not surprised that Lian Shanjingcheng recognized him. However, in front of this ordinary doctor, Kong Ningyuan was not arrogant, but humbly put on a very low posture: "The matter of giving away the pears is purely an undeserved compliment from outsiders, and I should also thank Young Master Xin."

"Thank Xiao Xin? Thank him for what?"

Lian Shanjingcheng and He Miaojun felt that their comprehension skills were terrible today.

However, Kong Ningyuan did not offer any further explanation.

At this moment, Lian Shanxin had also heard the commotion ahead and arrived late.

"Brother Kong, you've arrived."

When Lian Shanxin saw Kong Ningyuan, he greeted him warmly and familiarly.

Kong Ningyuan smiled and said, "I've come to deliver your admission letter from the academy, Young Master Xin, congratulations."

"Congratulations! Brother Kong should be recommended to the imperial court by the academy, right?" Lian Shanxin said, not in a question, but in a statement.

Upon hearing Lian Shanxin's words, Kong Ningyuan's smile became even more genuine: "I must thank Young Master Xin."

"Brother Kong, just call me Xiaoxin, or Brother Xian, no need to be so polite."

Lian Shanxin grasped Kong Ningyuan's hand and then solemnly introduced his parents to Kong Ningyuan.

Visiting the mother's home to pay respects is a demonstration that the relationship between the two parties has deepened.

Kong Ningyuan, being from a prominent family, naturally understood these rules better and was also eager to befriend Lian Shanxin, so he solemnly bowed to Lian Shanxin Jingcheng and He Miaojun as a junior.

The two then went to the backyard to talk.

Lian Shanjingcheng and He Miaojun were left completely bewildered.

……

“Brother, the academy did recommend me to the court, based on the story of me giving away pears at the age of four. I am ashamed. If it weren’t for your guidance, I would not know how to stand out among my seven brothers. Please accept my bow.”

Just as Kong Ningyuan was about to kneel, Lian Shanxin stopped him, looking completely bewildered: "Brother Kong, what are you saying? I don't understand at all."

Kong Ningyuan paused for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Brother, you are truly a talented man. Rest assured, I will remember your help and repay you in the future. The academy is rife with factions, but I have already made arrangements. After you enter the academy, I will introduce you to all my connections, so please do not refuse. I will stay at the academy for another six months before going to the court to take up my post. During these six months, I will definitely help you establish yourself in the academy."

"In that case, it would be impolite of me to refuse."

The two looked at each other and laughed at the same time.

The PY deal has been completed.

The imperial examinations were very difficult, especially given the powerful Yu Dynasty and the extremely low pass rate. Taking the civil service exam was even more challenging than in my previous life.

Unless one is a true prodigy, anyone who has the means to be recommended will definitely do so through the recommendation process.

The Kong family was a prominent family, and its disciples were naturally qualified to be recommended. However, Kong Ningyuan had seven brothers in his generation, and he was the sixth. Even in a prestigious family, not all seven could go through the recommendation process; only the most virtuous would be eligible.

So who is the most virtuous?

Kong Ningyuan, who shared pears with others since he was four years old, is the most virtuous.

Does four-year-old Kong Ningyuan understand the concept of sharing pears?

He doesn't know anything.

He wasn't like Lian Shanxin, who had been born twice and possessed innate wisdom; he was still playing in the mud when he was four years old.

But Lianshan Xin understands.

He met Kong Ningyuan, and the story of Kong Ningyuan sharing pears at the age of four spread throughout Jiangzhou, making Kong Ningyuan a prominent figure among the younger generation in Jiangzhou.

Of course, the Kong family contributed the most in this process. Lian Shanxin only offered an idea, and he gave that idea to Kong Ningyuan for free.

Lianshanxin understood that what's free is the most valuable.

Now, his reward has arrived.

Is it worth it to get a guaranteed admission to a prestigious university like Tsinghua or Peking University just by talking?
Lianshan believes it is worthwhile.

Kong Ningyuan also felt that he had made a huge profit.

It's a win-win.

As for turning against someone outright... let's not even talk about whether Lian Shanxin has a backup plan, or whether Kong Ningyuan is that short-sighted.

Unless there is a greater benefit, it is impossible for him to turn against you directly.

"Brother, I have a small favor to ask of you."

"What is it?" Lian Shanxin asked curiously. Kong Ningyuan replied calmly, "I have a friend who has been feeling weak lately. He heard that your clinic has a unique remedy, so he asked me to help him."

Lian Shanxin blinked, and without saying a word, handed two boxes of pills to Kong Ningyuan, who had made up a story out of nothing.

"Brother Kong, have your friend take this before having sex, it'll definitely help."

“Brother, my friend doesn’t want outsiders to know about this.”

"What just happened?" Lian Shanxin's eyes began to look confused.

Kong Ningyuan laughed again, then patted Lian Shanxin's hand and exclaimed, "Brother, you are truly a genius at playing dumb."

A moment later, Lian Shanxin personally escorted Kong Ningyuan out of the clinic, and only after seeing him off at the crossroads did he bid him a reluctant farewell.

I didn't ask for money.

You have to talk about feelings when you're with rich people.

You only talk about money with people who have no money.

This is the experience and insights of Lianshanxin, a veteran Little Red Book user.

The sisters are also very wise.

……

After Lian Shanxin disappeared from sight, Kong Ningyuan tossed the two boxes of pills in his hand to the page.

"Take it and eat it. If you don't need it, you can resell it to someone else."

The page asked curiously, "Young Master, you clearly have no problem, so why do you insist on making Lian Shanxin misunderstand?"

Kong Ningyuan smiled slightly: "When interacting with people, fools pretend to be smart, and smart people pretend to be fools. Exposing one's own shortcomings is the best way to build rapport and eliminate defensiveness. Lian Shanxin and I come from very different backgrounds. If I don't find a way to close the gap, we will only drift further apart."

“Young Master, is Lian Shanxin just an ordinary person? Is he worth you going to such lengths to befriend him?” The page still felt that the young master had been taken advantage of.

Kong Ningyuan didn't take it to heart: "Such behavior is beneficial without costing anything, how is it dishonest? If Lian Shanxin rises to prominence in the future, then I will be his friend in poverty. If he remains unknown, I will not suffer any loss."

"But you've lost face."

Kong Ningyuan's smile turned to disdain: "Face? Only successful people have face."

……

After reading the admission letter from Bailudong Academy over and over again, Lian Shanjingcheng and He Miaojun finally accepted reality.

But they were still worried and puzzled.

He Miaojun frowned and said, "Xiao Xin, it's certainly good to become a student of Bailudong Academy, but there are also internal struggles within the academy. Bailudong Academy is the number one academy in Jiangzhou and one of the four great academies in the world. Many of its students have extraordinary backgrounds. Moreover, the academy cultivates both literature and martial arts, and it is itself a leader in the Jiangzhou martial arts world. With weapons in hand, the desire to kill naturally arises. As far as I know, every year, students from Bailudong Academy are injured or maimed due to fighting."

Lian Shan Jingcheng nodded in agreement with his wife: "What you say is absolutely right, my son. Although our family is not extremely wealthy, we can still live comfortably. You can focus on learning medicine with me and inheriting Huichuntang. Why take any risks?"

Lian Shanxin said calmly, "Father, studying medicine can't save Yu the Great."

Lian Shan Jingcheng: "?"

"It won't save our family. Medical skills can be a skill, but they can't be a means to make a living."

"Nonsense! Your father made his living through his medical skills. Does he lack you for food and clothing?" He Miaojun scolded, "Don't look down on your father just because you know a scion of a prominent family like Kong Ningyuan."

“Mother, I have never looked down on Father. It is precisely for Father’s sake that I must become a student of Bailudong Academy.”

"What makes you say that?" Lian Shan Jingcheng frowned.

Lian Shanxin looked at Lian Shan Jingcheng, his pupils deep and unfathomable, yet through Lian Shan Jingcheng's body, he saw another scene:
Three days ago, Chairman Qu of the neighboring Chamber of Commerce asked Lian Shan Jingcheng to treat his brother-in-law, who was a local tyrant on the street and had been half-killed in a gang fight.

Lian Shan Jingcheng did his best, but he still couldn't save him.

Then, Chairman Qu stopped supplying medicinal herbs to Huichuntang.

This is unreasonable; even the best doctor cannot guarantee that they can save every patient.

However, many people in this world only know how to reason with the strong.

Lian Shan Jingcheng brought generous gifts to apologize and smile obsequiously, but was still refused entry.

He then brought fine wine to invite the Qu family's steward for drinks, drinking himself until he vomited, but still didn't receive a reassuring reply.

Lian Shan Jingcheng kept all of this a secret. He Miaojun only knew that Lian Shan Jingcheng had failed to save people, but she was unaware that he had subsequently faced difficulties from Chairman Qu.

Lian Shan Jingcheng assumed that Lian Shan Xin was also unaware of this.

But Lianshanxin knew.

It's his talent; when he's looking at other people, he can occasionally see their past secrets.

“Dad, Chairman Qu’s brother-in-law next door was hacked to death, but Chairman Qu bullies the weak and fears the strong. He will vent his anger on you, thinking that you failed to save his brother-in-law. Cutting off our family’s supply of medicinal herbs is only the first step. I’m worried that he will continue to make things difficult for you.”

He Miaojun's expression changed drastically: "What happened?"

Lian Shan Jingcheng's expression also changed slightly: "Xiao Xin, how do you know about this?"

“I saw you, Father, bring gifts to apologize, but the Qu family refused to let you in,” Lian Shanxin said.

Lian Shan Jingcheng's face darkened: "I've embarrassed you."

As a father, he certainly doesn't want to expose his incompetence in front of his children.

Lian Shanxin shook his head and said seriously, "Father, it's not shameful for a man to support his family with his skills and to bow and smile in public for their sake. What's shameful is to make the whole family suffer for the sake of one's own pride."

Lian Shan Jingcheng was somewhat moved: "Xiao Xin, you've grown up."

“Yes, I’ve grown up, so I can’t let you, Father, shoulder this burden alone. When I saw Kong Ningyuan off, I passed by the Qu family’s house, and I’m sure they saw me. Chairman Qu is a bully who picks on the weak and fears the strong. He dares to make things difficult for a doctor at an ordinary clinic, but he wouldn’t dare to make things difficult for the father of a student who has been recommended to Bailudong Academy. Father, you don’t need to work so hard anymore. I will support our family with you.”

It's never easy for ordinary people to live a life free from worries about food and clothing.

If you think it's easy, it's because someone else is bearing the burden of what's difficult for you.

Lian Shanxin understood this principle in his previous life.

Therefore, he doesn't take it for granted that being ordinary is a blessing.

Being ordinary is not a blessing; being ordinary is suffering.

(End of this chapter)