White-robed Minister

Chapter 114 0112 [The top scholar is truly a hero of our time]

"Take care on your journey, and I wish you all the best in your studies next year!"

"Haha, I take the scholar's good wishes to heart."

On the banks of the Bian River, Xu Lai and Yang Shu exchanged willow branches as gifts.

The willows in this area have suffered repeated damage, with many branches already broken.

One by one, the scholars from Guangdong turned around and boarded the ship. Once on the deck, they bowed to Xu Lai and Yang Shu.

Yu Shanyuan is not here.

Xu Lai and Yu Shanyuan had a discussion last night. If Xu Lai's initial assignment was suitable, Yu Shanyuan would be hired as a staff member. The salary might not be high at first, since Xu Lai himself didn't have much money, but he promised to recommend Yu Shanyuan for an official position in the future.

The top scholar will be appointed to an official position very quickly; at most, we'll see the results in another half month.

Yu Shanyuan lied, saying he was ill and would return to his hometown alone a few days later, so he did not show up today. He probably had something to do as an advisor to Xu Lai, and it was inconvenient for him to tell others.

After seeing off their fellow townsmen, Xu Lai and Yang Shu turned back to the city and headed straight for Taiping Xingguo Temple.

In fact, Yu Shanyuan was already helping Xu Lai with his business.

He shuttled back and forth between Taiping Xingguo Temple and Daxiangguo Temple, constantly negotiating and obtaining the lowest discount—Taiping Xingguo Temple was willing to offer a 30% discount to become the regular market venue this year.

The Qijisuo, also known as the Qijiyuan, was a place for newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) to gather and exchange ideas. It did not have a fixed location, but was generally situated at Taiping Xingguo Temple or Daxiangguo Temple.

Today is the first gathering.

When the two arrived at Taiping Xingguo Temple, dozens of scholars had already arrived. They were all very welcoming to Xu Lai and came forward to greet him, but what they were really thinking was anyone's guess.

The contents of Xu Lai's memorial have not yet been disseminated; only those with good connections know about them.

Most of the newly appointed scholars only knew that Xu Lai had submitted a memorial requesting the abolition of the thanksgiving allowance, but they didn't understand how Xu Lai intended to proceed. Therefore, some people were unhappy, believing that Xu Lai was unwilling to spend the money and was instead trying to gain fame and reputation.

Of the successful candidates in this year's imperial examinations, Xu Lai only knew two famous people.

One is the Zhang case.

One is Zhang Shangying.

He didn't know the others before he traveled through time.

In fact, Cai Que's younger brother, Cai Shuo, also came from this list.

There was another named Liao Zhenggu. His grandfather was the second-place scholar in the imperial examination, his father was also the second-place scholar, and he himself ranked fifth this time. He had a younger brother named Liao Zhengyi, who later followed Su Shi and became one of the "Four Later Scholars of Su Shi's School".

"Xingzhi is truly a genius!" Liao Zhenggu said with a smile as soon as they met.

As children of officials, they naturally have access to the latest information.

Xu Lai quickly returned the greeting: "You flatter me, Brother Liao. This is Yang Shu, courtesy name Jiezhi, from the same hometown as me."

Liao Zhenggu immediately greeted him, and Yang Shu quickly returned the greeting.

Zhang smiled and walked over. He had also received the news and looked at Xu Lai with great interest.

On the contrary, Peng Ruli, who ranked second in the imperial examination, had no one to look after him in the capital because his father was a civil servant in the prefectural government. He was unaware of what had happened at this moment.

Xu Lai walked among the Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), constantly introducing Yang Shu to them.

The newly appointed scholars had not yet all arrived, but those who were already present all knew that the top scholar had a fellow townsman named Yang Shu.

Xu Lai also specifically told Zhang, "When I first met Brother Jie, he was being escorted by the imperial convoy to the frontier when he was attacked at night by hundreds of bandits. Jie single-handedly killed dozens of them!"

Zhang, who was equally skilled in both literature and martial arts, immediately took a very good impression of Yang Shu and said warmly, "Brother, you are brave and valiant; I admire you greatly."

Yang Shu laughed and said, "Xingzhi is just bragging for me. I personally killed at most a dozen people, and that was only because I had the advantage of my bow and arrow. Most of the others were wounded and escaped."

Zhang laughed heartily: "Are you being modest or boasting? Let's find a place another day and have a friendly archery contest."

"It's a deal." Yang Shu was also very happy, as it was rare to meet a scholar who knew martial arts.

The scholars got to know each other and build relationships, and by noon, everyone had arrived.

The monks of Taiping Xingguo Temple brought in food and drink one after another.

Xu Lai, Peng Ruli, Zhang, Zhang Shunmin, Liao Zhenggu, and Yu Bi were automatically elected as the leadership of the "Fundraising Committee".

They also need to contribute the most money in each round of fundraising.

Next, Xu invited everyone to volunteer, and then appointed them to various positions as appropriate: discipline inspector and clerk.

Recorder (compiler of the same year's record), Master of Ceremonies, Master of Reception, Master of Finance, Master of Utensils, Master of Food, Master of Fruit,

Managing wine, etc.

Of course, he also showed favoritism by appointing Yang Shu, who had already given up drinking, as the official in charge of wine. From then on, Yang Shu would be responsible for all wine-related matters at banquets.

One of the successful candidates deliberately asked, "How is the amount of money collected calculated? How much should we collect for this year's examination?"

Xu Lai didn't bring any money with him today!

But Xu Lai remained calm, believing that the emperor would abolish the silver for expressing gratitude.

Since Xie Enyin has already been abolished, what's the point of keeping the money for later? Zhao Shu can't afford to lose face like that.

Even if the emperor doesn't get things done today, it doesn't matter if Xu Lai can't come up with the money; just have Zhang An, who's in charge of the accounts, record it first.

Xu Lai smiled and said, "Let's not talk about raising money for now. This is our first banquet since we were born in the same year. Today, let's just eat, drink, and have fun."

The scholar probably harbored resentment towards Xu Lai, but only dared to subtly criticize him, not openly make things difficult for him. Upon hearing Xu Lai's words, the scholar immediately shut up.

Just as the banquet was about to officially begin, the eunuch finally arrived to deliver the imperial decree.

This eunuch came from a very powerful background; he was Chen Chengli, an official in charge of the Eastern Palace and the Imperial Pharmacy and the Imperial Garden.

Many of the newly appointed scholars looked at each other in bewilderment, wondering what the eunuch had come to do today.

"By imperial decree!"

Chen Chengli opened an imperial edict and read aloud: "The newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) are the pillars of the nation. In the past, when they came to express their gratitude, they were required to give one hundred taels of silver. I fear this is not the original intention of supporting scholars, but only adds to the burden of poor scholars. Therefore, I hereby abolish the gratitude silver for newly appointed Jinshi."

"However, the silver awarded to the successful candidates in this year's imperial examinations has already been deposited into the government treasury. If it is ordered to be returned immediately, it will not only cause unnecessary trouble and expenses, but it may also be a disgrace to the nation."

"The funds already received as thanksgiving gifts should be temporarily diverted to public funds to build several public housing complexes. These will be specifically for those who have passed the imperial examinations and those who have recently been appointed to official positions, allowing them to rent these housing according to regulations, with a small rent charged."

"The names of those who have paid the silver should be recorded and kept in a register for future reference. On the day of their official appointment, the Ministry of Personnel should be ordered to verify the records and make a note of this matter in their official documents."

The newly appointed scholars were initially taken aback, but then smiled.

The astonishment stemmed from the abolition of the Thanksgiving Silver system.

The good news is that the money they paid was used to build affordable housing specifically for candidates awaiting the imperial examinations. Furthermore, this was recorded in their official documents, a record that would follow them for life. They had both face and substance!

Everyone turned to look at Xu Lai.

The emperor could not have abolished the thanksgiving silver without a reason, so it must have been the top scholar's memorial that had an effect.

What exactly did the top scholar write in his memorial to the throne?

They actually got the emperor to abolish the "gratitude money" system, and even used the money already paid to build affordable housing.

Some of the less informed but extremely intelligent scholars quickly guessed Xu Lai's plan, but they didn't expect that the low-rent housing would be built using leftover materials from the imperial mausoleum.

Chen Chengli continued reading: "I have heard that you all gathered here, and in the past you all contributed money, with the poor even having to borrow. I could not bear it, so I have specially granted you two thousand coins to cover the expenses of your gathering, so that you will have no worries about lack and can fully realize your lofty ambitions and jointly contribute to the prosperity of peace. You should all obey!"

The moment the reading was finished, all the scholars bowed and exclaimed, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Chen Chengli walked up to Xu Lai and said, "Due to the border troubles with Western Xia, this year's Wenxi Banquet will not be held. You may enjoy yourselves on your own."

Upon hearing this, the scholars looked at each other in bewilderment.

No palace examination was required.

He did not acknowledge a master as his teacher.

Now they don't even hold celebratory banquets anymore.

What kind of ridiculous imperial examination did everyone take this year?

Xu Lai is quite worry-free.

Under normal circumstances, he would first coordinate with Feng Jing and lead the scholars to pay homage to their mentor twice.

Next, they contacted the imperial envoy (a eunuch representing the emperor) and the banquet official (a court official in charge of ceremonies) to discuss and determine the venue, process, and details of the Wenxi Banquet.

Now it's great, he doesn't have to worry about anything.

"Someone, bring flowers!"

Chen Chengli called out, and two guards carried palace flowers to distribute to the scholars on the spot.

The procedures of bestowing flowers, adorning hair with flowers, and thanking the flowers should have been carried out at the celebration banquet, but they were completed ahead of time without any sense of ceremony.

Even when the emperor bestowed flowers, they were all fake; normally, there should have been fresh flowers as well!

These changes have nothing to do with Xu Lai.

Historically, the Wenxi Banquet was indeed canceled in the second year of the Zhiping era due to border troubles with the Western Xia.

Chen Chengli left with his guards, leaving the newly appointed scholars somewhat dejected.

One can only pass the imperial examination once in a lifetime. Even after finally passing it, the process seems incredibly sloppy from beginning to end, as if the court dislikes those who passed the imperial examination.

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit off, Xu Lai put the palace flower on his head, clapped his hands, laughed and shouted: "Gentlemen, the Emperor has bestowed flowers upon us, why not wear them? Although this flower is not as prestigious as those from the Qionglin Banquet, it embodies the Emperor's sincerity in nurturing scholars even in times of darkness!"

The scholars smiled bitterly.

Xu Lai's voice grew even more impassioned: "Today, we wear these flowers not for a celebratory feast, but because we have received the Emperor's mandate in this difficult time, and entrust our lives to serving our country. From now on, whenever we see these flowers, we will know the court's kindness to its officials and our duty to serve the Emperor. Flowers may bloom and fade, but the integrity of officials will never change. Gentlemen, let us all wear these flowers together, and let our achievements begin from this moment!"

Yang Shu was the first to respond, shouting with flowers in his hair, "How can we heroes be discouraged? Let's start building our careers from this moment on!"

"What a fine achievement!" Zhang Zi laughed heartily and also put the palace flower in his hair.

The second-place scholar, Peng Ruli, chimed in with a flower in his hair: "We must remember this humiliation, all thanks to the Western Xia. One day we will sweep them away!"

Xu Lai declared loudly, "Destroy the Western Xia, present them as prisoners to the capital. Seize their king and queen, and have them serve wine and tea, making them hold our Wenxi Banquet in their place!"

"Ha ha ha ha!"

The scholars in the room burst into laughter. Xu Lai's words were outrageous, but they were also incredibly satisfying to hear.

The newly appointed scholars, having shaken off their earlier dejection, laughed heartily as they adorned themselves with flowers, and the atmosphere at the scene became lively again.

Xu Lai raised his wine cup and said, "Gentlemen, let us drink this cup to the fullest! The fate of the Song Dynasty rests on our shoulders!"

"Drink this cup to the brim!"

Everyone raised their glasses in a toast.

Even Yang Shu, who had already quit drinking, gulped down the liquor.

Holding a wine cup, Zhang Shangying looked at Xu Lai a few steps away and couldn't help but feel admiration and respect. He thought to himself, "The top scholar is truly an outstanding figure of our time."