Starting with Xingyi Quan, it swept across the chaotic world.

Ping An Fang.

For every student who passed the imperial examination at the martial arts academy, the government would dispatch personnel to deliver the good news.

As the time approached, officials in their official robes would beat drums and gongs to clear the crowd, and then loudly announce the results of the martial arts scholar's examination.

Meanwhile, the sound of gongs resounded throughout Ping'anfang, drawing curious and astonished onlookers from street vendors and pedestrians alike.

"Could it be that our Ping'anfang is about to produce a martial arts scholar?"

"I can't remember when the last martial arts scholar in Ping'anfang was."

"Hurry up and follow! Let's see which family's young master he is; maybe we can even strike up a conversation..."

People whispered among themselves, but all chose to follow the official's orders.

Even if I can't have a conversation with that martial arts scholar, I should at least see what he looks like, so as not to offend him in the future.

As a result, the crowd that followed formed a long line.

The officials, of course, witnessed all of this and were quite pleased with it.

After all, their elaborate ceremony was in accordance with the rules set by the authorities, to give Master Wu a good reputation.

"Good news! Master Lu Li of Ping'an Ward in Lin'an City has passed the city's martial arts examination with flying colors, ranking twentieth in the second class!"

"Congratulations, Mr. Lu! Congratulations, Mr. Lu!"

The official spoke loudly and continuously "broadcast," as if afraid of missing any household.

At the same time, the minor official beside him was also constantly striking a gong.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The truth about Wu Xiucai's name was revealed, and Ping'anfang became extremely lively.

Many people who knew Lu Zhiyuan were stunned for a moment, then overjoyed.

Uncle Qian next door was one of them.

He had only come to buy groceries today, but he never expected to witness this scene.

"He passed... Lu Li passed the martial arts exam!" Uncle Qian's face was filled with astonishment and disbelief.

Although he had watched Lu Li grow up and knew that he had gone to learn martial arts, he never expected that Lu Li would actually become a martial arts scholar one day!

"Good, good, good!" Uncle Qian's face showed genuine joy.

Since a martial arts scholar emerged from Ping'anfang, the gangs that roam around will become more restrained as a result.

Life will get a little better no matter what.

Uncle Qian immediately ran towards Lu Zhiyuan's steamed bun shop.

As the good news grew closer, the crowd around Lu Zhiyuan's steamed bun shop gasped for breath, their eyes shining as they looked at Lu Zhiyuan's shop.

Lu Zhiyuan stood in front of the steamed bun shop, just as Old Qian from next door had brought the news.

He was initially incredulous, but when the news actually arrived, the eldest man was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes.

Third Aunt Han's eyes were also red, and she kept wiping the corners of her eyes with her hands.

Lu Yu'er also stayed outside. These days, because of Lu Li's insistence, she had been "unemployed" at home.

Although she was young, she knew how important the title of "Martial Arts Scholar" was.

"Are Mr. Lu's family members here?"

The official, holding the large red report of victory, smiled faintly at Lu Zhiyuan.

He had seen this kind of thing many times before; it was nothing more than being distracted by overwhelming joy.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhiyuan and his family suddenly realized what was happening.

"This humble subject is here! Please, sir!" Lu Zhiyuan pulled his third aunt, Han, to bow and pay respects to the officials.

"Mr. and Mrs. Lu, please don't be so rude to me!"

How could the official dare to accept such a bow?

He was merely a messenger of good news, not an imperial edict.

Now that Lu Li has become a martial arts scholar, his future achievements are bound to be even greater. How could he possibly accept such a bow?

On the contrary, the officials bowed to him and dared not show the slightest disrespect.

At the same time, he presented the large red report of victory with both hands:

"Young Master Lu is only eighteen, yet he has already achieved the twentieth rank in the second class of the martial arts examination. His future is limitless! Congratulations, Master Lu! Congratulations, Madam Lu!"

"According to the Great Yong Code, now that Master Lu has passed the imperial examination for martial arts, his household will be exempt from poll tax and corvée labor for five years, and thereafter all taxes will be reduced by 60%!"

Lu Zhiyuan stared at the bright red victory report, his eyes turning red.

I can't help but think of my older brother.

If my older brother could see this, he would be very happy.

"Lucky money, lucky money!" his wife, Han, whispered from the side.

Lu Zhiyuan then seemed to wake up from a dream. He quickly reached into his pocket, took out a few pieces of silver, and stuffed one into the hands of the official and the clerk beside him.

"Master Lu, how can this be!"

The official sounded fearful, yet he clearly adored the silver.

"You've come to bring good news, you must be tired from your journey, please share in the joy!" Lu Zhiyuan said magnanimously.

Immediately afterwards, Lu Zhiyuan gave his third aunt another instruction.

Auntie San nodded upon hearing this and immediately returned to the steamed bun shop to take out the steamed buns from the steamer.

"Time is short, so we didn't steam many buns. Please, gentlemen, have a taste..." Lu Zhiyuan took the buns and handed them to the officers.

The official distributed the buns and took a bite of the oily bun.

"It smells wonderful! It smells absolutely wonderful! With such skill from Master Lu and Madam Lu, it's no wonder that Young Master Lu passed the martial arts exam with flying colors!"

The neighbors around were all green with envy.

Even if steamed buns are delicious, how can they help someone pass the martial arts exam? In the end, it's just these officials trying different ways to please Master Lu and Madam Lu.

"Master Lu, Madam Lu, you're busy!" the official said with a smile. "We have official duties to attend to, we'll trouble you another day!"

After exchanging pleasantries, the officials took their leave with smiles on their faces.

Afterwards, they left Ping'an Ward and headed towards the next ward where a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations had been found.

While they remained in place, everyone was still immersed in the shock they had just experienced.

The people, who were struggling to make ends meet, were filled with envy for a long time after hearing the words about tax reduction and exemption from corvée labor.

Taxes and corvée labor were the mountains that weighed heavily on people in this era.

As for the common people who had enough to eat and wear, they envied the prosperity of Lu Zhiyuan and his wife.

Those are government officials! Such fawning and flattery is extremely rare. If I could be this glorious even once in my life, I would die happy!

"Mr. Lu, we forgot to pay for the small buns last time, so we're making up for it for you now!" Someone in the crowd was the first to react.

It's Xu Mazi!

A thug who, though not committing heinous crimes, constantly steals petty theft.

He had stolen steamed buns from the shop a few times before, but he hadn't been back since Lu Li reached the Ming Jin level, as if he had vanished into thin air.

Now, upon hearing that Lu Li had entered the martial arts program in high school, he actually made up for the money he had spent on steamed buns.

Many people were incredulous. When they looked at the money for the steamed buns on the table, they found it was one tael of silver!

"I just remembered, I also owe your family money for steamed buns!"

Many familiar neighbors flocked forward, vying to give money to Lu Zhiyuan. Before long, the chopping board was covered with broken silver and copper coins.

Just then, a group of burly men dressed in smart short-sleeved shirts walked over.

The leader had a noticeable scar on his face, which made him look like a bad person.

"It's Zhang Tie, the leader of the Fierce Tiger Gang!" a villager recognized him and exclaimed in fear.

"Are you trying to cause trouble on such a joyous day?"

"Is he insane?"

The surrounding comments had no effect on Zhang Tie; he simply walked up to Lu Zhiyuan on his own.

"May I ask if you are Chief Zhang of the Fierce Tiger Gang?"

Lu Zhiyuan frowned, shielded Han Shi and Lu Yu'er behind him, and asked in a humble yet assertive manner.

The fierce look on that iron face suddenly changed, and he laughed:

"Mr. Lu, just call me Xiao Zhang!"

"We've come to bring you good news!"

Zhang Tie clapped his hands, and his subordinates brought out twenty taels of snowflake silver, not broken pieces of silver, but whole silver ingots!

"It's just a small token of my appreciation! I hope Mr. and Mrs. Lu won't refuse it."

Zhang Tie said respectfully.

Actually, he was both nervous and lucky.

Thank goodness I didn't mess with this family back then!

Zhang Tie knew perfectly well that he was just a low-level gangster, and if he hadn't bribed the government officials, he might not have been able to survive.

If they offended Master Wu, let alone the government taking action, Master Wu himself could wipe out their entire gang by himself.

"From now on, we must treat the people on this street well!" Zhang Tie thought to himself.