After leaving the government office, Xu Yan and the little servant went to stay at the Tailai Inn.
After taking the first place in the provincial examination, Xu Yan had become a celebrity in Ningbo Prefecture and a popular figure at Tailai Inn.
You know, ever since Xu Yan wrote the couplet: "Thirty years of county exams, no name, prefectural exams, no name, imperial court exams, human eyes cannot see; eighty days of first place in the provincial exams, first place in the imperial exams, first place again in the palace exams, white clothes shed, scarlet robes returned; bad times are over, good times are coming," the Tailai Inn has been flooded with scholars, some even just to share in Xu Yan's good fortune.
Xu Yan naturally contributed to the booming business of Tailai Inn.
Therefore, the owner of Tailai Inn promised Xu Yan that his stay in the hotel would be free of charge forever.
In this case, if Xu Yan doesn't stay at Tailai Inn again, wouldn't it be a great disappointment to the owner?
As the academy examination approaches, there are obviously more scholars coming to the city to wait for the exam.
These are all talented people who stood out in the last provincial examination, and they all hope to pass the academy examination in one go and win the title of student.
Xu Yan met many acquaintances, including Chen Maoli from Cixi.
After the provincial examination, Chen Maoli went to Shaoxing, where he met Xu Wei and Xu Wenchang, and recommended him to join Xu Yan, which eventually led to a good story between Dong Weng's staff.
When he returned from his travels and met Xu Yan, he naturally mentioned Xu Wei.
"Brother Yishi, have you accepted Wenchang to work for you?"
As soon as the two of them sat down in the room, Chen Maoli couldn't wait to ask.
"I naturally trust the people recommended by Brother Luqing."
Xu Yan smiled faintly: "Brother Wen is now the head shopkeeper of my Xu Family Bookstore. He is currently in Hangzhou taking care of business."
Chen Maoli nodded and said, "That's good. Wen Chang is a man of great talent. It would be a shame if he were buried."
After a brief pause, Chen Maoli continued, "By the way, Brother Yishi, I heard that you made a splash at the Gushan Academy in Hangzhou, even surpassing Shen Mingchen, who is known as Ningbo's most talented scholar."
Xu Yan thought to himself that this news really couldn't be kept secret.
"It's just better luck."
"Brother Yishi, you don't know that your poems have been compiled into a collection and sold on the market."
Chen Maoli's next words made Xu Yan almost vomit blood.
Selling my poetry collection? Have I paid the copyright fees?
Although Xu Yan did think this was a business opportunity, he had to maintain his image as a scholar, so he couldn't do anything profit-seeking. At least not openly.
"I heard the news has spread to the capital as well. Many Hanlin scholars have praised it highly."
Chen Maoli continued gossiping, "It won't be long before the entire Ming Dynasty knows about Brother Yishi's talent and reputation."
Xu Yan felt a little helpless. Being too famous wouldn't be good either. He would have to write poems for any hometown gathering or poetry gathering, and he wouldn't have so many poems to copy.
It seems I have to keep a low profile in the future.
As he was muttering to himself, the little servant came to report that Shen Mingchen had arrived.
Xu Yan stood up and went out to greet him.
Shen Mingchen ran to the second floor in a hurry and was now standing in front of the door, gasping for breath.
"Well...yeah, Master Xu."
He instinctively wanted to call out the word "mentor", but when he saw that there was someone else in the room, he quickly changed his words.
After all, Xu Yan set three rules when he agreed to accept him as his disciple, one of which was that he could not call him teacher in front of others.
"Who is this?"
Seeing Shen Mingchen's confusion, Xu Yan introduced him, "This is Chen Maoli, a student from Cixi."
Then he introduced Chen Maoli, "This is Shen Mingchen, the most talented man in Ningbo that you just mentioned."
The two of them bowed to each other and said, "I've long admired you."
"I really don't deserve the title of Ningbo's most talented scholar. It should belong to Master Xu."
Seeing a handsome young man in his teens following behind him, Xu Yan asked curiously, "Who is this young man?"
Shen Mingchen quickly said, "This is my nephew Shen Yiguan. He admired Master Xu's poetry very much after listening to it, and insisted that I bring him to meet you."
Shen Yiquan?
Shen Yiguan, the chief minister during the Wanli era? The same Shen Yiguan who founded the Zhejiang Party?
This guy is very famous.
After careful calculation, Shen Yiguan should be about the same age as himself, so why does he look so thin, like a child in his early teens?
Xu Yan had no time to think about these things, and then he heard Shen Yi Guan bow deeply to him and said, "Please accept me as your disciple, Mr. Xu."
What? Again?
Will this uncle and nephew of the Shen family ever stop?
Shen Mingchen naturally noticed the change in Xu Yan's expression and quickly explained, "This kid didn't tell me in advance. It was all his own idea."
Xu Yan shook his head.
Whether it was Shen Yiguan's own idea or Shen Mingchen's 'premeditated plan', he did not intend to accept Shen Yiguan as his disciple again.
Firstly, Shen Yiguan, a Jinshi (Jinshi) who passed the imperial examination in the second year of the Longqing reign, had only made his mark in the officialdom during the Wanli reign. Shen Yiguan was a late bloomer, and the investment period was too long. In that time, Xu Yan could have had a child and raised it himself.
Besides, it always feels a bit strange to accept both the uncle and nephew of the Shen family as disciples...
"I don't think that's necessary. I'm just a student, without any achievements. How can I accept you as my disciple?"
Shen Yi Guan was still young at heart after all, and he showed a look of disappointment when he saw Xu Yan's refusal.
However, it seems that Shen Mingchen did not tell Shen Yiguan about his decision to become Xu Yan's disciple. Otherwise, this guy would not have let it go so easily.
Seeing that Shen Yiguan was a little disappointed, Xu Yan comforted him: "Your uncle is very talented. You will definitely achieve something if you study with him."
In fact, in history, Shen Yiguan had always studied under Shen Mingchen, and his poetic attainments were basically inherited from this uncle.
And since Xu Yan accepted Shen Mingchen as his student, if Shen Mingchen accepted Shen Yiguan as his apprentice, wouldn't it be equivalent to Xu Yan accepting Shen Yiguan in disguise?
Thinking about it this way, Xu Yan suddenly gained a new disciple.
Shen Yiguan then revealed a hint of joy, nodded and said: “Thank you Mr. Xu for your guidance.”
Xu Yan felt uncomfortable being called "Mr." by Shen Yi Guan, so he changed the subject and said, "Jia Ze, have you finished your business in Ningbo this time? I'm looking forward to visiting West Lake with you again."
Shen Mingchen said with a bitter look on his face, "To be honest, I came back to my hometown to deal with the division of my family property. I'm afraid it will take some time."
The Shen family is a prominent family in Yinzhou. If they want to split up, it will definitely involve the interests of many parties. Xu Yan thought that this kind of thing will definitely not be handled in a short time. As the saying goes, it is difficult for an honest official to judge family affairs. It seems that Shen Mingchen is also overwhelmed by this matter.
"I see."
Xu Yan nodded and said, "Since Jia Ze is here, let's have a drink. We won't leave until we're drunk!"
Shen Mingchen and Chen Maoli both shared this sentiment and echoed: "I won't go home until I'm drunk today!"
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