But after the two yamen runners left, Xu Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Chen Maoli was really unlucky. He lost his pass at this time.
Compared to the early Ming Dynasty, travel permits were no longer as important during the Jiajing period. Local yamen generally didn't bother checking travel permits. However, during the Japanese invasion in Ningbo, stricter inspections were enforced, and Chen Maoli had just lost his travel permit and was arrested, setting an example. Even if it had been taken away by yamen runners, there would have been no reason to complain.
But Chen Maoli was too straightforward. If Xu Yan hadn't intervened, there would have been chaos. At times like this, the best thing to do was to keep the peace. Any problem that could be solved with money wasn't a problem.
Now Xu Yan somewhat understood why Chen Maoli had never held a particularly high official position in history. A strong person is easily broken.
Of course, personality and interpersonal style cannot be changed overnight. Fortunately, Chen Maoli has not yet entered the officialdom and has met Xu Yan, so he has the opportunity to adjust. Otherwise, if he really entered the officialdom, such a straight-forward character would suffer a great loss.
"Brother Luqing, the Japanese invasion has resurfaced in Ningbo Prefecture. Don't wander around the streets during this time."
In Xu Yan's memory, Ningbo Prefecture should have only experienced sporadic Japanese invasions during this period, and no large-scale pirate raids. However, it was better to be cautious just in case.
Besides, Chen Maoli doesn’t have a travel permit now. If he is caught by yamen runners when he goes out on the street, blackmail will be the least of his worries, but it will affect his performance in the provincial examination.
Chen Maoli sighed, "I'll remember this. It was thanks to you that I saved my life. Otherwise, the consequences would have been disastrous. So, I owe you another favor."
"Brother Lu Qing, what are you talking about? It's just a piece of cake."
Xu Yan smiled and changed the subject, "By the way, Brother Lu Qing, I wonder what kind of sutra you are treating."
The imperial examinations were based on the Four Books and the Five Classics. The Four Books were the same for everyone. The Five Classics, however, were different. During the exam, candidates could answer questions based on the classic they chose. For example, Xu Yan's classic was the Book of Songs.
"My humble brother is not talented, but I study the Book of Songs."
Chen Maoli said very modestly.
"What a coincidence! My foolish brother is also studying the Book of Songs."
This is easy to understand. The Five Classics are optional, so there are always some popular and some unpopular. The Book of Songs is arguably the most popular choice, with nearly half of the candidates choosing it, especially in Zhejiang and Fujian.
When Chen Maoli saw that Xu Yan also chose "The Book of Songs", he became interested.
"In that case, I would like to have a discussion with you."
Scholars were bound to compete with each other, and now that they were in trouble with the Japanese, they couldn't go out on the streets, so staying in the inn had limited entertainment options. This was the best way Chen Maoli could think of to pass the time.
Xu Yan naturally couldn't refuse, so he nodded and said, "Brother Lu Qing, please give me some questions."
Chen Maoli pondered for a moment, then said leisurely, "Give him a punishment to prevent future troubles."
Xu Yan thought to himself that this guy was indeed a master of eight-legged essays and a good student, and the questions he asked were so tricky.
This title comes from "A Small Precaution," the full text of which is: Give them a punishment, and a warning to future troubles. Don't be a shepherd's purse wasp, seeking a sting for yourself. Let the peach insects fly and fight with the birds. Unable to bear the many difficulties at home, I gather again in the Polygonum.
The core meaning is to prevent problems before they occur.
It is not difficult to solve this problem, the difficulty lies in how to develop it.
After this period of training, Xu Yan's ability to analyze questions has improved a lot. But he sat down, pondered for a moment, picked up the pen and dipped it in ink, and began to write.
Chen Maoli was very curious, so he stood behind Xu Yan to watch how he wrote.
At first he thought it was mediocre, but the more he read, the more he found it interesting. By the end he had exclaimed repeatedly, "Wonderful, wonderful! Even I, a fool, could not write such a brilliant piece of writing. My dear brother, you are not only gifted in poetry, but also in classics."
Xu Yan smiled and said, "I just stumbled upon it. I was just lucky."
When the two were chatting happily, there was a knock on the door.
Xu Yan went to open the door and frowned when he saw it was the waiter of the inn: "What's the matter?"
The waiter smiled and said, "Don't be surprised, Master Xu. Someone has come from the government office."
Xu Yan couldn't help but be shocked.
I just sent those two yamen runners away, why are there more people here? Is this going to end?
"Where are they?"
"The officials from the government office are waiting downstairs. They asked Master Xu to come with them."
Xu Yan was filled with doubts. Logically, there was nothing wrong with his travel permit, so he shouldn't have attracted the attention of the yamen runners. If he was acting as a guarantor for Chen Maoli, then the yamen would definitely bring him to court as well.
Chen Maoli was also worried when he saw this: "Brother, what should we do?"
Xu Yan forced a smile and said, "Brother Lu Qing, don't worry. Since I'm your guarantor, the government should call me over for questioning."
"Can..."
Chen Maoli wanted to say more, but the waiter interrupted him, saying, "Mr. Xu, please hurry up. Don't keep the envoy waiting."
Xu Yan turned around and said to Shuangxi, "I'll be back soon. You stay here and don't go out."
The little book boy's eyes were filled with tears. He bit his lip and nodded slightly.
Seeing Shuangxi looking so pitiful, Xu Yan shook his head, smiled bitterly and went downstairs.
Before leaving, County Magistrate Zhao had specifically warned him that Prefect Ma disliked young students being too prominent. Xu Yan had also been mentally admonishing himself to keep a low profile since arriving in the prefectural capital.
Unfortunately, after meeting Chen Maoli, he vouched for him and proved his identity, which eventually made him famous.
This trip to the government office was most likely related to this matter.
But now that things have come to this, there is no place to buy regret medicine. Xu Yan can only play it by ear and adapt to the situation.
But when he walked downstairs, he saw the two yamen runners who had come before, so he stepped forward and bowed.
"Thank you for your hard work, my brothers. I'm sorry to bother you with making another trip. Hmm... I wonder what the master wants me to do, Xu, to go to the government office?"
After all, the two men took Xu Yan's money, so their attitude was naturally good.
The portly officer smiled and said, "To be honest, I don't know much either. But the master has given us the order, and we are here to pass on the message."
Seeing that he couldn't get any information out of his question, Xu Yan could only smile and said, "In that case, let's go."
The Ningbo government office was located west of the government school. Xu Yan and two government officials left the inn and headed straight west.
There were obviously fewer pedestrians on the road at this moment, and the wide avenue seemed a bit desolate.
However, the government office was not far from Huilai Inn, and the three of them arrived there in about two cups of tea.
Compared with Dinghai County Yamen, Ningbo Prefecture Yamen is more imposing and its screen wall is more elaborate.
This was not Xu Yan's first time entering the yamen, so he naturally understood the rules. He followed the two yamen runners closely and did not dare to move around without permission.
They rushed along the corridors, passed through the courtyards and finally stopped in front of a door with hanging flowers.
"Mr. Xu, the rear court is just ahead. Please proceed as you please."
"Thank you both for your hard work."
Xu Yan bowed, then turned around and walked through the door.
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