Jinzhou City, Chamber of Commerce Hall.
Yang Ji sat on the ground, playing the piano and appreciating the flowers.
Yang Ji, who was once a popular novelist at Wenqing Bookstore, is no longer the same person he used to be.
He was wearing a thick cotton robe made of top-quality cotton. The material was exquisite and the workmanship was fine. It was filled with last year's new cotton. It did not make him look bulky and was very warm when he wore it.
When his family conditions improved, he was admitted to Shanhe Academy and began studying there.
He got excellent grades every year and received a full scholarship.
He is also the best student in the subject of forming alliances and making alliances.
He is undoubtedly a prominent figure in Shanhe Academy.
Two years ago, he returned to his hometown to take part in the provincial examination, and won the first place in the examination that year. He was known as Yang Jieyuan.
It's a pity that he didn't take part in last year's imperial examination.
If they had participated, the number of students who passed the imperial examination at Shanhe Academy would not be twenty-three, but twenty-four.
Maybe he could even get third or second place.
Don’t count on being the top scorer for now.
Emperor Wende would not choose a student from Shanhe Academy as the top scholar.
If Shanhe Academy really produces a top scholar, who can surpass Shanhe Academy?
Such a limelight seems too scary in the eyes of some people.
This time, among the two people sent by Gu Jiu to Xiliang, Yang Ji took up one spot.
The remaining spot is for Chen Zhuangshi.
The Chen Tongsheng of that year is now Chen Xiucai.
Chen Zhuangshi has a very poor foundation, and is far inferior to those children of officials who have been taught by famous teachers since childhood and have a family background in education.
He himself is well aware of this.
The level of rural primary schools is just that. Unless one is exceptionally gifted and a natural born academic master, only then can one make it all the way through rural primary schools and earn their living through serious study.
For most people, such as Chen Zhuangshi, who is not a gifted student, it is almost impossible to graduate from a rural school.
So he chose to take on the debt and go to Xinmin County. After four entrance examinations, he finally entered Shanhe Academy.
After two years of intensive and targeted study in the academy, he finally passed the examination and became a scholar.
Chen Zhuangshi was very clear about the upcoming provincial and imperial examinations. Even with the guidance of a famous teacher, with his talent, there was no hope without eight to ten years of hard work.
When it comes to the imperial examinations, he was an untalented candidate.
But, fortunately, Shanhe Academy not only has the Four Books and Five Classics, but also many other subjects to choose from.
After studying one subject after another, Chen Zhuangshi finally discovered his talent.
He is a natural orator, a natural warmongerer, a natural persuasive person, and a natural at sowing discord.
He also has a pair of sharp eyes that can see through the opponent's strengths and weaknesses at a glance.
He also discovered that he was a natural linguist.
Ha ha……
After discovering his talent, Chen Zhuangshi would wake up laughing in his dreams.
He is not a top student like Yang Ji, but he is also a prominent figure in Shanhe Academy, with a scholarship and no worries about food and clothing.
When the president of the academy found him and asked him if he would like to go to the northwest, he agreed without any hesitation.
He didn't even ask what we were going to do in the northwest.
One thousand taels of silver for settling down, five hundred taels for the family, and five hundred taels for yourself on the road.
When they arrived in the northwest, they were informed that the place they were going to was Xiliang.
Chen Zhuangshi was so excited that he laughed out loud three times.
"Xiliang is the place where our talents can be fully utilized. Madam, you are so kind and know how to appoint the right people to the right positions. Thank you!"
Unfortunately, there was no alcohol to drink because of Prohibition.
It's so infuriating.
"Brother Yang, stop playing the piano. Aren't you excited about going to Xiliang to do something big?"
The piano music paused.
Yang Ji was helpless.
Chen Zhuangshi is a chatterbox and his mouth never stops talking.
He was almost driven crazy by the noise.
He casually said, "I don't even know what I'm going to do in Xiliang. What's there to be excited about?"
"What else can I do? Of course I should follow the example of my ancestors, become a strategist, and do great things."
"Do you know what big thing to do?"
"I don't know, but that doesn't stop me from being excited. I'm far inferior to Brother Yang in the imperial examinations. However, when I set foot in Xiliang Royal City, I, Chen Zhuangshi, a scholar, will also go down in history, leaving a strong mark in the annals of history. Such a blessing, even if I die in Xiliang Royal City, I will accept it!"
Chen Zhuangshi is full of passion.
It is the pursuit of fame and fortune, as well as the yearning to do great things.
He dreams of doing great things.
However, as a scholar, if he did not rebel, he would basically not be able to accomplish anything great in his entire life in this era.
But now, he can accomplish great things without having to rebel.
At this moment, Chen Zhuangshi's breath was filled with passion.
Yang Ji attacked him mercilessly, "So many people go to Xiliang every year, but I haven't seen anyone leave a name in history and be remembered by future generations."
"Brother Yang, since you said that, I have a rebuttal. Excuse me, can Shanhe Academy be compared with those merchants? Is Shanhe Academy an ordinary academy?"
Yang Ji hesitated and shook his head.
Chen Zhuangshi laughed heartily. "Let me ask you again. We're both students of Shanhe Academy, sent here by the headmaster to the northwest. Now we're being told we're going to Xiliang, and before we leave, we've even been given a thousand taels of silver to settle down. Do you think the headmaster, with nothing better to do than to pay us to go to Xiliang and just take a look around?"
Yang Ji didn't want to admit it, but he still shook his head honestly.
Chen Zhuangshi’s analysis makes some sense.
The headmaster of the academy is not so rich that he has no place to spend it that he would not specially spend money to ask them to go to Xiliang.
"So my conclusion is that this trip to Xiliang must be for something big. Brother Yang, don't forget, the owner of the academy is Madam Zhao. The headmaster's words are Madam Zhao's words. Could Madam Zhao sending the two of us to the northwest be a simple matter? Definitely not! It must be something of military and national importance for her to specifically send us out."
When Chen Zhuangshi finished speaking, he jumped up and danced with joy.
Yang Ji asked expressionlessly, "Brother Chen, where does your confidence come from? Madam would send two inexperienced students to Xiliang to take on military and national affairs? Doesn't Madam have anyone else to use?"
Chen Zhuangshi was choked. After thinking for a moment, he said stubbornly, "It's a matter of national importance anyway."
Yang Ji chuckled and continued playing the piano while enjoying the flowers, romance and romance.
"Have you two adjusted well?" Deng Cunli came in, carrying a frosted sword unique to the Northwest.
"Greetings, Eunuch Deng. Brother Yang and I are young and can adapt to any situation."
"That's great!"
Deng Cunli glanced at the two of them and said, "The day after tomorrow, you two will leave with the team to Xiliang."
"The day after tomorrow? How come so soon?"
Deng Cunli said expressionlessly, "Considering that you are new to the northwest, our departure has been postponed by one day. Your main mission is to travel to the Western Liang Royal City and ensure that Master Wuwang can successfully become the Western Liang Imperial Preceptor."
"Wu Wang was personally sent by Madam to Xiliang several years ago to spread Buddhism, promote the customs and culture of the Great Zhou, and help the impoverished people of Xiliang. He is a key figure in Madam's Xiliang plan. You must not fail in your mission to Xiliang. You have studied at the academy for many years. Whether you can complete your mission and return safely depends on your ability to utilize the knowledge you have acquired."
“What happens if it doesn’t work?”
Chen Zhuangshi asked weakly.
Deng Cunli smiled, then his face darkened and he said seriously, "If you fail, you will die. If you succeed, fame, wealth and honor are yours to claim. When you succeed, your great achievements will surely be recorded in history books for future generations to extol."
Time is running out, so take advantage of this opportunity to rest. Once you embark on the journey to Xiliang, don't expect to have such a leisurely life as today. If you are afraid, it's not too late to withdraw now. I won't kill you, at most I'll just make you stay in the northwest for three to five years."
Chen Zhuangshi was not afraid at all. When he heard the word "national master", his blood rushed to his head.
He was the first to speak out, "Eunuch Deng, I will definitely complete the mission. If I don't succeed, I will die."
"Okay! Yang Jieyuan, do you want to withdraw?" Deng Cunli looked at the quiet Yang Ji.
Yang Ji smiled faintly, "It's a rare opportunity to display my talents and manage the government of a country. I am not talented, but I am willing to go to Xiliang."
"Good, very good!"
At this time, the servant reported, "Eunuch Deng, Mr. Dou is here. He specifically wants to see Yang Jieyuan and Mr. Chen."
"No one comes to the temple for no reason. Please ask him to come in."
Deng Cunli then addressed the two men, saying, "Mr. Dou is the Marquis of Lu's advisor. He's obviously come here at this time to test your abilities. Perform well and don't let others look down on you. If he recruits you, I hope you won't let us down."
"I dare not disappoint my father-in-law!"
“Very good!”
…
Two days later, Yang Ji and Chen Zhuangshi, a pair of brothers in distress, set out on the journey to Xiliang.
Although I had practiced riding before coming to the Northwest, and I was quite good at it.
But compared with Ye Bushu, who has lived on horseback all year round, the riding skills of both of them are terrible.
Even Mr. Dou, who is two years older than them, is far better than them.
Once we entered the grassland, we traveled at least two to three hundred miles, or three to four hundred miles every day.
The high-intensity riding on the first day directly rubbed the inner thighs of the two men, causing blood to flow, and almost cost them half their lives.
Time waits for no one, it is impossible to stop and wait for the two to recover from their injuries before leaving.
Even if you are injured, as long as you are not dead, you must continue your journey according to the plan.
Fortunately, the medicine Deng Cunli prepared for them was excellent and alleviated their pain to a certain extent.
We drove for two or three thousand miles.
By the time they arrived at Xiliang King City, they were already considered seasoned riders. Their inner thighs were already covered in calluses.
Stepping on the land of Xiliang King City, Chen Zhuangshi roared, "Ah... Xiliang, I'm coming!"
It’s finally here!
He vented and shouted.
"I will trample Xiliang under my feet and bring me, Chen Zhuangshi, fame and fortune!"
He wanted to be the first big shot in the dynasty to gain a foothold in the court with his scholarly achievements.
He wants the world to look at him with admiration.
"Brother Yang, this trip is a godsend opportunity for both of us, and we must not let it go to waste."
Yang Ji's expression was reserved, but his words were powerful, "Watering our horses in the Western Liang King's City is the dream of our generation."
Good ambition!
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－－
The third update will be a little late, probably around noon. Yuanbao will take a nap first, then get up to write.
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