"General Yu and Chief Secretary Yang have both come, how could I not come?"
Li Haoyun maintained a good attitude and did not change his expression because of the two's sarcasm. He said with a smile.
He was originally just a guest official, and he had to be careful when he met Yang Zhaoyang and Yu Zecheng. But now that he has become the prefect, his official rank is the same as theirs, which is the fourth rank, so he has more confidence in his words.
But all of this is thanks to one person!
Thinking this, he looked into the hall.
Just then, Jing Zhe also looked over, and their eyes met. They nodded to each other.
"Do you know why we're here?"
Yu Zecheng asked.
"Heh, we're all smart enough to know what you've thought of, so why wouldn't we? But judging from your performance, you've come away defeated?"
Yang Zhaoyang snorted coldly: "What, do you think you're better than us?"
To everyone's surprise, Li Haoyun actually nodded. "Yes, that's exactly what I think."
"..."
Ignoring the two men's angry glares, Li Haoyun walked into the hall.
"Young Master Jing, it's better to meet you in person than to hear your name. I am Li Haoyun, the Prefect of Jingzhou!"
His simple and direct way of speaking is quite pleasant.
"Prefect Li is too kind!"
After observing for a while, Jing Zhe thought that Li Haoyun was not very old, only in his thirties. "It is admirable that Prefect Li is so young, yet he can take on such an important position as Prefect of Jingzhou!"
"Then I must thank Young Master Jing!"
Li Haoyun cupped his hands in greeting, but inwardly felt a little ashamed: Before meeting you, I also thought it was quite impressive that I had become a prefect at such a young age, but after meeting you…
I'm not going to compete anymore; it's too heartbreaking.
"Prefect Li, there's no need for such modesty. May I ask what brings you here today? Perhaps you, like the two gentlemen, have invited me to your residence? If so, I must apologize in advance, as I am truly unavailable today."
It seems a bit awkward to refuse only one person, but if you refuse all three, it's like treating everyone fairly, and all three people will immediately have no objections.
Upon hearing this, Yu Zecheng and Yang Zhaoyang breathed a sigh of relief, but were also extremely pleased with themselves:
Haha, even though you got in, it's still not good enough!
But Li Haoyun shook his head and smiled, "Young Master Jing, you are overthinking it. Actually, I have two reasons for coming here today. First, I am here on the orders of my master to say a few words to Young Master Jing. Second, I was able to become the prefect thanks to Young Master Jing, and I have long wanted to thank you, but I have not had the opportunity. Today is a good day to thank you both at the same time."
The "mentor" Li Haoyun referred to was naturally Grand Tutor Hao Junguang, but it was unclear what he wanted to say to him.
He then asked, "Actually, my master also planned to host a banquet for Young Master Jing, but because he has been unwell recently and has not even attended the morning court for several days, he was afraid that he would not be able to entertain him properly, so he had to give up the idea. Moreover, my master felt that Young Master Jing had just finished the martial arts test today and must be busy with important matters, both physically and mentally exhausted. It would be better to let Young Master Jing rest more! How could anyone be so unreasonable as to bother Young Master Jing at this time?"
After Li Haoyun finished speaking, he deliberately glanced at Yang Zhaoyang and Yu Zecheng, as if to say: Look, this is the realm!
The two were indeed somewhat embarrassed. According to Li Haoyun, wouldn't they be "unreasonable" people?
Jing Zhe smiled and said, "I am flattered by the Grand Tutor's kindness. I will definitely pay a visit to express my gratitude when I have some free time in the future!"
Then, curiously, he asked, "I wonder what Grand Tutor Hao had Prefect Li say to me?"
Just as Li Haoyun was about to speak, he suddenly remembered the two people who had been standing beside him eavesdropping. "Young Master Jing, how about we speak in private?"
Before Jing Zhe could agree, Yu Zecheng and Yang Zhaoyang became unhappy.
"Hey, what do you mean by that, Mr. Li?"
"Exactly, are they deliberately talking behind our backs because they want to talk bad about us and are afraid we'll hear them?"
"..."
Li Haoyun was also taken aback for a moment, and Jing Zhe smiled and said, "Prefect Li, if you have anything to say, just say it to my face."
Li Haoyun smiled awkwardly: "Alright, actually, although my mentor is ill at home, he has heard of all the poems written by Young Master Jing, and he reads them every day, regarding them as treasures, praising Young Master Jing for his extraordinary talent."
If he were to choose an official position, his mentor advised him to pursue a civil service career. Only in this way could Young Master Jing's talents be widely disseminated, and he would not disgrace the title of a scholar. As for other unusual skills and martial arts, those are minor pursuits, and Young Master Jing is better off not getting involved!
"Hey, how dare you talk like that? Is martial arts some minor skill?"
"Have you been walking too many narrow paths since then, and now you see everything as a path?"
"You think that military generals are the lesser path, while civil officials are the greater path?"
"Pah! So, if this is the case, will we just send your civil officials to talk the talk in war?"
"..."
A military general is a military general; he is naturally rough and has a rough style.
They start hurling insults at the slightest disagreement.
They already looked down on civil officials, and now a civil official was slandering them in front of the two military officers. If they didn't scold them now, when would they?
Li Haoyun's face flushed red and then turned pale as he was scolded. He felt somewhat helpless. That's how these military officers are; if they can't win an argument, they resort to insults.
Civil officials are never afraid to scold anyone, but they are particularly afraid of military generals. If they can't win an argument, they get angry; if they can win, they might get beaten, and those generals can be quite ruthless…
"That's what my mentor said!"
Li Haoyun was clearly unconvinced and shouted back.
The two of them were taken aback when they heard this.
He faced little pressure or restraint in confronting Li Haoyun, who was of the same rank, but when it came to confronting the first-rank official, the Duke of Wei...
"Pooh!"
They all spat and fell silent, watching Jing Zhe's reaction.
Jing Zhe smiled and said, "Thank you for your praise, Duke of Wei, but I don't think martial arts is a trivial pursuit!"
Yang Zhaoyang and Yu Zecheng immediately shouted "Good!" and looked at Li Haoyun with disdain.
"However, I am not trying to belittle civil officials. After all, I am also a scholar. I just think that whether it is civil or military, as long as one is proficient in one, one can benefit the people. There is no need to get bogged down in the details."
His eldest sister was a bandit who has reformed and is quite skilled in martial arts. His fifth sister is General Jinghong, a military general. His sister, the owner of the garden, has also practiced martial arts. Even the fairy Qingqiu, whom he had once been in close contact with, is a martial arts master. Jing Zhe himself couldn't stand it when she spoke ill of military generals in front of him, even without anyone else saying it.
However, he did not deliberately refute Li Haoyun, so that everyone could save face.
"Young Master Jing...I have learned a great deal!"
Li Haoyun cupped his hands in greeting to him, then asked reluctantly, "Has Young Master Jing decided whether he will pursue a literary or martial path?"
"Well, that's easy!"
Upon hearing this, the three of them leaned closer, their expressions focused and tense. Then, Jing Zhe smiled and said...
"After the morning court session tomorrow, everything will be clear, and the three of you will know!"
"..."
Isn't this the same as saying nothing at all?
The three men said their goodbyes and left dejectedly.
————
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