As imperial edicts were issued from the Ministry of Personnel, the aristocratic students who had completed the examinations were assigned to various positions, either being sent to local areas or remaining in the capital.
The Yang family.
Seeing his son kneeling before him with a triumphant expression, Yang Ci, then serving as the Grand Herald, sighed helplessly.
"My son, are you determined to go to the north to serve as a county magistrate?"
"yes!"
“My son, do you know that it is a bitterly cold place? Not only is life difficult, but it is also often attacked by barbarians, making it extremely dangerous.”
"I know!"
"You knew that, yet you still went?"
"I want to go!"
Yang Biao raised his head and looked at his father. "It is precisely because the border is so harsh that I am going there to use my knowledge to benefit the people and let His Majesty and the world see that my Yang family is second to none."
"Good! You are indeed a son of the Yang family." Yang Ci stood up, helped Yang Biao up, and looked at his son with a face full of satisfaction. "Go if you want to, but I have one thing to say, and I hope you will remember it."
"Father, please speak."
"Loyal to the royal family, true to our original aspirations, caring for the people, and bringing peace and stability to the country."
"I will certainly remember my father's teachings."
"Alright!" Yang Ci smiled as he looked at his son. "Go ahead and talk to your mother on your behalf."
"Thank you, Father!"
Yang Biao knelt on the ground and kowtowed to his father, then picked up his bag and turned to leave the Yang residence.
Outside the Southern Palace, watching the aristocratic sons leaving the capital to take up their posts, these students from humble backgrounds felt both envy and a hint of anticipation in their hearts.
Several teenagers gathered together, watching the students coming and going, pointing and whispering.
"Brother, look at how arrogant they are! They're so annoying!"
A boy of about ten years old curled his lip, clearly disdainful of these jubilant scions of noble families.
Another boy chimed in, "Yeah, yeah~ Second brother is right. What can these people do besides talk? They still have to rely on the soldiers to fight and protect them."
The boy, referred to as "Big Brother," was about thirteen years old. He was not tall, but had a well-proportioned figure and a dark complexion. However, the heroic spirit emanating from his eyes and brows revealed his extraordinary nature.
He turned to his two cousins and scolded them, “Don’t talk nonsense. These are rare talents of the Han Dynasty. They are the emperor’s disciples who have been personally tested by His Majesty. Although you two are determined to become great generals who guard the region, you must not underestimate these scholars.”
"Understood, elder brother."
Seeing that their older brother was getting a little angry, the two boys quickly shrank back and stopped talking.
"Aman, what are you doing bringing us here?"
A tall, handsome young man couldn't help but ask.
These men were Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, and the two brothers Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan.
Because Liu Hong had assigned Cao Cao's father to oversee water conservancy projects, he had been too busy to discipline the young Cao Cao, and Cao Cao suddenly began to let loose.
He spent his days causing trouble and making a mess of things with his friends Yuan Shao and the Xiahou brothers.
Although Yuan Shao was a member of the Yuan family, his status in the family was not high because his mother was not the principal wife. However, Yuan Shao was kind, humble and filial, and had a good reputation among the scions of aristocratic families.
This aroused the jealousy of his younger brother Yuan Shu, who was the legitimate son of the emperor. Yuan Shu began to vigorously ostracize Yuan Shao and opposed him at every turn. As a result, most of the scions of aristocratic families rarely associated with him, so his only friend at the moment was Cao Cao.
Yuan Shao cherished his friendship with Cao Cao, so he never refused to do anything Cao Cao asked him to do.
"Hehe~ You'll find out in a bit."
Cao Cao chuckled and said nothing more, instead staring intently at the street corner.
Seeing Cao Cao's appearance, Yuan Shao instinctively felt uneasy, as he had recently been doing quite a few despicable things with Cao Cao.
Things like knocking on widows' doors, staring at their ancestral graves for ages, and brothels are even worse.
For this, Yuan Shao was often reprimanded by his father, Yuan Feng. However, Yuan Shao's uncle, Yuan Wei, was very fond of his nephew and always spoke up for him, so he was never punished.
Soon a wedding procession turned out from the street corner and headed towards Cao Cao and his group.
Weddings and funerals have always been of paramount importance, so when they saw this wedding procession, everyone on the street—scholars, commoners, wandering knights, and even patrolling court officials—consciously made way for it to pass.
"Benchu, would you like to see what the bride looks like?"
Cao Cao's eyes lit up the moment the wedding procession appeared. The Xiahou brothers were also eager to join in.
Despite his seemingly righteous demeanor when he reprimanded the Xiahou brothers, his true nature, buried deep within him, suddenly erupted when he saw the excitement unfolding.
"What?" Yuan Shao's expression changed immediately. "Aman, this is absolutely unacceptable. This concerns a woman's reputation and innocence. We cannot act recklessly."
"Tch~ How boring. It's just looking, nothing to do. Besides, I already found out about this woman's background. She's just a courtesan, not some respectable woman at all..."
Seeing Yuan Shao's appearance, Cao Cao was somewhat dismissive.
Even so, it's still unacceptable...
"Alright, just watch and see."
Yuan Shao was about to speak again when Cao Cao impatiently interrupted him, then looked at the Xiahou brothers, "Yuanrang, Miaocai, you two should act according to my mood."
"Alright, elder brother, you may go now."
The two Xiahou brothers nodded excitedly in agreement.
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