Qu Sinian took the time to go there.
Because the journey was long, only about ten people came.
Merchants have always been a lowly profession, and most of these people do not have the noble airs of scholars. When they see the arrival of high-ranking officials from the imperial court, most of them behave in a somewhat fawning manner, while others are good at dancing with the sleeves and being smooth with others.
If it were before, Qu Sinian would definitely think that such a person was very suitable.
But at this moment, how should I put it, she probably touched the threshold of the concept that Yan Shiyue mentioned, and vaguely felt that what she wanted was not such a person. Someone who was so smart and appeared to be so smart might have limited achievements.
But Qu Sinian still showed a respectful attitude and chatted with them in a friendly and cordial manner for a long time. Only when everyone gradually relaxed did he say that he would continue the conversation after everyone was present.
You know, these people still have to go through Yan Shiyue's "interview". No one knows how many of them will pass, but at a glance, there is really no one he wants to recommend.
When he walked out of the inn door, he hadn't taken a few steps when a man suddenly came forward, bowed, and said indifferently: "Master Qu, you are polite. I am late."
Qu Sinian returned the greeting and asked, "Who are you?"
The man had thick eyebrows, big eyes, a straight nose and a square mouth. He had a very upright face, but his expression was somewhat arrogant. He said, "My surname is Ren, my name is Nan, and my courtesy name is Zenan."
...
...
Qu Sinian can remember all the fifty-eight people this time, after all, he wants to use this to improve his favorability.
Especially this Ren Zenan! He remembered that he had the title of Juren, which could be said to be the highest among these people, and his handwriting was also good.
So he smiled and said, "So it's Ren Xiaolang. I still remember that Ren Xiaolang is from Suizhou, but?"
"That's right," he said with a hint of happiness between his brows, "May I invite Master Qu to come in and have a chat?"
Qu Sinian hesitated slightly.
Ren Zenan smiled and said, "Mr. Qu's tricks in Suizhou are truly amazing. I admire him very much."
Qu Sinian raised his eyebrows. Then he smiled and said, "Please."
The two of them entered the teahouse and had a cup of tea. Qu Sinian asked, "What did Ren Xiaolang mean by what he said just now?"
Ren Zenan smiled and said, "I am just talking nonsense. Lord Qu went to Suizhou first and had a meeting with the Chamber of Commerce. I was fortunate to hear my father mention a few words. Lord Qu's behavior was a bit strange... Later, I heard that an imperial censor impeached the prime minister. Lord Zhang also went to Suizhou and visited my humble home. His conversation was also a bit strange. After that, the court made a big fuss to hang signs for these shops and issued waist badges. When the people were discussing it, the glass was sold. After it was sold, it became popular in Suizhou..."
He paused and said: "This is a story full of twists and turns, first suppressed and then promoted, it is really a stunning success. I admire you very much!" He bowed to him.
Qu Sinian smiled.
Lord Qu expressed great pleasure at the fact that he believed his previous inexperience was deliberate.
Qu Sinian smiled and said, "I don't deserve it. I admire you very much for being able to guess it."
Seeing him admit it frankly, Ren Zenan's eyes lit up.
Then he said frankly, "To be honest, I hadn't thought of it at first, but on the day of the sale, when Master Zhang and Master Qu were in the teahouse, I happened to see them... I saw that the two of you were getting along well, so I started to wonder, and then I thought about the matter again, and then I could see a little clue."
Qu Sinian smiled and said, "Ren Xiaolang is a person who broke the deadlock after all, but he thinks so clearly, which is already rare and precious."
The two of them boasted about their business for a while, and then Qu Sinian said, "I have something else to do, so I won't talk to you any more."
Ren Zenan cupped his hands and said, "I wonder if you could help me introduce you to the Prime Minister?"
Qu Sinian did not give a direct answer: "Please wait here patiently, my dear. When everyone is here, the Prime Minister may come over."
The two bowed to each other and then went their separate ways.
When they entered the Duke's Mansion in the afternoon, Qu Sinian told her about this. Yan Shiyue asked him to take out his paper and have a look. His handwriting was very beautiful, his answers were standard, steady but innovative, and indeed good.
Qu Sinian also took it and looked at it, and said, "There is one thing that I find strange."
"Which one?"
"This man, whether judging from this paper or from himself, is actually a shrewd and cautious person, but he seems to be deliberately showing arrogance... I am a little confused. As a businessman, inappropriate arrogance is not pleasing. Why is he doing this?"
Yan Shiyue said: "I don't know, I haven't seen him."
Qu Sinian asked: "Do you want to meet him?"
Yan Shiyue thought for a moment and said, "It's okay to meet them. If there is anything useful, use it quickly. Anyway, we have the final say on the exam and recruitment, and there is no fixed process."
So the next day, Qu Sinian brought this man here.
Ren Zenan performed the ceremony very respectfully.
When he looked up, he was suddenly startled.
Then he looked at her very rudely and said in a lost voice: "It's you!"
Yan Shiyue raised her eyebrows.
Ren Zenan seemed to realize that he had been rude, and hurriedly bowed again, saying, "Please forgive me, Prime Minister! I have lost my composure!"
"It's okay," Yan Shiyue said, "Do you know me?"
Ren Zenan seemed to hesitate for a moment before he said softly, "Three years ago... I met the Prime Minister once."
"Where?"
Ren Zenan said: "It was before the last imperial examination... I rushed to Chang'an City early before the New Year. I encountered robbers on the road. While escaping, I met a team of carriages, and then I followed them and got rid of the robbers. Later, I saw the prime minister coming out of the carriage..."
He said with gratitude: "Your Excellency may not remember, but I am grateful to you. But I didn't know you were my Excellency at that time."
He bowed very solemnly and said, "I am willing to serve you, my Lord, at your service."
After he finished speaking, he didn't hear her answer.
After a while, Ren Zenan slowly raised his head and saw Yan Shiyue's very calm face.
Then, she said to him gently, "It's fine."
Ren Zenan: “……???”
Even Qu Sinian was a little confused.
He had been standing at the back just now, thinking that it would be pretty good if there was such a background.
Then Yan Shiyue smiled and said, "You met Si Nian before, and Si Nian was very confused. You are obviously not an arrogant person, so why do you pretend to be arrogant? Now, Si Nian, isn't the answer here?"
Qu Sinian raised his eyebrows and glanced at Ren Zenan.
Ren Zenan was obviously deeply shocked and quickly bowed to apologize.
Yan Shiyue waved his hand and said, "No, I really want to praise you. Your method is very good and original. First of all, arrogance can make you stand out from the flatterers. In this way, even if others say something shocking, Si Nian will remember you. Being arrogant at first and respectful later, with a grateful heart, can also, to a large extent, make you one of my 'own people' and surpass your companions by a big step. This routine is really good."
Ren Zenan said after a while: "I am sorry for showing off my skills in front of an expert. But I still want to ask you, sir, how did you figure it out?"
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