Chapter 49 Three or Five People on the Official Road North of the City
Perhaps because of the rain that had lasted for several days, the city of Shuzhou was much fresher.
On Kangning Street in the north of the city, the bluestone slabs on the road surface allow people to clearly see the lotus patterns carved on the slabs, symbolizing that every step will bring forth a lotus flower.
Scholars love to seek such good fortune, whether it's for passing the imperial examinations or for becoming an official and making a fortune.
In short, Kangning Street is the most elegant street in the entire Shuzhou City.
Unlike the paving stones on the willow-lined streets of the city's south brothel district, which are carved with images of court ladies, as if afraid that others wouldn't know what kind of business was being conducted there.
Chen Yi didn't care about this. No matter how good the decorations were in the city, in his eyes they could only be described as "antique".
He's been doing better lately. He's read a lot of books and has a good understanding of the local customs and rules of Shuzhou. He can say a few things about them.
Especially for things like brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones that we come into frequent contact with.
At least Chen Yi already knew that Yun Song paper was produced in Guangyue Prefecture and made from the unique pine and cypress wood of that place.
There is also the ink from Jiangnan Prefecture, the wolf-hair brushes from Beizhou, and Jingzhou, which is famous for its unique stones used to make inkstones.
Although he only had a general understanding, he was still astonished by the prices of these seemingly insignificant little gadgets.
Take the Yunsong paper he often used, for example. A sheet that is one foot square costs five coins, which is equivalent to a pound of unpolished rice.
However, this was also because he lived in the Dingyuan Marquis's mansion, which belonged to the top nobility of the Great Wei Dynasty, so his food, clothing and daily necessities were naturally different from those of ordinary people.
Scholars in ordinary families rarely used Yunsong paper, let alone saw it; they mostly used inexpensive wooden paper.
In addition, the historical books that Chen Yi read the most also made him familiar with many major events that happened in the Great Wei Dynasty over the past two hundred years.
He also found some historical facts from previous dynasties, mostly to understand the changes in Shuzhou and Jiangnan Prefecture.
Not long after.
The carriage bearing the red flag of Marquis Dingyuan Xiao's family drove out of the city gate and stopped at the post station three miles away.
Wang Lixing and Yan Hong, who were driving, looked around, their faces showing some doubt.
Outside the post station, there were at least ten carriages of various sizes parked.
Another vehicle among them also bore the Xiao family's red flag, clearly belonging to other masters from the manor.
Beside the official road, more than a dozen officials dressed in blue and green robes waited expectantly, the one in the lead being none other than Liu Si, the prefect of Shu Prefecture.
The two exchanged a glance, neither knowing what Chen Yi had come for.
Especially when she thought of the "trouble" Chen Yi had caused when he left the mansion a few times before, she felt like she had cat claws in her heart and wished she could turn back to the mansion immediately.
Fortunately, they found Xiao Dongchen from the second wife's family among the group of officials, thinking that with him there, the son-in-law would probably behave himself.
"arrive?"
At this moment, Chen Yi lifted the curtain to take a look, and then got off the carriage with Xiao Wuge and Xiao Die.
Wang Lixing glanced at Xiao Dongchen, whose expression seemed strange, then leaned close to Chen Yi and whispered:
"Young master, what brings you here today?"
As Chen Yi straightened his robes, he replied, "To pick them up."
"But is it the same person as those officials over there?"
"I think so."
Chen Yi looked at the officials over there and saw that many of them were turning their heads to look at him. He smiled and bowed deeply.
Fortunately, he still had the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations), so he didn't have to kneel and bow when he met these officials; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to get so close to them.
Wang Lixing grimaced as if his teeth ached, feeling quite uncertain. He gave Yan Hong a look, signaling him to step forward and ask further questions.
However, before Yan Hong could speak, Xiao Wuge, who had been curiously observing Chen Yi, turned his gaze to Chen Yi and asked:
"Brother-in-law, who are you picking up?"
"Chen Yunfan".
"Oh, I feel like I've heard that somewhere before."
As he spoke, Xiao Wuge seemed to realize something, "I know, he's the one who doesn't get along with my brother-in-law, right?"
Chen Yi smiled and shook his head, "I wouldn't dare say that. If someone heard it, they would think there's a rift between my brother and me."
Don't you have any?
Even Wang Lixing, a rough and boorish man, didn't believe it.
Although he now had a better understanding of the situation, it was Chen Yunfan who gave him a sense of foreboding.
Yan Hong next to him was the same, his face almost scrunched up.
Last time, this guy ran away from his wedding, which almost got him killed. This time, it shouldn't cause such a big fuss, right?
Perhaps Xiao Wuge's voice was a bit too loud, which attracted the attention of the officials in front.
Upon seeing him, Liu Si, who was in the lead, could no longer pretend not to see him. He led the officials behind him forward, bowed, and said:
"We, your humble servants, greet the young marquis."
Xiao Wuge waved his hand like an adult and said with a smile, "Uncle Liu, don't be so polite. You came to my residence just a couple of days ago."
Upon hearing this, Liu Si's face lit up, clearly pleased with what he had just heard.
"Wu Ge, what brings you here this time?"
“My brother-in-law said he was coming to pick someone up, so I came along to see.”
"Pick someone up?"
Liu Si frowned and looked at Chen Yi. Seeing that Chen Yi still had a smile on his face and showed no change in expression, Liu Si thought for a moment and then nodded:
"Chen Yunfan, the top scholar of this year's imperial examination, is your brother-in-law's elder brother, so he really should come here."
Xiao Wuge's eyes lit up: "The top scholar? Then is he even more outstanding than the third-ranked scholar?"
Liu Si hesitated for a moment and nodded, then said meaningfully, "He is now the Councilor of the Provincial Administration Commission, and he and my uncle are both fourth-rank officials."
"Fang Gui was only a fifth-rank councilor, a step below the top scholar in official rank."
Chen Yi naturally understood the meaning behind his words; he was being reminded to be mindful of his status and the occasion.
However, despite his thoughts, he pretended not to understand and said with a smile, "Wu Ge, does the Prefect mean that Chen Yunfan is more capable than Li Huaigu?"
Liu Si's expression immediately turned slightly unpleasant. He glanced at him and then turned and left.
He felt somewhat annoyed.
Firstly, it was because of several things Chen Yi had done in Shuzhou City that displeased him.
Secondly, the relationship between Chen Yi and Chen Yunfan is clearly not harmonious.
If things were peaceful, he could have come alone; why bring along this young marquis, Xiao Wuge?
At this moment, the other officials of Shu Prefecture exchanged glances, bowed to Xiao Wuge again, and then followed him.
Only Xiao Dongchen walked over with a frown, stared at Chen Yi, and asked in a serious tone, "Second son-in-law, is this a bad time for you to come?"
He was a few years older than Xiao Xuanshuo, but he was well-maintained, with a fair complexion and no beard. The blue official robe he wore added to his official air.
Chen Yi nodded noncommittally, then took out the name card from his pocket and showed it to him, "Uncle Dongchen, my brother summoned me, and I had no choice."
Xiao Dongchen glanced at it, his expression softening, but he still offered a reminder:
"Don't blame me for being nosy, but your elder brother has traveled all the way from the capital to Shu Prefecture to take up the post of Provincial Administration Commissioner. You must be aware of his special status."
What's so special about it?
Despite his somewhat presumptuous question, Chen Yi pressed on, "Uncle Dongchen, why don't you give your nephew a heads-up?"
Xiao Dongchen hesitated for a moment, then leaned closer and lowered his voice: "The Right Envoy of the Shu Prefecture Administration Commission is getting old and will retire in two years at most."
Chen Yi was taken aback and secretly clicked his tongue. Was this related to Chen Yunfan?
It should be noted that the Provincial Governor is the chief official of a province, a key official of the second rank.
Chen Yunfan, a top scholar in the imperial examination, was an exception, as he was directly appointed to a post in Shu Prefecture as a fourth-rank official without further study in the Hanlin Academy.
If he were to be appointed Right Provincial Governor of Shu Prefecture two years later... Is the current emperor really that autocratic?
Xiao Dongchen knew he understood, so he continued, "In these special times, we should be even more cautious."
Chen Yi cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you for your guidance, Uncle Dongchen."
Xiao Dongchen nodded, greeted Xiao Wuge with a smile, and then turned to walk towards Liu Si and the others.
Wang Lixing and Yan Hong breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that the master of the mansion was the one who understood the greater good in this critical moment.
Xiao Die and Xiao Wuge, standing beside them, seemed to understand but not quite.
"Brother-in-law, since the top scholar is your elder brother, he can't be someone who doesn't get along with you, right?"
Chen Yi glanced at him, then looked towards the end of the official road, and said with a half-smile:
"Probably...who knows?"
(End of this chapter)
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