The Ming Dynasty took an unconventional approach

Almost the instant the young man stood up, everyone inside and outside the examination hall was startled. Feng Hongde frowned and was about to send someone to ask what was going on when the young man rolled his eyes and fell to the ground with a thud.

Feng Hongde: ...

He was somewhat annoyed, feeling that this man had ruined his daughter's plans, and immediately said, "Drag him away!"

After thinking for a moment, realizing he shouldn't go too far in front of everyone, he changed his mind with a pale face and said, "Take him away and find him a doctor."

He flicked his sleeve in displeasure and said, "It's just a written test, and he can even faint at this? How can I expect him to protect my daughter and help the Feng family prosper? Write his name down and remove him from the list!"

The butler agreed.

The young man was carried away, and Pan Jun breathed a sigh of relief, wiping away imaginary cold sweat from her forehead to ease the tension.

But it was this gesture of hers that caught the eye of Shen Shukang, who was searching through the crowd. He quickly pushed aside the people blocking his way and rushed over.

The person who was pushed aside was dissatisfied and was about to speak when Shen Shukang rushed straight at Pan Yun.

Pan Yun turned around and, upon seeing that it was Shen Shukang, released the force she had been holding in her hand and instead reached up to catch his arm, pulling him steadily to her side.

She apologized to those around her, saying, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, my younger brother is being inconsiderate."

Shen Shukang blushed, then realized what was happening and tightly gripped Pan Jun's hand, as if afraid she would run away: "Miss Pan, come out, I need to talk to you."

Pan Yun obediently followed him out of the crowd.

Shen Shukang asked anxiously, "Miss Pan, where is what I gave you?"

Pan Yun: "What's wrong?"

Shen Shukang bit his lip nervously and pleaded in a low voice, "Please give it back to me, okay? That's something important to our military settlement. You... you wouldn't tell Commander Feng, would you?"

"Shukang!" Shen Boxiu and a few others squeezed out from the crowd, spreading out and gathering together, quietly forming a circle.

Pan Jun glanced around and couldn't help but smile. Even though the military settlements no longer trained their troops much, they were still stronger than ordinary people; at least they could cooperate on the most basic level.

Shen Boxiu stared intently at Pan Yun and asked Shen Shukang, "Shukang, is this the Miss Pan you were talking about?"

Shen Shukang nodded firmly.

Shen Boxiu stared intently at Pan Yun, took two steps forward, and asked in a low voice, "Miss Pan, the Imperial Advisor?"

Pan Yun raised an eyebrow, her gaze sweeping across their faces. She saw the expectation and wariness hidden in their eyes, and after thinking for a moment, she nodded.

Shen Boxiu's eyes shone like fireworks, so bright that he could hardly contain himself and stepped forward: "Grand Preceptor, Your Excellency, please save us!"

The others stared intently at her, their eyes almost brimming with tears.

Pan Yun's heart softened. After glancing at the examination room, she turned around and said, "Come with me."

Since walls have ears, Pan Yun simply led them to the next street. Seeing that they looked exhausted and some of them had rumbling stomachs, she found a small stall to sit down at. Coincidentally, it was the same stall they had eaten at when they entered the city that day.

Pan Yun ordered noodles and fish balls for them, and also ordered two bowls for herself, saying, "You guys eat something first, and we'll talk after you've finished eating."

The people on the street all rushed to join in the excitement of the Feng family's search for a son-in-law, and the mobile vendors also flocked to that side, so there were hardly any people on this half of the street.

There were only these two tables of customers at the stall, no one else, but the stall owner was still very busy because his two children would take the prepared fish balls and noodles to the other side to sell.

Believe it or not, this method of hawking can actually sell quite a lot, especially the fish balls, which are particularly popular.

The stall owner's parents were so busy that they were practically running around on their heels, and the couple's conversation sounded like they were arguing, so they naturally didn't have the time to pay attention to what Pan Jun and the others were saying.

But Shen Boxiu didn't dare to speak too clearly, for fear of being overheard: "Does Your Excellency intend to investigate him?"

Pan Yun understood their concerns. Feng Bancheng was not called that for nothing. Even the prefect had to avoid his sharp edge, let alone ordinary military households like Shen Boxiu.

Their entire family, and even the entire military village, had their lives and fortunes in Feng Hongde's hands.

So Pan Yun nodded in agreement, without mentioning Feng Hongde's name: "It's already under investigation, don't worry."

Shen Boxiu asked in a low voice, "Then, are those two things to be used later, or should we take them out and use them immediately? What will we do if he finds out?"

Pan Yun reassured him, "Those are interrogation tools. By then, he won't be able to harm you anymore. At that point, you will be needed to testify and put him to the law."

Shen Boxiu's eyes lit up slightly: "Can the law really punish him?"

Pan Yun: "Even a prince is subject to the same laws as a commoner, let alone a mere commander of a thousand households."

Shen Boxiu swallowed hard. Shen Shukang, anxious, asked in a low voice, "What if it's not just a thousand households?"

Shen Boxiu turned his head and glared at him.

Shen Shukang murmured, "That's how it is. We reported it, and the censors investigated. If he had no one backing him, how could he have avoided it every time? Uncle Dade and the others died quietly..."

Pan Yun's gaze sharpened slightly, and she said softly, "Don't worry, no matter who's behind him, the Censorate can find out, and I won't let him off the hook."

Shen Shukang looked up, his eyes shining as he stared at her: "Really?"

Pan Yun nodded: "Really."

Shen Boxiu hesitated for a moment before asking, "You say you are the Imperial Advisor, what proof do you have?"

Pan Yun blinked. This was the first time someone had questioned her about needing the Imperial Advisor's credentials. After all, she rarely needed to use the Imperial Advisor's reputation to guarantee anything.

After thinking for a moment, she clenched her fist and placed it in the middle of the crowd.

Everyone stared at her fist, wondering: What does this mean?
Just as they were wondering, Pan Yun opened her fist, and a cluster of flames suddenly rose from her palm. Everyone was so frightened that they all leaned back. Just as they were still wondering, the flames disappeared in front of them in an instant, turning into a transparent ball of water with a bluish tinge...

The group stared wide-eyed, inwardly exclaiming in surprise, but kept their mouths tightly shut, afraid to make any strange noises that might attract attention.

Shen Shukang and the others covered their mouths tightly, their eyes fixed on Pan Yun.

Pan Yun smiled slightly, clasped her hands together, and all the fire and water disappeared. She chuckled softly, "Actually, this is just a magic trick, but I have no other way to prove my identity."

Shen Shukang was overjoyed, thinking that was enough, but Shen Boxiu thought it wasn't.

He's older and knows more.

Since the Ming Dynasty had a national advisor, there have been more Taoist priests and monks outside the capital. In addition, there are also Jianghu people who claim to be Taoist practitioners. Some of them are truly skilled, but most of them are swindlers and fraudsters.

As Pan Yun said, although the phenomenon of fire rising from the palm and water condensing is strange, many swindlers can do it in the stories he has heard of.

He had to make Pan Yun do things that even a conman couldn't do.

He looked around, then looked up at the sky and pointed directly at it, saying, "Could you let that cloud drift over here?"

Pan Yun looked up, gave Shen Boxiu an approving look, and praised him generously, "Smart!"

She made a slight hand seal and whispered, "The wind rises!"

A gentle breeze blew by, but the wind in the air grew stronger. The white clouds that were originally drifting north suddenly stopped, rolled eastward, and soon gathered above their heads.

Pan Jun glanced at the growing crowd, looked at the sun, estimated the time, and thought that Xue Shao should be almost finished writing, so she smiled slightly and said, "I can still make it rain."

Shen Boxiu and the others' eyes lit up: "Rain?" Pan Yun nodded and pointed to the crowd not far away, saying, "Let it rain there."

After saying that, his fingers flew across the screen, and in no time, the clouds above their heads began to tumble and drift in that direction, rolling and rolling until the white clouds shrank by half and turned light gray.

As Shen Boxiu and the others stared in disbelief, dark clouds drifted overhead, and amidst the bright sunshine all around, a light drizzle began to fall, the raindrops gradually growing larger...

Suddenly it started raining, and it only rained in this one area. The crowd became chaotic and noisy as everyone ran towards the area covered by dark clouds, shouting, "Sun shower, sun shower, it'll be over soon..."

Even if it passes quickly, no one wants to stand under the dark clouds and get rained on.

Those who could run away ran away.

Xue Shao had just finished handing in his paper, and Feng Hongde was admiring it with satisfaction when, after only reading half of it, it suddenly started raining. This caused chaos not only among the onlookers but also in the examination hall.

This is an outdoor exam, and everyone's papers will get soaked in the rain...

Some people immediately shielded themselves from the rain with their bodies, but others had a quick idea: they deliberately exposed their exam papers to the rain, then cried out in alarm, "Oh no, my exam paper is wet! My paper..."

What a smart guy.

Not to mention Feng Hongde, even Miss Feng behind the screen was furious. Pointing at a few particularly outstanding people, she said, "Write down their names. If they go up to the martial arts stage, have Brother Tang give them a good beating!"

The head maidservant agreed.

Seeing the chaos in the examination hall, Feng Hongde couldn't help but slam his hand on the table and get up to make arrangements, ordering all the examination desks to be moved into the shed.

During this time, the test takers checked each other's answers and copied each other's answers.

It's easier to fish in muddy waters, so the test takers deliberately stirred things up even more.

The canopy that Feng Hongde had built over his head was meant to provide shade, but now it was convenient, and everyone rushed in.

Xue Shao stood next to the pillar, glanced at the chaos, and then looked up at the sky.

These dark clouds...

Glancing at the bright sunshine beyond the dark clouds, Xue Shao couldn't help but chuckle.

He shook his head, glanced back at Feng Hongde who was surrounded and unable to get away, then simply picked up his robe and slowly walked into the rain.

It only took a few dozen steps to get out of the rainy area.

He stood in the sunlight and brushed the water droplets off his clothes. Xi Jin arrived late with an umbrella and hurriedly tried to hold it up for him.

Xue Shao reached out and blocked his umbrella, saying, "You're just like the officials in the county government, always a step behind everyone else."

Xi Jin: "Young Master, you are also an official."

Xue Shao looked around and asked, "Where is Pan Yun?"

"I don't know. Miss Pan is hiding in the crowd. If I'm watching you, I can't be watching her."

Xue Shao thought for a moment, then turned around and randomly chose a direction to walk down: "Let's try walking forward."

Not long after he walked, he spotted Pan Yun sitting at a stall among a group of people.

The small stall was packed with people.

A rain shower scattered the people, instantly bringing life to each stall.

When Xue Shao arrived, Pan Yun had already won the respect of everyone in Shen Boxiu. At this moment, everyone looked at her as if she were a goddess, even more affectionately than they would look at their own mother.

Upon seeing Xue Shao and his servant approach, Pan Yun stood up, placed a handful of copper coins on the ground, and said to the stall owner, "We've finished eating, please settle the bill."

After saying that, he stood up with the bewildered soldiers and said to Xue Shao who was walking over, "Let's leave the city."

Xue Shao nodded.

Pan Yun said to Shen Boxiu and the others, "You go first and wait for us outside the city."

Shen Boxiu glanced at Xue Shao and nodded in agreement.

The Imperial Advisor just said that Feng Hongde must not know that they met, so they must separate when entering and leaving the city.

Xue Shao waited until they left before asking, "Who were they?"

"Military households in Chaozhou City."

Xue Shao's heart stirred, and he looked at Pan Jun.

Pan Yun nodded and smiled, "You've thought of that too, haven't you? A better guarantee than that uncle's."

Xue Shao let out a breath.

He left the city with Pan Yun.

Once outside the city, communication between the two sides became much easier.

Pan Yun introduced Xue Shao directly: "This is Xue Shao, a censor of the Censorate and also the Jiangnan Inspector. His Majesty ordered him to inspect Fujian and Guangzhou together."

The soldiers looked at Xue Shao, but they weren't particularly excited. Instead, their eyes showed suspicion: "Imperial Censor? It's questionable whether an Imperial Censor who comes to Chaozhou can even leave Chaozhou alive."

Pan Jun smiled and said, "He's different. I can guarantee that he will walk out alive and go wherever he wants."

The soldiers were instantly convinced, their eyes shining as they looked at Pan Yun.

Xue Shao: ...

Xue Shao, who had been ignored, coughed lightly to draw everyone's attention before saying, "The map and the list are in my hands. I know you also have petitions. Before Feng Hongde is captured, just pretend you know nothing and nothing has happened. Live your lives as before, and take care of yourselves."

He said, “When Feng Hongde is arrested and I personally try him, I hope you can show up with the petition from the military households and testify. I can guarantee your safety and also guarantee that no one will retaliate against you afterward.”

The soldiers all looked at Pan Yun.

Pan Yun nodded slightly to them and said, "Imperial Censor Xue is trustworthy."

She paused for a moment and then said, "The imperial court is currently investigating military affairs. The embezzlement and misappropriation of military funds, as well as the encroachment on military farms, will all be thoroughly investigated. This investigation is so that you can get the benefits you deserve, live a good life, and have a bright future. That's why he made this guarantee."

Shen Boxiu solemnly said, "Imperial Preceptor, Lord Xue, we trust you."

The other military households also said, "We believe in you."

They all promised to protect what they had and to testify once Feng Hongde was arrested.

The two parties agreed on a latest date, and Pan Yun gave each of them a peace charm and Shen Boxiu a statue of the mountain god, saying, "If any accidents or dangers occur, pray sincerely to this mountain god statue. This is my master. As long as you are sincere, I can sense your consciousness."

Shen Boxiu accepted the statue with both hands, holding it motionless, and solemnly said, "Rest assured, Grand Preceptor, we will definitely protect the statue well."

Pan Yun said, "It's not about protecting the idols, it's about protecting you."

A group of young men, their eyes brimming with tears, nodded firmly: "Don't worry, we'll protect ourselves and the idol." (End of Chapter)