Joy of Life: The melon-eating prince sees through Fan Xian's fake death

Chapter 70: Fighting for the injustice of thousands of students! (Subscribe!)

May I ask, Your Majesty, which family are you from?
This question not only made Fan Xian burst into laughter, but also made the maids standing by smile. Except for Luan Hongyu who had a blank expression, Jiang Ziyan even covered her mouth and chuckled. Qingzhu also smiled slightly. She knew what was going on:
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is such an interesting man who likes to disguise himself and have fun with the people. When her sister Qingsu met the Crown Prince for the first time, Li Chengqian also disguised himself as an ordinary wealthy businessman, which surprised her in the end.

But Li Chengqian has superb acting skills. He can act dumb in front of Emperor Qing, so it is no problem for him to fool these young students:

"Brother Hou, you misunderstood. I came from Jiangnan. My family has some business background, so I dress well, but no one in my family is an official, so I can't be called a young master."

Hou Jichang scratched the back of his head and looked at Shi Chanli beside him with a confused look:

Do you think what he said is true?
Shi Chanli had amazing insight. He pointed at the few extremely beautiful women outside the examination room who pretended to be casual but always looked at Brother Li and said, "Brother Li, if you are not a young master from Kyoto, why would these women stop for you? They look more like your maids."

Fan Xian sighed inwardly: Shi Jiazhen's observation ability is amazing. He looks silly on the surface, like a freshly graduated college student, but in fact he has a very sharp vision. He can tell at a glance that Li Chengqian has a close relationship with his beautiful maids.
I'll have the chance to take you as my disciple in the future!
Li Chengqian laughed, and acted as if he was flattered: "Brother Shi, I said I have never met those fairy sisters, do you believe me?"

Shi Chanli and Hou Jichang shook their heads violently.

Li Chengqian straightened his clothes, winked at the other side silently, and explained: "It's funny to say that I have been outstanding in appearance since I was young. Many beauties in Jiangnan have been pestering me after just one encounter. I'm afraid those beauties in Kyoto are the same."

The voice just fell.

Qingzhu, wearing a green gauze skirt, walked over slowly, her eyes were as charming as silk: "Sir, I am 28 years old, I have lived in seclusion for a long time, I have admired scholars since I was young, my family is going to find a marriage for me during the spring examination, can you come home and sit with me?"

Hou Jichang widened his eyes:

Is there really such a proactive woman in this world? And she is so beautiful!
Before Shi Chanli could react, he saw a lively girl in yellow clothes running towards him to flatter him.

Jiang Ziyan pouted her lips, acting cute and adorable, she was truly a master of acting like a spoiled child: "Sir, I am much younger than this sister, and I would like to give you two houses as a dowry. Could you and my father please come and see me?"

Li Chengqian shook his head and refused: "I am already married, so I have to disappoint the two girls."

The two girls returned disappointed, and when they left, they were still reluctant to leave and admired his face, looking like a fangirl. Now Hou Jichang had to believe that Li Chengqian was just a handsome Jiangnan playboy with a lot of luck in love. He said with some envy:

"I wish I could meet such a proactive lady someday."

"Brother Hou, I have a bronze mirror here, please look at it first."

Yang Wanli appeared from nowhere and made a sharp joke, then reminded the students: "We are here to help. Building the examination hall is a matter of vital importance. Please don't be lazy and whisper."

Hou Jichang's face turned red with embarrassment and he was unable to refute for a moment.

Shi Chanli nodded in agreement, stopped testing Brother Li, and started to work seriously.

Li Chengqian and Fan Xian also each carried a basket filled with dozens of kilograms of stones, which was not difficult for the two martial artists.

But Hou Jichang snatched Li Chengqian's load and moved his stones into his own basket:
"Brother Li is a talented man from the south of the Yangtze River. I'm sure you've rarely done these rough jobs before. Let me serve you."

Li Chengqian smiled and shook his head: "Brother Hou, no need. I am just handsome, not weak."

Hou Jichang added in a low voice: "Don't worry, Brother Li, I will return the stone to you when we meet the Shangshu Lord."

You are really good at handling things.
Li Chengqian had no choice but to let him go, and in his heart he had a rough assessment of the three candidates:

Hou Jichang is a person who is very good at reading people's expressions and understands the ways of the world. It is indeed the most comfortable to get along with him. However, this comfort is only limited to his desire to please people. It is a utilitarian flattery that lacks some authenticity.

"This kind of person will only flatter those who are in power. If their master loses power, they will change their attitude."

Li Chengqian looked at Shi Chanli who was not far away. He had a strong observation ability and even discovered earlier than Hou Jichang that there were many people around Brother Li, so they must be of high status. Moreover, it was he who told Hou Jichang this information.

But the difference between him and Hou Jichang is that after discovering Li Chengqian's identity, the first thing he thought of was not to curry favor with the powerful, but to complete his job honestly. As for Brother Li's identity, he also knew that he was not worthy of him.

“This is a loyal person who can get things done.”

Li Chengqian evaluated Shi Chanli in his heart, then looked at Yang Wanli who had been working all the time and never spoke a word.

This is what the world considers a "stupid person". He only knows how to delve into academics and is obsessed with the books of sages. He has never thought of making friends with others in order to climb the ladder to fame. He is even a little eccentric and only cares about his own opinions.

"This kind of person may not look smart, but he is very wise!"

While several people were working together to move materials, Li Chengqian saw the character of these three people and selected those who could be trained and used for his own purposes in the future.

There is also Cheng Jialin, who is only heard but not seen. I guess there is some reason why he doesn't appear here. In short, he can't be seen.

·······
While everyone was busy, Shi Chanli, who was concentrating on moving materials, discovered something strange between the original materials and the replacement materials. He called other students quietly, and Li Chengqian and Fan Xian also came over.

Hou Jichang saw him staring at the wood and stone slabs, a little confused: "What's wrong?"

Shi Chanli sighed inwardly, thinking that Brother Hou's vision was still a little poor and he was a little disappointed. He was about to open his mouth to explain.

Li Chengqian clasped his fists and praised: "Brother Shi has a good eye. He can see the strangeness in it with just a few glances."

Shi Chanli was secretly happy and suppressed his smile. Hou Jichang was still confused, so the former explained to him: "These stones and woods were replaced by ordinary materials by someone with ulterior motives."

Li Chengqian agreed: "The examination hall was originally built with golden nanmu and gold bricks, but now it has been replaced with cheaper stone slabs and ordinary wood. Not only has the cost been reduced to a minimum, but the fireproof, waterproof and insect-proof capabilities have also been greatly reduced."

Hou Jichang was a little embarrassed at first, but when he saw Brother Li come out to perform, he immediately greeted him with a smile: "Brother Li is knowledgeable and erudite. I am really ashamed of myself. I still need to learn a lot from you!"

No, you want to improve too much, don’t you?

While Li Chengqian was complaining in his heart, he was also looked at suspiciously by Shi Chanli: "Brother Li, this golden nanmu is mostly produced in the north, it is rare in the south. You said you are from the south, how did you recognize this kind of wood?"

You see, this is the person who uses his cleverness in the right way.

Li Chengqian pretended to be dumbfounded: "Brother Shi, you worry too much. My family is a famous merchant in Jiangnan. Many of these rare goods in the north must pass through our hands before being sold in Jiangnan. Even the golden nanmu can be recognized, but I am not as sharp as Brother Shi."

Shi Chanli was overjoyed by this compliment and temporarily let down his guard against Brother Li, but he was also thinking about the secret behind it: "I don't understand, why did the materials used by the Ministry of Rites to renovate the examination hall become worse?"

Fan Xian raised his eyebrows and looked at Li Chengqian. They both saw crisis and vigilance in each other's eyes. This spring examination was the second prince and the eldest princess' last good opportunity to protect the financial power of the inner treasury. Presumably, there would be many difficulties involved.

The strangeness of the materials used in the examination room is more than just a matter of embezzlement and bribery.

Maybe it is a hidden trick that may cause a crisis in the future!
Hou Jichang's eyes widened, and he quickly stepped forward to warn Shi Chanli:

"Don't say that again!"

"Why?"

Shi Chanli was a little confused, and Hou Jichang pulled him to his side and warned him softly:

"The renovation of the examination hall was supervised by Minister Guo himself."

"Because of this, shouldn't we tell Minister Guo, so that he won't be deceived?"

"Brother Shi, you can't tell me. This matter has nothing to do with you and me. Believe me!"

Li Chengqian and Fan Xian watched the show from the side, observing the character of these people.

Yang Wanli threw down the wood and said angrily: "Why should we turn a blind eye? Passing inferior goods as good ones means there must be corrupt officials involved. People like us who are educated and know morality and etiquette, how can we turn a blind eye?!"

"Quiet!"

Hou Jichang was so scared that he quickly covered his mouth and asked, "Why are you yelling so loudly?"
Yang Wanli was covered with his mouth and taken to a less crowded place. Others followed him. He glared at Hou Jichang angrily and said incoherently: "You can cover my mouth, but you can't cover the gossips of others. I'm going to beat the drum now!"

Hou Jichang was worried that his future would be delayed by him, and he condemned him: "You should study less! Even if we report it, who will listen to us?"

Yang Wanli bowed to the sky and said, "I heard that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Master Fan are jointly hosting this Spring Examination. With them here, they will surely give us justice!" "Do you know His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Master Fan?"

“I don’t know him, but I can recognize him!”

Fan Xian looked at Li Chengqian and they smiled at each other.

Hou Jichang leaned forward and reminded in a low voice: "Didn't Minister Guo know these two adults before you? Do you think you are more familiar with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Master Xiao Fan, or is Minister Guo more familiar with them?"

"They jointly presided over the Spring Examination. If they had been in contact for a long time, what would happen?"

"Are you saying that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Master Fan are in collusion with Minister Guo?"

Yang Wanli's sudden success shocked Shi Chanli so much that he vomited the water. Hou Jichang was even more shocked:
"That's not what I meant. I just said that now is not the time to report it. We are just scholars who come here to work just to become officials. If you want to meddle in other people's affairs, it won't be too late to do so after we become officials in the court!"

Yang Wanli sighed and shook his head, slammed the table angrily, and left angrily: "How can a scholar be so desperate!"

Li Chengqian and Fan Xian watched him go away. Shi Chanli also stood up to persuade him to stay but to no avail. Hou Jichang complained impatiently, "He is obviously a scholar, but he is as reckless as a reckless man. People like him will behave themselves when they get into trouble one day."

If Fan Wujiu were here, he would definitely agree: He has been honest (crying and laughing face.jpg)

Li Chengqian felt that Yang Wanli was similar to Lai Yushi, and he quite liked such people. Even if he could not make friends with Lai Yushi, he could still cultivate a Yang Wanli in the future and use him to say what he wanted to say but could not say.
"Brother Hou, what do you mean by working here to become an official?"

Fan Xian asked curiously. Hou Jichang was embarrassed to cover up, but Shi Chanli was too honest and answered every question: "Brother Hou told us the ins and outs of this. We come to work not only to make money, but also to show our faces."

"As long as the students who come to help can remember their names, and Minister Guo himself is here, if we can perform better in front of Minister Guo, we can make him remember our names. As long as we can make a better impression on him, he might take a closer look at us when he grades the papers."

Fan Xian complimented: "Brother Hou is wise, and I have benefited a lot from your advice."

Hou Jichang shook his head in shame: "If not, how could students like us who have no family background have the chance to be on the list?"

Li Chengqian asked: "What does this mean?"

Hou Jichang sighed, "There are tens of thousands of candidates every spring, but only a handful of them pass the exam and become officials. There have been rumors on the streets that the ministers in the court have arranged a few in advance, the Imperial College has arranged a few, and the palace has selected a few more. How many places are left for us?"

Speaking of which.

Fan Xian looked at Li Chengqian beside him. He had heard that the Crown Prince and the Second Prince would select people from the Spring Examination in the past and arrange for their students to serve as officials in the court. However, this year the Crown Prince did not hand over the list to him as the chief examiner.

Maybe he has retired from the criminal business and turned over a new leaf?
"Isn't it just being a dog for the palace?" Yang Wanli complained as he passed by while carrying wood. "If no one reports it, or if the officials protect each other even if they do, then this Spring Examination will become a joke, and there will be no fairness at all."

Hou Jichang didn't have time to cover his mouth, Yang Wanli had already walked away, he could only sigh:
"Perhaps, only when we become officials in the court can we change the current situation?"

Li Chengqian was depressed and clasped his fists and said, "Everyone, let's encourage each other."

·······
After parting with them.

Fan Xian asked, "What do you think of what I just said, Your Highness?"

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "The Spring Examination has lost its fairness and has indeed become a joke."

Li Chengqian and Fan Xian walked and talked while inspecting the examination room. They found that in this hot summer, there were limited shaded places. Most of the poor candidates could only squat in the sun, eating steamed buns and drinking cold water. They were suffering from the heat and sweating profusely.

The pergola privately built by Minister Guo in the examination room was so large that dozens of examinees could enjoy the coolness, but he was the only one who could use it. Not only was it filled with rare ice cubes to keep cool, but there were also fresh fruits and vegetables shipped from other places for them to enjoy at any time.

Hou Jichang and others were carrying wood in front of Minister Guo, hoping that he would remember their names, but Minister Guo was resting with his eyes closed. He felt annoyed just by listening to their voices. The mocking smile on Li Chengqian's face became even stronger:

"They want to seek a chance to rise above this unfairness, but it's all wishful thinking."

Fan Xian asked in confusion, "Why do you say that, Your Highness?"

"You'll find out if you follow me."

Li Chengqian and the other person went to Minister Guo's shed.

They discovered that Minister Guo not only knew how to enjoy himself, but also pretended to be hardworking and asked the painter under the bright sun in the distance to draw a "working photo" of him working hard in the examination room, which seemed quite absurd in this examination room.

Fan Xian couldn't bear to watch any longer, so he stepped forward and asked:
"Minister Guo is so elegant that he even invited a painter to paint for you."

When Minister Guo saw that the person coming was Fan Xian, who was of similar rank to him, he was no longer panicked and changed his posture calmly.

He said, "Isn't this to report the rules for setting up the examination hall to His Majesty? And by the way, record my words and deeds, so that I can report on my duties!"

Fan Xian smiled:

You call this a job report?
You are just exaggerating and making things up!

Li Chengqian smiled and shook his head. The imperial court was rotten from the root, so how green could the leaves at the highest point be?
He walked in front of Minister Guo, blocking the painter's sight and stopping them from painting. The latter was a little impatient at first, but when he saw the man's appearance, Minister Guo panicked immediately, threw away the fruits in his hands, kicked off the ice under his feet, and kowtowed:

"See His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"He was arrogant at first but respectful later. How ridiculous."

Li Chengqian sat in the position of Minister Guo, who sensibly gave in and did not dare to raise his head from beginning to end. He could only make a subtle signal, asking the painter who painted his portrait to get out of here quickly, so as not to make His Royal Highness the Crown Prince unhappy.
"Hey, why did you let them go? Don't we have to report the regulations?"

"Your Highness, please just report briefly. I will keep everything simple."

Minister Guo wiped the sweat from his forehead, his CPU was about to burn out.

"I will ask you two more questions. If you answer them well, I will not argue with you. If you answer them poorly, I will not argue with you."

Li Chengqian snorted and laughed, and the latter nodded and bowed hurriedly, indicating that he would tell you everything he knew and would not dare to hide anything from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

"What is the purpose of this list of yours?"

Li Chengqian threw the list with the names of the candidates for helpers on the ground.

Minister Guo smiled and said, "These people are opportunistic and ill-intentioned country students. They don't think about how to review and prepare for the exam. They come to the exam hall to help in name only, but in fact they are trying to be sneaky and deceitful in front of me. They are pretending to be nice to me."

"I think this kind of student is not worthy of entering the officialdom, so as not to disturb the clean governance of Daqing."

Li Chengqian sarcastically said:
"You know what it means to be deceitful and cunning."

"Did you know that there are many innocent poor scholars who traveled thousands of miles to Kyoto. They cannot afford the high prices and can only survive by working as helpers to earn tips, which you think are crooked ways?"

Fan Xian nodded.

There were indeed people like Hou Jichang who were seeking fame and opportunism, but the majority were poor scholars like Shi Chanli and Yang Wanli. They were all trying to survive and one should not generalize them all. It was not easy for the poor, and it took their entire lives to make it to Kyoto.

If we rely on a list, everything they have done will be negated and their future will be ruined.

This is so unfair!

Minister Guo nodded and did not dare to deny it. He picked up the list and handed it to the prince: "I know I was wrong. I should not have misunderstood that all the candidates were opportunists. I will not interfere with them in the slightest. The reward money will be paid as usual."

Li Chengqian nodded slightly and asked the last question:
"Why were the golden nanmu wood, golden bricks and jade tiles in the examination room replaced with cheap common materials? Are you trying to take advantage of this opportunity to embezzle the money and enrich yourself? You dare to do this when Fan Xian and I are here. Is there someone behind you directing you?"

Upon hearing this, Minister Guo's old face turned pale with fear:

"Your Highness! I dare not!"

(End of this chapter)