A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 148 He Still Has to Thank Us (Part )

Song Xuan and others studied in the main hall of Lingtai Temple until late at night and were not driven away by the monks.

At least they still have to maintain their reputation on the surface.

Besides, there are pilgrims who stay overnight in the temple.

Song Xuan put away his book and watched these people learn happily.

"It's already so late. I should go home and sleep. I have classes tomorrow."

Students like them only have one day off every ten days, or they have holidays.

During spring plowing and autumn harvest, when families are too busy, the academy will give some students appropriate holidays.

If there is a need, go home; if not, continue studying.

The teaching principle of the academy has always been to learn as much as possible without dying.

Otherwise, if you invest so much energy and money but ultimately fail to pass the exam, then everything will be in vain.

For a scholar, only those who pass the imperial examination and become an official are considered good men.

Otherwise, if you only study but have no achievements, you will be extremely struggling both from the comments of others and from your own heart.

Fan Xiang and the others also raised their heads: "I don't know what time it is."

But the weather was getting a bit cooler, and I even felt cold sitting in the hall.

"Twelfth brother is right. I just heard the bell ringing in the yard. It must have been past midnight."

Zhang Fangping replied, and everyone stood up.

"If it's any later, the temple will be closed."

Several people stuffed their pens, ink, paper and inkstone into their schoolbags and walked out the door.

Instead, I met the monk who was welcoming the door and was still awake.

He had heard what his young apprentice said in the cafeteria and had been keeping an eye on the six of them, so he came up to talk to them.

"May I ask if any of these students are from Yingtian Academy?"

"good."

Wang Tai naturally had to show his identity.

If you don't speak when you are out there, how can people know that you have a strong background?
When the welcoming monk heard this, he nodded repeatedly, and it turned out that he was indeed a student from the academy.

"I wonder if the vegetarian food in this temple is to your liking?"

"The vegetarian food at Lingtai Temple is well-deserved." Wang Tai laughed twice. "I don't know how the pickled radish is pickled, it's really delicious."

"As long as you like it, young donors." The welcoming monk looked at Song Xuan in the crowd:

"Could you please tell me your name, little benefactor?"

Song Xuan pointed at himself and asked, "Why?"

The welcoming monk had not expected Song Xuan to be so vigilant, so he explained with a smile:
"My disciple said that the young donor was taking the pulse of a pilgrim in the dining hall. Since the pilgrims did not want to disturb you while you were studying, I wanted to ask this humble monk so that we wouldn't be rude when we meet again."

Only then did Song Xuan give his name.

A hint of surprise flashed in the welcoming monk's eyes. This man's name was famous throughout Song City and was even spreading in all directions.

After all, an ordinary student who was not afraid of power "forced to death" the Hanlin scholar of the dynasty.

This matter revealed something unusual from the inside out.

"Thank you, young donor." The welcoming monk stepped aside to make way. "If you think the vegetarian food in this temple is good, you can come often."

"Okay, okay, with what the Master said, I feel more confident. I'll bring many of my classmates to show my support."

The welcoming monk originally wanted to say something polite, but he never expected that Song Xuan would actually take advantage of him. Even though he had welcomed and seen off so many people, he had never met someone like Song Xuan.

After all, everyone who comes here is here to worship Buddha, and they have a natural respect for these people.

But from Song Xuan's words, the welcoming monk could sense that he had no intention of worshipping Buddha at all, but instead wanted to "take advantage"!
He had said this kind of polite words countless times, but this was the first time that Song Xuan took the initiative to step forward.

But not everyone can take advantage of the fact that the temple has been operating for so long.

Song Xuan saw from the monk's eyes that he was somewhat reluctant, so he walked forward and said with a low laugh:
"Master, there is no need to be so reluctant. We are here not only to avoid disturbing others from worshipping Buddha, but also to give the temple a good reputation."

"Thirdly, if we were in high school, who wouldn't tell his friends about his hard study at night in Lingtai Temple?"

The monk who greeted the door showed a look of sudden enlightenment in his eyes.

Although I am very good at dealing with people, after such a long time, I can't help but feel lazy and lazy.

He subconsciously wanted to stick to the old ways, unwilling to change anything and unwilling to have anything out of his control happen.

With Song Xuan's reminder, how could his classmates, who ranked third in the entrance examination, be poor students?

Then their chances of becoming Jinshi in the future will be very great!
The welcoming monk thought that the "cake" painted by Song Xuan was quite delicious.

"Thank you for the reminder, young donor." The welcoming monk first chanted a Buddhist name:
"A monk shouldn't be so fussy. It's just my duty. I hope you won't blame me."

"Don't blame me, I'm sure I'll bother you more often in the future."

"Welcome, welcome. Actually, our temple also has guardian monks. They don't just eat vegetarian food. Their food is also quite good."

"Oh, I'll try it then."

Song Xuan and others left the temple.

In fact, this scene made Wang Tai a little overwhelmed, as he thought he was knowledgeable.

But I've never seen Song Xuan eating, drinking and using things for free, and people even thank him in return!
There's something wrong!
Song Xuan is not some little bully, and he cannot pose any threat to Lingtai Temple.

Besides, Lingtai Temple also has warrior monks as guardians!
"What did you just say to that welcoming monk? Why did he turn around and thank you?"

Wang Tai really couldn't hold back the doubts in his heart.

"I told him that all of you would pass the imperial examinations and become Jinshi in the future, and he thanked me."

Wang Tai was slightly stunned.

I didn't expect Song Xuan to say that.

All passed the exam?

Isn't this just bragging?

Although Wang Tai had the ambition to take the imperial examination and become the top scholar, he did not think Fan Xiang had a chance of passing.

Being the last one in the exam is just to make up the numbers.

Even though they went through many hardships to be admitted to Yingtian Academy, there were still many students in the academy who were unable to pass the imperial examination.

"hey-hey."

Fan Xiang was very happy to hear this. After all, he was the last in the entire academy, and his twelfth brother thought so highly of him. He immediately said:
"Twelfth brother, do you really believe that I can pass the exam?"

"correct."

"what?"

Fan Xiang was even more delighted and quickly asked:
"Twelfth brother, how did you see that? I don't even have the confidence that I can pass the imperial examination!"

"Because when I was studying in private school, I was always ranked last. I could always get third place. If you don't believe me, ask Fang Ping."

After hearing Song Xuan's encouraging words to Fan Xiang, Wang Tai, Bao Zheng and the others all refused to believe that Song Xuan could be a regular last-place finisher.

"Yes."

Zhang Fangping has always known Song Xuan's strength, but he still cooperated:
"When I was studying at the Song family private school, I was always ranked first, and my twelfth brother was ranked last."

They also knew Zhang Fangping's temper.

Compared to Song Xuan, what Zhang Fangping said was still believable.

I didn’t expect that Song Xuan was so unwilling to study before!

Fan Xiang felt more and more that his future was promising.

Bao Zheng thought something was wrong!
At that time, Zhang Kang, the magistrate of Yingtian Prefecture, wanted to help Song Xuan advance his knowledge. However, after looking at Song Xuan's policy papers, he found that he didn't need any guidance at all, and ended up taking out all his anger on me.

There are two Jinshi in the same family, what a great value!

Bao Zheng frowned slightly, but didn't say anything.

There is no need for torches when walking at night.

The lights in Tokyo are as bright as day at night.

Although Nanjing is not as prosperous as Tokyo, merchants on important streets also hang lanterns, and street vendors also hang lanterns to attract business.

Feeling refreshed, and with people still flowing through the streets, Fan Xiang couldn't help but sigh:
"With Team Leader Shi Er Lang leading the way, I feel like I've had a wonderful night. I no longer have those nighttime worries about not having candles to read and being unable to sleep."

Fan Xian was a poor man, so he greatly appreciated the "white girl ticket" method invented by Song Xuan.

It really solved my urgent problem.

And there is no need to owe anyone money.

The lamp oil and candles in the temple will not be extinguished all night.

There is no loss to them.

If students from the academy can pass the imperial examination in the future, the temple will also benefit, at least its good reputation will be spread.

Maybe the incense will become even more prosperous!

After all, if all six students who studied here passed the imperial examination and became Jinshi, do you think Lingtai Temple would publicize it crazily?

Everyone said goodbye and went home.

Song Xuan slipped in and wanted to take a shower, but he heard Tao Hong say that Gang Leader Cao had arrived.

Then he asked Zhang Fangping to wash up first while he went up to the study on the second floor.

Boss Cao was wearing very cool clothes at this time, with his bare chest revealing the tattoo on his back.

"Master, you came to see me in the middle of the night. Is there something serious going on?"

When Gang Leader Cao saw Song Xuan arrive, he breathed a sigh of relief:

"I am about to die. Before I die, I come to see you and tell you a secret. If someone comes looking for you in the future, you must not tell it to save your life."

"Ok?"

Song Xuan sat down and held his breath to check the pulse of Boss Cao. After a while, he said:
"Your body is still the same as before, there's nothing wrong with it. At least you can still get married, and you won't die from exercising in bed."

"That's not it." Boss Cao's eyes showed anxiety.
"It's the Imperial City Division of Tokyo City who's here to take me back!"

"You didn't betray the Imperial City Division, why would we take you in?"

"I saw some colleagues go to Lema Town to investigate you. They must be trying to follow the clues to find you."

"Ok?"

Song Xuan's eyes showed confusion again. Why were the people from the Imperial City Bureau investigating him?
The only people who can mobilize this organization are the royal talents.

"Empress Dowager Liu E?"

Song Xuan believed that the current Song Renzong was just a puppet and had no say in the court, let alone the ability to mobilize anyone.

"Shh, don't call me that." A hint of fear flashed across Boss Cao's face.
"Although she is a singing girl, she is not a soft-hearted person as she has climbed to the position of Queen Mother."

"Master, are you involved in some royal secret like the child-swapping scandal?"

Gang Leader Cao's eyes widened in shock at Song Xuan's words.

He had experienced Song Xuan's intelligence when he was young.

But being so smart really frightened Boss Cao. He was sure that he had kept his mouth shut and never said anything to anyone.

Even when he was drunk he wouldn't talk nonsense.

But how did Song Xuan guess it?

"Judging from your expression, that must be the case."

Song Xuan poured him a cup of hot tea:
"This isn't some secret. You don't need to panic. You're a nobody. People have already treated you like a piece of shit."

Boss Cao was still uneasy, holding the teacup:

"My good disciple, the situation is pressing, and you are still joking with me."

"I'm analyzing this for you, don't panic."

Song Xuan snorted and laughed:
"Master, since the people from the Imperial City Bureau are here to investigate me, then it must have nothing to do with you."

"Besides, I haven't used force against anyone since I came to Song City. How could they trace it back to you?"

"As long as you don't deliberately jump up and show off in front of others, why would those people bother to cause trouble for themselves and deliberately get involved in such a big secret about you?"

Anyone who gets involved in matters involving royal secrets will be in trouble.

When Gang Leader Cao heard this, his eyes suddenly lit up.

"That's the truth."

"But why did the Queen Mother send someone to investigate you?"

"My guess is that someone is trying to use Dou Chou's death to stir up trouble in the court. I don't know what they said, but the Queen Mother just casually gave an order, and the people below had to run around like crazy."

Song Xuan's words made Gang Leader Cao fall into deep thought.

What his apprentice said made sense, but he really couldn't understand:

"How can the court still use the dead Dou Chou to do things?"

"master."

Song Xuan poured himself another cup of tea:

“In fact, sometimes the dead are more useful than the living.”

Gang leader Cao subconsciously clenched his fists, stunned by Song Xuan's words.

After a long pause, he asked:

"In that case, why are the people from the Imperial City Bureau investigating you?"

"I don't know."

Song Xuan thought for a while.

It couldn't be that Empress Dowager Liu E had found out about the Dou family and wanted to take action against her.

So send people from the Imperial City Bureau to provide secret protection?

No matter how Song Xuan thought about it, he felt it was abnormal.

"But it just so happens that the Dou family sent assassins to kill me. I feel that waiting for them at home all the time is a bit passive, so I might as well take this opportunity to set up a trap and let them get involved."

"Hey." Gang Leader Cao grabbed Song Xuan's arm.
"My good disciple, please don't mess with the Imperial City Division. There are many people there who are difficult to deal with. I know that."

"The people you know are already this age, and I don't think they'll be on the front lines easily."

Song Xuan drank a sip of tea and then said:

"If you can find them all, it means they're pretty rough. Maybe they're newbies. We can make a plan and involve them."

"In this way, we can properly utilize official sanctions to directly eliminate the Dou family thousands of miles away, and at the same time, give them a heavy blow so that they can never recover. Otherwise, if we want to deal with the Dou family in Shaanxi Road, it will be beyond our reach."

Having said this, Gang Leader Cao looked at his extremely courageous disciple solemnly, and finally swallowed his words of advice, then said softly:

"If you need any help from me, just ask. But the Imperial City Division is really not easy to mess with. I'm putting this out there, and you can decide for yourself."

"Hey." Song Xuan said with a smile:

"Master, just put your mind at ease and let me figure out how to properly involve the Imperial City Division."

(End of this chapter)