I was forced to cultivate immortality when I just wanted to lie down

Chapter 68 Oh, I won!
The mountains and forests of bells and tripods are all dreams, don't be alarmed by the honors and disgraces of the world. Just live your life in leisure.

Now that the three provincial examinations were over, Xu Qing walked out of the examination room and planned to return to the teahouse to listen to lectures.

At this time, three days had passed since he narrated the collection of Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio to Guo Dongyang. After these few days of polishing and refining, the other party must be able to sit down and comment on it.

As for the results of the provincial examination, Xu Qing did not care too much.

I think he had gone through several tests before he was reborn from death.

The ninth year is the exam, the twelfth year is the exam, and the sixteenth year is the defense.
After every one of these crucial exams, didn't he completely let himself go?
Now that he is taking part in the county and prefectural examinations, it is natural that he will be no exception.

On the other hand, the other candidates that year were all preoccupied. Even though the examination halls had already dispersed, many of them were still lingering in front of the yamen, constantly reviewing their gains and losses.

"I see you two are so proud of yourself. It looks like you will be among the top three when the results are announced tomorrow."

"This is truly enviable. With you guys here, I'm afraid I'll be lost in the crowd during this spring exam!"

Zhuang Zijun, known as the most talented man in Tianjin, came forward and praised the Wu brothers who came out together.

But would it be so easy for this talented man who has always been so arrogant to admit that others are better than him?
The next moment, Zhuang Zijun's followers and some candidates who were trying to curry favor with celebrities couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Brother Zhuang is too modest. The Wu brothers' poems are okay, but as for this policy paper, I heard that Brother Zhiyuan's family actually runs a paper-making shop."

Some people flattered and praised or criticized him just to please this most talented man in the city.

"Forgive my ignorance, but what kind of new business is this paper-making shop?"

"You've all heard of burning paper money and paper figurines during the Qingming Festival and the Double Ninth Festival to pay respect to ancestors, right? These are the items sold in paper figurine shops."

"That's such a shame. With someone like him, his vision is definitely not as broad as Brother Zhuang's. I'm afraid he can't write an excellent policy paper!"

Zhuang Zijun, who had once lost face in Yuying Pavilion, allowed several people to comment on him. When he felt that it was enough, he turned around and said, "Don't judge people by appearances. Zhiyuan and Wencai may not be as good as you in terms of policy writing, but in terms of poetry and calligraphy, you can't even come close."

Wu Wencai felt uncomfortable looking at Zhuang Zijun, who appeared humble but actually had hidden ulterior motives in his words. He took a step forward and wanted to refute him, but was pulled back by Wu Zhiyuan beside him.

"Everyone, Wencai and I have an appointment today, so I'll excuse myself first."

In the same place, some scholars with mediocre talents but high self-esteem are still entertaining themselves in the circle.

Wu Wencai had only taken a few steps when he couldn't help but ask, "Brother, why are you and I backing down? My uncle's paper-making shop hasn't slashed a cent in taxes. If it weren't for his hard work day and night cutting paper to support our studies, how could we have the knowledge we have today?"

"Why are we inferior to others in their eyes?"

Hearing this, Wu Zhiyuan stopped and looked at Wu Wencai, shaking his head slightly.

"Wencai, do you still remember Mr. Guo's wise words?" He smiled and sighed, "People in this world are surrounded by people when they are rich and powerful; only when they are poor and humble can they show their true feelings."

“Instead of arguing endlessly with people who have nothing to do with us, it is better for you and me to spend a moment with people who get along well with us.”

As soon as Wu Zhiyuan finished speaking, Wu Wencai's frustration was instantly swept away.

"I'm just too petty." Wu Wencai let out his frustration and sighed, "No wonder Brother Xu is able to befriend Mr. Guo. Look, after every exam, he disappears without a trace, never vying for fame or fortune."

Wu Zhiyuan felt the same way: "Their level is something you and I will never be able to reach in our lifetime."

Little did they know that the person they were talking about was, one, a wandering scholar with a carefree nature, while the other was an immortal who had broken free from the shackles of the living and wandered beyond the boundaries between immortals and mortals.

This gap is not something that ordinary people can bridge.

But they are also happy to be ordinary people.

The average person's lifespan is only a few decades, but Taigong, at seventy, was still fishing.

Now that the Wu brothers have chosen their own path, they are on the right track.

As to whether Zhuang Zijun, who covets fame after the provincial examination, and the Wu brothers, who understand the future, will meet, and what the situation will be like then, it is still unknown.

On the way, the two Wu brothers had just started talking about Xu Qing when someone's voice came from behind them.

"Let's go together. I'll treat you to tea at the teahouse. Lao Guo happens to have new stories to tell these days. If you go early, you might be able to listen to two performances."

Wu Wencai asked in surprise, "Why did Brother Xu just leave the examination room? I thought he would leave early, just like he did during the county exam."

Xu Qing looked helpless. "That's what I thought, but I ran into an acquaintance in the exam room and chatted with him for a while, so that delayed me."

The acquaintance he was referring to was Zhang Jun, who used to work as a yamen runner in the Linhe government office.

The two later met again in the attic of Miss Shuyu in Shuhuang Pavilion.

This ordinary yamen runner, who once decided to sacrifice his life for a chance to gain wealth for the sake of love, was spotted by the eunuchs around the prince because of his heroic battle against the Tianxin sect bandits to protect the prince. The eunuchs gave him a chance to serve the prince.

Faced with this infatuated man who was infatuated with women, Xu Qing wanted to say something several times, but in the end he couldn't open his mouth.

Zhang Jun was handsome and ruthless, and the old eunuch beside the prince also liked this aspect of him.

Xu Qing still remembered that when the eunuch called him away, Zhang Jun called him godfather.

If nothing unexpected happens, by the time the prince returns to Beijing, Zhang Jun will probably lose at least a few pounds.

Maybe once he really gets rid of the root of his troubles, he won't lick women like this anymore?
Xu Qing thought this in his mind, and finally did not say anything to the other party.

I just don't know how this kid managed to win the favor of the prince's attendants during the few days he was away from Linhe.

But after thinking about it, Xu Qing felt relieved. The other party had been pursuing Miss Shuyu for so many years, and had followed Miss Shuyu all the way from thousands of miles away to Linhe. With so much experience accumulated, it didn't seem difficult for him to please the old eunuch.

On the way back from the exam, the three of them walked together. When they arrived at the teahouse, Guo Dongyang was telling a new story called "Xiangyu".

This is also a ghost story in Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio, which tells the love entanglement between the scholar Huang Sheng and the two flower demons Xiangyu and Jiangxue.

The three of them walked into the teahouse, and Xu Qing saw many familiar faces at first sight.

A lean man leans against a doorway, a knife slung at his waist. A woman in a tight suit stands on the second-floor corridor, arms folded across her chest, her sharp, almond-shaped eyes scanning the surroundings.
As soon as Xu Qing saw these people, he knew who was coming.

In the teahouse, Zhu Huaian saw three people at the door and waved to them eagerly.

Then Xu Qing and the others saw the fat boy arrogantly pushing out the tea drinkers at the same table, which immediately caused a round of scolding and commotion.

But when a rough man who was over nine feet tall and whose head could touch the beam of the house stood up behind the fat man, the tea drinkers became quiet again.

Xu Qing and the other two came forward, and Zhu Huaian asked them to sit down. Then he put his hands together to make a silencing gesture, indicating that they should listen to the story first before greeting each other.

"Infinite lovesickness and pain,

Looking at the short window with affection.

Fear of returning to Shazhali,
Where can I find the unparalleled?

Guo Dongyang knocked on the table and opened a very mysterious scroll of book with a poem to set the scene.

It was getting late and everyone dispersed.

It was only then that Xu Qing learned from Guo Dongyang that while he was writing furiously in the examination room, Zhu Huaian came to listen to lectures every day for three consecutive days.

So much so that the little fat boy can now occasionally improvise a segment.

Guo Dongyang also joked that Zhu Huaian has a talent for storytelling and a recognizable appearance. If one can settle down and follow him for a while, he might be able to inherit his legacy in the future.

But when he learned that this idle young man was the only son of Prince Changting, he immediately stopped talking.

Let the prince of a different surname become a low-class storyteller?
What's the difference between this and asking royal family members to bend down and pick up manure? Guo Dongyang believes that he does not have the ability to do this.

However, Zhu Huaian seemed to be really moved and almost took Guo Dongyang as his master.

In the evening, not long after Prince Zhu returned home, a group of young and old suddenly came to the teahouse where the number of customers was gradually decreasing.

The old man in the lead was helped to sit down by a middle-aged man and a young man.

When Guo Dongyang saw this person, he immediately stopped talking and went forward to greet him personally.

"Mr. Tian She, I hope you are well."

"I am still well and can still travel a hundred miles to take the exam."

The old man, respected as Tian Shegong, had a smile on his face, but he could not hide the fatigue between his brows.

When the Wu brothers saw this man, their expressions also turned respectful. Xu Qing also recognized this man. He was the oldest candidate for the provincial examination this time. He was said to be seventy years old.

Accompanying him to take the exam was his great-grandson who had just come of age.

"Dongyang, I passed the imperial examination at the age of twenty-nine. Since then, I have taken the provincial examination every three years, but I have failed repeatedly. This is my fourteenth attempt. If I fail again, I'm afraid I won't have the chance to come to Tianjin again."

"I really envy you. You passed the exam at the age of seventeen and became a student on government stipend. I have spent my entire life trying to achieve my wish."

Guo Dongyang shook his head and laughed when he heard this.

Things in the world are unpredictable and cannot be determined by human beings. Although he has the talent to pass the imperial examinations, he has no interest in taking them.

On the contrary, some people who aspire to fame and fortune may not necessarily possess the corresponding talents.

"Mr. Tian She, it's you!" Guo Dongyang seemed to be very familiar with Tian She, and his tone of voice was like an old friend, or like a pair of teacher and student regardless of age difference.

"Tell me, wouldn't it be nice to spend your retirement at home? You're already over seventy years old. This is God's blessing. You deserve to live out your days in peace, enjoy the happiness of your children and grandchildren, and the happiness of living with your family."

"Why are you so obsessed with fame?"

Upon hearing this, Tian Shegong also shook his head and laughed.

"Dongyang, you are the laughing stock. If I asked you to give up storytelling and retake the imperial examination, what would you do?"

"Everyone has his or her own ambitions, and you can't force them."

Guo Dongyang, upon hearing this, disagreed. "Have you forgotten the Yellow Millet Dream I told you when you were fifty? Even if you pass the imperial examination now, what good will it do?"

Tian Shegong laughed heartily and said, "Let your name be recorded in history!"

Guo Dongyang was stunned for a moment, then pointed at the old man in front of him and laughed, "How many talented people have longed to leave their names in history but couldn't. I never thought that you would find the way."

"It's a pity. Only if I can pass the exam this time can I become famous." Tian Shegong sighed softly, then looked at Xu Qing and the other two.

"You're still the best. Is this your new friend?"

Guo Dongyang nodded. Looking at the crowd of people, young and old, he suddenly smiled playfully and said, "Mr. Tian She, I'd like to introduce you to something."

"Zhiyuan can be the first in this provincial examination. His literary talent can be the first or second in the imperial examination. As for Brother Xu..."

Xu Qing raised an eyebrow and looked at Guo Dongyang, who was commenting on the situation and predicting the ranking of the provincial examination, and waited for the next words.

"Brother Xu was just like me back then, a scoundrel who only coveted the conveniences of being a student, not fame!"

Xu Qing's eyelids twitched. Could it be that Ning also knew how to judge people?

A thin mist was spreading, and when the sky was about to brighten, a slender figure appeared in Baishui Hutong, Tianjin.

Miss Shuyu, who once worshipped Qin Xiangzhu of Tianxin Sect as her adoptive father, is seeing her "lover" off.

The warm and soft jade enters my arms, but is separated from me at the first touch.

Even so, Zhang Jun, who came for the private meeting, looked very satisfied.

After seeing Zhang Jun off, Shuyu's smile faded, and her pretty face looked like mist and frost, indifferent and heartless.

When they returned to the house in the alley, the evil people from the Tianxin Sect who were hiding inside came out one after another.

The leader was none other than Bai Luo, the guardian in a plain white robe. Beside him was a woman in a green tight-fitting outfit, who was Qing Luo, one of the five guardians of Tianxin Sect.

"Reporting to the Protector, I have sprinkled tracking powder on him. Once he returns, we can track down the prince."

Poirot glanced at Miss Shuyu, whose eyes were full of affection for him, then turned and said, "The Crown Prince is old and lustful. Last time, due to an unexpected incident, he was unable to spend the night with Miss Hanmeng."

"Qingluo, you can disguise yourself as a maid and find a way to accompany Miss Han Meng to get closer to the Crown Prince. Remember to be safe."

Qing Luo glanced at Bai Luo, whose eyes suddenly softened, and without saying a word, turned around and left the house.

Tianjin government office.

The prefect, together with the chief official of Baisha County, the assistant official of Quyang County and other important figures, accompanied the prince in the government office to prepare for the announcement of the results.

At three quarters past noon, the red list of candidates for the provincial examination was announced.

Xu Qing and others went there together, and hundreds of candidates stood in front of the yamen, tiptoeing and looking forward to it.

The supervising official held the list in his hand and allowed the official to post the list outside while he announced the names of the top three candidates in the provincial examination according to the order on the list.

"In the eighty-third year of the Qianyuan reign, in the year of Xu and Ji, the top three candidates in the Tianjin Prefecture Examination were Wu Zhiyuan."

"Wu Wencai, the top scholar in the imperial examination."

"Yaquiliko."

There was an uproar in the crowd in front of the government office.

Zhuang Zijun, who considered himself the most talented man in Tianjin, felt as if he had lost his parents and wished he could cover his face and run away.

When Wu Zhiyuan heard that he had won the first place in the case, he was stunned for a long time.

He had studied hard for ten years, and his family elders had gray hair, in order to support his studies. Now, upon hearing the good news, he felt an indescribable surge of emotions in his heart.

I really want to let my two elder parents who are waiting for news at home know this news as soon as possible.

On the side, Wu Wencai clapped his hands with a smile, unable to hide his joy.

"Ah, I passed! This scholar is not difficult!"

Xu Qing looked at his proud expression and thought to himself, if I don't pass the exam, you will have to pay the taxes for the next few months.

Guo Dongyang, who came with the three people, coughed. It was Wu Wencai's casual words that touched a sore spot for an old man.

Mr. Tian She was waiting anxiously. His great-grandson squeezed into the crowd and took a long time to finish reading the red list and come back to reply.

"Congratulations, Brother Xu! You're ranked fourth, one place higher than Zhuang Zijun, the most talented person in Tianjin."

Upon hearing this, Tian Shegong leaned on his cane and asked anxiously, "Where is your grandfather?"

The Tian family's grandson was silent for a moment, then said, "I also passed the imperial examination this time."

Tian Shegong's breath hitched, and he suppressed his emotions for a moment. He praised his grandson for a few words, and then said with a hint of meaning: "If you and I pass the exam at the same time, it would be considered a good story."

The Tian family's grandson's scalp tightened and his face turned bitter. After a long while, he stammered, "Grandpa, your name is not on the list."

"Ho~"

Old Master Tian almost couldn't catch his breath, and his expression became visibly gloomy.

At this moment, the supervisor who had announced the top three names came to the yamen gate in a hurry. Without even wiping the sweat off his face, he opened his mouth and said loudly:

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has granted special permission, and the prefect has guaranteed that because Tian She has studied diligently and taken exams year after year, despite failing to pass, he is recognized for his unwavering commitment to serving his country, and is hereby granted a stipend. He will receive eight dou of stipend rice per month to supplement his food needs, and ten taels of silver per year to support his studies."

To be admitted as a student on government stipend, one must be a candidate for the imperial examination and at the same time be guaranteed by others, with no unclear background or impostor status.

Similar to special recruitment.

After this was said, the Supervisor added: "Since Tian She is seventy-one years old, over seventy, and not contributing to the construction work, he may be allowed to retire and enjoy his old age."

Officials usually resigned and retired at the age of seventy, leaving their cars unused. This is why there is a saying that "retiring from official duties and leaving the car unused"

The prince's move not only warmed the hearts of students all over the world, but also prevented those failed candidates who did not enjoy special treatment from developing prejudice. It can be said that he achieved multiple goals at one stroke.

Outside the yamen, Tian Shegong, who was in a daze with Xu Qing and others, suddenly opened his eyes wide.

At this moment, he seemed to see the scene of heaven.

“I won?”

"I'm hit!"

As soon as these words fell, Tian Shegong's eyes went dark and he lost consciousness completely.

　Two chapters in one
　　
　
(End of this chapter)