I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 6 The Pleasure Boat and the Merchant Guild

"Zijie, instead of going to study in seclusion, what are you shouting about?"

A reprimanding voice came from the main room, and a middle-aged man with a stocky build and a serene face came out.

"Your unworthy nephew Xue Xiang greets your maternal uncle."

Xue Xiang put down the gift and knelt on the ground.

Xue Xiangli paid homage to Song Yuan out of gratitude for Song Yuan's continued care for his family.

Song Yuan and his mother were cousins ​​from the same grandfather.

The two had been friends since childhood, but their families moved to Yunmeng City one after the other, so their relationship was not considered very close.

However, Song Yuan put in a lot of effort in Xue Xiang's role as secretary.

"Brother Song, who is this gentleman?"

A fat man in a red robe followed them out of the main room.

"Please rise quickly, please rise quickly."

Song Yuan quickly helped Xue Xiang up, brushed the dust off his legs, and then introduced Xue Xiang to the fat man in the red robe.

"So it's your nephew! Tall and handsome, with a radiant spirit. The nephew resembles his uncle, just as I thought."

The fat man in the red robe glanced at the flying fish emblem on Xue Xiang's chest and showered him with flattery.

Song Yuan laughed heartily, "Manager Yu, this is my nephew, the clerk of the Seventh Courtyard of Jiufen Mountain. He's much better than me, his uncle..."

The fat man in the red robe's eyes lit up. He exchanged a few flattering words and then took his leave.

After the fat man in the red robe left, Song Yuan grabbed Xue Xiang and began to express his feelings frantically.

He was clearly very excited about Xue Xiang's visit today.

Only after the two pots of tea were finished and Song Yuan had finished imparting his not-so-sophisticated workplace experience, did Xue Xiang seize the opportunity to get up and take his leave.

Song Yuan insisted on inviting him to stay for a meal, but Xue Xiang managed to escape by using official business as an excuse.

Before he could even leave Mao'er Lane, someone patted him on the shoulder. Turning around, he saw the same fat man in red robes he had met at his uncle's house earlier.

"So it's Steward Yu. May I ask what brings you here?"

Xue Xiang bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

"Lord Xue, may I have a word with you in private?"

The fat man in the red robe pointed to the Fortune Tea House on the west side.

"I'm just a lowly clerk, I don't deserve the title of 'sir,' just call me Xiao Xue."

Xue Xiang had no idea what he was up to, but he figured it wouldn't hurt to listen.

Upon reaching the private room on the second floor of Fuyun Teahouse, after a pot of fragrant tea and four kinds of pastries were served, the fat man in the red robe bowed and said, "My name is Yu Kuan, and I am the manager of the Red Lantern Opera House."

"But that red-lanterned opera boat that performs once a year for half a year, traveling along the Grand Canal, through three prefectures, twelve counties, and sixty cities?"

Xue Xiang had heard of the Red Lantern Opera Boat, a very famous opera boat with extremely high popularity during its annual tours.

"Exactly."

Yu Kuandao said, "In previous years, the tour would have already started from Suiyang River by this time."

Unfortunately, the main boat's keel was damaged this year, requiring skilled craftsmen to repair it.

It's too late to transfer people from elsewhere. If we delay for another half month, the Suiyang River will freeze over, and this year's tour will be canceled.

The only option is to ask a master from Yunmeng City for a shortcut and travel through Yunshan to barely make it in time.

But who knew that Xingyun Mountain would be occupied by a band of mountain bandits called Guoshanfeng, who were quite powerful and caused quite a commotion.

Even the two well-known escort agencies in Yong'an City, Changfeng and Xuanwei, have been destroyed.

We invited several sects, but they all shook their heads when they heard that we had to travel through the Cloud Mountain.

Having no other choice, they had to ask the government for help. It would be best if the Yunmeng Guard could be dispatched, but at the very least, it would be good if the patrol team could send people.

In the past day or two, I visited countless people, but to no avail.

Today, I went to my maternal uncle's house for this very reason. My uncle is exceptionally generous and has a wide circle of friends; I had hoped he could be of assistance.

Unexpectedly, my uncle was too busy with official duties to attend to me.

"Thank God, I met Clerk Xue, and that's why I had the audacity to beg for help."

"Manager Yu, I am just a lowly clerk with limited abilities."

However, since you've come to me, I will speak to my superiors on your behalf if the opportunity arises.

Xue Xiang was just being polite; using the Yunmeng Guards and patrol teams was beyond his control.

Why should he create trouble for himself?

Undeterred, Yu Kuan escorted him out of the teahouse, left the address of his inn, and hurriedly went to find other avenues.

As noon approached, Xue Xiang returned home, and the aroma of braised pork hock and lotus root wafted from the kitchen.

Liu Mei squatted by the flower bed, tending to the frost-covered cabbages. Her tight winter clothes accentuated her slender waist and full hips.

Upon seeing Xue Xiang return, she went up to him and pulled him to wash his hands, as if he were still a child.

After the family finished their meal in a lively atmosphere, Xue Xiang returned to his room and, without fail, completed the process of guiding the spirit into his body. He then began to silently recite the final text annotated by Xie Haiya.

The so-called "fixed text" refers to the essay with a fixed format prescribed for the imperial examinations. It is quite similar to the "eight-legged essay" and mainly tests the understanding of Confucian classics.

Having experienced the power of authority through Liu Er's incident, Xue Xiang became even more eager to gain fame and fortune.

Therefore, he must master the fixed text.

This busy work lasted until evening.

He beckoned the little one who was eagerly circling outside the door and taught her to read.

While the little guy was reciting, he picked up the axe and chopped up a pile of newly bought logs in the yard.

Hearing the commotion, Liu Mei rushed out and reached out to snatch his axe, but he picked her up around the waist. Embarrassed, Liu Mei ran away with her face flushed red, and dared not pay him any more attention.

When the snowstorm was raging, the family finished their dinner around the stove. Xue Xiang coaxed the little guy with several stories before going back to his room to rest.

He lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, worrying about his future.

Based on his current understanding, the difficulty of drawing spirits into his body indicates that his cultivation aptitude is undoubtedly extremely poor.

Furthermore, his ability to maneuver within the public sector and his level of spiritual cultivation will ultimately determine the heights he can reach in the future.

We must find a way.

Xue Xiang rubbed his head. "It seems that if I don't have enough natural talent, I can only make up for it with resources."

How do we get resources? We'll probably have to rely on Xie Yuanzun's coattails.

………………

On the fourth day of the lunar new year, after a light snowfall, the plum blossom hall was filled with snow.

Xue Xiang was organizing official documents in the side room when Xie Haiya's roar came from inside.

Xue Xiang was taken aback; in his memory, Xie Haiya was quite well-mannered.

Through the vent in the side room, he saw Xie Haiya, his face ashen, flying into a rage, while the head and two deputy heads of the first room remained silent and submissive.

After listening for a while, he got a general idea of ​​what was going on.

However, it was Jiahe Trading Company, the largest trading company in Yunmeng City, that wanted to relocate its town to Yong'an City, the county seat.

Jiahe Trading Company's main business is auctions. It holds three auctions a year, each of which is a grand event that attracts no fewer than 100,000 people to Yunmeng.

It plays a vital role in boosting the economy and promoting commercial prosperity in Yunmeng City.

In the Great Xia Divine Kingdom, the economic prosperity of a city or region is a key indicator for promotion.

Xie Haiya was in charge of the Seventh Academy, which was responsible for education and commerce.

If the seal of authority is indeed transferred, the first to suffer will be the city magistrate, and the second will be Xie Haiya.

Judging from Xie Haiya's words, he had sent the three heads of the First Office—one director and two deputy directors—to discuss the matter with Old Master Dong Jiacun, the head of Zhangjiahe, but they couldn't dispel Old Master Dong's determination to relocate the town.

(End of this chapter)