coobybook Chapter 949 Good News from Yunmeng Mountain (Part 1)
Chapter 949 Good News from Yunmeng Mountain (Part 1)
Liu Dafeng glanced at Lu Wen, then turned to Zhang's father and explained:
“Bigger than him.” He paused slightly, emphasizing his words, “and much, much bigger.”
How can a mere seventh-rank official, especially one sent to a remote area, compare to a top scholar?
His Majesty personally decreed that the top scholar would be appointed to the sixth rank of officialdom, and would most likely be assigned to an important department, or even remain by His Majesty's side.
A sixth-rank official in the capital, and a relatively young one at that, his future prospects were worlds apart from those of Lu Wen, the county magistrate.
"Good...good...good, he's made something of himself, I can finally face his mother with a clear conscience."
Seeing that Zhang's father had calmed down a bit, Liu Dafeng smiled and said, "Old man, it's windy here, not a place to stay for long."
"His Majesty's gifts must be delivered to your home for safekeeping. Would you mind inviting us to your residence for a visit?"
Zhang's father finally came to his senses and nodded hurriedly: "Oh, oh! If you don't mind the simplicity of my home, sir, I will certainly treat you all well."
The group prepared to leave the paddy field.
Upon seeing this, Magistrate Lu immediately stepped forward and reached out his hands to help Zhang's father up.
"Sir! Please slow down and watch your step. Let me help you!"
To be honest, Lu Wen really went all out. Zhang's father was only in his forties, not much older than him, yet he kept calling him "Grandpa."
Mr. Zhang had never been treated like this before. He was so frightened that he waved his hands repeatedly, involuntarily shrinking back, and frantically shouting, "No, you mustn't!"
Lu Wen saw that the old man was dodging and resisting, refusing to let him help him up.
Liu Dafeng, standing to the side, stared at himself in silence, suddenly feeling beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead.
The fact that the old man refused to let him help him shows that he usually neglects these poor people.
If this Minister Liu from the Ministry of Rites were to take notice of me and I were to report him, I would be in deep trouble.
"Master, please allow me to do my best. You are an elder, and it is only right that I help you!"
One person was desperately trying to help, while the other was desperately trying to dodge. The surrounding villagers watched this absurd scene with mixed feelings.
Zhangjia Village, as the name suggests, is where the vast majority of people share the surname Zhang.
Going back a few generations, we are all relatives of the same lineage, sharing the same ancestral hall and worshipping the same ancestors.
However, over the years, as the family has grown and each family has faced different circumstances, human relationships have gradually become distant.
Especially for Zhang Laonian's branch of the family, their financial situation became increasingly dire, making them the target of ridicule from many people in the village, and an object of estrangement from them openly.
If they had been more helpful to Zhang Qian and his son in their daily lives and refrained from gossiping, wouldn't the benefits have extended to the entire village today, with everyone reaping some rewards?
Unfortunately, there is no regret medicine in the world.
Zhang's father, without Lu Wen's help, walked through the crowd towards his home.
As his gaze swept across the edge of the crowd, the sharp-tongued woman immediately lowered her head guiltily.
The woman's face was no longer tinged with sarcasm; she forced a fawning smile, her eyes darting around, her hands nervously twisting the hem of her coarse cloth dress.
He wanted to say something flattering, but it felt like his throat was stuffed with cotton, and he couldn't utter a single word.
Zhang's father looked at her, his cloudy eyes showing no trace of pride.
He simply stopped a few steps away from the woman.
The surroundings fell silent instantly, and everyone's eyes were focused on the two of them. Liu Dafeng and Lu Wen also stopped and watched silently.
Zhang's father looked at the woman and slowly spoke:
“My son is not a good-for-nothing.”
There were no questions, no rebukes, just a calm statement of a fact.
The woman's face turned deathly pale instantly, and she nodded hastily, "Yes, yes, yes, the top scholar is the God of Literature descended from heaven! I was blinded by greed and talked nonsense! Old Nian... no, Old Master Zhang, you are a magnanimous man, please don't take offense at this foolish woman!"
Zhang's father ignored her pleas for mercy and simply looked at her silently for a moment.
Then, as if he suddenly remembered something, he spoke again:
"Would you still buy my land?"
. . . . . .
Another team carrying good news traveled all the way and finally arrived at the foot of Yunmeng Mountain.
Faced with the majestic mountain range shrouded in mist and covered in verdant peaks, the leading officials from the Ministry of Rites exchanged bewildered glances, their faces showing signs of difficulty.
A younger official scratched his head, looked at his colleague, and asked in a low voice, "Brother Wang, what does the official letter say? This Yunmeng Mountain area spans hundreds of miles, with countless peaks and ridges. Where should we go to find... that old gentleman to deliver the good news?"
When asked, the official surnamed Wang looked helplessly through the document book in his hand, shook his head with a wry smile, and said, "It only says the three words 'Yunmeng Mountain,' nothing else, not even a specific peak or cave name."
The young master of ceremonies sighed and lowered his voice, saying, "Before coming here, I made a point of chatting with Lin Qingyuan, the third-ranked scholar."
"According to him, their master is elusive and may be in seclusion in the mountains or traveling the world."
"Moreover... if that old gentleman doesn't want to show himself, I'm afraid even if we turn the mountain upside down, we might not be able to find his trace."
Upon hearing this, another colleague tentatively suggested, "In that case...why don't we place the rewards in a conspicuous spot at the foot of the mountain, leave a note explaining the arrangement, and then return to the capital to report? Surely His Majesty will understand..."
"Absolutely not!" The official surnamed Wang immediately rejected the idea, his brows furrowed. "The third-ranked scholar Lin Qingyuan, the second-ranked scholars Wu Xun and Chen Guanxin, and the third-ranked scholars Zhu Mo and Zhao Qi..."
"In this imperial examination, the Yunmeng Mountain school produced a total of eight Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest level of the imperial examination)! What an achievement this is!"
"If we fail to convey His Majesty's decree, and His Majesty were to blame us, who among us could bear the responsibility?"
He paused, looked at the misty mountains, gritted his teeth, and said, "For now, there's only one clumsy way left!"
"We will set up our ceremonial guards right here, play our instruments, and sing the good news aloud."
"Since Yunmeng Mountain is a blessed land of immortals, that old gentleman must possess supernatural powers. If he hears this and is moved by His Majesty's sincerity, he might just show himself!"
An older official standing nearby looked worried and said, “Brother Wang, this is Yunmeng Mountain! That person is the legendary disciple of Guiguzi, a reclusive master!”
"If we make a scene here, aren't we disturbing their peaceful practice? What if we offend the master...?"
Wang, the official in charge of rites, steeled his resolve and rallied the troops, saying, "So what if they are reclusive masters? We are officials of rites appointed by His Majesty, representing the face of the court and proclaiming the boundless grace of the Emperor!"
"Under the whole heaven, all land belongs to the king! No matter how mysterious Yunmeng Mountain is, can it be more dangerous than the royal tent of the Khitan Khan or the yamen of the Mohe chieftain?"
"When we were sent on a mission to the borderlands, we did not flinch even with a knife to our throats. How can we show our fear at the foot of this sacred mountain today?"
His words stirred the passion in the assembled officials, who all nodded in agreement: "What Your Highness says is absolutely right, just as it should be!"
Without further ado, the group found a flat, open spot at the foot of the mountain, set up their full ceremonial guard, and the accompanying drum and music troupe gave it their all.
In an instant, the sound of gongs and drums filled the air, and the high-pitched suona horns broke the tranquility of the mountains with their festive melodies.
Wang Liguan took a deep breath, gathered his inner energy, and shouted loudly towards the vast mountains:
"Good news! Lin Qingyuan, a student from Guishan, has achieved the third-highest rank in the imperial examination of the first year of the Tianxing era, becoming a Tan Hua (third-ranked scholar)! The Emperor's grace is boundless, and this is to announce this joyous occasion!"
The loud voice echoed through the valley, startling several birds into flight.
However, apart from the echo, the mountain remained shrouded in mist and there was no further movement.
After Wang Liguan finished speaking, he listened for a moment, and a hint of embarrassment appeared on his face as he looked at his colleagues.
Another official quickly encouraged him, "Don't stop, keep shouting!"
"Report the names of the eight Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) from Yunmeng Mountain, one by one, so that the immortal masters of the mountain can hear how illustrious their disciples are!"
Wang Liguan steadied himself and shouted again:
"Good news! Wu Xun, a student from Guishan, has achieved the top rank in the second class of the imperial examination in the first year of the Tianxing era! The Emperor's grace is boundless, and this is to announce this joyous occasion!"
......
"Good news—Chen Guanxin, a student from Guishan, has passed the high school entrance exam..."
......
"Good news—Zhu, a student from Guishan, whose given name is Mo..."
......
He named seven or eight students in a row, singing the praises of all the outstanding students from Yunmeng Mountain this year.
. . . . . .
Deep in the sea of clouds, atop a precipitous mountain peak, lies a simple bamboo house.
An elderly man with white hair and beard and a gaunt face sat cross-legged, seemingly lost in thought.
The deafening sounds of gongs and drums, along with faint cries of good news, drifted from the foot of the mountain, piercing through the clouds and slowly waking him from his meditation.
He opened his bright eyes, his unusual double pupils seeming to hold the movement of stars.
He subconsciously rubbed his slightly deflated stomach and muttered, "Hmm...why is it so noisy?"
Immediately, he moved with the lightness of a feather and silently arrived at a protruding boulder on the mountaintop, where he listened intently downwards.
Upon hearing "Lin Qingyuan" and "Third Place in the First Class," he couldn't help but furrow his white brows slightly and hummed softly:
"Qingyuan, this child, has a superior foundation and comprehension. He has also received seven or eight parts of my true teachings in literature and classics. How come he only got third place?"
"Hmph, does this young emperor... have any discernment when it comes to people?!"
However, he soon heard familiar names such as Wu Xun, Chen Guanxin, and Zhu Mo, and learned that all of his disciples had passed the exam with flying colors and none had failed.
The old man's displeasure vanished instantly. He stroked his long, snow-white beard with satisfaction and nodded: "Well, it seems this emperor does have some ability; he knows how to appoint people according to their talents."
"My disciples have not wasted their talents and failed to live up to my teachings over the years."
He then looked down at the foot of the mountain, rubbed his stomach, and muttered to himself, "I wonder if the things the little emperor sent included anything to eat... these unfilial disciples!"