White-robed Minister

59. [He truly loves opera!]

Xu Lai left the government office area, only to find his roommate Wen Zhonghe standing outside the state gate waiting for him.

"You didn't go back to the dormitory?" Xu Lai asked.

Wen Zhonghe came forward: "They've all gone back, leaving me here to wait for you."

Xu Lai casually asked, "Have you had lunch yet?"

"No, I'm afraid you'll come out right after I leave," Wen Zhonghe said.

Xu Lai said, "Then you go eat first."

Wen Zhonghe was somewhat anxious: "Who cares about eating now? Have you seen Master Yu?"

Xu Lai explained in detail: "I have seen it. The matter of flood control has been handed over to the Transport Commissioner. Next, they will definitely send people to investigate. It's impossible for the Commander and the Transport Commissioner to believe whatever we say. Only after the investigation is confirmed will a flood control strategy be formulated. Our reward will be issued then."

"That's good!"

Overjoyed, Wen Zhonghe couldn't help but ask again, "What do you think the reward will be?"

Xu Lai speculated, "Once this matter is accomplished, all of our names will definitely be recorded in the state school."

The school's academic record book will record the students' outstanding achievements.

If the prefect (or vice-prefect) approved the county magistrate's application, the prefectural school would also record the advanced deeds of the people in the form of an inscription. For example, Magistrate Shen of Qingyuan County submitted an application for Xu Lai to have his name recorded for killing bandits and donating silver.

Both records will be archived, and their stories will be included in the "Guangzhou Annals" in the future!

Therefore, the scholars who submitted the petition along with Xu Lai were bound to have their names recorded in the local annals.

As for other rewards, that depends on Yu Jing's wishes.

Upon hearing this, Wen Zhonghe didn't even bother to eat lunch before dragging Xu back to school, wanting to share the good news with everyone.

As soon as the two returned to their dormitory, the other students surrounded them.

Soon, the scholars from other dormitories also came to inquire about the situation.

Before Xu could even speak, Wen Zhonghe was already beaming and began to embellish his story.

"Very good!"

The scholars involved in the matter stood there grinning foolishly.

This concerns their future, and it's not just about gaining fame.

With a limited number of candidates selected for the imperial examinations, which candidates were eligible for promotion? Which were excluded?

First, look at the results.

Those who rank high in the state exam will definitely be able to get a solution.

Second, observe their character.

Those who have outstanding performance and whose character is praised by others will be given priority consideration by the prefect.

Third, consider qualifications.

Those who pass the imperial examinations two or three times in a row but fail to pass the provincial examinations will be given priority consideration by the prefect.

The scholars who surveyed water conservancy projects with Xu Lai were considered to have good "moral character" as long as their deeds were recorded. If they passed the imperial examinations, their chances of being reassigned to a lower-level post would greatly increase, even if a new prefect took over!

Those scholars were overjoyed, but the others were secretly unhappy.

There are only so many quotas available each year. Xu Lai and his people take up some of them, leaving even fewer for the rest.

Last year, a total of 77 quotas were allocated in Guangdong Province, with Guangzhou accounting for 24 of them, and the remaining 14 prefectures accounting for 53.

Of the 24 successful candidates in the imperial examinations in Guangzhou, more than 80% came from the state school!

Internal competition is exceptionally fierce.

"What's wrong with them?" Wen Zhonghe sensed something was off and asked Luo Dunxin in a low voice.

Luo Dunxin smiled and said, "You are still a student of the outer dormitory, so you don't know the true situation of the inner dormitory. The outer dormitory is harmonious, but the inner dormitory is only superficially harmonious. They could put on an act before, but now that we have made great contributions, they are so jealous that they can hardly keep up the pretense."

Yang Shu walked over and said, "These classmates from the inner dormitory came to inquire not to share our joy, but because they hope we fail."

Wen Zhonghe stood there, stunned, and suddenly felt that the inner room was terrifying.

The outer dormitory was great; everyone helped each other out. How come it changed when we moved to the inner dormitory?

That's not entirely true. For any given scholar, there are always a few truly close friends. No matter how fierce the competition, they remain friends; the friendships of youth are not so utilitarian.

"Let's go, let's go have some drinks, and let's invite Brother Liang and Brother Ding too."

"This does not comply with the boarding student rules. We have already been delayed this morning, and we cannot leave the dormitory without permission this afternoon."

"Then let's finish our meal and go again."

"..."

It's okay if day students don't come, as long as they don't miss the exam.

Boarding students are subject to much stricter requirements, and sometimes they even have their rooms checked at night.

As Yang Shu and the other inner students gradually left, Xu Lai was left with only his fellow students, who chattered incessantly around him.

The main question was about the details of his meeting with Yu Jing.

Xu Lai, growing somewhat impatient, rose and bowed, saying, "Gentlemen, please do not ask further questions. I have already said what needs to be said regarding the matters of several gentlemen. There are some things I cannot say. Today I have received a courtesy name, Xingzhi, as in Xinglai."

Those with quick minds were immediately taken aback upon hearing this, and then filled with envy.

Did you get a courtesy name just from meeting Yu Jing once?

This is a calligraphy bestowed upon me by Lord Yu!

A fellow scholar named Hong Yue said, "Congratulations on Xingzhi receiving a courtesy name from Master Yu."

"Just lucky," Xu Lai admitted.

Everyone realized what was happening and rushed forward to offer their congratulations, their envy evident in their expressions.

After a long commotion, the crowd finally dispersed.

Xu Lai stopped thinking about anything else and took out "Mencius Phonetic and Semantic Dictionary" to study it seriously.

When the meal ended, the scholars who had gone to Pujian Mountain together gathered again and agreed to drink and celebrate that night.

Xu Lai really didn't want to go through all that trouble; he was exhausted from being in the mountains these past few days.

Moreover, Yu Jing accepted him as a disciple at noon, and then violated school rules by leaving school that evening to drink, most likely at brothels. What would that sound like to Yu Jing?

"Let's do it another day. I've been tired for several days and want to go to bed early tonight," Xu Lai politely declined.

The group tried to persuade them a few more times, but when they couldn't convince them, they gave up and left together, chatting and laughing.

……

Before Shi Xun had even finished get off work, he summoned his advisor Liu Shizhong and said, "I have a task for you."

Liu Shizhong hurriedly asked what the job was.

Shi Xun said, "There's a student named Yang Shu at the state school. He might be a pivotal figure, or he might be exceptionally special. Anyway, inquire about him based on that. I need to know his details."

Liu Shizhong had done this kind of thing many times before.

At first, Liu Shizhong was somewhat resistant, after all, he had also passed the imperial examination and was inevitably somewhat reserved as a scholar. But he had no choice because he needed a job; Shi Xun was very good at making money and rewarded him handsomely.

After a while, it became a habit.

With Yu Jing protecting him, Shi Xun dared not touch Xu Lai, so he naturally took his anger out on Yang Shu.

Poor Yang Shisanlang, he got into trouble last year for assaulting someone, and now he's in trouble again.

Shi Xun was too lazy to deal with government affairs anymore, so he returned to the back of the magistrate's office early and ordered someone to summon the courtesans to relax.

This is a serious violation of discipline!

If strictly following the laws of the imperial court, it was only permitted to summon court entertainers to sing and dance for entertainment and drink at official banquets on statutory holidays.

Even officials attending banquets with prostitutes were considered to be in violation of the rules, punishable by eighty strokes of the cane! But generally no one cared.

About half an hour later, the courtesans arrived.

They weren't prostitutes, but a theatrical troupe.

The members included both men and women, and they wore various costumes. These were the main force among the courtesans; those who simply sold their bodies were actually fewer in number.

The magistrate's office was next to the prefectural government office. When the officials and entertainers entered the government office area from the prefectural gate, they had to go around several departments.

As the opera troupe passed by, officials in various government offices were all dumbfounded.

Sharing joy is worse than enjoying it alone. Just as they were preparing to set up a stage for the opera, Shi Xun summoned his concubine and children—his legal wife was too rigid, so Shi Xun did not bring her to Guangzhou.

The son, Shi Guoting, and the daughter, Shi Ranran, were not surprised at all by this and happily ran over to wait for the show to begin.

The courtesans performed zaju (a type of Chinese opera), a form of opera that was considered "orthodox" among the thirteen departments of the Song Dynasty's Jiaofang (Imperial Music Bureau).

This refers to the signature program of the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution).

Before long, Shi Xun, his concubines, and children were all amused by the actors and burst into laughter.

The knocking and banging were so loud that they reached the magistrate's office in the front yamen, startling the officials who all looked towards the back residence.

Is this even possible?

They've spent half their lives as officials, and today they've finally seen something new.

Not content with just watching the play, Shi Xun dragged his concubine to get dressed up and personally went on stage to perform for his children.

Shi Guoting gave his father a lot of face, not only cheering loudly but also singing along.

Shi Ranran clapped her hands happily.

Do you know why Fan Zhongyan was so angry when he visited the Shi family that he stormed off?

Perhaps due to her family background, Shi Xun did perform very well. With her superb artistic skills, she would definitely have been the top performer in a brothel.

He genuinely loves opera!

After finishing his performance, Shih Hsun returned to the audience to continue drinking and watching the show.

When his father was half-drunk, Shi Guoting seized the opportunity to say, "Father, why don't you go and sound him out? I genuinely admire the Sixth Lady of the Yu family. Grandfather and Master Yu are just casual acquaintances, so there's no need to discuss seniority..."

"Shut up!"

Although Shi Xun was drunk, his mind was perfectly clear: "Don't you even look in the mirror? Do you think you're good enough for Yu Liu Niang? Your father, I used to enjoy myself, but I passed the imperial examination before I was thirty. And you? I sent you to the prefectural school, and you actually went there a few days?"

"I go every day," Shi Guoting said.

Shi Xun slapped him, but his son dodged it beforehand.

He didn't chase after her to hit her, but instead scolded her, "You go to the state school every day? Do you think your father is stupid! You've only been in Guangzhou for two months, and you've already made a bunch of shady friends who spend their days running around fooling around!"

"I only go out to play occasionally, and I'm at home today, aren't I?" Shi Guoting said coquettishly. "Father, please go and ask her. I really like the Sixth Lady of the Yu family. I can't eat or drink, and I've gotten so thin from hunger."

Shi Xun actually enjoyed this disgusting display of coquetry, and said with amusement, "There's no use thinking about it. I guess Master Yu is about to find a son-in-law."

"Who is it?" Shi Guoting asked hurriedly.

Shi Xun said, "A student from the state, named Xu Lai."

"State student...Xu Lai..." Shi Guoting secretly memorized it.

Shi Xun warned, "Master Yu has taken him as his disciple. Even I dare not offend him, so you must not act rashly."

Shi Ranran suddenly interjected, "I know Xu Lai. I've heard Pianpian mention him. I've heard he writes excellent poetry."

Shi Guoting clenched his fists, sat there with his head down and remained silent.

The courtesans sang until nightfall, and Shi Xun finally had his fill of theatrical entertainment. He generously gave out tips, which pleased the courtesans greatly.

After the courtesans dispersed, Liu Shizhong, an advisor, approached and whispered, "We've found out everything about that Yang Shu..."