Chapter 55: The Gathering of the Golden Carp Scholars (Part 1)

  Not to mention the right and wrong in Jia's mansion, let alone Lin Zhiyuan went out of the back street early in the morning and rushed straight to Tong Taifu's mansion.

  The Tong family lived in the Golden Carp Lane, an ancestral mansion that had been passed down for generations. To its left was the residence of Deng Daoren, a veteran official who had served three dynasties, and to its right was the home of Xianyuan Junzhu. In front of the black lacquered gate stood four household guards, each dressed in uniform, exuding an air of majesty. Along the wall at the corner gate were lined up over a dozen carriages, some of which were exceptionally luxurious while others looked shabby and worn out. Zhiyuan guessed that these people probably had the same purpose as himself, to pay their respects to the examiner in advance.

  "Grandpa, it seems that Lord Tong's place is packed with guests," Han Sheng said in a low voice beside Lin Zhiyuan. "Do you want me to go and gather some information?"

  Lin Zhiyuan's mouth curled up in a smile, "No need to look at the servants of several families dressed neatly and cautiously, it should be the rules of famous families. Looking at those ordinary carriages, although their clothes are simple, but they are not humble or arrogant, their owners must be extraordinary people. You went there, may not be able to find out anything, we just go in, maybe we can see the masters of these families."

  Han Sheng nodded and ran to the front door to report Lin Zhiyuan's name.

  The little gatekeeper received the visiting card and went in to report. Before long, a middle-aged man with the appearance of a steward came out to greet him.

  "So this is Mr. Lin. I'm so sorry, we have a distinguished guest at home today, and my father said, please ask Mr. Lin to sit in the living room for a moment, and wait until he's free to meet with you again. Please, Mr. Lin."

  The steward of the Tong Mansion led Lin Zhiyuan to the living room in the front yard, where he saw four or five young scholars, some chatting and laughing, others meditating with their eyes closed. As soon as they saw the steward of the Tong Mansion, everyone stood up to greet him.

  The housekeeper smiled and said, "Gentlemen, please don't be in a hurry. The master is still entertaining guests in the backyard and will need some time. If you have any urgent matters, just leave a message and we will certainly pass it on to the master."

  Everyone present is a candidate for the imperial examination, and it's said that Lord Tong has a good chance of becoming the chief examiner this time. They've all come to pay their respects with the utmost sincerity, so how could they bear to leave easily? At least they want to see him once before leaving. As soon as they catch sight of a young man standing beside the steward of the Tong estate, everyone understands that he is also one of them.

  Some people were on their guard and quietly stood at a distance; others saw Lin Zhiyuan's extraordinary attire, his elegant appearance, and the noble air about him, and had the intention of striking up a conversation.

  Lin Zhiyuan waited until the steward of the Tong manor left before finding a spot near the gate to sit down. The young servants busied themselves clearing away the leftover tea from the table and setting out new fruit platters.

  A young scholar in his early twenties, with a refined appearance, walked up to Lin Zhiyuan and asked with cupped hands: "I am Pang Wen'an, may I ask if you are also here to seek guidance from Lord Tong?"

  Lin Zhiyuan hastily stood up: "Brother Pang is too polite, my surname is Lin Zhiyuan, a native of Gusu, I've heard that Lord Tong's knowledge is vast and profound, so I came to pay my respects."

  Pang Wen'an said: "It turns out to be Brother Lin, nice to meet you. But since Brother Lin is a native of Suzhou, why didn't he stay at home and study for the exam instead of coming to the capital? Is it that Brother Lin's household registration is actually in the imperial capital?" At this time, there was a national regulation that people from all over the country who participated in the provincial examination had to return to their place of origin and could not take the exam nearby, disrupting the normal order.

  Before Lin Zhiyuan could respond, a neutral voice came from the right: "Hmph, trying to curry favor with Lord Tong is too excessive. The provincial exam hasn't even started yet, and you're already thinking of paving the way for the imperial exam? Unfortunately, our Lord Tong is iron-faced and impartial, and cannot be swayed by petty people."

  Pang Wen'an rushed over and said: "Brother Lü, what are you doing? We're all scholars, why the petty bourgeois attitude?"

  "You, Pang Wen'an, who are you cursing? Just because your father made some dirty money, you dare to come to this place of refinement?" The one surnamed Lü jumped up with a red face, though somewhat impulsive, but at least knew what kind of place this was and didn't dare be too presumptuous.

  Pang Wen'an didn't bother with that person anymore, but instead whispered to Zhiyuan: "Brother Lin doesn't need to bother with him. That man relies on his sister being a concubine of the Crown Prince of Zhongshun and has become somewhat arrogant. We don't usually bother with people like him."

  At that time, two more people came up and started chatting with Lin Zhiyuan: "Brother Pang is right, that Lu guy has a terrible reputation in the academy, and he's not virtuous at all. He only knows how to fawn on his master, really makes one look down on him. By the way, Brother Lin hasn't said why he came to Beijing yet?"

  Zhiyuan secretly smiled in his heart, these people are talking nonsense, the last sentence is probably the key point. He deliberately responded with a serious tone: "I've heard that this capital city is the most prosperous place under heaven, and my teacher has instructed me to come and pay respects to Lord Tong, hoping to make progress in my studies and prepare for next year's imperial examination."

  Pang Wen'an nodded in agreement, "Brother Lin's teacher is indeed far-sighted. If Brother Lin can gain the appreciation of the Grand Master, it would be easy to pass not only the provincial examination but also become a Jinshi scholar. However, I see that Brother Lin has come empty-handed. Let me tell you a secret: this Lord Tong loves Zhao Mengfu's paintings. If you can find one or two pieces and ask Lord Tong to appraise them, your trip to Beijing won't be in vain."

  Someone next to him heard Pang Wen'an's words and said with a sour tone: "Brother Pang, you think everyone is like your family, with endless gold and silver. Your old man is also willing to spend money on you. I heard that the 'Red-robed Arhat' displayed at Zhenbao Pavilion last time was bought by your family? Goodness, it cost a whole 30,000 taels! That's enough to buy a five-story mansion in this capital city!"

  Pang Wen'an listened to this man's sarcastic remarks, but instead of getting annoyed, he was delighted.

  Lin Zhiyuan saw it with his own eyes and had already made a plan in his heart.

  "Thank you, Brother Pang, for your guidance. However, I'm a bit short on money and besides, one needs good fortune to obtain such a fine painting, which I don't have as much of as you do."

  Pang Wen'an smiled slightly, he had taken a liking to Lin Zhiyuan the moment he walked in, although his attire was simple and elegant, but as a merchant family, Pang naturally could tell that the fabric wasn't anything ordinary. Adding on to Lin Zhiyuan's noble aura, there was no way Pang Wen'an would believe that he was short of money. "Brother Lin is truly humble, I see that you're not very old and have just settled in Beijing, may I ask where do you reside? When the opportunity arises, I will definitely pay a visit to your residence."

  Lin Zhiyuan found that several people around him had pricked up their ears to listen, including the one surnamed Lü who was leaning forward slightly. "My younger brother is still living with relatives and it's really inconvenient to entertain Brother Pang, but since we've met by chance, I see that Brother Pang is a straightforward person, so why don't we make a deal: when Brother Pang tops the imperial examination, my younger brother will personally host a banquet for Brother Pang at Huibin Building?"

  Huì Bīn Building is one of the top wine houses in Beijing, and those who can afford to go there are all from wealthy families. Páng Wén ān saw that Lín Zhì Yuǎn didn't seem like a boastful person, so he was surprised that on their first meeting, Lín would invite him to such a place for a banquet. He naturally didn't dare underestimate Lín Zhì Yuǎn. "Brother Lín's kindness is great, and Wén ān will humbly accept your invitation. However, I'm older than you by several years, so I still want to advise you: hurry back to Suzhou. The time for the imperial examination is approaching, don't delay any further."

  On the other side, a man with the surname Lü chimed in and said: "Mr. Pang, what's the hurry? Maybe they're even wealthier than you are. If they can't pass the imperial examination to become a jinshi, it's easy for them to buy a position as a Gongsheng with money." The tone was sour to the point of being unbearable.

  Lin Zhiyuan, although only seventeen years old, had the life experience of two lifetimes. How could these ancient people compare? He didn't want to show off intentionally, but it was still okay to strike a blow at his potential opponents. So Zhiyuan smiled and said: "This doesn't need to worry Brother Pang and Brother Lü. Although I'm not talented, I passed the imperial examination three years ago. Due to family matters, I couldn't participate in that year's provincial examination. Now that I've arrived early in the capital, it's also to prepare for next year's big exam."

  As soon as Lin Zhiyuan's voice fell, the house was plunged into silence.

  Everyone stared at Lin Zhiyuan in disbelief, this... how is this possible?

  Pang Wen'an slowly turned around, asking in surprise: "Zhiyuan brother, how old are you? You look like you're not even twenty years old yet, how could you have passed the imperial examination three years ago?"

  Lin Zhiyuan's eyebrows slightly raised, this Pang Wen'an was indeed clever, just now it was still "Brother Lin", and now it had become "Brother Zhiyuan".

  He didn't say anything more, just saying: "Little brother is already seventeen this year."

  Everyone heard this and seemed to be choked, even Pang Wen'an burst out with sour water. He thought he was a young genius, always his father's pride, not yet twenty years old and already participating in the imperial examination, destined to bring glory to the family gate. But how did he encounter such a freak? Could Lin Zhiyuan really have passed the imperial examination at the age of fourteen? It's simply unbelievable

  It was unclear who shouted loudly, "Ah, you're Lin Zhiyuan, the champion of Suzhou three years ago!"

  Pang Wen'an and others hurriedly went to see the person who was shouting loudly.

  The man who spoke was looked at by everyone until he turned red, and he muttered: "I, I also heard my uncle say that he had been an official in Jiangnan, and heard of Brother Zhiyuan's great name. He said it was a fourteen-year-old prodigy, the top scorer in the county exam that year, and caused a sensation throughout Jiangnan. If not..." The man glanced at Zhiyuan with embarrassment, seeing that Lin Zhiyuan was not displeased, he continued: "My uncle said that Brother Zhiyuan is a famous filial son, and also a favorite student of Mr. Shen."

  Pang Wen'an hastily asked Lin Zhiyuan: "Is Brother Lin's teacher Mr. Shen from Nishan Academy?"

  "Indeed it's Master Zhang, what's up? Brother Pang has also heard of the reputation of Ni Mountain Academy?"

  Pang Wen'an and others, as soon as they confirmed that Lin Zhiyuan was indeed Shen Ao's disciple, immediately became respectful. "Brother Lin is joking, this world of scholars, there are hardly a few who haven't heard of Mr. Shen's great name. My family has treasured all of Mr. Shen's poetry collections, and Wen'an's teacher had also taught that to achieve success in learning, one must be familiar with Mr. Shen's 'Zhuzi Jinglue'. Brother Lin is truly fortunate to have received Mr. Shen's personal guidance."

  Lin Zhiyuan was surrounded by a crowd of people, who asked him questions one after another, mostly hoping to get some useful information from him.

  At this time, the steward of Tong's mansion walked in and saw four or five people surrounding Lin Zhiyuan. He was startled at first, thinking that something had happened. Seeing that everyone was just discussing a problem, he smiled and said: "Gentlemen, I'm sorry to keep you waiting. The old master is waiting for you all in the backyard, please follow me."

  PS: Oh my god, it's snowing so heavily here! It's already the end of March, how can it still be like this?! Freezing to death! Thanks for the rewards from Chieh-g, ldxiil, biooil2010, Sun Xiao, Shun Shun 666, Book friend 110226102216968, and Ai Kan Shu De Xiao Qi~~\(^o^)/~