Chapter Nine, The Fated Success
The examination hall's main gate was smashed, and naturally, the official inside had to come out to see what was happening. Xiao Chuan displayed Wei Zhongxian's golden name card, prompting the official to rush inside. After a brief moment, the chief examiner of the undergraduate examination, Zhang Ruitu, who also served as an editor at the Hanlin Academy and a deputy minister of rites, arrived at the examination hall's entrance with a beaming smile, followed by three deputy examiners. They had not even clearly seen who was outside before they began looking around eagerly and shouting, "Where are the candidates sent by the Nine Thousand Years? Where are they?! This official, so-and-so, has come to pay respects to you, my lord." Fortunately, the eighteen examiners of the undergraduate examination were still occupied in the examination rooms; otherwise, the scene would have been even more lively.
"Well said, well said. As long as my brother speaks, I will certainly serve. Wow, one hundred taels! That is more than half a year's salary for me! Young Master Zhang, you are so wealthy... How about we find a day to burn yellow paper and pledge brotherhood since we hit it off so well?"
Understood. Young Master Zhang replied with utmost honesty: "They just said that you are nine thousand years old. Lord Wei is nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine years old, and you are nine thousand years old, so you must be Lord Wei's subordinate. Considering Lord Wei's status, I should indeed show you respect, but I am in a hurry to take the top scholar examination, which is why I accidentally bumped into your carriage. You are magnanimous, so please do not take it to heart. When I eventually become the top scholar and stand before Lord Wei at nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine years old, I will bow to you and apologize then"
Hahaha... Wei Zhongxian was thoroughly pleased by the subtle flattery from Young Master Zhang, unable to contain his laughter as he said: "The little monkey is quite eloquent; we don't take it to heart. However, you just mentioned that after becoming an official, you plan to do two things. The first is to clear the grievances of the late Grand Eunuch Wei, who lived for 9,999 years. What is the second?"
As they spoke, our Young Master Zhang finally arrived at the entrance of the Jin Ke examination hall. With a glance from Young Master Zhang, Zhang Shitou immediately stepped forward and struck the fated door open for our Young Master Zhang
"It's all good, take care, big brother." Although Young Master Zhang found it somewhat strange that Xiao Chuan mentioned his cousin-in-law, he still responded with a beaming smile. Meanwhile, Zhang Ruitu and the other three examiners couldn't help but gasp in shock. They were all well aware of who Xiao Chuan's cousin-in-law was—none other than the current commander of the Jinyiwei, Tian Ergeng! Zhang Ruitu and the others couldn't help but think to themselves: "This Young Master Zhang is truly impressive; not only is he someone sent by the powerful Wei Zhongxian, but he is also related to the commander of the Jinyiwei. We absolutely must not offend him!"
Thus, by a twist of fate, the young master Zhang, who had completely given up hope of becoming the top scholar, was destined to be sent to the examination venue by a hundred households of the Jinyiwei. On the way, the astute Zhang Shitou, fearing exposure, naturally did not dare to casually ask the young master Zhang anything. However, the hundred households of the Jinyiwei, holding the golden name card of Wei Zhongxian, curiously asked: "Young man, you call Wei Gonggong ninety-nine hundred and ninety-nine years old; do you really not know that Wei Gonggong is actually nine hundred years old?"
"That's not right. In the story of rising three ranks, it was said that there were only two examiners. Why are there four now? Could it be that, as the legends say, history will change?" Young Master Zhang was somewhat puzzled. Over there, Xiao Chuan directly presented Wei Zhongxian's golden name card, pointing at Young Master Zhang and saying: "Gentlemen, there is an order from the Nine Thousand Years, allowing me, Xiao Chuan, to bring this Young Master Zhang to participate in the imperial examination. I ask Chief Examiner Zhang and the three deputy examiners to accommodate this request." After saying this, Xiao Chuan handed Wei Zhongxian's golden name card to Chief Examiner Zhang Ruitu.
Regardless of whether this young man is boasting or not, bringing our family’s name card into the examination hall, the examiners will certainly not dare to disregard our family’s reputation and obstruct him. Wei Zhongxian contemplated, the Donglin Party and those corrupt scholars are already irreconcilable with our family. This young man is articulate and sensible; if he truly possesses such great knowledge to rank among the top three in the imperial examination, then our family can speak a few good words for him in front of the Emperor to have him enter the Hanlin Academy, which would help us deal with those corrupt scholars and their disciples. If he does not have such great knowledge and cannot participate in the imperial examination, our family will not suffer any loss.
That is good, I will certainly convey the exact words of the chief examiner. Xiao Chuan nodded and then cupped his hands to Young Master Zhang, saying: "Brother, I must return to report, so I will take my leave now." At this point, considering the one hundred taels of silver from Young Master Zhang, Xiao Chuan deliberately added, "When you achieve success in the imperial examination, I will take you to visit my cousin-in-law."
Thank you, Your Excellency. Young Master Zhang was unaware of Wei Zhongxian's ulterior motives and mistakenly believed that the comedic performance of the short and stout Liu Baorui had played a role. In his delight, he hurriedly expressed his gratitude and flattery, saying, "When I eventually achieve the top scholar title and stand before Lord Wei at the age of 9,999, I will certainly speak highly of you to him, ensuring that Lord Wei rewards you generously."
"Brother Xiao, you need not be so polite; I have yet to properly thank you for taking me to the examination venue." Young Master Zhang, skilled in social interactions, took out two fifty-tael silver notes from Zhang Shitou's package and pressed them into Xiao Chuan's hand, smiling as he said: "Just a small token of appreciation, please allow me to treat Brother Xiao to some tea. I am a person who tends to stir up trouble, and in the future, I will undoubtedly cause some inconvenience for Brother Xiao in the capital."
Why do we need to choose a date? Let's burn yellow paper and worship our brothers today! Big brother, what do you think?
Ninety-nine hundred and ninety-nine years old? Wei Zhongxian was first taken aback, then felt great joy in his heart, thinking to himself that this little monkey truly knows how to speak. Being ninety-nine hundred and ninety-nine years old is much better than being ninety-nine hundred. Moreover, Wei Zhongxian had recently been impeached by the Donglin Party led by Yang Lian, nearly losing his life. Young Master Zhang's words struck a chord with Wei Zhongxian, so he happily asked, "Since you respect Lord Wei so much, why did you still collide with our sedan chair? Do you know who we are?"
The intention of the captain of the Jinyiwei was to investigate the true nature of our young master Zhang, to ascertain whether he was merely flattering or speaking out of desperation for his life. Unexpectedly, young master Zhang leaned close to his ear and whispered, "General, you can say this in front of me, but do not speak carelessly in front of others—Lord Wei is nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine years old. If you say he is merely nine thousand years old, others may suspect that you wish to curse Lord Wei with a short life, implying that he should live nine hundred and ninety-nine years less. If this reaches Lord Wei..."
... ...
Good brother, good, good, today I will pay my respects to my brother
After Xiao Chuan left, Zhang Ruitu and the three deputy examiners did not dare to be negligent and quickly respectfully invited Young Master Zhang into the examination hall. Knowing the course of history, Young Master Zhang was not polite and boldly entered through the examination hall's main door. However, Zhang Shitou was trembling and unsure whether to enter, and it was only after Young Master Zhang gave him a signal that he cautiously followed him inside. Although Chief Examiner Zhang Ruitu and the three deputy examiners felt that it was somewhat irregular for an examination candidate to bring a servant into the examination hall, they did not dare to say anything in light of the face of the esteemed Ninth Prince. Thus, our Young Master Zhang inadvertently created a historical precedent—becoming the first and only candidate in the 257 years since the founding of the Ming Dynasty to enter the imperial examination hall with a servant!
Before Young Master Zhang could finish his words, the face of the hundred households of the Jinyiwei turned even paler than that of Zhang Shitou. He hurriedly cupped his hands in salute and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Young Master. I will certainly be more cautious with my words in the future. Rest assured, if you encounter any trouble in the capital, you can come to the Eastern Depot to find me, Xiao Chuan. I will certainly do my utmost to assist you."
"Damn it, I've flattered everyone I needed to flatter. Whether I can pass or not depends on Wei Zhongxian's next words." Young Master Zhang appeared calm on the surface, but was genuinely anxious inside. Fortunately, after a moment of secret amusement, Wei Zhongxian quickly ordered, "Come here, take our name card (ancient business card), and send this candidate into the examination hall. I want to see if this little monkey really can secure a spot in the top three, or if he is just boasting."
"Hahaha, the little monkey's words are indeed sweet." Wei Zhongxian was even more delighted, and after giving a few instructions in the sedan chair, he sent the captain of the Jinyiwei, who had just started, to take his own golden name card to escort Young Master Zhang to the examination site, and then ordered the bearers to continue on their way. Young Master Zhang, however, calmly stepped aside, and only when Wei Zhongxian's sedan chair had gone far did he notice that his servant, Zhang Shitou, was pale and leaning against the horse, as if he had been so frightened that he could barely stand. Seeing his servant so terrified, Young Master Zhang could not help but shiver in his sweat-soaked inner garment and disdainfully scolded, "Useless." Young Master Zhang calmly stepped aside, and only when Wei Zhongxian's sedan chair had gone far did he notice that his servant, Zhang Shitou, was pale and leaning against the horse, as if he had been so frightened that he could barely stand. Seeing his servant so terrified, Young Master Zhang could not help but shiver in his sweat-soaked inner garment and disdainfully scolded, "Useless."
"General Xiao need not be overly courteous; I, a mere official, would not dare to accept the name card of His Excellency, who is nine thousand years old, even if I had the courage of a leopard. " Zhang Ruitu repeatedly waved his hands, insisting that he could not accept that name card, which had been used countless times and was now polished to a shine. Zhang Ruitu then said with a face full of flattery: "I would trouble General Xiao to convey to His Excellency, his instructions will certainly be followed by us, and we will ensure that he is satisfied."
"Build a shrine for me?" Wei Zhongxian was overjoyed, thinking to himself that heaven had finally opened its eyes, and a wise person had thought of building a shrine for him. This is quite an interesting thing; perhaps in the future, I will be as renowned as the Buddha and Guanyin! Haha, maybe I could even surpass them! — After all, Wei Zhongxian himself is illiterate and superstitious. Before he became a eunuch, he would pray to Guan Yu every time he entered a gambling house. When Young Master Zhang suggested treating him like a deity, it would have been strange if Wei Zhongxian wasn't thrilled.
The second matter is not something I alone wish to pursue, but rather something that everyone in the world desires to do. Young Master Zhang truly has the audacity to say shamelessly: "Once I pass the imperial examination and become the top scholar, I will have the qualification to present a memorial to the court. At that time, I will petition His Majesty to approve the construction of a memorial hall for the esteemed Wei Gonggong, who is to be honored for his contributions, to be built for the age of 9,999 years!" (Governor Pan Ruzhen of Zhejiang shouted: "You shameless person, you stole my invention a year and five months in advance!")
At the examination venue, the entrance is naturally guarded by a heavy military presence, making it impossible for ordinary individuals to approach within ten steps of the gate. However, this is not the case for the esteemed Wei Gonggong, who possesses a golden visiting card. Therefore, after Young Master Zhang's newly appointed sworn brother, Xiao Chuanliang, a hundred households of the Eastern Depot's Jinyiwei, presented Wei Zhongxian's golden visiting card, the soldiers and officials guarding the examination venue immediately put away their official demeanor, greeting Young Master Zhang's servant, Zhang Shitou, with smiles and bows, leading him to the entrance. Following Young Master Zhang's instructions, Zhang Shitou did not hold back, raising his fist and striking the examination gate with a flurry of blows.