Chapter 145: Forming Factions

The official sedan chair had no eyes and cared not for life or death.

With a sharp shout, the scholars who had formed groups on the official road immediately scattered to both sides as if electrocuted. It had become a habit. Hearing the approach of an official sedan chair was like pedestrians encountering a dump truck on the road, or like street vendors hearing that city inspectors were coming. Of course, the official sedan chair held even greater power—it was like those minivans in later times with dark yellow tinted windows and drawn curtains. In this era, when an official sedan chair traveled, soldiers cleared the way, holding high signs that read “Silence” and “Make Way.” In later times, it would be police cars leading the way, ensuring green lights all along, even treating red lights as green. The nature was exactly the same!

Everyone instinctively made way, retreating to the sides of the road, and only then did they feel safe enough to look toward the sound. Sure enough, they saw an official sedan chair. Of course, Liu Liwa had no idea what an official sedan chair was. He only saw that the four bearers carrying the sedan all wore matching uniforms with the character “soldier” printed on their chests.

On either side of the sedan walked a young maid with pigtails and a seemingly clever page boy. There was also a burly, stern-faced bodyguard. The setup was quite complete, like an imperial envoy on an inspection tour, with an imposing presence.

The sedan moved forward steadily and slowly. As it passed by them, a corner of the sedan curtain was lifted, revealing a man’s face. He was not particularly handsome, with a square, masculine face, but his expression was arrogant, and his eyes flashed with contempt, as if nothing could catch his attention.

Liu Liwa recognized the man at once. It was Liu Chengye, the only son of the Imperial Tutor. His demeanor was haughty, and he looked down on everyone, making people dislike him at first sight. Liu Liwa was puzzled. Wasn’t he supposed to be a scholar on his way to the Capital City for the Grace Examination? At this point, he should not hold any official rank. Why was he riding in an official sedan chair? Although his father was the Imperial Tutor, hadn’t he already retired?

Though he did not understand, those around him were genuine, albeit fallen, nobles. They still had their wide-ranging knowledge and understanding of their circle. Just then, Yi Hui nearby said, “This is the sedan chair of a seventh-rank County Magistrate. But when a County Magistrate goes on an inspection, there should be gongs clearing the way, right?”

Hearing Yi Hui’s words, Liu Liwa began to understand. This sedan chair did not belong to Liu Chengye, and it certainly could not be the Imperial Tutor’s. A mere seventh rank was far beneath the Imperial Tutor’s status. However, Liu Chengye was indeed on his way to the Capital City to take the Grace Examination, and he was highly regarded within their circles. Even Wu Liniang had heard the rumors, so certain officials who were keen to curry favor must have known the details as well. Probably, this sedan chair had been temporarily lent to him by some County Magistrate who wanted to ingratiate himself with the father and son, all to ensure his journey was unobstructed. Moreover, according to the law, there was no rule against using public vehicles for private purposes. Of course, even if there were such a rule, who would care?

Liu Chengye swept his contemptuous gaze over the Scholar Candidates who had made way for him on the roadside, his superior attitude unmistakable. Without a word, he let the curtain fall and continued on his way. Just then, a commotion erupted at the gate of Linyu County. A dense crowd surged out of the city gate, holding up a prominent banner that read: “Linyu County Congratulates Young Master Liu on Topping the Imperial Exam”!

Damn! After seeing it clearly, Liu Liwa couldn’t help but curse. Hundreds of candidates passed through here, and the county office did not receive or accommodate them. That was bad enough, but to hold a welcome ceremony and offer official blessings for just one person? The intention to suck up was too obvious, and the possibility of pre-selection was exposed. How corrupt!

Not only Liu Liwa felt this way, but the hundreds of candidates nearby also gritted their teeth in anger. However, some who were in the know remained silent, their expressions dim. There were also those who were full of confidence, like Du Shaofu, who paid no mind and fully believed in his own abilities. Then there were bookworms like Wu Yuzhou, who believed that with the New Emperor on the throne, striving for excellence and bringing about a new era, things would not follow the old ways. The Grace Examination was meant to select talented scholars to assist the New Emperor.

In short, everyone reacted differently, but the resentful made up the majority. Even a noble like Xing Shi found it unbearable. Gnashing his teeth, he said, “Damn, who is this guy? So arrogant, taking a sedan chair to the exam, and the county office even welcomes him so ostentatiously? Clearly, there’s something shady going on!”

“Yeah,” Zi Long chimed in. “As the sage said, ‘When Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it must first torment their mind, fatigue their bones, and starve their body…’ Precisely because of this, all candidates heading to the Capital City for the exam must walk three hundred miles to the capital, in accordance with the sage’s teaching to fatigue their bones. But he is so blatant about it, as if he’s afraid people don’t know he has connections!”

Damn, there was such a rule? Torment the mind, fatigue the bones—all candidates had to walk to the Capital City for the exam, not allowed to ride horses or carriages. It was really strict. Such a fine tradition was unfortunately lost in later times. In later times, it was the candidates who answered the exam questions, but it was their parents who suffered the torment of mind and fatigue of bones, waiting anxiously outside the gates in the scorching heat. Ah…

Outside the city gate, Liu Chengye stepped down from the sedan and received a warm welcome from the Local Officials. Gongs and drums sounded loudly, and a specially formed welcome team created an extremely lively scene.

Liu Liwa ordered the Leftover Warriors to disperse. The sly Bing He, A Sun, and Yi Hui joined Du Shaofu’s group, grumbling as they moved forward. The more steady Xing Shi and Zi Long joined Wu Yuzhou’s group, reciting ‘The Master said’ to calm their minds as they slowly advanced.

Liu Liwa walked at the back of the group. When he reached the city gate, Liu Chengye and the Local Officials who had come out to greet him had not yet left. They did not want to be too obvious and took the opportunity to receive the other candidates as well. Present at the scene were the County Magistrate of the county, a pot-bellied middle-aged man in his forties. In official circles, his age was still considered in his prime, with room for advancement, which was why he spared no effort in currying favor with Liu Chengye. Also present was the local Education Commissioner, essentially the head of education. Behind them, the welcome team was composed of over a dozen young, pretty girls. Judging by their shy demeanor, they were likely daughters of officials or wealthy families, specifically there for the only son of the Imperial Tutor.

The rest of the welcome teams were inside the city gate. From afar, Liu Liwa could see the figures of some girls, but they maintained their last shred of modesty, not coming out of the city to welcome him too conspicuously. Instead, they pretended to wander aimlessly inside the city gate, though their purpose was clear: they were there to choose a suitable husband.

Graceful ladies, gentlemen seek. Handsome young men, girls adore. Actively pursuing love and happiness is a natural right.

Liu Chengye was like the moon surrounded by stars, with people crowding around him, which only fueled his arrogant demeanor. His overbearing attitude made the girls afraid to approach.

The county’s Education Commissioner delivered a welcome speech on behalf of Linyu County. After a few brief words, he quickly ended it because the County Magistrate had already accompanied Liu Chengye into the city to prepare for the welcome banquet.

No sooner had they left than another group rushed out from inside the city, also holding welcome banners. They were representatives from merchant associations of the southern provinces, specially there to welcome the famous southern talent Du Shaofu.

Another group came from the seafood associations of coastal towns to the east. Though they were simple fishermen, they sincerely offered their blessings to their local candidate, Wu Yuzhou.

And so, the candidates successfully arrived at Linyu County, dividing into three major factions. Liu Liwa’s work was about to begin!