Chapter 19: I Have a Trump Card

Fang Jifan still wore a relaxed and pleased expression. He smiled slightly and said, “Oh? You truly don’t want this silver? If not, then this young master will toss it to the beggars on the street. It seems you don’t wish to treat that consumption-stricken wretch after all.”

When the words “consumption-stricken wretch” left his mouth, even he himself felt how vicious they were.

Yet the three scholars just exchanged glances with one another.

It was clear that if their fellow student named Wang Zheng did not receive treatment soon, and his illness was delayed further, he likely wouldn’t survive.

The three of them exchanged looks with tacit understanding. Although their faces showed anger and they felt humiliated, the leader among them, a xiucai, finally softened. His face turned ashen, a flash of pain crossing his eyes. His heavy legs, extremely reluctant, finally knelt down. He bowed deeply to Fang Jifan and said, “This student Ouyang Zhi, styled Boren, pays respects… pays respects… pays respects to my esteemed Mentor.”

When he lifted his head, his eyes were already red, as if tears were about to spill out.

To save their fellow student, they had to resort to this last resort. It was not only an insult, but most importantly, scholars emphasized the principles of heaven, earth, ruler, parents, and teacher. They held relationships like ruler and subject, father and son, teacher and student in the highest regard. Now, to save a life, they actually had to acknowledge someone as vicious as Fang Jifan as their teacher. Who knew how much trouble this would bring in the future.

After Ouyang Zhi bowed, the other two scholars also knelt down with tears in their eyes. One said, “This student Jiang Chen, styled Zichuan, pays… pays respects to my esteemed Mentor. I beg Mentor to grant some silver to… to treat Brother Wang Zheng’s illness. He… if it’s any later…” As he spoke, his throat seemed to clog up, leaving only soft sobs.

“This student Liu Wenshan, styled Yuan?, pays respects to my esteemed Mentor.”

The onlookers, seeing Fang Jifan kicking someone who was already down, felt even more sympathy for these three xiucai.

But Fang Jifan was already used to being misunderstood. He just let out a cold laugh, casually tossed two ingots of silver in front of Ouyang Zhi, and said offhandedly, “This silver is granted to you. How boring—you knelt just like that.” He then let out a laugh, feeling somewhat relieved inwardly.

It really wasn’t easy for a ne’er-do-well to do good deeds.

Ouyang Zhi, humiliated, accepted the silver. He stood up and bowed to Fang Jifan again, behaving very solemnly. It seemed that in their hearts, the teacher-student relationship was far from just a simple bow. He said, “Might I ask your esteemed name, so that this student may know? In the future… if this student is fortunate enough to pass the imperial exams, I will surely serve you well.”

Fang Jifan stood with his hands behind his back, surprised by his words. Then, Fang Jifan suddenly understood: in this era, the greatest immorality for a subject was disloyalty to the ruler; for a son, the most shameful act was filial impiety; and for a disciple, the most feared accusation was disrespect toward one’s teacher.

The relationship between teacher and student was akin to that of ruler and subject, father and son.

Fang Jifan smiled and squeezed out a few words through his teeth: “My name is Fang Jifan…”

“…”

The scene became awkward for a moment. The onlookers who had been furious just moments ago noticeably paused, their expressions faltering… and then…

It was as if a strong gust of wind suddenly swept through. In the blink of an eye, the crowd that had been gathered in layers scattered completely, every one of them fleeing as if possessed by the spirit of Liu Xiang.

Was it necessary to be so exaggerated? Was this the Olympic 100-meter hurdles?

Fang Jifan’s expression turned very unpleasant. It couldn’t be that bad, could it? Was his reputation really that foul?

And Ouyang Zhi and the other two also looked as if struck by lightning. Suddenly, their legs felt weak again. They probably wanted to beat their own chests in regret, their minds buzzing. Immediately, they thought of a saying—”You were a fine person, why did you turn to banditry?”

Slap!

It was the sound of the innkeeper, quick-eyed and swift as lightning, darting into his shop and slamming the door shut tight.

Only the wind remained on the street, sweeping through the fallen leaves, rustling softly.

Yet… on this desolate street, someone did give Fang Jifan a little face. A little girl with a topknot braid stayed behind. She looked fresh and lively, her big eyes wide as she studied Fang Jifan.

Fang Jifan finally felt a bit comforted. The adults were all so unreasonable; only a child knew better, understanding that he, Fang Jifan, wasn’t purely evil.

He crouched down, his heart filled with warmth, and looked at the little girl. Even the dried snot on her face seemed cute to him. Fang Jifan gently pinched her cheek and said tenderly, “Hello, little girl.”

Unexpectedly, while trembling, the little girl suddenly spat at Fang Jifan. The spittle landed on his handsome face. After accomplishing this feat, though still shaking with fear, she put on a brave front and said in a clear, crisp voice, “I… I’m not afraid of you!”

“…”

“Get lost!” Deng Jian, protective of his master, yelled at the little girl.

The little girl immediately burst into loud tears, covered her face, and fled as if flying.

Ouyang Zhi and the other two stood there as if stunned. Just before bowing to him as their teacher, they had mentally prepared themselves, but they never expected this person to be—Fang Jifan…

Fang Jifan! The one who, within just half a month in the capital, was rumored to have peeped at women bathing, purposely lured dogs near the outhouse with cooked meat only to kick them in for fun, sold off his family’s land without a second thought—not to mention countless other rumors.

Fang Jifan, however, smiled at them. But even a smile as gentle as a spring breeze, in their eyes, was more terrifying than a wrathful guardian deity.

Fang Jifan said, “Alright, take the silver and go save your fellow student. And… three days from now, come to your teacher’s residence. The Provincial Examination is approaching. I need to properly tutor you all…”

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Zhi nearly coughed up blood, his face turning even paler.

Tutoring…

The ne’er-do-well of the Fang Family… ah, no, our esteemed Mentor actually wants to tutor us!

This time, they had already fallen behind in their studies and had little hope for the Provincial Examination. If they were to receive “tutoring” from this ‘Mentor,’ they might never pass the exams in their entire lives.

The three of them felt utterly sorrowful, but they had no tears left to cry.

Fang Jifan didn’t say anything more. With great nonchalance, he turned and left with Deng Jian, drifting away effortlessly.

The feeling of doing good deeds and accumulating virtue was truly wonderful.

Fang Jifan felt as if his whole body was now filled with strength. These three disciples weren’t bad in character. But would they come to his door three days later? Perhaps after getting the money, they would pack their bags and run away.

He would just have to try.

If they truly came to his door, it would mean these three regarded the teacher-student relationship as higher than heaven. Any help he gave them would be worth it.

The Provincial Examination in Northern Zhili… it was currently the 11th Year of the Hongzhi Era. The exam questions were recorded in the Beijing prefectural records… If he could tailor his guidance precisely, given their foundation as xiucai, they should have a very good chance.

The thing Fang Jifan regretted most was that, although he knew all the exam questions from the Hongzhi period, as a noble descendant, he couldn’t take the imperial exams himself. Since that was the case, if he, Fang Jifan, couldn’t take the exam, he would just take on a few disciples to take it for him.

This young master was someone with countless trump cards!

Facing the setting sun, its afterglow shone in Fang Jifan’s eyes. This young man with a wicked smile had an indescribable clarity deep in his gaze.

He cheerfully made his way back to the Fang Family.

As soon as he entered the gate, the gatekeeper saw Fang Jifan return and looked at him with a pale face, saying, “Young Lord, you’re back. There… there’s a guest at home. The Earl requests your presence.”

Fang Jifan put his hands behind his back, acting indifferent. “What guest? I’m not going.”

The gatekeeper said with a tearful tone, “It’s the Duke of Yingguo.”