Chapter 52: Jianghu Fame Spreads Across Mountains (Part 1)

  Chun Tong was already fed up with the flattery of Tong Zhan and Bai Qi, and before Xiao Shouren arrived, he had already become impatient. They also noticed this, so they came to find Chun Tong less and less often. However, after Xiao Shouren arrived, this phenomenon of flattery seemed to have revived, which is worrying!

  Little did they know, it was all because of Xiao Shouren and Shan Tong's overly close relationship that made them both feel a sense of crisis.

  Why are Tong Zhan and Bai Qi staying in this caravan team as deputy captains? High salary? Good treatment? Considerate of others? All nonsense!

  It is said that no one gets up early without a reason, and everyone has their own purpose in doing things. Tong Zhan and Bai Qi did this for a quota. The master of the Single family had an old relationship with Yang Su, and they were very close, so every year, the four departments would give up one quota to the Single family, allowing them to recommend someone themselves and then nominate them to the court.

  Modern people all know that being a civil servant is good, with an iron rice bowl eating public grain. In ancient times, it was even more so, when people's lives were cheaper than dogs during wartime. How could ordinary civilians and wandering outcasts compare to the luxurious lives of court officials?

  The imperial examination system started from the Sui Dynasty and was gradually established by Yang Guang, but what about before the imperial examinations? Where did the officials in the court come from?

  At that time, it was all about relying on filial piety and other ways to step into official career, in short, relying on moral character. A person's moral character and prestige were praised by the people around him, and then he was recommended by others, after the imperial court examination, he could be given an official position.

  This so-called "Four Sciences" actually refers to the way officials are selected from among the lower-ranking personnel within each of the major aristocratic families. Yang Su, who held the title of Duke of the State, was one of the most instrumental figures in Yang Guang's ascension to the throne. Although Yang Su has long since passed away, the quota allocated to his household remains unchanged. Moreover, the current head of the Yang family is not a stingy person and every year, he would give one of the quotas to the Shan family, which is a well-known fact.

  Tong Zhan and Bai Qi said that after all these years of risking their lives for the Single family, they actually wanted to take advantage of the Single family's east wind to blow into the Yang imperial court. Several years or even decades of effort would not be in vain.

  These years of hard work and endurance, the two people are no longer young, but now they are just single-family guards, only slightly higher in status than other guards. So this year's four scholars all have this idea, wanting to strive for a good performance, so when the young master went out on business, they spent money to get through connections and got this beautiful job of escorting the young master. They hope to make a good impression in front of the young master, if they enter the young master's eyes, their chances of getting the four scholars' quota will greatly increase.

  It was originally a competition between two people, and the outcome was obvious, either you or me. Both of us were old friends from the same village, and no matter what, we still had some friendship, so it wasn't good to openly fight for it, at most it was just some underhanded tactics to compete, but on the surface, we were still good brothers.

  But now the situation is different, Xiao Shouren has arrived, and this guy happens to get along very well with Young Master. If this guy gets Young Master's appreciation, it's also possible that Young Master will give the four subjects champion title to Xiao Shouren. At that time, it would be a waste of effort for both you and me, as the benefits would flow into an outsider's field, leaving us with nothing but tears!

  After the two of them understood this, they would intentionally or unintentionally come over to chat with Shantong from time to time. Shantong was really bothered by them, but he still understood their thoughts. After all, these two were old people in the mansion and couldn't be blamed. So they could only spend their days bothering Xiao Shouren and Ge Shuyun, which meant that Tongzhan and Bai Qi wouldn't come over to bother him as often.

  (By the way, this is actually similar to chasing girls. It's often one's own annoying behavior that pushes the other party into the arms of their opponent.)

  He had been following Xiao Shouren and Ge Shuyun to admire the moon for several nights, but apart from the conclusion that mosquitoes bite people and make them itch, he hadn't gained anything. Ge Shuyun, on the other hand, used the stars every night to determine her general location and consider what she should do next. The three of them were indeed admiring the moon, but it was more like a rhinoceros gazing at the moon.

  As soon as the three of them arrived at the top of this small hill tonight, they heard someone talking above.

  "Big Brother Tong, this can't go on like this, you've seen it yourself, that new guy Xiao Shouren and the young master are now practically inseparable, just short of sleeping and peeing together. If things keep going like this, our hopes will probably be dashed." As soon as he heard this, the three people immediately recognized the voice - it was Vice Captain Bai Qi with his eight-inch mustache, who seemed to be talking to Tong Zhan.

  "Hmph! No need to remind me, I thought you were inviting me out for something important. Is it just this small matter? Even if the young master really gave the four subjects' quota to that Xiao Shouren, I'd accept it. Whatever the master's family arranges, I, Tong Zhan, will comply. After all these years, I've endured enough. Now, my desire for the four subjects' exam is not as strong as before." Tong Zhan replied very neatly.

  "Big Brother Tong, you can't say that! In terms of seniority, qualifications, and generation, which one are you not better than Xiao Shouren? You've made so many contributions to this single courtyard, it's only right that they show some appreciation. I'm not greedy for wealth and status, I just hope to get a good start in life so that your younger brother and sister-in-law can have some face too. Otherwise, I'd be too embarrassed to go home." After hearing Tong Zhan's words, Bai Qi surprisingly started playing the warm and fuzzy card.

  "Ah, I see. In that case, I'll have the chance to speak up for you in front of Master later. Sigh... Let's not say any more and just focus on watching over the goods instead. This is Young Master's first time out on his own doing business, we must protect him well and can't afford any mishaps." With that, Tong Zhan pulled Bai Qi away.

  Xiao Shouren and the others saw Tong Zhan and Bai Qi leaving, guessing they would come this way, so they quickly crouched down and hid in a nearby clump of grass, waiting until the footsteps faded away before peeking out.

  "This battle is not simple." Xiao Shouren said aloud.

  "Huh?" Xiao Tong looked at Xiao Shouren in confusion.

  "Xiao Ge, why do you say that Tong Zhan is not simple? I think Bai Qi is the one who's not simple." Geshu Yun asked directly without beating around the bush. These days, Geshu Yun had been traveling with Xiao Shouren and had become familiar with him, so she naturally started calling him "Xiao Ge". Xiao Shouren didn't mind, as his current age plus his previous life made him old enough to be her father, so being called "Ge" wasn't excessive.

  "You all heard their conversation, but ignored the meaning behind it," said Xiao Shouren.

  "What does this mean? I only know that Tong Zhan is a loyal and honest person, while Bai Qi's heart is full of fame and wealth." Ge Shu Yun said.

  "Firstly, the appearance of these two people should be intentional. We often go to the small hill near our campsite to admire the moon every night, and they have already become accustomed to it. They must have grasped this point, so when we were eavesdropping just now, they should have known that we were watching them, which means they were putting on a show for us." Xiang Shouren analyzed.

  "Huh? Even if it's like that, what's their intention in doing so?" asked Tong with a puzzled expression.

  "It's simple, they have two purposes in doing so. Although I don't know what this 'four arts holder' is, it's clear that they all attach great importance to this title and think I pose a certain threat to their competition for it. They're worried about me, so their first goal is to tell me that they've got this title locked down and I shouldn't interfere. My qualifications and whatnot are no match for theirs; I haven't done anything for the Single Mansion, no contributions to speak of. Second, they're taking advantage of this eavesdropping opportunity to tell Young Master Single that they're both old members of the Single household, having gone through thick and thin for the Singles. The Single household can't be ungrateful and let them down." Xiao Shouren analyzed it bit by bit for Ge Shuyun and Single Tongdao.

  "What? This...this is true? They really think this way?" Obviously, Single was still unable to react for a moment, how could the two people who were usually timid and reserved have such delicate thoughts?

  "Hmm! It's not just that, Tong Zhan's mind is truly unfathomable. Did you notice the conversation earlier? At first glance, it seemed like Bai Qi was instigating and instructing Tong Zhan to provoke a conflict, even using warmth as an excuse to get Tong Zhan to give up his place in the four subjects exam. And Tong Zhan seemed to agree to give up too. But if you think back carefully and combine it with what I said earlier, you'll realize that Tong Zhan is not simple at all." Xiao Shouren guided.

  He was very straightforward and shook his head after thinking for a while, saying "I don't understand".

  "I don't quite understand." Ge Shu Yun also followed suit.

  "This Tong Zhan usually looks very carefree and uninhibited, but in fact, every word he says has a deep meaning. Think about it, his first words were to obey the arrangements of the master's house, no matter what the master's house arranged, he would absolutely obey. Why did he say that? Because he knew we were listening, and every word he said reached the ears of Young Master Shan Tong. In this way, in Young Master Shan Tong's heart, he is a loyal servant of the Shan family, right? Compared to Bai Qi, who naturally became a troublemaker, choosing between the two, it would obviously be Tong Zhan. Next, he even spoke well of Bai Qi in front of Old Master, to stabilize Bai Qi and prevent him from making any moves. Finally, before leaving, he said that this was Young Master Shan Tong's first time going out on business, and they must protect him well, without any accidents. Suddenly, he left a deep impression of loyalty on Young Master Shan Tong's heart. Did you have this feeling just now?" Xiang Shouren asked.

  The number of words has reached tens of millions now, so it can't be on the new book list anymore. So, I hope everyone who is following will register and bookmark it.