Chapter Thirty-Eight: Rushing to the Capital for the Imperial Examination

  Yue Fei and his four brothers settled their families and then made plans to go to the capital for the imperial examination.

  "Brothers, the imperial court has issued a proclamation. The martial arts examination will be held in mid-May. I think tomorrow is a good day, so let's set out early tomorrow and try to arrive at the capital as soon as possible," said Yue Fei.

  "What Big Brother said is absolutely right. We should make early preparations so as not to miss the exam time." Zhang Xian echoed.

  Other brothers also expressed their intention to set off as soon as possible.

  "Big brother, Lao Niu has long wanted to go to the capital, but there was no opportunity. This time going to the capital will definitely be a blast." Niu Gao said with delight.

  "You just know how to have fun. The capital is not like Neihuang, Tangyin or Xiangzhou. That's the foot of the emperor, and you must be careful with everything you do. You and Wang brothers are both hot-tempered, when we arrive at the capital, you need to change your temper, everyone needs to listen to my orders, without my permission, don't act recklessly." said Yue Fei.

  "Brother, don't worry! Old Cow knows what's good and bad, I absolutely won't cause you any trouble. Once we arrive in the capital, everything will be up to you, if you say go east, I'll go east." Niu Gao patted his chest to guarantee it.

  "Big brother is also too tense, right? The people in the capital are human beings, not man-eating monsters, what's there to be afraid of?" Wang Gui sneered.

  "Wang brothers are unaware, in the capital city there are three dukes and nine ministers, royal descendants and noble scions, dandies and street rascals, all sorts of people. If one is not careful and gets into trouble, who will come to the rescue?" Yue Fei said.

  Wang Gui listened and had some awakening, saying: "Big brother rest assured, after I arrive in the capital, I will not speak a word."

  "Wang Gui, big brother didn't tell you to pretend to be mute, what he meant was that in all things, be more tolerant and don't fight for victory." Tang Huai added.

  At night, Yue Fei invited the three officials to discuss the matter of going to the capital. The three officials were shocked after hearing it.

  "Good nephew, you've just gotten married and are in such a hurry to go to the capital. This is somewhat too hasty," said Wang, the government official.

  "General Wang, I have no choice either. The imperial martial examination is imminent and we cannot afford to delay any further. Moreover, the journey will take more than a day, if we leave late and miss the examination, we'll have to wait another three years. How many three-year periods can one's life afford to wait? Therefore, I've decided to set off tomorrow." said Yue Fei.

  "What Mr. Yue's nephew said is absolutely right, life is short and fleeting, a man should take his career seriously and prioritize the greater good over personal interests." Zhang Yuanwai said.

  "Xianzhong, the young masters are following you to the capital, you must take good care of them. They have a bit of a quick temper, you must remind them in time, and absolutely cannot let them cause any trouble." Tang Yuanwai said.

  "Don't worry, three uncles. I will definitely keep my brothers in line and won't let them cause any trouble in the capital," said Yue Fei.

  "Xian nephew, shall we send some attendants along with you?" Wang asked.

  "Thank you for your kindness, sir, but we don't need any attendants. Too many people would only get in the way." Yue Fei politely declined.

  At night, the five brothers were busy packing their luggage, bringing enough food and drink, and preparing their horses.

  Yue Fei and Mrs. Li talked intimately for half the night, Mrs. Li knew her husband was a man of great ambition, she didn't hold Yue Fei back, instead she comforted him.

  "Sir, don't worry and go! Household chores are not for you to worry about, I will take good care of them. I know you're a filial son, I'll take good care of your mother in your place. You just focus on taking the imperial examination outside and making a name for yourself in the future." Miss Li said.

  Yue Fei was so moved by his wife's words that he didn't know what to say. A thousand words were not as good as actual action, so he hugged his wife tightly and kissed her again and again.

  The good night is short, and the sky will be bright in the blink of an eye. All the brothers packed their luggage and rode horses to gather at the big yard of Yue's house, and all the uncles were also there to see them off.

  Yue Fei bid farewell to his mother and wife, dressed neatly, hung the luggage on the horse, then held the gun in his hand and jumped onto Baidong Horse.

  "Gentlemen, ladies, take care. " Yue Fei bowed to the crowd and said, then rode his horse forward, followed by his brothers.

  All the staff, An Ren and the servants saw them off to the village entrance.

  The five brothers arrived in Xiangzhou and bid farewell to the master of Xu County. The master of Xu County gave each of them a package containing twenty taels of silver.

  "General Xu, absolutely not. For your return to your hometown, you've already spent a lot, this time no matter what we can't accept." Yue Fei repeatedly declined.

  Xu County Magistrate was slightly angry, with a serious expression, said: "Peng Ju, if you brothers are disdainful of this humble official, you can refuse. As the saying goes: length and shortness are the root of the stick, lightness and heaviness are a matter of courtesy, sending goose feathers for a thousand miles, the gift is light but the intention is heavy."

  Yue Fei saw Xu Xian's words had reached this point and could only nod in agreement, repeatedly expressing his gratitude.

  Farewell to Xu Gong, the five brothers came to the gate of the camp again to bid farewell to Liu Du.

  The two gatekeepers recognized Yue Fei and his men. After Yue Fei explained their purpose, the thinner of the two gatekeepers hurriedly went in to report to Liu Duanyu.

  Before long, the heralds announced the arrival of five brothers who had come to pay their respects.

  Yue Fei and others came to the central hall to thank Liu Duanyuan for his kindness.

  "Gentlemen, when will you go to the capital to take the imperial examination?" Liu Du asked.

  "We're off to the capital for the exam, and we've taken a detour via Xiangzhou specifically to come thank you, sir," said Yue Fei.

  "Peng Ju, come here, I have something to say to you." Liu Duoyuan beckoned with his hand.

  Yue Fei walked forward, and Liu Douyuan whispered in his ear: "A few days ago, I wrote a letter to Zong Liugong, asking him to take care of your examination affairs in the capital. I'm worried that he might be busy with trivial matters in the court and forget my request. Now that you brothers have come, I'll write another letter for you to bring with you, and personally hand it over to Zong Liugong. If he sees you, he will surely do something good for your examination affairs."

  Yue Fei was deeply moved by what he heard.

  Liu Du took out the four treasures of the study, immediately wrote a letter and handed it to Yue Fei. Then he ordered the accountant to take out 50 taels of silver and hand them over to Yue Fei.

  "Sir, my brother and I are already deeply grateful for your kindness, how can we accept the silver coins? Please take them back." Yue Fei politely declined.

  "Nephew, don't decline, this is just a small token from me, consider it as travel expenses, take it!"

  It's hard to decline generous offers, but declining them would be impolite, so Yue Fei had no choice but to obey.

  The brothers thanked Liu Du again and then left the gate, riding their horses towards the capital.

  Five brothers traveled day and night, drinking when thirsty and eating when hungry.

  They arrived at Wangjing County on this day, and as the sky had already darkened, the brothers could only dismount their horses and walk, searching for an inn in the city.

  Wangjing County is adjacent to Bianjing and naturally has some of the prosperity of the capital city.

  Although it was late in the evening, people were still flowing through the streets. The tea houses, wine shops, restaurants and hotels, singing halls and brothels, gambling dens and gaming rooms were all doing a thriving business.

  Niu Gao and Wang Gui, the two brothers, saw this intoxicatingly beautiful night scene, their hearts bursting with excitement. They had wanted to go in search of pleasure and thrills, but were afraid that Big Brother Yue would not be pleased, so they could only hold back.

  "Brothers, this place is only over a hundred miles away from the capital, everyone must be extremely cautious and not provoke any trouble." Yue Fei instructed.

  The brothers all nodded in agreement.

  Arriving at the intersection of ten streets, there were two hotel signs that were particularly eye-catching. The one on the left read: "Four Seas Hotel"; the one on the right read: "Rivers and Lakes Inn".

  "Big brother, both hotels look about the same, which one should we stay at?" Zhang Xian asked.

  Yue Fei looked up at the entrance of the Jianghu Inn, where people were coming and going, doing a thriving business.

  "Let's go right!" Yue Fei said and led the horse directly to the Jianghu Traveler's Inn on the right.

  Arriving at the gate, he handed the reins to Tang Huai and was about to step inside when a person suddenly walked out from within. Upon seeing Yue Fei, he asked in surprise: "Zi Peng, what brings you here as well?"