Chapter Thirty-Two: Flying Tiger Enters the Dream, Xu Ren Recommends a Virtuous Person

  Xu Ren, the magistrate of Tangyin County, was an honest and upright official; he was deeply loved by the people and brought blessings to the villagers. Five-colored tigers entered his dream, and he was startled and couldn't sleep until the third watch; at dawn, he asked Bai Xiao, who said that good fortune was coming; Xu Ren didn't believe in such fantastical things, but unexpectedly, the five tigers entered the government office.

  Let's not mention Wang Zongpeng learning martial arts in Shaolin Temple for now. Now, let's talk about Yue Fei and his four brothers. After listening to the village head's words, they were overjoyed. "Big brother, this time we can go to Xiangzhou to show off our skills," Tang Huai said excitedly.

  "Isn't that right? Where can you find someone like Brother Yue? We brothers will definitely make a name for ourselves if we follow Brother Yue." Zhang Xian said.

  "We'll go home and tell our parents about it now, let them be happy too." Wang Gui said with a smile.

  Niu Gao listened to his brothers' words and felt sad, lowering his head.

  "Niu Gao, what's wrong with you?" Yue Fei asked curiously.

  "You can all go to Xiangzhou to take the exam, but I won't be able to take it with you." Niu Gao said dejectedly.

  "Why can't we go?" Wang Gui asked.

  "You are all from Neihuang County, and you have all passed the county's Wu Tong examination. When the county reports, your names are written on it. I am a newcomer from outside, and I didn't take the county exam, how can I go?" Niu Gao said.

  "Brother, don't worry! Tomorrow morning I will go to Neihuang County, the county magistrate is my father-in-law. I will report your situation to him and ask him to do his best to add your name to the list. At that time, we five brothers can take the imperial examination together." Yue Fei comforted.

  Niu Gao was overjoyed when he heard this, and all his brothers were delighted as well.

  The next day at dawn, Yue Fei rode his horse into the city and arrived at the Inner Yellow County government office. The officials saw Yue Fei coming and quickly went in to report to the county magistrate.

  "Please invite the young master in for a meeting and conversation." said County Master Li.

  The yamen runner listened and hastily walked out, respectfully inviting Yue Fei into the county government office.

  Arriving at the inner court, he met with Madame Li and General Yue Fei performed a kneeling bow ceremony, saying: "Tomorrow your son-in-law will go to Xiangzhou to take the imperial examination, today I came especially to bid farewell; also, your son-in-law has another request, asking Father Yue to grant his wish."

  "Son-in-law, please speak up. Whatever it is, just say it. As long as it's not against the law or immoral, I'll support you." Li Chun said.

  "Father-in-law, it's like this. The other day, I got another sworn brother. He's a straightforward and capable person who wants to take the exam at the Imperial Academy with us. However, he didn't participate in the preliminary exam, so his name isn't on the list. I beg of you, father-in-law, to consider my face and add his name to the supplementary list for the exam." Yue Fei said.

  Li Chun listened and said with a smile: "At present, the court is in need of personnel. Since he is your sworn brother, what's his name? I'll add him to the list."

  "He is called Niu Gao, and he has only an old mother at home. Now the mother and son live in Qilin Village," said Yue Fei.

  Li Chun listened and filled out the booklet, handing it over to Yue Fei.

  Yue Fei thanked him a thousand times and was overjoyed in his heart.

  "Son-in-law, after arriving in Xiangzhou, you must go to pay respects to Xu Renxu, the magistrate of Tangyin County. He is a good official, upright and honest, who loves and appreciates talent, protects the people, and is clean and incorruptible. He has great prestige in Tangyin, and the common people all admire him. Even the Duke himself holds him in high esteem. Xu Renxu is my fellow student and friend, so I will write a letter for you to take with you. When you show it to him, he will naturally understand, and the matter of the supplementary examination can be dispensed with." Li Chun said this, then went to his study to write a letter which he handed over to Yue Fei.

  Yue Fei put away the letter and thanked him before leaving. When he returned home, he told everyone about it, and they were all overjoyed.

  "Tomorrow is a lucky day on the almanac, you can all set off early in the morning. Tonight, each of you should get your luggage ready and go to bed early." Wang said.

  Everyone nodded frequently and dispersed separately.

  The next morning, the five brothers gathered at Wang's outer villa, bid farewell to their parents, left the villa, and rode horses all the way to Xiangzhou.

  The journey on the road is not just one day, brothers appreciate flowers and watch grass, talk and laugh, joyful and harmonious.

  They arrived at Xiangzhou, and the brothers walked in from the south gate, onto the main street. Yue Fei looked around, seeing many shops on both sides of the street with numerous signboards.

  Suddenly, a striking sign caught his eye: "Jiang Zhenzi An Yu Inn".

  "Brothers, it's getting late, let's rest here for the night! Everyone go in and eat something to fill your stomachs first before making plans." Yue Fei said, pointing at the sign of "Jiang Zhenzi An Yu Inn".

  Everyone agrees unanimously.

  Five brothers got off their horses and walked over, the boss Jiang Zhenzi inside saw them and hurried out to greet them with a smile, politely greeting them and instructing the shop boy to take the guests' horses to the backyard stable for fodder. Yue Fei saw the boss's kind face and polite speech, full of enthusiasm, and led his brothers into the inn.

  The shop has bright windows and clean tables, with a unique decoration. A water-ink landscape painting and the four big characters "Guests come like home" are hung high on the wall of the main hall.

  Yue Fei and others arrived at the Ya Zuo seat, the shopkeeper Yin Cheng came to pour tea and chat with the guests.

  "Shopkeeper, do you know Xu Ren, the head of Tongyin County? What kind of person is he?" Yue Fei asked seemingly casually.

  "Of course, I know. This county magistrate has been in office for nine years in Tangyin County, Xiangzhou Prefecture. Magistrate Xu is a clean and honest official, truly worthy of the description 'two sleeves of clear wind, loving the people like his own children.' He was promoted by the imperial court several times, but each time he was kept back by the common people."

  Yue Fei listened and felt that it was basically similar to what his father-in-law had said, so he also got a rough idea.

  "Brothers, we have traversed mountains and rivers, gone through hardships, and finally arrived at Xiangzhou. Tonight, everyone should eat well and sleep soundly to recharge your spirits. Tomorrow morning, follow me together to meet the Lord of Xu County," said Yue Fei.

  Among his brothers, Yue Fei's words were like imperial decrees, and everyone obeyed him unconditionally.

  Xu Ren, the master of Tangyin County, had a strange dream at three o'clock in the morning. In his dream, five colorful flying tigers flew onto the main hall and pounced on him. After waking up, Xu Ren was frightened and broke out in cold sweat.

  After daybreak, Xu Ren found a clerk known as 'Bai Xiao Xian Sheng' and told him in detail about the events of his dream the previous night.

  "Sir, what do you think of this dream? Is it auspicious or ominous?" Xu Ren asked.

  "Congratulations, sir! This is a most auspicious sign. In the past, King Wen of Zhou had a dream in which a bear flew into his courtyard and he obtained Ji Zi at the Wei River," said Mr. Bai Xiao.

  Xu Ren listened and became furious, scolding: "You sir are just talking nonsense, clearly teasing the official, how can I be mentioned in the same breath as the ancient wise and enlightened kings?"

  Mr. Bai Xiao saw the county master get angry and had no choice but to retreat to one side.

  At this moment, the gatekeeper came to report: "Five strong men from Neihuang County are seeking an audience."

  Xu Ren listened and was overjoyed, hastily saying: "Please ask them to come in."

  The bailiff responded and came out to invite them. The five brothers, Yue Fei and his four brothers, followed the bailiff into the hall, where they paid their respects to Xu Ren. Xu Ren looked at the five robust men before him, young in years, dignified in appearance, and majestic in demeanor, and thought to himself: "Could it be that the events of last night's dream are related to these five men?"

  "Magistrate Xu, our county head has a letter for you, and I am asked to deliver it personally. Please take a look." Yue Fei said as he presented the letter.

  Xu Ren took over the letter and looked at it again. He carefully examined the five young heroes in front of him, especially Yue Fei, whom he gazed at with particular intensity.

  "A few of you gentlemen, the middle military officer Hong Xian of the Imperial Court, and I have a good relationship. When I asked someone to remind him, he wanted to take care of you more. You can formally participate in the examination tomorrow by just going to the government office and waiting for the summons." Xu Ren said.

  Yue Fei and others listened, were very happy in their hearts, they knelt down together to thank the county master, then left the government office and returned to their residence.