Chapter Twenty-Five: Seeking to Leave

  Zhao Hengjun couldn't hear any tone in Fang Congqian's words, only feeling that the young lady was a bit too calm now. However, he didn't think much of it and bid farewell before hurrying towards Cishutang to tell Tan Yanqing the news as soon as possible. When Zhao Hengjun rushed back to Cishutang, he saw Tan Yanqing sitting in the middle of the courtyard on a taishi chair with a book in his hand, while the guards were engaged in a fierce fistfight in various corners of the courtyard.

  Zhao Hengjun shouted loudly as soon as he entered the door: "Passed! Passed! Third Master, you got first place in the imperial examination and became a Zhuangyuan!"

  Although the scene of soldiers fighting in the courtyard was very intense, they couldn't withstand Zhao Hengjun's loud voice. With one loud shout, all the soldiers stopped and rushed over to surround Zhao Hengjun, shouting about what was going on. It took Zhao Hengjun half a day to squeeze out from among them and walk up to Tan Yanxin, saying: "Congratulations, Third Master! The red list that just came out at the Imperial Academy has you as the first one, First Class First Name, Explained Scholar!"

  Tan Yanqin listened and only slightly raised the corner of his mouth, smiling and saying: "Master Zhao, are you mistaken?"

  "Absolutely not, I was standing right next to him, and I'm afraid of being mistaken. I even asked the old master who called out his name, and he said with great certainty that it was Tan Du's third young master. Tan Du only has one third young master, how could there be a second one?!"

  Tan Yanqin put down the book and said, "That's really hard on Master Zhao. This month, everyone's wages will be doubled, let's all celebrate together. However, the old rules still apply - no smoking opium, no visiting brothels, and no going to gambling dens. If anyone breaks the rules, they'll have to pack up their own belongings and leave!"

  "Yes sir! Thank you, Third Master!" The soldiers replied in unison.

  "Master Zhao, this time you've really gone to a lot of trouble, so be sure to go to the accounting room later to collect your reward! Also, take the opportunity to tell Fu Bo to prepare more rewards, and when the people come to report the good news, don't hesitate to give out generously, or else people will look down on the Tan Manor!" Tan Yanqi instructed.

  Tan Yanqian gave Zhao Hengjun a very high salary, which was over 50 taels per month, excluding extra subsidies. This was even more than what Fang Ruyu offered, by 10 taels. Tan Yanqian thought that since Zhao Hengjun was so dedicated to training the guards, he deserved an additional subsidy of 20 taels. For someone like Zhao Hengjun, Tan Yanqian naturally wanted to recruit him, as such talented individuals were extremely rare and hard to find. The arrival of Zhao Hengjun summarized the hand-to-hand combat techniques that the guards had learned before, and after simplifying and modifying them, the soldiers' hand-to-hand combat abilities greatly improved. Moreover, according to Tan Yanqian's requirements, a set of knife skills and spear fighting techniques were specially compiled, which made Tan Yanqian very satisfied.

  Today, Tan Yanqian and Fang Congqing's attitude towards the same news made Zhao Hengjun feel very puzzled. The two seemed to be not very concerned about this Jinshi honor. After arranging for rewards, Tan Yanqian returned to his room alone to read books, even those who came to congratulate him were rejected due to physical discomfort, except for Fu Bo, as if this Jiayuan was like someone else's achievement and had nothing to do with himself.

  The news of Tan Xiang's success in the imperial examination spread like wildfire through Changsha, becoming the hottest topic of discussion in tea houses and taverns. In this city, wherever there were people, you could hear Tan Xiang's name being mentioned. However, it was also because Tan Xiang had followed his father to various appointments since childhood that he rarely interacted with others when he returned to Changsha, spending most of his time reading behind closed doors. The reputation of the "Young Governor" from the Fujian-Zhejiang Governor-General's office had already reached Hunan, making it a topic of interest among locals. For a time, this youngest member of the "Three Gentlemen of Xiang and Chu" was rumored to be incredibly talented, as if he were a divine being descended from heaven. His reputation overshadowed those of Chen Sanli and Tan Sitong, also because Tan Xiang was originally the third son in his family, fitting perfectly with the title of "Three Gentlemen of Xiang and Chu", almost making people forget about the other two.

  Today, due to Tan Yanqin's understanding of the Yuan, the soldiers' training time was shortened. Zhao Hengjun and the soldiers blew a few rounds of cow horn together before leaving early and returning to the inn. On the way, he also heard many topics about Tan Yanqin from passersby, but he felt that the most piercing sentence was one said by a group of old women in the market: "If I had a talented and beautiful daughter, I would definitely marry her off to the Third Young Master..."

  Although he knew it was the old women's nonsense, he still felt a little uncomfortable in his heart. For a moment, he also understood why Fang Xiangqing was so cold when she heard about Tan Yanqian being the top scorer in the exam. It made sense, after all - Tan Yanqian was a young genius, extremely handsome, and from a family that inspired envy. Under the glory of being the top scorer, how many prominent families in the city would want to marry their daughters off to him? Although Miss Fang came from a noble family and excelled in talent, looks, and learning, it was still allowed for a man to have multiple wives and concubines. Thinking about this, Zhao Hengjun's heart skipped a few beats - he had watched Miss grow up, and such things were not uncommon within large families. He couldn't help but worry about Miss Fang's future.

  The next day, Tan Yanxin hosted a grand banquet in Xishu Hall to entertain the elders of his clan and the celebrities of Changsha. It was also his first public appearance after coming to Changsha. After the banquet, Tan Yanxin kept Zhao Hengjun behind.

  "Master Zhao, although I've only known you for two months, it's as if we've known each other for a long time. I have great admiration for your skills and character... Tomorrow morning, I'll be leaving Changsha to visit some elders in Hubei. Although I'm reluctant to go, I must leave. However, I hope Master Zhao can also leave with me..." Tan Yanjin said politely.

  "I'm grateful that you, Third Master, hold me in such high regard. However, I've grown accustomed to being on my own and fear I won't be able to accompany you. I also need to leave Changsha for another place... it's truly sorry to trouble you." Zhao Hengjun said with great apology. But Tan Yanqian was about to leave Changsha so soon, which made him feel quite strange, so he asked another question: "You're at the height of your success now, and people say 'returning home in glory'. You should be proud of winning the title of Explained Scholar, why are you leaving Changsha Prefecture in such a hurry?"

  Tan Yanqin didn't find anything strange in Zhao Hengjun's response. He knew that Zhao lived in a guest house, and because of his unclear background, he had even wanted to ask his uncle to investigate, but unfortunately, there was no result. Since Zhao lived in a guest house and never stayed at Xishu Hall, it meant that the other party was just a casual passerby, so he didn't pursue the matter further. Now that he is leaving Changsha for another place, he naturally hopes that such a person can follow him together, but people like Zhao Hengjun are generally not easy to be recruited, and being rejected, he doesn't feel anything strange in his heart.

  "There's no difference between being a Juren and a Huishi, it's just a slightly better-sounding name. 'Examinations are not about essays', I was just lucky to get the title of Juren, I had better luck than other students... nothing special about it. To be honest, this time I came to Hubei to meet with Governor-General Zhang Zhidong, I have some business to discuss with him, and this trip has been planned for a long time. Now that I know I passed the provincial exam and got the title of Juren, there's nothing left for me to do here, whether I leave early or late makes no difference... if I'm late, who knows what might happen? Master Zhao knows, once people change their attitude towards you, it's better to leave early rather than get into trouble..." Tan Yanqing said calmly.

  "Haha, Third Master is indeed different from those bookworms I've met before. Those people would die to have everyone know they're a scholar, just so they can show off in front of an illiterate like me. In reality, they're nothing but useless pedants! And yet, Third Master is still so mature and sensible at such a young age, I'm truly impressed!" Zhao Hengjun said with a smile.

  Tan Yanqin smiled and shook his head after hearing this: "I'm just afraid of trouble, it's not as good as Master Zhao said..."

  Zhao Hengjun stood up and said: "Since the young master has decided to leave tomorrow, I, Old Zhao, will bid farewell here. If one day I, Old Zhao, get tired of roaming the world and need a meal, I'll definitely come to Third Master's place for food... Hehe, goodbye!"

  Tan Yanqian also stood up and smiled, saying: "Thank you, Master Zhao, for your kindness. It's easy to find me anyway. If one day Master Zhao is tired, Tan will surely sweep the threshold to wait for him!"

  Although Zhao Hengjun was still unable to stay, Tan Yanqian felt that what he had gained from Zhao Hengjun was already very valuable. In just two months, the hand-to-hand combat and bayonet fighting skills of the guard team had greatly improved. Although Tan Yanqian was very clear in his heart that this mode of cold weapon warfare was already sunset in front of firearms and artillery, in the infantry battles within the East Asian region in the next few decades, the use of bayonets and large knives would still be very important when both sides were engaged in close combat, and could even have a great impact on the battle situation.

  "The Imperial Guards are still soldiers now, but in the future they will become a force with the same background as them. If they send them to study in Germany for a few years and then come back, they will definitely be a commanding force that is not weaker than the Japanese military officers!" Tan Yankai thought to himself.

  Tan Yanqing had already inquired about it, and at present, the schools that cultivate new-style army commanders in China can be counted on ten fingers. Moreover, a large part of these military academies are still naval schools. After all, the Sino-Japanese War has not broken out yet, and the Beiyang Fleet is still intact. The navy is still an important pillar supporting this ancient empire. In this context, the new-style land army is not highly valued. At least before the defeat of the Sino-Japanese War, China's new-style land army did not even have a development model, let alone training for military officers, and the troops were even more neglected.

  He was at least ahead of his time in cultivating new-style army commanders. Apart from the Beiyang Army, which had a new-style military academy, none of the others had any development potential. Faced with this situation, Tan Yankai became even more determined to build this guard corps as a cradle for future new-style army commanders - the guard corps was not only a defensive force but also a mobile military school. As long as qualified soldiers were sent to Germany for further training, vacancies would be filled by recruiting more, and as long as Tan Yankai had money in his pocket, this training program would never stop!

  "Zu An, what brings you here so late?" Li Anqing was in his office at the pharmaceutical factory when he received a message that Tan Yanqin had come to see him. He hastily invited Tan into his office.

  "Uncle, nothing's wrong, I just need to leave Changsha for Hubei tomorrow, so I came here to sit and chat with you." Tan Yanqin said with a faint smile, pressing Li Anqing onto the seat made by the shopkeeper.

  "Uncle really doesn't understand you, at least stay in Changsha for a few more days before leaving. In the past few days, you were busy taking the imperial examination, and Uncle didn't dare to disturb your studies. Now that the exam is over, take a few more days to relax..." Li Anqing said.

  Tan Yanqian waved his hand and said, "Uncle, people fear fame, pigs fear strength. I originally thought that passing the imperial examination would be enough, but I didn't expect to become a top scorer. This fame brings not only benefits, but also many troubles. Leaving Changsha so quickly is also unavoidable, besides, there are still very important things to do in Hubei, and leaving early doesn't matter..."

  "Zu An, you've grown up and become an adult. When your uncle was at your age, he was still muddled and didn't know anything about life..." Li Anqing said, leaning slightly back in his chair as he looked at Tan Yanqin.

  "Uncle, this time I also came to entrust some things to you, you must take good care of them." Tan Yanqian said.

  "Just tell me what you want me to do, Uncle will try his best to do it!"

  "The first is the money in this pharmaceutical factory. My several brothers and their elders are all staring at it, no matter what time, without getting my reply, no one can move this money, do you understand?!" Tan Yanqin said.

  "This is no problem, last time your elder brother came here to ask for money, after being collected by you, they never came again, and it's much quieter here. I think they won't dare to make any moves!" Li Anqing said lightly.

  "Uncle, this medicine factory has a profit of at least 30,000 to 40,000 taels of silver every month. This can't stop their greed, I estimate that my father already knows about the situation here and they have written a letter to report it. The second thing is to recruit some people to protect the medicine factory. This time I went to Hubei to see Zhang Zhidong, the governor-general of Huguang, with his support this matter will definitely be successful. We must strictly protect the medicine factory, and no one except the people from the medicine factory can enter it. At that time, I will also make arrangements with the Hunan provincial governor, the financial commissioner, and the surveillance commissioner. If my elder brother and others still don't know what's good for them and come here to cause trouble, then I won't mind letting them spend a few days in jail!"

  Li Anqing nodded solemnly and said: "Zu An, you can rest assured, I will take care of the pharmaceutical factory for you!"

  "Hehe, Uncle, you don't have to worry too much. This title of 'Zhuangyuan' is also very useful. I think my two elder brothers are just Xiucai, they will have to wait until next life to take the Huishi exam!" Tan Yanqian smiled slightly.

  This imperial examination, although it is unknown which year it stopped, Tan Yankei knew that the Wu Xu year was definitely gone. After the Hundred Days' Reform, new education began to run parallel with the imperial examination system, and the road of imperial examinations really came to an end. As for how far Tan Yankei went on this road, he didn't have any grasp in his heart. However, having the title of "Jieyuan", thinking about the next exam being the 1895 Yiwei Imperial Examination, coinciding with Empress Dowager Cixi's 60th birthday, which was also a special examination for both imperial examinations and regular examinations, it is possible that those in power wanted to create a "Triple Champion" to flatter the old lady.

  "The third thing is that I need you, uncle, to pay attention to buying land. The pharmaceutical factory will generate a lot of profit every month, and I don't need so much silver for the time being. Part of it should be used to buy land. This matter will be handled by you, uncle. However, there is also a rule - if there is a disaster in any part of Hunan Province, you can send someone to purchase land locally, directly let the original farmers cultivate the land, and we can offer them very favorable conditions on rent, even exempting them from paying rent in times of disaster!" Tan Yanqing said with a smile.

  Li Anqing thought for a moment and said: "Uncle understands, Zu An wants to take root in this land of Hunan and leave a good reputation, right?!"

  "That's right! That's what I mean, buying land isn't the most important thing, it's leaving a good name that matters. I don't care about how much rent we charge, just be kind to those tenant farmers. The key is to get a good reputation. In this world of unpredictable winds and clouds, one must always think ahead and plan for their future. Having a good reputation in our hometown will also help us when we return to Hunan to continue doing business! This is our main base, only by solidifying our foundation here can we ensure that even if we fail elsewhere, we can still fall back on our hometown. At that time, having a good reputation will solve many problems for us, and those who envy us will have to think twice before trying to undermine us!" Tan Yanqing said.

  Li An nodded and said, "Uncle understands, don't worry about this. The price of paddy fields is very cheap now, people need to eat grain after all, and holding a large amount of land in hand won't lose out either, it's also more reassuring. Besides, storing it in the ticket number doesn't have much interest, it's better to use it to get a good reputation! Actually, Uncle is also slowly buying land, at least 200-300 taels of silver every month, I don't need so much money, so I'm thinking of buying some more high-quality paddy fields and keeping them in hand."