On the eve of the Imperial Examination, Yun Weiyue and Yun Suqing finally released Shao Yanzhe, allowing him to properly prepare for the test.
Shao Yanzhe first returned to his dormitory to wash up and rest, then left Wenyuan Academy intending to purchase some dry rations needed for the examination.
As for the writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones to be brought into the examination hall, the original owner had already prepared them long ago. He only needed to buy enough dry rations to last him one day.
Unlike the subsequent provincial examinations, the Imperial Examination was divided into two sessions: the main examination and the re-examination. After the main examination concluded, results would be announced the following day, with the re-examination taking place on the third day. (1)
Since the dry rations carried by candidates would be inspected for hidden notes before entering the Examination Hall – with provisions being broken apart for inspection – Shao Yanzhe deliberately avoided bringing easily concealable foods like flatbread or steamed buns. Instead, he purchased some rice to process later, planning to simply steep it in hot water when hungry, which would make for a decent meal.
After securing his staple food, he also bought some dried meat and pickled vegetables.
After completing his purchases, Shao Yanzhe carried his items to a bookstore. He had indeed changed his mind – after obtaining the Xiucai degree, he would continue pursuing higher examinations.
This meant he needed to consider the substantial silver required for future imperial examinations. As a penniless scholar who couldn’t even harm a chicken, copying books remained his only means of income.
Since the bookstore owner knew about Literary Qi – something ordinary people shouldn’t be aware of – he likely wasn’t an ordinary person himself.
Therefore, Shao Yanzhe anticipated the bookstore owner would be pleased when he approached him.
Sure enough, when Shao Yanzhe explained his request to the bookstore owner, the latter immediately agreed with a beaming smile.
“Young Master Shao may deliver any copied books to this old man’s bookstore going forward. The price shall be increased by ten percent from the original rate. How does that sound to you?”
Shao Yanzhe calculated quickly, his eyes narrowing slightly. Though ten percent might seem insignificant, it would amount to considerable silver when accumulated across numerous copied books.
He studied the bookstore owner, wondering what ulterior motives he might have.
Never one to withhold questions, he decided to ask directly.
“Why is the owner offering such generous Calligraphy Fees?”
The owner replied with an unchanged smile: “Naturally because Young Master Shao’s copied books are worth this price.”
Shao Yanzhe nodded, deciding to hold the owner to this statement regardless of any hidden intentions. This would prevent the owner from later demanding additional concessions using this as leverage.
“In that case, shall we formalize this agreement with a contract?”
As he spoke, he directly took a piece of Xuan Paper from the owner’s counter and began writing all the terms the owner had just mentioned.
Having been an ordinary worker in his previous life, he was quite familiar with contracts and quickly drafted two copies.
After signing his name and imprinting his thumbprint, he rotated the contracts for the bookstore owner’s review.
“Please examine these, owner. If you have no objections, simply sign and imprint your thumbprint.”
The owner stared at the still-wet ink on the contracts, his expression noticeably stiffening.
“Young Master Shao, there’s no need for this. Don’t you trust this old man’s integrity? I would never go back on my word. Perhaps we could forgo the contracts?”
Shao Yanzhe shook his head. “This won’t do. Of course I trust the shopkeeper’s character, but having a contract will make things more convenient for both parties in the future and prevent any memory lapses. Signing a contract is necessary.”
“Of course, if the shopkeeper refuses to sign, that’s fine too. However, I won’t be coming to the bookstore to copy books anymore.”
Seeing his firm attitude, the shopkeeper wanted to say “so be it,” but thinking of his own plans, he could only grimace and sign the contract, pressing his fingerprint onto it.
“Two copies—one for me, one for the shopkeeper. Please keep yours safe. After the Imperial Examination, I’ll find time to deliver the copied books.” Shao Yanzhe carefully folded the contract and tucked it inside his chest pocket.
After that, he took the Xuan Paper, brush, and ink for copying books, bid farewell to the shopkeeper, and left the bookstore.
Just as he stepped outside, he bumped into a middle-aged man. The man’s robe was made of the most fashionable silk fabric of the time, with the material alone costing nearly two hundred taels of silver—equivalent to about forty-five thousand in modern currency.
Shao Yanzhe glanced at him and could sense a rich Literary Qi emanating from the man, something he had never felt before.
This made him take a few more looks. The middle-aged man had a strong scholarly aura, appearing refined and elegant, with a well-groomed beard. He seemed to be a scholar.
Perhaps noticing his gaze, the middle-aged man turned to look at him, his eyes carrying a scrutinizing tone.
His eyes swept over Shao Yanzhe’s faded moon-white gown and the matching hair ribbon, and he immediately knew that this scholar-dressed man came from a poor background.
Coupled with the fact that he sensed no Literary Qi from him, in his view, this was likely just a useless scholar with no achievements.
Having figured this out, he gave Shao Yanzhe a dismissive glance and stepped into the bookstore.
Shao Yanzhe felt uncomfortable from the man’s final look. He frowned but quickly put it out of his mind—just a stranger, not worth his attention.
The two ignored each other and went their separate ways.
As soon as the middle-aged man entered the bookstore, the shopkeeper looked up toward the entrance.
Recognizing the visitor’s face, he was startled and quickly put down the book in his hand, hurrying out from behind the counter. He bowed slightly and greeted respectfully, “Master, aren’t you supposed to be presiding over this Imperial Examination? If you wanted to know about the bookstore’s situation, you could have sent someone to notify me. I would have personally come to report to you, sparing you the trouble of making the trip yourself.”
The middle-aged man ignored the shopkeeper and walked straight toward the back of the bookstore.
The shopkeeper didn’t mind and followed respectfully behind him.
Once the two entered the inner room, the middle-aged man sat in the main seat. The shopkeeper carefully closed the door, then used a key to open a rosewood chest. He took out several volumes from inside and placed them on the table beside the man.
“Master, these are the records from the past three years,” the shopkeeper said only this before bowing his head respectfully and waiting for the other to examine them.
The middle-aged man picked up the top volume and began flipping through it. The contents were not account books recording the bookstore’s profits but rather lists of individual names.
Following the names were records of each person’s general information, with the most detailed entries documenting their academic and examination history—down to the age they began studying and when they started taking the Imperial Exam, along with evaluations from their teachers and classmates.
There were about a dozen such booklets, each containing records for twenty individuals.
The middle-aged man spent some time skimming through them before furrowing his brow in dissatisfaction. “This batch is of poor quality.”
The shopkeeper standing before him bent lower, his heart racing wildly, fearing punishment should his master vent his displeasure.
With head bowed, the shopkeeper flattered, “Of course, these scholars cannot compare to you, Master! You are a Zhuangyuan—no one surpasses your erudition. Thus, these candidates appear somewhat lacking.”
The middle-aged man was visibly pleased. Clearing his throat lightly, he asked, “Which of them do you find somewhat useful?”
The shopkeeper stepped forward, flipping open the booklet to show him. “Master, look—this scholar is a renowned talent from Wenyuan Academy, already a Xiucai and currently preparing for the Juren exam. This one is also decent…”
He introduced roughly ten individuals before stopping, relieved to see the man nod in approval.
“Acceptable. I’ll credit you for this,” the middle-aged man said, his mood improved enough to consider the task barely complete.
He stood to leave but paused after a few steps. “By the way, have those people accepted benefits from the bookstore?”
The shopkeeper nodded. “Yes. Some received books gifted by the store, others were paid Calligraphy Fees far exceeding market rates. For those who purchased writing materials here, I also included complimentary items. Everyone who entered our store was offered benefits as you instructed, Master.”
Satisfied, the middle-aged man nodded. “You’ve done well. After this concludes, I’ll take you back to Zhongdu to manage the bookstore there.”
Overjoyed, the shopkeeper exclaimed, “This humble one thanks Master for your promotion! I will dedicate myself to your service, even as your horse or hound!”
“Enough. I’ll take my leave now. Manage things well here.”
The shopkeeper watched the man depart before wiping sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.
He felt a wave of relief—he had deliberately excluded Shao Yanzhe during his introductions. Had his master discovered the unfinished task, not only would his chance to return to Zhongdu be lost, but he’d likely face punishment.
He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: Why had that Scholar Shao suddenly become so shrewd?
Meanwhile, Shao Yanzhe returned to the academy, set down his belongings, and went to find Fuzi. Upon arrival, he found four other scholars already waiting.
He quickly clasped his hands in apology. “My apologies for being late and keeping you all waiting!”
Fuzi waved dismissively. “It hasn’t been long. The five of you will form a Mutual Pledge group. Do not be late tomorrow.”
In unison, the five clasped their hands and responded, “Yes!”
After bidding farewell to Fuzi, they left the room and found a spot to acquaint themselves with one another.
Of the other four: the scholar in sea-blue robes was Liu Mingyuan; the one in wine-blue attire, Wen Yanqing; the one adjusting his bamboo-green gown, Shen Jingzhou; and the last, clad in sapphire-blue robes, was Su Yuheng.
These four outperformed Shao Yanzhe academically but were humble and courteous, never looking down on others.
Shao Yanzhe felt grateful to Fuzi for selecting such suitable Mutual Pledge partners.
After agreeing on a meeting place for the next day, the five went their separate ways.
After returning to the dormitory, Shao Yanzhe placed all the necessary items for the Imperial Examination into his Examination Basket. He checked multiple times to ensure nothing was missing before feeling somewhat relieved.
To avoid being late the next day, he went to bed early and instructed Xuan Yao to wake him if he didn’t get up on time.
When dawn had yet to break the following day, he opened his eyes to find a black cat paw poised as if to strike his face.
“I’m already awake!” Shao Yanzhe hastily exclaimed.
Xuan Yao retracted the cat paw, unable to conceal a hint of disappointment.
Shao Yanzhe quickly gathered his belongings, picked up the Examination Basket, and left the dormitory for the Examination Hall to participate in the Imperial Examination.
Author’s Note:
(1) Source: Baidu