Chapter 120: Chapter 70 Gossip_3
The so-called demonstration of one’s divine powers was nothing more than a competition of who spent more silver, who had better connections; it had nothing to do with talent or learning.
This booklet in my hand is to be sent to the Ministry of Rites, listing the individuals who have "demonstrated their divine powers" this year.
They are also the ones who will surely appear on the red list of successful candidates a few months later.
Fan Zhenglian took a sip of hot tea. On the quiet, cold rainy night, the hot tea dispelled some of the chill. He narrowed his eyes slightly, looking exceptionally content.
He had no respect for scholars.
What’s so great about scholars? They think they are smarter than everyone else, believe their knowledge covers everything under the sky, and their eyes are almost on top of their heads. They don’t realize that in this world, the least scarce resource is people who can read and write.
Each year, as soon as the booklet is delivered to the Ministry of Rites and results of the imperial examination are announced in autumn, the happiest are often not the scholars themselves. Just like himself years ago, mediocre in learning and not particularly outstanding in the academy; yet, in the end, he became the highest-ranking official and had the smoothest career.
On the contrary, the one who was the most favored by the teachers back in the academy, proficient in painting, poetry, and prose, and always ranked top, is now an underachiever content to work under him, grinding his ink and carrying his brush on a rainy night.
Fan Zhenglian glanced at Qi Chuan standing respectfully to the side, his smile growing more comfortable.
He casually flipped through the booklet in his hand.
Those listed in the booklet had already sent their bribes in silver coins to him; of course, part of this money would have to be shared with the hands of the Assistant Minister of Rites. He obtained his place on the list by networking through the Assistant Minister of Rites, with Qi Chuan taking the exam on his behalf, leading to a smooth success. After toiling in Yuan’an County for a few years, he returned to Shengjing and, after discussing with the Assistant Minister of Rites, found himself personally involved in this business, which he now operated more confidently.
In the bureaucratic circles, with money and connections, one need not worry about unsuccessful endeavours.
Fan Zhenglian turned to the last page of the booklet, his gaze suddenly halting.
After a moment, he furrowed his brow and pointed to a name in the booklet, asking Qi Chuan, "Who is this, and why has he only sent eight hundred taels?"
The silver required to bribe the chief examiner and the Ministry of Rites Grading Officer usually started at a thousand taels or more. Of course, such dealings often involved opportunities that money alone could not buy. Those listed in the booklet typically had some kind of connection or relationship.
Qi Chuan stepped forward to look and saw that the person pointed out was named "Liu Zide."
After pondering for a moment, Qi Chuan replied, "My lord, this person’s father is Liu Kun, who runs a noodle shop on Que’er Street. The year before last, Liu Kun’s elder son, Liu Zixian, made it onto the list of successful candidates in the booklet. The one sent this year is his younger son."
Fan Zhenglian’s brow furrowed even deeper: "I’m asking about this man’s background."
For a noodle shop owner to have his sons take shortcuts, naturally, he was not an ordinary man. But with his many daily affairs, and with so many names on the booklet for the imperial examination, how could he remember every one of them? He was a bit hazy at the moment.
Qi Chuan reminded him in a low voice, "My lord, a couple of years ago in the Capital City, there was a robbery. The robber escaped, and it was this Liu Kun who reported where the robber was hiding, ultimately leading to the criminal’s capture." Seeing that Fan Zhenglian was still silent, Qi Chuan added, "At that time, you even posted wanted notices throughout the city."
As soon as he heard this, Fan Zhenglian’s eyes brightened: "So it’s him!"
He hadn’t held the position of Examiner Official for long, and there hadn’t been any major incidents in Shengjing in the past few years. The whole city manhunt amounted to just a handful of cases. The year before last... wasn’t that the incident at the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion?
Fan Zhenglian stroked the smooth whiskers on his chin, his gaze flickering.
That young man named Lu, arrogant and foolish to the point of being laughable, thought he could seek justice with just a letter. He didn’t realize that low lives had cheap fates; to people at the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion, he was worse than a dog—they could decide to beat or kill him just like that.
And Liu Kun, it would have been safer to silence him as well, yet although Fan Zhenglian wasn’t much of a scholar, he had some brains when it came to navigating the bureaucratic world. By executing that young man, he had sold a favor to the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion and thus managed to establish a slight connection, but that connection was incredibly fragile. If something went wrong in the future, that thin relationship with the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion was unlikely to exchange for much.
Therefore, Fan Zhenglian spared Liu Kun, considering him a potential asset for the future.
Moreover, Liu Kun was quite a clever man, with a sweet tongue to boot, so when his elder son had his imperial examination that autumn, Fan Zhenglian gave him a chance as well. He enjoyed the power of holding others’ careers in his palm. Furthermore, once these people became officials, grateful for his past kindness, they would offer him support in the officialdom, making his own position even more secure.
Unexpectedly, that man had returned this year. Fan Zhenglian stared at the name Liu Zide on the booklet, his gaze turning somewhat somber.
These lowborn people were really greedy.
Seeing his displeasure, Qi Chuan asked, "My lord, should this person be removed from the booklet?"
Yet Fan Zhenglian said nothing, only plucking at his beard. After a moment, he said, "Go back and tell him to send another eight hundred taels of silver."
Eight hundred plus eight hundred—that made sixteen hundred taels. Qi Chuan said, "Liu Kun probably can’t afford that much..."
"If he can’t afford it, he shouldn’t come," Fan Zhenglian sneered derisively, "Spending sixteen hundred taels for an official rank is already a good deal." He half-closed his eyes, "If not for my benevolent heart, willing to offer him a ladder, he would spend his life as a lowly commoner, struggling in the mud for his food."
Qi Chuan’s expression shifted slightly, but Fan Zhenglian did not notice.
"Right," the man suddenly remembered something and opened his eyes, lifting the hot cup of tea from the table for a sip, "That female doctor who visited the mansion a while back, why haven’t I seen her lately?"
A couple of months ago, Zhao Feiyan had invited a female doctor to visit her for a check-up. Fan Zhenglian had happened upon her once unintentionally. The female doctor had a pure face, as delicate as a lily in the valley, soft and tender, which immediately piqued his interest.
But the woman didn’t visit often, and Zhao Feiyan was always present. Moreover, by the time he returned to the mansion from his duties, the female doctor would have already left. He couldn’t find a good opportunity, and it wouldn’t do to be too obvious in case someone witnessed it, especially now that he was the "Fan Qingtian" known for his alleged incorruptibility.
Qi Chuan answered, "The lady said that her illness is fully cured, and there’s no need for Doctor Lu to visit anymore."
"Oh?"
Fan Zhenglian narrowed his eyes.
A beautiful woman of humble origins was like a lovely wildflower that everyone wanted to pluck—and that anyone could pluck. Just buy her a house, show her wealth and splendor, and she would willingly confine herself to a cage, singing for her master day after day.
After all, commoners are born to be ground under the heels of the powerful.
Fan Zhenglian set down his teacup, "After the imperial examination, have her bring some medicine for me as well."
Qi Chuan bowed his head, "Yes, my lord."