novelraw Chapter 267
Chapter 267
Chapter 267: The Examinee
Regarding the imperial examination, Liu Huaiyuan, as one of the examinees involved, was still a bit nervous. After all, the imperial examination was a major event in one’s life. Which scholar reaching this stage wouldn’t have a heart dreaming of passing the exam with high honors? Moreover, he now belonged to Ninth Highness.
When Liu Huaiyuan saw Wei Yu appear at the dormitory doorway, he was surprised.
“Your Highness? Your Highness, you’ve returned! This commoner didn’t even know Your Highness had come back to the capital. I beg Your Highness to forgive me.”
Seeing Liu Huaiyuan put down his brush and come forward to salute, Wei Yu smiled and stopped his movement. “Brother Yuanhua, you are too polite. I only returned to the capital yesterday. Even my elder brother doesn’t know, so why should you take it amiss? The imperial examination is imminent; Brother Yuanhua is now even more precious than gold. I haven’t come here to make you anxious.”
Liu Huaiyuan smiled upon hearing this. “It is Yuanhua who is old-fashioned. Your Highness specially came to look in on me; it is indeed an honor for me.”
Wei Yu waved his hand and walked over to look at Liu Huaiyuan’s desk.
The desk was full of things—either books or papers filled with writing. Wei Yu glanced briefly and felt as if he had returned to high school to take the college entrance exam. Terrifying.
Turning around, Wei Yu smiled and said, “I came to comfort Brother Yuanhua and advise you not to be nervous. But seeing you so diligent now, I feel like talking more is just wasting your time.”
This made Liu Huaiyuan quickly deny this. He looked serious and said, “How could that be? Your Highness returned to the capital just yesterday and came to the manor today… You must have specially returned for the imperial examination. Your Highness’s intention is such that even close relatives wouldn’t be as considerate. Yuanhua is not ungrateful.” Wei Yu maintained a calm expression and accepted this gratitude.
How could he not have come back specially for the imperial examination?
Although it was true that he came to recruit other talented scholars, it did not stop him from encouraging Liu Huaiyuan! At most, Brother Yuanhua thought that His Highness had specially returned for him…
Liu Huaiyuan was genuinely moved.
Normally, if Ninth Wise King came to the manor, if he didn’t look for a certain person immediately, Steward He would definitely send someone to notify others. Liu Huaiyuan didn’t wait for anyone sent by Steward He but met His Highness right away.
Given that His Highness came straight to him upon arrival and mentioned the imperial examination in person, how could Liu Huaiyuan not be touched? How could he not believe that His Highness had specially come back just for him?
Even blood relatives likely would not treat him as sincerely as His Highness!
Originally, Liu Huaiyuan was a bit nervous about the imperial examination. Knowing His Highness’s wholehearted concern, a surge of pride rose in his heart.
He said, “Regarding this imperial examination, please rest assured, Your Highness. Yuanhua will definitely make the honor roll, not disappoint Your Highness’s expectations, and win glory for Your Highness!”
Ah?
Wei Yu was a bit confused by this development.
Why did this person suddenly get so fired up? He was speaking well earlier; why did the last sentence sound nonsensical?!
What did he mean by “winning glory” for him?
He didn’t need that!
Not wanting to crush the young man’s confidence too harshly in case he ended up performing poorly in the upcoming “exam,” Wei Yu carefully said, “Um… Brother Yuanhua, about this imperial examination, I don’t really care much about the ranking. Truly, just take the imperial examination for yourself, not for me. I only care about you personally! I care about who you are as a person, you know?”
Liu Huaiyuan was even more moved and nodded solemnly. “Yes, Yuanhua understands Your Highness’s intentions! Please rest assured; Yuanhua fully understands.”
Wei Yu: …
That was a bit hard to explain.
Forget it, he decided not to say more now; he would wait until after the imperial examination.
Wei Yu changed the subject and asked, “The imperial examination is less than a month away. Brother Yuanhua, do you have any questions you don’t understand yet? Maybe I should find a few great scholars to talk with you in detail.”
The current imperial examination was not something one could pass just by studying silently. The exam covered more than just Astronomy and Geography; topics included local politics, economy, culture, and more. These required candidates to travel around and interact with others to gain experience.
Traveling was currently impossible for Liu Huaiyuan, but Wei Yu could arrange teachers to talk about the politics and culture of Great Wei’s various regions easily enough.
Liu Huaiyuan didn’t refuse this proposal.
Anyway, aside from being moved by His Highness’s actions and harboring greater loyalty in his heart, he had no other use at the moment… He could only wait to pass the exam.
Only after passing would he be able to do more for His Highness.
—
After leaving Liu Huaiyuan, Wei Yu took a leisurely walk toward the Research Institute.
Since it was not mealtime, most people were indoors. Along the way, Wei Yu didn’t see many people. Those he did see were sitting under trees reading, giving off a strong scholarly atmosphere.
Wei Yu was very satisfied.
That’s how education should be. He wondered if the academy Deng Zhengde established in Jiaozhou was as cultured as this.
Xiao Anzi and the others had gone to settle their luggage at the manor. Now, Wei Yu was only accompanied by Fang Sheng; he directly took him to the Research Institute.
Near the Research Institute, there were Gray Guards stationed. When Wei Yu arrived, the leader here, Sha Shan, came over to salute and greet him.
During this pause, Wei Yu noticed another building in the distance.
This building wasn’t there when he left before. It was also built near the Research Institute and under the Gray Guards’ protection. Wei Yu asked Sha Shan directly.
“What is that building? When was it built?”
Sha Shan replied, “It was built before April. It’s a forge. Xi Liuzi needs it, and His Majesty agreed. There are dedicated personnel forging iron inside.”
Oh, a forge.
Thinking about Xi Liuzi currently manufacturing cannon carts, Wei Yu roughly understood the purpose of the forge. No wonder his father agreed to it.
Wei Yu asked Sha Shan, “Is Xi Liuzi at the forge now?”
“Yes, he and Master Fusheng are both inside.”
Knowing both were in the same place, Wei Yu decided not to enter the Research Institute and went directly to the forge.
As expected from a place of blacksmithing, as soon as Wei Yu entered, he felt a wave of heat.
The interior was quite spacious, with many miscellaneous iron items scattered around. Someone was bare-chested, pounding iron loudly.
Wei Yu immediately spotted the semi-finished cannon cart placed to the left, where Fusheng and Xi Liuzi were standing beside it, touching it and discussing something deeply.
Seeing the semi-finished product, Wei Yu couldn’t help but smile. His father, the Emperor, thought the masters were slow, but in fact, they were almost done with the product.
Wei Yu walked over.
"Dean Fusheng, long time no see."
This greeting made the two discussing immediately look over.
Seeing it was Wei Yu, they were surprised but quickly saluted.
“Greetings, Ninth Highness.”
Wei Yu: “No need for formality. I’m just here to check on the cannon cart. You two masters have worked hard to get this far. Are there any difficulties?”
Xi Liuzi couldn’t help but ask: “Your Highness, building the cannon cart isn’t very difficult, but I heard the army now has an item called a telescope. I wonder if Your Highness could lend it to us so that Master and I can take a look, as it would be just right to install it on the cannon cart!”