novelraw Chapter 70: Respected Guests
Chapter 70: Respected Guests
Chapter 70 Respected Guests
The world is difficult nowadays. The knowledge taught in ordinary academies is useless, so what's the point of traveling?
Why would a Taoist priest ask me about my travels?
Even though he didn't know the logic behind it, Zhao Mu patiently replied. He had traveled, received guidance from a famous master, won first place in poetry composition at a literary gathering, and participated in academic exchanges of a certain school of thought...
Back then, they suppressed the military and promoted the civil. If any of the Zhao family disciples had a talent for reading, they would be cultivated in the direction of scholars.
However, the Zhao family's conditions were limited at that time, and they could not compare with the prosperous noble families.
But some deeds could be used to gain prestige, regardless of their authenticity, as no one would verify them now anyway.
Therefore, Zhao Mu spoke righteously, unafraid of being exposed.
But as he spoke, he noticed that the smile on Daoist Master Qingyi's face gradually disappeared.
Realizing something was wrong, he finally stopped.Daoist Master Qingyi said expressionlessly: "That's it?"
Zhao Mu: "???"
What else?
What else could I do as a scholar traveling?
Isn't it just those things? Could I turn the world upside down?
He truly couldn't understand what this Taoist priest wanted to hear.
But considering the benefits this Taoist priest could bring, he had to suppress his temper and maintain his politeness.
"Uh, I don't know what the Daoist Master is referring to?"
Daoist Master Qingyi said distantly: "Please leave."
Zhao Mu walked out of the district gate with a mind full of questions, still unable to understand what had gone wrong.
Ignoring his follower who was complaining on his behalf, Zhao Mu got into the horse-drawn carriage, still recalling the scene just now.
Why was that?
As he left Qingyun District to return, a horse-drawn carriage happened to be coming from the opposite direction. Zhao Mu glanced at it and recognized it as belonging to that person named Wen!
He still felt a bit guilty, lowered the curtain, and stopped looking outside, urging the driver: "Hurry up, hurry up!"
At the same time, in another horse-drawn carriage, Wen Gu, who had just returned from the Zhao Residence, noticed something outside.
Seeing that horse-drawn carriage, he asked Chang Shun: "Do you recognize that carriage?"
Chang Shun hesitated: "It seems to be from the Zhaohui District..."
He didn't name it directly but told Wen Gu: Yes, that's right, it's from the Zhao family's branch family living in Zhaohui District.
Wen Gu looked at the direction of the horse-drawn carriage and realized it was very likely coming from Qingyun District.
"Oh, digging my wall while I'm away, are you?"
It seems they didn't succeed.
The horse-drawn carriage that was leaving in a hurry drove all the way into Zhaohui District.
After Zhao Mu returned home, he immediately debriefed his relatives and friends. Then, everyone discussed it back and forth—
"There's no problem."
"Isn't this how scholars travel?"
"Why would a Taoist priest ask such a question? Is he interested in Confucianism? Is this Daoist Master sick?"
Another more steady young man pondered and said: "Perhaps Daoist Master Qingyi is more interested in matters concerning craftsmen. Think about the formulas Wen Gu presented."
The others thought about it and agreed.
But!
When a scholar travels, who among them would learn about craftsmen's work?
"Don't be discouraged. There must be some news we've missed. Let's investigate first, and then we'll go. The more he is like this, the more it proves he has real ability.
"Such an extraordinary person will not be easily swayed. This is just our first attempt to recruit him. After collecting more strange stories about craftsmen, we will try again, imitating the 'Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage'."
At this time, in Qingyun District, Daoist Master Qingyi was also angry.
Traveling only involved poetry, calligraphy, painting, and literary gatherings with great scholars?
Are these useful to me?
Is it beneficial?!
With such little knowledge, he deserves to boss me around?!
I do the work, and I bear the risk?
Do you think I'm stupid?!
Begone!!
Besides...
Stepping on powerful people to rise will better showcase my brilliance.
Stepping on fools will only make me look slightly better than a fool, lowering my own status.
That person from the Zhao family's branch seemed not very intelligent.
Can't a more capable person come and recruit me?
Tsk, it seems my talents are not yet outstanding enough.
The Taoist boy beside him was puzzled and observed Daoist Master Qingyi's expression, asking cautiously:
"Master, does traveling have anything to do with these things?"
Daoist Master Qingyi said profoundly: "You don't understand. Scholars' travels are terrifying! They are also proof of their strength!"
He deeply believed this.
In Jingxing District opposite, Wen Gu's horse-drawn carriage returned.
He Da, upon receiving the news, immediately rushed back and had been waiting at the district gate. Seeing Wen Gu, he quickly recounted what had happened in the opposite district.
He knew some laborers who worked in Qingyun District and was aware of the commotion there.
Wen Gu appeared calm and did not mention the matter in the other district. He simply said to He Da: "Don't go out later. Wait at the district gate. Someone from the Patrol Division will deliver the honeycomb coal stoves."
He Da was overjoyed.
The legendary honeycomb coal stoves were finally being delivered?!
As for the Patrol Division, others might be afraid, but he... he was a little scared, but not too scared. He had even seen Patrol Division personnel acting as guards for Foreman Wen.
Seeing Wen Gu's calm reaction to the events in Qingyun District, He Da didn't dwell on it any further and waited at the district gate for the coal stoves.
Wen Gu arrived at the office of the two districts and sat down to ponder the matter of Qingyun District.
It was not unexpected.
The Dog Taoist priest had always been a very straightforward person. Whoever could bring him fame and fortune, he would lean towards them.
The premise was that it could indeed bring him fame and fortune, not just empty boasts.
Regarding bragging and deception, the Taoist priest had played that game for many years. They needed to show him actual benefits to sway his thoughts.
The people from the Zhao family's branch were not doing well themselves, so how could they make Daoist Master Qingyi believe their promises?
The Dog Taoist priest was probably very depressed now.
Wen Gu shook his head, put this matter aside for the moment, and dealt with his current official duties.
But today was destined not to be a quiet day.
A more elaborately decorated horse-drawn carriage was heading towards Jingxing District.
Inside the horse-drawn carriage.
Two men in fine clothes, both around twenty years old, sat facing each other.
"This Jingxing District is too remote. It doesn't even face the main road!"
"I can't understand it. If I could be valued by my uncle, why would I choose such a small, run-down place!"
The two were descendants of the Shen family, nephews of Madam Shen.
Upon learning that Wen Gu was being favored, they felt unconvinced and came to meet this distant relative.
They had discussed it many times in private. Although they had never met Wen Gu, it did not prevent them from gathering together to criticize him.
We are all around the same age, of similar status, and just muddling along. How can you stand out!
As soon as Wen Gu left the Zhao family's gate, they began their preparations.
Two of them would act as vanguards to test this distant relative.
For this purpose, they had specially changed into more opulent attire.
Normally, they wouldn't dare to leave the district gates. Many districts outside were quite dirty and chaotic, with many plagues, especially in such a secluded district. They disdained it.
It was just that with the cold weather now, the dangers related to evil spirits had greatly reduced. As long as they prevented other infectious diseases and brought a few guards, it would be fine.
The luxurious horse-drawn carriage drove directly into Jingxing District.
The newly repaired district gate had a cobblestone-paved entrance. Beyond this section, it was just compacted earth.
Although it still looked rather shabby, it was relatively smooth and clean.
People in the horse-drawn carriage looked around the district with picky eyes.
He Da had good eyesight. He saw that it was not someone from the Patrol Division but seemed to be from some noble family's carriage. A young man lifted the curtain and looked outside.
His expression was not very friendly.
If a noble person were to visit Jingxing District, they would surely be looking for Foreman Wen.
Considering that the foreman's reputation had soared in the past two days, He Da guessed that after the previous attempt at poaching, this time it wouldn't be trouble, would it?
He had heard that if the relationship was not very close, respectable families would even send calling cards.
They came uninvited and without prior notification.
Seeing that the situation was not right, He Da's heart sank. His legs were fast, and he scurried around two houses to inform the office.
"Foreman, it seems someone has come to cause trouble!"
He Da quickly described the scene at the district gate.
Wen Gu stopped his work.
Based on He Da's description, this opulent style might belong to a relative of the Shen family.
Cheng Zhi worried: "Foreman, those who come are not good!"
Wen Gu's expression was calm, and he smiled: "Don't panic, perhaps it's a good thing."
He Da went out to observe and soon ran back.
"Foreman, there isn't one, but two! They are dressed expensively and have followers and guards with them!"
Cheng Zhi said anxiously: "What should we do?"
Wen Gu, however, stood up excitedly: "Double happiness!"
He strode out to welcome the distinguished guests.
He saw two young noblemen in fine silk robes, walking over with great presence.
The sound of jade pendants clinking, the gleam of brocade, dazzling splendor, and an imposing aura of nobility.
Nobility!
Noble!
Wen Gu looked at them, smiled sincerely, and bowed elegantly:
"Are you brothers from the Shen family?"
The older young man walking in front said sarcastically: "Foreman Wen is a very busy person. We thought you definitely wouldn't have time to contact us, so we had to come uninvited. We hope Foreman Wen won't mind."
The younger one, with a more flamboyant personality, raised his hand to join in with a sneer, intending to drive away the shabby atmosphere here.
As soon as he opened his mouth and raised his hand.
Wen Gu grabbed his arm and pulled him into the house.
"???
Ah, this...
This cousin Wen is actually an enthusiastic person?
"Sit, don't be polite. We are all relatives, so treat this place as your own home."
Wen Gu pulled them and quickly walked into the house.
"Little He, serve tea!"
He came to the desk, tidied the documents on the table, cleared a space, and said to the two:
"I've wanted to find an opportunity to invite some of my cousins to gather for a long time. However, I've been swamped with official duties and have been feeling troubled these past few days. Seeing you today has suddenly enlightened me!"
Wen Gu looked at them with the eyes of seeing a savior.
The younger Shen Liu was completely stunned by Wen Gu's enthusiasm.
If Wen Gu's attitude had been poor, he would have known how to respond. But now, this situation...
Cousin Wen seems like a decent person.
Shen Qing, who followed into the house, snorted upon hearing Wen Gu's words:
"You? What troubles do you have? You are in the limelight now. Who doesn't know the young master from the Zhao family, Foreman Wen Gu, who is deeply trusted by the Zhao family head?"
"It's too difficult for me!" Wen Gu sighed, "I truly have a heart full of hardships!"
Then he made a gesture to Cheng Zhi.
Secretary Cheng had not yet developed a tacit understanding and was not quick-witted enough. He could only remember the gesture.
Following the instructions, Cheng Zhi carefully took a drawing paper from the bookshelf next to him.
He remembered that the foreman had said that building these would cost a huge amount, even more than the Taoist priest's temple, and they couldn't afford it.
Wen Gu spread out the drawing paper, his gaze sincere and eager.
"You brought this upon yourselves!"
(End of this chapter)