Ninety-Fifth Chapter: Sworn Brothers

In the Ministry of Rites Examination Hall of the Song dynasty, a certain person—whether official or clerk—sat upon a chair with his legs crossed, clutching a teapot. His eyelids, swollen like fish bubbles, never even lifted as he maintained an expressionless face, repeating the same simple sounds over and over.

“Official sir, we have come to collect our home documents and recommendation letters,” Zeng Gongming repeated once more.

The so-called home documents were records detailing the examinees’ native places and family situations, while recommendation letters—or recommendation certificates—were provided by the local officials of the examinees’ native regions to vouch for them. After these were delivered through bookshops to the Ministry of Rites Examination Hall, the examinees could then sit for the provincial examinations.

Li Sanjian and Zeng Gongming had failed the provincial exams. Whatever they did in the future, they must retrieve their home documents and recommendation letters, or they might not even be able to find lodging in an inn, let alone engage in any other activities.

At this moment, after Zeng Gongming’s repetition, the clerk in green robe continued with “oh… um…” without pause. It seemed as if some pain afflicted him, his complexion gloomy, or perhaps as if Li Sanjian and others owed him eight hundred taels of silver.

“Brother Hanren, let’s return home. It’s all right if we don’t get them,” Zeng Gongming could no longer endure it and angrily addressed Li Sanjian.

Upon hearing this, Li Sanjian quickly pulled Zeng Gongming closer, took out two strings of coins from his bosom, covered his hand with his sleeve, and gently placed them on the desk, saying, “This official, please show some leniency.”

This person was clearly demanding a bribe. If refused, he would certainly harass Li Sanjian and the others, which was obvious. Thus, despite his inner disgust, Li Sanjian had no choice but to comply.

Moreover, Li Sanjian and Zeng Gongming were failed examinees. Failed examinees were worse than chickens, and Li Sanjian did not expect kind faces from others.

The world’s vicissitudes of human relations, how could it be so harsh? Even failing the exams would lead to extortion. Li Sanjian felt exceptionally angry about this.

Li Sanjian and Zeng Gongming obediently handed over the “home document money.” Only then did the clerk’s expression ease slightly, though he remained extremely arrogant and spoke a few more words.

“Outside, wait.”

The clerk added these four words. Having said so, he continued to play with the exquisite teapot.

Li Sanjian exchanged a helpless and indignant glance with Zeng Gongming and could only turn and leave the hall to wait for summons.

Just as Li Sanjian was about to exit the hall, he suddenly turned and grinned, saying, “This official, if you smile, will you die?”

Both Zeng Gongming and the clerk were stunned.

“Haha, Brother Hanren, you really are something,” Zeng Gongming could not help but laugh heartily and slapped Li Sanjian on the back. He then left the official yamen together with Li Sanjian.

The clerk’s expression shifted from gloomy to uncertain, and he fiercely glared at Li Sanjian’s retreating back.

“Outer Official has arrived.” At this moment, the door keeper announced.

Upon hearing this, the clerk immediately jumped up from his chair. His fat body was light as a swallow, rushing to the door, bending his waist like a shrimp, nodding and bowing as he saluted the Ministry of Rites Vice Minister Li Gefei who had entered from outside.

His face was smiling like a blooming flower, and his fish-bubble-like eyes were wide open, looking exceptionally spirited.

Li Gefei nodded and asked Li Sanjian, “Why have you come here, Brother Hanren?”

Li Gefei had seen Li Sanjian the moment he entered.

Li Gefei was also extremely regretful that Li Sanjian had failed the exams, but his regret was just that; after all, Li Sanjian and Li Gefei were not related by blood or marriage. Even if Li Sanjian had once been a disciple of Su Shi, his relationship with Li Gefei was not close.

Previously, Li Gefei had merely shown some care to Li Sanjian out of respect for Su Shi, not to mention that Li Sanjian was no longer Su Shi’s disciple.

“I came here to fetch the home documents and recommendation letters,” Li Sanjian replied.

“Got them?” Li Gefei nodded and asked again.

Li Sanjian shook his head.

Li Gefei then turned his head to look at the clerk.

How could Li Gefei not understand the tricks in this? What angered Li Gefei was that despite Li Sanjian’s current destitution and the poverty of his family, these people still wanted to harass Li Sanjian and the others.

Li Gefei’s expression involuntarily became difficult to look at.

“This lowly official… Outer Official… there are too many examinees, in such a short time…” The clerk, seeing his superior actually knew Li Sanjian, felt some panic in his heart and stammered in response.

“Quickly go and fetch them?” Li Gefei said with a somber face.

“Yes, yes, this lowly official will go at once,” the clerk hurriedly replied, then turned and rushed away.

In this world, no matter the time, as long as there are connections and someone above, things become much simpler and faster.

In a moment, the clerk presented the home documents and recommendation letters for Li Sanjian and Zeng Gongming, and without a sound, secretly stuffed the “home document money” back into Li Sanjian’s hands.

“Brother Hanren, do not be disheartened. You are still young; you can take the exams again next year,” Li Gefei, seeing that Li Sanjian had retrieved his documents, comforted him.

“Thank you, Lord Li,” Li Sanjian bowed and thanked, “The student was indeed planning this. Lord Li, I will take my leave.”

At this point, Li Sanjian no longer needed to hide or conceal anything; he frankly informed Li Gefei of his plan.

After Li Sanjian saluted, he left the Ministry of Rites Examination Hall with Zeng Gongming. Li Sanjian’s steps were quick, and soon he vanished from sight.

Li Sanjian was ashamed to face Li Gefei; Li Sanjian had done “that thing” to his only daughter… I hope Li Gefei does not know about it yet. If he knew, would he beat Li Sanjian to death alive? Li Sanjian thought secretly in his heart.

Li Gefei looked at Li Sanjian’s retreating back and sighed inwardly. As a court official of the Ministry of Rites, how could Li Gefei not understand Li Sanjian’s situation? How could he not understand where the crux of the problem lay?

“Taking the exam again next year? Easier said than done,” Li Gefei thought secretly. With someone powerful above, Li Sanjian would never pass the imperial exams in his lifetime.

The previous words were merely Li Gefei’s consolation to Li Sanjian.

After leaving the Ministry of Rites Examination Hall, Li Sanjian asked Zeng Gongming, “What are your plans for the future, Brother Donglin?”

“This…” Zeng Gongming pondered and replied, “My father wrote a letter asking me to return to Lingnan, but I also want to stay in the capital. Brother Hanren, what do you think I should do?”

Li Sanjian was simply speechless upon hearing this. What was he supposed to do? He couldn’t even make up his mind himself? Asking Li Sanjian to give him advice…

Zeng Gongming was the only close friend Li Sanjian had in this world so far. Since they met, they were like old friends, talking about everything without reservation. Zeng Gongming treated Li Sanjian with utmost sincerity, and Li Sanjian was deeply moved. Li Sanjian cherished this friendship especially.

Li Sanjian pondered and asked, “What do you plan to do if you return to Lingnan? And what if you stay in the capital?”

“My father found a position for me in the yamen. If I return to Lingnan, I plan to do official duties there. If I stay in the capital… I haven’t decided what to do yet. How about trading?” Zeng Gongming answered hesitantly.

The bustling and lively Kaifeng Prefecture of Song’s capital was something Zeng Gongming and the others saw with their own eyes. If they left the capital and returned to such a desolate place as Guangnan Road, Zeng Gongming’s heart would be filled with unwillingness and reluctance. Trading in the capital seemed like a good choice.

“Since the official career is not going smoothly, it’s not bad to become a wealthy merchant,” Li Sanjian thought secretly in his heart.

“Not planning to take the exams again next year?” Li Sanjian asked.

Zeng Gongming shook his head vigorously and said, “Brother, what abilities do I have? You know I don’t. Alas, my whole life in the imperial exams is hopeless. Being able to pass the preliminary exam initially was already satisfying enough. Brother, I have no other wishes at this time, only hoping that Brother can pass the exams next year, and I will be happy beyond words.”

Li Sanjian, upon hearing this, gratefully held Zeng Gongming’s hand and said, “Good brother, you can do it. I hope you do not give up.”

Li Sanjian’s voice was already a bit choked with sobs. The examinees from Guizhou Prefecture, even the Lingnan examinees, and even the entire Guizhou officials and common people, all pinned their hopes on Guangnanxi Road producing a successful jinshi and placed all their hopes on Li Sanjian. But now… Li Sanjian could hardly bear to think about it.

How could Li Sanjian face up to Huang Professor? Huang Professor and the other county school teachers were also Li Sanjian’s masters. How could he face the Guizhou officials? How could he face his teacher Su Shi? And his maternal grandfather and uncle, they all hoped for Li Sanjian to achieve fame on the golden list.

Zeng Gongming understood what Li Sanjian was thinking; his voice also choked up. He wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and said, “It’s not that I want to give up, Brother, but it really can’t be helped. Brother… please don’t say more.”

Li Sanjian let out a long sigh and said, “Then, you should return. Return to Guangnan and hope for a future success.”

“Trading in the capital? Not that easy,” Li Sanjian thought secretly, “The vast capital looks like a bustling world filled with gold, but with you, a mere teenage boy with almost no connections, wanting to trade in the capital? A boy who is almost entirely without a way in…”

“Establishing a foothold in the capital? Not easy at all. It might even be eaten to the bone and left with nothing by others. Therefore, Li Sanjian’s advice to Zeng Gongming was to return to Guangnan, go to the local yamen to do official duties; at the very least, Zeng Gongming’s family was in Guangnan, so he would receive care from home.”

“Mm, I’ll listen to Brother’s advice,” Zeng Gongming also understood Li Sanjian’s meaning. Li Sanjian was thinking of him in everything, so Zeng Gongming nodded and said, “Brother, what about you? Why not come back to Guangnan with us?”

Li Sanjian shook his head and said, “I am different from you. First, my mother has already come to the capital. The hardships along the way have also been seen by you. I cannot bear to let my mother suffer with me on this journey. Second, I cannot swallow this humiliation, Brother. Therefore…”

Three days later, a lone carriage left the Kaifeng Prefecture of Tokyo.

“Little brother, be careful along the way and take good care of yourself,” Li Sanjian waved desperately toward the carriage.

“Brother, you must be careful too. The capital is treacherous; you must keep your eyes open,” Zeng Gongming sat in the carriage and waved desperately as well.

The carriage gradually moved away from the Kaifeng city walls. Zeng Gongming leaned out of the carriage, crying and shouting, “Damn it! Damn it!”

“Let’s go, back to the city,” Li Sanjian said to Shan Kui afterward.