Starting from a thatched cottage, the farmer embarked on the road to wealth through imperial examina

"Dad, these are new friends I met at the dance."

Then he listened to Sang Li's general account of how he met Ye Changyan and others.

Sang Xiong was a generous person. After learning about Teacher Cai's identity, he had someone rearrange VIP seats for Teacher Cai's disciples.

In the eyes of the powerful people in Dasheng, the land of Manmiao is a barbaric place full of smoke and poisonous insects. They believe that the people here are uncivilized barbarians.

When the dignitaries of Youshui City in the banquet hall learned of Mr. Cai's identity, their faces were full of reverence. As dignitaries, they naturally knew the status of Mr. Cai in the eyes of scholars and students in Dasheng and even the world.

"The Emperor of Sheng Kingdom will grant a number of places for foreign students to study in Shengjing every three years. My Sixteen Miao have always maintained good relations with Sheng Kingdom, so my Sixteen Miao can get a certain number of places every time. This time, my son Sang Li is one of the students going to Shengjing to study."

All the dignitaries present looked at Sang Li with envy. Sang Li, who was only fifteen years old, was not only the most handsome young man in Youshui City, but also the most gifted student among the younger generation in Youshui City.

Da Sheng was a country founded on military power and ruled by culture. It inherited the civilization and etiquette passed down for thousands of years by successive dynasties. Educating the foreign people was a grace bestowed by the emperor of Da Sheng on friendly foreign countries.

When Mr. Cai was in charge of the Imperial College, he systematically improved the existing system for foreign students to study in Shengjing.

Since students from foreign countries have relatively poor foundations, they hope to learn some practical skills. Therefore, most of them are admitted to law, calligraphy, and mathematics. A few students with good foundations are admitted to all four subjects.

More than half of the students in the Imperial College and the Imperial University were admitted through imperial favor. Those who were able to enter the Imperial College and the Imperial College through imperial favor were either from noble families or from the families of high-ranking officials of the fourth rank or above in the court.

The few remaining places for admission to the Imperial College and the Imperial Academy require students who have passed rigorous examinations. The Imperial College does not recruit students from foreign countries, so being admitted to the Imperial College became an important goal for foreign students.

"Young Master, you are a young talent. There is no doubt that you will be admitted to the four schools."

Mr. Cai had just been sitting with Sang Li. Seeing that he was well-educated and well-mannered, he had a brief conversation with him and discovered that the boy was quick-witted and had a solid foundation, so he praised him sincerely.

"Mr. Cai is a leader in the education field of Sheng Country. We all in Youshui City regard him as a guest of honor. I wonder if you can give my son some advice and try to get him admitted to the Imperial College. If you can accept my son as your disciple, that would be even better."

Sang Xiong is a straightforward person who speaks his mind directly.

But I saw Mr. Cai twirling his beard lightly and smiling happily.

"Thanks to the city lord's kindness, I have accepted seven disciples in total. The seven disciples in front of me are my last disciples. However, my master and I have a lot of affinity with the young master. Both of us are happy to exchange knowledge with the young master."

Although Sang Li was rejected by Mr. Cai as his disciple, Sang Xiong was still very happy. Being able to receive guidance from Mr. Cai's disciple, Sang Li would surely have a better chance of being admitted to the Imperial Academy.

"Thank you, sir. Come on, drink this cup to the full!"

Sang Xiong raised his glass and toasted Mr. Cai. After the banquet, both the guests and the hosts had a great time.

Sang Xiong cordially invited Teacher Cai and several of his disciples to stay in Youshui City for a few days. After some rejection, Teacher Cai agreed to set off with Sang Li in three days.

Originally, Sang Xiong wanted to let Master Cai and his disciples live in the City Lord's Mansion, but was politely declined by Cai. After the banquet, the master and his disciples were escorted back to the inn by people arranged by Sang Xiong.

The innkeeper immediately became polite to Teacher Cai and his disciples.

In the following two days, Sang Li and the Saint Girl took the initiative to act as guides and took Master Cai and his disciples to visit Youshui City, and they tried all kinds of delicious food in Youshui City.

However, the most famous delicacy in Youshui City, Houttuynia cordata mixed with potato chips, was totally unacceptable to Mr. Cai, a veteran foodie. On the contrary, Ye Changyan and Liang Jingcheng, a pair of fellow apprentices, ate it with gusto.

Three days later, a gorgeous cruise ship docked at the Youshui City Pier. This was specially prepared by Sang Xiong for his youngest son and Mr. Cai and his party.

Teacher Cai and his disciples politely said goodbye to the city lord and the people who came to see them off, then stepped onto the gangplank and boarded the cruise ship.

Sang Xiong was a free and easy person by nature, but he was still reluctant to let his beloved youngest son go on a long journey. He talked to Sang Li for a long time at the dock, and then reluctantly let Sang Li board the ship.

Sang Li's entourage also boarded the boat, and saw the boatman began to collect the ropes and spread the sails. Accompanied by the sound of a horn, the cruise ship gradually sailed away from the Youshui City Pier.

"Ahri, I will always wait for you!"

Then the saint's clear and sweet voice was heard from the dock.

"fiancée?"

Seeing Sang Li staring at the saint and waving goodbye, Ye Changyan asked jokingly, and saw Sang Li smile and nodded.

"Ah Man and I are the same age. We almost grew up together. We were engaged when we were young. But Ah Man is the Saint of Youshui City. She shoulders the mission of protecting Youshui City. Therefore, she cannot leave Youshui City before a new Saint is born."

Each of the sixteen tribes of the Man Miao has its own saint, who shoulders the important task of protecting the people in one area, especially in major events such as sacrifices, playing a role as important as the high priest.

A saint is created by the transmission of knowledge from a master to his disciple. Since a saint must be a virgin, most of them will never marry. Then they will accept a disciple and pass on their mantle. When the saint dies, the title of saint will be passed on to her disciple.

There are also a few saints who will get married. They will accept a disciple before getting engaged and pass the title of saint to their disciple on the day before the wedding.

Ye Changyan and Liang Jingcheng were very interested in such customs, and they kept chatting with Sang Li about the customs and folkways of the Man Miao people along the way.

Three days later, the cruise ship stopped at the Kuizhou City Pier.

Sang Li's accompanying steward quickly arranged food and lodging for the group. The group rested for one night in Kuizhou City. The next day, the steward arranged a carriage early, and the group headed east and north towards Shengjing.

The northeast direction from Kuizhou is full of rugged mountain roads, and the official roads are not wide. After driving for two days, the carriage drove out of Kuizhou. The scenery outside the window changed. The towering mountains gradually disappeared, and what came into view were low mountains and hills.

After passing Zhongxing Prefecture, there was a vast plain in front of us. Sang Li was very excited as he looked at the endless plain outside the car window.

Lu Tingfeng drove the carriage into the plain. The official road became wider and the speed of the carriage naturally increased a lot.

The late autumn wind came into the carriage along with the galloping carriage. Ye Changyan estimated that the temperature had dropped by at least ten degrees compared to when he set out from Wanshou County. The jacket that Lian had prepared for him soon came in handy.

When passing through Guangyang Prefecture, the group rested here for two days. Ye Changyan sent the first letter back home, briefly recounting what he had seen and heard along the way. Of course, he did not forget to praise the coat prepared by Lian, which came in very handy.