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

Chapter 404 Five-Year Agreement

Although Zhu Yuchun and his two brothers were optimistic about Wu Lang, they were still reluctant to do so due to their brotherhood and some personal emotions. For a moment, they looked at each other, but no one was eager to express their opinion.

Seeing that Zhu Yuchun and his fellow apprentices remained silent, as if they were lost in their own thoughts and had not expressed their opinions, Wu Lang's face, which had been full of anticipation and excitement, gradually began to show worry. His eyes gradually glanced at Ye Changyan, but saw Ye Changyan nodded at him and gave him a firm look.

Everyone was waiting for the attitudes of Zhu Yuchun and his two brothers. Master Cai also smiled and waited quietly for the responses from his disciples.

"Sir, Uncle and Aunt Ye, I, Zhu Yuchun, was born in a small landlord family in Zhangzhou. Unfortunately, my family suffered a sudden change. The flood in Zhangzhou made me an orphan. I, Zhu Yuchun, can get to where I am today, all thanks to the upbringing and teachings of you, sir. Among my brothers and sisters, I don't have a strong family background, and my qualifications are not outstanding. But I am willing to accept Wulang as my disciple. If Wulang becomes my disciple, I will treat him the same as Shanbao and teach them like I teach Shanbao. Wulang and Shanbao are the same age, so I think they can get along like brothers, just like Shanbao and Fubao."

After a brief silence in the private room, Zhu Yuchun, the eldest senior brother, took the lead in expressing his opinion. When Mr. Cai heard Zhu Yuchun's opinion, he stroked his beard with a smile. The others nodded silently, and then Zhao Mubai also began to express his opinion.

"Sir, Uncle and Aunt Ye, although I, Zhao Mubai, did not grow up with you like my senior and sixth junior brothers, I entered school early and received your teachings early on. After spending so many years with you brothers, I also know the preciousness of the friendship between brothers. If Wulang can become my disciple, I will teach him the same way I taught Guangdi. I believe that with Guangdi and Wulang as companions, the two will definitely help each other in their studies and get along well with each other."

Then Ji Yunting, who was sitting next to Liang Jingcheng, also spoke up.

"Sir, Uncle and Aunt Ye, I, Ji Yunting, was born in a family of officials. When I was young, I had a high opinion of myself and felt that I had some talent. I was arrogant because of my talent, so I wasted a lot of time. Fortunately, I later became your disciple. Under the guidance of you and your mistress, I am back on the right track of my studies. Therefore, I am well aware of the great influence you have on your disciples. If Wulang is willing to become my disciple, I will incorporate all the detours I took when I was young into my teaching of Wulang."

Ji Yunting's words made Mr. Cai burst into laughter.

"I remember that not long after I was transferred back to Shengjing from Zhangzhou, I heard that the Ji family had a very talented child. Later, when Yun Ting's father came to visit, Yun Ting was still a rebellious teenager. But I have to say that among my disciples, Yun Ting is the most outstanding in terms of talent. As he said just now, he is very talented, but he is arrogant and has delayed his studies. Jing Cheng, Chang Yan and Wu Lang, you must remember this lesson."

Liang Jingcheng, Ye Changyan and Wu Lang nodded in agreement after hearing Mr. Cai's advice. Mr. Cai stroked his beard lightly and then turned his gaze back to Wu Lang.

"Wulang, my three disciples have expressed their willingness to accept you as their disciple. Have you decided which one of them you want to be their disciple?"

Wu Lang couldn't make up his mind for a moment, and subconsciously glanced in the direction of Ye Changyan. Wu Lang's little action was seen by everyone, and everyone couldn't help but laugh.

After a burst of laughter, General Cai turned his gaze to Ye Changyan and spoke.

"Sanlang, after all, Wulang is only an eleven-year-old boy. Becoming his disciple is a big deal. As the elder brother, please give us your opinion."

Ye Changyan didn't expect that the teacher would mention him, but he did have some plans in mind. Since the teacher asked for his opinion, he might as well say it out loud and let everyone hear it.

"It is my great honor to be able to become your disciple. Since I came to Beijing, I have gotten along well with all the senior brothers. Currently, Wulang is studying in Mr. Xia's private school in my hometown. Mr. Xia is also a famous scholar in the local area. Since he suggested that Wulang take the examination for Tongsheng, I think Wulang should still have some confidence. I think Wulang can go back to Yuzhou Prefecture after the new year and pass the examination for Tongsheng first. Several senior brothers are officials in Beijing. If Wulang becomes your disciple, he will definitely have to come to Shengjing to study in the official school. Therefore, he must first pass the examination for Xiucai and become a student. So Wulang, you should work harder in the next two years and strive to pass the examination for Xiucai as soon as possible. Then our family can move to Shengjing."

When Wulang heard his brother encouraging him to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar as soon as possible, saying that after passing the examination he would not only be able to come to Shengjing to study at the official school, but also be able to move his entire family to Shengjing, his heart seemed to be filled with fighting spirit, and he nodded vigorously at Ye Changyan.

Neither Ye Xiaozheng nor Lian had expected that their eldest son would think so far ahead. If Wulang could really pass the imperial examination and become a scholar like Sanlang, he would also come to the capital to study. They were excited just thinking about it.

Erniu and Zhong Yunfeng looked at each other, and a smile appeared on their faces, because Zhong Yunfeng had mentioned to Erniu privately that the focus of his industry has now shifted to Shengjing, and Zhong Yunfeng plans to move to Shengjing to live there for a long time after marriage. If Wulang really passes the imperial examination and comes to Shengjing to study, then his whole family can be reunited in Shengjing.

When Mr. Cai, Zhu Yuchun and his fellow apprentices, as well as Xiao Yankai and his son, heard Ye Changyan's plan, they all nodded in agreement.

"Today, several senior brothers have expressed their willingness to accept Wu Lang as their disciple. I am really happy for Wu Lang and I would like to express my sincere gratitude to them. But if you ask me to suggest which senior brother Wu Lang should take as his master, my personal suggestion is as I said just now. If Wu Lang takes a master now, he will not be able to serve the senior brothers. So what I mean is that since the senior brothers have such high expectations for Wu Lang, then Wu Lang should study hard and strive to pass the examination to become a scholar as soon as possible. Then he can enter Shengjing and decide for himself which senior brother he wants to take as his master."

It has to be said that Ye Changyan's considerations are indeed more practical and comprehensive. Just when everyone was thinking about what Ye Changyan had just said, they heard Ye Changyan continue to speak.

"If Wulang is determined to pass the examination and several brothers are willing to wait for Wulang, then everyone present today can bear witness. We set a five-year deadline. If Wulang can pass the examination within five years, no matter which brother he chooses to be his teacher when he goes to Beijing, the other brothers should not worry. On the contrary, if Wulang fails to pass the examination within five years, it means that he only has a talent for learning, but he is not diligent enough, so he naturally has no face to come to Beijing."