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

Chapter 405: Commander

The five-year agreement proposed by Ye Changyan was undoubtedly a spur to Wulang. Of course, based on Ye Changyan's understanding of Wulang's academic situation and his original memory of passing the imperial examination, he was full of confidence in Wulang. According to Ye Changyan's estimation, it would take Wulang less than five years to pass the imperial examination.

The reason why he proposed this five-year agreement and let everyone present witness it was not only to spur Wu Lang on, but also to increase Wu Lang's bargaining chips. In fact, Ye Changyan was more inclined to let Wu Lang follow Zhu Yuchun. The reason was very simple. Among the three senior brothers, Zhu Yuchun was the one with a real grassroots background, which was closer to the situation of the Ye family. Zhu Yuchun also understood better the difficulties of grassroots students and the difficulties they might encounter.

Judging from Liang Jingcheng's daily mentions of his eldest brother, Zhu Yuchun is a kind person who is easy to get along with. This is also the case with his interactions with Zhu Yuchun since he came to Beijing. Zhu Yuchun's wife, Ma, is also a bold, careful and easy to get along with. Zhu Shan and Wulang grew up together and he is kind and gentle, so he should get along well with Wulang. Zhu Fu is like a lucky doll, loved by everyone. Overall, the Zhu family is simple in family members, without many of the rules of wealthy families.

But Zhu Yuchun is currently a third-rank assistant minister of the Ministry of Personnel. If Wulang becomes Zhu Yuchun's disciple, it would be too weak considering the current situation of the Ye family and Wulang. So Ye Changyan proposed a five-year agreement. First, he was confident that Wulang could pass the examination and become a scholar within five years, which would make it convenient for him to study in Beijing. Second, Ye Changyan still had some expectations for himself. If he could pass the examination and become a juren within these five years, or even pass the imperial examination, then the situation of Wulang and the Ye family would no longer be too weak, and if Wulang became Zhu Yuchun's disciple, it would not seem that Wulang was marrying out of his league.

Everyone was somewhat surprised at Ye Changyan's proposal. If Wulang became a disciple today, it would be of great help to him in the examination for the status of a student and the examination for the status of a scholar in the future. For example, if Wulang became a disciple of Zhu Yuchun today, then when he took part in the imperial examination, the chief examiner would know that Wulang was a disciple of the Minister of Personnel, and it would not be surprising that he would not only look at him differently, but would even take the initiative to make friends with him.

But Ye Changyan proposed such a five-year agreement, which undoubtedly wanted Wulang to pass the imperial examination with his own real ability. Everyone would definitely look up to the Ye brothers.

"Wulang, your brother proposed this five-year agreement. All of us present here today will bear witness to this. If you pass the examination and become a scholar within five years, then you can decide which of my three disciples you want to become. Do you have the confidence to accept this five-year agreement?"

Wu Lang glanced at Ye Changyan hesitantly, and saw his brother smiling and nodding at him confidently. Wu Lang seemed to feel the confidence his brother conveyed to him. He looked up at Mr. Cai and nodded firmly.

"I have confidence!"

"Good ambition!"

Hearing Wu Lang's sonorous answer, Xiao Yankai couldn't help but praise him, and Zhu Yuchun and his two brothers nodded in satisfaction. Liang Jingcheng saw Ye Changyan's smile and smiled too, silently cheering Wu Lang on in his heart.

Only Ye Xiaozheng, the Lian couple, and Erniu were present at the scene. They did not seem to fully understand the purpose of Ye Changyan's suggestion. They looked at Ye Changyan with a smile on his face, then at Wulang who was full of confidence, and then saw that everyone was nodding with satisfaction. Although they knew this should be a good thing, they still didn't understand what was good about it. It seemed that they could only ask Sanlang and Wulang in private.

Perhaps Xing Wang was the only one at the scene who didn’t care what everyone was talking about. He was just eating the table full of delicious food in front of him with a happy smile on his face.

After the banquet, everyone returned to Shigu Lane. After a busy day, everyone was obviously tired. The maids had already prepared hot water for foot soaking and cleaned up the rooms. After washing up, everyone went back to their rooms to rest.

Tonight Wulang and Ye Changyan stayed in Ye Changyan's room. Before going to bed, Ye Changyan told Wulang about his thoughts and plans in detail. After Wulang knew his brother's intentions and arrangements, he felt more motivated and confident. When Ye Changyan blew out the candle, he saw Wulang with his eyes closed, but a smile on his face.

It snowed all night last night. When the sky brightened in the morning, the dark clouds had disappeared and the snow stopped.

During breakfast, Mr. Cai said that he had lived in Yujing Palace for half a year, and he planned to visit a few old friends when the snow stopped. Originally, Ye Changyan and Liang Jingcheng were going to accompany him, but Mr. Cai said that it was rare for Ye Changyan's family to be there, so he asked Ye Changyan and Liang Jingcheng to take everyone around Shengjing, and he would be accompanied by Lu Tingfeng in the car.

Since Lu Tingfeng was driving with them, Ye Changyan and Liang Jingcheng naturally had nothing to worry about. However, before leaving, they still asked the maids to prepare two more hot water bottles for Cai Lao.

Not long after Mr. Cai left, Ye Changyan's family and Liang Jingcheng got on two horse-drawn carriages and went out, planning to go out for a stroll and see if they could buy some New Year's goods.

Lu Tingfeng drove the carriage straight north and soon arrived at the palace wall. Lu Tingfeng took out a badge and waved it at the guards guarding the palace gate. The guards immediately opened the gate. Lu Tingfeng drove the carriage through the gate and directly entered the palace.

The palace maids and eunuchs who were sweeping the snow in the palace were a little surprised to see a carriage passing through the palace. However, no guards stopped the carriage as it passed by. Although everyone was a little curious, curiosity was not a good thing in the palace. Therefore, the palace maids and eunuchs continued to be busy. After sweeping the snow here, they had to rush to the next place to sweep the snow.

The carriage galloped in the palace for a while and finally stopped at the door of a side hall next to the Qinzheng Hall. As soon as Lu Tingfeng jumped off the carriage, he saw Zuo Wenxing coming out from the side hall to greet him.

Lu Tingfeng lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, and Zuo Wenxing saw Mr. Cai in the carriage smiling at him. Zuo Wenxing nodded politely to Mr. Cai, and then spoke to Lu Tingfeng.

"General, His Majesty has just finished breakfast. Please wait here for a moment while I go and report back."

Lu Tingfeng nodded towards Zuo Wenxing, still with that stern expression on his face.

"Your Majesty, the commander of the Hundred Cavalry Division, Bao Hu, and the former Imperial College chief priest, Cai Zhengqing, are already waiting outside the palace gate."

"Let them come in directly, and have someone send two more charcoal basins over."