Chapter 108.3: Adding More Assets for Jing Wan

Li Hong Yuan narrowed his eyes. In his past life, he'd dispatched people out to sea before. The first time was the most disastrous, with nearly the entire army perishing. Although the circumstances afterwards improved by a lot, it more or less would all have problems arising. And for those that set out several times in a row, no matter what, would all get sick at least once or twice. Although not ruling out the possibility that this youth, when going out to sea, perhaps doesn't go out very far, but thirty some times definitely wasn't a coincidence.

In summary, one would discover that these people originally all didn't think themselves to have anything to be called impressive, except Xie Ren Hui, who just didn't have any opportunities. Now, this was having the opportunity and getting dug out by someone. It really was each and every one all of talent, great talent.

And as for the other few who didn't get any guidance, they were all people who relied on studying and didn't stand out very much. Before the special abilities of these people, who walked the 'crooked path', were unearthed, and got held in high regards, scholars seemingly were still looking down on these 'crooked path walker'. But now, those scholars all appear mediocre, and they weren't as lucky as that imperial exam candidate either. Right now, at most, they just came to promote their existence in front of Le Cheng Emperor, and will still have to wait until the future imperial exam to see. But they needed to wait at least three years. In three years, would Le Cheng Emperor even remember them? Perhaps, the person sitting on the throne would've changed already.

"The person who gave you all guidance, exactly what kind of person were they?" As the saying goes, 'thousand mile horses (fine steed) are common, but people like Bo Le[1] are rare'. Such a Bo Le getting buried in the dark, isn't that too much of a pity?

Not just Le Cheng Emperor wanted to know the answer to this, the others also wanted to know the answer.

"Reporting to your Majesty, this commoner although is unsure, but this commoner has somewhat of a guess." The fat youth said.

"Quickly speak."

"At the time, this commoner was also curious. But after not getting an answer after inquiring, this commoner just sent someone to secretly follow behind that person. And that person ultimately entered the Head Minister of Rites, Sir Luo's manor."

Luo Pei Shan originally was also the same as the others, engrossingly waiting for the answer, but he never thought that it would end up landing on his own head. While Luo Pei Shan was still somewhat in a daze, practically everyone's gaze all landed on him. "Beloved Minister Luo........"

"Your Majesty, it wasn't this subject." Luo Pei Shan somewhat didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"Your Majesty, in the beginning, the one that proposed the ten rewards was the Luo family's third miss, then could it be that this advisor was also sent by Luo third miss? When Luo third miss proposed the suggestion, she at the time didn't have the slightest selfish motives. After all, with her status, she probably was just giving the Grand Elder Princess a suggestion and didn't count on it being approved of. Just, she never thought that the Grand Elder Princess would actually agree." Xie Ren Hui faintly lifted his head, "Even so, she herself has thought of even more than others, and is even more selfless. Is there reason to believe that after the fact, she also thought of even more, even more things that others simply wouldn't think of."

When these words came out, many court officials actually all nodded in succession. One has to know, the high ranking ministers present were all those that had attended the Grand Elder Princess's birthday banquet, and towards the Luo family's third miss, they definitely had a deep impression.

"Oh? Beloved Minister Luo, you don't have the slightest knowledge of this matter?"

"Your Majesty, this subject truly does not know in the slightest." Luo Pei Shan, at the moment, actually further wanted to have Jing Wan berated. Dear granddaughter, you've already stirred up quite a ruckus, already having a bunch of people targeting you, so can't you settle down a little, do you really want to let our home be surrounded by a pack of wolves? Alright, in reality, they were already surrounded by wolves.

Speaking of which, this matter really was done by Jing Wan. Just ten embroidered pouches, and because one need to go look for his Majesty to receive the reward, the range won't exceed the capital city perimeters. To want to know whose hands these ten embroidered pouches all landed in in the end actually wasn't very hard. Spending a bit of effort to ask around about these people's circumstances, as well as the situation of the people around them rather wasn't anything difficult.

But for people that need to rely on this kind of method to rise to a higher position, in comparison, all weren't very prominent people. Then, for one to want to learn the specifics was also hard. Speaking of which, for Jing Wan, a young lady of the boudoir, asking around about the circumstances of a bunch of men, was this proper? Even if her original intentions were good, if word spreads, she will definitely still get criticized and gossiped about by others. Since she has never intended to let anyone know to begin with, she naturally was careful in her execution.

First, have these people's situation spread out one by one, which ones didn't require any action, which ones can be privately persuaded to yield theirs to someone else, and which ones were originally oblivious to the fact their abilities in certain aspects were actually very useful. The first kind there were five, the second kind one, and the last kind four. She can be said to have racked her brains and exhausted her strength.

Afterwards, she let Gong mama arrange for someone that was both trustworthy and inconspicuous, and under the circumstances of not arousing anyone's attention, go visit the families one by one, analyzing the situation for them.

It can be said to be both taxing to the mind and body, and even need to shoulder the risk of one's reputation suffering damage.

This was the typical case of 'doing good things and not leaving a name'. Gong mama had also once asked her the reason why she did this.

"Probably for the sake of finishing what one started. Originally it was just for the sake of letting some people have opportunities, and since this opportunity really came, then naturally can't waste it. Moreover, letting one's country have more talented people, isn't this a good thing?"

Good, of course it's good! Li Hong Yuan, in his past life, just knew Wan Wan harbored great ambitions in her heart. If given the chance, she will most likely do many many things for the Qi Yuan dynasty, and moreover, she definitely won't fall short of any man, or perhaps, 'the headdress further surpasses the beard and brow'[2]!

She wanted to quietly do it for neither fame nor profit, but how could Li Hong Yuan agree to her not getting credit?

With just Gong mama going to gather information, one naturally won't be able to obtain accurate information that quickly. Just, this matter, he'd given it all to his shadow guards to take care of, having them directly report to Gong mama, without needing to also check in with him, to the point where unbeknownst to him, Wan Wan really did end up digging out a few talented people. Looks like, insignificant figures can't be overlooked either. In the future, one needs to pay attention.

As for her reputation, as long as Le Cheng Emperor says 'good job', then who would still dare criticize her?

Le Hong Yuan wanted to have her lifted into the highest position, so naturally won't just let her shoulder an empty name. He wanted to have the entire imperial court, the entire country, all revere and respect her genuinely, and not just because she's able to subjugate him, Li Hong Yuan.

In reality, he didn't need to fabricate anything for her. As long as she's given the opportunity to display herself, and as long as one lets the things she's done become known to the world, then when time comes, she will naturally be able to sit onto that position.

"Beloved Minister Luo, some time, also let this emperor meet that granddaughter of yours."

"Your Majesty, if you want to meet her, naturally anytime will do." Just, with even his Majesty personally summoning, further can't settle down anymore.

"Good, very good." Le Cheng Emperor was very pleased, "Beloved Minister Luo, this emperor remembers you saying, that granddaughter of yours' embroidered pouch was given to you to take care of, so in the end, who did you give it to?"

Luo Pei Shan glanced towards the nine people. One among them that belonged to the 'scholars' stood out. "Your Majesty, it was this commoner that received it."

Le Cheng Emperor looked to him, then to Luo Pei Shan, "Beloved Minister Luo, it seems your sights are far inferior to your granddaughter."

Luo Pei Shan repeatedly plead for forgiveness. This originally was just for giving 'mediocre' people a chance to begin with, if he'd known earlier that his granddaughter would take an alternate route, he would've also gone this route. If he were to specially look for one, he too would be able to find a 'strange talent'. Speaking of which, this person was one of his younger brother's relatively favored disciple's child. At the time, when this child had entered the capital, his younger brother had also asked him look after him. Unfortunately, this child was truly too mediocre. Yet when he finally got such an opportunity with great difficulty, he instead somewhat overreached himself.

But could you blame Jing Wan? Naturally no. The embroidered pouches final owners weren't picked by her. She merely picked out a 'thousand mile horse' among the horses that others didn't think highly of. People that aren't 'thousand mile horses', can you put the blame on Bo Le? Just, if there weren't any 'thousand mile horses', then everyone's opportunity would all be equal, either advancing together, or withdrawing together. Right now, it was six advancing and four withdrawing. To think of it another way, without Jing Wan's initial proposal, they wouldn't even have the opportunity to appear here.

In the end, whether it's resentment or excitement all depended on what they themselves think.

And that person that received the Luo family's embroidered pouch was also endlessly ashamed, his complexion deeply red.

"Just letting you all go back like this would truly be a waste of Miss Luo's kindly intentions. The four of you are all scholar graduates (scholars with recommendation for the imperial exam). One of you failed the exam this year, and the other three have yet to take it. How about this, this emperor will specially permit for you all to enter the Imperial Academy[3] to study for three years. What you will make of yourself in three years will all depend on yourselves."

Originally, they thought that it was already hopeless, but unexpectedly, in the midst of despair, a surprise fell from the skies.

Qi Yuan dynasty's Imperial Academy had three different types of students inside. One was the sons and grandsons from the families of fourth rank and higher court officials. From the fourth rank to the third rank, their families can send one person, and for second rank and higher, their families can send two people. The second type were the descendants of meritorious nobles, the so called 'relying on their father's or grandfather's noble title to obtain the chance to enter the Imperial Academy' students. And depending on their noble title's rank, they can send in anywhere from one to five people respectively. The third type belonged to a batch of outstanding scholars, who are recommended for the imperial exam, from the capital, with the number of spots being limited.

The spots for the first two types although can be gifted to someone else, but just how many would really have such precious spots gifted to an ordinary person. After all, which family didn't have a lot of children? As one can imagine, just how difficult it was to want to enter the Imperial Academy.

The Imperial Academy naturally was also Qi Yuan dynasty's highest educational establishment. Regardless whether it was the abilities of qualified teachers, or in other aspects, it was definitely all first class. Other places are far unable to compare. To be able to enter the Imperial Academy for three years, the benefits will certainly be immense.

"Thanking your Majesty for the great honor."

"No need to thank this emperor. Who you all should thanks, you all are clear inside. Enough, let's end things here then."

Next was the main act, and naturally was the three successful candidates of the first class's parade through the streets on horseback.

Because the time was much later than past years', the street specially designated for the parade was already packed with people, each and every one all stretching their necks, just waiting to catch sight of the graceful bearing of this year's top three.

Was the Top Scorer tall and handsome? Was the Eyes of Notice (2nd place) the same as three years ago, already a bearded old man? And the Flower Snatcher, all say the Flower Snatcher is the most handsome. The one three years ago wasn't very satisfactory, alright.

(T/N: I really didn't want to use Eyes of Notice again ;;;v;;; this is like a new low for my translation career.)

[1] Bo Le - A horse connoisseur during the Spring and Autumn Period. In modern times, his name has now been extended to mean someone who is good at discovering, recommending, or cultivating talent. This is literally when you become so famous your name ends up in a dictionary entry as an adjective. There are quite a few idioms and sayings referencing him. I guess it's similar to like calling someone an Einstein.

[2] 巾帼更胜须眉 - I translated this line literally, but this line really isn't an idiom. The author uses two terms that are used to refer to men and women in ancient times in this line. The 巾帼 (jin guo) is specifically what women's fabric headdresses are called in ancient times, and in literature it refers to women, while 须眉 (xu mei) literally just the two characters for beard and eyebrow, which in ancient times thick bread and brow were beauty standard(?) for men, and in literature, is a metaphor for men.

[3] Imperial Academy [国子监] - Historically the highest educational body in imperial china; not to be confused with the Imperial Hanlin Academy. The Hanlin Academy is specifically for court officials or people who will enter officialdom, and need to pass the imperial exam to be admitted into the Hanlin Academy. The Imperial Academy on the other hand is for sons of high officials and nobles. You can't get in without connections.

T/N: This novel has gotten me to point where every little detail makes me question whether or not it was an intentional foreshadow in retrospect. It really impresses me how much the author has setup and planned out in the early chapters, I love when everything comes full circle in the end. There's one line in this part that's a very big foreshadow, but I'm not gonna point out to avoid spoilers ahahah since that one sentence can be considered a major spoiler.