The Unnamed Building’s staff furthermore darkened their expressions. In the entire capital, the biggest ‘freeloader’ on the surface, aside from that master of theirs in name and in reality, there was no one else. The shopkeeper dropped an order, “Have him thrown out.”
And then, that person really was lifted on all fours and thrown out.
Perhaps having fallen to this point now, already too late to want to remedy the situation, he might as well just ‘smash the already broken jar’, wanting to stage a big play in front of the Unnamed Building. Unfortunately, before he could say another word, a couple of people already went forward, cleanly stuffed his mouth, and dragged him away. The shopkeeper tucked his hands inside his sleeves and coldly watched on. Sun Yi Lin further didn’t even crease his brows once, and those that have lived in the capital for a long time furthermore sneered endlessly, “Really a moron, really thought the words ‘like in the presence of this emperor’ on the horizontal board outside were just decoration?”
This time, the people that weren’t in the know, not a single one didn’t keep their mouths shut out of fear. Turns out, outside this building, there were his Majesty’s people.
In a blink of an eye, the shopkeeper turned to Sun Yi Lin with a smile again and respectfully spoke, “Gentleman Lin, where would you like to sit?”
A person who was in pretty good relations with Sun Yi Lin waved his hand at him. Sun Yi Lin rather didn’t reject his offer either. However, he didn’t directly head over, but instead waved his hand at Chen Zheng Min. Afterwards, he ordered the shopkeeper to prepare for him a jar of ten year old shaoxing yellow wine. Unlike with other places, the Unnamed Building’s shaoxing yellow wine was a first class strong wine.
Chen Zheng Min was somewhat overwhelmed by the sudden favor and bewilderedly pointed to himself. Have to say, among them, these young scholars, there weren’t many that didn’t revere Sun Yi Lin. Clearly they were all of the same age, yet Sun Yi Lin was already standing at the peak, while they at most were at the waist of the mountain, and even more people were still pacing back and forth at the foot of the mountain.
Chen Zheng Min’s good friend was both openly and secretly telling him to quickly go over. This was a hard to come by opportunity. ‘Pass by this village, and there might not be this shop anymore.’[1]
Chen Zheng Min however still hesitated. He just couldn’t bear watching thus opened his mouth to his aid, and didn’t have any other intentions. However, since the other party already invited him, he at least needed to go over and give his greetings to not be considered rude. Thinking to here, he finally walked over.
“Gentleman Lin, just now……….”
However, he never thought that Sun Yi Lin would simply just ignore him, brushing his sleeves and walking towards the place where his good friend was at, “Come with me.”
Never mind Chen Zheng Min, even the people that were a little familiar with Sun Yi Lin all were somewhat stupefied by him. This wasn’t like his usual style. And as the involved party, Chen Zheng Min naturally was deeply affected the most. In that brief moment, when their gazes met, he distinctively sensed the coldness in Sun Yi Lin’s attitude, and also that extremely nitpicky judging gaze, and in his eyes, it even had the words ‘discontent’!
What was this?
“Gentleman Chen, trouble you to please come over for a moment.” After Sun Yi Lin sat down, he saw that Chen Zheng Min was still absentmindedly standing at his original spot. Sun Yi Lin’s fingers tapped against the table; the speed somewhat quick. If his servant boy was here, he would know that his family’s young master was somewhat impatient right now.
From the first glance he saw of Chen Zheng Min, he already felt Chen Zheng Min was far unworthy of Miss Luo. Perhaps there weren’t any problems with his moral character, but his heart was too upright. This wasn’t compatible with the muddy waters of officialdom. But without a high post and generous salary, what will he use to pamper Miss Luo? Could it be to let her give up the things she loves after marriage, and struggle for the sake of the family’s livelihood? Moreover, look at this overly young and tender face. If he was to marry an ordinary girl, perhaps could still be called an ideal couple, but unfortunately, that was Miss Luo. If she was to stand together with Chen Zheng Min, those who don’t know would perhaps even think it’s Miss Luo looking after a child. Also, sometimes, he would appear wooden and absentminded, what interesting conversations could there be? This man, whose whole body was full of flaws, how big of a responsibility can one hope for him to have?
These problems that Sun Yi Lin thought of perhaps existed, but it was far from being that serious. It was because he cared too much, because he was only late by a mere step, he ‘lost’ to such a person. Even if it was unintentional, he unconsciously had the other party’s flaws magnified by a hundred-fold, incessantly nitpicking left and right.
Gentleman Lin recognized him? Chen Zheng Min was once again shocked. And in Sun Yi Lin’s eyes, he once again became a fool.
Upon seeing Sun Yi Lin striking the tabletop increasingly faster, even the most sluggish person would still notice that this Gentleman Lin’s mood seemingly wasn’t too good. Normally a very gentle person, yet now, was unable to hold back his impatience. This meant that the matter should be very serious. Without realizing it, the people in the surrounding even slowed their breathing.
Among the scholars in the capital, Sun Yi Lin possessed an exalted position. In addition to his noble status, some people even unconsciously had him lifted onto a godly pedestal. So when he displayed the moodiness that all ordinary people had, he seemingly descended from that godly pedestal at once, but it also made people can’t help but subconsciously attend to his mood.
Chen Zheng Min hurriedly went forward in two steps, “Don’t know what Gentleman Lin needs?”
“Serve me in brush and ink.” The Unnamed Building naturally didn’t lack the four treasures of the study the most. As soon as Sun Yi Lin’s words dropped, the waiter to the side already had the things brought over, and even had the ink stone grinded already. Sun Yi Lin lifted the brush and dipped it in the ink, With the wave of his hand, he wrote down four big characters and pushed it to Chen Zheng Min, “Policy advice essay[2], if you do well, I will personally present it to his Majesty.”
As soon as these words came out, it immediately shocked all four sides. This was practically paving a path into the heavens in advance. Leaving aside whether or not it’ll be immediately put to use by his Majesty, as long as it can leave a good impression, once the court exam comes around, as long as the essay during the exam is decent, then perhaps one will get personally selected by the Emperor. That represented not only honor, but also signified everything in one’s political career going smoothly.
If they’d known earlier that just by opening their mouths to help out can result in this kind of opportunity, that person from before would’ve been directly sprayed to death by them. They both envied Chen Zheng Min’s good luck, and inwardly cursed Sun Yi Lin for changing his usual pattern. In the past, how many people tried to win favor by fawning over him, but not only didn’t receive any benefits, they even became the ones he refused to have dealings with. But now, through such a method, you merely just want to tell those that have complaints towards you, how great your abilities are? Then you, Sun Yi Lin, have accomplished it!
Chen Zheng Min never thought that such a thing would land on his head. To say he wasn’t happy was a lie. But to say he was extremely excited was definitely not the case either. In other words, on him, he still carried the aloofness of a scholar. Even if he wants to reach the highest official position and help the common people of the world, he still wanted to through his own abilities, and not through this shortcut-like manner. But because his grandfather had been an official of the imperial court before, and told him many things in the past, he knew that officialdom wasn’t a place where one can climb up purely based on effort. Having someone else’s help versus fighting alone was like the difference between heaven and earth. Although entering officialdom right now, he will have Head Minister Luo’s support and assistance, but having an extra person was like having an extra path. He hoped that two years later, when he marries, he’s able to let his young cousin become even more grand, letting others envy her for marrying a good husband, and not sneer at her for marrying such an incompetent husband!
“What, are there any problems? Can’t do it, or don’t want to and is unwilling to?” Sun Yi Lin put away his gentle side, only leaving behind his coldness.
Chen Zheng Min once again clearly sensed Gentleman Lin’s complaint towards himself. In addition to him knowing who he was, perhaps in the past he’d unintentionally done something that offended him? At the moment, he was clearly trying to give him an opportunity on the surface, but in reality, was preparing to give him tight shoes to wear[3]? But after thinking things through, it was very difficult for him to refuse such an opportunity.
Whether it was an opportunity or a trap, he’ll only be able to know after the fact. Things that were both good and bad equally, one may not necessarily be able to completely avoid just by not doing. And if one were to do it, then perhaps one might actually be able to obtain a great profit. How one should choose, needless to hesitate.
“Then, this one will embarrass oneself.”
Chen Zheng Min put the brush to paper like he was possessed, nearly without stopping for a rest. It can be seen he had potential, and his writing was also flowing. Among his peers, he was already considered impressive.
[1] Idiom or phrase meaning, miss this opportunity and there might not be another chance.
[2] Essay on current affairs submitted to the Emperor as policy advice.
[3] Making someone wear tight shoes; making life difficult for someone
