eurekapd Chapter 950 Good News from Yunmeng Mountain (Part 2)
Chapter 950 Good News from Yunmeng Mountain (Part 2)
The sounds of music and singing continue to drift from the foot of Yunmeng Mountain.
Although it disturbed the peace, as the old man listened, a thoughtful look gradually appeared in his eyes.
He stroked his beard and muttered to himself, "This idea of announcing the good news is not bad. Each of the successful candidates will be notified, with gongs and drums banging and the news spreading far and wide."
"In this way, it can both inspire the poor students across the country to study and make progress, and suppress the arrogance of the powerful families... This young man's actions are indeed somewhat different from those of emperors throughout history."
"No wonder when I observed the celestial phenomena day and night some time ago, I saw a cluster of stars surrounding the Ziwei star, indicating that the people's morale was rising while the old nobles' starlight was dimming."
"If he can persist on this path, the lives of the people in the world may indeed be much better."
After making his comments, the old man felt he had fulfilled his responsibility to pay attention to world affairs.
As for going down the mountain to meet those officials in charge of etiquette?
He pursed his lips, and with a blurry flash, he was back in the bamboo house, his steps so light that he seemed to be untouched by any dust.
What a joke! I am a disciple of Guiguzi, a first-rate hermit in the world.
The master Guiguzi never joined any country; only his disciples went down the mountain to stir up trouble.
Although I am not as good as my late master, I am still someone that even Emperor Qing could not persuade to leave his mountain retreat.
How could they possibly show themselves just because of a few celebratory drumbeats and shouts? That would be too beneath them!
I'll wait until they leave, then go down the mountain and see if the young emperor brought me any food.
. . . . . .
At the foot of the mountain, Wang Liguan led the crowd in repeatedly announcing the good news of the eight successful candidates in the imperial examinations, until their voices were almost hoarse.
After a full half hour of effort, there was still no response from the mountain, except for the gathering and dispersing of clouds and mist.
A young official approached, wiping his sweat, and asked, "Brother Wang, this... it seems the master truly doesn't wish to meet us. What should we do?"
Wang Liguan gazed at the silent mountain peak and said fiercely, "Keep shouting! His Majesty's favor and importance must be conveyed."
"I refuse to believe that, given our utmost sincerity, that old gentleman can remain unmoved forever!"
Then, the noisy gongs and drums stubbornly sounded again.
The sound lasted for three whole days.
With two faint dark circles under his eyes, the old man from Guigu once again walked up to the mountain peak with slightly heavy steps.
His eyes were somewhat unfocused at this moment, and the sound of gongs and drums at the foot of the mountain seemed to him like a demonic cacophony.
"Unfit to be a son... truly unfit to be a son!" He rubbed his forehead, his lips twitching slightly. "This young emperor... I'm ashamed that I even praised him just a few days ago, how could his subordinates be so ungrateful?"
"Can't a person get any sleep?! Can't a person cultivate in peace?!"
The old man was truly at his limit; his disciples had all gone down the mountain, and he couldn't even get a hot meal.
Now they can't even sleep anymore. Those officials from the Ministry of Rites in Daqing seem tireless, shouting day and night.
How much does the emperor pay them a month? They're so reckless!
If things continue like this, I'm afraid I'll become the only one among the disciples of Guiguzi to die suddenly!
Thinking of this, even with his profound cultivation and extraordinary composure, the old man could no longer bear it.
He paced around the bamboo house in frustration for a while, and finally decided to go down the mountain to argue with them in person.
The treacherous mountain paths of Yunmeng Mountain are difficult for ordinary people to climb, but for the elderly who have lived here for nearly a hundred years, they are as familiar as their own backyard.
He walked with ease, lightly touching the rocks with his toes, and his figure floated forward.
The white robes fluttered through the swirling clouds and mist, making it seem as if the ground was flat, exuding an ethereal, otherworldly aura.
Before long, he arrived at the foot of the mountain.
Upon closer inspection, I couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed.
The band playing instruments and singing continued their energetic performance, banging gongs and drums, and playing the suona horn with great gusto.
Not far away, a simple shed had been set up, and inside sat another complete drum and music troupe, resting and recuperating.
The head official, holding a tin megaphone, shouted a round of good news with all his might, then casually took a cup of honey water from his attendant and drank several large gulps to soothe his throat.
The other officials gathered together, each holding a large pancake wrapped with meat, and ate with relish.
Judging from their posture, they're preparing to take a break before making further progress.
The old man's eyelids twitched as he watched, and a nameless anger rose in his heart.
Good heavens! No wonder this noise goes on day and night, turns out you guys have a shift system?
Don't they have any sense of public decency?! Don't hermits and sages need to sleep?!
Just then, Wang Liguan, who had just finished drinking water and was about to sing again, glanced habitually at the mountain road.
That glance froze him in place, as if he had been struck by a spell.
An elderly man with snow-white hair and dressed in white was seen walking calmly towards them.
The mountain breeze ruffled his clothes, and the morning light shone through the gaps in the trees, bathing him in a soft glow.
As the old man drew closer, Wang Liguan saw him more clearly and was even more horrified.
This old man actually had double pupils!
Those deep gazes inspired awe and made people afraid to look directly at them.
However, the faint dark circles around his eyes somewhat diminished the awe-inspiring feeling of a celestial being descending to earth, instead adding a touch of human charm.
Wang Liguan came to his senses and realized that the person in question had probably appeared!
He quickly straightened his clothes, stepped forward, and said with utmost respect, "This humble official, Wang Jin, Principal of the Ministry of Rites, pays his respects to the venerable immortal!"
His shout caused all the officials and entourage to stop what they were doing and swarm around him.
They all bowed and saluted, repeatedly calling him "Old Immortal" or "Old Immortal".
The old man remained expressionless, simply waving his hand casually: "I am neither a god nor an immortal, but merely a recluse in the mountains."
“But mountains and rivers have spirits, and they have their own way of tranquility. You make noise and play music here day and night. Aren’t you afraid of disturbing the pure spirits of the mountains and angering the guardian deities?”
Wang Jin's heart tightened; he knew that a powerful figure had come to question him.
He quickly bowed again and earnestly explained, "Please calm down, sir! It is not that we officials are ignorant of etiquette and deliberately disturbed the tranquility of the sacred mountain, but rather that we were ordered by the Emperor."
"His Majesty has specially ordered us to personally convey this good news of the imperial examination to the old gentleman, so as to demonstrate the court's appreciation for talent."
"Therefore, we dare not slack off in the slightest and have made a rash noise. We hope that you will forgive us, sir!"
The old man listened, neither confirming nor denying, his eyes flickering slightly: "My few good-for-nothing disciples, have they caused His Majesty any trouble in the capital?"
Wang Jin was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly replied, "You are indeed the master of all the scholars from Yunmeng Mountain."
"Rest assured, sir. Your esteemed disciples have behaved impeccably and demonstrated exceptional talent in the capital, earning His Majesty's deep appreciation. They will face no trouble, only glory!"
The old man snorted softly, a clear dissatisfaction on his face: "That lad Qingyuan, his learning is still incomplete, yet he only came back as the third-ranked scholar. What is there to celebrate about Yunmeng Mountain failing to take the top spot this time?"
Wang Jin was also a quick-witted person; her mind worked fast, and she put on an even more sincere smile, explaining hurriedly:
"Sir, you may not know this, but the top three scholars in this imperial examination—the first, second, and third place—are all exceptionally talented, and each has their own strengths in writing."
"Even if His Majesty and the examiners deliberate repeatedly, it is truly difficult to easily determine which is superior."
"In the end, His Majesty personally selected Zhang Qian as the top scholar because he came from a genuine farming family, his writing was rooted in the soil, and he cared about the people."
"His Majesty praised him for his 'unyielding spirit and childlike heart,' which is of great significance and does not mean that his talent surpasses that of the third-ranked scholar."
He paused, then secretly observed the old man's expression.
Seeing that his expression had softened slightly, he immediately seized the opportunity and cleverly changed the subject:
"And your esteemed disciple, Young Master Lin Qingyuan, is not only exceptionally talented, but also of impeccable character and handsome appearance, as if he were an immortal descended to earth."
"When His Majesty and his officials saw it, they all sighed that the title of 'Tanhua' (third-ranked scholar) was only suitable for someone with both talent and good looks, and with unparalleled elegance, so as not to live up to the reputation of 'Tanhua' as a man of refined taste and elegance."
"This is the icing on the cake, and it truly deserves the title!"
Upon hearing this, the old man's lips curved upwards almost imperceptibly.
So that's how it is. My disciple was chosen as the third-ranked scholar because he was too handsome.
That's...that's indeed an irrefutable reason.
After all, Yunmeng Mountain's products have always been known for their good looks and talent.
Otherwise, he and his disciples wouldn't all be dressed in flashy white clothes. Do they know how difficult it is to wash white clothes when living on the mountain?
"Hmm..." The old man stroked his long, snow-white beard, his expression softening considerably. "Alright, now that the gift has been delivered, I understand His Majesty's intentions."
"You should all go back now and thank His Majesty for me. Do not make any more noise here and disturb the peace of my mountain."
Upon hearing this, all the officials in charge of ceremonies felt a great weight lifted from their hearts.
I've finally finished this arduous task and can return to the capital to report back.
However, Wang Jin's eyes darted around, and his mind began to work.
He observed that although the old gentleman possessed an extraordinary air, he was not the kind of aloof and eccentric hermit.
It seems... there's still a chance to try?
He carefully considered his words before tentatively speaking:
"Old sir, His Majesty has long admired you. He often says that if he could meet you and ask you in person about the ways of governing the country and cultivating oneself, it would be the greatest fortune of his life."
"I wonder...would you be willing to accompany us to the capital? His Majesty will surely be overjoyed upon hearing the news and will certainly open his bed and wait for us with open arms!"
Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in the old man's double pupils.
He looked at Wang Jin with great interest and found that the man had clear eyes and sincere words.
It wasn't mere flattery, but a genuine effort to recruit talent for the young emperor.
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly: the young emperor must have some skill in winning people's hearts to have his subjects so devoted to him.
However, he immediately shook his head slightly, his gaze returning to the mountain peaks deep in the clouds, and spoke in a vacant tone:
"People from the mountains and fields are used to being lazy and cannot stand the constraints of the mortal world."
"but......"
Wang Jin was still somewhat disappointed, but seeing the other party change the subject, she immediately asked, "Does the old gentleman have any instructions?"
The old man shifted his gaze to a table not far away, and his throat bobbed: "Is that flatbread you're eating?"
Wang Jin: ? ? ?