I turned the cold palace into a paradise

Chapter 182 Scholar

When Bai Fengyu walked into the yard from outside, he saw his wife sitting in the yard, washing clothes. Her hands and face were already red from the cold.

He walked up quickly, took the clothes from her hands and put them in the basin, then put his wife's hands in his arms and said distressedly: "Madam, why are you doing these things again? The weather is so cold now. How can you bear it?"

Bai blushed and pulled her hand away, feeling warm in her heart: "Husband, your hands are wet, it's okay, I'll boil some hot water... I'm idle at home anyway, so I might as well take a few orders. I can earn some money by washing their clothes. Husband will go to Beijing to take the imperial examination in a few months. I want to save some money for you. Then it will be more convenient for you to travel."

Listening to his wife's words of consideration for him, Bai Fengyu felt extremely bitter. As a grown man, he actually asked his wife to save money for his travel expenses. How embarrassing!

"Madam, don't do these anymore. I can earn my own money. I have already found a job. The prefect posted a notice to recruit scholars. I plan to go and take a look this afternoon. I heard that textile workers can earn two or three taels of silver a month, even those thugs who are now city management officers do the same. I think I should be able to earn more if I can read a few words..." Bai Fengyu, who was originally hesitant about whether to go or not, made up his mind at this moment.

"This... Husband, you still need to study. This will delay your studies. I'm fine, I can do it, you should not go..."

"It's okay. I asked the guy who posted the notice. He said that some of the scholars' work only requires half a day's work. At that time, I still have half a day to study, so it won't be a delay." Bai Fengyu comforted.

"My husband, do you know why Master Yue recruited scholars? Will it be dangerous?" Bai was a little worried. She still remembered vividly that the new prefect had killed more than a dozen people a few years ago. Although it was a great relief, she was also scared and had nightmares for several days.

Bai Fengyu shook his head: "I don't know, but judging from what the prefect Yue Gongzi has done these days, his character should be fine. I don't think he would dare to do anything to us scholars."

"But if the court knew that you were working for him, how would you go to Beijing to take the exam? Would it affect your grades?"

Bai Fengyu was silent. He did not tell his wife that the pass for the entire Nanfu Prefecture in the prefecture city was now invalid. Whether he could go to participate was still unknown.

If it weren't for the fact that Master Yue was a man of Prince Rong, these scholars would have picked up their pens and started to curse.

But it is also because of Prince Rong that many scholars are now secretly talking about it. Since it has come to this, it is better to surrender to Prince Rong. Maybe you can even get the merit of following the dragon and rise to the top in one step! ! !

in the afternoon,

Bai Fengyu changed into a clean robe and came to the gate of the government office under the gaze of Cai. He told the guards at the gate that he was here to apply for a job.

After hearing this, the guard let him go and let him walk along the road to the hall by himself.

Before he entered, he happened to meet another scholar who was also applying for the job, and he was also his fellow student.

"Oh, Brother Bai, you're here too." Fang Zuo looked Bai Fengyu up and down, curling his lips in disdain. He was not afraid of offending the prefect by wearing such shabby clothes.

Bai Fengyu ignored him and walked forward on his own.

He and Fang Zuo had always been at odds. Fang Zuo's family was well-off, but he was often mocked by Fang Zuo because he was poor. The most hateful thing was that this man actually coveted his wife. He had even had a fight with him over this.

"Hey, why are you walking so fast, poor scholar? The prefect won't look down on poor scholars like you anyway, so don't be afraid of wasting some time." Fang Zuo quickly chased after him, mocking him.

"I don't think the prefect would look down upon a person like you." Bai Fengyu replied.

"You! Bai Fengyu!" Fang Zuo shouted angrily, then rolled his eyes and smiled lewdly: "As long as your wife likes it, it's fine..."

Bai Fengyu stopped, his eyes filled with anger and his fists clenched tightly. If they were not in the prefect's government office, he would have taken action for fear of implicating his wife.

Just then an old man dressed in servant's clothes stopped them.

"Excuse me, gentlemen, can you help me?"

"Get out of the way!!! How dare any cat or dog block the road? It brings shame to the prefect." Fang Zuo waved his hands in disdain.

The old man was at a loss and quickly apologized.

Bai Fengyu suppressed the other party's anger and stepped forward to ask, "Old man, what can I do for you?"

"Sir, I just received a letter from my son. I am illiterate and can't find anyone to help me. I just happened to see you two, so I would like to ask you to read it for me. If it's inconvenient, forget it..."

"You are worthy?" Fang Zuo took two steps back. He said to Bai Fengyu sarcastically, "Brother Bai, your status is just right for this servant, and since you are so enthusiastic, you can read it. I will leave first." Then he strode away. As if the two of them were some kind of dirty things.

Bai Fengyu looked at Fang Zuo's back and lowered his eyes, then took the letter handed to him by the old man and opened it. He slowly read it to him word by word.

After he finished believing, he folded the letter and handed it back to the old servant.

"Master, thank you, thank you so much. But... can I trouble you again?" The old servant asked again with great embarrassment.

"Uncle, please speak."

"I want to write a letter to my disappointing son. Can you help me write it? I am willing to pay for it. Is that okay with you?"

"Okay, it's just a small matter, but can you wait for me?"

"Okay, okay. By the way, you are here to apply for a job as well, right?"

"Yes, so how about I write it for you after I finish applying for the job? I really need this job..." Bai Fengyu felt a little embarrassed.

"Okay, okay, I'm really sorry for wasting your time. Follow me. Come here, I'll take you to the front hall." The old servant took one look at his patched robe and knew why he was embarrassed.

The old man took Bai Fengyu to the front hall, where a dozen scholars were already sitting. Many of them looked familiar, and some of them were from poorer families like him, sitting on the left.

Bai Fengyu greeted them and sat down.

Fang Zuoze and a few people from wealthy families with some status were sitting on the right side. When he saw Bai Fengyu come in, he didn't even raise his eyes.

Everyone just sat and waited.

But after waiting for almost half an hour, no one came out.

The brave ones asked the maid who served them tea several times, and the answer they got was always to wait a little longer.

This happened several times in a row, which made the scholars particularly unhappy. After all, even the county magistrate would treat them with courtesy. In this era, scholars like them could be considered the superiors: "Why, aren't you recruiting people? Why are you doing this to us? If you are not an official of an orthodox background, you just can't..." He didn't dare to say this out loud.

Fang Zuo was also very impatient. He didn't want to come in the first place, but his father said that his grades were shit and that being a scholar was the end of the road. Rather than crossing a single-plank bridge with thousands of troops, it would be better to follow Prince Rong.

Now everyone in the world knows that Prince Rong and the current emperor are not on good terms. There is no room for two tigers in one mountain, and there will always be a war. And Prince Rong has the support of the people, and he has many famous generals like General Yun and a hundred thousand troops. The chances of winning are very high!

If he follows Prince Rong, he will also be able to rise to great heights!

So he came reluctantly.

It's just that he wanted to follow Prince Rong, not this useless Master Yue who hasn't even fully grown his hair! And he's putting on airs for them?

I really don’t know what to say!

"Who said it wasn't? We lowered ourselves to save face because we wanted to help Prince Rong, but he didn't even take us seriously!" Humph! If I were the prefect, I would definitely do better than this kid. I don't know what Prince Rong likes about him? He actually let a young boy and a group of useless women run Chengnan Prefecture!

Could it be that no one is using it? Then isn't it right for me to come here? ! !

The more Fang Zuo thought about it, the more he felt that he was right! He began to brag about how capable he was and what he could do to help Prince Rong. He also talked about what Master Yue did wrong and how young he was.

I completely forgot where I was.

He didn't even notice that Yunyue was standing behind him.