Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved-Chapter 204 - Lou Zixi Top Scholar Jieyuan
Chapter 204: Chapter 204 Lou Zixi, Top Scholar Jieyuan
Chapter 204 -204 Lou Zixi, Top Scholar Jieyuan
After calming Murong Jiu down, Jun Yuyan immediately wrote a letter and had the Hidden Guard personally deliver it to General Fu.
He would not question the authenticity of the “fire-thunder” mentioned by Ah Jiu, as it had been proven that Ah Jiu had an exceptional understanding of certain matters.
At the time when the iron mine was discovered in Tea Ridge County, Ah Jiu’s reaction had been exceedingly excited.
Moreover, he also knew that Ah Jiu had secretly instructed Manager Chai to purchase saltpeter.
Saltpeter was not as difficult to buy as ironware since fireworks and firecrackers required saltpeter, and nowadays, Taoists also used it in their quest for eternal life through alchemy, so it was not as tightly controlled as ironware.
Gunpowder also employed saltpeter, but it had not been used in the military, and its power was not considered very strong.
The “fire-thunder” mentioned by Ah Jiu had the potential for power tens or hundreds of times greater than that of gunpowder.
Previously, he did not understand why Ah Jiu needed to purchase a large quantity of saltpeter, but now it was clear. Ah Jiu had just mentioned that the “fire-thunder” made by the Xiongnu required saltpeter and ironware.
It could be produced without ironware, but the lethality would be significantly reduced compared to that with added iron filings because the tiny, sharp iron filings would explode outwards, penetrating into flesh and blood, resulting in terrifying destructive power.
The “fire-thunder” of the Xiongnu incorporated iron filings, although the Xiongnu had limited iron resources, and in terms of resource abundance, they were far inferior to Great Yan.
After finishing the letter, Jun Yuyan ordered his men to secretly summon skilled craftsmen capable of creating weapons.
If the Xiongnu’s “fire-thunder” could be mass-produced, it indicated that the production was not too difficult. After learning what materials were needed, it was just a matter of experimenting with them to possibly replicate the Xiongnu’s “fire-thunder.”
Murong Jiu, in fact, had also found people for this task, but had deliberately refrained from having them start the work due to the grave implications of the matter. If discovered, it would be considered high treason, potentially implicating her entire family.
Being pregnant herself, she dared not take the risk personally.
In truth, after Manager Chai had helped her create a vast business network, amassing considerable wealth, she had already started with these preparations.
She hoped to prevent the loss of so many soldiers in battle. While the soldiers were fighting valiantly, the mere deployment of the Xiongnu’s fire-thunder caused devastating losses to Great Yan, including the loss of cities. To draw an inappropriate analogy, it was like an adult fighting a group of unarmed children, utterly defenseless.
Because of her rebirth, many things had changed in this life. Not to mention the Xiongnu’s early invasion, her father and brothers had also headed to the battlefield for the first time.
Given the power of the fire-thunder, even if her father was brave, he would stand no advantage.
Defeat in battle was a minor concern. What she truly feared was them dying as martyrs.
Murong Jiu was so anxious she couldn’t eat or sleep well, and the two children in her womb seemed to sense her mood, stirring restlessly.
Her legs had also started to swell, and sometimes she would wake up from cramps in the middle of the night.
Divine Doctor Zhai, upon hearing that she was not eating well lately and lacking nutrition, immediately began to watch over her meals strictly and had Jun Yuyan find some goat’s and cow’s milk, which was boiled for her to drink every day.
Half a month had passed in the blink of an eye, and missives of battle losses frequently arrived at the Frontier Pass. One city after another was lost, casting a heavy atmosphere over the Capital City. In another ten days or so, General Fu and his troops would reach the Hexi Border Pass, and everyone was hoping that General Fu would be able to reclaim the lost cities.
On this day, the results of the Imperial Examination were finally posted.
The walls of Shuntian Prefecture were adorned with the red list, and Government Officials banged gongs and drums beside them, bringing some festive cheer to the subdued Capital City.
The crowd surged forward.
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“They’re posting the results, let me have a look!”
“Make way, make way! I want to see if our young master made the list!”
“I made it, I made it! I’ve passed!”
Lou Zixi and Manager Chai stood outside the crowd. Manager Chai really wanted to squeeze inside but there were too many people. He had to wait for the excitement to die down a bit before he could go and take a look.
Manager Chai looked toward the calm Lou Zixi and said, “How can you still be so composed? I’m dying of curiosity here.”
Lou Zixi was indeed very calm, “What’s the use of being anxious? The result has already come out. Whether you look at it early or later, it won’t change.”
“This young man is indeed composed and calm, with an impressive bearing. He is no ordinary person.”
Not far away, a middle-aged man inside a carriage made this remark.
He was none other than the current Minister of Dali Temple, Sikong Fu.
The reason he came here in person was simply because he happened to be passing by, and since several youths from his clan had taken part in this Imperial Examination, he decided to stop by and see if any of them had made it onto the list.
“Moreover, he has a noble air about him, standing out in the crowd like a crane among chickens, pleasing to the eye. My Lord, I shall find out more,” said the attendant by his side, and seeing that his master did not object, he immediately went to inquire.
He had just asked around when he heard an excited voice beside Lou Zixi, “Zixi! Zixi! You are the Jieyuan!”
Jieyuan?
Isn’t that the top scorer?
The attendant was stunned for a moment, then suddenly remembered where he had heard the name Zixi before. He rushed to the side of Sikong Fu’s sedan and whispered:
“My Lord, his name is Lou Zixi, he comes from a poor family, and he’s also considered a hot topic in the Capital City these days. He excels in poetry; at such a young age, he already has several poems widely circulated. I’ve heard many officials and nobles would like him to become their son-in-law. Unexpectedly, he’s become the top scorer! Truly a remarkable talent!”
“Lou Zixi?”
Sikong Fu nodded his head; he had heard of this young man’s poetry. Unlike the emotional pathos of the contemporary youth, it was grand and lofty, revealing a sense of life experience beyond his years.
It seemed that next year’s Imperial Examination would be the time for him to shine.
Having achieved the position of Jieyuan, yet remaining imperturbable and modest, Sikong Fu’s admiration for him grew.
The attendant also smiled, thinking that there weren’t many young men that could satisfy his Lord. His Highness Prince Ling was one, and this Lou Zixi, who came from a humble background, could be another.
The Lord was considering prospects for his daughter’s suitor, and it seemed he had taken Lou Zixi into account.
What a stroke of incredible fortune this was.
Lou Zixi was unaware that Minister of Dali Temple, Lord Sikong, had taken notice of him. On hearing the announcement from Manager Chai about being the Jieyuan, the only thought in his mind was that, fortunately, he had not disappointed the Princess Consort.
The Princess Consort had long ago said he had the talent needed to govern and would surely come first, and he had indeed worked hard to achieve it.
He might appear indifferent to the ranking on the surface, but in reality, he was anxious. He did not want to disappoint the Princess Consort.
Even though he knew well that the Princess Consort would not be disappointed with him for performing poorly, he still wanted to show his best. He wanted the Princess Consort to know that he was the excellent Lou Zixi she saw in him.
“I want to go and tell the Princess Consort the good news myself.”
He said to Manager Chai.
Manager Chai nodded, “Good, good, it should be you who reports this joy. Without the Princess Consort, there would be no today for you or me. Come, let me accompany you.”
They had only walked a few steps when they encountered the steward from the Prince Mansion.
The elderly steward said with a smile:
“Congratulations to Graduate Lou, felicitations to Graduate Lou. The Princess Consort has specially sent me to invite you both back to the mansion to celebrate for Graduate Lou!”
