Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 299 - 135 Senior Brother
Gu Chengyu prepared to head toward the inn, but a sound came from behind him. He turned around and saw it was a candidate about sixteen or seventeen years old. Although the candidate already had a coronet, Gu Chengyu could clearly see he was not yet twenty.
He thought carefully and realized this might be Fu Yanshan, the nephew of Fu Ming, the Mountain Master at Boshan Academy. Although Gu Chengyu had only been in the Capital for a short time, he had still gathered some information. Fu Yanshan was a young prodigy who became a Scholar at thirteen and was one of the hot picks for top scorer in this year’s Provincial Examination.
The Capital was filled with shady betting houses, and Gu Chengyu had heard about them. Later, he had Ming Mo look into it, finding that many talented scholars were on the lists of these betting houses. He was considered a dark horse, but the odds on him were not high, probably because he gained some fame when he checked into the inn a month ago.
Ming Mo and Ming Yan had both placed bets of twenty taels of silver each on him, with odds of five to one, which were already quite low. Fu Yanshan’s odds were also five to one, while Min Feng’s were three to one, and other Jiangnan scholars had odds of eight to one or higher.
Gu Chengyu felt that the people’s eyes were sharp, as everyone seemed to think Min Feng was likely to be the top scorer.
As for Gu Chengyu himself, being a candidate from the Northern region and not being particularly keen on socializing or attending poetry gatherings, it was natural that his odds were not as low as those of the already famous scholars.
Gu Chengyu wasn’t so arrogant as to think he would definitely be the top scorer. After all, the Provincial Examination was full of hidden talents, and there were others like him who were known as young talents. Besides, examinations also involved some luck, and if the co-examiner did not favor his writing style, his ranking might not be very high. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
The only thing he was sure of was that as long as nothing unexpected happened, he should pass the Provincial Examination, and his ranking wouldn’t be too low.
Fu Yanshan exited the examination hall gate and looked towards Gu Chengyu, who was standing outside. Gu Chengyu was the first to hand in his exam paper, and Fu Yanshan found it odd, as he had never heard of him. He usually focused solely on studies at the academy, and while he had heard of the famous Jiangnan scholars, this candidate seemed unfamiliar due to his young age.
In fact, Fu Yanshan hadn’t noticed because Fu Ming had briefly mentioned Gu Chengyu’s affairs when he returned, but since Fu Yanshan was focused on his books, Fu Ming didn’t mention it again.
Seeing Fu Yanshan looking at him, Gu Chengyu smiled and bowed. But as soon as he straightened up, he saw Fu Yanshan turn away expressionlessly, lift his robe, and step onto a waiting opulent carriage.
Gu Chengyu was taken aback and touched his nose, feeling somewhat speechless. Well! It seemed he was being overly sentimental!
Ming Yan, however, was quite surprised. His master was good-looking and talented, and most people were happy to befriend him. Of course, envious scholars were an exception. But it was unexpected that this person didn’t acknowledge his master; after all, scholars cherished their reputation, and most would return the courtesy in such a situation.
Seeing Gu Chengyu look a bit awkward, Ming Yan smirked slightly, finding it oddly amusing that even his master had moments of being rebuffed.
Gu Chengyu hurried back to the inn and asked the helper to bring up some hot water.
"Mr. Gu, you’re back so early! I’ll bring the hot water in for you!" This helper named Heizi was already familiar with Gu Chengyu and others, so he addressed Gu Chengyu as Mr. Gu, just like Ming Mo and the others. After all, someone this young being called ’sir’ didn’t sound quite right either.
Heizi loved taking Gu Chengyu’s tasks; although carrying hot water to the third floor was tiring, Mr. Gu would offer some reward for the effort. Other helpers envied this task, but unfortunately, Heizi was clever and promptly approached Gu Chengyu as soon as he entered.
Gu Chengyu returned to his room feeling a bit weary. After the helper brought the hot water, he took a bath and quickly fell asleep.
Sun Xian and the rest returned after their exams later in the afternoon. By the time Gu Chengyu woke up, it was already past 3:00 PM. In the shack, because of the limited space and heat, Gu Chengyu didn’t get much sleep. Half the night he was awake, though luckily he had brought some mosquito repellent herbs.
After tidying himself, Gu Chengyu sat energetically at the table and started reading.
"Mr. Gu, would you like something to eat to tide you over? Mr. Sun and Mr. Ye aren’t awake yet!" Ming Mo had returned while Gu Chengyu was sleeping.
"No need, I’m not hungry. Let’s wait until they’re up to eat together! How are the arrangements for the two stores?" Gu Chengyu had bought the store he saw last time and another smaller one for the First-class House.
"Everything is set, and people have been hired. The head chefs are learning new dishes, and in ten days or so, it should be ready to open." Ming Mo had been following Yu Tuanzi, so he was well-informed about the progress of the restaurant and pastry shop.
"Transfer a few people from your Ding Generation here, to keep an eye on things in the Capital first. No need to bring the girls; I have other plans. Tell Gu Wanqian to learn well; when we leave, the Capital will rely on him."
The Ding Generation was one Gu Chengyu focused on training, to be used when the time came. Gu Wanqian had learned almost enough, now just needing a patron in the Capital.
He thought of his senior master. When he came, his teacher gave him two invitations, one from his senior master and one from his third senior master, saying to seek their help if needed. But he didn’t plan to visit their residences until after the Provincial Examination.
His senior master was Yin Kun, Right Deputy Imperial Censor of the Inspectorate, of Standard Third Rank; the second senior master, Wu An, served as Magistrate of Dingchuan Prefecture, Standard Fourth Rank; and the last was He Jisheng, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, also of Standard Fourth Rank. In principle, Gu Chengyu should have personally visited the two senior masters in the Capital upon his arrival, but he chose to avoid it to prevent any conflict with the Provincial Examination.
Moreover, when his teacher took him in, it wasn’t widely publicized, so not many people knew. Gu Chengyu didn’t want to create any trouble before the Autumn Examination, so he only planned to visit in person after the exams, having earlier sent Yu Tuanzi with Ming Mo to deliver gifts to each residence.
When he became a disciple, the three senior masters couldn’t leave their posts, so they sent gifts through their stewards. But Gu Chengyu knew this was more for his teacher’s sake and that there wasn’t much personal relationship between them. Still, as fellow disciples, they should maintain contact.
"Ming Mo, tell Wan Qian to come see me!"
Since Yu Tuanzi and Gu Wanqian arrived in the Capital, they had been staying at Qunying Building, albeit in a middle room, since the upper rooms were already full.
In the Capital’s Juxiang Building, Gu Chengyu planned to add more dishes. The Capital was bustling with many restaurants, and without distinctive options, it would be hard to compete.
"Uncle! Did you call for me?" Gu Wanqian entered the room and bowed to Gu Chengyu.
Gu Chengyu glanced at Gu Wanqian. Although Gu Wanqian was still a youth, his temperament had become more steady.
"Send someone to investigate Right Deputy Imperial Censor Yin Kun of the Inspectorate and Minister of the Ministry of Rites He Jisheng. Find out all you can about their households and report back to me!" Gu Chengyu intended to find a patron but was unsure about his two senior masters’ characters.
He was willing to offer a share, but he wanted someone reliable. If the person were greedy, it would be no different than negotiating with a tiger.
