The Arena

The Dean chuckled and shook his head: "No, the main purpose is to bring them here to broaden their horizons. They should not be complacent. There are far more talented people out there than they realize!"

"You're truly devoted to their education, aren't you, Dean?" Asked the old man.

The Dean exclaimed: "This year, our academy only had two students sitting for the examination: one named Wenwu, the other Xuedong. Most of the candidates still came from the larger academies, Huamen Town is too small after all."

"Dean, there's no need for false modesty." The old man exclaimed: "These students seem quite promising. The credit for their achievements goes to you and the teachers."

The Dean smiled: "Old man, you're so kind. If I could have a few more students like Wenwu, that would be all I wish for."

"Oh, it's nothing compared to your excellent teaching. Without your guidance, Wenwu wouldn't have progressed so quickly."

The Dean replied: "Old man, while diligence can make up for some shortcomings, natural talent is also crucial. Your family is fortunate - aside from Wenwu, all your children have their own strengths. It's just a pity none of them are interested in imperial examinations."

The old man said: "Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. As long as they don't go astray, I am open-minded and they can do whatever they like."

The Dean exclaimed: "What the old man said is very true, but I am the one who is obsessed with it! As long as the children are taught to know propriety, righteousness, honesty and shame, and to distinguish between right and wrong, that is the significance of the existence of us teachers."

They chatted casually for a bit.

Just then, Xu Wenwu and Qian Xuedong arrived with a few classmates.

"I'd like to take them for a stroll, would the Dean and teacher come along?" Xu Wenwu asked.

"I will pass, it's okay for you young people to go and relax and unwind." Dean replied.

The old man asked: "Shall I let the Second go with you?"

"No need, Grandpa." Xu Wenwu replied: "Second Uncle has his own work. I already remember the way, we'll find our way back."

Old Mr. Xu nodded: "Be back early, then."

"We will, Grandpa."

Qibao added: "Grandpa, I will go with my elder brother and the others."

The old man nodded and said: "Go, go, and be careful."

So, a total of eight people, including Fuqiu, walked out of the hotpot restaurant together.

"Brother Xu, I knew it! You're the one who should've talked to the Dean." One of his classmates laughed: "I wasn't wrong, was I?" He seemed like a different person from the deferential one who had been in front of the Dean just moments ago.

Xu Wenwu shook his head with a smile.

"This Qingyun City is really huge! So many people, it's bustling. I heard on the way here that someone put up 500 taels as a prize. They're inviting scholars from all over to compete in a talent show. The winner gets those 500 taels."

Qian Xuedong said: "That's a lot, Wenwu, how about we join in the fun too?"

Xu Wenwu replied: "Okay, let's go and take a look!"

They asked a passerby for directions, but almost everyone seemed to know about the competition. It wasn't long before they found the location.

When they arrived, a crowd had already gathered. On the raised platform, a middle-aged man was speaking: "First of all, I welcome all the talented people from all over the world to come to Qingyun City. May I wish everyone success in the upcoming examination."

Some people at the bottom started yelling.

Qibao immediately knew this person was paid to stir up excitement and get everyone worked up.

The middle-aged man smiled, raised his hand and said: "To relieve your pre-exam stress and excitement, I'd like to pick ten of you exceptional young scholars to solve problems I've made up. Just think of it as a game. If any of you are brave enough, why don't you step up to the stage!"

The crowd began whispering amongst themselves.

I'll do it." Said an elegantly dressed young man. He walked to the stage while fanning himself with a folding fan.

"Hye! Master Wen, why are you here to join in the fun?" The middle-aged man bowed respectfully and said. 

"Since there is this arena, does it mean that only those who have taken the imperial examination can participate?" asked Master Wen.

"That's not the case. Anyone who thinks they are knowledgeable can participate." Said the middle-aged man.

"Cousin, you can definitely get first place! You can't be compared with those cats and dogs!"

At this moment, an extremely arrogant voice came from the crowd.

"Boy! Who do you call a cat or a dog?"

"That's right! Where are you from? Which school? Is this what your teacher taught you?"

"If you have the guts, come up and compete. Why are you shouting so proudly down there?"

"Since you said that your cousin is no match for me, then I will compete with him today!"

"That's right! Anyone who can come here must have some ability, who are you looking down on?"

For a moment, the field was filled with accusations against the person who spoke.

"Hmph! I'm just telling the truth. My cousin is from the family of the Regional Governor himself. Who here can really compete with him?" The voice spoke again in an arrogant tone.

Qian Xuedong and Xu Wenwu felt the voice sounded more familiar as they listened. However, with so many people around, they couldn't clearly see the person speaking. They only knew the voice was coming from their right.

"What? This young man is the Governor's son?"

"How could the son of the Governor be with someone like this?"

The lowly ones whispered.

"Miss, this person is so annoying, living in our Wen Mansion not to mention, and now saying such things in public, isn't this pulling hatred for the eldest young master!"

"Yuan'er, big brother will find a way to solve it."

"Gao Yuan, stop talking nonsense here! I've told you many times, don't call me cousin! I'm not your cousin!" Master Wen on the stage said with a frown and disgust.

Qian Xuedong said: "Gao Yuan? Could it be the Gao Yuan we met last night who claimed to be the county magistrate's son? No wonder this voice sounded familiar to me."

Xu Wenwu said: "It is most likely him."

Several classmates nearby asked: "Brother Qian and Brother Xu, do you know this person?"

So Qian Xuedong briefly told them what happened last night.

"Look... Cous... I mean, Brother Wen, I'm used to calling you that! But what I said is the truth!" Gao Yuan felt somewhat embarrassed to be refuted. He gritted his teeth in anger, but his face showed a fawning expression.

At this time, after Gao Yuan's contemptuous words, a few more people went on the stage, leaving three people short of ten.

"Brother Xu, do you want to go up and give it a try? I believe that with your talent, you can definitely win first place."

Xu Wenwu shook his head and said: "I won't join in the fun. I'll just watch."

The middle-aged man spoke again: "There are still three people missing, is there anyone coming up?"

Not long after, three more people stepped onto the stage. One of them wore clothes so faded and worn they looked stained. It was clear he didn't come from a well-off family, and his appearance stood out sharply against the rich young masters decked out in brocade.

"Hmph! Does he really think he's fit to compete with Brother Wen? Why didn't he even bother to change his clothes? He looks like he just threw on some rags." Gao Yuan let out another scornful remark.

"What a rude person! Has this man wronged you somehow? Have you never heard of poor families raising talented sons? If you're so good, why don't you step up? All you ever do is talk big."

Finally, someone from the crowd spoke up, tired of Gao Yuan's behavior.

"Him? He's a talented man? Isn't he afraid of being laughed at? He doesn't even have a decent piece of clothing. If I were him, I would have hidden in some corner and not come out. He goes there purely to attract attention." Gao Yuan said, glancing at the person who spoke.

"Then wait and see!"

The young man who was being ridiculed on the stage remained neither humble nor arrogant. He still stood straight on the stage, as if he didn't hear Gao Yuan's words.