CHAPTER 65: CHAPTER 65: BORING, INTERESTING, AND THE PERSON IN THE PAINTING (DOUBLE-LENGTH CHAPTER)

The people of Jichuan County, when traveling abroad, have seldom received preferential treatment.

Such as Wang Mochuan and others, upon hearing from afar the posthouse soldier saying it was fully booked, were even prepared to leave the posthouse directly.

Unexpectedly, the posthouse soldier, who had just been haughty, proactively stepped forward and asked, "Are you with the scholars from Jichuan County School?"

After receiving a positive answer, the posthouse soldier peered into the carriage, his gaze lingering on Chen Xu for a moment, and then his face bloomed into a smile.

"Indeed, Jichuan County’s great talents have arrived. This is truly wonderful.

Quick, please disembark. The superior rooms have long been prepared, and we have been waiting here for some time."

The speed of his change in demeanor was astonishing.

Wang Mochuan and the others were somewhat dumbfounded, muddle-headedly getting off the carriage.

Two more posthouse soldiers rushed out from the posthouse, respectfully inviting Wu Zhengze and others from the other two carriages to disembark.

Wang Mochuan couldn’t help but mumble to himself, "Could it be because Master Wu is with us this year that these officious soldiers changed their attitude?

It must be so. After all, Master Wu is a scholar..."

Scholars, naturally, are different.

Ordinary scholars rushing to exams and staying at posthouses must pay and queue, but scholars and above in rank staying at posthouses not only get free board but also priority.

In the past few years, when scholars from the county school went to Prefecture City for exams, at most they were accompanied by a scholar’s teacher.

As for the previous scholar instructor, he always carried himself so loftily that it was impossible for him to personally lead young students to exams.

Thinking of this, Wang Mochuan was also somewhat moved by Wu Zhengze’s character.

The people from the county school all got off the carriage, and more posthouse soldiers quickly came over to help with the horses and unloading, their attitude attentive and movements nimble.

All the people from Jichuan County thoroughly enjoyed it, but this only further annoyed the batch of scholars who had arrived earlier.

In that party, there were old and young, some dressed opulently and some plainly; six people with only one carriage.

At this moment, everyone stood by the carriage, glaring angrily at the group from Jichuan County.

"Didn’t you say the guest rooms were all full? Then why can these people stay?"

A young scholar, whose clothes were slightly faded from washing, pointed angrily at the group from Jichuan County.

Among the posthouse soldiers, the leader, a dark-faced soldier, tilted his head and with a sly look in his eyes, let out a "heh" of laughter and said, "When I say it’s full, it’s full. Do you think I’d lie to you?

We follow the directives of our superiors, and our actions are well-reasoned and measured.

The reason these great talents have rooms is naturally because someone made arrangements in advance, booking their rooms.

What? The rooms someone else booked in advance can’t be occupied? Do you intend to seize them by force?"

Such words, though spoken with arrogance, left the ones opposite speechless.

The dark-faced soldier then turned to nod and bow to the people from Jichuan County, speaking with anticipation, "The guest who booked the rooms in advance said they admired the great talents of the scholars from Jichuan County, hence the advanced arrangements.

The guest also prepared a banquet and invites everyone to stay.

They request that despite it being simple fare, you not refuse."

The people from Jichuan County were almost bewildered by the praise: was there really someone who admired their great talent so much as to arrange their accommodation in advance?

But... do they really have such stunning talents?

What makes them so worthy of admiration?

They themselves don’t know either!

Everyone was a bit dazed, but scholars have always valued reputation.

If your literary fame is great, your prestige strong, even if you casually said a white horse is not a horse, well-learned scholars would defend you.

Conversely, if you are unknown, even if you speak great truths, people might only laugh at you for being mad.

Scholars study, unlike monks seeking to transcend; how many can truly disregard reputation?

Being praised like this, with a starkly contrasting group of scholars nearby, to be honest, almost no one present could maintain their composure.

Even Wang Mochuan couldn’t help but display a slightly self-satisfied smile.

In their party, only Wu Zhengze frowned slightly, while Chen Xu maintained his composure, yet couldn’t help but ponder.

This situation, does it seem familiar?

Just as the group was about to walk into the posthouse under the eager guidance of the posthouse soldiers, Wu Zhengze suddenly asked, "May I ask, how many rooms did the person who booked our rooms arrange?"

The dark-faced soldier replied with a grin, "To answer, sir, there are eight superior rooms and one lesser room."

The county school party consisted of eleven people: five exam-bound scholars, one accompanying Wang Mochuan, two masters, and three coachmen.

With eight superior rooms and one lesser room, it seemed each scholar and master was to have their own room, while the three coachmen would share one room.

This arrangement was indeed very considerate and thoughtful. Wu Zhengze pondered for a moment, and then said, "Eight superior rooms, that is quite spacious. As fellow exam scholars, we should be modest and helpful to one another.

Why don’t we vacate four rooms for those gentlemen over there?

What do you think?"

This last question was directed at the scholars.

Upon hearing it, who would disagree?

It was an opportunity to make friends with peers and show grace and righteousness.

The scholars had just been praised as great talents, and if they didn’t demonstrate magnanimity now, it would almost be unworthy of the posthouse soldier’s praise.

"We wish to follow the master’s words."

The scholars all declared.

The generous gesture from the people of Jichuan County greatly moved the quarreling group of scholars on the opposite side, none of them expecting such a turn of events.

They exchanged glances, and although their expressions were varied—some hesitant, some delighted—but after a moment, they all stepped forward together to thank the group from Jichuan County.