Martial Saint through Reading

”Didn’t you hear? Get out, or face the family punishment.”

”Uncle...” The Junior Examinee in the Confucian robe was unwilling.

”What, you think being the first at the Academy every time means you’re truly knowledgeable?” Tang Xuan seemed genuinely angry, glaring at the Junior Examinee and reprimanding, ”Get out!”

”Yes... yes...”

The Junior Examinee in the Confucian robe put on a bitter face and prepared to leave.

”Wait.”

At this moment, Chu Ming stepped forward.

”What’s your name?” His voice remained indifferent, lacking the commanding presence of the two generals, yet it carried a chill.

”I... my name is Zhang... You...”

Zhang You didn’t know why, but with just one sentence, the defiance in his heart dissipated, and he even felt a bit afraid.

Why fear someone younger than himself?

Because the other is the Commissioner of Canal Transport?

But what about the Commissioner of Canal Transport?

Your uncle is the Head of River Transport, the direct superior of the Commissioner of Canal Transport, so what’s there to fear?

Zhang You forcibly took a breath and spoke again, ”My name is Zhang You, and the Tang River Transport Headquarters is my uncle.”

”You have always been the first in the Shan County Academy exams?” Chu Ming asked indifferently once more.

”Yes,” Zhang You regained confidence, ”Chu Commissioner of Canal Transport, I want to compare with you...”

”Write a poem, if it’s good, I can recommend you.”

Before Zhang You could finish, Chu Ming directly said.

”Ah?” Zhang You was stunned on the spot.

Recommendation?

How is it different from what I expected?

Is Lord Chu going to recommend me?

Recommendation based on a poem?

Zhang You’s mind raced, ink in his belly churned, trying to come up with an astonishingly good poem, one that would earn him a recommendation.

”Fallen leaves flying, the land turns gold, autumn wind blowing...”

Just as he was reciting the poetry he’d racked his brains for, Chu Ming turned to Xiao Wen, ”Lord Xiao, can cross-county recommendations be made?”

”...” Xiao Wen also paused, then spoke in a deep voice, ”No.”

”No, huh...” A look of regret flashed across Chu Ming’s face, and he turned back to Zhang You, ”What does the autumn wind blow?”

”Blow... passing by...” Zhang You’s cheeks flushed red.

”Good poem,” Chu Ming nodded slightly, ”It’s just a pity, I don’t have the right to recommend.”

Then, he turned and walked towards Shen Yu, signaling with his eyes.

Shen Yu understood immediately and spoke, ”Indeed, a good poem, Tang River Transport Headquarters, County Magistrate Zhang, Zhang You is a talented youth and shouldn’t be buried.”

”I...” Zhang You stood at the courtyard entrance, somewhat at a loss.

With just a line of poetry, he received recognition from Lord Chu and Lord Shen?

He looked expectantly at County Magistrate Zhang and the Head of River Transport.

Those were eyes filled with intensity.

But he seemed to have forgotten what the purpose here was.

”Uncle...”

”Get out!” Tang Xuan’s face turned unsightly.

This time, ’get out’ was serious, and the anger on his face was not an act.

”Uncle...” Zhang You shrank his head in fright and retreated behind County Magistrate Zhang.

County Magistrate Zhang’s face was equally unpleasant.

They initially wanted Zhang You to provoke Chu Ming, who would have thought Zhang You would be so useless, being fooled in just a few words, forgetting his purpose.

The key is, he hasn’t sobered up yet.

What a waste.

”Get out! Deduct half a year’s monthly salary.”

”Ah?” Zhang You shivered, ”Uncle, my poem...”

”Still poetry?!” County Magistrate Zhang was fuming inside.

If it weren’t for outsiders, he’d have slapped Zhang You a few times immediately.

This isn’t just a disgrace to Zhang You alone, but also to the Shan County Zhang Family, to the Tang River Transport Headquarters!

”Brother, let’s go, Uncle and Uncle know this well, go back and write down the complete poem, surely you’ll earn a recommendation spot.”

Beside him, another Junior Examinee in Confucian robes drew Zhang You back, whispering.

These words directly ignited the anger within Tang Xuan and County Magistrate Zhang.

”Get out! All of you, get out!” Tang Xuan finally shouted out the words he’d held back for half a day.

The dozen or so Junior Examinees blocking the entrance were suddenly scared and retreated.

”Ah, why is Tang River Transport Headquarters so angry? They’re just some inexperienced youths, they need more guidance.” Shen Yu timely added.

Xiao Wen looked at Tang Xuan with a displeased expression.

Initially, he had a good relationship with Tang Xuan, but after today’s fiasco, Xiao Wen couldn’t help but harbor some resentment.

”Brother Xiao, I apologize, it’s my poor management.”

Tang Xuan cupped his hands in apology and then waved, someone came up carrying something.

When Xiao Wen saw that item, his eyes instantly glowed.

”Actually, that Purple Sandalwood Sculpture is part of a pair.”

Brought up was another sculpture of similar design to the Purple Sandalwood Sculpture.

”To express my apologies, this Purple Sandalwood Sculpture is also gifted to Brother Xiao.” Tang Xuan spoke sincerely.

Xiao Wen looked at the second Purple Sandalwood Spirit Wood, then at Tang Xuan’s apologetic appearance, and his anger dissipated a lot.

”Brother Tang, young people indeed need proper guidance.”

”Brother Xiao is right.”

Tang Xuan cupped his hands again in apology to Xiao Wen, then waved to indicate.

Several people brought in books and respectfully handed them to Chu Ming.

”Today was my oversight in management, I hope the Commissioner of Canal Transport Chu will not mind, here are a few books, all top-grade books collected by Book Garden, I hope the Commissioner of Canal Transport Chu will accept them.”

”Are there just a few books?” Shen Yu said beside him.

”Of course, it’s not just a few, County Magistrate Zhang, go select a cart of books for the Commissioner of Canal Transport Chu.”

”Yes.”

”A cart will do.”

Shen Yu knew Chu Ming liked to read, so he deliberately said this to get more benefits for Chu Ming.

Chu Ming cupped his hands, ”Then many thanks to Lord Tang.”

”It’s no trouble, no trouble.” Tang Xuan waved his hand, ”Breakfast porridge is ready, please stay and eat before leaving.”

”Alright.”

”...”

After eating breakfast porridge, Chu Ming and his entourage boarded the carriage and headed for the city gate.

Shen Yu and Chu Ming sat in the same carriage.

”I didn’t expect it, I thought you wouldn’t pay attention to that Zhang You kid.”