mtlumby2d Chapter 405 The friendship between gentlemen
Chapter 405 The friendship between gentlemen
Bowen's face was expressionless, like a calm lake. He simply said, "Wenyuan and I are just friends, so there's no need to worry. You two have come all this way. Do you want to stay at the academy and study hard? Or do you have other plans?"
After saying this, Bowen no longer looked at Yang Qingfeng and Li Shenghui. Instead, he picked up the teacup on the table beside him, gently wiped off the foam on the surface of the tea with the cup lid, and tasted the tea brought by the students, as if he had temporarily forgotten the two people in front of him.
Yang Qingfeng leaned forward, his expression extremely respectful. "Master, we have come all this way, despite all the trouble, naturally hoping to stay at the academy and immerse ourselves in learning. If we could receive your careful instruction and, in time, be fortunate enough to receive your recommendation, and be able to serve the court and contribute our modest efforts to the country and its people, that would be truly wonderful."
Li Shenghui then added, "Wenyuan Academy is undoubtedly the best academy in Dayan. We are both well aware of our limited talents and knowledge. If we are fortunate enough to stay here, it will undoubtedly be a great blessing for us. We can further our studies here, and in the future we can serve in other academies and pass on our knowledge to others. We can also earn a living in this chaotic world and seek peace for our families. Then we will have no regrets in this life."
Bowen savored the tea in his hand slowly, squinting his eyes slightly. After a moment, he slowly raised his eyelids and looked up and down at the two students who had come all the way from the bottom of society to make a living.
A subtle smile played at the corner of his mouth, and he thought to himself: These two students without any background, actually dream of serving the court? The sons of the ministers in the court are still queuing up to be assigned positions, so how could these two poor and unknown boys have a chance?
Bowen slowly raised his head and looked at the two of them calmly, with a hint of inquiry in his expression. He asked, "What does your family do?"
Yang Qingfeng quickly stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and replied in a steady voice, "Master, my father makes a living as a blacksmith all year round, relying on that meager income to support our family."
Li Shenghui followed suit and bowed, his expression a little reserved as he said, "Master, my father is the head of our village. He makes a living mainly from farming, and our family can barely make ends meet."
After hearing this, Bowen rolled his eyes, feeling impatient, and secretly complained: Why did Wenyuan call everyone here? It's really ridiculous!
Then, he forced a fake smile on his face, looked at the two of them and said, "To tell you the truth, all the dormitories in our academy are now full. However, considering that you were introduced by Wenyuan, I will naturally think of a way to help you. But, as you know, every year many dignitaries try their best to keep an eye on the places in our academy, which really makes it very difficult for me." After that, he sighed softly.
At this point, Bowen forced a meaningful smile and slowly continued, "Everyone is so outstanding, each one is talented and knowledgeable. However, there are only so many official positions in the court, and the competition is fierce. Even the positions of staff in the Crown Prince's Palace are limited, so how can we give them away so easily?"
Yang Qingfeng and Li Shenghui felt a chill in their hearts when they heard Bowen's words, and their eyes revealed deep loss. The main purpose of their coming here was to study, hoping to further their studies in the famous Wenyuan Academy, so as to change their destiny and realize their ambitions.
They never imagined that after all the hardships they had to travel, such a despairing result would be waiting for them.
Yang Qingfeng suppressed his inner disappointment and tried to remain calm. He cupped his hands respectfully and said, "In that case, Master is busy with his affairs, so we will not bother you any more."
Bowen glanced nonchalantly at the young man who was dressed simply and looked poor, shook his head slightly, and secretly despised him in his heart: He is so impatient that he can't even withstand such a small setback, and yet he still wants to serve the court. It's simply a foolish dream.
"We are indeed full here, but I am kind-hearted and can show you a way."
Bowen narrowed his eyes slightly and said slowly, "I can introduce you to other academies. Prime Minister Zhao's nephew has just opened a new academy on the outskirts of the city. The conditions there are quite good, and the monthly tuition is only two hundred taels of silver. As long as you put in more effort there, you may become an aide to the Prime Minister's office in the future, and be appreciated and valued by the Prime Minister. In this way, there is still hope for you to enter the official career."
Bowen sighed helplessly, secretly criticizing them internally: These two people don't even understand the ways of the world. They only have passion and ambition, but they want to serve the court. How naive and childish! For Wenyuan's sake, I have done my best, and this is the best I can do to help them.
Li Shenghui looked embarrassed and stammered, "Master, I...my family is poor. I really can't afford these two hundred taels of silver. I...I'd better go back to Qingshui County."
Bowen naturally had no intention of keeping these two young men who had neither strong backing nor abundant funds. He waved his hand casually with a perfunctory look on his face and said, "Then be careful on your way. Say hello to Wenyuan for me."
After saying that, Bowen forced a polite smile on his face, but the smile did not reach his eyes.
After slowly emerging from Wenyuan Academy, Yang Qingfeng and Li Shenghui felt like deflated balls, completely dejected. They had never imagined that after going through so much hardship to reach the coveted Wenyuan Academy, they would end up with such a disheartening outcome.
Li Shenghui sighed heavily, patted Yang Qingfeng on the shoulder and said comfortingly, "Brother Qingfeng, don't be too discouraged. The court's favoritism towards important officials and nepotism has not been a one- or two-day thing. This has long been an open secret.
Even if there is a slight chance, priority will definitely be given to the sons of ministers, who are powerful and have many connections.
For people like us who come from poor backgrounds and can only rely on the imperial examination to enter the officialdom, it is really difficult as climbing to heaven. We should be more realistic. Being able to be a teacher in the countryside and teach children some knowledge is already very good. "
Yang Qingfeng slowly lowered his eyes, and his originally clear eyes became dark and deep. He clenched his fists unconsciously and cursed in his heart: The current court is extremely corrupt, and everyone from top to bottom is in collusion. Officials protect each other and oppress the people.
The rich and powerful live a life of luxury, while the poor struggle on the brink of life and death, with no food to eat and no clothes to wear. In such a dark world, how can these poor people have a chance to make a breakthrough?