Shen Wennian, the outstanding scholar of the Jiangnan Shen family in this generation, excelled not only in learning but also in appearance and character.
The Jiangnan Shen family originated from the previous Wei Dynasty, spanning a thousand years. Their ancestors produced six ministers and dozens of empresses, including the current Empress Shen Zhiyuan. Capable officials and competent clerks were too numerous to count, making them of the top aristocratic families in the Jin Dynasty.
Shen Wennian, intensively cultivated by the Shen family, was groomed to become the future Chief Minister.
Shen Wennian lived up to their expectations. Three years ago, when the Emperor first reformed the provincial exams using the Huayin flood disaster, his literary talent stood out among all candidates, earning him the undisputed title of Jieyuan in Jiangnan.
Even the Emperor, after reading his provincial exam paper, personally praised his literary talent.
Three years ago, if he had g to the capital for the Metropolitan Exams, the Zhuangyuan title would undoubtedly have been his.
However, Shen Wennian felt that easily obtained honors were worthless. Moreover, the Emperor had already shown extreme impatience with the imperial exams at that time. Even if he won the Zhuangyuan title, he might incur the Emperor's displeasure.
For some groomed to be Chief Minister, being disliked by the Emperor immediately upon entering officialdom was unacceptable.
Therefore, he resolutely abandd the Metropolitan Exams three years ago and personally went to Huayin Prefecture.
Since the Emperor was determined to reform the exams, the reform was inevitable.
He believed that sacrificing a Zhuangyuan title unlikely to gain imperial favor, and spending three years studying current affairs to face a completely new exam system, was more worthwhile.
Thus, for the past three years, he had stayed in Huayin Prefecture, gradually working to rebuild the devastated landscape of Huayin after its hellish experience.
He wanted to take this current affairs-focused exam based on his personal experience, catching this east wind to soar rapidly.
Unfortunately, while the imagination was beautiful, reality was harsh.
Just as he was vigorously reforming Huayin, an obscure prefecture called Yong'an rose suddenly with an astonishing tax revenue of 200,000 taels in year, catching the entire world off guard.
Shen Wennian lowered his eyes, his refined fingers resting on Xu Huaiqian's stunningly brilliant calligraphy. He scanned it word by word, occasionally picking up a brush to dissect its essence and record it with his own insights.
"Wen Nian, what do you think?" Besides him, the room contained over ten elders, also reviewing the exam papers printed and distributed by the Emperor to all prefectures. Seeing his gaze fixed on the paper endorsed by the Emperor and the Hanlin academicians, they couldn't help but ask, "Do you have a way to surpass him?"
"I don't know." Shen Wennian shook his head. "Although this person's literary talent is ordinary, his calligraphy and insights into current affairs are truly stunning."
"His ideas seem fantastical, daring to think what predecessors did not dare," Shen Wennian had studied Xu Huaiqian's paper all night and could almost recite it backwards. "Yet each point is well-reasd and evidenced, making it easy for any to follow his ideas and implement them."
"Isn't Yong'an's success precisely due to his suggestions?" Shen Wennian sighed. "With Yong'an's precedent, whatever he writes next will likely easily gain the Emperor's trust."
"The important thing is," Shen Wennian looked down at the paper, "his thinking is so unconventional that it's beyond our ability to fathom."
Shen Wennian was different from others. While some believed that thoroughly studying Jieyuan Xu's papers and either copying his answers or gradually exploring their own current affairs path based on his insights was sufficient, he saw a different approach.
Merely on methods to increase tax revenue, he could write so many unexpected answers. What about other areas? Did he have even more surprising ideas and unique insights on other current affairs topics? This was what made him formidable.
Others could only imitate and learn from him, while he consistently stayed at the forefront, continuously surpassing himself.
More importantly, such a brilliantly talented person wasn't groomed by a great aristocratic family but was born into an ordinary farming household in Yong'an Prefecture.
The son of a commr, without any support or resources, possessed vision and insight far exceeding his own. Perhaps this was the true favored son of heaven.
Shen Wennian's heart felt heavy.
"This..." The dozen or so elders in the room looked troubled. Their mission was to groom Shen Wennian into a Chief Minister. This unexpected obstacle left them all unsure how to proceed.
"His insight into current affairs is indeed remarkable," Shen Wennian admitted. This Jieyuan Xu was indeed formidable. But Shen Wennian, groomed for years by the Jiangnan Shen family to become Chief Minister, wouldn't be defeated by such a challenge. "But I may not lose to him. I will give it my best effort."
Current affairs—if this situation had occurred three years ago, Shen Wennian might have been more troubled. But after three years in Huayin, he was confident that, aside from this Jieyuan Xu, he was inferior to no else.
What he lacked compared to Xu Huaiqian was boldness of thought and unconventional insight. If he could break free from his own constraints and open his mind, he didn't believe he was inferior to Xu Huaiqian.
The Zhuangyuan title—Shen Wennian was determined to secure it!
While Shen Wennian was considering Xu Huaiqian a rival, Xu Huaiqian was packing for his wife.
The Juren exams were over, the peppercorns were sold, and his wife was going to the capital to buy a house.
"No need to buy something too fancy," Xu Huaiqian chattered while folding clothes for his wife. "Just habitable is fine. Ask around with several real estate agents; don't waste my. The market there is treacherous; you could easily be cheated."
Xu Huaiqian knew Chen Liejiu was straightforward and generous, and tended to spend lavishly when away from home. In their small locality, that was manageable; no would dare cause trouble. But the capital was different, full of high officials and nobles. He feared his wife's personality might make him a target for unscrupulous people. With their power and influence, small figures like them couldn't fight back. It was better to be cautious.
It was a pity that household matters kept him busy; otherwise, going to the capital with his wife to look at houses would spare him this anxiety.
"Understood, don't worry. I know what I'm doing," said Chen Liejiu, radiant after a night of being 'cared for' by Xu Huaiqian. He hugged his little husband, who was fussing over the packing, from behind, feeling content. "Once I'm settled in the capital, you can bring Wanwan and the others to join me. Travel with Duan Youyan and the rest; you can look out for each other on the road."
Besides buying a house, Chen Liejiu also aimed to explore business opportunities in the capital.
As Meng Fangxun and the others had said, whether Xu Huaiqian became Zhuangyuan or Tanhualang, as long as he ranked in the First Class, he would have to enter the Hanlin Academy. Serving in the Hanlin Academy meant staying for many years, implying they might have to live in the capital long-term.
Living in the capital would be expensive. Chen Liejiu couldn't bear the thought of his little husband having inferior food and clothing compared to others. The imitation silver charcoal and peppercorns were profitable, but peppercorns were harvested only every two years, and the charcoal dividends came only at year-end. After buying a house, their funds would be tight again. If he didn't find a way to establish a business in the capital, would his little husband have to endure hardship with him?
While Chen Liejiu planned for their future, Xu Huaiqian silently continued packing, falling quiet.
"What's on your mind?" Chen Liejiu asked, feeling his lack of response. "Why so quiet?"
Xu Huaiqian turned around suddenly and looked at him. "A-Jiu, do you resent me for making you leave your hometown?"
Once he went to the capital, whether he made it into the First Class or not, it would be difficult to return to Xinghua Village. Xu Huaiqian had no close friends or relatives here. Even after years, becoming familiar with the villagers, they were just neighbors to him, not close. The only person he was truly close to was Chen Liejiu.
But Chen Liejiu was different. He was native to this place. Here, he had his clan, his home, his business. In the capital, he would have nothing and would have to start over. Xu Huaiqian feared that, deep down, Chen Liejiu might not truly want to leave.
"What are you thinking?" Chen Liejiu laughed. "Going to the capital is a dream many can't achieve. How can that be called 'leaving 's native place'?"
"You're going for the exams, to become a high official! This is called 'rising step by step'!" Chen Liejiu rubbed his nose against Xu Huaiqian's. "Besides, you've already helped me upgrade from a local tough to an official's husband. What more could I want?"
Chen Liejiu didn't care about these things. Only some as thoughtful as Xu Huaiqian would worry so much for him.
"My little husband," Chen Liejiu kissed Xu Huaiqian, who constantly thought of him. "Wherever you are is my home."
Xu Huaiqian often said he only had Chen Liejiu. But wasn't it the same for Chen Liejiu? Chen Jinhu would eventually have Wang Wanwan, and Little Sister would have her own family. Only Xu Huaiqian, who married into his family, belonged to him completely, from head to toe, body and heart. As long as Xu Huaiqian didn't abandon him, accompanying him to the capital as an official—or even wandering the world—held no fear for Chen Liejiu.
"A-Jiu, you're so good." Soothed by his wife's words, Xu Huaiqian felt comfortable. Few in the world could enjoy the life of a kept man as well as he did. He relaxed contentedly into Chen Liejiu's arms. "Rub my waist a bit more? I think I strained it last night; it really hurts now."
"Strained where?" Chen Liejiu's heart tightened. He quickly lifted Xu Huaiqian's shirt to look, concerned. "Is it serious? Should I call a doctor?"
Xu Huaiqian: "..."
"It's fine, just a bit sore. Rubbing it will help," Xu Huaiqian was utterly exasperated with his own body. Even though his health had improved significantly, last night's extra exertion left his waist so sore this morning he could barely straighten up. Chen Liejiu had already rubbed it once this morning, and it still ached. He was only twenty-, not seventy-!
If this continued, as he aged, could he provide his wife with a lifetime of... happiness? The thought of facing his beautiful wife in the future, having the 'tools' but lacking the stamina, made him fall silent.
As Chen Liejiu rubbed his waist, his expression was complex. He hesitantly suggested, "Maybe... for that kind of thing... I should take the lead from now on?"
His own physique was far superior to Xu Huaiqian's. He could be active all night without feeling tired. At most, his stomach might feel a bit sore?
"No! I want to do it myself!" Upon hearing this, Xu Huaiqian's legs felt weak. He wouldn't fall for that! When he took the lead, he could control the pace for his own comfort. If his wife took charge... he really couldn't handle it. He was too wild! That speed, that intensity... Xu Huaiqian couldn't last more than fifteen minutes! It would be humiliating!
"Alright." Since Xu Huaiqian refused, Chen Liejiu had to reluctantly drop the idea. He truly felt Xu Huaiqian was perfect in every way, except the pace was just a tad slow. Although it was still very pleasurable, wouldn't a faster pace be even more so?