My Father in Law is Lu Bu

Chapter 712

The scholars words made these Jiangdong students feel ashamed. They accused the King of Shu for deceiving them and not allowing them to be officials but this scholar immediately answered those impossible question. On top of that, the scholar gave four solutions to the chicken and rabbit question. There were some who studied from the School of Principle so while they could not understand everything, the explanations was enough for them to follow along and confirm the correct answer.

Meanwhile, the person who made the bet with the scholar was gloomy. People live for face and he had just lost it.

At first, all of it was just angry words. This is because he came in high spirits thinking he was capable enough to become an official. But now he had to return home disappointed.

The disrepancies made him furious and he believed he was being teased. This is why he said such a stupid thing. He never expected that someone would take him seriously and made a bet with him. The young man was naturally hot blooded so he immediately accepted the bet.

Kneeling on the street and kowtowing towards the palace was nothing. After all, His Highness the King of Shu was a monarch. It was normal for a common person to kneel towards him. However, it was a different story to shout that he was wrong. He would immediately lose face and become infamous.

Everyone looked at the student, Zhang Cheng and his face flushed immediately.

“Brother. Forget it. Brother Zhang did not mean it.” Someone began to plead.

“Yes, forget it. He was just angry so please forgive him.” The other Jiangdong students also did not want their compatriots to lose face so they pleaded for him. Although it was not them losing face, it was still their schoolmate who is in trouble.

The scholar did not want to embarass the Jiangdong students too much as it would affect Liu Mang's ambition. After all, Liu Mang wanted to catch all the talented people from Jiangdong.

Zhang Cheng was no longer just an individual. He represents all of the Jiangdong students. If he gets embarassed for this, the others would lose face as well. If this gets out, all of the Jiangdong students would turn into a laughing stock.

Because of this, the scholar nodded and was about to forget about this incident. However, Zhang Cheng was already very agrieved. He suddenly came up with a quick idea. “You! You are a student from Yangzhou! The King of Shu must have told you all the questions early so that you can all become officials and get rid of us poor students!”

This Zhang Cheng was trying to invert right and wrong. What was initially a problem between two people now became a problem between the Yangzhou students and the Jiangdong students.

Both sides now begin to feel disdainful towards Zhang Cheng. Even if you refuse to admit defeat, why did you have to do this? Though the Jiangdong students looked down on Zhang Cheng, they still subconciously wondered if the King of Shu really did give the Yangzhou students special treatment. The people were not worried about lack of wealth but inequality. If no one was an official, they could all live in harmony. However, if one side becomes an official, then they would become jealous.

“What nonsense are you talking about? Aren't both Jiangdong and Yangzhou now under His Highness the King of Shu?” The scholar really looked down on this student for being so shameless and inciting disharmony.

“Why? Did I hit a sore spot? You Yangzhou students defended the city so naturally His Highness will treat you better! But us Jiangdong students. Our parents don't love us and we were in opposition to the King of Shu. How could His Highness make us officials?” Zhang Cheng insisted on this reason and wouldn't give up. The scholar became more and more angry while the Jiangdong students became more and more suspicious. This was simply human nature. After they were enemies a short while ago. No one would believe it even if you insist that the exam was fair.

Even the old man could not help but frown because he, a great scholar, does not know the answer to those questions.

“You are not as good as others so you resort to slander?” The scholar scolded.

Zhang Cheng sneered thinking that he found a weak point. “Yes. I am not as good as others. It is my fault for being born in Jiangdong and not Yangzhou!” Zhang Cheng said sarcastically.

“You…!” The scholar was so angry she became speechless.

“Zhang Cheng right?” At this moment, another voice spoke indifferently. A strong looking man holding a fan walked out. It was clear that this person was a noble with influence.

“You are here!” The scholar immediately smiled when she saw him.

"You! You are immediately causing trouble the moment I am not around!" The young man blamingly scolded the scholar and hit the scholar on the head with his folding fan. The scholar simply stuck her tongue out at the young man.

Homosexual? The others begin to think not realizing that the scholar was a girl. This was also quite normal since in the noble society, there were many men more beautiful than women. Ȓ𝒶ＮՕΒЕȘ

"That person!" The old man's eyes grew wide. He clenched his fist with hatred.

"Another Yangzhou noble?" Zhang Cheng mocked.

"Zhang Cheng. You said he will become an official? Haha. Let me tell you. This is impossible!" The young man said to the student.

"Why do you know it won't?" Zhang Cheng asked.

"It is simple. You will find out in two days!" The young man said. The examination papers would be checked in two days and then the result would be announced.

"Two days later? Hahaha! Where can we find you in two days? Go to the government office? What a joke! Everyone is here right now! If you have what it takes, tell us your name! I want to see if your name comes out in two days!" Zhang Cheng sneered believing these two to be Yangzhou nobles. These two people wore silk clothes which were too expensive for common people.

On top of that, these two were not that young anymore. How could they not be selected as officials? Even if they were from a branch family, they would definitely get a position.

Zhang Cheng thought very well. These two young men were destined to become officials so they would not dare to say their names. To say it would be to bring bad reputation to their family. By holding on to this line of thought, these two will become speechless. Then Zhang Cheng would win the argument.

Zhang Cheng was also not afraid of any potential revenge taken on him. The moment these two retaliate against him, he would become famous. With fame, there was no need to worry about becoming an official.

The scholar was so angry she wanted to step forward. It was true that their names cannot be said.

"You are not worthy of knowing our names." The scholar said. They came out incognito today.

"Haha! You are just a coward! You don't even dare to tell us your name! You must be someone who has been decided to become an official! Yangzhou's selection of official is really unimpressive" Zhang Cheng said proudly.

"I do not know if Yangzhou's selection of officials is unimpressive. However, I know that they would not employ people like you!” The young man replied calmly. Although the selection of officials depended on talent, the person in question still needed to have morals and responsibility.

A person like this who dares to do things but does not dare to admit are the most hated in Yangzhou.

"Hmph! I don't even want to bother becoming one!” Zhang Cheng said resentfully.

"Oh? Then why did you take the exam?”

"I… I am here to expose Yangzhou's hypocrisy!” Zhang Cheng gave an excuse.

"Haha. Is that so? Yangzhou's recruitment of officials require two things. The first is talent. If you have the talent to become a county magistrate, you will become a county magistrate. Only when you make the best use of everything can you rise. But you can't even answer those few questions. Where is your talent?” The young man questioned, causing the others to laugh.

The young man continued before Zhang Cheng could say anything back. “The second thing you need is virtue. Brother Zhang. If it is you, you can just buy tofu!”

"Buy tofu for what?”

"But tofu to kill yourself!”

"You! How can you insult others in such an uncivilized manner!” Zhang Cheng speechlessly pointed at the young man.

"Brother Zhang. I really admire your ability to be so happy and contented despite being so shameless! People like you are hard to find!” The young man laughed. “You said these questions were made to cheat the Jiangdong students. No one can answer it. But someone gave you the answer. You then said the answers were fake and someone explained it. You still refuse to admit it and now try to invert right and wrong by saying that the selection is already predetermined by Yangzhou.” Hearing this, the others began to realize how brazen this Brother Zhang was.

"Is this not the case? You don't even dare to reveal your name! You must clearly be amongst those who are selected internally. The King of Shu must have told you all the answers beforehand!” Zhang Cheng continued to insist as his reputation would be finished otherwise.

"Really? Do you even know the rules for the selection?”

"Hmph!” Zhang Cheng refused to reply.

"If you don't let me tell you. Those under the age of eighteen will not be selected. Women will not be selected. People without virtue will also not be selected!” The minimum age to work was eighteen. This is because Liu Mang did not want to delay the talents and also did not want to engage in child labor. Women would not be selected as ancient China was a male dominated society. Even the women's camp was already denounced by many. Liu Mang did not want to deal with that again which is why women were left out.

“Brother Zhang. The person you say will become an official is the one who will definitely not be selected.” The young man pointed to the scholar.

"Hmph. Even if not now, he will soon be old enough. Do you think he would not become an official with all your connections? What a joke!” Zhang Cheng continued to protest. He thought the scholar was too young.

"Sigh Brother Zhang! This person will not be selected even if she becomes older!” The young man said calmly.

"What do you mean? Unless… No! Impossible!” The old man amongst the spectators understood the implications of this. If this person will not be selected even if he were older, then it could only mean that he was a she.

"Yu'er. Come and sit by my side.” The young man said and took off the bun from the scholar's head. Her long black hair then flowed down.

"A woman!?” Zhang Cheng was shocked. The handsome man in front of him made him uncomfortable at first because he was handsome. But all of that hostility faded away the moment he realized that the handsome man was actually a beautiful woman.

"It is her! It really is her!” The old man was very excited. “She is not dead! My Yu'er is not dead!”

Zhang Cheng's face was pale while everyone looked at him with ridicule. Zhang Cheng had been making things difficult for the scholar every step of the way, trying to humiliate Yangzhou. In the end, he simply humiliated himself. He, a man, was not as good as a woman!

"A fake! This cannot be true! He is not a woman! I don't believe it!” Zhang Cheng felt humiliated. He rushed to grab the scholar while insisting that she was a man.

Seeing Zhang Cheng rush forward, the young man's eyes flashed with murderous intent. He did not care about Zhang Cheng's lack of morality but he would really act if Zhang Cheng continued to be rude.

"How dare you try and attack the princess!” Zhang Cheng was immediately grabbed and lifted up by two strong men before he could approach. A scholar was naturally weak and powerless in front of a strong man.

"He is not a woman! He is a fake!” Zhang Cheng continued to shout but no one paid any attention to him. This is because they noticed what the strong man called the woman.

"Princess?” The others were shocked. Yangzhou only has one King. If this woman is the Princess, then her partner can only be one person.

The first ones to react quickly knelt down. “This Jiangdong student greets Your Highness the King of Shu!”

"We greet Your Highness!” Everyone finally realized that the young man was Liu Mang.

Liu Mang smiled bitterly. He came out incognito but then Guan Hai went and divulged his identity. Now that everyone was paying attention to him, his cannot remain incognito.

"No need to be polite. All of you, get up!” Liu Mang said as he shook his folding fan. He cannot have fun anymore now that his identity was exposed.

"Your… Your Highness!” Zhang Cheng was also shocked. He has been very disrespectful towards the King of Shu. Zhang Cheng felt like crying. Honestly, the death penalty would be considered light punishment.

"Your Highness. I was wrong! Please spare me!” Zhang Cheng finally admitted defeat and knelt down to beg for forgiveness. He lowered his head to the floor.

"Your Highness. Zhang Cheng lacks morals but he is still a student from Jiangdong. He travelled far just to take the exam. Please spare him.” Bu Kai, the other Jiangdong student pleaded for Zhang Cheng.

"Please spare him!” The other Jiangdong students pleaded as well simply because they were from the same hometown.

Liu Mang was not interested in Zhang Cheng. That man was just a clown. People should strive their best to stand out amongst their peers. However, Zhang Cheng blamed everyone and everything except himself. Such a person would have very limited success or die with grief and indignation. They were likely to offend a small minded villain and get themselves killed.

This was why Liu Mang waved his hand. “This person is rude but death is too heavy a punishment. Guan Hai, let him go.”

"Consider your luck good!” Guan Hai harrumphed and threw him onto the ground, knocking Zhang Cheng unconcious.

"He won't be punished by death but that does not mean he would be able to escape punishment. Yangzhou will never hire Zhang Cheng. I hope the rest of you will take this as a warning. A person can be without talent but he must have responsibility. Those without responsibility are trash!” Liu Mang said.

"We will follow Your Highness' teachings!” The others knelt on the ground.

While Zhang Cheng was taken away in a state of despair, Liu Mang turned to look at the leader of the Jiangdong students. “Are you from the Bu Family?”

"That's right.” Bu Kai nodded.

"Then who is Bu Zhi to you?” Liu Mang asked. Bu Zhi was one of the talents Liu Mang left in Jiangdong. Though Bu Zhi was greedy, Liu Mang knew that Bu Zhi was like Jia Xu. As long as Liu Mang is not defeated, Bu Zhi will continue to work for him.

"That is Uncle Kaizhi!” Bu Kai felt embarassed. In terms of relations, Bu Kai was Bu Zhi's nephew. However, Bu Zhi does not have any influence in the Bu Family. In fact, he was hostile towards the Bu Family. Bu Zhi never considered himself part of the Bu Family of Jiangdong and would say he is from the Bu Family of Huainan even though they were originally one and the same.

"Good.” Liu Mang also knew of the feud between Bu Zhi and the Bu Family. Bu Zhi's mother was a servant instead of a wife. His identity was embarassing to the Bu Family and Bu Zhi himself suffered terrible treatment when he was young. It was to the extent that the Bu Family refused to take Bu Zhi with them when they migrated to Jiangdong.

This happened during the Yellow Turban's rebellion. Bu Zhi who lost his mother in the chaos was full of resentment towards the Bu Family.

Liu Mang did not want to get involved but Bu Zhi's sister wrote a letter to Liu Mang asking for assistance so that Bu Zhi can improve relations with the rest of the Bu Family. As it turns out, Bu Zhi's mother had already forgiven the Bu Family a long time ago. She wanted Bu Zhi to return to the Bu Family and recognize ancestors. Unfortunately, both Bu Kai and the Bu Family refused to give face. It was different when Bu Zhi had a minor position in Jiangdong but now Bu Zhi is the number one civil servant in Jiangdong. It would cause problems if Bu Zhi and the others were still enemies.

Bu Kai misunderstood Liu Mang to be praising him and felt happy.

"Did you come to Yangzhou to take the exam?” Liu Mang asked.

"Yes.” Bu Kai nodded.

"How did you do?”

"I did not manage to solve any question from the seventh question onwards except for the one with the bamboo.” Bu Kai felt frustrated. He was the same as the other Jiangdong students. They all could not answer those questions.

"Oh?” Liu Mang thought that this was interesting. The first six questions were simple but the rest were like astronomy to these ancient people who did not know science. Yet, Bu Kai was able to answer one of those remaining questions.

"You understood the bamboo question?” This question required the use of Phythagoras Theorem.

"No.” Bu Kai shook his head.

"Huh?” Liu Mang was even more confused.

"I cheated. I took several pieces of bamboo to measure it.” Bu Kai felt ashamed but Liu Mang felt that this was a talent.

Phythagoras Theorem was simple but its not something you would know about if you have not learned it. Bu Kai had instead used practice to arrive at his answer. Though Liu Mang needed knowledgeable people, he also needed people who tries things.

Even if they were knowledgeable, they would only be able to ace exams if all they did was study.

Bu Kai believed that Liu Mang would scold him but Liu Mang praised him instead. “Practice makes perfect. You did well.”

"Aah!” Bu Kai was shocked, not expecting to be praised.

"If what you said is true, you will definitely become an official in a few days. Let us meet again.” Liu Mang smiled at Bu Kai. It was already getting late so Liu Mang had to go back.

Everyone started to bend down again as they respectfully bid Liu Mang farewell.

"Wait! Yu'er! Yu'er!” The old man saw that Liu Mang was about to leave with the others and quickly rushed forward to find his daughter. However, he was pushed aside by the crowd. It was also too noisy so no one heard his voice.