Green Mountain
Chapter 130 - 96, Industry

Chapter 130: 96, Industry

Within the Imperial Examination Hall.

Zhang Zhuo and Chen Liqin, clad in their deep blue official robes with belts strapped around their waists, walked side by side down the narrow lanes between rows of examination cells.

Inside the cells, scholars wrote feverishly, while a silent procession of officials followed behind them.

Upon leaving the examination area, Zhang Zhuo cast a glance at Chen Liqin beside him, dismissed the following officials with a wave and said with a light laugh, "Mr. Chen certainly makes for a good father, coming all the way to the Imperial Examination Hall on the day of the Autumn Imperial Examination to support your two sons. Are you really that worried they might fail? If the Imperial Censor learns of this, he’ll surely file a report against you for not avoiding suspicion of bias."

Chen Liqin’s expression turned somewhat unnatural. "You misunderstand, my lord. I’m only concerned about possible disturbances during the examination."

Zhang Zhuo laughed heartily, patted Chen Liqin’s shoulder, and said in a lowered voice, "Rest easy, the inner curtain officials this time were personally selected by Lord Xu. They are all his students and old acquaintances; success is almost guaranteed."

Chen Liqin slowly broke into a smile. As the Luocheng Magistrate, he had no control over the inner curtain officials who reviewed the exam papers; his authority was limited to the outer curtain.

The power to appoint inner curtain officials had always been in the hands of the Cabinet Minister Xu Gong, and Zhang Zhuo, who was Xu Gong’s son-in-law, was now handling all external matters.

With Zhang Zhuo’s promise, Chen Liqin could rest assured.

After pondering for a moment, Chen Liqin hesitantly spoke up, "I also have an errant son."

Zhang Zhuo smiled. "Is that the one who beat Prince Jing at chess?"

"Exactly," admitted Chen Liqin candidly, "He made some mistakes in the past. Seeing him fail to learn from them, I sent him to the Taiping Medical Hall as an apprentice."

Zhang Zhuo was surprised. "Oh? The boy seemed quite decent, steady and reserved. What sort of mistakes could he have made?"

After a moment of hesitation, Chen Liqin confessed, "A few years ago, he was led astray into the gambling houses of Hongyi Lane by bad company, and within a year, he had racked up debts of several hundred taels of silver."

Zhang Zhuo laughed heartily. "I thought it was something serious! Who hasn’t made mistakes in their youth? Why send him to apprentice for that? Look at my more than ten sons—how many of them truly give me peace of mind?"

Chen Liqin sighed. "I never expected that over these two years, he would actually turn over a new leaf. I sent people to ask his neighbors, and everyone praised him as well-read and well-mannered, diligent and hardworking."

Turning to Zhang Zhuo, he said, "Sir, I plan to bring him back home. Come next spring, I will send him to Donglin Academy, and at that time, I will need your help to smooth the way."

What he referred to as smoothing the way was in fact seeking another promise from Zhang Zhuo.

For ordinary people, passing the imperial examination was extremely difficult, but for people like Zhang Zhuo and Xu Gong, it was a simple matter.

Zhang Zhuo stroked his sparse beard. "Recently, the Ministry of Revenue rejected a petition from Lord Xu for building several roads for his hometown. It’s not a big issue, just an infrastructure endeavor. Would you have any way to intercede?"

Chen Liqin frowned deeply. "I will write to my father about it."

Zhang Zhuo beamed and clapped Chen Liqin’s shoulder. "Mr. Chen really is a caring father, truly dedicated to his children."

Chen Liqin remarked poignantly, "Unfortunately, children can’t appreciate the worries of their parents. And not to make you laugh, sir, but that son of mine refuses to come home with me and won’t even call me father anymore."

Zhang Zhuo comforted him. "It’s fine, it’s fine. He’s just angry with you for now. Would he really forsake the Chen family’s name? How much can an Imperial Physician make in a year? Once he has had his fill of hardship among the common folk, and realizes how hard it is to make ends meet, he’ll slink back home of his own accord."

Chuckles filled the air as Zhang Zhuo continued, "My third son said he wanted to become an adventurer in the Jianghu, an upright wanderer. The moment he stepped out, I ordered someone to steal his purse on the street. He left the house at 7 AM and came back by noon, just in time for lunch. If you ask me, just cut off your son’s tuition fee, and he’ll come back on his own."

"That might actually work..."

Just then, Zhang Zhuo’s gaze sharpened. "Oh right, has anyone spoken for your son Chen Wenzong in terms of matchmaking? I have a daughter, as beautiful as a flower, waiting in seclusion..."

"Sir!" An official approached to report.

Zhang Zhuo said curtly, "What is it? Can’t you see I’m discussing important matters with Mr. Chen?"

The official looked troubled. "Sir, the Prince has sent for you to go to Liu Family Village, claiming to have found a solution for the refugee problem. Your policy has hope."

"What?" Zhang Zhuo’s eyes shone with intensity, "Is that true?"

"It is," the official then turned to Chen Liqin, "Since Mr. Chen is also here, Prince Jing requests your presence at the Liu Family Village kiln factory as well."

"For what reason?"

"The Prince says there’s hope for your levees as well."

Chen Liqin was stunned. The Liu Family Village kiln factory? Wasn’t that where he previously went looking for Chen Ji? How could there be a method to save the levees there?

...

...

Inside the kiln factory, the crowd was still jubilant.

"We’ve done it, Chen Ji!"

"When Chen Ji said we could be remembered in history, I didn’t believe it! But in the future, our cement will be used to construct levees, and every state and prefecture will use our cement for city walls—they couldn’t forget us even if they wanted to!"

The Princely Heir asked excitedly, "Will the history books really write it like this: ’In the autumn of the 31st year of Jianing, Chen Ji, She Dengke, Liu Quxing, Liang Mao’er, Rochusaga, Zhu Baili, and Zhu Yunxi created cement, leaving a legacy for all eternity!’"

Bai Li said with a grin, "After we wrap up the work in the kiln factory, I’ll treat everyone to a feast at Yingxian Building. Eat whatever you want, and let’s drink until we drop!"

The Princely Heir looked puzzled at Bai Li. "Didn’t your father confiscate all of your monthly salary?"

Bai Li declared with bold righteousness, "I still have some secreted away!"

Amidst the laughter,

Liang Gou’er, lying lazily on a grass mat on the side, stealthily scrutinized the group of cheering young men through the gap between his nose and his straw hat.