Later on, there were constantly passers-by congratulating Fang Yun, leaving him with no choice but to return the greetings one by one.

When there was no one congratulating him, a few classmates asked Fang Yun about the Child Scholar literary meeting from the night before, and Fang Yun picked out a few things to say.

As they walked and talked, Fang Yun found an opportunity to pull Liang Yuan aside and said, “My uncle in Dayuan Prefecture is sponsoring me to open a bookstore, and I happen to need a trustworthy shopkeeper, so I thought of you. You have experience running a rice shop, and as long as you hire a few old scholars, you can support the bookstore. The salary is equivalent to that of a lecturer at the county academy, and you can read books in your free time. How about it?”

“A bookstore?” Liang Yuan’s breathing quickened. Although a bookstore was like a rice shop in terms of doing business, working in a rice shop was very tiring, but a bookstore was different, and as a shopkeeper, there would be more time to read books every day.

“Yes. I’ll give you two days to think about it. If you don’t agree, I’ll find someone else as soon as possible. I’ll give you five taels of silver per month now, and once we expand, you’ll get a share of the profits.” Fang Yun said.

“Let me think about it. I’ll give you an answer tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

At the gate of the county academy, Fang Yun and Lu Lin said goodbye to their classmates and entered the academy together, following someone inside to a side room.

There were already many Child Scholars in the room. As soon as Fang Yun entered, those who knew him bowed to him.

Some called him Fang Anshou, some called him Fang Shuangjia, and a thirty-something Child Scholar was very enthusiastic. He greatly admired the phrase “how much do you know when the flowers fall.”

Fang Zhongyong was also among them, respectfully greeting Fang Yun.

Even if someone was dissatisfied or suspicious of Fang Yun, they didn’t dare to provoke him when they saw this scene. If the county magistrate Cai found out, getting scolded was a small matter, but getting kicked out of the academy would be unlucky.

After exchanging greetings, a yamen runner came over with something, telling Fang Yun and Lu Lin very respectfully to change into Child Scholar robes and wear Child Scholar swords.

Fang Yun and Lu Lin thanked the runner and changed into light blue Child Scholar robes, looking at themselves in the mirror.

The style of the Child Scholar robes was slightly different from that of ordinary long robes, with willow leaf stripes on the collar and cuffs, and only Child Scholars could wear them. Those without a position in the academy were not allowed to wear them, otherwise they would be punished with eighty strokes.

There were ornaments on the side of the Child Scholar robes where a Child Scholar sword could be hung.

After Fang Yun hung the sword, he gently drew it out, and a cold light reflected in his eyes. The sword was already unsheathed, and although it was not as good as a spear or a big knife on the battlefield, it was enough for self-defense.

Next, the Child Scholars helped each other tidy their clothes to avoid disrespecting the All the Saints.

When the auspicious time arrived, the Child Scholars walked out of the side room one after another, and the local officials were already waiting outside.

Later, County Magistrate Cai and the Wangyuan Lady led fifty new Child Scholars into the Holy Temple where All the Saints were enshrined, and each person stood behind a cushion.

County Magistrate Cai recited the “Sacrificial Text to All the Saints” once again, expressing gratitude to All the Saints. Finally, he said, “County Magistrate Cai He of Jixian Prefecture leads fifty Child Scholars to offer sacrifices to All the Saints, please bestow us with talent and strengthen our human race!” After speaking, he knelt down.

The others also knelt on the cushions.

Fang Yun felt the whole temple, even the space around him, suddenly shake heavily. Then, an invisible force descended, which could not be touched but reached directly into people’s hearts, magnificent and majestic, making people unable to help but pay their respects and worship.

Strands of orange talent fell down and landed on the heads of each Child Scholar.

Others couldn’t see it, but as a Child Scholar in front of the saints, Fang Yun could see scenes one after another.

One person wore animal skins and fought the Demon Barbarian with the simplest stone spear, eventually establishing the human race and becoming the first ancestor of the human race.

Someone tasted all kinds of herbs, exchanging his life for the lives of thousands.

Someone threw himself into the breach to stop the raging flood with his flesh and blood, eventually controlling the water disaster.

Someone recited the Book of Changes outside the Chao Ge City, killing countless Demon Barbarians.

Someone established a school, teaching and enlightening the people, fighting the Demon Barbarians, and fighting for a thousand years of peace for the human race.Some people establish laws and promote reforms to make the human race more orderly.

Some people…

The images of the wise men flashed through Fang Yun’s mind, causing the “palace of literature” on his forehead to sublimate.

When Fang Yun first became a child scholar, the palace of literature was just a void that could be sensed but not seen.

Now, Fang Yun “saw” a large hall made of rough square stones appearing deep in his forehead, which was solemn and ancient, with murals inside depicting the contributions made by the wise men to the human race.

There was a statue of Fang Yun himself in the hall, dressed in a child scholar’s robe.

At first glance, the statue seemed unremarkable, but upon closer inspection, there was a faint radiance in its eyes, soft and warm, with a power that could bring peace and detachment to people.

Fang Yun vaguely guessed what it meant, but couldn’t be sure.

“So-called worship of the saints is actually worship of oneself? Then…”

Soon, a strand of orange misty talent appeared above the statue’s head, currently three inches long, like the silk spit out by a spring silkworm, extremely delicate.

“The talent of a child scholar is like silk, while the talent of an accomplished scholar is like a needle, referring to the talent in the palace of literature, and also the talent that one can mobilize oneself.”

Fang Yun “looked around” the walls of the palace of literature, there were only murals and statues, but the roof of the palace was rather peculiar, as if it were an endless void, with only four stars of different sizes, one of which was small and pitiful.

The four stars emitted a faint light that shone on Fang Yun’s statue, nourishing the silk-like talent, which grew stronger and stronger.

“Do those four stars represent the four poems, such as ‘Spring Dawn’? I wonder how long it will take to reach the realm of all the saints, causing the stars to shake wherever one goes.”

As Fang Yun was thinking, the palace of literature trembled slightly, and then the statue’s left hand changed, holding a strange book.

Fang Yun couldn’t describe the size, color, or thickness of the book, as it kept changing, and no word he knew could describe it.

The only thing that remained unchanged were the four characters on the book.

The Book of Wonders.

The world spun, and Fang Yun’s consciousness left the palace of literature with a blackness before his eyes.

Fang Yun was surprised to find that everyone was looking at him with envy, even the county magistrate.

Fang Yun then realized that he was different from others. The talent they received was probably only the opening of the palace of literature without taking shape, while he was one step ahead, and always ahead.

Fang Yun even suspected that even if other child scholars’ palaces of literature took shape, they were probably not as good as his, let alone the murals of the wise men.

“The worship of the saints is over, let’s leave.” The county magistrate said.

After leaving the holy temple, the county magistrate called Fang Yun aside and asked, “What are your plans?”

“Student wants to stay in Jixian to consolidate the palace of literature, and ten days later, go to the Prefecture Academy in Dayuan Prefecture to study.” Fang Yun replied.

“It’s probably not appropriate to go to Dayuan Prefecture now.” The county magistrate said.

“Thank you for your concern, Uncle Xie, but my uncle, Fang Shouye, has just left Dayuan Prefecture. He will take care of this matter.” Fang Yun said.

After a moment’s thought, the county magistrate asked, “Fang Shouye, the senior official?”

“Yes.”

The county magistrate looked towards the direction of Dayuan Prefecture and said, “Then the Liu family is in trouble, and I can rest assured.”

Fang Yun said, “I have two requests.”

The county magistrate smiled and said, “You are not at all formal, go ahead.”

“I want to take the accomplished scholar exam this year, but I have never studied the classics, so I would like to ask for your guidance before going to Dayuan Prefecture.” Fang Yun said respectfully.

The county magistrate did not immediately agree, but carefully looked at him and found that Fang Yun was neither timid in the face of officials nor arrogant as the nephew of a general, but only showed respect for his teacher. He couldn’t help but secretly praise the young man for being so modest and self-assured.County Magistrate Cai nodded and said, “Good, the path of the saints is to overcome obstacles, not to compete with others, but to compete with time and oneself! Since you have the heart to strive, I will give you a helping hand. It’s a pity that those people don’t understand this truth.”

County Magistrate Cai looked regretfully at the Child Scholars leaving. He wouldn’t actively teach them, but if they came to seek guidance, whether they flattered him or sought help like Fang Yun, he would assist them.

Fang Yun looked strangely at the Child Scholars returning empty-handed from Baoshan. He didn’t understand why they would ignore County Magistrate Cai, the “treasure trove of imperial examinations.” The experience of an Imperial Scholar in the examination hall was extremely valuable, and not many people in the entire Dayuan Prefecture could receive guidance from an Imperial Scholar.

But Fang Yun soon realized that he was not a native of this place and didn’t have a strong sense of hierarchy. He was influenced by the idea of equality among all people, and didn’t regard the Imperial Scholar as unattainable. Furthermore, he was a case head and had received praise from the County Magistrate, so he dared to directly ask an Imperial Scholar County Magistrate to be his teacher.

“Tell me the second thing.” County Magistrate Cai’s attitude became even more friendly than before.

“I want to study more at the Academy before going to Dayuan Prefecture.” Fang Yun said.

“Of course you can.”

The two agreed that County Magistrate Cai would teach Fang Yun for an hour every day after dinner starting from today.

After leaving the Academy, Fang Yun and Lu Lin bought some fruits and two chickens and went to Mr. Sun’s house to thank him for his guidance.

Then Fang Yun and Lu Lin parted ways and returned home. They saw Zhen the Shopkeeper standing in the yard holding a cloth bag, while Yang Yuhuan sat on a stool doing needlework.

As soon as Fang Yun entered, Zhen the Shopkeeper hurriedly squeezed out an ugly smile and ran over cautiously, saying, “Case head Fang, I’ve come to compensate you. I just weighed it, exactly one hundred taels of silver, two hundred times the compensation. You said it, and I’ll do it. I’m willing.”

Fang Yun took the silver without saying a word and walked inside.

Yang Yuhuan stood up and carefully looked at Fang Yun’s Child Scholar outfit, her eyes full of joy and a hint of admiration.

Zhen the Shopkeeper panicked and hurriedly followed, bowing and begging, “Case head Fang, I admit my mistake and am willing to be punished. Please give me a straightforward answer. I’ve been worried all day.”

Fang Yun nodded and said with a smile, “I understand. You know that I was relieved only after being officially awarded the title of Child Scholar after completing the ceremony. I came with the silver to thank you for your concern.”

Zhen the Shopkeeper’s face turned pale. He had intended to come and apologize to Fang Yun and compensate him yesterday, but he couldn’t bear to part with one hundred taels of silver, so he had been waiting, hoping that something unexpected would happen to Fang Yun. But everything went smoothly for Fang Yun, so he could only come and deliver the silver.

After hearing Fang Yun’s words, Yang Yuhuan said angrily, “No wonder Zhen the Shopkeeper was pretending to be pitiful just now. He was plotting against me!”

Fang Yun said coldly, “Zhen the Shopkeeper, we’re even now. You can leave.”

“I…” Zhen the Shopkeeper wanted to say something, but he was frightened by Fang Yun’s gaze and involuntarily walked out.

After leaving Fang’s house, Zhen the Shopkeeper felt sad and cursed himself in a low voice, “Why am I so stupid! Ji Xiang Restaurant can make a net profit of at least five hundred taels a year, but I lost one hundred taels of silver for a few hundred wen of wages, and even offended the case head Fang. Why am I so stupid! Why…”