Chapter 214: Chapter 214

Sun Xian wanted to speak up to stop it, but seeing that Gu Chengyu had already refused, he felt relieved. He had heard of the so-called poetry gathering that this group of people held, and it was not a place for Gu Chengyu to go. It was best that Gu Chengyu refused.

The examinee, seeing that Gu Chengyu refused without even thinking, appeared somewhat displeased, but he held back from erupting. He had heard that Gu Chengyu was good at poetry, so he wanted to invite him to the gathering, but unexpectedly, Gu didn’t appreciate it! Could it be that he looks down on them, these scholars?

At this time, Gu Wanhua and Huang Ming also came out of the crowd. Before they could arrive, they heard a bit of the exchange.

Gu Chengyu’s refusal made the atmosphere somewhat stagnant, as if it had suddenly cooled down. Fortunately, news came that the exam papers were going to be posted.

"Well, that’s a pity. Let’s look for another opportunity next time! The exam papers are out, so we have to go and read Junior Brother’s masterpiece. We’ll take our leave now!" The examinee who first spoke felt that Gu Chengyu was somewhat ungrateful and was a bit unhappy. Prefecture Chief is a big deal? He had also passed the local examination.

Gu Chengyu sensed the displeasure in the other’s words, but the smile on his face did not fade. No matter what opinion he had of this person, or what conflict arose, it was unwise to let one’s emotions easily show on the face!

"Senior brothers, feel free!"

A few of them glanced at Gu Chengyu and then turned to walk towards where the exam papers were posted.

"Senior brother! I think that Prefecture Chief considers himself too highly, and probably doesn’t fancy our poetry gathering!" one of them raised his voice towards the examinee who had spoken earlier.

"Humph! Such a small Prefecture Chief, and what talents does he have, I wonder? Let’s see the Prefecture Chief’s masterpiece, and see if it can win the crowd!" This senior brother also felt that Gu Chengyu did not show them respect and immediately chimed in.

"Little Uncle! They invited you; why not accept? Wouldn’t that offend them?" Actually, Gu Wanhua was quite interested in that poetry gathering, but he wasn’t invited. If Gu Chengyu wouldn’t go, he wouldn’t be able to either.

"Indeed! Junior Brother Gu, those people are all scholars from the Prefecture. I heard they often hold poetry gatherings and even founded some poetry club!" Huang Ming was also envious; those people came from good families, and it would be a good network if one could make connections. He thought Gu Chengyu was being somewhat foolish to refuse such a connection offered freely.

"Wanhua! Their poetry gathering is not suitable for us to attend. We’re unfamiliar with this place, so it’s better to go back early!" Sun Xian could not say it too bluntly, after all, he had never attended the gathering and could not comment reliably.

"I have my reasons for this matter! You’ve passed the local exam, I’ll have Ming Mo take you back earlier. Tell my father I have some matters to attend to and will return in a couple more days!" Gu Chengyu thought it best to send Gu Wanqian back early, fearing that he might be tempted and mess things up by staying too long!

"Ah? Then I’ll go back with Little Uncle! After all, it’s only two days, so why rush?" Having finally come to the Prefecture, he naturally wanted to enjoy a couple more days before heading back. Besides, having passed the local exam, he felt relieved and could avoid listening to nagging from his grandfather and wife if he returned early.

"But if we both don’t go back, Big Uncle and my father will be worried."

Gu Chengyu felt a bit helpless. Gu Wanqian wasn’t young, and they were from two separate branches of the family, so he couldn’t overstep.

"Just don’t wander around these two days. We’re not familiar with the Prefecture, so don’t cause any trouble. If you wish to go back, let Ming Mo take you!"

"I’m a grown person; do you think I don’t know what’s what? Little Uncle, rest assured!" Gu Wanhua was slightly impatient. Gu Chengyu was younger than him, yet he kept lecturing him like his grandfather!

Suddenly, an examinee in front of the posted papers commented, "Humph! Absolute nonsense! Were the Prefecture Chief’s insights into agriculture taken from books, or did he come up with them himself? Writing without evidence? And such a paper still ranked first?"

The examinee beside him also said, "There’s no actual practice of this in agriculture, and we don’t know if it’s true or not. Writing is bound to spark controversy. Historically, there’s never been such a method. It’s hard to say."

Gu Chengyu and the others looked over and saw many examinees gathered in front of the papers, discussing the essay written by Gu Chengyu.

"But the miscellaneous essay is really well-written, truly impeccable! It can definitely be included in the poetry collection." Several examinees discussed the miscellaneous essay, and there was no doubt about its quality.

The examinees standing in front of the essay were the most numerous, debating Gu Chengyu’s agricultural suggestions.

"Chengyu! What exactly did you write? Hey? Let’s go and take a look too!" He Shunian became curious after hearing the examinees and urged others to check Gu Chengyu’s paper.

"We aren’t clear about the suggestions on agriculture, but the insights into flood control are unique. The examples given could be tried; I think they are feasible!" one examinee objectively commented.

"Junior Brother Gu Chengyu, may I ask how you came to know these? I’ve read many miscellaneous books but never encountered these mentions." One of the examinees questioned Gu Chengyu, thinking that if everyone writes randomly, the exam wouldn’t be fair.

"The question from this senior brother also confuses me. As the saying goes, practice yields true knowledge. That’s what my family’s farms have been doing, and our yield per acre has increased significantly every year. The villagers are also following suit. This has been practiced, so why can’t I write about it? I thought these methods were already widely known; doesn’t your family do this?"

Gu Chengyu blinked innocently, seeming unable to understand the examinee’s words.

In fact, in his previous life, Gu Chengyu had seen news about cultivating seedling techniques. However, because the seeds soaked in the space’s Spiritual Spring had a high survival rate, he hadn’t given it much thought.

If cultivating seedlings could be promoted in the Dayan Dynasty, the yield per acre would undoubtedly increase. Because the low yield in ancient times was partly due to infertile land lacking nutrients, partly due to seeds that weren’t from good stock having low survival rates, and lastly due to natural disasters.

Actually, what he wrote in the essay was not detailed, just an outline. Regardless, if promoted, it would benefit the nation and the people, at least increasing the annual yield per acre a bit, wouldn’t it?

After Gu Chengyu finished speaking, everyone remained skeptical and continued discussing among themselves.

Sun Xian quietly approached Gu Chengyu, poked him, and asked, "Are the things you wrote reliable? I don’t recall ever practicing these."

Gu Chengyu replied softly, "Rest assured!"

"What’s all this noise? Haven’t you noticed the Lord Deputy Governor has arrived?"

Suddenly, a constable stepped forward to separate the crowd, and a man wearing an official’s hat and a blue round-necked shirt, embroidered with a silver pheasant on his chest, stepped out. This man was dressed in a Standard Fifth Rank official uniform, presumably the Lord Deputy Governor the constable had mentioned, known to be surname Wang!

The examinees saw the Deputy Governor in person and naturally stopped their commotion, hurriedly bowing in salute.