8

Upon hearing these words, Nie Huanzhang couldn't help but glance at Hong Xuan again. For him, the primary concern when passing through the border was always the border troops. If caught by them, it usually meant losing both money and belongs and sometimes even enduring a beating. Nie Huanzhang murmured "Hong Xuan, Hong Xuan." Suddenly he realized something and looked at Hong Xuan in astonishment. The latter responded by placing a finger to his lips, indicating a gesture of secrecy. Zhou Chuyu, on the other hand, looked puzzled, observing the exchange between the two men.

Hong Xuan said with a smile:

"It seems that Mr. Nie is quite familiar with Liangzhou city and even knowing who is stationed there."

"It's an honor for me to know Mr. Hong in my life but I don't want to hide anything from my younger brother. Is it okay?"

"It is okay if he can keep this secret."

Nie Huanzhang whispered to Zhou Chuyu's ear. Zhou Chuyu, wide-eyes and surprised, accidentally slipped down from the horse. Nie Huanzhang swiftly caught him and lifted him back onto the horse. Zhou Chuyu awkwardly nodded at Mr. Hong, clasping his hands together and stammering:

"I…we…our grave…i…is…is burning…in…incense."

("Our grave burns incense", a Chinese statement means our ancestors bless the future

generations to be rich and wealthy. )

Then, gripping Nie Huanzhang's clothes tightly with both hands, he whispered to him:

"Ge, I…I am scared."

Nie Huanzhang patted him on the back gently and whispered:

"Don't be afraid. I am here. In the future when you become an official in the capital, what will you do if you meet the emperor?"

"Well,, I'll probably be so scared that I can't say a word, just shivering."

Suddenly Hong Xuan, who was nearby, bursts into laughter. Evidently he overheard their conversation. Following behind, Yu Weiwei and Lee Da exchanged puzzled glances. Then Hong Xuan said:

"Your brother is quite interesting. Is he attending school?"

Nie Huanzhang glanced at Zhou Chuyu and asked Hong Xuan:

"Yes, Mr. Hong. Do you think it's too young to attend the imperial examination at 14-year-old boy?"

Hong Xuan replied with a chuckle:

"Not at all. As I know there are even those who passes the provincial examination at 14."

Zhou Chuyu exclaimed with joy:

"Really? Ge, I want to participate in the imperial examination. There will be the provincial examination next year and I want to attend it."

Upon hearing Zhou Chuyu's words, Hong Xuan couldn't help but look at Zhou Chuyu more and said:

"I didn't expect Mr. Zhou to be a scholar. What do you plan for your future?"

Zhou Chuyu whispered:

"I don't have any plan. It is nothing more than the provincial examination, metropolitan examination, and palace examination, step by step."

"If you're willing, you can also study in the Imperial Academy. There, you'll find better teachers and conditions for studying. "

"Is the Imperial Academy only for the imperial examination?"

"Not necessarily. In our dynasty, the Imperial Academy serves different purpose. There are tracks for civil officials, which involve participating in the imperial examinations. If one doesn't pass the imperial examinations or chooses not to take them, they can still work in various government offices as minor officials including the civil official and military officers. However, the chances of advancing in rank as a minor official are slim unless you have exceptional performance and the appreciation of your superiors. Additionally, there's the Imperial Medical Academy, specifically established for medical studies. Those with outstanding achievements there can serve in the Imperial Medical Bureau."

Zhou Chuyu grew more excited as he listened. He grabbed Nie Huanzhang's arm and exclaimed:

"Ge, I want to go back and participate in the imperial examination. Next year I'll take the provincial examination and I want to study in the Imperial Academy. My elder brother, Zhou Chuqi, can study in the Imperial Medical Academy."

Nie Huanzhang asked:

"Are you still planning to visit your elder brother at Xin'an town?"

"Yes, I'll go and tell him. Then I'll return home to participate in the imperial examination and take part in the provincial examination next spring."

Hong Xuan asked:

"Do you need to study well for the imperial examination?"

"I have my books with me. My teacher doesn't like me to stay in the school, saying I might influence my classmates so he has just given me the homework."

Hong Xuan suggested:

"Oh, how about letting my strategist give you a few questions to work on? Are you willing?"

Zhou Chuyu said proudly:

"No problem."

In the evening, Yu Weiwei entered the room where Nie Huanzhang and Zhou Chuyu were staying and said:

"Mr. Nie, my master requests a meeting with you. I'll stay here to keep Mr. Zhou company and test his knowledge."

Nie Huanzhang expressed his concern, casting a worried glance at Zhou Chuyu and said to Yu WeiWei:

"Mr. Yu, he is so young and doesn't have seen much of the world. If there is any rudeness, please forgive him."

Yu Weiwei assured:

"Don't worry, I don't have the same status as my master. I'm just an assistant."

Nie Huanzhang turned around to Zhou Chuyu and asked:

"I'll leave for a while. Can you manage on your own?"

Zhou Chuyu looked at Nie Huanzhang and then at Yu Weiwei. He nodded to Nie Huanzhang, who patted Zhou Chuyu on the head gently before leaving the room. Yu Weiwei smiled at Zhou Chuyu and said:

"Let's begin."

As Nie Huanzhang entered Hong Xuan's room, he honestly wasn't too want to face the esteemed figure, His Royal Highness Prince Yuhong Xuan. Prince Yuhong Xuan was the current emperor's eldest son, the general in charge of Liangzhou region, subordinate to the Supreme Marshal of the Western Frontier and under the jurisdiction of the emperor's brother-in-law, Zhao Hai. Nevertheless, with the current situation, Nie Huanzhang had no choice but immediately kneel and say:

"Your highness!"

Prince Yuhong Xuan commanded:

"Rise. Lee Da, stand guard outside." 

Lee Da exited the room. Prince Yuhong Xuan said:

"Please sit down, Mr. Nie."

Nie Huanzhang replied:

"With Your highness present, I don't have a designated seat."

"Sit down. I don't adhere to such formalities. In the military, all of my soldiers are my brothers."

Yuhong Xuan motioned for Nie Huanzhang to sit and said:

"Mr. Nie should be familiar with the border troops in Liangzhou city. As the highest commander in Liangzhou, it's only natural to understand all aspects of this region. The trade in stolen goods didn't start with you and it won't end with you either. It has been present at the border for decades. So, there is no need to be nervous. I won't do anything to punish you." Yuhong Xuan observed Nie Huanzhang cautiously. 

Nie Huanzhang felt a bit uneasy. He initially considered denying it but then said:

"How did you know about me?"

"Oh, it is Lee Da who recognized you. He mentioned that three or four years ago, when you tried to escape and were caught by the border troops in Liangzhou city, he saw you. He's the kind of person who never forgets a face after seeing it once. So when he spotted you at the previous inn, he recognized you right away."

"So, what's Your Highness's intention in catching up with me?"

"In the Yuhong Dynasty, we've had conflicts and alliance with Huichun Tribe for many years. We have fought each other sometimes and sometimes we are in peace. Of course we've had the upper hand in the military. This is mainly because, despite having a supreme Khan among Huichun Trip, the Khan's power has always been marginalized. The internal conflicts among the eight major clans are severe and none of the tribes acknowledge each other, leading to fragmentation. However, things have changed a bit recently. Half a year ago, Huichun Tribe appointed a new Khan, Zakkel. He hails from one of the eight major clans, a young and intelligent man. In just half a year, he has integrated several smaller clans, gradually forming a powerful Khan."

Nie Huanzhang responded:

"I've stayed in our dynasty for the past six months and haven't been to Huichun Tribe. However, I've heard a bit about it."

"Indeed, we have limited knowledge of the internal situation among Huichun Tribe. Knowing our enemy is the key to winning battles so we need someone to go there and gather information on that side."

"Does Your Highness want me to go there?"

Yuhong Xuan looked at Nie Huanzhang and smiled, saying:

"You are very clever. As soon as I found out it was you, I had this idea, so..."

"Sorry, I am just a businessman and have no interested in this."

"Don't reject it so quickly. We can discuss terms, such as ensuring smooth passage for you in Liangzhou."

"You should know that once I do something like this and get caught by Huichun, I'll probably lose my life. Making a bit of money is enough for me so I'm not interested in taking such risks."

"Your little brother is quite wise and cute so..."

Nie Huanzhang stood up abruptly and shouted:

"Don't hurt him! He has nothing to do with this."

Yuhong Xuan looked at him and said with a smile:

"It seems my guess was correct. This boy is truly your weak spot. The moment I mentioned him, you couldn't hold back. Well, I'm not a sinister person. The reason I mentioned him is to hope that you can help me. Although Yu Weiwei is my assistant, he excelled at the Imperial Academy in the past. However, he has no interest in officialdom. Otherwise, he would have become an excellent cabinet minister in the future. So, I'll let him assess the abilities of your little brother. He's another condition I offer you. I will help him at any time if he needs."

"What do you want to do with him? You've seen he is still a child and knows nothing. Please don't hurt him."

"Don't worry. I told you I am not a sinister person. Of course I will never use him to threaten you. I just want to let you know that I'll help him."