LRAB Chapter 90 The Iron-Willed Zhang Master
Chapter 90 The Iron-Willed Zhang Master
Gu Lan thought about the initial concerns when he first came to the capital.
The old man in front of him had experienced three dynasties, and there should be few things on the official road that he didn't know.
Zhang Qingwei combed his white beard and frowned, "Hmm! Young friend, what you're talking about sounds like cheating in the imperial examination?"
"Uh... yes, exactly cheating!"
"What? Who dares to be so bold!"
Zhang Qingwei said, "Our Emperor attaches great importance to the strictness of the imperial examination. If it is discovered, it will inevitably result in the extermination of three generations!"
"This... a friend asked me to inquire, haha..."
Gu Lan felt embarrassed. Indeed, it was important to first find out who that person was. If one day the matter was exposed, and the female Emperor came knocking, it would be good to pull that guy out to take the blame. After all, he genuinely didn't know!
"I see."
Zhang Qingwei's expression eased, and he thought for a moment before saying, "To help someone cheat and keep it hidden from the Supervisory Office, it must be an official of the fourth rank or higher."
"Fourth rank is enough?"
Gu Lan was startled. The search range seemed too broad.
"Do you think the fourth rank is small?"
Zhang Qingwei rolled his eyes, "Even if you really pass the imperial examination, enter the Hanlin Academy, and endure for more than half of your life, you can only reach the fourth rank. Some people spend their entire lives and can only reach the third rank."
"How about leveraging Great Chancellor Sima's connections? Can it be faster?"
Gu Lan contemplated and smiled.
"That guy is a clean official; you can't rely on him!"
Zhang Qingwei chuckled.
"What about relying on you?"
"What do you mean by that? In your eyes, am I not..."
"Besides chess manuals and poetry, I also have some rhythmical prose, all of high quality!"
"Cough... then I can only help you reach the fifth rank when you enter the court!"
Zhang Qingwei blushed. Although he didn't want to admit it, he did envy Gu Lan's literary talent, which was a natural gift.
He had studied his whole life and couldn't compare to Gu Lan's casually written works, which brought greater insights.
In order to promote literary development in the world, it should be forgivable for the emperor to turn a blind eye...
"Just kidding, I don't want to be an official!"
Gu Lan sat in the chair prepared for him in the pavilion, looking carefree.
Zhang Qingwei nodded, "It's also good not to be an official; there's less trouble... Shall we play another game? I've finished reading your chess manual!"
"Just yesterday, it transmitted a piece of news."
"Regarding the opening of the Heaven Mountain Secret Realm in Shuzhou, it seems to be happening within the next few days!"
Heaven Mountain Secret Realm in Shuzhou.
Gu Lan heard this name and was not unfamiliar with it. In the original work, it was a secret realm introduced from the beginning, rumored to contain ancient legacies and unparalleled opportunities.
Moreover, Shuzhou was a sacred place for literary pursuits, making it highly likely that there would be something beneficial for his system.
"Will there be any restrictions on this kind of secret realm?"
Gu Lan asked thoughtfully, hoping it wouldn't be like those novels from his past life, where one couldn't enter if their cultivation exceeded a certain level, or they would be suppressed to the same realm.
"There is an age limit."
Zhang Qingwei's eyes lit up.
"However, young friend, you are just right for it!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Lan's heart stirred.
The age limit restriction made things much easier.
With his cultivation and speed, he could certainly pack up all the high-level resources inside without anyone noticing.
Then, he could quietly leave.
Gu Lan, with a calm demeanor, contemplated this while casually playing chess.
At this moment, Zhang Qingwei squinted at the chessboard, burst into laughter, and quickly made a move to exploit a weakness, saying, "Hahaha, a wise man has a thousand thoughts, and finally, this old man has won a game against you!"
"Oh, Master has made progress, congratulations!"
Gu Lan said with a smile. In fact, he had deliberately let Zhang Qingwei win this game. Since the old man had shared such a significant opportunity with him, treating him like an ally, how could Gu Lan have the heart to let him lose all ten games?
"Well, all thanks to young friend's chess manual!"
Zhang Qingwei perhaps knew that Gu Lan had let him win, but he didn't expose it and chuckled while stroking his graying beard.
...
Gu Residence, during dinner.
The family of six, masters and servants, didn't separate at the dining table. Laughter and joy filled the main hall.
After finishing his meal, Gu Lan wiped his mouth and smiled, "Today, I won another bet from Master and received some news... It's said that a precious place in Shuzhou will open the day after tomorrow. At that time, Tan'er and Zhongren can go explore."
Lin Tan'er, worthy of being the Fate's Heavenly Maiden, didn't invest much effort into cultivation normally. Most of her time was spent repaying debts. Now, she had reached the Great Perfection of the Nature Realm, enough to overlook cultivators of the same age. So, it was time for her to go out and seek her own opportunities. Lin Tan'er nodded obediently.
Zhongren, excited at the prospect of going out to play, asked, "Brother Gu, are you coming with us?"
"I'll just see you off. Matters of cultivators, I won't interfere..."
Gu Lan's lips curled up in a slight smile. His gaze shifted to Mu Yuyan, who was serving him food. After a moment of hesitation, he asked, "By the way, Madam, have you felt any changes in your body these days?"