landbeastnovel Chapter 106 Will we pass this children's examination with flying colors?
Chapter 106 Will we pass this children's examination with flying colors?
Chapter 106 Will we pass this children's examination with flying colors?
Hearing someone call his name, Qin Chuan turned around and was somewhat surprised to see Zheng Ding. He hadn't expected to run into Zheng Ding here. After a slight pause, he cupped his hands and smiled, "Young Master Zheng? What a coincidence! What brings you to the county government office?"
Zheng Ding strode over, glancing at Qin Chuan and the old scholar beside him, and casually asked, "I'm here to talk to my uncle about something. What about you? What brings you to the county government office?"
"We're here to take care of some business," Qin Chuan said with a smile, glossing over the matter without going into details.
Zheng Ding didn't press further, but simply nodded. Suddenly remembering something, he gave Qin Chuan a look, and Qin Chuan understood. He turned to the old master and said, "Master, please wait here for a moment. I have something to discuss with Young Master Zheng."
The old master nodded, indicating that he understood, and then walked to the side.
Zheng Ding pulled Qin Chuan to the other side, glanced around, and then lowered his voice to ask, "I asked you to inquire about Xiaoxiaosheng yesterday, is there any news?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Chuan spread his hands, a troubled expression on his face. "Young Master Zheng, this is exactly what I was about to tell you. Xiao Xiaosheng replied that he is currently very busy and has no time to see guests."
"Is it because you think the amount of silver is too little?" Zheng Ding hurriedly asked for the reason. "I can add more."
"Young Master Zheng, it's really not about the money." Qin Chuan shook his head. "Xiaoxiaosheng has been really busy lately. He has several jobs piling up and doesn't even have time to sleep."
Zheng Ding frowned deeply: "When will he have time?"
"I don't know either," Qin Chuan sighed. "I reckon it will take some time."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Ding's face clearly showed his annoyance. He paced back and forth a couple of times, muttering, "A while? I can't wait that long—"
He had already promised Lian'er, and the words had already been spoken. If he went back on his word, he wouldn't know how to face Lian'er in the future.
Zheng Ding stepped forward and patted Qin Chuan on the shoulder: "Manager Qin, you have to help me think of a way. We must see him soon, even if it's just a brief meeting."
Qin Chuan was about to refuse again, but then he suddenly remembered something. The magistrate of Qinghe County was this man's uncle, and judging from his casual attitude of entering and leaving the yamen, the relationship between this man and his uncle must be very good.
If that's the case, Qin Chuan pretended to frown and ponder for a moment before slowly saying, "Hey, Young Master Zheng, there is a way."
"What method?" Zheng Ding's eyes lit up.
Qin Chuan did not answer immediately, but stammered and hesitated, as if he had something difficult to say.
Seeing this, Zheng Ding assumed he wanted a bribe, so without saying a word he took out a silver ingot from his pocket and handed it over: "Do you need to bribe someone? I have silver, take it."
Qin Chuan didn't take it, waving his hand: "Young Master Zheng, it's not about the money."
"What is it? Just tell me."
Qin Chuan glanced around and lowered his voice: "Young Master Zheng, to be honest, I came to the county government today to reissue a household registration. But Chief Clerk Feng said that the clerks have to check it first, and at that time, it will take at least half a year to process the household registration."
Zheng Ding was taken aback, then understood: "You want me to help you with your household registration?"
Qin Chuan cupped his hands in greeting, looking somewhat embarrassed: "If it's convenient for Young Master Zheng, of course. If it's not, I'll think of another way."
"Sure, of course it's convenient." Zheng Ding waved his hand and patted his chest, "Leave this to me!"
"It's just a household registration document, isn't it? My uncle is the county magistrate. Household registration is a piece of cake for me." Zheng Ding said casually, his tone relaxed. "You wait here, I'll go talk to my uncle right now and have Feng Shu get it done for you today."
Qin Chuan was secretly delighted, but maintained a composed demeanor: "Young Master Zheng, wouldn't this be too much trouble for you?"
"What's the trouble?" Zheng Ding waved his hand. "You help me arrange a meeting with Xiaoxiaosheng, and I'll help you with your household registration. It's a win-win situation. But let me make this clear: I'll get your household registration done, but you have to let me see Xiaoxiaosheng."
Qin Chuan nodded and replied, "Of course."
As they spoke, the two had already reached an agreement.
Qin Chuan summoned the old scholar, and the two followed Zheng Ding toward the magistrate's study.
Inside the study, Zhang Dashan looked at Feng Shu, who was sitting at the lower end of the table.
"Is everything ready for the children's examination?"
Feng Shu quickly bowed and put on a smiling face: "Don't worry, Lord Zhang, everything has been taken care of. I have visited each of the examiners who will be reviewing the papers, and I have given them the necessary information and gifts. As long as we submit our names, we will definitely be on the list."
"Hmm." Zhang Dashan nodded in satisfaction. "I trust you to handle things. Remember to include my nephew Zheng Ding in this year's imperial examination, just in case anything goes wrong."
"Of course, of course." Feng Shu nodded repeatedly. "Your Excellency can rest assured that I will handle things properly."
After discussing the children's examination, the two chatted about official matters. Seeing that Zhang Dashan had begun processing official documents, Feng Shu tactfully took his leave and closed the door.
Not far from where he went, Feng Shu saw Zheng Ding rushing towards him. He was about to greet him when he unexpectedly saw two figures behind Zheng Ding: Qin Chuan and the old master.
Upon seeing these three, Feng Shu was somewhat surprised. Wait, how did these three end up together?
Zheng Ding also saw Feng Shu and, without hesitation, quickened his pace to catch up, calling out, "Registration Officer Feng."
"Yes, Young Master Zheng," Feng Shu replied, forcing a smile, but inwardly he was wondering what was going on.
Zheng Ding walked up to him in a few steps and got straight to the point: "Registration Officer Feng, I have something to discuss with you."
Feng Shu raised an eyebrow slightly, already having a guess in his mind. Could it be about household registration?
Sure enough, Zheng Ding spoke up directly, pointing at Qin Chuan and saying, "My friend wants to reissue his household registration. I heard he came to you, and you said that according to the rules, it would take more than half a year? That's too long. Please process it for him as soon as possible."
Feng Shu glanced at Zheng Ding, then at Qin Chuan and the old master behind him, and his lips twitched.
To be honest, if it weren't for that previous incident, Zheng Ding would have asked, and he would have done the favor by doing him a favor.
It's just a matter of getting a replacement household registration certificate.
For him, it was just a matter of writing a pen and stamping a seal; it wouldn't even take the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
In all his years working in the county government, Feng Shu has had countless favors and requests for favors every month.
It's not like it's a serious matter involving breaking the law or violating regulations. Why not give Zheng Ding some face?
But just now he was putting on airs and scolding the old master, saying that if he wanted to register his household registration with him, he would have to wait for the rest of his life. He had already said those words, but now he turned around and registered it for him. Where does he put his face?
Besides, what are these two people anyway?
Why should Feng Shu bow down to a poor schoolteacher and a young man without a registered residence?
But they couldn't refuse Zheng Ding's request. He was the magistrate's nephew; offending him was no laughing matter.
He had worked his way up to the position of registrar in the county government for so many years. It would be a huge waste if he were to leave a bad impression on Zhang Dashan over such a trivial matter.
Feng Shu went over the matter in his mind several times. His smile froze for a moment before returning, and he had already made up his mind. "Since Young Master Zheng has spoken, how could I dare to disobey?" he chuckled. "It's just that re-issuing household registration does take some time. After all, checking the records, verifying the information, and filling out the forms are not things that can be done overnight. How about this, I'll get it done as quickly as possible."
Feng Shu didn't give a definitive answer; how quickly was "as soon as possible" was ultimately up to him.
Once Zheng Ding leaves and things cool down, he can drag it out for ten days or half a month, or even until after the children's examination. Then, who can do anything to him?
Zheng Ding couldn't possibly keep focusing on such a trivial matter every day.
Feng Shu had his own plans in mind, but he didn't show it on his face, maintaining his obsequious and respectful demeanor.
Zheng Ding nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this, a relaxed expression on his face. Just as he was about to tell Qin Chuan that the matter had been resolved, Qin Chuan stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Registrar Feng, I'm sorry to have to trouble you for a moment."
Feng Shu was taken aback, and the smile on his face froze slightly.
Qin Chuan continued, "Isn't Chief Clerk Feng busy right now? Since Young Master Zheng has spoken and you've agreed, why don't we get the household registration done now? It'll save me another trip, and it'll ease your mind. It'll only take the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, and it won't interfere with your work."
Upon hearing this, Feng Shu's expression changed slightly. Before he could say anything, Zheng Ding turned to look at Feng Shu and said, "Then let's do it now. Anyway, Clerk Feng isn't busy right now, so let's get this over with."
Feng Shu hesitated for a moment, thinking of some excuse to delay.
Seeing his expression, Zheng Ding frowned: "What's wrong, Chief Clerk Feng? Is it difficult for you? It's alright, if it is, I'll go and call my uncle right now."
Upon hearing this, Feng Shu's expression changed.
Go and summon his uncle? Have the county magistrate come and speak to him personally? Wouldn't that be tantamount to filing a complaint?
Feng Shu's heart sank suddenly, and a layer of cold sweat instantly seeped out from his back.
He knew very well how much Zheng Ding meant to Zhang Dashan. He was his own nephew, his own flesh and blood, a blood relative whose blood ties were unbreakable.
What is Feng Shu? A ninth-rank clerk, in the eyes of the county magistrate, he is nothing more than a tool that is easy to use and can be replaced at any time.
If Zheng Ding were to pass on a single word to Zhang Dashan over such a trivial matter, even just a casual remark like "Registrar Feng is not very efficient," his impression of Zhang Dashan would be greatly diminished.
In the future, promotions, evaluations, and transfers—which one of them wouldn't require Zhang Dashan's approval?
It's not worth ruining your future just to vent your anger.
After much deliberation, Feng Shu, though unwilling, had no choice but to reluctantly accept it.
He took a deep breath and cupped his hands in greeting: "Young Master Zheng, what are you saying? How could I dare to refuse? Since Young Master Zheng has spoken, then—then let's do it now."
After saying this, Feng Shu also beckoned the others to walk towards his room where he handled government affairs.
Once inside the room, the old master took out the scroll of proof again and handed it over.
Feng Shu took the certificate, then looked at the old master and the others, but seeing that the old master made no further move, he couldn't help but ask, "That's it?"
"That's all." The old master nodded.
No, that's all. Do you know how many documents are needed to register a household registration?
Place of origin, background, guarantor, and corroborating evidence—you'll be running around like crazy if you miss any of these.
He was about to make a move when he caught a glimpse of Zheng Ding standing beside him, and he swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
Forget it.
He set the proof aside, lowered his head, and began to write with the tip of his pen on the paper.
His movements were quick, even somewhat hasty. After finishing writing, he took out the county government's seal, pressed it into the vermilion ink, and then pressed it heavily onto the document. With a soft "snap," a bright red mark appeared on the paper.
Feng Shu picked up the household registration documents and handed them over casually.
Qin Chuan did not rush to take the document. Instead, he smiled and said, "Registrant Feng, isn't this where you register for the children's examination? Since you're here, please register me as well."
There was a moment of silence after he said that.
Feng Shu cursed inwardly. He had been a registrar for so many years and had handled countless household registration documents. He had never seen anyone take the opportunity to apply for the children's examination while applying for a replacement household registration.
And to make someone like me, a mere ninth-rank clerk, do the deed? Does he really think he's something special? Don't you know who you are? A poor kid without even a registered residence, who just happened to get in touch with Zheng Ding, dares to act so arrogantly in front of him?
To be honest, if Zheng Ding hadn't been there, Feng Shu would have thrown the document in Qin Chuan's face long ago.
He was a respected figure in the county government, and everyone would greet him respectfully as "Registrar Feng."
Today, I'm being bossed around by some young brat, handling household registration, registering for the children's exam, and now I'm wondering if he'll have to go to the exam in my place?
Zheng Ding was somewhat surprised to hear Qin Chuan say he wanted to register for the preliminary examination. He turned his head to look at Qin Chuan, sizing him up with curiosity in his eyes, and asked, "You want to register for the preliminary examination?"
His tone was tinged with surprise. In his memory, Qin Chuan was the manager of the gambling den. How did he suddenly become a scholar who had to take the imperial examination?
Qin Chuan laughed heartily, cupped his hands in a slight bow, and said with a hint of self-deprecation, "I'm sorry to have troubled you, Young Master Zheng. I did have a few years of schooling and can read a few characters, but I only took a job at the gambling den out of necessity. Now that I have the opportunity, I'd like to give it a try. What if I win?"
Then, Qin Chuan changed the subject, looking at Zheng Ding with a smile and a warm tone: "Has Young Master Zheng registered yet? If not, why don't we go together?"
At this point, Zheng Ding thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I really haven't reported it yet. Chief Clerk Feng, then please report it for me as well."
"Yes, Young Master Zheng." Feng Shuqiang suppressed his anger and wrote down the two names.
After everything was settled, Feng Shu threw the household registration documents over and said, "Now that you're done, you two should leave."
Qin Chuan calmly took the document, carefully folded it, and tucked it into his sleeve, without moving an inch. He then looked at Feng Shu and said, "Registrant Feng, Young Master Zheng and I have registered for the preliminary examination and will be participating soon. Don't you have anything to say? For example..."
"6
"Will we both pass the imperial examination this time?"
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