Chapter 43: Yamen Runners Collect the Books

"My humble room is fragrant because of my virtue."

"Splendid, splendid, splendid! Uttering masterpieces right off the tongue!"

"Old man as I am, my eyes did not deceive me. If I failed to send you to study at the Imperial College, it would be a profound loss for our Great Xia."

Director Liu said with a look of extreme excitement.

This left Chen Fan with the distinct feeling of having tried to steal a chicken only to lose the rice used as bait.

The reason he had recited that ancient poem just moments ago was simply to make Director Liu appreciate him more, and subsequently pull every string to get his books listed as mandatory reading for the imperial examinations.

That way, he could earn a fortune effortlessly while lying down.

Yet, much to Chen Fan's dismay, Director Liu certainly grew to appreciate him more, but made no mention whatsoever of turning his books into mandatory examination reading. Instead, it only solidified the old man's determination to drag him into the Imperial College.

"Director Liu, everyone has their own aspirations. Why must you force someone against their will?"

Chen Fan forced a wry smile as he led Director Liu into his dilapidated dwelling.

Upon entering and taking in the barren, four walls stripped of any comfort, Director Liu instantly furrowed his brow.

"Chen Fan, the Chen family does not appear to be impoverished! Why is your house..."

Director Liu left the rest of his sentence unsaid, too polite to finish.

Hearing this, Chen Fan concealed nothing. He recounted the whole story of himself and the Chen family.

After listening to Chen Fan's narrative, a trace of tenderness entered the gaze Director Liu cast upon him.

He now understood why the Chen family had been in such unseemly haste to cast Chen Fan out. In their eyes, Chen Fan never truly belonged to the clan; rather, he was nothing more than a burden to them.

"No wonder you hold such a high regard for the lowly profession of merchants—it turns out you endured much hardship in your youth."

Director Liu assumed an understanding expression as he spoke.

"Though I sympathize with you, old man as I am, I can never endorse your decision."

At that moment, Director Liu abruptly turned resolute.

"Merchants are, after all, engaged in a humble trade that cannot be brought into polite society. Entering the Imperial College, taking the imperial examinations, and ultimately serving the nation—that is what you ought to..."

"Director Liu, I have a new story, freshly prepared and awaiting print before its release. How about I tell it to you first?"

Chen Fan had no desire to sit through Director Liu's grand lectures on the philosophy of life, so he hastily veered the conversation off course.

And Chen Fan had accurately gauged his man.

Upon hearing these words, Director Liu instantly clamped his mouth shut.

"What story? Quick, let me hear it!"

Director Liu urged impatiently.

Only then did Chen Fan casually begin spinning a tale.

It was not until the dead of night that Director Liu finally departed Chen Fan's humble shack, still lingering with a sense of unsatisfied anticipation.

"Chen Fan, if you squander such literary talent solely on the lowly pursuits of commerce, it will be a grievous waste of heaven's gifts!"

"Spend these next few days packing your belongings! This old man is determined to bring you into the Imperial College for proper cultivation."

***

Director Liu declared firmly as he took his leave.

This left Chen Fan with nothing to do but offer a wry smile.

"The Director has finally left."

"Who goes there?"

"Clap."

"Ouch! It's me, Guo Hua!"

Hardly had Director Liu departed when a shadowy figure suddenly emerged from the gloom.

Reflexively, Chen Fan lashed out with a kick.

The shadow immediately let out a miserable wail.

Realizing he had struck the wrong person, Chen Fan nonetheless wore no trace of guilt upon his face.

"You could at least make some noise when you arrive. Fortunately it was me; if it had been anyone else, you'd have been beaten to death for nothing."

Chen Fan said, exasperated.

Having taken a beating only to be scolded in return, Guo Hua felt deeply aggrieved, yet he dared not voice a single word of complaint.

After all, Chen Fan was currently his golden goose.

When Guo Hua had come to see Chen Fan earlier and found Director Liu inside, he had not dared to disturb the esteemed Director. Thus, he could only squat outside in the dark, feeding mosquitoes all night long.

"I'll be sure to pay attention next time. Definitely next time."

Guo Hua squeezed an awkward, forced smile.

Seeing that Guo Hua's attitude was acceptable, Chen Fan decided not to press the matter further and simply extended his hand.

Guo Hua, thoroughly sensible, pulled a large pouch of silver from his tunic and handed it over to Chen Fan.

This had become part of Guo Hua's daily routine.

"Master Fan, do you have any new stories? Those scholars have been pressing me endlessly!"

Guo Hua asked with a fawning smile.

This, after all, was his primary purpose for coming tonight.

The previous tale of the Monkey King had already been entirely sold through print, and the literati were eagerly anticipating Chen Fan's next work.

"Take it then."

Hearing this, Chen Fan retrieved a pre-compiled manuscript from his robe and tossed it to Guo Hua.

At once, Guo Hua frantically wiped his palms against his clothes before receiving the manuscript with trembling reverence.

"Water Margin."

Those were the prominent characters inscribed upon the very first page.

Clutching the manuscript tightly, Guo Hua turned and bolted away in a rush to arrange the printing, not even finding a moment to bid Chen Fan farewell.

Watching Guo Hua's hurried retreating figure, a smile touched the corners of Chen Fan's lips.

Though somewhat crafty, the man was at least reliable in his work.

***

Chen Fan turned and bolted his door, intending to spend some quality time with Yingchun and Yingxia discussing the ideals of life.

"Husband, since you have already resolved to sever ties with the Chen family, why don't we purchase a new residence?"

No sooner had Chen Fan stepped inside than Yingchun and Yingxia broached the subject.

After all, this property belonged to the Chen family, and Chen Fan continuing to reside here would only invite gossip. The two young women had thoughtfully considered this on his behalf.

"Indeed. We have ample wealth now; tomorrow we shall head into the county town to purchase a proper estate, and then hire a few servants to wait upon you both."

Chen Fan said with a smile.

With his current financial standing, he could well afford such comforts.

With that, Chen Fan lunged toward the two maidens.

Before long, soft and seductive murmurs drifted from within the bedchamber.

***

The following day.

"Bang, bang, bang..."

"Master Fan, bad news! Something terrible has happened!"

"Bang, bang, bang..."

While Chen Fan was still fast asleep in the embrace of the two women, violent knocking resounded from the outer door.

The commotion instantly snapped the three of them awake.

Seeing the door shudder as if about to collapse inward, Chen Fan knitted his brows in annoyance.

He draped a loose robe over his shoulders and strode over to unlatch the door.

There stood a youth of thirteen or fourteen, his face etched with panic.

This was none other than Guo Hua's attendant and apprentice, Zhou Liang.

"Master Fan, the bailiffs have confiscated all our books and arrested Master!"

Before Chen Fan could even speak, Zhou Liang blurted out in panic.

Hearing this, Chen Fan's frown deepened further.

For yamen bailiffs to dare impound his books and arrest Guo Hua—this told Chen Fan the situation was far from simple.

"Master Fan, I just saw a squad of bailiffs heading this way. They must be coming for you too! You must flee at once!"

Zhou Liang urged frantically.

"Husband, what is going on?"

"Never mind what's going on! Guo Hua has been arrested already—Husband, run quickly! If the bailiffs catch you, they'll surely subject you to torture."

The two sisters chimed in one after another.

"Chen Fan, you cannot escape! Yield yourself immediately!"

Scarcely had the sisters finished speaking when a band of bailiffs burst into the courtyard, brandishing weapons that gleamed with a chilling light.