Chapter 2794

Mengyang County achieved a perfect score in the imperial examinations this time. Four scholars and two Confucian students went, and all passed. The best result was Yun Xi, who took first place. Li Gang became the third-ranked Lingsheng (stipend student), and Fan Jing ranked tenth, also securing a Lingsheng position. The other three finished within the top fifty. This outstanding performance instantly made Mengyang County’s school famous. Soon, countless scholars sought connections to enter the county school.

The county magistrate was overjoyed. His supported school had produced six successful students, including three Lingshengs and the top scorer. This was a solid political achievement. With the performance evaluation coming next year, he was certain to receive the highest rating. If luck favored him, he might even get a promotion. Just thinking about it lifted his spirits.

However, these matters had nothing to do with Yun Xi. He was more interested in traveling. He discussed this with his father, Yun Jian, and his mother, Yu Shi.

Yun Jian said, "You are a Confucian student, and your scholarly aura is already blue. On that point, I am not worried about danger. But you are only eleven years old. If you go alone, I still feel uneasy."

How could parents be at ease?

Yun Jian thought for a moment and said, "Father, I have thought it over. In two days, let us go to the slave market to buy some servants. Our current wealth can support them. Mother needs to care for your younger sisters, and you have your own duties. Although Xingge and I can take care of ourselves, you would still worry. Therefore, I suggest buying an older woman for the kitchen, a maid to help Mother with the younger sisters, and two or three strong men. One can help you with errands, and the other two can serve as guards. Finally, buy two young attendants, one for Xingge and one for me. Actually, a capable man could serve as my attendant too. It is best if they have martial skills. This way, when I travel, Father and Mother need not worry. Xingge will likely travel in the future too. As the saying goes, reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. It makes sense."

"I agree with what Brother said," Yun Xu said seriously. "For Mother, one kitchen woman and one to help care for the two younger sisters. Two guards. One skilled attendant or man for me and one for Brother. Father also needs a sturdy helper. So, we need to buy seven people. It is indeed better to go to the slave market."

Yun Jian considered this. Although he did not travel often, he needed to visit the village twice a year to check the two tea mountains and collect tea. With him away and Yun Xi traveling, even with Yun Xu at home, he felt uneasy. After thinking, Yun Jian nodded. "Since that is the case, let us go buy people tomorrow."

"I do not need young maids. It is better to buy older women," Yu Shi said. "Older women have experience caring for children. Young maids lack experience and need teaching. Of course, if no suitable older women are available, we will have to choose young maids."

"Agreed. I will decide after visiting the slave market tomorrow," Yun Jian decided immediately.

The family’s conditions were improving. Although they still lived in the courtyard given by the magistrate, it was a coincidence that the neighboring family had moved to the capital and abandoned their house. Yun Jian had some spare money, so he bought it and connected the two properties. The residence was now spacious. The couple lived in the main house, and each of the four children had their own room. Several rooms remained empty. With two beds in each room, the house could easily accommodate ten more people.

The next day, Yun Jian, Yun Xi, and Yun Xu went to the slave market. Whether for young attendants or strong men, they wanted to see them personally.

"Scholar, this is the strongest batch. These men were not always this strong. You are lucky. Recently, due to Prince Liang’s rebellion, many innocent people were implicated and exiled here. This is our best batch," the slave trader said, knowing the Yun family wanted to buy servants.

Yun Xi was a top-tier talent with scholarly aura. As the first-ranked scholar, he was certain to become a Juren (provincial graduate). The trader naturally wanted to curry favor.

"Let us see," Yun Xi nodded slightly, scanning the people present.

There were about twenty men. As the trader said, they all looked spirited. Yun Xi looked at them and then asked Yun Jian and Yun Xu, "Father, Xingge, have you chosen anyone?"

"Let Wangge decide," Yun Jian said directly.

It was not that he wanted to be hands-off. Yun Xi’s top-tier scholarly aura gave him a unique ability to judge people, far better than an ordinary person like himself.

"Brother, you decide," Yun Xu said seriously. He came mainly to learn from his brother.

Yun Xi nodded and looked at the twenty men again. In his mind, he asked Liangchen, "Liangchen, can you tell their overall ability and character?"

Liangchen laughed. "Yun Xi, just release your scholarly aura. Once released, you can see their abilities. If they have done guilty deeds, black mist will appear above their heads. If they have not done guilty deeds and live openly, even if they have killed someone, even by accident, there will be no such black mist."

Liangchen continued, "Character can be distinguished by purple and black. Purple generally means good character, black means bad. As for ability, martial skill is essential. You have orange scholarly aura. Just release it slightly, and you can clearly see the color of their scholarly aura. If they have no scholarly aura but only martial power, the color of martial power surrounds their whole body, while scholarly aura color is above their heads. This way, you can distinguish them clearly."

Yun Xi hummed. He waved his hand, and a wave of blue scholarly aura shot out. Instantly, he saw the condition of everyone present clearly.

The slave trader’s eyes lit up seeing Yun Xi release blue scholarly aura. He was indeed a genius. He must treat him well.

"The second and fifth from the left in the first row, the third from the left in the second row, and the first and last from the left in the third row. These five come out," Yun Xi said.

Five men stepped forward. Yun Xi said directly, "I will not ask about your past. Just these five. We will assign specific duties when we return home."