"When you return the food box later, tell Mrs. Gao not to trouble herself anymore and not to send anything in the future."
Gu Chengyu and Mrs. Gao’s master are of similar age, and if rumors of private exchanges spread, it wouldn’t be good. Although she wanted to repay a life-saving debt, still, between n and won, it’s always better to avoid suspicion.
"Yes!" Ming Mo replied solemnly.
The dishes sent the day before were indeed delicious, but the young master didn’t eat much; Ming Yan and Ming Mo split the rest. Young lads tend to eat a lot as they grow, naturally increasing their appetite. The food on the ship wasn’t particularly tasty, and it had been several days since they had a good al.
Though regrettable they couldn’t enjoy the delicacies, they understood what weighed more. Their young master aid to pass the imperial exams and beco an official; they couldn’t ruin his reputation.
This ti the ship sailed quickly and was about to reach the dock.
Early in the morning, the steward ca to see Gu Chengyu, requesting him to go to the ship’s bow. Gu Chengyu couldn’t refuse anymore and had to go. The scholar wasn’t seriously injured; the wound was on his leg, requiring bed rest.
In fact, that scholar was the young man who had stood with an inkstone at the ship’s side initially. Gu Chengyu felt that such bravery from a scholar was comndable.
Thus, he didn’t ask for any silver for standing by the ship, and whether the steward was tactful wasn’t his concern. If he specified giving silver, wouldn’t it be charity? They’re all scholars, wouldn’t such an act be degrading?
Gu Chengyu held his scholar certificate at the ship’s bow, waiting for it to dock. There was a checkpoint here, perfectly suited to report the River Bandits incident to the governnt.
"Pay up! What are you looking at?" An officer saw Gu Chengyu and the steward at the front and couldn’t guess that such a young lad would be a scholar.
"Chief! Look, this is Mr. Scholar!" The steward was surprised that Gu Chengyu turned out to be a scholar; he was thrilled.
"What? This young lad is a scholar? Really?" Passengers at the back, so of whom had reached their destinations, others wanting to go ashore for supplies, initially thought Gu Chengyu was eager to disembark early but were surprised he was a scholar.
"I think it’s true; otherwise, why would he stand out? Whose young master is he? Truly both scholarly and brave!" Soone sighed.
Who wouldn’t want such a bearer of honor in their family? Yet, all they could do was envy.
"Mr. Scholar?" The officer was sowhat skeptical, took Gu Chengyu’s scholar certificate, scrutinized it several tis, and only returned it respectfully upon confirming it was genuinely his.
"I truly didn’t see clearly! He is indeed Mr. Scholar!" The officer imdiately brightened with a smile, bending over and saluting.
The steward, witnessing this, straightened his back, as if the title ’Mr. Scholar’ was his. These officers usually put on airs, yet now they’re nodding and bowing, acting much like how they’re treated daily.
The steward felt secretly pleased as he had harbored long-standing resentnt.
Throughout history, those in entertainnt and low-ranking officials were always considered inferior, and these officers, although acting important, couldn’t even sit for the imperial exams.
In front of a scholar like Gu Chengyu, they naturally had to be respectful.
"Chief! Our ship encountered disaster!" The steward rembered the River Bandits’ incident and felt as if the world was collapsing.
The officer, due to Gu Chengyu’s presence, showed more patience towards the steward and asked amicably, "Did sothing happen?"
The officer glanced at the ship behind them; everything seed fine except for the chaotic deck and nurous scratches. Hmm? There’s definitely sothing unusual!
Actually, this officer was observant; these scratches generally wouldn’t catch people’s attention.
"Chief! We ran into River Bandits!" The steward imdiately shouted, fearing for his position. Despite hiding earlier, he was terrified; seeing the officers now, he felt relieved.
"What? How is it possible? Encountering River Bandits and surviving?" The officer was incredulous, arguing that given the bandits’ ferocity, if they truly robbed the ship, would they allow anyone to return alive? Besides, don’t think he didn’t know; the ship owners usually appease the bandits. No way could it be possible!
Gu Chengyu knew the steward’s words lacked credibility, so he quickly echoed, feeling this incident concerned him.
"This matter is no hoax; there are five River Bandits captured on the ship. Should Brother Chai report to the higher-ups?"
The two constables exchanged glances, sensing Gu Chengyu’s words were genuine. Though puzzled by how they survived without apparent casualties, they knew reporting was essential.
"Wait a mont; I’ll go report!" One constable hurried off to report.
"No one leave the ship until our superiors arrive!" The other constable blocked passengers trying to disembark, shouting.
Gu Chengyu frowned, unsure how long the delay would be.
Inspectors held minor positions. After such an incident, reports would have to follow the hierarchy, consequently wasting their ti.
Soon, two officials wearing hats and green narrow-sleeved robes hurried over. The Inspector Bureau consisted of two Ninth Grade officials. They couldn’t make decisions themselves.
"Where are the River Bandits?" An official adjusted his hat, jogging to the ship’s side, feeling a storm of emotions; surely this was a solid political achievent!
He heard so bandits were captured; through them, he might uncover the bandits’ den, leading to promotion. His excitent was palpable.
"Sir, it’s this ship!" The constable pulled the steward forward, eager to earn rit.
"Sir, I’m the steward, and that’s the captain; this is Mr. Scholar Gu!" The steward introduced the key players.
In fact, he was unaware of the presence of more scholars on board. Sun Xian and Ye Zhiqiu stood on the deck, observing Gu Chengyu, while Ming Yan and Ming Mo stood nearby.
"Oh? Are there more scholars?" Another official, just arriving, overheard and intervened.
This official was a Deputy Inspector, alongside another of Ninth Grade rank. Gu Chengyu, a scholar, had eligibility to beco an official in the Dayan Dynasty. If soone pulled strings, he could secure a Ninth Grade position, though advancing to county magistrate would require stronger connections, with limited upward mobility.
Thus, both were courteous.
Gu Chengyu stepped forward, offering a hand salute, "The student greets the officials!"
Currently not an official, he could only refer to himself as a student.
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