HCB Chapter 164: The Official Announces Good News
Chapter 164: The Official Announces Good News
The boss could barely hold back his smile. Seeing several men approaching quietly with sticks in hand, he straightened his back and said, "Then don't blame me for being rude."
Lin Jingyou was startled. He really didn't expect that such a big gambling house would refuse to pay its debts and resort to such tricks.
He was careless. It seemed that there must be someone behind this gambling house. It was definitely not as simple as it seemed.
He quickly thought of a way out and pretended not to notice the men's actions. He walked over to Yan Hui and said casually, "Brother Yan, didn't you send someone to tell the governor yesterday that we were going to the governor's mansion to find him today? When are we going?"
Yan Hui reacted immediately and took out the token of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery, the jade pendant, from his bosom and played with it in his hand. "Yesterday I sent someone to tell him to come see me. Do I have to go see him in person?"
When the man saw Yan Hui take out the jade pendant, his pupils shrank. He placed his right hand behind his back, put his four fingers together, and swung it back quietly.
The men understood what he meant and went down with sticks again.
"But since I have already passed the imperial examination, I should go to see him again at the Lu Ming Banquet in a few days! Alas, the people my father sent to pick me up can only wait for a few more days. I thought I could go back with them if I failed today!" Yan Hui continued to play with the jade pendant.
"That's good. I won't be alone at the Luming Banquet with Brother Yan by my side." Lin Jingyou added.
Yan Hui waved his hands and said impatiently, "It's been a while, and you still haven't brought the money? I'm in a hurry to go back and have a drink! If not, I'll have my servants come to get it this afternoon. I have a lot of servants, and if they wait one after another, they can wait for months!"
The boss was startled and doubtful, but finally said with a smile, "I've got it, I've got it. Please wait a moment."
After saying this, the boss went in, personally took out the silver note, and handed it to Yan Hui. "You bet a total of 1,600 taels, and the odds are 12, so the total is 19,200 taels. Please count it."
Yan Hui really sat there, counting the bills one by one without haste. Finally, he nodded with satisfaction, "Not bad, it's 19,200 taels. Then we'll leave first and come back next time."
After saying that, Lin Jingyou and Yan Hui swaggered out of the gambling house.
After walking a short distance out of the gambling house, Yan Hui patted his chest and said, "I was really scared just now. Fortunately, Brother Jingyou reacted quickly, otherwise we might have lost our lives today."
"No, it was my fault for not thinking it through. I thought if we bet less money, they would be able to afford to lose and would not cause us any trouble. But I didn't expect them to be so arrogant. It seems there must be someone behind them." Lin Jingyou was also a little frightened.
"Hmph, too arrogant! If I were all alone, I would find out who is behind this and make him pay for it." Yan Hui said angrily.
Lin Jingyou thought about more.
The highest-ranking officials in Fuzhou City were the prefect and the governor, both of whom were fourth-rank officials.
Since they were able to build such a big gambling house in Fuzhou City and were so arrogant, I'm afraid this gambling house must be related to one of them, or even both of them.
"Forget it. The person behind this gambling house is not simple. I'm afraid that the fact that we went to the gambling house today will reach the ears of the person behind it. We must be careful in the days to come."
"Don't worry, Brother Jingyou. What I just said wasn't entirely false. My grandfather wrote to say he'd sent someone to pick me up, and they'd probably arrive later today. I guess that old fox of a grandfather must have calculated the time and sent them to see my provincial examination results."
"Well, that's good." Lin Jingyou responded.
Yan Hui pointed at the group of officials in front and said, "Brother Jingyou, look! Those are the officials coming to announce the good news! Let's go back to the inn! They will be here soon."
As he said that, Yan Hui pulled Lin Jingyou towards the inn.
The two men had just arrived at the inn and sat down to drink a cup of tea when they heard the police coming to the inn door with gongs and drums.
"Congratulations to Yan Hui, the talented man, for being on the list of successful candidates, number 28!" the leading official sang.
Yan Hui quickly thanked them, "Thank you all for coming to announce the good news. This small amount of money will treat everyone to tea. Please don't hesitate."
Yan Hui emptied all the silver from his purse and handed it to the leading official. The official took the silver and his grin widened. "Congratulations, congratulations to Mr. Yan."
Then he looked at Lin Jingyou again and said, "I guess this must be Lin Jieyuan! Congratulations to Jieyuan for winning the first place, congratulations!"
Lin Jingyou also took out his purse and handed the entire purse to the officer. "Thank you, officers. Here are some for you, brothers, to drink."
Yan Hui had already taken so much silver just now, so he naturally couldn't take less than Yan Hui at this time.
"Thank you, Lin Jieyuan. You two should remember to attend the Lu Ming Banquet hosted by our prefect on time the day after tomorrow. We will leave first. We still have to rush to Mr. Ouyang's place! We have searched half the street but haven't seen Mr. Ouyang, haha." The official said, bowed to Lin Jingyou and Yan Hui again, and left.
As soon as the officials who announced the good news left, the shopkeeper and all the guests who had come to dinner came up to congratulate him, saying, "Congratulations, congratulations to Yan Juren and Lin Jieyuan."
"It's such an honor to be able to dine at the same inn with Lin Jieyuan!"
"Yes, thankfully I gritted my teeth and booked this inn. Now, I've also shared in Lin Jieyuan's good fortune, and my son has also passed the imperial examination this time!"
"Boss, which room did Lin Jieyuan live in? Can you keep it for me after he checks out? I want my son to study here every day."
"Then I'll book the room next to Lin Jieyuan. I also want my son to be influenced by Lin Jieyuan's talent."
Lin Jingyou bowed to them, his face almost frozen with smile, "Thank you everyone, thank you very much!"
When the innkeeper heard what they said, his face was almost smiling. His inn had a top scholar, so why would he worry about having no business in the future?
The innkeeper was delighted and waved his hand, saying, "Lin Jieyuan won first place today. Anyone who eats in my inn will get half price."
The people eating there cheered loudly, "Shopkeeper, you are so generous. Thank you so much, shopkeeper."
After saying that, the shopkeeper looked at Lin Jingyou again and hesitated, "I have an unwelcome request, but I wonder..."
Lin Jingyou asked, "Boss, just say what you want to say."
"Then I'll be frank. This is the first time that Jieyuan has stayed at my inn. Could you please ask Lin Jieyuan to write a couplet for our inn so that I can hang it at the door to attract customers?" The shopkeeper knew that this was a bit difficult, so he didn't have too high expectations.
Lin Jingyou thought about how the shopkeeper had kindly reminded them of their situation when they came yesterday, so he responded, "I'll just scribble a few words. I hope the shopkeeper doesn't mind."
The shopkeeper immediately ordered the waiter to buy good pen and paper, set the table, and wait for Lin Jingyou to write.