Chapter 113.1
Leaving the imperial palace, the sky had already darkened, and Li Linfu decided to return home for a meal and rest.
Just as he returned home, the butler reported, Master, there is someone outside seeking an audience. Here is the visiting card he has given for you!
Li Linfu opened it, and his eyebrows were slightly raised.
It was from a noble family surnamed Li.
Previously, they had already visited once, bringing with them a hefty gift worth 20,000 taels, hoping to obtain some information about the upcoming imperial examination questions from him.
However, he had sternly refused them and even had them thrown out.
Unexpectedly, persistent as thieves, they had come again.
Recalling Lin Beifans words, Li Linfu pondered for a moment and said, Let them in!
Yes, my lord! the butler retreated.
About the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea later, a somewhat portly middle-aged man, leading two servants carrying boxes, entered with a beaming smile and bowed, Humble citizen Li Furen pays his respects to the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, the honorable Li Linfu!
Li Linfu nodded with authority, Mhm. I am busy with official duties and have no time for pleasantries! Speak plainly and get to the point!
Yes, my lord!
Li Furen dismissed the two servants carrying the boxes, then looked around the room cautiously and finally glanced at the butler by Li Linfus side, hesitating for a moment.
This
Li Linfu waved his hand dismissively, There are no outsiders here now, so speak your mind!
Very well, then I shall speak plainly!
Li Furen approached three steps closer and whispered, Sir, I have heard that this time the Great Xia imperial examination is under your supervision! The matter of the imperial examination is of great importance, and I am well aware of that. However, the law is not devoid of human sentiment. We examinees have traveled from afar, which was not easy! Therefore, I hope you can empathize with our hardships and might be willing to make some accommodations
As he spoke, he opened the chest and took out the treasures inside.
Sir Li, this is a golden Arhat, all crafted from pure gold! Created by a master artist, the sculpture is lifelike and exquisitely detailed, valued at 3,500 taels of silver!
Sir Li, these are 10 dragons eye pearls, only to be found in the deep sea! Each pearl is as big as a dragons eye, and each is worth 300 taels of silver!
Sir Li, this is an original work by the master painter Tang Yan! This painting is called Tiger Descending the Mountain and is one of Master Tang Yans proud works from his later years, currently valued at 5,000 taels of silver!
Sir Li, this is a Qing grey inkstone. The ink ground on it is not only fine but also permanent, preventing the ink from fading so that it can be preserved forever! This inkstone is priceless in the current market!
Sir Li, this is
One after another, precious treasures were brought out by the other party.
Li Linfus heart raced with shock and excitement; the Li family really went all out to bribe him!
If it werent for his fear of death and greed for power, he might not have been able to control himself!
All these treasures together are worth about 30,000 taels of silver! Master Li, this is just a greeting gift! After the matter is successfully concluded, more generous gifts will come! Li Furen pushed all the items towards Li Linfu with a beaming smile.
Oh my, you all are really going to great lengths for the sake of official appointments and honors! Li Linfu said, and it was unclear whether he was being sarcastic or offering praise.
This Li hopes that Lord Li will understand our sincerity! Li Furen said without changing his expression.
To be honest, with just these offerings, youre making it very difficult for me! Li Linfu picked up the golden Arhat statue, looking quite troubled.
Li Furen was confused: Lord Li, what do you mean?
What I mean,
Li Linfu said with a cold smile, Do you think I would risk my neck for such a small amount of money? Go back and tell the person behind you that if you want to be listed on the honor roll, you must be willing to pay a hefty price! Show the guest out!
And so, Li Furen was once again sent out the door.
When he returned, the anxious young master immediately asked, Whats the situation? Did Li Linfu nod in agreement?
Li Furen bowed respectfully and said, To report to the young master, Li Linfu did not agree, but he also did not completely refuse! He said that if one wishes to be listed on the honor roll, one must be willing to pay a hefty price!
Weve given so much already, and he still thinks its not enough?
Hes insatiable!
Its clear hes got eyes only for money!
The others were all getting angry.
But the young master simply smiled calmly: Im not afraid of his greed; Im afraid of him not being greedy! As long as he swallows what we give, sooner or later, he will have to spit it all out with interest! Prepare another generous gift!
So, they prepared another generous gift to present.
This time, the gifts total value reached 50,000 taels of silver.
This time, Li Linfu did not refuse. He accepted everything and then threw out a single word.
People!
The young nobleman looked at the character in his hand and said, It seems that the main topic of this imperial examination is related to the people, which is very much in line with that foolish emperors intentions! Ever since he took office, although he has done many foolish things, his focus has always been on the people! He would rather have the national treasury empty than to see his subjects impoverished!
Indeed, to give up his own wealth for a bunch of common people who have no relation to him. Ive never seen such a wasteful act! If it werent for his abundant resources and strong foundation, Great Xia would have been finished long ago! someone said disdainfully.
Exactly, its such a waste! If it were me, I wouldnt bother with those commoners at all! After all, theyre like crops that can be harvested over and over; there are plenty of them, and it doesnt matter how many die!
Being an emperor, one must not be soft-hearted!
Just this one character, the information is too scant, far from enough!
The young nobleman exclaimed loudly: Prepare a more generous gift, we need more accurate information!
Yes, young master! Li Furen bowed and withdrew.
Then, Li Furen went to visit Li Linfu again, this time with 50,000 taels of gold, silver, and jewels.
When he returned, he had acquired another character.
Wealth! The people are wealthy, enriching the people it seems that foolish emperor truly has the peoples interests at heart!
The young nobleman laughed: With these two characters, we know in which areas to focus our efforts! However, prepare another generous gift, lets see if we can get the exam questions!
This time, Li Furen went directly with banknotes worth 100,000 taels of silver.
This time, they finally managed to pry open Li Linfus mouth and obtained the exact content of the examination question.
However, they also learned a cruel truth.
It turned out that there were three questions in the imperial examination, one for each day, and they had only managed to get one of them so far.
The young nobleman was somewhat displeased, having paid such a high price for just one question.
It was truly a situation where the information was too insignificant to be useful yet too valuable to discard.
Young master, shall we continue? someone asked.
The young nobleman gritted his teeth: Of course we continue. Weve managed to pry his mouth open with great difficulty, so we must seize this opportunity to take it all in one fell swoop! Prepare generous gifts for me, and lets get our hands on the other two questions!
So this time, they prepared 300,000 taels and went to visit Li Linfu.
Finally, they obtained the content of two more exam questions from him.
With this, he felt even more confident about the imperial examination.
He doesnt know if he can be admitted as the top three, but being in the top ten was absolutely no problem!
However, the thought of having spent a total of 500,000 taels for this imperial examination made him feel a great pain in his heart.
That Li is too greedy. Well settle the score with him later! Call some more scions from our families to take part in the imperial examination. Weve invested too much; we must recoup our costs with interest!
Yes, my lord!
Meanwhile, scions of other noble families were also doing their utmost to bribe Li Linfu, trying to obtain the examination questions from him.
Two weeks quickly passed, and nearly every noble family visited Li Linfus residence, making him fabulously wealthy.
However, as he looked at the gold, silver, and jewels, he felt as if they were death warrants, and he had no desire for them.
He took these treasures to the palace to see the emperor overnight.
Your Majesty, these gold, silver, and jewels are the bribes from the scions of the noble families. The total value reaches 13.5 million taels. This humble servant did not dare to keep any of it and offered it all to Your Majesty. Please discern the truth!
Lin Beifan looked at the several horse-drawn carriages full of gold, silver, and jewels, and clicked his tongue in disapproval: These noble families really are too wealthy! With a clever strategy, I was able to extract so much money from them! Minister Li, you have done well, I am very satisfied!
All these are Your Majestys achievements; this humble servant dares not claim any credit! Li Linfu said modestly.
Lin Beifan took a chest of gold, silver, and jewels from the carriage and handed it to Li Linfu, smiling, Minister, this is a reward for you from myself! Furthermore, after the imperial examination is over, I will promote your position even higher!
Li Linfu was overjoyed. He was already the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and a promotion would make him the Minister of the Ministry of Rites!
This proved that he had indeed acted in complete accordance with His Majestys wishes!
Li Linfu exclaimed loudly, Thank you for Your Majestys great kindness! Your servant will certainly work to the utmost, ceaselessly, until death!
***
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