Liu Guancen slapped the railing. "The world is merciless. Scoundrels squat in high office while heroes sink into lowly posts. No wonder people say that carriage drivers, boatmen, innkeepers, porters, and matchmakers ought to be killed even when they've done no wrong. These crooked clerks have always been stealing power and manipulating affairs. Since I've run into this today, I can't just ignore it. Brother Xu, tell me what happened."
Xu Yi had been putting on this act for so long, all to get Liu Guancen to say those words. He immediately explained the matter of Tongcheng Academy sending over the official documents.
Liu Guancen's expression changed. "This isn't a new trick, but it's a way to kill without drawing blood. Those crooked clerks must have already reached an understanding with an envoy at Tongcheng Academy. They'll question you based on the documents, and as long as you can't answer, they'll make a huge issue of it. It's a trick that bunch of clerks use all the time, and there's no way around it."
"But now that I know about it, I can't let you suffer this loss. Envoy Hong of Tongcheng Academy used to serve under my father. I'll invite him over in a bit. You can toast him a couple of times and hand him the documents. He'll take them back with him."
"This is all I can do for you. Those crooked clerks have proper immortal officials backing them, and those officials have connections of their own. I'm not afraid of them, but getting too deeply involved might not be good for you."
Xu Yi's eyes reddened. His voice hoarse, he said, "Though we are far apart, a kindred spirit makes the world feel close. Brother Liu, it's an honor to meet you!" With that, he drained