His Name Spreading Through Eastern Capital Was Now Within Reach [Happy New Year!]

Han Zhuo's banquet was not held in the Han Residence, but in a tavern.

This tavern, named "The Exiled Immortal," is not far from the Han Residence. In terms of scale, it cannot compare to the White Jade Tower, and its interior decoration is not as magnificent. It also lacks servants and maids, making it simple and unpretentious.

However, it is precisely this simplicity that gives people a sense of detachment from worldly affairs, allowing them to calm their minds and naturally State of Mind relaxed and serene while sitting in the tavern.

As soon as Qiu Yan and Han Wei'er arrived, they were ushered in by servants from the Han Family and led to an elegant room.

Han Zhuo sat at the head of the table, beckoned Qiu Yan over, and then said with a smile, "Come, let me introduce you all. This is Qiu Yan, the top scholar of Jiannan Circuit this year. He has excellent calligraphy skills and is renowned for his virtue; even the Emperor has heard of him."

Then, he Qiu Yan, "Nephew Qiu, these are all talented individuals. Let me introduce them to you. You have already met these two, Zhang Yingchao and Liu Jin. They are both learned men and will participate in the Metropolitan Examination next year. Perhaps they will serve as ministers in the same court as you in the future."

Han Zhuo spoke with a smile, as if he were introducing his younger relatives and distant relatives to each other.

"This Ma Wan comes from a family with a long and distinguished academic tradition... Nephew Zhao Yuan is a distinguished student of the Reverent Rites Academy... Li Qing Master Li Qing has come all the way from the Western Regions..."

"Nice to meet you, nice to meet you."

Besides Zhang Yingchao and the other person Qiu Yan had met before, there were three other people sitting at the same table with Han Zhuo.

One of them was Ma Wan. When he saw Qiu Yan, his face turned gloomy and his eyes revealed hatred. His gaze swept over Qiu Yan and Han Wei'er, gleaming with cold light.

After the introductions were given, everyone except Han Zhuo and Ma Wan stood up to greet Qiu Yan.

"Nice to meet you, nice to meet you."

Ma Wan's hostility did not escape Qiu Yan's notice.

"Why is Ma Wan suddenly so hostile towards me? The hostility I felt at the Han Residence must have stemmed from him. Hmm? He's looking at Han Wei'er? Could it be a jealous rivalry? That's truly Innocence. However, I'll be visiting the Ma Residence tomorrow. I'll take this opportunity to clear things up, to avoid dragging things out and causing unnecessary unpleasantness, and to save time and energy."

As Qiu Yan pondered, his gaze shifted to the other two, his attention focusing on one of them.

"This person is called Li Qing? His Qi and Blood are abundant, clearly indicating that he possesses the cultivation of the Fate Dao Destiny. Moreover, his literary Literary Thought are extremely pure, filling the area while remaining both integrated with and isolated from the surrounding atmosphere. He subtly forms his own entity, and it is very likely that he has also achieved Literary Heart."

The person Qiu Yan was looking at was dressed in white, with broad shoulders that filled out his robes. He gave off a spirited and energetic feeling. Every movement he made was natural and effortless.

From Han Zhuo's introduction, Qiu Yan learned that this person's name was Li Qing, and that he came from the Western Regions.

When the previous dynasty Great Qi, its military might was invincible, and it once brought hundreds of kingdoms in the Western Regions to pay tribute. Commoners from the Central Plains could become superior people there, which also attracted some people to migrate there. This Li Qing is obviously a descendant of those people.

Qiu Yan sized up the other person, while Li Qing was also looking at Qiu Yan. A sharp glint appeared in his eyes, and his gaze was bright.

"Alright, stop standing, sit down," Han Zhuo said, then instructed his servant, "Tell Old Li that everyone is here and we can begin the feast."

His voice wasn't loud, just loud enough for Qiu Yan to hear.

Qiu Yan's heart stirred, and he stood up and said some words of apology and thanks, the gist of which was that he had troubled everyone at the table to wait for him. Mutual flattery was also a form of social interaction, and besides, Han Zhuo's banquet was meant to bestow favors, recruit and win over people.

However, as soon as Qiu Yan spoke, a cold snort came from the side.

"Hmph, so you know how to keep people waiting?"

Upon hearing this, Han Zhuo frowned, while Qiu Yan narrowed his eyes and looked in the direction of the voice.

The speaker was none other than Ma Wan, the young master of the Ma Family.

Seeing the change in Han Zhuo's expression, Ma Wan's heart skipped a beat, but a feeling of unease rose in his chest. He lowered his voice and said to Qiu Yan, "Qiu Yan, you were able to pass the provincial examination with top honors thanks to my grandfather's teachings. Why didn't you go to the Ma Residence to pay your respects when you arrived in Eastern Capital?"

The scene immediately fell silent.

Ma Wan's words seemed ordinary, but they focused on the two points of "etiquette" and "favor," implying that Qiu Yan did not go to the Ma Family to express his gratitude, but instead came to the Han Family's banquet to curry favor, suggesting that he was trying to change his social standing.

Regardless of whether Qiu Yan succeeded in the provincial examination because of Ma Yang, the fact that the Ma Family made such a statement would lead to rumors that Qiu Yan was ungrateful, which would be detrimental to his reputation.

However, Qiu Yan has only been in Eastern Capital for a few days, and he only went to the Han Residence today at Han Wei'er's invitation, so Ma Wan's words are actually untenable.

"Second Uncle, you have no idea of Brother Qiu's current predicament. I heard from his attendant that they spent a lot of money traveling north, and now they don't even have money for a hotel. They have to sell their calligraphy and paintings."

At this moment, Han Wei'er suddenly spoke up, seemingly about Qiu Yan's sniffing, but actually to defuse the situation.

Qiu Yan's relationship with the Ma Residence was unusual. Unlike the Han Residence, the Ma Residence did not send someone to invite him. Therefore, Qiu Yan had to prepare some small gifts when he visited. However, if he did not even have enough money for lodging and had to sell his calligraphy and paintings, he would naturally be short of money. It was normal that he could not visit in time, otherwise he would be suspected of seeking refuge.

"Oh? Is that so?" Han Zhuo feigned surprise and said earnestly to Qiu Yan, "A gentleman does not easily accept favors. I suppose my nephew Qiu is unwilling to accept gifts, which is why he is selling his calligraphy and paintings. However, your calligraphy is full of charm and can be considered a treasure. How can it be easily left to the outside world..." As he spoke, he was about to call his servants to go to the study.

The petty person always expects favors from others, and feels no gratitude once the favor is received. The virtuous person does not lightly accept favors from others, but once received, they never forget them.

Ma Wan implied that Qiu Yan was ungrateful, but Han Zhuo said that Qiu Yan was unwilling to "lightly accept favors" because "it is hard to forget once received." This was a way to extricate himself from the predicament, express his attitude, and at the same time do Qiu Yan a favor—a triple win.

Despite knowing that the other party was using interpersonal tactics, Qiu Yan still felt a sense of goodwill towards Han Zhuo, thinking that he was a tactful and good person.

Unexpectedly, Ma Wan changed the subject abruptly. "Not even enough money for a hotel? I heard you came to Eastern Capital this time to study at the Principle Sect Academy? My Ma Family's Spring and Autumn Academy is also in Eastern Capital. Why don't you go there instead of the Principle Sect Academy? Could it be that you see the Principle Sect Academy's power and want to switch allegiance? What a clever scheme! Unfortunately, your talent isn't enough, and the Principle Sect doesn't think much of you, so you've ended up like this, haven't you? Hmph! I really don't know how you got that top scholar title!"

His words were no longer a veiled sarcasm, but an open accusation and insult. Qiu Yan's face immediately turned cold, and a chilling glint appeared in his eyes.

Even Han Zhuo's expression turned quite unpleasant, feeling that Ma Wan was failing to grasp the situation, disrespecting him, and being ungrateful.

The atmosphere in the private room instantly became heavy.

Just then...

"Principle Sect? Qiu Yan? I remember now!"

Suddenly, Zhao Yuan clapped his hands, looked at Qiu Yan, and exclaimed excitedly, "I was wondering why Brother Qiu's name sounded so familiar! Hearing the name of the Principle Sect Academy, I finally remembered! A few days ago, at the Principle Sect Academy Heavenly Principle Debate, He Shuchang from Jiangnan single-handedly debated seven people, leaving them speechless. But then a scholar stepped forward and refuted him with just a few words! Moreover, I heard that he has a deep understanding of Principle Sect Learning and has unique insights!"

"Was He Shuchang refuted?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yingchao and Liu Jin's expressions changed slightly. They were from Jiangnan and knew of He Shuchang's reputation and talent.

"Who can refute He Shuchang?" Liu Jin's expression changed. "He Shuchang from a family with a long history of scholarship and is eloquent. When he was young, Lord He hired tutors to teach him to read, but none of them could last a month!"

"I've heard about this too. Rumor He Shuchang was able to memorize what the teachers taught in just one month, and then apply what he learned to other situations, asking them questions every day, forcing those teachers to resign. Later, Master He invited Jiang Lun, Grand Confucian from Jiangnan, to settle the matter."

The two were initially surprised, but then, recalling Zhao Yuan's words, they were startled again, and their gazes involuntarily fell on Qiu Yan.

"Could it be...?"

Zhao Yuan nodded. "That's right. My elder brother, a member of the same clan, is currently studying at the Principle Sect Academy. The debate that day was also held in the county town, so I was able to know about this matter in advance. The one who refuted He Shuchang that day was a scholar named Qiu Yan. I heard he wasn't a student of the Principle Sect Academy, but in the end, he alarmed Junior Chen! Junior Chen personally came forward to recruit him as his successor, but Qiu Yan refused and then left gracefully."

"What? Even Junior Chen has been alarmed?" This time, even Han Zhuo couldn't sit still. Others might not know Junior Chen's influence, but as someone in the Central Pivot of the court, he knew it all too well.

The Great Chen, Da Chen Junior Chen, had many students and disciples who held important positions. Moreover, their Principle Sect was favored by many, and their every move was watched by the court. They were truly far from the court, yet they could influence the highest levels of government. Not to mention the current emperor, even the late emperor invited the two Chen brothers to serve in government several times, but they were never able to succeed.

The fact that such a person personally came forward to take someone as a disciple clearly indicates that he is no ordinary person, which indirectly proves the value of the person being taken in.

Thinking about all this, Han Zhuo's gaze towards Qiu Yan changed slightly.

His purpose in hosting this banquet was to cultivate goodwill. With the court intensifying its power struggles and the emerging trend of factional strife, his faction was at a disadvantage and needed fresh blood. Those present were all talented individuals, many with Golden List, who might one day achieve high honors and become pawns in his schemes. Otherwise, why would a Principal Fifth Rank official like himself sit at the same table with a group of scholars?

Of course, Zhang Yingchao's affair also disheartened the other party, and Han Zhuo held a banquet to make amends.

As for Qiu Yan, Han Zhuo admired him, but only to a limited extent. His offer of help just now was merely a small favor, but he did not expect that Qiu Yan could alarm Junior Chen. If this was true, it would be an unexpected surprise.

On the other side, Zhao Yuan added, "This matter will soon spread throughout Eastern Capital, and then those academies will probably be restless."

"Not at all, Brother Zhao, you've exaggerated a bit."

Qiu Yan shook his head, then looked at Ma Wan and said, "Ma Gong, there must be some misunderstanding between us. I have received favors from Chancellor Ma, and I should repay them, but that does not make me inferior to you. If you have any dissatisfaction or prejudice against me, you can speak frankly, but don't use the Ma Family's name! If word gets out, others will speak ill of the Ma Family!"

Qiu Yan's words were cold and hard.

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