Five burly men strode over, exuding an air of authority.
De Shu, usually quick to anger, found himself surprisingly cowed.
Ouyang Xu, his brow furrowed, rose and said with a charming smile, "I am Ouyang Xu, a compiler of the Imperial Academy. Might I inquire who you are?"
High-ranking officials and prominent families in the capital kept a close eye on the civil service examinations, and Ouyang Xu only needed to state his name.
Most would grant him some face, and even those who wouldn't would give face to the powerful Gao family behind him.
Gao Hu was widely considered the leading candidate for the position of Grand Secretary.
It was him!
San Niang and Zhao Pan'er were both shocked to see Jia Yu, who had suddenly appeared.
To them, a man like Jia Yu was like a celestial being, and even a single encounter would be a rare privilege.
The same could be said for Gao Hu.
They never expected to cross paths with them twice in the vast capital.
"A compiler of the Imperial Academy?" Jia Yu's lips curled in disdain. "Since when can a compiler of the Imperial Academy influence the affairs of Yingtian Prefecture and the Five City Garrison?
He can even shut down a perfectly legal shop in the Imperial Camp and even interfere with private schools?"
"Jia San, does a compiler of the Imperial Academy have such power? And what is this seventh-rank position, so mighty?"
Jia San replied with a smile, "Reporting to the Master, a compiler of the Imperial Academy is a seventh-rank official, mainly responsible for drafting imperial edicts, compiling historical records, and serving as a lecturer at the Imperial Academy.
I have never heard of a compiler of the Imperial Academy having the power to influence local affairs or private schools."
"Seventh-rank?" Jia Yu was taken aback. He had assumed that such a position would at least be a fifth-rank, but it turned out to be a mere seventh-rank.
"Even a centurion is a seventh-rank," Jia Yu blurted out. "Isn't even a hundred-man captain's position higher?"
"In a way, it is," Jia San said. "But there's a huge difference between civil and military officials..."
Before Jia San could finish, Jia Yu interrupted, "I thought it was some big shot." Jia Yu looked down at Ouyang Xu with contempt, "Turns out he's just a little nobody."
There were quite a few people dining on the second floor, and the altercation between Ouyang Xu and Zhao Pan'er drew a lot of attention.
The arrival of Jia Yu and Jia San's entourage made this spot the center of the second floor.
Eating melons was something deeply ingrained in everyone's blood. Eating melons while drinking, that was even better.
When Jia Yu called Ouyang Xu a "little nobody," quite a few people spat out the wine in their mouths.
Compiler of the Imperial Academy, this was a position that countless people dreamed of.
Just a few years in the Imperial Academy, working your way up the ladder, when the time came, you'd be appointed as a local magistrate.
Moreover, a compiler of the Imperial Academy, as long as they didn't commit any major mistakes, would be a fourth or fifth-rank official at some point.
With a little bit of influence, they could even become a second or third-rank official.
Furthermore, this handsome young man in front of them was the future son-in-law of Grand Secretary Gao.
Ouyang Xu had revealed his background, letting many people know his connections.
Jia Yu's side didn't need to be guessed.
His imposing size and formidable demeanor clearly indicated that he was a military man.
Ouyang Xu's face turned purple. This was the first time he had been so humiliated since passing the imperial examination.
"May I know your name?" he asked, suppressing his anger, "And your current official position?"
Ouyang Xu was a cunning man, and he longed to see Jia Yu dead, but he couldn't let his true intentions show.
Moreover, he needed to figure out the young man's identity before making any moves.
"Curious about my identity?" Jia Yu's lips curled into a smile. "You can ask your future father-in-law at the Gao family. He knows my identity."
Looking at the sky outside, Jia Yu decided to go back and try on his clothes.
To Zhao Pan'er and San Niang he said, "I enjoyed your tea and pastries. In the future, if anyone tries to give you trouble, just go to the Five City Garrison.
You should know my name. Just mention it when you go."
Zhao Pan'er rose to her feet, expressing her gratitude, "Thank you, Master."
Jia Yu's words were akin to placing an impenetrable shield over their tea shop.
The Five City Garrison was merely one of the many departments under this Master's command.
With him as their protector, they could rest easy in the capital.
Jia Yu didn't want to reveal his identity, so naturally, they would help him keep it hidden.
"Let's go?"
Jia Yu strode away, leaving Ouyang Xu with a face as dark as thunder.
He had thought the other side didn't know about his father-in-law.
Unexpectedly, not only did they know his background, but they also dared to mock him so openly after knowing.
This meant that they also had a powerful background.
It had to be someone from the military aristocracy.
Ouyang Xu already had his suspicions.
Coupled with the mention of the Five City Garrison.
Currently, the only military aristocratic families that could influence the Five City Garrison were a few specific ones.
With a little effort, he could find out.
Those parasites!
Ouyang Xu's disdain for the military aristocracy grew even deeper, while he racked his brains for ways to retaliate.
..
Rattle, rattle....
Seven or eight carriages slowly arrived at a quiet inn, the West City Station.
A middle-aged man with a beard stepped down from the carriage.
"After eight years, I, Sheng Hong, am back!" Sheng Hong gazed at the inn's name. Eight years ago, he had left from here for the Jiangnan region.
Now, with the central government in urgent need of officials, he had been promoted thanks to his excellent performance and was finally returning to the capital.
But why did this station seem unusually quiet?
No, it was the entire street that seemed oddly silent.
"Grandmother, is this the capital's station? Why is it so quiet?"
In the middle of the convoy, a young girl pulled back the curtain, looking out at the deserted street, her voice filled with curiosity.
All the stations they had visited along the way had been bustling with activity.
Government stations were free for officials to stay at, with excellent amenities.
Commoners could stay there for a fee, similar to the prices of nearby inns.
However, government stations had one advantage that other inns didn't, and that was safety.
Therefore, government stations were the preferred choice for commoners and merchants traveling away from home.
Clack, clack, clack....
Five magnificent steeds galloped towards them, passing them by in a blur....