After traveling through time, I was spotted by the new emperor

Chapter 176: It's also a treasure of talent

The man standing in the square was eight feet tall, wearing a coarse linen shirt and trousers, with a coarse linen strip tied around his forehead. There was a hole in the front of his cloth shoes, revealing a little bit of his toes.

Not only is this the attire of a peddler, but it also looks very thin in this early winter season.

However, he did not feel inferior because of his poor clothes.

He stood calmly in the middle of the square and spoke freely to everyone:

"I just listened to everyone's discussion and couldn't help but say a few words."

A scholar rebuked him:

"Who are you? Today is a talent show, and you dare to come here and speak so arrogantly?"

"Since this is a talent contest, then what's being competed for is talent, and there are no restrictions on identity, so why can't I speak up?"

After he finished speaking, the man looked at Chen Shusheng and said, "Excuse me, Master Chen, may I speak?"

Chen Shusheng said:

"According to the rules, you have to register before you can participate in the talent show, but what you said does make sense.

The original purpose of the talent show is to select outstanding talents. If you have any insights, you can speak up, but since you didn't register in advance, you can't participate in the ranking selection."

This person said:

"I understand what you mean, sir. I'm not good at poetry and prose, so even if I sign up for the talent show, I won't be able to pass the first round.

However, I do have some opinions on the topic of the debate, 'On the Existence of Aristocratic Families.'"

"You said."

Ye Wuwei couldn't hear what was being said in the square below in the private room on the second floor, but he suddenly became interested in this vulture.

He turned to Qi Wushuang and said, "I'll go down and see what's going on."

After saying that, Ye Wuwei nodded to the three family heads and left without waiting for Qi Wushuang's consent.

The three family heads were shocked by Ye Wuwei's boldness and looked at Qi Wushuang involuntarily, but they did not see any displeasure on Qi Wushuang's face.

Qi Wushuang stood up and walked to the window to look at the square downstairs.

Because of his strong internal strength, better eyesight and hearing than Ye Wuwei, he could clearly see the appearance of the man in the square downstairs.

The man had a rough face, dark skin, and was dressed in rough clothes, but his expression was exactly the same as Ye Wuwei's when he was a beggar but he was not afraid at all.

Qi Wushuang understood what Ye Wuwei was interested in.

He said to the three family heads, "Let's go down and watch the fun too."

Ye Wuwei walked over to Chen Shusheng and sat down, looking at the person who was talking.

As he looked at him, Ye Wuwei thought of Luo Guanzhong's description of Zhang Fei's appearance in Romance of the Three Kingdoms:

It is eight feet tall, with a leopard head, round eyes, a swallow chin and tiger whiskers. Its voice is like thunder and its momentum is like a galloping horse.

This person said:

“I believe that there are three main dangers of aristocratic families:

First, the aristocratic families formed a monopoly on power by serving as officials for generations and occupying high positions of power.

This monopoly has led to a reduction in social mobility, hindered the upward path of emerging classes and talents, and is not conducive to social fairness and progress.

Secondly, the aristocratic families ruled one side, had their own armies, and did not pay taxes to the court. Over time, this would inevitably pose a threat to the imperial power.

Furthermore, the aristocratic families control most of the farmland, and food is the foundation of the people's survival. Over time, this will inevitably lead to civil unrest and be detrimental to the stability of the court."

After listening to this person, Ye Wuwei asked:

"Are these your own opinions or are they what you heard from others?"

"It's just my personal opinion."

"Have you been to school?"

“I never formally attended school.

When I was a child, I worked part-time in a school and eavesdropped on some teachers’ lectures.

When I got older, I bought some books and read them myself. If I didn’t understand something, I would ask the teacher next door for help.”

"What's your name? What do you do for a living?"

"My name is Lei Dahong, and I currently make a living doing hard labor for others."

"Since you're educated, have you signed up for the imperial examination?"

“I didn’t sign up.”

"Why?"

“First, I was studying blindly on my own and had never formally worshipped a teacher. Even if I signed up for the imperial examination, it would be difficult for me to pass.

Secondly, I have a blind mother at home who needs to be taken care of, and I don’t have the energy to devote myself to studying.”

Just then, Qi Wushuang and the others arrived.

Patriarch Nie walked up to Ye Wuwei and said:

"I know this Lei Dahong. He's a filial son. His father died when he was very young. His mother cried herself blind, and the family's livelihood fell on him alone.

He often delivers goods to Liufeng Pavilion and is very diligent and attentive."

Seeing that he was someone who knew him well, Ye Wuwei had an idea in mind.

"I see you're eight feet tall. Do you know any martial arts?"

"Although I've never practiced, I'm naturally strong. It's no problem for me to beat a dozen strong men by myself."

Ye Wuwei looked at Qi Wu who was following Qi Wushuang, "Qi Wu, try his skills."

Qi Wu stepped forward and tried a few of Lei Dahong's moves, then said to Ye Wuwei, "Being a bodyguard shouldn't be a problem."

Ye Wuwei asked Lei Dahong:

"Chen Zhanshi is my friend. He will be staying in Andu for a while. I would like to hire you as his bodyguard during his stay in Andu. Are you willing?"

Ye Wuwei had his own intentions for doing this:

First, Chen Shusheng will be negotiating with Humuhan and others next, so it is always good to have more skilled people around to protect him.

Secondly, seeing that Lei Dahong had some knowledge, he was arranged to be with Chen Shusheng to see if he was a promising talent.

Lei Dahong understood that Ye Wuwei wanted to give him a chance.

He had long heard that Chen Shusheng was knowledgeable and talented, so he was naturally willing to be Chen Shusheng's bodyguard for a period of time.

"If I could be Mr. Chen's bodyguard, I would be willing even if the pay was lower."

"But I have already agreed with you that Chen Zhanshi is very busy. Although you are his bodyguard, whether you can get his guidance depends entirely on his wishes. You must not be angry about this."

"Don't dare.

If I can receive guidance from Master Chen, it is a blessing for me. If Master Chen is unwilling to give me guidance, it means that I am stupid and I will never dare to get angry about it."

Hearing Lei Dahong say this, Ye Wuwei said, "Then I will hire you for three months."

After saying that, Ye Wuwei reached out to take out the silver, only to realize that he had forgotten to bring it with him when he came out.

Ye Wuwei asked Qi Wu: "Do you have any silver on you? Lend me some."

Patriarch Nie would never let Qi Wu pay for anything, so he quickly took out four ingots of silver and said, "I wonder if this is enough?"

Ye Wuwei took a look and saw that the silver ingots were five taels each, and four ingots were twenty taels, enough for three months of employment.

Ye Wuwei took the silver and handed it to Lei Dahong:

"Starting from today, I will hire you for three months.

During these three months, you must always be by James Chen's side, can you do it?"

Lei Dahong took the three ingots of silver:

"Five taels of silver a month is enough.

But I have to go back today to settle my mother. After that, I will go find Master Chen."

Ye Wuwei didn't bother with Lei Dahong and returned the remaining silver ingot to the head of the Nie family.

"I'm sorry for wasting everyone's time today. I'll give you some free fruit and drinks as compensation. The bill will be on me."

Patriarch Nie is indeed a very qualified businessman. He said to Ye Wuwei:

"Since the competition is being held at Liufeng Pavilion today, the fresh fruits and drinks will naturally be provided by Liufeng Pavilion."

After saying this, Patriarch Nie addressed the thousands of people in the square:

"Captain Ye said that he has delayed everyone's time today, so he invites everyone to dinner. Wine, drinks, and fresh fruits will be served soon."

(I uploaded three chapters of 6000 words today, but two chapters have not passed the review and are still being revised. If they seem incoherent tomorrow, it means they are still under review.

If it were normal, I would have ignored what I said.)