IDWBE -Chapter 480 The Spring Imperial Exam

Why can’t he get a chance to punish evil and reward good, especially a hero-saving-beauty moment?

Back in the day, whether it was Kangxi’s Incognito Visits or Iron Teeth and Bronze Jaws: Ji Xiaolan, he had watched from start to finish.

Even someone as rotund as Heshen always had that last-minute “comeback” to shock bystanders!

In this life, he had money, he had power—so why didn’t he have that kind of luck?

Every day was mundane, so dull that Lin Yi didn’t even know how to weave together a vision of a brighter future.

Why did someone always have to be a failure—and why was it him?

Especially after becoming Regent Prince, even Mingyue and Zixia had grown increasingly useless. Every time he tried to test their courage, these two lacked the nerve to resist, to mount him and turn the tables.

He was really angry.

“Forgive me, forgive me,” The fat man continued apologizing. When his gaze fell on Lin Yi and noticed an empty seat beside him, he cupped his hands. “Brother, may I intrude?”

Lin Yi sized up the fat man, smiling. “Judging by your silk and satin, you’re no ordinary person. How come you come to a place like this? Aren’t you afraid of hiding your identity?”

“Little brother, you flatter me,” The fat man pushed away the attendant trying to clean the table and sat directly to Lin Yi’s right. “Just an ordinary family, really.”

“An ordinary family couldn’t afford a jade thumb ring like yours,” Lin Yi eyed the man’s thumb. “It must be worth ten thousand at least. You shouldn’t try to fool people. If you wanted to keep a low profile, you shouldn’t be flaunting gold and silver or bringing so many attendants.”

“Little brother is indeed knowledgeable,” The fat man chuckled. “I go by the same name, never changing my surname—Jin Buhuan of Jizhou.”

“The shamelessest Jin Buhuan in the world,” Lin Yi blurted out instinctively.

He knew The Unofficial Martial Arts Chronicles! He even wondered if he had somehow stepped into the story.

Yet looking at the fat man, aside from his size, he bore no resemblance to Jin Buhuan from the stories.

“…”

Jin Buhuan twitched at Lin Yi’s words. “Brother, have we met somewhere before?”

“No,” Lin Yi shook his head firmly.

“Do we know each other?”

“Nope.”

Lin Yi shook his head again.

“Since we’ve never met, since we’re strangers,” The fat man held back his indignant attendant, then turned to Lin Yi. “Then surely there’s no grievance between us?”

“Of course not. First meeting, no past grudges, no recent offenses,” Lin Yi smiled.

“Since there are no past grudges or recent offenses, why do you insult me so!”

Jin Buhuan ground his teeth. “The shamelessest in the world, I cannot bear this!”

“Slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue,” Lin Yi laughed awkwardly. “Don’t take it to heart, brother. I’ll invite you for tea.”

He picked up the teapot and personally poured tea for Jin Buhuan.

“Thank you.”

Jin Buhuan pushed the cup aside, clearly not forgiving him.

“Master,” A tall attendant took the teapot from the waiter and poured tea for Jin Buhuan. “It’s cold. Drink to warm yourself—don’t be angry over trivial matters.”

Jiao Zhong frowned at the attendant, who immediately lowered his head in fear.

“Brother, where are you from?”

Lin Yi sipped his tea lazily, observing Jin Buhuan’s expression.

“Brother, are you hard of hearing?”

Jin Buhuan asked angrily.

“Of course not,” Lin Yi said loudly. “My hearing is excellent.”

“Then,” Jin Buhuan enunciated carefully, “is my voice too soft?”

“Brother’s voice is like a bell—healthy body, hearty appetite,” Lin Yi said with admiration. “I envy you.”

“Sigh,” Jin Buhuan sighed. “Since I’ve just arrived at this treasure place, let me introduce myself properly. Listen carefully, I go by the name Jin Buhuan of Jizhou—unchanging in name or seat!”

“Jizhou, huh? The first of the Nine Provinces,” Lin Yi suddenly understood. “A fine place! A fine place!”

After Jizhou came under his rule, Minister of Revenue Gan Mao immediately raised taxes.

Lin Yi had been puzzled. Jizhou had endured repeated wars and droughts; how could they handle higher taxes?

Was Jizhou really that wealthy? Unbelievable!

Gan Mao remained silent.

Chen Desheng explained: collecting taxes from distant Wu or Nan provinces couldn’t solve the local shortages.

At the time, the northern campaign was intense. Jizhou’s general Kuang Daxiang died, and the army was scattered. Lin Yi, though sympathetic, reluctantly raised the taxes.

“Thank you for the compliment,” Jin Buhuan eyed Lin Yi, wearing a simple cotton coat, and smiled. “Though dressed plainly, you are dignified, with attendants—certainly a person of wealth and status.”

“You’re good at speaking,” Lin Yi laughed. Dignified? He hadn’t heard such straightforward praise in a long time. “If you can speak, say more!”

“Handsome and elegant?”

Jin Buhuan asked hesitantly.

“Good eye!”

Lin Yi gave a thumbs-up. “Few have such discernment!”

Meeting a kindred spirit was rare.

Jiao Zhong even felt a twinge of jealousy at the corpulent Jin Buhuan. After following the Prince for years, he’d never seen him react so excitedly toward anyone—not even top courtesans. This fat man clearly didn’t know his own luck!

“I only speak the truth,” Jin Buhuan remained calm. “No need for formalities.”

“No formalities, no formalities,” Lin Yi asked curiously, “You said you just arrived? Are you new to Ankang City?”

“Indeed,” Jin Buhuan nodded. “I arrived last night, preparing for the spring imperial exam. The capital truly is magnificent—not a wasted trip.”

“A scholar?”

Lin Yi could smell nothing but money on this fat man.

“Indeed,” The fat man snapped open a folding fan.

“…A fan in this cold?”

Lin Yi wondered if he had bought his exam qualification with money.

“In the dead of winter, roads blocked—since it’s the spring exam, isn’t early spring fine?”

“Not at all. As they say, prepare behind closed doors, act in accordance when going out,” Jin Buhuan shook his head. “Ankang has many talented scholars. Coming early lets me learn from them—better than staying home.”

“Sounds reasonable.”

Lin Yi had no shortage of talented officials, but he lacked interesting friends. He thought such a lively soul would be wasted as a bureaucrat.