Chapter Eighteen: Determined to Take the Imperial Examination!

Anyway, Bai Yu had already figured it out. Lu Bing’s feigned ignorance meant that this powerful figure had no intention of intervening in the imperial examinations to help him.

Bai Yu had initially planned to keep a low profile, hiding out at the Elephant Training Yard while preparing for the exams, secretly acting as Lu Bing’s proxy. When the time came, Lu Bing would help smooth the way, ensuring a successful pass and securing an official title first.

This arrangement would be mutually beneficial—a win-win cooperation where both parties met their needs.

But the current situation was vastly different. Bai Yu had been directly treated as Lu Bing’s confidant and placed in a core area like the Meridian Gate, transforming overnight from a mere idler on the streets to a commanding officer.

As for the exams, Lu Bing deliberately ignored them, clearly intending to utilize Bai Yu within the Jinyiwei system exclusively.

Perhaps Lu Bing thought that by keeping Bai Yu within the Jinyiwei, he could maintain absolute control over him?

The difference between these two paths was immense.

It would be fine if Bai Yu could continue to enjoy the perks under Lu Bing’s patronage, but the real worry was the limited shelf life—just one year—before a reckoning might come.

Moreover, judging by the political trends of the coming decades, the Jinyiwei had no future; it was on a steady decline. The true path to power lay in passing the imperial exams and entering the civil bureaucracy.

After all, in the Ming dynasty’s next several decades, most government affairs were controlled by civil officials.

Thus, taking the imperial examinations and gaining an official post was the true great path, one that Bai Yu could not lightly abandon.

“Let it be arranged this way!” Lu Bing decided without asking if Bai Yu was satisfied.

To a man of his stature, this was a tremendous favor. Who would dare reject such generosity?

A common man needed only to obey like a servant, expressing boundless gratitude, without the right to refuse.

Yet, within Bai Yu, a great sense of frustration welled up. Why did others always want to forcibly decide his future?

He clearly knew the right path to take, yet someone always pushed him down the wrong road—it was infuriating.

After much thought, Bai Yu could no longer hold back and finally spoke.

“If I serve as the commanding officer as arranged, do I still have the right to take the exam? If I recall correctly, active military household members are barred from the exams. Surely, you are aware of this?”

Lu Bing frowned and retorted, “So what?”

Bai Yu pressed again, “I am willing to assist you, but I do not want to give up on the imperial exams. I hope you will allow it.”

When it came to one’s own rights, one must fight for them; silently yielding was no way to live, lest one truly become a mere servant.

With power in hand for so many years, Lu Bing had developed a strong, domineering temperament.

For him, Bai Yu’s refusal to obey and resistance to his plans was an affront to his authority.

Lu Bing’s anger flared as he threatened, “Such boldness! You must know I can send you soaring to the heavens or cast you down to the depths! I can have you stationed at Meridian Gate or banished to the frontier to rebuild the Great Wall.”

Bai Yu, who preferred kindness over force, suddenly hardened and retorted through gritted teeth, “If you, Commander, are not afraid of being called ungrateful, then punish me as you wish!”

He had made up his mind—if need be, they would part ways here, and he would be exiled to the frontier to endure hardship.

As long as he endured one year, and then Lu Bing was gone, Bai Yu would still be a man of honor!

He was determined to take the imperial exams; come the heavens or the gods, no one could stop him!

Even success manuals taught that if one feared every risk, nothing could be accomplished.

Bai Yu’s resolute stance stunned Lu Bing. Was it really necessary?

Promoting him to commanding officer was hardly like sentencing him to prison.

At that moment, Lu Bing realized what Old Zhang at the Elephant Training Yard had said was true—Bai Yu’s mind might indeed be troubled, thinking in ways unlike ordinary people.

Was it that all talented men were so arrogant and proud?

Beside them, Shi Li, feeling troubled, rubbed his forehead and quickly tried to smooth things over for Bai Yu.

“There is indeed a rule barring active military households from the exams, but it can be circumvented. Officially, the Bai family member on duty is still your father, but since he is injured, you are temporarily filling in as his son.

Therefore, you are not strictly an active military member and can naturally participate in the imperial examinations.

In short, serving as commanding officer and taking the exams are not in conflict—there’s no need to argue over it.”

Bai Yu, still dissatisfied, said, “I have heard that many powerful figures nowadays recruit famous scholars as retainers, mainly for ghostwriting.

Do they treat these retainers with such disrespect, barking orders like slaves?”

This was a reminder: Bai Yu’s work was no different from those famous retainers, and often better—why should there be any distinction in treatment?

Shi Li shot a sharp glance at Lu Bing and advised, “Talents are rare; Commander, please consider the bigger picture.”

It was proven that Bai Yu was an expert at writing poetic lyrics and flattering articles, rivaling the likes of the Yan family, Xu Jie, or the Four Great Eccentrics!

Without Bai Yu, where else could they find such a skilled ghostwriter?

Lu Bing was speechless.

The phrase “consider the bigger picture” felt both familiar and strange.

Usually, he was the one accommodating others; today, the roles were reversed.

Thanks to Shi Li’s mediation, Bai Yu declared once more, “If it does not affect my participation in the imperial exams, I am willing to serve.”

This was perhaps the best outcome of the day—retaining the chance to take the exams still left hope.

Lu Bing’s expression wavered but eventually softened, replying, “There will be times when I still need to rely on you.”

Bai Yu added, “But Commander, it would be best not to station me at Meridian Gate. If trouble arises there, it will be too late to regret.”

Lu Bing snorted coldly, “I assign you to Meridian Gate because it’s close to the Imperial Palace and the Western Gardens—convenient for giving orders. Do you think you can overturn the heavens?”

With that settled, Lu Bing rose and left; he still had to return to the Western Gardens to attend the Jiajing Emperor.

For him to take time out personally to meet Bai Yu and say a few words showed great favor.

Most who sought an audience with Lu Bing had to post requests and wait in line for half a month or more, often without success.

Bai Yu and Shi Li escorted Lu Bing to the street corner. Then Shi Li couldn’t help but ask Bai Yu,

“Why do you keep acting like this? You got into trouble with me before, but how can you dare oppose the Commander as well?

Throughout history, many arrogant talents have rarely met good ends!”

Bai Yu silently thought to himself: rather than worry about whether he would meet a good fate, it was better to see if Lu Bing himself would survive this year.

Not wanting to dwell on his own fate, Bai Yu asked Shi Li, “Hadn’t it been decided that I would hide out at the Elephant Training Yard? Why has that changed?”

Shi Li replied, “It’s because the Commander is so eager for talent, he doesn’t want to let you leave the Jinyiwei. He wants to keep you here permanently.”

The implication was clear: if Bai Yu succeeded in the exams and earned an official title, thus joining the higher social class of scholars, he would escape the identity of a Jinyiwei military household and fly free.

Originally, the Commander might not have cared about his departure, but now he certainly did.

Bai Yu sighed, “How can a sparrow understand the ambition of a swan?”

Shi Li was a bit speechless. “You’re really set on taking the imperial exams?”

Bai Yu nodded, “That is my lifelong wish!”