Capítulo 37: Chapter 37: You Devious Old Man, Very Crafty
The crowd was stunned, exchanging puzzled glances.
Yuan Shao was speechless.
He recognized Wang Yan's carriage from earlier on the road.
"Is there someone in this world with more face than me, Yuan Benchu?"
"Who could this person in the carriage possibly be?"
Chunyu Qiong's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Who is this high-ranking official from Jizhou that Xu Shao would close his doors to everyone else just to wait for him?"
Amidst his confusion, a surge of anger grew within him.
Today, he had been upstaged.
The crowd's attitude towards the carriage shifted from disdain and anger to reverence, realizing they could not afford to provoke this person.
Inside the carriage, Wang Yan slowly sat up, surprised by his father's apparent influence.
The script was written; he just had to follow it.
As the crowd wondered who was in the carriage, a handsome and imposing young man stepped out.
"Indeed, a young hero. No wonder Master Xu values him so highly!"
Appearance equaled justice.
Status equaled recognition.
After stepping out of the carriage, Wang Yan scanned the crowd. Seeing so many people, he thought, "Perfect for gaining fame."
He walked towards the gate, hands clasped behind his back.
Suddenly, a loud voice rang out:
"So, it's Wang Ziwen, the one who killed Zhang Jiao and quelled the Yellow Turbans!"
"I am Yuan Benchu. Pleased to meet you!"
Yuan Shao, hearing from the gatekeeper, recognized Wang Yan and stepped forward to greet him.
Facing such a rising star, he couldn't help but want to establish a connection.
Unlike Dong Zhuo's arrogance or Cao Cao's sincerity, Yuan Shao was poised and unassuming.
He didn't need to care much about others' status because no one could match his.
Being humble would only enhance his reputation.
Yuan Shao knew he didn't need to be as pragmatic as Cao Cao, assassinating Zhang Rang or killing eunuchs.
He just needed to associate with famous scholars, like rescuing partisans.
Though he appeared to side with the partisans, he always kept his distance from them.
They are gaining fame without taking risks.
Yuan Shao knew he could play the superficial game well.
It would still attract scholars and guests.
In response to Yuan Shao's friendliness, Wang Yan politely returned the greeting, "Yuan Gongzi, pleased to meet you!"
Internally, he thought, "Yuan Benchu humbles himself to win over talented people!"
Wang Yan now understood the origin of the phrase "Yuan Benchu humbles himself to win over talented people."
At the same time, he remained cautious.
If Yuan Shao were also a transmigrator with a good hand of cards, he wouldn't mess things up unless he was an idiot.
Thus, Wang Yan faced an additional danger.
He only engaged a little with Yuan Shao, thinking, "The more you talk, the more mistakes you make. Keeping a distance is safer."
Feeling Wang Yan's aloofness and lack of enthusiasm, Yuan Shao was puzzled, unable to discern Wang Yan's true nature.
"Is he arrogant or just confident?"
Yuan Shao refrained from pushing further.
But the crowd wasn't willing to let Wang Yan off so quickly, surrounding him and greeting him eagerly:
"Ah, another famous scholar! It's Wang Ziwen who quelled the Yellow Turbans!"
"Ziwen Gongzi, a young hero, brave and wise, with limitless potential!"
"Seeing is believing. Pleased to meet you!"
Wang Yan responded calmly, thinking, "Since I'm destined to act, I'd better maximize the audience for more emotional value."
The gatekeeper urged, "Ziwen Gongzi, please follow me inside."
He seemed keen to avoid unnecessary entanglements to prevent controversy.
His master had made it clear: no visitors except Wang Yan.
"Please inform Master Xu that these people have come from afar out of admiration. Could he meet with them briefly?" Wang Yan asked.
The crowd's respect for Wang Yan grew, and he collected emotional value.
The gatekeeper, looking troubled, went inside to report.
Shortly after, he returned.
"My master said he would only evaluate Ziwen Gongzi today. However, those interested in observing can be seated in the courtyard."
The crowd was overjoyed.
"Great! We finally get to see Master Xu! Even if not evaluated, there's no regret."
"Thanks to Ziwen Gongzi!"
Collecting emotional value, Wang Yan was surprised by his father's influence.
Some were happy, others upset.
Yuan Shao's face darkened. Xu Shao refused him but allowed Wang Yan in, which was humiliating for someone used to being the star.
Caught in a dilemma, Chunyu Qiong was equally disappointed, clenching his fists in anger. If not for Zhao Yun's imposing presence, he might have challenged Wang Yan already.
The crowd followed Wang Yan into the residence.
Yuan Shao and Chunyu Qiong exchanged glances, ultimately following inside.
Xu's residence was grand, befitting a gentry household.
As they walked, the crowd continued to flatter Wang Yan:
"Young Master Wang, you're remarkable. With military achievements already, your future is boundless. Master Xu will surely praise you highly!"
"That's right, talent like yours is rare. Master Xu must have seen your potential and is waiting for you!"
"After today's evaluation, Ziwen Gongzi will be famous!"
"Congratulations, Young Master Wang. I am from the Zou family in Luoyang and hope to be friends."
"Congratulations, Young Master Wang. I am from the Zhou family in Chang'an..."
Flattery filled the air.
In the hall, Xu Shao and Xu Jing sat at the head.
Seeing their admired celebrity, the crowd became excited.
"Greetings, Master Xu!"
"Greetings, Master Xu!"
Xu Shao and Xu Jing were accustomed to such scenes.
"Everyone, please be seated."
"Which one of you is Wang Ziwen?"
Wang Yan stepped forward, bowing respectfully.
Xu Shao looked young, refined, and composed, exuding the demeanor of a respected figure despite appearing just over thirty.
"Junior Wang Yan greets Master Xu."
Xu Shao studied Wang Yan closely.
The crowd fell silent, awaiting Xu Shao's evaluation.
They expected praise, labeling Wang Yan as a prodigy and hero.
Anticipation filled the air.
Even jealousy.
Wang Yan also anticipated: "Will it be the name of a great bird or a mythical beast?"
After a moment, Xu Shao finally spoke, "A frog in a well, merely a mediocrity."
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