Ye Li stayed in the Bian Mansion for another half a month. Bian Yingxiong knew that Ye Li was practicing, so he never came to disturb Ye Li.
In the middle, he only gave Ye Li a bag of spirit stones. The number was not large, only a few hundred high-quality spirit stones.
When he gave it to Ye Li, even Bian Yingxiong himself felt embarrassed.
After all, Ye Li was just a retainer of the Bian Mansion, not an appointed military officer. Even if he made great contributions, the court would not give him much reward.
These hundreds of high-quality spirit stones, including the rewards for all his retainers, were all paid by Bian Yingxiong himself and were not awarded by the imperial court.
At the end of this incident, Zhou Wentian did not interfere, but reported the situation truthfully.
When Bian Yingxiong saw that there was almost no substantial reward for him, a look of delight appeared on his face.
Because according to convention, if there is no immediate reward of actual materials after a great achievement, it means that the court will summon him back to meet the emperor in the near future.
The emperor would personally commend him, and most of the time he would be promoted or given a new position.
On this day, Bian Yingxiong found Ye Li again.
After Ye Li let Bian Yingxiong into the house, a servant immediately came and made two cups of tea so that the two could talk while drinking tea.
"Uncle Bian, why did you have time to come and see me today? Is there any news about Black Soul Gold?"
There are only two things Ye Li wants to know now, one is about the black soul gold, and the other is about the soul seal.
He couldn't ask Bian Yingxiong to find out about the soul seal. After all, he had always said that he didn't get the previous two soul seals.
If one were to specifically inquire about the remaining soul seals now, it would inevitably arouse suspicion.
When Bian Yingxiong heard Ye Li's question, he showed a guilty look on his face again and said, "Brother Ye Li, I am really ashamed to say that I really haven't found any information about the Black Soul Gold."
When Ye Li heard Bian Yingxiong's answer, a look of disappointment appeared on his face.
"Uncle Bian can't find any information either. Then I really don't know where to ask."
Ye Li sighed and said.
Bian Yingxiong hesitated for a moment and said, "Ye Li, I have recommended you to His Royal Highness the Second Prince. I wonder if you are willing to become a royal retainer beside His Royal Highness the Second Prince?" Ye Li was stunned when he heard this and said, "Royal retainer?"
Bian Yingxiong nodded and said, "Yes, they are royal retainers, and this is to distinguish them from ordinary retainers.
Royal retainers have extremely high privileges and their status is much higher than that of ordinary retainers. Even ordinary minor officials can only bow and nod when they see royal retainers. "
Ye Li touched his forehead and said, "But I don't pursue power. No matter how high the status of a retainer is, it means nothing to me."
Bian Yingxiong nodded and said, "I know that you, little brother Ye Li, don't care about status and power, but there is a reason why I recommended you to the Second Prince.
I have now received a summons from the emperor, so I will go to Tangjing City to meet His Majesty soon.
Although you are the greatest contributor to this defensive battle, you are not qualified to meet His Majesty and receive his reward.
However, if you agree to become the Second Prince's retainer now, he will find a way to bring you to see His Majesty the Emperor.
According to convention, if royal retainers had made great contributions to the court, they would be rewarded personally by His Majesty the Emperor.
The second prince can obtain a reward for you, which is the National Scholar Order.
The National Scholar Order is divided into five levels: Bronze National Scholar Order, Silver National Scholar Order, Gold National Scholar Order, Purple Gold National Scholar Order and Peerless National Scholar Order.
If you can obtain a Bronze National Scholar Order, you will automatically become a Bronze National Scholar, with privileges that ordinary people do not have, and can enter the Tangjing Library."
When he heard the word "library", Ye Li's eyes suddenly lit up, and he instantly understood the meaning of what Bian Yingxiong had just said.
Simply put, if he agrees to become the Second Prince's man, the Second Prince can help him obtain a status that allows him to enter and exit the Tangjing Library freely.
If he had this identity, he would naturally be able to enter the library and browse the documents and books inside.
"Brother Ye Li, if you can enter the Tangjing Library, you can read all the ancient documents and books on various materials.
That is the place with the richest collection of books in the entire Tang Kingdom. If you can read the books there, you might be able to find the records you want about Black Soul Gold.
And I promise you that as long as Black Soul Gold exists, you will definitely be able to find relevant records in the library.
If there is no record of Black Soul Gold even in the library, then it can only mean that Black Soul Gold probably does not exist."
Bian Yingxiong said to Ye Li with a beaming smile.
He also saw the light flashing in Ye Li's eyes just now, and he knew that Ye Li had more or less understood the meaning of his words.
As expected, Ye Li's face was already showing excitement at this moment, and he said: "As long as I become the second prince's retainer, I can get the status of a bronze national scholar and enter the library!?"
Bian Yingxiong said: "I can basically guarantee this for you.
Although the Bronze National Scholar is difficult for ordinary people to obtain, it is generally not a problem to obtain it with the Second Prince helping you fight for it.
After all, our previous situation on the battlefield has been reported truthfully to His Majesty the Emperor, so His Majesty also knows that the final victory of this battle was entirely due to you.
With such a great achievement, it is basically a foregone conclusion that you will be awarded the Bronze National Scholar.
Moreover, I recently heard a rumor that the Second Prince and the First Prince are planning to go out to look for the Soul Seal, so they need some experts to accompany them.
With your strength, Ye Li, you will definitely become one of the strongest guards around the Second Prince, and you are definitely qualified to accompany him to find the soul seal.
Once the soul seal is found, it will be a great achievement, and maybe even a silver national hero can be found to do it.
With this identity, even when I talk to you, I have to act like a subordinate.
You also know that power and status can bring more privileges. If you want to find out some information at that time, you will have more channels than now.
I think your master asked you to find something that no one has ever heard of, maybe just to help you create a name for yourself on the mainland.
After all, if the item is extremely rare and hidden, then it would be impossible to find out relevant information without reaching a certain status.”
After hearing Bian Yingxiong's last two words, Ye Li's expression became a little strange.
This so-called master was just an excuse he made up. Bian Yingxiong was now using it to make something of himself, and he made it sound very convincing, which made it difficult for Ye Li to respond.