Zhou Shuren calculated an account for Zhulan, saying, “In this dynasty, the exempted land for the successful candidates in the imperial examination is one hundred acres. Although this dynasty doesn’t offer the same benefits as the previous dynasty, exempting taxes on carriages, lamp oil, and other living expenses, those who become successful candidates and gain favor from merchants and wealthy elites will receive gifts and land, which can be converted into a substantial amount of money.”
Zhulan remembered that Zhou Shuren’s family had a Juren, “So this is how your ancestors made their fortune?”
Zhou Shuren nodded, “Yes, it’s a pity that our ancestors achieved the status of a successful candidate in the imperial examination at an older age and didn’t have anyone to help secure an official position. The savings in silver were limited, and most of it was exchanged for books. Despite having only twenty acres of land now, our ancestors actually lost some of it. It’s precisely because we had a successful candidate in our family’s history that the clan has been eyeing our family’s assets. If we contribute some silver, the clan won’t find it surprising. They will just think that our family has hidden it well.”
Zhulan frowned and said,” I remember that Shi Qing was involved in the fight for the legitimate son. When Shi Qing killed his brother, he was the only one left behind. I just don’t know if he has participated in the fight for the legitimate son now. Is it okay if we take his things?”
Zhou Shuren’s eyes deepened as he said, “It’s okay, we are just minor xiucai and don’t have access to the upper echelons. Besides, the Shi family gives gifts to talented xiucai and jinshis with potential every year, and we’re no exception. If we refuse, it might raise suspicions. So, following the crowd might be the best choice. However, regarding your mention of the inheritance dispute, I’ve always kept it in mind. I’ve also thought about Shi Qing’s character. Instead of saying Shi Qing actively participated in the dispute, it’s more accurate to say that the opportunistic elements behind the Shi family got involved and ultimately failed. Shi Qing inherited the Shi family, and they are already deeply entangled. He can’t escape from the situation, so he can only go all the way to the end.”
Zhulan sat next to Zhou Shuren, “The ending of Shi Qing that we know is the ending of Xuehan as the original heroine. Now I don’t know if there will be any changes if Wang Ru gets involved, but according to Wang Ru’s growing hatred for Shi Qing, she will definitely not remind him.”
Zhulan’s family was clean, and Wang Ru had just started to contact Shi Qing. She had other thoughts and wanted to change Shi Qing’s ending and make Shi Qing fall under her pomegranate skirt. She thought that she could win the heroine Mary Sue, but it was a pity that reality slapped her in the face. Wang Ru now has to rely on Shi Qing. Whenever there is a chance, she will definitely kick Shi Qing to avoid being implicated.
Zhou Shuren suddenly squinted his eyes and said, “No, Wang Ru has already influenced Shi Qing. Without Wang Ru, Shi Qing wouldn’t have the confidence to manage his own interests. Without Wang Ru, Shi Qing’s fate would be sealed. Without her, he would be unable to escape from the Shi family’s grasp. But now, due to the recipes in Wang Ru’s possession, Shi Qing has a bargaining chip for liberation. If I’m not mistaken, the dim sum shop is registered under Wang Ru’s name.”
Zhulan understood, “Wang Ru taking advantage of the life-saving grace, Shi Qing is also using the life-saving grace to plan.”
She couldn’t help but wonder, what was she doing when she was fifteen or sixteen years old? She had never had any intrigues or schemes during class nor had she experienced life-and-death situations. If she hadn’t been more knowledgeable and had taken advantage of her age, she would have been crushed. Compared with modern peace and equality, ancient times were even more cruel!
Zhou Shuren stretched his waist and said, “When I get back to the county, I’ll pawn the bracelet.”
“Yeah.”
Just enough to make up for Pingzhou’s expenses.
Zhulan asked again what Mingqing got, but Zhou Shuren didn’t let Zhulan guess. It seemed like it was only ten taels of silver less than Zhou Shuren. This shows that in Shi Qing’s heart, Mingqing was worth less than Zhou Shuren.
In the following days, Zhou Shuren did not take Mingqing to attend social events. It was not because he did not want to take him with him, but because the expenses were too high. Zhou Shuren spent a small amount of thirty taels on these few days of entertainment. Mingqing could not afford it. He was not in a hurry to go back. Instead, he took advantage of rare opportunities to discuss and study with Wu Ming from time to time. He even joined Wu Ming in visiting Wu Ming’s old teacher.
Wu Ming was a promising young talent, and within a few days, he found a mentor. Zhou Shuren admired him and decided to seek a mentor as well. He became a student of Xu Jinshi, a former successful candidate in the imperial examination from the previous dynasty. Unfortunately, Xu Jinshi faced bad luck; he was one of the last successful candidates in the previous dynasty’s imperial examination, but due to the turmoil in the court, he couldn’t secure an official position. Later, when the dynasty fell, he lost all interest in pursuing an official career and returned to his hometown to open a school. Despite his background as a successful candidate and his genuine knowledge, not many students met his standards, and he rarely accepted new students.
Zhou Shuren also paid attention to him, but unfortunately, age was a barrier. Zhou Shuren didn’t even have a chance. Because of his age, Zhou Shuren was so heartbroken that he drank Wu Ming’s congratulatory wine and took the opportunity to seek comfort from Zhulan when he came back.
Zhulan knew that Zhou Shuren was pretending to be pitiful, but she didn’t tell him. Because Zhou Shuren was old, the imperial examination mode was difficult, and he had to rely on himself.
Zhou Shuren calculated an account for Zhulan, saying, “In this dynasty, the exempted land for the successful candidates in the imperial examination is one hundred acres. Although this dynasty doesn’t offer the same benefits as the previous dynasty, exempting taxes on carriages, lamp oil, and other living expenses, those who become successful candidates and gain favor from merchants and wealthy elites will receive gifts and land, which can be converted into a substantial amount of money.”
Zhulan remembered that Zhou Shuren’s family had a Juren, “So this is how your ancestors made their fortune?”
Zhou Shuren nodded, “Yes, it’s a pity that our ancestors achieved the status of a successful candidate in the imperial examination at an older age and didn’t have anyone to help secure an official position. The savings in silver were limited, and most of it was exchanged for books. Despite having only twenty acres of land now, our ancestors actually lost some of it. It’s precisely because we had a successful candidate in our family’s history that the clan has been eyeing our family’s assets. If we contribute some silver, the clan won’t find it surprising. They will just think that our family has hidden it well.”
Zhulan frowned and said,” I remember that Shi Qing was involved in the fight for the legitimate son. When Shi Qing killed his brother, he was the only one left behind. I just don’t know if he has participated in the fight for the legitimate son now. Is it okay if we take his things?”
Zhou Shuren’s eyes deepened as he said, “It’s okay, we are just minor xiucai and don’t have access to the upper echelons. Besides, the Shi family gives gifts to talented xiucai and jinshis with potential every year, and we’re no exception. If we refuse, it might raise suspicions. So, following the crowd might be the best choice. However, regarding your mention of the inheritance dispute, I’ve always kept it in mind. I’ve also thought about Shi Qing’s character. Instead of saying Shi Qing actively participated in the dispute, it’s more accurate to say that the opportunistic elements behind the Shi family got involved and ultimately failed. Shi Qing inherited the Shi family, and they are already deeply entangled. He can’t escape from the situation, so he can only go all the way to the end.”
Zhulan sat next to Zhou Shuren, “The ending of Shi Qing that we know is the ending of Xuehan as the original heroine. Now I don’t know if there will be any changes if Wang Ru gets involved, but according to Wang Ru’s growing hatred for Shi Qing, she will definitely not remind him.”
Zhulan’s family was clean, and Wang Ru had just started to contact Shi Qing. She had other thoughts and wanted to change Shi Qing’s ending and make Shi Qing fall under her pomegranate skirt. She thought that she could win the heroine Mary Sue, but it was a pity that reality slapped her in the face. Wang Ru now has to rely on Shi Qing. Whenever there is a chance, she will definitely kick Shi Qing to avoid being implicated.
Zhou Shuren suddenly squinted his eyes and said, “No, Wang Ru has already influenced Shi Qing. Without Wang Ru, Shi Qing wouldn’t have the confidence to manage his own interests. Without Wang Ru, Shi Qing’s fate would be sealed. Without her, he would be unable to escape from the Shi family’s grasp. But now, due to the recipes in Wang Ru’s possession, Shi Qing has a bargaining chip for liberation. If I’m not mistaken, the dim sum shop is registered under Wang Ru’s name.”
Zhulan understood, “Wang Ru taking advantage of the life-saving grace, Shi Qing is also using the life-saving grace to plan.”
She couldn’t help but wonder, what was she doing when she was fifteen or sixteen years old? She had never had any intrigues or schemes during class nor had she experienced life-and-death situations. If she hadn’t been more knowledgeable and had taken advantage of her age, she would have been crushed. Compared with modern peace and equality, ancient times were even more cruel!
Zhou Shuren stretched his waist and said, “When I get back to the county, I’ll pawn the bracelet.”
“Yeah.”
Just enough to make up for Pingzhou’s expenses.
Zhulan asked again what Mingqing got, but Zhou Shuren didn’t let Zhulan guess. It seemed like it was only ten taels of silver less than Zhou Shuren. This shows that in Shi Qing’s heart, Mingqing was worth less than Zhou Shuren.
In the following days, Zhou Shuren did not take Mingqing to attend social events. It was not because he did not want to take him with him, but because the expenses were too high. Zhou Shuren spent a small amount of thirty taels on these few days of entertainment. Mingqing could not afford it. He was not in a hurry to go back. Instead, he took advantage of rare opportunities to discuss and study with Wu Ming from time to time. He even joined Wu Ming in visiting Wu Ming’s old teacher.
Wu Ming was a promising young talent, and within a few days, he found a mentor. Zhou Shuren admired him and decided to seek a mentor as well. He became a student of Xu Jinshi, a former successful candidate in the imperial examination from the previous dynasty. Unfortunately, Xu Jinshi faced bad luck; he was one of the last successful candidates in the previous dynasty’s imperial examination, but due to the turmoil in the court, he couldn’t secure an official position. Later, when the dynasty fell, he lost all interest in pursuing an official career and returned to his hometown to open a school. Despite his background as a successful candidate and his genuine knowledge, not many students met his standards, and he rarely accepted new students.
Zhou Shuren also paid attention to him, but unfortunately, age was a barrier. Zhou Shuren didn’t even have a chance. Because of his age, Zhou Shuren was so heartbroken that he drank Wu Ming’s congratulatory wine and took the opportunity to seek comfort from Zhulan when he came back.
Zhulan knew that Zhou Shuren was pretending to be pitiful, but she didn’t tell him. Because Zhou Shuren was old, the imperial examination mode was difficult, and he had to rely on himself.
