Chapter 30

Actually, the only two people who truly believed in Wang Ju were himself and another. Unfortunately, the Zhu family had no eligible young girls.

Meng Xiaoniangzi's thoughts were just vague ideas of adolescence. Even if she was willing, her parents might not be. Unless Wang Ju could easily pass the preliminary examination, at least becoming a candidate, then they might consider it. However, even if her family agreed, it might still be a case of one-sided affection.

Wang Ju had no time for romance at the moment, and he didn't like the little firecracker anyway.

Li Wan's younger sister, Li Feier, still clung to him, saying, "Finish the story, please."

Erniu and San Niu glanced at her disdainfully. What was so special about this story? The stories their big brother told every night for half an hour before bed were far more exciting.

In fact, due to the isolation and lack of communication, everyone's imagination was limited. This is why Zhuangzi and Li Bai became unique figures in ancient times. Their poems and essays were not only beautifully written but also filled with wild and imaginative ideas, which placed them at the pinnacle of ancient literature.

Wang Ju's shortened version of "The Skin of a Ghost" was brief, but it certainly had the terrifying atmosphere and imagination.

Everyone agreed.

Wang Ju then said, "The evil ghost discovered this and dug out Zhu Sheng's heart."

"Ah."

"But a few days later, the Taoist came back and told Zhu Sheng's family, 'No worries, I can make him a new heart, but there is one condition.' His parents said, 'Not just one condition, we would agree to ten.' The Taoist said, 'That makes it easier. As long as the fourth daughter of the Zhao family spits on his chest, he will have a new heart and come back to life.'"

Even Zhu Qing laughed and scolded Wang Ju, "No wonder you said Zhu Sheng."

After everyone laughed, Wang Ju pulled Zhu Qing outside.

Outside, the servants were setting up tents, and the children from the village were stepping on the snow, curiously watching.

"Manager Zhu, what happened to White Cloud Taoist?"

"What else? He not only refused to admit his mistake but also cursed the marriage between our two families. Some people in Yanzhou City believed us, while others still believed him. Over the years, he had built up some false reputation. The senior master was so angry that he had no choice but to send servants to beat him up. Although it vented our anger, the government ruled that our family had to pay ten strings of coins for medical expenses and gave fifty lashes to our servants. It was a lose-lose situation."

"That's how it is."

"What else can we do? He has some reputation, and we have to be cautious."

"Actually, it's simple. True high monks and high Taoists may not be famous, and even if they are, they can't be bought with money. Once they are determined, they are hard to deal with. Anyone who can be bought with money, no matter how famous, is not a true high monk or high Taoist."

"But the common people believe in them."

"The common people believe in them, but they believe in money."

"What do you mean, young master?"

"He must have been bribed with a large sum of money to defame the marriage between the Zhu and Zhao families. In terms of money, are your two families short of it? Money is good, but in this matter, are you unwilling to spend it?"

"That's an idea..." Zhu Qing pondered the possibility. Of course, it would cost more money.

"Use a large sum of money to win his heart, and promise to send him safely out of Yanzhou, even all the way to Jingzhao. He will reveal the truth. However..."

"However what?"

"However, how to deal with the aftermath."

Even if the instigator is found, what can be done? Start a war? Yanzhou City is not a chaotic border area; it has order.

"Yes, that's a problem."

"There are two methods. First, see if the grievances between your families can be resolved. When Old Zhong governed Huizhou, the Dangxiang Mu family was the most powerful and rebellious. Old Zhong used a strategy, inviting the Mu family leader, Mu En, to drink with him and having his beautiful servant girls serve the wine. When the night was deep and the wine was flowing, Old Zhong pretended to be drunk and went to rest, then secretly watched from behind a screen. With no one else around, Mu En, who had drunk a lot, was tempted by the beautiful servant girl and had an affair with her. Old Zhong then pretended to come out unintentionally, and Mu En, having slept with Old Zhong's woman, felt ashamed and apologized. Old Zhong said, 'Do you want her?' and gave the servant girl to Mu En. From then on, Mu En served him loyally, and any rebellious tribes were dealt with by him, bringing peace to Huizhou."

Zhong Shiheng had many stories of his wisdom.

Otherwise, Song Ji wouldn't have used Old Zhong as a metaphor for that "high person."

"The wisdom of the ancients can be applied. If there are no major grievances, after White Cloud Taoist reveals the truth, the master can hand him over to the instigator to handle. Repaying grievances with kindness and having a hold over him, the instigator will feel ashamed, and the grievances between your families will be resolved. Resolving grievances is better than creating them, which is the right way. However, if it cannot be resolved, do not use this method. Throughout history, there are many stories of ungrateful people and Mr. Dongguo."

"Ungrateful people?"

"Special wolves that eat their benefactors."

"Are there such wolves?"

"Like Mr. Dongguo, they are fables. They are fables, but the principles are the same. Therefore, the Master said, 'Repay kindness with kindness, and repay grievances with justice.' This is the right way. If so, you can gather the heads of the major families in the city and order White Cloud Taoist to reveal the truth. Then, no matter what conflicts arise in the future, you will have the upper hand."

Either White Cloud Taoist will be the sacrifice, or one of the families will be the sacrifice.

In any case, you can't expect to repay grievances with kindness.

Zhu Qing couldn't help but shake his head.

But it was indeed a good strategy.

Although they knew that White Cloud Taoist's claims were false, he refused to admit it and cursed daily. Even if the two families got married, it would always be a thorn in their side.

This matter had little to do with Wang Ju, but since the two families were closely connected and Zhu Jun was staying at his house, Wang Ju decided to get involved.

"What about that Li Xiaoniangzi?"

"That Li Xiaoniangzi?"

"Li Wan's younger sister."

The little girl who was very pretty.

"Fine, I guess." Wang Ju replied nonchalantly.

"Perhaps I should go back and persuade the master to act as a guarantor and help you two get together."

Wang Ju's face turned red, but it was normal in this era. Besides, it was just a proposal, not an immediate marriage. Wang Ju was thirteen, and Li Feier was eleven, so they could be engaged...

Zhu Qing said this because the Zhu and Li families had a good relationship. Even Zhu Huan could reveal some small secrets. Wang Ju might not pass the imperial examination, and Zhu Qing still believed this. Yanzhou was not without smart people, but none had passed the examination. However, there were many paths in life. Not passing the examination didn't mean one couldn't succeed.

Think about that treasure. Even a former vice-premier and vice-chancellor like Cheng Kan was stumped, but Wang Ju easily resolved it and, by extension, eliminated the Black Bee Bandits.

What a prodigy.

Zhu Jun studied hard but became a bookworm. Others studied and gained wisdom.

So the senior master often sighed, "If my son could be half as good as Wang Ju, the Zhu family would be fortunate."

Zhu Huan didn't discriminate against the poor. Wisdom was important. The Zhu family's rise began with Zhu Huan's father, and in just two generations, they became one of the wealthiest families in Yanzhou. But even Zhu Huan's father might not have been as talented as Wang Ju at the same age.

But Wang Ju couldn't accept it.

"I'm still young, no need to rush."

"You can consider it. Studying like Fan Zhongyan is too hard, but Du Zhengxian's path is also a good option."

Du Zhengxian was a virtuous prime minister of the previous dynasty. His early life was very similar to Wang Ju's. His father died, and his mother remarried into the Qian family. At that time, Du Zhengxian was only fifteen and could not yet live independently. However, the Qian family did not want to take care of him, so his mother gave him to his two older brothers to raise.

His two older brothers were unhappy. "You had a good time and remarried, why should we raise your son?" So the Zhu family admired Wang Ju for his loyalty. As a brother, look at how Wang Ju treated his brother, and compare it to how Du Zhengxian's two older brothers treated him.

Better to be cunning than heartless!

His two older brothers often abused Du Zhengxian, even cutting him with swords. At fifteen, Du Zhengxian, unable to bear it, ran away to his mother, but his stepfather refused to take him in. His mother, to please her new husband, even helped drive Du Zhengxian away. Du Zhengxian had to wander in the Mengzhou and Luoyang areas, a truly pitiful situation. Even tigers don't eat their cubs, so how could there be such a mother?

But soon, Du Zhengxian's luck changed. A wealthy family, the Xiangli family, saw that Du Zhengxian had an impressive appearance and married him to their daughter, making him a son-in-law. The Xiangli family was rich, so this son-in-law position was not a bad deal.

Moreover, at the Xiangli family, there were many books, and Du Zhengxian, with no worries about his livelihood, studied hard. At thirty, he passed the imperial examination and eventually became a virtuous prime minister. As Zhu Qing spoke, his eyes grew brighter, thinking about the fifteen-year-old Du Zhengxian and the thirteen-year-old Wang Ju.

"Better to compare goods than to not recognize quality. This young man is a super rare find." It seemed that doing business had become a habit, even treating talent as a commodity.

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