Chapter 59

"Little... Brother, this time you dare to argue again." Shi Gan originally wanted to say "kid," but thinking that even the Emperor was paying attention to this kid, he changed his words.

Wang Ju remained silent.

Anyway, the matter was settled, and Cheng Kan didn't pursue it, so what was there to fear?

"Brother Shi, is the northwest a good place? You keep running to the northwest."

Shi Gan pulled Wang Ju to one side and said, "I brought an imperial edict, and it's a secret edict."

Because Shi Huang refused to speak, many things were still puzzling Shi Gan. But Wang Ju understood, especially concerning Zhao Niannu's reputation, so it was a secret edict. He said, "Uncle Shi, you can report to the Emperor what needs to be said, and even if you beat me to death, I won't say what shouldn't be said."

"What are you going to say?"

"Shi Gan, you're at it again. Wang Ju, the Emperor has sent you a secret edict, telling you to study well. After you pass the imperial examination, he will wait for you in the capital."

Wang Ju was terrified. If I pass the imperial examination and you wait for me in the capital, what will I see? Do I have to invite a Taoist priest to catch your ghost in the capital?

"Also, the Emperor has personally selected many books for you to study. But this can't be said either."

Wang Ju nodded, indicating his understanding.

Shi Huang opened the cart, and it was filled with books, nearly a thousand volumes, many of which couldn't even be bought in Yanzhou.

Wang Ju was overjoyed, "Thank the Emperor for his great kindness."

It would be best if you didn't wait for me in the capital; I would be scared. But these books are practical.

Shi Huang pulled him even further away, "Wang Ju, the Prince asked me to bring you a Taoxi sword and a thousand strings of cash."

Wang Ju's face was strange.

The Taoxi sword was a replica of the Xia Kingdom sword made by Wang Family Village. The sword was quenched in Zhongxi Creek, which had several peach trees. After the Wang Family Village defense ended, they prepared more weapons and formed an alliance with the Guinü Clan, significantly increasing their strength. Unless the Western Xia invaded on a large scale or the villagers of Wang Family Village didn't listen to his advice, they would cast a thousand swords a year, making a profit that many people envied. Wang Family Village would be peaceful for a long time.

Therefore, Wang Ju suggested planting more peach trees along Zhongxi Creek.

One, for beautification, and two, to satisfy the children's cravings.

But as the sword-making techniques improved, everyone knew it wasn't a Xia Kingdom sword. Wang Ju, based on his memory and the information collected by Zhu Huan, replicated the ancient ten famous swords, launching several styles. The response was good, mainly because they were cheap, costing less than a hundred strings of cash, and the quality was indeed good. With low production, the quality was high, creating a sense of scarcity and value.

So some people called them Taoxi swords.

Zhao Niannu heard about this in the capital and bought one, but she didn't know where it was produced. Shi Huang had transferred to the imperial guards and was no longer part of the Royal City Command, so he didn't go to Yanzhou to investigate Wang Ju's whereabouts and thus didn't know. Later, he learned from Shi Gan that his people had already arrived in Yanzhou.

Shi Huang's face was also strange, "Little Brother Wang, don't underestimate it. In the capital, one can sell for two or three hundred strings of cash."

Zhao Niannu's thoughts were also good. The sword could be used for self-defense, and she saw the border as more chaotic. The money could be used for emergencies, and Wang Ju was very poor before.

Wang Ju looked at the replica of the Zhanlu sword in his hand and shook his head, "No wonder merchants are so rich."

This sword only cost eighty strings of cash from the Zhu family!

"Is the Princess well?"

"Pretty well," Shi Huang's face showed a strange expression again.

Wang Ju was very curious but didn't dare to ask more, it was a secret edict!

However, Emperor Renzong's books arrived just in time. With these books, Wang Ju could focus on his final preparation.

...

A strong man in his twenties tied the ox to a locust tree and parked the ox cart.

Zhu Qing had already entered the Wang family's cave dwelling.

The cave was full of people. Auntie was packing Wang Ju's luggage, repeatedly warning him to be careful when he arrived in Yunyan County.

Zhu Qing called the man in.

"He is Quan Erzhang, from Huazhou. His brother was bullied by a neighbor, and in anger, he broke the neighbor's leg. The authorities sentenced him to military service and sent him to Yanzhou. The senior master saw that he was skilled and befriended him. After a general amnesty, he stayed with the Zhu family." Zhu Qing introduced.

The young man bowed.

Wang Ju also bowed in return.

The salt trade wasn't easy, and some wealthy families even harbored pirates.

"Little Master, although Yunyan County is small, it is still a county, and all kinds of people live there. Moreover, it is located in the northeast corner of Fuzhou, between Danzhou and Yanzhou, making the situation somewhat complex."

Wang Ju nodded silently.

If there were no accidents, thirteen years later, with Wang Anshi's reforms, the number of officials would be reduced, and Yunyan County would be downgraded to a town under the jurisdiction of Yichuan County in Danzhou. Compared to Yanzhou, Fuzhou still had many mountains, but it began to have large river valleys. However, Yunyan County was an exception, with mountains as dense as those in Baoan Military District. Therefore, it was one of the most difficult areas in Fuzhou.

"Although you are exceptionally intelligent, you still have a younger brother and sister. So the senior master said to let Quan Erzhang accompany you to prevent any unforeseen events."

This was a polite way of saying it, but in reality, it was like giving Quan Erzhang to Wang Ju.

But on the way, Zhu Qing explained, "Erzhang, your good fortune has come. Although life at the master's house is good, the master is still a merchant. Even a small official can make him bow and scrape, for fear of offending him. This young man is not to be underestimated. If he can successfully become a disciple of Master Zhang Zizhong, he will surely have a bright future and be called out at the Donghua Gate."

No further explanation was needed.

After that, Quan Erzhang would be the first guest of the Wang family. If Wang Ju advanced further, Quan Erzhang would also benefit. Even a gatekeeper in the prime minister's house was equivalent to a seventh-rank official.

Moreover, Quan Erzhang had heard many astonishing stories about Wang Ju.

After Zhu Qing finished speaking, Quan Erzhang was very happy.

He made a deep bow, "Little Brother, I will rely on you from now on."

Wang Ju smiled bitterly and thought for a moment, "I dare not, at least for the next few years, I will rely on you."

He also accepted Quan Erzhang.

"Manager Zhu, you came just in time, Grandpa," Wang Ju looked at Wang Quan and the other elders who could speak in the village, "I'm leaving, and it's best to follow the Zhu family's arrangements regarding the sword."

If someone ignored it, and no one led the way, things might get chaotic as soon as Wang Ju left.

Wang Ju continued, "I am grateful for the villagers' care. I have no way to repay you, but now I have no financial worries. I will use my share of the profits to build a private school and hire a teacher to teach the children in the village to read and write."

"How can we accept that?" Wang Quan said anxiously.

"Really, I have no worries. If you don't believe me, ask Manager Zhu."

Zhu Qing nodded. Even a two percent share of the fine salt was not a small amount, so Wang Ju maximized his contributions to everyone, a gesture of generosity and righteousness.

...

Wang Ju led out a white goat, one of the three dairy goats. The other two goats with less attractive fur were given to Uncle Er, along with the two old hens he bought for eggs. Even the cave dwelling was left to Uncle Er.

However, this was for the apprenticeship with Zhang Zai, which might not succeed. Even if it did, there were three more difficult stages waiting for Wang Ju: the local examination, the provincial examination, and the palace examination. So he could only say that Uncle Er would temporarily take care of them.

He also left some clothes and the grain harvested in the fall to Uncle Er.

Auntie was moved to tears.

Li Sandog shook his head.

"Uncle Sandog, don't you want to serve the court?" Wang Ju asked.

If Wang Wenliang could harbor him, why couldn't he harbor Li Sandog? With his abilities, he could at least become a commander.

Li Sandog patted his shoulder, "No, and the village has improved. I'll stay in the village and enjoy a peaceful old age."

After so many years, he had seen everything.

Wang Ju didn't persuade him further and climbed onto the ox cart.

Zhu Qing still had some doubts.

Indeed, whether it was the ancient studies he had focused on before or the gradually emerging principles, Wang Ju was not qualified. He might勉强 be able to write poetry in parallel prose, but it wouldn't be impressive. If judged by these standards, Wang Ju couldn't become a direct disciple of Zhang Zai.

This was a helpless situation.

Regardless of whether this Confucian learning and poetry had harmed or helped the country, it was a field of study. Knowledge is accumulated gradually, with diligence as the path and hardship as the boat, allowing no shortcuts.

He had studied seriously for too short a time.

But he wasn't without confidence; on the contrary, he was very confident...

The ox cart gradually moved away.

As conditions improved, many families in the village began to build cave dwellings. Although the green brick and tile houses in the market outside were very beautiful, they were not as practical as cave dwellings, which were warm in winter and cool in summer. Thus, it seemed that Wang Family Village was gradually disappearing, with more and more black holes appearing on the mountain, hidden in the vast snow, appearing and disappearing...

Second Sister suddenly said, "Brother, why don't we go through Baoan City?"

"Why? That would be a long detour."

"I want to see Mom..."

"Second Sister, why see that woman?" Third Ox said fiercely. This was the difference between boys and girls.

That mother...

"Second Sister, Third Brother, our mother was in her prime and her mind wasn't settled. But in ten years, even if we don't see her, she will come to us."

Quan Erzhang couldn't help but laugh.

But if that mother wasn't handled well, it could be a headache. Think of Li Ding's mother.

"Better not to meet for now..."

PS: Thank you to Zhi Qing Guoguo 1888 and Shuyou 141013081919606 for the 100 Qidian coins.