Chapter 65

Because the Song Dynasty's policies were soft, many civilians along the border spontaneously organized anti-invasion militias, such as the Bow and Arrow Society in Hebei and the Horse Buying Society in Hedong.

The Horse Buying Society was established after Li Jiqian rebelled, and as the Song Dynasty gradually lacked horses, the price of horses rose. Many fierce civilians in Hedong disregarded the Liao's ban and colluded with the Liao people to smuggle horses into the Song for profit.

However, the journey was long and fraught with many dangers, so they formed societies to buy horses.

Emperor Zhenzong of Song saw that this was a good idea, at least better than buying the short horses from Sichuan, so he provided official support, and the scale grew larger. Later, it was also promoted to Shaanxi and Hebei, but the scale in Hedong was the largest.

However, the Song Dynasty always maintained a cautious attitude towards these civilian militias, so after the northern border stabilized, they were abolished.

"Why is Mr. Cheng bringing up the Horse Buying Society again?"

"I can't figure it out either."

Wang Ju then pondered, something was wrong. Li Liangzuo had only recently taken power, facing internal and external troubles, and was still focused on maintaining peace and friendship with the Song. If Cheng Kan openly revived the Horse Buying Society, wouldn't it undermine the "peace and friendship between the two countries"?

"I'm also worried. If things go badly, I might become the scapegoat. I even suspect that Mr. Cheng is deliberately targeting me."

"Master, that won't happen. Don't forget about the salt."

Now, the salt was no longer purchased by the major households in Yan Prefecture, but was recorded under the Yan Prefecture salt administration.

This also counted as a political achievement.

What benefit would Cheng Kan gain from killing Zhu Huan? Moreover, it was Wang Ju who offended, and even if he did, he had already contributed and made up for it. If he were to seek revenge over such a small matter, how could Cheng Kan be a Censor-in-Chief?

"The salt is also a problem."

The salt issue was the second reason Zhu Huan came.

As the scale grew larger, Zhu Huan felt overwhelmed. Situations like his aunt's began to occur frequently. Even Wang Ju's 2% dividend began to be questioned by some.

"Like this..." Wang Ju held his chin in thought.

Li Wanyuan walked out of the room: "Brother-in-law, can I take these records back to Yan Prefecture to read?"

Wang Ju wanted to laugh. What could reading these records accomplish? That was ridiculous. Zhu Jun was able to pass the imperial examination because his foundation was solid, and with a little reminder from him, he succeeded in the autumn examination. The foundation was the key!

After a long while, he suddenly had an idea and said, "Wait a moment."

He hurried to Zhang Zai's house.

"Master, I want to compile the teachings you have given me and publish them as a book."

"Why do you have this idea?" Zhang Zai immediately looked at him with caution.

"Master, since the Han and Tang dynasties, Confucianism has taken a path of neglecting the fundamentals and pursuing trivialities. With Master's efforts, even with the help of the two Chengs, how can you reverse this trend? This little book might provoke some thought, serving as a catalyst. If everyone reflects together, the problems in Confucianism since the Han and Tang dynasties might gradually improve, returning to its roots, using the classics to convey the Way, and using the Way to guide people in how to manage their families, govern the state, and bring peace to the world."

Wang Ju said calmly.

Perhaps Zhang Zai had not yet fully clarified many principles, so his theory of qi was somewhat vague, which was where he fell short compared to the two Chengs. However, the two Chengs' theory of heavenly principles was dogmatic and hypocritical, which was where they fell short compared to Zhang Zai.

If Wang Ju had to choose, he would rather have the vague theory of qi than the two Chengs' theory of heavenly principles.

The theory of heavenly principles had a profound impact for several reasons. When Zhang Zai was waiting for his appointment in the capital, he once sought advice from the two Chengs, which inadvertently lowered his status.

The two Chengs once entered the center of power, unlike Zhang Zai, who, after seeing the cruelty of politics, chose to retreat.

Zhang Zai died early, and some of his disciples turned to the two Chengs due to geographical proximity.

At the same time, Yang Shi and Zhu Guangting, disciples of the Lu School, were vigorously promoting the two Chengs.

But what if he replaced Yang and Zhu?

This was not only for his teacher but also for the nation... and he could also benefit from it.

Zhang Zai told him to take the next imperial examination, so he would have to take the autumn examination next year. He still had over a year to study, and he had a good chance of passing the autumn examination. The following year, he would have to go to the capital to take the provincial and palace examinations, which would depend on luck.

The path to becoming a Jinshi was long, and there was still the process of evaluation. Otherwise, a position like a clerk or a judicial officer would not be very powerful.

However, reputation was also a form of power.

"Do you really think this way?"

"Truly, and I will not sign my name, nor dare to sign it." Wang Ju tried to persuade his teacher by taking a step back.

"That's not necessary, but publishing a book requires a lot of money and silk..." Zhang Zai did not continue, knowing that Wang Ju had connections with the major private salt traders in Yan Prefecture. Could he lack the money for a book?

He shook his head: "If that's the case, you can start organizing it, and I will make revisions."

"Yes, Master, what does Mr. Cheng mean by setting up the Horse Buying Society in Yan Prefecture?"

"Horse Buying Society?" Zhang Zai was also taken aback. The court had established the Horse Buying Society in Shaanxi during the Qingli War, and after the peace treaty between Song and Xia, Western Xia provided a thousand horses to the Song each year, not including private horses. The Tubo also traded a large number of warhorses with the Song each year.

The focus of the national horse policy was not on how to buy horses but on how to raise them.

The nature of the Horse Buying Society was different from the horse buying by the Zhu family. Buying a large number of horses would not yield good horses, and Western Xia would not agree, potentially causing diplomatic disputes.

What did Cheng Kan mean by this?

It seemed even the teacher did not know.

Wang Ju returned home and said, "Master, Second Brother, we will return to Yan Prefecture tomorrow."

"Ah."

"Second Brother, we should pay New Year's greetings to your family, no, New Year's festival greetings."

"Of course," Zhu Huan said.

The little princess had given a thousand strings of cash, which Zhu Huan did not know about, but Wang Ju's dividend last year was known to him. Wang Ju was not short of money.

According to etiquette, it was appropriate to pay New Year's greetings to his father-in-law's family.

"Going back again?" Li Wanyuan looked worried.

"Second Brother, perhaps your father also disapproves, but he just can't say it because of seniority."

But Wang Ju did not expect to quickly interact with this aunt.

As the Lantern Festival approached, Yan Prefecture was bustling with many families preparing lanterns, the largest festival of the Song Dynasty.

The weather was still cold, and the northwest wind blew, making Li Fei's cheeks turn red, adding to her charm.

"Good, you've grown taller," Wang Ju stroked Li Fei's hair.

According to local customs, it would be normal for them to be married. However, Wang Ju always felt a bit strange, but as he grew a year older, this strange feeling diminished.

Li Wanyuan watched this brotherly gesture and felt somewhat amused, wondering if his sister was his sister or his fiancée.

Li Fei, not yet aware, blushed even more from this intimate gesture.

"You've grown taller too."

"Of course, we haven't seen each other for over a year, and we are both growing."

"Is everything well in Yunyan?"

"It's fine. But it's small, not even as many households as a street in Yan Prefecture."

Some border garrisons had as many households as Yunyan County, but their nature was different. Although small, Yunyan was the political and commercial center of the county.

"Who is this?" A woman around fifty years old walked over and asked.

Seeing Li Wanyuan's expression, Wang Ju knew and bowed, "Greetings, Aunt."

If Lady Lu was the aunt, then Li Fei and her brother had many aunts, but etiquette must be observed.

"So you're that poor boy." Lady Lu had stayed at the Li family for several days to gather information about Wang Ju, true or false, but in her eyes, Wang Ju was very poor.

But he couldn't say that, would it not ruin the mood?

Erniu and San Niu's faces turned dark.

With no common ground, Wang Ju walked inside.

Erniu asked curiously, "Is our family really that poor?"

In her eyes, her brother was now very wealthy.

"Hehe, your husband is a county magistrate."

"Mr. Zhang is also a county magistrate, but he doesn't have much money."

Wang Ju was waiting for his little sister's question: "Second Sister, you don't understand. Mr. Zhang is a clean official, not corrupt, so he doesn't have much money. But a corrupt official, even a county magistrate, can be very wealthy."

"What are you saying, boy!" Lady Lu jumped up.