Chapter 71

The remuneration for writing is essentially the same as a manuscript fee, which dates back to Sima Xiangru. After Chen Ajiao fell out of favor, she remembered Sima Xiangru and "offered a hundred pounds of gold to buy wine for Xiangru and Wenjun," hoping to rely on the great writer's pen to regain her status. As a result, Sima Xiangru did not fail her, and wrote the immortal "Changmen Fu."

In the Tang Dynasty, Han Yu held a good position and wrote well, so he received a lot of remuneration for writing throughout his life. Du Fu, with even greater talent, held a low position, and thus, "an old friend went to the south, to seek the money for a stele. He made a living by writing, but his house was almost upside down. The door was overgrown with weeds, and the stove was cold with sparse smoke."

In the Song Dynasty, the most remuneration for writing was received by the emperor's secretarial staff, including the Hanlin scholars, the Secretaries of the Zhongshu, and the Zhi Zhigao.

Yang Yi drafted an edict, praising Kou Zhun as "able to make major decisions, not bound by trivialities. Possessing the qualities of a great sword, yet not showing its edge. With the clarity to see all things, yet able to be inclusive." Emperor Zhenzong, after reading it, immediately promoted Kou Zhun to the position of Chancellor. Kou Zhun, upon hearing this, was very pleased and, in addition to the prescribed remuneration, gave an extra hundred taels of silver.

This was an unregulated manuscript fee.

"I can't accept this money," Zhang Zai said, looking at the forty guan in jiaozi.

His thoughts were a bit twisted. If the Zhu family made a profit from publishing, he would receive remuneration, but if they lost money, he would have to make up for it. What kind of logic was this?

"Master, think about Zizhong's redemption and Zilu's acceptance of the ox. This is the first remuneration for writing, and there will be more in the future. If writing books and expounding doctrines can provide a living, wouldn't more great scholars write and expound Confucianism? Intelligence is a form of labor, and it is more honorable than your salary."

"You little rascal," Guo Shi said with a smile.

"Master, don't think about it anymore. It's just a few dozen guan in jiaozi. Jin Gui, let's go climbing with your brother."

On the Double Ninth Festival, the entire Song Dynasty was on holiday, but Zhang Zai had to meet the village elders as usual.

So Wang Ju left with Zhang Zai's son.

Guo Shi's face lit up with joy.

Zhang Zai married late and could be considered to have a son in his middle age. He might have more children in the future, but for now, he only had this one son, whom he cherished greatly.

Wang Ju had been in the small county for more than a year, and as they walked, many villagers greeted him warmly.

"Why did you lie to me at first?" Li Fei'er asked.

A woman adorns herself for the one who pleases her.

When they arrived in Yunyan County, Li Fei'er deliberately reapplied her makeup in the ox cart, and her body had grown. She wore a white dress, looking like a lotus emerging from the water.

However, she was still young, which made Wang Ju feel somewhat guilty. This guilt might only disappear after a couple of years.

"When did I lie to you?"

"You are living well here."

"Fair enough," Wang Ju replied. He could only say that he was free from hunger and cold, but it was far from luxurious. For his younger sister and brother, it might be like living in paradise.

"Then why did you say it was very hard at first?"

Wang Ju laughed heartily.

In fact, the little girl had come twice the year before last, and Wang Ju had a good impression of her, finding her beautiful. However, he was still young then, and Li Fei'er was even younger, so he was quite reluctant to talk about marriage at that time.

Moreover, his past experiences had left a shadow on him. After all, Li Fei'er had grown up in luxury.

"It's hard to say. If I can't pass the Donghua Gate, no matter how hard I try, I will still be temporarily inferior to your family." Wang Ju used the word "temporarily," but Li Fei'er did not notice.

In fact, he focused on his studies. No matter what, without a powerful background, his own strength was weak, and even with wealth, it might not be secure. Besides, in the future, Cai Jing would still prey on the wealthy.

But he had to study and take the imperial exams, so he could only stay in the shadows in these businesses. Therefore, in the next ten years, his wealth would not surpass the Li family.

"If I succeed, being an official might be even harder."

"Huh?"

"Think about it. All officials in our dynasty are mobile, changing places every three years. If you are assigned to the front lines, there is the danger of war. If you are assigned to the south, life will be very unfamiliar. If you are assigned to the capital, the intrigue is beyond your imagination. Miss Li, the life of an official, though seemingly glorious, is not easy."

"But it's still better than being a commoner, right?"

Indeed.

"When the Zhu family proposed marriage to your family on my behalf, what did you think?"

"If it weren't for the Empress, I wouldn't have agreed at all." Li Fei'er said with a satisfied smile, then ran ahead to buy fruit for the three little ones. In fact, when the Zhu family proposed marriage on Wang Ju's behalf, the little girl was very happy, but she couldn't say it out loud.

Li Wan yuan smiled behind her.

He had known Wang Ju for a long time and understood some of his character. Wang Ju was quite emotional, and as long as he didn't reject his sister, she would not be at a disadvantage in the future.

Yunyan was surrounded by mountains, but they were not very high. The weather was also nice, with clear autumn skies, so they climbed several mountains before returning.

As the wife of a student, Guo Shi invited the Li siblings to stay for dinner and deliberately talked to Li Fei'er for a while.

Zhang Zai and his wife did not put on airs, and the Li family was also a prominent family, so Li Fei'er responded appropriately.

After dinner, Wang Ju first sent them to the inn. When he returned, Guo Shi said, "That young lady is nice, more straightforward than you. You should treat her well."

"Madam, are you praising me or criticizing me?"

Zhang Zai suddenly asked, "You and the Li family's young lady were engaged two years ago?"

"Yes."

"At that time, you were just a poor boy. How did the Li family see you?"

Wang Ju was sweating profusely, realizing that his teacher also liked gossip. He laughed and said, "Master, are you jealous? But Master's fate is also good. Look how virtuous Madam is."

"You little rascal." Zhang Zai was speechless with both anger and amusement.

Guo Shi, however, laughed and punched Wang Ju's back, then said, "Husband, this is fate."

But it was true.

At the time, several young ladies came to play at Wang's village, and the one who was most interested in Wang Ju was not Li Fei'er but the young lady from the Meng family. However, Wang Ju did not fall for any of them, knowing his own limits. He was still young and not fully grown, so there was no need to rush, lest he suffer unnecessary humiliation.

Then Zhu Qing randomly paired them, and it really worked out for him and Zhu Huan.

In fact, now Wang Ju was also satisfied. In terms of appearance and character, Li Fei'er was quite good, though she was a bit young. But it was just an engagement, so it didn't matter much.

The Li siblings stayed in the small county for three days before returning.

Li Fei'er was somewhat reluctant to leave.

But they had to consider their reputation and leave.

Wang Ju said, "Since ancient times, a married daughter is like water that has been poured out. Some people haven't even married yet and are already like water that has been poured out. Er Niu, you must not learn from some people."

Er Niu laughed so hard she bent over.

"I'm not that kind of water," Li Fei'er said with a smile.

After a small joke, Li Fei'er left shyly.

It seemed that Wang Ju had returned to his usual quiet and hardworking life, but at this moment, a bailiff from Fuzhou brought an urgent report.

Zhang Zai opened the report and his face changed dramatically. He didn't even notice when the report fell to the ground.

"Master, what's wrong?" Wang Ju asked curiously.

"The sky is falling."

Hearing this, Wang Ju picked up the report and murmured, "Yes, the sky of the Song Dynasty is falling."

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