Chapter 76

Li Wan yuan followed over, worriedly saying, "Brother-in-law, this isn't good."

The couplet is difficult, but Wang Ju gave half a month's time. If Niu Jia's second son can't come up with a response, someone else will surely be able to.

If someone does come up with a response, Wang Ju will have to bow to Niu Jia's second son and then avoid him by three zhang, which would be very embarrassing.

"No problem," Wang Ju smiled. If it's just about tone, level and oblique tones, nouns matching nouns, verbs matching verbs, and adding the elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, perhaps in half a month, Niu Jia might find someone skilled enough to solve it. But if you add the element of artistic conception, even if Su Dongpo were invited, he probably couldn't solve it in half a month.

"Second Brother, what are your plans for the future?"

"What are my plans for the future?" Li Wan yuan was first puzzled, then stunned.

What plans could he have for the future?

Passing the imperial examination is impossible, even passing the provincial examination is unlikely. Inheriting the family business is also out of the question. His family isn't like the Zhu family, who, upset by Zhu Qi's special interests, cultivated Zhu Jun. His own elder brother is already assisting their father.

In this situation, he can only continue to live off his family.

"Why don't you learn from Zhu's second son and move in with me?"

"Endure hardship?"

"Endure what hardship?" Wang Ju said irritably. He had hired an old woman as a part-time helper, and his younger brother was old enough to start doing household chores. What hardship would there be? Would he have to help him milk the sheep?

"Study with me."

"That's a good idea."

"But remember, don't disturb me."

Don't think that reviewing is easy. First, he needs to re-study the classics he has already learned, and then read the poetry and prose of various scholars every day. This is his weak point, so in addition to reading poetry and prose, he needs to continue familiarizing himself with the "Guangyun" and write two poems and one prose piece every day. Even though he is no longer by Zhang Zai's side, he must continue to persist.

Reading ten thousand books, one's writing will be as if guided by a deity.

Reading three hundred Tang poems, even if you can't write poetry, you can still recite it!

It's impossible to expect his poetry and prose skills to catch up by this year's autumn examination or next year's spring examination, but at least he needs to ensure they are passable. Then, if he doesn't lose points in the classics and can regain points in the policy essays, he might have a chance to pass all three stages.

Of course, he must also continue to practice policy essays from time to time, even though they are his strength.

"Watch how I study. In the future, strive to pass the provincial examination. With a provincial degree, you will have half a title, which will greatly benefit your future life."

"Alright," Li Wan yuan said happily.

Wang Ju's new house is large, with three rooms in the front and a three-story wooden attic in the back. Even if a few more people move in, there will still be enough space.

Wang Ju started reading "The Book of Rites," carefully recalling the annotations in "The Five Classics with Commentary" and Zhang Zai's previous teachings, his own thoughts, and what he had learned at Yunyan County School and from the professor just now. He then thought deeply about it.

The learning ability of a top student is astonishing. Wang Ju can't say for sure about next year's spring examination, but he is confident that within at most three attempts, he will successfully be named at the Donghua Gate!

While he was reading, many idle scholars were thinking about his couplet.

Niu Jia's second son was also thinking about it.

After thinking for a long time, he realized that he couldn't solve it, so he ran back home to seek his father's help.

Niu Yuanwai, after hearing the details, shouted angrily, "Little brat, why did you provoke that star of death!"

Wang Ju is no longer the Wang Ju of Wang Family Village; he has entered the "rules" domain. This boy is not easy to provoke. Moreover, why did Cheng Kan deliberately invite Wang Ju back to Yanzhou? It's clear that next year, there is at least a fifty percent chance that he will bring glory to Yanzhou and enhance Cheng Kan's reputation and political achievements!

Not only that, this boy is ruthless and cruel. Combining these two traits, why provoke him?

However, this boy is like a huge hedgehog; if you provoke him, you will surely get hurt. If you don't provoke him, he won't bother you.

"Go solve it yourself," Niu Yuanwai shouted again.

Niu Jia's second son left, cursing. Niu's wife muttered, "My lord, that boy is one thing, but if his ancestors' graves emit green smoke, he will leave Yanzhou next year. But the Zhu family is a different matter."

The Li family and the Ding family have a long-standing feud, and the Zhu family and the Niu family have a long-standing feud. How the two families became enemies is a messy and unclear story, just like the Li and Ding families.

But because of Wang Ju's efforts, the Zhu family's situation is improving. If Wang Ju can pass the imperial examination, he will be granted an official position, and it's unlikely he will be assigned to Yanzhou. He might even be assigned to a distant southern region. But the Zhu family won't leave and will stay in Yanzhou for generations.

The more powerful the Zhu family becomes, the more disadvantageous it is for the Niu family.

Niu's wife added, "Last year, the Li family's aunt came..."

"What kind of aunt!" Niu Yuanwai said disdainfully.

Wang Ju suggested separating production and sales, allowing each household or other large families to handle sales, which would attract more people and avoid offending anyone. Moreover, the Song Dynasty's system of buying and leasing allowed people to accept this new concept.

Lü's nephew also obtained the sales rights.

But sales require capability. After this division, all sales had to be handled independently, rather than just investing some money and relying on the overall structure, as was the case two years ago, where one could do nothing and still receive returns after a few months.

Lü's nephew, who was known for his extravagant lifestyle, fighting, and all sorts of mischief, caused his uncle headaches. Since Lü's family and the Qin family were both in Huazhou's Xiagui, not far from Huayin, and Qin's family had returned to their hometown two years ago and mentioned the salt business, which Lü's family overheard, they asked Lü to intercede.

Wang Ju's strategy was good. If Lü's nephew had the capability, investing a little money could yield hundreds or thousands of strings of cash, and he would gain favor. However, the key was that no one knew Lü's nephew's character and capabilities.

He obtained the sales rights, but his capabilities were insufficient, and the money he earned wasn't enough to cover his expenses.

Lü's family, out of desperation, sought Lü again. In late autumn last year, Lü returned to the Li family, saying, "I don't want the sales rights; let my nephew join the partnership."

Li Yuanwai was annoyed. Moreover, County Magistrate Qin was not his real uncle; they might have been related two or three hundred years ago, but only through Lü's family.

In a fit of anger, he followed Wang Ju's example and had his servants deliberately tell Lü the story of "The Fisherman and the Goldfish" in front of her.

One must know when to be content.

Lü left in a huff.

This incident became a laughingstock in Yanzhou.

In this era, officials are the most respected among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants.

However, to be an official, one must act like an official. Look at Cheng Kan; no matter how wealthy the families in Yanzhou are, once he is angry, who isn't afraid?

Or take Wang Ju's teacher's wife, Guo; who in Yunyan County doesn't respect her?

Therefore, even Niu Yuanwai felt ashamed of her.

Niu's wife added, "I heard that County Magistrate Qin's fellow official became the County Magistrate of Huayin last month and caused trouble for the salt workshop. The Zhu family sent their second son to resolve it."

"So what?" Niu Yuanwai said irritably. Zhu Jun's provincial degree doesn't mean much to the County Magistrate of Huayin, but the salt workshop has several influential partners. Would the County Magistrate dare to offend them completely? Moreover, due to the fine salt, many salt certificates have been purchased, and the court is pleased with the situation.

But then Niu Yuanwai had a sudden idea. However, he quickly thought, "No, our family can't get involved. Let's see what happens to the Ding family." But there is a way. He immediately said, "Bring that wicked son back."

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