Chapter 22

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On the 22nd of October in the fourth year of Zhengde, what was originally an ordinary day became extraordinary due to Zhou Chong's穿越 (time travel). On this day, a milestone work in the history of world literature appeared before the world.

In the afternoon, the Fengyou Teahouse was filled with distinguished guests. After lunch, idlers from all over the city gathered, sitting with three or five tea friends, sipping tea and chatting. Some even used this opportunity to conduct business, laughing and chatting as they made money.

However, most people's attention was on the high platform opposite the teahouse's main door, where a teenage girl was holding a pipa and singing a little tune. Although the girl was not particularly beautiful, she played the pipa well, and her voice was as clear as a lark, making her songs especially pleasant to listen to.

At a table directly facing the stage, Zhou Chong, Zheng Jing, Li Zheng, and Zhang Kuang sat in order of seniority. Zheng Jing, the oldest and most respected, sat in the main seat facing the stage. Zhang Kuang sat to his right, while Li Zheng and Zhou Chong sat opposite Zhang Kuang.

"wendar, you said you wanted to sit in the private room upstairs, but why did you insist on sitting in the hall? It's too noisy here!" Li Zheng, sitting next to Zhou Chong, looked around and complained. Although he was frugal, he had grown up in luxury and usually ate and drank in private rooms. This was his first time sitting in the main hall, so he felt very uncomfortable.

"Brother Bolao, please calm down. Although the private room is quiet, the hall has its own advantages. For example, the little girl on the stage sings very well, something you wouldn't hear in a private room!" Zhou Chong raised his teacup and smiled. When he first regained consciousness, Li Zheng and Zheng Jing had come to visit him. Zhou Chong had used the excuse of being confused due to illness to have them reintroduce themselves, thus avoiding any slip-ups. He had also used this excuse to fool Aunt Wang and Zuo'er.

Hearing Zhou Chong's words, Zheng Jing, sitting in the main seat, smiled and said, "wendar, you really have a good mood. I was worried that you might be affected by the family's troubles, but seeing you so open-minded now, I am relieved!"

"That's right, Brother Zheng, haven't you noticed? Since wendar recovered from his serious illness, he has become more open-minded and cheerful. This must be what people call 'a great misfortune averted, a great fortune follows'!" Zhang Kuang also smiled, as they had known Zhou Chong for many years and often chatted together, so they could sense any changes in him.

"Hey? Fangshi, now that you mention it, I also feel that wendar has become more cheerful. You never used to discuss the songs of the little girl on the stage with us." Li Zheng also looked at Zhou Chong with surprise and a hint of doubt, as a close friend, he was more concerned about the changes in Zhou Chong.

Although Zhang Kuang did not ask directly, his words expressed curiosity about Zhou Chong's significant change. Li Zheng's curiosity was even more obvious, and even Zheng Jing, who was usually steady, showed interest. They were all very interested in the significant change in their friend's personality.

Faced with the curiosity of his three friends, Zhou Chong smiled and said, "What else could it be? After my serious illness and the family's decline, I have experienced the warmth and coldness of the world, which has changed my thoughts. I could even say it's a complete transformation. The Zhou Chong you see now is no longer the prodigy Zhou Chong of the past!"

As he said the last sentence, Zhou Chong secretly laughed. He had already revealed the truth to Zheng Jing and the others, but they would never guess the true meaning of his words.

Sure enough, after hearing Zhou Chong's words, Zheng Jing sighed and patted Zhou Chong's back, saying, "wendar, I used to admire your talent but thought you were too rigid and inflexible. Today, I feel ashamed. Despite all the difficulties, you have not only stood up but have become even more mature. I believe your future is boundless!"

Zheng Jing's praise was also echoed by Zhang Kuang and Li Zheng. They admitted that if they were in Zhou Chong's situation, they might not have been able to handle it, let alone remain so calm.

Zheng Jing and the others were scholars, and as they chatted, the conversation turned to the imperial examinations. Next year was the triennial provincial examination, and they had already agreed to take it together. However, a problem had arisen, and this was why Zheng Jing and the others had invited Zhou Chong out today.

"wendar, with your father's passing, you probably can't take the provincial examination next year. This means you have to wait another three years, which is a great pity!" Zhang Kuang, sitting opposite Zhou Chong, suddenly sighed.

Hearing Li Zheng bring up the main topic, Zheng Jing and Zhang Kuang exchanged glances and then said, "Fangshi is right, but you shouldn't be discouraged. You are only fifteen this year. When the mourning period is over and you take the provincial examination, you will be only twenty. With your talent, after five years of focused study, you will have a better chance of passing!"

As soon as Zheng Jing finished speaking, Li Zheng, who was closest to Zhou Chong, eagerly added, "That's right. Among us, you are the most talented. So, during these five years, you must not be distracted. Minglun and Fangshi and I have already discussed it and are willing to fund your studies. In five years, you will surely make a stunning debut, perhaps even becoming the top scholar. At that time, the scholars of Songjiang Prefecture will also be proud!"

Hearing this, Zhou Chong finally understood why Zheng Jing and the others had invited him out. They had seen the current state of the Zhou family and were worried that he would neglect his studies to support his family. Therefore, they offered to fund the Zhou family so that he could focus on his studies and have a better chance of passing the imperial examinations.

Moved by their concern and generosity, Zhou Chong felt a warm feeling in his heart. In the Ming Dynasty, passing the imperial examinations and becoming an official was undoubtedly the most prestigious path. However, Zhou Chong had his own difficulties. He was completely unfamiliar with the Four Books and Five Classics, and even if he studied for five years, he might not reach the level of the original Zhou Chong. Moreover, he had no interest in the Ming Dynasty's imperial examination system, which focused on the eight-part essay.

Therefore, after a moment of silence, Zhou Chong shook his head and said, "Thank you for your kindness, brothers, but everyone has their own aspirations. Since my father's passing, my family has suffered a lot. I have made a vow to myself to revive the family business as soon as possible, so I cannot focus solely on my studies."

Hearing Zhou Chong, who was so eager to pass the imperial examinations, reject their proposal, Zheng Jing and the others were taken aback. Although they had already noticed the significant changes in Zhou Chong, they never expected him to prioritize reviving the family business over the imperial examinations, and his words even showed a disdain for the examinations.

"wendar, think carefully. Although the Zhou family is currently in trouble, if you can pass the provincial examination, what is a little family business?" Li Zheng was still reluctant. No matter how wealthy the Zhou family was, they were just merchants. But if Zhou Chong could pass the provincial examination, he could enter the bureaucracy, and the Zhou family would become an official family, truly achieving glory. At that time, even someone like the Song family would kneel at the gate to apologize.

Zhou Chong had no interest in the imperial examinations, but he could not tell Zheng Jing and Li Zheng the truth. After all, the original Zhou Chong was very passionate about his career. He could not show too much difference, so he smiled at Li Zheng and said, "Brother Bolao, you are overthinking it. I just said that my primary goal is to revive the family business, not that I am giving up on the imperial examinations. I plan to manage the business while studying hard. Although it will be challenging, I believe that with my efforts, I still have a good chance of passing."

Hearing Zhou Chong's words, Li Zheng, Zheng Jing, and Zhang Kuang exchanged helpless glances. They knew that Zhou Chong had been studying since childhood and was naturally talented, but he was almost clueless about other matters. Therefore, Li Zheng and the others, like the previous steward Xu, did not believe that Zhou Chong had the ability to revive the family business. In their view, Zhou Chong's only chance was to study even harder, pass the imperial examinations, and enter the bureaucracy, at which point the Zhou family would regain everything they had lost and more.

However, as Li Zheng and the others were trying to persuade Zhou Chong, the girl singing on the stage finished her song, bowed to the audience, and received tips. Some gave her a few coins, while others found her performance unsatisfactory and did not tip. In the end, she collected several dozen coins, but according to the rules, the teahouse would take a cut, and the rest would be her income for the day.

After collecting the tips, the girl went to rest, and the next performer would take the stage. Although Zheng Jing and the others were disappointed by their failure to persuade Zhou Chong, they had no interest in the performance on the stage. However, Zhou Chong clapped his hands and said, "Brothers, the best show is about to begin. I hope you will give it your full attention!"

PS: The singing girl received tips from the audience. Brothers, please give me some votes too!

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