Chapter 80

Listen, readx;

Which young man hasn't played the "Guess Who I Am" game?

Lin Yanchao recalled growing up with Lin Qianqian, and the two often played such games together.

Riding bamboo horses, playing with green plums, living in the same neighborhood, and being innocent childhood friends.

Riding bamboo horses, playing with grass, and playing with crickets—though these were memories from his body before the穿越, they still vividly surfaced in his mind. Who said that being a child bride was a wicked feudal system? It not only gave him a childhood with a childhood friend but also ensured that his first love could enter the grave of love.

Thinking of his abusive first love from his previous life, Lin Yanchao grabbed Lin Qianqian's hand.

The two looked into each other's eyes, and Lin Yanchao said with a malicious grin, "Let Uncle see how much the little loli has grown. Hmm, you seem to have grown a bit taller, hmm, and a certain place has become a bit more prominent."

Not bad, not bad, it's starting to feel like raising a child.

Lin Qianqian, feeling both embarrassed and anxious, said, "No more looking."

Lin Yanchao chuckled, and under the coarse cloth and simple hairpin, Lin Qianqian still had bright eyes and a charming smile.

"You called me Uncle, but you're not my elder. And what's a little loli? Is it a kind of jasmine flower?" Lin Qianqian kept asking.

Lin Yanchao couldn't help but laugh, his malice growing even stronger.

On New Year's Eve, the family was getting along harmoniously. After that incident, the eldest aunt no longer dared to bully others, and Lin Qianqian's life became much more comfortable. Since Lin Qianqian was no longer bullied, Lin Yanchao was no longer as resentful of his eldest sister-in-law. In the end, the conflicts at home before the穿越 were all due to a lack of money. Isn't there a saying that the economic base determines the superstructure, and poverty brings sorrow?

In the Fujian region, where the scholarly atmosphere was strong, it was common for families to support a scholar. But for an ordinary family, supporting two scholars was almost impossible.

Lin Yanchao and Lin Yanshou, the two of them, had caused many conflicts over resource allocation in recent years. Who wouldn't want a peaceful and tranquil life, to be a quiet and beautiful girl? So Lin Yanchao understood that Lin Qianqian's fiery temper was also a result of being forced.

Increasing the total amount is better than fighting over a fixed amount. Now that Lin Gaizhu had become an official, the family no longer had to worry about daily necessities, and supporting Lin Yanchao and Lin Yanshou, two full-time scholars, was no longer a burden. The family immediately became more harmonious. The principles of managing a family could be extended to governing a country, and they were the same.

In the first month of the lunar year, Lin Yanchao spent a pleasant time with his family during the holiday and then prepared to pay New Year's visits.

Lin Yanchao first went to the city. He had to visit Mr. Shen, the clerk at the Houguan County Office, his teacher Mr. Hu, and Mr. Xu.

Before leaving, his eldest uncle suddenly called out to Lin Yanchao, saying he wanted to go together. Lin Yanchao understood his uncle's intention; he had always hoped that Lin Yanchao could help him get a job at the county office.

His uncle had mentioned this several times. Getting a job in the office and becoming a petty official who could oppress the people was his lifelong goal. Since it was a request from an elder, Lin Yanchao agreed.

This time, when they went to the city, Lin Yanchao hired a boat in Hongtang Town. When the boatman heard that they were the son and grandson of the River God, he wouldn't take any money. After much persuasion, Lin Yanchao finally paid twenty coins as the fare. Thinking back to the first time he went to the city for a lawsuit, the family couldn't afford the boat fare and had to walk. This time, they had a means of transportation.

The boat was a common duck boat. The eldest uncle and Lin Yanchao stood at the bow, enjoying the scenery. This time, there wasn't much novelty.

The small boat passed through the West Lake in the west of the city and entered the city through the West Water Gate near the West Gate. As they approached the water gate, the eldest uncle patted Lin Yanchao's shoulder and said, "Yanchao, do you see that city tower on the mountain?"

Lin Yanchao followed his uncle's finger and nodded, "I see it."

The eldest uncle said, "That's the North City Tower on Ping Mountain, built during the Hongwu era. It's the model for all the city gates. Because it's the highest point, it serves as a reference for ships entering the city at night." The eldest uncle always tried to show off his knowledge in front of him, but Lin Yanchao still enjoyed listening.

The boat entered the city through the water gate, winding through the residential areas. After getting off the boat, the uncle and nephew had a disagreement. The eldest uncle wanted to visit the Houguan County Office first, but Lin Yanchao insisted on going to the Censorate first.

After some debate, the eldest uncle agreed to go to the Censorate first.

In those times, there were no modern tools like group text messages. The rules for New Year's visits among officials were strict.

During the New Year, many high-ranking officials couldn't visit everyone, so they would send a servant to deliver a card to familiar acquaintances, known as "flying cards." The officials themselves didn't want to see visitors, so they would post a red paper bag at their door with the words "Receive Blessings" to collect the flying cards.

This was a custom that valued formality over substance.

Lin Yanchao went to the Censorate to deliver a card and learned that Mr. Hu had gone to pay respects to the governor.

This was to be expected. Even if Mr. Hu were there, he wouldn't have seen him. Lin Yanchao left the card, fulfilling the formalities. He then asked if Mr. Xu was there, and Mr. Xu was indeed there. Lin Yanchao and his uncle entered the Censorate and met Mr. Xu in the hall where they first met.

Mr. Xu was very pleased to see Lin Yanchao. They talked for a while, and Lin Yanchao knew that Mr. Hu's term was almost over, and he was currently considering a promotion.

Unlike local officials, who could stay in their posts, the Censorate officials had to leave after three years to prevent them from being influenced by local interests. After three years, they had to leave, and the next Censorate official would oversee the next year's examination, effectively preventing favoritism.

Mr. Hu's term as the Censorate official in Fujian had a good reputation, known for his kindness and broad-mindedness. He would definitely be promoted and would have a place in the hall of famous officials.

Hearing Mr. Xu's words, Lin Yanchao thought that although he could only use the title of a Censorate student for one more year, he still had a chance to continue benefiting from Mr. Hu's connections. If he could one day serve as a high-ranking official in the capital, Lin Yanchao would be set for life.

Lin Yanchao decided to maintain this connection. After chatting for a while, he presented a gift and left.

Next, Lin Yanchao went to the Houguan County Office. His uncle had already straightened his posture. Lin Yanchao took a closer look and was surprised to see how clean his uncle's clothes were and how well-pressed his shoes were. It was clear that he was well-prepared for today.

Lin Yanchao secretly laughed and, seeing his uncle's eager face, said, "Uncle, my relationship with Mr. Shen is just so-so. I can introduce you, but whether it will work out is another matter."

The uncle chuckled and said, "Don't worry. This time, I can put everything on the line. Don't misunderstand; it's my personal savings. Your eldest aunt has pawned several pieces of jewelry, and your grandfather has lent me some money. I have about twenty taels, which should be enough to get a good position in the county office."

"Twenty taels!" Lin Yanchao was taken aback. Although Lin Gaizhu had a good income at the River God's office, the Lin family wasn't rich enough to casually take out ten taels of silver. Twenty taels was equivalent to the family's expenses for two years.

"Twenty taels, not expensive at all. In the past, it would have cost thirty to forty taels to get a position as a clerk in the six offices."

"Uncle, Third Uncle is still hoping to get married after the New Year. Is this really a good idea?"

"Yanchao, you're still too young. You don't understand that you can't make big money without spending a little. This is the way things work in the office. Once I become a clerk, I'll make it back quickly. I'll definitely persuade Father to get Third Uncle married next year."

"You, a child, how can you talk like an old man and even lecture your uncle? Don't speak when we're in the office. If you don't understand the rules, you might offend someone. Let me do the talking. Sit down only when I do. Understand?"

Lin Yanchao thought that if this person weren't his uncle, he would have told him to "shut up" and walked away.

...

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