Chapter 56

But Wang You Shan also had his own advantages. On his way to the capital, he had helped a family that was almost starving. This family was also heading to the capital to seek relatives, and he conveniently brought them along. It turned out that this family was related to a powerful eunuch in the palace.

Scholars and eunuchs usually kept their distance, but Wang You Shan was broad-minded and treated the eunuch no differently than others, which earned him great favor.

After serving as a censor in the Censorate for several years, there was another opportunity for an official transfer. The eunuch, who wielded immense power, directly offered him two positions: one for a rapid promotion as the Educational Censor of the Southern Capital, and the other for wealth as the Salt Commissioner of the Two Huai Regions.

However, these two positions had been closely watched by a certain faction in the court. Upon hearing this, they became anxious. It was said that a high-ranking official of the second rank visited him, using both threats and inducements.

In the end, no one knew what happened, but it was rumored that Wang You Shan gave up the opportunity to become the Governor of Huguang after three years and retired to his hometown.

The eunuch, however, was thorough. He made arrangements for Wang You Shan: a tenth of the annual tribute from the Salt Commissioner of the Two Huai Regions would be his for six years, and the Educational Censor, who had sworn brotherhood with Wang You Shan, would provide support and favor.

A tenth of the annual tribute was worth tens of thousands of taels of silver, and the favor of a high-ranking official was invaluable. Wang You Shan had both wealth and influence, and he returned to his hometown in glory.

However, Wang You Shan's decision to return home was still somewhat puzzling, as those challenges could have been easily resolved. No one knew why he chose to return directly.

But this explained why Wang Zhao Jing was so confident about passing the imperial examination. With such connections, success was expected.

Wang Zhao Jing passed the scholar examination at the age of thirteen, becoming a notable event in Xuzhou. Zhao Jin heard from his father that the officials in the yamen were amazed by Wang Zhao Jing's talent, believing that he would pass even without any special favor, thanks to his genuine abilities.

Wang Zhao Jing was truly a man of both literary and martial prowess. While his success in the imperial examinations was smooth, his martial skills also steadily improved. His martial arts teacher in the capital was a skilled expert from the Imperial Cavalry, specializing in swordsmanship. When the Wang family returned to their hometown, they brought this teacher with them at a high price. Zhao Jin and others had seen this teacher at the cargo yard; he was a composed middle-aged man.

From Wang Zhao Jing, Zhao Jin learned that these young men who practiced with weapons had little time for leisure, only coming to the cargo yard for competitions. The rest of their time was spent in diligent practice. Knowing this, Zhao Jin increased his own training.

Unlike Zhao Jin and Chen Sheng, who became more robust and composed, Wang Zhao Jing, as he grew older, became increasingly handsome and elegant. During the competitions at the cargo yard, bold young women and wives often watched from a distance. Later, carriages and sedan chairs appeared, with curtains slightly lifted to catch a glimpse of this young master Wang.

Because of this, there was a rumor in Xuzhou about "Golden Boy and Jade Girl." "Golden Boy" referred to Wang Zhao Jing, while "Jade Girl" referred to Mu Shulan, though those who truly understood knew it was not the case.

Besides the competitions, Wang Zhao Jing began carrying a book box with him, reading during breaks. When he discussed the stories and principles in the books with the young men at the cargo yard, Zhao Jin was the only one who could engage in conversation. Moreover, Zhao Jin could tell even more captivating stories and deeper, more accurate principles, which left Wang Zhao Jing both amazed and admiring.

In Wang Zhao Jing's impression, Zhao Jin spent all his time practicing martial arts and had no opportunity to read or study. However, occasionally, Zhao Jin seemed to be able to read the books in Wang Zhao Jing's hands, though not all the characters.

This was no small feat. Wang You Shan traveled several times a year, and Wang Zhao Jing occasionally accompanied him. He was well-traveled and knew that people limited to one place would have narrow horizons if they did not read.

However, Zhao Jin was different. While his knowledge of history was fragmented, he knew a lot about the geography and local specialties of various regions, even about foreign lands. Many people still did not know where Japan, Korea, and the Portuguese came from.

Moreover, Zhao Jin was more proficient in the principles of natural science and mechanics than others. He could explain various natural phenomena and ingenious mechanisms clearly.

Wang Zhao Jing had also inquired indirectly and had his servants investigate. Zhao Jin's parents and uncles were not literate, and Zhao Jin had no time to read. How he acquired this knowledge was a mystery. Later, Wang Zhao Jing suspected Mu Shulan, who could read and write.

However, even this could not fully explain it. Wang Zhao Jing reasoned that Zhao Jin had learned to read at a private school and then read on his own, which was why he often borrowed paper and pens from him. This explanation was somewhat weak, but given Zhao Jin's outstanding performance, Wang Zhao Jing concluded that a capable person could do anything.

Sun Da Lei remained fat and slow, but his strikes became increasingly powerful. His family had timely transferred their businesses and shops to Yutou Town, a new key point on the Grand Canal and a center for trade and transportation. In recent years, they had not only avoided decline but also prospered.

With wealth, Sun Da Lei's family hired a teacher for him, and he practiced diligently under the teacher's guidance, which led to continuous improvement.

Initially, Sun Da Lei felt uneasy around Zhao Jin due to past business competition, but they eventually restored their former relationship.

Xuzhou was becoming increasingly dilapidated, with only a few streets retaining some vitality. Sun Da Lei's parents began to spend more time in Yutou Town managing their businesses.

One would think that children separated from their parents for long periods, especially in a wealthy family, would easily go astray. However, when Sun Da Lei's parents returned after a few months, they planned to take him to Yutou Town. Unexpectedly, Sun Da Lei, motivated by the competitions, had no time for other distractions and practiced martial arts diligently. His parents felt he had made significant progress and took his younger siblings to Yutou Town instead.

With his parents away, Sun Da Lei received ample monthly allowance and became very generous. He shared the competition prizes equally with the others and often brought snacks to share.

Moreover, Sun Da Lei's family did something else. They spent a small amount of money to acquire the cargo yard and the surrounding shops, maintaining them for the children to use. Since the area was already abandoned and Xuzhou was declining, it did not cost much. They did not renovate the properties, leaving them as they were, as the children took care of cleaning and maintenance.

Shi Man Qiang, Ji Xiang, and Liu Yong visited the cargo yard less frequently as they grew older, simply because they were now capable of working.

However, they still came regularly, knowing the importance of maintaining their relationships with Zhao Jin and the others.

Xuzhou was in a state of decline, and the blacksmith shop's business was not doing well. However, due to their relationship with Zhao Jin, Shi Man Qiang's father received orders from the Prefectural Office and the Ministry of Revenue, with high prices and prompt payment. Of course, kickbacks and benefits were part of the deal, and everyone benefited. Even the Xuzhou Guard had business with the Shi family's blacksmith shop, thanks to Dong Bingfeng.

Ji Xiang's family's cooked food stall was simple, but Wang Zhao Jing had his family's chef share secret recipes with them and arranged for daily purchases. This small act, with the Wang family's patronage, led many to follow, and the business not only survived but also improved.

Liu Yong's situation was different. As they became more familiar, it was discovered that Liu Yong had no parents and lived with his uncle, who was also poor. Feeding Liu Yong was a challenge, and he often went hungry.

Shi Man Qiang and Ji Xiang's families had businesses, but Liu Yong, during the period when he was growing and eating the most, relied on the cargo yard for meals. He later realized that playing all day was not a solution and started looking for odd jobs.

In Xuzhou's declining state, maintaining existing businesses was difficult, and there were no new opportunities for Liu Yong.

It was Zhao Jin who helped. The five ruffians they had once beaten and nearly driven to despair had now made something of themselves. Chen Ergou, in particular, had learned from his mistakes and became diligent, earning the trust of Cheng Tongtou and becoming a minor leader.

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