The weak scholar in the end of ancient times

Chapter 91, copy it back first.
Wen Gu only mentioned the academy's suggestion once that day, but seeing that Old Master Hong had taken it to heart, he didn't bring it up again.

The old man still has a strong interest in the large canteen in Jingxingfang.

That was the liveliest place in the entire neighborhood, with people from different neighborhoods of varying backgrounds. The old man gleaned a lot from it.

The homework assigned to Wen Gu was still to paint at the Jingxingfang Grand Canteen.

Wen Gu has other matters to attend to, and the old man has also started a new career, so Wen Gu doesn't need to go every day; going once every day or two is enough.

Submitting assignments and offering guidance on drawing techniques can be done without interfering with each other's important business.

The old man has been busy lately, full of ambition, frequently visiting the Zhao family, and his spirits are rising. If all goes well, the academy matter can be finalized before the end of the year.

On this day, Wen Gu came to the dining hall again to collect painting materials.

Because Wen Gu didn't try to hide it, He Da had already learned from his younger brother that Wen Gu had been studying calligraphy and painting with a big shot, and the painting depicted the scene of the canteen, including He Da himself, the newspaper reader!
Does this mean that even a nobody like him is known to the big shots?

He Da put in even more effort.

After reading the newspaper and telling the interesting story with great emotion, he wondered if the neighborhood head would paint him in the picture again, and looked over at the neighborhood head.

Just then, I saw someone standing in front of Wen Gu, seemingly recommending himself.

He Da had seen that man a few times; he seemed to be an idler from another neighborhood.

His expression immediately fell.

They were both street thugs. There used to be a guy named Yu Er who competed with him, but later Yu Er went to work at the blacksmith shop across the street.

Even today, there are still many ambitious people who want to join.

He Dayou was threatened.

He folded the newspaper neatly and put it away, then hurried over.

Wen Gu was also looking at the person in front of him.

The other party was a errand boy who delivered messages; there were many such people in the cafeteria. However, the one in front of him seemed to be deliberately waiting here to recommend himself.

This man's surname is Tao, he is the third son in his family, and he is a local from Xinzhou.

He has a resolute face and a lithe figure. He looks quite upright. Although he is not strong, he is not thin either. He seems to be a hard-working person.

Tao San had educated elders in his family, knew a few characters, and was familiar with the terrain around Xinzhou City.

"...If the neighborhood needs me in the future, I can also run errands outside the city and take care of things in the nearby villages," Tao San said, highlighting his advantages.

Wen Gu listened patiently without reprimanding him, but also without making a decision. His tone softened, and he simply told the other party to go find Zhou Shan.

There have been quite a few people wanting to join Jingxingfang recently.

Everyone can see the development momentum of Jingxingfang; its future is definitely bright. Ordinary people who come here will at least have something to do and won't suffer from cold or hunger. The person in charge of real power is also someone with connections and who is reliable.

Even more people started to have such thoughts.

From Jingxingfang's perspective, if they find suitable talent, they can indeed bring them in.

However, Zhou Shan was in charge of this matter. Since the task had been handed over, Wen Gu generally wouldn't take on the responsibility or make decisions himself.

He Da stood not far away, listening intently.

Seeing Wen Gu's reaction, He Da felt slightly relieved and glanced at his "colleague": Hmph! You think you can take me?
When the man met He Da's gaze, he didn't get angry. He simply nodded slightly and clasped his hands in a very magnanimous salute.

He Da's guard rose even higher.

They're all street urchins, everyone knows each other.
What are you pretending for?!
How many people who run errands and get things done can actually make a decent living and are honest people?
Pooh!
hypocritical!

Pretending to be something you're not!
He was very worried and, to prevent the other party from using underhanded tactics, he specially dragged his own henchman to identify the face.

"Remember this person. If anything major happens, be sure to tell me as soon as possible!"

After saying that, He Da added, "Of course, don't talk about things that Director Wen wants to keep secret. I was referring to other situations that don't affect official duties!"

He Xiaodi is good at distinguishing between what is important and what is not. He works alongside the neighborhood chief and won't tell his elder brother anything that can't be said.

After gathering materials in the cafeteria, Wen Gu went back to draw his artwork.

I haven't had much official business lately, and everything else is going smoothly as planned, so I don't need to put in much effort. I have more free time to devote to painting.

The next day, Wen Gu, along with Tie Tou and He Xiaodi, went to Grandpa Hong's residence with his "homework".

The first two times I took Cheng Zhi there, it was to get a clear picture of the layout of the several neighborhoods. Later, I took turns taking the clerks and officials from the neighborhoods there to broaden their horizons.

Today it's He Xiaodi's turn.

He was very excited to finally see a 60-year-old man practicing swordsmanship.

He followed Wen Gu into the neighborhood where many nobles lived, his face serious and his gaze not daring to wander.

But as he was walking, Wen Gu suddenly stopped.

He Xiaodi also stopped and looked at their neighborhood head with a puzzled expression, then followed Wen Gu's gaze forward.

Then, the chin gradually dropped.

Not far ahead, at the gate of a courtyard house.

A straw mat was laid on the ground, and someone was kneeling on it, weeping and pleading.

His veins bulged from crying, as if he were suppressing extreme grief, forcibly restraining and enduring it. His voice was hoarse and sorrowful.

He was wearing thin, patched, tattered clothes, which made his thin figure appear even more emaciated.

He Xiaodi stared blankly at that side.

If I'm not mistaken, this looks like Tao San? I saw him at the Jingxingfang cafeteria yesterday!

Yesterday, this man looked strong, powerful, and capable of working!

They looked completely different now; poor, pitiful, and physically weak.

How could things have turned out so badly in just one day?
Are you pretending?
He Xiaodi suspected that the other party was acting, but as he watched and listened, he felt that the other party was showing genuine emotion.

He didn't get close, but he vaguely heard that it was about the distribution of supplies.

When it came to the distribution of supplies, He Xiaodi felt it was even more genuine.

Only these ordinary people know how difficult it is for those at the bottom to receive relief supplies.

Having experienced the treacherous nature of human relationships in chaotic times, He Xiaodi remained wary. He asked Wen Gu in a low voice, "The ward head? That one up ahead..."

Wen Gu replied, "It has nothing to do with us."

"Oh, all right!"

He Xiaodi trusted Wen Gu's judgment and felt somewhat relieved.

pity?

He does have some flaws, but in this day and age, who can care about so much? Taking care of yourself and your loved ones is enough!
However, He Xiaodi wasn't sure if Wen Gu would lend a hand. The neighborhood head had always been a soft-hearted person.

He turned his head to look at Wen Gu.

Wen Gu stared intently ahead, his face showing no trace of sympathy or indignation.

At this moment, Wen Gu is indeed carefully observing and analyzing.

It's not about analyzing any conspiracy.

He didn't think that Tao San was guarding him today, and he didn't tell anyone in advance when he was leaving.

The other party's target is the person living in the front yard.

Recalling the information gathered recently, we learned that an official lives here; his position isn't very high, but he manages the distribution of supplies to several wards.

Before the Spring Festival, the Zhao family will allocate a batch of charcoal to those impoverished neighborhoods to help the residents get through the winter.

The crying earlier was about this.

Perhaps because the three of them had been standing there for too long and their presence had become more noticeable, the people on the straw mat turned their heads to look at them.

Upon seeing Wen Gu and the other two, the other party paused in their crying, then turned around as if nothing had happened and continued smoothly.

The figure, exuding an aura of sorrow, kowtowed towards the courtyard gate, his forehead pressed against the cold mat, obscuring his expression, but his back trembled, as if he were in extreme grief.

Even He Xiaodi, who had his doubts, could sense the predicament and sadness.

Wen Gu continued to observe the people on the straw mat.

The volume was just right, not too loud to disturb other residents, but loud enough for the people in the house to hear.

It wasn't an accusation, nor a cry for justice; it was simply a tearful account of the hardships they faced and a plea for the relief food and charcoal to be delivered as soon as possible.

Technically, a single cry contains at least three timbre variations, and the alternation between breathy and full voice creates a powerful auditory experience that resonates deeply with the listener, creating a massive vortex of tragedy within a few meters.

Absolutely professional-grade!
This melodramatic performance was executed flawlessly, and the actor remained oblivious to his surroundings after his true feelings were exposed, demonstrating remarkable composure!

At this moment, the gate of the courtyard in front finally opened, and a man who looked like a butler came out. He looked very troubled and spoke in a bad tone.

Considering there were other people around, the butler lowered his voice, quickly said a few words, and then ran back to the courtyard to close the door.

The person on the straw mat looked extremely grateful. He got up, wiped the snot and tears from his face, and tidied up the straw mat.

When he turned back carrying the straw mat, his face was expressionless.

The tragic atmosphere from before abruptly ended. Brother He: "..."

Seeing the other person approaching, I couldn't see clearly from a distance before, but now that I'm closer, I realize that this person didn't just lose weight in a day; it's all a visual illusion created by their attire!
He Xiaodi's eyes widened, his expression dazed, and his worldview was shaken once again.

Tao San then walked up to Wen Gu and bowed respectfully.

He Xiaodi: "!!!"

How tragic it was just now! The tough guy burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably, but now he's back to being dignified and polite!
So, it really was an act, right?

The speed with which the other person's expression changed, the ease with which they controlled their tears, and their exceptional self-control over their emotions were truly admirable!

As He Xiaodi was sighing, he heard Wen Gu say to the man, "Go to the Jingqing Public Office for an interview tomorrow."

The person carrying the straw mat, about to leave, suddenly looked at Wen Gu as if he had heard something unbelievable. His face lit up with joy, and he bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you, Director Wen!"

Wen Gu didn't say anything more and led Tie Tou and He Xiaodi to Old Master Hong's house.

After walking a bit further away, He Xiaodi asked in confusion, "...The Ward Master?" Does someone like that need to be recruited into Jingxing Ward?
Wen Gu smiled and said, "He's a talented person."

That masterful acting should not be wasted.

We can use this to plead poverty when we need funding in the future!

I don't know when I'll be able to use it, but since I've encountered it, I'll just use the net to scoop it up first.

He Xiaodi fell silent, only feeling sympathy for his older brother in his heart: Big brother, your competitor's underhanded tactics are too fierce, you can't outmaneuver them!
On the other hand, Tao San never expected to have such good luck on his trip today!

He stood there watching Wen Gu and the others walk away before quickly leaving.

There were many officials living here, so we couldn't wander around. Only after leaving the neighborhood could we run back home.

It is located in a neighborhood inhabited by local commoners.

A low stone and earthen wall and a small wooden and stone house; a middle-aged official waits at the door, looking back and forth.

During the Spring Festival, the Zhao family would allocate a batch of relief supplies to each impoverished village. However, whether it was a little more or a little less, the higher-ups wouldn't care, but the people below them would.

In order to grab more for their own people, they each used their talents, displayed their abilities, and shone brightly.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Everyone is struggling, but resources are limited.

They had to let the official in charge of distributing the supplies know that their neighborhood was poorer, more miserable, and in greater need of relief!
It's like having so many mouths in a bird's nest. If you don't chirp, don't open your mouth, and don't push to the front, when will you get your turn to be fed?

The officials above are too busy with important matters to rely on.

So, faced with the choice between enduring hardship and giving gifts, they chose to play the victim.

The current magistrate doesn't punish people easily.

Use different tactics on different people.

Why give a gift when a good cry can solve the problem?
It's not fair to call it playing the victim; everyone is actually suffering.

Whether in the past or present, whether in times of prosperity or chaos, people freeze to death every winter. All they can do is try their best to keep their fellow villagers off the death list.

Others might see it as selfish, but the villagers see it as helping those in distress. Who cares what others think!

Considering that sending the woman over might cause gossip, he recommended his nephew after discussion.

The wealthy neighborhood was not open to the public, so they chose a time to have someone take Tao San there.

I don't know if things will go smoothly or not.

The middle-aged official was filled with anxiety.

Only when Tao San ran back safely did a look of joy appear on his face.

"How did it go? Was it done?" he asked impatiently.

Tao San ran back, panting heavily. He put on a thick coat, poured himself a bowl of hot water, and sat in the main room to calm down before excitedly looking at the middle-aged clerk.

"Uncle! My grandma was right, you really do bring me good fortune!"

The middle-aged clerk thought to himself: That was just the old lady talking nonsense before she died, just to make you cling to me and not let go.

Despite his inward grumbling, there were more important matters at hand. The middle-aged official pressed on, "Judging from your expression, you succeeded? How long will it take for the relief supplies to be allocated here?"

Even if you can't ask for more supplies, don't withhold them; if you do withhold them, withhold what belongs to others, not to them; and if you do withhold what belongs to them, don't withhold too much.

The middle-aged official silently made a wish.

"I don't know how long it will take to get the grain. I didn't see the official in charge of distributing the grain, I only saw his steward, who even told me to leave," Tao San said.

"It's alright, this means they've heard us. We just need to achieve our goal." The middle-aged official's anxious heart finally settled down.

Tao San said smugly, "There were people behind the gate at the time, peeking through the crack in the door. They must have heard everything. I cried my heart out in front of his door! I told you, leave these kinds of things to me, you can rest assured!"

"Excellent! Very good! You did a great job!"

The middle-aged official would even offer a few words of praise.

Tao San interrupted, "That's not what I wanted to talk about. Uncle, I met another important person over there today!"

The middle-aged clerk, sitting across the table, said nonchalantly, "Oh? You've met a high-ranking official?"

"What are high-ranking officials? In Xinzhou City these days, it's not about the rank of the official, it's about status!" Tao San's face flushed with excitement. "I saw the head of Jingxing Ward over there today!"

The middle-aged clerk straightened up slightly: "This gentleman is not of low rank!"

These low-level officials who had been in power for decades understood perfectly well that although they were both called "ward chiefs," their administrative ranks were vastly different!
The head of the poor neighborhood had to rack his brains and be extremely careful in order to protect the relief supplies for everyone.

That guy is different; he can get supplies directly from Old Zhao's family without going through any other procedures, and he doesn't have to worry about being cheated.

Not to mention, countless high-ranking officials and nobles in the city actively spent money in Jingxingfang.

If time could turn back, when Jingxingfang opened in early winter, they would definitely have brought their whole family to squeeze in!
What a pity!

There's no going back!

The middle-aged clerk shook his head and sighed.

Tao San leaned forward, looking like he was about to share a big secret:

"The head of Jingxing Ward has taken a liking to me!"

The middle-aged clerk stared at him silently, then suddenly stood up and ran to rummage through the cabinet beside his kang (heated brick bed).

The wine that had been stored inside for two years was still there.

He breathed a long sigh of relief.

My nephew didn't drink alcohol, he wasn't drunk, and he wasn't talking nonsense.

The middle-aged clerk returned and sat down.

Tao San was speechless.

"Uncle, the trust between us, uncle and nephew..."

"It's still there!"

"..."

What were you looking at just now?!

The middle-aged official skipped over the topic and looked at his nephew: "Are you dreaming?"

Tao San swung his leg and said, "Tsk, Uncle, you're underestimating me! Would I dare to brag about something like this? I have an interview in Jingxingfang tomorrow, you know? If I pass, I can get a job there and move to Jingxingfang!"

The middle-aged official stared at his nephew, completely puzzled.

My nephew, a local street hustler in Xinzhou, used to work part-time as a mourner, and now he's an idle errand boy who uses his respectable face to fool people.

What did he see in you?

"Believe it or not!" Tao San decided to hurry up and prepare for tomorrow's interview.

He had just gotten up when his uncle pulled him back down.

The middle-aged clerk quickly replied, "I don't doubt it. Since Chief Wen has personally spoken, you'll definitely be fine if you perform well tomorrow. Third son, our Tao family will be counting on you from now on!"

Tao San didn't buy it at all: "My grandma said that everyone in the Tao family has their own destiny."

Seeing that his uncle was about to speak, Tao San quickly said, "I haven't officially passed the test yet. If I want to help everyone, I'll have to wait until I officially join Jingxingfang."

The middle-aged clerk stopped mentioning it and instead offered suggestions, glancing outside the door to make sure no one was eavesdropping.

"Don't let that young man from Jingxingfang fool you. In these chaotic times, so many people perish on the journey. To be able to escape all the way from south to north and still be alive and well, such a scholar must be full of malice..."

Snapped!
The middle-aged clerk slapped himself in the face and corrected, "Full of ink!"

He sternly reminded Tao San, "Don't try to impress him with your limited skills!"

Tao San replied earnestly, "Do you even need to tell me that? I was caught red-handed while performing over there today. They saw right through me, and I thought I had no chance at all. But then they actually asked me to come for an audition tomorrow. I wouldn't dare to play any tricks now. As long as I pass the audition, I'll act however they tell me to!"

The uncle and nephew just couldn't understand why someone of that status would need a nobody like them to do anything.

"Actually, there's no need to worry. Those influential people have money and power, and they value their reputation. They wouldn't take you out to cry."

(End of this chapter)