A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 123 A Blue Ocean (Update )
Seeing the tangled look on Song Shou's face, Yan Shu took the initiative to speak:
"In fact, I don't believe that Song Xuan's business can raise enough money to do all the things the academy wants to do."

Several people looked at Yan Shu in surprise. You wouldn't believe that they had just argued with him for so long about the division of profits, which made everyone very excited.

Then I heard Yan Shu smile:
"But I know this boy well. He is a stubborn person who won't give in easily."

"That's true."

Although Fan Zhongyan did not have much contact with Song Xuan, he had enough contact with him to have a basic understanding of him.

"He started his own business at the age of eight. He owned two shops in his hometown to support himself and several people. His daily expenses were also high. I believe he made a lot of money."

"Well, that's true."

Song Shou also had to admit Song Xuan's business skills.

When they were visiting Lema Town that day, Song Xuan's Liangjiang Shop was doing a booming business.

As for what he just said about there being only two cold soup shops in Lema Town, both of which belong to him and there being no other shops, that was also true.

What Song Xuan said just now was not bragging, at least it was not nonsense, which has already proved his business ability.

In addition, when he first arrived in Songcheng, he quickly bought a house and went to prison. He invited the chef of the best local restaurant, Qinglou, to come and set up two tables of banquets for three consecutive days.

Even though Song Xuan was so generous, who would dare to do so without some financial resources?

Yan Shu felt that apart from Song Xuan, there were probably few people in the entire Yingtian Academy who could rely on themselves to achieve financial freedom to study, and even not care how much money they spent.

Students and their families who are struggling to make ends meet are always the majority.

Otherwise, Yan Shu would not have thought of ways to raise money to provide meals for the students in school so that they could study with peace of mind.

So you don’t have to go without meals from time to time.

Studying is tiring, and if your body can't keep up, even if you pass the imperial examination, you will be prone to illness in the future. How can you serve the court?
There were many students like Fan Zhongyan who ate porridge, but Fan Zhongyan left a significant mark in history.

The rest of the people who did this did not succeed and became a speck of dust in history without being specifically recorded.

Although the imperial examination was open to ordinary people, it was still a costly endeavor.

Not everyone can make it to the list right away. It is normal for people like Liu Sanbian and Shi Yannian to fail frequently.

Because at present, in the Northern Song Dynasty, the imperial court would not give financial subsidies to those who passed the imperial examination like Zhu Yuanzhang did, but they could be exempted from corvee labor and some taxes, thereby reducing the financial burden on the families of the juren and indirectly reducing their burden.

Most of the time, it will not change the economic plight of too many families.

At the same time, local gentry may provide you with some travel expenses, food and accommodation when you go to Tokyo to take part in the Spring Examination.

In addition to sticking together among fellow villagers, they also want to make friends with future officials, and the exchange of interests has always been mutual.

Many people would not refuse directly like Fan Zhongyan and Bao Zheng, but would be influenced to get on board gradually.

As for the meat, eggs and milk in Song Xuan’s mouth, it’s better not to think about it.

Although the Song Dynasty's business was developed, only a few people could make a lot of money.

It is a prosperous age when the people are not starving to death.

Any other requirements would be wishful thinking and idealism, which can only be encountered by chance but not sought after.

Although Yan Shu was at the core of the court for a long time, he did not stay away from the grassroots for too long.

His childhood experiences and years of baptism in official documents in the court left a deep impression on him.

The Song Dynasty court also directly rewarded those who passed the imperial examination, which was an incentive for others!
Only when one passes the imperial examination and becomes a Jinshi, can one be considered to have completed the journey of the imperial examination.

As long as you become an official, even if it is a low-level official in the Song Dynasty, as long as you don't spend money lavishly, your family's financial conditions will soon improve.

Whether from the perspective of the people or the royal family, students are always result-oriented.

People say that success or failure does not determine a hero's worth, but although Xiang Yu did not conquer the world, he achieved the goal he wanted in his life.

That is to destroy Qin, become the King of Chu, restore the old order of the six kingdoms and other princes, and dominate the world.

He does not agree with the theory of unifying the world.

Fan Zhongyan's proposal to take the world as one's own responsibility is still somewhat idealistic.

This reminded Yan Shu of Song Xuan's evaluation of the test setter on the test paper, which was too idealistic.

In fact, the subtext is that you are not down-to-earth at all. Even if you jump up, it will be difficult to achieve this goal.

We are all ordinary people. Even though students study the words of saints every day, how many people in the world can become saints?
Yan Shu knew the ins and outs of this very well.

"Then why did you argue so much with Song Twelve just now?"

Zhang Shide was a little confused.

"I just want to confirm how confident he is that he can make money from this deal."

Yan Shu stroked his beard and smiled:
"His bookstore also sells serialized novels. I guess Song Xuan will recruit some students from the academy to write books for him. It can also be a way to supplement his family income. Song Twelve didn't say anything, I guess he is still making a decision."

Several people were a little surprised by Yan Shu's inference, but they didn't think about it in this direction.

"Gong Chui, after all this talk, are you still willing to bet with me?"

Seeing Yan Shu bringing the topic back, Song Shou thought for a moment:
"What are you gambling?"

"Before, I gave my jade pendant to Song Twelve as a prize for a bet between us, and yours to Zhang Fangping."

"If Song Twelve wins again this time, you will prepare a new jade pendant for me. If I lose, I will make you one based on the original one. How about that?"

Song Shou thought for a moment and said, "In that case, it still depends on how much of the academy's funding gap Song Twelve can resolve. Otherwise, there will inevitably be arguments."

"In that case." Yang Zijin stretched out his finger:
"Song Twelve made a boast: if we can earn half the money needed to support the construction of the academy within three months, then Prefect Yan will win. If not, then Gong Chui will win. We can serve as witnesses."

"it is good."

Yan Shu naturally agreed and decided that he would go to support Song Xuan's bookstore when it opened.

Song Shou also stretched out his hand and shook hands with Yan Shu to make an agreement.

Then he smiled and said:
"Uncle Tong, it's not that I don't trust Song Twelve's management ability, but it's true that a good cook can't cook without rice. He won't be able to earn the money needed for the academy in three months. You should look for some good jade for me."

Song Shou patted his waist again: "I feel empty every day, but now I finally have something to live for."

"Hahaha."

Yan Shu replied to Song Shou with the same words.

Fan Zhongyan clenched his fists slightly. He was still a little worried that Song Xuan could do this. He should think of other ways to raise funds.

As Song Shier said, a person cannot walk on one leg.

Song Xuan strolled in the academy, feeling extremely proud.

Now the academy is responsible for issuing the lottery.

Just giving 20% ​​to the college is like winning the lottery. You can definitely make money, and it will be a huge profit.

Even though the imperial court has always issued clear bans on gambling, it still cannot be stopped.

According to the laws of the Song Dynasty, those who won money were considered robbers, and those who opened gambling houses were sentenced to death.

Deng Fei, the "Fire-Eyed Suanni" in "Water Margin", was "originally a fighter at Xiangyang Pass".

Not to mention the Liao invasion that year, which scared Emperor Zhenzong of Song so much that he was at a loss. Many ministers advised him to move the capital. The emperor then asked Kou Zhun what he was doing, and if it was not for such a big event, why didn't he come?

Some people said that Kou Zhun was drinking and gambling at home, and Song Zhenzong was immediately reassured.

The Song Dynasty should not be destroyed, so he sent someone to call Kou Zhun, and Kou Zhun took the emperor directly to the front line.

Li Qingzhao even wrote a book on gambling.

When the Northern Song Dynasty fell, her husband died, and all the family property she had accumulated for half a lifetime was lost, Li Qingzhao fled to Lin'an alone. As soon as she settled down in the house, the first thing she thought of was to find the gambling equipment and have a gamble.

Now that things have come to this, let’s have a try.

Everyone in the Song Dynasty, from the upper class nobles to the common people, loved to gamble.

Each had its own way of playing, and even influenced the sinicized Khitan nobles.

The Liao emperor Yelu Hongji was playing dice, and whoever rolled the big number would be promoted.

Therefore, in the environment of the Song Dynasty, Song Xuan thinks it is a blue ocean!

"Twelfth brother."

Song Hao, who was walking towards them, called out to Song Xuan who was still lost in his thoughts.

"Hey, Fifth Brother."

Song Xuan naturally bowed, and everyone would continue to study together in the academy in the future.

Song Xuan is not the type of person who makes enemies everywhere. He is used to making more friends and fewer enemies.

Song Hao nodded slightly. He knew that Song Xuan was in prison.

He was also in the parade that day following Song Xuan, but he didn't have the courage to accompany his brother to jail.

After all, he was also a juren, a person of status.

Song Hao also knew that Song Xuan had held a banquet, but did not invite him to attend.

Grandpa also came to Songcheng because of him and told himself to take good care of his younger brother.

At this moment, Song Hao looked at his brother greeting him with a smile on his face and sighed:

"Grandpa came to me specifically for you."

"Hey, I told him not to worry. I don't know who leaked the news to him. If it had been two days later, I would have been fine."

Hearing Song Xuan's words, Song Hao didn't expect things to develop like this.

His twelfth brother was able to escape unscathed by challenging the then Imperial Academy Scholar, but Dou Chou ended up hanging himself.

If such a thing happened to Song Hao, he wouldn't even dare to think about it.

He had to admit that Song Xuan was really lucky.

"Twelfth brother, please don't be too aggressive in the future. Although this academy is a place that takes care of commoners like you and me, there are still many children of officials studying here. They will be very hostile to you when they feel the pain of your death."

Song Xuan was slightly surprised to hear the news. He knew that the students studying in the academy had complex and diverse backgrounds, which was normal.

But because of the Dou Chou incident, those people are targeting me?
But you’re also right, can someone’s butt sit next to yours?

"Thank you for the reminder, Fifth Brother." Song Xuan fanned himself with a paper fan:

"Actually, I was forced to fight back when this happened. Do you think I should just give in and admit defeat? I absolutely cannot. If they want to vent Dou Chou's anger, then go ahead."

"I accept all kinds of things, whether civil or military, even scoundrels."

"Twelfth brother, that's not what I meant."

Song Hao didn't want to have a bad relationship with Song Xuan again.

"I'm not saying this to Fifth Brother." Song Xuan invited Song Hao to chat while walking:
"How is Fifth Brother doing in the academy?"

"It's okay, but I feel a little depressed that I didn't pass the provincial exam."

Song Xuan called Song Hao a Juren, which was actually a bit of a compliment to him, because the Juren of the Song Dynasty only had the qualification to take the provincial examination, and were not qualified to be officials like in the Ming and Qing dynasties.

However, they already enjoyed a certain social status locally and were regarded as the "gentry class."

This is also the reason why, although Song Hao was a successful candidate in the imperial examination, there were other members of the Song family working as officials in Ningling County, so the main line did not need to be shifted.

"The road to the imperial examination is like a thousand troops crossing a single-plank bridge. Fifth brother entered it earlier than me, so I won't say any more nonsense. Just work hard."

Song Xuan naturally didn't need to practice talking about dishes, after all, he had not experienced the beating of the imperial examination.

Wouldn’t it be terrible if the boomerang hits you?
Today, the admission rate for the Northern Song Dynasty imperial examinations is extremely low, especially for the provincial and palace examinations, where the competition is very fierce.

Only a few of the successful candidates can eventually pass the imperial examination and become Jinshi.

Song Hao also understood how fierce the competition in the provincial examination was. He mentioned this to Song Xuan, and he had been feeling depressed for a long time.

Now that Song Xuan has also come to the academy to study, the pressure of revitalizing the Song family will not be borne entirely by him alone.

Song Hao understood how intelligent his younger brother was. He had already demonstrated great strength by ranking third in the entrance examination. He just didn't know how much better he would perform when he actually took the imperial examination.

The two of them walked to the entrance of the academy in silence, and it was Song Hao who took the initiative to speak:
"I've been in the academy for a few more years than you have. If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me. When you're away from home, it's my responsibility as your older brother to take care of you."

"Hahaha, thank you, Fifth Brother."

Song Xuan waved his folding fan:

"But you also know that I've been used to being independent since I was young. I never ask for help from others. If I do ask for help, it means something really big has happened."

Song Hao nodded. He just came here to talk to his younger brother Song Xuan and restore their friendship.

After all, there isn't much affection left between the two of them.

In addition, Song Hao felt that his third brother still had some resentment in his heart because he took the poem "Ode to the Frog" which was well-known throughout the world without asking.

But he didn't get angry, which made Song Hao feel uneasy. His third brother was probably too lazy to argue with him. He didn't even want to fight with him?
That means you really don't care.

Song Hao watched Song Xuan walk away and sighed again.

The fact that he failed to pass the provincial exam was always a huge burden on his heart.

I hope that I can pass the provincial examination and enter the palace examination in three years.

Song Xuan walked forward blankly without looking back.

He didn't know whether his brother would feel embarrassed, but even if he himself didn't feel embarrassed, he really didn't have much affection for him.

Song Xuan was walking home leisurely when he bumped into Lu Lejian head-on.

(End of this chapter)