Miao Chu

Chapter 157 Cheap
Yuan Jing had just stood up, forcing a smile as he was about to greet them, when this news suddenly exploded in his ears. He couldn't maintain his smile and exclaimed, "Is this true?!"

Han Li replied, “Of course, but it’s not without its requirements. You know my character, Brother Yuan. Although I’m not accepting disciples now, I can still be considered a disciple of the Chen family. Students who have come out of the Chen family can be less academically accomplished, but their family atmosphere cannot be bad, and they certainly cannot be the kind of people who bully the villagers and act arrogantly.”

"I am new here and cannot recognize anyone. I have no choice but to entrust this investigation to Brother Yuan. You have been teaching at the Weizhou Prefectural School for a long time and are also an academic official. You have students all over the place and a wide network of connections. It should not be difficult for you, right?"

It's not difficult at all.

Yuan Jing stood there, swallowing hard involuntarily.

In his early years, Mr. Chen had quite a few students. During the reign of the late emperor, due to factional infighting in the court, several outstanding students were either demoted or imprisoned.

He had worked tirelessly for the sake of everyone and had already managed to save the imprisoned man, but then a scandal broke out: the imprisoned student's family was using his name to seize farmland and manipulate the local prison.

The student was incompetent in discipline, the teacher was not proper in teaching, and the teacher was not good at judging people, which made him lose heart in no time.

After apologizing to everyone he had previously asked for favors and blaming himself for his mistakes, Chen Ting stopped getting involved in court affairs and focused on teaching. Once his other students had graduated, he simply disbanded the academy.

He remained silent for a long time until the new emperor ascended the throne. Deng, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, invited him three or four times, and the emperor repeatedly issued decrees to summon him. Only then did he come out of seclusion to help revise the books and enter the Imperial Academy.

But from then on, he was extremely cautious about accepting apprentices, treating himself as just an ordinary teacher.

Regardless, this person's status, knowledge, and character are all evident.

If one could study under this master, even if it was just as a traveling student and not a true disciple, the knowledge gained would be invaluable. Moreover, the benefits of gaining even a small part of his connections would be countless!

Yuan Jing had prepared a few polite greetings, such as "When did Zheng Yan arrive in Weizhou?", "How is Old Chen's health lately?", and "Why don't you stay at my home tonight?", all of which were humble, polite, and courteous. But now he didn't have time to say a single word, or even look at the tea, and was busy asking questions one after another.

When asked if there were any age restrictions for the students, and whether there were indeed two spots available, they inquired.

The second question is: how much grain needs to be procured, what is the time limit, and what is the price?

The third question is: now that the grain has been procured, how will it be transported?

Seeing that the other party asked detailed questions, Han Li answered him one by one. For example, there was no age limit, but his senior brother was not as strong as he used to be and no longer had the strength to take care of the young child. He also reported the amount of grain and asked that it must be collected within two days, at a price that was 10% lower than the market price.

As for transportation, grain carts should be brought along. It's not necessary to deliver them all the way to Huazhou, but they should at least be able to reach the wharf east of Jixian.

After listening, Yuan Jing didn't haggle at all. He even took out paper and pen and wrote down everything Han Li said to confirm it before saying, "Zhengyan, you leave this matter to me. Don't worry about what I do. In short, I will definitely raise enough grain for you."

Now that things were settled, he finally had time to clear his head. He hurriedly invited Han Li to have tea, asked if he had had time to eat along the way, and then invited him to stay at his home.

Han Li politely declined all offers, saying he had other matters to attend to and that he was currently staying at the official post station. He added that he would send someone to report any further matters immediately. After saying this, he took his leave.

As soon as he left, Yuan Jing didn't stop for a moment. He immediately called someone to bring his wife out and told the other party what had happened.

Yuan's wife, who came from a scholarly family, couldn't sit still upon hearing this and hurriedly said, "My lord, that's Mr. Tingqing! Such a good opportunity shouldn't be given to outsiders!"

Yuan Jing nodded and said, "I know. Write to the eldest and second eldest brothers and find a reason to call them back! Be quick!"

He then ordered his men to prepare horses and sent out invitations to the head of the grain merchants in the city to a certain teahouse. When Yuan Jing arrived, the head of the grain merchants was already waiting at the door.

People in the business world are naturally courteous. After receiving the guest, they invited him into a private room and seated him. Yuan Jing was about to urge the waiter to bring the menu when he waved his hand and said, "Just sit for a while, chat for a bit, and then I'll leave."

The waiter brought out the tea and was about to pour it when the head waiter took the teapot from him, gestured for him to step back, and then poured the tea himself.

Yuan Jing took the tea, took a sip, and seeing the waiter close the door and leave, immediately said, "Head Chef Zhan, last time you said your son wanted to enter the state school..."

Zhan, the head of the group, had already guessed that something was amiss. Upon hearing this, his eyes lit up, and he immediately said, "Yes! Yes! It's just that he's a few years younger than the others, so he's bound to be a point or two behind in the exam, but not by much..."

"However, my son has one good quality: he is very ambitious, hardworking, and respectful of his teachers. We have consulted many tutors, and they all praise his intelligence. Mr. Yuan, could you help us get him into the state school?"

He added, "If Lord Yuan could lend a hand, my family would be eternally grateful."

"Of course, there's no such thing as a free lunch when it comes to making arrangements, but I don't know how much to offer. I'm willing to pay three taels of silver..."

Before the head of the group could even read out the numbers, Yuan Jing shook his head and said, "The requirements for the state school are clearly stated; no one can falsify them. If you don't pass the exam, you can't enroll."

He paused, then said, "Although he can't enter the state school, I'm about to take on a disciple. I wonder if your son is interested."

Zhan Xingshou was serving tea to Yuan Jing when he heard this, and his hand trembled so much that he almost spilled the tea.

Yuan Jing's scholarship and reputation are among the best in Weizhou. If you were to spread out a hand, one of the three longest fingers would definitely be his.

Although I can't enter the state school now, once I'm under Yuan Jing's tutelage, am I afraid he won't give me guidance? Will I be unable to enter in the future?

Zhan Xingshou had been doing business with his father since he was a child. After decades of doing business, he felt more and more that he had money but no power, and that no matter how big his business became, it would never grow.

The eldest and second sons were too late to catch up, so they had to go into business, but the youngest son seemed to have a real talent for studying.

Whether it's studying or pursuing an official career, I can't help in either area except with money. But if we can get in touch with Yuan Xueguan, my son's future path will be so much easier, and he'll be able to support the family in the future...

Thinking of the long-term future for his children and grandchildren, Zhan Xingshou hurriedly said, "This is truly a good thing that I could never have dreamed of! It has actually fallen into my son's lap. If it really works out, I would gladly give my life!"

Yuan Jing said, "It doesn't require any sacrifice, but there is one thing I really need someone's help with."

He recounted Han Li's requests one by one, and reduced the two-day time limit to one and a half days. Finally, he said, "It is needed by an old friend of mine on an official business. I have a very good relationship with his elders and have already agreed. If Chief Zhan can help resolve it, that would be best. If not, I will have to find someone else."

Zhan Xingshou wasn't stupid; he naturally knew that if he found someone else, the apprenticeship spot would go to that person.

He hurriedly said, "Why would I need anyone else! I dare not speak for others, but if it comes to procuring grain, my Zhan family in Weizhou City is second to none. Your kindness is the greatest, sir. Rest assured, I will give the instructions right away, and at the latest by noon the day after tomorrow, I will definitely give you an answer!"

After taking his leave, Zhan, the head of the guild, immediately had his men take stock of the inventory. It turned out that the stock in the city was far short of what was expected. He then borrowed from the other members of the guild and sent men to the branches in the seven counties and twelve towns to collect supplies. He was so busy that he didn't even have time to close his eyes all night.

I'm so sorry, I've been extremely busy lately. I didn't get off work until after 9 p.m. tonight, and my mind was completely blank in front of the computer. I can't write anymore, so this is all the updates I can manage.

This project won't be finalized until Saturday, so updates might be unreliable in the next few days. I'll try to write more on Sunday, sorry QAQ