After saving the Empress, I became the top scholar in the imperial examination.

money……

Money, money, money... He had been spending Master Zhu's money lavishly the other day, which was quite enjoyable, but now that he had the household registration, Master Zhu hadn't extended an olive branch or invited him to be a retainer or advisor. It seemed that his only means of making money, or rather his assets, really was his family's twelve acres of land.

Judging from the reactions of Old Man Liu and the others last time, it seems that one's own calligraphy can actually be sold for money.

But this thing needs to be packaged and planned properly by an experienced bookseller... that is, an intermediary or agent... to make it easier to sell. Right now, the most important thing is the imperial examination. Selling calligraphy can't be rushed... If I can pass the imperial examination and become a Xiucai, then selling calligraphy can be put on the agenda.

A piece of calligraphy can definitely sell for tens of taels of silver.

If you pass the provincial examination and become a Juren... then the reward will double! ...If you pass the imperial examination and become an official... well... then I really don't know how much it will double...

However, at present, it seems that apart from the twelve acres of land at home, I really don't have any other ways to make money.

I had promised Mr. Chen of Changqing Trading Company that after the Black Tiger Mountain incident was resolved, I would help him come up with some ideas to earn back all the money I had spent... After moving to Nanjing, I should pay him a visit. The first few ideas will be free of charge, and I can take a small cut later, which shouldn't be a big deal.

Next, let's talk about the gifts received at this wedding. There were quite a lot of gifts. I won't go into detail about the uncle... The Zhenguo Marquis's mansion alone sent him fifty bolts of top-quality silk, as well as some gold, jade, agate, and other items. I don't know how much they're worth... These things are still on the gift list and will be delivered to his residence in Nanjing later.

Those three thousand-household garrisons made a fortune this time; the three garrisons combined gave him nearly two thousand taels of silver... If you really want to calculate it, he got a kickback this time.

The county magistrate of Dingjiang gave him an antique inkstone. This thing is very valuable in the eyes of those who know its value, but worthless in the eyes of those who don't. He can ask about the price at an antique shop later.

The emperor's attendant, Wang Da, gave him a pair of luminous pearls... These things were obviously priceless, and he put them in a hidden compartment under the wardrobe, which was locked.

As for Grand Tutor Gu... well, it's good enough that he came... he even gave him a box of books... how kind... so full of heartfelt sentiment, I don't even want to open them.

All the miscellaneous details add up.

The Ning family is quite wealthy... It's a good deal for Cui Cui to marry into the family.

Oh...my brother-in-law also sent a dowry, which will be delivered to the house in Nanjing later. However, this belongs to Cui Cui's wife personally and is at her own disposal.

After being lectured by the dark-skinned woman, Ning Nan did take stock of Old Ning's assets... He had money, but his means of making money were severely lacking.

but……

If one fails the imperial examinations, all means of making money will be fleeting.

You can offer advice to Mr. Chen, but you must be cautious when doing business yourself.

The relationships of interest in this era are complex and intertwined.

Who knows, if my business grows too big and I offend someone, things could get really complicated.

Although Wang Daban, Gu Taifu, and even Zhenguo Hou all attended his wedding, it is important for a person to know their own limitations. If one owes a favor, such as a life-saving debt, when one's own strength is insufficient to repay the favor, one may unknowingly become a servant dependent on others, which would be undesirable.

"I'll discuss it with my wife."

Ning Nan waved his hand, interrupting the dark-skinned woman, and pulled Cui Cui, who was drinking tea nearby, into the room.

The term "wife" was already quite common at this time, but seeing the other party call Prince Xin "wife" and hold the prince's hand so intimately and casually... Qin Yuanyao couldn't help but frown... Toad... Big toad.

To Ningnan's surprise.

Previously, Cui Cui was a high-ranking maid in a royal family, and Qin Yuanyao treated her with utmost respect. Now, she was about to become a clerk in the Imperial Guard, a position lower in status than the dark-skinned woman. He thought she would be unwilling, but to his surprise, she simply nodded her chin and said, "The clerk position is very good."

Ning Nan gritted his teeth. He actually preferred that his wife go out and find a job so that she wouldn't have too much energy and would always be picking on him at home.

But after hearing what the other party said, she suddenly felt that she might be being wronged, so she suggested that she could open a small shop in Hangezhuang or Jiangning City, such as a silk shop. The business of such a shop is small, not tiring, and you won't offend anyone. You can hire a few people and be the boss.

The other person raised an eyebrow, clearly somewhat tempted. But quickly shook his head, saying that being a clerk in the Embroidered Uniform Guard would be just fine.

Hmm...maybe this woman likes excitement...Ning Nan remembered that she knew martial arts and nodded knowingly: "Then let's make her a clerk."

thus.

They signed a contract with Qin Yuanyao, agreeing to pay three taels of silver per month, excluding food and lodging. They would be required to report for duty at the Imperial Guard Commander's Office at dawn every day and leave the office at dusk... After moving to Nanjing, Cuicui officially started working.

Seeing the woman holding the contract with a hint of excitement in her eyes, Ning Nan smiled as well.

Of the four questions Han Laoguai gave him, the first one was "Use it when it's needed, and discard it when it's not; only you and I have this principle."

This comes from a quote from Confucius to Yan Hui in the Analects, Book 1, Chapter 12.

It means that if you are appointed, you should make the most of your life's ambitions; if you are not appointed, you should stay put and study diligently. I'm afraid only you and I can do that.

The dilemma between serving in office and retiring... Ning Nan nodded his chin.

Grind the ink.

While thinking.

After a long time, the key point was finally set: "The proper conduct of a sage is to wait for the capable before subtly revealing it."

This means that the sage's principles regarding conduct and concealment are only revealed when they encounter someone capable of understanding them.

He then used the phrase, "The conduct and actions of a sage are not easily dictated; it was only after Yan Hui approached this that one could begin to speak with him," to continue the theme.

It means, "The conduct and actions of a sage are difficult to measure; only after Yan Hui approached this level can we finally discuss the nature of sages."

The most important word in this question is "only".

That is, "only".

Since only Confucius and Yan Hui could understand it... of course I can't.

Following this line of thought, he praised the knowledge of conduct and privacy to the skies, saying that this knowledge was originally only understood by Confucius, and that Confucius was only able to discuss it with Yan Hui after Yan Hui had some understanding of it... He then went on to lavish praise on the deep understanding between Confucius and Yan Hui, how lonely the sage was, how rare it was to have Yan Hui as a disciple, and how the two were truly kindred spirits... As for the knowledge of conduct and privacy itself, that was naturally not important.

After finishing one piece, Ning Nan blew on the ink.

The aroma of food wafted in.

My mother and wife have already prepared the meal.

Ning Nan stood up with satisfaction.

As soon as we sat down at the table, we saw Uncle Fu, this honest and kind man, braving the scorching sun to come and freeload a meal at this time of day.

Ning Nan smiled and handed him a bowl of tea, then gestured for him to sit down: "I'll go get a set of chopsticks and a bowl."

Uncle Fu quickly waved his hand, wiped the tea from the corner of his mouth, and said with a smile, "Young Master, there's no need to trouble yourself." He then called out to Cuicui and his mother, "Young Madam, the wedding gifts that Master has prepared for you two are ready."

Wedding gifts… Ning Nan frowned: “Uncle Fu, didn’t Uncle’s gift already arrive a while ago?”

Thirty sheep, twenty bolts of silk, all sorts of fruits and vegetables, and three hundred taels of silver... What's more, Aunt Beizhi also gave him a thousand taels.

Uncle Fu shook his head and said solemnly, "That's the proper expense for the young master's wedding."

"The real gift Master wants to give," Ningfu pointed outside and said with a smile, "is the two hundred acres of land that used to belong to Master Li... and his mansion..."

"The master has already reached an agreement with Master Li, obtained the land deed, and revised the Yellow Register of Jiangning County. Master Li will be moving out this afternoon..."

"Well, young master, don't worry. Master Li won't lose out. His son got promoted, and the master is still in Sushui. We exchanged three hundred acres of land for Master Li... Our Ning family never does anything like this, taking advantage of others..."

Two hundred acres of land... Ning Nan's eyes widened in surprise.

Ning Fu laughed and said, "Young Master, now you are the new patriarch of Li Family Village!"