Chapter 129: Ten Thousand Gold Allows Arrogant Talent

As the saying goes, a single cash coin can't topple a hero.

Previously, Du Shanü didn't believe it.

Nowadays, whether you believe it or not, you have to believe it!

Du Shanü fretted, restrained herself again and again, yet still couldn't help muttering:

"If you have money, use the money's method; if you don't, use the no-money method......"

"Nowadays, the disaster in Liangjiang Circuit is severe; many commoners are displaced, among them not lacking scholars and talents. Actually, it doesn't take much silver to recruit a group of one's own confidants?"

Just like Ouyang Yan, he was previously merely a member of the refugees; stepping out, at most people would see him as a handsome widower who had just lost his wife.

But after taking charge of Cang Cheng, isn't he now just as clearly managing the storehouse—knowing exactly where to allocate resources, where to send laborers for work and profit?

Others......

Others haven't even asked for half a cash coin so far!

Du Shanü clung to a sliver of hope, then saw the scholar before her, whose visage resembled ancient moon, oddly glance at her:

"My lord, the state has its laws, laws have regulations...... You ought to know this, right?"

"Literati and scholars differ by only one character, yet a hair's breadth off leads to a thousand li error."

"As the saying goes, occupy the position, plan its governance, fulfill its duties, bear its responsibilities."

"Every position has its own rules and regulations; aside from knowing whether this person is suitable, whether they have ability is also extremely important."

"Recruiting scholars to copy and write, first filling a clerical post, is certainly without worry."

"But those without any official rank, perhaps even never having taken the imperial exams—how would they know what a position entails or how to perform it?"

"If it were ordinary times, naturally one could gradually train them."

"But what time is it now?"

"Nowadays, when recruiting people, they must be put to use immediately!"

"A slight mistake could easily become a capital crime punishable by death; how could we dare to employ those clueless novices?"

"What Afang said is correct."

"Chinu's hand inside her sleeve lightly pinched Du Shanü's hand:"

"Moreover, the scholars of today are actually not the same as you imagine."

"In his speech, he especially emphasized the word 'nowadays' to explain to Du Shanü:"

"In these days, the truly poor are called commoners, dark-headed folk, and villagers."

"The so-called 'impoverished-gate scholars' actually do not refer to the poor, but to families possessing a certain foundation and wealth (only such families can be called a 'gate')."

"Ancient sayings often go, 'The upper ranks have no impoverished gates, the lower ranks have no noble clans.' From the start, 'impoverished gate' actually referred to the commoner class corresponding to the upper-rank noble clans—families with some wealth and influence, but weaker power."

"The reason clan aristocracies can stand for centuries, even millennia, is that they guard the literary lineage, storing vast collections of classics and histories exclusively for their descendants to study, whereas impoverished-commoner folk often struggle to obtain even a single book."

"Ask yourself, the books read by ordinary commoner scholars are originally just those that others intentionally let leak from between their fingers for them to read; their horizons remain forever that narrow—so how great is their chance to leap the dragon gate?"

"Of course, it is minuscule."

"Many people wonder, why is it that some who clearly come from humble origins, fortunately pass the dragon gate, yet then do not become good officials......"

"Actually, some of them are not necessarily unwilling to do well; rather, their horizons have always been only that large."

"The grand principles in books only speak of loyalty to the ruler and love for the country, yet they never write out a solution."

"Things that others can easily obtain from birth, some people may need decades just to barely touch the threshold."

"The chasm between clan aristocracy, commoner class, and the impoverished is as hard to cross as ascending to heaven."

"The Wife Master just used Ouyang Yan as an example, but could Ouyang Yan possibly be considered a commoner?"

"He is in fact the legitimate eldest son of the King of An Nan!"

"If it weren't for his being a concubine's son, and if his maternal clan hadn't had a powerful queen, the person who now holds the title of Crown Prince of An Nan would be him!"

"Therefore, renowned scholars are truly indispensable."

"Best of all are renowned scholars who bring their own connections and family wealth."

"That way, once they come to join, they can add wings like a tiger......"

"Chinu explained every word in detail, yet Du Shanü's face had already sunk to a frightening degree——"

"In her previous life she had heard much about egalitarian education, and only now does she realize how precious and rare it is."

"Indeed, the notion that upon transmigration one should understand everything and be all-knowing is nothing but a lie to deceive children!"

"In this life, how could she do without Chinu!"

"Du Shanü gripped the person tighter once more; this time she did not hesitate:"

"Then I'll save up more money...... how much is enough?"

"Chen Weifang pondered briefly:"

"I used to have a few old friends in Southern Long; although we haven't kept in touch these years, when I was previously demoted I also heard they were dissatisfied with the imperial court......"

"Why not first take a hundred gold, make a modest gift, and test whether they'd consider changing allegiance?"

"A hundred gold, and that's only a modest gift?"

"Du Shanü couldn't catch her breath all at once, nearly fainting."

"However, she managed to hold back, clicked her teeth, and then asked Chinu:"

"What does Nu Nu think?"

"Although it's a lot, as long as Nu Nu says to give it, she'll scrape together the funds even if she has to smash pots and sell iron!"

"She doesn't feel the slightest pang for money."

"Not at all! o(╥﹏╥)o"

"Chinu lifted her eyelids, the beautiful eyes flickered slightly, and she gave Du Shanü a light white glance:"

"With my method, you'll have to produce ten thousand gold."

Du Shanü: "?"

Ten thousand, ten thousand gold?

How come it keeps getting more and more as they talk!

Damn it!

Who exactly is making all the money in this world!

How come even ten thousand gold has shown up; just looking at her makes her seem like a wealthy person deserving of a thousand cuts!

Du Shanü couldn't help but take a light breath.

Chen Weifang first froze, then as if suddenly realizing something, her face drastically changed, and she shouted:

"Saner!"

That cry was abrupt, the anxiety in it almost solidified.

Anyone can tell this matter is out of the ordinary.

Du Shanü had still been brooding, but hearing this she slightly relaxed the corners of her mouth and solemnly looked at Chinu.

Chinu, on the other hand, was calm and breezy, casually saying:

"Don't call me so loudly."

"That old thing dares to demand ten thousand gold treatment; how could I not dare to say it?"

Chen Weifang could no longer maintain her earlier composure, gritted her teeth and said:

"How could it be the same! You and he back then......"

"Stop stop stop!"

Du Shanü raised her hand:

"Don't play these vague riddles; if there's something, just say it, let's think of a solution together, don't hide it, waiting until a knife is at your throat before spitting out a little bit."

Storybooks often perform like this, but they are all living people!

How could they still do such a stupid thing!

After Du Shanü's words fell, Chen Weifang finally calmed a bit; seeing Chinu still silent and calm, he took a few breaths before speaking:

"Saner has an... an old acquaintance, from the Ruan clan of Jingchuan."

"This person is over seventy, arrogant and reckless, yet quite talented; in his youth, before entering service, he declared that one day the Wise Lord must invite him with ten thousand gold, or he would not take office......"

Arrogant and reckless?

Even in front of Chinu, someone can still be called arrogant and reckless?

Du Shanü silently complained in her heart, and the next moment she heard Chen Weifang say:

"This person's ability exists, and it's not small."

"However, if we want to employ him, there is a huge problem—namely, Saner once killed his grandson."