Chapter 158: Exquisite Kitchen Chapter 157: Cheap

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Just as Yuan Jing had stood up, forcing a smile to go greet him, he suddenly heard such news explode beside his ear, and the smile on his face could no longer be held as he cried out in alarm: "Is this true?!"

Han Li said vaguely: "Naturally, but there are not entirely no requirements. Senior Brother's character, Yuan Xiong, you have long known. Though he is not currently taking disciples, it can still be counted as coming from his school. Students who walk out of Chen's door may not have excellent learning, but the family atmosphere cannot be poor, nor can they be the sort who bully the countryside and act arrogantly."

"I have just arrived and cannot recognize people. For this examination, I can only entrust it to Yuan Xiong—you have long taught at Weizhou Prefecture Academy and are a Xuezheng, with students everywhere and deep connections. Surely it is not difficult?"

Naturally it is not difficult.

Yuan Jing stood where he was and could not help but swallow a mouthful of saliva.

Chen Laoxiansheng had indeed taken in a batch of students in his early years. When the former Emperor was on the throne, due to factional strife in the court, several outstanding disciples were either exiled or thrown into prison.

He had run about for them all, and had originally already secured the release of the imprisoned one, but at this very moment a scandal broke out: that imprisoned student's family had used this man's banner to seize civilian fields and interfere with local criminal justice.

Unable to discipline his students, having taught people improperly and misjudged people, he was instantly disheartened.

He apologized one by one to those he had previously asked for favors, and after blaming and reproaching himself, Chen Ting no longer involved himself in court affairs, focusing instead on teaching. Once his remaining disciples had each completed their studies, he simply dissolved the academy.

He remained in seclusion for a long time until the new Emperor ascended the throne. Deng Jijiu requested him three or four times, and the Emperor issued imperial edicts summoning him repeatedly, before he finally came out of the mountains to help compile books for a while and then entered Taixue.

But after this, he was extremely cautious about taking disciples, considering himself merely an ordinary teacher.

Regardless, this person's status at the Door is there, his learning is there, and his character is there.

If one could study under this person, even if only as a wandering student and not a true disciple, one's learning goes without saying. As long as one could gain even a bit of connections, the benefits would be countless!

Yuan Jing had originally prepared several pleasantries, such as "When did Zheng Yan arrive in Weizhou?", "How is Chen Lao's health recently?", "Why not stay at my home tonight?" and so on—all humble and courteous, with utmost propriety. But at this moment he did not have time to say a single one, not even time to look at the tea, and only kept asking questions in succession.

First he asked whether there were age restrictions for that student, and whether there were truly two spots.

Second he asked how much grain needed to be raised, what the time limit was, and what the price was.

Third he asked how the grain would be transported once it was raised.

Seeing that the other party asked in detail, Han Li answered him sentence by sentence. For example, there were no major age restrictions, but Senior Brother was no longer as young as before and no longer had the strength to care for young children. He also reported the quantity of grain required, demanding it be raised within two days, at a price ten percent lower than the market rate.

As for transportation, grain carts were needed. It was not required that they be delivered all the way to Hua Prefecture, but they must at least be delivered to the dock east of Jixian.

After listening, Yuan Jing did not haggle at all. He even took out paper and brush right in front of him, wrote down everything Han Li had said one by one, confirmed it once, and then said: "Zheng Yan, leave this matter to me to handle. Do not worry about how I handle it. In any case, I will definitely raise the grain for you."

Now that the matter was settled, he finally freed his mind. He hurriedly invited Han Li to drink tea, asked if he had had a chance to eat on the way, and then invited him to stay overnight at his home.

Han Li declined them all, saying he had business, and that he was currently staying at the official guesthouse. If there was anything, he could send someone to report at any time. After speaking, he immediately took his leave and departed.

The moment he left, Yuan Jing did not stop for a moment. He immediately sent someone to fetch his wife and told her the matter.

Yuan's wife was from a scholarly family. Upon hearing this, she could not even sit still. She hurriedly said: "Sir, that is Tingqing Xiansheng! Such a good opportunity cannot be let go to outsiders!"

Yuan Jing nodded: "I know. Write letters to Eldest and Second, find an excuse, and call them back first! Make it quick!"

He then had someone prepare a horse and sent an invitation card to the Hangshou of the city's grain shops, inviting him to a certain tea house.

By the time Yuan Jing arrived, the grain shop Hangshou had already been waiting at the door for a long time.

People in the business world are naturally attentive in receiving guests and handling matters. After receiving the person, they invited him into an elegant room and seated him. They were about to urge the waiter to bring the menu, but Yuan Jing waved his hand and said: "Just sit for a while, chat a few sentences, and then leave."

Soon the waiter brought tea. He was about to pour the tea, but the Hangshou took the teapot himself, gestured for the waiter to withdraw, and personally poured the tea.

Yuan Jing took the tea, took a sip, saw that the waiter had closed the door and left, and immediately said: "Hangshou Zhan, last time you said your young son wanted to enter the prefecture academy..."

Hangshou Zhan had already guessed there was definitely business. Hearing this, his eyes lit up and he immediately said: "Yes! Yes! It's just that he is a few years younger than the others. When taking the exam, he is inevitably short by a point or two, but not by much..."

"However, my son has one good point: he is very diligent, hardworking, and respects teachers and values the Dao. I have invited many teachers, and every one of them praised his intelligence and talent. Sir Yuan, can you help arrange things and get him into the prefecture academy?"

He also said: "If Sir Yuan can lend a hand, my whole family will be endlessly grateful."

"As for arranging things, naturally it cannot be done with empty words. But I do not know how much would be appropriate? I am willing to offer three hundred silver..."

Before the Hangshou could name the figure, Yuan Jing shook his head and stopped him: "The conditions for the prefecture academy are out in the open. No one can fake it. If one does not pass the exam, one cannot enter the school."

He paused, then said: "Although he cannot enter the prefecture academy, I am currently about to take a disciple. I do not know if your son is interested."

Hangshou Zhan was pouring tea for Yuan Jing. Hearing this, he was so anxious his hand shook, and he nearly spilled the tea.

Yuan Jing's learning and reputation in Weizhou are well known. If you spread out a palm, among the longest three fingers, one is surely him.

Although he cannot enter the prefecture academy right now, if he enters Yuan Jing's school, would he still fear not being guided? Would he not be able to enter in the future?

Hangshou Zhan had followed his father in business since childhood and had done so for decades. The more he did it, the more he felt that having money without power meant his business could never grow large.

His eldest and second sons were already too old for this. They could only do business. But his youngest son seemed to truly have some talent for reading.

Whether reading or entering officialdom, apart from money, he himself was busy but could not help. But if he could rely on Xuezheng Yuan, his son's future path would be who knows how many times easier. In the future, he could support the family...

For the sake of his children and grandchildren, he must plan for the long term. Hangshou Zhan hurriedly said: "This is a good thing one could not even dream of! For it to actually fall upon my son's head—if it can truly be accomplished, I would not hesitate to spill my liver and brains!"

Yuan Jing said: "No need to spill your liver and brains. It's just that there is indeed one matter where I want someone to help."

He stated the requirements Han Li had raised one by one, compressed the two-day time limit down to a day and a half, and finally said: "This is needed for an errand of an old friend of mine. I have a very close relationship with his family's elders, and I have already agreed. If Hangshou Zhan can solve this, that would naturally be best. If not, I will have to go find someone else."

Hangshou Zhan was not a fool. He naturally knew that if someone else was found, the disciple spot would fall to someone else's head.

He hurriedly said: "Why find someone else! As for other things, I dare not say, but if it is about raising grain, in this Weizhou Prefecture City, my old Zhan family is second, and no one dares call themselves first. Teacher's grace is the greatest. Sir, rest assured. I will give the orders right now. At the latest, by noon the day after tomorrow, I will definitely give you an answer!"

After taking his leave, Hangshou Zhan sent people overnight to inventory the stock. In the end, the city's stock was still far short. He also borrowed from others in the Merchant Guild, and sent people to dispatch from branches in the Seven Counties and Twelve Towns. He was busy all night without even having time to close his eyes.

?? Really sorry, I've been too busy lately, too busy. I only got off work after nine tonight, my brain is a complete mess facing the computer, and I can't write. I can only update this much.

? This project won't land until Saturday. Updates these few days may not be guaranteed. I will try to write more on Sunday. Sorry QAQ