Chapter 1: The Greatest Tycoon

Peddlers and laborers drove carts selling broth.

On the bustling street, carts and horses flowed like water and dragons, an endless stream; people shouldered their way through, coming and going. Shops lined both sides in close rows, heads bustling, lively and crowded, the dazzling array of goods dazzling the eyes. Calls of vendors and bargaining rose and fell without cease. The aromas of various foods wafted from street corners and alleys, making passersby drool. Children played and frolicked in the crowd, laughter ringing throughout the street; young people gathered in groups of three or five, chatting and laughing; the elderly strolled leisurely, enjoying this wonderful time. Such a massive flow of people added even more vitality and vigor to the already extraordinarily lively street.

In the tavern ahead, many commoners were eating and drinking on the first floor; the waiter greeted guests to sit, busy to the point of not having his feet touch the ground.

On the third floor, a group of scholars was drinking heartily with a middle-aged man wearing an embroidered cloud-patterned robe, occasionally bursting into cheerful laughter.

"Since ancient times, in an age of Dao, one must take nurturing life as the foundation and stop at poverty and lowliness. Without poverty there is no peace; without lowliness there is no foothold." The scholar looked down at the peddlers and laborers, watching their faces, aged from a busy life, covered with bean-sized sweat constantly being wiped, and gave a light laugh.

"In this moral world, the people's peace and happiness should be the most important; we cannot let the people fall into poverty and misery." The middle-aged man laughed.

"Hahaha, Lord Yan's words are absolutely correct. Although our Earth Way Dynasty is one of the two major dynasties in the Nan Ting Mountain Region, historically there have been no lack of signs when grand buildings collapse and dikes burst. Scholars like us should not just read dead books mechanically; we ought to leave our cold windows, observe whether the people on this street are at peace, only then can we preserve ourselves, and when harmony prevails, we can serve the court, relieve the sovereign's worries, and seek blessings for all beings."

The speaking young scholar had a jade-like countenance and the looks of Pan An; he was a student of Lingshan Academy in Lin Shan Cheng, named Zhao Jinzhong. Having just become a licentiate this year, and barely eighteen, he could be called one of the outstanding young talents among the nearby major cities!

Upon hearing Zhao Jinzhong say this, the surrounding scholars echoed in unison:

"Brother Zhao's words are exactly what we scholars pursue in life!"

"If I could one day stroll into the dragon court, meet the sage emperor, and gain an official post, I would surely take Brother Zhao's words today as my guiding principle!"

"Hahaha, you're all too polite. Today, thanks to Lord Yan's banquet, Jinzhong merely spoke from feeling. Come, come, come, let us all first raise a cup to Lord Yan!"

"Thank you, Lord Yan, for your generosity!"

"Many thanks, Lord Yan!"

"You talented ones have overwhelmed me; I, Yan Buji, have been drifting since birth, and only after great difficulty did I establish a modest estate by the age of thirty. To be able to invite a few talents from Lingshan Academy to share this drink with me, I shall first raise a cup to all of you!"

Yan Buji raised his cup with both hands and spoke sincerely.

Upon this, the scholars' faces showed satisfaction; they all raised their cups and drained the wine.

After finishing a cup, Zhao Jinzhong asked: "Lord Yan, thanks to your kindness, I don't know why you invited us today...."

Yan Buji chuckled, his face embarrassed, somewhat hesitant to speak: "Everyone, I am a rough man who knows no etiquette, but all my life I have thought only that I read too little as a child, and besides earning a little money I have achieved nothing else. Hearing your lofty talk just now has made me resolve! If I have offended, please forgive me. I... actually want to ask you scholars: could you help my daughter write a letter of introduction?"

"This...."

A few scholars' faces showed some hesitation.

The Earth Way Dynasty does not forbid women from studying; they can even take the imperial examinations, although historically almost none have succeeded.

Leaving aside that today is their first meeting with Lin Shan Cheng's richest man, Lingshan Academy is not some elementary school that just anyone can enter.

Wealth is merely a minor part; what matters most is family background and the scholar's own ability.

"If Lord Yan merely wants to fulfill his unfulfilled dream of study, why not hire a private tutor to teach his daughter alone?" Zhao Jinzhong asked strangely.

"Those pedantic scholars—how could they compare to you? How could they match Lingshan Academy, one of the three great academies of the Earth Way Dynasty? Although I am merely an ordinary merchant with some spare cash, for my daughter's future I naturally want to choose the best! I have long heard of Lingshan Academy's fame, only regretting that my humble self dare not disturb it; but now seeing Scholar Zhao truly is a literary star descended to earth, having become a licentiate in one prefectural exam, I have come with a shameless face to ask for your help." Yan Buji's words were truly heartfelt, showing no pretense.

These words openly expressed a father's hope for his daughter, while secretly elevating Lingshan Academy above the other two; no wonder he is seasoned in the marketplace, his handling of human relations refined to perfection.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Jinzhong's calm expression almost broke into a smile.

Indeed, he is quite pleased; he truly is a famed prodigy, and now he will surely rise steadily like those past 'prodigies', and upon entering the court as an official he will surely achieve great deeds!

Even if Zhao Jinzhong tried to conceal it, the slight upturn of the corner of his mouth was still seen by Yan Buji.

Yan Buji smiled: "My daughter Yan Xirou has been reading and writing since childhood; now that she has reached the age of maturity, she needs to advance further. Although she has not taken the county exam to become a child scholar... this is last year's child‑scholar examination question, and this is her humble effort; I hope you will point out a few things."

While speaking, Yan Buji took out a stack of paper and handed it to Zhao Jinzhong beside him.

Zhao Jinzhong felt doubtful; although he was curious where Yan Buji got the confidence to let him see the answer sheet, he did not strike a smiling face. Were it not for seeing his family's vast wealth, today they would not have come here.

Studying also costs money.

Not to mention other expenses, the preciousness of various books and textbooks, plus the silver needed for literary gatherings and scholars' activities, far exceeds what ordinary people can imagine.

Zhao Jinzhong looked at the question, then at the delicate handwriting below, and his expression turned solemn.

Seeing Zhao Jinzhong so serious, the surrounding scholars could not help but wonder and asked: "Brother Zhao, is there something wrong?"

"It's not wrong; the phrasing seems practiced, the handwriting is decent, but this solution approach is truly unheard of! If I were the examiner, Lord Yan's daughter would certainly become a child scholar." After looking it over, Zhao Jinzhong could not help but sigh.

"Ah? Could Lord Yan's daughter also be a talented woman?!"

"Brother Zhao, quickly let me have a look!"

The surrounding scholars were astonished, took the answer sheet from Zhao Jinzhong's hands, and after looking could not help but praise it endlessly.

"Truly not bad!"

"A mere child scholar would hardly pose a challenge to Lord Yan's daughter; if she could truly study at Lingshan Academy, in three years we might even see a female licentiate from among us!"

"Hahaha."

Yan Buji relaxed, smiling: "Then you all also look favorably on my daughter's humble work?"

Zhao Jinzhong nodded, shifted the conversation, and asked: "I wonder if Lord Yan knows the requirements for entering Lingshan Academy?"

"I understand; if a few of you are willing to write such a letter of introduction, I will personally present a thousand taels of silver and a small residence in the city—each of you will receive one!" Yan Buji spoke grandly.

"Hiss!"

"Really rich!"

Not to mention that the thousand taels of silver is a substantial sum in itself; just the small residence in Lin Shan Cheng is worth more than a hundred taels of silver, and besides one needs connections with the authorities—it's not something money alone can buy property in Lin Shan Cheng.

Truly deserving of the title of Lin Shan Cheng's foremost tycoon.