Chapter 2: Raising the Price on the Spot

Whether it succeeds or not, as long as you all are willing to write a letter of introduction, I am willing to present it on the spot.

The several scholars beside him were excited, almost wanting to grab their pens and write immediately, but Zhao Jinzhong suddenly said:

Boss Yan is indeed generous, but let me say this first: a letter of introduction is merely a prelude. If your daughter truly has this ability, the instructors at the academy will surely welcome her; but if she does not...

When Zhao Jinzhong said this, Yan Buji also understood his meaning and smiled:

Scholarly matters are beyond this rough man of mine, but I can guarantee this is all my daughter's work, with no falsification whatsoever!

Zhao Jinzhong nodded: 'Good, but let us few first return to the academy to discuss this; tomorrow morning we will definitely give Boss Yan an answer.'

Yes, yes, please go ahead and attend to your affairs; I won't disturb you further. Today, all expenses in this teahouse are on me; I look forward to hearing your good news tomorrow. Yan Buji rose, clasped his hands, and smiled.

Zhao Jinzhong and the others also rose, clasped their hands, and replied: 'Thank you, Boss Yan.'

Having said that, Yan Buji turned and left.

Zhao Jinzhong glanced at his friends nearby, covering his head: 'Don't look at me like I've never seen money; this person is a wealthy magnate of Lin Shan Cheng, backed by the government and with many properties—just this little money and you're sending me away?'

Ah? Brother Zhao, what do you mean....

Hmph, I have just become a presented scholar, exactly the time to make a name for myself. Coincidentally, not long from now there will be a Spring Literary Assembly jointly held by scholars from several cities, and I don't yet know how much money will be needed. Do you think a mere thousand taels of silver could make any waves at the Spring Literary Assembly?

Spring Literary Assembly!

Several scholars' eyes lit up, but then they became somewhat complicated.

This assembly is of great renown; not only do local prefects and other officials attend, but also many retired court officials and renowned scholars from near and far come, and if one could gain their favor....

Although scholars scorn money on the surface, in actual social dealings lacking money truly makes every step difficult.

What's more, these are scholars who eagerly anticipate an official career.

One scholar hesitated: 'But... really speaking, would someone like Yan Buji, an old oil hand in the marketplace, fail to notice our idea of raising the price on the spot? If we anger him, perhaps later....'

Never mind what the old oil hand thinks; a mere merchant, talking business is business, but we are scholars! We won't buy his act. Besides, returning to the academy is the perfect chance to ask the instructors whether they'd be interested in taking on a female student. Zhao Jinzhong held up the answer sheet Yan Xirou had done, slapped it in his hand, and laughed.

Oh, I see.

Brother Zhao, high insight!

Several scholars exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

Elsewhere.

After Yan Buji stepped down from the carriage and entered the gates of the Yan Residence, the surrounding servants and maidservants all bowed in unison and shouted:

Greetings, Master!

Hmm, go about your duties.

Yes, Master.

Yan Buji walked into the parlor, took off the string of prayer beads from his wrist, and pinched them.

Not long after, an elderly servant entered from outside, still holding a basket.

'Master, I've returned; I've brought some specialties from my hometown for you to try.' The old man, bent with age, walked over respectfully and presented the basket.

Yan Buji rose, supporting the old man: 'Old Qian, you've been with me for ten years and you're still this polite? Without you back then, I might have died on the roadside.'

Old Qian's face was full of panic; seeing Yan Buji like this, he felt that although their statuses now differed greatly, his heart was still warm beyond measure, and he felt fortunate to have followed the right master, thus having these days without worry of food or clothing, able to earn respect.

'Master, you truly... are too kind to us servants.'

'Hahaha, I too have endured hard times; everyone has it tough.'

Yan Buji sat beside Old Qian, reached into the basket, took out a piece of flower cake, placed it in his mouth, and began to taste it.

'Mm, still the same flavor as before.'

Old Qian chuckled: 'Back then you ate fifty at one go, which scared the old man half to death.'

Yan Buji took out a handkerchief, wiped his mouth, laughed and shook his head: 'I'm old now, I don't have that appetite anymore; I'll bring the rest back for Rou Er to try.'

'Yes, Master.'

'By the way, how's your family doing?'

'Not bad; this trip home I finished arranging my wife's funeral. From now on... I'm afraid I can only beg you not to drive me away—just give me a meal and I'll be content.' Old Qian lowered his head, his voice growing softer.

Old Qian lost his father and mother early, lost his son in middle age, lost his wife in old age; his whole life he has been a lonely, solitary person.

He also knows that, being of advanced age, he can no longer work; clinging to the master's household and refusing to leave is already extremely rude, and if he encountered those who forget old ties, they would likely have sent him away years ago.

Now Old Qian's saying this also carries a hint of repaying kindness, though it's quite subtle and his attitude is very low, because he knows the master is a great benefactor; remembering old feelings and giving him a meal ought not to be too difficult.

Upon hearing this, Yan Buji said: 'Old Qian, you too can no longer work....'

Having just heard that, Old Qian was frightened, fell to his knees with a thud, tears streaming uncontrollably: 'Master, master! I... I still have some strength, I can work! Even one meal a day would do.'

Yan Buji startled, hurriedly helped Old Qian up, and couldn't help laughing: 'Old Qian, what are you doing? When did I ever say I'd drive you away?'

'Master, you....'

'What I mean is, there's an empty room in the annex you can temporarily stay in, and I think your homemade flower cakes are quite tasty; give you some money to set up a stall in the city to sell flower cakes and earn some cash, so you can support yourself—what do you think?'

'But... how could that be? I can't just sponge off you!' Old Qian hurriedly refused.

'I haven't finished yet; from now on, after you deduct costs, half of your earnings will go to me as my dividend, the rest is yours—what do you think?' Yan Buji laughed.

Old Qian drew a deep breath, bowed his body: 'Master, your great kindness and virtue—I will repay you in my next life by serving as an ox or horse!'

'Hahaha, who knows about the next life?'

After comforting Old Qian, Yan Buji returned to the main seat and sat down, his smile gradually fading, his face expressionless as he pinched the prayer beads.

'Old Qian, I haven't treated you poorly. From now on... don't let me down.'

In his thoughts, Yan Buji rose and went to the study, taking up a brush; on the xuan paper he drew dragons and phoenixes dancing, the strokes upright and forceful, the brushwork vigorous—evidence of deep skill, surely the result of arduous practice.

'Almost done. The matter of Rou Er's enrollment should not be delayed; it's merely that those few scholars intend to raise the price on the spot. However, to ensure the smooth execution of this, even if we had to exhaust our fortunes, we would not hesitate!!'

Gazing at the paper, however, there were four large characters!

Spring Literary Assembly!