Chapter 294: You Can't Buy and Lose

It is said that the other families pressured the Si family, forcing the Si family to compromise; each family selects its most outstanding talented scholar for the imperial examination, competing on genuine merit, and whoever is excellent is chosen, while the other families may not complain.

Jiang Jinshi thought carefully about the details and realized why there was such a poetry gathering—it was meant to select outstanding talent.

Moreover, the credibility of this information is high; even from the Scholar-Gentry's perspective, they would deliberately spread the news, for otherwise those with genuine ability are proud and might not collude with the Scholar-Gentry.

The purpose of secretly disseminating this news is to inform you scholars.

In this examination, joining a prominent family is the only way out; otherwise, no matter how excellent you are, you cannot achieve success!

For scholars of humble origin, isn't this also an opportunity?

In previous years the Scholar-Gentry's selection criteria were extremely strict, not many could meet them; this year the gates are wide open, welcoming everyone, a rare chance for most.

For both sides it is a good opportunity: the Scholar-Gentry can absorb more scholars, firmly grasp the lifeline of the literary class, and thereby strengthen their influence in the Imperial Court.

Humble scholars can also climb the Scholar-Gentry's high branch; as long as they have genuine ability, seeking a minor official post is not difficult.

The only one injured is imperial authority, which is being gradually weakened to a slight degree, and the common people are also affected.

After all, the Scholar-Gentry support your rise—are they doing it so you become a clean official who adjudicates cases?

Jiang Jinshi thought for a moment and asked Shen San, "When does this poetry gathering begin?"

If it's too far away, Jiang Jinshi has no interest; perhaps we should head to Jiangnan instead.

If it's soon, staying to watch is also fine.

Shen San did not hesitate for a moment, "Four days left!"

"Then we'll wait these four days." Jiang Jinshi then asked, "Yangzhou has many merchants; perhaps we can sell some of our goods here first. Is there a suitable market?"

"There is, commander!" Shen San nodded, "It's at the south of Yangzhou Cheng; you only need to pay a fee to obtain a one‑day stall, and many passing merchants trade there."

"Good! We'll go see it tomorrow!"

Jiang Jinshi does not intend to sell all the goods; he needs a trade route, that is, whoever is interested in his goods he can talk with.

Whether the Xinyue Merchant Guild will send goods southward later, or the other party will travel north to pick them up, requires negotiation, and the prices will naturally differ.

The batch he brought is more like samples, hoping to find capable buyers.

The next day the party hurried to the south market of Yangzhou Cheng; although they were numerous, they were inconspicuous within the city, which has canal transport and countless merchants, and everyone is accustomed to such spectacles.

Along the way, in a tea house someone was reciting books, clapping a wooden board, and the whole room cheered.

On the street someone set up a chessboard, a group gathered around in an eerily quiet hush, then suddenly a voice shouted "Marvelous!".

In a pavilion by the river, someone spread paper and brush, shaking their head at the water.

Such scenes are unseen in Beijiang, enough to show the literary difference between here and Beijiang.

Arriving at the market opened Jiang Jinshi's eyes; many scholars displayed their own calligraphy, paintings or poems along the roadside, a dazzling array that held one's gaze.

Huang Yan couldn't help exclaiming, "These scholars are also poor! Forced to sell their calligraphy on the street."

Yan Wu promptly explained, "They're not doing it to sell."

"Is there any explanation for this?" Bai Ting asked curiously; although he is half a scholar, he is more of a rogue and doesn't understand the details.

"Their main purpose isn't to sell, but to showcase their talent; usually only confident individuals use this method, otherwise passing scholars would call them shameless." Yan Wu was very familiar with this, as similar cases occur in Jingcheng.

Jiang Jinshi instantly understood that in these scholars' circles they wouldn't despise poverty, only compare talents, and only scholars with real ability dare to confidently display their works.

It is a way to demonstrate one's strength, and with the Yangzhou poetry gathering approaching, perhaps members of those families will mingle in the crowd; if spotted early, one can avoid many detours.

"The gathering hasn't even started and it's already so competitive; the ancients didn't have it easy either!"

Jiang Jinshi muttered softly, "I've always hated this over‑competition; of course if it were me being squeezed, I'd just stay silent."

After handing over five hundred wen, Jiang Jinshi successfully obtained the right to set up a stall for one day at the market.

He complained, "Five hundred wen for a spot a day in such a huge market—how is that any different from robbery?"

"That's different; robbery doesn't earn that much nor is it stable!" Huang Yan added.

"Do those scholars also have to pay?" Bai Ting, seeing they didn't look wealthy, wondered.

Shen San stepped forward to explain, "As for Captain Bai, they don't need to pay; after all they occupy little space, and as long as they don't block the road it's fine."

Bai Ting looked at his own caravan's wagon, then at the tiny corner they occupied, finally understanding why a fee was charged.

At the market, Jiang Jinshi successfully found the spot he rented for a day; although the five hundred wen hurt his wallet, the location felt more than worth it.

It was a stone table about seven to eight meters long, built from stone blocks, one and a half meters wide, with a wide aisle behind enough to park a wagon.

Just the setup shows it isn't meant for petty trade, and with the bustling market, if the goods are truly in demand, the five hundred wen becomes negligible.

The market even employed cleaners; despite wagons coming and going, there was no foul smell, giving shoppers a pleasant experience.

Jiang Jinshi waved his hand, "Brothers, unload the goods and set them up!"

Over thirty people, only placing these few items, but within a short time everything was ready.

Jiang Jinshi was full of enthusiasm; it was his first time being a "boss" in business, and it felt fresh.

Furs of animals unique to Beijiang, some rare medicinal herbs, and jade raw material all attracted many eyes.

The principle of rare goods is the same everywhere; although many merchants travel north and south, Beijiang merchandise remains scarce on the market, and Jiang Jinshi's quality is the best.

Jiang Jinshi wasn't shy, raised his voice and began hawking.

"Take a look, take a look! The boss isn't here, so I'll sell recklessly!"

"Original price two hundred liang, three hundred liang jade! Now only twenty liang! All for twenty liang! For twenty liang you can't lose, you can't be cheated!"