Chapter 381 Raising Travel Expenses

"We know each other, then." Xiao Jiuyue thought of the unruly daughter she met last year. She said, "Now that you've passed the imperial examination, the Zhuang family is still the prefect, and Zhuang Xianxian is still the prefect's daughter. Why did you give up your future for the Zhuang family?"

Jiang Yu has been teaching in Fu'an Village for quite some time. He is really a very responsible gentleman. If he becomes an official, he will definitely be a good official!

"Miss Xiao, do you think I can pass the Spring Examination?" Jiang Yu listened to her words and always felt as if he could pass the exam just by saying so, even he himself did not have the confidence.

"Of course." Xiao Jiuyue answered without hesitation. She encouraged him, "Mr. Jiang is talented and should strive for higher positions. This way, he can help more students like those at Fu'an College who are eager for knowledge but cannot afford to go to school!"

"Fu'an College has expanded and will admit more students. However, no matter how many more students there are, they will only be from the surrounding villages around Fu'an Village. But if Mr. Jiang were to ascend to the imperial court, he might be able to influence not only the children in these surrounding villages, but many more children!"

Xiao Jiuyue's words hit the nail on the head for Jiang Yu. Jiang Yu's family was poor, and the Jiang family had paid a lot for his studies, especially Jiang's mother, whose eyesight was not very good now.

"However, the intrigues and deceptions in the court are nothing compared to the banker's frame-up. It's good that Mr. Jiang is willing to stay in Fu'an College." Xiao Jiuyue changed the subject and said, "Mr. Jiang, I am rude."

Before Jiang Yu could react to Xiao Jiuyue's words, she had already walked out. Jiang Yu stood up and called her, "Miss Xiao, I'm not afraid."

Three years ago, he was framed by the banker and had to leave sadly. Now, he has the confidence to face such things again. He is not afraid and he can still handle it!

"Mr. Jiang, the court is not as simple as you imagine. Take my father for example. He was an official all his life, but in the end he was framed, his property was confiscated and he was exiled." Xiao Jiuyue's words were also reminding Jiang Yu that even if he really became an official, it would be very difficult.

"Miss Xiao, I am just a scholar and I will be framed for no reason. If one day I can really enter the court, at least I will have a chance to fight back." Jiang Yu had reached a dead end before.

"Thank you Miss Xiao for reminding me. I was thinking in the wrong direction. I always thought that since I passed the imperial examination and proved myself, I would not have to continue to participate in the Spring Examination. I was worried that the banker would make trouble!" He would be fine alone, but if the Xiao family was implicated, that would be the real... ingratitude!

But Xiao Jiuyue's words made him think of another possibility. Even if he did not participate in the Spring Examination, if the banker really wanted to deal with him, wouldn't it be even easier?

Jiang Yu said firmly: "I will participate in the Spring Examination next year!"

"Then I wish Mr. Jiang success in the imperial examination and a place on the list of successful candidates." Xiao Jiuyue said with blessing.

Jiang Yu said: "Miss Xiao, if I have the chance, I will definitely find a way to restore the reputation of the Xiao family."

"..." Xiao Jiuyue didn't expect Jiang Yu to think this way. She was surprised for a moment before she said, "As long as Mr. Jiang can be a good official in the future, my trip here today will be worthwhile."

Xiao Jiuyue directly took out a two hundred taels silver note and handed it forward: "Mr. Jiang, please don't be so hasty to refuse. I don't mean to offend you. The journey to Shengjing is long. Mr. Jiang, it would be better for you to concentrate on your studies and prepare for the Spring Examination."

Jiang Yu earned a lot of money as a teacher in the academy, but Jiang's mother was in poor health and had to take medicine all year round. Jiang Yu was not the kind of person who was greedy for money, so the money he could save would definitely not be much.

"Miss Xiao, that's not necessary. Shi Lizheng said that the villagers will help me with the travel expenses." Jiang Yu thought about what Shi Lizheng said when he brought the villagers to see him. Jiang Yu felt warm in his heart. He said, "From now on, I will be a member of Fu'an Village. I will definitely achieve good results and live up to the expectations of the villagers!"

Xiao Jiuyue paused and took back the banknote. It was a good thing that Jiang Yu was willing to accept the enthusiasm of the villagers. When Jiang Yu went to Shengjing, Jiang's mother would feel at ease under the care of the villagers and neighbors.

If Jiang Yu really goes to high school in the future, it will be a very prestigious thing for Jiang Yu’s hometown.

"Well, Manager Jin will be taking Fu'an's tribute oranges to Shengjing soon. If Mr. Jiang is willing, he can go with us." Xiao Jiuyue did not mention the banknotes again.

"That's great, thank you, Miss Xiao." Mr. Jiang said gratefully. He said, "Shi Youchang and Qu Qingshu are willing to come to Fu'an College to teach. The college will not be short of teachers in the future."

Xiao Jiuyue left the academy. When Xiao Jiayuan learned that her teacher was going to take the Spring Examination, she was overjoyed and said, "Sister, I think her teacher will definitely pass!"

"Well, you have to work hard in the future and not lose face for the master." Xiao Jiuyue took the opportunity to speak.

Xiao Jiayuan said with a straight face: "Sister, don't worry, I will definitely study hard!"

Lianxin and Luokui were very happy when they knew that Mr. Jiang was going to Shengjing to take part in the Autumn Examination, especially Luokui. Finally, she didn't have to be afraid of seeing Mr. Jiang.

After Xiao Jiuyue settled the matter of Jiang Yu's participation in the Spring Examination, she sat down and began to continue drawing the matter of diverting the flow of the Jinjiang River and controlling the water. She had to give one copy to her father Xiao Fu and another copy to the Third Prince of Shengjing.

The last time she saw the Jinjiang embankment, she felt that the embankment was not built solidly and was afraid that it would collapse again. When that happened, she didn't know how many people would suffer.

The dinner after slaughtering a pig was particularly sumptuous, with large pieces of meat, and everyone ate to their heart's content.

"Miss, Shi Lizheng wants to see you." Luo Kui whispered in Xiao Jiuyue's ear. Xiao Jiuyue nodded slightly and went directly to the front yard to see Shi Lizheng.

Shi Lizheng's smile stretched from ear to ear when he saw Xiao Jiuyue. Ever since Xiao Jiuyue arrived in Fu'an Village, the village has changed a lot. In the past, it was difficult for everyone to find a wife, but now...

All the girls in the neighborhood want to marry into Fu'an Village.

"Miss Xiao, I want to ask about the tribute oranges." Shi Lizheng said what she was thinking. "Although the oranges are not fully ripe yet, if we pick them now and let them sit for a few days, they will be perfectly ripe. Miss Xiao, can we start picking the first batch of tribute oranges?"

"Okay, pick the best oranges then, select them again when we get to Shengjing, and finally send them to the palace." Xiao Jiuyue was very serious about this, for fear of making any mistakes!

"Don't worry, Miss Xiao, we'll do the same as last year. I guarantee nothing will go wrong." Shi Lizheng patted his chest and assured him, adding, "One more thing. We want to plant more orange trees. That way, if the current batch of orange trees fails, we can still pick the oranges from the new ones!"

"Preparing for a rainy day, very good!" Xiao Jiuyue praised. Even if Shi Lizheng hadn't mentioned it, she would have mentioned it. Next year, they must plant orange trees on a large scale. Otherwise, what if the orange trees stopped bearing oranges one year? Where would they find oranges to send to the palace?