Chapter 63
On the first day after the provincial examination results were announced, Lu Shang stayed in Tangzhen and did not return.
The day after the results of the provincial examination were announced, Lu Shang sent someone to send a letter back, saying that he had gone to Linzhen with the logistics team and would not be back for another two days.
On the third day after the provincial examination results were announced, students from the private school came to the Lu family in groups, carrying heavy gifts to thank their teacher. From morning to night, the door of the Lu family was never closed, and those who came in and out were all well-known wealthy businessmen and kind people, attracting the attention of the neighbors.
In this provincial examination, there were nineteen students from the unknown private school, eleven of whom passed, with the highest ranking being 30th.
There were only 122 candidates who passed the imperial examination in the entire Songxi County. One tenth of these candidates came from a small private school in the prefectural city that was not well-known. This was shocking enough if the news got out.
You should know that even the most famous Lu Lin Academy in the city has only 22 students on the list this year, and most of the students in the academy are young talents with high talents. Judging from the source of students and their qualifications alone, it is several levels higher than the unknown private schools.
Even though the college entrance examination that year had refreshed everyone's understanding of the unknown private school, the mood was naturally very different when the family really had a master who passed the imperial examination.
In their great joy, they no longer cared about keeping a low profile and sent piles of gold, silver and bronze wares to the Lu family without paying for them, as well as precious fabrics, jewelry, ancient books, calligraphy and paintings. Anyway, they were all valuable!
Except for the first two families who came to visit, who were more reserved and only brought two large boxes, the ones who came later brought more and more. Those who really didn't have any rare items just brought whole boxes of gold to make up the number, and then put a layer of house deeds and land deeds on top.
"Master, this is a painting from a previous dynasty, a work passed down from our ancestors. After much reflection, I believe only an antique like this could be worthy of your noble character. I will give this painting to you today. Thank you for your guidance of my son."
"Master Jiang! Please forgive me. We don't have any antiques at home, and the silks and satins we bought a while ago haven't been delivered yet. After discussing with my wife, we simply brought two boxes of gold. Master Jiang, please keep them. I will send you the silks and satins when they arrive in a few days..."
"No--" Jiang Wanning stood in front of the hall and opened her mouth to refuse, but before she could open her mouth, the next family came up carrying things.
Only half a day later, the front and back yards of the house were filled with boxes, some three or five boxes at a time. What's more, a carriage made of pure gold was delivered directly. It had ordinary wooden boards on the outside, but when it was opened, it was filled with golden gold, which fell heavily to the ground and could not be lifted up.
Jiang Wanning believed that she had seen many good things, but perhaps it was because the court officials in the capital were very honest. Compared with vulgar and elegant things, they still preferred elegant tunes. A flower, a pot of wine, a game of chess and a cup of tea were their daily life.
If it were the families in the capital city, those who could afford the expensive tuition were mostly relatively wealthy, and most of these people were friends or partners of the Feng family, and eight out of ten were traveling merchants, who had no shortage of money.
In short, Jiang Wanning had seen and heard things that she had not seen before, and this day really opened her eyes.
The students' family members did not stay long, but left the expensive gifts and gift lists and left. They did not give Jiang Wanning a chance to refuse, and tacitly left time for the people who came later to give gifts. As for what they really wanted to say to the female teacher, it was just a prelude, and there would be plenty of time at the thank-you banquet later!
Seeing that she couldn't refuse, Jiang Wanning simply didn't want to make things difficult for herself.
After that, no matter who brought her a gift, she would accept it with a smile, collect the gift lists herself, and put them all in a small box at hand, separating them with slips of paper so that she could distinguish them at night.
With the arrival of the two elders of the Feng family, they were the last family left.
It was Mrs. Feng who proposed to open a private school. She also helped with the subsequent publicity and enrollment, as well as the location selection and the purchase of tables and chairs. In addition, with the relationship between the Feng family's business and Feng He, the relationship between the two families has become increasingly close in recent years.
Compared with other families, the Feng family understood Jiang Wanning's personality better, and their family was the only one that did not bring any gifts of thanks, big or small.
Mrs. Feng brought a small box the size of a palm. When she opened it, she saw it was full of round and shiny pearls. The pearls were of different sizes. The largest one was the size of a thumb, and the small ones were in rare colors such as pink and white.
Mrs. Feng happily huddled up with Jiang Wanning, fingering each pearl for her to see. "Wanning, look at these two. You could use them to make a pair of pearl earrings... These are a little smaller, but they're rounder and would look great strung together as a bracelet... And this one, hey, I saved a few and was planning on making a necklace. I see you don't usually wear jewelry, so how about I make them for you?"
Jiang Wanning looked at it curiously, without saying anything discouraging like "it's too valuable to accept." She nodded after listening and said, "Then please make it for me, sister. Just as you say, I'll take it out with you."
"Okay, okay, then I'll take it back and send it to you after it's all packed." Mrs. Feng closed the box with satisfaction, covering her mouth with her hands and chuckled.
After waiting for a long time for the two of them to reach an agreement, Mr. Feng and Feng He finally had room to talk.
Feng He passed the imperial examination, and even though he was only at the last place on the list, the Feng family was satisfied.
Mrs. Feng's gift of pearls can only be considered a small interest between good sisters. If we really want to thank the teacher, it should be Mr. Feng who does it.
Mr. Feng didn't bother with anything fancy, only bringing three land deeds. "Mrs. Lu knows me well. I'm just a layman. I've been thinking about it for a long time but can't find anything else suitable. I also heard that Mr. Lu is running a farm recently. Coincidentally, I have a farm that has been idle, so I might as well give it to Mr. Lu."
"There are two other places. One is a shop on the commercial street in the city, right next to Guanhe Tower. It's usually crowded with people. Madam, you can sell whatever you want. You won't make a lot of money, but you can still make a small amount of 100 taels every month."
"These last two rooms are right next to the nameless private school. They're connected to it. I sent someone to buy them. Madam, all you need to do is knock through the wall and it will become a private school. When you recruit students in the future, you'll have plenty of space."
The three land deeds, not to mention the price of the manor, even the shop on the commercial street is also valuable. It is in a good location facing the Guanhe Tower. According to Jiang Wanning's memory, no matter which one is on the left or right, both shops are not small. If they are listed in the brokerage firm, they will be worth at least a thousand taels.
She could accept a box of pearls calmly, but she could not bear these house deeds and land deeds.
Jiang Wanning smiled bitterly: "Master Feng is being distant again."
"I won't hide it from you. Today, we've had a constant stream of guests. You know why. Just look at the boxes outside the pavilion, and you should be able to guess how many things are there. I've collected quite a few of these land deeds, and I haven't had time to sort them out yet."
"I know that your families are not short of money, and I won't stop you from thanking the teacher, but it's really a bit too much now."
Mr. Feng waved his hand. Thinking of what happened five years ago, he understood what she meant. However, Jiang Wanning had her bottom line, and their families also had other ideas. "Madam, you are worrying too much."
"Take families like us for example. We may appear prosperous on the surface, but only we ourselves know the humble suffering we endure in private. Take my Feng family for example. We have been engaged in business for generations and are considered well-known in Songxi County. But who would have known that even a clerk in the government office could manipulate us at will? Not to mention that when the county magistrate gives the order, no matter how much money or gifts we receive, we still have to offer them. Giving money and gifts is fine, but we also have to smile and not show any reluctance. Otherwise, it would be contempt for the court and we deserve to be killed!"
"My family has been thinking about change since the generation of Grandfather Feng He. Unfortunately, my grandfather was not good at studying, and I couldn't calm down either. After a lot of effort, we had He'er, and I was determined to pass the imperial examinations. Unfortunately, his brain was dull and he couldn't pass the exams. The really powerful people, when they heard that he came from a merchant family, refused to even show their faces. At most, some old scholars were willing to come to our house to teach. If it weren't for you, my lady—"
If it weren't for the slim hope of an official career, how could so many families transfer the household registration of their legitimate sons to the homes of distant relatives?
When talking about the emotional part, Mr. Feng couldn't help wiping away tears, and Feng He behind him also had red eyes.
"Madam, you only think this is a normal teaching between teacher and student, but you have no idea that you are like a rebirth to us!"
Mrs. Feng continued, "Wan Ning, after all these years, I know you're not the type who cares about material possessions. But our family only has these. Even if I racked my brains, I don't know how I can thank you. Besides, He'er...his talent is there. He's already passed the imperial examination, and we're content. We don't want to go any further."
Jiang Wanning had never thought they would be like this and was speechless for a moment.
She lowered her eyes and pondered for a long time before finally accepting the land deed from Master Feng. She said, "Since it's such a kind gesture from you, it would be inappropriate for me to refuse. However, teaching is a matter of mutual consent. I've accepted the money, so naturally I should do my duty. If I don't teach well, I'm derelict in my duty, but if I do, I'm also obligated. As the saying goes, too much is as bad as too little."
"I'll take these deeds for now. Thank you for your help in finding a suitable piece of land. As for the price, please find someone to calculate it. I'll pay you in two days..." Jiang Wanning raised her voice slightly to stop Master Feng from speaking, "Or do you want me to find someone to calculate it for you?"
Mr. Feng shuddered, and understood the rest of the meaning of her words.
If the Feng family were to find someone to settle the accounts, there would be a lot of things that could be done with a few land deeds. It would all depend on his wishes as to how much he wanted. Even if he asked for a few hundred taels less, Jiang Wanning would just keep it to herself and consider it as accepting their thank-you gift to the teacher.
But if Jiang Wanning asked someone to calculate it, wouldn’t that be like forcing someone to buy something?
Mr. Feng's lips trembled slightly, and he wanted to persuade her again, but Mrs. Feng came over, pressed her hand on his arm, and said, "Okay, okay, then do as you say, Wan Ning. When we get back, I'll find someone to settle the matter."
After her, Feng He took a few steps forward, knelt down, and expressed his gratitude respectfully.
Jiang Wanning helped him up and inevitably asked a few questions about his exam results. Finally, he said thoughtfully, "The results of the provincial examination are out. Classes will resume at the private school in half a month at the latest. If you're determined to make further progress, you can stay at the private school for another six months. Whether you pass the spring examination or not, you might as well give it a try."
"I—" Feng He's eyes suddenly lit up, "Master, can I go one step further?"
The contents of the academy examination were mostly from books, and discussions on current policies accounted for only two or three tenths. Jiang Wanning was well-versed in poetry, books and classics, so he could confidently say that the academy examination would be easy to pass.
By the time of the provincial examination, the proportion of essays on current policies had increased to 70%. In addition to the answers to the questions, candidates paid more attention to the profound meaning of the essays, and the opinions of the examinees also had a great influence. At this point, it was no longer something that a private school teacher like her could influence.
By the time of the Spring Examination, less than 10% of the book content remained. The current emperor valued practical ability. In addition to basic character and knowledge, talent was even more important. When it came to handling government affairs, in addition to what Jiang Wanning had taught, candidates had to think for themselves. Giving the same old answers would never make it to the top of the list.
As for the palace examination further up——
The Jiang family had chosen the wrong side and had never served under the new emperor, so naturally they had no idea of his likes and dislikes. They only knew that the new emperor was a man of swift and decisive action, and that he was able to overcome opposition and implement the reform of the imperial examination system. He would certainly not be like the previous emperor who only sought to maintain the status quo.
Jiang Wanning couldn't give an accurate answer, so she could only say, "Let's give it a try."
The Feng family had never thought that by coming to the Lu family, they would have the opportunity to continue their studies. There were only half a year left before the Spring Examination, and the short six months were so precious that not a single day could be wasted.
Master Feng immediately made the decision: "We won't be holding a banquet! Starting tomorrow, we will close our doors to visitors and create a peaceful environment for He'er to study until the Spring Examination is over. Whether he passes or not, we will come back to thank the teacher!"
This proposal won the approval of Mrs. Feng and Feng He. They were in high spirits and wanted to go home and close the door immediately. They didn't care to stay at the Lu family any longer and said goodbye in a hurry.
Jiang Wanning looked at their departing backs, feeling both amused and helpless.
Unexpectedly, after Mr. and Mrs. Feng returned, they not only closed the door on their own, but also sent letters to several acquaintances, saying that they were concentrating on preparing for the Spring Examination and did not dare to delay for even a single day. They also would not attend any thank-you banquets or celebration banquets for teachers in the future.
Not participating?
Several families were surprised at first, and then they all thought of the same thing -
Yes, the Spring Examination will be held in April next year. Instead of seizing the time to prepare for the examination, why do they waste time on insignificant banquets!
Word spread from one person to ten, and from ten to twenty. In just two days, several families in the private school changed their minds and decided not to hold any banquets. They decided to prepare paper, pens and books as quickly as possible and focus on preparing for the spring examination.
Even those masters and ladies who were showing off everywhere because their sons had passed the imperial examinations became low-key and began to discipline their servants, asking them to be more reserved in front of the young master. If anyone upset the young master, they would be beaten and sold off.
Since when, the city that should have been bustling with activity has become quiet again. Those who were waiting for the grand banquet hosted by the wealthy families after passing the imperial examinations waited for half a month but nothing happened, and they had to leave in large numbers.
As for Jiang Wanning, after the Feng family left, she took the gift list back to her room and looked at the items on the list one by one. She put all the items with a value of more than one hundred taels into the "to be returned" column. She spent most of the night picking and choosing, and finally sorted them all out.
The next day, she called Grandma Lu to pick out the less valuable things, and sent the food and drinks to the kitchen. She also divided the things for daily use and put a little in each courtyard. These scattered things added a lot of things to the home.
By the third day, everything had been divided up, and the next step was to return the valuable gifts.
Just when Jiang Wanning was about to go out to find someone to deliver something, Lu Shang finally came back from outside.
After the two met, Jiang Wanning hurriedly dealt with all her things. She didn't bother to ask where he had been these past few days. Instead, she asked, "Does my husband have any help? The courtyard is full of thank-you gifts from students' families. Some of them are really expensive, so I picked them up and plan to return them."
"How many people do you need?"
"About thirty or forty people, and we need ten more cars. The main thing is that there are ten families, just enough to send them away at once."
"That's about right. I'll go get you a car."
"good."
Lu Shangcai entered the house and hurried out again. In less than a quarter of an hour, he called the logistics team leaders from the provincial capital and brought ten carts. Although they were donkey carts, they were enough for delivering some things in the city.
Because the items in the boxes were valuable, the people Lu Shang called had all worked in the logistics team for several years and had good character. He also added seals to each box, which could only be opened after it was sent back.
The group of people went up and down three or four times and finally moved all the things in the house.
The ten families to whom the gifts were to be delivered were located in different parts of the city. Lu Shang and Jiang Wanning were only two people and could not go with them. So they simply wrote ten more letters and waited for the farmhands to deliver the gifts and letters. The owners would write replies and bring them back.
After some adjustments, Shi finally drove away from the Lu family.
Jiang Wanning had been busy for days just preparing thank-you gifts for her students' families. She patted her numb shoulders and glanced at Lu Shang, "My husband is willing to come back?"
"Ah..." Lu Shang was quite embarrassed, and couldn't help but come over and pinch her shoulders in a flattering manner.
Jiang Wanning asked again, "Husband, do you still remember when the results of the provincial examination will be announced?"
Lu Shang: "I think I remember it... maybe I don't remember it clearly, but I heard it from Lu Qi."
"Then, my husband, what have you been busy with these days instead of waiting for the results to be announced?"
Lu Shang quickly replied, "The hilltop in Nanxing Village is almost flat. The vegetables and fruits have been planted, and the livestock have been penned in. There's only a mountain stream left. I went to look for fish fry, bought some, and then scattered them in. I wasted time because of this carelessness..."
Jiang Wanning had guessed that he was busy with business again, so she was not surprised to hear that, and she was not actually very angry.
She thought for a moment and then asked, "My husband, have you heard the results of this provincial examination?"
"Hmm..." Lu Shang really didn't ask, he tried to test, "It can't be that I won, right?"
Jiang Wanning was so angry that she laughed. She slapped him on the forearm with her backhand and scolded him with a smile: "It's still daylight, why are you dreaming about the Spring and Autumn Period!"
"I told you so—" Lu Shang laughed too, and couldn't help muttering, "If someone like me can pass the exam, I guess there's no one in the entire Lu Lin Academy who doesn't. Besides, I'm also thinking about my classmates. What if they don't pass, but see me pass without any clue, they'll be furious."
"So my husband has good intentions?" Jiang Wanning said unhappily.
"Hehe..." Lu Shang stopped talking and didn't dare dwell on it for too long. The more he talked, the more mistakes he would make. It would be bad if he upset his wife.
He quickly changed the subject: "The provincial examination is over, so is Aning's bookstore about to start classes? The academy will start returning tomorrow, and everyone needs to be there by the day after tomorrow at the latest. The teacher will start teaching then. Our home is close to the academy, so I can just go there the day after tomorrow."
"Since you have nothing to do these two days, is there anything Aning would like to do?"
Jiang Wanning glanced at him calmly, and amidst his apprehension, she said quietly, "It doesn't matter what I want to do. Husband, you should think about how to make Grandma feel more positive and stop worrying. Instead, think about doing something else."
"Ah?" Lu Shang was stunned.
At lunchtime, when the family sat together, he finally understood what Jiang Wanning meant.
To put it bluntly, failing the provincial examination was something both of them had expected.
Lu Shang knew how poorly he was doing academically, and Jiang Wanning also had a rough idea of his performance. Only Grandma Lu was convinced that her eldest grandson was studying hard and would definitely get into high school one day.
Who would have thought that among so many students in the private school, Lu Shang was the only one who made the list? Considering that he passed the imperial examination at such a young age, it was hard for Grandma Lu to accept such a disparity.
Jiang Wanning could naturally enlighten her, but perhaps because she wanted to see Lu Shang embarrassed, or to teach him a lesson, she ignored him for the past two days, just waiting for Lu Shang to come back by himself, letting him listen to her nagging, and then she would go and coax the old man to open up his heart.
Look, from the moment she sat down at the dinner table until now, Grandma Lu has sighed several times.
She didn't say anything reproachful, but just picked up a grain of rice and moved it back and forth seven or eight times, glancing at Lu Shang from time to time. At this time, silence was more powerful than words.
After she sighed again, Lu Shang begged for mercy: "Grandma, I was wrong!"
Grandma Lu and Jiang Wanning looked at him together.
Lu Shang clasped his hands together and apologized to them honestly: "I shouldn't have skipped school, and I shouldn't have slept in class. I deserve to fail the exam this time. I promise that when my business stabilizes, I will study hard and never let my imagination run wild again!"
——We’re still waiting for the business to stabilize.
Jiang Wanning understood his implied meaning at the first moment, and seeing his stubborn look, she felt that she had completely seen through him.
Instead, Grandma Lu opened her mouth in surprise and called out his name, "Lu Shang, not only are you skipping school, you're also sleeping in class!"
Self-destruction: "..."
Whether Grandma Lu was disappointed or angry, it was too late to say anything after the provincial examination was over.
Jiang Wanning also understood that it was not entirely true to say that Lu Shang had no interest in studying. His interest alone would not allow him to persist for too long. It was pretty good for him to fish for three days and dry the nets for two days. Unless one day he had a sudden enlightenment and devoted himself to studying, no matter what others said, it would only make both parties unhappy and would be of no use.
As she became more open-minded, she no longer cared as much as before whether Lu Shang skipped school or what happened.
In the blink of an eye, it was mid-November, and just one day before the private school started, Zhan Shunan and others returned from the north.
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