The position of Hanlin Academy Compiler was a sixth-rank official position. They worked in the Hanlin Academy and their daily tasks included copying classics and historical records, recording epic poems, and drafting documents for ceremonies.
It may not sound sophisticated, but it has been a springboard for countless high-ranking officials throughout history and a key to gaining the trust of emperors.
Xu Mo considered himself quite clever, and could handle the Four Books and Five Classics with ease, but taking office was something like a young woman riding in a sedan chair for the first time.
Even though he appeared calm and composed, when he actually stood at the entrance of the Hanlin Academy, facing a group of welcoming colleagues, he was so nervous that he swallowed hard.
"This must be Scholar Xu, the top scholar," the Hanlin Academician said solemnly and enthusiastically, standing at the forefront. "It is truly an honor for our Hanlin Academy to have such a talent as Scholar Xu."
"Lord Chu, you should be called Compiler Xu now," someone reminded him.
The Hanlin Academician immediately smiled and changed his words, "We invite Compiler Xu to join the Hanlin Academy."
Xu Mo was still nervous, but when she turned her head and saw her younger siblings laughing like trumpet flowers, she calmed down with a sense of melancholy.
His third brother went to the battlefield, and he was not nervous about the fighting and life and death. He was only facing the scheming and intrigue of the Hanlin Academy. What was there to fear?
Even though this includes Fang Yuan, former classmates who passed the imperial examination, and the impending scandal of cheating in the imperial examinations.
"Please go first, sir." Xu Mo smiled calmly. "I am new here and if there is anything I am lacking, I hope you will not hesitate to criticize me. I would be very grateful."
"You're too kind, Scholar Xu. From now on, we'll be colleagues, so there's no need for criticism. It's just about helping each other out." The Hanlin Academician was not arrogant.
Surrounded by others, the two walked into the Hanlin Academy with steady and composed steps.
"I have a question for you, sir," Xu Mo said softly. "May I ask you, sir, what is the difference between an editor and a compiler?"
"Well, apart from the distinction of official rank, the biggest difference lies in the two words 'writing' and 'compiling'," the Hanlin Academician said vaguely.
Writing implies innovation and freedom of arrangement.
To compile means to gather together, to follow a set procedure.
Xu Mo smiled meaningfully, glancing out of the corner of his eye at Fang Yuan, who had joined the company earlier, and knew that a new battle was about to begin.
As his fifth brother said, he not only had to work diligently, but also make a name for himself and use his status as the top scholar to broaden his social circle.
He wanted to show all the students in the world who truly deserved the title of top scholar and who was the real culprit.
Justice resides in the hearts of the people.
As the gates of the Hanlin Academy opened and closed, the siblings standing outside clicked their tongues in amazement.
“This is Big Brother’s battlefield, none of us can help him.” Zheng Ruqian shrugged. “What should we do next?”
The taciturn Wen Zhiyun clenched his fist. "I'm going to the Wu residence."
"Didn't you take leave? You're still going today?" Zheng Ruqian remarked. "There aren't many students as diligent as you these days."
“It’s not about diligence, nor is it about medical skills,” Wen Zhiyun said solemnly. “I want to ask my master, how exactly can one prevent a fever from going down for a long time without harming the body?”
In the end, I'm still worried about Xiao Wu in the capital.
I'm afraid he'll really develop a fever, and I'm afraid he won't last more than a few days.
Wen Xiaosi is gentle and prone to tears, but once she makes up her mind, no one can stop her.
He got into the carriage and had Jiang Sanzai take him to the Wu residence.
This time, only the two siblings were left staring at each other in bewilderment.
"Second brother, what should we do then?" Jiang Sheng asked worriedly. "We can't just do nothing and be lazy parasites who do nothing but eat and wait to die."
Although this is her dream.
"Dream on, still just loafing around and waiting to die." Zheng Ruqian grinned. "Have you forgotten that Xiaosong arranged for people to transport lychees from Lingnan? They should be back soon."
The first batch of lychees brought back was to be sent to the imperial city.
It was Zheng Lao Er's first time being a royal merchant, and he said he was a little nervous. "Anyway, you're free, so come with me."
The little girl, still completely bewildered, was dragged out of Fengjing.
They received the first batch of lychees delivered outside the city, but at the same time received bad news from Wang Xiaosong: "Master, the Fang family has also delivered lychees."
Sure enough, no one can resist the allure of real meat.
Last year, Zheng Ruqian and the Liao family were locked in a fierce battle. This year, the Liao family suffered a setback, and Zheng thought he could finally take the lead, but then the Fang family came along.
It's impossible not to get angry, but getting angry solves nothing.
Fang Jia's purchase of lychees might be an attempt to seize market share and make money, but it could also simply be a way to undermine Xu Mo's brother.
Regardless of which one, Zheng Ruqian could not tolerate spitting out the meat that was already in his mouth.
“Since General Jiang secured this business for me, it’s definitely mine this year.” He paced around with his hands behind his back. “But that’s only for this year; it’s hard to say for next year.”
Jiang Sheng and Wang Xiaosong nodded at the same time.
"So this year we must make sure the Fang family can't sell their lychees and they're stuck with them." Zheng Ruqian raised his head, his face full of shrewdness and wealth. "If I can beat the Liao family, I can beat the Fang family too."
Time flies, and it's not just Xu Mo and Fang Heng who have grown; Zheng Lao Er has also become a true businessman.
When faced with difficulties, we no longer cry out in despair, nor do we retreat in shame; instead, we move forward bravely.
“But the boss…” Wang Xiaosong reminded him reluctantly, “The Liao family and the Fang family are not on the same level.”
What is the Liao family? They are a small family that relies on the Jiang family to make some money. Their biggest trick is to put a human-shaped excrement device at the entrance of Jiuzhenfang, or to smash their lychee-carrying carts in a fight to the death.
The Fang family is different. As the leading family in Fengjing, they not only have a patriarch who resides in the cabinet, but also a vast network of relationships, including in-laws, the emperor's trust, and even a prince as a trump card.
What can small business owners like them use to compete with others?
In the past, Zheng Ruqian might have retreated out of fear.
But now, he glared at them and scolded, "All you do is boost the enemy's morale and diminish our own. So what if they are from a powerful family? Don't we have one too? So what if they are in the cabinet? Our eldest brother is still in the Hanlin Academy."
Although the two are incomparable, but... at least he was an official.
Xu Mo, “...Achoo, achoo.”
"Of course, the most crucial point is that while the Fang family is indeed a prominent family, the Liao family has been in business for generations, and their experience in business is definitely greater than that of the Fang family." Zheng Ruqian finally regained his composure. "The business world is different from the officialdom, and it's also different from the battlefield. The Fang family may be powerful, but they may not be as good at business."
The eldest brother struggled in the officialdom, the third brother fought on the battlefield, and the fifth brother was trapped in the capital.
Then let him handle the business matters.
They inexplicably achieved a unity of purpose among brothers, which proved to be incredibly powerful.
"You said the Fang family went to collect lychees, do you know where their convoy is?" Zheng Ruqian asked.
“Half a day later than us.” Wang Xiaosong did not hesitate.
"Half a day, huh?" Master Zheng rolled up his sleeves. "Let's go back to Fengjing and deliver the lychees."
Since a bloody battle is inevitable, let them fight to their hearts' content.
"Wait for me, Second Brother, wait for me." Jiang Sheng lifted her skirt from behind. "I'm with you."
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