No one switched identification documents, no one stole exam papers, and no one framed or slandered anyone.
This prefectural examination was destined to be fair, a true contest of talent and knowledge.
But it's also unfair to Xu Mo.
It wasn't just the ailing bodies, but also the students who entered the examination hall with them, mostly between seventeen or eighteen and twenty-two or three years old.
They have studied diligently for over a decade, and have long since mastered all the knowledge points.
They may have even taken the prefectural examinations several times, and they would already know exactly what they were going to be tested on.
But Xu Mo had nothing.
At the age of twelve, dragging his injured body and carrying a heavy promise, he used the knowledge he had accumulated with one hand to forge ahead with unwavering determination.
The four younger brothers all seemed rather heavy-hearted, wondering how the prefectural examination would go.
Jiang Sheng was the only one who was unusually excited. When the students and their families who had been lingering at the entrance of the examination hall gradually left, she rushed over and hugged Zheng Ruqian's arm tightly. "Second brother, let's hurry up and get some goods. Once eldest brother gets the top score in the examination, we'll go back and sell them for money."
Zheng Ruqian, "..."
The silly little sister mistook the top of the government office for the eggplants and green beans of Shili Pu Village, picking them whenever she wanted.
How is that possible?
But instead of shattering Jiang Sheng's hopes, he looked at his other younger brothers and said, "Big brother has to take the exam for three whole days. We have nothing to do at the entrance of the examination hall, so why don't we go and look around?"
Chang Yan and Wen Zhiyun have always been obedient little followers. Fang Heng, wearing a bamboo hat, nodded twice.
As the core city of the entire prefecture, Anshui County was undoubtedly prosperous, with even its markets divided into different categories.
There's one market for meat and vegetables, another for clothes and shoes, and even a separate area for seasonings and dried goods.
The people of the prefecture can buy whatever they want simply by choosing the right market.
However, this also increases competition.
If it's too expensive, I'll buy it next door. If the quality there isn't good, I'll go to another store.
Fortunately, the city has explicit regulations that prices cannot fall below the minimum; otherwise, it is considered malicious market disruption and will be punished.
Zheng Ruqian took his younger siblings for a stroll in the Fucheng market and found that although the products in Fucheng were expensive, the quality was really good. Every piece of meat they picked was plum blossom-shaped, and the layers of pork belly were so distinct that they could be described as having clear textures, with half fat and half lean meat, making it a rare delicacy.
No matter how well a pig is raised, there will always be some unattractive pieces of meat, and there will always be a few pieces that are too fat or too lean. You can't find any of those in the market.
Zheng Ruqian wanted to ask, but was afraid of being rejected, so he turned his eyes around and whispered a few words in Chang Yan's ear.
Finally, he patted the fifth brother on the shoulder and said, "You're good-looking, we're counting on you."
Long banquet, "..."
Okay, for my brother's sake, I'll sell my looks.
With his striking good looks, Chang Yan stopped in front of the owner of a pork shop and said politely, "Sister, may I ask you something?"
The proprietress, a woman in her thirties, was burly and held a greasy piece of pork in her hand. She said she could be the mother of the hostess at a long banquet, but she was a little unhappy to be called "sister" so abruptly.
But when she caught sight of Chang Yan's fair cheeks and rosy lips, she paused for a moment, then tossed aside the pork belly in her hand and rubbed it repeatedly on her apron. "Little brother, what do you want to ask?"
"Sister, the meat here is so beautiful, with clear marbling and a fresh, rosy hue." Chang Yan smiled, revealing her teeth. "But all the best meat from this pig is here. Where did the rest go?"
The proprietress was bewildered by the laughter, "Where else can we go? We can either grind it into filling to make buns, or sell it cheaply to the county and townships."
"I see, thank you so much, sister." Changyan performed a standard courtly bow and gracefully withdrew.
If it weren't for his drab gray coat, one would really think he was some young master or lady from a wealthy family, out to show concern for the people.
The proprietress craned her neck until Chang Yan's figure disappeared from sight, then smacked her lips and went back to continue cutting the pork.
Zheng Ruqian saw this from the corner, shook his head repeatedly, and secretly resented the unfairness of fate.
If only he also had an unparalleled face...
He should be working as a young master in the Yihong Courtyard in Xiyang County right now, the kind of young master who sleeps during the day and works at night.
Thinking about it that way, it doesn't matter if you're a little ugly.
Zheng Ruqian regained his composure and looked at Chang Yan with a smile, "Thank you for your hard work, Fifth Brother. I'll come to you again if there's anything like this in the future."
Chang Yan's lips twitched, but he didn't say anything.
Zheng Ruqian started muttering about the leftover meat again, "If it were cheap enough, I could haul it from the prefectural city to the county town to sell, that wouldn't be bad."
Goods entering the prefectural city are subject to taxes, but those leaving the prefectural city are not.
Unfortunately, it's April now, and the warmer weather makes it impossible to preserve meat properly. A journey of four or five days is enough for a piece of fresh pork to rot and spoil, and even breed maggots.
The siblings left the market and continued to wander the streets.
Zheng Ruqian's eyes are like a ruler, measuring everything he sees. Whenever he sees something new, he thinks about whether he can sell it, take it with him, and make money from it.
Jiang Sheng was even happier, like a curious little rabbit, finding everything new and interesting.
They stopped in front of a restaurant called You Ran Ju.
Familiar signboard, unfamiliar building, unfamiliar waiter and shopkeeper.
Jiang Sheng belatedly remembered that Manager Bai had said that Youranju was a chain restaurant with businesses all over the country.
Xieyang County is just a very small branch.
Just look at the big shops in the city and you'll know: magnificent two-story buildings with carved beams and painted rafters, and countless waiters shuttling back and forth inside.
I just don't know where Youranju in Anshui County gets its ingredients, or whether they can cooperate.
Jiang Sheng was lost in thought when suddenly someone pushed her and told her to move aside.
Zheng Ruqian and his three younger brothers were standing a little further away, and were only pushed aside. Unlike Jiang Sheng, they did not fall flat on their backs.
Immediately afterwards, four or five maids came over, spreading their arms to block the bystanders behind them, leaving only the wide road in front of them.
Jiang Sheng was still somewhat bewildered.
A sedan chair was parked in front of Youranju.
The innkeeper, who was checking the accounts, quickly pulled over a few waiters and said with utmost respect, "Greetings to the Third Miss. Please come to the private room, Third Miss."
There was no movement inside the sedan chair.
A maid stepped forward, respectfully pulled back the curtain, and then stretched out her arms to act as a human shield.
Then a slender hand reached out and rested on the maid's arm, and a foot stretched out and slowly stepped on the ground.
Jiang Sheng was lying on the ground, her eyes almost popping out.
Last time in Xiyang County, I saw that the young master of the Jiang family had a pearl on his shoe, which was already quite luxurious. I never expected to see something like this again today. Not only are the lotus leaves embroidered on these shoes lifelike, but every drop of dew on the lotus leaves is also adorned with pearls.
When the shoes touched the ground, revealing the complete skirt hem, the shimmering silk fabric and the lifelike lotus embroidery on it all showcased the owner's luxury and nobility.
Jiang Sheng swallowed hard, her mind filled with thoughts: How much money would this be if it were converted into silver? How many beggars could be fed if it were converted into food?
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