Chapter 86: I don’t know whether to say something or not
After the market ended, seeing that it was still early, Su Wan went to the bookstore to buy some books about flood control and drought prevention.
She wanted to send these books to her eldest brother so that he could take a good look at them and have some idea of what they were like.
However, there are very few books of this kind. Su Wan searched almost the entire bookstore but still could not find a book about natural disasters.
Or, in other words, flood control has always been an unprecedented and unparalleled issue, and no one has been able to eliminate the problem at its root.
But according to what Su Wan learned in later life, she still understood a little bit.
After browsing the entire bookstore in vain, Su Wan had no choice but to buy some food and go to find his elder brother.
Su Yun and Su Chen just thought she went to the bookstore to buy books for her elder brother, but just didn't find what she wanted.
Afterwards, Su Wan bought half a roast chicken, some dried fruits, and two servings of shaqi ma, and then went to Zhongyun Academy.
Since I can't give him a book to read, I can only steer the conversation in this direction.
When she arrived at Zhongyun Academy, she went in alone again, while her two brothers were waiting outside.
This time, Su Wan happened to catch up with Su Jing not having class, so she was waiting for him in the meeting pavilion. Su Jing came over almost immediately after hearing that Su Wan was looking for him.
"Wanwan, why are you here?"
Su Jing was very happy to see his sister coming. During the years he was in the academy, few people from his family came to visit him.
"Big brother, you've worked hard studying. I'm here to bring you some delicious food and to share some updates on what's going on at home!"
Su Wan pushed all the food she bought for him in front of him.
"Wanwan, why did you buy so much food? I don't usually like snacks. Big brother will be very happy if you come to see him. Why spend money?"
"Brother, this was bought with the money earned by fourth brother. He is treating you to it!" Su Wan explained.
Hearing that Su Yun made money, Su Jing became curious: "Tell me, what tricks did your fourth brother come up with that made him make money?"
Obviously, Su Jing didn't quite believe it.
Su Wan told Su Jing everything about their recent shaqima business, including the fact that her parents were quitting their jobs and going home the day after tomorrow.
Su Jing couldn't help laughing when he heard the last part. He laughed at how many ideas these brothers and sisters had.
"In other words, the idea was yours, and you taught me how to make this snack. Su Yun was the one who did the hard work, so he still has to pay you!"
That's true. Although it was her idea and she helped him with the work, they were also paid, so it wasn't like they worked for nothing.
"That's right. Fourth brother has saved almost eighty taels of silver so far, excluding his expenses. Even I, Third Brother, and Fifth Brother have earned almost twenty taels of silver in wages."
"You are really smart. How do you know so many ideas to make money? We, your brothers, are far less capable than you!" Su Jing really sighed. Su Wan's brain is really very good. The most important thing is that she knows a lot and can speak and do things.
In her opinion, one hundred and eighty taels could be earned easily.
"Brother is also very capable. Come back and let us see if you can pass the imperial examination and become the top scorer. These are just little tricks for us!" Su Wan began to lead the topic to the imperial examination.
"Wanwan, you flatter me too much. You can't just pass the exam and become the top scholar if you want to." Su Jing was still modest. He didn't dare to praise himself so highly.
However, he has been working towards this goal. Only the top scholar has real talent and knowledge, which is the recognition of his hard work in studying for so many years. The second place has to be inferior to the top scholar, and the third place must have good character and appearance. He also doesn't want others to say that he is a show-off with nothing but good looks.
"Brother, you will definitely be able to do it. By the way, how confident are you about the palace examination?" Su Wan continued with his routine.
"I'm confident I'll make it to the Palace Examination, but as for making the top ten Jinshi, I can't guarantee that. The current emperor is incredibly talented, and every year he sets questions that challenge the students. I wonder if next year's questions will be easier!"
Before Su Wan could say anything about this, Su Jing said it himself, and his expression instantly became extremely nervous, which showed that this was also what he was worried about.
He had passed the provincial examination and was confident about the metropolitan examination, but he was a little unsure about the final palace examination.
The questions in his palace examination were the most difficult, concerning flood control.
According to the rules, Su Jing is now a juren, but the documents have not been issued yet, so he is still a scholar. He ranked second in this provincial examination, but after the imperial examination is over, regardless of whether he passes the examination and becomes a jinshi, his family will be exempted from taxes based on his juren title, and he will also receive two taels of silver subsidy plus five dou of rice every month.
It is precisely because of this that He Jiaolan's family has completely set their sights on Su Jing.
"Brother, have you ever thought about what questions His Majesty will ask?"
Su Wan continued to ask him, and Su Jing did not hide anything and told her his thoughts honestly:
"Judging from previous years' exam questions, the test will be either policy essays or poetry. Since the current emperor loves poetry, the students all say that this year's exam is more likely to be about poetry as well!"
Su Wan nodded in understanding when he heard this, and then he said his thoughts logically:
"Brother, I have something to say that I'm not sure if I should or shouldn't. Women shouldn't discuss politics; it's punishable by death, but since this concerns your future, I still want to say a few more words!"
Su Wan deliberately moved to Su Jing's side and whispered to him.
After all, what she was about to say was about political affairs. In this feudal and rigid era, it was taboo for women to talk about these things.
Su Jing also realized that what she was about to say was not something that could be heard by others, but Su Wan said that it was related to his future, and based on the few times he and Su Wan had interacted, she was not a reckless person, so he believed that she was not just talking nonsense.
"Wanwan, just speak softly!" Su Jing even looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping.
With his elder brother's permission, Su Wan began to speak frankly:
"Brother, in my opinion, why don't we make two plans, policy essays and poetry, you have to guess which one is the best. As for poetry, I believe it is not a problem for you, but as for policy essays, you have to think carefully. It is better to be safe than sorry. I heard that our Jin State has frequent floods in many places. The emperor is very worried. He often can't sleep at night because he can't get a good policy essay. He even gets furious in the court.
I was thinking, if His Majesty wants to gather good ideas during this year's imperial examination and asks a question about flood control, then you wouldn't be completely unprepared, brother. Moreover, even if His Majesty doesn't ask this question, if you enter the government in the future, you will inevitably help His Majesty with his worries, so accumulating more good ideas for flood control would be beneficial."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com