Chapter 475 Du Wanchun's Test
The five scholars staying at the inn had heard from somewhere that the Zhou family wanted to recruit a teacher who was both literate and skilled in martial arts, and that these weak scholars would probably have made a wasted trip.
The tall and thin scholar Wei was furious upon hearing this. "Isn't this going too far? When they issued the notice, they didn't say that we needed someone who was both literate and martial. Now that we've come all the way to Cheng'an County, they're saying they need someone who is both literate and martial. We've come all this way for nothing."
A short, seemingly frail scholar standing next to him nodded and said, "That's right, this is really going too far."
The other two scholars nodded angrily as well.
Only another tall, burly scholar abruptly asked Scholar Wei, "Are you surnamed Wei?"
Scholar Wei was taken aback for a moment before replying, "That's right."
The burly scholar looked at him coldly and asked, "I remember you were a teacher at the Linzhou Merchants' Mansion before. Why did you suddenly decide to come to the Zhou family?"
Scholar Wei was momentarily speechless, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes. However, he quickly regained his composure and said, "You've mistaken me for someone else. Although I am from Linzhou, I have never worked as a tutor in a merchant household."
"Oh? Is that so?" The burly scholar didn't believe him, his tone laced with mockery.
Scholar Wei humbly lowered his head.
He was indeed a teacher in the Shang family, and not only that, he was also a staff member kept by Master Shang's side.
There were many advisors in Master Shang's mansion, and he was the least qualified one.
A few days ago, when Master Shang learned that the Zhou family was going to hire a tutor, he thought of planting a spy in the Zhou residence to help the emperor keep an eye on the Zhou family.
Upon learning of this, Scholar Wei volunteered to act as an informant for Master Shang.
Seeing his enthusiasm, Master Shang agreed to let him go.
However, he overestimated Wei Xiucai's abilities.
Wei Xiucai was an opportunist. He was not valued by the merchants and was thinking of getting some money from the Zhou family.
Ostensibly, they came to act as informants, but in reality, they were looking for a way out for themselves and also playing the role of opportunists.
This burly man was completely different from Scholar Wei. He was from Qingzhou Prefecture and his surname was Yuan. Although he looked a bit fierce, he was upright and honest, and full of integrity.
He had met Scholar Wei once before at the Shang residence, so he immediately guessed why he had come here.
The Liu family's silk is now selling better than that of other merchants.
The merchants began to harbor resentment towards the Liu family, while the Zhou family has now become friendly with the Liu family again.
Unable to place spies in the Liu family, they naturally turned to the Zhou family.
Manager Liu and his wife would visit the Zhou family from time to time, and they would always manage to glean some useful information.
Yuan Shusheng looked down on Wei Xiucai and stopped chatting with them. He got up and left the inn, wanting to find a tavern nearby.
After he left, Scholar Wei gathered the other three scholars and talked about the scarred man.
"See that scarred guy? He looks like a vicious thug. We need to be careful of him; he might come and kill us all tonight."
Scholar Wei deliberately exaggerated as he spoke.
The three scholars were startled.
Just then, someone suddenly said, "Did you see that tall guy from earlier? He might know some martial arts."
They were talking about Yuan Shusheng.
Still harboring some resentment towards his earlier words, Wei Xiucai immediately said, "That's right, it looks just like him. Do you think the Zhou family has already decided on him?"
"Yes, he was the only one who remained silent while we were all so angry."
"Look at him, he really is. With his rude manner, how could he possibly be a teacher?"
"It's just a pretty face!"
They became more and more agitated as they spoke, their words clearly filled with jealousy towards Yuan Shusheng.
The four of them put their heads together and came up with a plan.
When Wei Xiucai arrived at the inn's entrance, he saw that Yuan Shusheng had not yet returned and said to them, "Hurry up, move quickly!"
The three of them secretly went to Yuan Shusheng's room and stole the booklet that Du Wanchun had given them.
After seeing that they had stolen it, Wei Xiucai went into the house with them.
“If we destroy this booklet, let’s see what he brings to the Zhou family in three days.”
"That's right, the booklet. Even if the Zhou family wanted to protect him, it wouldn't work."
"Here, I've brought the candles."
The four of them talked amongst themselves, then took out candles and burned the booklet as if it were real.
After the fire was lit, they cleaned the room and went to bed.
On the streets of Cheng'an County, Yuan Shusheng bought a bottle of wine and walked along the path, drinking it as he went.
He looked at the rough-looking guy and realized that his talent was no less than that of the scholars from before. He had participated in the provincial examination with Zhou Ruiyuan back then, but later, due to his aunt's situation, he did not continue to participate in the imperial examination and could only rely on physical labor to earn money to support his family.
I came to Cheng'an County this time just to find a job and earn more money.
His parents died early, and he was raised by his uncle. Now that his uncle is bedridden with a long illness, he needs to earn more money.
After finishing a bottle of wine, he suddenly stopped beside an alley.
There lay the scarred man they had seen during the day in the alley.
He was puzzled and walked over to him, asking, "Why don't you stay at an inn?"
The scarred man covered his face with a rag and didn't want to talk to him.
Yuan Shusheng moved a little closer and said, "It's cold here, and there are rats and snakes at night. You should go to the inn to rest."
The scarred man completely ignored him, turned over, and prepared to continue sleeping.
Yuan Shusheng was a kind-hearted man. He squatted down, frowned, and said, "Don't you have any money? It's alright, you can share a room with me."
The scarred man seemed not to hear him and remained motionless.
As a gust of cold wind blew, the scarred man began to cough.
Left with no other choice, Yuan Shusheng grabbed him and hoisted him onto his shoulder, regardless of whether he agreed or not.
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