Just after the Lantern Festival, Wang Xiaoxi organized a caravan, brought porters, and went to the countryside to sell coal stove briquettes.
After the New Year begins, it will be cold in the Gyeonggi area for at least two months.
Wang Xiaoxi wants to seize the last two months to increase sales and get commission.
Today, Wang Xiaoxi arrived at Tongzi Village. It was already dark when he finished his work. He decided to stay in the village for one night.
The house we stayed at was right next to Carpenter Wang's.
They all have the surname Wang, so Wang Xiaoxi and Carpenter Wang's family can get along well.
I heard a loud noise coming from Carpenter Wang's house, so I came out to see what was going on.
Seeing the whole family staring at him, Wang Xiaoxi laughed to hide his embarrassment, "I overheard a few words outside the door. Are you discussing Sanlang's studies?"
Carpenter Wang sighed, picked up his pipe and started smoking, looking depressed.
Boss Wang and Old Man Wang talked a lot.
"A family earns money and supports him alone. We don't accept it."
"My child can hardly have a full meal, and all the money I earn goes into a bottomless pit. Manager Wang, please give me some advice. My father wants him to continue his studies, and this is harming the whole family."
"Unless he earns money to support himself, don't even think about taking a penny from home to study."
Wang Xiaoxi listened and said, "I understand your family's story now. It's like Sanlang's education costs money, and he hasn't even passed the imperial examination after studying for so many years, so he's not allowed to continue his studies, right?"
Wang Lao Da and Wang Lao Er nodded in unison, then changed the subject and said, "It's not that we don't want him to study, but it's not okay for him to use the family's money to study. Unless he has the ability to earn money for his own studies."
Wang Sanlang said hurriedly: "On weekdays, I also help the bookstore copy books to earn money."
"The little money you earn is not even enough for your food." Wang Laoer spat at him.
Wang Sanlang looked embarrassed.
Wang Xiaoxi patted Wang Sanlang on the shoulder, then patted Wang Laoer, "Stop arguing. As long as it doesn't cost the family a penny, you will let Sanlang continue his studies."
Wang Lao Da and Wang Lao Er exchanged glances, and finally the two brothers nodded and said in unison: "Yes! As long as he doesn't spend a penny of the family's money, it doesn't matter whether he studies or not."
Wang Xiaoxi chuckled, "This is simple."
Carpenter Wang and his family stared at Wang Xiaoxi in surprise.
Carpenter Wang dropped his pipe and asked nervously, "Manager Wang, do you have a solution?"
"You guys stay in the mountains all day long, no wonder you don't know what's going on outside. And you, Sanlang, you are a scholar, there is no reason for you not to know." Wang Xiaoxi was heartbroken.
Wang Sanlang was confused, "Know what?"
"Have you heard of Shanhe Academy?" Wang Xiaoxi was waiting for everyone to show an expression of sudden enlightenment, but he was disappointed.
Not to mention Carpenter Wang and his companions, even Wang Sanlang had never heard of Shanhe Academy.
Wang Xiaoxi jumped up anxiously, "Wang Sanlang, you are a scholar, but you don't even know about Shanhe Academy."
Wang Sanlang became more and more confused, "Should I know?"
"snort!"
Wang Xiaoxi was disappointed and asked, "Have you heard of Xinmin County?"
The Wang family nodded in unison. Who doesn’t know Xinmin County?
The most enviable people were the refugees in Xinmin County. They were so lucky to have such a good thing.
They are not refugees, but they end up living worse than a group of refugees.
It's so infuriating.
"Then do you know that Xinmin County was built thanks to the Sihai Trading Company?"
Carpenter Wang and his family nodded again. Nowadays, the people in the village are busy growing sweet potatoes, making wine, raising pigs, chickens, and ducks.
"Shanhe Academy was built by the owner of Sihai Trading Company. It's on the mountain near Xinmin County and has been open for several years. Studying at Shanhe Academy doesn't require tuition, and room and board are provided. The academy also provides writing brushes, inkstones, and inkstones. If you do well in the monthly exams, you can even get a scholarship."
"There is such a good thing?" Wang Sanlang was shocked. He didn't even know about such a good thing.
Wang Xiaoxi snorted, "Don't be so happy. Getting into Shanhe Academy isn't easy. You need to pass the entrance exam to study there. Plus, there's an exam every month, and if you don't do well, you might be expelled. I heard that the entrance exam for Shanhe Academy is divided into age groups, and includes the Four Books and Five Classics, as well as the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art."
Wang Sanlang was stunned. "We still have to take the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art?"
Wang Xiaoxi said cheerfully, "Don't be nervous. I heard from those scholars that the exam is very simple. As long as you have studied, you can basically pass. Wang Sanlang, since you want to study, why don't you try Shanhe Academy? If you pass, you don't have to pay for anything, and you will even be given four sets of clothes a year."
"Oh my God, they're even giving out clothes. This Shanhe Academy is definitely a losing business." The two daughters-in-law of the Wang family exclaimed in surprise, unable to believe that there could be such a good thing in the world.
They were so excited that they wanted to send their children to the academy. However, since their children had not yet started to learn, they probably did not qualify to go.
Wang Xiaoxi sneered, "How could the owner of Sihai Trading Company be short of such a small sum? He made a fortune and wanted to give poor scholars a chance. This is a righteous act. What's the point of saying you should pay money or not? How vulgar!"
"Wang Sanlang, if you want to go, I'll return to the capital the day after tomorrow, and you can come with me. I can't say anything else, but I'll find you a place to live. I can also introduce you to a few scholars from other places who rent houses in our area. I remember there's an entrance exam at the end of this month."
Wang Sanlang hesitated.
He looked at his father, Carpenter Wang, and then secretly glanced at his two brothers.
Carpenter Wang was smoking and looked depressed.
Wang Sanlang opened his mouth and said, "Is the exam really not difficult?"
Wang Xiaoxi slapped him on the shoulder. "You've studied for so many years, and you're not even taking the exam to become a scholar. What are you afraid of just for an entrance exam?"
"I……"
Wang Sanlang wanted to say that he had no money.
Preparing for the exam definitely costs money.
Food and accommodation cost money, review materials cost money, and making connections also costs money.
He was too embarrassed to speak.
The eldest and second brothers would definitely not agree to give him money.
Carpenter Wang was silent.
Even Carpenter Wang remained silent.
Wang Xiaoxi rolled his eyes and knew what Wang Sanlang was worried about.
He laughed heartily, patted Wang Sanlang on the shoulder, and asked, "Can you write and calculate?"
Wang Sanlang nodded cautiously.
"It's easy. Once you get to Xinmin County, there are so many ways to make money. Just spend half a day every day, and your food and lodging will be all taken care of. I'll take care of it."
"Is it so easy to make money?" Boss Wang's wife muttered.
Wang Xiaoxi laughed heartily. "It's certainly not easy for us illiterate people to make money. But it's easy for educated people to make money. It's too easy."
"I'll go!" Wang Sanlang made up his mind instantly.
He looked at his father, Carpenter Wang, and said, "Dad, I want to give it a try. If I can get into Shanhe Academy..."
"So what if you pass the exam?" Wang Lao Er said with a look of displeasure. "Does passing the exam mean you can become a scholar? If you can't become a scholar, what's the point of studying so much? It's not only a waste of money, but also a waste of time. Third brother, you're not young anymore. It's time to think about your life and stop focusing on studying."
Wang Sanlang clenched his fists. "Second brother, are you going to go back on your word? You said before that as long as I don't spend a penny of our family's money, you won't bother with my affairs. Why, now you want to interfere with my studies?"
Wang Lao Er snorted, "What do you have to take the entrance exam for the academy? Do you really think it's that easy to make money out there?"
"It's not easy to make money. I can lend it to Sanlang first. When Sanlang becomes rich in the future, don't forget me." Wang Xiaoxi laughed and pretended to be joking, but his eyes showed seriousness.
The Wang brothers stared at Wang Xiaoxi and said, "Manager Wang, this is our Wang family's family affair. You are an outsider and should not interfere."
Wang Xiaoxi said, "I think Sanlang will be successful one day. Can't we make a good relationship with him first?"
"you……"
"It's settled." Carpenter Wang interrupted his two sons and made the decision.
"Dad!" Boss Wang frowned. "Won't the Third Brother spend money to go to the capital? Where will the money come from?"
Carpenter Wang gritted his teeth and said, "I'll pay for it."
"That's the whole family's money." Wang Laoer was anxious.
"This is the last time I'll give money to Sanlang," Carpenter Wang said in a resounding voice. "From now on, whether Sanlang can read or not, he'll have to earn his own living. This is settled, and no one is allowed to say a word."
Even if Boss Wang and Second Wang were dissatisfied, they could only shut up.
Carpenter Wang then said to Wang Sanlang, "Over the years, all our family savings have been spent on supporting your studies. Your elder and second brothers' words may be harsh, but they have no other choice. With so many mouths to feed, it's a real worry!"
"If you become successful in the future, don't forget the kindness of your elder and second brothers. They have been working hard to support you over the years. You should be grateful and thankful. Don't be an ungrateful person who looks down on your family members just because you have achieved success."
Carpenter Wang gave Wang Sanlang an earnest admonition.
Wang Sanlang nodded heavily, "Brother, I will never forget Second Brother's kindness. I will always remember it in my heart."
The two brothers, Wang Lao Da and Wang Lao Er, looked embarrassed and a little ashamed.
Wang Xiaoxi saw that everyone was awkward, so he stepped in to smooth things over. "It's settled. I'll visit a few more villages tomorrow and return to the capital the day after tomorrow. Wang Sanlang, pack your bags and come with me to the capital the day after tomorrow."
"Thank you, Steward Wang!"
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