As Wende Academy's reputation grew, more and more people came to study there.
Encouraged by Zhou Wencong, the other scholars also planned to take the exam in three years, not to become officials, but simply to prove that they were not inferior.
They also saw in Zhou Wencong that one should learn until old age, and that as long as one does not give up, one can take the imperial examination at seventy.
The clan chief also asked Zhou Wencong if he wanted to go to the capital to take the imperial examination next spring. Zhou Wencong shook his head and said that he would not participate next year. He still needed to continue studying. He was not sure if he would pass the exam next year.
During the Chinese New Year, Zhou Shizhou talked about this with Zhou Quan and Li Mai. Li Mai said it was fine and that Dean Zhou should review his studies and take good care of his health so he could take the exam in four years. He wouldn't be fifty years old then and could still take the exam.
After hearing what Li Mai and Zhou Quan said, Zhou Wencong really started to study harder, thinking that he might be able to give it a try.
As long as Zhou Quan supports him, he will give it his all.
If he passes the exam, the Zhou family will produce a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). Wouldn't it make them even more famous if the Jinshi were to manage the family's academy? Anyway, he has no intention of becoming an official, so taking the exam seems like a good idea.
After things went smoothly for Li Mai and Zhou Quan in the village, with Zhou Wencong and the clan chief working hard here, they stopped paying attention to this area and began to focus their energy on their own business.
The town magistrate did take a day to visit the Wende Academy in Zhoujia Village. After observing the current situation, Zhou Wencong and Zhou Shizhou received him.
Seeing the neat and tidy state of Zhoujia Village, the town magistrate praised it and also commended Dean Zhou's literary talent. He said that he had received instructions from the county magistrate and the prefectural magistrate to take good care of Wende Academy and to let them know if they had any difficulties, as the government would definitely help.
It might take ten years for a town to produce even one successful candidate in the imperial examinations, let alone third place. Even if Zhou Wencong was a man of considerable talent, in the eyes of the town magistrate, he was still bringing honor to him and to Qing Shi Town.
Moreover, after learning that he was from Zhoujia Village, the authorities remembered the disaster that had struck Zhoujia Village years ago and thought of the imperial court's disaster relief and assistance to Zhoujia Village. Even the county magistrate felt that their assistance to Zhoujia Village back then was truly the right thing to do.
However, there was no further news about what Zhoujia Village looked like after it was built. So, orders were issued level by level, instructing the town magistrate to check on the current situation of Zhoujia Village. If it was still not good, they could help again. If a place can produce a talented person or a great scholar, whether that person is young or old, it is because that place is blessed with outstanding people and resources.
Another task was to persuade Zhou Wencong to participate in the imperial examination in the spring of that year.
After receiving Zhou Wencong's reply, the town magistrate stopped urging him. Since he had decided to wait four years, then so be it!
With the government's support, Zhoujia Village truly became the first in the surrounding area.
In addition to guiding students in their studies, Zhou Wencong also began to delve deeper into the knowledge himself.
At the beginning of the twelfth lunar month, Mr. Shen, the owner of Shenji Paper Mill in the town, personally went to Zhoujia Village to visit Zhou Wencong.
Zhou Wencong naturally knew him as well. The paper used in their academy was mostly from Shenji. Moreover, they were about the same age and had been classmates for two years. Master Shen dropped out of school halfway through his studies and went home to learn how to do business.
The two talked a lot this time. Master Shen wanted to help Zhou Wencong publish a book or a collection of calligraphy works. He said that many people outside wanted to buy his calligraphy works or articles but couldn't. He asked if Zhou Wencong had any manuscripts from previous years that he could organize. Shen's shop has now opened in Xiangzhou City. If Zhou Wencong was willing, he would give him 30% of the money from the sales.
Shen Wencong doesn't understand business or whether this is appropriate. He said that he went to take the exam with the support of his cousin Zhou Quan. If he wants to publish a book, it's better to discuss it with Zhou Quan.
He didn't know whether 30% was a lot or a little, and he didn't know whether he should publish the book or not. He was worried that it might have a bad impact. He thought it would be better to ask Zhou Quan and Li Mai, the couple. He felt that they could definitely help him make a decision.
In Zhou Wencong's view, without Zhou Quanlimai, he would not have his current reputation and fame, so it was right to ask Zhou Quanlimai about this matter.
Master Shen understood and said he knew Zhou Quan and would go to him to discuss the matter.
One day, Li Mai was busy tending to the pomegranates when Master Shen arrived.
After Master Shen explained his purpose, Li Mai was surprised, but he also sent someone to the Zhou residence to summon Zhou Quan. This matter still needed to be discussed with him by Zhou Quan.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Zhou Quan returned.
When Zhou Shizhou came to town yesterday, he gave Zhou Quan a letter. Zhou Wencong explained the meaning of the letter to him, saying that Master Shen might come to talk to him about this matter in a few days.
He was too busy yesterday to tell Li Mai about it, but Mr. Shen came today.
Zhou Quan took Master Shen to chat at the teahouse next door, so as not to affect Li Mai's business.
Zhou Quan agreed to let Master Shen publish a book for Zhou Wencong. However, following Zhou Wencong's wishes, he requested no commission, only a one-time royalties fee for each book published. The amount could be determined by comparing it to the amount paid for other books.
Zhou Wencong had only one request: the books shouldn't be too expensive. Shenji should be able to recoup its costs and make a small profit. Most scholars were poor, and he didn't want the price to dampen their enthusiasm for knowledge.
This time, Master Shen was truly shocked.
When he came today, he knew he was going to talk to Zhou Quan, and he had mentally prepared himself. He was told that Zhou Quan would give him a maximum of 40% of the profits, and he couldn't give any more, otherwise Shen would lose money.
After all, Li Mai and Zhou Quan were known for their business acumen.
But he never expected that the other party wasn't trying to negotiate a high price, but rather a low one, simply because they were worried that the scholars couldn't afford it.
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