"But his judgment is still poor, and he's a bit stingy." Zhao Lin said, "Brother Su's literary talent is no worse than mine, but he's just unlucky. He only gave half the silver, ruining a good job. If it were me, I would definitely give the same silver. Even 500 taels per person would be better than this."
Sudi smiled and said, "That's your limitation. For people like them, the most important thing is the difference in status. First place is first place, and second place is second place. If the second place gets the same gift as the first place, then what's the point of getting first place? So even if I'm second place, I have to cut it in half. The attitude of the second place is not important. What matters is that the first place is satisfied."
Zhao Lin suddenly realized: "I was wrong."
Zhao Lin had also been a big boss, so Sudi understood as soon as he opened his mouth.
Two employees work together, one does a good job and the other does a less good job. Although both meet the conditions for rewards, if the rewards are the same, the one who does a poor job will definitely not be grateful for it, while the one who does a good job will have opinions about it. If the same thing happens next time, do you think he will continue to do the same as last time, or learn to slack off like the other one?
The same applies when it comes to gift giving.
If two people give the same gift, the second person will not feel particularly grateful. Instead, the first person will feel looked down upon. They receive the same treatment as the second person, and instead of building a relationship, they become enemies.
Such things are everywhere in the world, whether it is Zhao Lin's current world or his previous life. To use an inappropriate word, a little kindness is rewarded with a big grain of rice, and a lot of hatred is repaid with hatred.
Le Kang's housekeeper started the conversation, followed by the second one.
"Chunyi Pavilion congratulates Master Zhao and Master Su on their success in the imperial examinations and specially presents a gift of one thousand taels of silver."
The one who came to bring the gift was Yun Zhiyi's maid Zhu'er. The little girl said coquettishly, "My mistress said that it is a great joy for the two young masters to pass the imperial examination. If you have time, please come to Chunyi Pavilion and my mistress will personally play the piano and sing a song to congratulate you."
"Thank you Miss Yun for your kindness. I will definitely visit you someday." Zhao Lin said.
Zhu'er bowed again and left.
Zhao Lin smiled and said, "Miss Yun is smart. They celebrate together without distinguishing between them, so that the two of them don't have to compare who has more."
Sudi snorted: "That's not necessarily true."
Zhao Lin asked doubtfully, "Is there any difference?"
Sudi said, "You were the one who invited me. I was just a sideline guest."
Zhao Lin laughed: "Zhu'er said it was the two of us..."
Sudi said disdainfully, "Tsk! If we were separated, do you think she would say such things to me? Or if we were not together, do you think she would give me a gift to celebrate?"
Zhao Lin thought about it and it made sense.
Yun Zhiyi didn't need to do anything to win people over, and her gift to Zhao Lin was just a gift between friends. More importantly, it was a return gift because Zhao Lin gave her three poems, which made her famous.
There is no relationship between Yun Zhiyi and Su Di. Without Zhao Lin, Yun Zhiyi would not know who Su Di is, and of course would not give him any gifts.
But this also made Sudi feel even more unhappy.
Fortunately, someone else soon brought a gift, and one was specially prepared for Sudi, not just a gift given by mistake.
"The General of Chariots and Cavalry's Mansion congratulates Young Master Zhao and Young Master Su on their success in the imperial examinations. We have specially sent you two small gifts. Please accept them."
The General of Chariots and Cavalry's Mansion is Wang Ziyao's home.
The man who came was the servant who had come to ask Wang Ziyao to go back last time. He was an acquaintance who had only met once. He smiled at the two of them and said, "I heard that both of you passed the imperial examination, and that Young Master Zhao was the top scorer. My master and young master are very happy. They specially sent gifts and invited you to visit our mansion when you have free time."
Zhao Lin smiled and said, "General Wang, you are too polite. We are good friends with your young master. If he wants to see us anytime, just send someone to let us know."
This made the visitor very happy, and he said, "I will convey your wishes to the master and the young master. Goodbye, please stay."
One after another, people came to give gifts, most of them were attracted by Zhao Lin's title of Jieyuan. Some simply gave gifts without saying anything else, while others tried to win him over directly, saying that as long as Zhao Lin was willing to join them, they could help him get a small official position now, and if he could pass the imperial examination in the future, their future would be in their hands.
However, these people were wealthy people without any foundation, and they were eager to invest in people with a promising future in officialdom, or they were simply factions in the imperial court trying to snatch people away in advance.
They all promised many benefits, and some even wanted to marry their daughters to Zhao Lin.
Zhao Lin politely declined.
Only those without a future would consider them. Zhao Lin had a bright future, but he had already joined someone and his character was determined early on, which made it difficult for him to advance in the officialdom in the future.
There were many people coming and going, and they gradually disappeared until the sun set.
Sudi did a rough count and said, "A surprising fifty-four families have sent gifts. They're either wealthy individuals or officials. The saying 'everything is inferior except for education' is truly true."
Zhao Lin said casually, "They just want me to be their slave."
Sudi's eyes lit up and he said, "The words 'oxen and horses' are used very well. Indeed, they put in so much effort, isn't it just like feeding grass to oxen and horses and letting them work?"
Zhao Lin smiled slightly and said, "Everything has a price. There is no such thing as not asking for free benefits."
"That's right...that's not right. Some people just give it away for free."
Sudi looked outside.
Lan'er is here.
She said coquettishly, "Congratulations to Mr. Zhao for winning the first place in the imperial examination, and congratulations to Mr. Su for passing the imperial examination. My young lady specially prepared two gifts for me to deliver. Since she is at home embroidering her wedding dress, she cannot come to congratulate you in person. I hope you don't mind."
Zhao Lin frowned. "Embroidering a wedding dress? Is she getting married?"
Lan Er said, "Yes. The eldest son of the Bai family came to discuss this with the master personally. It has been agreed that after the palace examination is over, the marriage between the young lady and the second young master Bai will be arranged. There are only a few months left, and time is tight, so the young lady has to stay at home embroidering her wedding dress and has no time to come out. Please forgive me, both gentlemen."
"Bai Shiyuan showed up in person?" Zhao Lin's face darkened. "He's not doing his job as a Hanlin editor, but is acting as a matchmaker?"
Lan'er sighed, "Alas! Perhaps it's because Second Young Master Bai is so incompetent that my master hasn't made up his mind yet, so the Bai family sent First Young Master Bai to negotiate. In fact, the master favored First Young Master Bai. He was the top scholar and a favorite of His Majesty, and his future was limitless. It's a pity that he was snatched away by a bitch so early. What a pity."
Lan'er shook her head and secretly looked at Zhao Lin. She found that Zhao Lin's face looked very ugly, and she felt proud in her heart.
Humph, my young lady can't come out, so why don't you take the initiative to go over? Although the master doesn't like you and is likely to not let you in, if you take the initiative, it will make it seem that it's not my young lady who can't get married and has to pay you back, but that you are pestering her.
There is a huge difference.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com