As a top-tier academy, Yunjing Academy's greatest advantage is its ample funding.
Not to mention that the government allocates a sum of money to the academy every year, even just relying on donations from various local gentry and wealthy merchants, they can live quite comfortably.
Needless to say, the real gold and silver are countless, and the school lands under its name alone have accumulated over the years.
Once the money is spent, it's gone; but the land rent from the school provides income every year.
If you have money, you're willing to invest.
The headmaster and senior students of the academy were both Jinshi graduates.
Even the minimum requirement for lecturing at the academy was to be a successful candidate in the imperial examinations.
In addition to the teaching staff, the facilities are also quite good.
The academy has dormitories to provide accommodation for students who live far from home.
Students from other places can check in as long as they have their luggage ready.
One day off every ten days.
However, a day is too short, and students who live far away simply do not have enough time to travel back and forth between home and school in one day.
Therefore, you can only arrange your own rest on this day off.
They might take a break at the academy or stroll around the city.
He Youyou packed Han Wenzheng's luggage and gave him some tips on how to get along with his roommates.
Han Wenzheng had spent his childhood in the servants' dormitory, so he had a thorough understanding of these principles of conduct.
"Mother, please don't worry. I will study hard and pass the imperial examination as soon as possible."
He Youyou laughed and said, "Good, good, good. My scholar husband has lofty ambitions. What could I possibly worry about? I wish you success in passing the imperial examination and becoming a successful candidate in the provincial examination soon."
In ancient times, out of respect, people often addressed scholars as "Xianggong" and those who passed the provincial examinations as "Laoye".
Han Wenzheng smiled and lowered his head without saying a word after hearing her teasing remark.
As the two were chatting and laughing, the gatekeeper came to report.
"Madam, a guest has arrived with a congratulatory gift at the gate."
He Youyou asked, "Where did the guests come from?"
"They say he's from Jizhou City, the philanthropist Master Ma."
He Youyou suddenly realized.
It turned out to be Matthew Yuan.
This guy came in person?
As she thought about it, she got up and went out to the front hall to greet them.
When I got to the front hall, I saw Matthew sitting there, already drinking tea.
He was followed by three or four attendants, all of whom stood with their hands at their sides.
When he saw He Youyou come in, he quickly stood up and clasped his hands in congratulations.
"Yesterday I heard rumors that a top scholar had emerged from this area. I wondered which family it was, but after inquiring, I found out it was actually Lady Han's family. Given our friendship, how could I not come and offer my congratulations?"
This Matthew Yuan has always been a pretentious person, even though he is not literate, he loves to hang out with literary people.
Although aloof scholars didn't bother with him, there were many who loved money or valued his connections and tried to curry favor with him, hoping to become familiar with him.
Matthew Yuan, who frequented the circle, often heard gossip about literary figures from various states, prefectures, and counties.
He knew everything about which place had produced a talented scholar, which student had achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations, and which successful candidate in the imperial examinations had taken a concubine who had reformed her ways.
As he spoke, he gave his attendant a wink, and immediately an attendant came forward with a large red sheet of paper, folded in ten horizontally.
The housekeeper quickly accepted it.
Then another attendant brought over a brocade box with a magpie perched on a branch design.
He opened the brocade box in front of He Youyou, revealing a box of neatly arranged silver ingots.
Ma Xiuyuan patted the silver ingot and said with a smile, "I came in a hurry and have nothing to offer, so I am offering this congratulatory gift of one hundred taels. I hope Madam Han will accept it."
While exchanging pleasantries with him, He Youyou instructed the steward to accept the silver.
Having accepted the congratulatory gift, how could one not allow the person to meet the scholar?
He immediately had Han Wenzheng summoned so that he could thank Ma Xiuyuan in person.
Han Wenzheng is no longer the Ah Li from Cuihua Tower. His face has changed, his skin color has changed, and he has grown taller.
Her demeanor and style were completely different from before.
Even if Ma Xiuyuan runs to Cuihua Tower all day long and hangs out with Ah Li every day, how can you tell from his appearance?
She stared at him intently, praising him repeatedly, "Wonderful! Your son is indeed a man of exceptional talent and elegance, truly extraordinary."
Han Wenzheng bowed to express his gratitude, then lowered his head to suppress a laugh.
I can't stand even a little bit.
"Madam Han, I heard that you bought that Ah Li from Cuihua Tower? Is that true?"
He Youyou used the cup lid to gather the tea leaves in the bowl: "That's true."
"Is he to be your son's page?"
“That’s right. It’s a pity he’s not here today, otherwise we should let Master Ma meet him.”
“It’s alright, it’s alright.” Matthew waved his hand. “Only a page with the knowledge of Ah Li is worthy of your son’s talent.”
After chatting about a few topics and having their tea refilled two or three times, the two naturally started talking about business cooperation.
Ma Xiuyuan was very excited, craning his neck to look at He Youyou and said, "Cooperating with the Cheng family is indeed reliable."
"Oh? How so?" He Youyou put down her teacup, showing that she was all ears, and encouraged him to continue.
"In just over half a month, the second young master of the Cheng family has already requested horses several times. The people I arranged in the capital have already received the horses he transported and have started selling them."
"How are the horse farm's sales in Beijing?"
When this was mentioned, Ma Xiuyuan became very animated: "The wealthy young men in the capital love riding and archery. In their spare time, they play polo or go hunting. Every household keeps more than a dozen horses. Moreover, there are military camps stationed inside and outside the capital, and people from the Imperial Stud often purchase horses to serve as military horses."
He Youyou remembered seeing ancient records about horses before, which divided them into three classes.
The best horses are called "warhorses," used for military campaigns. Slightly better horses are called "field horses," used for farming. The worst horses are called "nagma," referring to weak, sick, and unsuitable for serious use.
(Note: This phrase comes from the "Zhou Li·Xia Guan·Ma Zhi" which states: "Horses are classified into three categories: warhorses, field horses, and nag horses.")
"Your horses are actually of military caliber?" He Youyou asked in surprise.
Ma Xiuyuan smiled proudly: "Hey, of course! My family has been raising warhorses for the previous dynasty's horse breeding bureau. Every horse we raise is a fine steed. In the past, the roads were too far, and these horses couldn't be transported to the capital or reach the Imperial Stud. Nobody recognized their value. Now it's different. The Imperial Stud took a liking to my horses at first glance and specifically asked us to deliver them. Moreover, there aren't any proper horse farms near the capital, so nobody is competing with me for this business."
"Does the Imperial Stud not have its own government-run horse farm?"
“There used to be a few horse ranches, some of which were raised near the capital. However, because horse breeding occupied a lot of farmland, there were always objections from the people, and they were gradually converted into farmland. In addition, there was no war for many years, so the government-run horse ranches became defunct in name only.”
Matthew suddenly thought of something else.
"Mrs. Han, there's another way to make money. I wonder if you'd like to try it?"
Who doesn't want to make money?
"What approach?" He Youyou asked with interest.
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