In short, wherever Zhiyin (a close friend) went, various shops sprang up like mushrooms after rain.
During this time, the good news that Xing Luxi and Mu Lin had both passed the imperial examination also came quickly.
Although they didn't achieve the top rank, it already demonstrates their outstanding abilities.
It can be considered a very outstanding choice, selected from among many others.
Those who passed the imperial examinations could generally become officials directly, and were thus appointed as officials of the eighth rank (正八品门下主事) and the eighth rank (从八品尚书主事).
Both men were officials in the capital, waiting for a kindred spirit to arrive.
…
Time flies, and years slip by.
Another year has passed in the blink of an eye.
Zhiyin, Zhihua, and Huang Lao arrived in the capital and stayed in the house that Xing Luxi had bought.
As time went on, Zhihua began to participate in the imperial examinations, while Huang Lao and Ziyou also took their leave.
Zhiyin's own shops, as well as the various shops opened by the shopkeepers, have spread all over the country, and the name Zhiji has become a household name throughout the country.
Whether it's various kinds of food, storybooks, exquisite costumes similar to those in theaters, or various kinds of display weapons, they all attract daughters and wives of officials, and even children to scramble to buy them and grab tickets...
She became everyone's darling!
It's practically a household name, suitable for both men and women, young and old, and transcends the distinction between rich and poor.
In short, there's bound to be one that suits them!
Even after the game became popular, many martial arts practitioners rushed to buy rakes, sticks, and other weapons.
They kept saying, "Here comes Old Sun!"
The songs are well-known, and almost every child can sing them off the cuff.
The entire country is experiencing unprecedented harmony!
After all, there are just too many things to do and eat, too many to eat and too many to play. Who has time for palace intrigue and backstabbing?
Isn't it better to just play?
Zhiyin rightfully became the richest person in the country, with a constant stream of wealth flowing into her every day.
During this period, there was a locust plague and a drought. Although the emperor knew that chickens and ducks could eat locusts and sent a large army of ducks to exterminate them, it was too late, and the crops were beyond saving.
As a result, many people who had no water to drink and no food to eat left their homes and embarked on a journey of famine relief.
Zhiyin saw many ordinary people being shunned and driven around by officials from various places, forced to eat tree bark, etc...
Unable to bear it any longer, they immediately bought a lot of food to help relieve the disaster victims.
…
Old Huang knew that Zhiyin's businesses spanned almost every industry related to food, drink, entertainment, and leisure, attracting a lot of attention. During this time, he had almost been arrested on trumped-up charges more than once.
There was no way around it; the industry was simply too astonishing, and the profits too enormous, attracting the envy of many and shaking the interests of many people in the capital. It aroused the greed of many powerful individuals, all of whom wanted a share of the pie.
Therefore, after returning to the palace, he directly informed the emperor about the blueprints that had been sent earlier, and learned about the various good deeds that Zhiyin had done for the benefit of the country and the people.
With a grand gesture, he presented her with a plaque designating her as an imperial merchant, bestowed upon her many gifts, and granted her immense honor.
Having the title of Imperial Merchant meant she was under the Emperor's protection, and anyone who wanted to cause trouble would have to think twice before daring to do so.
When Zhiyin saw that a eunuch was presenting her with a gold-plated plaque, she was completely bewildered and had no idea what was going on.
After all, shouldn't imperial merchants apply for and compete with other merchants?
Although she was completely confused, she knew it was a good thing, so she accepted it with a smile.
"Thank you so much for coming all this way to tell me the good news. This is just a small token of my appreciation. Brothers, take this and buy some drinks. You've worked hard."
After saying that, she very sensibly slipped a heavy cloth bag into her father-in-law's hand.
"Oh dear, what should we do? Thank you so much, Manager Zhi."
As he spoke, the father-in-law weighed the silver in his hand, and his smile instantly became even more genuine, his whole body beaming like a flower.
…
Because they arrived with great pomp and circumstance, making no attempt to conceal their arrival, this scene was witnessed by many people in the capital, causing an uproar.
Each one is absolutely incredible!
When the shop owners under Zhiyin learned of this good news, they were all so happy they were completely overjoyed.
Everyone was extremely excited!
I feel that following Zhiyin was the best thing they ever did in their lives.
This is truly a source of ancestral glory!
Although it wasn't given to them, they were partners of many of Zhiji's stores, so they were naturally proud and extremely excited.
…
"Brother Xi, what's going on here? Why did His Majesty the Emperor suddenly decide to bestow this imperial merchant title upon me?"
Zhiyin held Xing Luxi's hand, still looking as if she hadn't quite come to her senses.
After saying that, she seemed to have thought of something, and immediately poked Xing Luxi's cheek with a mischievous smile, "Oh~ I know!!"
"Tell me, Brother Xi, did you do it?"
Feeling the hot, scalding breath spraying on her face, Xing Luxi felt a little itchy.
Looking down at her bright, darting eyes, he pinched her cheek, shook his head helplessly, and chuckled softly, "How could I possibly have such great abilities?"
Although he has now been promoted from the eighth rank to the seventh rank, he is still not a high-ranking official!
"Alright..."
Zhiyin looked at him suspiciously for a few moments, and seeing that he didn't seem to be lying, she stroked her chin and fell into deep thought.
…
About two weeks later, Zhihua participated in the palace examination, which was presided over by the emperor himself.
There were approximately 300 candidates who took the imperial examination.
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