"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!"
The head of the estate was overjoyed. He hadn't expected that changing masters would actually improve their treatment, and the rent they were paid was much less than before.
Thank God!
Thank God!
During the spring planting season, the two farms, covering nearly 200 acres of land, all adopted the new planting methods.
In the paddy fields, the rice seedlings are neat and green, and small fish dart among them, creating a vibrant scene.
Meanwhile, on their own land, they planted high-yield seeds that had been mutated by Zhao Xiaoyu's space, planting them in large quantities to compare the yield difference between the two sides.
On the other side, the fields are more fertile.
After spring plowing, it was time to take the imperial examination for the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations).
Zhao Dawen has thoroughly researched all the academies in the prefectural city recently, and he has decided which academy to send his son to.
The suburban academy, which costs three taels of silver a month, is the most cost-effective academy in the prefectural city. The tuition is cheap and the teachers are not bad, so it has a good reputation in the prefectural city.
Many students from less affluent families choose this academy. I heard that two students from their academy passed the imperial examination last year and one the year before.
It was so much better than the academies in the county town where even those who failed the exams received only three taels of silver in tuition.
"Son, you have an exam tomorrow. Don't study today. Get some rest and clear your head."
"Yes, Father."
Zhao Dawen glanced at his son, then at his wife working in the house, and continued copying the book. Now that the weather was warmer, copying books in the yard while basking in the sun was truly comfortable.
Actually, he really wanted to stay in the prefectural city. He earned enough money to support his son and himself. The small courtyard was quiet, and the housekeepers were very well-behaved. Knowing that they were studying, they spoke very softly.
Unlike at home, where there's constant bickering and arguments, with no peace and quiet all day long.
The most annoying person in the family is his wife, who's always nagging him about this and that. She also expects him to sleep with her at night, and if he's not satisfied, she starts yelling at him, calling him a useless piece of trash and not a real man.
But she didn't even consider how old he was. He was a grandfather; how could he possibly have the energy to deal with her? Shameless old man.
Zhao Dawen didn't want to go home.
Not only did no one bother him here, but no one also scolded or beat him, and no one took away all the money he earned. In a month here, he could copy two more books than he could at home, and the price of books in the prefectural city was also higher than in the county town.
Of course, the writing brushes and ink are also relatively more expensive.
He eats better here than he does at home.
"Eldest son, what do you think about us living in the prefectural city?" Zhao Dashu put down his pen and said to his son, who was lying in the yard basking in the sun.
"Dad, don't you want to go home?"
"Dad has calculated that if I rent a small courtyard near your academy, the cost for the two of us to live together would be about the same as your living expenses at the academy."
Renting a courtyard and finding or buying a maid to serve us would be much more comfortable than staying at the academy, wouldn't it? The food at the academy isn't good either.
The more Zhao Dawen calculated, the more worthwhile it seemed to stay in the prefectural city, mainly because he could get rid of the shrew.
"But Father, if you don't go back, will Mother agree?"
Zhao Dawen wasn't afraid of Wang Shi. In the prefectural city, far from the emperor's reach, what could she do? Could she chase him all the way to the prefectural city and beat him up?
"Why wouldn't you agree? Don't you think it's great to live here? It's not noisy at all, we can all do our own things in peace, and Dad can even copy two more books than before, and he can take good care of you."
Zhao Dawen looked at his eldest son expectantly, "What do you think? Dad won't go back, how about the two of us stay here?"
“My son thinks it’s not bad. This little courtyard is indeed quiet and comfortable, and more suitable for studying than home.”
Zhao Dawen slapped his thigh; he knew his son thought the same thing. The father and son were now incredibly compatible.
"After your results come out in a few days, I will write a letter to your mother."
"become."
His father lived with him, and he could ask him questions anytime he didn't understand. He didn't live in the academy, and he could eat three meals a day at home, which he thought was great.
Having previously stayed at the county academy, he naturally knew what the academy's meals were like.
Not only was it bland and watery, but it was also extremely unpalatable.
The cook Dad hired now is quite good, and he and his son like it very much. Although it's not as good as the cook at Zhao Dashu's house, it tastes much better than what they used to eat back home.
The daughter-in-law (mother)'s cooking has no flavor at all; she's reluctant to put in any ingredients, she just boils it until it's cooked.
The father and son reached an agreement: they would not return to the prefectural city and would stay there from now on.
On the morning of the exam, Zhao Dawen got up before dawn and checked his son's exam basket three times. Afterwards, he watched his mother-in-law cook in the kitchen, making sure his son didn't get an upset stomach or eat too much soup or liquids.
"Go in and focus on the exam. Don't think about anything else. Even if you get a terrible score, don't let it affect your mood, okay?"
"I know, Dad. Don't worry, I'll give you good news."
Seeing his son so confident, Zhao Dawen felt much better. Only after watching his son be searched by the officials and enter the examination hall did Zhao Dawen turn around and go home.
He was tired, so he went back to get a good night's sleep before getting up to work.
He is actually quite grateful to his father now, thanking him for letting him continue his studies. Otherwise, he would never have such a good business as copying books, nor would he have been able to keep his son in the prefectural city.
If he hadn't gone to school, he would be toiling in the fields like his younger brother, being bullied and exploited by that shrew Wang.
Thinking that he wouldn't have to face Wang Shi anymore, Zhao Dawen's steps became lighter.
………………
"Father, today seems to be the day of the imperial examination for the title of Xiucai."
"Yes, your uncle and the others must have been very nervous today. But being nervous won't help; if they can't pass, they can't pass."
“Well, your cousin’s education is not as good as your father’s, so he definitely won’t pass. Speaking of our village, apart from Xiao Lei, your father is the most educated. You are better than your uncle.”
Zhao Dashu curled his lips, "That's right! You have good taste!"
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