The courtyard Cheng Zhao rented was right next door. It was the place where several people who had passed the examination had lived. They returned to their hometowns after failing the exam. The rent was as high as fifty taels of silver a month before the imperial examination. Now that the imperial examination is over, it is only twenty taels a month.
This courtyard also has four wing rooms as soon as you enter the courtyard, which is enough for her and her men to stay temporarily.
She asked Cheng Ding and Ah Fu to live here, otherwise they wouldn't be able to live there at all.
That night, Cheng Wanwan didn't sleep very well. She changed places and beds, and the air was different, making her somewhat uncomfortable.
When I woke up early in the morning, I saw Cheng Zhao carrying a large bag of vegetables, chicken, duck and fish into the yard. He followed Mrs. Qi into the kitchen very familiarly and started busy.
She quickly called Cheng Zhao over: "You have worked hard during the imperial examination, why don't you sleep a little longer and work around early in the morning."
"Cheng Ding and Ah Fu have been busy in the past few months for the imperial examination. Now that I have fifteen days off, I should cook more." Cheng Zhao put all the dishes on the stove and then washed them. He came over and sat down with Cheng Wanwan in the yard. He took out a few banknotes from his waist, "I just found out last night that my grandma and my second aunt borrowed five hundred taels of silver. My second aunt has given me all these years." , not only these five hundred taels of silver, but my current ability can only repay these first, and the second aunt must accept it."
Cheng Wanwan did not refuse, took the banknote, and then asked about Cheng Zhao's official career.
Cheng Zhaozai explained everything carefully.
The emperor appointed the first-grade Jinshi in court, and the number one scholar was awarded the rank of sixth-rank official in the Hanlin Academy, while the third-ranked scholar and the second-ranked scholar were awarded the rank of editor of the seventh-rank Hanlin Academy.
Although it is only a mere sixth or seventh grade, it is a core official position in the central government. In the future, the first and second grade officials such as Taifu, Prime Minister, Six Ministers, and Governors will basically be selected from the Hanlin Academy.
Fifteen days later, Fang officially took office.
But these fifteen days do not mean that they are really on vacation. Some Jinshi will take the opportunity to find a good official position. For example, Fu Zheli, the number one scholar, has an unusual family background. During this time, Mr. Fu can casually go to the Hanlin Academy to find a high official. If Fu Zheli is led, then Fu Zheli won't have to worry about official career at all in the future, and the second place holder is also from a well-known family in the capital, and he can also find a real job in the Hanlin Academy in the future.
Only Cheng Zhao had no background, no family background, and no talent. After joining, it was obvious that he would just do odd jobs.
"They are all from the capital. They grew up in this circle. They know everything, but I know nothing." Cheng Zhao said with a smile, "I need to learn everything, and everything I do is experience. Second aunt doesn't need to Worry about me."
Cheng Wanwan nodded: "If you have such a state of mind, I don't have to worry about you."
"There is one more thing I want to discuss with my second aunt." Cheng Zhao said seriously, "The teacher wrote last time and said that my second aunt is planning to build a reading pavilion in Dahe Village. Scholars only need to spend ten cents a month. You can read it at will..."
Cheng Wanwan did discuss this matter with Master Yu. She wanted to build a free library for the children in Dahe Village, which would also make it easier for the villagers to access some agricultural knowledge. However, Master Yu was a scholar who cherished books and was afraid of free books. After being wasted, after discussion, the price was set at ten cents a month. People who don't study will not waste the money to get in. People who love reading but are from poor families can afford this money, which can benefit many poor students.
If you just want to go to the library to look up information, it costs two cents per visit, and the price is completely within the affordable range.
After some details were discussed, the matter was fully handed over to Master Yu.
“I’ve been through the imperial examinations, and I’ve heard people mention my teacher’s name countless times. When they mentioned my teacher, their eyes were full of contempt, ridicule, and contempt... That incident more than 20 years ago ruined my reputation and I still can’t look back. Seeing an elderly mother in my hometown." Cheng Zhao's voice was extremely heavy, "As a student of the teacher, I have the responsibility and obligation to clear the teacher's grievances, but I... lack the ability and have no right to speak in the capital. Once I Mentioning the name of a teacher will only trigger fierce counterattacks from scholars..."
Cheng Wanwan vaguely understood what he wanted to say.
However, this child is too anxious. He can't wait to repay the Cheng family and clear his teacher's grievances before he has even entered the Hanlin Academy. Why doesn't he put these delicate thoughts on his own future...
"I want to open a reading pavilion in the capital in the name of the second aunt and the teacher. The second aunt is in the light and the teacher is in the dark. If there is a chance that the teacher will be redressed one day, this reading pavilion will be the biggest evidence." Cheng Zhao He continued, "During my time in the capital, I often heard people mention the Sui'an people. The second aunt was promoted too quickly, which aroused the jealousy of too many people... The establishment of the Reading Pavilion will allow the second aunt to establish a reputation among the people. , If something like the teacher happens to the second aunt one day, the second aunt will not be helpless..."
"You kid..."
Cheng Wanwan sighed.
She was a royal wife with no real power. Those people were just jealous and would not cause much substantial harm.
But he was different. He was a newly promoted prostitute and editor of the seventh rank of the Hanlin Academy. I don’t know how many people were jealous of him. He should have found ways to avoid risks for himself. Why did he do everything for her, the second aunt, and Mrs. Yu? Thinking about it.
"Then we will establish a reading pavilion in the name of the three of us." Cheng Wanwan said, "You contribute the effort, I will contribute the money, and Master Yu will be responsible for sorting out the book titles."
Cheng Zhao laughed: "Second aunt, I have money."
He took out the remaining money from his pocket, which was the 1,400 taels of silver that Mrs. Cheng gave him last night. He returned the 500 taels to Cheng Wanwan, leaving 900 taels left.
"This money is enough to rent a farmyard in the suburbs of Beijing for three consecutive years. After some repairs, it can be used as a reading pavilion. As for books, I plan to mobilize literati to donate two or three books. After creating a trend, it will naturally No need to worry about the source of books..."
Cheng Wanwan nodded. The child had already thought through all the details before he spoke, so she didn't need to worry about it at all.
However, since it is in her name, this Reading Pavilion cannot be too shabby.
She directly took out three banknotes with a face value of one thousand taels from the space and said: "The farmyard is too far away for literati to study. So I will find a house in the suburbs outside the capital. How to repair it? You are waiting for me." design diagram……"
While the two were discussing, Mrs. Cheng's voice came from the door of the yard: "Zhao'er, why are you here? We told you last night that we would go to your future in-law's house this morning. We don't have time." It's early, hurry up and change your clothes and get ready to get up..."
Today is April 30th, and the wedding date is scheduled for the eighth day of May. The wedding is approaching, but the two elders have not met yet. It is no wonder that Sister-in-law Cheng is so anxious.
Cheng Wanwan smiled and said, "Go and do your work. We'll talk when you're free."
Cheng Zhao got up and was about to change clothes when Mrs. Cheng walked in from the door and said with a smile: "Wanwan, if you don't have any plans today, why not go together? Zhao'er's marriage can be considered as a way for you to make peace with her." , it would be inappropriate for you, the second aunt, not to go there."
Sister-in-law Cheng muttered: "This is our Cheng family's business. What's the point of asking an aunt who married outside to go there..."
She was Zhaoer's biological mother, but every time she went back to Wanwan, Zhaoer only saw this second aunt, and she was very dissatisfied.
Mrs. Cheng glared at her eldest daughter-in-law fiercely.
They, a group of mud-legged people from the countryside, went to Situ's Mansion to talk about what they were talking about. Could it be that they were talking about farm work, the harvest, and village gossip? Wouldn't that be embarrassing?
The only one who can compare with the Situ family is Wanwan, so Wanwan must go.
