Chapter 152: Rumors

Everyone thought highly of Li Qingzhi’s right-hand handwriting, finding it pleasing to the eye, but it lacked distinctive features. After all, every stroke was meticulously crafted to perfection… His right-hand handwriting was specifically trained for the imperial exams.

His left-hand handwriting, on the other hand, was completely different.

When he wrote with his left hand, he did so freely and quickly… His left-hand handwriting was more extravagant.

Initially considered ugly by everyone due to its lack of structure, as he continued practicing, his unique style became more apparent.

“This handwriting looks full of vigor.”

“Looking at these characters, I feel like I can see a charging army!”

“This Dusan must be a wanderer, a proud and eccentric individual.”

“I’m curious to meet him. He must be different from ordinary people!”

…

Fang Shanchang also felt the same way.

In this world, there were many people striving for fame and fortune, but Dusan was different. In his eyes, fame and fortune were probably just fleeting clouds.

With only one issue of “The Anjiang Collection” published per month, adding Dusan’s writings to it might offend some influential figures… Fang Shanchang ultimately decided to compile these five articles into a separate book, as a gift alongside “The Anjiang Collection.”

The book would be called “Dusan’s Collection,” and everyone who purchased “The Anjiang Collection” would receive a copy as a gift from Anjiang Academy.

He hoped that Dusan’s articles could reach a wider audience.

After doing this, their academy might not earn much from selling “The Anjiang Collection” this month, but Governor Fang didn’t mind.

The August edition of “The Anjiang Collection” would be released during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and since there were many scholars gathered in the provincial capital waiting to take the provincial examination… they needed to print more copies of the book!

The people in Anjiang Academy’s printing workshop became busy, striving to print more books.

These matters were unknown to Li Qingzhi.

After giving the articles to Governor Zhang, Governor Zhang did not contact him again, so he let go of the matter.

After arriving in the provincial capital, he had many things to do, such as visiting the two professors who came to the provincial capital from Chongwen Academy and meeting with his classmates from Chongwen Academy.

He also planned to go out more and make some literary friends.

When Li Qingzhi went out to visit friends, he would bring Zhu Xunmiao along.

Zhu Xunmiao didn’t think he could pass the provincial examination, so he had a very relaxed attitude towards it.

He thought he was just here to accompany Li Qingzhi, and studying hard before the exam was useless. It was better to go out and make friends.

His father specifically gave him some money to make friends!

However, Xu Qifei was different. His family background was average, so he didn’t enjoy socializing. During this time, he planned to stay at home and read the books Zhu Xunmiao lent him.

Chongwen Academy had some exclusively compiled books that were very suitable for those preparing for the provincial examination.

Thanks to the popularity gained from last month’s release of “The Anjiang Collection,” Li Qingzhi had gained some recognition in the provincial capital, making it easier for him to make friends.

Especially those students who came from Hexing Prefecture were more enthusiastic towards him.

However, not all students from Hexing Prefecture admired him.

One student from Chongwen Academy who had conflicts with Zhu Xunmiao was particularly dissatisfied with Li Qingzhi.

This person’s name was Meng Ling. He came from a scholarly family background, but unfortunately, his family had fallen on hard times in recent years, and life at home was not easy.

If his family were very wealthy and life were prosperous, Meng Ling wouldn’t have bothered Zhu Xunmiao.

However, since his family was in a tough situation, the only thing they had to boast about was their scholarly background. As a result, he had developed a habit of looking down on those from merchant families like Zhu Xunmiao, finding it difficult to tolerate his wealthier lifestyle.

He disliked Zhu Xunmiao, and consequently, Li Qingzhi as well.

Zhu Xunmiao was just the son of a merchant, so why did Li Qingzhi hold him in such high regard?

However, Li Qingzhi was highly regarded by Director Zhou in Chongwen Academy, so he didn’t express his dissatisfaction with Li Qingzhi while in the academy, but rather after arriving in the provincial capital.

After arriving in the provincial capital, he came into contact with some other scholars from different prefectural cities, and these people also inquired about Li Qingzhi…

Meng Ling couldn’t help but say, “Li Qingzhi’s articles being included in ‘The Anjiang Collection’ are not solely due to his own abilities, but mainly because of Director Zhou’s support for our academy.”

“How so?” someone curiously asked.

Meng Ling explained, “The articles Li Qingzhi submitted for ‘The Anjiang Collection’ were not originally like this. Director Zhou must have helped him revise them.”

He had seen the two articles that Li Qingzhi wrote and gave to Director Zhou, and they were far from being as good as the ones published in “The Anjiang Collection”!

Thinking of this, Meng Ling couldn’t help but resent Director Zhou, feeling that he was biased.

There were so many students in their academy, so why did Director Zhou only help Li Qingzhi revise his articles?

If Director Zhou could help him revise his articles, he might also have a chance to be included in “The Anjiang Collection”!

The people chatting with Meng Ling also felt somewhat indignant upon learning this.

Although it was normal for students like them who hadn’t passed the provincial examination yet to write articles, have their teachers review them, and make revisions under their guidance, they still felt uncomfortable about it.

In the past, “The Anjiang Collection” had also published articles written by young people, and those articles were likely revised under the guidance of their teachers.

But even though they knew this was normal, they still felt uncomfortable about it.

Li Qingzhi, like them, was just a student, but his reputation soared after his articles were included in “The Anjiang Collection”…

Now hearing that Li Qingzhi’s articles were only able to get into “The Anjiang Collection” because Director Zhou from Chongwen Academy helped revise them, they felt much more at ease.

This news quickly spread, and many scholars in the provincial capital became aware of it.

“I always said a student couldn’t write articles worthy of being included in ‘The Anjiang Collection.'”

“Revisions and guidance? It might as well have been ghostwritten.”

“Director Zhou is really good to this Li Qingzhi. He’s willing to help him even with articles that can make it into ‘The Anjiang Collection.'”

“What exactly is Li Qingzhi’s background?”

…

Of course, while some said such things, those who had interacted with Li Qingzhi felt it was just a rumor.

Knowledge is something that cannot be faked; either you have it or you don’t.

They had talked with Li Qingzhi and found that his knowledge was indeed superior to theirs.

Not to mention anything else, just Li Qingzhi’s handwriting was unmatched by anyone among them.

Even if Director Zhou had given Li Qingzhi guidance and helped him revise his articles, it was undoubtedly because Li Qingzhi’s original articles were already very good!

It’s worth noting that even Director Zhou himself would find it difficult to get into “The Anjiang Collection.”

On the tenth day of August, Li Qingzhi did not go out but stayed at home reading.

He had met many people in the past few days, made an effort to showcase himself, and made some friends.

It was from these friends that he borrowed several books he hadn’t read before, and today he planned to take a look at them.

He was reading when Zhu Xunmiao hurried back from outside. “Brother Li, there are some bad rumors spreading outside now!”

“What?” Li Qingzhi asked.

Zhu Xunmiao recounted the rumors outside: “Initially, they only said that the articles were revised by Director Zhou for you, but later it changed, saying that Director Zhou actually ghostwrote the articles… it’s outrageous!”

Zhu Xunmiao couldn’t stand someone falsely accusing Li Qingzhi, but Li Qingzhi himself remained calm: “Is that all?”

“Brother Li, aren’t you angry?” Zhu Xunmiao asked.

Li Qingzhi replied, “What’s there to be angry about? Instead of worrying about this, we should focus on the upcoming provincial examination.”

Li Qingzhi wasn’t angry for several reasons. Firstly, his articles did indeed receive guidance from Governor Zhang. Secondly, he had previously struggled to produce such articles, but with Governor Zhang’s guidance and the targeted training he received recently, he could now continuously produce such articles!

Given this, why should he care about others’ opinions? He would continue to write more high-quality articles in the future, proving that rumors about someone else writing his articles were false.

Classical Chinese essays have strict requirements, with many conventions dictating language and format. Initially, many people’s writing skills fluctuated when they hadn’t mastered these conventions, and their articles weren’t as good.

But once they grasped it… they would write better and better, effortlessly.

However, these articles had significant limitations… In fact, Li Qingzhi didn’t enjoy writing this kind of article, even disliking the ones he wrote himself.

Take the articles published in “The Anjiang Collection,” for example… They were tools he used for the imperial examination to achieve success, not something he genuinely wanted to write.

Those articles were not only superficial but also impractical.

Of course, Zhu Xunmiao, seeing Li Qingzhi not angry, also calmed down: “Some people are just narrow-minded and deliberately speak ill of you…”

“Right,” Li Qingzhi chuckled.

Zhu Xunmiao cursed the person who badmouthed Li Qingzhi for a while before asking, “Brother Li, Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon. How do you plan to celebrate?”

Li Qingzhi thought for a moment and said, “I’ll go home.”

Zhu Xunmiao was surprised, “But after Mid-Autumn Festival, the exams will begin soon…”

“It’s still enough time, isn’t it?” Li Qingzhi smiled.

After spending so long in his previous life alone, he finally had a family now… On Mid-Autumn Festival, he would certainly accompany his family.

It was still enough time… Zhu Xunmiao said, “Brother Li, then can I accompany you back?”

“That’s not necessary. Your father is here. Why would you go back?” Li Qingzhi found it amusing.

Zhu Xunmiao had been staying in the provincial capital for some time, visiting businessmen, intending to expand their business to the provincial capital. He didn’t need to return to Chongcheng County.

While Li Qingzhi planned to return to Chongcheng County, he intended to wait until Mid-Autumn Festival before doing so.

He had met many new people recently and had a gathering to attend tomorrow…

The next day, Li Qingzhi packed his things and headed to the venue for the gathering.

Meanwhile, in Chongcheng County, Jin Xiaoye was having some preserved meats loaded onto the boat.

She was planning to go to the provincial capital!

She had always wanted to travel outside. Previously, she had been tied up with managing the Jin Xiaoye EmbroideryWorkshop, but now things were different!

She had already trained Sister Wang and Fang Jinniang, so even if she left for a few days, it wouldn’t matter.

As for the Juewei Workshop… Chang Zhan had always managed it well.

So… she could go to the provincial capital to see Li Qingzhi.

She had asked Li Qingzhi before, and Li Qingzhi had said that they wouldn’t disturb him while he studied for the exams.

Of course, Jin Xiaoye’s trip to the provincial capital was not just to see Li Qingzhi; she also planned to wander around the city, buy two shops, and then rent them out to others to open “Juewei Zhai” (a kind of restaurant).

The people who rented her shops would give her money, and she would also earn money from those who bought the marinated dishes from her… she could earn double!

She also wanted to talk to the clothing shops in the provincial capital and sell various items made by Jin Xiaoye Embroidery Workshop to them.

What she really wanted was to open her own clothing store, but because she lacked suitable help to manage the shop, she had to put that idea on hold.

“Mom, is the provincial capital fun?”

“Mom, will we see Dad soon?”

Li Damao and Li Ermao ran around Jin Xiaoye, asking her various questions from time to time.

Jin Xiaoye said, “Mom has never been to the provincial capital, so I don’t know if it’s fun. As for your dad, when we get to the provincial capital, you’ll see him!”

“Shopkeeper Jin, you’ve never been to the provincial capital before. Aren’t you afraid this time?” After loading the marinated dishes Jin Xiaoye requested onto the boat, Chang Zhan curiously asked Jin Xiaoye.

Jin Xiaoye replied, “Of course I’m afraid! But I still want to go and see.”

Not to mention the provincial capital, she also wanted to go to the capital!

They were going to the provincial capital to buy shops and open “Juewei Zhai,” so they brought a lot of marinated dishes, along with the things they brought for Li Qingzhi and their own clothes… the boat was packed full.

“Let’s go.” Jin Xiaoye saw that everything was ready and immediately called out.

Their boat left the dock in Chongcheng County and headed for the provincial capital.