Chapter 157: Little Trio 1/2

Li Qingzhi and Jin Xiaoye together bought two shops.

Jin Xiaoye wanted to buy more, but shops in the provincial capital were in high demand. People who owned shops wouldn’t sell them unless there were special circumstances. If it weren’t for Zhu Qian’s help, she wouldn’t have been able to buy even two.

These two shops were small, but since they were selling braised snacks, they didn’t need large shops. Small ones were enough!

Jin Xiaoye had already negotiated with the shopkeepers of these two shops in advance. Therefore, she and Li Qingzhi spent a day and had already bought the shops, even registering them at the government.

“These words are excellent.”

“With such words, one could pass even the provincial examination!”

“These words are truly outstanding!”

“I can’t even write words like these!”

…

After everyone praised it, they asked Zhou Shanchang, “Is this Li Zixiao’s paper?”

Zhou Shanchang proudly responded, “This is indeed his paper!” Although the name was smudged, Zhou Shanchang couldn’t fail to recognize Li Qingzhi’s handwriting!

And Li Qingzhi’s article… it was really well written!

In Zhou Shanchang’s view, Li Qingzhi’s progress was too rapid. Several months ago, the articles he wrote were still some distance away from the “Anjiang Collection”, but now… the articles he wrote during the palace examination were all worthy of being included in the “Anjiang Collection”!

“Someone actually said that you wrote it for him. What nonsense,” someone said.

They all knew Zhou Shanchang and knew his abilities. Zhou Shanchang might not even be able to write such articles himself!

And these words… Zhou Shanchang’s handwriting was considered good, but it was still slightly inferior to Li Qingzhi’s.

This article not only had excellent handwriting, but there were also no mistakes throughout the entire composition. Every word was arranged just right, making it particularly pleasing to the eye.

Such an article definitely deserved a special recommendation!

“Indeed, if I could write such an article, I would personally deliver it to Fang Shanchang!” Zhou Shanchang said to Fang Shanchang beside him.

Fang Shanchang responded, “This Li Qingzhi is indeed very talented. His articles will still be included in next month’s ‘Anjiang Collection’.”

“This person is really amazing.”

“By next year, he might even pass the metropolitan examination.”

“It won’t be long before he enters the Hanlin Academy.”

…

After discussing Li Qingzhi, they went to look at the articles of other candidates.

They couldn’t find any faults in Li Qingzhi’s articles, but most of the other candidates’ articles had some issues.

However, they quickly selected some good ones. Fang Shanchang particularly liked Du Yongning’s article.

Previously, Du Yongning had sent an article to Anjiang Academy, but Fang Shanchang didn’t like it. It was a carefully crafted article, but it was still not as good as what Li Qingzhi wrote.

But this time, Du Yongning’s article for the palace examination had some substance in it.

Fang Shanchang could even see that he had been influenced by Lonely Scattered People.

Fang Shanchang said, “Du Yongning can be ranked second.”

Some agreed: “I also think so.”

“He is knowledgeable and writes decent articles.”

“This time, if it weren’t for Li Zixiao, he could have ranked first as well.”

…

However, some liked Du Yongning’s articles, while others didn’t, feeling that Du Yongning’s articles were not as good as those of the others.

After some debate, the final rankings were to be decided by Cheng Xuezeng.

Cheng Xuezeng liked Li Qingzhi’s articles very much and directly placed him first. But when it came to Du Yongning’s articles… he frowned slightly and placed him eleventh.

Fang Shanchang was taken aback, “Master Cheng, isn’t this position a bit too low?”

Cheng Xuezeng sneered, “Fang Shanchang seems to really like that lonely person.”

Cheng Xuezeng didn’t say much more, but everyone could see that he didn’t like the people who where alone.

Seeing this, Fang Shanchang stopped talking, lest he provoke Cheng Xuezeng. Cheng Xuezeng then moved Du Yongning’s ranking further back.

Li Qingzhi had no idea how the rankings were determined by Cheng Xuezeng.

Before the results of the palace examination were announced, the two Juewei Zhai in the provincial capital opened for business together, and Jin Xiaoye also came to the provincial capital.

Li Qingzhi got the news and went to find Jin Xiaoye early in the morning.

Jin Xiaoye came with the boat delivering the pickled delicacies to the provincial capital.

This job of delivering pickled delicacies to the provincial capital was entrusted to the two workers of Juewei Zhai.

They would depart at four or five in the morning every day and deliver the pickled delicacies to the provincial capital around ten in the morning.

These two were the ones who had previously helped Li Qingzhi deliver a letter to Governor Zhang. Jin Xiaoye chose them also to facilitate Li Qingzhi’s contact with Governor Zhang.

“Besides delivering pickled delicacies to the two pickled delicacy shops, they will also deliver pickled delicacies to several restaurants in the provincial capital. By then, they can also go to deliver some to Governor Zhang. If you have anything to give to Governor Zhang, let them deliver it together.” Jin Xiaoye smiled, “Governor Zhang has been longing for the pickled delicacies from Hexing Prefecture since he left for the provincial capital to become Governor. Let’s just say that we’re delivering to him… that’s the story for outsiders!”

“Okay,” Li Qingzhi smiled.

He didn’t need to completely distance himself from Governor Zhang, but it was best not to get too close. His identity as “Lonely Scattered People” should be kept concealed. If someone helped him pass messages, that would be great.

Moreover, Governor Zhang lived frugally and didn’t eat very well on regular days. They would send some pickled delicacies to him every day, and when the weather got cold, they could also make some other dishes to send to him… This was also good for Governor Zhang.

Amidst the sound of gongs and drums, Juewei Zhai in the provincial capital opened for business.

Jin Xiaoye specifically brought some extra brine for the two shops to use in cooking, so the aroma spread far and wide!

“What’s that smell? It’s so fragrant!”

“A new pickled delicacy shop has opened!”

“Juewei Zhai? I haven’t heard of this shop.”

“Regardless of whether we’ve heard of it or not, with such fragrant pickled delicacies, I’m definitely buying some!”

…

After factoring in the rent and transportation costs, the price of pickled delicacies from Juewei Zhai in the provincial capital was indeed much higher than in Chongcheng County.

However, prices in the provincial capital were generally higher than in Chongcheng County, and with more wealthy people in the provincial capital…

Ordinary people in the provincial capital might hesitate to buy pickled delicacies from Juewei Zhai, but Juewei Zhai’s pickled delicacies still sold well.

As Du Yongning rode by in a sedan chair, he suddenly smelled a familiar aroma and immediately got off and walked over.

Li Qingzhi had previously said that he bought the shops to open Juewei Zhai and sell pickled delicacies, and it seemed to be true!

Du Yongning had eaten many good things, but Juewei Zhai’s pickled delicacies were definitely the most delicious he had ever tasted.

Today, he saw that besides pickled chicken and duck, Juewei Zhai also had pickled pork, pickled tofu, pickled vegetarian chicken, pickled pig’s trotters… Du Yongning licked his lips.

“Brother Du?” Li Qingzhi saw Du Yongning and greeted him with a smile.

Li Qingzhi didn’t dislike Du Yongning.

Du Yongning didn’t like him, just like Hong Hui, but he had a good nature and wasn’t as scheming as Hong Hui behind his back.

But he also didn’t like Du Yongning much, as Du Yongning didn’t like him either.

“Brother Li,” Du Yongning nodded towards Li Qingzhi, “Brother Li, I have something else to do, so I’ll leave first.”

Du Yongning had the sedan bearers take him to a nearby restaurant, where he ordered a private room and a few dishes. Then he told the waiter, “Waiter, go to that Juewei Zhai and buy a bit of each type of pickled delicacy for me!”

The waiter was taken aback, but after Du Yongning threw out a small silver ingot, he immediately agreed.

Du Yongning was a regular customer of their restaurant, and they couldn’t afford to offend him.

However, after Du Yongning left the private room, the waiter specifically informed the shopkeeper.

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper said, “Buy more, and later let me taste some too.”

The female shopkeeper of Juewei Zhai had come to him before, wanting him to order pickled delicacies from Juewei Zhai.

He had never heard of Juewei Zhai, and besides, he thought the pickled delicacies made by their restaurant were also delicious, so he had refused the female shopkeeper.

But now, one of their restaurant’s regular customers had specifically requested pickled delicacies from Juewei Zhai… Shouldn’t he order some from Juewei Zhai and have them delivered every day?

Not long after, the waiter brought back some pickled delicacies, gave one portion to the shopkeeper, and took the other portion to find Du Yongning.

Du Yongning had been waiting for a long time. When the pickled delicacies arrived, he eagerly picked up a piece of pickled tofu with his chopsticks and ate it.

This pickled tofu was fried and then pickled, especially flavorful and delicious!

After finishing his meal, Du Yongning said to the waiter, “Quickly bring me a bowl of white rice!”

He felt that this pickled delicacy tasted best with white rice!

While enjoying the rice, the shopkeeper, who had tasted the pickled delicacies, personally went to Juewei Zhai and ordered some pickled delicacies.

With this extra business, Jin Xiaoye was very happy. She then said to her brother, Jin Xiaoshu, who was with her, “Xiaoshu, there are also restaurants in Linhu County and the capital city. You can go there to supply goods to the restaurants and earn a lot more.”

“Sis, I’ll definitely go.” Jin Xiaoshu immediately responded. His brain was really not as good as his sister’s. She came to the provincial capital once, not only opened shops but also contacted several restaurants. What about him? How many times had he been to the capital city? He was useless.

This time, Jin Xiaoye didn’t bring Li Damao and Li Ermao with her to the provincial capital. She was worried about home. She stayed on the shop side until the afternoon and then hurriedly took Jin Xiaoshu and the others back.

Li Qingzhi spent the night as usual, “guarding the empty room.”

Two more days passed in the blink of an eye, and it was the day the results of the provincial examination were posted.

Not all candidates stayed in the provincial capital until the posting of the results. Some candidates had already left.

Living and eating in the provincial capital cost money.

Moreover, after being admitted as a scholar, the provincial capital would inform various county towns. After the county magistrates received the news, they would send yamen runners to inform the families of the successful candidates, so there was no need to worry about not receiving the news.

Of course, there were still many people like Li Qingzhi who stayed in the provincial capital waiting for the results to be posted. For example, Zhu Xunmiao, who didn’t think he could pass, still stayed.