Chapter 161: Winning Over the Influential 1/2

The Magistrate Wang was very concerned about Li Qingzhi’s plan to build a school, even expressing his intention to personally visit several prominent merchants, including Zhu Qian, to enlist their help in constructing the school.

With only a population of one hundred thousand in Chongcheng County, if they could build several free schools, it would be a great achievement in education!

Li Qingzhi was very pleased and praised the Magistrate Wang.

If it were Gu Tongzhi, hearing Li Qingzhi’s praise would have made him particularly excited. However, the Magistrate Wang was different. He returned the compliment to Li Qingzhi.

Both of them had similar smiles on their faces and exchanged similar words, which could be considered as getting along quite well.

After Li Qingzhi left, the Magistrate Wang immediately summoned his servant and informed him about Li Qingzhi’s plan to open a school.

“Sir, this is a good thing. Your strong support is correct,” the servant said.

The Magistrate Wang nodded, but he also had some doubts. “It will cost a lot of money to open a school. I wonder why he wants to do this.”

The servant replied, “The people who graduate from the school he opens will definitely be loyal to him in the future. He can also gain a good reputation and establish connections with influential figures like you. Why wouldn’t he do it?”

The Magistrate Wang pondered over this and realized it made sense.

Although opening a school would cost Li Qingzhi a lot of money, it would also earn him a good reputation.

Such a good reputation would be very beneficial for Li Qingzhi.

The Magistrate Wang and his servant tidied up their residence together, had lunch, and then went out.

He wanted to learn more about Chongcheng County.

Before coming, the Magistrate Wang had inquired about Chongcheng County and learned that it was very prosperous and well-governed by Gu Tongzhi.

Initially, he didn’t believe it, but after arriving on the main street of Chongcheng County, he had to admit that it was indeed a wealthy county.

It was evident that the majority of the people here were living well.

Of course, there were also people who were not doing well, such as those who had no land or had fled here and were still living in poverty.

While walking, the Magistrate Wang saw Du Xiucai, whom he had met yesterday, entering a bookstore. He thought for a moment and followed him in.

Du Yongning had gone to watch a play this morning, and the play he had watched happened to be about the Governor Zhang punishing Sun Juren!

Du Yongning particularly liked “Record of Injustice”, written by Du Dusan, and naturally admired Governor Zhang, who helped the people of Linhu County seek justice… He was deeply moved by the play!

Sun Juren wanted to plot against Magistrate Guo, so he hired someone to act in front of Governor Zhang to harm Magistrate Guo, but he mistook Governor Zhang, and in the end, he received his just desserts…

Du Yongning was very excited after watching the play and even rewarded the acting troupe with a couple of silver coins. But as soon as he finished rewarding them, he remembered something—the play was adapted from a story written by Li Qingzhi!

Why did he reward Li Qingzhi’s story with silver coins!

Moreover… this was a true story, but Li Qingzhi specifically wrote it to please Governor Zhang and Magistrate Guo, who had now become the Vice Magistrate, right?

He knew that Li Qingzhi was a sycophant!

While silently criticizing Li Qingzhi, Du Yongning went to a nearby restaurant to eat. This restaurant didn’t have the braised dishes from Juewei Restaurant, so he specifically asked the waiter to buy some: “Isn’t Juewei Restaurant from your Chongcheng County? How come your restaurant doesn’t have it?”

The waiter: “…” How could their restaurant have everything from Chongcheng County?

The waiter complained to the boss privately, feeling that Du Yongning was difficult to serve, and then… the boss decided to follow the example of other restaurants and buy some braised dishes from Juewei Restaurant to put in their own restaurant for customers to eat.

Congratulations, Du Yongning introduced another business to Juewei Restaurant.

After finishing his meal, Du Yongning couldn’t help but go to a nearby bookstore…

After a simple browse, he bought all the books written by Li Qingzhi.

He didn’t buy these books because they were good; he just wanted to understand Li Qingzhi through reading.

Maybe when the provincial examination comes, he can suppress Li Qingzhi!

“What books did you buy?” The Magistrate Wang asked curiously when he saw Du Yongning buying several books at once.

Du Yongning hadn’t spoken yet, and the clerk of the bookstore spoke first, “These are written by Master Li, no, by Li Xiucai. I just got the news that he has passed the scholar examination! Are you an outsider? Let me tell you, Li Xiucai is a famous talent in our Chongcheng County. Everyone says he is the reincarnation of Wenquxing! Li Xiucai has already won three top honors. His books are very good, and even Magistrate Guo and Governor Zhang like them…”

The Magistrate Wang became interested.

The clerk continued, “This sir, let me tell you, Li Xiucai is very talented. Reading his books can also help you gain some of his talent. The scholars in our Chongcheng County all buy his books to read! If you buy his books for your children to read, I guarantee your children will become smarter!”

After saying that, the clerk looked at Du Yongning, “Young master, are you also buying these books to gain Scholar Li’s talent?”

Du Yongning almost coughed up blood in anger.

He didn’t want to gain Li Qingzhi’s talent; he himself was very talented!

But the Magistrate Wang smiled and said, “Give me a set of these books.”

“Okay! Sir, do you want ‘Record of Injustice’ as well? This was not written by Li Xiucai, but it’s a book praised by the emperor!”

The Magistrate Wang said, “I already have that book, so no need.”

Lü Qingxi had printed countless copies of “Record of Injustice” to sell, and the Magistrate Wang had sided with Lü Qingxi, so he couldn’t have missed this book.

“Record of Injustice” was indeed excellent. Compared to “Record of Injustice”, the books written by Li Qingzhi were nothing special,” Du Yongning said.

The clerk looked at Du Yongning as if he were an idiot.

Du Yongning asked, “What’s wrong? Am I wrong?”

The clerk said, “No, you’re right!”

He said so, but he didn’t think so in his heart.

This clerk was literate and enjoyed reading popular literature in his spare time.

He loved reading Li Qingzhi’s works, but “Record of Injustice”… that was just too grim for him, he couldn’t bring himself to read it after just a glance.

He couldn’t understand why anyone would enjoy reading such grim stories. Wasn’t that just inviting misery upon oneself?

Books like “Record of Injustice” were indeed beloved by many readers who found deeper meaning in them through repeated readings.

But for some ordinary folks…

They might listen to someone talk about the book out of curiosity, but once they heard the story, they wouldn’t want to hear it again.

It was simply too grim for them to bear.

Du Yongning noticed the clerk’s indifference and grew increasingly frustrated.

Fortunately, Magistrate Wang spoke up. “Brother Du, are you here to visit Chongcheng County?”

“The provincial examinations have ended, so I’m just wandering around.” Du Yongning replied.

Magistrate Wang had already learned from Du Yongning’s introduction yesterday that his family was well-off. At the time, he had other matters to attend to, so he didn’t chat much with Du Yongning. But now was a good opportunity… Magistrate Wang engaged Du Yongning in a friendly conversation.

Du Yongning didn’t fear Magistrate Wang like ordinary folks would fear a magistrate. Despite a magistrate’s high status, Du Yongning was still delighted to converse with one who was fair and friendly.

He felt that Magistrate Wang, who conducted himself justly and treated people kindly, was a rare and commendable official!

As they conversed, Du Yongning couldn’t help but mention Li Qingzhi. “Li Qingzhi relies on his extraordinary memory to achieve top honors every time! Magistrate Wang, you may not know, but he secured five top honors! I only read one essay, and he had already memorized all five!”

“And then there’s the ‘Collection of Anjiang,’ one essay wasn’t enough for him; he submitted another one. I’ve heard that his work will be published in the next issue of ‘Collection of Anjiang’ next month!”

“His calligraphy is exceptional too, even better than my husband’s…”

…

Magistrate Wang: “…” Du Yongning’s words were filled with resentment, but somehow sounded like praise?

As Du Yongning complained, he and Magistrate Wang continued to stroll around the city.

Both were unfamiliar with Chongcheng County, but they found their exploration quite enjoyable.

Seeing that it was getting late, Du Yongning suggested treating Magistrate Wang to dinner.

Magistrate Wang readily agreed.

Du Yongning then took Magistrate Wang to a nearby restaurant, mentioning the night market in Chongcheng County along the way. “Do you know about the night market in Chongcheng County? It’s extremely famous. I plan to visit after dinner.”

“I’ve heard about it. They say there are various types of lanterns to see there,” Magistrate Wang replied.

“Shall we go together?” Du Yongning proposed.

Magistrate Wang didn’t object. Du Yongning had elders serving as officials in the capital, and he had already passed the scholar examination at a young age, promising a bright future… Magistrate Wang was eager to make his acquaintance.

Moreover, he had intended to visit the new pier anyway.

After dinner, Du Yongning and Magistrate Wang headed out of the city together. Before long, they reached the night market near the new pier.

Due to the rain, the lanterns that Magistrate Guo had initially commissioned were no longer on display.

People from Chongcheng County no longer referred to it as a lantern festival but rather a night market.

Nevertheless, there were still many lanterns in the area, especially in the evening when they illuminated the streets.

The elaborate lanterns made by the shopkeepers near the new pier had been stored away before the rain, and though some were damaged, they were repaired and would be hung up again once the weather cleared.

In addition, the vendors at the night market had each made their own lanterns and hung them in front of their stalls.

Customers preferred to buy from well-lit areas, so without lanterns, there would be no customers!

On the Mid-Autumn Festival half a month ago, there were even more lanterns here than during the lantern festival!

And now… there were still many lanterns around.

Du Yongning was quite interested in the night market. As he wandered around, he ended up at the stall of Jin Xiaoye Embroidery.

After the lantern festival, Jin Xiaoye hadn’t personally come to set up the stall here, but she had her female workers from Jin Xiaoye Embroidery take turns running it.

Business wasn’t as brisk as before, but it was still profitable.

After Magistrate Guo adjusted the land measurement and reduced the grain tax for the common people, everyone was willing to spend a little more on themselves!