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Zhang Yaosheng staggered and stumbled a few steps before eventually leaning against a nearby ox cart.
As he tried to struggle to his feet, he was harshly bumped by a peddler carrying a shoulder pole nearby.
The bump wasn’t severe, but Zhang Yaosheng saw stars and felt his head grow heavy, falling into a wooden barrel strapped to the cart.
An indescribable liquid immediately entered his mouth and nose, blinding Zhang Yaosheng’s eyes.
“Where did this fool come from!”
“So stinky, hurry up and move along.”
“Such a lively person turns out to be a fool…”
The street was in chaos.
The news of Song Jingyun achieving the top spot in the Wen De Academy quickly reached the ears of Magistrate Li.
The following day, Magistrate Li Zhongan visited Song Jingyun’s home for a courtesy call.
The purpose was quite straightforward.
Firstly, with the Autumn Examination coming up after the New Year, although seemingly still eight months away, time passed swiftly, making it seem just around the corner. It was an opportunity to interact with talented students, showing his appreciation for their efforts as a parental official, boosting their confidence and motivation in their studies.
Secondly, it was somewhat related to Xun Yuanbai.
Li Zhongan knew of Xun Yuanbai’s acquaintance with Song Jingyun.
With Song Jingyun currently participating in the imperial examinations, his qualifications indicated a promising official career ahead. With the support of Xun Yuanbai, a prominent figure close to the emperor, Song Jingyun’s future prospects were indeed limitless.
Li Zhongan’s visit was not only a gesture to establish good relations and pave the way for himself in the future.
After all, being in office was not just about capability; it was also about integrity, serving the people well, and forging connections with influential figures, which was equally important.
Madam Jiang, Li Zhongan’s wife was upright but not rigid, understanding the importance of such matters.
Therefore, during her visit to Song Jingyun’s home, she displayed no airs, behaving as if she were a close confidante rather than the wife of a county official.
Both Song Jingyun and Jiang Mixia saw through the situation and understood Madam Jiang’s mindset, responding calmly.
Apart from discussing education, the Wende Academy, and various academic matters with them, Madam Jiang also chatted with Jiang Mixia about daily life, the family’s situation, the bamboo weaving workshop, and the porcelain kiln business.
Li Zhongan listened attentively and occasionally nodded in approval, “The Jiang family village is truly remarkable. While our county may be small and modest, if every village could adapt to its circumstances and make progress, our county magistrate would have less to worry about.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Mixia chuckled, “Forgive my audacity, but rather than blaming and expecting each village, one should seek to improve from within.”
Madam Jiang paused for a moment, then nodded in agreement, “Indeed.”
Ordinary people, mostly illiterate, lacked formal education, and due to their focus on agricultural work, had limited exposure to the outside world, which restricted their perspectives and knowledge.
Relying solely on ourselves to develop industries might seem like a far-fetched idea.
As Jiang Mixia pointed out, it was the duty of the county magistrate to address such matters. How could she expect others to figure it out? Madam Jiang felt a twinge of embarrassment, her cheeks flushing slightly.
“Returning to our conversation, I am often occupied with various tasks, and handling industries requires more than individual effort. It involves considering timing, location, people, and combining local characteristics for sustainable growth.”
Jiang Mixia remarked, “In such matters, relying solely on official support from the yamen may not lead to long-term success. Ultimately, it will depend on individuals like us who can provide the necessary support.”
“Indeed,” Madam Jiang nodded in agreement, finding Jiang Mixia’s words compelling and becoming more intrigued. “It seems that Song Jingyun has some ideas. Could you share a bit more about it with me?”
“He does have some ideas, primarily based on the experiences gained from managing our bamboo weaving and porcelain kiln businesses. If he could assist me in some way, that would be most welcome.”
Jiang Mixia chuckled, drawing from her modern observations and experiences in her hometown, considering precise poverty alleviation and industrial development examples. She tailored her explanations to Madam Jiang, ensuring she could understand, recounting the information in a casual manner.
This discussion lasted nearly the entire morning.
Although it would be too disruptive to stay for lunch and dinner at Song Jingyun and Jiang Mixia’s home if they had not already eaten, Madam Jiang wished she could stay longer.
However, recalling Jiang Mixia’s words about “feeling one’s way across the river by touching stones” and the importance of assessing each village’s specific circumstances, she realized that despite their discussions and plans, it was crucial to assess the actual conditions of the villages before devising specific strategies.
Deciding to first inspect the area, understand the specific circumstances, and then discuss with Jiang Mixia seemed like the best course of action.
On the way back, Li Zhongan continued to express his admiration, “Song Jingyun truly stands out among the rest.”
“I feel the same way,” his attendant Fulie nodded repeatedly. “Just now, the things Song Jingyun said, it felt like I actually understood them.”
Scratching his head, Fulie chuckled, “Although I understood what he said, it seemed like he was speaking utter nonsense.”
“Indeed, it was utter nonsense,” Madam Jiang nodded in agreement. “Yet, every word was profound and worth pondering.”
Especially the proposal by Jiang Mixia for a family cooperative workshop and the village collective shareholding system, it initially sounded like a foreign language, but upon closer consideration, she realized it was a highly innovative solution that required investment in capital and manpower.
Li Zhongan decided that the next morning, he would visit the nearby villages to see what could be done.
As for immediate results, it’s crucial to take a look and try things out before knowing the specific outcomes.
After seeing off Madam Jiang and the others, Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun finally had some free time and enjoyed a leisurely dinner.
Early on the seventh day, they finished packing their belongings and prepared to return to the Jiang family village.
Since the academy had not yet begun its holiday break, this trip back to the village was for the Lunar New Year celebrations. When they returned, it would already be the seventeenth day, meaning they would spend around seventy days outside.
Therefore, as they packed, they thoroughly organized their food supplies, watered the indoor plants, checked all the doors and windows to ensure they were securely locked, and then boarded the carriage heading back home.
The carriage journey proceeded smoothly towards the Jiang family village.
Upon arriving at the village, they were greeted by the enthusiastic Sun Erguo.
“I told them that Big Sister Xia and Brother-in-law Jingyun are returning today, and they don’t want to believe me,” Sun Ergou grinned broadly. “I’ll have a good chat with uncle later.”