Chapter 6, please refer to the county annals for further reading

Wang Kui was even more surprised, "A fearless warrior like you is also afraid of thunder?"

Decades later, when the commercial atmosphere flourished, being half Confucian and half merchant became a fashionable trend. However, during the Chenghua period, although social customs had begun to loosen, they were still in a process of transformation and were far from being as open as they would be more than a hundred years later. At present, it is still quite unconventional for scholars to engage in business; those who aspire to be literati should refrain from commercial activities, as they would otherwise face disdain and exclusion.

Seeing Wang Kui's expression of disbelief, Fang Yingwu felt quite displeased, as his pride was once again provoked. It was evident that Wang Kui thought he could not succeed on this path, which was a gross underestimate of him. He retorted, "What? Does Uncle Wang think it is impossible?"

Regarding Wang Kui's sincerity, Fang Yingwu believed it. In this day and age, when one goes out to do business and needs manpower, who wouldn't recruit a few fellow townsmen or relatives to work together? Only in this way can one feel secure and assured, and this is also a reason for the rise of various regional merchant groups.

Wang Kui displayed such great sincerity that Fang Yingwu, seeing no way to evade the issue, could only respond truthfully: "To be honest, I wish to follow in my father's footsteps and pursue a path of fame and success, so I can only appreciate Uncle Wang's good intentions! If in the future I do not achieve success or recognition, I may have to rely on Uncle Wang for a few bowls of rice."

It turns out that the provincial boundary is just to the west of Chun'an County. Fang Yingwu, upon hearing this, asked: "What is different?"

They are also cousins in the clan

Wang Kui guessed repeatedly but could not figure out that Fang Yingwu intended to pursue a career in the civil service, and exclaimed, "Do you wish to embark on a scholarly career, my esteemed nephew?"

The future seems bleak... Fang Yingwu sat dazedly on the edge of the bed, speechless for a long time. Unconsciously, the chopsticks in his hand fell to the ground, just as a clap of spring thunder echoed from the sky.

"So it is Uncle Wang, please take a seat," Fang Yingwu invited. The three villages along Huaxi, each with different surnames, often have familial ties, so calling him Uncle Wang is quite appropriate.

What a joke, there are only two to three hundred successful candidates in the national examination each year, and there are always two or three from Chun'an County. What kind of ratio is this? What level of education does this reflect?

Fang Yingwu then said proudly: "I do not wish to hide it from Uncle Wang. In a place where literary style is flourishing, I would not dare to say this, but in this county, I am about 60 to 70 percent confident in my ability to pursue my studies. It is worth a try."

At the same time, the memories of this life are fragmented, and living in a remote mountain village, my experiences are quite limited, lacking in relevant information

Fang Yingwu wiped his sweat, "Like a thunderbolt that strikes before one can cover their ears, he was startled."

According to Fang Yingwu's observations, the place he is in is also situated among the towering mountains and deep valleys, which likely reflects the aforementioned high admission rate for students. It can be said that this is currently Fang Yingwu's greatest source of confidence or belief

Fang Yingwu found it somewhat incredible; Wang Kui's reaction seemed a bit excessive.

Two hundred? Thirty? Two or three for each list? ... A few drops of sweat quietly seeped from Fang Yingwu's forehead, and his heart was weeping ...

In such places, individuals who can truly excel in their studies are exceedingly rare; often, merely being able to write a few coherent sentences will lead local officials to recruit them into the county school as students or scholars. Although the procedures are often quite irregular, the matter of education is closely tied to the performance of local officials, and thus they tend to overlook many details.

My surname is Wang, and I am from Huaxi Village in the neighboring village

This ungracious retort left Wang Xiaoniang feeling greatly embarrassed. It was merely a joke, not a genuine intention to increase the interest. She felt extremely wronged and, in a fit of anger, said: "In any case, the debt will be due in one month! Take care of yourself!"

Engaging in business? That is certainly not the future he desires. Fang Yingwu quickly declined without a second thought, saying: "My home is bare, I have no surplus funds, and I cannot partner with Uncle Wang."

Wang Kui, upon hearing these words, felt that they were somewhat exaggerated and overly grandiose. However, he could also discern Fang Yingwu's optimistic sentiment, so he cautiously inquired, "What does the esteemed nephew of the Fang family think of the business industry?"

He immediately retorted with righteous indignation: "Without trust, a person cannot stand; therefore, rules cannot surpass agreements! The way my father wrote the IOU is how the debt should be repaid. There is no reason for you to unilaterally add interest midway!"

This middle-aged man is named Wang Kui. He does not usually farm at home, but instead partners with others in the county town to run a small grocery store, which can be considered a slightly more established business than that of a small vendor.

It is lamentable that although Fang Yingwu is well-versed in the history of the Ming Dynasty, it is impossible for him to exhaustively cover all local historical records, which are as vast as the sea. His excessive confidence, however, did not take into account that while things possess universality, they also have particularities, and the county of Chun'an, where he resides, is a relatively unique case.

If everyone in the county could casually pass the examination to become a Jinshi, then claiming to have a 60-70% chance of passing the examination to become a Xiucai is nothing but the arrogance of a frog in a well.

No wonder Wang Kui has little confidence in pursuing a career in the civil service; it is not that he looks down on himself, but rather that the competition for the imperial examination in the county has become so fierce that it is almost inhumane. The probability of standing out and achieving success is indeed too low, yet he rashly boasted about having a sixty to seventy percent chance.

Wang Kui lamented: "In Huizhou Prefecture, there are quite a number of common people who engage in trade outside, and in recent years, their numbers have been increasing, with the trend becoming more pronounced. I have heard that there are even those who have not returned to their hometown for several consecutive years"

Oh, my dear nephew, are you trying to play the role of a pig to eat the tiger, aiming for a surprising effect? I am very much looking forward to the day when you astonish the entire county.

Fang Yingwu did not continue discussing the topic of thunder, but maintained the atmosphere by saying: "Be low-key, be low-key, do not let my matters spread. Please first take a look at the county annals."

However, at this moment, there was another person standing by the table, a middle-aged man who had accompanied the young lady of the Wang family, but his expression was quite awkward

Wang Kui believed that Fang Yingwu had concerns about not being able to make a profit. He explained the business opportunity, saying: "Dear nephew, are you perhaps worried about not being able to earn money? Allow me to share my thoughts. Although our Chun'an County is located in a remote area, with mountains densely packed and roads impassable, we have an abundance of water. This place is situated upstream of the Xin'an River, with the downstream flowing directly to the Qiantang River and reaching Hangzhou, a distance of merely three hundred li. Shipping is extremely convenient, and transporting goods back and forth is not difficult at all. The neighboring Huizhou Prefecture is engaged in the trade of tea and timber, yielding substantial profits. We also have tea and timber here; can we not follow their example? At the very least, transporting goods to Hangzhou should not pose a problem."

Fang Yingwu does not rely on mere fantasy; he possesses his own confidence. Firstly, he has spent seven years studying social sciences in this lifetime, receiving a relatively comprehensive classical education, and is considered outstanding in the field of social sciences. Secondly, the memories and insights from his previous life remain. The combination of these two factors at least provides him with the potential to challenge the status of a scholar.

He actually does not know that a small mountainous county like Chun'an should have a very underdeveloped education and culture. How could it be so terrifying and perverse? This is not scientific, leading him to make a complete misjudgment due to his lack of understanding.

Fang Yingwu felt that Wang Kui's words were misguided, akin to viewing a person through a narrow crack, which belittled them. Others may be others, but he is certainly not an ordinary person

Beauty is not for consumption; it is sufficient to leave behind food. Fang Yingwu's gaze returned to the bowls and dishes on the table. At present, he did not possess the courage to dismiss food as "not food that is begged for"; his focus on food outweighed his interest in women.

Although every profession has its specialization, he is not the most skilled in writing the eight-legged essay or in the imperial examination, and he certainly cannot compete for a position with the top scholars in the country. However, it should not be too difficult for him to pass the examination for a xiucai in this small mountainous county

"No business, no wealth," m.hetushu.com... "Well said! Does my esteemed nephew have any interest in partnering with me?" Wang Kui took over the conversation.

Wang Kui furrowed his brow and scratched his head, finding it difficult to answer the question directly. Thus, he hinted indirectly: "Esteemed nephew... it is not impossible, but I wonder if you have considered that the path to fame and success is fraught with difficulties and dangers. In essence, it is akin to a gamble. For wealthy families, the stakes may not matter, but for those who are not affluent, being overly fixated on this can easily lead to total loss and destitution"

If he were in Suzhou or Jian, renowned strongholds of the imperial examination, where thousands of candidates apply for the preliminary county examination, he would have long lost confidence. In those places, it is truly a narrow bridge amidst a sea of soldiers, with the acceptance rate at county schools consistently below one percent. What basis does he have to compete with others in terms of connections and literary talent? It would be better for him to seek another path early on

He actually dared to say he was 60 to 70 percent confident? Wang Kui was left speechless upon hearing this, and in extreme shock, he exclaimed: "Noble nephew, your ambition is extraordinary, truly not a mere creature of the pond! How magnificent, how magnificent!"

He thought he had entered an easy mode, but little did he know it was the most difficult mode; he believed he had been reborn in a place where he stood out among the crowd, yet this unremarkable small county turned out to be a super death group.

Wang Kui's knowledge is somewhat greater than that of the ordinary villagers in the surrounding mountain areas. He speaks with authority on matters within the county and is even familiar with the local lore of neighboring regions. "Chun'an County is located in a remote area of western Zhejiang, and further west lies the Huizhou Prefecture of Southern Zhili, which I believe you, dear nephew, have also heard of. In recent years, the atmosphere there has changed compared to the past."

Fang Yingwu inquired with confusion: "How do you address the esteemed Wang Dahu, Wang Yuanwai?"

He has received seven years of classical education, nine years of compulsory education, three years of high school education, and six years of university education across two lifetimes, and is a specialist in Ming history with expertise in the political and social history of the Ming Dynasty

However, Chun'an County is merely a small mountainous county, and its educational level is likely inferior to that of even normal counties and prefectures. Therefore, regarding the examination for the title of Xiucai, Fang Yingwu has already made up his mind that he must, by all means, give it a try and challenge the three levels of the county, prefecture, and academy examinations; otherwise, he would never find peace in this lifetime.

Wang Kui eagerly invited, "Partnership is not limited to financial investment; one can also contribute through effort. As long as you are willing to work hard, you can naturally obtain a share of the partnership. With your talents, it is a pity to be confined to the village; why not venture out and explore? Moreover, my dear nephew indeed possesses this kind of talent, otherwise I would not have come to invite you. Today in the ancestral hall, you spoke of profits and calculations with such ease, your eloquence and quick wit are truly remarkable. Furthermore, when dealing with your uncle, you should first lead him to expose his flaws, and then calmly counterattack, which also demonstrates your skill. You even understand the profit margins of pawnshops; you are truly an excellent candidate for a partner. How could I miss out on someone like you from our hometown?"

Fang Yingwu mustered his spirits and cupped his hands in greeting, saying: "How shall I address you, Your Excellency?"

At this moment, Fang Yingwu had become so numb that he had lost his ability to think, only wanting to curse loudly without regard for his dignity

Fang Yingwu suddenly realized that the people Wang Kui mentioned were indeed the renowned Huizhou merchants in history. However, he also understood that during the current Chenghua period, it was not yet the peak of the Huizhou merchants, but rather a time of budding development.

Having said this, Lady Wang summoned the old servant and then departed

Fang Yingwu stepped back a few paces from her; this girl was indeed beautiful, but absolutely not to be trifled with, for a moment's carelessness could lead to eternal downfall

It should be noted that the Ming Dynasty had only just established itself for a little over one hundred years, and the prevailing attitude of prioritizing agriculture over commerce had only just begun to loosen. However, commerce is expected to flourish in the future. Fang Yingwu casually asserted: "They have great prospects; a hundred years from now, they will undoubtedly dominate the commercial guilds of Jiangnan."

Fang Yingwu also agrees with Wang Kui's analysis. Although he is not very familiar with the situation in this county, he has primarily focused on the macro aspects of Ming history in his previous research and cannot possibly have read all the local chronicles, especially for a lesser-known county like Chun'an.

Fang Yingwu was unclear about the purpose of Wang Kui's visit, but he knew that these food items must have been sent by Wang Kui, as the young lady of the Wang family did not seem to be such a meticulous person

Miss Wang was in high spirits, her eyebrows raised with a sense of triumph, taking great pleasure in making things difficult for Fang Yingwu. In her heart, it mattered little whether the Fang family owed thirty taels or fifty taels; the distinction was negligible, as it was merely for the sake of verbal satisfaction. After all, he would never be able to repay it, and in the end, he could only repay with his own body

Certainly, his greatest assurance lies in the surrounding "unique and favorable" environment. In his previous life, he was well-read in various historical materials. He knows that during the Ming Dynasty, there were many impoverished mountainous counties with poor transportation, not only sparsely populated but also extremely backward in cultural education. His opportunity lies within this context.

However, Fang Yingwu could discern that what Wang Kui said was very reasonable. The mountains have unique products, and at the same time, there is convenient waterway access to a metropolis like Hangzhou, which represents the greatest business opportunity.

If one were in the Jiajing era during the Wanli and Tushu dynasties, Fang Yingwu might have agreed, but that is not the case now. He is well-versed in the materials of Ming history and naturally understands certain social development processes

Wang Kui, stroking his beard, sighed: "Since the Li Tang dynasty, our Chun'an County has flourished in the imperial examination system, producing a multitude of talents. I have read the county annals, which record that over two hundred scholars have emerged throughout the ages. Since the establishment of the current dynasty, our Chun'an County has produced thirty scholars, especially since the Yongle period, when nearly every examination list has included two or three scholars from Chun'an. Moreover, the current Prime Minister, Shang Lu, is also from our Chun'an County, specifically from Zhishan in Renshou Township. He achieved the top honors three times during the Zhengtong period, bringing further glory to our county! However, those are from other townships; we along the banks of Huaxi have never produced a literary champion. The courage and boldness of my virtuous nephew truly impress me! It is a pity that there is no good wine here; otherwise, I would propose a toast to celebrate my nephew's path to success in the imperial examinations!"

The deity of commerce, who has achieved success in three consecutive examinations, is indeed aware of this, but it is overlooked that he is also from Chun'an.

If one can truly pass the examination and become a scholar, the path in this life will be much easier. Even if one cannot become a successful candidate, there are still many things one can do, such as plagiarizing poetry to gain fame; or enduring to become an old tribute student, attending the Imperial Academy to study and be selected for official positions; or relying on one's status as a scholar to monopolize legal cases and receive benefits

Without chairs, the table was moved to the bedside, and the two sat on the edge of the bed, eating and conversing.

"It's just so easy to talk, how did the chopsticks fall?" Wang Kui asked in confusion

Wang Kui shook his head, as if he had seen someone who had strayed off the path. The other party sincerely said: "Dear nephew, heed my advice. Although you are merely a scholar, the journey is fraught with difficulties. Your father devoted himself tirelessly to his studies back in the day, and with a stroke of fortune, he was able to pursue education, yet this came at the cost of part of our family fortune. You must not be obstinate and oblivious, risking everything on this endeavor and neglecting your own livelihood."

Fang Yingwu guessed a few points; this person was not acquainted with him. This time, it was likely that he wanted to visit, so he needed to have the young lady of the Wang family introduce him. However, the intermediary had not completed the task before running away. How could he not feel awkward being left here?

This morning, he went to Shanghuaxi Village to visit relatives and happened to overhear the son of Scholar Fang arguing with his uncle about the division of their family property. Knowing that there were some entanglements between his niece and Fang Yingwu, he immediately became interested in the matter and went to the ancestral hall to observe the proceedings.

Fang Yingwu pondered for a moment and replied: "Without agriculture, there is no stability; without commerce, there is no wealth"

What Wang Kui said, how could Fang Yingwu not know? However, he has not thought too far ahead; his short-term goal is merely to obtain the status of a scholar, and then he will observe how to proceed next