Chapter 355: Chapter 325 [Small Three Yuan]

After formally apprenticing under Zhu Junhao, Xu Wang’s family underwent significant changes.

Senior Brother Lin Qianxuan was very capable, directly purchasing a house for them in the county town and arranging a new leisurely job for Xu Wang’s father. Xu Wang’s mother, Wang Cui, also relaxed.

Even Xu Yi was arranged to study at the academy due to Lin Qianxuan’s influence.

However, Xu Yi’s learning ability wasn’t as strong as Lin Qianxuan’s. Combined with his mischievous nature, he almost daily received a lesson from the ruler delivered by his lecturers.

Grateful to his senior brothers, Lin Qianxuan wrote a piece for each and sent it to them.

Now his calligraphy has fetched very high prices.

It’s not only because his writing is excellent, but also because he showed extraordinary talent at a young age, making many wealthy people want to invest in him.

For those rich individuals, money is the easiest thing to acquire.

Any landlord, extracting the profits from exploitation, amasses wealth unimaginable to ordinary people over several generations.

However, Lin Qianxuan did not intend to sell them.

Upon receiving Lin Qianxuan’s calligraphy, the senior brothers were very courteous and sent more gifts to Lin Qianxuan.

Rare ancient books, uncommon treasures, delicacies, and even care for Lin Qianxuan’s family.

With the strong nurturing of the academy, Lin Qianxuan’s growth was rapid.

But aside from learning, he also wanted to engage in other activities.

However, owing to his too young physique, he couldn’t engage in strenuous activities and resorted to drawing or playing chess with Zhu Junhao.

Yet, he only occasionally painted to cultivate his emotions, as Zhu Junhao didn’t allow Lin Qianxuan to waste time in this area.

Zhu Junhao wanted Lin Qianxuan to learn state governance strategies, understand astronomy and geography, agricultural policies, military tactics, and such.

In any case, he first crammed all this information into Lin Qianxuan, letting him memorize it, and then tutored him meticulously to comprehend it.

Fortunately, Lin Qianxuan learned quickly. As long as Zhu Junhao said it once, he could understand everything.

Early spring was about to arrive, and Lin Qianxuan was almost five years old.

At Yimin Academy, he played chess with Zhu Junhao.

Lin Qianxuan made every effort to lead in each move but maintained only a half-step advantage, making Zhu Junhao somewhat vexed during the game.

“Zhi’Er, you could win more steps in this game, why always win with such a slight advantage?” Zhu Junhao asked puzzled.

“Teacher, I have calculated the whole game and am already certain to win. Greed would yield flaws,” Lin Qianxuan replied.

“Now that your knowledge suffices, try the county exam this year,” Zhu Junhao said.

“Yes, teacher,” Lin Qianxuan replied.

Zhu Junhao nodded approvingly.

This disciple required the least effort from him.

Outstanding in all aspects, he often drew inferences from one instance or innovated, stating theories even Zhu Junhao found reasonable.

If only he were older, Zhu Junhao might have recommended him to experience training in the prefecture.

Time arrived at early spring; Lin Qianxuan, accompanied by his family and Senior Brother Xu Ningyuan, went to the county exam.

Besides Lin Qianxuan, other academy members were also present for the exam.

The county exam was the first stage of the child student examination.

After passing, one is considered a scholar. Passing the state and prefectural exams grants a formal title, known as a scholar.

Although without formal authority, addressing the county magistrate doesn’t require kneeling, and one can assume grassroots official positions, plus many document-related jobs prioritized.

Furthermore, if one becomes first in the county exam, they can skip the subsequent two exams and elevate directly.

Similarly, becoming first in the state exam allows skipping the prefectural exam.

The youngest child student in Yong Country’s history was nine years old.

However, after this exam, Lin Qianxuan felt this record might be refreshed.

The exam process was complicated. To prevent cheating, the exam questions were prepared by deans stationed hundreds of miles away.

Two sessions were needed, with different topics, and the responsible officials exchanged for review.

Only then was a comprehensive score given.

Yet, no matter the comprehensive evaluation, Lin Qianxuan felt he scored full marks.

Not that his knowledge was exceedingly strong.

Purely by his calligraphy, he covered seventy percent of the points.

When others observed his writing, if their spirit was not strong, they were easily influenced, immersed in his emotions, and empathized.

A little writing beyond that, as long as it wasn’t too detached from reality, could fetch him high scores.

Besides, with expert teaching, he knew the most appropriate way to write.

Choosing a moderate direction, neither side offending, secured a perfect score.

On the day of the results, Lin Qianxuan went to check and, as expected, attained the county first position.

[Tip: You achieved first in the county exam, obtaining the “One in a Hundred” level milestone [County First].]

[County First: Learning +1. (Note: This record is likely hard for anyone to surpass.)]

The effect of the learning enhancement is a comprehensive function.

Lin Qianxuan felt his brain processing faster, his thoughts more agile, his memory increased, and his limbs more nimble.

This shifted his initial one-exam-only mindset to broader considerations.

He planned to pursue achievements.

Regarding achieving the county first, Lin Qianxuan wasn’t overly thrilled.

However, Xu Ningyuan, Xu Wang, and Xu Yi were delighted, hosting feasts at their village and county homes.

Lin Qianxuan was compelled to appear and share the joy, and even wrote for the village.

Finally, the hustle settled.

Additionally, he received congratulatory gifts from fellow seniors and others.

Several people even took time out of their busy schedules to personally come and congratulate Lin Qianxuan.

Lin Qianxuan replied to them one by one, expressing his gratitude.

Zhu Junhao wasn’t too surprised by Lin Qianxuan’s achievements.

He had predicted it long ago.

In the academy, Zhu Junhao asked Lin Qianxuan, who was making a wooden model: “Zhi’Er, are you planning to attend the state exam and prefectural exam?”

“Yes, I want to achieve the minor three yuan,” Lin Qianxuan replied.

“That’s good. You are extraordinary, and now at such a young age, it’s time to make your name known. With me and your many senior brothers around, you need not worry about attracting trouble due to excessive brilliance,” Zhu Junhao said.

At this moment, Lin Qianxuan completed the last small wooden block, finishing the improved miniature weaving machine.

Then he tried it with fine linen threads and quickly made a palm-sized piece of cloth.

Zhu Junhao watched the entire process, and having discussed it previously with Lin Qianxuan, he nodded slightly upon seeing the improved weaving machine and said: “This indeed greatly improves efficiency.”

“This is for Senior Brother Zhang,” Lin Qianxuan said.

His senior brother’s name was Zhang Zhijing, also from the academy, but instead of entering officialdom, he became a businessman.

His family had a large textile workshop, responsible for half of the fabric production in Xiaojiang Prefecture, and the workshop was just a small business within his family.

“Your Senior Brother Zhang, although somewhat mercenary and not quite an artifact, treats his fellow brothers well,” Zhu Junhao remarked.

The implication was that Lin Qianxuan didn’t need to worry about being taken advantage of.

Lin Qianxuan was not worried either.

After all, it was just an attempt to see if he could hit a milestone while making some extra pocket money.

Zhang Zhijing’s family’s true major business was selling salt, with strong backing and connections in officialdom. Their Zhang family was one of the three major aristocratic families in Xiaojiang Prefecture, having been established for over five hundred years.

But speaking of which….

“Is Senior Brother Zhang really considered not an artifact? Teacher, your standards are too high!” Lin Qianxuan retorted.

“He clearly has a bright future but insists on tainting himself with the stench of money. Isn’t it like a beautiful jade uncarved into an artifact?” Zhu Junhao replied displeased.

Lin Qianxuan thought it was true.

Given Zhang Zhijing’s family background, it would’ve been easy for him to become an official.

But Zhang Zhijing ultimately chose the path of business and became a tool.

In this society, power holders are still at the forefront.

No matter how much money he makes, he’s essentially working for those in power.

If something were to happen one day, he might be directly slaughtered like cattle.

Fortunately, besides him, the Zhang family still has a few who are successful, given their deep roots and the sprawling size of their family.

“Everyone has their pursuits.”

Lin Qianxuan could only say this in the end.

Soon after, Lin Qianxuan sent Zhang Zhijing the designs and model.

Then Zhang Zhijing proceeded with one-to-one replication and production.

With the improved efficiency from the handmade weaving machine.

This gave Zhang Zhijing the thought of broader plans.

Lin Qianxuan wasn’t worried this would cause workers to lose jobs; in fact, this small change might offer more job opportunities for workers.

The market will certainly be impacted afterward, clothing prices will drop, more production demand, more styles of garments, more applications of fabric, increased upstream planting industry….

Everything has gains and losses.

In the short, narrow view, indeed, you can see disadvantages.

But looking broadly, you can also find many advantages.

Lin Qianxuan spends his leisure time reading books, doing carpentry, and improving tools.

Soon he made ten different tools, each increasing production efficiency in different industries.

[Hint: You manufactured ten useful wooden tools, achieving the “One in a Hundred” Level Milestone [A Good Carpenter].]

[A Good Carpenter: Carpentry +1. (Note: In playing with wood, you have already surpassed ninety-nine percent of ordinary people.)]

The carpentry attribute bonus seemed to enhance Lin Qianxuan’s physical strength and power, and his finger dexterity increased as well.

Though only five years old, Lin Qianxuan felt his overall condition could compare to twelve or thirteen-year-old teenagers.

Perhaps he could soon attempt more things.

Time continued to march on, and the state exam day arrived.

In the examination venue of Qinghan State, Lin Qianxuan was the most distinctive sight.

Among the crowd, aged thirty to forty, or as young as fifteen or sixteen, he was the youngest.

Sitting on a bench, unable to reach the table, he had to add a small stool.

After an exam, Lin Qianxuan felt sure-footed.

It could be said there was no difficulty at all.

All the questions were anticipated by Zhu Junhao, matching all the topics Lin Qianxuan covered.

He had practiced several times.

When the list was released, Lin Qianxuan indeed secured the top spot in the state exam.

[Hint: You achieved the top spot in the state exam, receiving the “One in a Hundred” Level Milestone [State Exam Top Spot].]

[State Exam Top Spot: Learning +1. (Note: This type of exam is no longer a challenge for you.)]

Another three months later, Lin Qianxuan participated in the Xiaojiang Prefecture’s prefectural exam, smoothly securing the milestone of the top spot.

[Prefectural Exam Top Spot: Learning +1. (Note: The second place must feel helpless.)]

Meanwhile, he completed another milestone.

[Hint: You consecutively achieved top spots in three exams, earning the “One in a Thousand” Level Milestone [Minor Three Yuan].]

[Minor Three Yuan: Learning +3. (Note: Regarding learning ability, you’ve already reached the ordinary person’s peak.)]

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep