Zhou Wenhai’s face was lean, his gaze sharp, his nose bridge high and straight, and his lips pressed into a serious, thin line. He wasn’t looking at Su Ming; his eyes were fixed on an open scroll of a book.

As long as he remained motionless, the atmosphere in the entire study solidified.

Su Ming felt as if he had walked into a fierce tiger’s den. The tiger didn’t even bother to look up at him, yet an invisible pressure already enveloped his entire body.

“Disciple, steady! This is him establishing dominance!” Lin Yu urgently reminded him. “The more he acts like this, the more it shows he values you. Don’t panic, stick to what we rehearsed!”

Su Ming steadied his mind, stepped forward three paces, and bowed in greeting.

“This student, Su Ming, pays his respects to Director.”

His voice was not loud, but his enunciation was clear, sounding exceptionally distinct in the quiet study.

Zhou Wenhai’s gaze finally lifted from the book scroll and settled on Su Ming.

What kind of eyes were these?

Deep, calm, like an ancient well, bottomless. Yet they also seemed capable of piercing through a person’s heart.

Su Ming felt completely transparent from the inside out.

“No need for such formalities.” Zhou Wenhai spoke, his tone even. “Yulin, fetch a seat for Su Ming.”

“Yes.”

Zhou Yulin brought over a round stool and placed it to the side of the desk.

Su Ming did not sit down immediately. Instead, he cupped his hands in salute again. “Thank you, Director.”

He sat down, his back ramrod straight.

A trace of imperceptible approval flashed in Zhou Wenhai’s eyes.

Neither servile nor overbearing, understanding propriety and observing decorum.

“The ‘Verification Method of the Investigation of Things’ you taught Yulin, he has told me all about it.” Zhou Wenhai’s fingers lightly tapped on the desktop, producing a steady, soft sound. “Using minute principles to glimpse the wonder of the Great Way. This method is excellent. Yulin has benefited greatly from it. For this matter, I must thank you.”

Su Ming immediately stood up. “You honor me too much, Director. This student merely picked up scraps from others, a shallow insight gained by chance. Being able to exchange ideas with Brother Zhou is this student’s honor.”

“Master, how was that?”

“Not bad, not bad. Standard business flattery, basic operation. Keep it up.”

Zhou Wenhai made a noncommittal “hmm” sound, then continued, “Besides this matter, there is another reason for summoning you today. Your policy discussion essay from the county exam, Professor Liu has also reviewed it.”

He paused, seemingly observing Su Ming’s reaction.

Su Ming’s heart tightened.

“Professor Liu said your essay is the most pragmatic and boldest piece he has seen in his decades of teaching.” A ripple of emotion finally entered Zhou Wenhai’s tone. “He very much wants to meet you and ask you: where did you learn those methods for dredging silt, reinforcing dikes, and digging channels to divert water?”

Here it comes!

Su Ming knew the main topic had arrived.

“To receive such undeserved praise from Professor Liu fills this student with trepidation. This student comes from a farming family. Since childhood, I have listened to my father and brothers discuss agricultural matters. I have also been fortunate enough to read a few miscellaneous books. I merely haphazardly combined hearsay with dead theories from books, lacking any proper structure. I have made a fool of myself before you and Professor Liu.”

These words were flawlessly crafted, both explaining the source of his knowledge and presenting himself as extremely humble.

Zhou Wenhai stared fixedly at him, the scrutiny in his eyes growing more intense.

A fourteen-year-old village youth, facing him, the Director of the County School, possessing such steady composure, such meticulous speech.

This absolutely could not be explained by mere “chance.”

The atmosphere in the study grew heavy and tense once more.

Zhou Yulin, standing to the side, even felt a trace of pressure. He wanted to speak to ease the tension but was stopped by a glance from his father.

Su Ming knew this was his final opportunity.

If he waited any longer, the initiative would completely fall into Zhou Wenhai’s hands.

He took a deep breath, as if having made some kind of resolution, and suddenly stepped forward, offering Zhou Wenhai a deep bow.

“Director!”

This action of his was abrupt and resolute, causing both Zhou Wenhai and Zhou Yulin to be momentarily stunned.

“Today, this student has the audacity to come forward. Besides paying respects and thanking you and Professor Liu for your undeserved favor, I also have a proposal I wish to present to you!”

Zhou Wenhai’s eyebrows rose slightly.

“Oh? Let’s hear it.”

“What this student wrote in the policy discussion was all empty talk on paper.” Su Ming raised his head, his gaze blazing as he looked directly at Zhou Wenhai. “But in this student’s village, there is a real, tangible industry that might verify the words in my essay and contribute bricks and tiles to your policy of ‘enriching the village and benefiting the people’!”

He emphasized the four words “enriching the village and benefiting the people” heavily.

Zhou Wenhai’s pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.

He immediately understood: this youth had come prepared today.

“What industry?”

“Paper-making!” Su Ming declared with force. “In this student’s village, we have accidentally obtained a method for improving paper-making. It can use ordinary bamboo, wood, and straw as materials to produce high-quality, low-cost paper. A workshop has already been built, employing dozens of households from the entire village. Last month, it already yielded modest profits.”

“Oh?” Zhou Wenhai’s body leaned forward slightly—a sign he was genuinely becoming interested. “High quality and low cost? How does it compare to the grass paper on the market?”

“Superior!” Su Ming’s tone was full of confidence. “The paper is equal to the lowest grade of xuan paper: tough, absorbing ink without bleeding.”

Zhou Wenhai’s gaze suddenly sharpened.

“If this method can be promoted, the farmers of the five southern townships will no longer need to worry about their livelihood after the autumn harvest. The bamboo and wood covering the mountains and fields can all be exchanged for gleaming silver ingots. If one township becomes wealthy, then five townships can become wealthy. If five townships become wealthy, then the granaries of the entire Qingshi County can be filled!”

Su Ming’s voice grew increasingly impassioned.

“Disciple, take it easy, don’t get too excited. Be careful not to over-promise!” Lin Yu nervously reminded him.

Su Ming did not stop.

He knew that when painting a grand vision, you had to paint it big, paint it complete, paint it enticing!

“This student is insignificant, and the village workshop is merely small-scale. Recently, it has already attracted covetous glances from various quarters in the town. I fear it will be difficult to sustain long-term, and may even bring bloody disaster to Su Family Village.” He shifted his tone, appropriately revealing a hint of difficulty and earnestness.

“This student has the audacity to earnestly request Director to step forward!”

“I ask you, in the name of the County School, to incorporate this workshop as a pilot project for ‘officially supervised, privately operated.’ The workshop would still be managed by the villagers. This student is willing to offer the improvement method, with the County School sending personnel to oversee the accounts.”

“The profits from the workshop, after deducting villagers’ wages and costs, can be divided into three portions.”

“One portion will be submitted to the County School for public use, to subsidize impoverished students and repair school buildings.”

“One portion will be retained in the village as public funds, for building bridges, paving roads, and constructing water conservancy projects.”

“The final portion will belong to the villagers, distributed as dividends based on labor and shares.”

He finished speaking in one breath. The entire study was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Zhou Yulin was utterly dumbfounded.

His mouth agape, he stared blankly at Su Ming as if seeing this village youth for the first time.

What a grand vision this was!

And what an astonishing move!

He was actually going to… offer up a unique secret method that could generate mountains of gold, just like that?

Zhou Wenhai did not speak.

He simply looked quietly at Su Ming, storms and thunder raging in those deep eyes.

He had lived half a lifetime, experienced the vicissitudes of the official world, and seen countless extraordinary people and strange events.

But he had never seen a youth like Su Ming.

This was no longer mere intelligence; this was monstrous!

This plan was interlocking, plugging almost every loophole he could think of, and perfectly scratching his itch.

Reputation?

Secured! The government taking the lead, benefiting the local area—this was a monumental political achievement! If word reached the ears of the prefect or even the provincial governor, it would be a brilliant stroke of merit.

Benefits?

Also secured! The County School would gain advantages, and he, as the Director, would naturally rise with the tide. Moreover, the four words “overseeing the accounts” held immense potential for maneuvering. That so-called “management fee” could be taken completely justifiably.

Most crucially, he would hardly have to pay any cost!

He only needed to nod his head, move his lips, and he could directly corral a mature, golden-egg-laying hen into his own courtyard.

And Su Ming and Su Family Village would obtain what they needed most—protection.

A golden banner, sturdy enough to block all jackals, tigers, and leopards!

“What a splendid ‘officially supervised, privately operated’…”

After a long while, Zhou Wenhai slowly uttered these words, his voice carrying a trace of complex emotion.

He looked at the still somewhat frail youth before him and, for the first time, placed him on an equal footing with himself.

This was not a junior coming to seek help.

This was an equal partner coming to negotiate.

“Aren’t you afraid that I will swallow your formula, your workshop, whole in one gulp?” Zhou Wenhai suddenly asked, a hint of chilling coldness entering his tone.

The temperature in the study seemed to drop several degrees instantly.

Cold sweat instantly seeped out on Su Ming’s back.

He knew this was the final test.

“Disciple! Hold firm! We’re betting that he’s a respectable man who won’t have too ugly an appetite!”

Su Ming raised his head, meeting Zhou Wenhai’s gaze. A somewhat youthful but incredibly sincere smile appeared on his face.

“This student is not afraid.”

“Why not?”

“Because this student believes that you, Director, are a true scholar.” Su Ming said, word by word. “What you seek is to leave your name in history, to benefit a region. The profits of a mere workshop are not worthy of your attention.”

“This student also believes that a living Su Ming, who will constantly think of new ideas, is more useful to you than a dead formula that can only make paper.”

“In the future, if this student is fortunate enough to pass the imperial examinations and become an official, I will never forget the nurturing kindness you have shown me today.”

These words were three parts flattery, three parts confidence, and four parts a naked display of value.

I am betting on your magnanimity.

At the same time, I am telling you that my future is worth your investment.

Zhou Wenhai smiled. His face, which had been taut the entire time, broke into a genuine, heartfelt smile.

“Good!”

He stood up and walked over to Su Ming. “You, this student, I, Zhou Wenhai, accept! This matter, I agree to!”

He let go of the hand supporting Su Ming and also let out a long sigh of relief.

Zhou Wenhai sat back down behind the desk, his posture now completely different.

Before, it had been scrutiny, intimidation. Now, it was the ease of an elder looking at an appreciated junior.

“You, child, have great courage and a meticulous mind.” Zhou Wenhai’s gaze rested on Su Ming’s face, carrying a hint of amusement. “I just wonder, where exactly do all these ingenious ideas in your belly come from?”

Su Ming’s heart tightened, knowing this was a probe.

He bowed, his expression composed. “In reply, Director: read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles. This student has no opportunity to travel ten thousand miles, so I can only travel in spirit through books, observing and asking more in the countryside. Thinking too much always leads to some impractical wild fantasies.”

“Wild fantasies?” Zhou Wenhai chuckled and shook his head. “If this is wild fantasy, then fifty percent of the scholars in the world wouldn’t even know how to think.”

He waved his hand, no longer pursuing the matter.

Everyone had their own secrets. Pushing too hard would be beneath him.

“It’s getting late. You haven’t eaten yet, have you?” Zhou Wenhai abruptly changed the subject.

Su Ming was taken aback and instinctively replied, “This student is not yet hungry.”

“Not hungry, you still must eat.” Zhou Wenhai stood up, his tone brooking no argument. “Today, you will have a simple meal here at home.”

He looked at Zhou Wenhai’s matter-of-fact expression and the equally stunned look on Zhou Yulin’s face beside him.

Lin Yu cried out in his mind, “He’s trying to tie you completely to the Zhou family’s ship! One meal, one title, and tomorrow the whole of Qingshi Town will know that you, Su Ming, are his student, Zhou Wenhai!”

“Isn’t that exactly what we wanted?” Su Ming responded inwardly.

“Yes, but it also means that from now on, your every move will represent the Zhou family’s face! It will be much harder for you to remain a low-profile nobody and develop secretly!” Lin Yu wailed. “My grand undertaking of the Way of Survival! Cut down before it even began!”

Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Su Ming offered Zhou Wenhai another deep bow.

“This student… obeys.”

This single word “obeys” pleased Zhou Wenhai more than any previous words.

He nodded and led the way toward the door. “Yulin, go tell your mother to prepare an extra set of bowls and chopsticks. Tell her I’ve taken on a new student.”

“Yes, Father!” Zhou Yulin’s face was radiant with joy. He quickly walked to Su Ming’s side, patted his shoulder, and said excitedly, “Junior Brother Su!”

This address of “Junior Brother Su” left Su Ming feeling somewhat dazed.

The changes of the world were truly marvelous.

The atmosphere in the dining hall became peculiar because of Su Ming’s arrival once more.

Lady Liu had already received the news. A gentle, proper smile graced her face as she personally served dishes to Su Ming, inquiring warmly about his well-being. In her words, she already regarded him as a junior of the family.

Zhou Yulin was even more enthusiastic, constantly introducing dishes to Su Ming, clearly acting the part of a good senior brother.

Zhou Wenhai sat at the head of the table, speaking little, but whenever his gaze swept over Su Ming, it carried obvious appreciation.

This harmonious scene, however, felt like needles pricking the two people seated on the other side of the dining hall.

Zhou Kang and his wife, Zhao Chunlan, who was dressed up like a flower.

Zhou Kang’s face was so gloomy it could drip water.

He couldn’t understand it. Previously, he was just a poor kid lodging in the backyard. How had he, in the blink of an eye, become his elder brother’s student?

This was even more absurd than that “Verification Method of the Investigation of Things”!

“Su Ming,” Zhou Wenhai put down his chopsticks and spoke unhurriedly, “that policy discussion essay of yours, I have discussed it with Professor Liu.”

The hall fell silent.

Everyone’s gaze focused on him.

Zhou Kang even pricked up his ears. He wanted to hear what exactly this kid had written that could so enchant his elder brother.

“The thesis is lofty, the arguments solid. For someone your age to possess such insight is truly remarkable.” Zhou Wenhai evaluated.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the indignant Zhou Kang, and said mildly, “In this County School assessment, barring any unforeseen circumstances, you should be the top scorer.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep