The next day, at the entrance of Fu An Inn.

A few sparrows chirped noisily under the eaves, and wisps of white steam rose from the bun shop at the mouth of the alley.

Su Shan and Su Yang had changed into the new cotton clothes Su Ming had specially bought for them yesterday. Though the material was ordinary, the clothes were clean and crisp. However, their bodies, accustomed to years of labor, felt constrained by the new garments, making them thoroughly uncomfortable.

Su Ming held two large bundles in his hands, passing them to his father and second brother.

“Father, Second Brother, take these back with you.”

Su Shan took the bundle; it was surprisingly heavy. He couldn’t help but ask, “Third Son, what is this…”

“Nothing of great value.” Su Ming smiled, his tone relaxed. “I bought a few lengths of fine cotton cloth for mother and sister-in-law. The weather is turning cool soon; they can make some new clothes. For father, I got two jugs of strong liquor from the town’s old, reputable ‘Liu’s Distillery’—it has a mellow taste. For eldest brother, I brought a new pair of kneepads; they’ll make his fieldwork more comfortable.”

“Third Son, what about your own food, clothing, and expenses here in town…” Su Yang’s face was full of worry.

“I am now a student of the County School, and the top scorer at that.” Su Ming smiled, trying to keep his tone light. “I’ll eat and live at the school. Not only do I not have to pay, I’ll receive a monthly stipend. This money is useless for me here; it would only be a burden.”

Zhao Dequan stood to the side, watching this scene, his heart filled with countless emotions. He stepped forward and clasped his hands respectfully toward Su Shan. “Brother Su, you can rest easy. Su Ming is now the Literary Star of our Qingshi Town, Director Zhou’s disciple. Who would dare neglect him? As for matters in the village, leave them to me. I guarantee everything for Su Ming will be handled properly!”

Su Ming nodded to him.

“Then I’ll trouble you, Uncle Zhao.”

After seeing the three of them off, the morning breeze brushed his face, carrying a hint of chill.

Zhao Rui walked out of the inn yawning, rubbing his eyes. “Finally gone, so early in the morning. Su Ming, let’s hurry to the County School! I need to get my student status confirmed quickly. When I go back to the village later, let’s see who dares look down on me!”

Seeing his eager and impatient expression, Su Ming nodded and turned to walk in the direction of the County School.

The Qingshi County School was located in the east of the town. Its vermilion gates were guarded by stone lions, exuding an aura of solemnity and dignity.

On the spirit screen wall at the entrance, the four characters “Literary Brilliance Shoots to the Stars” were carved with vigorous, sweeping strokes. Seeing them made Zhao Rui’s heart surge with emotion, and he subconsciously straightened his back.

The two walked through the main gate, crossed a courtyard planted with pine and cypress trees, and saw a room with a plaque reading “Hall of Scholarly Affairs”. Several students, like them, had come to complete their enrollment paperwork and were standing somewhat awkwardly in a line outside the door.

The person in charge of registration was an academic supervisor with a goatee, surnamed Qian. His eyelids drooped, and when he looked at people, it always seemed like he was peering through a crack in a door. His face was practically stamped with the words “by the book.”

When it was Zhao Rui’s turn, he cleared his throat, handed over his exam admission slip and household registration proof, and lifted his chin high.

“I, Zhao Rui, am here to enroll.”

Supervisor Qian didn’t even lift his eyelids. He took the documents and glanced at them.

“Zhao Rui… thirty-sixth place, lowest grade.” His voice wasn’t loud, but it clearly reached everyone’s ears nearby. “Dormitory, Room D, the easternmost one. Monthly tuition is two taels of silver. Writing materials to be self-provided. Go pay the fee over there first.”

A few stifled, amused glances came from the other students nearby.

Zhao Rui’s face flushed bright red instantly, as if he had been publicly slapped.

“I… my uncle’s father-in-law is Director Zhou…”

“Even Director Zhou’s students must follow the rules.” Supervisor Qian cut him off, pushing the documents aside, a hint of impatience in his tone. “Next.”

Face burning red, Zhao Rui took his documents and stood to the side, so embarrassed he could practically dig a hole through his soles with his toes.

Su Ming stepped forward and handed over his own documents.

“Su Ming, here to enroll.”

His voice was very calm.

Supervisor Qian still wore that lazy expression. He picked up the documents, and when his gaze fell on the two characters “Su Ming,” he showed no reaction. But when he saw the annotation “top scorer” written in red ink after the name, his drooping eyelids twitched violently.

His hand, holding the brush, stopped in mid-air.

“You… are Su Ming?” Supervisor Qian looked up, looking at someone properly for the first time.

He saw a young, calm face and a pair of clear, unfathomable eyes. There wasn’t a trace of the arrogance of youthful success on this young man. Instead, he was as serene as an ancient well.

“It is I.” Su Ming nodded.

Supervisor Qian’s attitude instantly did a complete one-eighty. The impatience on his face vanished without a trace, replaced by a somewhat stiff smile.

He stood up and personally retrieved a brand new set of documents from the cabinet.

“So it’s Top Scorer Su. My apologies, my apologies.” He changed to a new brush, dipped it fully in ink, and began filling out the forms with an almost reverent demeanor. “According to the school’s rules, the top scorer’s enrollment is exempt from all tuition fees. As for the dormitory… Room A, the best one. A separate small courtyard, very quiet.”

As he wrote, he looked up and smiled. “The school also allocates a monthly subsidy of two taels of silver for writing materials to the top scorer. You may withdraw it anytime. If you need anything, just give the order.”

The surrounding students were all dumbfounded.

The change in attitude before and after was like two completely different people.

Zhao Rui was utterly stunned. He looked at Su Ming, then at the bowing and scraping Supervisor Qian, his heart a turmoil of mixed feelings. He had thought that with his uncle’s father-in-law’s connections, he could swagger through the County School. He never expected they wouldn’t give him any face.

And Su Ming, merely with the title of “top scorer,” had obtained everything he had dreamed of.

This was the difference.

Lin Yu’s internal monologue was dramatic: “Hehe, satisfying! Although it goes against the spirit of the Way of Survival, it feels pretty good to be this high-profile once in a while. No, no, must stay steady! This is sugar-coated cannon fire! It’ll corrupt my disciple’s pure heart dedicated to the Way of Survival!”

After completing the procedures, Supervisor Qian personally escorted the two to the door, his smile never fading.

“Top Scorer Su, take care. We’ll be colleagues from now on. Please look after me.”

Only after they had walked quite a distance did Zhao Rui finally let out a long sigh, his face full of indignation.

“What an ass! Looking down on people! Su Ming, did you see his face? Pisses me off!”

“His attitude doesn’t depend on who we are, but on what we can bring him, or… what we can’t.” Su Ming said calmly.

Zhao Rui was momentarily stunned, not fully understanding.

Su Ming didn’t explain further. He was just about to go check out his dormitory first when he looked up and saw a familiar figure.

Under the dense shade of the towering ancient locust tree, Xu Qing stood holding a somewhat worn book box, reading. He wore a faded blue long gown, his figure slender but standing ramrod straight.

“Brother Xu.” Su Ming called out.

“I guessed you’d come today. Congratulations.” Xu Qing’s voice was sincere. “The title of top scorer is well-deserved.”

“Just luck.” Su Ming looked at him. “Thanks to that copy of the ‘County Records of Qingzhou’ you lent me, Brother Xu.”

“A book is just a book. The one who can see things in the book is the person.” Xu Qing shook his head. He glanced at Zhao Rui behind Su Ming, nodded politely, and said no more.

Zhao Rui, still in a bad mood from the earlier incident, also nodded and wandered off by himself to look at the school rules posted on the wall.

“My second brother and the others came yesterday.” Su Ming lowered his voice. “There’s been a problem in the village. The ingredient ratios for the new paper have gone wrong. I’m afraid… we can’t make it for the time being.”

A flicker of disappointment passed through Xu Qing’s eyes, but it quickly returned to calmness.

He looked at Su Ming and said seriously, “Not being able to make it might be a good thing.”

Su Ming’s heart stirred.

“I’ve been frequenting various bookshops around town these past few days.” Xu Qing’s voice dropped even lower. “I’ve heard paper prices in the south are still rising. Quite a few people have been asking if some new paper has come out of Qingshi Town.”

His words confirmed Su Ming’s suspicions.

That “Merchant Chen” was indeed just the tip of the iceberg.

“I understand.” Su Ming nodded gravely. “Thank you for the warning, Brother Xu.”

“Between you and me, thanks are unnecessary.” A faint smile appeared on Xu Qing’s face. “You are now Director Zhou’s disciple. Your status is different from before. You must be even more careful in your actions. Some people may not dare move against you openly, but you must guard against their underhanded methods.” After saying this in a hushed tone, Xu Qing turned to leave.

“Brother Xu!” Su Ming called out to stop him. “I should have access to the County School’s library. If there are any books you’d like to read, you can make a list for me.”

“Alright.”

“Disciple, this person is worth befriending.” Lin Yu’s voice held a note of approval. “Charcoal sent in snowy weather is far better than flowers added to brocade. The goodwill he shows you… on our path of ‘survival,’ a friend like this is more precious than a hundred Zhou Wenhais.”

“I understand, Master.” Su Ming responded in his heart.

By the time he had settled into his dormitory, it was already afternoon.

Room A lived up to its reputation. It was indeed a separate small courtyard with a stone table, stone stools, and a well inside. The room was divided into inner and outer sections, with a study and bedroom fully equipped. It was even better than the best room at Fu An Inn.

Following the prior arrangement, Su Ming went to pay a visit to Professor Liu.

Professor Liu’s residence was in a secluded courtyard in the deepest part of the County School. The courtyard had no precious flowers or plants, only a few vegetable plots and a melon trellis, full of a rustic, pastoral atmosphere.

An old servant led Su Ming to the study.

Professor Liu was wearing reading glasses, bent over a huge map, marking something with a red brush.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up. Seeing it was Su Ming, a gentle smile appeared on his face.

“You’re here? Sit.”

He pointed to a wooden stool nearby.

Su Ming respectfully bowed. “Your student, Su Ming, pays his respects to Professor Liu.”

“No need for such formality.” Professor Liu took off his glasses and rubbed the space between his eyebrows. “I’ve read your policy discussion essay more than three times. It’s very well written.”

He paused, his gaze becoming sharp.

“But, it’s all just armchair strategizing.”

Su Ming’s heart tightened. He knew the real test had arrived.

“This student is willing to hear the details.”

“You said that dredging silt and reinforcing embankments requires conscripting laborers.” Professor Liu walked up to him, his gaze intense. “I ask you, where will these laborers come from? During the winter slack season, the common people also need to rest and recuperate, repair their farming tools, and prepare for the spring plowing. Once the government issues an order, will they willingly put down their own work and go dig river mud for you?”

“You said, digging channels to divert water, turning water hazards into benefits. I ask you again, how many people’s fields would a new channel need to pass through? Zhang’s family’s land is taken, Li’s family’s ancestral graves need to be moved. How will you resolve the disputes that arise from this? And where will the money come from?”

“You said, switch to drought-resistant crops, with the government exempting taxes for three years. It sounds benevolent, but have you considered that Qingzhou’s annual tax quota is fixed? If the five southern townships are exempted, who will make up the shortfall? Should the people of other townships pay more, or should the County Magistrate dig into his own pocket?”

Professor Liu fired three questions in a row, each striking a vital point.

These problems were far beyond what a student who only read the Sage’s Books could answer.

A fine sweat broke out on Su Ming’s forehead.

“Disciple, don’t panic!” Lin Yu’s voice sounded promptly. “He’s not trying to make things difficult for you; he’s testing you! Testing whether you’re just a bookish nerd who talks big! Throw out the things we discussed earlier!”

Su Ming took a deep breath, looked up, and met Professor Liu’s scrutinizing gaze.

“The issues the Professor raises are indeed the crux of the matter. When writing the essay, this student also thought about them, but the space on paper was limited, preventing a detailed discussion.”

He stood up and walked over to the map.

“Regarding the laborers. This student believes they should not be conscripted by force, but enticed by benefit.”

“Enticed by benefit?” Professor Liu raised an eyebrow.

“Yes.” Su Ming’s finger pointed to the location of the five southern townships on the map. “The five southern townships are the poorest. The common people often have little to do in winter. If the government steps in, using work as relief. For those participating in the water conservancy construction, provide two full meals a day and pay twenty copper coins as wages. I believe there would be no shortage of volunteers.”

“Twenty copper coins per day?” Professor Liu frowned. “Repairing a river channel would require at least several thousand laborers over several months. That’s not a small sum of money.”

“The money doesn’t have to come entirely from the government.” Su Ming’s speech wasn’t fast, but it was clear and logical. “We can mobilize local gentry and wealthy households to donate. If this succeeds, the ones who benefit the most are those with the most land. The government can grant them some honorary titles, like plaques for ‘Charity and Good Deeds,’ or reduce a portion of their commercial taxes as encouragement.”

“Furthermore, the dredged river mud is excellent fertilizer. It can be sold to farmers at a discounted price, which can also offset part of the expenses.”

The scrutiny in Professor Liu’s eyes gradually turned to surprise.

Using work as relief, mobilizing the gentry, selling river mud… These methods sounded unrefined, but they exuded a wisdom born of the soil, extremely pragmatic.

“What about the land occupation issue, then?” Professor Liu pressed.

“The land occupation issue is most difficult in the aspect of ‘fairness.'” Su Ming said. “This student believes we can establish a ‘Land Survey Council’ composed of government representatives, gentry representatives, and villagers whose land is affected. How the land is measured, how its value is calculated, and how compensation is determined should all be discussed by the council jointly and announced publicly to demonstrate credibility.”

“As for compensation, it doesn’t necessarily have to be money. We can use newly reclaimed wasteland, or the fishing rights, irrigation rights of newly built ponds as exchange. In short, we must make the common people feel they are not at a disadvantage, but gaining an advantage.”

Professor Liu fell completely silent.

He looked at the young man before him, his mind in turmoil.

This Su Ming, where did he look like a fourteen-year-old child? His calculations, his insight into human nature, were even more shrewd than those old clerks who had muddled along in the county office for decades!

“As for the tax revenue shortfall…” Su Ming smiled slightly. “Professor, this account shouldn’t be calculated only for the immediate present.”

“Oh? How so?”

“If the water conservancy project in Qingshi Town succeeds, eliminating flood and drought worries, grain production will inevitably increase. After the three-year tax exemption, the taxes the government can collect will probably be more than double what they are now. This is called ‘casting a long line to catch a big fish.’ And…”

Su Ming’s gaze returned to the map, his eyes becoming profound.

“This student believes the greatest benefit of this matter isn’t in money or grain.”

“Then what is it in?” Professor Liu’s curiosity was completely piqued.

Su Ming said word by word, “In the hearts of the people.”

“Tens of thousands of laborers, finding warmth and sustenance because of the government’s policy. Countless farming households, spared from displacement because of the government’s policy. The government’s prestige can then penetrate every inch of land, every household in Qingshi Town. In the future, when government decrees are implemented, they will naturally proceed smoothly. That is the wealth beyond price.”

The study fell silent.

Professor Liu looked at Su Ming. A previously unseen brilliance erupted from his aged, somewhat cloudy eyes.

“Good! Well said, ‘in the hearts of the people’!”

He slapped his thigh forcefully, the smile on his face could no longer be contained, brimming with appreciation and delight.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep