CHAPTER 210: CHAPTER 44: STRATEGIC DISCUSSION

"Young Master! I think we should bring two cooks from the town, and we need to buy more people." Yu Tuanzi discussed with Gu Chengyu over breakfast.

"You handle it! Look for a good shopkeeper or someone with a skill and buy them! We’re short on people!" Gu Chengyu found these matters headache-inducing, unsure when enough personnel would be available!

"Be more careful this time, don’t bring back anyone too complicated! Take Wan Qian, let him follow and learn!" Gu Chengyu planned to teach Gu Wanqian characters upon returning; Gu Wanqian seemed clever, well-trained, and might become a good subordinate.

"Oh!" Yu Tuanzi was a bit surprised, not expecting Gu Wanqian to gain the young master’s favor so quickly. It seemed he had to work harder to avoid being replaced soon! Feeling a sense of urgency, Yu Tuanzi worked even more vigorously afterward! But that’s a story for another time, let’s leave it here for now!

After breakfast, Gu Chengyu, Sun Xian, and others headed to the exam hall!

On the way, everyone was silent. Gu Chengyu walked to Gu Wanhua’s side, calling him, but Gu Wanhua didn’t respond, seemingly preoccupied!

From yesterday evening, Gu Wanhua appeared somewhat absent-minded, not revealing the matter when asked. Gu Chengyu worried it might affect the exam, thus felt compelled to remind him. After all, before leaving, Uncle Gu repeatedly urged him to watch over Gu Wanhua.

"Hua! Is there something on your mind? You’ve seemed distracted since yesterday."

"Huh? Little Uncle! No, nothing, don’t overthink! We’re nearing the exam hall, let’s hurry!" Gu Wanhua snapped back to reality, responded hastily.

Gu Chengyu watched Gu Wanhua’s retreating figure thoughtfully, sensing something amiss in his reaction. Overthinking? He hadn’t thought much, yet the response seemed to suggest...

Hopefully, it wasn’t as he feared, since Gu Wanhua had a son; he should know better!

The third exam focused on essays; today, staying in the exam shed was necessary; hence, two candles were provided at the exam hall.

Policy essays mainly tested current events, agriculture, and social customs, requiring insightful perspectives and good proposals, more in-depth than the previous county examinations, demanding practical considerations.

The results of this policy essay determined the provincial test rankings. Policy essays are foundational, even in the Imperial Examination.

Gu Chengyu unfolded the test paper, focusing on the first question: "How to increase agricultural taxes?" Oh? This was a practical question.

It was a simple matter for Gu Chengyu, but standing out required two exceptional and effective recommendations!

The next question addressed alleviating water disasters. Gu Chengyu sighed; it was a common topic, a challenging one for distinction! Thankfully, he retained some past-life knowledge!

The final question involved effective locust control. Prefect Jiang seemed practical in his duties, though rumors said he had been in office for three terms, reasons unknown. Dayan Dynasty officials served three-year terms, with annual evaluations determining promotions. Networking was also crucial.

Such matters were beyond Gu Chengyu for now; he first copied the first question onto the test paper, then began answering.

Many options existed for increasing agricultural taxes, but fundamentally avoiding heavier taxes on people was essential. Gu Chengyu listed points, firstly increasing land yield, considering fertilizers from his past life, which were absent then; he noted techniques for nurturing agricultural fertilizers as best as recalled, albeit vaguely.

Fertilizers alone wouldn’t suffice, selecting superior seed varieties to soak into seedlings for higher survival rates was crucial. These ideas came from agricultural books found in his spatial storage, which initially puzzled him. At home, they used seeds soaked in the Spiritual Spring, yielding higher crops; even villagers routinely exchanged seeds with his family annually.

Lastly, emphasizing land reclamation with a three-year tax exemption was most important. After corrections, the draft was filled, but Gu Chengyu felt it needed refinement.

The exam questions suggested Prefect Jiang differed from County Magistrate Lu, likely disfavoring flowery essays; Gu Chengyu decided on a simpler approach, adding minor embellishments!

Taking a sip of water from a bamboo tube, adjusting the answers slightly until satisfied, he turned to the next question.

This water disaster essay could take longer; at this time, constables delivered wooden buckets with food. It was early noon, and Gu Chengyu placed the brush down for a break.

Lunch was swapped to green beans with minced meat, alongside two large white bread buns.

Gu Chengyu ate a bun with water, sampling some beans; the minced meat was fatty, and the dish was cold, saturated with grease, and feared digestive issues.

After a rushed restroom visit, he tidied his desk and planned a nap! Rested, he’d be energized for afternoon questions. Unfortunately, lying on the board, he couldn’t sleep due to the blanket’s moldy smell.

He put the blanket aside, intending to rest his eyes for a while.

Despite sleeplessness, afternoon refreshment cleared Gu Chengyu’s mind.

Grabbing the draft, he prepared the second essay.

Water disaster management inherently required raised dykes. Considering it for a while, artificial redirection was optimal, broad river barriers ensured smooth flow; medium measures involved diversion, effective for dyked rivers; securing dykes through reinforcing existing defenses was a last resort for dyked areas, emphasizing river channeling, and a major constructed water reservoir was critical!

Gu Chengyu listed these without detailed explanations; this was the provincial test, not the Imperial Examination, where depth wasn’t mandatory; writing too much wasn’t permitted either.

The third essay addressed locusts; crops dread locust infestations.

Connecting memories from his past life, although limited, provided enough for the essay.

Gu Chengyu wrote preventive measures and highlighted a crucial fact: locusts feared fire, and they were edible. The final point might be controversial but was practical.

Completing this essay, Gu Chengyu noticed it had darkened; he didn’t plan to continue the test at night.

After ink on his drafts dried, he safely stored his test papers in a corner of the wooden board, considering potential rainfall—anything wet risked failure.

Prefect Jiang noticed Gu Chengyu lying in clothes on the board; only caused a mouth twitch, as Gu Chengyu, young, was already resting!

Recalling the first exam result, Gu Chengyu and another scored equally; fearing complacency, Prefect Jiang chose the other but was impressed by Gu Chengyu’s essays in the second round, feeling compelled for fair grading!

This time depended on his policy writings; though young, Gu Chengyu might struggle; how could a child grasp current events?