CHAPTER 1783: CHAPTER 1783: STEPPING STONES ON THE PATH TO ASCENSION

Chang Xhong, on the other hand, put away his careless attitude. How should I put it? He really didn’t take Scholar Hu seriously before. Now that he does, he realizes that this kind of person is scheming and good at exploiting opportunities. You have to understand that the reputation of becoming a son-in-law is poor, and very few are willing to do so.

The courtyard fell silent; everyone was foolishly staring at Scholar Hu.

Chang Xhong’s gaze was sharp, "You are quite interesting."

Such a person, unless controlled for a lifetime, will turn against you once given a chance.

After Mr. Hu faced obstacles everywhere in the Prefecture City, his desire for wealth and power intensified. He longed to be like Mr. Zhou, yet the magistrate’s son still had to be cautious and flattering.

The two clan members came to their senses, exchanged a glance; many came to the clan to seek education, but only this person was ruthless enough to himself.

Another scholar felt a chill down his spine and stood up to distance himself from Scholar Hu.

Scholar Hu’s gaze burned bright, "I consider myself well-read."

Chang Xhong smiled, eyes filled with indifference, "If I refuse, you’ll surely resent the Zhou clan for blocking your path to success."

Scholar Hu’s smile froze, "Master?"

Chang Xhong stood up, "I’ve seen many like you in the capital. Our Zhou clan doesn’t bully others, but we’re also not a stepping stone to someone else’s success. Whether you resent or seek revenge, I’ll be waiting, but only if someone else doesn’t catch you first."

I’ll crush you directly when the time comes.

Chang Xhong’s indifferent gaze resembled a sword, forcing Scholar Hu to involuntarily step back.

At this moment, Chang Xhong’s demeanor completely changed; where was the former kindness toward the clansmen?

In the capital, Zhulan was unaware of her son’s assertiveness; she was extremely busy. Anticipating a large number of applicants yesterday, she came to the academy early today, only to find people already queuing.

There were not many girls from farming households in line today; rather, they were girls from ordinary families near the capital.

Zhulan saw Lady Tao and Yu Lu arriving together, and put down the registry in her hand, "Why are you here?"

Lady Tao gestured for Yu Lu not to bother with her, sat down and said, "Doesn’t Lady Wang also have a girl at the academy? Yesterday, some girls went home to promote, combined with the newspaper article, and came to find me early this morning. I haven’t seen you for a while, so I came specifically to visit."

Zhulan, "It seems quite a few want to enroll their daughters in school."

Lady Tao nodded, "The family is large with many common clansmen, even within the family, there are tiers, and life isn’t easy for those at the bottom."

"As you can see, there are many girls wanting to enroll."

Lady Tao observed outside for a while, "Your academy is nearly insufficient."

Zhulan laughed, "The orphaned girls study early, and their numbers are high due to their age, so a large batch will be hired out this time."

Lady Tao said, "Even if they don’t study medicine, they won’t have trouble finding work."

Zhulan nodded, "You know quite a few technical improvements, thus need workers."

The academies in various provinces have been gradually established this year; everything is moving in a positive direction!

Zhulan pointed to the Buddha beads again, "You never part with these beads; I find it quite awkward to see."

Lady Tao paused her bead-turning hand, "We’re in mourning at home; I habitually recite scriptures and write prayer verses daily."

Zhulan, "You haven’t set up a small Buddhist shrine at home, have you?"

Lady Tao, "Hmm."

Zhulan thought for a moment, "You’re here at just the right time; the academy has recruited quite a few new teachers."

Lady Tao was surprised, "Sent by the Imperial court?"

"Wishful thinking; the Imperial court wouldn’t send people. The Chen family clan will send people over to teach."

Lady Tao stopped turning the beads and murmured, "The Chen family clan, huh."

"What do you think?"

Lady Tao, being a housewife, considers everything for the family, "I’ll talk to my husband when I return. However, the Wang family and the Chen family clan are different."

Zhulan also understood, "Hmm."

She simply wanted to inform the Wang family in advance. Despite the Zhou Hou Residence having many in-law connections already, given that Zhou Hou Residence is the main successor and Yu Lu is the future housewife, the Wang family’s connections with the Zhou Hou Residence are the most solid.

In the afternoon, Zhulan returned home and saw Yu Wen in the main courtyard, "When did you arrive?"

Yu Wen took out a letter, "Grandmother, can you guess whose letter this is?"

Zhulan’s first response, "Your father’s?"

Yu Wen shook her head, "You’ll be surprised when you see it."

Zhulan didn’t hurry to change her clothes and signaled the maid to bring juice over. She opened the letter and was very surprised, "Ms. Ji?"

"It’s her. Even I was about to forget her; I never expected her to write to me."

Zhulan was also close to forgetting about this young lady, "I wonder if it was the idea of Mrs. Luo."

Yu Wen, "I thought she would inquire."

Zhulan laughed, "This girl has her own ideas!"

Yu Wen felt warmth in her heart, "So she doesn’t want to inquire but plans to apply as a teacher at the academy?"

Zhulan, "The reasons must be numerous."

She suspected Mrs. Luo’s intentions; more interactions could broaden one’s perspective. She wondered if Master Luo was hiding, as she knew the elder had also gone to the estate.

"Her opening was well-written, addressing you as Principal and listing her qualifications."

Zhulan set the letter aside, "If she wants to apply, let her come; as long as she’s competent, I won’t stand in her way."

Yu Wen giggled, "Grandmother, you have quite a few spirited female teachers at your academy."

Zhulan also laughed, "Indeed, I hope everyone has their own thoughts."

Yu Wen sincerely said, "Grandmother, I think you’re amazing."

A few days later in Lizhou City, Chang Zhi had met his second uncle and had also seen his second brother’s brother-in-law, who had returned from his studies and prepared to participate in this year’s Qiu Wei.

Chang Zhi left today; there were less than four guards when he arrived, but over thirty when he departed.

These guards’ families would gradually move to the capital afterward; it’s not his responsibility anymore, as his eldest brother will arrange things.

Chang Zhi had even changed his carriage; he was very low-key when he arrived, but he’s not low-key anymore while leaving, as he, the chief examiner of Chuanzhou Province, is expected to show his face.

Wu Chun personally escorted him to the city gates, "Be careful in every situation, pay attention to safety if anything goes wrong."

Chang Zhi, "I will remember. I’ll return when I am done with my duties."

Wu Chun, "Alright."

Chang Zhi was not traveling alone; he had Qianjiang with him, who had arrived first at the city gate and noticed the vastly changed Mr. Zhou. Qianjiang wondered if there were too many guards.

Qianjiang came with his parents to Lizhou, knowing only that their son was traveling with someone, but seeing this setup, Qian’s father asked, "Son, didn’t you say you were traveling with a scholar?"

Yang the General, ah, Qian’s father had not only met but upon seeing the neat guards, swallowed hard.

Qianjiang was bewildered; he thought Mr. Zhou didn’t want people to know he was in Chuanzhou early, so everyone was sworn to secrecy and dared not tell his father the truth, thinking Mr. Zhou would remain low-key until arriving in Chuanzhou, but never imagined him to be so high-profile!

Chang Zhi came over, "Let’s go."

Qianjiang had a dry throat, "Mr. Zhou, what is this?"

Chang Zhi understood at once and laughed, "I’m not afraid of people knowing."

Qianjiang, "..."

Qian’s father, "!!"