In Ning Wang Fu, in a certain room, Steward Wang looked at a stack of account books in front of him. Worry appeared on his chubby face.
As the steward that was responsible for managing the outside businesses of the wang fu, he had the habit of thoroughly checking the accounts every month.
This way, he could understand the income of the wang fu every month. Compared to previous years, it had increased or decreased, and where the reason was. If the income decreased by too much, it would be hard for him to explain it to his superiors.
And this was the problem he was currently worrying about.
It was almost the end of the year. Even if he added up all of the profits of the wang fu's outside businesses, it would only be half of what it was last year. Two months later, it would only be seventy percent of what it was last year. That would be his negligence.
If wang ye blamed him, he would most likely not be able to keep his position as the steward.
Luckily, the Ruyi dew and spirit wine factory had already started operations. The shops in the city would officially open tomorrow. These two businesses were his greatest hopes.
But he wasn't sure how much profit he would be able to make.
What if … …
Steward Wang felt uneasy. Just as he was feeling vexed, the door was suddenly pushed open by someone. A brat about ten years old ran in.
The brat's little face was still slightly immature, but it was seventy to eighty percent similar to Steward Wang. Especially his round body and round face. He ran in front of Steward Wang and stretched out a chubby little hand. He said, "Daddy, give me a few copper coins, I want to buy candied haws to eat."
Steward Wang was feeling vexed when he suddenly saw the brat's round face. A nameless fire rose in his heart and he scolded, "Eat, eat, eat, all you know is to eat. Look at what you've eaten!"
The brat was still thinking about going out later to try the "sugar snow ball" that Liu shi's candied haws had released a few days ago. He had heard a few of his friends say that the sugar snow ball tasted even better than the candied haws. He impatiently ran in to ask his father for money and was scolded for no reason. He froze where he was.
"Have you memorized all the lessons that teacher taught you?" Seeing the brat standing there in a daze, Housekeeper Wang became even angrier and asked with a straight face.
He was not cut out for studying, and only managed to pass the Elementary Scholar exam. After that, he suffered many setbacks, and eventually found a job in the Prince's Mansion. Over the past ten years, he had worked his way up to where he was today. Although the other High Scholars did not live as well as he did, but studying was the right thing to do. He wanted to hand over his unfulfilled dream to his son, but who would have thought that this brat had no interest in studying, and would never forget to eat … He was really his biological son.
"Yes, I can." The naughty brat still had some eyesight. He knew that he couldn't provoke his father right now, so he stuttered.
"Recite it for me."
He didn't know what was wrong with his father today. Why did he suddenly want to test him on his homework? The devilish brat rejoiced in his heart. Fortunately, he had memorized those convoluted words yesterday. He immediately recited them. Although he stumbled, he didn't make any mistakes.
After listening to the naughty child recite it, Housekeeper Wang's expression finally became a little better.
However, he had some doubts in his heart. In the past, when he was tested on his homework, this brat had never been able to completely recite it. What was going on this time? Was he bewitched?
He originally thought that if he couldn't recite it, he would reprimand him, warning him to study hard and not to only think about playing and eating all day … He didn't expect the naughty brat to perform so well. The reprimand that he had prepared immediately became useless.
His good plan was interrupted, and Housekeeper Wang's face became serious again. He casually pulled over a piece of white paper, picked up a pen, and wrote a few lines on it. He handed it to the naughty brat and said, "There is no end to learning. Don't be arrogant and complacent. Go and memorize these lines. I'll check them at night."
A few days ago, when they were on the mountain, the female teacher made the group of children recite these lines. Housekeeper Wang's ears almost grew calluses from listening to them that day, so he inadvertently memorized those lines.
At this time, he could use these lines to send the naughty brat away. At least before he could memorize them, he wouldn't bother him.
"Go, go …" Housekeeper Wang waved his hand and said impatiently.
The naughty brat took the paper and walked out of the room in a daze. His ten-year-old brain still couldn't completely understand why he didn't receive a reward when he had clearly memorized them, but a punishment for continuing to memorize …
The naughty brat, who had been tricked by his father, sat under the eaves of the side room with a lifeless expression. He raised his head and looked at the sky, revealing an expression of despair.
After a long time, the naughty brat let out a long sigh and raised the paper in his hand. Having attended a private school for a few years, he could already recognize quite a few words. Soon, a voice sounded from under the eaves.
"The rules of a disciple, the teachings of a saint, are first filial piety, then trustworthiness.
Love the masses, be close to the people, and if you have the strength to spare, learn literature … sigh … "
The voice was clear and lively like a child's, yet it was mixed with sighs. It was a bit out of place with the atmosphere at this time.
… …
At the same time, a middle-aged man with a dignified expression walked out of Prince Ning's study. He rubbed the space between his brows. The cold autumn wind blew past, and it actually made him much more clear-headed.
"Sir Prefect, shall I escort you back?" An old man wearing the robes of a housekeeper walked over and said respectfully.
The middle-aged man waved his hand and said, "There's no need. I know the roads in the manor. You can walk back yourself."
Hearing this, the old man didn't insist. He watched the middle-aged man's figure disappear before turning to leave.
At this time, the middle-aged man walking in the manor had a worried expression on his face.
As the prefect of Qing 'an Fu, he was in charge of all matters in the manor. In another two months, he would return to the capital to report on his duties. At that time, the court would conduct an examination of his achievements, including this year's situation with regards to Qing' an Fu's population, land clearing, tax collection, food, public security, education, and other aspects. He would be promoted, punished, and rewarded accordingly.
He wasn't worried about farming and collecting taxes, but he was worried about the education of the people.
The students of Qing 'an Fu had not performed well in this year's examinations. The number of imperial examinations they had received was far less than in previous years. This way, his achievements in education would be greatly reduced.
But the work of education could not be accomplished in a day. Although improvements in other areas could completely cover up the lack of education, it was still somewhat embarrassing.
After all, Qing 'an Fu was the largest city in the Jing Kingdom other than the capital. The number of students was also second only to the capital. In previous years, the number of students who passed the examinations was enough to compete with the capital, but this time, they were left far behind.
As he was thinking about this matter, he suddenly heard a child's voice when he passed by a certain room.
"The rules of the disciples, the teachings of the saints, the first is filial piety, the second is honesty.
Sigh … love the masses, be close to the people, and have the strength to spare, learn literature … Tang Xueqiu, Tang Xueqiu, sigh … "
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