Mr. Zhao's mansion was located in the northern district of the capital. Although Mr. Zhao's family was rich, some things could not be done with money alone.
No matter how rich he was, he could not live in the area where only the real dignitaries could live. This was determined by his identity.
Although businessmen were not untouchables, they were still looked down upon by the upper class.
They were not allowed to become officials. Just this one rule was enough to completely restrict them in certain aspects.
Therefore, Mr. Zhao, who was playing chess with a friend, immediately dropped the game and hurried out to greet the county magistrate when he heard that the county magistrate came to visit.
Seeing a person walking over from afar, Squire Zhao hurriedly went up to greet him and said with fear and trepidation: "Lord Liu, your presence brings light to my humble abode. I, Zhao, hope that Lord Liu will forgive me for not going out to greet you!"
It was not the first time that he met Lord Liu. When Lord Liu had just been promoted to the capital magistrate, he had contacted many gentry and rich businessmen. This was probably what every county magistrate would do after taking office. At that time, Mr. Zhao only clinked his cup with him and did not even have the chance to talk to him.
Today, County Magistrate Liu came to visit him in person. His purpose was unknown, but it was impossible for him to play chess with him. Mr. Zhao immediately became nervous.
County Magistrate Liu smiled and said, "Haha, if Mr. Zhao's mansion can be called a humble abode, then I really don't know how to describe my county government …"
Mr. Zhao saw that he was smiling and did not seem to be looking for trouble. Mr. Zhao relaxed a little and stretched out his hand, "Lord Liu, please come in."
"Come on, serve the tea. Take out my treasured tea!"
County Magistrate Liu was a tea lover. After taking a sip of the tea, he praised it. Steward Zhao absent-mindedly added a few words. The two of them chatted about tea leaves, daily life, and business affairs. Time passed by unconsciously. Those who didn't know might think that they were close friends …
Finally, Mr. Zhao could not help but look at County Magistrate Liu cautiously and asked, "Why did you come to my humble abode?"
County Magistrate Liu put down the teacup unhurriedly and asked with a smile, "Do you know that the imperial court is going to build an academy?"
"I've heard of it." Zhao Yuanwai nodded. This matter had caused quite a stir in the capital recently. He knew that this matter seemed to have something to do with the Eldest Princess, but he didn't pay too much attention to the specifics.
Then, he realized something. He looked at County Magistrate Liu and asked, "Lord Liu, what do you mean?"
"To tell you the truth, we've encountered some difficulties in raising funds for the Academy." County Magistrate Liu looked at Squire Zhao with a smile and asked, "I wonder if Squire Zhao is willing to be generous and do something for the poor students in the world?"
Zhao Yuanwai was taken aback. Poor students? Poor students? What did it have to do with him? Why did he have to be so generous?
It turned out that this Lord Liu had come today to ask him to donate money. The Zhao Family was indeed rich, but this money did not grow on trees. Why should he donate it?
A trace of dissatisfaction flashed in the depths of Zhao Yuanwai's eyes, but he didn't show it. The smile on his face became brighter and he said, "Of course I'm willing. I've always wanted to do something for the country — Zhao Fu, go to the accountant and get 100 taels of silver!"
100 taels of silver was not much for him. It wouldn't cost him much, and he could give this Lord Liu an explanation.
He didn't refuse at all. It was not a wise choice to offend County Magistrate Liu for a little money. So he simply set the amount so that County Magistrate Liu wouldn't ask again.
County Magistrate Liu still had a smile on his face and said, "On behalf of the poor students in the world, I thank Squire Zhao in advance."
Zhao Yuanwai nodded repeatedly, "It's my pleasure."
The housekeeper of the Zhao Family quickly took out 100 taels of silver, and naturally a runner helped to accept it.
"I still have something to do, so I'll leave first." County Magistrate Liu and Zhao Yuanwai exchanged some polite words and then stood up to leave.
Zhao Yuanwai stood up and said, "See Lord Liu off."
Although he lost 100 taels of silver in vain, it was worth it to see this Bodhisattva off.
"If it weren't for the fact that I really can't take out so much silver, I would like to donate more." When they walked to the gate of the mansion, County Magistrate Liu shook his head and said, "Squire Xu from the south of the city donated 3,000 taels of silver to a library for the academy. Shopkeeper Zhang from the north of the city donated 1,000 taels of silver to a school. I'm afraid both of them have the opportunity to be listed on the Academy Stele. I'm very envious."
"Academy Stele … Dare I ask, what is an Academy Stele?" Zhao Yuanwai didn't hear him mention this matter just now, so he asked doubtfully.
County Magistrate Liu smiled and explained, "To build so many academies in various places, a large amount of silver is needed. The national treasury can't take out so much money in a short time, so we can only collect donations from various places. When Squire Xu donated to the library, a stele will be erected in front of the library. It will clearly state who donated it, so that the students will remember who gave them books to study and whose kindness they should be indebted to …"
"In front of the school donated by Shopkeeper Zhang, there will also be a similar stele. As for the Academy Stele, it will be erected in front of the entire academy. You will see it before you enter the gate. It is personally written by His Majesty. Anyone who has contributed to the academy can be nominated on the Academy Stele. The purpose is to let the students remember who gave them everything they have."
"Unfortunately, the Academy Stele will only be erected once. After this time, unless one has made an extremely significant contribution to the academy, it will be impossible to be nominated …"
Hearing this, Zhao Yuanwai stopped in his tracks and stood there in a daze.
This Sir Liu didn't mention this to him just now!
He, Zhao Ritian, had spent half of his life in business. It was fine if people looked down on him, but he didn't want his children and grandchildren to be like this.
He didn't want his children to be unable to hold their heads up high forever and never be able to walk with their backs straight.
Therefore, he didn't mind spending a lot of money to hire the best teachers for his son, buying the best paper and pens. He even hired four study companions. Wasn't it all for the sake of his son's future success, to pass the imperial examinations, and for the Zhao Family to get rid of the shadow of being a family of merchants …
Why did he do all this? Wasn't it for fame?
Donating to the school, donating to the library, and carving his name on the stele in front of the academy. That stele was personally written by His Majesty?
From today onwards, who would dare to look down on him, Zhao Ritian?
Who would dare to be dissatisfied?
If you have the ability, why don't you carve your name on the stele and let His Majesty personally write it?
That was an academy, after all. Who knew how many people who graduated from there would achieve success and fame in the future, soaring into the sky with a single leap. At that time, perhaps those officials in the imperial court would occasionally remember the familiar name they saw on the academy's monument when they were young and studying.
Zhao Ritian.
Even if there was only one person who remembered it, it was enough for him and the Zhao Family.
Not to mention how much those high-ranking officials would remember the kindness of the past, other than the tombstone, to be able to carve his name on the stele was something that he could brag about for the rest of his life.
Just now, County Magistrate Liu said that this opportunity was only available once. If he missed this opportunity, there wouldn't be another one like this.
Damn Squire Xu. He was indebted to him in the past, but he didn't bring him along for such a good thing. A hint of anger appeared on Zhao Yuanwai's face, but it quickly disappeared. The smile on his face was unprecedentedly bright. He caught up with County Magistrate Liu in a few steps. Seeing that County Magistrate Liu was about to step out of the mansion, he hurriedly said, "Sir, please wait!"
County Magistrate Liu looked back at him and smiled, "Oh, Squire Zhao, is there anything else?"
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