Chapter 738: Liu Xian

Tianwen is quite right. It’s already commendable for a wealthy merchant to donate ten thousand taels of silver. Spending ten thousand taels for a good reputation is reasonable, but a hundred thousand taels would be far too expensive. If donating a hundred thousand taels allowed their children to study at Yingtian Academy, I estimate many wealthy merchants would be willing to contribute that much. However, this would effectively turn Yingtian Academy into a private school for the wealthy. The dean would likely not agree, and King Luyang certainly wouldn't.

Liu Xian said solemnly, his tone firm and forceful.

Chen Qian smiled slightly, offering no comment. Changing his tone, he said, “Alright, that’s all for today. Lectures will be suspended for three months, during which you can arrange your own activities. When you return in three months, each of you must submit a policy essay concerning Qufu County.”

“Yes, Master,” Wang Tianwen and the others replied in unison. They were not in a hurry to leave.

They only left after Chen Qian had departed.

Wang Tianwen, Liu Xian, Sun Jiawen, and Fang Ziyi walked side by side. The four of them had entered Yingtian Academy on the same day and were quite close.

“Brother Liu Xian, do you have any plans? What topic are you thinking of for your policy essay?” Wang Tianwen asked casually.

“I plan to write a policy essay about agriculture. Most of the land in Qufu County is controlled by the powerful and influential, and common people have very little land. What about you all?” Liu Xian came from a poor family; they owned very little land. Most people in his village were tenant farmers for Steward Li, and the situation was similar in other villages—land was controlled by prominent families. Poor families mostly rented land from these prominent families to cultivate, living very difficult lives. During famine years, the fortunate could still chew on bark, but the less fortunate couldn't even find bark. To prevent their children from starving, common people could only sell them as servants to prominent families, which was a way to survive. For common people, land was life itself.

“I plan to write a policy essay on commerce. If commerce thrives, the government can collect more taxes, and in times of natural disasters or calamities, they will have funds for relief. To be effective, one must first be strong; if the government is impoverished, the people will surely suffer.” Wang Tianwen chose to write about commerce, driven by both public spirit and personal interest. He had a bold idea: it would be excellent if his family could develop in the Central Plains. The Eastern Barrens was the last region to be developed by humans. Frankly, while cultivation resources in the Eastern Barrens are not few, most are controlled by major powers. The Wang family only controlled certain territories but no mineral resources. The Northern Frontier is rich in minerals, the Southern Sea in demonic beasts, and the Central Plains serve as a hub for the Eastern Barrens, Southern Sea, Western Desert, and Northern Frontier. If the Wang family could establish itself in the Central Plains cultivation world, they could transport minerals from the Northern Frontier to sell in the Southern Sea, and likewise, transport demonic beast resources from the Southern Sea to sell in the Northern Frontier. Of course, this would require strong military power, which is how major powers operate. The Wang family was not familiar with the Central Plains cultivation world, so Wang Tianwen planned to investigate it himself. If he could understand the profit models of cultivation families in the Central Plains, the Wang family could learn from them. He also had his own personal reasons for doing this; he genuinely liked the atmosphere of the Central Plains cultivation world, and it would be great if his family could develop there.

“What about you two?” Wang Tianwen looked at Sun Jiawen and Fang Ziyi.

Sun Jiawen came from a family of officials; he was somewhat blunt and preferred to act according to his own disposition. As for Fang Ziyi, she claimed her family was in business, but Wang Tianwen didn't believe her. Fang Ziyi's demeanor and speech didn't resemble that of a merchant's daughter at all. Everyone had their secrets; she didn't want to say, and Wang Tianwen didn't press her.

Sun Jiawen chuckled and said, “I plan to write about the selection and promotion of officials; I’m familiar with that area.”

A good official can bring prosperity to a region, while a cruel one can bring ruin.

Fang Ziyi smiled sweetly and said, “I plan to write about water conservancy. The destruction of the Black Dragon River’s embankment means the magistrate of Dongyang County bears significant responsibility. Neglecting water conservancy is unacceptable; water can irrigate fields, but it can also kill.”

Liu Xian hesitated slightly, then looked at Wang Tianwen and said sincerely, “Brother Tianwen, didn’t you say last time that you wanted to visit my home? If you don’t mind how humble my home is, please stay with us for a while. My third uncle works at a restaurant in the county town; he could tell you about how a restaurant operates, which should be useful to you.”

Wang Tianwen was easygoing, gentle, and approachable.

Sun Jiawen came from a family of officials; his personality was straightforward, and he spoke his mind. Most of what he spoke about were official matters, leaving Liu Xian quite confused.

Fang Ziyi seemed to have no airs, but Liu Xian could tell that she wasn’t close to anyone, merely polite on the surface.

Wang Tianwen pondered for a moment, then agreed.

Half an hour later, they left Yingtian Academy and parted ways.

Wang Tianwen patted his spirit beast pouch, and a tall Azure-Scaled Horse flew out, landing in front of him.

“Brother Liu Xian, where is your home? Riding my spirit horse will be faster.”

“It’s in Liujia Village, Pingjiang County, only about five hundred li from Yingtian Academy.”

Wang Tianwen nodded, swung onto the horse, and extended his right hand to pull Liu Xian up.

He patted the Azure-Scaled Horse’s flank, and the horse’s four legs moved, quickly galloping forward. This Azure-Scaled Horse was already a low-grade second-tier beast, so its running speed was very fast.

After less than half a day, Wang Tianwen and Liu Xian appeared outside Liujia Village.

“Let’s dismount, Brother Liu Xian, we’ve arrived.”

Wang Tianwen and Liu Xian dismounted. Wang Tianwen put away the Azure-Scaled Horse, and walked with Liu Xian into Liujia Village.

This action greatly increased Liu Xian’s favorable impression of him.

Cultivators in the Central Plains cultivation world lived among mortals, and their status was far superior. The Azure-Scaled Horse clearly wasn't something a mortal would own. If Wang Tianwen had ridden it to Liu Xian’s home, Liu Xian’s parents would certainly have treated him as a cultivator.

It was midday, and the weather was hot.

Farmers dressed in coarse cloth toiled in the fields, sweating profusely, their cheeks flushed red from the scorching sun.

A tall, dark-faced man said with a smile, a hint of envy in his voice: “Liu Erlengzi is back! I heard you got into Yingtian Academy. When you make something of yourself, don’t forget your Uncle Dali.”

“Uncle Dali, you jest. I’m just a student now. Where are my parents? Did they go back to rest so early? That doesn’t seem right!”

“After you got into Yingtian Academy, Steward Li immediately exempted your family from rent and even gave you over fifty mu of land. Our family is now your family’s tenant household. Your parents are truly fortunate to have raised such a promising son. Your family will soon be the second Steward Li.”

Liu Xian was slightly stunned. He had planned to write a policy essay criticizing the powerful and influential for occupying vast amounts of land. In the blink of an eye, his family had over fifty mu of land, and his former neighbors had become his tenant households?

Given this, how could he still write a policy essay on agriculture? Wouldn’t that be criticizing himself?

Wang Tianwen showed a thoughtful expression. He was somewhat curious about how Liu Xian would write his policy essay now.