Traveling to another world and becoming a local owner

"I can't wait to have a chance to match Brother Zhang's talent. If you can't pass the imperial examination, then people like me will have no hope in this life. My father is an honest official and has been the magistrate of Yingyang County for more than ten years. However, no one in Yingyang County has been on the list for many years, and even for the candidates who can pass the imperial examination, there have been only a few, and there has been no one in the past two years. My father does not ask Brother Zhang to win the top spot in the imperial examination, but even if he can pass the imperial examination and become a top three Jinshi, it can be regarded as repaying the kindness of Minister Lu for his cultivation." Zhou Yixing bowed to the distance and spoke frankly.

"This is a serious matter. Let me think about it." Zhang Ling nodded thoughtfully after hearing this. He didn't want to agree, but he didn't know how to refuse.

"The provincial examination is imminent, with only a month left. If Brother Zhang has any plans, you must let me know as soon as possible so that my father can find a way to arrange the examination for you." Seeing that he seemed reluctant, Zhou Yixing spoke quickly.

"But I have no achievements, how can I take part in the imperial examination?" Zhang Ling had no choice but to speak out.

"This is not a difficult matter. My father already knows that Brother Zhang attended school when he was young. The only thing he lacks is the status of a student. If Brother Zhang is interested in a career in politics, my father will take care of this matter." Zhou Yixing smiled when he heard him say this.

"Well, I'll consider it and give you a reply in one or two days." Zhang Ling was speechless. It turned out that he wanted to get himself a status of a student, and it was real. Although he was happy, he also knew that this matter could be a big deal or a small one.

"Okay, it's a deal! Come on, let's continue drinking." Seeing that the other party seemed moved, Zhou Yixing stopped asking about it.

After the banquet, Zhang Ling went out to see them off and gave them two jars of five-jin Huangliang Xianjiu as gifts.

Perhaps Zhou Yi was in high spirits during the banquet and drank a little too much. He fell into a deep sleep as soon as he sat in the carriage. Xia Wenshan had no choice but to say goodbye to Zhang Ling and said that he would send someone to bring the wine back in the afternoon.

After seeing the two off, Zhang Ling felt a little dizzy and went back to his room to rest.

Before I lay down, Xin'er knocked on the door and came in.

"What's wrong? Is there something wrong?" Zhang Ling asked as he quickly put on his clothes.

"Young Master, how are you going to respond to what Mr. Zhou said just now?" Xin'er turned her head away and waited for him to tidy up his appearance before asking with a blushing face.

"Although a career in politics is difficult, that's secondary. If I really pass the imperial examination and enter the court, I will inevitably be involved in intrigue all day long and live an extremely uncomfortable life. How can I live a carefree and happy life like I do now?" Zhang Ling put his hands behind his back and frowned slightly.

"Then young master, you know that a happy life is based on power. Without power, you can only be bullied and manipulated by others. I don't know how good your relationship is with that Mr. Zhou, but if you reject him, it will definitely bring unnecessary trouble. Even if it doesn't, you two will never be able to drink and talk freely like you do today. At that time, the more talented you are, the more jealousy you will attract from others." Xin'er looked melancholy and her tone was full of worry.

"Xin'er, you are about the same age as me, how come you know such profound truths?" Zhang Ling was surprised when he heard this, and his eyes were full of confusion.

"None of this is important. What's important is that Young Master Zhou said that in the court, the officials of Jingzhou, headed by Minister Lu, form their own faction. If the young master refuses tomorrow, no matter what he does in the future, he will have difficulty moving forward." Xin'er ignored his question and looked a little worried.

"Well, you are right. It would be fine if I stay in Wangshan Village in the future. No one will care about me if I live in a remote place. But if I want to enter Yingyang County or even Anyang County, they will definitely make things difficult for me everywhere." Zhang Ling nodded and agreed in his heart.

"That's right. Businessmen value profits, scholars seek fame, and officials seek power. The young master's poetry collection has been published, and his reputation will surely spread. If he does not become a disciple of Minister Lu in the future, he will surely incur the wrath of the Jingzhou faction." Xin'er expressed all her concerns.

"Oh, I shouldn't have published this poetry collection if I had known earlier. Now look what has happened, and I am being forced to make a decision." Zhang Ling sighed helplessly, and sat at the table depressed, not knowing what to do for a moment.

"Yes, and we must join them, otherwise we will get into trouble." Seeing this, Xin'er directly expressed her thoughts.

"Okay, I understand. It seems that I can't write any more poems in the future, otherwise I will attract jealousy sooner or later. I originally wanted to live an ordinary life, earn endless money, buy endless land to farm, and live a leisurely and carefree life. Now it seems that it is just a thought." Zhang Ling sighed, feeling a little regretful.

"Mr. Bu Yi, on the contrary, you should not only write poetry, but also write more and better. If one day your fame is known to everyone, then others who want to touch you will have to think twice first." Xin'er spoke slowly and her words were powerful.

"Oh, yes! There is some truth in what you said." Zhang Ling slapped his forehead and suddenly realized.

"And when you have power and fame, even though you can't live a leisurely and carefree life, you will still have endless money to spend and endless land to cultivate." Xin'er said with a smile when she saw that he had figured it out.

"Xin'er, you are really my female Zhuge Liang. Why didn't I realize you are so smart before?" Zhang Ling's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he excitedly held the other's hand.

"Young Master, you..." Xin'er was frightened by this action, her cheeks slightly red, and she hurriedly tried to pull her hand out, but Zhang Ling was too strong and she couldn't break free for a while.

"Oh, oh. Sorry, sorry, I was excited at the moment. I'm sorry." Seeing this, Zhang Ling quickly let go of her hand, looking very embarrassed.

"Well, it's okay. Master, please think about it carefully. I'll go back to my room first." Xin'er's face was flushed, and she lowered her head and hurried out the door.

After she left, Zhang Ling no longer worried about the matter and slept soundly for the whole afternoon. It was not until someone from Xia Ji Trading Company came that Xin'er came to wake him up.

The person who came was none other than Shopkeeper Zhao, who was accompanied by a group of shop assistants.

After welcoming Manager Zhao into the front hall and letting him sit for a while, Zhang Ling asked Daniu and his men to move all the Huangliang Xian Wine to the door. The shop assistants were about to go and help but were stopped by Li Liulang.

One hundred kilograms of wine were quickly loaded onto the carriage, and Manager Zhao politely took out a thousand-liang silver note and handed it to Zhang Ling.

"Manager Zhao, didn't you already pay a deposit of one thousand taels? Why do you need to pay more?" Zhang Ling was a little confused when he saw this.

"Oh, Mr. Zhang, you don't know that the previous one thousand taels was just a deposit, which also represents the sincerity of our company. It cannot be counted as money for buying wine." Shopkeeper Zhao explained with a smile.

"I see!" Zhang Ling thought thoughtfully and felt that this was similar to the franchise fee or deposit he was familiar with. If the Xia family violated the agreement in the future, then this money would be regarded as liquidated damages.

He said nothing more, took the banknotes, and then politely invited them to stay for dinner.