Flowers in full bloom

But Rong Jin is different. Although he is not in the court now, he is a student of the Imperial College. The Imperial College is full of children of aristocratic families and is particularly well-informed. Shortly after the Dragon Boat Festival, he heard the news that the books used for the imperial examinations would be printed by the printing house, and also learned about the various tug-of-wars between the various parties in the court. There were opponents and supporters, which gave the emperor a headache for several months. When he thought it would be nothing, he saw Hua Lei's contract. When he heard that the instigator of the whole thing was Hua Lei, he finally couldn't help but scream.

"Did something happen? Will it affect Hua Yatou?" Mrs. Pei was a little anxious. Rong Jin realized that she had frightened Mrs. Pei, and hurriedly told her briefly what happened in the court. "Grandma, this is a good thing, not a bad thing," she said to comfort her. Hua Lei, who was originally frightened, also calmed down.

Mrs. Pei listened to Rong Jin's story and understood the situation. It should be said that Hualei planted willows unintentionally and the willows grew into shades. At first, he just wanted to find a way out for his own bookstore, but he didn't expect that it would bring great benefits to the poor scholars in the world.

When the previous emperor was in power, he was a man of great talent and strategy, determined to govern the country, and a benevolent and wise ruler. On the one hand, he made use of military generals and guarded the borders of the Great Sheng Dynasty like an iron barrel, so that the enemy troops that were ready to make moves always lingered outside the border line.

On the other hand, the emperor was committed to improving the imperial examination system and issued a series of policy measures to select more talents for the court. The current emperor's talent and wisdom are even greater than that of the previous emperor. The suggestion to use books and printing presses for the imperial examination should be a breakthrough point.

In the past, the books used for the imperial examinations had always been official editions, and everyone just stuck to the rules and never thought of changing it, nor did they think it could be changed in this way. Hua Lei's unintentional act gave Gui Jijiu an epiphany, and he should have reported it directly to the current emperor. After hearing it, the emperor should have agreed immediately in his heart. The reason why it was delayed for so long in the court should be that the emperor did it on purpose. If he wanted the opponents to agree, giving orders directly was not the best option.

After all, the power of the opposing aristocratic families cannot be underestimated, so the emperor's goal is to take it step by step and try to advance this matter as smoothly as possible. Now the emperor's goal should have been achieved, so the result of the imperial examination using the bookstore has come out.

Jijiuzhi did not promote Hualei, on the one hand, he might be suspected of stealing the credit, on the other hand, he should also be considering protecting Hualei. After all, no one knows what the result of this suggestion will be until the end. If it is not passed, Hualei will become the target of public criticism.

Gui Jijiu now seems to have taken the credit, but at the time, he also helped Hualei bear a huge risk. The contract that Gui Jijiu gave to Hualei now is compensation for Hualei.

Moreover, Madam Pei also carefully read the contract. The contract has a term of ten years, which is also the longest term that Jijiu can give. That is to say, within these ten years, even if the position of Jijiu is replaced one day, this contract will still be valid. This is the greatest benefit and the greatest protection for Hualei. After all, Hualei is powerless now and urgently needs this official recognition.

After hearing what Mrs. Pei said, Hua Lei felt even more grateful to Gui Jijiu. She didn't blame Gui Jijiu for taking credit. If Gui Jijiu hadn't done this and pushed Hua Lei out earlier, Hua Lei and her brother might have been beaten to death in an alley by some radical opponent before the result came out.

Hua Lei was frightened. She had never thought that a simple idea like hers, which was to find a way out for her bookstore, would endanger the lives of her and her brother. She should be more cautious in the future. Madam Pei patted Hua Lei and comforted her.

The next day, Pei, the housekeeper, calmly sent Gui Jijiu a big gift, saying only that he was thanking him on behalf of Hualei and her brother. Everyone was smart, and some things didn't need to be said. Gui Jijiu also put down his heart after receiving the thank-you gift. In return, one of the two special sales points in Xicheng District was given to Zhenzhu Bookstore for a three-year term. Zhenzhu was also very happy. This matter ended quietly.

As the saying goes, good things come in pairs. After more than half a month, Uncle Fu came to the back door of the mansion to find Hua Lei again. He said that Brother Fang Youdi had sent another message. The owner of the farm that his family bought 20 acres of land last time wanted to sell all the remaining 80 acres. He asked Hua Lei if she wanted it. If she did, she should decide as soon as possible and go to see it. Hua Lei decided immediately and went to see it the next day.

The next day, after the girls' school was dismissed, Hualei reported to Mrs. Pei, and then she got on Uncle Fu's mule cart and followed Manager Chen to the farm. Today, Brother Fang Youdi did not go, because he was said to have a hand injury and could not drive the mule cart.

The mule cart drove out of the east city gate and walked along the road from west to east for less than an hour. It turned southeast and walked for about another quarter of an hour. A village was seen in the distance. The group got off the mule cart and walked slowly along a compacted yellow mud road about four or five meters wide. There were rice fields on both sides of the road. The rice had already formed ears and was still a little green. It was estimated that it would take another two months to mature and be harvested.

Manager Chen introduced the manor as he walked. This manor is called Baihua Manor. The original owner was a sixth-rank official in the Ministry of Industry. He bought it three years ago and put a lot of thought into it. Unfortunately, he was implicated by his family's direct lineage and had to sell the manor in a hurry and return home.

The manor originally had a total of 100 mu. 70 mu of land plus a small hillside of about 30 mu. Because 20 mu had been sold to you, there were 50 mu of paddy fields left, 8 taels per mu, a total of 400 taels, 30 mu of hills per mu, 3 taels per mu, a total of 90 taels, and three families of slaves, a total of 21 people, also counted as 90 taels. These three families were communicated in advance and were willing to stay. The original manager of the manor had left because he wanted to leave with the master. In this way, the total silver is 580 taels. Of course, you can choose not to buy these three families of slaves, or keep one or two families, it's all fine, and the silver can be deducted separately at that time.

Hua Lei nodded and said, "Okay, let's take a look at the manor first." As they were talking, the group arrived in front of the mansion. A small group of people were already standing in the open space in front of the mansion. They should be the three servants mentioned by Uncle Chen. When they saw Hua Lei and his group coming, they immediately bowed. The leader, a middle-aged man in his forties, said, "Hello, Manager Chen, and hello to everyone."

Manager Chen nodded and introduced with a smile, "This is Miss Hua, who wants to come and see the manor. Can Brother Zheng give us a general introduction and then show us around?" "Okay, Manager Chen, Miss Hua, this way please." Uncle Zheng pointed to a few stools under the eaves and asked someone to bring tea.