Starting from a thatched cottage, the farmer embarked on the road to wealth through imperial examina

Chapter 403: Starting Your Own Business

When Zhu Yuchun and his two fellow apprentices heard what Xiao Yankai said, they all turned their gazes towards Mr. Cai, who was sitting in the seat of honor with a warm smile on his face.

Judging from how Mr. Cai tested Wulang just now, Wulang is indeed a good candidate. After hearing Xiao Yankai's proposal, Zhu Yuchun and his two brothers were actually somewhat tempted. However, if they really accepted Wulang as their disciple, then the hierarchy would be messed up.

When Ye Xiaozheng and Lian heard Xiao Yankai's suggestion, they thought that if they really took Sanlang's senior brother as their teacher, it would really mess up the generations. However, Wulang did have a talent for studying. If he could have a teacher who was knowledgeable and of high moral character, then Wulang's study would definitely be a smooth journey.

This can be seen from the fact that Sanlang became Cai Lao's disciple. Under Cai Lao's careful guidance, Sanlang is now studying in the best academy in the world. Thinking of this, Ye Xiaozheng and the Lian couple looked at each other, at Ye Changyan, and then at Sanlang, and finally cast their eyes on Cai Lao.

Erniu didn't have much idea about these things, but Zhong Yunfeng was a little excited at this moment. His elder brother-in-law became a disciple of the former chief academician of the Imperial College and was now studying in the Imperial College. If his younger brother-in-law could also become a disciple of Master Cai, it would naturally be great. However, the three disciples of Master Cai were all powerful characters.

Especially the eldest disciple Zhu Yuchun, who is only in his early thirties, but has already been promoted to a third-rank official, and a powerful position as the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Zhong Yunfeng's cousin Zhong Dingren is almost fifty years old. After so many years of hard work, he has now been the Tongzhi of Yangzhou for seven or eight years.

In the eyes of the Zhong clan and outsiders, Zhong Dingren is the most promising person in the Zhong family. He also has several clan members to teach around him. Zhong Dingren used to be a towering figure in the eyes of Zhong Yunfeng. But after he came to Shengjing several times, especially after meeting Ye Changyan's senior brothers and the father and son of the Xiao family, Zhong Yunfeng finally understood what it meant that there are always better people out there.

A few days ago, before Zhong Yunfeng set off for Beijing, my father received a lot of gifts from his uncle, which was rare. In the past, my father would send local specialties to Yangzhou during the four seasons and festivals. After all, my eldest brother is now with my uncle. After my father opened the gifts sent by my uncle, there was also a letter inside. Most of the words in his heart were praising my eldest brother for his studious nature and his bright future.

However, at the end of the letter, the cousin mentioned tactfully that he had been the Tongzhi of Yangzhou for many years, and heard that a fellow student of Zhong Yunfeng's future brother-in-law Ye Changyan was now the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. He wanted to see if he could find a way to smooth the relationship and give some help to the official in his performance evaluation and promotion.

Before leaving for Yuzhou Prefecture, Zhong Dingyi tactfully told Zhong Yunfeng that his uncle had taken good care of his elder brother over the years, and if he could be of help, he should say a few good words for him. After all, Zhong Dingren's promotion was an honor for the entire Zhong family, and it would also be of great help to the status and influence of the entire Zhong family in Yuzhou Prefecture.

I went to Yujing Palace in a hurry when I arrived in Beijing yesterday, but I haven't found a suitable opportunity to talk about this with Ye Changyan yet.

Zhong Yunfeng was very excited at the moment. If his brother-in-law really became Zhu Yuchun's disciple as Xiao Yankai suggested, then his in-laws' family would be very powerful. In the future, his children would have two such uncles. The more Zhong Yunfeng thought about it, the happier and more excited he became. He still remembered the disappointment he felt when he was not chosen to follow his cousin to Yangzhou.

It was a momentary impulse that made him decide to give up studying and go out to explore the world. Now, his Yunfeng Building has opened five or six branches, which is considered a small achievement. However, the regret of giving up studying has always been a knot in Zhong Yunfeng's heart.

Although the wedding date for him and Erniu had not been set yet, Zhong Yunfeng had long been dreaming of his own child, hoping that in the future he would be able to study for the imperial examinations and become an official like his two uncles.

Just when Zhong Yunfeng had a silly smile on his face and was daydreaming, Mr. Cai noticed that everyone's eyes were on him and spoke.

"In my opinion, your uncle's proposal is quite interesting. In fact, many times, we are too bound by worldly constraints. As your uncle mentioned, if everything is done according to the rules, then the marriage between Si'er and the granddaughter of the Duke of Wei will not be possible. If it were not for my limited energy, I would naturally be willing to break the rules again, open the door again, and give you a little junior brother."

When Master Cai said this, his eyes were mainly focused on several disciples. First, he agreed with Xiao Yankai's suggestion, and second, he planned to use this opportunity to teach several disciples a lesson. These disciples were all trained by him with great care, especially the eldest disciple Zhu Yuchun and the sixth disciple Liang Jingcheng, whom he had brought with him since childhood.

"But you brothers have all become officials now, and some of you have even reached or even exceeded the official rank that I had when I was a teacher. It is time for you to start your own business. As for the confusion of seniority that you are worried about, we should just follow the old rules and discuss things on our own."

When everyone heard Mr. Cai’s expression, they were secretly happy. Then they saw Mr. Cai cast an inquiring look at Ye Xiaozheng.

"Brother, I wonder if you and your wife would mind if Wulang becomes Brother Sanlang's disciple?"

Ye Xiaozheng and Lian were both waving their hands and shaking their heads, and then Ye Xiaozheng said excitedly.

"If Wulang can really become Brother Sanlang's disciple, it will be a blessing that he cannot even ask for in this lifetime. My husband and I naturally have no reason to disapprove of it."

Seeing Ye Xiaozheng and his wife express their opinions, Mr. Cai laughed and turned to look at Wulang.

"Wulang, are you willing to take one of my disciples as your master?"

Seeing that everyone's eyes were on him, Wu Lang subconsciously glanced at Ye Changyan, but heard Mr. Cai laughing again.

"Goro, you are a man now. This is your own business. We all want to hear your attitude."

Seeing that everyone was looking at him with smiles and expectation, Wu Lang's face turned red to his ears, but he blurted out the answer.

"I am willing!"

Suddenly, the sound of laughter from the crowd was heard in the private room.

"Okay! Since Wu Lang is willing, then who among the three of you brothers is willing to accept Wu Lang as your disciple? Once you accept Wu Lang as your disciple, it means that you have established your own school, and Wu Lang will be the founding disciple of your school. You must think carefully about this."