I trade in both worlds

"Although he is interested in seeking fame and fortune, he values filial piety and family more. If he can provide a home for his family and solve the livelihood of his family, he will be happy to take on this position."

Xu Jianli interrupted, "This is about the future of our family, so we should do our best. But, I wonder what salary requirements Mr. Li Wenyuan has?"

Liu Zhubu smiled slightly, as if he had expected this question: "Li Wenyuan is not a greedy person, but he also needs the necessities of life. In my opinion, if you can provide five taels of silver per month, plus four seasons of clothing, it should be able to meet his basic needs."

The clan leader pondered for a moment, thinking about the clan's financial situation, and finally nodded in agreement: "As for the salary, our clan will do its best to meet your needs."

"However, regarding accommodation, although there are idle houses in the clan, they need to be repaired before you can move in. This will take some time to prepare."

"That's good." Liu Zhubu thought for a moment and said, "Tomorrow I will go to Li Wenyuan's residence with you to meet him and take a look at the details of his family so that we can make better arrangements."

Upon hearing this, the clan leader felt that Liu Zhubu's suggestion made sense, so he nodded and agreed: "Okay, then we'll do it this way. Jianli, you get ready, we'll set out for Li Wenyuan's residence tomorrow."

Xu Jianli nodded to show that he understood.

The next morning, the sun shone through the sparse clouds and sprinkled on the alleys of Guoyue County. The clan leader, Xu Jianli and Liu Zhubu, carrying a few boxes of cakes, set out on the road to Li Wenyuan's residence.

Li Wenyuan's residence is located in a corner of the county town, in a simple courtyard with a small vegetable garden in front of the house. A few green vegetables sway gently in the breeze, looking full of vitality.

The three of them came to the door and gently knocked on the doorknob.

A moment later, the door was gently pushed open, and a young man with a gaunt face and a scholarly look in his eyes appeared in front of them. This man was Li Wenyuan.

Seeing Liu Zhubu, he was stunned for a moment, then smiled and saluted: "Master Liu, both of you, please come in."

Li Wenyuan's voice was gentle and polite, and he quickly welcomed the three people into the house.

The furnishings in the house are simple but well-organized. There are several calligraphy and paintings hanging on the wall, revealing a bit of literary atmosphere.

Liu Zhubu spoke first: "Mr. Li, this is my classmate and good friend, Xu Kaiyun, the patriarch of the Xu family in Xuzhuang, and this is the patriarch's grandson Xu Jianli. We came here today to ask for a favor."

The clan leader stepped forward and bowed, saying, "I have heard of Mr. Li's great name for a long time. I hope you will not be offended by my coming to visit you today."

Xu Jianli also bowed: "Mr. Li, I have heard a lot about you."

Li Wenyuan quickly responded, "It is a great honor for you, Mr. Liu, the chief clerk, and Mr. Xu to have us here. What can I do for you?"

The clan leader smiled and said, "I came here today to ask for a favor. My Xu family has just built a clan school and is in need of a good teacher. After much thought, I think Mr. Li is the most suitable."

"I wonder if you would be so kind as to come to our clan school and teach the Xu family's children?"

After hearing this, Li Wenyuan was slightly stunned and looked embarrassed. Although he had passed the imperial examination, his mother was old and frail and needed to take medicine for a long time, his wife was weak, and he had a son and a daughter.

Although my son is smart, he is only seven years old and needs guidance.

His daughter was only two years old and needed someone to take care of her. If he left home to teach, who would take care of the household affairs?

Seeing this, the clan leader said sincerely: "We are willing to provide five taels of silver per month, plus four seasons of clothing, to show our clan's sincerity."

He originally wanted to stay in Guoyue County, teaching and taking care of his mother, but Xu Zhuang's invitation made him somewhat shaken.

The monthly salary of the county school was only three taels of silver. Of course, if one opened one's own school, one could earn more. However, one problem was that one had no place to build a school.

Second, there are already two or three schools in the county, and there are only so many students in the entire county. If he builds another school, he will only steal other people's students and dilute their profits.

If he could accept Xu Zhuang's offer, not only would it solve his family's livelihood problem, but it would also give him more time to review his studies, while imparting knowledge and benefiting the local people.

Seeing that Li Wenyuan was hesitant, the clan leader continued, "Mr. Li, if you have any concerns, please feel free to speak up. As long as we can do it, we will do our best to meet your requirements."

Li Wenyuan hesitated for a moment and said, "Chief Xu, it's not that I don't want to teach, but my mother is seriously ill and my wife and children need to be taken care of. If I leave home and travel far away, I'm afraid that my mother will be left without anyone to take care of her. I feel really uneasy."

Upon hearing this, the clan leader quickly said, "Don't worry, Mr. Li. If you can accept the offer, I will build a courtyard for you next to the clan school and let your family move in to live together."

"The teacher's son can also study in the clan school and be taught by the teacher himself. In this way, the teacher can teach and take care of his family at the same time. Isn't it the best of both worlds?"

Li Wenyuan looked up at the three people, his eyes sparkling with gratitude: "Patriarch Xu is so kind to me. If I refuse again, it would seem that I don't know how to appreciate it. I am willing to teach at the Xu Family School and do my part for the Xu Family's children."

The clan leader was delighted to see Li Wenyuan agreed, "Mr. Li is willing to come, it is a great honor for our Xu family. I will go back now to prepare for the house construction, and come to pick you up after the house is ready."

After saying that, he stood up and left with Xu Jianli and Liu Zhubu.

On August 8, it was time to move, and Xu Jianli drove a ox cart to Guoyue County early in the morning.

When the ox cart arrived at Guoyue County, Xu Jianli first rented a donkey cart for Li Wenyuan's family to ride, and the ox cart was used for moving.

After renting a donkey cart, Xu Jianli came to Li Wenyuan's home.

Li Wenyuan was standing at the door, waiting for Xu Jianli to arrive: "Mr. Xu is here."

"Mr. Li, you can just call me Jianli." Xu Jianli saluted politely.

Li Wenyuan smiled and replied, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Jianli. Although there aren't many things at home, my mother is sick and needs careful care. I hope you will take care of her."

Xu Jianli nodded quickly: "Don't worry, Mr. Li, I have already rented a donkey cart for you and your family to ride, and the ox cart will be used for moving. I will be careful along the way."

Li Wenyuan smiled and nodded: "Okay, thank you for your help."

So the two of them started to get busy. Li Wenyuan's wife Wang also came out to help. Although she was weak, she was quick and nimble, and soon she had everything in the house in order.

Seven-year-old son Li Mufeng and two-year-old daughter Li Yuerong were also playing nearby, adding a bit of joy to the busy atmosphere.

With the help of Xu Jianli, Li Wenyuan and his family quickly packed their luggage.

After everything was packed up, Li Wenyuan's mother slowly walked out of the house accompanied by Wang.