I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 31 Tuition
"Hey, go ahead, go ahead."

She broke free of her brows, snatched the water ladle, hurriedly dried her hair, glanced sideways at Xue, and left with a flushed face.

"Brother, let's have hot pot tonight!"

The little guy, like a chubby raccoon, rushed into the main room with a whoosh.

Behind her, Xiao Wan supported Xue's mother, while Fan Youyi carried large and small bags on his shoulders and in his hands.

"We were supposed to be going shopping, but this feels like we're on a shopping spree."

Xue Xiang joked.

Fan Youyi, beaming with joy, put down his things and bowed deeply. "Thanks to you, elder brother, no one expected that turning it into a newsstand would be so profitable."

Not only people in the city, but also people in the towns below subscribed to the newspaper.

"Now that we've finally made some money, we naturally want to treat everyone."

However, Xue Xiang took advantage of his position to convert Fan Youyi's two shops into newsstands.

The newly opened "Cloud News" is still a huge hit, and the newsstands are naturally making a fortune.

“Selling newspapers is a brainless job. Once it’s organized, just let the people below do it. You’ve been to school and you’re not bad at it. Get ready and you can start working at the newspaper office another day.”

"Thank you, brother."

Fan Youyi was overjoyed; the newspaper sold like hotcakes for a time.

If one could get into the Yunjian Newspaper, it would be like having a secure job.

With Xiao Wan's help, Liu Mei's hair was finally washed, and her tight pants were changed into a long skirt.

Xue Xiang smiled wryly, when suddenly a shout came from outside the door.

Xue Xiang went out and saw that it was Zhou Mengyu who had come.

He called out to the main room, saying he wouldn't be back for lunch, and then went out.

"Master, we've kept you waiting, but good things come to those who wait. Today we're finally having a proper feast."

Zhou Mengyu bowed with her hands clasped in greeting.

He has resigned from his public office and joined Cloud News as its president.

With the city examination approaching, although he had failed for a long time, his desire to take the imperial examination was still undiminished. After hearing that Xue Xiang was also interested in taking the imperial examination, the two kept in touch about short-term intensive courses for the city examination.

Zhou Mengyu was a seasoned scientific expeditionist, and Xue Xiang was naturally willing to trust his experience.

Today, we finally received news about Zhou Mengyu.

"Tell me quickly, what's going on?"

"The school in Zhaoyewu has opened. Last year, when Mr. Yinchuan went on a long trip, the school in Zhaoyewu did not open. This year, it has indeed opened."

In previous years, whenever Zhaoyewu held its private school, there was a frenzy of applications, simply because the pass rate for those who had attended Zhaoyewu was extremely high.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's start grabbing them!"

The two first hailed a horse-drawn carriage, and under Zhou Mengyu's direction, they went out of the east gate to the shore of Suiyang Lake.

The north wind blows cold, and the surrounding fields are covered with snow-covered trees and branches. On the vast white lake, a fleet of sails are setting sail.

The boats moored by the lake had owners who all looked down on the boats, determined not to haggle.

Helpless, Xue Xiang had to pay three times the usual fare to urge the small boat toward Zhaoye Dock.

As the boat glides across the lake, the water reflects the sky, and the distant mountains, covered in snow, resemble towering palaces.

In the heart of the lake, a small pavilion, with its red bricks and white tiles, stands out charmingly.

"Boatman, do you know why this Zhaoye Dock got its name?"

Xue Xiang was in the mood for a trip.

"Zhaoye means sparrow, and as the name suggests, it is a dock where sparrows often come and go."

The chubby boatman chuckled and said, "It used to be a dilapidated dock. After Mr. Yin Chuan bought it, he first planted plum trees, then moved some unusual rocks there, and read books there. It has now become a secluded and beautiful place."

"Young masters, if you study there, you're sure to pass the imperial examinations."

"Thank you for your kind words."

Zhou Mengyu tossed a strand of spiritual energy as a reward, putting her in a good mood. Xue Xiang moved a chair over to the boat and sat down, gazing at the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains, feeling relaxed and carefree. He then chatted with Zhou Mengyu about news matters.

Zhou Mengyu said, "The sales volume is rising steadily, mainly because the surrounding markets have been opened up."

In truth, we really have to thank Li Shaobai. If it weren't for his bold and decisive actions and his use of his network of connections, those sales networks wouldn't have been built so easily.

However, many readers have also commented that our "Cloud News" focuses too much on folk tales and legends, deviating somewhat from the core principles of newspaper publishing.

"What are your thoughts?"

"I think there is some truth to what you said. While 'Yun Jian' may rely on storytelling and legends for its survival, it should never depend on them for its life or death."

In the long run, "Yun Jian" will lose its newspaper character.

Therefore, the most urgent task is to truly take over the other genuine newspaper-related sectors.

"What you said makes sense, but do you have any ideas?"

"We came up with some ideas, but after the editorial department discussed them, there were many problems, and they weren't mature enough."

"Then let me give you some ideas. Start a dating section. Although it has been the custom since ancient times for marriage to be arranged by parents and matchmakers, good men and good women are often separated by heaven and earth. If this line can be connected, it will definitely be a big hit."

In addition, a prize-winning riddle contest could also be organized.

Furthermore, with the city-wide examinations approaching and everyone watching, you can post breaking news and gossip.

Most importantly, it is publicly disclosed that Yunjian pays those who provide news information.

"Relying on just a few foreign reporters won't yield any explosive news. The introduction of pay-for-news is tantamount to hiring a large number of foreign reporters at minimal cost..."

Xue Xiang said something, and Zhou Mengyu nodded. But when Xue Xiang finished speaking, Zhou Mengyu was completely dumbfounded.

Why are you staring at me like that?

"The owner is simply a born newspaperman. How did he come up with so many strange yet incredibly effective ideas?"

As the two were having a lively discussion, the fat boatman called out, "We've arrived at Zhaoye Dock!"

The boat stopped at the shore, and the two disembarked. There was only one path in front of them, with winter plum blossoms covered in snow on both sides, their flowers in full bloom.

Walking west along the path for about a hundred steps, a spacious wooden hall built on the side of the mountain came into view.

Fifty or sixty people gathered under the eaves of the wooden hall, some sitting, some standing, waiting for something.

Zhou Mengyu was a seasoned veteran of the city's civil service exams and knew many of the people there. She led Xue Xiang over to greet them, hoping to become a familiar face to them.

Zhou Mengyu did not introduce Xue Xiang's official position, nor did Xue Xiang mention it.

Among Confucian scholars, officials who had not pursued further education were always looked down upon.

"Brother Li, why do I feel like there are an excessive number of people coming back this time?"

Zhou Mengyu asked a young man in a blue robe in a low voice.

This man's name is Li Peng. He participated in the city examination in the previous year and was very familiar with Zhou Mengyu, as they acted as guarantors for each other.

Li Peng said, "Brother Zhou, you probably don't know this yet, but according to inside information, the county intends to reform the system. The top twenty in this city examination will be awarded silver fish badges and given official positions."

"really!"

Zhou Mengyu was excited.

Those holding substantive positions at the Silver Fish level, which are equivalent to deputy section chiefs, all wield considerable power.

Ten years of hard study, isn't that what it's all for?

"Absolutely true!"

Even so, Zhaoyewu seems to be exceptionally popular.

"That's for sure. After all, Mr. Yin Chuan passed the imperial examination and was listed on the Bronze List. His past tutoring achievements speak for themselves."

As he spoke, Li Peng pointed to a white-robed youth to the west and said, "See that one? The famous Feng Xiaoshui. He could write at the age of three and compose poems at the age of five. He is sixteen this year and it is said that he has mastered the Six Classics."

Suddenly, he pointed to the red-robed youth to the north, "Wei Wendao from the north of the city is an expert in both poetry and calligraphy. He ranked seventeenth in the last city examination, but because he failed to make it into the top ten, he voluntarily gave up his exam results and declared to the outside world that he was determined to win the championship."

Even these two have come to Zhaoyewu seeking guidance from Mr. Yin Chuan; how could Zhaoyewu not be incredibly popular?

A pale-faced, fat man sneered, "You only know one side of the story, not the other."

(End of this chapter)