Top Scholar

Chapter 172 The Scholar Moves House

When Su Lu came down from the Drum Tower, he was followed by Su Tai and their two pageboys. Xia Ge'er's pageboy's surname was Xia, and his nickname was Little Shrimp, which made him a perfect match for Little Fish.

The four of them were carrying huge piles of gift boxes, making it difficult for them to walk.

"We're rich! We're rich!" Zhu Zijing and the others, who were waiting at the Drum Tower, cheered excitedly upon seeing this.

The servants quickly stepped forward to help the two young masters.

"Come, come, one for each person, everyone who sees it gets one." Su Lu was worried about how to repay the Zhu family, so he announced generously.

“Hongzhi, don’t miscalculate,” Zhu Zigeng laughed. “The prizes for each Tiger King are quite substantial, potentially worth tens or even hundreds of taels of silver.”

"That's right, we can't afford to lose face like that!" Zhu Zijing said with a mischievous smile, "Hongzhi, aren't you regretting saying that too soon?"

"That's why I'm dividing it up now. You can take it back and dismantle it. Don't let me see it and then I won't feel bad!" Su Lu laughed loudly.

"Haha, good, you said it!" The brothers rushed forward as if to snatch it, but seeing that Su Lu's smile remained, they all stopped and said, "Judging from how much he's pressing them down, it's probably another book."

Actually, there was no need to guess. To attract onlookers, the prize was naturally announced! It's just that Su Lu hadn't planned to shoot the lantern tiger, so he didn't pay attention.

"We're not interested. We can't even finish reading all the books at the academy, we can't add to our burden!" The Zhu brothers were clearly just putting on an act and had no intention of taking his gift.

"Keep it for yourself and read it at your leisure."

"I eat and drink at your house every day, you have to give me a chance to express my gratitude, right?" Su Lu said helplessly.

"Then treat us to a meal at a restaurant!" Zhu Zijing laughed. "If one meal isn't enough, then two. Isn't that better than giving us books?"

"That's right, brother, don't get us into trouble." Even Zhu Ziming firmly refused.

"I appreciate your kind gesture, but you can keep the gift yourself." Zhu Zigeng smiled and said, "Knowing your meaning is enough."

"What do you mean by this?" Su Lu asked with a wry smile.

"It's nothing." Zhu Zigen patted Su Lu on the shoulder and laughed, "The books must be rare and precious editions that are hard to find on the market. Don't give them away casually. Keep them as family heirlooms. If we want to read them later, we can borrow them from you."

"Just don't refuse to lend it to me," Zhu Zixian said with a smile.

“Brother Zhu is right.” Huang E then spoke up, “I have seen the rewards from all the families. There are five sets of books in total. The Han family’s is the Wuxi Hua family’s Xuetang copper movable type edition of ‘Yiwen Leiju’. It is a large-print edition with a single fish-tail mark, white margins, and double borders on both sides. The whole book consists of one hundred volumes and forty books!”

"Wow!" the Zhu brothers exclaimed in surprise. Any educated person would know what these technical terms meant—

Huashi Xuetang represents the highest level of private printing in Jiangnan; copper movable type represents exquisite accuracy; large-character edition represents no expense spared, with large characters that are easy to read. In addition, the three characteristics of single fish tail, white margin, and double borders on the left and right sides can be clearly identified as a perfect reproduction of a top-quality Song Dynasty edition!
Don't underestimate this copy just because it's a rare and exquisite edition. Due to its limited quantity and high cost, it circulated only among the top scholars and officials, and was said to be worth one tael of silver per copy! Moreover, it appreciated in value as soon as it was sold!
In Sichuan, you absolutely couldn't get this set of books for less than fifty taels of silver. If the Hua family doesn't reprint it, in ten or twenty years, it could easily be worth a hundred taels.

"The Bai family's prize is also a set of the Song Dynasty edition of 'Wang Wengong's Collected Works,' reproduced by the Hua family's Xuetang Studio, totaling one hundred volumes!"

"The Wang family possessed a copy of the 'Old History of the Five Dynasties' compiled by the Zhejiang governor."

"And then there's the 'Chronicles of Huayang' that your Zhu family brought out. This set of books is the ancestor of local chronicles, and it's a local chronicle specifically recording the history of our southwestern region!" Huang E praised, "We people of Shu must read it!"

"The Lei family has a set of Houzhai's 'Records of Learning in Difficulty,' written in his later years. Although this set is not as valuable as the first two sets, it is far rarer. It provides a comprehensive textual research, collation, and analysis of the Seventeen Histories, and restores the truth of history by comparing it with other historical materials." Huang E exclaimed, "I didn't expect that Luzhou would have this set of books."

Actually, she was really itching to buy those last two sets of books and was planning to shamelessly make a move tonight, at least to get one of them. But considering her image, she didn't act immediately, intending to wait until everyone else had missed their chance.

Who knew that Su Lu would wipe them all out...

At this moment, Su Lu said, "This time we have made great gains, all thanks to Miss Huang's teachings. I will give these two sets of books to Miss Huang as a token of my gratitude for your guidance."

Huang E was very tempted, but shook her head and laughed, "If they won't accept it, of course I can't either. What kind of person would I be? A gentleman doesn't take what belongs to others, and a young lady should be the same. Brother Hongzhi, just lend it to me to take a look."

In the end, she only took one copy of "Chronicles of Huayang," saying that she would borrow another copy of "Records of Learning in Difficulty" from him after she finished reading it.

The girls couldn't stay out too late, and the academy was starting the next day, so everyone went back to the street stalls for a late-night snack before dispersing.

Meanwhile, the lantern market remained brightly lit, and fireworks continued to bloom in the sky. Most tourists showed no sign of heading home...

~~
When Su Lu and his brother returned to Zhuzi Lane, Xiao Yu'er quickly knocked on the door and asked his brother to help him move things out.

Unexpectedly, Steward Tian was also in the gatehouse. He came out to lend a hand, replaced the Zhu family's servants, and even gave them a reward.

As Steward Tian carried the heavy book box inside, he smiled at Su Lu and said, "Young Master, you've certainly stolen the show in Luzhou tonight!"

"Uncle Tian, ​​you found out so quickly?" Su Lu asked in surprise. "I've only just arrived home." "Don't you know what I do?" Steward Tian laughed. "To be honest, I've only just arrived myself. I've been wandering around Daguantai all night."

"Really? I didn't see you," Su Tai said in a muffled voice.

“That’s right. Fish have their ways, and shrimp have theirs. I’m the one working behind the scenes. If I made it public, wouldn’t I be derelict in my duty?” Steward Tian said with a smile. “But it didn’t stop me from seeing Young Master Su’s extraordinary talent!”

"It's just a riddle, why the audacity?" Su Lu chuckled. "When you come up with a couplet tomorrow, will you be the best of all time?"

"It's not as simple as just guessing a riddle!" Steward Tian raised his voice. "I'll just say three things. First, the second and third masters of the Zhu family publicly acknowledged their relationship with you in this setting, which is tantamount to declaring that you are someone they are protecting! Anyone in Luzhou City who dares to touch you is making an enemy of the Zhu family!"

As he spoke, he said in a deep voice, "Young master, don't underestimate the wickedness of people's hearts. Take that jade pendant you won today. If it weren't for the Zhu family protecting you, you would definitely have been beaten up and had it stolen from you tomorrow!"

"You know that?" Su Lu asked in surprise. He really couldn't underestimate this director of the prefectural office.

"Of course." Steward Tian nodded and smiled, "Before the master left, he repeatedly instructed me to take good care of the young master. How could I neglect my duty?"

"It wasn't just the two of us! We've been following the young master the whole time, without giving him any information!" Little Fish and Little Shrimp quickly clarified.

"It's alright. You were just trying to help us by tipping us off. We're not doing anything shameful," Su Lu said dismissively.

"No, that's really not true!" The two men, however, were afraid that the young master was trying to trick them, and refused to change their story.

"What about the second one?" Su Tai urged Manager Tian, ​​"Uncle Tian, ​​don't just say half of what you mean."

"Secondly, your brother has become famous in Luzhou tonight. All the gentlemen have toasted Young Master Su! From now on, your brother will no longer be an insignificant figure in Luzhou, but will have the title of 'Yang Shen of Luzhou'!" Steward Tian said excitedly.

"Yang Shen of Luzhou..." Su Lu said helplessly, "Can I use a different name?"

"Little Yang Shen? A second Yang Shen?" Steward Tian pondered. "Or perhaps Yang Shen from southern Sichuan? That would be even more impressive."

"So we're just going to have to keep at it with Yang Shen, huh?" Su Lu said helplessly.

"Of course!" Steward Tian said knowledgeably, "You need to first compare yourself to a well-established figure so that people can remember you. Then, add your hometown name to the list. This way, no one will say you are arrogant, and it will also strengthen the elders' recognition of you."

"What did Steward Tian do before?" Su Lu asked curiously.

"..." Manager Tian said embarrassedly, "Selling counterfeit goods..."

“…” Su Lu immediately didn’t want to talk to him anymore.

“Young Master, don’t take it too seriously. The prodigy Yang is famous throughout the land, and a household name in Sichuan. It’s not shameful for us to use his name to our advantage,” Steward Tian continued, trying to persuade Su Lu. “In the future, perhaps others will also try to use your name…”

“I am who I am…” Su Lu glanced at him but didn’t say anything. Those who sell counterfeit goods will never understand that if you borrow someone else’s name, you will live in their shadow and never be able to get out of it for the rest of your life.

Su Tai, still curious, asked, "And what about third?"

"Thirdly, it's the prefect's final promise that he will surely become a famous minister in the future!" Steward Tian said, his voice growing increasingly excited.

"This is a boast made in public, the prefect will definitely do his best to help the young master, at least he won't have to worry about the provincial examination!"

"Hmm, that's quite practical." Su Lu nodded. The provincial and county examinations don't have anonymous names; you can pretty much get through by relying on your connections.

As they spoke, the group entered the courtyard. The lights were already on inside, and hot water for washing their faces and feet was ready... The service provided by the prefectural office was truly thoughtful.

"Young Master is so promising; he'll be very pleased to hear that. None of the young masters in the manor are as accomplished as him!" After everyone else had left, Steward Tian sighed again, his tone ambiguous, and then asked for instructions:
"Was the good news tonight delivered by the young master himself, or was it relayed by me?"

"I will write to inquire after your well-being, but I won't mention tonight's events," Su Lu said in a muffled voice while washing his face. "If you want to tell me, then report it yourself."

"Yes." Steward Tian nodded and said softly, "But if the young master could say it himself, the master would be even happier."

"Is there any difference?" Su Lu wiped her face clean and prepared to wash her feet.

“The difference is huge,” General Manager Tian replied matter-of-factly.

"Forget it, how could I boast like that?" Su Lu shook his head again and said, "That's too shameless."

"Sigh, alright." Steward Tian sighed inwardly. It seemed the young master still harbored resentment towards the master. He then took his leave.
"Young masters, you should get some rest. You have to get up early for school tomorrow."

(End of this chapter)