Top Scholar

Chapter 451 Let's make a fortune too!
Since he wouldn't be able to see Su Lu for many days, Zhu Shou begged and pleaded with him to add more chapters to "Zheng He's Voyages to the Western Ocean"!
Su Lu had no choice but to continue telling the story, going on and on, for eight chapters in a row. He talked from noon until midnight, until his throat was parched and cracked, before Zhu Shou finally let him go, still not satisfied.

There's nothing we can do about it; his account of Zheng He's voyages is a hundred times more captivating than the dry and simplistic official records.

In his words, that great voyage was no longer a straightforward record of the route or a boring repetition of "Xuandehua, Rouyuanren," but a series of thrilling, climax-filled, and incredibly exciting dramas with brilliant character arcs.

It features thrilling scenes of treasure ships encountering storms, showcasing the shipwrights' courage and wisdom in battling the waves; tense confrontations between fleets and foreign powers, and the deceitful negotiations at the negotiating table; it's filled with passionate scenes of "those who offend our Celestial Empire, though far away, shall be punished," and also includes melodramatic tropes like foreign beauties and princesses from other countries throwing themselves at him...

It was an early hit online novel that got even the passionate young Zhu Shou excited, so much so that he couldn't put it down!

But what made Zhu Shou so obsessed was not just the story's enjoyment—Su Lu seamlessly integrated a wealth of interesting knowledge into the story.

He would tell you how sailors used a celestial compass to observe the North Star for navigation, how they adjusted their course according to ocean currents, and how they escaped the terrifying doldrums.

It vividly depicts giant whales as if they were fairy mountains on the sea, spouting jets of water straight into the sky; baobab trees as thick as fortresses, their trunks storing enough water to feed an entire village; hundreds of thousands of flamingos taking flight in flocks, turning the sky red; sardine schools migrating for miles like dark clouds covering the sea; millions of wildebeest migrating, their hooves thundering... The magnificent and spectacular scenes are vividly portrayed.

The exotic customs are even more diverse, with various skin colors, strange races, diets and customs, and even tribal rules, city-state etiquette, and governance systems, all readily available.

These scattered pearls of knowledge were cleverly strung together by him with a storyline, weaving a complete and fascinating worldview that made Zhu Shou unable to doubt that this vast overseas world was by no means a fabrication!

Su Lu had clearly opened a window for him, a vast world beyond his wildest imagination, filling him with longing. The more unattainable it was, the more fascinated he became…

~~
"At least we've finished telling the 'Old Port Chronicles' and captured one of the 'Four Emperors,' Chen Zuyi of Nanyang..." As he left, Zhu Shou smiled at the exhausted Su Lu and said, "I won't bother you for the next ten days. Focus on your exams."

"If you're so capable, go find me in the examination hall," Su Lu challenged.

"Hey, don't provoke me!" Zhu Shou's eyes lit up.

"Let's think about that matter some more. Don't be shy with me." He then advised Su Lu, "You don't need to worry about leaks. Nobody knows who I gave my favor to."

“A gentleman is cautious even when alone, there’s nothing to consider.” Su Lu shook his head and said, “Besides, I can’t tarnish all those years of hard study.”

Zhu Shou raised his comical eyebrows and said helplessly, "You are learned and unparalleled, but do you know how treacherous this exam is? You can't pass without these four words!"

Su Lu waved his hand and laughed heartily, "So what if I don't pass? Didn't you help me get a job as a shipbuilder? At worst, I'll build ships for you, and then you can go on voyages to the Western Ocean like Zheng He. Wouldn't that be even more enjoyable?"

“That’s true…” Zhu Shou couldn’t help but look on with longing, then chuckled and said, “There’s one thing I forgot to tell you, this job is also that of a eunuch, and you have to be castrated just like everyone else.”

"Get out of my way!" Su Lu pretended to kick him, saying, "Nobody can touch my manhood!"

"Hahaha!" Zhu Shou laughed as he got into the carriage: "You're just too stubborn. Becoming a high-ranking official is the shortcut to success. Even if you serve as an official for twenty years, it won't be as fast as getting rid of two testicles!"

"Hmph, that's pure nonsense!" Su Lu said with a straight face.

"Hahaha, what a ridiculous nonsense!" Zhu Shou leaned out of the carriage window, waved to Su Lu, and said, "No matter what, do your best on the exam. If you fail, come with me to the palace to serve the Emperor!"

"Thanks..." Su Lu said hoarsely, sounding annoyed.

Only after watching the carriage disappear at the street corner did Su Lu drag his tired body back.

Talking too much hurts his temper; this was a state he often experienced in his past life.

"Son, quickly drink this bowl of ginseng soup." Su Youcai tenderly handed him a bowl of ginseng soup. "You've really had a tough time lately."

“Yes, little brother.” Su Man and Su Tai were equally distressed. Lately, they had seen the dignified top scholar spending all his time eating, chatting, and playing with others, almost turning him into a ‘three-accompaniment’ (escort, companion, and friend).

The two older brothers wished they could take their place, but Zhu Shou completely ignored them and was powerless to help.

"What's so difficult about that? Nothing in this world is easy," Su Lu said with a smile to his father and brothers, "Back then, you traveled to many places and thousands of miles to save me, and you even had to go to the eunuch's door to beg for help. Did you think it was easy?"

He paused, then said in a voice only he could hear, "Besides, it's not just for our little family..."

~~
The carriage left Luomashi Street and headed east onto Chang'an Street.

Zhu Shou discovered that living in the Leopard House had another great advantage: there was no curfew, and no one would care how late he wanted to go back.

He leaned back comfortably on the large cushion, crossed his legs, and asked Zhang Yong, who was serving him, "Do you believe he can resist?"

Zhang Yong carefully replied, "Young Master, Su Jieyuan is naturally sincere at this moment, but once he enters the examination hall, if the questions are too difficult, it is only natural that he might be tempted to use his own methods."

“But I believe him.” Zhu Shou said calmly, “He said he didn’t need it, so I believe him… I won’t doubt my friend until he lies to me.”

As he spoke, a sly glint flashed in his eyes, and he changed the subject, saying, "Since he doesn't want it, let's take this opportunity to make a little money?"

Zhang Yong hurriedly asked, "How do I get rich?"

“Sell those four words to whoever wants them,” Zhu Shou said excitedly, seemingly quite pleased with his ingenious idea. “Huh?” Zhang Yong’s eyes widened. “Huh? Sell exam questions? That’s a death sentence!”

"Don't worry, if anyone investigates, just push all the blame onto me, Zhu Shou. I don't believe the Emperor would dare to chop off my head," Zhu Shou said smugly.

“Alright…” Zhang Yong said speechlessly, “But this is the Emperor’s talent selection ceremony, you can’t undermine your own family’s achievements.”

"Liu Jin has never been as much of a spoilsport as you," Zhu Shou snorted.

"Oops, I've been too talkative again. I won't do it again." Zhang Yong slapped himself skillfully. "I'll do whatever you tell me to do."

Last year's near-collapse completely changed Zhang Gonggong.

"That's right!" Zhu Shou said with satisfaction, "Isn't this giving you a chance to make a fortune? Others would be begging for this!"

Zhang Yong swallowed hard and asked, "So... how much exactly does it cost?"

"Easy!" Zhu Shou patted his shoulder and laughed, "The exam starts in a day and a night. Rumors are flying everywhere, and the candidates must be panicking like dogs."

He lowered his voice and instructed, "Find some reliable disciples and followers, and secretly contact them. I guarantee someone will be willing to pay this money! If they really don't have the money, you can lend it to them first. Do you think they won't pay it back later?"

“That’s right, if they dare not pay back the money, we’ll send the West Factory to their door to collect the debt.” Zhang Yong nodded hurriedly.

"That's right!" Zhu Shou nodded, then added, "But be careful to keep it a secret, don't let everyone know like the eldest brother did."

"Don't worry, young master, I won't cause you any trouble," Zhang Yong replied.

"It's not about causing trouble," Zhu Shou shook his head and said, "It's for the sake of our business. You have to make those candidates think that they have an exclusive secret recipe before they will be willing to spend generously. Common goods won't fetch a good price!"

"My goodness, this business acumen is truly the reincarnation of Fan Li!" Eunuch Zhang quickly gave a thumbs up.

"Right? I also think I'm a genius." Zhu Shou said with increasing pride, "Then let's just sit back and wait to collect the money."

"Don't worry, young master." Zhang Yong nodded hurriedly, but then had to ask, "How much do you want to earn this time?"

"Of course, the more the merrier. Each serving sells for 500 taels, and we'll split the profits 20/80, I get 80% and you get 20%!" Zhu Shou made an outrageous demand. "Let me tell you this upfront, you have to sell at least 100 servings for me! If you don't sell them all, you'll have to pay me an extra 40,000 taels out of your own pocket."

"Yes, I'll remember this." Zhang Yong had no choice but to agree readily.

~~
After returning to the Leopard Chamber to serve the emperor until he retired for the night, Zhang Yong called his four adopted sons to his side and explained his mission to them.

The four of them were stunned. "What? The Emperor is going to sell the exam questions?"

"What is Your Majesty trying to do, Godfather? Are you so desperate for money?"

"Why so much nonsense? What the Emperor wants to do is none of your business!" Zhang Yong snorted and said, "Do whatever he tells us to do."

"Yes, son, we understand," Shenglin Youzhong replied in unison.

Zhang Yong's expression softened slightly. Instead of letting others interfere, he began to analyze the situation himself. "I think this is both a test from the Emperor for Su Jieyuan and a test for that scoundrel Liu Jin. Let's see what they do next."

"That's great, we can watch from the sidelines," Zhang Lin said with a smile.

"Bullshit, this is a test for us too!" Zhang Yong said, drawing out his words.

"Huh? It applies to us too?" Shenglin Youzhong asked in surprise.

"Nonsense, contacting so many scholars in such a short time, and then persuading them to pay for the words, how could that be an easy task?" Zhang Yong said matter-of-factly.
"Liu Jin has definitely displeased the Emperor this time. He might give us more responsibilities, so we have to prove that we can handle them!"

He slammed his hand on the table and said, "Don't wait until tomorrow morning. Get to work now and find all the candidates in the capital who are taking the exams. Sell them those damned exam questions!"

"Yes!" the four sons replied in unison. "Don't worry, Godfather, anyone who dares not to buy will be killed by us!"

"Nonsense!" Zhang Yong glared at him and said, "It must be kept a secret. Don't make a fuss. That's how you get a good price, understand?"

"Even if you hold a knife to their throat, they can still fetch a high price!" Zhang Sheng, the commander of the Three Thousand Battalion, was known for his ruthless actions.

“This is the Emperor’s business acumen…” Zhang Yong said calmly.

“Well then, let’s sell the questions quietly, without making a fuss,” Shenglin Youzhong immediately changed his mind.

(End of this chapter)