The Great Song Dynasty: You were put in charge of teaching, and you produced a whole bunch of prime

The news that Vice Minister Wang had fled back to Bianjing with his tail between his legs overnight spread throughout Hangzhou as if it had sprouted wings.

This act of defying the imperial decree not only resulted in his survival, but also forced the imperial envoy to kowtow and admit his mistake in the street, maximizing the prestige of Jiang Lin and Jingshi Academy.

All the powerful and influential people in Jiangnan finally realized that there must be a powerful figure with connections behind Jiangshanchang!

Those remnants of powerful families who had originally wanted to hide in the shadows and observe, now surrendered without hesitation.

Everyone was eager to line up overnight to deposit their money and supplies into the bank, obediently following the rules set by Dean Jiang.

Meanwhile, the festive atmosphere in the backyard of the prefectural government office was comparable to that of the Lunar New Year.

Su Shi was forced to change into a brand new bright red auspicious robe, and was being measured by Qian Duoduo like a puppet.

"Shrink the waist by two inches! Lord Su has been sitting in the office reviewing official documents for too long lately, and he's developed a little belly." Qian Duoduo chewed on the tip of her calligraphy brush, her eyes scrutinizing, as professional as a Parisian haute couture director.

Su Shi blushed, stiffened his neck, and loudly protested, "Stop talking nonsense! This official's elegance comes from inner knowledge and refinement! Oh my god, take it easy, I can't breathe!"

Jiang Lin slumped in his personal rattan chair like a boneless cripple, slurping his chilled plum juice with relish, and laughing out loud at his eldest apprentice's miserable state.

"Zizhan, you've broadened your horizons. The Lu family is, after all, the richest family in Jiangnan. This dowry could probably stretch all the way from Taihu Lake to the walls of Hangzhou."

Jiang Lin crossed his legs and slowly began his daily PUA routine: "If you, the groom, dress like a laborer, you'll be embarrassing me, the number one supporter."

Su Shi, utterly dejected, let the tailor fuss over him, complaining pitifully, "Headmaster, isn't this marriage a bit too rushed? I was working on the official documents for the autumn grain harvest last night, and my body really can't take it anymore."

Jiang Lin rolled his eyes: "Don't you know what 'the longer the night, the more things can go wrong' means? We just bled that old fox Lu dry; he's probably having a heart attack somewhere right now."

"We must strike while the iron is hot and marry Lu Mingyue, making it a fait accompli. Then, the capital of Jiangnan and our government will join forces, creating a deep partnership!"

Just as they were convincing him, Zhao Lingjun stepped into the courtyard carrying an exquisite food box.

Today, she unusually took off her military uniform and changed into a light blue long dress. Her cool and aloof, chivalrous aura paired with this outfit was absolutely stunning, and the eyes of the several single disciples in the courtyard almost popped out of their sockets.

Zhao Lingjun completely ignored the intense gazes and walked straight to Jiang Lin's side, placing the food box heavily on the small wooden table.

"All you do is lie around eating all day. Even the pigs at the edge of the village are more hardworking than you. Here, freshly made osmanthus cake." The tone was extremely disdainful, but the actions spoke volumes.

Jiang Lin grabbed a piece without hesitation and stuffed it into his mouth, muttering indistinctly, "Unsolicited kindness is always suspicious. Tell me, Director Zhao, what inside information is there in the capital?"

Zhao Lingjun leaned close to his ear, his breath sweet as orchids: "An urgent secret letter from Bianjing. The Emperor is overjoyed to receive 500,000 strings of cash as pocket money, and he's laughing so hard in the palace. Not only did he give Grand Tutor Cai a thorough dressing-down at the morning court, but he also praised Su Shi for doing an extremely brilliant job."

"But what? Don't get stuck here." Jiang Lin leaned back tactically, keenly sensing the shift in the situation.

Zhao Lingjun stared at him with a complicated expression: "The Emperor is envious of your bank's terrifying money-making ability. He said that the Ministry of Revenue is so poor that it's practically selling its pants. He asked if you could hurry to the capital and help the Emperor manage finances and raise money."

Jiang Lin spat out a mouthful of osmanthus cake three feet away.

He coughed violently, waving his hands frantically in refusal: "Holy crap? Go to the capital to be the imperial accountant? No way! I'd rather die than go!"

"Is Bianjing a place for normal people? Cai Laodeng and his gang could swallow me whole! Wouldn't it be better for me to live comfortably as a local tyrant in Jiangnan? Why do I have to go and be a 007 worker for the Zhao family?"

Zhao Lingjun burst out laughing: "I knew you were going to just stay put and do nothing. I already refused for you, saying that the business in Jiangnan has just started and we can't do without you."

She paused, her tone becoming slightly more serious: "But you should still be careful. The officials have tasted the benefits this time, and sooner or later they will try every means to capture you, a conscript."

Jiang Lin curled his lip, looking completely unfazed: "We can deal with future problems later. If the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up. Our priority right now is to settle Zizhan's marriage."

"Lots of money!"

"Here! What are your orders, Headmaster?" Qian Duoduo darted over with a smooth movement.

"How much was approved for the wedding budget?" Jiang Lin asked.

Qian Duoduo thumped his chest loudly: "A full 50,000 guan! We've booked all three of Hangzhou's top restaurants, a three-day, three-night feast! The whole city of Hangzhou will be absolutely buzzing with excitement!"

Jiang Lin gave a thumbs-up with great satisfaction.

Su Shi, listening nearby, was horrified and nearly bit his tongue off: "Fifty thousand strings of cash?! That's outrageously extravagant! I'm just a lowly sixth-rank official. If those mad dogs in the Censorate find out, they'll definitely tear me apart over my lifestyle!"

"What the hell!" Jiang Lin stepped forward, grabbed Su Shi's collar, and smoothed out the wrinkles.

"You're now the regional manager of the Jiangnan region in the Great Song Dynasty! Your wedding is a show of strength for everyone to see, to clearly tell them we're rock solid!" Jiang Lin earnestly brainwashed him: "This isn't extravagance, it's a high-level political investment, understand?"

Su Shi was completely bewildered by this groundbreaking, low-dimensional business logic and could only nod in agreement.

Jiang Lin patted him on the shoulder: "Get your spirits up. Tomorrow we're going to Taihu Lake to pick up the bride, and I've prepared a nuclear-level 'gift' for you."

Su Shi's eyes widened instantly: "What good stuff?"

Jiang Lin pointed towards the back mountain of the academy: "That tech geek Shen Kuo has been working himself to the bone in the lab for half a month straight. The stuff he made is absolutely dazzling enough to blind everyone in the Lu family."

Seeing the headmaster's confident and boastful demeanor, Su Shi felt a sudden pang of sadness.

If he hadn't met Jiang Lin, he'd probably still be a marginalized, bullied nobody in Bianjing, constantly being humiliated. He wouldn't be like he is now, making tons of money, with a beautiful wife in his arms—he's practically living the high life!

"I cannot express my gratitude, Headmaster, please accept my deepest bow!" Su Shi lifted his robe and bowed deeply with utmost respect.

Jiang Lin waved his hand impatiently, slumped back into his favorite rattan chair, and squinted his eyes contentedly.

He has finally completely outmaneuvered Jiangnan in this grand scheme. Now, he must simply relax and enjoy a few days of blissful retirement.

As for Cai Laodeng, who's furious in Bianjing... well, let's wait and see.