Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting with winning over Daiyu's favorability

When Deng Zechen opened his eyes again, it was already dawn, and the sky was gradually brightening.

As usual, after reading for a while, Deng Zechen went to the courtyard and did a set of radio calisthenics. After a few sets of movements, he felt slightly warm.

The noise startled Guo Wenshao in the next room. Guo Wenshao opened the door, looking like he hadn't woken up yet. After watching Deng Zechen's actions for a few seconds, he closed the door and went back inside, clearly going back to catch up on his sleep.

After finishing his self-study in his room, Deng Zechen thought about his apprenticeship yesterday. Master Li seemed to have mentioned that the tradition of the sect was to bring one's own money to travel and study.

Although it's not the right time yet, you definitely need to start preparing for making money early, instead of waiting until you need to spend money to start getting anxious.

Although this dynasty was not one of the eras I was familiar with, poems and songs that would later become widely circulated had already appeared here, only the names were not those of the people I remembered.

After much deliberation, Deng Zechen realized that his only monetizable skill was his exam experience and the various modern novels he had read.

After all, they come from a province known for its civil service exams. While they may not have been top performers in exams since childhood, they have a complete process and mature experience.

When Deng Zechen participated in the county examination, he discovered that not all the students who participated in the county examination were well prepared.

Some of them clearly came from humble backgrounds and had no one to guide them. Some didn't bring warm clothes, some didn't bring food that could be stored for a long time and couldn't persevere to the end, and some didn't bring an oilcloth and got their exam papers dirty in the rain and were disqualified...

However, these are all external factors, which can be learned and avoided with a little effort.

Many students failed because of poor time management. They spent too much time on the questions about the Four Books and their interpretations in the first round, leaving them with insufficient time to finish or polish the remaining questions, resulting in a top-heavy approach.

All these factors combined have led to many candidates' years of preparation going to waste, leaving them to wait for the next opportunity.

Deng Zechen plans to compile his experience into a book called "The Imperial Examination Handbook," which summarizes the process and precautions for participating in the imperial examinations, as well as the influence of the chief examiners on the examinations. He believes it will be quite successful in the lower-tier markets.

But you have to find some time to go to the bookstore to see if there are any similar books, otherwise it will all be a waste of time.

It should be around 2 AM now. Deng Zechen took two strings of cash and prepared to go out to buy some breakfast, and then, as planned, go to the bookstore to inquire if there were any similar books.

The bookstores in the capital opened quite early, but the staff seemed rather listless, especially Deng Zechen, who didn't appear to be a big spender.

The shop assistant only gave Deng Zechen a verbal greeting. After learning that Deng Zechen wanted to take a look himself first, he picked up a feather duster and listlessly swept the dust off the shelf, ignoring Deng Zechen completely.

After wandering around, Deng Zechen discovered that compared to Wu County, the prices at a seemingly ordinary bookstore in the capital were at least three times higher. This fact greatly threatened Deng Zechen's wallet.

This further strengthened Deng Zechen's determination to find a way to make money as soon as possible.

Back at the bookstore entrance, Deng Zechen asked the shop assistant who had been working the whole time but hadn't moved from his spot:

"Excuse me, sir. Do you have any books related to scientific expeditions? Not the Four Books and Five Classics, but books about the procedures and details of scientific expeditions."

The waiter stopped dusting himself with the feather duster, and after thinking for less than a moment, he gave his answer:

"No, I've never heard of such a book. There are some books written by scholars who passed the imperial examinations, about their self-reflection and exam experiences, but they are rare and not many people buy them. Look, it's on the bottom left of the innermost shelf. You can read it for half an hour for 12 coins, or 65 coins per book."

Without understanding the market, one has no right to speak. Deng Zechen gritted his teeth, counted out 12 coins, and went to read the book recommended by his friend.

Half an hour later, Deng Zechen emerged from the bookstore with mixed feelings.

Good news: So far, no one has thought of the same thing as me and has taken the lead in writing and publishing a book.

Bad news: I spent 12 yuan reading the autobiographies of several sycophants.

After Deng Zechen returned to the Li residence with two breakfasts, Guo Wenshao finally got up. He didn't stand on ceremony with the breakfasts Deng Zechen brought back, just as Deng Zechen had been very hospitable to Guo Wenshao the day before.

The two sat together eating their warm breakfast.

Deng Zechen told Guo Wenshao about his idea of ​​writing a "Scientific Expedition Handbook":

"Senior brother, yesterday I heard from Master Li that I will need to prepare my own money to travel and study in the future. But I am really short of money and need to make plans as soon as possible. I plan to write a 'Scientific Examination Handbook' based on my experience and some insights and sell it in bookstores. What do you think, senior brother?"

Guo Wenshao, who had just finished eating and was picking his teeth, paused and looked at Deng Zechen:

"You want to make money by writing a book? You can show it to me first. My older brother has a few decent bookstores in the capital. If it's feasible, I can help you sell it directly through my brother's bookstores. I'll negotiate for you, at least a 30/70 split. You're my junior brother, so my older brother won't object to you taking 70%. Just wait for your share of the profits."

Deng Zechen's eyes lit up. Wasn't this like a pillow being delivered just when you're about to fall asleep?!

"Thank you, senior brother! I will hand over the first volume of the 'Scientific Examination Handbook' to you in a few days."

"Hmm, it's a small matter. You should start earning money and making plans as soon as possible. After all, Master Li started calculating your expenses from the moment you became his disciple and moved into his residence. Traveling abroad for further studies will also be a significant expense in the future."

Deng Zechen sensed something was wrong.

"Didn't Master Li say that there's no tuition fee for beginners? Will my food and lodging expenses be high here?"

Guo Wenshao revealed an expression of "I knew it," and looked at Deng Zechen with some sympathy:

"I don't want tuition fees, but the writing materials you use here aren't cheap, and there's also the cost of lodging. I don't know the total amount because my family gave the money directly to Master Li for me. But I heard something you might want to know: one of Master Li's disciples, who is now an official in another region, passed the imperial examination seven or eight years ago and still hasn't paid off the money he owes Master Li."

Guo Wenshao paused at this point, then added his own speculation:

"I talked about this with my fellow disciples. Master Li gave each disciple a different bill. Some stayed here for half a month and were charged 40 taels, while others only stayed for five or six days and were charged 60 taels. If they didn't pay it off in the first month, the amount would keep increasing. We all guessed that Master Li was just making up the amounts so that he could legitimately ask his disciples for money or ask them to do favors after they became officials in the court..."

What kind of feudal dynasty, capitalist usury is this!

Is nobody in charge? No wonder he doesn't hold an official position; he's probably afraid that if he did, his political enemies would use that as leverage to kill him!

Deng Zechen was filled with grief and indignation, regretting that he hadn't seen through Li Shi's scheme in time and had fallen into the trap.

Perhaps to comfort Deng Zechen, or perhaps because Deng Zechen looked furious, Guo Wenshao shared what he considered to be good news:

"But you don't need to worry. It's okay if you can't pay it back. Even if you keep dragging it out, Master Li won't do anything to you."

Even if I ask you to do something, it won't be something that involves the extermination of your entire family or imprisonment.

"If you see any talented young people in the future, you can recommend them to Master Li. If they become disciples, Master Li will halve your debt. Once two disciples come, you won't have to pay off your debt!"

"What?! Bringing people in can get your debt forgiven?"

No, this is no longer a simple loan sharking scheme; it's a pyramid scheme!

Who would have thought that someone as serious and rigid as Magistrate Li would lie!

Damn it, how come I still have student loans to pay back even though I'm here!

The die is cast, and Deng Zechen forces a smile:

"This tradition within our sect is truly fascinating."