White-robed Minister

Chapter 108 0106 [The Top Scholar Has to Pay More Money]

(Some say that the "Qijiqian" (期集钱) was a gift from the emperor, and that it was impossible for scholars to pay for it in ancient times. However, the emperor's bestowal of Qijiqian only occurred after Wang Anshi's reforms. Never overestimate the bottom line of the Song Dynasty.)

"The top scholar is here!"

Ouyang Bian roared loudly, even more excited than when he himself became the top scholar in the imperial examination.

Xu Anshi was slightly taken aback, then shouted, "The top scholar is here!"

"The top scholar is here!"

"The top scholar is here!"

Scholars from Guangdong joined in the chant, and someone even added, "The top scholar is from Guangdong!"

In that instant, all eyes turned to him.

Then, scholars kept stepping forward, bowing to Xu Lai and introducing themselves.

Especially the newly appointed scholars, who couldn't wait to reminisce with Xu about their friendship from the same year.

Chen Yanhong was still in a daze and could not accept the reality of failing the exam.

"Young master, Xu Sanlang has become the top scholar in the imperial examination," the pageboy reminded him.

Chen Yanhong seemed unable to understand what the pageboy was saying, and assumed that the pageboy wanted him to leave, so he subconsciously moved away from the crowd looking at the list.

The page hesitated, wanting to speak but then stopped, and had no choice but to chase after him to look after him.

None of the merchants who came to seek a son-in-law after the imperial examination dared to approach. They were not qualified to capture the top scholar; that was the target of the court officials.

Some of the ministers' descendants, who had been lying in wait nearby, rushed toward Xu Lai.

Upon approaching and discovering Ouyang Bian, Xu Anshi, and others, they stopped and ran off to find the runner-up—realizing they couldn't compete, they assumed the Ouyang family was also seeking a son-in-law.

At the same time, Xu Lai himself was shouting, "I'm already engaged! I'm already engaged!"

As Xu Lai retreated, he repeatedly bowed to the scholars who surrounded him. His friends provided cover, surrounding Xu Lai and chatting and laughing as they searched for a restaurant to celebrate.

It was only mid-morning, and many restaurants had just opened their doors.

"Shopkeeper, prepare some fine wine and meat, the top scholar has arrived!" someone shouted.

Upon hearing this, the bartender and his staff were immediately invigorated, and even the manager, who was calculating the accounts, put down his brush.

The innkeeper hurriedly called out, "Scholar, please come in! The God of Literature has graced our establishment with his presence, bringing great honor to our tavern! Scholar and your friends will receive a 50% discount on food and drinks!"

Then the shopkeeper shouted, "Quickly, get some firecrackers!"

Xu Lai and his group filled several tables.

After a moment of laughter and banter, Xu Lai inquired, "The gratitude silver is one hundred taels, and how much is the pre-collection money?"

Ouyang Bian said, "There is no fixed amount for the funds to be collected; it is decided by the scholars themselves. Generally speaking, it should be at least a thousand strings of cash, and sometimes four or five thousand strings."

"Total number?" Xu Lai asked to confirm.

Ouyang Bian nodded: "Of course, it's the total amount. All the successful candidates will pool their money together. The more they contribute, the more lively it will be, and we can hold many banquets and outings. If they contribute too little, it will be rather quiet and deserted."

Xu Lai then asked, "The thanksgiving silver and the pre-collection money are both very expensive. What if a poor scholar can't afford them? I mean, what if a certain scholar is unwilling to borrow money?"

"You can submit a petition to apply for exemption," Xu Anshi laughed. "As long as you apply, the emperor will definitely agree. But how could anyone apply for exemption? Don't they have any shame? Everyone else pays, but this person doesn't. They won't be able to get along in officialdom in the future!"

Xu Lai smiled.

Ouyang Bian immediately realized what was going on: "Xingzhi, you don't mean to apply for exemption from taxes, do you? I still have some silver here, though it's not much, it's just a token of my appreciation."

Xu Anshi said, "I can also borrow twenty taels. If that's not enough, I'll borrow from my uncles."

Classmates from Guangzhou also generously donated.

"I still have some money left, Xingzhi, take it and use it first."

"Yes, yes, I can lend you a few strings of cash. The rest of the money is enough for me to go back to Guangzhou."

"Xingzhi, you finally achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination; don't let this jeopardize your career. I can at least lend you ten strings of cash!"

"————"

Liang Wensu even took out thirty taels of silver, which his parents had prepared for him in case of emergency.

Xu Lai was deeply moved and stood up to bow, saying, "I appreciate your kindness, everyone. There's no need to mention the loan again."

He wasn't in a hurry, but the others were, and they all advised him not to act impulsively.

Xu Lai replied, "The officials in the court are discussing reforms. Why can't we start with the thanksgiving money? As you all know, I am never rash in my actions. So please don't worry about me causing trouble."

Upon hearing this, everyone recalled Xu Lai's style of doing things and realized that he had never actually done anything reckless.

So they stopped trying to persuade him and all believed that Xu Lai could handle things well.

This is the reputation that Xu Sanlang has built up over a long period of time.

Ouyang Bian couldn't help but remind him, "Brother, even if you don't give the thanksgiving silver, you still have to give the collected money. Moreover, you have to give the most, because you are the top scholar!"

Xu Lai quickly inquired about the reason.

Before Wang Anshi's reforms, the funds collected were raised and used by the newly appointed scholars themselves, so they did not pass through the hands of other officials.

The top six newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) formed a "Fundraising Committee," and the accounts were made public to all Jinshi, with the top scholar (Zhuangyuan) and the second-highest scholar (Bangyan) in charge of managing them.

The higher the rank or grade of the Jinshi (进士), the more money they had to contribute to the fund.

The top six, in particular, contributed the most money. If three thousand strings of cash were to be raised, then the six of them would have to contribute at least five hundred strings.

As for the last-ranked scholars, each person only had to pay a few strings of cash, just a token amount.

Upon hearing this devastating news, Xu Lai's mood instantly soured.

As the top scholar, he would have to contribute at least one hundred strings of cash, or even more, to the funds collected during the preliminary period.

Did Xu Sanlang pay the bill for the wedding banquet?

Xu Anshi said, "Especially the celebration banquet, from the venue and utensils to the food and drink, everything was arranged by the top scholar, with the second-place scholar assisting in the management. In the past, the emperor would also be invited to the banquet, but this year the emperor certainly won't come, but at least one prime minister will attend. Whether the celebration banquet is well-organized can be used to judge the ability of the new top scholar."

ability?

It's all about money!

That noon, the group didn't enjoy their drinks at the restaurant to the fullest, as other customers kept coming over to offer them drinks.

As you drink, you end up having to deal with strangers.

So much so that after drinking for only a short while, everyone suggested that the party end.

The friends insisted on splitting the cost of the drinks, hoping to save Xu Lai some money, since they would have many expenses later on.

Xu Lai refused to split the cost and insisted on paying for it himself.

After all, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become the top scholar, and Xu Lai genuinely wanted to treat everyone to a meal.

Just as Xu Lai was taking out his money to pay the bill, the shopkeeper arrived after hearing the commotion. He first scolded the shopkeeper, then approached with a beaming smile: "It's too vulgar to talk about money when a top scholar like you has come to visit. Please leave your calligraphy."

"My handwriting is just average," Xu Lai said honestly.

The shop owner smiled and took out paper and pen: "The top scholar is too modest."

Xu Lai said, "I'll pay the bill."

The shopkeeper, feigning reluctance, bowed and said, "Even if the top scholar doesn't leave any calligraphy, I certainly can't charge for this meal. I respectfully see you off, top scholar and all the gentlemen!"

With things said to this point, how could Xu Lai possibly refuse?

Fueled by alcohol, he picked up a brush and wrote the four characters "大展宏图" (meaning "to achieve great things").

The shopkeeper was overjoyed and, before Xu Lai could even step out of the shop, stuffed another ten taels of silver into his hand: "This is a tip for the top scholar's writing fee."

.

Xu Lai felt a little dizzy.

Is it really that easy to make money as a top scorer?

We definitely can't keep doing this.

One or two coincidences are enough, but if he were to write inscriptions for shops everywhere, he would definitely become a laughing stock in official circles. It might even create rumors that the newly appointed top scholar is extremely greedy.

After leaving the restaurant, everyone strolled around together, walking from inside the city to outside, enjoying the scenery along the Bian River.

On the way, Xu Lai asked Ouyang Bian, "Why are so many public houses inside and outside the city dilapidated, and some even abandoned and uninhabited?"

"The rent is too cheap, and we don't have the money to make repairs," Ouyang Bian replied.

Xu Lai inquired in more detail.

Public housing refers to low-rent housing.

Some of them were built by the imperial court, but many more came from the properties of convicted officials and criminals that were fined and confiscated, as well as mortgaged properties that were confiscated because the owners could not repay official loans, and properties belonging to families without heirs.

The imperial court established a special agency called "Shop and Residence Affairs" to be responsible for collecting rent and repairs.

The affordable housing in Kaifeng during the Northern Song Dynasty reached its peak during the reign of Emperor Renzong, boasting a staggering number of nearly 30,000 rooms!

But now it can't keep going.

The reason is that the price is too cheap!

The rent remained at the standard rate from the early Song Dynasty, when property prices were incredibly low. Some ministers suggested raising the rent, but Emperor Renzong said he couldn't bear to.

Not only will the rent not be increased, but it will also be waived during holidays and natural disasters.

Tenants are not allowed to be evicted, and even during demolition compensation, people renting low-rent housing are required to receive compensation at half the price that self-built house owners receive.

Many Tokyo residents have lived in low-rent housing for generations. Although it is called public housing, it is no different from their own property. Not only is the rent extremely cheap, but the government is also responsible for maintenance.

What was the result?

Public housing management agencies are operating at a loss, with rent collected not even covering daily maintenance. Since the emperor loves his people like his own children and can't bear to raise the rent for low-rent housing, everyone might as well just give up and do nothing.

Repair and maintenance?

No money!

What? Dozens of houses collapsed in a year because they were too old? And they keep collapsing every year?

So be it if it collapses. We didn't say we wouldn't fix it, we just don't have the money.

The emperor only forbade us from evicting the tenants, but we didn't evict anyone; the low-rent housing collapsed on its own. You can live wherever you want.

Do you want to repair your house yourself?

No!

Those are government-subsidized housing units, and their maintenance must be organized by the government. I'll pretend not to see routine repairs, but if you cause too much noise, don't blame me for fining you handsomely.

Emperor Renzong of Song was very benevolent.

"Xingzhi, why are you asking about public funds?" Xu Anshi asked curiously.

Xu Lai smiled and said, "Just asking."

If he only applies to not give the thanks money himself, what will those fellow graduates who gave the thanks money think?

If Xu Lai were to seize this opportunity to advise the emperor to abolish the system of thanksgiving silver, regardless of whether the emperor agrees or not, what would become of the other successful candidates in the imperial examinations? Would he think he's the only one who dares to speak frankly and offer advice? Would we all be idiots?

Therefore, the key to not paying the thanksgiving silver this time lies not in the emperor or the officials, but in how to unite the fellow graduates!

As an outlier who refused to pay the gratitude silver, I had to bring my fellow graduates who did pay the gratitude silver into the same camp and ensure that everyone would benefit from it.

Low-rent housing is a very good entry point.

Xu Lai wasn't stupid; he wouldn't act recklessly. He planned to use moral blackmail against everyone, including the emperor, his officials, and his fellow graduates!

Since there is no palace examination, the time for announcing the results is undetermined.

Taking advantage of this break, Xu Lai, along with a few friends, began to conduct on-site inspections of low-rent housing throughout the city.

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