I, Sun Shan, and the Imperial Examination

Chapter 1522 Reunion with Jingyang

Sun Shan followed Wang Jiaxing to a teahouse.

Of course, this teahouse was where I first met Jingyang.

Upon seeing Sun Shan, Jing Yang quickly approached, bowed, and greeted him, saying, "This student greets Lord Sun."

Sun Shan nodded: "Young Master Jing, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

Respectfully inviting Sun Shan to take a seat, he said with a smile, "My lord, it has been a year since we last met, and we have missed you dearly."

While personally pouring tea and serving water to Sun Shan, he smiled politely and said, "I heard yesterday that you came to Chenzhou Prefecture, and that you are going back tomorrow. I am sorry for being so presumptuous, but I really want to see you."

Sun Shan waved his hand and said with a smile, "It's alright. I'm also very happy to meet Young Master Jing."

After Jing Yang sat down, he cupped his hands and said, "Sir, please don't call me Young Master Jing like that in the future. It sounds too formal. Just call me A Yang. It's much more affectionate."

Sun Shan was secretly on guard. Why was he acting so friendly? Did he want something from him?

Wang Jiaxing just said he admired those who failed the exam, while he himself was a person of impeccable character, having passed the imperial examinations step by step, and was a true scholar.

Could it be that you admire him and wish to learn from his knowledge?

Sun Shan smiled and said, "Then I'll call him A Yang."

He is older and more learned than Jingyang, so it is only natural for him to call out his name.

Moreover, Jingyang's words clearly indicate that he wants to get closer to him.

Sun Shan thought that the Jing family was a local gentry family in Chenzhou Prefecture, and he should be on good terms with them.

I don't seek any benefits, I just hope they won't cause me any trouble.

Upon hearing this, Jingyang's face lit up with a smile, and he poured tea and water for Sun Shan again.

Wang Jiaxing, standing to the side, rolled his eyes, glancing at Jing Yang for a moment, unsure of what kind of gourds the two of them were selling.

However, it's obvious that their smiles are fake, nowhere near as genuine as their own.

Jingyang asked gently and kindly, "Sir, my cousin Xing told me that you were looking for the warehouse yesterday. I wonder if you found it?"

Sun Shan glanced at Wang Jiaxing.

Wang Jiaxing turned his face to the side to block the view.

Lord Sun's slanted, triangular eyes are particularly "malicious"; you absolutely must not make eye contact with them, or you'll have nightmares at night.

Sun Shan maintained his smile and said, "Yes. I just happened to be in Chenzhou Prefecture and needed a warehouse to store my things."

The Jing family knew long ago that Sun Shan and the Wang family were colluding to sell government tax grain and profit from it.

Don't ask how the Jing family knows; the Wang family's backer is the Jing family. Old Master Wang consulted Aunt Wang's opinion long ago in order to assess the risks.

When the Jing family heard that the top two officials of Yuanlu County were colluding to sell grain, they were initially stunned. They simply couldn't understand how two people from opposing interest groups could come together.

Under normal circumstances, the county magistrate and the county assistant should check and balance each other, but unexpectedly Sun Shan and County Assistant Wang have colluded together.

Granny Wang's original intention was to maintain a harmonious relationship between Magistrate Wang and Sun Shan, and it wouldn't hurt to give up some benefits appropriately.

It was unexpected that Magistrate Wang would conspire with Sun Shan to divide the spoils.

Isn't this relationship too harmonious?

Of course, the fact that Magistrate Wang and Sun Shan were colluding was already established, so they might as well go all the way down the dark path. Granny Wang was happy to help the two of them.

For example, upon hearing that Sun Shan was looking for a warehouse, he quickly found a secluded courtyard and befriended Sun Shan.

Jingyang then said, "My lord, my family has lived in Chenzhou Prefecture for generations and is very familiar with it. There happens to be a large courtyard for sale in the western part of the city. If you are interested, you can take a look. It is very close to the city gate, which is convenient for the entry and exit of goods."

Sun Shan's eyes lit up.

They really are an old-money family.

I heard yesterday that he was looking for a warehouse, so I told him today that I had a warehouse for sale.

Not only were they fast, but they also thoughtfully chose a location close to the city gate, specifically the city gate exit closest to Yuanlu County.

Ah, this is the true essence of a cultured gentry. Even if Sun Shan were to rise to the highest rank in the future, he still wouldn't possess this kind of cultural refinement.

Sun Shan cupped his hands in thanks: "A-Yang, thank you very much, but I have to go back tomorrow and won't have time to check it out."

Sun Shan's words were a veiled refusal.

Unexpected kindness always makes people uneasy.

Jing Yang quickly replied, "Sir, that large courtyard has been listed for sale for a long time, but it hasn't sold because it's too big. It's a real pity that you have to return to Yuanlu County tomorrow. But it's alright. You can come and see it again when you have time."

Sun Shan's lips twitched; those words were blunt.

Even a fool knows that "respect" means that Sun Shan can come to see it anytime, because that big courtyard belongs to the Jing family.

Wang Jiaxing interjected, "Cousin Yang, then let's wait until the adults have time to come and visit. After all, we've already agreed to go back tomorrow, and it wouldn't be good to break our promise."

He then turned to Sun Shan and said, “Sir, there’s no rush to find a warehouse. We can take our time. It’s almost the New Year, so we should wait until spring to resume business.”

Wang Jiaxing certainly knew that Sun Shan and County Magistrate Wang were involved in grain trading.

Thinking to himself: If Sun Shan doesn't have time to watch it, my younger brother can watch it instead. It's recommended by the Jing family, so it must be good; the only question is whether Sun Shan will agree.

Sun Shan nodded: "Wang Xiucai is right. We are about to set off tomorrow. There's too much time. We'll come back to visit when we have time."

Since Sun Shan has already said so, Jing Yang won't say anything more.

After the three chatted for a while, Jingyang asked the most pressing question: "Sir, could you please take a look at my writing? I don't know what's good or bad about it."

When it came to studying, Sun Shan's eyes lit up, and he smiled broadly: "Okay, take it out."

Sun Shan was always kind and approachable to his quick-witted and eager-to-learn students.

Jingyang was prepared and immediately took out the essay he had written after failing the imperial examination.

He said expectantly, "Sir, my knowledge is shallow, and I have failed the imperial examination."

Sun Shan took the article and comforted him gently, saying, "Don't be discouraged. You're still young, there's no rush."

It would be a lie to say I'm not in a hurry.

Despite his anxiety, Jingyang still failed the exam. He could only smile wryly and say, "Thank you for your comfort, sir. I will strive to improve."

Wang Jiaxing carefully observed the way Sun Shan read the article.

When I saw Sun Shan frown, my heart leaped with joy.

Oh dear, if Lord Sun frowns even once, it means Jing Yang's writing is terrible. If Lord Sun frowns several times in a row, it proves that Jing Yang's writing is absolutely awful.

Oh dear, a year later, my cousin Yang's studies still haven't made much progress.

Tsk tsk~~ As expected, he's not particularly gifted at all, far inferior to me.

My heart pounded with admiration.

Sun Shan frowned, his heart pounding even higher. He had frowned several times already, and his heart was about to explode.

Jingyang knew that failing the exam must mean he wasn't good at it, but during the exam, he felt he did very well and couldn't see any flaws in his writing.

After failing the exam, he consulted a teacher to review his essay, and after the teacher's feedback, he realized his shortcomings.

But when I write an article about it again, it still feels pretty good, even though it's actually complete nonsense.

Jingyang was terrified and dared not speak out.

Having lived for so many years under the praise of outsiders, I really can't believe that my own writing is completely worthless.

She was even more afraid of her parents and disappointed her grandmother.