I, Sun Shan, and the Imperial Examination

Chapter 1521 Wang Jiaxing is a plastic cousin

Sun Shan and Sister Yun followed the broker all day, but they couldn't find a suitable warehouse. Sister Yun, on the other hand, was so tired that she was lying on the bench like a lapdog, completely lacking any decorum.

He was panting heavily and shook his head repeatedly, saying, "Brother Shan, I'm not going tomorrow, I'm just too tired."

At this moment, Sister Yun suspected that Sun Shan was using the pretense of looking for the warehouse to prank her.

Otherwise, why would I be so tired after walking with him all day?

I was exhausted, and I hadn't even had a proper meal. I hurriedly shoveled down a few mouthfuls of rice before heading off to the next place.

Sister Yun hasn't walked at such a high intensity in a long time, she really can't take it anymore.

Sun Shan sat calmly on the stool and said with a smile, "Sister Yun, I only went to a few brokerage firms, how could I be tired? Oh dear, I see you don't move around much on weekdays, that's why you look so tired."

Sister Yun remained hunched over the bench, frequently wiping away sweat with her handkerchief.

He retorted, "Brother Shan, I carry Xiaoxiaochen around every day, I'm always moving. It's just that we ran so much today that I couldn't take it anymore. Brother Shan, I've been trying to lose weight."

Sun Shan waved his hand and said, "Alright, get some rest. We'll take another look tomorrow. It's a real shame we couldn't find a suitable warehouse today."

Sister Yun had no desire to accompany Sun Shan to watch the warehouse.

With tears welling up in his eyes, he said, "Brother Shan, why don't we wait until Brother De comes back before making a decision? We can't stay in Chenzhou Prefecture for too long. Yuanlu County can't function without you as its magistrate for even a day. Let's go back tomorrow."

Then he played the emotional card, saying, "Brother Shan, your father and mother must be very worried about you and are hoping you'll come back soon. And Xiaoxiao and Huming, don't you miss them too? Let's go back as soon as possible and put their minds at ease."

Sister Yun racked her brains and came up with all sorts of reasons to avoid going out with Sun Shan.

Sun Shan said nonchalantly, "Alright, a day or two won't make a difference. It's a rare trip to Chenzhou Prefecture, so we need to get to know this place properly. You know De Ge'er, he's unpredictable and doesn't do things right."

Sister Yun: .....

I really want to knock Sun Shan unconscious and take him home.

Sun Shan got up as soon as it was light, but didn't go to check the warehouse.

Plans can't keep up with changes, and Wang's great-aunt's grandson, Jingyang, invited Sun Shan to dinner.

To be honest, Sun Shan didn't really want to deal with the Jing family, fearing that they would covet his grain business and interfere.

Unfortunately, the martial arts world is not just about fighting and killing; it's full of human relationships and social niceties, so Sun Shan had no choice but to keep the appointment.

In particular, he even partnered with Magistrate Wang in business, showing respect for the Buddha even if it meant disrespecting the monk.

When Sister Yun heard that Sun Shan had made an appointment, she was overjoyed and happily dressed him up.

He urged anxiously, "Brother Shan, hurry up, I'll be waiting for you at the post station."

Yun Jie'er had never been so eager for Sun Shan to leave; she practically wanted to carry him onto the carriage and have Gui Ge'er take him away.

Sun Shan was speechless. He turned around and went to find his third uncle.

These days, I've almost forgotten about this person.

Upon arriving in Chenzhou Prefecture, they were first assigned tasks by Prefect Liu, then attended a meeting, and were subsequently harassed by Magistrate Shen.

Shopping with Sister Yun, then going to find the warehouse.

Busy with other things, he had no time to pay attention to Uncle Sun.

And what about Uncle Sun? He and the two servants borrowed from Uncle Wang went out early and returned late.

Even if Sun Shan doesn't come to his door, there's no way he can even get a meeting.

Sun Shan entered the room and saw that his third uncle had already washed and dressed and was ready to go out.

Upon seeing Shanzi, he cheerfully called out, "Shanzi, Shanzi from Third Uncle, what brings you here? We can talk tonight, Third Uncle is busy, I have an appointment for tea."

Sun Shan frowned and asked, "Third Uncle, we're unfamiliar with Chenzhou Prefecture. Where did you go to make the appointment?"

Uncle Sun rolled his eyes at Sun Shan: "Shanzi, I've been to Chenzhou Prefecture before, how can you say I'm not familiar with it?"

"Come here before" refers to the first time he came to find Sun Shan with Uncle Chen.

Sun Shan asked, even more puzzled, "Who did you make an appointment with?"

Uncle Sun said matter-of-factly, "I made an appointment with Chief Escort Wei. Shanzi, it's a rare trip to Chenzhou Prefecture, you should see an old acquaintance."

Sun Shan asked in surprise, "Third Uncle, you don't speak Mandarin or the local dialect, how do you talk to Chief Escort Wei?"

How can two people who don't even know how to read, speak different languages, and have different backgrounds talk to each other?

Uncle Sun rolled his eyes at Sun Shan again: "Shanzi, you don't understand. I can't speak Mandarin, but I can understand a little bit of the local dialect."

Haha, plus our hand gestures, we can roughly understand what the other person is saying. Shanzi, people don't always talk; they can also feel with their hearts.

Sun Shan: ...

Forget about your heartfelt feelings.

Sun Shancai didn't believe it.

But Uncle Sun believed him and said hurriedly, "Shanzi, I can't talk to you anymore. I have to go find Chief Escort Wei. There's still something I haven't finished saying. I have to finish it today."

After saying that, he hurriedly led two servants from Wang's family away.

As Sun Shan watched his third uncle's retreating figure, he truly admired his uncle's ability to strike up conversations.

They had only met once, yet they managed to arrange a meeting.

This effective social skill might be even more so if it weren't for language limitations.

Never mind, I'll wait until the servants from Wang's family return before questioning them in detail about what shady "deals" they had with Chief Escort Wei.

As Sun Shan walked out of the post station, Wang Jiaxing ran over from afar.

He said apologetically, "My lord, my cousin was very happy to learn that you had come to Chenzhou Prefecture yesterday. He really wants to meet you."

He then added, "I heard that you are leaving tomorrow, which is why I am sending this visiting card in such haste. Please do not take offense."

Sun Shan waved his hand: "It's alright."

Wang Jiaxing continued, "Sir, my cousin failed the imperial examination again. Oh dear, he's so heartbroken."

Upon hearing this, Sun Shan vaguely sensed that Wang Jiaxing was somewhat gloating.

What a fake cousin!

Wang Jiaxing added, "My cousin missed the imperial examination last time because he was sick, and this time he failed again for some reason. Alas, fate is cruel, and I'm very disappointed."

Thinking to myself: My cousin doesn't seem to have any real talent; all the praise he receives is just flattery. Alas, it's all this flattery that's ruined him, making him unable to recognize his own limitations.

He, Wang Jiaxing, is different.

Not only is he exceptionally intelligent, but he also possesses genuine talent and learning. With the assistance of Lord Sun, he achieved such excellent results in the provincial examination.

My cousin is uneducated, lost amidst the adulation of others, and lacks both a good teacher and helpful friends.

Tsk tsk~~ If he didn't fail the exam, who would?

Wang Jiaxing really wanted to run up and tell his cousin to learn from him, so he could definitely make the list.

Unfortunately, his grandfather and father both told him to say more flattering things to his cousin and not to offend him.

The Jing family is the Wang family's backer, so they have to curry favor with them. The Wang family's rise to power is entirely due to the Jing family's protection.

Wang Jiaxing scoffed at the idea, but had no choice but to comply.

Feeling utterly stifled, I decided to play both sides.