Chapter 50: Sparks Flying Everywhere (Seeking Recommendation Tickets and Bookmarks)

  Song Jiu soon saw someone who could think of a way.

  In the crowd, there were countless big shots, some of whom had been seen in the government hall, but he still didn't recognize them. However, someone, Zhao Kuangyi, was squeezing back and forth in the crowd, looking around, seemingly having a great time. Song Jiu squeezed over and said, "Your subject pays respects to the Second King."

  "Kid, you got a headache?"

  "The Second King is wise and clear-sighted; I am indeed seeking guidance from the Second King."

  "You're no good either, kid."

  "There are many places I don't go."

  "As long as you have a clear understanding of yourself, I'll come up with an idea for you. It's definitely not going to work out if things continue like this."

  "That's right."

  "You'd better choose a person, divide them into three circles. Although you little rascal likes to act recklessly, this time accidentally doing something good is promoting moral education. Who knows if the historians will record it? I just don't know what kind of expression the historians will have when evaluating you."

  Fu Zhao Shou and they all burst out laughing together.

  "Don't laugh at him, Song Jiu may be sly, but he's better than you who have nothing to do. Song Jiu has set up three circles: the first circle is for young men from 10 to 20 years old, who are in their learning stage and have a promising future ahead of them. They are the main targets for teaching. The second circle allows people from 40 to 20 years old and children from 5 to 10 years old to observe, but instructs parents to remind their children not to make noise. Those in the first circle bring their own chairs and stools to learn, while those in the second circle have children sitting in the front row and adults standing behind them, with bamboo poles separating the two circles at a distance. Others are not allowed to enter this circle. With only over a thousand people in the first circle, it's easy to teach and the learners can actually gain something. Although there are more people in the second circle, they're standing, and the children won't take up too much space, so no matter how many more people come, it won't be chaotic."

  "This method is good, after all, Erda Wang is wise."

  "This official is not brilliant either, but better than you who are muddled all day."

  "Yes."

  "Moreover, you inadvertently initiated a grand event, but due to your narrow-minded psychology and strong regional prejudices, not only is it unattractive, but also easy to be attacked by others."

  "Two Big Kings..."

  "You don't need to explain, it's nothing but a poor river, but you're making a big fuss about the river!"

  What's going on in the river? Song Jiu is about to faint.

  "It's easy to solve this problem. This is a grand event, and it shouldn't just benefit the people of Hebei. Let's invite 500 young men from Hebei to join in and share the benefits. Moreover, I've heard that you have 10 vacant spots, so squeeze them in and expand recruitment by 20 students from Hebei into your school. That would be a grand event, even promoting unity and friendship between the people of both rivers. This is what you mean by 'the rise and fall of the world, every individual has a responsibility.' Even if you make some mistakes in the future, because of this matter, the imperial court will deal with you leniently."

  "I didn't leak it."

  "Not yet, if it weren't for His Majesty's pardon, you would have been punished according to the law for some of your actions."

  Song Jiuzhen was taken aback, "What did I do wrong?" Then shook his head: "Alright, Second Master Wang, I know you are the prefect of Kaifeng Prefecture. Don't want conflicts between the two rivers to continue, I'll take it down, no need to put a big hat on me."

  "What a big hat! Young man, you are also considered a great master, but how can this official listen to it and find that you are like a cunning merchant, haggling everywhere."

  Yu Ping was dissatisfied: "Second Master Wang, Ninth Brother alone did such a big thing, wanting money but having no money, wanting people but having no people, it had to be this way."

  Zhao Kuangyi looked at Yu Ping and said: "You!"

  No matter what was said, it seemed that this little beauty had fallen deeply in love with this talented young man and was becoming more and more enamored. She wouldn't listen to anything she herself said. Not wanting to say any more, he sent someone to fetch Liu Zhi County, the county magistrate of Kaifeng, from the crowd, and had him bring people to set up bamboo barriers and organize the order. It really worked, and the chaotic situation immediately improved. There were still so many people, but they became neat and orderly.

  Zhao Kuangyi proudly said: "Look at this, young man, are you convinced or not?"

  "I have always admired the two great kings."

  "Don't flatter me, I'm asking you, are you still studying that matter?"

  "In research."

  "Don't blame Zhao Gong either, the imperial court has its own system and prestige. If it succeeds, nothing will happen, but if it doesn't, ten officials will become your disciples, and at that time, the common people will mock the imperial court and you and Zhao Gong."

  "Can't I develop it myself?"

  "It's a bit bitter, Your Majesty has a plan in mind. There was that time when you and I talked, giving you one more year to spare, no rush, especially for this big matter, even more cannot be rushed. Besides, Your Majesty allocated 2,000 bolts of silk from the inner treasury to help you succeed."

  "Two thousand bolts of silk? Thank you, Your Majesty."

  "Can't you stop your eyes from lighting up at the mention of money?" If not for the countless onlookers, Zhao Kuangyi would have kicked Song Jiu a few more times.

  "I'm broke, there are many places I need to spend money on, can't help it."

  "It can't be used recklessly, you know that His Majesty in the palace with his concubines can't bear to wear silk clothes, three thousand bolts of satin is not a small number, the country is spending money everywhere."

  "The two great kings can rest assured that this technology, once developed, will increase the country's gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, tin and coal by who knows how much in a year, and it will even be of help in military affairs."

  "What does it have to do with the military?"

  "Relevant, but how relevant depends on how the imperial court utilizes it."

  "Let's talk about it."

  "As soon as the two big kings come out, you will know that it's okay to rest assured, it can't be exchanged for money. If it could be exchanged for money, its value would be worth several hundred million yuan."

  "Nonsense," Zhao Kuangyi didn't ask again. He was also worried, Song Jiu said to increase production, he told his elder brother, and told the officials, if Song Jiu succeeded, he would have a good reputation too, if Song Jiu failed, he would lose face. Since Song Jiu had said so, he must be confident, and added: "In that case, I will reward you with another thousand bolts of silk to help you."

  "Two Big Kings..."

  "Don't get excited, and don't show this face when asking for money in the future."

  The thirty or so rich young men around them laughed until their waists were bent.

  "Big Brother, Second Brother, what are you laughing at?" A woman's voice came from behind.

  Song Jiu immediately turned his head away, Pan Lian'er raised her fist at Song Jiu in a threatening manner: "You little scoundrel, don't you dare look at me."

  For this little rascal, he himself didn't know how many times his mother had scolded him.

  Yu Ping gazed intently at Pan Lian'er, who was also staring back at her. For a moment, sparks flew everywhere, and the air was filled with invisible blades clashing and flashing. Song Jiu scratched his head and said, "Gentlemen, now that order has been restored, let's talk over there and I'll tell you a story."

  "White Fox?" Fu Zhao Shou asked intentionally.

  "What's White Fox? It sounds ten times better than it."

  "Go!" Fu Zhao Shou and several others came up, lifted Song Jiu up, and carried him to the riverbank. Song Jiu began telling the story of Journey to the West. In this era, there were stories, but they were nothing compared to Wu Cheng'en's Journey to the West. Yu Ping sat majestically beside Song Jiu, while Pan Lian'er didn't even think about competing with Yu Ping. However, after hearing Song Jiu tell a story, she blushed and went over with her several close friends to listen. Even Zhao Kuangyi stood on the side listening to what kind of story he was telling. Song Jiu continued telling the story in one breath, but made some changes, making the Jade Emperor's story bigger and the Buddha's story smaller. He only told it up to the point where Sun Wukong was pressed under the Five Elements Mountain. Otherwise, it would be considered "reactionary".

  Zhao Kuangyi let out a sigh and said to Liu Yue and Shi Zai Xi, "Heaven is blind, talent was born in this kid."

  Shi Zai Xi said in a low voice, "Second King, you can't say that. Having no desires or demands isn't necessarily a bad thing. If someone has talent and emotions, the more ideas they have, the more cautious the imperial court should be when using them."

  Isn't it just about being greedy for wealth and lustful for beauty? Compared to plotting against the country and usurping power, what's the big deal?!

  Zhao Kuangyi thought for a moment, and indeed, he was also drawn in by this incredibly vivid long story. As a result, countless people gathered to watch the hundred or so young students learning naively, and a small group of people were also attracted to Song Jiu's side; if it weren't for the fact that the people around him were either wealthy or noble, there would be even more people surrounding him.

  The sky gradually darkened, Song Jiu stood up, patted the dust on his buttocks and said: "It's getting dark, everyone go back."

  "No, I want to listen."

  "Little sister, don't be reckless," Pan Weide and Pan Weiguo protected Xiaomei tightly like two old hens, fearing that Song Jiu would abduct her. This was not something Zhao Kuangyi could participate in, he whispered to Yu Ping: "Yu Niangzi, you have to keep a close eye on her."

  After finishing speaking, he left and followed this group of second-generation ancestors to make trouble.

  Yu Ping suddenly plucked up the courage, stepped forward and grasped Song Jiu's hand, staring at Pan Lian'er with a warning gaze, as if to say: "Pan family's little girl, don't get any ideas, this person is mine."

  What a show! This group of second-generation rich kids is about to see Pan Lian'er and see how she reacts.