Min Region, eastern Southern Ridges Circuit.
Under the realm's administrative divisions, Min Region belonged to Southern Ridges Circuit. Yet as it continued to develop, its ties with Jiangnan Circuit had steadily grown closer, and it too had become a flourishing center of culture.
Over the past two years, as a brand-new doctrine spread, subtle changes had come to Min Region, this place far from the Central Passes capital and close to the sea, altering the fates of some people.
"Brother Cui, do you still remember that insight piece from a few days ago?"
Early in the morning, a group of Confucian scholars and students had gathered in Changle Prefecture's most famous teahouse. Each held a book scroll as they surrounded one man.
The man at the center was Cui Sujing. Originally a failed xiucai, he had repeatedly failed the examinations and been looked down upon. Yet he had gained some literary renown in his youth. After earning his xiucai degree, his path through the Imperial Examinations had been especially rough, but he did not wallow in self-pity. He still studied calmly and steadily, quick-witted and well-read, with broad knowledge and experience.
Of course, the Cui Family was wealthy, with businesses at sea, which was why they could support an idler like Cui Sujing. Had it been anyone else, even with the meager fields granted by the government and the monthly stipend for xiucai, life would inevitably have been tight. They would have had to run about for a living, bending their backs for five pecks of rice.
But as time passed, idle gossip inevitably arose within the Cui clan. Cui Sujing's father held some influence in the clan, so it was all suppressed, but the matter ultimately had to be made clear to him, and pressure gradually mounted.
This situation