Jin Shanyao decided to rest for two days and spend time with them, but before she knew it, Master Zhao came to visit.
"Miss Jin, I've requested two places from the Prefectural City Academy, hoping Anci can study there."
Every year, Willow and Poplar County sends two students to the Green Mountain Academy in the prefectural city. Although the places are precious, some students still give them up.
The tuition fees at the Prefectural City Academy were high, and the cost of food and lodging was also considerable, so some students wouldn't go even if they got a spot.
People strive for higher positions, just as water flows downhill.
Jin Shanyao said gratefully, "Thank you for your trouble, Master Zhao."
Master Zhao, " Anci is intelligent, and he has become much more composed after failing the exam last year. I think he will have a bright future."
He sighed, "I really don't want to let him go."
Who wouldn't want to cultivate a top scholar? But Willow and Poplar County was ultimately lagging behind, and he couldn't bear to bury such talent.
" The Green Mountain Academy in the prefectural city has many teachers who are either successful candidates in the imperial examinations or retired scholars, which will broaden Anci's horizons."
He ruffled Meng Anci's hair, "Don't forget your teacher when you get to the prefectural city."
Meng Anci looked at Master Zhao, his eyes clear, "Master, wait for me."
"Once I've learned some new articles in the capital, I'll come back and read them to you."
Upon hearing this, Master Zhao felt a warmth in his heart. "The sky is high and the road is long, I can only take you this far."
May you be diligent in your studies and succeed in the imperial examinations.
Going to the prefectural city to study was a big deal. Jin Shanyao took her two children to pay respects to Meng Household's parents first, and then began to prepare for the move.
Now she is no longer alone; she owns mountains, a manor, and shops—she's quite wealthy!
The backyard of the Benevolence Hall.
Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci sat under the eaves, holding pastries in their hands, with two bowls of milk on small stools in front of them.
Madam Qin sat beside them, a smile playing on her lips as she watched the old man and the young man chat.
Qin Baitang chopped the licorice root, his voice flat and devoid of any emotion.
"I appreciate Shopkeeper Jin Jin's kindness. Although my shop is small, it is my ancestral property and the culmination of my Qin Household's efforts."
Being someone else's manager means always following orders; it's much more comfortable to be in charge yourself.
He was still angry. They had agreed that he would come first if there were medicinal herbs, but Jin Shanyao around and sold the herbs in the prefectural city.
He learned about this from Old Medicine Zhou.
All the care he had given her was in vain.
Jin Shanyao chuckled and squatted down beside Qin Baitang, "Look at you, it's been so long, why are you still ignoring me?"
Qin Baitang remained silent, only trying to distance himself from her. "Go to the prefectural city and find Old Medicine Zhou. What do you need me for?"
"Oh dear, Old Medicine Zhou may have some skills, but he's still a bit inferior to you. After all, you're one of the best in Willow and Poplar County."
Qin Baitang didn't even lift his eyelids as he got up and placed the chopped licorice in a winnowing basket to dry.
"You can leave now. I don't agree to be your manager."
Jin Shanyao his nose, licked his cheek, and moved closer.
" Old Qin... do you want some monkey head mushrooms?"
Qin Baitang laughed in exasperation, "So you remember this? I thought you'd forgotten all about it. Go away, don't get so close to me. Old Qin, I could be your father by now."
Jin Shanyao secretly rolled her eyes, thinking to herself, "I could be your ancestor's ancestor."
" Baitang... I ask you, what is the most important thing in a person's life?"
Qin Baitang said coldly, "Live... live happily, live without anyone getting in your way."
Jin Shanyao glared at him disapprovingly, "You've narrowed your perspective. The most important thing in life is value."
It's the heights you can reach, and the name that will be remembered by the world.
The two little ones looked at each other, puzzled. Wait a minute, that's not how their aunt taught them! Why did she change her approach?
Qin Baitang chuckled, "I didn't expect Shopkeeper Jin to talk to me about strategic thinking."
Jin Shanyao her tongue and said, "If you stay here and guard this ancestral property, you'll earn at most a hundred taels a year, enough for a peaceful life."
Where is your son? Where is your grandson? Do you want them to stay stuck in Willow and Poplar County for generations to come?
What future can a small town like this have? Don't you want your descendants to leave the mountains?
Baitang... listen to me, as long as you're willing to work hard, you can lead the entire Lineage out of the mountains and into glory... think about it, think about it carefully."
The two little ones listened with great excitement, crumbs falling from their hands as they crumpled the pastries. They wanted to leave the mountains and achieve glory...
Qin Baitang lowered his head, his eyes flickering slightly, and continued to persuade, fanning himself with his Jin Shanyao, "As you know, I'm now on good terms with the imperial court."
Of course, that's not the most important thing. The most important thing is that I want to become the largest medicinal herb merchant in the Sheng Dynasty.
Then you'll be the head manager of the Anzhi Hall, overseeing a group of junior managers.
That's half of the medicinal herb industry, your son, your grandson, and your grandson's grandson.
"Our ancestors have been worshipping your portrait for generations. Isn't that more prestigious than your ancestral plaque?"
Qin Baitang's temper flared up. "I'm not dead yet, what are you offering me a portrait for?"
Madam Qin chuckled, but Meng Anzhi quickly covered her mouth. The three of them continued to quietly eat pastries, drink milk, and listen to the two chatting.
"Fine, fine... I won't provide the portrait." The young man was short-tempered. Jin Shanyao took the guillotine from Qin Baitang's hand, afraid that he would stab her to death like the Madam Shi.
She grabbed a licorice root, chopped it, and asked, "Tell me the truth, how much does Benevolence Hall earn in a year?"
Qin Baitang was silent for a moment, then said, "Seven or eight hundred taels."
Jin Shanyao resentfully, " Baitang... you're not honest... I've seen how many people come and go from your shop, and how many herbs you sell."
"So, I'll give you three hundred taels every year."
Qin Baitang suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with shock. Three hundred taels was the highest he could earn in a good year, working from dawn till dusk. How did this girl calculate that?
Jin Shanyao with a golden fan, "This three hundred taels is to guarantee the profits of your Benevolence Hall."
If the harvest at Lush Mountain is good and the profits are high, I will give you a red envelope at the end of the year, and it won't be three hundred taels then."
Qin Botang had some wealth, and material possessions couldn't sway him.
Only the phrase "may our descendants leave the mountains" moved him.
If he doesn't work hard, his children and grandchildren will have to. Whether they'll even have a chance then is another matter.
Jin Shanyao was able to expand Anzhi Hall within two years, which shows that she is capable.
He stared at the licorice tablets, remaining silent.
The Jin Shanyao without urging him on; no one could easily accept suddenly going from manager to waiter.
A silence fell over the room. Meng Anzhi raised her glass of milk, gesturing for Madam Qin to drink.
Madam Qin shook her head, glanced at the Guihua cake, and Meng Anzhi understood and handed her a piece.
Qin Baitang pondered for a long time, then turned his head and said, "Could you please not call me Baitang?"
Jin Shanyao her hand readily, "Yes, Old Qin..."
Qin Baitang said with a stern face, "Call me Shopkeeper Qin..."
Jin Shanyao's eyes suddenly lit up, "You agree?"
Qin Baitang did not reply. He stood up, straightened his clothes, and solemnly bowed deeply to Jin Shanyao.
"I am deeply grateful for your high regard, Master. I, Qin Baitang, am willing to serve you with utmost loyalty."
When he looked up again, there was no more hesitation in his eyes; instead, there was determination.
"I will hand over Benevolence Hall to my son to manage within three days, and then I will go to the Anzhi Hall to take up my post."
Jin Shanyao her bright smile. Qin Baitang was an outstanding person in terms of character, medical ethics, and ability to identify herbs.
With him managing Anzhi Hall and Lush Mountain, she felt at ease...