5: Imperial Examination! Become famous

The next day.

After Qin Chuan woke up and once again cursed the corruption, he continued to let Qing Mo help him tidy his clothes.

Today was a holiday at the Academy, and he was going to visit his mother in this life, Zheng.

His old mother was not simple; she came from one of the top Families of Prominence in the world, the Zheng of Xingyang, one of the Five Surnames and Seven Clans.

Although he didn't know how Chen Zhou managed to marry her, the Zheng must have considered the Chen Family of Ying Province’s old patriarch who was among the Five Sages and Seven Worthies.

“Mother, good morning.”

Zheng was enjoying tea and pastries, exuding a graceful demeanor, and immediately pulled Qin Chuan closer when she saw him.

“Chuan’er, let Mother see if you’ve lost weight; studying is too hard. Why did your father, that old pedant, give the Recommended Man spot to someone else? That old… Chuan’er, don’t overwork yourself. If it’s too much, I’ll go find your uncle. Don’t even mention a scholar, even a Recommended Man…”

The doting in Zheng’s words was evident.

Qin Chuan had never experienced this feeling and always felt a bit unaccustomed to it.

At the same time, he couldn't help but inwardly grumble: With such a mother, it was truly hard on his biological father that the original ‘Chen Chuan’ wasn't raised into a profligate son.

After a round of greetings, Qin Chuan began his main business for the day:

“Mother, I will rely on my own efforts to pass the scholar exam, no need to trouble Uncle. Do you know if there are any shops for rent in the city? I want to open a shop.”

Upon hearing this, Zheng raised an eyebrow:

“Engaging in business? Does Chuan’er lack money? I’ll have Ah Xiu give you fifty taels. For now, you should focus on your studies. These matters can wait until you start a family later…”

Listening to her words, which were completely contrary to her previous statement, Qin Chuan secretly rolled his eyes.

—Sure enough, although she spoke beautifully, his old mother was still clear on matters of great importance.

He immediately said, “No, I just want to put the theories I’ve learned into practice, to unite knowledge and action.”

Upon hearing this, Zheng finally relented:

“Since that’s the case, go find Ah Fu later. Don’t neglect your studies.”

“Understood.”

At noon, Qin Chuan followed his housekeeper, Ah Fu, to the streets to look for a shop.

“Young Master, our mansion has seven shops: two on Qinghe Road, one at Drum Tower… Of course, the most profitable one is the restaurant by West Lake (Ying Province West Lake, not Hangzhou).”

Ah Fu was not entirely sure what his young master was doing out, but hearing he wanted a shop, he began introducing the family’s properties.

Qin Chuan wasn't particularly concerned about this, but he couldn't help but marvel at the Chen Clan’s wealth.

—While seven shops were valuable, they weren't considered extravagant.

But one must remember that Chen Zhou’s family was merely one household within the Ying Province Chen Clan, and only a collateral branch at that.

So, what about the direct lineage of the Chen Clan? What about the entire Chen Clan?

Yet, even with all of this, the Chen Clan only dominated in Ying Province; throughout the entire world, they were merely considered a second-tier Family of Prominence.

At most, due to the presence of the old patriarch, they were at the peak of the second tier, far inferior to those thousand-year-old Families of Prominence among the Five Surnames and Seven Clans.

The might of Families of Prominence was truly terrifying!

Qin Chuan shook his head, clearing these thoughts from his mind.

He needed to quickly settle the minor details of the shop; he was ready to go back and do serious business.

Then, he repeated to Ah Fu what he had told Zheng.

Ah Fu was also dumbfounded listening, but in the end, he took Qin Chuan to look at a few shops available for rent.

“Five taels a month? These shops are in good locations, why are they so cheap?” Qin Chuan asked, looking at the shop in front of him.

Ah Fu smiled and explained, “These are the rental prices for Chen Clan members themselves; for outsiders, it wouldn’t be as simple as just doubling the price…”

“Understood.”

Qin Chuan immediately understood that this was another benefit of being born into a good family.

“Alright, this one will do. I’ll rent it for one month first!”

“Uh…” Ah Fu paused. He really wanted to say that no one rented for less than a year, but considering his young master’s age and financial resources, he wisely kept quiet.

“Then this old servant will go make the arrangements… May I be so bold as to ask, what does Young Master plan to use this shop for?”

“I haven’t decided yet. I’ll make up my mind in the next two days.”

—There were many ways to make money in the modern world, which would be a dimension-crushing advantage for the Great Zhou.

However, Qin Chuan still needed to devise a method that would be acceptable in this era.

After completing all of this, Qin Chuan did not dwell too much on the shop, but instead shifted his attention back to his ‘life goals.’

Imperial Examinations!

Gaining Renown!

These two were not in conflict; in fact, they complemented each other.

The former required a certain level of knowledge, which Qin Chuan had inherited from this life’s memories and only needed a slight review.

As for the latter…

What was the fastest way to gain renown?

Brothels! Taverns! Teahouses! Poetry gatherings!

Of course, one must walk step by step, and the strides cannot be too big, or it’s easy to pull a muscle…

Another day passed.

As Qing Ming approached and the prefectural examinations were about to begin, Yingzhou Academy was entering a long holiday.

Chen Zhou delivered his final warnings before the break from above:

“Class dismissed. Those of you participating in this prefectural examination, remember to study diligently when you return. You are competing with scholars from the entire Great Zhou, and I believe you all understand this. You may disperse.”

“Teacher, you’ve worked hard!”

Many students bowed in farewell.

Once Chen Zhou departed, the classroom became lively.

“Someone at Drum Tower is throwing an embroidered ball to choose a husband, who wants to go see it?!”

“I heard Huangyun Tower brought in a hundred-year-old big fish, want to try it?”

“Anyone for Cui Xiang Tower? Cui Xiang Tower…”

Amidst the calls to friends, a few people quietly packed their books, as if a whole world separated them from the lively scene.

Their commonality was that they were all dressed in simple clothes, and their books were worn and faded.

These people were the few poor scholars in Yingzhou Academy.

They were able to study at Yingzhou Academy either by excelling academically to waive tuition fees or by receiving sponsorship from a certain Family of Prominence.

In short, their lives were like two unrelated parallel lines compared to those sons of Families of Prominence.

Only, one was in the heavens, and one was on the earth.

Many, after leaving the Academy, might even have to return to the fields for farm work.

Qin Chuan, at this moment, stood before one such person.

“Young Master, do you, do you need anything?”

This person was no different from other poor scholars: faded clothes, a restrained expression, as if he didn't understand why Qin Chuan would come to him.

Qin Chuan sighed inwardly at the man’s reaction and asked:

“Senior Brother Liu, I told you not to call me Young Master. I have something I need to trouble you with. Do you know where there’s a poetry gathering in the city recently?”

Upon hearing this, Liu Yu didn't even hesitate, stating directly, “There’s one tonight, the Qing Ming Poetry Gathering by West Lake. If Young Master wishes to go, I can take you there…”

“Then I thank you, Liu Xion. It’s still early. How about this, I’ll treat Liu Xion to a seat at Huangyun Tower first!”

“This… I can’t, perhaps I should wait by West Lake…” Liu Yu quickly refused.

“How can that be? Shixiong, don’t decline. Come, come, follow me.”

With that, Qin Chuan directly pulled Liu Yu away.

As for the others, they weren't surprised to see this; only those who had wanted to invite Qin Chuan to play shook their heads with some regret.