Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!

Chapter 748: Chapter 748: Ambitions Need Silver to Realize_1

Chang Yi stood up, ”Big Cousin, my journey here was very smooth, and it must have been tough for Big Cousin to rush back.”

Yang Wuchun sat down and guzzled a cup of water. The horseback ride back had left his mouth quite dry. ”When Cousin arrives, of course I must come back. If it weren’t for the urgent matters today, I would’ve personally welcomed you. Cousin, don’t just stand there. We are close brothers; you mustn’t act like an outsider.”

Chang Yi laughed as he sat down. ”My father always tells us to learn from Big Cousin. Look at Big Cousin’s aura; it’s something I can’t catch up to.”

Yang Wuchun laughed heartily. ”Uncle must be joking. I should be learning from you younger brothers. My life has been just like this, but it’s not the same for Chang Lian and the others. Chang Lian is at the Hanlin Academy, and Uncle has entered the capital. In the future, it is you brothers whose prospects are boundless.”

He, the Big Cousin, would need the help of a few cousins in the future. Otherwise, he would not have hurried back on horseback. The cousins were no longer just cousins; they were also honored guests of the Yang family.

Yang Zhumu could not join in the conversation of the two and stood up, ”You two brothers chat; I’ll go take a look at the back courtyard.”

Chang Yi’s gift was not urgent to give. The young servants were organizing it. He could present it later, once they had finished, ”Uncle, I brought some good wine, do drink a few more cups later.”

Yang Zhumu was quite fond of wine. ”All right.”

After his father left, Yang Wuchun asked, ”Are aunt and uncle doing well?”

”Father is doing exceptionally well. It’s a miracle he isn’t causing trouble for people. Mother is also living happily. With a dutiful daughter-in-law and many grandchildren to dote on, she is very cheerful every day. And what about you, Big Cousin? Is everything well at home?”

Yang Wuchun replied, ”Not much has changed with the Yang family. The only difference in the past two years is the addition of a child.”

He couldn’t help feeling inferior. In his wildest dreams, he wouldn’t have imagined the Zhou family developing so rapidly. In the blink of an eye, they entered the capital, and when he received the news, he was somewhat bewildered. It was as if he had returned to Zhou family village, which now seemed unreal in contrast to life there.

In the capital, Zhulan received an invitation, a card for a flower appreciation event from the home of the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, ”Minister Zhong’s home, ah!”

Matron Song was accustomed to gathering information and, after some days in the capital had learned quite a bit, ”Minister Zhong and his wife are connoisseurs of culture and arts; they love nothing more than admiring flowers and appreciating paintings.”

”Minister Zhong’s home is quite lively now!”

Zhou Shuren’s family had limited resources, and although he had entered the capital with great fanfare, many were still observing from a distance. The Zhou family was not yet lively, but the Zhong family was, indeed, bustling. Ever since the decree regarding Minister Zhong’s reassignment had been issued, guests had never ceased visiting the Zhong residence. It was surprising that Minister Zhong’s wife would send her an invitation.

Matron Song advised, ”It would be good for you to attend. Minister Zhong’s banquets are considered fine events with hardly any cause for worry, and since his wife is well-known for being kind-hearted, it would be smoother for her to introduce you into the circle of officials’ families.”

Zhulan also felt that such a banquet would be nice. ”It’s fortunate the date doesn’t clash with the Wang family’s event; otherwise, I would have had to miss out.”

”Will you bring the young lady with you?”

Zhulan shook her head. ”I won’t bring Xue Han this time. I’ll go by myself.”

She didn’t plan to bring anyone with her this time. Without being distracted, she could concentrate on observing the families of officials in the capital. The social layers of officials’ families in the capital were far higher than those in the provinces.

Inside the Palace, the Emperor perused the Zhezi on the academy, ”Explain this to us, your loyal official.”

Zhou Shuren explained, ”The Ministry of Revenue has accumulated a large number of books across various categories. I feel that rather than them sitting idle and being eaten by insects, it’s better to organize them all. Your Majesty could make use of these books to establish a public library, placing them there for scholars to read for free.”

The Emperor looked at Zhou Shuren in silence. Zhou Shuren was enhancing his reputation. The ten years of war not only took lives but also cultural heritage; many books were destroyed. Even after more than a decade of the new dynasty, books were still not affordable to the common man; attaining knowledge remained difficult.

Xiao Qing squinted his eyes. Zhou Shuren’s report was not entirely complete. ”I thought you would sell the books. I did not expect them to be given out for free.”

Zhou Shuren had never intended to sell the books – he was flattering the Emperor in a particularly accurate manner. After all these years, he could still discern when the Emperor was pleased.

In good spirits, the Emperor nevertheless inquired, ”Free? Where will the silver come from?”

Even with contributions from sea merchants, it wouldn’t be enough.

Zhou Shuren smiled. ”Your Majesty, this library is a noble cause. Although the Ministry of Revenue provides the books and location, and even though it’s under the Ministry’s name, the officials are too busy to work there part-time. I’ve given it some thought; this is an Imperial library. It should be an opportunity provided by Your Majesty for scholars, so the head librarian must have made significant contributions. This is not a role just anyone can take on.”

The Crown Prince, ”....”

That was truly shrewd thinking – significant contributions equaled providing silver. Whoever gave more, contributed more, and whoever had the library under their name had it linked to Silver Coin.

The Emperor thought to himself that Zhou Shuren could be quite crafty, digging pits with no bottoms, but he was in a pleasing mood, ”We grant permission.”

The Crown Prince, ”....”

He felt some sympathy for his second, third, and fourth brothers. Without guessing, he was sure that the three would compete. And his mood, well, was especially good.

The last items were the damaged books and paintings. Zhou Shuren had written in the report to place them in the library, to find skilled people to repair them. Once restored, they could copy and take away a version or have the priority to purchase it. The damaged ancient books, some of which were quite famous, could also be used to publicize the library.

The more the Emperor looked at Zhou Shuren, the more he liked him, and his heart could not help but feel regret. If he had only known, he would have kept Zhou Shuren from going to Lizhou Province and instead put him in the Ministry of Revenue much earlier, sparing him the hardships of many years. But that was just a fleeting thought.

He felt that Zhou Shuren’s abilities today had been honed through relentless effort. He had witnessed Zhou Shuren’s progress over the years, maturing from unpolished to experienced – these were the foundations of what Zhou Shuren had become today.

Another hour passed, and Zhou Shuren left the Palace with Minister Xiao.

Once out of the Palace, Zhou Shuren breathed a sigh of relief. Xiao Qing chuckled, ”I know you have been to the Palace several times now and that you spoke quite eloquently earlier. You’re not one to get nervous. What’s wrong?”

Zhou Shuren couldn’t say that the Crown Prince’s gaze had been too intense.

He truly feared that, in the event of a transfer of imperial power, he would end up expended in the Ministry of Revenue. No, that could not happen; the thought was too frightening. He had come into contact with the Crown Prince over the years, and it was clear to him that the Crown Prince was a man of great ambition and ideas, both of which required silver to realize. The mere thought was terrifying!