nashuaworldcup Chapter 495 Golden Divine Talisman
Chapter 495 Golden Divine Talisman
Chapter 495 Golden Divine Talisman
Wang Wenzhou finished his lunch and used up all his slots for kowtowing.
Many people in line hurriedly said, "Lord Wang, we also want to be your grandson! Please give us a chance!"
Wang Wenzhou put his arm around Wang Ying, took a sip of wine, and said with a smile, "Opportunity only comes to those who are prepared. Just now, when I asked you to pay your respects, you were all hesitant and awkward. Who can you blame for that? You can only blame your lack of enthusiasm."
These people are now filled with deep regret, regretting it terribly. All they did was kowtow and call him "Grandpa," and they could have enjoyed a delicious meal worth over ten taels of silver. How foolish I was, so incredibly foolish!
Wang Wenzhou thought for a moment and then said, "I'm in a good mood today. For every time you kowtow, I'll reward each of you with one tael of silver. Don't think it's too little!"
"Grandpa, thank you, Grandpa!" The people in line quickly knelt down and kowtowed to express their gratitude.
Wang Wenzhou instructed, "Jian Fengyu, reward them with silver."
"Yes!" Jian Fengyu quickly ordered his men to go and bestow the reward.
The mention of silver suddenly reminded Wang Wenzhou of something: he was the chief examiner for the Korean civil service examination this year. Throughout history and across the world, in any examination, there are always some people who want to cheat.
Wang Wenzhou hugged Wang Ying and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, all the money I worked so hard to earn was robbed by that bastard Zhu Youjian. With so many people in our family, we can't just sit around and do nothing. I suddenly thought of a good way to make money."
When Wang Wenyi mentioned Zhu Youjian, Wang Ying became unhappy. She pouted and asked, "What method?"
Wang Wenzhou pointed at Jin Yongyuan and ordered, "Call that old man over here."
Jin Yongyuan rushed over and kowtowed, saying, "Grandson greets Grandfather and Grandmother."
"You're such a good grandson!" Wang Wenzhou asked with a smile, "What's your name?"
Jin Yongyuan replied, "Grandson Jin Yongyuan."
"Alright, stop kneeling. You're not young anymore, how can you hang out with this bunch of idiots?" Wang Wenzhou asked.
"Ahem..." Jin Yongyuan coughed awkwardly a few times and said helplessly, "Grandpa, I really want to pass the imperial examination with flying colors, but I always underperform in the major exams."
Wang Wenzhou said with a smile, "Little Jin, do you want to pass the imperial examination?"
“Yes, I dream of passing the imperial examination with flying colors! Before my father passed away, he told me that when I passed the examination with flying colors, I should tell him at the family memorial service. Unfortunately, I have only passed the examination in my dreams. Every time I wake up, my pillow is wet with tears.” Jin Yongyuan said sadly.
Wang Wenzhou said with a smile, "Little Jin, if there were a kind of talisman that cost ten thousand taels of silver each, and whoever possessed it would pass the imperial examination, would you buy it?"
"Huh?" Jin Yongyuan was stunned. He had the money. The Jin family had been in business for generations, and by his generation, they could be said to be extremely wealthy. He would be willing to spend not only 10,000 taels of silver, but even 100,000 taels.
Since ancient times, in China, the social hierarchy has been scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, with merchants holding the lowest social status. This was also true during the Ming Dynasty. South Korea, which has always looked to the Ming Dynasty as a good example, also has a low social status for merchants.
Jin Yongyuan quickly replied, "Of course I'd like to! But where in this world can I find such a talisman?"
"Haha!" Wang Wenzhou laughed loudly, "Yes, I have some! I'll sell them!"
"Oh..." Jin Yongyuan immediately understood. This man wanted to engage in favoritism and corruption! That's right, this man is an imperial envoy of the superior country. Even if he engages in favoritism and corruption, the court can only turn a blind eye and pretend that it didn't happen.
"Grandson thanks Grandpa!" Jin Yongyuan quickly kowtowed in gratitude.
"Alright, Xiao Jin, get up quickly. We're family, no need to be so polite in the future!" Wang Wenzhou said with a smile.
"Grandson will follow his grandfather's teachings," Jin Yongyuan said with a smile.
Wang Wenzhou thought for a moment and then asked, "How many Jinshi are selected in each imperial examination?"
Jin Yongyuan replied, "One hundred Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) and one hundred Tongjinshi (successful candidates in the same imperial examinations)."
Wang Wenzhou said with a smile, "Here's what I'll do: I'll give you 100 golden talismans. As long as you wear these talismans into the examination hall, you'll pass the imperial examination. Of course, even close brothers should keep clear accounts. For these 100 golden talismans, you'll have to give me two million taels of silver."
Jin Yongyuan frowned. If he could truly pass the imperial examination, even a single golden talisman costing 30,000 taels of silver would be snapped up. The key question was, how could buyers believe that buying a golden talisman guaranteed success in the examination?
Wang Wenzhou continued, "I'll give you another 100 bronze talismans. Wearing one will grant you the title of Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). You'll need to give me one million taels of silver for these. I don't care how much you sell them for; I only need three million taels in total. Little Jin, are you in?
Jin Yongyuan thought for a moment and voiced his doubts: "Grandson certainly believes in Grandpa, that you have the ability to make grandson pass the imperial examination. But why would the buyer believe in grandson?"
"That's true!" Wang Wenzhou frowned. No matter the era, there will always be swindlers. One shouldn't have the heart to harm others, but one must be wary of them. Selling a piece of waste paper for tens of thousands of taels of silver—the buyer isn't stupid; they'll definitely weigh the pros and cons carefully to see if it's truly effective.
Wang Wenzhou suddenly had an idea and said with a smile, "Xiao Jin, let's do it this way. You spread the word first that as long as you have money, you can pass the imperial examination. Then, you gather all the potential buyers together, and we'll hold a training course."
"A training course?" Jin Yongyuan asked doubtfully.
"The training class is similar to a private school, only shorter. I'll personally be the lecturer, and I'll explain everything to the buyers during class. With my guarantee, how could these talismans not sell?" Wang Wenzhou said with a smile.
Jin Yongyuan quickly cupped his hands in a gesture of respect and said admiringly, "Grandpa is incredibly talented. I admire you wholeheartedly."
Wang Wenzhou said with a smile, "Little Jin, this matter must be carried out in secret. We can't let everyone know about it. We two may be shameless, but your North Korean court should have some shame too."
"Grandson understands!" Jin Yongyuan thought for a moment and then asked, "How much does the top scholar earn?"
"Haha!" Wang Wenzhou laughed and scolded, "Little Jin, don't be too greedy! How can you sell the top scholar? I've already decided on the top two. As long as you handle this matter well, the third-place scholar this year is yours!"
"Grandson thanks you, Grandpa!" Jin Yongyuan excitedly kowtowed in gratitude.
“Alright, the imperial examination is in a few days, so you should hurry up and get things done,” Wang Wenzhou said.
"Grandson takes his leave!" Jin Yongyuan left in high spirits, his heart pounding with excitement. He'd been a great grandson all day! His decades-long dream was finally about to come true. Not only that, he'd also make a fortune! It was truly a windfall!
"Sigh..." Wang Ying sighed softly and advised, "Husband, if you continue like this, how can the Joseon court stand idly by?"
Wang Wenzhou said with a smile, "I just want the King of Joseon to cause trouble. Only in this way can we force him to form an alliance with Qing. Besides, those who can afford divine talismans are all children of wealthy families. They are either rich second-generation or official second-generation. At that time, I'm afraid the King of Joseon will only be able to swallow his bitterness and have no way to express it."
Li Mei felt sorry for her Uncle Wang. Her nemesis had come looking for trouble, and she didn't know whether she should warn him. After all, she was Korean, born and raised there. But she was also afraid that if her nemesis found out, he would definitely be angry with her.