I, Sun Shan, and the Imperial Examination

Chapter 1437 The Stable Boy

Sun Shan coughed lightly, and the three wealthy brothers all turned to look at him.

That one glance felt like an eternity, and I was once again startled by Sun Shan's high-set, triangular eyes.

Oh dear, Lord Sun, the whites of your eyes are more than your eyeballs. Are you trying to scare people to death?

Sun Shan cut to the chase and asked, "What business do you have with me this time?"

Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the generous gifts brought by the three wealthy brothers.

Hehe, if it weren't for this pile of gifts, you wouldn't be able to set foot in the government office.

The three wealthy brothers looked at each other, wondering if they should say: "Did we come here to bring you plump beauties?"

This strong woman spent a lot of money to have this custom-made for you in Chenzhou Prefecture. It finally arrived, but it's so hard to give it away.

Oh dear, Lord Sun, what are we going to do with you?

Sun Shan frowned and asked in an unfriendly tone, "Stop stammering and stammering. Just say what you have to say. I'm always easy to talk to."

Could it be something illegal or disorderly?

If someone commits a crime, no amount of gifts will help.

Seeing Sun Shan's impatient expression, the eldest brother, Ma Fushang, hurriedly said, "Sir, this, this, this..."

Sun Shan couldn't help but glare at him.

Ma Fushang's heart pounded as if he had committed some heinous crime, unable to look Sun Shan in the eye.

Finally, Ma, the wealthy merchant, forced himself to speak, "Sir, my son recently passed the imperial examination and became a candidate for the lowest degree..."

Oh my god, Lord Sun's eyes are so scary. Even I, who have been through countless battles in the business world, am afraid.

His voice trembled, and he couldn't utter a complete sentence.

Oh my god, could this be the legendary official arrogance?

When the topic turned to the son of the wealthy Ma family, Sun Shan's brows relaxed.

It turns out the question was about scholars.

Sun Shan was still very willing to answer, and asked with a smile, "What's wrong? Is something the stable boy has come up?"

Seeing that Sun Shan's expression gradually calmed down, Ma Fushang breathed a long sigh of relief.

He continued, “Sir, my ancestors for eighteen generations have either farmed or been merchants. It’s not easy for us to have a scholar, but we don’t know what to do for him. You are a scholar, and if we could listen to your words, it would be better than us blindly walking for ten years.”

The three wealthy brothers exchanged furtive glances, all sensing the other's fear.

In the end, he still didn't have the courage to reveal the matter of "sending the fat beauty".

Given that Lord Sun's rumors are true, what if Madam Sun is the second Madam Fang? Wouldn't sending a fat beauty offend Madam Sun to death?

Weigh the pros and cons, and plan carefully before acting.

Observe carefully to confirm the truth before sending the plump beauty.

When Sun Shan saw that the wealthy merchant Ma was indeed asking about matters concerning scholars, his smile widened.

Parents who love their children plan far ahead for them. It is not easy for a family to produce a scholar, so they need to nurture him well.

Moreover, Ma Tongsheng was the first group of scholars since Sun Shan took charge of the imperial examinations, and Sun Shan was very concerned about him.

He asked with a smile, "Master Ma, do you intend for your son to continue down the path of the imperial examinations, or do you have other plans?"

Speaking of his son, Ma Fushang temporarily put the plump beauty aside and asked eagerly, "Sir, of course I hope my son can continue to take the exams. If he can be even a little bit like you, I will be satisfied."

The wealthy merchant Zeng nodded repeatedly: "Yes, sir, it would be remarkable if we could pass the imperial examination and become a scholar."

Ma Tongsheng was both the son of Ma Fushang and the son-in-law of Zeng Fushang.

The relationship between the three brothers is intricate, and the matchmaking between their descendants is like the tangled web of internet and electrical cables in an urban village—the kind that can never be untangled.

Sun Shan carefully recalled Ma Tongsheng's appearance. If Ma Fushang hadn't led him over to recognize the place, he really wouldn't have been able to tell that the father and son were alike. The son should resemble the mother.

The young scholar's performance was among the top in the county examination and average in the prefectural examination.

They have some ability, but they don't really have any advantage compared to other students outside the school.

Students who rank in the middle of the college entrance examination are the kind of students who can get into top universities if they have enough resources, but end up in ordinary universities if they lack resources.

Ma Fu's family is wealthy, but lacks resources. Could it be that he wants me to recommend prestigious schools and famous teachers to him?

Sun Shan asked, "What are Master Ma's plans? And what are Ma Tongsheng's plans?"

Just as Sun Shan had suspected, Ma Fushang wanted to get a recommendation letter to study at a good school.

Money can be prepared, but relationships cannot be touched.

He was a businessman, and everyone around him was a businessman. The so-called scholar-officials looked down on them and didn't bother to talk to them.

He was usually very aloof, but he accepted a lot of gifts, which infuriated Ma, the wealthy merchant, but he couldn't afford to offend him.

Of all the so-called scholars I know, Lord Sun is the most mercenary and the most commoner.

Ma, the wealthy merchant, smirked and fawned over Sun Shan, a smile that betrayed his cunning nature.

Perhaps it was a natural performance: "My lord, my son's studies are just average. If he wants to improve, besides his own efforts, a good teacher is even more important. Hehe, my lord, I wonder if you could recommend someone for my son?"

Sun Shan frowned and said, "Instructor Deng of the county school is good. Ma Tongsheng can learn a lot by studying at the county school."

Ma, the wealthy merchant, quickly explained, "Sir, Instructor Deng is certainly excellent; there's no one better than him in the county school. It's just that Instructor Deng is very busy with official duties, his teaching hours are short, and..."

What I really want to say is: Instructor Deng is busy teaching his favorite students, so he has no time to pay attention to his own stable boy.

It's not like the wealthy businessman Ma didn't try to build relationships by giving gifts; he accepted the gifts but still didn't establish any connections.

His family's stable boy was still struggling alone in the corner.

Upon hearing this, Ma Fushang exclaimed, "How can this be? He wasn't born with exceptional intelligence or talent. Without a teacher to guide him, wouldn't he be stuck on the path of a mere student for the rest of his life?"

Since he was just a merchant, he couldn't catch the eye of Instructor Deng, so he could only seek help indirectly by asking Lord Sun to intercede on his behalf.

I heard that Lord Sun and Instructor Deng became fast friends because they were both scholars.

With Lord Sun's recommendation, my son will surely receive some care, more or less.

Ma, the wealthy merchant, continued obsequiously, "My lord, could you please put in a good word for my son and ask Instructor Deng to take care of him? Hehe, my lord, I am truly sorry for being so presumptuous today. If there were really a way, I wouldn't have bothered to come here."

Sun Shan glanced at the pile of lavish gifts again, thought for a moment, and then agreed: "Considering your love for your son, I will put in a good word for you with Instructor Deng."

Ma, the wealthy merchant, was overjoyed that Sun Shan agreed so quickly. He cupped his hands in gratitude and said, "Thank you, sir. You are truly my son's second father. If my son succeeds in the imperial examinations in the future, I will make sure he repays you properly."

Ma, the wealthy merchant, often wondered why Sun Shan, who was not a scholar, was so easy to talk to.

Could it be to cultivate a "people-friendly" image for government officials?

If Sun Shan knew what Ma Fushang was thinking, he would definitely slap him.

Sun Shan's favorite students are those who study diligently and he always adheres to the principle of helping them whenever possible.

Moreover, it would also benefit Ma Tongsheng by granting him official rank, as it would be a political achievement.

Before achieving success, it's better to cast a wide net and offer some favors, thus achieving a win-win situation.