My Husband is a Drama King [Book Transmigration] 48

Chapter 48: Business

When Song Changxu returned the books to Teacher Zhou, he said, “There have been many literary gatherings in the county recently. A few great scholars are passing through and will be giving lectures. If you have time, you can go. Everyone can go and listen. It will be held at the county school.”

“Yes, teacher.”

Song Changxu went back to his seat to pack his book box. Feng Xin’ou was waiting for him to go to the bookstore to buy paper and ink together.

When they reached the bookstore, the assistant already recognized Song Changxu and Feng Xin’ou. He said, “The cheapest paper and ink, we have them.”

He had learned to answer before they asked.

Song Changxu and Feng Xin’ou smiled and cupped their hands.

After buying the paper and ink, Feng Xin’ou said, “The academy will be on holiday in the eleventh month. Are you going back to Shuibo Town?”

Song Changxu thought for a moment. He and Xu Zhizhou had to go back for the New Year. It was better to go back early. Although Zhizhou didn’t say it, he was still homesick.

“We’re going back.”

Feng Xin’ou: “We’re also going back. Brother Song, we can travel back together again.”

Song Changxu laughed.

When a great scholar passed through Jinhe County, Song Changxu took Xu Zhizhou to listen.

Today, the county school was open. In the past, only the students and teachers were allowed in. Today, many people from the county had come to see it and also to listen to the great scholar’s lecture.

“Husband, there are so many people,” Xu Zhizhou said, looking around.

Song Changxu hadn’t expected so many people to come today either.

A lady was holding her son’s hand and said, “In the future, you have to study hard and go to the county school. After you’ve studied and achieved a title, your mother still wants to be a titled lady.”

The little boy was about three or four years old and still looked a bit dazed.

After Song Changxu and Xu Zhizhou had listened to the lecture, in the second half, Xu Zhizhou’s head was leaning against him, and he had fallen asleep with his arm around his shoulder.

Song Changxu: “…”

He can even fall asleep while standing.

Song Changxu’s attitude towards the great scholar’s lecture was that he would listen if it was useful, and if it wasn’t, it would go in one ear and out the other.

He did not completely agree with the great scholar’s words, but he had gained some insights.

After the lecture, Song Changxu shook Xu Zhizhou. Xu Zhizhou woke up in a daze and rubbed his eyes. “It’s finally over.”

Song Changxu: “They’ve all left. Some have gone to look around the county school. I’ll take you for a walk, and then we’ll have a meal in the dining hall.”

He didn’t have to listen to the old man with the white beard lecturing anymore, and he could also go and see the place where his husband studied. Of course, he agreed.

In the future, when he went back to Qishan Village and chatted with others, he could brag a little. He was a ge’er who had seen and eaten at the county school.

Song Changxu took him for a walk. Xu Zhizhou looked at the classrooms with curiosity. He had never seen such classrooms before. They were bright, and the desks and chairs were neatly arranged.

When they reached the dining hall, Song Changxu said, “You can just say what you want to eat.”

Xu Zhizhou ordered one meat and one vegetable dish. Song Changxu ordered a different meat and vegetable dish, and then went to get the free cabbage soup.

“Eat.”

Xu Zhizhou nodded and took a bite of the braised pork. His eyes lit up.

The food in the dining hall was not bad.

Song Changxu also thought it was alright. The two of them finished all four dishes. When Song Changxu was leaving with Xu Zhizhou, he ran into Teacher Zhou.

Seeing him, Teacher Zhou smiled. “This is…”

Song Changxu quickly cupped his hands. “Teacher, this is my husband, Xu Zhizhou.”

Xu Zhizhou gave an improper curtsy and looked at Teacher Zhou with curiosity.

Teacher Zhou stroked his beard and said, “Good. You two are a good match. Take your husband for a good walk.”

“Yes.”

After Teacher Zhou had left, Song Changxu and Xu Zhizhou both breathed a sigh of relief.

Both of them were a little uncomfortable with the teacher.

Back in their room, Xu Zhizhou lay on a chair. “Husband, don’t call me for such lectures in the future. Once is enough for me.”

He could already brag to the villagers.

There was a knock on the door. Song Changxu went to change his long robe, and Xu Zhizhou opened the door.

Jiang Zhuo brought over a bowl of fragrant pork intestines. “I bought these at the market this morning and made them at home. I saw you were back and brought a bowl for you to try.”

Xu Zhizhou swallowed. It smelled so good. “Thank you. It looks delicious.”

Jiang Zhuo smiled. “Just return the bowl to me after you’re done.”

Xu Zhizhou nodded vigorously.

The homemade pork intestines were full of ingredients, as well as star anise and other seasonings. He took a bite with his chopsticks. The taste was really good. He fell in love with it after one bite.

He didn’t know how to make pork intestines yet. When he had time, he would go and learn from Jiang Zhuo. When he went back home for the New Year, he could show off his skills to his parents and elder brother.

Song Changxu changed his clothes and went to read. He was a little more confident about the provincial examination and had made up for his shortcomings.

He opened a book, and it was densely filled with notes. He believed that a good memory was not as good as a bad pen. He would first write down the knowledge he couldn’t remember, and then understand and memorize it.

“In ancient times, I spend more time studying than working, and I haven’t transmigrated into a disabled person. I’m already very lucky.”

Studying was what he was good at. If he had to farm, he would never be able to make a name for himself, and he would be trapped in the fields for the rest of his life.

Song Changxu had not yet met anyone particularly outrageous. Only when Xu Zhizhou was setting up his stall had he run into some ruffians and had to borrow a connection from Brother Luo.

He had to be prepared.

Xu Zhizhou sat on the lounge chair, picked a few leaves, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

.

After the autumn harvest, not much had changed for the people in the county, but there were many people in ragged clothes who had come to buy things.

The town had daily necessities, but some things could only be found in the county town.

Xu Zhizhou mixed the Bobo Chicken for a customer. He thought of going back for the New Year and buying some things in the county to take back.

Xiang-shi saw Xu Zhizhou and called out to him, “Are you and Changxu free tonight? Come to our house for dinner. We have some wild boar meat today. It was a gift from your uncle’s colleague. If you’re free, you can come over. We can’t finish it all, and it won’t be as good the second time.”

Xu Zhizhou: “I know, Auntie. My husband and I will definitely come.”

He had never had wild boar meat before. Li Hu in Qishan Village was a hunter. He remembered that he had caught a wild boar and had sold it to a restaurant in town for four taels of silver.

It could be sold for such a high price in their small town, so it must be a good thing.

Song Changxu had written an essay in the school. Xie Feng glanced at it and nodded thoughtfully. “Brother Song, the essay is well-written. Why don’t you try to submit it?”

Song Changxu: “My level is not yet there. You’re flattering me, Brother Xie.”

Xie Feng said quietly, “When His Majesty was thirteen, it was the first time he had presided over the imperial examination. He had chosen a poor scholar as the top scorer. His Majesty was very close to him. Even if some officials ostracized Sir Bie, His Majesty would still protect him.”

Song Changxu’s eyelid twitched.

The original novel was mainly about the love story of Xu Zhici and Xie Huaichuan, so Song Changxu did not know some of the details.

Xie Feng continued, “But in the end, Sir Bie Yu defected to the Xiao clan. Sir Bie soared to the sky, but His Majesty had misjudged him.”

Hearing this, Song Changxu’s teeth ached. He didn’t know how big of a blow that emperor had suffered.

“In short, the court is complicated and ever-changing now. We small shrimps can only go with the flow.”

Song Changxu: “…”

Brother Xie, we’re still just small xiucai. It’s really inappropriate for you to be sighing like this.

In the school, besides Xie Feng and the others who were friendly to Song Changxu, there were a few other scholars who looked down on this country bumpkin and would often look at him with contempt.

Let them look. It’s not like I’ll lose a piece of flesh. Song Changxu didn’t care.

“How did Song Changxu get on good terms with Xie Feng and the others? We’re not even familiar with them,” a scholar said unwillingly.

“Who knows what sweet words he said? Even Luo Shuang and Cheng Maoxue were deceived by him.”

“It’s enough for someone of his background to become a xiucai. It’s ridiculous that he still wants to take the exams. Does he think he can be an official? How could there be such a good thing?” someone sneered.

They had been studying since they were young. The people who came to their residences to teach them were all xiucai and Juren. How could they be compared to these country people, who had started studying late and had read far fewer books than them?

For a person like this to become a xiucai was all due to luck. He wouldn’t be so lucky in the provincial examination.

Let him be arrogant for a few more months.

Song Changxu did not know of their sinister thoughts. When he returned home, Xu Zhizhou pushed the pushcart back and said with a smile, “My aunt has invited us for dinner. I heard it’s wild boar meat. We should buy some fruits to take with us.”

Wild boar meat was rare. Song Changxu readily agreed.

They bought some bananas, plums, and apples. They bought three kinds, and the quantity was enough, so it looked like a lot.

Xu Zhizhou said proudly, “You still have a lot to learn from me in this aspect.”

Song Changxu was not convinced. “If I were to buy them, I would have done the same. It’s not just you. I can do it too.”

Xu Zhizhou had Song Changxu carry the fruits. He seemed to be holding his arm, but he was actually pinching it.

Song Changxu’s body instantly stiffened.

He couldn’t move on the street and could only endure it. When someone came over to talk to them, Xu Zhizhou let go.

Song Changxu let out a breath.

Only men and petty people are hard to raise.

After Xu Zhizhou had finished talking with the others, he heard Song Changxu muttering.

He said, “What are you talking about?”

Song Changxu quickly said, “Nothing.”

When the two of them arrived at the Cao family’s, Xu Zhizhou and Song Changxu handed over the fruits. Cao Chang said, “We’re all one family. You two are always so polite.”

Xu Zhizhou came in with a grin.

His cousin, Cao Fu, saw them come over, cupped his hands to welcome them, and then went to make some tea.

“My parents have been saying that my nephew’s husband is the God of Literature descended to earth, having passed the exam to become a xiucai. I was not convinced at first, but now that I’ve seen Changxu’s appearance, I’m a little convinced.”

Cao Fu sold a pass and said, “My nephew’s husband is young and handsome. It seems that his appearance reflects his heart. He must be a very learned person.”

Xiang-shi came out of the kitchen, wiped her hands, and brought over some fruits and melon seeds. She gave Cao Fu a look. “He doesn’t do any proper business all day and just talks nonsense. Have some fruits and pastries. Don’t be polite. I’ll go and watch the kitchen. If you need anything, just ask your cousin to do it.”

Cao Fu touched his head and smiled.

Song Changxu actually had a good impression of Cao Fu. Being praised for his good looks and knowledge, he couldn’t help but be a little happy.

Xu Zhizhou took a piece of date paste cake and ate it. “Cousin, I remember you were a little fatty when you were a child. How come you look so imposing now?”

Cao Fu waved his hand. “That was so long ago. I was only ten then. Now I’m in my early twenties. With a father who is a yamen runner, I had to practice martial arts when I was a child and have developed a good set of skills. If my parents hadn’t stopped me, I would have gone to roam the jianghu long ago.”

Hearing Cao Fu’s words, Xu Zhizhou almost couldn’t catch his breath. Just as Song Changxu was about to pat his back, Cao Fu had already done it.

“As for that, can’t I go and roam the jianghu? I’ve always dreamed of being a young hero, traveling the world with a sword. Have you read any storybooks? Oh right, I forgot you can’t read. I’ll just talk to Changxu.”

Cao Fu turned to Song Changxu and said, “I’ve read some storybooks and I’m very drawn to it. My skills are not bad. At most, I’ll be a yamen runner in Jinhe County. I don’t want to follow in my father’s footsteps. The various sects in the jianghu, the romantic entanglements, the secret treasures and techniques, it’s really opened my eyes. I’m not wrong to think so, am I? Changxu, I think you’ll understand me.”

Xu Zhizhou pushed Cao Fu away. If he had gotten any closer, he would have been touching Song Changxu’s face. Just talk. Why are you getting so close?

“Cousin, times are different now. I’ve learned to read. Don’t look down on people,” Xu Zhizhou said fiercely.

He was no longer the same as before.

Cao Fu: “I know, I know. Changxu, do you think I have a chance to roam the jianghu?”

Song Changxu had not wanted to get involved in this matter. He said thoughtfully, “The jianghu you speak of is indeed fascinating.”

Hearing Song Changxu’s affirmation, Cao Fu immediately stood up straight.

Song Changxu was the most cultured person in their family. Since even he had said so, there was no mistake.

“But, cousin, from what you’ve said, you’ve only seen the good side of the jianghu, and have ignored the bad side.”

Hearing this, Cao Fu was stunned.

Cao Chang came out of the room and paused, his steps light.

“The jianghu is a place of grudges and revenge. Behind that is a world of swords and shadows, of scheming and plotting. The people in the jianghu are a mixed bag, even more lawless, with no regard for the court. There are also those who hide a dagger behind a smile, who are driven by greed.”

Song Changxu continued, “Everything has two sides. When you’re considering traveling the world with a sword, cousin, you also have to consider the other side. I guess you want to do that to punish evil and promote good, to get rid of the wicked. You can also do that as a yamen runner.”

“The common people are in distress. To be an official is to help them. How is that different from traveling the world with a sword, punishing evil and helping the good? The people of the jianghu have a chivalrous spirit. To be an official is to uphold a righteous spirit. The two are connected, and each has its own way.”

Cao Fu was stunned by Song Changxu’s words and could not come back to his senses for a long time.

“I’ll remember what you said, Changxu,” Cao Fu replied solemnly.

Cao Chang could see that his son had taken his words to heart, and he was happy.

As expected, it took a learned person to persuade him. His words were a set of rhetoric that had made him dizzy and confused.

Cao Chang had originally wanted to have Cao Fu go and get some wine, but now he felt that it would be better to let him talk more with Song Changxu.

“You sit. I’ll go and get some wine,” Cao Chang said with a smile and went out.

Usually, his father would never go and buy wine himself. He would always send him. A thought flashed through Cao Fu’s mind, but he didn’t think about it anymore.

He grew closer to Song Changxu. Only someone who truly cared for him would say such things to persuade him.

Thinking about it carefully, he was indebted to Changxu. His parents had also said many times at home that the jianghu was dangerous, but he had not remembered a single word. He had been awakened by Changxu.

As expected, he had neglected the people closest to him. Cao Fu felt a bit ashamed.

Xu Zhizhou had listened to a long lecture and had eaten a few pieces of pastry from the table. He thought that the food was not yet ready, so he couldn’t eat too much and had to save his stomach.

“Cousin, I can also read now. From what you’ve said, you must have a lot of storybooks. Can you lend me a few to read?”

Cao Fu: “Wait a minute. I’ll go and look.”

Cao Fu was also very straightforward.

He found three and handed them to Xu Zhizhou. “You can read them, but you have to return them to me when you’re done. I saved up my pocket money for a long time to buy a few of them when I was young. I treasure them.”

Xu Zhizhou took them and patted his chest loudly. “Cousin, you don’t trust me. I’ll definitely take good care of them.”

Only then did Cao Fu nod.

They, the people of the jianghu, were just that straightforward. But now he was not even sure if he was one of them.

Cao Chang bought the wine, and the food was ready.

Xiang-shi had made a full table of dishes. She said modestly, “My cooking is not good. You can just make do.”

Xu Zhizhou: “How can this not be good? It’s the skill of a great chef.”

Xiang-shi smiled, in a good mood. Anyone who had put in the effort to cook would be happy to be praised. It meant that their efforts had not been in vain.

After eating at his uncle’s, they took their leave.

After washing up, Cao Fu went back to his room. Although he had found what Changxu had said to be reasonable, he couldn’t make a decision right away.

He had given Xu Zhizhou three storybooks. He still had a box of them under his bed.

Cao Fu opened his box and lovingly touched the storybooks.

On the other side, Cao Chang was talking to Xiang-shi.

“Changxu has deep insights. He will have a great future. If our son can be a little more sensible this time, I’ll be much more at ease.”

Xiang-shi: “That’s right. If he were to go and roam the jianghu, he’s just a rash young man. He would be used by others and would still have to count the money for them. If he were to be killed, we wouldn’t even be able to find the murderer. By the time we found out, it would be too late.”

“That’s right. I’m a yamen runner. I know the people of the jianghu. As Changxu said, everything has two sides. I’ve seen good people from the jianghu, and I’ve also caught bad ones. Just like being an official, being a yamen runner, there are both good and bad.”

The couple talked for a while and then went to sleep.

.

After eating at his uncle’s, Xu Zhizhou rested for two days and then went to set up his stall with Jiang Zhuo.

A regular customer asked him why he hadn’t opened for two days.

Xu Zhizhou: “I was a bit tired, so I rested for two days. I thought that there were still customers waiting, so I set up the stall again.”

“It’s hard to be in the food business. I used to be in it too, but I’m not anymore,” the person said. He was wearing fine clothes and looked very kind.

There weren’t many people at the stall now, so he indulged his curiosity and asked, “What business are you in now?”

“I’m an escort. When I’m busy, I’m really busy. When I’m not, I’m free. I travel for a few months a year and earn enough for the whole year. When I have money, I’ve also bought a few shops. Now my life is much more comfortable.”

Xu Zhizhou silently took note.

He was too small to be an escort, but it was worth learning to save up more money to buy a few shops in the future.

Xu Zhizhou gave the customer a few extra vegetable skewers.

The customer rarely gave a few more words of advice. “Don’t spend the money you have in hand casually. You’ve become a boss at such a young age and have made a name for yourself. Don’t waste it.”

Actually, a few vegetable skewers didn’t cost much, but the customer liked Xu Zhizhou’s attitude and said a few more words.

Xu Zhizhou took note.

At night, when Song Changxu came back, Xu Zhizhou had returned early and had made a few crispy pork patties.

Song Changxu found them very fragrant. The pork patties were still a bit dry, so Xu Zhizhou had made a vegetable soup. If it was dry, he could drink some.

After Xu Zhizhou had finished eating, he said, “Husband, I want a blank notebook.”

Song Changxu was a little surprised, but he still nodded. “Alright.”

After washing up, they went back to their room. Song Changxu gave him a blank notebook, and Xu Zhizhou took it with satisfaction.

He said righteously, “Grind the ink for me, husband.”

Song Changxu thought to himself, I always grind my own ink. I’ve never had a red sleeve to add fragrance. Now you want a blue face to add fragrance.

“I know.”

Although he thought so, his hands were very honest.

Xu Zhizhou was making a plan. He had listened to the customer’s words today and had thought about it. Although he knew he should have a plan for the future, it was all vague. He had to sort it out to have a clearer future.

First, he had to save a hundred taels to buy a house, and another hundred to buy a shop. In addition, he would need another hundred for the subsequent opening of the shop and for living expenses.

Oh my god, that’s three hundred taels. Xu Zhizhou’s head was spinning. When he was in Qishan Village, he would never have dared to think of three hundred taels. Now that he thought about it, as long as he worked hard, he could still achieve it.

Also, he had to factor in the possibility of his husband.

After he had written it, Xu Zhizhou dried the paper and blew on the ink with satisfaction.

Song Changxu asked politely, “Can I have a look?”

Xu Zhizhou waved his hand. “I’m an open person. You can look if you want.”

After Song Changxu had looked, “…”

In Xu Zhizhou’s plan, there were two paths. The first was that Song Changxu would become a successful official. The other was that he would fail the exam and return to Jinhe County or Shuibo Town in tears.

The whole line of thought was very clear!

Song Changxu was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

He held his brush, his fingers paused, and he drew a crying little cat on the line where he had failed to become an official. On the line where he had become an official, he drew a majestic tiger.

Xu Zhizhou was already lying in bed. Song Changxu blew out the candle and also got into bed.

“Husband, guess how much money I have?”

Song Changxu said, “Fifty taels?”

Xu Zhizhou shook his head.

“Eighty taels?”

Xu Zhizhou still shook his head. He said with a grin, “No matter how much money I have, I won’t tell you.”

Song Changxu found it cute. He reached out and pinched Xu Zhizhou’s nose.

A man should not know how much money a ge’er has. Otherwise, it would become the man’s backup money in a moment of carelessness.

The two of them played for a while. Song Changxu gathered his long hair. “You’ve worked hard.”

Xu Zhizhou pulled on Song Changxu’s clothes. “It’s good that you know. You should be twice as good to me in the future. Only be good to me.”

In the darkness, Song Changxu laughed. “I know. I’ll only be good to you.”

The two of them had come all the way to Jinhe County after they had gotten married in Qishan Village. At first, they had been bickering. Song Changxu would never forget the days they had supported each other in Jinhe County.

It was the first time either of them had been married. There were always things they did wrong. These days had made them a little more understanding of each other.

Song Changxu kissed his long hair.

Then he smiled like a bright star.

It was a kind of luck to have someone willing to accompany him to the capital, to the top of the world, to see the scenery there.

Xu Zhizhou had fallen asleep long ago, unaware of Song Changxu’s surging emotions. He just wanted Song Changxu to be a minor official. In the future, when they returned to Qishan Village, it would be a glorious return. The villagers would all envy him.

His parents would also live a good life. Everyone could live a good life.

That would be very good. Xu Zhizhou slept with satisfaction.

***

Author’s Note:

Little Song: Be a good official. [Let me see]

Little Xu: Be a minor official. [Shy]