My Lady Always Lacks Ambition-Chapter 1081 - 1051: This Temple Master Has Quite a Temper

Chapter 1081: Chapter 1051: This Temple Master Has Quite a Temper

The charity auction hosted by the Ministry of Revenue was a great success. Cui Shixue, upon seeing the large sum of donations, smiled so broadly his eyes turned into lines. It had surpassed two million taels, reaching almost three million. It was an astonishing amount.

However, he also understood that most of the funds came from the most valuable items: the Saint’s ink treasure and the five slots allowing merchant registration to take part in the imperial examination. The most expensive slot was auctioned at five hundred thousand taels.

It is clear that there are wealthy merchants in Da Feng. What they lack is an opportunity to change their social status, and being allowed to participate in the imperial examination is one such opportunity.

Though termed as a charity auction, it is essentially an opportunity bought with real gold and silver. If the cynical scholars criticize it harshly, it’s no different from selling official titles, although this slot still requires an actual exam.

Yet, it does not stop people from vying for this slot. After all, merchants do not refrain from studying; they read too, sometimes not inferior to the noble sons. Their talents are also remarkable, and they merely lack the chance to take the exams.

Now, there is an opportunity right in front of them. With some silver, they can seize it, all while doing charity, gaining both fame and benefits. It’s no wonder that profit-minded merchants compete eagerly.

After all, once they truly pass the examination and become a scholar, their family status will change. That’s a glorifying and worthy endeavor. What is mere silver compared to that?

Of course, every coin has two sides, and some people may perceive it as unfair. However, isn’t the world inherently unfair? With national calamities at hand, who talks about fairness, and who provides fairness to the victims of disasters?

The ones feeling most uneasy are a few scholars, brought here by chance to broaden their horizons, sitting in the hall. Some are from poor families, already living frugally. Experiencing such an auction and seeing people treat money lightly fills their hearts with bitter envy as if they had swallowed a jar of old vinegar.

Especially those buying a slot in the imperial exams for thousands of taels truly made them cry out against the injustice.

Respectable merchants, reeking of copper, managing to gain a chance to compete fairly with just a bit of money.

How can they be reconciled with this?

Not content, words became plentiful.

Three scholars, by the lavatory, angrily proclaimed such auctions meaningless, arguing that the imperial examination was meant to select the nation’s pillars, but now it reeked of money, dismantling the scholarly spirit entirely.

Qin Liuxi, overhearing this, could not help but chuckle in anger. She stepped out of the shadows.

The scholars opposite did not expect anyone from behind. Hearing the laughter, they paled. They glanced at the man and woman across them — the man more charming than a woman, and the woman, although not dressed as typical girls, wore her hair in a high knot held by a wooden hairpin and her robe looked like a Daoist robe. Yet clearly, she was a woman, her aura ethereal.

"Is this what you call the scholarly spirit? Spreading gossip and ranting by the lavatory?" Qin Liuxi looked at them. She already noticed them from the top floor earlier, each with a high self-esteem, markedly proud, only seeking fame and fortune.

The young scholars, affronted by these words, scowled, "Who are you? Don’t you know a gentleman shouldn’t see or hear improper things?"

"Who I am does not matter. What’s important is, if you believe the auction is meaningless, why are you here? Aren’t you here to see the world, hoping to catch a noble’s eye and rise to great heights?"

Immediately embarrassed and angry, their faces burnt with shame. Though this was truthful, being ridiculed so was rather humiliating.

Just as they were about to retort, Qin Liuxi spoke again.

"Do you know what kind of place Jiuxuan is? In such a grand charity auction, did you honestly believe it was empty with no ears behind walls? Your words just now must have reached quite a few ears. Congratulations, you’ve ruined your future with your own hands."

Upon hearing this, they panicked immediately, subconsciously glancing around. Previously unnoticed, but indeed, there seemed people standing in some corners.

So were their complaints overheard?

The thought turned their faces from dark to pale.

Qin Liuxi shook her head slightly. Such people were unworthy of great tasks.

She turned to leave, then reconsidered and looked back at them, "Indeed, the world holds many injustices, but who says the demeanor of merchants falls short of scholars’? Their intellect surpasses those of you who only read books without flexibility. Emerging from the merchant class, they can also become pillars of the nation, capable of governing the state. They lack only an opportunity. You scream unfairness, but did they obtain this chance for free? Even if bought, they paid with real gold and silver. Whose silver falls from the sky? Merchants in business need to strategize and control operations, consider factors no less than officials. Hard-earned silver used wisely is what fairness says that does not happen?"

With hands behind her back, Qin Liuxi said, "Setting aside these so-called unfairness, this auction, no matter the donors or the generous bidders, each bid far exceeds the item’s value. Yet, all support disaster relief, aiding disaster-stricken victims, holding true meaning. You claim it holds no value? Its very purpose is to gather funds for disaster relief. That itself is the meaning. Are your rejections ignoring disaster victims, or dismissing the court?"

This cap placed on anyone would prove thorny, who would dare wear it?

The scholars hurriedly protested, "Don’t make false accusations, that’s not what we meant."

"But didn’t you just say this auction was meaningless?"

"I..."

Qin Liuxi said blandly, "Scholars should first cultivate their hearts, or all their reading of saintly books is wasted!"

She left it at that, saying no more.

Feng Xiu: "They’re just a few pedantic scholars who read themselves foolish. Why waste words on them?"

Qin Liuxi: "To prevent some people from pretending to be high-minded without knowing their worth, yet still putting on airs."

The scholars: "..."

The opposite successfully piqued the scholarly fight within them.

But seeing the shadows layered in darkness, they wanted not to stay a moment longer, covering their faces with sleeves, they hurried away.

Seeing the place calm, two figures emerged from the darkness. Who else could they be but Cui Shixue and the Minister of Revenue?

Minister Qian stroked his beard, saying, "This Master Buqiu has quite a temperament."

Cui Shixue, standing a step behind him, laughed, "Being capable and having a temper isn’t an issue. The problem lies with those lacking ability and yet having a big temper!"

Minister Qian gave him a glance, saying, "According to Chang Xiao, he holds this person in high regard."

Cui Shixue answered flawlessly, "A capable high-level Taoist naturally receives everyone’s praise."

Minister Qian snorted, saying, "Go find out who those students are."

To dare claim the auction organized by the Ministry of Revenue is meaningless? Are several million in donations not significance, but their superficial remarks are?"

Meanwhile, Qin Liuxi faced a man dressed in gold woven cloud silk, who respectfully offered a letter of recommendation, excitedly saying, "Master Buqiu, Mr. Li introduced me through Du Mian Du Tuo, I have a request."