Yan Li frowned, "Your temper, girl, is too upright. Have you ever heard the saying that what is too stiff will break?"
Jiang Wan smiled indifferently, "As long as I am so upright that no one can surpass me, then who can break me?"
"Uncle Yan, I'm not here to listen to these grand principles. Do you have a suitable candidate to recommend, or else I'll go ask Grand-Master."
Yan Li snorted, "You are blind. Do you know who is standing before you? Instead of looking for those pedantic scholars, it would be better to..."
Jiang Wan quickly held up a hand to stop him, "Uncle Yan, let's be direct. I know you're not an ordinary person. But I won't let my family get involved with you. Please understand our common folk's instinct to seek advantages and avoid harm."
Yan Li glared at her, "Blind and cowardly as a rat."
Jiang Wan nodded, "Ah, yes, yes, yes, whatever you say is right."
Yan Li was so angry he puffed out his beard and glared, but he was helpless against Jiang Wan.
This girl was incredibly shrewd. Although only five years old, her disposition and her way of speaking and acting were like an adult's.
Sometimes she was also like a hothead, like when she hit that Tutor Zhong.
However, he didn't force the issue. This girl was very smart. Although she was trying to get him to agree to teach the dullard Er Lang, she didn't want Er Lang to officially become his disciple. This was to prevent Er Lang from being drawn into disputes that didn't belong to the Jiang family due to the master-disciple relationship in the future.
"There's a scholar named Zhou in the west of the city. His knowledge and character are trustworthy, far superior to the tutors in Qingyue Academy. If you can persuade him, it won't be difficult for your little brother to pass the imperial examination."
Jiang Wan's eyes lit up at this, but she was also a little confused, "If he's so capable, how would he possibly agree to take on my little brother, who is still in the beginner stage?"
Yan Li smiled, "You are indeed clever. Scholar Zhou has a rather... eccentric personality. Many people offer him money to teach their children, but he dismisses them with disdain. Therefore, you may not be able to persuade him."
Jiang Wan nudged her cheek, "How will I know if I don't try? As long as a person is alive, there are things they care about. If you cater to their preferences, even a clay Buddha can crack a smile."
For her little brother, she was willing to meet the eccentric Scholar Zhou.
Yan Li wasn't very optimistic about this matter, but he didn't stop Jiang Wan. This girl's personality was too upright; she needed to suffer a few setbacks to understand the principle of being flexible in life.
Jiang Wan didn't say much more to Yan Li. After descending the mountain, she set off with high spirits to inquire about Scholar Zhou.
After a round of inquiries, Jiang Wan couldn't help but frown.
Scholar Zhou, whose name was Zhou Kuan, was only thirty years old this year. He came from a poor family and had passed the imperial examination ten years ago, ranking first in his year.
At that time, some people predicted that Zhou Kuan would achieve the Triple Crown.
However, Zhou Kuan stopped at the rank of scholar, and for the next ten years, he made no further progress. He even burned all his books in a fire.
The reason was the early death of Scholar Zhou's wife.
Scholar Zhou's wife and he were childhood sweethearts. Scholar Zhou was orphaned at a young age and relied on his mother to wash clothes for others to support his studies. His wife was betrothed to him as a child, and the bride's family tried to break off the engagement several times, but that girl eventually married him despite the pressure.
Six months after their marriage, Scholar Zhou's mother fell ill and passed away. Scholar Zhou observed the mourning period for three years. During this time, his wife continuously encouraged him to continue his studies, taking on the responsibility of supporting the family herself. After the three-year mourning period, Scholar Zhou took the imperial examination and emerged victorious.
Just as he was preparing to advance rapidly and head to the capital for the final examination, his wife, who had been working tirelessly to earn him travel expenses, fell into the river in the county town and drowned.
Coincidentally, a wandering Taoist priest passed through Yao County and cast a horoscope for Scholar Zhou, stating that all his life's calamities stemmed from his studies. His parents and wife had all died successively to support his education.
Scholar Zhou, overcome with grief, burned all his books and became dejected, living a meager existence by guarding a osmanthus tree that his wife had personally planted.
After hearing Scholar Zhou's story, Jiang Wan sighed inwardly, thinking that although this man was stubborn, he was also deeply affectionate. To live alone in this era, guarding the osmanthus tree left by his wife, was truly touching.
But after her sigh of emotion, she couldn't help but curse Yan Li.
Were there no other scholars in Yao County besides this Scholar Zhou?
However, she had to admit that Scholar Zhou was indeed capable. Ten years ago, Scholar Zhou was only twenty years old. If his wife hadn't met with an accident, Scholar Zhou would likely have entered officialdom by now.
A talented scholar who was predicted to achieve the Triple Crown would surely have a bright future.
To be honest, after learning of Scholar Zhou's talent, she found it hard to look favorably upon anyone else.
It was just that Scholar Zhou was clearly a tough nut to crack.
But no matter how tough the nut, if you gnaw at it a few more times, you'll eventually break off a piece!
Jiang Wan made up her mind to tackle this tough bone of Scholar Zhou! To see whose bone was harder, his or her teeth!
Upon returning home, Jiang Wan found that Madam Cheng had arrived.
"Aunt Cheng! What brings you here today?"
Madam Cheng pulled her into a hug and ruffled her hair before saying, "I came to talk to your mother about your little brother's schooling. I've inquired about Yao County, and no academy is willing to accept San Lang. So, I asked your Uncle Cheng to find a tutor in another county, and for your little brother to start his studies there, and then return to Yao in two years to enter Qingyue Academy."
San Lang was also present, his lips pursed into a straight line.
Jiang Wan understood that San Lang was feeling uncertain. He was only ten years old and had never been separated from his family before. To suddenly be told he had to leave home to study, and for two whole years, it would be strange if he wasn't apprehensive.
"Aunt, can we put this matter aside for a moment?"
Madam Cheng was perplexed, "We must quickly finalize your little brother's schooling before news of Tutor Zhong's incident spreads further. If we don't act quickly now, once the news gets out, other tutors in other counties might not be willing to accept him."
Jiang Wan said, "Aunt, I've already found a potential tutor for my little brother in the county. I want to try and see if I can get that tutor to agree to take my little brother. Leaving Yao County is a test for both my little brother and our family, and I want to consider it as a last resort."
Madam Cheng asked curiously, "Which tutor are you referring to?"
"Scholar Zhou, Zhou Kuan."
Madam Cheng's eyes widened immediately, "Do you know his past? Getting him to agree to take San Lang is probably harder than making an iron tree bloom."
Jiang Wan smiled faintly, making an iron tree bloom isn't that difficult.
"Aunt, let's try first before we say whether it's successful or not. Give me a few days. If it works, it works. If it truly doesn't work, then we can send my little brother away, alright?"
Madam Cheng turned to look at Chen Yuezhi. After all, San Lang was the Jiang family's child, and while she was kindly offering help, the final decision ultimately rested with his parents.
Jiang Wan said to Chen Yuezhi, "Mother, let me try."
Then she turned to San Lang and said, "Little brother, will you let me try? Three days. If I can't get Scholar Zhou to agree within three days, then we'll send you away, okay?"