Chapter 45.3

Chapter 45.3

Even if they didnt like this Juren, who was close to the merchants son, he was respectfully saluting, so they couldnt just leave and hurriedly followed in response.

Brother Lin, just speak as you wish.

In that case, I wont be polite.

The men dressed as scholars had come close enough to hear what they were going to discuss as soon as they arrived but didnt bother them, instead, they just stood quietly and looked on.

Lin Shiheng smiled gently and asked, I wonder if these three brothers eat meat?

It was still Hu Chuan who answered, he vaguely understood that this strange Juren was standing on Zhao Hes side, and immediately replied, Naturally, we do eat. But we only eat domestic fowl, which were kept and sold by others. However, Brother Lin and Brother Zhao use hooks to catch the fish that have grown up in the water just to satisfy the desire for food, so I begged to differ.

He said this to directly block Lin Shiheng from defending with If you eat meat, why do you stop us from eating it?.

After he said that, Hu Chuan suddenly had an idea in mind. In the past, he secretly bullied Zhao He for the sake of his amusement but now that there were other people present, if he could ruin Zhao Hes reputation with just a few words, then no matter how well he did in the exam, it wouldnt be of consequence.

He took note of this in his mind and slightly narrowed his eyes. He seemingly inadvertently glanced at the several Jurens standing around and stood up even straighter.

Zhao He was a little anxious. Others wouldnt know, but he knew just how difficult it was to handle these three people. Usually, they would only mess with him which was fine as he was thick-skinned, but if they were to try to mess with Brother Lin today Such a thin-skinned and soft-spoken scholar like Brother Lin, he might really be angered to death!

He(ZH) opened his mouth to get in a word, but Lin Shiheng continued to speak warmly and gently, What Brother Hu said is true, but what I would like to remark on was What Brother Hu said about how if Brother Zhao and I fished for food, when we become officials in the future, we would be wronging the people.

Brother Hu, do you know how much money you can make selling this fish on the market?

Hu Chuan frowned, How can we educated people know about this copper stink?

Brother Hu is wrong about that.

Lin Shiheng said, Brother Hu said just now that Brother Zhaos fishing was being irresponsible to the people, but Brother Hu should know that many people could only barely support their families by catching fishes in the water. And should also know that while the market value of one fish is only a few cents, it is enough to feed a family of three for three days.

Hu Chuans face grew ugly, but before he could speak, the green-clothed scholar had already continued in a consistently gentle, slow but uninterruptible tone.

We are Jurens, as Brother Hu had said earlier, even if we couldnt be nominated for that golden position, we can still wait to become an official and might become a magistrate somewhere in the future. If Brother Hu believes that Brother Zhaos fishing is cruel, when you become an official in the future, would Brother Hu prevent fishermen in your jurisdiction from fishing? With no way to earn a living, what should they eat or drink?

Even though he could have guessed how Lin Shiheng was going to attack after he spoke about the rations for a family of three, Hu Chuan was still livid when Lin Shiheng really attacked.

But now that so many people around him were watching, if he really didnt say anything, wouldnt it appear that he just cared about reading and ignored the common people of the world?

Hu Chuan gritted his teeth and tried to keep his brain sharp while he argued, It was not my intention to do so. But I just thought, Brother Zhaos family is a family of merchants, since the family is very wealthy, why would he need to catch this small fish just to satisfy the appetite? If he hadnt fished, perhaps this fish would be caught by a fisherman and it would be a livelihood for them as well.

The white-faced scholar in green clothes bowed very politely with a gentle smile, Farewell.

Hu Chuan, who didnt want to give him a salute, stiffened and returned the salute, Farewell. Excuse me.

Zhao He dumbfoundedly watched as the three people who had always thrashed him, all turned around and left with gloomy faces.

It was the first time he had taken on all three of them and for it to end with them leaving first.

Several scholars around came forward to introduce themselves, exchanging their names and a few words before they left one after another.

After all, the imperial examination was soon, although they were on a ship, they were still scrambling to study.

Zhao He had yet to regain himself and was almost like a wooden man as he returned all the courtesies and met all those people. When only he and Lin Shiheng were left, he looked at the green-clothed scholar who had continued to fling his fishing rod into the water, unable to resist, he leaned over.

Brother Lin, thank you for just now. Whenever I spoke to the three of them before, it was always the three of them against me, but I didnt expect that it would be the three of them that would be defeated today.

Lin Shiheng revealed a light smile on his face, Brother Zhao neednt be polite. Im not good with words, thats why I specifically asked Brother Hu to discuss. So naturally, the remaining two wont be able to say anything.

Zhao He just thought of that, Still, Brother Lin, youre quick on the uptake.

By the way, Brother Lin, was what you told them true? If you are short of money, I can lend you some silver. Rest assured, just borrow it, you can give it back to me later in the future.

Lin Shiheng bowed his head and showed a slightly shy smile.

Brother Zhao, it was a joke, I am also a Juren. How could I be so distressed? I just said those words so that the Brothers around me would be partial to me.

Zhao He was stunned and couldnt recover for a while.

You, you cheated them?

How can you call it cheating someone?

Hearing his denial, Zhao He breathed a sigh of relief.

Yes How could such a magnificent Brother Lin have lied

The green-clothed scholar smiled apologetically.

Just a white lie, how is it cheating?