Do you know the long song of laughter?

Chapter 78 Gu Tingye’s depression
  "You earned all this?"

Gu Tingye was stunned for a while before he came back to his senses.

The reason why he was stunned was because the two bamboo baskets were full of copper coins and broken silver.

Even if Gu Tingye didn't inherit the Bai family business, he wouldn't look down upon this little money, let alone now.

He was just surprised that Li An used that kind of topic to make riddles, but he didn't get burned and could still make so much money.

"Ah, that's a lot of money, brother Ziqian, did you just earn all this?" Ru Lan asked.

Sheng Changbai and others were also surprised when they saw the money in the two bamboo baskets.

"That's right, I just earned it." Li An said with a smile.

"No, you used that kind of topic to make riddles, and no one made trouble?" Gu Tingye asked a little puzzled.

"Haha." Li An smiled and shook his head and said, "That's because you don't understand people's hearts."

"People's hearts?"

Gu Tingye and others looked at Li An in confusion.

Li An explained with a smile: "After you learned the answer to the riddle that day, did you think the question was just like this? The same goes for these people. After seven or eight people can't guess a question, I will announce the answer and then change the question. These people know After figuring out the answer to the riddle, I felt like I could guess it. Many people were attracted at that time, and once they guessed it, they would be in the limelight. Who do you think can resist such a temptation?"

He is not stupid. If he asks a question and keeps these people guessing, they will definitely cause trouble when they finally know the answer.

If seven or eight people couldn't guess a question, he would announce the answer and then change the question.

After those people learned the answer, they did think it was a bit strange, but after careful calculation, they couldn't fault it.

People always feel that they are smarter than others. In their opinion, this kind of question is not difficult, but they just haven't found the right method. More people participated in it at once.

After listening to it, several people felt a little speechless, but they were unable to refute.

"Then what are you doing when you close the stall?" Gu Tingye asked.

Li An spread his hands and said, "No more questions."

In order to make money, he prepared hundreds of questions. Unexpectedly, there were so many people guessing the riddles, and they were all used up in more than two hours.

"Didn't anyone guess it correctly?" Sheng Changbai asked in surprise.

"Yes, there were probably eight or nine people who answered one question correctly, but they all chose to continue guessing and didn't win any money from me." Li An said with a smile.

"Zi Qian, this method is not the right way after all. It is better not to use it in the future." Sheng Changbai reminded.

He originally thought that Li An was just joking, but he didn't expect that Li An could make so much money.

After all, such riddles are not orthodox riddles. Ang Lee has made so much money from those scholars using this method. When those scholars react, it will also have a considerable impact on Ang Lee's reputation.

"Ok, I know."

Li An felt a little disapproving, but he knew that Sheng Changbai was doing it for his own good, so he nodded seriously.

"Haha, I made money today, let's treat everyone to dinner." Li An said with a smile.

"Then you're welcome, let's go to Zuixian Tower." Gu Tingye said with a smile.

Zuixian Restaurant is also a very famous restaurant in Yangzhou, its reputation is only slightly worse than Linjiang Restaurant.

"We've almost packed our things, let's go."

Li An asked Shi Zhu to send the money and things home, then go to Zuixian Tower to find him. After giving the instructions, he said to Gu Tingye and others.

Several people came to Zuixian Tower, asked for a private room, and ordered two tables of dishes.

The servants and their entourage were eating in the outside room, while Li An and the others were in the inner room.

"By the way, why did Xu Shigao offend you? Do you want to humiliate him like this?" Gu Tingye asked curiously.

Li An went to his house before and wrote a poem and asked him to take it out after the ranking of the poetry meeting was determined.

Naturally, Gu Tingye would not miss such a fun thing, but when he asked Li An why he did this, Li An did not tell him.

"What humiliation?" Rulan asked doubtfully. Rulan was not interested in the poetry meeting, was unwilling to go to the top floor, and did not know what happened at the poetry meeting.

"I heard that Brother Gu mentioned poetry before. Could it be that Brother Ziqian has written some good poetry?" Mo Lan said with a smile.

"It's just written randomly, it's not really good poetry."

Li An was humble, and then told him about Xu Shigao's visit today and proposed a competition.

"Such a narrow-minded person, who doesn't have any city government, can still serve as a county scholar?" Gu Tingye said in surprise.

"I was a little surprised at first, but I figured it out after thinking about it carefully."

Li An first recounted the grievances between Liu Xuewen and Xu Shigao, and said: "He has some connections. He should know that he will still not be promoted in this evaluation, so he has lost his mind."

"It's no wonder." Gu Tingye said.

As the saying goes, if you cut off people's wealth, they will kill their parents.

For officials, promotion and wealth are no different.

The imperial court evaluates officials every year, but what really determines whether they will be promoted or not is the major exam that takes place every three years.

Three years ago, Xu Shigao failed to get promoted due to Liu Xuewen's impeachment. Although Xu Shigao's failure to be promoted this time has nothing to do with Liu Xuewen, if it weren't for Liu Xuewen's previous impeachment, he would have been promoted three years ago.

Xu Shigao lost his mind a little because of this, which was normal.

"Let's not talk about this anymore. Zecheng, is there no news about where your father has been promoted?" Gu Tingye asked.

Gu Tingye had already planned to give up martial arts and follow literature, but he was unwilling to return to Bianjing and wanted to stay in the Sheng family to study.

Sheng Hong was called to Bianjing last year to report on his work. His promotion was certain, and he would definitely go with him.

If he knew the location in advance, he could send someone to buy a house or something.

Sheng Changbai smiled bitterly and said, "I asked my father, but he said he has not received any news yet."

"I think Sheng Tongpan is likely to come to Beijing this time." Li An said.

"what?"

After hearing this, Gu Tingye and others looked at Li An with different expressions.

Li An explained: "The evaluation usually starts in autumn, and Judge Sheng Tong also went to Beijing to report on his duties. Logically speaking, it is impossible for there to be no news at all, so this is the only possibility."

Generally, the promotion of local officials is drafted by the Ministry of Personnel and sent to the officials for approval.

However, there are so many officials who are promoted every year, and it is impossible for officials to check them one by one. Basically, they will agree after just looking at them.

However, some important positions are different from those promoted to Bianjing. These officials will have people check them individually before they are approved, so the confirmation will be much slower.

After hearing Li An's explanation, several people thought that this was indeed possible. Even Sheng Changbai's determination showed a hint of joy on his face.

After all, he was a Beijing official, and Beijing officials had a reputation of being a third-level official.

"So our family is going to Bianjing?" Ru Lan said in surprise.

Mrs. Wang lived in Bianjing for a period of time, and she often told her about the prosperity of Bianjing, which she yearned for very much.

"Don't talk nonsense about not being seen yet!" Sheng Changbai put away his joy and said.

If word spreads, not only officials in Yangzhou, but also officials in surrounding prefectures and counties will show their favor to Sheng Hong.

It would be so embarrassing if he failed to get promoted to Bianjing in the end.

Gu Tingye opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but felt that something was inappropriate.

The ones who were least happy about the news were Li An and Gu Tingye.

Li An knew it a long time ago, while Gu Tingye was full of depression.

He didn't want to go back to Bianjing, so he decided to study in the Sheng family. What would he do if the Sheng family went to Bianjing?
  (End of this chapter)