"Zhao's family has sold the Piaoyu Building," Lin, the housekeeper, rushed back to report to Lin Qingwen as soon as he heard the news. "Although I don't know the specific price, but it's said to be lower than what we bid for previously. When Zhao's family bought it from Qian's family before, they paid a handsome sum. Miss, with such a huge loss, I'm afraid Zhao's family will try to make up for it elsewhere."

  This time, although it can't make Zhao's family hurt their tendons and bones, it's enough to make them heartbroken.

  Although she knew the road ahead would be difficult, Lin Qingyuan still did not regret this counterattack.

  The tiger occasionally opens his eyes to let people know that he is just dozing off and not a sick cat.

  "Let everyone be careful, don't let Zhao's family take advantage of us, it'll be fine after the New Year."

  Lin Guanjia didn't know why things got better after the New Year, but seeing his aunt so calm and composed, he naturally wouldn't panic either.

  As the Gluttony Building closed, the tofu craze also slowly subsided. After everyone had a taste of freshness, they no longer pursued tofu with such fervor. Poor families would only change their tofu every few days, while those in better circumstances did so more frequently.

  Although sales have decreased significantly, Suzhou has a large population and the purchasing power of nearby villages means that a considerable amount of tofu is still needed every day.

  The Lin family clan began to have households specializing in tofu making, and after Lin Qingwen lifted the ban, the tenant farmers of the Lin family's other courtyard also started to divide people to do this.

  Actually, tofu doesn't make much money. One kilogram of beans can produce three to four kilograms of tofu, and when bartered for goods, it's equivalent to exchanging one kilogram of beans for one kilogram of tofu. After selling one kilogram of tofu with great difficulty, they can only earn two to three kilograms of beans.

  All I earn is hard-earned money.

  So that trend has passed, and there aren't many people who are truly willing to make tofu, after all it's really hard work.

  Lin Qingwan waited until the incident had cooled down before instructing the kitchen maid to develop other ways of eating tofu, such as making tofu skin, dried tofu, and tofu fruit.

  At this time, Zhao Sheng's actions against Lin's Bookstore became more and more obvious. It was at this time that the news of Lu Zhen scolding the six houses of the Lu family spread. At the same time, the emperor summoned Shang Ping who stayed in the capital to recall his brother-in-law Lin Jiang's appearance together, and asked about the situation of Lin Qingyuan's niece in Suzhou.

  After Shang Ping left the palace, she sent letters to Suzhou and Lingzhou. Zhao Sheng's actions were restrained, and even the second lady of the Shang family began to send invitations for her to visit as a guest.

  It's almost Chongyang Festival on September 9th, Lin Qingwan thought of going to pick up Xie's wife to celebrate the festival, so she agreed.

  No matter how they fought in private, Lin Shang's two families are still closely related by marriage.

  After sending Mrs. Xie back to her own courtyard, Lin Qingyuan took Lin Yuhong on a trip back to the Lin family village.

  The Double Ninth Festival is a grand occasion. As the direct branch, Lin Qingwen should represent the main house to send some things to the clan. In addition, she also needs to mention the matter of the clan school to Lin Run.

  "Eldest brother, this year's imperial examination, not a single person from the Lin family passed. Is it that the young masters didn't work hard enough or is it that the tutors we hired weren't good enough?"

  Lin Run's face turned red with shame. "I've been to see, sir teaches well, the young men have also worked hard, but unfortunately everyone's talent is limited, becoming a scholar is too difficult."

  "Why don't you take the civil service examination?"

  Lin Run remained silent.

  Lin Qingwan furrowed her brow and said: "Although being a jinshi has a good future, one must also act according to their abilities. Fifth Brother, do you really think the Lin family is still the number one clan in Jiangnan?"

  Lin Run's heart was uncomfortable, and he wasn't entirely unaware of the fact that Lang Fang's industry was being targeted. He had heard some rumors, but Lin Qingwen didn't mention it, so he didn't intervene, mainly because the Lin family was no longer what it used to be.

  The prestige accumulated by our ancestors is used on the blade, and it will not be consumed if possible. What the Lin family needs most now is stability.

  Lin Run remained silent, Lin Qingyan furrowed her brow, "Fifth brother, only by giving up can we gain, relying on our ancestors' legacy, how long can we hold out? Now that the wolves are closing in, if there isn't a single Lin family member serving in the imperial court, do you think we can intimidate them for much longer?"

  Lin Run sighed, "I'm afraid the young masters are reluctant and unwilling to go."

  Lin Qingwan said with a serious face: "If Fifth Brother doesn't ask, how would he know they're unwilling?"

  There are too few people in this world who can pass the imperial examination and become a scholar-official, Lin's family is just exceptionally blessed, that's why they set their sights so high.

  But after long consideration, she didn't believe nobody wanted to seek another way.

  Compared to jinshi, mingjing is much easier to obtain. After passing the mingjing exam, although one starts as a minor official, it's not difficult to get a position like county wei or zhubu if one performs outstandingly in the selection of officials examination.

  In Lin Qingwan's view, the readers of this era have too high a vision, they must read books and become county magistrates, in fact, the positions of county lieutenant and chief clerk are not low either.

  In her time, she was the director of the Public Security Bureau and the Finance Bureau. Which university student can take a civil service exam and become the director of these two bureaus?

  Lin Qingwan stood up and said: "Fifth brother, find time to ask him, also, don't let them always stay in the clan school, if their age and knowledge are sufficient, let them go out to study."

  "I recall that when I was twelve years old, I began to travel and study with my fellow students. Sometimes reading ten thousand volumes is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles."

  Lin Run thought for a moment, nodded and said: "There are also several young men in the clan who have mentioned traveling to study, but now that the world is in chaos, outside there are not only rebel troops, but also bandits, I'm afraid it's not safe."

  These young men in the clan are all treasures of the family and they dare not lose them easily. This is also the reason why they have been blocking them from going out.

  "We always hope they can grow up to be eagles soaring in the sky, but we raise them like domesticated birds."

  Lin Run's eyes drooped, as if he was deep in thought.

  Lin Qingwan stood up and said, "You discuss with the elders in your clan, if they want to go out for further studies, just let me know, I'll arrange for a few people to accompany them as protection. If there's not enough silver, I can also provide some financial support."

  "Qing Wan?" Lin Run looked at her in surprise, since Lin Qingwan returned to Suzhou and moved to the western suburb villa, she had little contact with the clan.

  The clan won't look for her like they used to look for Lin Jiang, and in the past year or so, Chang Fang hasn't received anything extra except for the usual allowance.

  The clan also understands that after all, the two aunts left behind are not many industries, and the cost of opening up the large piece of land is not small.

  But now Lin Qingyuan is saying that he wants to sponsor his children to study abroad, and this expense is not small.

  Lin Qingwan sighed and said, "Fifth brother, both Yu Bin and I are surnamed Lin. Neither of us can be selfish. Although I'm annoyed with some people's schemes in the clan, it doesn't mean I'll distance myself from the family."

  Lin Run's face turned red with shame, "It was I who had a petty heart. If our family cannot protect its own members, what is the point of having one? In the future, if you have any difficulties, come back and find me, I will take care of it for you."

  Lin Qingwan smiled and said indifferently, "It's just a small matter, I can handle it myself. There's no need for Fifth Brother to intervene for now. But if the young masters of our clan still can't make a name for themselves, then even with my position as the county princess, I won't be able to stop those people's wolfish ambitions."

  "Let me think about it," Lin Run said: "I also need time to persuade the clan."

  Lin Qīnwáng nodded and let the matter drop.

  Lin Run couldn't help but ask, "What's going on between you and the Zhao family? When your brother was alive, the relationship between the two families wasn't bad. Although there were some conflicts over the position of Jiangnan Observer in the past, it shouldn't have ended up like this."

  "I didn't know making tofu was related to the Gao Lao Lou, otherwise I would have invited my relatives." Lin Run had always wanted to ask but didn't dare to, and took this opportunity to ask directly.

  Lin Qingwan smiled and said: "Fifth brother, don't worry. Our relationship with the Zhao family was never as simple as it seemed on the surface. Now it's just that the superficial peace has been torn apart."

  Lin Run was shocked, "Your relationship with the Zhao family..."

  "Although I don't know why the Zhao family has such great malice towards our Lin family, they were the ones who provoked this," Lin Qingwen said with a slightly cold expression: "So they should be the ones to bear the consequences."