Shi Xian didn't go to the flower hall, but instead suggested taking a look at the crops Lin Qingwan had planted in the backyard.

  That land has not only rice fields and wheat fields, but also a piece of land that has been specially set aside to grow melons, fruits and vegetables. Shi Xian asked, "Are all these planted by the county master?"

  Lin Qingwan said: "There's Yu Bin and his nephew helping out."

  "That's also a good idea," Shi Xian saw that several winter melon seedlings had already climbed onto the trellis, and she reached out to touch their vigorous vines. Suddenly, she forgot what she was about to say and stared intently at Lin Qingwan: "In pre-Qin times, official positions were granted based on military merit, and titles were conferred accordingly. By the Han dynasty, the imperial examination system had replaced this practice. Regardless of how chaotic the imperial examination system was during the Eastern Han period, it was indeed a way for the country to select talent at that time."

  Lin Qingyan nodded her head, she also studied history, so naturally knew this point, no matter how advanced and suitable a system was at the beginning, it would only become more corrupt over time.

  One is that it is no longer suitable for that era; two is that interests dictate, and after grasping its rules, someone naturally deliberately plots.

  In that case, it can no longer play its role.

  "After the Censorate, there was the Nine Ranks Middle Regular system. Although it was reformed from the Censorate system, during the Wei and Jin dynasties, it was able to eliminate corruption and selected many talented people for the country. The aristocratic families began at that time and lasted until the Sui dynasty when the Imperial Examination system was established." Shi Xian paused and said: "Lin Guniang, I don't know if you know this or not, but although the fall of the Sui dynasty had reasons such as Emperor Yang's arrogance and extravagance, another major reason was the establishment of the Imperial Examination system."

  At that time, the aristocratic families were prosperous, and Emperor Yang of Sui wanted to establish the imperial examination system, which directly touched their bottom line. Otherwise, it would not have been possible for uprisings to break out in various places. Just look at who led the troops in rebellion at that time to understand.

  Lin Qingwan's eyes lit up as she looked at Shi Xian, "I had almost forgotten, Mr. Shi is from a family of renowned historians, don't you have any historical records from the Sui and Tang dynasties in your home?"

  Shi Xian raised an eyebrow and smiled, "It seems that Lin Guizhu is very interested in history."

  Lin Qingwan coughed softly and said, "Following in the footsteps of one's ancestors is a very delightful thing."

  The smile on Shi Xian's face became even more genuine, "These words sound just like what my mother would say. History can serve as a warning and guidance. Since Lin Guizhu loves history, she should know how dangerous her current actions are. After the fall of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Liang took in many aristocratic families to gain support, which led to the coexistence of the nine-rank system and the imperial examination system. At that time, it was a necessary measure, but now it has become a cumbersome burden, like eating wax, and abandoning it might lead to cutting off one's own feet."

  "And now you want to cut off this tail, how can you be sure you won't become that lost arm?"

  "Mr. Shi thinks too highly of me, I'm just a widow living in the countryside, how can I be a pillar for a country?"

  Shi Xian said: "The princess dares to set the price of grass paper so low, and also dares to make the formula for grass paper public. Isn't this a great contribution to the country?"

  Lin Qingwan did not speak.

  Shi Xian also stopped, she took out a letter from her bosom and handed it to her, "This is what my brother-in-law entrusted me to give you."

  Lin Qingwan raised an eyebrow and looked at her.

  Shi Xian smiled, "Don't worry, it's not a private transaction. If your cousin is willing to go to the Lu family to study, just bring this letter to Qingfeng Mountain. He said that since the county master is so righteous, then her favored nephews and nieces can't be too bad."

  Lin Qingwan took over the letter and bowed: "Please thank Mr. Lu on my behalf, Mr. Shi."

  Shi Xian nodded and sighed, saying: "I hope the young lady will take care of herself."

  Lin Qingwan saw that he was worried, and couldn't help but smile: "Mr. Shi, in the eyes of many officials in the court, I am just a 17-year-old young widow, without experience or qualifications, not worthy of fear."

  Now they hate her because she touched their interests, but this is not a threat, so the other party will dislike her, impeach her, but will not think of killing her.

  Lin Qingwan opened her hands calmly and said: "I am not like the English noblewoman, I do not have an army in my hands, I don't even have close relatives serving as officials in the court."

  Shi Xian looked back at her, half a beat later couldn't help but smile and say: "That Lin young mistress should not enter the capital before she can take care of herself, otherwise those people will see you and might just treat you like General Zhong."

  Lin Qingwan couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter upon hearing this, "I'll take Mr. Shi's words as a compliment."

  Shi Xian bid farewell and left.

  Lin Yuhu changed her clothes and rushed over, but she could only see the back of the horse carriage. She stared and said: "Auntie, why didn't you invite Mr. Shi to stay for dinner?"

  "Mr. Shi is busy, where has he got time to eat?" Lin Qingwen pulled her back into the house and asked: "Did Mr. Shi's fellow students say anything in the academy today?"

  "No, my classmates didn't take it to heart, Mr. Shi just asked a couple more questions and then said he'd walk me home after school."

  Lin Qingwan nodded slightly.

  "Is this matter very dangerous, Auntie?" Lin Yuheng asked in a low voice.

  "If it were a man who did this, it would be very dangerous," Lin Qing said: "If he is clever but has no power, those short-sighted people who are offended by their own interests will not tolerate him; if he is clever and has both power and influence, those clever but selfish people will not tolerate him. So unless he is lucky, it's hard to survive."

  "But Aunt isn't a man," Lin Qingyan said softly, "I'm a woman, and I'm the county princess, with the Lin family as my backing, so nothing will happen to me. At most, I'll just be scolded a few times."

  Lin Yuhong muttered: "Why don't I feel happy."

  "That's right, because we haven't been respected by our opponents yet, but one day they will pay the price for their contempt and foolishness." Lin Qingyan smiled and said: "Now we just need to quietly watch."

  Lin Yuhbin couldn't help but curl up his eyebrows and eyes with joy as he thought about their regretful faces in the future.

  The aunt and niece secretly enjoyed themselves, but those who stared at this side's movements didn't know whether to be happy or angry.

  Because they also got the formula for grass paper, this means that their paper mill can also produce grass paper and get a share of this business.

  But the price of grass paper is almost fixed at eight cents per knife, do you want to raise the price?

  So many ordinary people have learned this skill outside, can you unite the industry insiders to unify the price, but also ask these ordinary people to be priced with you?

  When the time comes, your store is expensive, but the common people sell at a low price. How much business can they still do?

  So this matter is really not something to be happy about.

  Because before the grass paper came out, their hemp paper cost was high, but the selling price was also high. Even if it was a large wholesale sale, they could make at least four cents per piece.

  Now, the cost is only four or five cents, and the retail price is only eight cents. If it's wholesale, it must be even lower. You can make a profit of two cents per knife.

  Lost big time.

  Everyone can't help but resent Lin Qingyuan, why must it end in mutual destruction? You said you could just raise the price of paper directly and then exchange the formula with them, so everyone would be happy.

  Must you make such a scene?

  The news spread to the capital, and nearly half of the officials in the court thought that Lin Qingyuan was too naive, and a dispute arose, resulting in both sides suffering losses.

  And more than half of those who remained also thought that Lin Qingyu was too young and vigorous, and not gentle enough.

  Only some people sensed something was off, but they didn't say anything.

  They were already displeased with the actions of Chen and his ilk, but it was just a piece of paper, yet they made such a big fuss over it with a young girl, showing how narrow-minded they are.

  Secondly, the imperial examination system has become increasingly unfair in recent years. Almost all of the students selected by the Imperial Academy are descendants of high-ranking officials in the court, leaving no room for others to survive.

  It's fine now, just consider it an opportunity for the common people. Wait until more and more commoners participate in the imperial examination, then see if they dare to cheat like this again.

  So they mostly silently buried their views on Lin Qingwan in their hearts and never mentioned this matter again.

  But also with a thought of kindness, he reminded the officials involved in this matter out of good intentions, "It's just a piece of paper, why make such a big fuss about it? Why not take the initiative to step back and give Lin Guizhu a good reputation?"

  The other person's face was very unsightly. "At this point, how can we still retreat? She has already spread the formula all over the world, what significance is there in retreating or not?"

  "You can't say that, you guys started it first. What's wrong with apologizing to others? Brother, don't blame me for not reminding you, this Lin Junzhu is not simple, if things go wrong, she might be the second Zhong Ruying."

  The other party sneered, "Lin's army became the Northeast Army thirty years ago, how did she become Zhong Ruying?"

  He refused to listen even when he was dying, and those who tried to remind him could only shake their heads in sighs.

  And when Zhao Jie received the news from the rear, he also fell silent for a long time. He was thinking that Lin Qingwan's move was either a tantrum or intentional.

  If she did it on purpose, what did she intend to do?

  Thinking of the profiteers from the proliferation of grass paper, Zhao Jie's heart skipped a beat, and he secretly clenched his fists. Was Lin Jiang's sister not another Zhong Ruying?

  His face sank like water, he turned around and entered the account, and said to his confidant: "You personally send a message back to Suzhou, ask Second Master, what kind of person Lin Qingyu is. If she is as smart as her brother,"

  Zhao Jie said in a low voice: "Then we must eliminate future troubles."

  His confidant was startled and saw him looking over, so he lowered his head and responded with a "yes", but in his heart, he couldn't help but feel suspicious.

  What kind of grudge does the general have against the Lin family, and yet he doesn't even spare their womenfolk.

  Zhao Jie finished writing the letter and handed it over to him, "Set off as soon as possible. If you take action, make sure to clean up thoroughly, isn't she just in a feud with someone?"

  This is to frame those who led the impeachment in Chaozhong, but isn't there a general's father-in-law inside?

  The confidant did not hesitate, nodded and retreated, but in his heart he could not help but feel a chill.

  He was also a soldier and couldn't accept going to assassinate a woman. The Lin family's main branch had no male descendants left, why must it be this way?

  Xin Fu handed the letter to Zhao Sheng's hands and couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Second Master, is that Lin Guizhu really so clever and fierce?"

  Zhao Sheng sneered and said, "It's just a matter of pride, what's so scary about it? Just wait and see, she'll regret it later."

  He tore open the letter and quickly scanned it, furrowing his brow: "Big brother, aren't you thinking too much, actually wanting you to take action personally."

  He hung his head in shame and said nothing.

  Zhao Sheng furrowed his brow, and after a while, he said, "Alright, cut the grass and eliminate the roots, only then can I be at peace."

  He didn't believe that Lin Qingwan was that formidable, but she was really detestable. He still remembered the grudge at Piao Yu Lou. Since big brother decided to take action, he would follow suit.