sjar Chapter 88 Letter of Recommendation
Chapter 88 Letter of Recommendation
For the next month, Shen Zhian came almost every day, and after each meal he would go to the backyard to say a few words to Lu Tao.
Those shopkeepers who fawned over Shen Zhian kept their word and would bring people to Baishi Restaurant for meals from time to time.
As a result, the businesses of Fulai Restaurant and Baiwei Restaurant have improved even more than before.
The existing inn, along with other shops, also benefited from the situation.
Li Huaiyuan was overjoyed to receive this month's tax records.
Tian Tian knew that her opportunity had arrived.
She specially prepared several baskets of frozen shrimp dumplings, shumai, etc., packed them in kraft paper bags, and went to the cloth shop to buy two bolts of fine silk, and to the bookstore to buy a set of writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones.
He took Tian Xiang and Tian Jinghe to the county government office to pay their respects to Li Huaiyuan.
When Li Huaiyuan heard that it was Tian Tian who had come, he stopped what he was doing and invited them in.
Tian Jinghe held Tian Tian's hand tightly.
His expression was still timid, but much better than it had been at the end of summer.
"I've met Mr. Li."
Li Huaiyuan had just reviewed the tax records and was in high spirits. "No need for formalities."
He glanced at what Tian Tian was carrying and cut to the chase, "Oh, you're carrying something...it seems you need something from me?"
Tian Xiang was pondering how to bring it up when Li Huaiyuan was so direct.
She was stunned for a moment.
Tian Tian nudged her, signaling her to put the things down together.
Tian Xiang placed the bolts of cloth she was carrying on the table...
Tian Tian put down the shrimp dumplings, shumai, and writing materials.
"Lord Li, as expected, nothing can be hidden from you." After putting down her things, Tian Tian pulled Tian Jinghe to her side.
"Sir, this is my younger brother, Tian Jinghe, who is five years old this year."
Li Huaiyuan looked at Tian Jinghe, a handsome young man with clear eyes but a hint of timidity.
Tian Jinghe knew that his two older sisters had come today because of his studies.
Although timid, he still bowed respectfully and said, "Tian Jinghe greets Your Excellency, the County Magistrate."
Li Huaiyuan raised his hand in a gesture of support, "No need."
"My lord," Tian Tian patted Tian Jinghe's head encouragingly, "my younger brother has not yet begun his formal education."
“I want to send him to the county school, but the county school requires a letter of recommendation.”
"Therefore...today...I would like to ask you, sir, to recommend...my younger brother for enrollment in the county school..."
While Tian Tian was saying these words, she kept a close eye on Li Huaiyuan's expression.
Li Huaiyuan did not show any annoyance or dislike, and Tian Tian secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Tian Jinghe..."
Tian Jinghe looked up.
"Tell me, why do you want to study?"
Tian Jinghe hesitated for a moment, then said, "Studying is to... broaden one's horizons, connect with a bigger world, and have more choices."
Li Huaiyuan was quite surprised to hear Tian Jinghe's words.
Whether they were from commoner families or noble families, they all hoped to enter officialdom through studying and taking the imperial examinations, so as to realize their ambitions.
Even he himself is one.
On a grander scale, it means serving the country and its people.
But what this child is saying...
Tian Tian lowered her head in surprise.
She didn't expect this either...
Li Huaiyuan chuckled, "This kid is interesting..."
He waved his hand dismissively, "Alright, I'll write him a letter of recommendation."
Laying out paper, pressing down the paperweight, grinding ink, holding the brush...
In no time, a letter of recommendation was written.
Li Huaiyuan put the envelope in an envelope, stood up, and handed it to Tian Tian.
He looked at Tian Jinghe and said, "Jinghe, you must study hard and not let me down."
Tian Jinghe knelt down earnestly, "Thank you, Magistrate. Jinghe will study hard and live up to your expectations."
Tian Tian's eyes welled up with tears as she watched this scene.
"Miss Tian, how's business at Baishi Teahouse lately?" Li Huaiyuan asked with concern.
In the past month, Baishi Teahouse has paid 800 taels of taxes.
It was the only one in the entire county to be in the lead.
One shop there was worth as much as all the shops in the entire county, including Fulai Restaurant and Baiwei Restaurant.
"Business at the shop is relatively stable now," Tian Tian said.
He then brought up the issue of parking in front of the gate, saying, "Sir, winter is coming soon, and we'll have fewer guests."
"But there will definitely be more guests when spring arrives."
"There isn't enough space to park carriages and feed horses in front of the Baishi Teahouse, which is really inconvenient."
"The woman suggests that a special area be set up outside or inside the city for parking and for people to feed the horses."
"We are doing this not only for the guests of Baishi Teahouse, but also for the guests of other restaurants and inns."
Li Huaiyuan recently received feedback from the yamen runners that there had been an increase in horse-drawn carriages on the streets, and that occasionally carriages would collide with people.
Tian Tian's consideration coincided with his.
He was also struggling with whether to set up the parking area outside or inside the city.
"Miss Tian, do you have any good suggestions?"
Tian Tian told him her idea, "I think we can set up parking areas outside the city, one outside each of the four city gates (east, west, south, and north)."
Li Huaiyuan frowned, pondering the feasibility of her words, "If it's outside the city gate... wouldn't it be inconvenient for them to buy things?"
When a horse-drawn carriage enters the city, goods can be delivered directly to the carriage. However, it would be inconvenient if the carriage were outside the city.
"It allows merchants to deliver their goods outside the city gates."
Tian Tian made this suggestion because she actually had another plan...
"Sir, there are many carriages from other places, and the streets of Baishi County are dirty and smelly, which is really inconvenient."
"If carriages from other places were all parked outside the city, the streets of Baishi County would be much cleaner."
"The parking lot outside the city... I'm willing to hire someone to manage it."
She could collect the horse manure and use it as fertilizer for the fields.
She's going to farm next year, and fertilizer is very important.
Li Huaiyuan's fingers tapped lightly on the table...
After a moment, she said, "Alright, then we'll do as you say, Miss Tian."
“I will immediately arrange for people to measure the area at the four city gates to ensure that there are...fifty parking spaces outside each city gate.”
Tian Tian nodded, "Sir, you've designated the area; I'll take care of the rest."
Li Huaiyuan: "Alright, I'll have the yamen runners at your command."
*
After leaving the county government office, Tian Tian, Tian Xiang, and Tian Jinghe went straight to the county school.
As luck would have it, they ran into Tian Changqing as soon as they arrived at the entrance of the county school.
"Uncle Changqing," Tian Xiang greeted.
Tian Changqing stopped in surprise. "Tian Xiang, Tian Tian, Jing He? What's going on here?"
Tian Tian, holding Tian Jinghe's hand, smiled and said, "Uncle Changqing, we brought Jinghe to the county school to pay his tuition."
I paid my tuition this year, and I can start school next spring.
Tian Changqing's eyes widened in confusion. "Jing and him... have recommendation letters?"
Tian's sweet dessert.
Tian Changqing asked, "I wonder who recommended it?"
Tian Tian smiled and said, "To be honest, Uncle Changqing, it was Magistrate Li of Baishi County who personally wrote the letter of recommendation."