Chapter 341: Developing His Own Force in the Provincial Capital
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“Let me pose a question to you: If someone were to conspire to harm your loved ones using the most despicable means, would you still find it within yourself to forgive them and arrange for their burial?”
Su Bin’s words hung in the air, rendering the examinees momentarily speechless.
Wang Yizhi’s actions were no secret within the prefectural school; he had resorted to bribery to abandon his wife and pursue a wealthy woman. Most students were aware of his intentions to defile his wife’s innocence.
Had it not been for the substantial financial donation made by Wang Yizhi’s plump wife’s family to the academy, he might have faced intervention from Su Bin, given his close ties to the governor.
This illustrated Su Bin’s magnanimity, as he refrained from leveraging his personal connections to disqualify Wang Yizhi.
Now, the notion of collecting Wang Yizhi’s corpse was out of the question!
Furthermore, the government had already stepped in regarding the deaths of Wang Yizhi and his wife. It had been determined that their bodies were temporarily placed in an inn, awaiting their respective families to claim them. There were no bodies left unattended in the wilderness.
Whether Su Bin assisted or not was essentially inconsequential.
However, the examinees felt a moral duty to prioritize the deceased. If they could offer assistance, they felt compelled to do so.
Su Bin remarked, “Whether or not you choose to help is your own decision. Don’t seek my guidance.”
With that, he, along with Qin Zhenzhen and Su Ning, departed for home unburdened by the situation.
The following day, Su Bin woke up naturally, finding that it was already quite late in the morning.
While his physical endurance was robust, and the test questions posed no significant challenge for him, the nine consecutive days of testing had taken their toll. In particular, enduring the noxious odors emanating from the bucket had been a trying experience. In Su Bin’s previous examination, he had even resorted to stuffing paper balls up his nose for three consecutive days. Yet, despite these challenges, they did little to affect his thoughts.
During the nighttime hours, he had been compelled to rest on the table, leaving him in a state of deep slumber now that he was finally on a comfortable bed.
Qin Zhenzhen informed him, “Wang Yizhi and the others brought sufficient funds earlier. Another examinee has ordered a coffin for them and has already seen to their burial.”
“Their families are expected to arrive tonight.”
The journey from Meijiang Prefecture City to the provincial capital took only about a day, and if they traveled day and night, they could arrive by nightfall. However, Wang Yizhi’s family lived a considerable distance away, necessitating a two-day journey to reach the provincial capital. It was uncertain whether they would make the trip.
Once Wang Yizhi’s coffins were returned to the prefecture capital, it was likely that his family would have arrived.
Su Bin remained silent, displaying no particular interest in the burial arrangements for Wang Yizhi.
Sensing his indifference, Qin Zhenzhen wisely ceased discussing the matter.
In truth, that was all she knew about the situation.
Fortunately, Wang Yizhi’s wife had the means to handle things smoothly, as money proved to be quite useful.
The exam results would not be disclosed for another ten days. If their family circumstances permitted, they might choose to remain in the provincial capital for ten days, enjoying some leisure while awaiting the results.
Su Bin found himself in this particular situation.
However, it was important to note that he and Qin Zhenzhen were merely maintaining the facade, all the while discreetly accompanying Su Ning.
Even during their leisure time, they couldn’t completely abandon their responsibilities.
Qin Zhenzhen owned a shop and conducted business in the provincial capital, which required regular oversight.
Su Bin, on the other hand, harbored aspirations to establish his influence in the provincial capital.
His gaze wandered towards the theaters.
In ancient times, there was a dearth of modern entertainment programs, and opera houses and brothels had emerged as the primary sources of amusement and diversion.
When compared to brothels, opera houses had a broader appeal, attracting a more diverse clientele.
Inside the theater, one could find individuals from varying social strata—some affluent, some destitute, some of high standing, and others from all walks of life.
If he could transform the opera house into a central hub for gathering information, he could assemble a more extensive network. With their official identities, the potential profits would be substantial.
Su Bin confided this idea to Qin Zhenzhen.
Qin Zhenzhen responded with a nod. “You have my full support. Pursue whatever course of action you believe is best.”
She had never doubted the abilities of the talented mastermind when it came to financial endeavors..