bookandnovel Chapter 26 Funding
Chapter 26 Funding
Oh?
Lu Li paused, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.
Could it be you too?
Lu Li knew what Commander Wang was talking about, and simply said:
"My subordinates are of meager strength and it took several months of luck to finally get through. We no longer expect any assistance."
The so-called funding actually came from wealthy households, powerful families, and merchants in Lin'an City who would contribute funds in advance to help them pass the imperial examinations or participate in martial arts competitions.
It's a small investment, but it can certainly create positive connections.
The same ten taels of silver might be just a month's salary for a martial artist with internal strength, but for a martial artist with potential but from a poor background, it's like sending charcoal in snowy weather.
Wealthy families usually cast a wide net, and if even one person among them can pass the imperial examination or break through the hidden strength barrier, they will make a fortune. Moreover, even if they are really bad at judging people and no one succeeds, it is still a favor.
Having more friends opens up more paths, let alone having more warriors.
Of course, while these wealthy families cast a wide net, they didn't simply throw money around.
They only bet on young geniuses; someone like Lu Li, with mediocre talent, had long since given up on that idea.
Wang Hong, who was standing to the side, remained silent for a moment after hearing this, before finally speaking:
"Is five months the right time to try and pass the test?"
"Um."
Lu Li did not deny it.
Wang Hong remained silent for a long time.
Lu Li was not surprised to see this, but sighed slightly in his heart.
I guess he was deterred by his own inferior physical constitution.
Human nature.
"Xiao Li, would you be interested in taking on a part-time job at my Wang family's place?"
"Ten taels of silver a month, plus two catties of Silver Serpent meat a month," Wang Hong said. "However, you'll have to work for the Wang family. But don't worry, it'll only be once a month at most, and there will be extra pay for escorting goods. I'll also arrange patrols for you from the city defense bureau. Are you willing?"
These conditions weren't particularly generous, but they were the limit within his authority.
They had spent quite a bit of time together, and Wang Hong knew that Lu Li was a diligent child. Moreover, he noticed that Lu Li had been working even harder in his training recently, even practicing his boxing in the alleys during his patrol breaks.
Wang Hong knew that Lu Li was probably preparing for the martial arts exam in three months.
He also knew that someone with inferior talent, who had no financial support and only a monthly salary of two taels of silver, could not make any waves in the martial arts examinations.
But Lu Li's diligence truly moved him.
His Wang family runs a security escort agency. Although it's not particularly outstanding among the many security escort agencies in Lin'an City, it's still enough for them to provide financial assistance to Lu Li.
At this moment, Lu Li understood perfectly well that this so-called "half-job" was clearly Commander Wang's way of sponsoring him.
"Boss...you..."
"Don't complain about the amount!" Wang Hong snorted, revealing just the right amount of arrogance. "Give me a straight answer, whether you agree or not!"
"Yes! Yes!"
Lu Li quickly spoke up, scratching his head somewhat embarrassed, "Thank you for your guidance, Boss."
During this period, thanks to the silver donated by Zhou Yue, his martial arts progress has improved significantly, but correspondingly, his purse is also rapidly emptying.
With only expenditures and no income, the imbalance between income and expenditure is inherently unsustainable.
Lu Li was originally worried about when he would no longer be able to afford blood-nourishing powder and blood-replenishing pills, but unexpectedly, Commander Wang gave him a big surprise today!
"Alright, alright, just focus on practicing martial arts. Since you spend more time at the martial arts school than at home, I'll send the things to the school tomorrow."
Wang Hong waved his hand, indicating that Lu Li could go to the martial arts school.
"Thanks, boss!"
Lu Li kept this kindness in his heart.
After Lu Li left, another patrolman came over.
"Uncle, are you sure you want to sponsor him?"
He was also a member of the Wang family.
During their time together, he discovered that his uncle greatly admired Lu Li. Not only had he personally led patrols several times, but he had also contacted the prison to change Lu Li's patrol locations to places closer to his home and martial arts school. Today, he even went so far as to provide him with financial assistance.
You should know that as a member of the Wang family, his monthly allowance was only five taels of silver.
Now, a foreigner is being paid ten taels of silver!
More importantly, there were those two pounds of silver snake meat!
The Silver Serpent is a unique, non-venomous beast of the Wang family. It is a highly nourishing food. Ordinary people who have not tempered their blood and qi can keep themselves from being hungry for two days after eating it. Even martial artists with the strength of Ming Jin can feel a noticeable warmth in a short time after eating it, which is very beneficial for strengthening their blood and qi.
Moreover, the number of Silver Black Snakes is not large, and they grow slowly. Although a pound may seem small, sometimes a single snake may not even weigh a pound.
If such a generous reward were given to a potential genius, or even a master of internal strength, he would accept it.
But Lu Li was only of inferior talent, and it took him five months to finally pass the test.
Why should he be treated better than me?
Wang Hong glanced at his nephew and sighed helplessly.
"You only saw his inferior aptitude, but did you also see his diligence, hard work, and cautiousness?"
"Duan Kang has recommended Lu Li to me many times, asking me to sponsor him. I don't think that kid would lie to me."
"Besides, we've known each other for a while now, which is fate. If it really doesn't work out, then I'll just say I misjudged him."
……
The following day, Lu Li took a day off and practiced boxing at the White Crane Martial Arts Hall.
While I was practicing my boxing, Senior Brother Duan Kang appeared at the foot of the stance without me noticing, a smile on his face:
"Congratulations, junior brother, you've received sponsorship from Yongxing Escort Agency."
Upon hearing this, Lu Li also leaped down from the plum blossom stakes, clasped his hands in greeting, and said:
"If my senior brother hadn't spoken up for me, I probably wouldn't have received this assistance."
Senior Brother Duan was on temporary assignment at Yongxing Escort Agency, and he had previously recommended himself to work under Commander Wang.
Although neither Commander Wang nor Senior Brother Duan explicitly stated it, Lu Li understood perfectly well that there must have been some kind words from Senior Brother Duan.
"If you're a lump of mud, even if I blow you to the sky, they still won't spend a single penny."
Duan Kang smiled:
Ultimately, you got there entirely through your own hard work.
The conversation was quickly overheard by the disciples nearby, and soon caused a great uproar in the outer courtyard.
"No way? Even Lu Li can get funding?"
"Yongxing Escort Agency wants to pay for a lesson, huh?"
"Haven't you heard? It was Senior Brother Duan who got this funding for Lu Li. In the end, Yongxing Escort Agency wasn't doing this because they valued Lu Li; they were just giving Senior Brother Duan face!"
The discussions among the outer disciples were particularly heated among the Ming Jin disciples.
It's very simple, this is a grant, not a temporary posting!
If it's just a temporary post, then there's not much to say. After all, it's not difficult for a Mingjin disciple to get a temporary post; as long as the requirements aren't high, almost anyone can get one.
But financial aid is different!
In the past, which grants were not given to potential geniuses? Even the rare "gambling-style grants" would not be easily given to those with inferior aptitude.
Lu Li, on the other hand, only achieved the Ming Jin level after five months of practice.
Why should I?!
If Lu Li can receive funding, then every Ming Jin present deserves it!
"Hmph, I told you to go to conspicuous places and pretend to be diligent, but you wouldn't listen. Now look what happened, Senior Brother Lu beat you to it."
"I thought Senior Brother Lu was so noble and virtuous, but in the end, wasn't he just trying to curry favor with Senior Brother Duan? Senior Brother Duan is really something, how could he be so easily deceived!"
The deed is done, and many disciples can only turn their envy into words of jealousy, saying them intentionally or unintentionally.