I want to establish an Aristocratic Family.

Summary

Zhang Yue, atop a mound, demonstrated bead calculation techniques to an attentive audience of 237 scholars, blending future accounting knowledge with traditional methods. This rare opportunity to ask questions excited the attendees, as such guidance was typically reserved for elite students. The lecture transformed the scholars, who were eager to apply their newfound knowledge to improve local governance. Zhang Yue viewed them as sparks of hope for spreading innovative ideas. He planned to visit the Imperial Academy, having received an invitation to lecture there. Meanwhile, he faced the pressures of gift-giving for upcoming marriages, seeking ways to earn money without resorting to corruption. Liu Jin, a friend, invited Zhang Yue to accompany him back to Chang'an, where Liu's father wished to reward Zhang for his contributions to disaster relief. The conversation hinted at future connections and responsibilities, including the birth of Liu Jin's child, which Zhang Yue might mentor.

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