Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 163: Debate with Scholars (1)

Back home, Qinglan and Shuying were diligently making paper in the small kitchen.

In the cold winter, the two of them were soaked to the bone, as if they had been drenched in water. Seeing this, Shi Wanxia quickly handed them some clean clothes.

Qinglan Shuying gratefully accepted the clothes and said, "Thank you, Sister Shi."

"If it weren't for you, we wouldn't know what to do," Shi Wanxia said with a smile. "It's alright, we're family, why are we being so formal?"

After changing their clothes, the two continued working on papermaking. Shi Wanxia also joined them, helping to stir the pulp and spread the paper out.

With everyone's joint efforts, batches of exquisite paper were gradually produced.

Looking at the papers, Qinglan Shuying and Shi Wanxia both showed relieved smiles.

They knew that these papers would be used for various purposes such as writing and drawing, bringing convenience and beauty to people's lives.

Several girls were busy making paper in the small kitchen, working together seamlessly and skillfully.

Some were stirring the pulp, some were drying the paper, and others were tidying up the tools. The small kitchen was filled with the aroma of pulp, which made people feel very comfortable.

Shuyun arrived at the door of the small kitchen and saw the girls busily working, which moved her deeply.

She gently knocked on the door and said, "Girls, it's time to eat." The girls only realized it was time to eat when they heard Shuyun's voice.

They put down their tools, looked at each other, and smiled with satisfaction.

Shuyun walked into the small kitchen and saw the neatly arranged papers, feeling very gratified.

She said to the girls, "You've worked hard; these papers are really well made."

The girls smiled modestly and said, "It's what we should do."

Shuyun nodded and said, "Alright, everyone, let's go eat. The food is getting cold."

The girls left the small kitchen and went to the dining room to eat. Watching their retreating figures, Shuyun secretly vowed to protect these kind girls.

Shi Wanxia rubbed her sore shoulders and bumped into Lin Yu. She was knocked to the ground without noticing. Lin Yu panicked and everyone hurriedly helped her up.

Shuyun's expression was displeased: "Young Master Lin, how are you walking? You're not watching where you're going, and you're rushing around in such a hurry. What happened?"

Lin Yu looked apologetic, his head down, not daring to look the girls in the eye. It was all his fault; he hadn't noticed Shi and had bumped into her.

"Miss Shi, I'm sorry, it was my fault, I didn't mean to."

Shi Wanxia waved her hand and comforted her, "Alright, you didn't do it on purpose. But what's wrong with you? You seem so flustered and distracted. What happened?"

Lin Yu was at a loss for words, and the others were shivering from the cold. Shu Yun invited everyone to go inside first, where they could eat and chat.

Lin Yu sat down shakily, and after hesitating for a long time, he finally spoke: "Miss Shi, today when I went to the bookstore to deliver goods, Manager Qian said that starting today, they dare not accept any more paper that we produce."

I was furious. After several attempts to probe them, I learned that someone had threatened them, saying that anyone who dared to accept our goods would be considered an enemy.

"Moreover, I learned from Manager Qian that the person threatening them is one of the prefect's men. Miss Shi, how about I go and take care of that old prefect!"

Lin Yu jumped up, startling Shi Wanxia. What's wrong with this guy? Why is he even more impulsive than her in everything he does?

Shi Wanxia quickly grabbed his wrist, bringing Lin Yu back to his senses. "Lin Yu, don't be impulsive. I have my own way of handling this. Besides, that's the prefect. Don't do anything reckless."

Lin Yu's ears and cheeks flushed slightly as she glanced awkwardly at the slender, white hand on her wrist. Feeling extremely uncomfortable, she coughed lightly.

"I understand. Um, Miss Shi, let's eat first!"

Shi Wanxia naturally let go of their hands, sat down at the table, and seeing their worried expressions, she comforted them, "Don't worry, since the prefect doesn't allow us to sell in Xinyang, we'll sell elsewhere."

"Lin Yu, Qin Xin, thank you both for your trouble. You'll have to make a trip to the two neighboring towns tomorrow to sell your goods. Don't worry!"

"That prefect just doesn't allow us to sell in Xinyang. If we take it elsewhere to sell, we can expand our business, right?"

"And even if he has connections to the highest levels, what is there to fear? We can't afford to offend him, but there are others who can. Tomorrow, Shuyun will accompany me to the county government."

“We don’t have enough manpower. We’ll go check out the brokerage firm tomorrow and find some more people. Lin Yu, you can also find some people. No matter their status, as long as they are of good character and not cunning or dishonest, men and women are both welcome.”

Lin Yu and the others were stunned. This girl's idea was feasible. What a clever girl.

They relaxed and focused on their meal. Actually, Lin Yu really wanted to kill the prefect, but that would expose his identity.

If his father found out, he would definitely send people to arrest him. He didn't want to go back yet; this girl was an interesting and intelligent one.

After finishing their meal, everyone went back to their rooms to rest. Shi Wanxia quietly read through some of the laws of the era. Since the prefect was going to cause her trouble, she was determined to make her way in the officialdom.

The sun shone through the window lattice, casting its dazzling light into the room and waking Shi Wanxia from her dream.

Ignoring the chill, I quickly dressed and got out of bed, casually tied my hair into a simple bun, and went out.

Qin Xin and Lin Yu set off for the neighboring town early with the goods. After finishing breakfast, Shi Wanxia took Shu Yun out the door.

The two of them took quite a while to reach the entrance of the county government office. Shuyun was stunned. "Sister, what's going on?"

"Why did Sister Shi come to the county government office so early in the morning?"

She arrived at the county government office with Shuyun in her arms. There, she saw a large crowd gathered, all there to apply for the position of registrar. Shi Wanxia felt a little nervous, but she took a deep breath and entered the office.

Shi Wanxia smiled mysteriously, without answering, and led her into the main hall, where many scholars were queuing up for interviews.

They came here to see if they could get an official position, and the scene erupted into a lively discussion.

Shi Wanxia, ​​a woman, stood out abruptly in the hall, and the scholars in the room swept her over with disdain.

"Ignorant fool, a mere woman, daring to barge into the courtroom." A scholar in his twenties scoffed.

"That's right, she must have come to report a crime. However, the magistrate is too busy to deal with her today."

There was a lot of discussion in the lobby. Everyone thought Shi Wanxia had only come to report a crime, but they didn't expect her to be there for a job interview.

Shi Wanxia handed the letter of self-recommendation she had written the night before to Magistrate Cui. She stood obediently to the side.

Inside the county government office, Magistrate Cui sat in the hall, scrutinizing the job applicants.

Shi Wanxia stepped forward and bowed to the magistrate. The magistrate glanced at her and asked, "Who are you? What are your talents?"

Shi Wanxia replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "I am Shi Wanxia, ​​literate, able to distinguish right from wrong, and from a respectable family. I am willing to serve the magistrate and serve as his registrar."

As soon as Shi Wanxia said this, it caused an uproar. The scholars present were all unhappy and started discussing it openly.

"This woman is truly delusional. Since ancient times, men have been in charge of the home and women of the outside world. How dare she, a mere woman, compete with us scholars!"

“That’s right. There has never been a woman in office since ancient times. Our county magistrate is not confused.”