Volume One: A Peasant at Dawn Chapter 42: The Top Scholar of the County Examination

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In front of the county examination results board, the crowd was packed tightly, layer upon layer, leaving not even a crack for water to seep through.

Regardless of whether they had passed or failed, or in which round they’d been eliminated, once the final results of the county exam were released, everyone flocked to witness the spectacle.

Chu Liu and his friends, once again, failed to squeeze their way in.

But they understood well: the names posted on the board belonged to those who had been invited to the final celebratory banquet.

Candidates gathered before the list, some for peace of mind, others eager to see their ranking—especially the very top.

Qin Shiqi, drenched in sweat, managed to push his way out of the throng. He looked around, spotted Chu Liu and his companions, and hurried over with a radiant smile, cupping his hands in congratulations. “Congratulations, Young Master Xie! You’ve won the first place in the county exam. Congratulations, Young Master Su—you’ve come in sixth.”

In that instant, Chu Liu felt a current surge from his heart, radiating outward, sending a tingling thrill through his whole body—so much so that even the ends of his hair seemed ready to dance.

Though he had taken first place in all three rounds, he was but the son of a powerless farming family. Who could say if someone with more influence might snatch the top spot away?

Hearing this news at last set his mind at ease.

“My son is first in the county! My son is first in the county...”

Doumiao danced with joy, her excitement lasting a long while before she suddenly paused, turning to Wen Lancang to ask, “Sir Wen, what exactly does it mean to be first in the county exam?”

“It means he ranked number one in the whole county,” Wen Lancang explained. “It is a tremendous honor. No matter how he fares in the prefectural or academy exams, he is already guaranteed the title of scholar.”

Doumiao’s eyes lit up with understanding. “So that means Chu Liu is sure to be a scholar?”

Wen Lancang nodded, and Doumiao resumed her jubilant dance.

Su Laibao was quite satisfied with his son placing sixth. He envied the top spot, of course, but knew that Su Biao could never claim it.

Merchants were of humble status; being allowed to sit for the exam at all was already a special favor. Even if Su Biao had placed first in every round, the top honor would never have gone to him.

“Qin Shiqi, don’t get ahead of yourself,” someone jeered. “You finished dead last. There’s no way you’ll pass the prefectural exam. All your effort was for nothing—you’ll have to start over next year.”

“Jin Ruizhe, are you talking about yourself?” Chu Liu retorted immediately, seeing that Jin Ruizhe had barged in just to insult others.

Jin Ruizhe was still smarting from the final banquet, where Chu Liu had outshone him, and welcomed the chance to get in a few mocking jabs.

“What do you know?” Jin Ruizhe sneered. “My father’s already found me one of the county’s best tutors. I’ll be starting at the county school tomorrow. Passing the prefectural exam will be no problem.”

“Oh? If saying so made it so, you’d already have won all three rounds, wouldn’t you?”

Jin Ruizhe stamped his foot in frustration—this was a sore spot for him, and anyone who mentioned it would set him off.

“Xie Shuxian, is this ever going to end? I haven’t done anything to you today. Why are you always picking on me?”

“And you think you have the right to pick on others?” Chu Liu replied coldly. “Seems to me you owe everyone something.”

Jin Ruizhe frowned in confusion. “Owe what?”

“A beating!”

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Laughter erupted all around, and Jin Ruizhe stalked off in a fury.

As the crowd around the results board slowly thinned, Chu Liu and his companions finally squeezed their way in. No one could truly rest easy until they saw their names with their own eyes.

The top ten candidates began to confer among themselves, discussing what gifts to purchase.

The top ten in the county were known as the “front ranks.” According to tradition, they were to visit the magistrate together and express their thanks.

After making their visit to Magistrate Chen, everyone took their leave.

Wen Lancang arranged for them to gather at his house again in three days’ time to continue their studies in preparation for the prefectural exam.

He had originally wanted to give his students a few days’ rest, but Jin Ruizhe’s comments had served as a timely reminder.

The candidates for the prefectural exam would be the best from every county—competition would be fierce. If they failed, they would have to start over from the county level.

Chu Liu was already a guaranteed scholar; the prefectural and academy exams were now mere formalities for him. But Su Biao was in a different position.

Su Laibao wanted Chu Liu to continue studying alongside his son; only with his friend’s companionship would Su Biao keep up his enthusiasm for learning.

...

Drums and gongs resounded.

Xie Gensheng, who was pulling firewood from the woodpile, glanced over in curiosity, puzzled as to why two officials had come to their village.

As he pondered, the officials stopped right outside his door.

“Brother Xie, good news has come to your house! Hurry and come greet the officers,” called the village head, seeing Xie Gensheng dawdling in front of the woodpile.

The village head usually called him “Old Man Xie,” so the change in address today felt strange to Xie Gensheng.

Though a bit bewildered, upon hearing that there was good news, he hurried forward, bending at the waist to salute.

“Oh, no, Elder Xie, you mustn’t!” one of the constables quickly stepped forward to stop him. “Your grandson took the county exam and the magistrate has named him first in the county. He is now officially a scholar, and for you to bow to us—it would disgrace us!”

“What? Who made first in the county?” Xie Gensheng’s mind was still reeling. He straightened up and asked.

The village head glared. “Who else could it be? Xie Shuxian!”

“Which Xie Shuxian?” Xie Gensheng’s question startled the constable, who worried he might have come to the wrong house and quickly pulled out the official register.

“Your name is Xie Gensheng?”

“Yes!”

“Your son is Xie Doumiao?”

“Yes!”

“This is Qing Shi Village?”

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“Yes!”

“Your grandson is Xie Shuxian?”

“Uh... yes!” Realization dawned on Xie Gensheng, and he slapped his thigh. “Ah! We always call him Chu Liu and I’d forgotten his formal name.”

He hurried to invite the village head and the constables into the house.

...

The Xie family had never seen such an occasion. Faced with two officials bringing news from the authorities, they were left speechless.

Thankfully, the village head was there to help. He was accustomed to dealing with officials and knew the proper etiquette.

While the village head and the constables sat inside, drinking tea and chatting, Xie Gensheng and Wang Cuicui debated how much to give as a reward.

After much discussion, still uncertain, Wang Cuicui told Xie Gensheng to go ask the village head.

He mustered his courage, but once at the door, found himself unable to enter or even broach the subject, so he returned to consult with his wife, who scolded him for his trouble.

No sooner had Xie Gensheng left than the village head stepped out as well.

He motioned to a man who’d been watching the commotion, whispered a few words to him, and the man nodded and ran off to the village head’s house.

...

In the kitchen, Zheng Mei was pacing anxiously, wondering what delicacies to offer the guests.

She considered soaking some beans to make fresh soy milk, but that would take too long and she feared the guests wouldn’t wait.

Just then, she heard Duck Egg calling from outside, “Big brother’s here! Big brother’s home!”

Zheng Mei hurried out of the kitchen, calling, “Chu Liu!” as tears trickled down her face.

“Mother!” Chu Liu ran to her and threw himself into her arms. “Don’t cry, Mother. I’ve won first place in the county. You should be happy.”

“My boy has made something of himself. I won’t cry, I won’t cry...” Zheng Mei broke into a smile through her tears, wiping her eyes. “Your father—the village head has brought two officials to announce the good news...”

Just then, Xie Gensheng, prodded by his wife, came out to consult the village head. Seeing Chu Liu had arrived, he hurried over to explain the situation.

Though still a child, Chu Liu was more adept at handling people and situations than any adult in the family.

With his arrival, the Xie household finally had someone to rely on.

“Father, hitch the cart and go buy wine and meat.”

“Mother, go borrow whatever food you can from the neighbors—anything good, borrow it now and return it tomorrow.”

“Grandfather, give each of the officials two taels of silver. Tell Grandmother not to be stingy.”

The adults, now being directed like children by Chu Liu, voiced no objections, all feeling that his instructions were perfectly sound.