Volume One: A Peasant at Dawn Chapter 46: Sharing a Name
“Congratulations, young master! Congratulations! You’ve taken second place in the prefectural examination. If the old lady hears this good news, she’ll wake up laughing in her sleep…”
Not far from the examination hall, a carriage was parked. The servant, having gathered the news, hurried back to report.
Inside the carriage, all was silent for a long while before a cold voice finally spoke, “Who took first place?”
“Young master, his name is Xie Shuxian, a farmer’s child from Xuan County—only nine years old…”
The servant could clearly sense the young master’s displeasure and, fearing he would be blamed, stood meekly by the carriage after reporting.
“Hmph, these examiners must be blind. Who can accept a nine-year-old farm boy as top of the prefecture?”
Beside the carriage, a youth in a blue robe scowled in indignation, then quickly replaced his expression with a sycophantic smile. “Young Master Gongsun is far superior to that child—he’s not even fit to carry your shoes…”
Still, there was no sound from within the carriage.
After a while, a voice tinged with regret emerged, “Xie Shuxian is already the top scholar of Xuan County. No matter his score, he’s ensured to become a licentiate. For him to take the prefectural first is such a waste…”
Winning first in the prefecture meant one could be admitted directly to the next level, an honor guaranteed for a licentiate.
The blue-robed youth gently reminded, “But Young Master Gongsun, you are the top scholar in our Pinyang County. You’ll also pass the next exam and become a licentiate easily…”
“Tong Zhifei, must you talk so much?”
Young Master Gongsun snapped, his resentment growing.
A farm boy who should be grateful just to earn the title of licentiate had now blocked his own path to winning the prestigious Small Triple Crown.
He had already boasted about his success—what face would he have left returning home now?
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
The Gongsun family had hired a recommended scholar as his tutor, spending a thousand taels a year, yet he lost to a farm boy taught by a mere child student.
Infuriating!
“We’re not going home. Let’s take a detour to see Grandfather.”
“Young master, the old lady specifically instructed that you be brought home right after checking the results, and not taken anywhere else…”
“Are you telling me how to conduct myself?”
A chill emanated from inside the carriage. The old steward sighed, waved at the driver, and said helplessly, “Take the detour.”
…
Horses galloped from Qingzhou City, delivering the happy news of the prefectural examination to each county office.
Xuan County’s results were dismal—of thirty-six candidates, only four passed.
Yet with one prefectural top scholar and another ranked ninth, the county’s reputation was saved, and Chen Liangbin, the magistrate, found his own prestige enhanced.
After rewarding the messenger, Chen Liangbin frowned in thought, pondering how to stage a comeback next year.
The county deputy, mistaking his silence for sulking, softly consoled, “Sir, the examination is over; the low number of passes can only be remedied by greater effort next year. Still, with those two scholars, you have plenty to be proud of… By the way, should we go to the Xie family with congratulations?”
“Congratulations! And not just that—let’s make it a grand event.”
Chen Liangbin’s face lit up with excitement. “Post notices in the county town so that every scholar knows the news. We’ll go to Xie Shuxian’s home with drums and gongs, bedecked in red and green, and bring him to the county school…”
The deputy understood that such a gesture would inspire all the county’s students, fostering a strong scholarly atmosphere and producing future talent.
“We should also invite Wen Lan’cang to teach at the county school. He taught only two students, and both placed at the top—that’s the mark of a born teacher, exactly what we lack.”
Chen Liangbin spoke earnestly, “Handle this personally. Offer generous compensation, and be sure not to slight him. He must be invited. The county school needs him.”
The deputy hesitated, “Sir, Wen Lan’cang is certainly talented, but he’s only a student himself. Even the least of our teachers are licentiates… I’m afraid he won’t command respect, and it could provoke criticism.”
“If next year’s results are the same, will we have a prefectural top scholar to save our face? Forget those empty formalities—results are what matter.”
“Besides, haven’t you heard that Wen failed the exam only because his literary style was lacking? His abilities are more than enough for a teacher.”
Chen Liangbin concluded with authority, “Just go and invite him. As for the county school, I’ll handle it. Anyone with objections can leave.”
…
The county office arrived at the Xie household with drums and gongs, awarding fifty taels of silver and announcing free tuition at the county school.
Wen Lan’cang received a golden plaque inscribed with ‘Double Blessings’, plus twenty taels of silver, and a generous invitation to teach.
Chu Liu and Su Biao would also attend the county school, and Wen Lan’cang gladly agreed.
After that, so many people came to the Xie household to share in the good fortune that their threshold was nearly worn away.
At first, the Xie family enjoyed the praise, but soon a matchmaker arrived.
With a silver tongue, she extolled her girl as a fairy, suggesting that nine was not too young—let the engagement be set, and the marriage performed once he came of age.
Chu Liu simply replied that marriage would interfere with his studies and refused.
The matchmaker immediately switched targets, next suggesting a match for Shiwu, who, at fourteen, was of age for marriage in the countryside.
Chu Liu refused on his brother’s behalf as well, and told his family that any future matchmakers were to be turned away at the door.
Once he gained his scholarly honors, his brother would have no trouble finding a wife, nor his sister a husband—and only good families would do.
…
Some things can be refused, others not so easily.
One morning, Doumiao went out to work and was suddenly approached by a man carrying a child, who fell to his knees.
This was a local custom called ‘name striking’.
If a child was often ill, people said they had ‘too many ailments’. In such cases, finding a godfather was believed to lessen the child’s maladies.
During a ‘name striking’, the first adult encountered became the godfather and could not refuse; he even had to remove his waist pouch and hang it around the child’s neck.
Doumiao understood that Li Erdan had sought him out on purpose.
People only did this for sons, never for daughters.
And so, without warning, Chu Liu gained a godson.
…
After the Dragon Boat Festival, Chu Liu was carried to the county school in a sedan chair, accompanied by gongs and drums.
It was his first time in a sedan chair, and he found it quite enjoyable.
Watching his grandson depart, Xie Gensheng returned home, about to head to the fields when Li Youfu arrived.
“Youfu, aren’t you going to the fields?”
Xie Gensheng, not wanting to chat, tried to usher him out, but Li Youfu suddenly dropped to his knees, weeping bitterly. “Brother Xie, I’m truly in dire straits—please help me one more time!”
“Goodness, what are you doing? Get up, get up!”
Startled, Xie Gensheng hurried to help him up, and Wang Cuicui came over to help as well.
“Youfu, just tell us what’s wrong—there’s no need to kneel. You’re two years older than me—that’s shortening my life!”
Xie Gensheng was a little annoyed.
Li Youfu sobbed, “Brother Xie, I have no other way. My wife is ill, the money I borrowed from you is gone, and I don’t know how long she’ll last. My son won’t stay home, and I’m an old man running everywhere. If something happens to me, who will care for my grandson?”
“Brother Xie, I’ll give you our ten-odd acres of land; just feed my family. From now on, we’ll work your land and serve you…”
“This matter…”
Xie Gensheng turned to his wife.
Wang Cuicui said, “Youfu, go home for now. This is a big decision—we need to discuss it. We’ll give you an answer in a day or two.”