120 – Passed the County Level Examination and Become a Xiucai
The smallest fish caught in the pond was over a jin and the largest was about 3 to 4 jin. Some were sent to Double Xiang House and Double Xiang House immediately launched a whole fish feast; it also attracted countless diners.
Many villagers thought that the fish of Qin Mian’s family was good and wanted to buy some to make into salted fish for the New Year. Qin Mian decided to sell 200 fish to the villagers. The rest was not only for his family to eat, but also to supply Double Xiang House.
To the surprise of Qin Mian and Lei Tie, almost every household in the village came to their house to buy fish; most of them bought one and a few others bought more. From Uncle Fu’s mouth, they heard that many villagers believed one could get sprinkled with their family’s fortune if one bought something from their family. Qin Mian was very amused.
His family’s fish was so fleshy that Qin Mian certainly wouldn’t treat himself badly. He cooked the carp, crucian carp, and grass carp in various ways; steamed, braised, sweet and sour, boiled… He and Lei Tie ate fish for several days.
Every day, Leisurely Farmhouse exuded an attractive aroma. Zhou Erhao and his wife, who were only separated from them by a wall, drooled three times a day, but they could only continue to be jealous.
This morning, Qin Mian and Lei Tie checked the growth of the vegetables in the greenhouse. With Qin Mian’s suggestions, Uncle Fu and Uncle Quan led others to ponder for several days and eventually made the greenhouse. The greenhouse was made of straw mats, reed mats, and waterproof cloths to prevent freezing. Occasionally, firewood was burnt to warm it up. Today, some of the vegetable seeds sown had sprouted.
At this time, outside the village came the sound of festive gongs and drums, getting closer and closer.
“A-Tie, listen to the sound. Can it be that Fifth Brother has passed the exam and become a Xiucai?” Qin Mian guessed.
Lei Tie pulled out the weeds in the seedling plot, appearing very calm, “Will know it in a moment.”
A moment later, Lei-Qin Le rushed in with a happy expression.
“Eldest Young Master, Little Young Master. Fifth-gongzi has passed the examination and become a Xiucai! Second place in the first class!”
Qin Mian pulled Lei Tie to go out, “Let’s go to join the joyous scene, too.”
Once a Xuicai, one was considered to have an official rank and entered the officialdom hierarchy, which had the privilege of exempting from compulsory services, such as didn’t have to kneel in front of the county magistrate and couldn’t be punished casually. Lei Xiangzhi was second in the first class. He belonged to the ‘’Granary Student’’ in the Xiucai’s class; he could receive government-issued rations. At the gate of the old house, many villagers came to see the excitement after hearing the news. There had been no scholar in Green Mountain Village for nearly ten years. It was not only a happy event for Lei Daqiang’s family but also a happy event for the whole village. Children were also affected by this kind of joyous event; they playfully drilled around among the adults.
Qin Mian walked to the gate of the courtyard. He couldn’t squeeze in for a moment. He only heard the loud voice of Du Shi and Lei Daqiang in the courtyard, and the laughter of Li Zheng.
Almost everyone was bursting with happiness and speaking joyous words. Consequently, a sarcastic voice was particularly prominent.
“What if Lei Daqiang’s family has a Xiucai? The officials from the county came all the way to give them the good news but they couldn’t even give some tips1.”
As soon as this was said, someone immediately agreed, “That’s right. This is a great event, but Lei Daqiang and Du Shi made the messengers left with gloomy faces. Isn’t it a disappointment?”
A witty young man followed to heckle, “Yeah. I ran ahead of the messengers, and not even a cup of water was served to me.”
The corner of Qin Mian’s lips twitched. As expected, Du Shi and Lei Daqiang were truly outrageous that no explanation was needed.
Lei Xiangzhi hurried out of the courtyard with a smile on his face and bowed to the crowd. He said politely, “Thank you for everyone’s concern. Xiangzhi is very grateful. There are many visitors today that my parents couldn’t care for everyone. Xiangzhi apologizes on their behalf, please forgive them. In three days, my father will host a banquet at home. Hope everyone does me the honor!”
The few sentences were both intimate and polite. The dissatisfied villagers were appeased and happily exchanged amenities with him.
After a good while, the villagers gradually dispersed.
Lei Xiangzhi quickly invited Qin Mian and Lei Tie into the house. “Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law saw an embarrassing sight. Please come inside.”
“Don’t worry about it. Congratulations to Fifth Brother for becoming a Xiucai.” Qin Mian smiled and cupped his hands in obeisance toward Lei Xiangzhi.
Lei Xiangzhi bowed with hands folded and said, “Without the support of Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law, I wouldn’t have this achievement.”
As they spoke, they entered the central room.
Lei Daqiang and Du Shi sat at the seat of honor. Lei Daqiang grinned from ear to ear, and lightly swept his eyes over Qin Mian and Lei Tie. Du Shi held her head high and chin up, a little higher than before.
Qin Mian had a faint smile on his face. After Wei Shi married in, he came to the old house several times, but this was the first time that Du Shi sat alone with Lei Daqiang.
Wei Shi sat on a soft chair at the side. No dissatisfaction whatsoever could be detected on her face. She had a smile in her eyes as if she was happy from the bottom of her heart for Lei Xiangzhi’s success.
Lei Xiangren, Zhao Shi, Lei Xiangyi, Qian Shi, Lei Xiangli, and Lei Chuntao all sat on the bench with happy expressions.
On the dining table in the middle of the room were several plates of food; a plate of melon seeds, a plate of fried peanuts, a plate of osmanthus cake, and a plate of dried fruits, all of which should have been served to entertain Li Zheng and the messengers. It was very rare that Du Shi didn’t immediately put these away after Li Zheng took his leave.
Lei Xiangren, Zhao Shi, and Lei Dabao were eating the melon seeds like it was a competition.
“You’re just in time.” Lei Daqiang’s finger pointed to Qin Mian and Lei Tie, “Eldest, it’s a great event that brings glory to our ancestors for your fifth brother to be a Xiucai. I have discussed it with your mother and decided to hold a banquet in three days.”
Du Shi said, “At that time, we have to invite Old Five’s dean and teachers, and our relatives. As for those short-sighted villagers…”
Qin Mian smiled. Du Shi saw it and frowned with an unhappy face, “Eldest daughter-in-law, why are you smiling?”
Qin Mian’s expression was innocent and sincere. “I’m happy for Fifth Brother!”
Du Shi didn’t believe him, but she couldn’t do anything about it. She continued, “Those short-sighted people will certainly bring their whole family to come. This number adds up to a lot. There should be about two upper-class tables, four medium-class tables, and ten ordinary-class tables. It must cost a lot. We have roughly calculated that it will cost about 7 to 8 silver taels.”
Lei Xiangzhi frowned, “Father and Mother, isn’t that too much? Everyone knows our family’s condition. There’s no need to put on a facade.”
It was appropriate for Lei Xiangzhi to say these. If it came from Lei Tie, Lei Xiangren, Lei Xiangyi, and Lei Xiangli, Du Shi and Lei Daqiang would surely think that they didn’t care for their youngest brother’s great event. As for Lei Chuntao, it was even more impossible for her to say anything – a girl who had yet married was not qualified to participate in family events.
“Old Five,” Lei Daqiang looked at Lei Xiangzhi angrily, “you’re the only Xiucai in the five generations of our Lei family, so we should do it grandly! Eldest, you’re the eldest in the family, what do you think? The guests we have to invite this time are not only our relatives and villagers but also your fifth brother’s dean and teachers. You can’t let your fifth brother lose face!”
Lei Xiangren chipped in, “Father and Mother, simply host the banquet in Double Xiang House!”
Zhao Shi’s eyes brightened. She quickly agreed, “That’s right, hosting the banquet in Double Xiang House give more face! Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law are our family members, and they can afford it. Isn’t it, Father and Mother?”
Qin Mian looked cold as he re-evaluated whether he was too kind to Lei Xiangren and Zhao Shi.
Lei Tie looked at Du Shi and Lei Daqiang indifferently, waiting for their statement.
Lei Daqiang also felt that Lei Xiangren’s idea was good. He was about to nod his head when his eyes met Lei Tie’s cold and merciless eyes. He quivered and glared at Lei Xiangren and Zhao Shi as he angrily rebuked, “No one treats you as mute if you don’t speak!”
Lei Xiangzhi sighed.
Lei Tie said, “My wife and I will give 5 silver taels, 20 jars of good wine, and also cover two upper-class tables.”
Lei Daqiang nodded slightly, “You can still keep your fifth brother in mind, very good. Also, send over a chef from Double Xiang House.”
“Father, this is inappropriate,” Lei Xiangzhi immediately objected. When he met with Lei Daqiang’s angry eyes, he patiently explained, “None of the customers in Double Xiang House can be offended. If Double Xiang House misses a customer due to lack of a chef, it will be a big deal far from good. The upper-class tables mentioned by Eldest Brother must also come from Double Xiang House. This has already given enough face.”
Lei Daqiang thought so, too. Later, Old Five still had to take part in the provincial examination. He should not get into a deadlock with the eldest son now, so he nodded, “Father listens to you.”
Du Shi added, “Eldest should also send over your family’s fruit and fish.”
Lei Tie ignored her.
Lei Xiangzhi stood up and said, “Mother, you should discuss the banquet with Father first. I’ll talk to Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law.”
Nowadays, whenever Du Shi saw her fifth son, she had a soft spot for him. She repeatedly nodded, “Fine, go.”
Qin Mian, Lei Tie, and Lei Xiangzhi left the courtyard together.
Lei Xiangzhi let out a long sigh, “I can take a breath at last.”
Qin Mian understood the meaning of his words. It was hard to say anything.
The three walked slowly to the back of the village.
“Fifth Brother, there is still the provincial examination in the ninth month next year, don’t slack off,” Qin Mian joked.
Lei Xiangzhi smiled, “Eldest Sister-in-law can rest assured. It’s nothing more than being a Xiucai, so I didn’t intend to host a banquet at first. But the messengers weren’t handled properly, and some people were offended. I might as well take this opportunity to relieve their dissatisfactions.”
Qin Mian nodded to himself. Lei Xiangzhi appeared to have a bit of a scholar’s idiocy, but he was a wise person. He observed many meddlesome things and was able to make the correct analysis and find appropriate solutions. Such a person was very suitable for officialdom. Perhaps in the future, Lei Xiangzhi could walk on a glorious path. As long as his heart did not change, it was worth to keep a relationship with him.
“You can come back with us to get the money now and bring back some fruits by the way,” Qin Mian said.
Lei Xiangzhi deeply respected his eldest sister-in-law and even admired him from the bottom of his heart. He replied with a smile, “En. Thank you, Eldest Sister-in-law.”
After entering Leisurely Farmhouse, Lei Xiangzhi said, “Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law, this time, I can stay at home for ten days before returning to the academy. I’m going to suggest family separation to Father and Mother after dinner.”
“How do you plan to separate?” Qin Mian asked.
Lei Xiangzhi said, “Since we have to separate, Second Brother, Third Brother, Fourth Brother, and I are going to separate. Father, Mother, and Little Mother will follow whoever they want.”
“Will your second brother like it?” Qin Mian didn’t think so.
Lei Xiangzhi said, “I might as well speak honestly to Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law. I want to be an official. Only by being an official can I have the opportunity to realize my dream. I’m not afraid to have the family follows me, but I’m afraid that some people will drag me down. If Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law are always like that, they will only bring trouble if they continue to follow me. The least is causing trouble; the worst is getting some lawsuit. It’s going to be hard to separate from them by then. So, I’m going to take this opportunity to separate from Second Brother. After the separation, they won’t be able to depend on others and can only rely on themselves. For them, this is not a good thing.”
Qin Mian looked at him with admiration. “It’s good that you can understand this. Only, it’s hard to separate Second Brother from you.”
This was the truth. Lei Xiangren and Zhao Shi usually boasted in front of the villagers how amazing the fifth brother was. When the fifth brother became a high-ranking official in the future, they would follow him. They were all family members, so it was normal for them to benefit from another. However, they might not only take the benefit but also cause trouble.
Lei Xiangzhi nodded, “Right. Therefore, I need you to help me.”
“What can we do for you?” Qin Mian did not understand. He and Lei Tie had separated from the old house; they had no position to interfere in the old house’s affairs.
The people in Leisurely Farmhouse were all Qin Mian and Lei Tie’s people, so Lei Xiangzhi was not afraid that his words would be spread out. At this moment, he said frankly, “I want to borrow 100 taels. At that time, I’ll give Second Brother two options: live with me and have no money or live by himself and have 100 taels.”
Qin Mian laughed. It was truly a good idea. 100 taels was not a small sum. Take the old house for an example; if they spent a lifetime digging food in the ground, they couldn’t even earn 100 taels in two lifetimes. Moreover, Lei Xiangren and Zhao Shi were both short-sighted people. They might not be able to withstand the temptation of 100 taels since they were not well fed and dressed at home.
So frustrated! (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻
Note:
Footnotes
Comments