Chapter 10: Where to Seek Fame and Accomplishment

Mother Song also smiled and said: "Indeed, you should not decline. My son has a sincere intention, and all the neighbors should not refuse."

Li Daniu and Ping'er distributed silver to each household, ten taels per household, and there were only a little over ten households. Although more than one hundred taels of silver is a considerable amount, in Song Nan's view, it is not significant. He believes that this expenditure is absolutely worthwhile. Although the neighbors had previously cared for them not for the sake of money, being able to reciprocate brings happiness to both parties.

Before long, Daniu brought a bullock cart, and Uncle Zhong and Daniu together moved the silver. They left behind over one hundred taels of silver as a reserve, while the remaining one thousand eight hundred taels were all deposited in the bank in exchange for silver notes, which were handed over to Song's mother to be locked away in an iron box for safekeeping

Song Nan laughed and said, "Look at your ambition, hurry there and back. I can't gather this much silver on my own. By the way, borrow an ox cart; let's load it onto the cart and take it to the bank."

The big ox nodded repeatedly, cradling the silver as if it were a newborn baby, and with a hunched back and awkwardly positioned feet, he went on his way.

That evening, two large plates of chive and lamb dumplings were boiled, and the family joyfully ate the dumplings together, exchanging smiles without a word; Song Nan secretly sighed: Money is truly peculiar, without it, everything is sorrowful, but with it, one’s courage immediately swells, and the mood becomes exceedingly pleasant

Mother Song nodded and said, "Thank you, Uncle Zhong. I can't shake the feeling of unease in my heart, fearing that something might go wrong."

Song Nan chuckled and said, "Mother, you are too timid. I am fine, come inside."

"And - the book expert, do you think the official left Nan'er because the Song family has changed their mind? Should we inquire about it? If there really is trouble, it would be better for us to return this silver. Although silver is valuable, my son's safety is more important." Song's mother said with concern.

Having received a sum of money, the family's livelihood is at least secure for the next three to five years. The family did not move to the residence on North Street, as Mother Song did not have fond memories of that house. Song Nan understood this, so he had Uncle Zhong rent out the residence, which provided a small source of income.

Song Nan smiled and said, "Take it. My mother and I have lived by the small stone bridge for five years, and all of you villagers have taken great care of us. Our family has no labor force, and for the heavy and strenuous work, the villagers have helped us arrange everything. I remember all of this; money is nothing, and if it is lost, it can be earned again. However, this kindness is priceless. If you do not accept it, it would mean looking down on my mother and me. This money is not dirty money; it is the inheritance that my mother and I deserve."

Once the excitement subsided, everyone began to worry. According to Li Daniu, Song Nan had been retained by the official who mediated the situation. Given the powerful influence of the Song family, would this be detrimental to Song Nan?

Song's mother nodded repeatedly and said, "It is only right that my son makes the decisions."

Uncle Zhong turned and said: "Madam, I will go take a look."

The villagers actually desire it deep down; they just feel a bit guilty about it. However, since the Song family insists, it would not be appropriate to be overly sentimental. The women secretly tugged at their husbands' sleeves, signaling them to go up and receive the silver, urging them not to speak any more polite words.

As they spoke, Song's mother and Xiao Ping had already exited the courtyard. Upon seeing Song Nan safe and sound, a weight was lifted from their hearts. Song's mother clasped her hands together and repeatedly chanted "Amitabha." Song Nan stepped forward and linked arms with his mother, returning to the courtyard.

Song Nan smiled and clasped his hands, saying: "What kind of skill is this? It is merely what I deserve."

The courtyard of the small stone bridge was bustling with activity; the neighbors had never seen so much silver. Yet the reality was right before their eyes, as Li Daniu proudly moved one ingot after another and displayed them on the large stone mill in the yard. The surrounding villagers gathered around, both envious and delighted, clicking their tongues in admiration.

Uncle Zhong parted the crowd and walked out to the courtyard. Just as he pushed open the wooden gate, he suddenly exclaimed in surprise: "Young Master has returned! Thank heavens, Young Master, are you alright?"

"Uncle and aunties can quietly make a fortune, but do not go out and flaunt it. If more people find out and all come asking for a share, our family will be ruined," Song Nan joked.

Song Nan clicked his tongue and said: "It can't be true, can it? Then I will just throw it into the gutter outside. Didn't I say before that in the future I would take you to enjoy all the riches of the world? You can't even handle fifty taels of silver; if I were to give you a mountain of gold in the future, wouldn't you be scared to death?"

He then lowered his head and said to Mother Song, "Mother, how about we give some silver to our neighbors?"

Song Nan was at a loss for words; he desperately wanted to shout: do not hold out too much hope! The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment! However, seeing his mother, the cheerful Xiao Ping, and Uncle Zhong bustling about with joy, he could not bring himself to say those words. He could only sigh inwardly and pray that the star of literature in the heavens had either gotten drunk or had its head caught in a door, so that he might somehow attain a measure of success.

Regardless, the autumn examination arrived as scheduled at the end of August. Song Nan had no choice but to set off for the examination hall in Datong Prefecture to participate in the provincial examination. This matter became the top priority for the Song family. With three days remaining before the departure, Song's mother and Ping'er had already begun to prepare the travel necessities, purchasing essential items, and even went to the extent of spending a considerable amount to buy a covered carriage as a dedicated vehicle. This was due to Song's mother's concern that Song Nan's frail health would not withstand the journey. Even if it cost nearly one hundred taels of silver, she was willing to spare no expense.

Uncle Zhong was so moved that tears were about to fall from his eyes, repeatedly saying: "You have returned, it has been an hour since you came back. The lady is worried that you have been detained by the officials, and I was just about to go look for you."

As Song Nan just turned the corner, he saw Uncle Zhong approaching him with a beaming face, and he asked in confusion: "What happened? What could possibly happen to me? Has Da Niu returned?"

The expressions of the crowd grew serious, as sudden wealth often comes with misfortune. It has been nearly an hour, and Nan Ge'er has yet to return; let us hope nothing truly has happened, for that would be regrettable. In these times, one cannot afford to engage in lawsuits. The young master of the Song family has just recovered from a serious illness and cannot withstand the punishment of the court. A few dozen lashes could very well cost him his life.

Li Daniu scratched his head and said: "It doesn't seem like that to me. Brother Nan instructed me to escort the silver back, saying that the official invited Brother Nan to drink and chat, and it doesn't look like they are looking for trouble."

The neighbors were astonished, their mouths agape. Ten taels of silver—that is a substantial amount. Everyone toils tirelessly, and in a year, they barely earn twelve or thirteen taels of silver. After accounting for food and clothing, there is hardly a tael left over. When Song Nan offered ten taels, it was like a windfall for the impoverished families; with this sum, life would be much easier this year.

"Nange is back, what a good lad, quite capable indeed," the neighbors exclaimed in unison.

For Song Nan, the greatest challenge is not the uncertainty of livelihood, but the upcoming provincial examination in autumn; Song's mother is not a talkative person, yet her silent gaze serves as a form of encouragement, compelling Song Nan to immerse himself in the piles of old papers and engage with the classical texts and rigid essays.

The big cow scratched his head and said: "I... I have never received so much silver, I feel a bit guilty."

Song Nan's mother, Liu, and Ping'er, among others, found themselves somewhat at a loss. They had never expected that Song Nan would actually follow through on his words. Upon hearing Li Daniu recount the process of retrieving the silver, Liu felt even more incredulous. She had personally experienced the arrogance and ferocity of Yan, the matriarch of the Song family, enduring her insults and bullying in the past. Reflecting on it now, she felt a twinge of fear; it was truly astonishing that her son could reclaim part of the family assets from her hands.

Song Nan smiled and said, "Mother is the most benevolent person in this world"

Li Daniu repeatedly waved his hands and said: "This is absolutely unacceptable, Brother Nan, how could I possibly take so much silver from you"

It must be said that while the eight-legged essay and the *tu* book are indeed archaic and bound by rigid formats, Song Nan believes that the ancients who could write such works were truly geniuses. Even for someone like himself, who has obtained a degree from a prestigious university in later generations, mastering the essence of these writings is beyond his capabilities. Moreover, aside from the form, the most challenging aspect of the eight-legged essay is its central ideology, which is to promote Confucian principles such as self-cultivation, loyalty to the ruler, and moral propriety. For Song Nan, this is a disaster. As someone who has traversed time from a later era, to fully accept these viewpoints without any pretense and to express them eloquently in classical Chinese is nothing short of a pipe dream.

Amidst a burst of laughter, everyone tucked the silver tightly away and gradually took their leave, secretly delighted as they returned home. Once the crowd had dispersed, Song Nan picked up ten ingots of silver and handed them to Da Niu, saying: "Brother Da Niu, this fifty taels of silver is an extra gift for your family. There were too many people just now, so it wasn't convenient to take it out. Tuck it into your waist and take it home to give to Aunt Li. Then hurry back to help me deposit the silver at the bank. With so much silver at home, will anyone be able to sleep tonight?"

"Brother Nan, this is not acceptable; this is your family's money, how can we demand it for nothing? It is not acceptable, not acceptable." Most of the villagers are simple folk, and these words are not entirely insincere refusals.

Song Nan stepped up to the stone mill, gazing at the mountain-like pile of silver, and said loudly: "Dear uncles and aunts, your care for my mother and me has been immense. Although this sentiment cannot be repaid with money, please allow me to express my gratitude in a small way. Ping'er, Da Niu, please distribute the silver, ten taels to each household, as a token of my appreciation"