Chapter Nine: The Young Scholar Enters the City

Merely relying on the charge of not attending to his father's illness, perhaps the Grand Master would only impose a minor punishment, as cheating requires evidence. However, do not forget that there are now two additional charges: buying a nephew as a slave and seeking pleasure while his father is ill. It is said that he was with that young master from the Cheng family, who even gifted him a servant. What does this imply that anyone would not understand

Huizhou Prefecture and She County are not like other subordinate counties that share the same city as the prefecture; rather, Huizhou City is actually composed of two parts: Huizhou Prefecture City and She County City, forming a fortified area. This peculiar phenomenon emerged in the mid-Jiajing period. Prior to that, She County was merely a subordinate county of the provincial capital, lacking its own county seat. In the twenty-fourth year of Jiajing, after the Japanese pirates passed through, a section of city wall was constructed in the southeastern area of the prefecture city, which lacked a moat, enclosing a county city where the She County government was established. This unusual situation arose in the mid-Jiajing period. Before that, She County was a subordinate county of the provincial capital, without its own county seat. In the twenty-fourth year of Jiajing, following the incursion of Japanese pirates, a section of city wall was built in the southeastern area of the prefecture city, which lacked a moat, enclosing a county city where the She County government was established. The supervising scholar, Inspector Xie Tingjie, did not stay at the Huizhou Prefecture government office within the prefecture city, nor did he visit the prefectural school, but instead resided temporarily at the She County Academy within the county city.

"What can be trusted or not trusted? Are you planning to run away?" Liu San sarcastically interjected, then arrogantly continued, "In that case, I have matters to attend to at home, so I will take my leave. We will meet at the Ma Family Inn tomorrow morning at the hour of the rabbit"

Seeing Liu San riding away on his mule, Wang Fulian looked at his receding figure and smiled, saying: "I originally intended to say that since the three of you have traveled forty miles of mountain roads, I should at least invite everyone to have some food and drink to ease your worries. Since someone is eager to return home, I shall not insist on keeping you here."

Wang Fulian had a profound experience along the way. The sedan chair he was sitting in was crafted from carefully selected mountain bamboo, which was not only sturdy but also polished to a smooth and rounded finish. The backrest was ingeniously curved, perfectly supporting his entire back and waist. Additionally, a soft cushion was laid down, and the two bearers walked with steady steps. He had essentially been carried the entire journey while he himself had been asleep.

He slept comfortably, but among the three fast runners, Xu Jie rode a slow horse, while Ma Neng and Liu San each rode a mule. Xu Jie and Ma Neng could accept this, but Liu San, bouncing on the back of that thin mule, felt pain in his legs, waist, and teeth—he hurt everywhere. In his heart, he cursed Wang Fulian a thousand times over. After running back and forth for forty miles on the mountain road, he only earned thirty-seven coins! Meanwhile, the person being carried sat leisurely on the sedan chair, dozing off, while he, the legitimate fast runner, ran his legs off. What kind of reasoning is this? After running back and forth for forty miles on the mountain road, he only earned thirty-seven coins! Meanwhile, the person being carried sat leisurely on the sedan chair, dozing off, while he, the legitimate fast runner, ran his legs off. What kind of reasoning is this?

Although Xu Jie did not speak, he nodded and smiled slightly. Wang Fulian felt a bit relieved in his heart and decided to reward the four bearers generously later, as well as to express his gratitude to the three fellow villagers who accompanied him into the city.

It is somewhat difficult for action to lack a sense of smoke and fire, but accomplishing it in one go is still quite easy

Father, it really is nothing. In the past, I always wore straw sandals. A few days ago, my second mother had someone make me new shoes, and they might be a bit uncomfortable...

While speaking, he adjusted his sleeves and discreetly pulled the hands of Xu Jie and Ma Neng, quietly slipping a piece of silver into each of their hands.

Jin Baodeng shivered slightly, and his mood suddenly became heavy. Fortunately, at that moment, the speaker was evidently interrupted by someone.

As Wang Fulian had anticipated, this time he was escorted by two groups of four bearers who took turns. Usually, they walked the most, and their feet had developed thick calluses. They were quite experienced when it came to dealing with blisters. After someone cleaned Jinbao's feet with strong liquor and punctured the blisters, they applied a layer of medicine, tightly wrapped it with a strip of cotton cloth, and then put on a pair of cloth shoes to walk. The pain was significantly alleviated. As for his intention to let Jinbao rest for a while on the sedan chair, the little fellow immediately shook his head in refusal, as if he were a rattle drum.

When meeting people, he answered without any hesitation. Wang Fulian personally went to thank the other three villagers who had voluntarily followed him into Huizhou City, giving them the steamed cake he had brought from home, promising to express his gratitude more generously upon his return. Finally, he greeted the three quick-witted individuals. Xu Jie and Ma Neng exchanged pleasantries, while Liu San only chuckled ominously, not engaging in the conversation.

He calculated the time and his reaction. Although the three fast hands arrived suddenly, he had already rummaged through the accumulated New Year's money from Wang Fulian over the years, which consisted of small silver coins. He had quietly cut them into pieces and weighed them with a scale, preparing for unforeseen needs, so he did not intend to use the money that Wang Erniang had given him. At this moment, after rewarding the two bearers of the sedan chair and the two porters with about one tael of silver, he spoke up: "I appreciate your kindness today; thank you for your hard work."

Seeing the crowd, Liu San, who had been holding back his anger all the way, seized the opportunity and shouted, "Wang Xiaoxiang, although the Grand Master has issued the ticket, it is likely that you will arrive in Huizhou City too late today. You should rest outside for the night, conserve your energy, and visit the Grand Master tomorrow. If luck is not on your side, this opportunity for your fame may only last until tonight!"

Jin Bao's heart was filled with dread as he quietly turned around and saw Liu San, who was seething with indignation, but was once again silenced by Ma Neng beside him, after which he said nothing more. He immediately clenched his fists. His father was an ordinary farmer who, after saving some money, married his deceased wife's maid when he was forty, and she gave birth to him. A few years later, his father passed away, and his elder brother regarded him, a mere dependent, as a thorn in his side, insisting that his biological mother was merely a purchased maid. After selling his biological mother, he subjected him to all kinds of abuse. The most peaceful period of his life was spent beside Wang Fulian. Moreover, he had also gained the greatest hope of his life!

For Wang Fulian, this was his "first" visit to Huizhou City, and he felt that compared to the ancient towns and cities of later generations, this place possessed a greater authenticity of antiquity. While the sky was still bright, some were shouting at the top of their lungs, making their final sales efforts, others hurried their steps to return home early, and at the entrance of those small courtyards adorned with lanterns, there were women heavily made up, leaning against the door and selling smiles, casting enchanting smiles at well-dressed passersby—everything was real and vibrant, reminding him that this was a genuine ancient city of the Ming Dynasty.

Thus, under the focus of numerous gazes, he displayed no signs of guilt, shame, remorse, or unease, but rather responded nonchalantly: "As a student, it is my duty to first pay my respects to the Grand Master, regardless of day or night. As for whether the Grand Master will impose any punishment, since I have a clear conscience, whether I gain or lose is my fortune or fate; why should I exhaust my energy worrying about it"

Four people happily received the money, and one of the porters laughed and said: "Young sir, you are too polite. Not to mention the master's instructions, just the fact that you are the youngest scholar in Songming Mountain in recent years makes it worth everyone's effort."

When the crowd arrived at the academy, the sun had completely set, and the time for the night curfew was drawing near. Xu Jie personally went to the gate to return the ticket, reporting that the master had already been mentioned, while subtly indicating that Wang Fulian was sent by the Southern Ming gentleman from Songming Mountain using a sliding pole. However, after the gatekeeper entered and took some time to come out, he shook his head at the crowd and said: "The Grand Master has stated that it is already late today, and the student Wang Fulian will arrange for himself. Tomorrow morning, he will ascend the hall for examination. As for the ticket, it will be returned together tomorrow."

Enough, Liu San, say a little less! The rights and wrongs will naturally have their public opinion; do we need to add our own comments?

However, Wang Fulian observed closely and found that those who were heading in the same direction as him reacted with more curiosity and inquiry upon hearing this, while many of those coming from the direction of Huizhou City displayed contempt and disdain. At this point, he was already very clear in his mind. It was clearly a matter concerning his own family, yet the dissemination was centered around Huizhou City, radiating outward, rather than spreading from his own Songming Mountain Village.

If it weren't for Wang Fulins instructions to Jin Bao not to speak casually along the way, even if provoked, he would have wanted to speak up long ago. At this moment, Jin Bao quickened his pace, closely following the two porters who were striding ahead. Yet, faintly, he could still hear the mocking voices coming from behind.

Upon his remark, many passersby around turned their gaze towards Wang Fulin on the sliding pole. Among these looks, there were those of inquiry, curiosity, disdain, and sighing. There were also quite a few people engaged in heated discussions, clearly indicating the significant impact of the swirling rumors.

As for Wang Fulian himself, although he initially spoke as he did, he was well aware that in this day and age, one must adhere to principles of openness and integrity. A grand master could not possibly conclude his own case at night. However, as a mere scholar, if he did not obtain prior permission and delayed his visit until the next day, it would be tantamount to courting death. At this moment, someone inside had already spoken. Seeing Xu Jie accept the ticket, he approached and cupped his hands, saying: "You three have worked hard on the journey. If you can trust me, let us meet tomorrow morning at the Ma Family Inn located on the horizontal street behind Hetushu. Otherwise, we can book three more rooms at the Ma Family Inn."

I will go ask the porters; they always have practical solutions. In everything, do not be stubborn; otherwise, once you arrive in Huizhou, will you still want to walk

When I tell you to take it off, you take it off

As soon as the silver was in hand, the expressions of the two seasoned veterans shifted from gloomy to bright. Especially Ma Neng, whose face was always adorned with a smile, now appeared as if a flower had blossomed on his face.

Wang Fulian was indeed far away, and he did not hear the conversation between Liu San and Xu Jie at all. The journey that followed was calm and uneventful, and nothing unexpected occurred until they entered the city, which was entirely peaceful.

"Father, it's nothing. I have been accustomed to hardship since childhood; walking a couple of miles on the mountain road is nothing to me." Jin Bao said this, yet it was evident that Wang Fulian had no intention of retracting his words. He had just stammered, "Even if the soles of my feet are worn out, it really is nothing. Just now, Uncle Kang from Mr. Nanming's family said that we are only halfway to Huizhou City..."

Wang Fulian emphasized his tone until Jin Bao hesitantly took off his shoes. Indeed, the bare soles had developed several blisters, and he immediately frowned.

The silver bullet offensive is not always effective; without the momentum from the moment he set out from Songming Mountain, would these officials have this attitude?

This little thing speaks so sweetly! For the sake of a mere scholar, the Grand Master hurried back from Ningguo Prefecture to Huizhou Prefecture, and his mood was already thoroughly ruined. The Grand Master's punishment staff is not merely for show; boasting now will only lead to losing one's reputation and suffering a great deal in return

This Majiakazhan is the place where he stayed during his last examination period. It was mentioned by his uncle Wu Tianbao; otherwise, he wouldn't even have remembered this

Although this era is not as refined and elegant as the prosperous Tang Dynasty, those who can face everything with composure are certainly better than those who panic and are at a loss when confronted with situations. Therefore, upon hearing Wang Fulian's words, some passersby who paused briefly moved their feet, some nodded in approval, while others whispered to their companions, claiming that the rumors were unfounded, which infuriated Liu San, who had intended to provoke.

When the time comes for you to lose your official title, I wonder if there will still be anyone willing to protect you and your * books *!

After a delay of a quarter of an hour, the group finally set off again. This time, Wang Fulian was no longer feeling sleepy. Moreover, it was likely due to the approaching city of Huizhou, as the road gradually widened, no longer dominated by mountain paths. Most travelers on the road were in pairs, but there was no one else like them, a group of over ten people, with horses, mules, and human-powered sedan chairs, which attracted a lot of attention.

If those who carry the sedan chair still complain of hardship and fatigue, how can they justify their efforts to those who bear the sedan and to those who walk?

The bamboo slide is the most stable on mountain paths, but its swaying motion makes one feel drowsy. Unbeknownst to him, Wang Fulian fell asleep.

Jin Bao followed closely beside the sedan chair. When they stopped for a brief rest along the way, he busied himself pouring water for Wang Fulian to quench his thirst, repeatedly asking, "Father, are you tired? We need to hurry to Huizhou City before evening, so we must walk a bit faster. If you feel dizzy, I have some medicinal oil; just a dab will do."

Young sir, you are being too modest! Since we have business to attend to, we cannot behave in such an unseemly manner like Liu San. I shall certainly escort you to the Ma family inn

Therefore, after Wang Fulian and others arrived in the city from Songming Mountain in the west, they had to pass through the city of the prefecture, then go through the Desheng Gate in the east, in order to enter the county town located to the east of the prefecture. After that, they would cross the New Wind Bridge via the main street, and walk a short distance along the County Front Street to the west of the county office, which is the Shexian Academy located near the easternmost Ziyang Gate of the county town.

He was a servant sold to others through a death contract, never dreaming that in this lifetime he would be able to study and write openly and aboveboard! Yet, he unexpectedly became one of the charges against Wang Fulian!

He was too lazy to deal with this ambiguous fellow. When he turned around, he inadvertently caught sight of Jinbao packing his belongings, walking somewhat unsteadily. He approached him, glanced at the little guy's feet, and casually said, "Take off your shoes and show me."

Today, they spent the entire day rushing along the mountain roads. Although Xu Jie and Ma Neng were not as easily irritated as Liu San, they were ultimately exhausted. Upon hearing that they would not be able to complete their task until tomorrow, they both felt a strong urge to curse. Liu San felt even more displeased; had he not already sensed along the way that Xu Jie and Ma Neng were not on the same page as him, he would have almost made a few more derogatory remarks.