Chapter 9: Reading

The so-called "Ba Qing" refers to the act of seeking blessings from ancestors, somewhat similar to the tradition of "Zhua Zhou". It takes place after the ancestral worship ceremony, where a selection of gifts presented by guests is made, allowing children to choose one item. The distinction lies in the fact that the children participating in "Ba Qing" must be between the ages of 8 and 15, as they have reached an age where they can discern right from wrong. Additionally, the gifts obtained through "Ba Qing" do not need to be returned.

While reading "Elements of Geometry," Cheng Jinzhu tried to recall the bits and pieces from the classroom years ago. In this era, even the slightest detail might bring about significant change

Thinking of being able to choose something one likes from the countless gifts presented by guests, akin to a supermarket giveaway, Cheng Jinzhu almost forgot the tension brought by the long gown. At the very least, the items exchanged for the greenbacks could help him escape the shadow of bankruptcy

The junior accountants have it somewhat easier than him; they come in to copy for three to four hours each day and then enjoy a full day off. Their work is significantly less strenuous than usual, but the content they copy is rather confusing, and they must not make any mistakes, yet that is all there is to it

Of course, this is entirely his fantasy. The gifts for the guests have also been carefully selected and displayed in the room. It is not only necessary to ascertain their value, but there are also many considerations involved. It is not simply a matter of putting all the guests' gifts together; it is almost impossible to check for omissions.

The group of time travelers prefers practical industries, whether it is saving the nation or making money through industry. Theoretical mathematics and British literature seem too distant from the real world—at least in Cheng Jinzhou's view

As usual, the evening is for reading books

The greatest advantage of a time traveler, if not utilized, would be a tremendous waste. Although what he is doing now is not particularly wise.

For two consecutive days, Cheng Jinzhu selected 3 books and read 45,000 words, consuming over a hundred stones of grain completely. In the end, not only did he fail to find any invigorating books on chemical applications, but even the basic application books were nowhere to be seen. To make matters worse, there was even a book written in some unknown country's worm script.

Mathematicians who gained fame through the study of Euclid's Elements are likely to outnumber those who became renowned for their work on relativity

"Oh, you have learned to be frugal," Mother Cheng praised him first, then added, "However, the money that needs to be spent cannot be saved. This year, you are the only legitimate son in our family, so we must ensure everything is perfect."

The night before, Cheng's mother took out all the items she had prepared countless days in advance, examining and measuring each one again, fearing that something might be overlooked. Cheng Jinzhuo inevitably had to be dragged out as well, trying on three sets of clothes back and forth

Ancestral worship is a significant matter, especially for women at home, it is of utmost importance

However, before Cheng Jinzhou and the library truly went bankrupt, the day for ancestor worship arrived

The garment worn during ancestor worship is exceedingly intricate, consisting of three layers both inside and out. The fabric is very soft and comfortable, but after wrapping it around three or four times, the tightness and heat replace the smooth sensation, much like applying too much toner or facial cleanser.

During the ancestral worship in Zhangjia, like most prominent families, they will widely invite relatives and friends to attend the ceremony. As for immediate family members, there is no need to mention them. Among Cheng Jinzhu's five uncles, all except for a few from other provinces are required to attend punctually. Those family members who hold official positions must also take leave to participate.

This is no longer the familiar, peaceful, and tranquil world.

Whenever he recalls the sorrow of his marginalized relatives, he cannot help but feel a surge of motivation. Initially, he was somewhat directionless, but with the advent of the Astral Library, these issues have completely ceased to be a concern.

If there were no disturbances, Cheng Jinzhou might go find money again, exchange it for food, and then continue reading until he could no longer obtain money or until he stumbled upon a book on steelmaking, iron smelting, or glass production, at which point he would cease his efforts. As for how to utilize the resources at hand, he truly had no time to think about it.

Mother Cheng chuckled lightly and nodded, saying: "I still do not know whom the old lady favors this year. You should also review your studies well, lest you be unable to answer when the time comes"

Cheng Jinzhu was taken aback and couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle. A long gown from Nanhu costs at least 20 taels of silver, and two pieces would amount to 40 taels just for wearing them for a morning. This expenditure is certainly not insignificant. If calculated based on grain prices, it would be no less than 1,200 USD, and when converted to the modern land output value, it would need to be multiplied by three or four times. The expenses are comparable to those of 21st-century celebrities at the Oscars.

The longer Cheng Jinzhu has been in this world, the stronger his sense of reality has become. If at first he held onto a glimmer of hope, wishing it to be a fleeting dream, after a month he had completely immersed himself in his new identity

Cheng Jinzhu, using the expression and tone inherited from the sickly Cheng, remarked: "This piece of clothing must have cost quite a bit, and aside from ancestral worship, it cannot be worn. By next year, it will definitely be too small for me"

Having traversed to the present, he no longer harbors any psychological burden regarding titles

As he pondered, Cheng Jinzhu soon became cheerful again and said, "So when it comes to the selection, I will be the first, right"

After traversing through time, a person's psychology will also change. It is as if one looks back at the world, gaining new insights, a new identity, and a new environment, all of which constantly inspire one to strive forward

... ...

Most importantly, this is still the expense of a single child. The Cheng family is a large clan with 4 branches, and just the legitimate sons and grandsons from each household number in the dozens or even hundreds. Across the entire family, just the cost of clothing alone could consume nearly half of the tax revenue from a small town.

Although the conclusions drawn by Euclid in "Elements" are not significantly different from those in middle school geometry, the primary value of "Elements"—at least in contemporary terms—lies mainly in the process of arriving at those conclusions. The longer one studies it, the more profound the insights become.

"If this continues, I will go bankrupt." Cheng Jinzhou would say this every time he finished a book, yet after copying it, he would go out and buy another one

All three sets of clothing are made of Nanhuh silk. Two pieces of the long gown with blue and red patterns are worn during ancestral worship, while a brand new royal blue short shirt is to be changed into after the ceremony. Even the gold lockets tucked into the collar are prepared in two sets—gentlemen wear jade, according to the Cheng family's rules, minors can only wear gold and silver.

Different family backgrounds and social statuses naturally result in vastly different gifts received in the end

However, the initiation of the children into this strictly hierarchical society begins with the selection ceremony—different children enter different rooms, and the order is always arranged according to legitimacy, age, and academic performance. Only the legitimate daughters are qualified to participate in the family selection ceremony, while the others must be organized by their respective households.

Being born into a prominent family is a form of fortune, yet the competition for favor and profit is all too common. Cheng Jinzhou has never felt such nostalgia for the family planning policy as he does now

In theory, under the circumstances of discord within the second branch, as the only legitimate grandson of the Qing branch, and given that the Qing branch is the foremost branch of the Cheng clan, Cheng Jinzhou should have been the first to enter the room. However, in the memory of the ailing Cheng, it had always been him and his elder brother Cheng Jinye taking turns to enter the room in previous years. Yet, Cheng's mother could not afford to speak too slowly, as there were at least two maidservants standing nearby.

Cheng Jinzhu also smiled and fell silent, immersed in his longing for Ba Qing, fantasizing about finding a priceless gift that would render all issues related to money no longer a concern

Cheng Jinzhu did not expect to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors, but he attempted to seek traces of the star sorcerers through the few books available at home. As an old boy who had received nearly 20 years of education, Cheng Jinzhu did not believe that he had the opportunity to change his way of thinking. Given this, he resolved to adapt to this world

Cheng Jinzhu was twisting his body vigorously, struggling against the two maidservants, and expressed his dissatisfaction, saying: "Mother, the ancestral worship only takes half a day; one set of clothes is sufficient. Why must another set be made, especially since it cannot be worn on ordinary days"

Cheng Jinzhou possesses a profound sense of crisis

Mother Cheng scrutinized her son from head to toe, occasionally tugging at him with her hands, and casually remarked: "What if you tear it or ruin it? Especially at times like this, you must not make any mistakes. The entire family, along with the visiting guests, are watching closely."