Chapter 45
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The peacefulness of the mountain village was broken as news spread that Lu Lang had won the top spot for the third time. The villagers, young and old, swarmed to the small fenced courtyard and gathered along the road leading to the village entrance.
Having passed all three of the child scholar’s exams over the last three years, the next step was to head to the prefecture city to take the provincial exam. Though many were reluctant to see him leave, they were soon taught a lesson by the elderly Grandpa Lu with his cane.
“If Liangsheng can pass the provincial examination, it would be a glorious matter for all of our ancestors in Lu Family Village! What’s with all this crying and whining!!”
In truth, the old man’s eyes were also red.
The wind rustled through the locust tree, and the villagers parted along the road. Lu Liangsheng led his old donkey, which was carrying a bookcase, walking slowly out of the village. Behind him was Li Jinhua wiping her tears, and Lu Xiaoxian sobbing.
Lu Laoshi, a quiet and gentle man, couldn’t find the words to say. He quickly brushed his rough hands over his eyes, not wanting anyone to see him like this.
“When you’re out there, don’t suffer in silence. If you encounter trouble, just come back. The people from our two villages are on your side. If anyone dares to cause trouble, we’ll help you fight back!”
By the end of his words, his voice choked up. Nearby, his eight close friends, including Lu Pan, came over and patted their chests. “Liangsheng, your father is right. No matter what happens, even in the capital, the eight of us will have your back.”
“Even if I go to He Valley Prefecture, it’s not like I’m not coming back.”
After comforting his father, Lu Liangsheng turned to his eight friends with a smile: “While I’m away, the safety of the village depends on my eight uncles. Make sure you practice the body-strengthening techniques I taught you and encourage the villagers, young and old, to practice it as well when they can.”
“Don’t worry, Liangsheng. We’ll make sure everyone keeps up with it.”
Seeing that Lu Pan’s promise, Lu Liangsheng looked at his sister, whose eyes were red and swollen from crying. Lu Xiaoxian tugged reluctantly at her brother’s sleeve, her tears streaming down her face: “Brother… can’t you just stay?”
Some things were still a bit confusing for her at her age, but that didn’t stop her admiration for her brother. Their life together was filled with a close-knit family—there was the ghostly big sister, the lazy toad, and their bickering yet harmonious parents.
Lu Liangsheng gently wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and smiled. “The sooner I leave, the sooner I can come back. You take good care of our parents at home.”
The little girl nodded obediently.
As they reached the village entrance, his mother, Li Jinhua, along with some fellow villagers, were waiting by the roadside. He led his old donkey over, accepted the bundle his mother handed to him, and after walking a bit further, Lu Liangsheng finally urged the women and villagers who had accompanied him to return home.
“Dear fellow villagers, I’ll have to rely on you all to help watch over my parents while I’m gone. If the village faces any difficulties…”
A curious voice called out from the crowd: “If there’s trouble, will you stay and not leave?”
“I’ll try to hurry back.” Lu Liangsheng responded with a smile.
His words drew a round of laughter from the crowd. Even the tearful woman couldn’t help but break into a smile. The woman playfully smacked her son.
“You’re about to travel far, yet you’re still not serious. Once you’re out there, you can’t act like you do at home.”
Lu Liangsheng suddenly hugged his mother, patting her frail back as he spoke softly.
“Mother… your son is leaving now.”
He climbed onto the donkey’s back, and the small bell around the donkey’s neck jingled softly as they made their way onto the main road. Turning around, he gazed back at the distant Qixia Mountain, its lush greenery sprawling across the landscape, with the village still nestled peacefully at its foot. The villagers stood there, waving their farewells.
Perhaps a wave of emotions surged in his heart.
The young scholar halted his donkey. He dismounted, faced the village where he had lived for eighteen years, lifted his wide sleeves, and bowed deeply. He remained like that for a good while before gathering himself and continuing his journey.
It was nearing noon as Lu Liangsheng, with his donkey, slowly made his way into Fushui County along the bustling main road. Recognizing his familiar figure, some vendors and passersby moved aside, greeting him as he passed.
Lu Liangsheng smiled in return, making his way through the long street until he reached a secluded courtyard in a quiet corner of the city. He opened the gate and respectfully called out: “Teacher.”
The ancient camphor tree stood tall, sunlight filtering through its branches and leaves, casting dappled light on the figure holding a book.
“You’re here, come sit.” Elder Shuhua lowered his book and pointed to the stone bench beside him.
In the three years that had passed, the old man had aged considerably. His once salt-and-pepper hair was now entirely white. He was nearly sixty years old, but his spirit remained strong. He poured a cup of tea for Lu Liangsheng before sitting down.
“So, Liangsheng, you’re preparing to head to He Valley Prefecture already? Don’t you think it’s a bit too soon? Perhaps you should wait another three years,”
Although it brought glory to the old man to have such a talented disciple, he worried for him. The three years of exams had already tested Lu Liangsheng’s wings, and the old man didn’t want to see Lu Liangsheng disheartened if he failed the provincial exam. Hence, he gently urged caution.
On the other side, Lu Liangsheng took a sip of tea, put down his smile, and said: “Teacher, there’s no need to worry. Laingsheng will go to He Valley Prefecture to settle in first. As for the autumn provincial exam, I’ll take it in stride, without having an overly ambitious mindset. If I pass, great; if not, I can always wait another three years.”
“Mm, that’s the best way to think about it. Once you get to He Valley Prefecture, there’s not much Teacher can do to assist you.” Wang Shuhua nodded. After saying this, he stood up and went into the house. A moment later, he came back out, holding a letter in his hand.
“I have an old acquaintance in He Valley Prefecture, an erudite scholar.”
The old man handed the letter to the young scholar and looked at him kindly: “…Once you get there, if you have any academic questions, you can consult him. The autumn provincial exam happens once every three years, and this year happens to be the time for it. If you can pass the exam, then do so; if not, just consider it a chance to adapt, and don’t force yourself.”
“Liangsheng understands.”
He tucked the letter away, and they continued to chat for a while in the small courtyard. Soon after, County Magistrate Min Changwen arrived, and the three of them strolled toward the north gate. As they walked, they reminisced about the events of the past three years and spoke of what might lie ahead.
“If Liangsheng manages to pass the provincial exam, who knows, the three of us may serve together in the imperial court. When that day comes, we’ll be counting on you, the rising young talent, to look after us!”.
“Ah…You’re too kind, Magistrate. Liangsheng heard Teacher speak of your illustrious past—that you were once a Deputy Minister in the Board of Rites, but your sense of justice offended the wrong people, leading to your demotion here. If that day ever comes, it will be Liangsheng who will need your guidance.”
“Hahaha!”
Laughter echoed through the pavilion. Soon after, as the sunlight tilted and the crimson glow of the setting sun bathed the scene, Lu Liangsheng mounted his old donkey and bowed in farewell to Wang Shuhua and Min Changwen.
Watching the slowly retreating figure on his donkey, Wang Shuhua gently stroked his white beard and sighed, reminiscing about his own journey in youth, setting out on a similar quest for officialdom.
Beside him, Min Changwen’s smile faded as he withdrew his gaze from the departing figure.
“Elder Shuhua, it seems you and I will also be setting out on a journey.”
“Hmm?”
Min Changwen took out a letter sealed with wax from his robes and looked again at the distant figure bathed in the sunset glow.
“This letter is from an old friend in the court. It seems that a rogue element has been trying to confuse His Majesty.”
The elder turned his face to glance at the letter in his hand.
“There are so many capable people in the court; why would they need you? It seems to be a task involving some enmity.”
Hearing this, Min Changwen stroked his beard and laughed heartily, tucking the letter back into his sleeve. He then invited the elder to join him in his carriage. “What does it matter if it’s a matter of offending others? If the court is in turmoil, it concerns the welfare of countless people. I’d like to see which miscreant is causing trouble. Elder Shuhua, will you accompany me?”
“Haha, I followed you to this remote county, how could I simply let you go alone? Of course, I’ll join you on the journey.”
Wang Shuhua extended his hand with a smile. “Please!”
“Please!”
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