Chapter 42 Chapter 42 Should I send him to study?

When Kang He and Fan Jing got home, they happened to meet Qiao'er coming back from outside.

Kanghe asked the little girl where she had been playing. Qiaoer took Kanghe's hand with one hand and Fan Jing's hand with the other and led them into the yard.

"Brother Fan Xin is back from the city. A few days ago, the results of the Tongji exam were announced, and my uncle and aunt packed up early in the morning and went to the city to check the list. My grandparents were eager to change their clothes and go with them, but they didn't know that Brother Fan Xin failed the first exam."

The Tongshi examination had to be taken three times. First, the county examination was presided over by the county magistrate. After passing, the candidate went to the provincial capital to take the prefectural examination. If he passed both examinations, he could become a Tongsheng.

If you pass the academy examination, you can get the title of scholar.

Kang He and Fan Jing had gone up the mountain these days. Since there was no one studying in his family, he didn't pay much attention to the imperial examination. He had heard Chen mention it a few times before, but he didn't remember it much. He didn't even know that the results had been announced.

Kang He said, "It's not easy to pass the imperial examination, that's normal. If it were that easy, there would be countless talented students in the village."

Qiao'er said, "That's right. But Sister Xiangxiu also came home, and there was a quarrel at home."

Kang He asked Qiao Er in confusion what they were arguing about, and Qiao Er told Kang He in vivid detail what was happening in the main house.

As for Fan Xin, he started learning at the age of seven and began taking exams at the age of ten. Now he is twenty-three years old. He has been studying for more than ten years and has also been taking exams for more than ten years.

Over the years, I have been passing and failing the county examination, going back and forth between the two exams, but I couldn't pass the provincial examination, and I couldn't even get a student status.

In fact, there were many students who passed the imperial examination when they were in their thirties or forties. It was not uncommon to see both young and old taking the imperial examination.

Although the first branch of the Fan family was better off than the second branch, it was still a mediocre farming family. For a family like this, if they could send their young son to school for two or three years, teach him to read and do a little math, that would be a great achievement.

The eldest wife had the same plan at first, but later changed her mind.

"One year, not long after I got married, I went to the temple with your aunt to burn incense. There we met an old immortal. It happened that a pilgrim was giving him a chicken egg, so we were so grateful to him."

Chen Sanfang listened to the children talking excitedly, put down the wash basin in his arms, and started to play crickets:

"Your aunt loves to join in the fun, so she went up to the pilgrims and asked them what they were thanking her for.

The pilgrim said his son had passed the imperial examination and had come to ask the old immortal for a fortune-telling. The old immortal said it was a dangerous situation, but there was no guarantee of a turnaround. Who would have thought that when the results were announced, her son would be right next to the last one, a dangerous situation with a chance of good fortune? Your aunt-in-law heard it and thought it was incredibly accurate, so she went to get the fortune-telling too.

Kang He found these superstitious and metaphysical theories quite interesting, so he asked, "The old immortal said that Brother Fan Xin can win?"

Chen Sanfang said, "The old immortal didn't say directly that Fan Xin would win. He counted on his fingers and said that the Fan family was blessed. Wenquxingjun had already chosen it, but it would take time and patience."

Kang He laughed: "Did my aunt believe it?"

"Why wouldn't you believe it? Fan Xin is the only scholar in the family. Who else could be the Wenquxing if not him? Fan Xin has taken the exam countless times over the years and has never passed. Your aunt is even more convinced. She's determined that Fan Xin will achieve great success. Even at this age, she hasn't arranged a marriage for him, fearing that it's too early and he might pass and end up with someone better in the future."

Chen Sanfang said, "Don't you think this person is confused? He has made Xiang embroidery suffer."

Qiao'er also said, "Yes, this time Brother Fan Xin didn't pass, and my aunt wanted him to continue studying and take the exam.

But as a grown man in the family, he could not help with the housework. Instead, he needed money like water. All the money from his uncle and aunt was given to him, and his grandparents also used their private money to supplement him.

The one who suffered the most was Sister Xiangxiu. She was rented out to work for a wealthy family when she was very young. All the money she earned from renting out her job was taken away by her aunt, who said it was for her to save for her future marriage, but in fact it was all used to support her big brother's education.

"If I continue to study, I'll have to rely on Xiangxiu Sister for support. She hasn't saved any money in these years. When she grows up and wants to find a husband, I'm afraid her family won't be able to prepare a dowry for her."

Qiao'er is good friends with Xiangxiu and speaks up for her.

"Brother Fan Xin does have some conscience. He feels he's not cut out for studying and doesn't want to burden the family anymore. When he came back with Sister Xiangxiu, he told his uncle and aunt about his plans, but his aunt wouldn't allow it."

Qiao'er pouted and said, "She's still reciting the old immortal's words, advising my cousin to study hard and hope he'll be blessed if he can get over this. Grandpa and grandma love my cousin so much, they're helping my aunt and saying, 'I heard my cousin won't eat if he doesn't study.'"

"Sister Xiangxiu's ears are so callused from hearing these words. She refuted a few of my aunt's remarks, and she scolded me severely. She scolded me until I cried and locked myself in my room, refusing to leave the house."

Chen Sanfang was still joking, but after hearing what Qiao'er said, he exclaimed, "Is it so serious this time?"

Qiao'er nodded, and said that she came from the other side because she saw that the commotion was too serious.

After noon, Chen Sanfang thought about going over to take a look. Although they had some minor frictions with the eldest wife, every family has their own petty thoughts. To outsiders, they are a family after all, and when something happens, the family still has to help each other.

When we held a banquet and bought land at home, the eldest branch of the family also contributed.

Kang He also recognized these and wanted to go together.

I had thought Fan Jing wouldn't join in the fun, so I didn't call him. When I didn't want to go out, he just followed me.

Several people went over together. The atmosphere in the main room was very heavy, and it looked like there had been a big quarrel.

Chen and Kanghe exchanged glances and pretended not to know what was going on. They went to see Grandpa Fan and Grandma Fan first.

"Oh my, oh my, my child has grown up and doesn't listen to the elders..."

Mr. Fan sat on the edge of the kang in silence, while Mrs. Fan lay at the head of the kang, pounding her chest and muttering to herself, looking like she was deeply hurt.

"What's the point of raising this? It just makes people angry to death~"

Kang He called two elders and brought over a small jar of honey.

When Grandma Fan heard about honey, she slowly sat up from the kang and said, "Honey? Wild honey from the mountains?"

He took the jar and sniffed it. It was indeed sweet and fragrant, like honey. A kind smile appeared on his face again: "It's not easy for you and Dajing in the mountains, but you still care about grandpa and grandma so much. You are really a sensible child."

She held the honey pot in her arms, raised her squinting eyes a little, looked at Chen at the other end, and said, "Sanfang, you're here too? Find a stool and sit with Dajing."

Chen Sanfang groaned and went to get a stool.

Chen had never received such treatment before. Ever since she started selling radish to make money and her family bought some land a while ago, Mr. and Mrs. Fan became noticeably more affectionate to her when they saw her.

Grandma Fan said, "You've come at the perfect time. Go and try to persuade Daxin. He didn't do well on the exam this time, and he's so upset that he's refusing to study anymore. And Xiangxiu's girl is being rude and making trouble with Daxin, which has really pissed off your brother and sister-in-law."

Zhang Jingui came in at the sound, her eyes red. Seeing Chen Sanfang, she said, "Sister-in-law, others may not know, but you do. You saw it with your own eyes, the old immortal said that our family is destined for marriage by the God of Literature! If Daxin doesn't study, wouldn't it be a waste of our family's future?"

"Yes. Sister-in-law is right."

Chen Sanfang asked, "What's wrong with Daxin? He was fine before, and this isn't the first time he's failed. Why is he so sad this time?"

"It must be that Xiangxiu girl who caused the trouble. She's grown up and is worried about her family, fearing that they won't have enough money for her dowry.

This foolish child, fortunately working for a wealthy family, why is her vision so short-sighted? If her brother had passed the imperial examination, wouldn't it have been easy for her to find a good family? "

Chen Sanfang knew very well that everyone in the eldest wife's family loved Hunan embroidery, but they loved Fan Xin even more. They favored sons over daughters. Hunan embroidery had supplemented the family's income over the years, so how could she not feel annoyed?

But she couldn't say all this. Everyone knew what was going on, and it would be awkward to make it public.

"The child has grown up and has his own ideas. Don't be angry, sister-in-law."

"It's not that I insist on him going down this path. He's studied for all these years, but if he doesn't pass the imperial examination and get a good degree, what else can he do if he doesn't study anymore?"

Zhang Jingui was furious. After she finished speaking, she glanced at Kang He, who had remained silent. She knew that Kang He was the one who could talk, so she said, "Sanlang, Daxin won't listen to us. You and Dajing are about the same age as him. Go and persuade him for us."

Kang He had no reason to refuse, so he went into the house with Fan Jing to find Fan Xin.

The people in the room heard that the voice was Kang He and came to open the door.

"Why do I still make you work?"

When Fan Xin saw Kang He, he was a little surprised. He turned to look at Fan Jing, shrank his neck, and called the two of them into the house.

He brought stools for the two of them and asked Kang He when he came down the mountain.

Kang He answered him and the two chatted for a while.

"I originally wanted to come for a drink when you got married, but back then you weren't allowed to take leave easily, and I couldn't come back to join in the fun."

Fan Xin took out a box from the cabinet. His movements were slow, as usual, and he handed the box to Kang He and the others. "I've prepared a wedding for you two, but I haven't found a chance to give it to you yet."

Inside the box was a set of teacups for drinking water, with designs of the Four Gentlemen—plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum—in mind. They were more refined and beautiful than the coarse pottery bowls and plates at home.

"How can we ask Brother to spend money? Uncle and Auntie have already prepared a lot of things for us."

Fan Xin said, "That's what they meant, this is my own wish. When I was studying, I copied books for others and earned some money. I'm happy that Jing'er is getting married, so you can keep it."

Seeing this, Kang He had no choice but to accept it.

Then he asked, "I heard from my aunt that my eldest brother doesn't want to study anymore?"

When Fan Xin mentioned this, he looked a little troubled. He shook his head and said, "I didn't want to go to school anymore. My family has tried to dissuade me again and again. Now, no matter how much they try, I won't go to school anymore."

"What's this for?"

Fan Xin said, "I'm not that kind of person, and my family isn't well off. Keeping an idler like me is just adding to their burden."

Kang He asked Fan Xin: "Brother, if you don't study this time, what are your plans?"

"It doesn't matter if I'm farming, or doing accounting, or anything else, I won't study anymore."

After listening to what the eldest wife said, Kang He actually agreed with Fan Xin's idea.

When I was in my early twenties, I devoted all my energy to studying. If I could achieve something, it would be fine.

The problem is that after so many years, there is no progress. To put it bluntly, I have accomplished nothing and am worse than a farmer. Farming is hard work and you have to make a living.

Kang He then said to Fan Xin, "Brother, you haven't made any plans yet. I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince your uncle and aunt."

"I also know I can't persuade them. They just want to follow their own logic. I've anticipated this. Just wait and see. They'll agree."

Kang He was a little puzzled as to how Fan Xin could be so confident that he could make his family do what he wanted. After a while, he understood why.

Hearing voices outside, Fan Xin stood up suddenly.

Kang He also heard a strange sound, as if someone was coming.

When the three of them went out of the house, they saw an old gentleman with a beard and a dignified face coming into their house.

The man was wearing a navy blue gown, which was not luxurious, but decent enough.

Kang He didn't recognize this person at first, but when he saw a familiar face following the old man, it was Xu Yang, whom they met at the foot of the mountain in the morning. He immediately guessed who this person was.

I guess it was the old scholar Xu who ran a private school, Xu Yang's grandfather, and also Fan Xin's teacher.

"Why is Mr. Xu here? Quick, quick, come in and sit down!"

Not to mention that Zhang and Fan Shoushan were getting along well, even Mr. and Mrs. Fan, who were clinging to the kang, got off the kang, packed up, and came out of the house to greet the guests.

There was a commotion in the house, and then Mr. Xu was welcomed to sit in the main seat and served with the fine tea that the family had kept.

"It's been a while since I've been back home, Old Fan, are you feeling well?"

Mr. Xu and Grandma Fan are of the same generation. He did not put on airs but spoke to Grandma Fan in a very friendly manner. They asked about each other's health and what they usually did to entertain themselves with these conversations.

When the elders in the room were talking, grandchildren like Kang He just stood in the room with their heads down and listened.

Xiang Xiu, who was locked in the room, also came out to see people as a sign of respect, although her eyes were still red.

After the elders finished their polite words, Xu Laoxiu looked up at Fan Xin and Xu Yang standing in the room. "Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, these two kids have grown up so much. I still remember when Shoushan brought Daxin to the private school, he was just a little kid, only as tall as Shoushan's waist. Now he's almost grown up."

Upon hearing this, Fan Shoushan said, "Yes, this child was naughty when he was young. Thanks to Master Xu's careful teaching, he has become much more obedient. If it weren't for you all these years, he wouldn't be where he is today."

Old Scholar Xu sighed, "I feel guilty. Shoushan and Old Fan trusted me and sent their child to me for instruction. Yet, all these years have passed, and he hasn't achieved even a single ounce of academic acclaim."

"How can you blame Mr. Fan for this? Mr. Xu is a man of profound knowledge and insight. It's this child who's too slow-witted to comprehend. You're just taking better care of him!"

Xu Lao Xiucai waved his hand and said:

"When the county exam results were announced, this kid came to me and said he didn't want to study anymore. I asked him why, and he said he wanted to find another way to make a living. He should have come to you to discuss this matter himself, but he asked to come to my place. He's been good friends with Dayang for years, and I've been teaching him like my own child, so I came here on his behalf."

"If he has other ambitions, I'd be happy for him. There are 360 professions in this world, and studying isn't the only way to succeed.

"Children are strong-willed. Even our unworthy Dayang refused to study and insisted on earning his own living, and our family allowed him to do so. A man must ultimately have his own ideas; only then can he stand on his own feet in the future."

Kang He listened to the old gentleman's words and felt that he was indeed a good teacher who actually came to his house in person for Fan Xin.

However, he felt that the old gentleman's words were very tactful. If Fan Xin really had a talent for studying, the teacher would definitely want him to stay and study more than his family.

I really don't have any talent. If I continue to waste my time studying like this, I will have no future in the imperial examination. I am not young anymore and have no means of making a living. My family is not rich, and I am afraid that I will become a vengeful person after studying.

He didn't say anything bad about Fan Xin, he just said that he was a bad teacher and saved face for his family.

But Kang He didn't know that Xu Lao Xiucai really loved Fan Xin. They were from the same village and had a close relationship. Fan Xin had been studying with him since he was a child, and it had been more than ten years. Even though they had no friendship at all, they had developed a close relationship.

Furthermore, although Fan Xin was incapable of standing up for himself and appeared rather cowardly, in the eyes of his elders, he was considered obedient and submissive. Unlike Xu Yang, who had many ideas, insisted on doing things, and had a stubborn and erratic temper.

Everyone in the Fan family's room was silent. They didn't want Fan Xin to give up his studies and ruin the family's dreams of a future and their reputation in the village.

But who is Mr. Xu, the old scholar? He came back to the village specially for Fan Xin and came to his home to talk in person. It shows how much concern and care he has for Fan Xin.

They could refute Fan Xin's words, but they couldn't use them to refute Mr. Xu.

Because what he said was not wrong. Xu Yang, the only son in the family, had not yet gone to school. Letting him go out and make his own way did not mean that they would not teach their son Fan Xin to study alone.

When Mr. Xu left, his family sent him out.

Xu Yang talked to Fan Xin for a few words, saying that he had finally stood up for once and learned to use his brain.

That was all. He said hello to Kang and Fan Jing and told them that he would bring the money to them tomorrow.

Not long after, he followed Mr. Xu back to the village.

When the villagers heard that Mr. Xu had returned to the village, many of them brought gifts to visit him and asked him how he came to the village. He only said that he came back for Xu Yang and did not mention anything about the Fan family.

When Xu Yang realized that he actually came back for Fan Xin, he breathed a sigh of relief.

After thanking the guests, Xu Yang said to Xu Lao Xiucai, "I have tidied your room. It is spotless. You have been working hard for most of the day. Come back and rest for a while."

"Standing."

Only the father and the son were left in the room. Mr. Xu, the old scholar, stopped being friendly to the guests and put on a stern face.

Seeing that Xu Yang wanted to slip away, he put down the tea in his hand and called him back.

Xu Lao Xiucai glanced at the man and said, "I guess he went to the Yuan family again today."

Xu Yang's expression changed when he heard this. He didn't want to tell a lie, but he was afraid of making the man sick again, so he said, "No."

What he said was not a lie. He was not going to the Shangyuan family, he just went to see Yuan Ge'er.

Xu Lao Xiucai snorted coldly: "He who normally doesn't even bother to wash his face, dressed neatly in the village, even took a bath with perfume, and still refused to admit that he went to the Yuan family. He dares to do it but not to admit it."

Xu Yang remained silent.

Seeing this, Old Xu said, "The county government ordered the village to sell wasteland. I heard that you also bought five acres of land?"

"Um."

Xu Yang responded.

"It's quite presentable."

Xu Yang didn't expect that Xu Laoxiu would praise him. He lowered his voice and said, "I bought this land to use when I marry a husband."

After all, he didn't say that he wanted to use it to marry Yuan Guo.

"I don't know yours yet."

Xu Lao Xiucai said with a mixture of anger and sadness, "It's so hard to get back from outside, but you don't stay in the city for a few more days. I have only a few days left in my old bones."

"I don't want to offend my grandfather and father in the county. He'll beat me up so badly he'll want to kill me."

Mr. Xu remained silent.

After a moment, he continued, "I heard from your mother that you are planning to run for village chief?"

"The township head changes every five years, and Chen Yushun isn't as well-regarded as the old head, so why can't I compete with him?"

"If you have this kind of ambition, your father and I won't have taught you in vain over the years."

Xu Lao Xiucai said: "If you really want to accomplish this, my family will also follow your wishes."

Xu Yang originally thought that his family did not support him in running for village chief, so he did not tell them and only whispered a few words to his mother.

This time, he heard what his grandfather said, and he actually agreed.

Let’s talk about getting things done. Will everyone in the family obey him?

He dropped his pretentious demeanor and asked anxiously, "What do you mean, Master? Are you saying that as long as I'm elected as the village chief, I'll marry Yuan Ge'er as I wish?"

Xu Lao Xiucai said uncomfortably, "You're so desperate that you've made everyone at home mad, yet you're still willing to go along with Brother Yuan. What can they do to you?"

"If you are truly a man of integrity, who can stand up for others and do good things, then I will approve."

When Xu Yang heard this, he was like a firework exploding. His eyes lit up: "Master, you must keep your word!"

"Humph, I, Xu Wangsheng, am not someone who keeps his word. What are you talking about, kid?"

Xu Lao Xiucai said, "Don't doubt my words yet. Worry about whether you can compete. I'm going to say it straight out. I'm giving you a chance now. If you don't have the ability to do it, then you should just listen to your family's arrangements."

Xu Yang immediately patted his chest and promised: "I will do my best to do this, but you are not allowed to secretly trip others up!"

"I'm an upright teacher, but I'm so foolish as to do this and harm my own children and grandchildren!"

Xu Laoxiucai was so angry at what he said to Xu Yang: "You kid, you are asking for a beating."

Xu Yang felt relieved when he heard his father say this. He immediately softened his attitude and stepped forward to support Xu Lao Xiucai. He said, "You know that you love me the most. I will do my best and not bring shame to you."

"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have come back and gone through all this trouble."

On the Fan family's side, Kang He and Chen comforted the eldest wife, but when it was getting late, they went back to the eldest wife's house.

"Daxin has truly made up his mind not to study anymore, and he even managed to persuade Mr. Xu to come back and persuade his family. This is a rare moment of cleverness on his part."

On the way back, Chen couldn't help muttering.

"That's good. Everyone in the first house can relax a little. They don't have to spend money like water to support Daxin's studies. Over the years, Daxin and Xiangxiu have grown apart because of his studies."

Kang He smiled and said, "Although Brother Fan Xin has a soft personality, he is still quite sober and not a confused person."

After saying a few words, Kang He secretly pinched Fan Jing's hand. The man came over without saying a word, but still wanted to follow him.

It was as if they were afraid that he would get lost, so they had to keep him under watch, and he felt quite happy about it.

He asked Fan Jing, "When we have a child, can we send him to school?"

Upon hearing this, Fan Jing glanced at him but did not answer him.

He turned to look at the river in the distance, thinking that if the child was like Kang He, he would learn things quickly if he was sent to school.

"We'll talk about it when we have it."

Kang He originally thought that Fan Jing would not answer him, but unexpectedly he answered, as if he had thought about it seriously.

He smiled and said, "Then I have to save money well."