After leaving the mess behind to Zhang Rong and the centurion, the Zhao family finally felt safe.

After carefully observing the situation in the chasm and confirming that there were no potential risks, the Zhao family once again embarked on their journey home.

The journey back was smooth, and there were no further unexpected incidents.

Two days later, we arrived at Wufang Town.

When the women heard that five members of the Zhao family had passed the preliminary examination for the imperial examination, they all offered their congratulations.

The host family is celebrating a happy occasion, so naturally they're going to hold a promotion. Today, everyone who comes to make a purchase will receive a 20% discount.

It was already late when we got back to town, so after a simple celebration, we went to bed early.

The next day, carrying gifts to thank their teacher, the men of the Zhao family went out.

Zhao Qianci walked ahead alone, followed by a group of his children and grandchildren, some carrying loads, others lifting them – it was quite a sight to behold.

When they arrived at Wang Xiucai's house, the people who had been following them finally understood what this large family had been up to.

I thought the Zhao family had come to become my disciples, but it turns out they came to thank me.

When news spread that the Zhao family had produced five successful candidates in the imperial examinations, many families in the neighborhood wanted to send their children to study under Scholar Wang.

It's unrealistic for Wang Xiucai to teach too many students, especially since he also needs to participate in this year's autumn imperial examination.

He refused all those who came to him seeking education.

Huang Xiucai doesn't plan to concern himself with the Zhao family's studies after their return.

Teaching students is important, but personal fame and fortune are even more important.

When it comes to the Zhao family's teaching issues, Wang Xiucai is really not worried.

Putting aside Zhao Qianci's scholarship, which could easily surpass that of many scholars.

With his talent, it wouldn't be a problem for his children and grandchildren to pass the imperial examinations.

To take a recent example, take Qingyang, who only attended a private school for a few months and yet passed the preliminary examination. What does this show? It shows that children from Shuiming families are naturally intelligent and have the potential to be good at studying.

When the Zhao family learned that their teacher was no longer planning to continue teaching, they were not very excited.

He wisely kept quiet and went home early.

Once home, Zhao Qianci changed his usual teaching style.

Every day there are lectures followed by assessments. Those who pass get to eat meat today, and those who fail get to eat bamboo shoots stir-fried with meat.

This method proved to be very effective. The Zhao family members' knowledge clearly improved significantly.

At this rate, the Zhao family members will all be able to pass the imperial examination for the first degree next year.

Da Bao can't be included; he's too young. Even if he's capable of passing the imperial examination, we don't plan to let him take it. It's not for any other reason than that he's small and has short legs. What if he falls into the toilet while we're using it?

Well, the person who made that statement wins hands down.

The Zhao family studied intensely in town.

Zhao Jinfeng, the village chief of Zhao Family Village, is so anxious that he has developed large blisters on the corners of his mouth.

"This humble brother is really unreliable. How come he hasn't come back for so long? So many people are waiting for him to come back and sign contracts."

If they don't come back soon, this old man is going to go and drag them back.

"You have to be in a hurry when farming and raising livestock, otherwise they won't grow big enough for the cold weather."

Zhao Jinfeng, squatting under the big banyan tree at the village entrance, muttered to himself, his eyes puffed with worry. He occasionally took a puff of his cigarette, his brows furrowed tightly.

The next day, Zhao Jinfa took an oxcart to Zhao's Snack Shop in town.

Zhao Jinfeng and Huang Shi were surprised to see the village chief arrive. They quickly poured tea and brought snacks.

His expression and actions were so sincere.

Anyone who didn't know better would really think that the Zhao family's children and grandchildren were very welcoming to this great-uncle.

In fact, the men of the Zhao family did welcome their eldest uncle's arrival.

After all, Zhao Qianci has been stricter with his children and grandchildren lately, and even Zhao Yonggeng, who has always had the best grades, is finding it hard to cope.

Just in time, Uncle arrived, and everyone could breathe a sigh of relief, otherwise they would have been beaten up.

After Zhao Jinfa explained his purpose, Zhao Qianci and the others decided to return to Zhao Family Village the next day.

Zhao Jinfa heard that his cousin's family had five members pass the imperial examinations at once, including his own unfortunate cousin. The surprise was no less than if blood were about to rain from the sky.

"Qianci, you really passed the imperial examination and became a student? You're not going to be in trouble?"

Zhao Jinfa was so excited that he stammered.

When Zhao Qianci heard his cousin ask him that question, he immediately felt wronged.

She recounted to her cousin in detail every obstacle she had encountered along the way.

But this greatly surprised Zhao Jinfa.

The fear reached its peak when they heard about the robbers on the road and how they were almost surrounded and killed.

Later, he heard that there were snakes in the house and that he had almost been bitten, and Zhao Jinfa's mouth never closed.

Zhao Qianci spoke with great enthusiasm, while Zhao Jinfa listened with sweat pouring down his face.

"Humble excuses, listen to my advice, why don't you just give up on taking the exam, Scholar?"

This isn't an exam, this is playing with your life!

I don't ask you to bring glory to our ancestors, I just ask that you live out the rest of your life in peace and tranquility.

Besides, your family's life is much better than before. It hasn't been that long, and you've already opened a shop, bought land in the mountains, and built a house.

"What more could you want? As for the future, let our children and grandchildren handle that. Just be a good old man."

Zhao Jinfeng tried his best to persuade Zhao Qianci, but Zhao Qianci, having already passed the preliminary examination, remained confident.

"Cousin, I understand what you mean, but I'm not willing to accept this."

I was so unlucky when I was young, and now that things have finally gone smoothly and I've made it to the exam hall, how can I just give up like that?

Zhao Qianci spoke with utmost seriousness.

If they weren't sitting a little too far apart, Zhao Jinfeng would have loved to reach out and touch Zhao Qianci's forehead.

"You call this smooth sailing? If it were smooth sailing, how could you have endured so many hardships?"

Putting everything else aside, just take an exam and you'll encounter things that others might never experience in their entire lives.

"I'm too old to control you, but you don't need to risk your life like this, do you?"

Zhao Qianci could listen to Zhao Jinfa's good advice, but listening didn't mean he would do it.

Out of consideration for his cousin's sincerity, he stopped contradicting him.

So he began to pour tea and serve snacks to Zhao Jinfeng, and instructed his son to prepare wine and dishes, so that he could have a drink with his cousin and not stop until they were drunk.

Zhao Jinfa has now figured it out: this kid's stubbornness has returned.

Finally seated at the table, next to his brothers, Zhao Jinfeng slapped Zhao Qianci on the back of the head.

"You've always had this temper. If things don't go your way, you just stay silent or stop talking altogether."

It's still the same. I was just trying to give you some advice, wasn't I?

"Sigh, never mind. You're not a child anymore; you can think things through clearly. Just be extra careful."