The herdsmen watched the procession intently.
Hopefully, they will pass through this village and continue on their way to another village.
But they were disappointed; the group turned back at the entrance of Datian Village.
One person announced the good news loudly: "Mu Xinghe, a student from Datian Village, has won the top score in the autumn examination of the Southwest Region. Congratulations!"
What? The top scholar in the imperial examination? Isn't that the number one?
The whole village was in an uproar.
No one could believe their ears until it was repeated several times before they were convinced it was true.
"Xinghe is the top scholar in the imperial examination. Our village has produced a top scholar in the past hundred years."
"My goodness, this kid is so mild-mannered and unassuming, who knew he would be so amazing."
"This is not only the pride of Mu Laosi's family, but also the pride of our entire Datian Village."
"What's wrong with our Datian Village? We've produced a county princess, several generals, and now we've produced a top scholar in the provincial examination."
The village of Datian was in an uproar. Everyone realized what was happening and rushed to their homes to get things to deliver to Mu Xinghe's house.
Mu Xinghe was already waiting at home. He had originally planned to greet them at the Qiao family's gate, but the Mu family had disappointed him greatly.
But he wanted his parents, who were still alive, to see with their own eyes that he had become the top scholar in the imperial examination.
The top scholar not only received rewards from the prefectural government, but also from the county government; the procession carried several boxes.
Upon opening, one box was filled with gold and silver jewels, another with fine silks and satins, and yet another with the finest writing implements—
The villagers were amazed, saying that education really brings great benefits, and that knowledge and learning are indeed wealth.
There was also a plaque with several gilded characters: "Family of a Top Scholar".
After announcing the results and honors, the yamen runners hung the plaque on the door of Mu Laosi's house.
Besides these rewards and symbols of honor, the top scholar in the imperial examination also enjoyed several major rights.
The whole family is exempt from all taxes and corvée labor, does not have to bow to officials, their names are recorded in local chronicles, they are exempt from torture in lawsuits, and they can participate in official celebrations and sacrificial activities.
"Your Excellency Mu, the prefectural government will send someone to escort you to the capital, arrange for you to continue your studies at the academy, and participate in next year's imperial examination."
The term "解元" (jiěyuán) also implies being escorted to the capital.
After thanking him, Mu Xinghe said, "The state government need not worry about this. I am safe traveling to the capital with the Qiao family's entourage. The academy and the teacher's affairs will also be properly arranged."
The leader asked, "Has Scholar Mu made his decision?"
"It's decided. Please go back and express my gratitude to your superiors."
"Very well, the Qiao family has produced a county princess and also has an army. If you go to the capital with the Qiao family, I have nothing to say."
"We will go back to report now. We hope that the Prefect will achieve good results in the imperial examination and not disappoint the expectations of the officials in the prefecture."
"I will do my utmost," Mu Xinghe said.
As the group departed, the villagers offered their congratulations to Mu Xinghe.
Zhao Lizheng then used the village's public funds to buy several large rings of firecrackers and lit them in front of Mu Laosi's house.
Think about it, there have been several firecrackers set off this year, either in front of the Qiao family's house or in front of the Mu family's house.
The villagers brought meat strips, smoked fish, eggs, and pickled vegetables from their homes and put them in Mu Laosi's kitchen, which was soon filled with them.
No matter how much Mu Xinghe tried to persuade them, he couldn't stop them, so he could only keep the villagers' kindness in his heart.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
