crackling and popping—
A series of deafening firecrackers rang out, and amidst the envious gazes of the people of Fengjia Village, several red-clad yamen runners on horseback arrived at the entrance of Old Master Feng's house.
Upon entering the courtyard, the head constable, holding a red paper, immediately offered his congratulations.
"Congratulations to your esteemed family's Master Feng Zichuan for passing the imperial examination with flying colors. The Provincial Education Commissioner has personally appointed Master Feng as a student, and the government will provide him with monthly stipends from now on."
"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Feng! You two can look forward to enjoying your retirement from now on. Mr. Feng is in his prime and will surely pass the imperial examination in the future."
The official who came to deliver the good news spoke with such eloquence that it was as if he had honey on his lips, spouting praises without asking for anything in return. Even though the two elderly people in the courtyard had already learned of the news through other channels, their faces were still beaming with joy.
This left a child holding a pretty tabby cat speechless. Seeing the two elderly people, especially the usually rather old-fashioned old man with his radiant smile, the child felt he had learned something new.
He is now nine years old, but this is the first time he has ever seen his grandfather smile so happily, as if all the worries and anxieties that had accumulated in his heart have been swept away.
"Congratulations! Here, this is a small token of my congratulations, just a little something!"
With a broad smile, the old man skillfully pulled out red envelopes that he had prepared many years ago and stuffed them into the hands of the yamen runners who came to deliver the good news.
The constables verbally declined, but they were quick-witted and discreetly accepted the red envelopes. This was a perk of their job; how much they received depended on the family's financial situation, but no matter how poor they were, they would always receive this lucky money.
Amidst the shouts of the yamen runners announcing the good news, the small Fengjia Village became bustling and lively. Even those who were busy working in the fields rushed back, crowding the Fengjia Courtyard three or four deep, with almost the entire village in attendance.
The preliminary examination for children was divided into three stages: the county examination, the prefectural examination, and the provincial examination. Passing the first two stages would earn one the title of "child student" (童生). Passing all three stages would earn one the title of "scholar" (秀才). "Bingsheng" (禀生) was a title reserved for the top ten candidates in the prefectural examination.
A prefecture is a place with as few as seven or eight counties, or as many as ten, and a population of millions or even tens of millions. The prefecture examination is highly prestigious, and passing the provincial examination is not difficult. Even passing the imperial examination is not a pipe dream.
With such results, it's no wonder that the entire Fengjia Village was abuzz with excitement, with people even abandoning their farm work to gather around and watch the spectacle.
Needless to say, the following days were filled with the joyous occasion of firecrackers and drums when the results of the children's examination were announced.
With a wave of his hand, the old man pulled out his savings and set up a banquet with dozens of tables. He invited everyone in the surrounding villages and towns who had any connection with him to come and celebrate. He also took the opportunity to announce that his son had passed the imperial examination and become a candidate for the provincial examination.
Some time later, Feng Zichuan, who had passed the imperial examination and become a scholar, returned to his hometown with his wife. This time, it was truly a triumphant return, with a large entourage and carriages stretching for a mile, quite a grand affair.
Such a spectacle shook the surrounding villages, and even some wealthy families in the county town couldn't help but send people to inquire about what kind of fortune the son of the scholar Feng from Fengjia Village had that allowed him to have such a grand display.
This investigation revealed that Feng Zichuan, who had already obtained the appropriate academic title and was now full of vigor, no longer concealed his true intentions and completely revealed his true colors, which immediately amazed and envied many people.
That Mr. Feng's son must have some extraordinary talent. Although he was trying to pass the imperial examinations, he amassed a fortune along the way and has now passed the lowest level of the examinations, making him a truly enviable person.
However, in the Feng family's old mansion, which was currently rather shabby but would surely become magnificent in the future, the old man, who had been in a good mood and beaming with joy for several days, now had eyes that seemed to spit fire.
"You unfilial son, what did you say? Do you dare say it again?"
“Father, you are so healthy and sharp-witted now. You heard what I just said. Why make me repeat myself? It would only make me upset you again. Why bother?”
Having passed the imperial examination and earned the title of Xiucai, Feng Zichuan, feeling much more confident, was dressed in fine silks and satins. Although his attire was quite exquisite, his air of wealth was impossible to conceal.
However, the portly young man who looked like a wealthy man had a helpless expression on his face.
"You worthless wretch, do you think that just because you've passed the imperial examination, you can go against your grandfather's dying wish?"
Seeing his son's lazy and listless appearance, Old Master Feng Lingjun was even more furious.
“Father, I know that Grandpa’s biggest regret in life is that he failed the imperial examination, but your son is really not cut out for studying. I’m already lucky to have passed the county-level examination. If you make me continue to take the imperial examination, it will just be a waste of time.”
"You unfilial son, how could you be so foolish? You are a candidate for the prefectural examination, with a bright future ahead of you. Why do you insist on doing such a lowly profession? Have you lost your mind?"
The old man couldn't help but beat his chest and stamp his feet in frustration. He had been immersed in joy these past few days and never dreamed that his son would give him such a big surprise, or rather, a shock, after returning home.
It was one thing for him to take the money meant for his education and go into business. Now that he's passed the imperial examination and become a scholar, and the money hasn't decreased but has actually increased, his son was planning to ignore it all. But this rebellious son actually told him that he doesn't want to study anymore and wants to become a wealthy merchant.
"Father, do you really think I got this degree through examination?"
Feng Zichuan gritted his teeth and directly revealed himself.
"What do you mean? You beast, are you cheating in the imperial examination?"
The old man was stunned for a moment, then became furious. His eyes scanned the corners of the house, as if searching for a suitable weapon.
"Please don't talk nonsense, I don't have that ability."
Feng Zichuan quickly shook his head in denial. He was joking. Cheating in the imperial examination was a capital offense. It wouldn't just be him; if it were proven, who knew how many people would be implicated.
"So what's going on?"
"You may not know this, but I have made many friends in that prefectural city. I know the chief examiner who presided over the prefectural examination, as well as several other supervising examiners. Therefore, I suspect that they may have given me some leeway when grading the papers, which is why I was able to obtain this degree of scholar status."
Feng Zichuan casually revealed the connections he had cultivated in the prefectural city. But unfortunately, the old master of the Feng family didn't care about that at all.
"You scoundrel, you dare to bribe the chief examiner of the imperial examinations?"
“I did not offer bribes; I simply knew them before and had dined with them.”
Feng Zichuan hurriedly tried to explain, but he felt that the more he talked, the more trouble he would cause, and the more wrong he would be. Just then, he happened to catch a glimpse of his son watching the commotion from the side, holding a beautiful tabby cat, and his eyes lit up.
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