Grandma Chen pouted in displeasure and gave Grandpa Chen a disapproving glare.
"What are you so nervous about? Do you think you're going to die?!"
If our family were counting on you, we'd all starve to death long ago.
If you can't help, just shut up and stay put. Why waste so much breath!
Old Chen shrank back after being scolded, not daring to utter a sound, but he was very indignant.
That old hag seems to be sick! She takes her anger out on him all the time.
You think you're so tough? I'm really not going to care anymore. Let's see what kind of plan you can come up with and where you'll get the money.
After much deliberation, Old Mrs. Chen realized that this was the lean season, and her family didn't have much surplus grain, so selling the grain was definitely not an option.
The second child was never diligent and always tried to shirk his responsibilities.
It would be difficult to get him to carry heavy loads at the dock, especially since he would only earn ten coins a day, and there wouldn't be work every day. That little money simply wouldn't be enough.
She racked her brains but couldn't come up with a solution, and sighed with a frown.
"Zhancai, don't rush. Just focus on your studies. We can discuss the travel expenses later."
Chen Zhancai looked displeased. "How can I concentrate on my studies if the issue of travel expenses isn't resolved?"
Old Chen didn't want to get involved, but he couldn't hold back any longer. He tentatively suggested, "Son, why don't you go and get some money from Ruolan to get through this difficult time first? Once you pass the imperial examination, you can pay her back. What do you think?"
Grandma Chen nodded in agreement and grinned, "Yes, that's a good idea. The Fan family is very wealthy. Now that you've passed the imperial examination and become a scholar, ask Master Fan for some travel expenses to take the exam. He'll definitely give you face as a scholar's father-in-law."
Chen Zhancai's face immediately darkened, and he said irritably, "Dad, Mom, what kind of idea is this? What kind of father-in-law borrows money from his son-in-law's family? If word gets out, where will you put my face?"
Old Chen hurriedly laughed and said, "Son, this is the only way. As long as you pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, you will naturally regain your dignity."
“Your father is right. Right now, we should put aside our pride. Nothing is more important than your provincial examination,” Old Mrs. Chen chimed in.
"I'm not going, I'm ashamed."
Chen Zhancai's face was dark; the Fan family was his last trump card.
When he failed the imperial examination, Fan Tong didn't even give him a second glance. Now that he's a scholar, the Fan family probably won't dare to look down on him anymore.
In a few days, I'll visit the Fan family again under the pretext of buying writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Fan Tong will surely greet me with a smile.
I'll secretly take some silver from Ruolan then, and save it to enjoy later...
Old Mrs. Chen was so anxious she was almost in tears. "If we don't borrow money from the Fan family, what should we do?"
Chen Zhancai's eyes darted around. "Mother, how about we sell some of our grain?"
Seeing that he was eyeing the grain, Old Mrs. Chen quickly waved her hand, "No, no, we don't even have enough grain to eat. If we sell it, we'll starve."
“Mom, it’s not as serious as you make it out to be. You said the same thing when we sold grain last year, but in the end, the whole family made it through.”
“Son, last year Da Bao used his own money to help support the family by buying rice bran and millet to make do, which is how your father and I didn’t starve. Now that he’s secretly selling the grain again, do you think Da Bao will still care about us?”
A trace of desolation flashed in Old Mrs. Chen's eyes. Last year, she ate rice bran, which made her see stars. Her stools were like sheep droppings, one by one, and she almost suffocated. She never wanted to eat rice bran again in her life.
Chen Zhancai glared at him, somewhat impatiently, "Then what do you suggest? How am I supposed to go to the imperial examination if I don't have enough money for the journey?"
"Son, don't worry. I still have some money on me. I'll give it all to you."
"Oh my goodness, you're so kind! I never knew you had some hidden money." Chen Zhancai's eyes lit up when he heard that there was money in the family.
"What secret stash of money? Don't you know our family's financial situation?!"
Old Mrs. Chen shook her head and smiled bitterly.
"Didn't you give me some money when you came back a few days ago? After deducting the cost of the banquet and the gifts I received, I could barely scrape together a few taels of silver. Be careful with your money on the road, it should be enough."
Upon hearing this, Chen Zhancai immediately rolled his eyes.
"Mother, are you kidding me? The journey from our home to Ningjing is long and takes several months. A few taels of silver won't be enough."
I'm going to take the exam, not to suffer. As the saying goes, "A poor family can travel with plenty of resources, and staying at home is not difficult."
When traveling, it is advisable to prepare extra travel expenses in case of unforeseen circumstances.
To put it bluntly, what a pity it would be if my son, having passed the imperial examination, returned home only to find himself starving to death halfway through his journey, without any money for food.
"Pah, pah, pah!" Old Mrs. Chen's face changed, and she quickly spat on the ground a few times, pretending to be angry, "You child, if it's not enough, just say it's not enough. Why do you say such unlucky things?"
Then he asked, "How much money do you think is appropriate?"
"How much is appropriate? I need to calculate that carefully."
Chen Zhancai figured that if he was frugal, ten taels of silver would be enough for the round trip.
However, the journey to Ningjing is long, and he certainly couldn't walk there in his current physique.
We need to hire someone to help us, the lodging can't be too shabby, and the food and drinks can't be too casual.
If this exhaustion causes serious health problems, how can I participate in scientific expeditions?
After the scientific expedition is over, we should at least take a good look around Ningjing.
Experiencing the exotic customs of foreign lands you've been longing for might offer a unique and delightful experience...
As he thought about it, Chen Zhancai's heart pounded, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up in a smile.
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