Chapter 81: The Arrival of the Magistrate

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Lin Ze and the other two were well aware of what they used to be like. Only after Li Su began to study seriously, and after the three of them became friends with him, did they also start to take their studies seriously. Now, all three of them had also earned the title of scholar.

Had they known things would turn out this way, they would have clung to Li Su back then—perhaps now they too would be scholars.

They never imagined that Li Su possessed such a transformative ability, not only passing the exam himself but bringing his friends along with him.

Such a gift was even more impressive than excelling at his own studies!

This left their classmates with the sense that success had been right within reach, yet they’d failed to seize it, while those around them had grasped the opportunity and succeeded. Their own failure was daunting enough, but the success of those beside them chilled them even more, filling them with regret and helplessness.

Now that Li Su and his friends were all scholars, there was no need for them to return to the village school. After all, the headmaster there was himself only a scholar; if they were to continue their studies, it would be at the prefectural academy.

Once they left for the prefectural academy, the chances of seeing them again would be slim—unlike before, when they all saw each other daily at the village school.

Master Meng arrived wearing his newest robe, and as soon as Li Su saw him, he hurried over to greet him. “Sir, please come inside. The other students are already here.”

Seeing that Li Su still held him in such respect, Master Meng was gratified.

“Su, my boy, I knew I hadn’t misjudged you. Well done! Next time, press on with full vigor and pass the provincial examination in one stroke!” Master Meng now placed high hopes on Li Su.

He himself could not pass the provincial exam, but if one of his former pupils from his school could, it would be a great honor.

“I will,” Li Su replied, though his real aim was not merely to pass, but to take first place.

Master Meng nodded with a broad smile. Upon entering and seeing Lin Ze and the others, he lavished praise upon them as well, proud that they had brought him such honor.

Ever since Li Su and the other three had all become scholars, those village teachers who once disdained him now came seeking his advice, eager to learn how he had taught his students so successfully.

This gave Master Meng something of the exuberance he’d felt in his youth when he first gained the scholar’s title, making him appear several years younger.

After chatting with his classmates for a while, Li Su was approached by Feng Cuicui. “Little Fourth, your master has arrived.”

Li Su immediately stood up. “You all continue—I’ll be back shortly.”

Master Meng was quite curious about Li Su’s master. To have trained such a disciple, the man himself must be exceedingly learned.

“Master,” Li Su greeted Xi Sheng with a respectful bow.

Xi Sheng nodded slightly. “I have found some of the books for you. You can come fetch them tomorrow.”

Li Su paused. Even on such a joyous day, his master still reminded him to study. “Very well. Master, just how many books do you have? It seems endless—no matter how much I read, I can never finish.”

“That’s not for you to worry about. Uncle Lin—”

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Uncle Lin stepped forward and handed Li Su a small box. “Young master, this is a gift from the old master.” There was another gift that would arrive a bit later.

Li Su received it with both hands. “Thank you, Master.”

“Master, let me show you to your room.” When designing the new house, Li Su had specifically set aside a room for his master.

Xi Sheng was taken aback. “My room?”

“Haven’t I mentioned it before? When this house was designed, there was always a room for you,” Li Su replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Now it was Xi Sheng’s turn to fall silent, while Uncle Lin looked from Li Su to Xi Sheng with a broad smile.

The young master truly always kept the old master in his thoughts, no matter the occasion.

After a moment, Xi Sheng finally said, “Let’s go.”

Li Su led the way, and Uncle Lin remarked, “Young master, your house is truly interesting—not quite like any I’ve seen before.”

Li Su opened the door to a room. “Master, this is yours. If you don’t like the current arrangement, you can change it.”

Xi Sheng took in the layout at a glance and found himself thoroughly satisfied. As expected of his favorite pupil—he knew exactly what would please him.

“Very good. You have been thoughtful.” Though this boy often enjoyed arguing with him, he was indeed a devoted disciple.

“I’m glad you like it,” Li Su said. He had thought Xi Sheng would be pleased, but until the master spoke, it had been just his own wishful thinking.

“What are your plans now?” Xi Sheng inquired.

“Master, do you have any good academies to recommend? It would be best if the students there are all outstanding, so we can learn from one another.” Since meeting Yun Qin, Li Su had realized that discussion and debate could be beneficial, especially for someone like him, who had started late and spent the early years buried in solitary study.

Normally, after becoming a scholar, one would attend the prefectural academy, but Li Su chose a different path—he wanted to go to the very best academies.

Xi Sheng agreed that Li Su should see more of the world. To be cooped up in such a small county would not do; the scope was too narrow, and books alone could not provide everything.

“In that case, go first to Mingyue Academy. I’ll write you a letter. You go ahead; I’ll come to assess you after a while.”

“Keep up with your studies at the academy—don’t let me down. But don’t neglect the tasks I assign you, either.”

Xi Sheng had now raised the bar for Li Su’s studies once more.

Li Su could only smile wryly—if he didn’t die of study, he’d be studied to death!

Just the assignments from his master would be enough to overwhelm someone like Lin Ze and the others, and his master had told him this was only the bare minimum.

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Li Su began to think that this county was simply too small, that people here weren’t competitive enough, while scholars in the wider world were studying as if their lives depended on it.

What he didn’t know was that, even at this level, Xi Sheng had never given such difficult assignments to anyone else before. Li Su had managed to keep up, completing every task his master set for him.

...

That day, when the villagers saw the food on the table, their eyes lit up—was it really Li family’s cooking that was this good?

Those who usually loved to chat now had no desire for conversation; all their attention was fixed on the dishes before them. Every word spoken meant one less bite of meat!

Only the sounds of chopsticks and chewing filled the air.

The younger members of the Feng family clamored to come, and in the end, two were chosen by drawing lots.

“Wow, Auntie’s house is so beautiful!”

Grandmother Feng was equally astonished, but soon her expression turned to contentment, gratified that her daughter had finally come into her own.

At that moment, Li Su’s relatives, friends, and neighbors had all gathered in the new house. Faces were alight with smiles, cheerful chatter filled the rooms, every corner resounding with laughter and praise for Li Su—so young and already so accomplished, with a boundless future ahead.

From a distance, the steady, rhythmic sound of horse hooves suddenly approached, growing nearer.

The guests assumed it must be one of Li Su’s city acquaintances—he did seem to know quite a few important people.

A troop of men in guard uniforms came galloping in, with the county magistrate, seen once before, at their head.

“Horses! So many horses!” the children playing outside the courtyard shouted, jumping up and down in excitement.

Everyone turned as one, eyes wide—was the magistrate himself here to attend Li Su’s scholar’s banquet?

Yet Magistrate Li, whose official robes were now dusted with dirt, had a flushed face, sweat trickling down his temples, and his legs trembling with fear and anxiety.

At last, he recalled who Li Su was—the very farmer’s son who had produced the curved plow!

But it was too late!

(P.S.: I’m seeking suggestions for a few scholar and teacher names. I’m really struggling with naming—dear readers, I’m counting on you.)