Volume One: A Farmer at Dawn Chapter 62: Money That Burns in the Hand

Ma Lidong said, “Congratulations to Scholar Xie for achieving top honors three times in a row. The county magistrate is overjoyed and will personally visit your residence tomorrow with Master Wen to share the good news.”

It was clear this was at the suggestion of Chen Liangbin.

By letting Chuliu make preparations in advance, they could receive the congratulatory message with great fanfare.

“Many thanks to the magistrate for the reminder. I returned home yesterday and had intended to report the good news to him in a few days. Now I’ve caused him extra concern, and I feel quite ashamed.”

Ma Lidong beamed, replying, “Scholar Xie is too modest. When the magistrate heard you had achieved first place in the academy examination, he was so delighted he couldn’t sleep. Producing a ten-year-old scholar is a tremendous event for Xuanyi County…”

One exchanged pleasantries, the other offered praise, while the Xie family listened, their blood running hot with excitement.

Chuliu handed over two taels of silver, which Ma Lidong pocketed, offering his thanks with a broad smile.

He then took his leave and headed to the headman’s house.

Wang Cuicui hurried to have Doumiao harness the donkey cart and went to the market to buy extra vegetables, spices, fish, and sweets and pastries.

That evening, they made tofu; the next morning, they would slaughter a fat pig and several chickens to host a grand banquet for the magistrate and his entourage.

She sent Xie Gensheng to hire a cook and rent tables and chairs from those who organized banquets locally.

This was a day of great joy; the Xie family had to put on a splendid feast to enhance their reputation among neighbors and create the perfect festive atmosphere.

Soon after, the headman arrived, his son following behind, pulling a sheep.

Upon learning the Xies would be butchering a pig, the headman sent his son to fetch some butchers to come early and help with the pig and sheep.

He also recruited a few helpers from the village.

The headman organized everything with meticulous care.

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"Your humble subject greets the magistrate!"

Two lines of yamen officials marched ahead, carrying plaques, beating gongs and drums, as the procession made its way through the streets, loudly proclaiming Xie Shuxian’s achievement at every step.

Chen Liangbin, dressed in his official robes, rode a horse at the head of the group. Villagers gathered to watch, and, recognizing the county magistrate himself, knelt in the dust to pay homage.

Only after the procession passed did they rise and begin to chatter.

“Whose son is this Xie Shuxian? Imagine coming first in the academy exam… but what exactly does ‘first in the academy’ mean?”

“It means he took first place in the exams—he’s a scholar now.”

“A ten-year-old scholar! Is he perhaps the Literary Star descended from heaven?”

“Incredible! At ten years old… who knows how high he’ll rise in the future?”

“He’s sure to become an important official. Otherwise, would the magistrate come in person?”

As the procession entered the village, the headman led the Xie family to greet them.

Chuliu did not kneel before the official but bowed politely. The others dropped to their knees with a rustle. Chen Liangbin, smiling, bid them all rise and followed them into the Xie home.

In the courtyard, tables and chairs had already been set up, each laid with sweets and pastries.

Inside, the main hall was readied as well, and the county magistrate was invited in to sit.

Villagers crowded at the gates, curious and eager. Doumiao handed out candies one by one, wishing to spread the good fortune.

With candy from the top scholar’s house in their hands, the villagers’ hearts brimmed with joy—perhaps their children, too, would become scholars after tasting it.

In the main hall, Chen Liangbin and Chuliu conversed.

“I hear Prefect Zhang has invited you to study at the state academy?”

“Yes, Magistrate, that is correct.”

Chen Liangbin secretly hoped Chuliu would choose the county academy. The presence of such a famed student would greatly boost the prestige of Xuanyi County’s education.

Yet Chuliu’s future was boundless; to keep him in the county school would only delay his progress. Moreover, it would not do to compete with the prefect over talent.

It was already a stroke of fortune to retain talents like Wen Lancang and the others.

“Work hard at the state academy. For the provincial examination this August, you should not sit for it—aim instead to become a juren in three years' time.”

“I will not fail the magistrate’s expectations!”

After the congratulations and some polite conversation, Chen Liangbin and Wen Lancang took their leave with the yamen officers.

Chuliu did his best to persuade them to stay, but they graciously declined, and he had no choice but to relent.

Afterward, many others arrived to offer their congratulations.

Some wealthy families in the county, learning the magistrate had come in person, also brought gifts and visited.

Gentry and scholars from neighboring villages arrived with presents as well.

No one could turn away well-wishers with smiles on their faces.

Seeing that Xie Shuxian had become a sponsored student at only ten, they were sure his future was limitless—and so their gifts were generous.

A certain prosperous merchant, Wang Shixiong, with a plump face and smiling eyes, brought a gift of thirty taels of silver.

When the crowd had dispersed and the courtyard was tidied, dusk had fallen.

Wang Cuicui reheated some leftover dishes, and the family made do with a simple meal.

“These social obligations are more exhausting than studying,” Chuliu sighed, dizzy from the bustle.

Fortunately, the headman had found plenty of helpers. Though busy, everything went smoothly.

At last, with time to spare, Chuliu opened the accounts and matched each gift to its giver.

In matters of courtesy, one must always return what one receives. To accept gifts without reciprocating within thirty-three days would bring shame upon the family.

The Xie family had never seen so much money in their lives. Xie Gensheng stared, dumbstruck, and asked his grandson, “Chuliu, is all of this for our family?”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Xie Gensheng happily picked up the silver, reluctant to set it down.

“You’re hopelessly lost in the sight of money,” Wang Cuicui teased her husband, but then she grew anxious. “These people have no family ties with us—why are they giving us so much money? I can’t help but feel uneasy about it…”