After reclaiming the wasteland, Qiao Yuan consulted the villagers who were skilled at farming and made plans for these twenty mu of land. Five mu were used for growing beans, five mu for radishes, and eight mu for sweet potatoes, all of which are varieties that could grow even in poor soil. The remaining two mu were set aside for planting various fruit trees.
Qiao Yuan also hired someone from the village specifically to help manage the land daily.
That person was an old uncle from the Qian family who never expected that one day he would earn money by farming. With two taels a year and people hired during the busy farming seasons for plowing, sowing, weeding, and so on, he did not get too tired.
The villagers were very envious of him, and when he went out, he had much face, bragging to others that it was because he farmed well that he got this job.
The leader of the other farmers in the village was the first to disagree with him, saying that it was all because of the grain his father had sent to the Yu family in the past when they owed a debt.
The old uncle responded, “So what? Our family is generous, and so is the Yu family. In any case, I work diligently.”
From breaking ground until now, nearly a month had passed, and the auspicious day for placing the final beam1上梁 (shàng liáng) – This refers to the ceremony of placing the final beam on top of a new building. It is also a traditional Chinese custom that is believed to bring good luck and symbolize the completion of the construction project. finally arrived. Lin Cuifen had specifically consulted a “master” to choose an auspicious date to ward off bad luck.
Qiao Yuan did not originally believe in this, but after his inexplicable transmigration here, he became fearful of ghosts and gods, so he did everything according to the rules passed down by his ancestors.
At noon, colorful decorations adorned the house beams. Qiao Yuan personally wrote the characters “Auspicious Beginnings2上梁大吉 (shàng liáng dà jí) – This is a traditional Chinese phrase that is often used during house construction or renovation. It literally means “good luck upon raising the beam”, and is meant to bring good fortune and prosperity to the household. ” and affixed them to the center of the beams. Following this, Yu Dameng knelt before the offering table, praying and seeking blessings.
After setting off firecrackers to dispel “evil spirits,” several young villagers with good fortunes climbed the walls to help hoist the beams. With the sound of their voices shouting in unison, the beam was successfully raised, and the carpenter master scattered grains and candies that Qiao Yuan had prepared in advance from the top of the wall.
Firecrackers rang out again, and adults and children played and picked up candy from the ground, creating a lively scene.
Seizing the moment, Qiao Yuan stepped forward and exclaimed, “Everyone has worked hard these days. Thanks to all the uncles, brothers, and villagers for their help. Please follow me to the threshing ground. Today, we will have enough meat and wine!”
The crowd cheered and enthusiastically moved towards the threshing ground.
The threshing ground served as the village’s place for drying grains and was typically used for village meetings or family feasts. Fortunately, the wheat in the fields had not been harvested yet. Otherwise, they would have had to host at the new house. Qiao Yuan did not want to mess up the new house.
The head chef was a cook who specialized in preparing large banquets from the surrounding area. The tables, chairs, and benches were all brought by the guests themselves. The helpers hired were the aunts and uncles from the village, who started preparing for the banquet early in the morning. The pigs were slaughtered on the spot, and there were eight meat dishes, four vegetable dishes, and four dim sum dishes, for a total of sixteen dishes. Each plate was filled to the brim according to Qiao Yuan’s requirements.
The cook sighed at how generous Qiao Yuan was with his money. However, he had seen the grand and impressive mansion from afar and thought that if he had the money, he would also be willing to spend it.
The scene was filled with laughter and joy and bustling with activity.
Suddenly, a burst of festive drumming and gong sounds rang out and grew closer. Qiao Yuan had a suspicion and was about to say something to Yu Dameng when he saw the crowd at the threshing ground gradually quiet down.
The sound of drums and gongs became clearer, indicating that they were coming towards Xianhe Village. The village chief slapped his forehead and exclaimed excitedly, “Could it be that the messenger has come to bring good news?”
The more he thought about it, the surer he became. He walked forward a few steps and said, “It must be someone from our village passing the county examination!”
Upon hearing this, several nimble young men immediately dashed off.
Soon, one ran back and shouted, “Passed! He passed!”
“Yu Laoda passed and became a xiucai!”
Qiao Yuan and Yu Dameng exchanged glances, both of their faces showing joy.
However, their joy was short-lived as the person continued, catching his breath, “Scholar Zhang has also passed!”
Qiao Yuan’s heart sank, and he secretly sighed that the heavens were blind. Even such a despicable and morally corrupt person could pass the exam, too!
But mostly, there was delight. After all, Yu Laoda was their actual relative.
After so many years of bitter hard work, he was finally seeing a ray of light. Meng Qiu was so happy he shed tears. As Qiao Yuan comforted him, he also sent Yu Dameng back to fetch red paper and silver.
“Is anyone from Yu Xiangxue’s family in Xianhe Village here?” the messenger inquired.
Old Man Yu bowed and greeted the messenger, “Sir, you’ve worked hard. I’m here.”
The messenger was most delighted to deliver good news, knowing it would bring benefits. With joy, he exclaimed, “Congratulations! Your son, Yu Xiangxue, has passed the county examination and even ranked first!”
The messenger delivered the red silk announcement to Old Man Yu, and Old Man Yu handed over the congratulatory money prepared by Qiao Yuan and sent him off, saying, “Sir, you’ve worked hard. There’s a happy event at home. Stay and have a few drinks before you leave.”
Looking at the banquet from afar was also tempting for the messenger, but there were still official duties to attend to. Weighing the red packet in his hand and guessing it held at least one or two taels of silver, he decided this trip was profitable enough. “No need. We still have official business to attend to, so we won’t stay any longer.”
The few young men who had run out to greet the messenger now led him toward the Zhang family household.
The people at the threshing ground were still stunned. Qiao Yuan’s voice broke the silence. “Father, quickly see what is written on the announcement!”
Old Man Yu came to his senses and hurriedly unrolled the silk ribbon. Those closer to him, regardless of whether they could read or not, gathered around to see. The village chief, who could read, began reciting word for word, “Report of Success: Yu Xiangxue, from Xianhe Village, Yunshui County, having passed the county examinations, is ranked first.”
The village chief exclaimed, “This is still the first place!”
For decades, no one from Xianhe Village had become a scholar, but this time, not only did two people pass the exam, but one even claimed the first rank. He was so happy that he patted Old Man Yu’s shoulder and exclaimed, “Brother Yu, your family has become prosperous!”
The third son had money, and the eldest son had fame. No one could surpass their household for decades to come.
Old Man Yu was pleased but remained humble, stating, “You praise too much. It is just a xiucai.”
The village chief laughed heartily, even more delighted than Old Man Yu. “I never make mistakes when it comes to people. Just wait and see!”
The atmosphere was filled with joy, and Qiao Yuan whispered a few words to Lin Cuifen.
Lin Cuifen nodded and turned around with a smile, loudly announcing to the villagers, “When the eldest comes back, my family will host another feast. For now, let’s all eat and drink well today!”
Everyone returned to their seats, and the atmosphere became even more festive.
Meanwhile, after checking the list and handling all the necessary matters in the prefectural city, Yu Xiangxue took a boat back to Yunshui County.
But soon after disembarking from the boat, he was stopped by an official checking travel passes. “Are you Scholar Yu? Our master wishes to invite you.”
The man introduced himself as a servant from the county magistrate’s residence. He said the magistrate was hosting a banquet to welcome all five scholars from Yunshui County who had passed this year’s exams. The other scholars had arrived yesterday, and only Scholar Yu was left.
Yu Xiangxue felt a bit strange. Usually, officials would only invite those who passed the imperial examination to a banquet. Why did the county magistrate invite the newly appointed scholar after only passing the county examination?
But since it was the county magistrate extending the invitation, he could hardly decline. So, he followed the servant onto the carriage.
That night, the banquet hall glowed brightly with lanterns as music from strings and bamboo instruments filled the air, though the music lacked the elegance of refined tunes.
One of the scholars, feeling disgruntled, took a gulp of wine and said to Yu Xiangxue, “This is just frivolous music.”
Yu Xiangxue smiled and looked at the magistrate’s appearance of being obsessed with drinking and pleasure, and he somewhat agreed in his heart, but he didn’t say anything.
After three rounds of toasts, as the performing female singers concluded their dance, the magistrate finally straightened himself up and waved his hand with glee. His attendant immediately shouted at the group of dancers, “Why aren’t you entertaining our esteemed guests!”
“Yes!” The dancers responded in unison, dispersing to entertain the guests on either side.
One approached Yu Xiangxue, sitting very close to him. He shifted slightly away, but she pressed right up to him again. Shocked, Yu Xiangxue stood up and bowed apologetically, “Please forgive my rudeness.”
The magistrate smiled and was not angry, and said to the attendant next to him, “After all, he is still a newcomer.”
The attendant agreed, “He will get used to it.”
The county magistrate looked at Yu Xiangxue for a moment and then said, “Are you the top scholar in this year’s examination in my prefecture?”
Yu Xiangxue bowed, “This student is unworthy, merely fortunate to achieve it.”
“Excellent!” The magistrate stroked his beard and nodded approvingly. “You bring honor to our county.”
The magistrate achieved the position of Jinshi relatively late, in his forties, before buying an official position as a county magistrate.
His family had no significant background, and their sons and daughters, sent to wealthy households, only became concubines and did not receive many benefits. Therefore, they felt it was better to gamble with one or two people to support poor scholars or young scholars without background. These people would need their support in the future, whether in the imperial examinations or in the early stages of their official careers. After they succeeded, they would inevitably have to provide assistance to him or his sons.
Naturally, these individuals couldn’t be those without hope of success in the imperial examinations. He had previously sent people to inquire in the academies in the capital and surrounding counties, discovering that Yu Xiangxue had the ability to be a juren but was temporarily unable to pass the exams due to filial obligations.
Now, witnessing Yu Xiangxue’s achievement as the top scorer in the county examination and recognizing his handsome appearance and extraordinary demeanor, the magistrate proposed, “I have a daughter who is sixteen years old. She is beautiful and gentle in nature. What do you think of marrying her?”
Yu Xiangxue pretended to look surprised and apologized, “Your Excellency, the daughter of a wealthy family is too noble for a peasant like me.”
He smiled and self-mockingly said, “Besides, I am already married. My husband is now pregnant. It wouldn’t be appropriate.”
“No matter.” The magistrate laughed. “You are accomplished and carry yourself well. You would match nicely.”
He paused for a moment and then said, “As for your husband, I have had someone investigate him. He is a country bumpkin who can’t even recognize characters and is not fit to be your match. Once he gives birth to the child, you can either abandon him or keep him as a concubine.”
Yu Xiangxue’s hands involuntarily clenched into fists beneath his sleeves. He stated heavily, “Please forgive this student, but I cannot abandon him.”
“My husband is virtuous in managing the household, filial to both parents, and accompanies me in studying hard through the cold nights. He has no faults. I love him very much and have no intention of divorcing him and marrying another.”
The magistrate’s face darkened, and he remained silent.
The hall was unusually quiet. After a long while, he chuckled softly and said, “I was presumptuous. You are actually someone who values emotions.”
After speaking, he made an excuse to change clothes and left in a huff.
His attendant followed closely, mocking Yu Xiangxue, “You don’t know how to appreciate favors!”
Yu Xiangxue stood up straight and adjusted his clothes.
Zhang Wensheng on the side laughed and said, “Why refuse such a beautiful thing, Brother Yu?”
Yu Xiangxue gave him a cold glance, and Zhang Wensheng immediately fell silent.
Yu Xiangxue knew his words offended the county magistrate and tactfully left the scene early.
A sleepless night passed, and the next day, even before dawn, he bid his farewells and took a cart back home.
Qiao Yuan was lying in bed early in the morning, not wanting to get up, and was cuddling with Yu Dameng in bed.
Suddenly, Yu Shanwu’s hoarse voice rang out at the front gate, “Third Brother, Brother Yuan, come quickly! Dad is about to beat Eldest Brother to death!”
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