themonasnovels Chapter 105 Following the Rules, Encountering Zheng Ding
Chapter 105 Following the Rules, Encountering Zheng Ding
Chapter 105 Following the Rules, Encountering Zheng Ding
Although he was greeting the old master, Feng Shu's tone was anything but friendly, especially when he said "Zhou Fusheng." He spoke with a heavy tone, which sounded more like a sarcastic mockery than a greeting.
However, upon hearing this, the old scholar remained calm, as if he hadn't noticed the tone in Feng Shu's words. He cupped his hands in greeting and said with a smile, "Brother Feng, you're too kind. I've been teaching a few students to make a living these past few years, but Brother Feng has been doing very well in the county government. Congratulations!"
"Hahaha..." Feng Shuchang laughed a few times, a smug look on his face. He stroked the short beard on his chin with his finger, glanced at the old scholar, and then slowly said, "Why is Zhou Fusheng so modest? My position as registrar is just a mere ninth-rank official, a tiny official, not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning."
He said "it's nothing," but his tone was full of boasting.
Although a ninth-rank official is a minor official, he is still a legitimate official appointed by the imperial court. He has a rank, a salary, an official robe, and a black gauze hat. He is escorted by servants when he goes out and has documents to read when he sits in court.
And what about the old master? He was just a teacher in a school, dressed in plain clothes, eating simple meals, and had to bow and greet officials.
Feng Shu didn't need to say everything about the difference; simply sitting in that official chair made his meaning perfectly clear.
Feng Shu picked up the teacup beside him and took a sip, his tone tinged with a nostalgic sigh. "Back in the day, at the Prefectural Academy, you, Zhou Ran, were quite the celebrity. You came in third in the provincial examination and were respectfully called 'Zhou Fusheng'! The entire Qinghe County hadn't seen such a result in years. Back then, your teachers praised you, your classmates respected you, and even the officials of the Prefectural City treated you with special regard. Tsk tsk tsk—"
He smacked his lips, put down his teacup, and his gaze fell on the old scholar's face. "Zhou Fusheng, you had such lofty ambitions back then, saying you wanted to enter the court as an official and serve the people. I still remember those words clearly. At that time, we all thought that you would surely rise to prominence, pass the imperial examinations with flying colors, and rise rapidly in your career, at the very least becoming a county magistrate. But now—"
Feng Shu paused, glanced at the old teacher's long robe, and said with a hint of feigned regret, "How did you end up as just a teacher in a mere school? You can only teach a few greenhorns to read and write."
After he finished speaking, he leaned back in his chair, his sense of superiority undisguised. Qin Chuan, standing behind the old master, saw this scene and understood seven or eight parts of it.
Although the old master and this Registrar Feng had studied together for several years, they probably didn't have much of a relationship, and probably weren't even "casual acquaintances".
Moreover, Feng Shu is narrow-minded. Back then, the old teacher was more successful, had better grades, and was more favored by the teacher. He has held this grudge ever since, and hasn't let it go even after all these years.
Not only did he deliberately wear official robes to show off today, but his words were also full of contempt and ridicule. This was not a reminiscing session at all; he was clearly using the pretext of recalling the past to deliberately embarrass the old scholar.
Qin Chuan felt somewhat irritated.
The old master only endured this humiliation because of his household registration issue.
If it weren't for him, why would the old master come to this side room to listen to this narrow-minded scoundrel's sarcastic remarks?
Qin Chuan didn't want to see the old master humiliated any longer, so he stepped forward, about to say something, but the old master beat him to it, reaching out to grab his sleeve. Then he turned to look at Qin Chuan and shook his head.
After calming Qin Chuan down, the old master raised his head and looked at Feng Shu. His expression remained calm. He cupped his hands in greeting and spoke in a nonchalant tone, as if he were talking about something that had nothing to do with him: "Brother Feng is right. Back then, I was young and impetuous and didn't know my place. I said some things that I didn't know how to put in my breath. I hope you will forgive me, Brother Feng."
"Looking back now, I am truly ashamed, and I have made Brother Feng laugh at me. My ambitions were higher than the sky, but my fate was as thin as paper. These eight words perfectly describe my life. Now, I am content to teach a few students to read and write in the school and make a living. I dare not ask for anything more."
Upon hearing this, Feng Shu's smile froze for a moment.
He had thought that the old master would argue, refute, and get furious and fight him to the death, so that he could take the opportunity to vent all the anger he had been holding in all those years ago.
To everyone's surprise, the old master not only did not get angry, but instead smiled and admitted it. He made himself sound so bad that all the words he had prepared were stuck in his throat, unable to be spat out or swallowed.
He had originally wanted to see the old master looking furious, which would give him pleasure. But the old master's performance made him feel like he had punched cotton; the old master was unaffected and made him, Feng Shu, look petty and like a clown.
Upon seeing this, Feng Shu immediately lost interest, and the smile on his face faded somewhat.
"Speak," his tone was much colder than before, no longer sarcastic, but rather businesslike, "What brings you to the county office?"
"Brother Feng, to be honest, I've come today to discuss this child's household registration." As he spoke, the old scholar took out the certificate from his sleeve and carefully handed it over. "His name is Qin Chuan, and he is my cousin's grand-nephew. His hometown was flooded, and his parents died. He has no one to rely on, so he came to seek refuge with me."
However, the journey is long, and the household registration documents were stolen along the way. Now, I wish to register my household in Qinghe County to study and participate in the imperial examinations. I hope Brother Feng can do me a favor and help me obtain a replacement household registration."
Feng Shu took the certificate, unfolded it, and glanced at it, his eyes scanning the paper.
"Re-issuing the household registration isn't that difficult," Feng Shu said, placing the certificate on the table and looking up at the old scholar. "However, you know the rules: there must be a guarantor, proof, and the whole story must be crystal clear. There can be no ambiguity. Your great-nephew suffered a disaster in his hometown, all his relatives died, and he lost his household registration. Do you have any evidence for these things?"
The old scholar remained expressionless, cupped his hands, and said, "This is a guarantee written by Zhou himself, which details the child's situation. Zhou is willing to guarantee it with his life and fortune. As for other evidence, in this year of famine, the prefectures and counties are barely able to take care of themselves, let alone issue documents to every disaster victim. I hope Brother Feng will be lenient."
"Alright, I understand." Feng Shu nodded. "Here's what we'll do: go find the constable first and report your child's situation truthfully. Someone will then come and verify it. After the verification is passed, come back to me to re-register the household registration."
Upon hearing this, the old scholar hurriedly stepped forward: "Brother Feng, this verification process takes a very long time, at least three to five months, and sometimes more than half a year. By the time the verification is completed, the preliminary examination will surely be over. This child has worked hard for so long, enduring so much hardship, waiting for this very exam. I hope Brother Feng can do us a favor and allow him to complete the household registration process first, while the verification can proceed slowly, so that neither is delayed."
When the old master said this, his tone was earnest and his posture was very humble.
Looking at the old master's expression, Feng Shu suddenly burst into laughter, "Hahaha..."
""
After laughing his fill, he slowly stopped smiling, a smirk playing on his lips. "Do me a favor? Zhou Fusheng, what did you say when I asked you to do me a favor back then?"
The old scholar's expression changed, his lips moved slightly, but he did not reply.
Feng Shu stood up, looking down at the old scholar with undisguised disdain: "Back in the academy, what was your answer? You said you'd follow the rules. What? Zhou Fusheng, you who were so strict with the rules back then, now you want to ask me for a favor?"
Having said that, he swept his gaze across the old scholar's face, then landed on Qin Chuan, his words carrying a hint of triumphant satisfaction. "You taught me the rules, Zhou Fusheng. Now I'm acting according to the rules, what are you dissatisfied with?"
The old scholar stood there, about to say something, when he suddenly heard a yamen runner's voice from outside, "Registrar Feng, the magistrate is looking for you."
"Alright, I'll go right now." Feng Shu didn't hesitate at all and walked straight outside. When he passed by the old master and Qin Chuan, he stopped again, glanced at Qin Chuan, and added in a low voice, "Want to register your household here and take the imperial examination? Wait until your next life."
After saying that, he flicked his sleeves and strode out the door.
As Feng Shu disappeared, the room fell silent. The old scholar stood there, his gaze fixed on the certificate that had been casually pushed aside on the table.
He then stepped forward, picked up the certificate, carefully folded it, and tucked it back into his sleeve. The old scholar sighed heavily, looked at Qin Chuan, and said with deep regret, "Alas, I've disappointed you. The household registration matter hasn't been resolved."
"Master, why are you apologizing? You're the one who helped me, and I'm more than grateful to you." Qin Chuan grinned. "Besides, it's just a household registration; it's not worth you bowing and scraping like this. You've already done more than enough for me."
The old scholar was somewhat conflicted: "But without a household registration, you can't participate in this year's preliminary examination. You've prepared for so long, memorized so many classic texts—are you just going to give up like this?"
"It's alright," Qin Chuan shook his head, his tone indifferent. "It's just another year. This year will be a good opportunity for me to brush up on my fundamentals and delve deeper into the areas I haven't fully grasped yet. By next year..."
'
He grinned, his words brimming with the youthful exuberance of a boy: "Next year, I'll pass all three levels of the imperial examinations with top honors. What does it matter whether I participate in the preliminary examinations this year or not?"
Upon hearing this, the old master paused for a moment, looked at Qin Chuan, and then suddenly couldn't help but laugh.
"Winning all three top honors? You dare to say that, young man." The old teacher shook his head, his laughter carrying a hint of helplessness, but more so of satisfaction, and the exhilaration of being infected by the young man's boldness. "I've taught for most of my life and haven't produced a single top scholar, and you, on the other hand, dare to say you'll win all three top honors."
Qin Chuan laughed too: "Teacher, didn't you say that I have good comprehension and progress quickly? Give me another year, and I'll thoroughly understand the Four Books and Five Classics, and master their meanings and essays. By then, I won't just pass the preliminary examination, I'll pass the prefectural and provincial examinations as well. You can just wait to become that teacher who achieves 'triple success'!"
The old master laughed heartily at his words, and his previous gloom dissipated considerably.
"Good, you said it. You've won all three titles in a row. I'll be waiting to see."
Inside the county government office, Zhang Dashan led Zheng Ding to his study.
He sat down behind his desk, pointed to the chair opposite him, and gestured for Zheng Ding to sit down as well.
Zheng Ding sat down as instructed, placing his hands neatly on his knees, his head bowed, not daring to meet his uncle's gaze.
Zhang Dashan asked, "What exactly are you doing in the room? Are you really studying?"
Zheng Ding could not possibly say that he dreamt of meeting women day and night, and even married them. He looked at Zhang Dashan and said firmly, "Uncle, I dare not lie. The imperial examination is approaching, and I know that my foundation is weak. If I do not study hard, I am afraid I will not even have a chance to pass the exam. I have been reviewing the classics these days and dare not slack off."
Looking at his nephew's pale, thin face and his flickering eyes, Zhang Dashan knew that the boy must be hiding something, but he had no evidence and couldn't press him for answers.
Asking too many questions can backfire.
Young people have their own thoughts, and as their uncle, he can't interfere in everything.
"Alright," Zhang Dashan waved his hand, his tone softening, "I won't press you about what you were doing in the room. But remember, your health is the most important thing. If you collapse from exhaustion, no matter how well you do on the exam, it won't matter. Don't stay in your room all the time. Go out for walks when you need to, and get some sunshine when you need to. Your mother is worried about you, and so am I."
Zheng Ding lowered his head and replied, "Yes, Uncle. I just want to be more confident in the preliminary examination and don't want to disappoint my mother and uncle."
Seeing his expression, Zhang Dashan sighed inwardly. After thinking for a moment, he finally spoke up, "Listen to me. You don't need to be too nervous about the children's examination. As your uncle, I certainly won't let you make a wasted trip."
He paused, lowering his voice slightly: "As long as you take the exam normally, becoming a student of the first level shouldn't be a problem, so there's no need to work so hard. Go back and take good care of yourself. Eat when you should, sleep when you should, and don't ruin your health. Your health is the most important thing."
Zheng Ding cupped his hands in thanks and replied, "Thank you, Uncle."
Just as the two were talking, the voice of a yamen runner came from outside, "Lord Zhang, Registrar Feng has arrived."
Hearing this, Zhang Dashan looked at Zheng Ding and said, "Go out for a walk first. I have something to discuss with Feng Shu. I'll call you back when we're done."
Zheng Ding responded, stood up, bowed, and turned to leave the study.
When Feng Yuan saw Zheng Ding come out, he immediately bowed and greeted him as "Young Master Zheng".
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Zheng Ding nodded without saying anything more.
After seeing Feng Yuan go inside, he felt he had nothing to do, so he wandered around the area.
The backyard of the county government office was not large, with a few clumps of half-withered bamboo and a narrow blue brick path, but there was nothing particularly interesting to see.
Zheng Ding was about to go back when he turned the corner and saw two figures walking towards the back door. One of the figures seemed somewhat familiar, so he tried calling out, "Manager Qin."