Chapter Sixty-One: The Magistrate Comes to Offer Congratulations (Second Update—Please Subscribe)

When Zhang Shi spoke thus, not a tear was shed among the Zhang family.

For nearly a year, the family had endured bitter days due to Second Brother Zhang’s flight from marriage, and now news of him had finally arrived.

Yet, their greatest concern remained his safety.

“Second Brother, if he passes the imperial examination, can he return home?” someone asked.

Zhang Yue explained, “Brother cannot come back yet. Second Brother has not yet taken the palace examination; after that, if he is conferred the title of ‘Presented Scholar,’ he must still submit his credentials to the court. But I’ve heard that His Majesty has decreed that this year’s palace examination will not have any failures, which is why I said Second Brother has passed.”

“That is excellent,” said Magistrate Cao. “Even the county magistrate himself has come to offer congratulations. What doubts could you have?”

“What? The magistrate himself has come? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Zhang Shi exclaimed in surprise.

Everyone…

Madam Yu, her eyes red, said to Zhang Qiu, “Quickly pinch your father’s philtrum again; he still hasn’t woken up.”

Zhang Shi hurriedly turned to Magistrate Cao, “How should we welcome him? How should we prepare? Do you have any ideas?”

“Of course I do. Everything has been arranged,” Magistrate Cao replied confidently.

Zhang Shi and Zhang Yue discussed with him, and Magistrate Cao directed, “When the magistrate arrives, you brothers stand here… Your sister-in-law stands there… The order cannot be disturbed.”

“And set up an incense table! If there’s nothing suitable, I’ll borrow one for you and carry it myself.”

Scholar Guo, hearing that the magistrate would come, thought, This is the Zhang family’s affair. Why should I linger and be an eyesore? He pulled Guo Lin aside. “Come, let’s take our leave.”

Guo Lin watched Zhang Shi, busy under the lamplight, and asked, “Father, now that my junior’s Second Brother has passed the imperial examination, will he return to Wuxi and study here again?”

Scholar Guo sighed deeply, “Lin’er, there is a saying: ‘No banquet lasts forever.’ Don’t be sad.”

Guo Lin muttered, “Father, I know the truth. My junior entered the county school, I did not; our companionship ends here. But I am happy for him. Let me watch a little longer—let me see how happy he is.”

Scholar Guo, moved, waited a while, then took Guo Lin’s hand. “Come, let’s not get in their way.”

So Scholar Guo led Guo Lin away.

Just then, a cry rang out from outside the gate: “The magistrate is arriving! The magistrate’s carriage is arriving! Hurry, go greet him!”

Zhang Yue and the others rushed out to the street.

Magistrate Cao had already arranged for neighbors to stand along the street with torches, but feeling the light insufficient, he quickly instructed several helpers, “Knock on every door, have each household light their lamps!”

“It’s late; everyone is asleep,” someone protested.

“Wake them anyway! Do you know what day this is?” Magistrate Cao was anxious.

The Zhang family now stood at their gate. Zhang Yue, facing the night wind, watched Magistrate Cao and the neighbors bustling about with lanterns, while he himself stood dumbly in the wind, feeling a strange sense of unreality.

Aside from the nearby lights, darkness blanketed all around. Only in the distance did a few fishing boats flicker on the creek.

The night wind blew, and beneath the festive scene, a lingering melancholy could not be dispelled.

From afar, riders bearing torches galloped back and forth, the hoofbeats crisp in the night.

The magistrate’s carriage had not yet arrived, but its presence was felt from afar. Though he was merely the chief official of a small county, his retinue and dignity were evident.

Zhang Yue suddenly pondered: If even a minor county magistrate commands such respect, what of those above him—such as the prefect? The Song dynasty honored scholars above all.

Such was the prestige of civil officials; and his Second Brother, at just twenty, was now a ‘Presented Scholar’—a future of boundless promise. It almost seemed his own accomplishment in passing the county exam was superfluous.

If he did not pass, the magistrate would likely still consider him for his Second Brother’s sake. He might not even need to attend the county school. The world would open wider to him…

He could even abandon his studies and still enjoy good days—why strive so hard?

Yet another thought flashed by: Second Brother’s success was his own, after all. Everything depends on oneself; otherwise, one is nothing more than mud that cannot be shaped into a wall.

Thinking this, Zhang Yue clenched his fists. Ambition surged within him. Now that Second Brother has passed the imperial examination, I can climb higher myself.

“Third Uncle, Third Uncle, why are so many people coming to our house just because Second Uncle passed the imperial exam?” Zhang Qiu asked curiously.

Zhang Yue smiled. “They are not here to congratulate your Second Uncle, but to celebrate our newfound prosperity.”

Zhang Qiu nodded as if he understood.

Zhang Yue suddenly looked around. “Where is Scholar Guo, my senior brother?”

“They seemed to head that way,” someone replied.

“Why didn’t they tell me?” Zhang Yue’s expression changed.

Zhang Shi turned and said, “Third Brother, if your teacher and senior brother have gone, let them be. It’s of no consequence.”

Zhang Yue said, “I’ll bring them back.” With that, he dashed out from the gate.

Zhang Shi cried, “How could you do this? Third Brother… The magistrate will arrive soon… What will he think if he sees us like this?”

“Come back, Third Brother… Come back!” called the family behind him, but Zhang Yue was already running off.

Scholar Guo and Guo Lin had not gone far, and soon Zhang Yue saw their backs.

“Teacher! Senior brother! Teacher! Senior brother!” He ran, the cold night wind biting, calling out as he sprinted, not even noticing he’d lost a shoe.

“Father, junior is calling us,” Guo Lin said, tears falling.

Scholar Guo saw Zhang Yue running toward them, oblivious to his missing shoe.

Zhang Yue soon stood three steps away, catching his breath. He said to Scholar Guo, “Teacher, when the magistrate arrives….”

Scholar Guo quickly replied, “I know… You and your elder brother must host him well, don’t worry about me. We’ve eaten our fill and are just out for a stroll.”

A stroll at night? Beware, or someone might mistake you for thieves and beat you to death.

Zhang Yue spoke earnestly, “Teacher, when the magistrate arrives, my brother and I don’t know proper etiquette. You have met the magistrate before and surely know the protocol. Please guide us, and help us. I thank you in advance.”

Scholar Guo stammered, “But I haven’t met the magistrate myself—I’ve only met the academic officer Hu.”

Zhang Yue laughed, “That’s good enough.”

He then turned to Guo Lin, “Senior brother, stay and help me with teacher. Otherwise, I’ll feel uneasy. Senior brother, as we once promised, whatever sights we encounter, we must see them together!”

He pointed to the starlit sky above.

Guo Lin remembered their old conversation. “Junior… All right.”

At once, Zhang Yue took Scholar Guo and Guo Lin, hurrying back to the gate.

When they arrived, the lanterns were brighter than ever, shining splendidly.

Dozens of soldiers, each holding a torch, surrounded a distant carriage, flanked by several riders.

“Third Brother, come quickly!” Zhang Shi called.

“Brother, I don’t know where my shoe went!” Zhang Yue replied urgently.

“Fool!” Zhang Shi scolded.

Magistrate Cao said, “Someone, lend Third Brother your shoes.”

“Third Brother, take mine,” offered Guo Lin and others.

Finally, a neighbor of similar stature handed his shoes to Zhang Yue.

Once he’d changed shoes, the magistrate’s carriage stopped before their gate, and even the county bailiff had arrived.

All dismounted, standing before the door.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and a dignified official in his thirties gracefully stepped down.

Zhang Yue glanced at the small buildings nearby, thinking: How many eyes must be watching this moment from inside?

“Humble commoner Zhang Shi greets the magistrate!”

Zhang Shi led everyone to bow, but the magistrate quickly stepped forward to support him, smiling. “Tonight I come incognito to offer congratulations; no need for such formalities.”

Ps: I see now, everyone likes stories of supporting the five kills.

Also, there will be three more chapters tomorrow!