Chapter Sixty-Two: The Notice (Third Update, Please Subscribe)
Zhang Yue witnessed the scene before him: more than a hundred people had gathered, and the county magistrate arrived wearing an official cap and a blue robe. He wondered silently, “Is this what they call coming incognito?” Then it occurred to Zhang Yue that perhaps the magistrate wished to remain discreet. If word spread that the dignified head of the county had come in the dead of night to ingratiate himself with a newly minted scholar, it would be branded as opportunism. Such a tangled and conflicted state of mind...
The flames licked at pine oil, crackling loudly, illuminating the Zhang household as if it were broad daylight, so bright that even the moon above paled in comparison.
Cao, the local bailiff, stepped forward and bowed, announcing, “I, Cao Ming, bailiff of Shuinan Township, along with the villagers, welcome the magistrate. Please, sir, do come inside.”
The magistrate waved his hand, saying, “No need to enter just yet. I have come specifically to offer congratulations to the Zhang family for their ‘burning tail’ celebration. Bailiff, please introduce the family to me.”
Burning tail?
Zhang Shi instinctively glanced at the back of his robe. Seeing the magistrate and the crowd smiling kindly, Zhang Yue thought to himself, “My brother is embarrassed.” The burning tail is a metaphor for a carp leaping over the dragon gate, transforming into a dragon—a process that requires lightning to burn its tail. The implication: from now on, your family is distinguished between carp and dragon.
The magistrate mused, “This family is honest and genuine, unlike some who, after achieving success, immediately don new airs, considering themselves superior, and treat local officials as equals.”
Cao quickly spoke to the magistrate, “Sir, this is Zhang Dalang, the elder brother of the new scholar.”
Zhang Shi hurriedly said, “Humble commoner... greets the magistrate.”
The magistrate smiled, “The elder brother is truly loyal and sincere.”
The crowd laughed.
Cao introduced Madam Yu and Zhang Qiu, and the magistrate praised, “A virtuous wife and promising son.”
Seeing the county magistrate so approachable, the Zhang family was deeply moved.
The magistrate had seen it all before, and their reaction was no surprise.
He then turned to Zhang Yue.
Before the bailiff could speak, Zhang Yue bowed deeply, “Student Zhang Yue greets the magistrate. I am the youngest in the family.”
The magistrate nodded.
He had reviewed Zhang Yue’s essays and personally admitted him to the county school. In the Tang Dynasty, this was a nominal teacher-student relationship. The chief examiner was called “seat master,” and the examinee was “student,” but such ties led to factionalism in officialdom. Thus, the Song Dynasty issued repeated edicts forbidding this, prohibiting examiners and their protégés from using these titles, lest it corrupt the bureaucracy.
Officially banned, but everyone knew the truth.
It was like the Song Dynasty’s ban on eating beef—over fifty imperial edicts forbade the slaughter of oxen, but if the ban had worked, would so many decrees be needed?
The magistrate smiled, “Today, I asked the headmaster who stood out, and was surprised to learn it was the youngest brother of the new scholar.”
Zhang Yue bowed deeply, “I will never forget the magistrate’s favor in selecting me.”
The headmaster smiled, “Zhang Sanlang, since the county school exam, only you were chosen directly. See how much the magistrate favors you.”
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The magistrate stroked his beard, “It seems this bow is well warranted.”
Everyone laughed.
The county deputy commented to those nearby, “The magistrate has a keen eye for talent. He praised the younger brother’s excellence first, and now the elder has become a scholar. Truly a remarkable story for our county!”
Another round of laughter.
Zhang Yue smiled awkwardly, feeling strangely warmed by the night breeze, which was usually cool.
When did the wind become so gentle? It felt as if spring had arrived, flowers blooming everywhere.
It seems no one can escape worldly customs.
The magistrate now turned to Guo, the scholar—Guo Lin. Zhang Yue hurried to introduce, “Sir, this is my teacher.”
Guo quickly bowed, “Humble commoner Guo Zheng greets the magistrate.”
The magistrate, extending his appreciation, said, “A learned and refined scholar.”
Zhang Yue continued, “Sir, this is my classmate and senior. He accompanied me to the exam and is staying at my home tonight.”
Zhang Yue realized he had spoken too eagerly, lacking the subtlety he had yet to master.
The magistrate caught the implication, smiled at Zhang Yue, and turned to Guo Lin, “I have met you before. Your calligraphy reflects your character.”
Guo Lin bowed, “Student Guo Lin greets the magistrate.”
The magistrate smiled, saying no more, which made Zhang Yue slightly anxious.
Next, the county deputy and the headmaster greeted the magistrate as well.
Zhang Shi again invited, “Sir, please come inside.”
The magistrate nodded, “Very well.”
The crowd stepped back. The magistrate approached the Zhang family’s gate, glanced up, and frowned deliberately, “This door seems a bit low.”
Zhang Shi, fearing a fault, replied hastily, “A humble home, sorry to embarrass you, sir.”
The magistrate laughed, “That’s just right. By my words, your family should now change your threshold.”
Everyone laughed, realizing he was offering congratulations.
Zhang Shi and Zhang Yue recalled the night when Officer Zhao came to collect debts, breaking down their door. Now it was time to change the threshold indeed.
“Thank you for your words, sir. I shall see to it immediately. Please, come inside.” Zhang Shi smiled.
The magistrate entered, followed by the officials. Only now did Zhang Shi and Zhang Yue feel slightly relieved.
Outside, the county officials were busy tending to horses and carriages. Many neighbors, emboldened, peeked from windows and doors.
“The magistrate himself has come to offer congratulations!”
Inside, the house had already been swept clean.
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The magistrate took his seat, followed by the county deputy. The rest stood respectfully.
The headmaster presented the magistrate with the honor roll.
The honor roll, in the Tang Dynasty, was the Golden Flower notice; after passing the imperial exam, the list of new scholars was copied, signed by four examiners, rolled with silk, adorned with golden flower motifs, and delivered to the scholar. The Song Dynasty changed to public announcement, no longer using the Golden Flower notice. Yet local officials still sent honor rolls to scholars’ homes as a gesture of respect, which could be preserved for posterity.
The roll was thick, listing the names, courtesy names, and family backgrounds of this year’s scholars.
The magistrate spoke solemnly, “Though the final imperial exam results are not yet published, the emperor has decreed that no one will be failed in this round, so I deliver this honor roll ahead of time.”
He turned to Zhang Shi, “As I understand, after your brother changed his registration, he also changed his name and provided three generations of family records. He ranked second in the Suzhou canal exam, and twenty-third in the capital’s provincial exam—a remarkable achievement! Another new scholar from this county, Zhang Heng, ranked only thirty-first.”
Zhang Yue was astonished. Though the provincial exam ranking was not the final imperial ranking, twenty-third was exceptionally high.
The magistrate handed the honor roll to Zhang Shi and Zhang Yue.
Zhang Yue saw the roll first emblazoned with the names of the chief examiners: Ouyang Xiu, Han Jiang, Wang Gui, Fan Zhen, and Mei Zhi, with Mei Yaochen as the minor examiner.
Zhang Yue steadied himself. Turning a few pages, he found many famous names in history—like Zeng Gong and Lü Huiqing.
The brothers started from the beginning and finally found their second brother.
Twenty-third place.
Zhang Dun.
Courtesy name: Zi Hou.
Age: Twenty-two.
One brother.
Great-grandfather, Wen Yan, did not hold office.
Grandfather, Quan, was a judge at the Imperial Court.
Father, Yu, chief clerk in Wu County, Suzhou.
Native place: Pucheng, Jianzhou.
Seeing this, Zhang Yue and Zhang Shi exchanged a glance.
ps: The Song Dynasty’s records of successful candidates have long been lost; the real provincial exam ranks are unknown.
There are two more chapters today—begging for monthly votes!
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