Chapter 70: Should Fortune Smile, Let Us Not Forget Each Other

On this day, the county academy posted the results.

Zhang Shi once again drove the mule cart, taking Zhang Yue, Scholar Guo, and Guo Lin together into the city.

This time, everything was different. The mule’s coat shone brilliantly, and Zhang Shi was dressed in a brocade robe, exuding an air of nobility.

Along the way, neighbors inquired, “Master Zhang, dressed like a newlywed groom, where are you off to?”

“To the county academy to see the results!” Zhang Shi proclaimed loudly.

“Didn’t the third master already pass as a scholar?”

Zhang Shi laughed, “I’m escorting his senior to see the results as well.”

“You truly have a warm heart, Master Zhang.”

Zhang Shi drove the mule cart into the city, and Zhang Yue couldn’t help but say, “Brother, this isn’t the road to the county academy.”

Zhang Shi smiled, “We’ll have breakfast first. Let’s eat our fill before checking the results—the list won’t run away. What do you think, Master Guo?”

“I leave all decisions to you, sir.”

The cart turned a corner, and Zhang Yue realized where they were headed: his brother’s restaurant, where their uncle worked.

It was just as the saying goes: “If one achieves wealth but does not return home, it’s like walking in fine clothes at night.”

Zhang Shi parked the mule cart, and as they entered, all their acquaintances came out to greet them. Even Manager Xu hurried out, saying, “Master Zhang, what brings you here?”

Zhang Shi replied, “I’m escorting my third brother and his senior to see the results at the county academy—thought we’d stop by for a bowl of mutton soup noodles.”

“We’re lucky indeed! We feared you’d forget us once you became wealthy.”

Zhang Shi laughed, “Never! We share a deep bond—‘if we gain wealth, let us not forget each other.’”

He finished with a salute to everyone.

Inside, the atmosphere was cheerful.

“Master Zhang, such noble character!”

“Master Zhang, truly a man who cherishes old ties!”

“Master Zhang, Master Zhang, please come inside!”

Zhang Shi sat down, full of springtime delight.

Zhang Yue secretly smiled; these days, his brother had made “let us not forget each other if we gain wealth” his personal motto.

He watched the busy kitchen. Though the restaurant sold some mutton, mostly it was used for simmering soup with bones.

Historically, Su Shi was exiled to Huizhou by Zhang Dun, nearly losing his life. Huizhou was a poor place, with only one sheep slaughtered daily in the whole city. After eating lychees, Su Shi craved mutton, but couldn’t afford it, so he bought sheep bones to make soup. He wrote to his brother, saying, “You feast on mutton every day, but know not the deliciousness of mutton bone soup.” Su Shi repeatedly praised its taste. The only flaw, he said, was that he gnawed all the meat from the bones, leaving the dogs circling nearby somewhat displeased.

The restaurant’s mutton soup was much the same, simmered in a large pot with bones. With a hot, fragrant bowl and a biscuit, it was truly satisfying.

As for the mutton, only the little meat scraped from the bones could be tasted—it was merely a savor. Even so, ordinary folk could rarely afford it.

After everyone sat, more patrons arrived, and conversations began.

“Have you heard? Registrar Zhao has died!”

“You don’t know? The rumors are flying everywhere.”

Zhang Shi and Zhang Yue pricked up their ears; they’d heard the news long ago.

As to the truth, wild tales circulated—stories of flying swords, trusted followers poisoning him, and so on.

The most plausible rumor was that Registrar Zhao’s secrets were exposed; to protect his family, he took his own life.

“These clerks deserve death, guilty or not,” someone sighed.

“You shouldn’t say that here. Registrar Zhao’s reputation was decent; the infamy belonged to his subordinates. Even so, he had weaknesses. Many tried to report him to the authorities, but nothing ever came of it—no one higher up cared.”

“Well, now it’s settled. A single letter ended his life—what do you think of Zhang Erlang’s abilities?”

Zhang Shi and Zhang Yue silently ate their noodles. Their concern wasn’t Zhao’s death, but that letter.

He had time to write to Registrar Zhao, but none for his own family?

Changing his name was one thing—even the Prince of Lanling, Gao Changgong, was now the Prince of Zaozhuang—but family couldn’t be ignored.

Zhang Yue sighed, “Brother, shouldn’t our second brother at least send a letter home? Otherwise, the congratulatory gifts here are piling up. You’d best stop making promises these days—if our second brother doesn’t acknowledge us, it’ll be most embarrassing.”

Zhang Shi, both angry and sheepish, retorted, “Third Brother, don’t blame me alone—how many girls have you met these days? The matchmakers have been frequent visitors, and you’re nearly dazzled by all the choices!”

Zhang Yue couldn’t help but put down his chopsticks. What’s wrong with meeting potential matches? I’ve crossed into the Song dynasty; surely, I’m allowed to learn about local customs and lay the groundwork for future reforms?

Guo Lin, silent until now, chimed in, “Sir, my junior has had no heart for study since Second Brother passed the imperial exam…”

“Senior, don’t speak of me—think about Lady Miao instead!”

Guo Lin looked at him with a mournful expression, while Scholar Guo’s face darkened; after a moment, he sighed, “Lin’er, Lady Miao is out of our league. Don’t dwell on her. In a few days, I’ll find you a suitable match.”

“Father, I… I understand.”

The group set out again for the county academy.

The place was packed, teeming with scholars eager to see the list.

Zhang Shi and Scholar Guo squeezed into the crowd to check the results.

Zhang Yue sat on the mule cart, indifferent; Guo Lin was nervous, even vomiting on the cart.

“That mutton soup noodles were wasted!”

Guo Lin regretted it, and Zhang Yue patted his back, saying, “Brother, you haven’t even seen the results yet, and you’ve lost half your life.”

Guo Lin forced a smile, “It’s not the results—I was thinking of Lady Miao.”

“Brother, life is full of disappointments.”

Guo Lin nodded, “I know. Father didn’t have to say it—I knew Lady Miao was out of reach. I’ve truly given up now; I won’t think of her again.”

Zhang Yue said, “Right—didn’t our teacher just say he’d find you a match? Look on the bright side; it’s like the old saying about the horse lost by the old man at the frontier.”

“Don’t be upset, junior. Even if Second Brother doesn’t value you, you still have me.” Guo Lin thumped his chest.

Zhang Yue replied with mock annoyance, “Thank you so much for the honor, Brother.”

Just then, Zhang Shi emerged from the crowd, and Zhang Yue and Guo Lin jumped down from the cart.

“Where’s Master Guo?” Zhang Shi asked.

“Weren’t you together checking the results?” Zhang Yue countered.

“I turned around and lost sight of him. Master! Master!”

Everyone saw Scholar Guo, his clothes disheveled, emerge from another direction, wiping his tears, snot bubbles forming.

Amid the noisy crowd, Scholar Guo spotted Zhang Yue and Guo Lin running toward him; they locked eyes.

“Father (Master)!”

Scholar Guo suddenly squatted, hugging his knees and sobbing, “Yue’er, Lin’er, you both passed! Both of you! Am I dreaming?”

He grabbed a handful of earth from the ground, clutching it in his palm and muttering, “It’s true, it’s true.”

“Brother, you passed! Haha, we’ll both enter the county academy together!”

Guo Lin was in disbelief, and Zhang Yue clapped him hard on the shoulder.

Zhang Shi burst out laughing, standing with hands on hips beside Scholar Guo, “Master, look at these two brothers!”

Tears streaming, Scholar Guo said, “I, Guo Zheng, have now taught two scholars! No one will ever look down on me again.”

“Master, what are you saying? You are respected by all—who would dare look down on you? Where shall we celebrate? Allow me to host.”

Scholar Guo hurriedly replied, “I’ve troubled you enough lately—how could I accept?”

“Master, you’re being too polite!”

Zhang Yue watched Zhang Shi and Scholar Guo exchange courtesies and thought to himself, it’s not about ‘let us not forget each other if we gain wealth’—‘let us gain wealth and share a meal together’ is the truest sentiment.