Chapter 82

The next day, Lin Yanzhao and Lin Gaozhe requested to visit the Zhang family, to pay New Year’s respects and give gifts to the old teacher, Zhang Xiang, and the head of the Zhang family, Zhang Zongjia.

Lin Gaozhe nodded and said with a smile, "That's right. One should know how to repay kindness. When you were studying at the community school, they took good care of you. Otherwise, how could you have achieved what you have today? Preparing some good gifts is only fitting."

Lin Yanzhao immediately started preparing the gifts. Thanks to Lin Gaozhe becoming the ambassador of the River God, the family already had plenty of New Year’s goods, so it wasn’t hard to gather some to give away.

Lin Qianqian helped Lin Yanzhao prepare the gifts. Since the Min region is close to the sea and the river, fish and shrimp were not expensive. Therefore, Lin Qianqian gave Lin Yanzhao one wind-dried chicken, one wind-dried duck, three white rice cakes, half a bushel of glutinous rice, and other items like loose tea, tobacco, dried fruits, and fish balls.

Lin Yanzhao then set out with a large bag and a small bag. In those days, the emphasis was on the sentiment behind the gift, not its value. Just as the ancients would send a goose feather from a thousand miles away, Lin Yanzhao was sending chickens and ducks over ten miles.

When Lin Yanzhao reached the village entrance, he conveniently caught a ride. Relying on the prestige of being a scholar, he didn’t pay and simply got on the cart.

After a ten-mile mountain journey, he arrived at the Zhang family’s residence. He first went to the old teacher’s house, which was a dilapidated thatched cottage behind a broken fence. Before he even reached the house, he heard the sound of an argument inside.

"What are you saying on New Year’s Day?"

"Why can’t I say it? You old stubborn donkey, you don’t know how to make a living and are just a simple, honest man. I’m truly pitiful for marrying you."

Lin Yanzhao thought to himself that he had come at an inopportune time, but since he was already at the door, he knocked and said, "Teacher, I’ve come to pay my respects."

The old teacher opened the door and, still angry, said, "Oh, you’ve come. I don’t dare to accept it. A distinguished student of the Lianjiang Academy calling me teacher, what a laugh."

Lin Yanzhao couldn’t help but think, "If you keep talking like that, I’ll just leave the gifts and go."

The old teacher, seeing Lin Yanzhao’s intention to leave, said, "Are you trying to blackmail me? Damn, we have a guest."

The old teacher’s wife quickly came out, full of apologies. Lin Yanzhao respectfully said, "I wish you a happy New Year, Teacher’s wife." He then placed the chicken, duck, and rice cakes.

The old teacher’s wife thanked him repeatedly, saying, "You are so thoughtful. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have any meat for the New Year."

The old teacher, sitting and sulking, said, "Why are you saying this? Hurry up and take them inside."

The old teacher’s wife shed a few tears and then went inside to cook a bowl of noodles for Lin Yanzhao. After eating, Lin Yanzhao left, giving an extra string of coins, which made the old teacher’s wife thank him again.

Then, Lin Yanzhao went to Zhang Xiang and Zhang Zongjia’s homes. Zhang Xiang was out entertaining guests, but Zhang Zongjia was at home, and Zhang Haoyuan was there too. They hadn’t seen each other for a long time, so it was quite lively. Several former classmates who had played well with Lin Yanzhao at the community school also came when they heard he was there.

They chatted and laughed, reminiscing about old times. Lin Yanzhao learned that Zhang Haoyuan had gone to the Shuhe community school, which was also famous and had produced a scholar. Zhang Haoyuan seemed to have made progress in his studies. Afterward, Zhang Haoyuan stayed for a meal at the Zhang family’s house, and Lin Yanzhao returned to his village.

When he returned to Hongshan Village, he saw a decent carriage parked in front of his house, with several servants in black robes and a young attendant. Many villagers were pointing and discussing.

Lin Yanzhao was surprised to think why such a distinguished guest had come to his house.

He heard a young attendant by the carriage joking, "This family is really poor. Look at this house. Oh, the master’s daughter marrying into this family, what a hard life."

Another attendant said, "What do you know? There’s a reason for it."

"Excuse me!" Lin Yanzhao said, walking to the door and glancing at the attendants. They immediately shut up, and one of them scolded, "Talking nonsense in front of someone’s house? Wait until the master finds out how he will punish you."

Lin Yanzhao pushed the door open and entered the house, where he indeed saw a guest.

On the round table in the middle were tea and fruits, and several people were sitting around it. Among them was a middle-aged man with a white face and black beard, looking somewhat scholarly, dressed in silk, but the large green jade ring on his right thumb somewhat lowered his dignity.

Sitting below him was a young man in his twenties, also dressed in silk, both dressed like merchants.

Lin Gaozhe, seeing Lin Yanzhao enter, introduced him to the two men, saying, "Mr. Cheng, Young Master Cheng, this is Yanzhao."

Then, Lin Gaozhe said to Lin Yanzhao, "Yanzhao, haven’t you met Mr. Cheng and Young Master Cheng? They are Qianqian’s biological father and brother."

Lin Yanzhao was somewhat surprised. Lin Qianqian’s father was his future father-in-law.

Lin Yanzhao had heard about Mr. Cheng from his family before. He was originally a fellow student with Lin Yanzhao’s father, and they had a good relationship. Although Mr. Cheng had never passed the scholar examination, his family was quite wealthy, owning a leather shop and a candle store in Nantai, and a silk shop in the city.

After Mr. Cheng’s wife gave birth to Qianqian, she consulted a fortune-teller, who said that Qianqian’s八字 (eight characters) did not match her mother’s, and if she were raised in the Cheng family, either the wife would be harmed or the baby would die.

At that time, Lin Yanzhao’s father had just passed the scholar examination, so Mr. Cheng proposed the marriage to the Lin family, sending the infant Qianqian to the Lin family as a child bride. According to the fortune-teller, to sever the connection with the Cheng family, Qianqian was given the Lin surname.

However, since Qianqian was a child bride, why was Mr. Cheng coming now? Even though she hadn’t officially moved in, she was already his betrothed, and according to feudal thinking, she had no connection with the Cheng family. Why was he coming?

Lin Yanzhao didn’t know the reason for Mr. Cheng’s visit but still bowed and said, "I have met Mr. Cheng and Young Master Cheng."

Mr. Cheng took a sip of tea and nodded, saying, "Good, but you look a bit thin."

The uncle, seeing Mr. Cheng, was worried that Lin Yanzhao would lose face in front of his future father-in-law, so he said, "Mr. Cheng, our Yanzhao is a scholar, so he naturally looks a bit delicate."

Mr. Cheng nodded and asked Lin Yanzhao, "Where do you study? How many years have you studied? Have you taken the child examination?"

Lin Yanzhao replied, "My father passed away early, so I started my studies late. I studied for three years in the primary school, and I only began studying the classics this September. I haven’t found a famous teacher, and I plan to take the child examination next year."

Lin Yanzhao spoke very modestly. Everyone was surprised, and the uncle felt a bit embarrassed in front of Mr. Cheng, so he stood up and said, "Yanzhao, you don’t have to be so..."

Lin Gaozhe cleared his throat, and the uncle stopped talking.

Mr. Cheng said, "You started studying the classics at twelve, which is quite late. Taking the child examination in a year will be more of a formality, with little chance of success. You will need money for the books and good writing materials, which will cost about two to three taels of silver. You will also need to find a scholar to vouch for you, which will cost another two taels."

"I think, my young nephew, if you are more patient, you could wait another two or three years. Your family is not well-off, and you should consider your family’s needs, not just your own ambitions."

Mr. Cheng’s words were a heavy criticism. Lin Yanzhao replied firmly, "Thank you for your advice, Mr. Cheng, but I have my own plans."

Mr. Cheng, seeing that Lin Yanzhao didn’t listen to his advice, frowned slightly, showing a bit of displeasure.

Mr. Cheng had also been a scholar, though he never passed the examination. He could have become a community school teacher or a private tutor if not for his family’s business. His advice was not without merit, but he underestimated Lin Yanzhao.

The uncle quickly explained, "Mr. Cheng, you don’t know that Yanzhao’s grandfather is now the ambassador of the River God, overseeing ten miles of the Min River. Our family is doing well, so spending five or six taels of silver on the child examination is not a big deal. It might even help him pass."

Mr. Cheng smiled and said, "So your grandfather is an official at the River God’s office. Congratulations."

Lin Gaozhe laughed and said, "It’s not much."

At this point, Young Master Cheng said arrogantly, "Father, isn’t He Bingshu from the county’s military office your sworn brother? I heard that being the ambassador of the River God is not easy. The people on the river are difficult to deal with. If your grandfather has any trouble, can’t he ask He Bingshu for help?"

"He Bingshu?" The uncle’s face changed. He was seeking a position in the military office and knew how influential He Bingshu was in the county.

The military office’s clerk was respectfully called a military book, and the criminal office’s clerk was called a criminal book. If the county’s six offices were compared to the six departments of the imperial court, the military office’s clerk would be equivalent to the Minister of War. The clerk was the head of the office, managing the clerks, scribes, and the city’s garrison, postmen, and archers.

As the ambassador of the River God, Lin Gaozhe was also under the jurisdiction of the military office. By saying that He Bingshu was his sworn brother, Young Master Cheng was implying that he didn’t take Lin Gaozhe seriously.

Lin Gaozhe, without showing any anger, said, "Thank you for your concern."

Mr. Cheng glanced at his son and quickly said, "Please don’t say that, it’s too much. My son is not well-mannered and speaks without thinking. I and Lin Ding are fellow students and close like brothers. If you need any help, just let my family know."