Poor but talented scholar

Chapter 101 The Zhang Family

"Guys, stop standing there! Quickly help Brother Lu carry his stuff downstairs and load it all into the car."

Several strong waiters immediately ran up and carefully carried the items to the back of the inn.

When he arrived at the backyard, Lu Chuan saw his old oxcart and couldn't help but smile knowingly.

The old car that had accompanied them all the way had now been arranged perfectly.

A layer of clean straw was laid on the shaft of the cart to prevent moisture and shock.

The servants stuffed the car body with gifts until it was overflowing, and then tied it securely with thick hemp rope several times.

What touched Lu Chuan the most was that old ox.

At this moment, the old ox had its head buried in the trough, chewing heartily.

The trough wasn't filled with ordinary hay, but with high-quality tender hay mixed with soybean cake and salt water.

After two months of plenty of food and good grass, the old ox's coat was several shades brighter than when it arrived. When it saw Lu Chuan walking over, it even snorted loudly.

"Brother Lu, look, this is the finest grass I specially had someone buy from the caravan outside the city." The shopkeeper patted the cow's rump and laughed, "This beast is also thanks to Mr. Lu's good fortune, it has absorbed some of his literary talent. Let it eat and drink its fill for the journey of dozens of miles, so it will have the strength to steadily pull you two back to Qingyang County."

"Oh, shopkeeper, you're so kind. I really don't know how to thank you enough." Lu Shouye rubbed his hands together, deeply moved.

The midday sun was just right.

Lu Chuan changed out of his blue robe and put his cloth shirt back on, carefully putting the scholar's attire into his bundle.

"drive."

Lu Shouye sat on the carriage shaft and cracked his whip.

The old ox, full of energy after its meal, pushed off with its four hooves and walked out of the inn.

The shopkeeper and his waiters escorted him all the way to the street corner, constantly calling out, "Take care, Master Lu."

The old ox pulled the cart, walking slowly and steadily on the road out of the city.

Lu Shouye gently shook the whip, his smile impossible to hide.

"Chuan'er, now that we have the silver from the master's reward and the congratulatory gifts from various gentlemen, we need to renovate our thatched house after we return to our hometown."

Lu Chuan sat at the back of the car, listening to his father's musings about the future, his heart also burning with emotion.

However, as his gaze swept across the rows of shops lining the street, it suddenly stopped in front of a shop with the sign "Wanbao Silver Shop".

"Dad, stop the car." Lu Chuan tugged at Lu Shouye's sleeve.

"What's wrong, Chuan'er? Did you forget something?" Lu Shouye quickly reined in the ox, and the old ox obediently stopped.

"We've forgotten something. Father, this time when we return home, we can't just focus on repairing the house." Lu Chuan jumped off the oxcart, dusted off his clothes, and pointed to the jewelry store with a smile, "My little sister is looking forward to it every day at home, we have to bring her something."

"And my mother, she's never even touched a decent piece of jewelry in her entire life. Come on, let's go inside and pick out a couple for them."

Lu Shouye was stunned for a moment, then slapped his thigh, his eyes reddening slightly: "Right, right, look at my brain, I was only thinking about repairing the house. Your mother didn't even have a copper ring when she married me. Come on, I'll listen to you."

The father and son entered the jewelry store one after the other.

The shopkeeper glanced at Lu Chuan and noticed that although he was dressed in ordinary clothes, his scholarly demeanor was undeniable.

The shopkeeper immediately understood and hurriedly came forward to greet him.

"Oh, young sir, old customer, what would you like to buy? All the gold and silver jewelry, hairpins, and bracelets in our shop are made to order by the best craftsmen."

Lu Chuan walked to the counter, his eyes scanning the jewelry, and finally stopped in front of a set of silver ornaments.

"Shopkeeper, I need three items made." Lu Chuan pointed to them. "First, make me a silver hairpin. The design shouldn't be too complicated; it should have the kind of delicate peach blossom pattern that young girls like these days, to make it look charming. Second, make a silver bracelet for my little sister. The size should be small, and have some auspicious words like 'May you have peace and safety every year' engraved on it."

"Alright! Young master, you're so kind to your sister, what a blessing!" The shopkeeper quickly jotted it down on the paper with his charcoal pencil.

"There's one last thing. Make a solid silver bracelet for my mother. It needs to be heavy, have a proper circumference, and the most traditional and classic auspicious cloud pattern."

"I want the old ladies to know at a glance that the son is successful and filial to his mother."

Upon hearing this, the old silversmith behind the counter couldn't help but praise him from across the counter: "Good job, sir! This 'old fortune' pattern requires the most skill. Don't worry, young master, I'll personally make the mold for you, and I guarantee it will be thick and bright!"

Lu Shouye, listening from the side, felt a lump in his throat.

He reached into his pocket and took out a silver ingot, slapping it on the counter.

"Use the best silver, and give us the full amount; we're not short of money."

The craftsman's skill was extremely fast; in less than half an hour, three brand-new silver items were ready.

Lu Chuan carefully wrapped up his younger sister's hairpin and bracelet.

As for his mother's silver bracelet, he pulled Lu Shouye over and placed it in his father's hand.

"Dad, when we get home, you should personally put the silver bracelet on Mom's wrist. Let her wear it and make those gossipy women at the village entrance green with envy," Lu Chuan teased.

"Haha, good! If your mother sees this, she'll probably be so happy she won't be able to sleep for days." Lu Shouye was overjoyed, cracking his whip, "Giddy up!"

New shoots have sprouted on both sides of the official road, a vibrant green expanse.

Lu Shouye cracked his whip, humming an unknown country tune. But after a while, as if he suddenly remembered something, he held back for a long time, and finally couldn't help but turn to the side and ask the question that had been on his mind for a long time.

"Chuan'er, there's something your father has been wanting to ask you. Now that you've finished the provincial examination, you've become a scholar, ranking second in the first class."

"So, are the land tax and corvée labor on our land really being waived, just like the city folks say?"

Lu Chuan nodded and said, "Father, it's definitely possible to be exempted, but the rules involved are much more detailed than just hearsay."

He shifted his body and moved closer to the carriage shaft.

"Father, you must know that passing the imperial examination and becoming a Xiucai is called a Shengyuan in the court."

"But the students are not static. Based on their ranking in the second round of examinations and subsequent assessments at the prefectural school, they are divided into three levels, and the rewards and benefits for each level are vastly different."

Lu Chuan held up one finger: "This first rank is called a 'Linsheng' (a student with stipends). Our Yingnan Prefecture only has a few dozen places for each subject, and my son's second place in the re-examination this time guarantees him a Linsheng."

"The biggest advantage of receiving a stipend is that the imperial court will provide your son with six dou of rice and a few coins of silver every month from the treasury."

"This is the stipend, which means that from today onwards, my son will not have to spend a single penny at home. The imperial court will even provide me with silver and grain to support my studies."