Great Nation, Small Freshness (Imperial Examination) - Chapter 25
25: Harvest
Too many things had happened today. The candidates who were fortunate enough to attend felt they could boast about it for an entire year!
As the banquet dispersed, each person received a set of the Four Treasures of the Study, a book bag, and a stack each of colored letter papers featuring the Four Gentlemen and the Three Friends of Winter, all distributed by the government. They left in groups of three to five, enthusiastically discussing the events.
Guo Teng, who had been fawned over by several people on his arrival, now found himself utterly isolated.
Cowardly as he was, no fool ranked in the top ten. Anyone could see that Guo Teng had lost completely today—and it was entirely his own doing, courting disaster.
Magistrate Zhou had clearly shown favoritism toward Qin Fanghe. Getting close to him now would be openly opposing the county magistrate!
Xu Xingzu had always been slick and sociable. He had considered going up to offer a few words of comfort, but seeing Guo Teng’s dark, murderous expression, he decided against provoking him.
You’re second, I’m third—who’s really better than whom? If we did it again, the outcome is uncertain. We’re not even close friends anyway. Forget it.
He deliberately lagged behind, but even after the servants began clearing the venue, his target still hadn’t appeared. Unable to hold back, he asked the steward: “Excuse me, but where has the top-ranked young scholar Qin gone?”
“The county magistrate invited him inside for a private talk. Do you have business with him?” the steward replied.
A private talk?! Xu Xingzu’s breath hitched. After a pause, he said, “Ah, nothing important. I just wanted to consult him on something. Since that’s the case, I’ll head back first.”
Originally, Xu Xingzu had thought that, given the offense during the banquet, and seeing how ruthlessly and decisively Qin Fanghe had dealt with Guo Teng, he felt some lingering fear. He had planned to approach him privately after the banquet to smooth things over.
But who would have thought—the man had gone off to chat with the county magistrate!
Before leaving the banquet hall, Xu Xingzu couldn’t help turning back for another glance, his heart filled with mixed emotions he couldn’t quite name.
The “missing” top scholar was currently sitting below Magistrate Zhou, enjoying some snacks.
He had been too busy “fighting” during the banquet and hadn’t eaten properly, leaving him starving.
Magistrate Zhou quite liked his lack of restraint, watching him with a grandfatherly smile. “Enough?”
His own grandson was about the same age as Qin Fanghe—truly half-grown boys who could eat their elders into poverty. At such a young age, he could devour two or three times his own portion.
Qin Fanghe took a sip of tea, wiped his mouth, and answered honestly, “Sixty percent full.”
Magistrate Zhou chuckled and ordered another plate of crispy meat pastries. “You kids need some fat in your bellies. If it’s not enough, eat more—don’t hold back.”
The meat pastries were exquisitely made, each the size of a chess piece, perfect for two bites.
The crispy skin was baked to an appealing ginger yellow, dotted with red spots and sprinkled with sesame seeds. One bite produced a satisfying crunch, immediately releasing glistening oil.
The filling was about forty percent fat and sixty percent lean, mixed with pepper and salt powder. After baking, the melted fat softened and tenderized the lean meat—rich but not greasy, filling the mouth with fragrance.
Qin Fanghe truly let loose, eating nearly half the plate before reluctantly stopping.
So delicious!
He wasn’t sure if it was because he was hungry, but these snacks seemed to surpass most of the famous pastries he’d eaten in his previous life!
“Full now?” Magistrate Zhou asked with a beaming smile.
Qin Fanghe stood to bow. “Thank you for your hospitality, my lord. I’m full.”
Magistrate Zhou waved him to sit, then summoned servants to pack up the five types of snacks that had been served, instructing them to let Qin Fanghe take a box when he left.
Hearing this, Qin Fanghe was genuinely touched.
His support during the banquet could still be seen as appreciation for talent, but giving snacks—such a trivial, personal gesture—carried an intensely personal favoritism.
This clearly showed that Magistrate Zhou’s affection for him had extended into private relations.
Did that mean… he could be a bit more bold?
Soon after, Magistrate Zhou said in a casual, homely tone: “What you said today has some practical value. Write it up properly as an article and submit it later.”
This was understated.
The “one, two, three” points Qin Fanghe had raised were so specific and actionable that they could be implemented directly!
His feelings toward Qin Fanghe were complex now: the joy of a talent scout discovering a prized steed, an elder’s protective affection, and a private hope for the future of officialdom that he couldn’t voice aloud…
Qin Fanghe agreed.
Reports? In his previous life, he’d written no fewer than eight thousand if not ten thousand. No problem at all.
But could Magistrate Zhou—or rather, the local officials of the Great Lu Dynasty—really not think of those points himself?
Not necessarily.
The rich can never imagine the lives of the poor. Perhaps they had long detached from the “farming” class, their feet off the ground, out of touch with the soil, unable to think from the farmers’ perspective.
Or perhaps they had thought of it but found it troublesome and lazy to act. After all, crop rotation wasn’t implemented nationwide—everyone else was taking it easy, so why should I rush?
Relying on farming to boost production and create achievements was truly too difficult!
The cycle was long, everything depended on heaven’s will, results uncertain. It might take three or four years of effort, only for him to be transferred away! Or if the weather turned bad, the gains might not even match a colleague’s from collecting a few extra taxes…
But Magistrate Zhou was willing to do it, able to do it. For that alone, Qin Fanghe considered him a good official.
Then Magistrate Zhou said with a hint of amused reproach: “Your temperament needs some restraint, or you’ll suffer losses in the future.”
He was referring to how Qin Fanghe had nearly verbally destroyed Guo Teng today.
Qin Fanghe could tell there was no real blame, so he grinned sheepishly, rubbing his nose. “I couldn’t hold back for a moment—sorry for causing you trouble, my lord.”
He pursed his lips forcefully, as if fuming at the memory. “He bullied others too much!” Then he looked at Magistrate Zhou with wide, innocent eyes full of natural admiration and closeness. “With you backing me up, there’s nothing for this student to fear.”
Who could resist a big-eyed puppy that bared its fangs at outsiders but acted pitiful and needy inside?
Magistrate Zhou couldn’t either.
Remembering that this boy had lost both parents, surviving on charity from the village, and achieving this today was no easy feat, Magistrate Zhou felt even more pity. He let the matter drop and changed the topic. “Now that you’re officially a student, you should tidy yourself up properly. At your young age, why dress in such dull, old-fashioned colors?”
Qin Fanghe looked down at his deep blue old cotton robe and murmured, “This is still the newest… my best piece of clothing.”
The effect of being bold was excellent—he decided to push it further.
Magistrate Zhou let out a long sigh.
“Brother He!”
Qin Shan, who had waited half the day on the return path, thought he might fall asleep standing when he finally spotted the familiar figure from afar. He jogged over. “Why are you only coming back now? Nothing happened, right?”
Several familiar scholars had passed long ago, but no sign of Qin Fanghe. Qin Shan had been worried sick, fearing something had detained his eleventh brother.
“A scholar named Xu recognized me and said you’d caught the county magistrate’s eye and were kept for a talk. Told me not to worry.” Qin Shan examined Qin Fanghe from head to toe, relieved only after confirming he was fine.
A scholar named Xu?
Xu Xingzu?
Qin Fanghe found it amusing. That guy was quick with news, quite slick, always adept at currying favor.
Unfortunately, those who played both sides like a knife cutting tofu often ended up pleasing neither.
The two walked back together. Qin Shan chattered nonstop. “Not long after you left today, Scholar Kong sent Gui Sheng with a message asking if you were free tomorrow—to have tea at Hongyun Teahouse. Then Scholar Qi came in person, but you weren’t back, so he left.”
“What does he want?”
“Oh, he wants to treat you to a mutton hotpot!”
“…”
As expected of you!
When the two leisurely returned to Mr. Sun’s home, they saw an unfamiliar carriage parked outside from afar. Inside, a well-dressed steward sat in the seat of honor sipping tea, while Mr. Sun’s family huddled timidly to the side, a mix of surprise, joy, and apprehension.
When Qin Fanghe returned, the steward’s face lit up with a smile. He stopped drinking tea, came down personally, and pointed to a large pile of items on the nearby table. “These are all sent on the lord’s orders. Young scholar, please check if anything is missing.”
Qin Fanghe knew the man wouldn’t skim on his share, so he glanced over it briefly, then pulled a red envelope from his sleeve and handed it over. “Thank you for the trouble of delivering this.”
The steward had been instructed beforehand—how could he accept? He pushed it back. “Running errands for the lord is my duty. No trouble at all. The items are delivered, I must return to report. Young Scholar Qin, stay well.”
With that, he didn’t linger a moment longer and left with his men.
Qin Fanghe saw them off a few steps. When he turned back, he found everyone staring at him with sparkling eyes.
“Brother He,” Qin Shan circled the pile several times, face full of disbelief. “These… these are all from the county magistrate? You even got to take some home!”
Usually, only common folk tried to send things to the county magistrate—and might not even succeed!
Now, the county magistrate was sending things to their family’s Brother He?
“What do you mean ‘take some home’…” Qin Fanghe said seriously. “This is the local parent’s heartfelt care for scholars!”
Could scholars’ matters be called “taking”?
Shallow!
He had fulfilled a need, and the superior had fulfilled being needed. It was mutual fulfillment on a spiritual level—everyone happy.
Qin Shan nodded dumbly, whatever you say goes.
Qin Fanghe couldn’t bear to watch, going over to sort the items into piles. “The Four Treasures, book bag, and letter papers are what everyone got. As for the fabrics and snacks—yes, those were specially for me.”
Indeed, Magistrate Zhou had not only packed five full boxes of snacks for him but also sent five bolts of fine, elegant cotton fabric.
One thick gray for late winter and early spring, one moon white and one sky blue for spring shirts, plus a roll of light gray and a roll of treasure blue—thinner for summer. Thoroughly considerate.
The prefectural exam was in April, the institute exam in June—right at the transition from spring to summer.
Qin Shan was thrilled for him, scratching his head in excitement, stammering. “Heavens, this is truly… truly…”
Things specially from the county magistrate for their family’s Brother He!
One of a kind!
No one else had them!
Bringing glory to the ancestors!
Mr. Sun, having mingled in society longer, saw more. Amid his joy, he congratulated Qin Fanghe. “From what this humble one sees, the county magistrate intends to look after you like his own junior…”
Unrelated by blood—who would think of even making new clothes for you?
“This matter must not be mentioned again.”
Qin Fanghe frowned slightly, gesturing to Mr. Sun.
Some things you know, I know, and the magistrate knows—but they stay in the heart.
Realizing his slip, Mr. Sun shrank back.
Indeed, how could they casually speculate on the magistrate’s thoughts?
Spreading it would only invite ridicule for arrogance.
Qin Fanghe knew Mr. Sun was overjoyed, so he only pointed it out once.
He separately took out the snacks. “These past days, I’ve relied on your care. I’ll be heading home soon. The fabrics are a personal gift from the county magistrate—hard to share. But everyone can divide these snacks and share the good fortune.”
“No, no,” Mr. Sun and his wife refused repeatedly. “Such fine snacks—we’re not worthy. These days, we’ve basked in young scholar’s glory, the neighbors all look up to us…”
Since Qin Fanghe had stayed here before and after the exam, and the notification came to Mr. Sun’s home, the whole street had come to see.
Now hearing he’d taken top rank, they envied endlessly, coming daily to share the luck—livelier than New Year’s.
Even without spreading it, the shopkeeper of the Bai family firm heard. Surprised at his unexpected close ties with Qin Fanghe—now staying at his home—he was somewhat jealous of the yamen connections and specially summoned Mr. Sun to inquire.
Mr. Sun had long leaned that way. Seeing Qin Fanghe effortlessly become a top scholar boosted his confidence. He pulled out his prepared script:
“…He is the son of an old acquaintance. Since young Scholar Qin was clever from childhood and often visited the bookshop, this humble one couldn’t help but look after him…”
The story was airtight, the Bai shopkeeper could do nothing but respect him more.
More respect, but not too much.
Top scholar sounded impressive, but there was one every few years—not everyone rose to greatness.
Qin Fanghe smiled. “One thing at a time. If you don’t take them, you’re looking down on these.”
With that said, Mr. Sun finally had his wife accept.
Not daring to slight them, he personally fetched fine cups and plates, offered the snacks to the ancestors first, then ate themselves.
Hey, we’ve eaten snacks from the magistrate’s house too!
The next day, Qin Fanghe first kept his appointment with Kong Ziqing. The two chatted idly, then discussed poetry and essays, both gaining much. They parted still reluctant.
Thinking the institute exam in June would end it, and even at worst he’d be a xiucai—with Magistrate Zhou’s regard, entering the county school was certain.
Then they’d be in the same place, with plenty of time to talk—he grew joyful again.
That afternoon, Qin Fanghe went to hang out with Qi Zhenye, who indeed treated him to mutton hotpot and set a date for the April prefectural exam together.
“I have a courtyard in the prefectural city. Stay at my place then—convenient for exams and talking.” Qi Zhenye stuffed a big chopstick of tender fatty mutton into his mouth, exclaiming in delight, then slapped his thigh. “The prefectural exam is over a month away. Why not just come stay in the city now? It’s spacious and bright, saves the back-and-forth.”
Hearing this kid had no parents or relatives, going home to a cold stove—how pitiful!
This nouveau riche… truly branches everywhere!
Qin Fanghe eyed him coolly. “Thanks for the kindness, but I have things to handle at home. Leaving tomorrow—I’ll find you in a few days.”
Staying early would be good, but becoming a top scholar was huge, he had to return to Baiyun Village first, sweep his father’s grave, and inform the ancestors.
Also check on Qin Song’s apprentice’s progress and assign the next stage…
“Leaving tomorrow?” Qi Zhenye was shocked. “So soon? I haven’t properly thanked you yet! Stay a couple more days! Let me tell you, Ah Cai makes killer mutton noodles—you’ll love them!”
Qin Fanghe was unmoved.
Since becoming a top scholar, invitations for literary gatherings, group hangouts, and even matchmakers had flooded in—endless annoyance!
If not for yesterday’s banquet, he’d have left long ago!
Qin Fanghe didn’t mind socializing but hated ineffective chit-chat. Thinking of those people reminded him of forced team-building and unpaid overtime for bosses in his past life—twelve times the irritation.
Gone, gone—who wants to call you brothers!
“No need for thanks between friends,” Qin Fanghe raised his cup, tea for wine. “Besides, we’re fellow candidates. Just a few days apart—then I’ll be waiting for your mutton noodles!”
Qi Zhenye admired his straightforwardness, clinking his tea bowl hard. “Good! It’s a deal!”