Rebirth: Not Being a Waste - Chapter 137

One

Zhang Erbao had an older brother named Qianjin and a younger brother named Sanbao. However, when Erbao was younger, his younger brother wasn’t born yet.

He always thought his nickname was unappealing and too common. So, when he entered school, he went up to the desk to introduce himself, saying, “Student Zhang Rui, here to greet the teacher!”

Grandpa Huang, the teacher, looked at Zhang Erbao kindly. “Erbao is such a good boy! Go sit down.”

“Erbao, come sit with us!” the twins called out.

“Erbao, don’t sit with them, they’ll talk during class. Come sit with me!” Zhou Xiaobao said.

Zhang Erbao huffed and went to sit down. He had introduced himself as Zhang Rui—what was wrong with these people?

Two

In private, Erbao felt that he should be the older brother, as he thought Big Brother Yao wasn’t as tall and sturdy as he was.

He told Qianjin, “From now on, you have to call me ‘older brother.’”

“Why?” Zhang Qianjin looked up at him with wide eyes.

“Because I’m taller!” Seven-year-old Zhang Erbao was already a little taller than nine-year-old Zhang Qianjin.

“Does being taller make you an older brother?” Qianjin blinked in confusion.

“Of course!”

“Why?”

“…?” Zhang Erbao didn’t know how to answer and then lied a bit. “The teacher said so.”

Zhang Qianjin looked at him with big eyes, then turned to find Master Huang.

That day, Zhang Erbao got hit on the palm by the ruler and was punished to copy five big characters for lying.

Three

Zhang Erbao’s studies were always among the best, and every class was his opportunity to show off. The boys, gers, and girls were in different classes—boys went to Old Master Huang’s class, while the girls and gers went to a younger teacher, Teacher Du.

After each lesson, they all lay on the window to watch the other gers and girls in their classes. If anyone couldn’t answer a question, Zhang Erbao took the lead in making a noise, producing an exaggerated “oh oh oh” sound. This always made others blush with embarrassment.

Because of this, during his early learning years, no ger or girl ever thought well of Zhang Erbao.

Four

The teachers soon noticed Zhang Erbao’s habit and expressed their concerns privately. There were many examples of children who were talented at a young age but grew arrogant and lost their desire to learn. They worried that Zhang Erbao might become complacent, so they agreed with Zhang Shu to send him to the Mo Family Academy for a ten-day exam to temper his growing arrogance.

Zhang Shu agreed readily. This child had already suffered too much in his previous life. It wasn’t easy to raise him so happily in this life, so Zhang Shu was reluctant to punish him. But if others wanted to teach him a lesson, he agreed without hesitation.

On the day of the exam, Zhang Erbao was taken to the carriage by the teacher. He thought his teacher was taking him on a fun adventure, but he didn’t realize their true intentions.

At ten years old, Zhang Erbao stood out among the thirteen- and fourteen-year-old children. He shook his head and swayed, showing an indifferent attitude, attracting many curious glances from the others.

Master Mo, stroking his beard, smiled and asked, “Master Huang, is this Zhang Shu’s second son?”

“Yes, he’s very gifted and intelligent, and he does well in his studies. However, he lacks focus and doesn’t like to work hard. That’s why I brought him here, to show him the world.”

Master Mo nodded. Since he was clearly talented, they shouldn’t let him slip away. Surely, he’d come to study with him in the future.

Zhang Erbao suddenly felt a chill down his back, but he didn’t take it seriously.

When the exam papers were handed out, the first one was numerology, a subject he excelled in. His father, as well as his teacher, taught him a lot in this area.

He quickly finished the first paper, then leaned over the desk to doodle hideously ugly little figures, even writing the names of the children he disliked above them.

The invigilator shook his head but didn’t bother with him.

The second exam paper was about reciting and writing from memory, another subject he excelled in. He finished it in no time. But when he turned it over, he saw another section at the bottom, asking them to compose couplets and write a poem.

Erbao scratched his head, realizing this might be a bit difficult, but he still stubbornly wrote something. His expression was no longer as carefree as before.

The third paper required them to write an essay expressing their views on a given topic. Zhang Erbao was at a loss. He stood there, dazed, unable to come up with anything. The more he thought, the more frustrated he became, and tears almost welled up in his eyes. When the teacher came to collect the papers, he hastily scribbled a few words and handed it in.

He was so excited when he arrived, but he left like a defeated rooster, wanting to shrink away from the world.

Master Huang gently hugged him and said kindly, “Erbao, you must remember that there are people outside of people, and there are heavens outside of heavens. There’s always more to learn. If someone is proud and complacent, they won’t learn anything. Didn’t your father often say, ‘A bottle that doesn’t make a sound is better than a bottle that rattles’?”

Zhang Erbao blushed deeply, lowering his head and softly saying, “Teacher, I understand now…”

Afterwards, Master Mo found Master Huang and said, “This child is indeed clever! His ranking in the cross-level exam was also near the top. If it hadn’t been for the last-minute addition of an essay, it would have been hard to stump him.”

Master Huang smiled like a crafty old fox but said nothing in response.

Five

Zhang Erbao went to study in the county at the age of twelve, but he only really began to work hard at fourteen. To prevent his older brother, Zhang Qianjin, from being looked down upon because of their family’s status, he completely eliminated all his bad habits.

He embraced the old adage of studying late into the night and early mornings. He worked relentlessly to improve himself, determined to be at the top of his class.

That wasn’t enough. He asked his father to have someone copy the government’s monthly notices for him so he could stay informed on major and minor events in the court. He also wrote policy essays based on them, since government exam questions often focused on current affairs.

Effort paid off, especially for someone as intelligent as him.

At fourteen, he became a “Tongsheng” (student), at fifteen, he passed the “Xiucai” (talent) exam, and at sixteen, he passed the “juren” (recommended scholar) exam, all ranking first in their prefecture. That year, there was no spring exam, so he waited until he turned eighteen.

By then, Zhang Qianjin was already married to the young prince, but it was at that point that Erbao truly became interested in his studies.

The year he passed the Juren exam, countless suitors came to ask for his hand in marriage. Zhang Erbao casually mentioned to his father that if he didn’t pass the “Jinshi” (advanced scholar) exam, he would never marry.

Six

During the examination, he didn’t stay in the palace but instead stayed at an inn booked for students, which was next to the imperial examination hall. Of course, it was also quite expensive.

Zhang Erbao wasn’t nervous at all during the exams, as if his ranking was already guaranteed. The current government was honest and clean, with no favoritism or fraud for years. Besides, with his connection to the royal family, even if someone tried to manipulate the results, they would have to think twice.

Although he didn’t rely on the royal family’s influence, he didn’t refuse their protection either.

After three consecutive exams over nine days, even the strongest could barely endure. At Zhang Qianjin’s order, Erbao was sent to the royal residence to rest.

On the day the results were posted, he waited in the royal residence, waiting for the servants to check the list. When they returned, the servants came back excitedly, shouting, “Master Zhang is ranked first! Master Zhang is ranked first!”

Everyone was overjoyed at the news.

Seven

On the day of the final exam, Zhang Erbao sat in the hall, working on the questions. The emperor often heard the prince mention Erbao from his husband’s family and so took a moment to watch. He noticed that Erbao’s words were insightful, and he had a simple and honest demeanor, which made him appreciate the young scholar.

The emperor’s opinion mattered most, and Erbao’s essay was indeed impressive enough for high office. Thus, the chief examiner placed his name at the top, and the emperor, after a quick glance, decisively marked it first—confirming that Erbao was destined to become the top scholar.

The spring breeze was full of joy, the horses galloping, and all the flowers in Chang’an bloomed in a single day. On the day of the parade, countless people came to watch, including many unmarried gers and girls. Sachets, hairpins, and rings were thrown into his arms.

Zhang Erbao thought that he had established his career and it was time to start a family.

Eight

The annual Buddhist gathering was approaching, and the Pu Du Temple near the capital was said to be especially effective for those seeking marriage matches, so there were bound to be many people attending.

Zhang Erbao was very excited. He prayed for a good marriage and also asked for more fortune sticks for his family. He even requested a pregnancy-protecting talisman for Big Brother Yao, so his brother-in-law wouldn’t be so protective of his belly all the time.

Paper fans were an essential tool for scholars, regardless of the season. Zhang Erbao carried one to shield his face, as many people recognized him from his last quick tour.

In a hurry, he bumped into a ger. He quickly apologized, helped him steady himself, and continued walking.

The voice of a servant behind him called out, “Master, your item is missing! It must be him!”

The young man chased after him and grabbed his sleeve. “Young Master, please wait a moment!”

Zhang Erbao, secretly annoyed, thought, Does he want to blame me for something missing? He stopped and turned to look at the young man.

The servant caught up and pointed at Zhang Erbao’s neck, shouting, “Young Master, look! Isn’t your golden Qilin there? How did it end up around his neck so quickly?”

This small golden qilin was hanging around Erbao’s neck for over ten years. Now it was suddenly claimed to be someone else’s. Erbao didn’t get angry but instead smiled, slowing his pace.

“I wonder if this young ger thinks the golden Qilin around my neck belongs to him?” Zhang Erbao looked at the young man who was still pulling his sleeve, his eyes full of interest.

“This…” The young ger examined it carefully and found it looked very similar to his own, though there were some subtle differences.

“Young Master, can you take it off so I can have a look?” The ger asked, his face turning a little red from embarrassment. “There’s a small secret button under my Qilin. It’s hollow inside. My father designed it specially and placed a love bean inside.”

As he explained, Zhang Erbao took the golden Qilin off and handed it to the ger.

The ger’s slender fingers hesitated before touching the golden Qilin, a little embarrassed by the warmth of a stranger’s touch. He carefully examined it, turned it over, and pressed down the left front foot and right back foot at the same time. The belly opened.

Erbao and the young man both looked at each other in surprise. As soon as the young man held it, he knew this golden qilin wasn’t his, as the horns were much thicker. But by some strange twist, he tried to open it, and it opened. Now he wondered if his father had made two.

The servant shouted, “Young master, it is yours!”

“Stop talking nonsense. It belongs to this young master, not me.” The ger said angrily. He held the golden Qilin in both hands and returned it to Zhang Erbao.

The servant slapped his forehead and exclaimed, “Ah! That’s right! Earlier, when you changed clothes, you took it off. I put it in my pocket.” He pulled out another golden qilin, identical to the first, but with slightly smaller horns.

Zhang Erbao smiled, his lips curling upward. It seemed that Pu Du Temple was indeed effective—he made his wish for love and received it before even entering the temple.