Chapter Sixty-Three (Fourth Update, Please Vote for Us)

The county magistrate had been observing the expressions of the two brothers closely.

“Your Honor, why does my second brother’s registration list only record one sibling?”

The magistrate’s eyes flickered, keenly catching onto something. “Oh? Are you not aware of your younger brother transferring his registration to Suzhou to take the exams?”

Zhang Shi replied, “This... this commoner truly did not know.”

The magistrate glanced up at the academic officer, who was sweating profusely, silently berating himself for his carelessness.

Now the magistrate’s expression grew somewhat unnatural. “Did your younger brother not inform you? Was there no letter?”

Zhang Shi was momentarily at a loss, when Zhang Yue stepped forward and said, “Your Honor, my second brother only told me about it. My elder brother truly didn’t know. I fear there may be evil-doers plotting against us.”

So it was to guard against Zhao, the registrar.

At once, the magistrate’s face relaxed, and the academic officer let out a sigh of relief.

Zhang Yue thought to himself, I can now lie without so much as a blush, even the magistrate is deceived. But in truth I did not know—Zhang Heng told me himself. Who would have thought even Zhang Heng would pass the imperial examination?

In this Ministry of Rites examination, it seems second brother has outdone Zhang Heng once again—what a fateful rivalry.

The magistrate smiled. “Transferring one’s registration is not uncommon in this dynasty, though I hear there’s been some talk in the capital…”

At this, Zhang Shi’s heart tightened. “Your Honor, does that mean my brother’s degree is not secure?”

The magistrate laughed. “Rest assured, before the recommendation is made, the local officials conduct a thorough review. The Ministry of Rites also examines the documents before the provincial exams. Since your brother passed both the recommendation and provincial exams, there’s nothing to worry about. As for the idle gossip among those who failed, pay it no mind. In a few days, all will blow over.”

There was something the magistrate left unsaid: this maneuver by Zhang Erlang was indeed questionable. Usually, even if one were to transfer registration, it would be done years in advance. The Zhang family already had heirs, and to transfer only months before the provincial examination was a blatant disregard for the rules.

But then again, with two imperial officials, Zhang Quan and Zhang Yu, vouching for him, what was there to fear? In the Song Dynasty, civil officials often flouted the rules—they saw little value in them. In the end, there was nothing truly unreasonable about it.

Having thought this through, the magistrate’s heart was at ease. He looked to his attendants.

They promptly brought forth a tray heaped with silver.

The magistrate said, “Here are thirty taels, a token from the county. When your brother’s name is posted on the golden list, both the county and the prefecture will present congratulatory gifts—there will be more, not less.”

One of the county constables standing by thought, The magistrate is being a bit stingy, offering only thirty taels.

The magistrate continued, “I also investigated your shop’s case—the one where you were swindled. The yamen still owes you eighty strings of cash. I’ll send an official letter to the prefecture to have it returned. You can collect it at the county office.”

Both Zhang Yue and Zhang Shi were overjoyed and repeatedly expressed their thanks.

With that, the conversation was nearly at an end.

The magistrate stood up. “I have pressing matters to attend to and cannot stay longer. You, my young friend, must not neglect your studies.”

“Thank you for your guidance, Your Honor. We respectfully see you off.”

The entire group escorted the magistrate to the door, watching him board his carriage. The county constable and academic officer followed, the crowd coming and going in a grand procession.

After they left, Zhang Shi turned to Zhang Yue. “You knew long ago that second brother was going to Suzhou—why didn’t you tell me? Back when Zhao the registrar…”

Zhang Yue shook his head and lowered his voice, “Brother, you misunderstand me. I truly knew nothing of second brother’s plans. I only heard about it a few months ago from someone at the clan school—a certain Zhang Heng who also passed the examination this year.”

“I never heard of this,” Zhang Shi said with a changed expression, glancing at those nearby. Only Madam Yu and Zhang Yue were present. He pulled them both aside. “Did you dare lie to the magistrate? You’re bold indeed!”

Zhang Yue replied, “Had I not said what I did, the magistrate would have been put in a most awkward position.”

Zhang Shi thought for a moment and agreed, “That’s true.”

Madam Yu interjected, “How can you say that’s true? We’ve just received such favor from the magistrate. What if second uncle does not acknowledge this favor in the future?”

Zhang Yue said, “Second brother is not that kind of person…”

Madam Yu replied, “You two listen to me—second uncle has been away for nearly a year and hasn’t sent a single letter home. I only heard of his success from others.”

“Shi, I think second uncle…”

“Don’t you say such things…” Zhang Shi chastised her. “Second brother is not so cold-hearted.”

Madam Yu said, “You never know. If he weren’t indifferent, would he have run away from his own wedding? Didn’t he realize that after he ran, Zhao the registrar would make things difficult for our family? Your second brother only cares about his own future—he’s already forgotten about us.”

Seeing Zhang Shi’s glare, Madam Yu refrained from saying more.

Zhang Shi shook his head, “That can’t be. Xier told me that just days before second brother left, he took him to the Phoenix Pond in front of the county school and spoke with him for a long time. If second brother truly didn’t care about this family, he wouldn’t have done that.”

Madam Yu sighed to Zhang Yue, “Nephew, you are sensible. Please, try to talk to him.”

Zhang Yue looked at Zhang Shi, then at Madam Yu, and said awkwardly, “I don’t believe second brother is like that either. But in the end, only he can answer this—our guesses mean nothing.”

“That’s true,” Zhang Shi replied.

By the time they returned home, the joy on the brothers’ faces had faded considerably.

Still, Zhang Shi forced himself to be cheerful and said to Cao, the neighborhood chief, “Chief, you and the neighbors worked hard tonight to welcome the magistrate. I have little to thank you with, but here is half the silver. Please buy some things to thank the neighbors on my behalf.”

Zhang Yue, who was drinking water, nearly spat it out. They had just received thirty taels of silver, and his elder brother was already spending recklessly. No fortune could withstand such extravagance.

“No, no,” Chief Cao objected, pushing the money away. “It was a small matter. Now that your second brother has passed the examination, all the neighbors will share in the glory—it’s only right.”

Madam Yu, already worried about Zhang Shi’s lavish spending, wanted to stop him but couldn’t after he had spoken. Seeing Chief Cao refuse, she advised, “Chief Cao is not just being polite. Our family will have more expenses in the future. We can thank the neighbors properly another day.”

“That won’t do!” Zhang Shi insisted. “Chief, when Zhao the registrar made trouble for us, the neighbors helped us so much. Now that our family has succeeded, I don’t want anyone saying we forgot our benefactors or turned our backs on those who once stood by us. You must take the money—or don’t blame me for getting upset with you.”

Hearing this, Zhang Yue breathed a sigh of relief.

Chief Cao, troubled, said, “Since you insist, I’ll accept it for now. It’s late—I’ll take my leave and return tomorrow. Just let me know if you need anything.”

“Very well. Third brother, see Chief Cao out for me.”

Zhang Yue escorted Chief Cao to the door, who kept saying, “Your elder brother is truly a good man. So generous and righteous—everyone on the street speaks well of him.”

When Zhang Yue returned home, he saw that Zhang Shi had already pushed the rest of the silver onto Scholar Guo and Guo Lin.

At that moment, Zhang Yue felt he was on the verge of collapse.

P.S.: Thank you all for your support today. I truly feel it. Brothers, your righteousness is unmatched. I only ask you not to stop. The fifth update will be around eleven tonight.