Chapter Ninety-Seven: Jianyang (With Gratitude~~ Love!~~ Double Alliance)

After the New Year, Madam Yu prepared new clothes for Zhang Shi, Zhang Yue, and Zhang Qiu. Zhang Yue received a new vest, a garment with unstitched sides under the arms, designed to be worn over a robe. In earlier times, such vests were worn by those of low status, but by the Song dynasty, men and women of some standing all wore one over their garments. Now, Zhang Yue had one too. At last, he was a person of status.

This vest had an open front without buttons or ties, known as an "unfastened collar." After the Northern Song fell to the Jin, the vest became a scapegoat, and the term "unfastened collar" was interpreted as "not submitting to Jin rule."

Zhang Shi looked at Zhang Yue in the vest with satisfaction and said, "Third Brother, you look more like a gentleman now. Madam, you chose a very handsome vest. When you go to meet the prefectural school’s principal, he will surely see you as a promising talent."

Madam Yu was pleased by her husband's praise.

Zhang Shi then asked, "Have you arranged a place to stay in Jianyang?"

Zhang Yue replied, "Yes, I have. The head of the academy where I study often deals with a bookseller in Jianyang. On this trip, we’ll stay at his place."

Zhang Shi said, "That’s not good. It would be rude to impose on him. My father-in-law happens to live in Jianyang. Third Brother, you should visit him while you're there and rest at his home."

Zhang Yue glanced at Madam Yu, who remained silent, and said, "Brother, it’s unnecessary. My trip to Jianyang is hurried; I’m going there specifically to visit the examination pavilion. It might be too much of a delay. I will visit your home another time."

Madam Yu said nothing.

Zhang Shi insisted, "You’re not going to the examination pavilion; Madam, doesn’t the old Tai Shan have a three-courtyard house in town? No one lives there regularly—only servants maintain it. Third Brother can stay there for a night."

Just as Madam Yu was about to speak, Zhang Yue said, "Madam, I can handle visiting the school principal myself."

Madam Yu nodded, "Third Brother, I’ll go pack your luggage."

After she went upstairs, Zhang Yue whispered to Zhang Shi, "Brother, we have troubled Madam Yu’s family too much already. I dare not impose further."

Zhang Shi was somewhat annoyed. "You don’t understand; it’s all for nothing."

"What do you mean?"

"My father-in-law has extensive connections in Jianyang. Before you meet the school principal, visit his residence. Wouldn’t he arrange some help for you? If someone influential speaks a word for you, you might even go to the National Academy in Nanjing, or better yet, Bianjing."

"Besides, setting aside whether it’s a bother, the Zhang family is rising. Won’t we naturally assist the Yu family in the future? My father-in-law is a meticulous man and will certainly help you. Madam Yu too—she once spoke up for Xier to enter the clan school. Women like her tend to forget kindness and hold grudges; you must be careful in choosing a wife."

Zhang Yue thought if this favor could be asked for, Madam Yu would have spoken up already.

He said, "Brother, Madam Yu is a good sister-in-law; don’t blame her. Otherwise, you’ll discourage her."

"I’ll keep that in mind."

As Zhang Yue was about to retreat to the northern room to rest, Madam Yu opened the door and came out of the southern room.

"Madam!" he greeted.

Madam Yu nodded and said, "Third Brother, there are things I couldn’t say while your brother was here. Now, I’ll be frank with you. My father and brother have long been displeased with you, but they have held back for Xier’s sake. Otherwise, it might have been worse."

"I won’t hide it. Since your brother came to this family, he’s been generous but spends wildly, supporting you and Xier’s studies. I have been using my dowry money to supplement the household. After your second brother fled from an arranged marriage and Zhao the bailiff cleaned out our home, even what remained of my dowry was taken. I had to borrow eighty strings of cash from my father and brother through much pleading."

"That eighty strings is still unpaid. How can I ask my father and brother again? I must maintain face in my natal family."

Zhang Yue thought to himself, it was shameful that his brother was using dowry money to support the family; no wonder his father-in-law and elder brother had grievances. Much of the expense had been on him and the second brother. Now, going to Jianyang to seek help would only invite scolding.

He said, "Madam, I was in the wrong before, wasting family money…"

Madam Yu replied, "I’m not blaming you for the past. I’m truly glad you’re studying hard and have raised funds to reopen the shop. Your brother spends recklessly but cares for me and Xier—the shop’s earnings these months have been in my hands."

"Only, I haven’t repaid the eighty strings to my father without your and your brother’s consent."

Zhang Yue said, "I was raised carefully by you and my brother. I won’t say a word about the eighty strings or how you manage the family’s finances."

The next day, Zhang Yue packed his luggage and entered the county school. He and Guo Lin submitted three historical essays for Principal Hu’s review. Hu smiled after reading them: "Well written, worthy of praise. I had intended to let you ponder on your own, but these are very good. Honestly, did you have Mr. Boyi review them first?"

Zhang Yue stiffened, "Principal, you have keen insight…"

Hu laughed, "Mr. Boyi is a renowned scholar. If he revised your work, I’d be delighted."

Zhang Yue relaxed and smiled, "Thank you, Principal."

Hu then examined Guo Lin’s essays: "And yours? Did your father revise these?"

Guo Lin stammered, "Yes, sir."

Hu said, "Also quite good."

He added, "However, these three essays are merely a formality. When you meet the school principal, be cautious with your words. I hear the prefectural school plans to recommend one successful candidate, one from various subjects, and one from the academy to the National Academy in Bianjing; two successful candidates, two from various subjects, and one from the academy will go to the National Academy in Nanjing. Both of you have great chances."

"But if you are not selected, the principal will likely try to keep you at the prefectural school. Do not accept this. Back at the county school, your expenses for study will be waived for five years, and you can receive a stipend after a few years."

Zhang Yue and Guo Lin both agreed.

They left Principal Hu’s study with unusual feelings. Guo Lin said, "I heard the prefectural school likes to poach students from county schools. No wonder the study expense waiver increased from three to five years."

Zhang Yue replied, "Don’t you feel amazed? In the past, poor students like us were looked down upon by everyone. Now, it’s a competition to recruit us."

Guo Lin laughed, "I definitely won’t go to the prefectural school. If I do, it will be hard to visit my parents back in Wuxi."

"Then why are you willing to go to the National Academies in Bianjing or Nanjing but not the prefectural school?"

Guo Lin sighed, "The National Academy exams are somewhat easier. If I study there for a few years and pass the spring exam, my parents won’t have to work so hard at their age. But going means being away from them for many years, which I can’t bear."

Zhang Yue comforted him, "Don’t worry; academy students can return home to visit. It’s just that our home is too far from Bianjing and Nanjing."

The night before leaving for Jianyang, both lay awake with restless thoughts. Their emotions were a blend of eager anticipation for the road ahead, nervous uncertainty, and deep longing for their hometown and family, stirring their hearts profoundly.

That day, Zhang Yue, Guo Lin, and He Qi bid farewell to Principal Hu and set off for the Jianyang prefectural school.

The three first followed the brook, then crossed the mountains, and finally reached the water’s edge, traveling a whole day before arriving at Jianyang.

Jianzhou was famous for three products: Jian paper, Jian tea bowls, and Jian tea.

Jian paper was produced right in Jianyang.

Zhang Yue, Guo Lin, and He Qi, coming from Chonghua village, naturally held the reverence of scholars for the sages. Zhang Yue’s lodgings were at a bookseller’s home in Chonghua village.

Upon arrival, they saw a district filled with shops selling books; within the vicinity, over a hundred bookstores bore various hall names. Everywhere one could smell the fragrance of ink and see scholars dressed in tall hats and broad sashes.

The three entered a bookstore at a street corner, run by a bookseller surnamed Yu, who had previously dealt with Zhang Yue. He warmly welcomed them to sit and drink tea.

As Zhang Yue enjoyed the lively atmosphere outside the shop and chatted idly with Mr. Yu, they noticed a curtain flutter, as if someone was peeking from behind.

Mr. Yu smiled and said, "That must be my niece. She has no parents and was raised here. Yunru, come greet our guests."

Guo Lin felt uneasy at first.

Mr. Yu laughed, "Girls in merchant families don’t have many strict rules."

He lifted the curtain, revealing a young woman about eighteen years old. She wore a short jacket and skirt, her features about six or seven parts beautiful. For some reason, she looked somewhat delicate and pitiful, which added to her charm.

"These three are scholars from Pucheng County, here to meet the school principal and lodging at our home. Come greet them."

The young woman bowed gracefully, "Your humble servant greets the three scholars."

Zhang Yue and Guo Lin stood and bowed, while He Qi’s response was slower.

The woman then looked them over. Zhang Yue was dressed in new clothes, tall and handsome. Guo Lin wore a plain cloth robe, clean but patched in inconspicuous places. He Qi was also an exceptional figure, but her gaze was sharp, making them uneasy to meet her eyes.

Mr. Yu said, "I have some urgent matters at the counter. Yunru, accompany our guests. I’ll be back shortly."

He strode away.

Zhang Yue, Guo Lin, and Yu Yunru exchanged glances, feeling a bit awkward, while He Qi quietly sipped tea.

Their small talk was casual until Yunru asked Zhang Yue, "Third Brother Zhang, since you are the third son, may I ask what your two elder brothers do?"

Zhang Yue, somewhat restrained, answered honestly, "My eldest brother runs a food shop. My second brother studies in the capital and has long lost contact."

Yunru asked, "Why no contact? Is your second brother facing difficulties?"

Zhang Yue replied, "I don’t know."

Yunru smiled, "The journey between Bianjing and Pucheng is over a thousand li. Letters often go astray. I think there must be some reason; Third Brother, don’t worry. Things will work out in the end."

Zhang Yue smiled bitterly. It wasn’t that letters got lost; the second brother simply didn’t want to send them.

Still, he said, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam Yu."

ps: Thank you~~ Love!!~~ A fellow reader has become the eighth patron of this book.