Chapter 40: Can't I Even Gloat a Little?

Why had Wang Shan come? As the second-in-command of Pinggu County, if he wished to advance his career, he simply could not bypass Zhou Heng. Now, the opportunity had arrived. The confrontation at the entrance of the County Academy that day had not only been a slap in the face for a minor official but had also implicated the entire officialdom of Pinggu County.

"Brother Du," Liu Qi said as he stepped forward. His arrival in the company of Wang Shan had already made his stance clear. He spoke with a hidden meaning: "Although Magistrate Zhou is the county head, he was transferred here from another prefecture. When it comes to kin, surely our own folks here in Pinggu County are closer!"

"Master Liu is right," Du Xiu replied. How could he not understand the implication? Wang Shan was willing to clear the path for Cheng An precisely to use this matter to attack his political rival, Zhou Heng.

After a moment of hesitation, Du Xiu turned to Cheng An and said, "Xiao Liu, since the Assistant Prefect has come in person, if you have any inspiration, why not compose a poem and ask these two officials for their critique?"

How to describe the act of composing poetry? It is much like pregnancy; some are naturally prone to it and can produce at will, while others, no matter how favorable the conditions, simply cannot—not even if you were the Emperor.

"Teacher, I..." Cheng An feigned hesitation and scratched his head.

"It is quite alright," Wang Shan said with a benevolent smile. "Even if it is not perfect, it does not matter. How could I be harsh with a child?" These were just polite words, of course. But if he were allowed to leave empty-handed today, the consequences would be clear.

"Then... I shall try, student," Cheng An said, his small face scrunched up in a display of intense seriousness.

A cup of tea passed. Just as Wang Shan’s patience was beginning to wear thin, Cheng An suddenly looked up, a smile appearing on his face. "I have it!"

"Oh?" Everyone turned their attention to him.

They watched as he walked quickly to his mother’s side, took her rough, chapped hand in his, and stroked it gently. "The thread in the hands of a doting mother, clothes for the wandering son. Carefully stitched before departure, fearing a long delay in returning..."

Gradually, Cheng An’s eyes grew moist. The elders often say that one cannot understand the weight of familial love until one becomes a parent. Recalling the grievances and bullying his mother had endured for his sake over the years, Cheng An felt a lump forming in his throat. His voice choked as he recited the final lines: "Who can say that a heart like a blade of grass can repay the warmth of the spring sun?"

"My son!" Mother Liu burst into tears instantly. She might not have understood the full meaning of the poem, but she felt the warmth of their blood bond in every word.

It was not just her. Everyone in the courtyard stood frozen. The departing student, the reluctant mother—how could such emotion fail to bring tears to one's eyes? Even Wang Shan felt his eyes redden. He suddenly remembered the first time he left home, how his own mother had sat under the lamp, tirelessly sewing clothes for his journey.

If there was anyone who could not empathize, it was surely Cheng Dashan. Yet, he was the one shedding the most tears, as if pouring out years of suppressed grievance and frustration.

"I..." After a moment, Wang Shan took a deep breath. "Such a student, excelling in both kindness and filial piety! I declare here and now: if I cannot secure your future, I shall consider myself a failure to the Imperial Court!"

"My Lord," Liu Qi said, startled. Such words were not to be spoken lightly! If someone were to take offense or seize upon this, it could become a liability. But Wang Shan did not care. He waved for Liu Qi to be silent and said solemnly, "Although I do not claim to be a virtuous man, I know that 'true talent is rare.' If such a gifted student were to be buried, what business do we have serving as officials?"

Officialdom is filled with schemers, but that does not mean every official in the world has lost their conscience—especially when talent is linked to political performance. Justice and self-interest can, at times, coexist.

"Three days from now!" Wang Shan no longer hesitated. He looked at Cheng An with a kind smile. "I will personally preside over your make-up exam at the County Academy! Regardless of the result, I will ensure your safety."

This was an endorsement. An official vouching for an eight-year-old student sounded somewhat comical, yet no one present found it funny.

"Xiao Liu," Du Xiu said, patting Cheng An on the shoulder with joy in his eyes. "Go ahead and take the exam with peace of mind. Your teacher promised to look after you, and I shall not break my word. Even if you do not pass, we shall simply return to the academy."

Cheng An looked blank, but internally, he was calculating. He had been worried that the commotion he caused at the County Academy would not simply fade away and might even spread to other prefectures. He wouldn't even need to seek revenge; the spit of students from across the land would be enough to drown Zhou Heng. He had not expected Wang Shan to arrive so quickly, and judging by his attitude, they were at least not enemies—and they shared a common foe.

"Brother Cheng," Liu Qi began to show his stance as well. He nodded politely at Cheng Dashan and smiled. "With a child so intelligent and filial, it is clear you two have raised him well! I heard there was some trouble at home? If you need any help, just ask!"

"No, I wouldn't dare," Cheng Dashan replied, still in a daze. Compared to Wang Shan, the second-in-command of the county, Liu Qi was the one who intimidated him more. This was a man who could determine his family's fate with a single word! Although Liu Qi acted kindly, he knew that the man was not doing it for him, but to please his superior.

After the two men departed, Du Xiu also made an excuse about needing to attend to things at home and took his leave.

"Xiao Liu," the couple looked at their son, their faces still etched with lingering shock, "what exactly did you do at the county town?"

"The academy exam," Cheng An blinked, then added with a touch of disappointment, "It is a pity that the Magistrate was intentionally targeting my teacher. I couldn't stand it, so I taught that minor official a lesson at the entrance of the Academy."

"You taught him a lesson?" Cheng Dashan’s voice rose an octave. He wanted to ask "on what authority," but recalling the poem *The Wanderer's Song* his son had just recited, even he, an illiterate countryman, could sense the brilliance of it.

"Why shouldn't he?" Mother Liu doted on him as always. Perhaps she did not understand the dangers of spoiling a child, but fortunately, Cheng An was not a naive toddler, and this doting felt particularly warm.

"Then..." Cheng Dashan suddenly sat up straight and asked a question that left them both speechless: "Can I walk with a swagger in the village now?"

"Pfft!" Cheng An and his mother burst into laughter at the same time.

"What?" Cheng Dashan, realizing he had been inappropriate, retorted defensively, "My son is a *Tongsheng* now... can't I show off a little?"

In the past, the elder Madam Han had used her eldest son’s status as a *Tongsheng* to act like a tyrant in the village, making even the village head give her way. But she had been arrogant without cause, leading to her eventual downfall. Cheng Dashan was clearly just overcome with excitement.

"Father," Cheng An said, half-jokingly, "A *Tongsheng* is merely the lowest degree of academic achievement; it only exempts one from taxes. Wait until I pass the provincial exam and become a *Juren*; then you can truly swagger!"

A *Juren* was eligible for official appointment. If the local prefecture deemed one capable, they could report it to the Imperial Court to grant a minor post. With luck, even becoming a magistrate was not impossible.

"Good! Father will wait for that day!" Cheng Dashan grinned from ear to ear. Soon after, he said he was going to walk out to the fields. Cheng An knew he was going to show off. The Cheng family had recently suffered such a scandal, and even if everyone knew the truth, there were always those with loose tongues. But now, he had nothing to fear. Even the Assistant Prefect and the Chief Registrar had personally come to his house to invite his son to the exam. Regardless of whether he passed, who else could claim such status?