Chapter 5: Old Trees Sprout New Shoots—Enduring Power Through the Ages

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Fan Jin no longer had the mind to ponder whether the blue smoke he had just seen was visible only to him or to the entire clan. The influx of fortune into his body came unexpectedly, catching him completely off guard, leaving no room for defense or hesitation. A stream-like energy rapidly began repairing his decaying body.

Fan Jin could distinctly feel the transformation within him after the fortune entered. His entire body seemed lighter, every cell activated, devoid of the weariness typical of a man in his fifties or sixties. The white hair at his temples gradually turned gray, and the wrinkles on his face smoothed out like ripples on a lake stirred by an autumn breeze, soon returning to a silky smoothness.

In the depths of his consciousness, a voice seemed to whisper to him:

[Longevity +20]
[Intelligence +10]
[Constitution +10]
...

After a long moment, Fan Jin shuddered, then felt a mix of emptiness and lingering satisfaction. He deeply missed that sensation of being nourished, cared for, and enveloped—those joyful moments always seemed too fleeting.

“Longevity increased, and I look younger too?” Fan Jin’s expression shifted subtly as he whispered to himself. The connection between the two was yet to be fully understood, but he indeed noticed his youth returning. His once withered hands gradually became smooth and delicate, and beneath his skin surged a youthful vigor.

With the ancestral ceremony complete, Second Uncle waved for the clan members to disperse and urged everyone to prepare diligently for the three-day banquet ahead.

“Jin, I feel like you’ve grown younger,” Second Uncle said, his gaze fixed on Fan Jin, his mouth opening slightly in surprise. Just moments ago... Could it be that his eyesight was failing?

Fan Jin remained calm and replied, “One’s spirit is always brighter with joyous occasions!”

Second Uncle pondered, then nodded, “That must be it.”

Though surprised by his rejuvenation, Fan Jin accepted it calmly, realizing the process was gradual. Beyond the immediate effects, the transformation would continue subtly over time. Almost every moment now, he was growing younger. Describing it as merely the spirit lifting during happy times was plausible enough.

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As for growing even younger over time... After passing the imperial exam and settling into a comfortable life, it wasn’t hard to imagine one becoming more youthful. A peasant digging in the fields could hardly fathom the life of a local gentry, nor the joy of a successful scholar! Otherwise, the joke about the emperor planting fields with golden hoes and eating a steamed bun every meal would never have arisen.

“Second Uncle, I’ve been thinking—we need to reopen the clan academy,” Fan Jin said thoughtfully. Having now passed the exam, it wouldn’t do for the clan to consist only of illiterate peasants, bluntly put.

“That’s how it should be!” Second Uncle agreed wholeheartedly. In fact, the village had once had a private school, and Fan Jin himself had benefited from the clan’s support during his early education. But over the decades, few scholars had emerged from the village, and the cost had been considerable. The villagers’ enthusiasm gradually faded. Passion, after all, is often worn down by time, vanishing without a trace.

Those like Fan Jin, who risk everything to defy fate and strive to succeed against the heavens, were truly rare—almost anomalies.

“Jin, you may think I don’t recognize many characters, but I understand the truth: everything else is lowly, only scholarly pursuit is noble,” Second Uncle said with a knowing nod. “For a poor family’s child, studying is the only way out.”

Isn’t the shining example right before their eyes? With Fan Jin’s success bringing honor to the family, Second Uncle’s sincere hopes for more scholars to arise in the village and strengthen the clan took root once again.

Fan Jin then produced two silver notes from his pocket. “This is a small token from me, to purchase some school lands for the village children’s education. They need not necessarily aim for the imperial exams; even basic literacy will help them find a livelihood in the future.”

Second Uncle accepted the notes in astonishment. “Two hundred taels!” The finest paddy fields cost about ten taels per mu, and average fields around five or six. Offering two hundred taels was a considerable sum!

“That’s excellent. With your support, it’ll be much easier for the children to study,” Second Uncle said, deeply moved.

“Also, the school lands can be registered under my name to waive the land tax,” Fan Jin arranged carefully. Kinship ties in ancient society were among the most reliable relationships—shared glory and shared hardship. Otherwise, officials who fell from grace wouldn’t bring ruin upon their entire clans.

This was no less true now. Even in later times, after Director Qi rose to power, which villager didn’t owe him kindness and remember his favor?

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The benefit was that when Director Qi faced dirty tasks, the villagers almost unconditionally helped him. Who wouldn’t want a relative like Director Qi?

Fan Jin did not intend to drag all clan members upward; those hopeless cases were beyond his concern. He had no desire, like the “Half-Conqueror of Heaven,” to train even the wild dogs of his hometown to become police dogs fed by the government.

Fan Jin’s aim was to cultivate a good reputation that honored the clan. Often, such a reputation was crucial for imperial exams and official appointments.

Why, after passing the highest imperial exam, did Fan Jin, a humble man, become a distinguished censor? His three years of filial mourning for his mother, adhering strictly to ancient rites, undoubtedly played a vital role.

They spoke for a while longer, and Second Uncle asked with concern, “Jin, are you planning to continue taking the imperial exams?”

Fan Jin’s lips curled slightly. “Naturally.”

Enduring and lasting power—that was the goal.

The chance of a provincial graduate receiving an official post was slim. Mr. Zhang, the local gentry, was lucky to have briefly served as county magistrate. Moreover, officials of that rank faced a glass ceiling; the path upward was firmly blocked. Military officers might have some opportunities, but as a civil official, a provincial graduate would face opposition from all sides.

Second Uncle knew little of these complexities but fully supported Fan Jin’s ambitions.

Speed was of the essence.

Within days, arrangements for the school lands were settled. The village’s long-abandoned school reopened, and children of suitable age began their studies, taught by an elderly scholar who had repeatedly failed the imperial exams.

Second Uncle even sent word for Fan Jin to inscribe a motto for the school. Tempted to write “Half-Conqueror of Heaven,” Fan Jin thought better of the grandiose tone.

After brief reflection, he penned:

“From humble beginnings to the imperial hall,
Heroes are born, not bred;
A man must strive with all his might!”