Chapter 29: Departure

At the crack of dawn the following day, the members of the Wang family began packing for the two brothers.

Wang Mingyuan rubbed his sleepy eyes as he stepped out of his room, only to be frozen in his tracks by the sight in the courtyard. His eldest brother, Wang Mingxin (known as Big Ox), was finishing tying up the final piece of luggage—it was no longer mere luggage, but a veritable mountain!

A custom-made rattan basket, over a meter high, was stuffed to the brim, with a massive pile of items stacked on top. At the very peak sat a dark, heavy iron cauldron, with a spatula tied to its rim. Most absurdly, a rough earthenware pickle jar, half the height of a man, sat securely to the left of the basket, its mouth sealed tight with oilcloth. To the right, a large wooden basin was strapped on for good measure!

"Mother!" Wang Mingyuan’s voice cracked. "Didn't we agree to pack light? Why bring the cauldron? And what about this jar and the basin?" He pointed at the jar, his finger trembling. "I’m going to take the county examination, not flee from a famine!"

Mrs. Zhao, standing on tiptoes while stuffing oil-paper packets into the gaps of the basket, hurriedly explained, "Oh, Sanlang, I’m just worried you’ll get sick on the road! You’ve had a delicate stomach since you were a child, and those dry rations on the road are cold and hard—you can’t just gnaw on those every meal. Take the cauldron so your big brother can boil some hot water or cook you some warm porridge to soothe your stomach!"

She patted the jar, which emitted a hollow, thumping sound. "This isn't just pickles! It’s the cured meat, dried chicken, and salted fish that your sister and sister-in-law smoked! They’re well-salted, so they won't attract pests, and they’ll keep! I wrapped them in layers of oilcloth to keep them dry and protected. The journey to the county seat takes at least several days; you need some grease and protein, especially since studying takes so much brainpower..."

Wang Mingyuan felt faint. The journey was only three days! Just three days! This display looked less like heading to an exam and more like moving the entire household.

"It’s no trouble, Third Brother. Bringing extra food will save you money once we reach the county seat," Big Ox said in his steady, reliable voice.

He bent down, spread his arms, and the heavy straps settled firmly onto his broad shoulders. With a straight back and feet planted like roots, he stood up, lifting the overflowing basket, the iron cauldron, and the pickle jar with ease. The straps dug into his thick shoulders and the rattan frame groaned under the weight, yet Big Ox didn't budge, his breathing remaining perfectly rhythmic. He even used one rough hand to effortlessly pick up Wang Mingyuan’s light satchel containing his brushes, ink, and scrolls.

"This is nothing. Let’s go, we mustn't miss the hour."

Wang Mingyuan looked at his brother’s back, which resembled a mobile fortress, then at his mother still ransacking the house, and heard his little sister poking her head out to shout, "Third Brother, you forgot the little stone mill! You can use it to grind sesame paste on the road!"

Terrified that his mother might actually try to strap the stone mill or the heavy cabinets to his brother’s back, Wang Mingyuan grabbed his remaining small satchel and fled through the courtyard gate, chasing after his brother.

"The quilt! The quilt! My new cotton quilt—swap it for the old one! Oh, my memory!" Mrs. Zhao’s cries faded into the distance.

The morning mist lingered, and dew clung to the stone path. Big Ox carried his heavy burden with long, steady strides, the rattan basket swaying rhythmically with a steady creaking sound. Following behind, Wang Mingyuan felt exhausted after less than an hour, while his brother continued to march like an indefatigable ox.

"Big Brother... you’ve worked hard," he whispered.

"What are you saying?" Big Ox replied, not looking back, his voice tinged with a smile. "This is nothing. Just focus on your exam and don't worry about these trivial things."

The brothers followed their plan from the night before and stopped first at the village school run by Master Zhao. The master was waiting at the gate, holding a heavy, sealed envelope.

"Mingyuan, take this." Master Zhao spoke with solemnity. "This is your guarantee document from the licensed scholar, along with your personal record form."

The process for the county exam in the Dayong Dynasty was much like that of the Ming Dynasty. Held every February under the supervision of the county magistrate and education officials, it required candidates to be registered residents of the county and possess a guarantee document issued by a local licensed scholar. He had to reach the county seat before the exam began to complete his registration and verification. The following April would bring the prefectural exam, and eventually, the provincial-level exams held twice every three years. Every step was critical; there was no room for error.

Because slots for local licensed scholars were scarce, and Master Sun’s academy also had students taking the exam, Wang Mingyuan had used his connections and five taels of silver to have his guarantee attached to theirs.

"Remember, this document determines whether you can even enter the examination hall. Do not lose it, and do not break the seal. You must present it exactly as it is when you report to the rites office at the county government."

Wang Mingyuan felt a chill of responsibility. He took the envelope with both hands and tucked it securely into an inner pocket of his tunic. Feeling the hard edges against his chest, he finally felt a sense of relief. He bowed deeply to the master. "I will keep this in mind. Thank you for all your trouble, Master!"

Master Zhao looked at the student he had nothing left to teach, his eyes filled with both pride and a touch of melancholy. He waved a hand. "Go now, and be careful on the road. The exam is near; keep your mind focused."

"Study hard, Mingyuan! I’ll be waiting for the good news. When you pass, I’ll have my mother prepare a full lamb feast to celebrate!" shouted Zhang Wentao, the "big fatty" from nearby, who truly couldn't go three sentences without mentioning food.

Wang Mingyuan could only nod helplessly. After bidding farewell to the master and the classmates who had come to see him off, the two brothers headed straight for the "Zhenyuan Escort Agency" at the east end of the town.

The entrance to the agency was already bustling. Several mule-drawn carts loaded with cargo sat by the road as sturdy escorts checked their ropes and gear. A burly man with a thick beard and temples slightly bulging—the head escort, Qian Dahu, the eldest uncle of Wang’s second sister-in-law—was barking orders. It was thanks to this connection that they were able to join the convoy; otherwise, they wouldn't have known where to start, or they would have had to pay a steep price. Traveling with an escort agency guaranteed safety, and more importantly, they would avoid getting lost, as they had no maps or navigation tools of their own.

"Mingxin! Mingyuan! We’ve been waiting for you!" Qian Dahu’s voice boomed. His gaze swept over the "mountain" on Wang Mingxin’s back, and his mouth twitched, though he said nothing. "Wait a moment, we’re about to depart! Mingyuan, keep close; the road is bumpy, don't fall behind." He clearly knew Wang Mingyuan was a scholar headed for the exam, and his tone carried the natural respect people held for the learned.

Wang Mingyuan bowed. "I’m in your care, Uncle Qian."

Soon, with a shout of "Move out!" from Qian Dahu, the carts groaned, the escorts flanked the sides, and the small party set off from Qinghe Town.

The journey was dull and grueling. For the most part, there was only the sound of mules snorting, the rumble of wheels on dirt roads, and the occasional shouts of the drivers. To save time, the party moved quickly, stopping only briefly at midday in sheltered spots to gulp down hard flour cakes and cold water before pressing on.

At first, Wang Mingyuan gritted his teeth and kept up, but after half a day, his legs felt like lead, and his soles burned with pain. Though his health had improved over the years, he lacked the stamina of his brother and the seasoned escorts who were used to traveling the mountain paths.