Chapter 28: Dingming Goes to the Provincial Capital

It was already afternoon by the time Aunt Sun finished tidying up. The winter sun shone warmly, and as she walked along the country path in her padded cotton jacket, everything felt serene and harmonious.

Mother Huang and Aunt Sun had returned from picking vegetables in the garden, while the three Sun brothers were busy slaughtering chickens, ducks, and geese.

Young Yu was gnawing on a wild green jujube; it was tart yet sweet, with a lingering sugary aftertaste.

Sun Shan asked with a feigned, wide-eyed innocence, "Cousin Yu, where does the eldest cousin study? I heard Aunt mention an academy; what kind of academy is it?" He even tilted his head, looking at Yu with a naive expression.

Yu, who was straightforward and open by nature, answered every question put to him. He took a bite of the jujube and said, "My eldest brother studies at the Guangya Academy. It’s one of the top ten academies in Guangzhou Prefecture. It has produced many scholars, provincial graduates, and even imperial degree holders."

Speaking of the school his brother attended, even Yu, who disliked studying, wore an expression of longing.

Sun Shan blinked and said, "The eldest cousin is truly amazing to be studying at such a prestigious academy. Didn't Aunt say before that he studied at the He Family School?"

Yu finished the jujube and spat out the pit. With a look that suggested Sun Shan didn't understand how things worked, he said, "My brother only started his elementary studies at the He Family School."

He then added proudly, "The teachers in our clan said that my brother has great aptitude and that studying at the He Family School would be a waste, so they recommended him to Guangya Academy. Heh, the He clan only gets two recommendations, and my brother is one of them."

"To get into Guangya Academy, you either pass the entrance exam or you get a recommendation. Passing the exam is too difficult; only one out of three hundred people gets in. Fortunately, the elders of the He clan have a friendship with the head of Guangya Academy, which is why we have the recommendation quota."

He paused, assuming his cousin still didn't grasp the situation, and explained, "Even though my brother was recommended by the He clan, it wasn't easy to secure that spot. You have to be talented, gifted, and diligent enough for the teachers to notice you. My brother has loved reading since he was small, and the clan believes he has a very high chance of passing the provincial examinations."

The He family produced scholars and officials, but fame and rank weren't like cabbages you could buy at the market. If one could pass the provincial examinations, they would already hold high status within the clan, to say nothing of achieving the rank of an imperial degree holder.

Sun Shan’s eyes gleamed as he said, "The eldest cousin is truly impressive."

Yu boasted, "My brother is definitely impressive. He is the most valued person in the family, especially by my grandfather. Whatever he wants, he gets. My grandfather often scolds the rest of us for not doing well in our studies, humph."

Speaking of this, Yu felt a sense of injustice. He had tried hard to study, but he just wasn't good at it, and he couldn't be blamed for that. The younger brothers were also in school, and their grades were nothing to write home about. Having one "oddity" like the eldest brother in the family had made life miserable for the rest of them.

Sun Shan looked at Yu with disdain and said righteously, "If you don't work hard while you are young, you will only end up regretting it in your old age. Cousin Yu, I think you’re just playful and not studying properly. It is only right that Grandfather He scolds you."

Uncle He, who was nearby, heard the two cousins and chuckled. He patted Sun Shan on the head and said earnestly, "Shan is right. You shouldn't follow Cousin Yu's example; you must study hard."

Sun Shan nodded solemnly and said, "Uncle He, I will start school next year. I will definitely study hard and eventually become a scholar, a provincial graduate, and even a top scholar in the imperial examinations."

Hearing Sun Shan's bold words, Yu laughed and teased, "Shan, if you talk too big, you won't grow tall. If you end up short in the future, it’ll be because you like to tell lies."

Uncle He rolled his eyes at his son, knowing it was normal for children to talk nonsense, and said sincerely to Sun Shan, "That’s the spirit, Shan. You must study hard."

Aunt Sun watched their earnest exchange of nonsense and asked with a smile, "Brother, you’re sending Shan to school next year, right? Where are you planning to send him?"

There were no scholars in Sun Village; even the village chief had only studied for a few years, knowing just enough characters to manage the village.

The three Sun brothers, who were busy plucking feathers, replied, "We're sending him to the Zheng family village, to Old Scholar Zheng's school."

In the surrounding ten miles, Old Scholar Zheng was the only one who had earned the title, though he was already an old man in his forties or fifties. Those who needed to learn to read and write usually went there. All five boys in the Sun family were studying there.

The Second Uncle added, "Sister, we’ve decided that Ming won't be going to school next year. Old Scholar Zheng says he has learned all the characters he needs, and it will be enough for him to go out and work."

Sun Dingming was the eldest son of the second branch and the oldest grandson of the Sun family. He would be fourteen next year and was considered a young adult. Hearing the adults' discussion while chopping wood in the courtyard, his face turned red, and he felt at a loss. He had started school at eight and had been studying for several years; suddenly being told he didn't need to go anymore left him feeling a sense of emptiness.

Aunt Sun asked the Second Uncle, "If Dingming isn't going to school, what are your plans for him?"

The Second Uncle stuttered, "I don't know yet. I'll see if there are any jobs in the county town. If not, he’ll just have to stay home and work the fields with me."

Finding a job for a village boy was difficult; it usually required personal connections. The Sun family had no relatives in the county town. There was a younger aunt in the suburbs, but the Zhou family could barely take care of themselves, let alone the Sun family.

Aunt Sun glanced at Uncle He.

Uncle He understood and said gently, "Second Brother, how about this? My shop needs an extra hand. Why don't you let Dingming come with us? I just don't know if you’re willing to part with him."

After all, it was a long way away, and they would only return once or twice a year. If Dingming went to Guangzhou Prefecture, he wouldn't be able to come home often.

The Second Uncle, who was plucking chicken feathers, froze and asked in disbelief, "Brother-in-law, are you saying you want Dingming to go to the prefectural city?"

Uncle He nodded.

Aunt Sun added, "Dingming is no longer a child. Instead of staying home, he might as well come with me to the prefectural city to work. If nothing else, it will broaden his horizons."

Staying in Sun Village meant being a farmer for life. If he had the capability, doing some small business in the city would be good. Even if he didn't, seeing the world and earning some money to save for a wife would be worth it.

Suddenly, the Second Uncle stopped plucking the feathers. He grabbed Dingming, who was chopping wood, and said excitedly, "Ming-er, kneel down and thank your aunt and uncle!"

There was no need to think about it; he would definitely go to the city. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Hearing that his aunt wanted to take him to the city, Dingming felt a mix of excitement and nervousness, not knowing what to say. When his father told him to kneel, he immediately dropped to his knees. Sun Shan even felt a pang of sympathy for his cousin's knees.

Uncle He and Aunt Sun quickly pulled him up. Uncle He said gently, "Don't kneel at every turn; we don't do that here."

The Second Uncle didn't see it that way. He said excitedly, "Brother-in-law, it is Ming-er's good fortune to have you as an uncle. Kneeling to you is the least he can do."

It was hard enough for a country boy to get to the county town, let alone Guangzhou Prefecture. Now that Ming-er had this chance, if he didn't seize it, he would be failing his own future.

Aunt Sun patted Ming-er on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Don't listen to your father. We're going to the city to work. As long as you work hard and learn well, your aunt will be satisfied."

Dingming quickly promised, "Uncle, Aunt, I will definitely work hard and learn well. I won't let you down."

At this moment, the Second Aunt, who had been busy in the kitchen, came out. Seeing the unusual atmosphere, she asked in confusion, "Master, what's going on?" She was worried that they had made a mistake and were being reprimanded by the eldest sister.

The Second Uncle waved his hand and said, "Eldest sister says she wants to take Dingming to the city to work."

Hearing this, the Second Aunt became even more excited than the Second Uncle. With wide eyes, she asked in disbelief, "Master, what did you say? Dingming is going to the city with the eldest sister?"

Their eldest son was just like his father—honest and diligent, but not very quick-witted. She couldn't understand why the eldest sister would choose Dingming.

Aunt Sun smiled and said, "Second sister-in-law, your husband and I have discussed it. Dingming is the eldest grandson of the Sun family and is finished with his schooling. Instead of staying in the village, he might as well come to the city to broaden his horizons. What do you think?"

What could she think? She was absolutely in favor of it; this was a great stroke of luck for Dingming.

The Second Aunt said, not very articulately, "Eldest sister, whatever you say, I will listen to you."

Aunt Sun nodded with satisfaction. "Let's do this: Ming-er will work in my shop. We'll see how he does once he's settled in. We won't use his labor for free—five hundred wen a month, with food and lodging provided. Do you have any objections?"

The Second Uncle said excitedly, "Eldest sister, why pay him wages? You taking him with you is an honor in itself. He doesn't know anything yet; he doesn't deserve wages."

Five hundred wen a month! No one would believe it wasn't the eldest sister helping them out in disguise.

The Second Aunt also said, "That's right, eldest sister. You don't need to pay him; food and lodging are more than enough."

Living in the city was better than living in the village; many would fight for the chance just for a few meals.

Uncle He stopped the couple and said seriously, "Wages must be paid. Let's make it three hundred wen a month, with food and lodging included, plus a set of clothes for each season. Don't push back on this."

Grandmother Huang, who was standing by, added, "Second son, second daughter-in-law, just listen to your brother-in-law."

When had Chunlan decided to take a child to the city? She would ask later tonight, but for now, they had to agree. It was an opportunity others would beg for.

The Third Uncle and Third Aunt looked at each other, feeling a sting of jealousy. Why had the eldest sister and brother-in-law chosen Ming-er? He was just like his father, as dull as a log and not clever at all. They felt the eldest sister and brother-in-law had poor judgment. Their own son, Dinguang, was much better than Dingming.

The couple didn't stop to think that Dinguang was only ten years old and still in school—why would Aunt Sun take him to work?