CH 14

Even though there was still a while before the Metropolitan examination, Fujian was still very far from the Capital. The earlier he got there, the easier it would be to get settled and start revising, so not long after Qi Jiguang left, Zhao Su began making advanced preparations.

The house was burned down in the fire. Zhao Su asked someone to help find another. In less than half a month, he found a new house. The original owner wanted to move his family westward and the price was moderate, so Zhao Su quickly bought it.

Now, he was a juren, within the clan, and even in the city, many people were trying to strike up a good relationship with him, but Zhao Su didn’t waste too much time on this. Usually declining to see visitors, occasionally he would attend a few banquets by invitation of the County Magistrate. He kept a modest attitude, even though his status has risen considerably, he never looked down on anyone. So in the eyes of others, this concubine’s son who had once been driven out of the house was much more promising than his half-brother.

Zhao Nuan wanted to open up a business but he didn’t dare to mention it to Zhao Shenyu, instead he wanted Zhao Su to talk to his father in his place. Being bothered by Zhao Nuan day in, day out, he had no choice but to relent and go talk to Zhao Shenyu. The two of them spoke in private for most of the day, no one knew what Zhao Su had done to make Zhao Shenyu permit his son to go to the Capital with Zhao Su.

In regards to the arson, this problem was the trickiest.

If time had allowed it, Zhao Su would have stayed and investigated himself until everything was clear but that wasn’t possible.

From Fujian to Beijing, even if they hurried it would still take one or two months. All the juzi were taking the exam together, it was much harder than the Provincial exam. Even though he had somehow gained first place this time, that didn’t mean that it would happen this time, so he needed more time to revise.

The most crucial point was that there was absolutely no proof that Zhao Jin had set the fire.

After the incident, Zhao Su had asked around in the neighbourhood, but at the time, it was chaos everywhere, everyone was fearing for their lives so no one had paid any attention to the fire.

In terms of motive, Zhao Jin obviously was the most suspicious, but in terms of status, he couldn’t just go over and accuse his own half brother. Plus, right now he was neither an official nor had passed the metropolitan exam yet.

There was a limit to what he could do, so Zhao Su could only ask Yang Rufu to investigate in his place, so that he could get on the road to the Capital. He also told Dai Zhong to let him know if there were any advances in the case.

He had done advanced preparations for his departure to the Capital, but there was still one more thing that he had yet to resolve.

Since Zhao Su had obtained jieyuan, everyday, there were people coming to the door trying to matchmake him with their daughters. Before the Wukou invasion, Zhao Su’s name and reputation had spread throughout the region of Changle, even the Inspector-General had written him a letter of praise. The range of people who came to propose marriage was vast, amongst them, there were not only government officials but also literary families. Even his mother Lady Chen was having trouble keeping track.

“Mother” Zhao Su said with his forehead in his hands, “I’m leaving for the Capital soon, when would I have the time to take a wife, plus…”

Plus, right now, the body that he was in was still only seventeen years old. In accordance with modern standards, he was still a teenager. Before he transmigrated, he liked to be single, he was afraid of commitment and he hadn’t got married yet. After coming here, he even more did not rush to tie himself to a woman who only pays attention to three obediences and four virtues1 for a lifetime.

Lady Chen said hesitantly: “But amongst the names, there are a few that have been introduced by Clan Leader fu-ren…”

“Just say that I am concerned about the metropolitan examination now, and I have no intention of discussing marriage. If someone comes to propose a marriage, help me to refuse them.”

Lady Chen sighed: “I know that you have high standards and are dissatisfied with the women of this county, but you can’t stay single forever?”

“I only said to your father that I’d supervise your studies. Once we get to Beijing, we’ll find you a renowned tutor to prepare you for the next Provincial exam.”

Zhao Nuan cried out miserably: “Xiongdi, we’re both born in the same place, isn’t that a bit too much!”

Zhao Su didn’t bother with him anymore and turned to Chen Zhu: “Bo Xun, what’s your plan once we reach the capital?”

Chen Zhu was trying to hold back the laughter from seeing the two bicker: “First, I’ll rent a guesthouse to settle down in, so that I have somewhere calm and quiet to study. Why don’t we get one together so we can look out for each other.”

Zhao Su smiled and said: “I was just thinking the same thing.”

Chen Zhu brought with him a pageboy. Zhao Su didn’t have any previous experience and suddenly felt things were inconvenient. When the boat stopped in Fuzhou, he got off the boat and bought a pageboy.

The pageboy he acquired was only 12 or 13 years old. He was sold by his parents because of the famine in Jiangxi. Then, he was forcibly brought to Fuzhou. He was skin and bone but appeared quick-witted. Zhao Su, seeing that he seemed to be able to recognise a couple of Chinese characters, decided to buy him, and gave him a name, Zhao Rong.

“Shaoye, what does “Rong” mean?” In less than two days, thanks to Zhao Su’s calm demeanor, Zhao Rong felt a lot more at ease and was even curious enough to ask about the origins of his name.

Fuzhou is also known as Rongcheng, since we met here, I used the Rong in your name.”

Zhao Su had wanted to say “bought you” but he was still originally from modern times and he couldn’t get used to the fact of buying a person like a slave.

Zhao Rong happily washed the brush pen and ink stone for his young master. He was smart by nature and learned many simple tasks within two days, so Zhao Su had more time to immerse himself in reading.

Zhao Su knew himself very well. He knew that he had been able to get first place in the Provincial exam because of his hard work, but this was not the only deciding factor.

Before the exam, he had found out the officials marking the provincial exam were Inspector General Liu and Provincial Education Commissioner Zong, these two officials were both pro-war and didn’t like empty formalities. Plus, this time, they had especially added the question about the Wukou. If he had written an essay that was a beautifully written waffle piece, he would definitely have failed. So Zhao Su knew that at this time, he had prepared well and could write an essay that satisfied the marking officials.

However, the chance that he could do this for the Metropolitan exam in the capital was low.

Chen Zhu grinned and defended: “Shaoyong has a big heart and a big mind, he wouldn’t blink even if Mount Tai collapses2.”

Zhao Nuan shook his head and sighed: “I’m done for, how long have you known him to take his side, one Zhao Shaoyong was already a handful, no there’s two of you, the coming days are going to be hard!”

He was so busy babbling nonsense, that he didn’t notice Chen Zhu’s uneasiness.

After several days, they finally found a house to rent. It was in a convenient location and suitable for them to fully concentrate on their studies. After consulting with Chen Zhu, Zhao Su decided to rent it. The house was spacious and had several rooms so they each had their own room.

Because the pageboys didn’t know how to cook, Chen Zhu hired an old lady to take care of the three men’s meals. She only took care of their meals and was paid so she didn’t live with them.

It was indeed convenient, but the old lady’s cooking skills were only mediocre, it was simply edible but not enjoyable. The other two could only rely on Zhao Su to fry up a dish or two when he was in a good mood or to eat out occasionally in a restaurant.