The tranquility of the mountain village was broken. When the news spread that Lu Lang had won the first prize for the third time, people of all ages in the village swarmed in and crowded outside the small courtyard or on the road at the entrance of the village.
After passing all the three-year child examinations, the next step was to go to the county town to take the examination for the Juren degree. Many of them were reluctant to leave, and were given a good beating by Master Lu using his cane.
"If Liangsheng can pass the imperial examination, it will be a great honor for all the ancestors of our Lujia Village. What kind of person is crying and wailing?!"
In fact, the old man’s eyes were also red.
The locust trees swayed in the wind, rustling. People on the village roads parted ways. Lu Liangsheng walked out slowly, leading an old donkey carrying a bookshelf. Behind him followed Li Jinhua wiping her tears and Lu Xiaoxian sobbing.
Lu Laoshi was a mild-mannered person and could not say anything. He quickly wiped his eyes with his rough hands, not wanting others to see him like this.
"Don't be hard on yourself when you're out. If you encounter any troubles, just come back. The people from our two villages are on your side. If anyone dares to mess with you, we will help you fight back!"
As he spoke, his voice choked up. Eight good friends around him, such as Lu Pan, also came over and patted their chests: "Liangsheng, your father is right. If anything happens, even if it's in the capital, the eight of us will support you."
"I'm just going to River Valley County. It's not like I won't come back."
Lu Liangsheng comforted his father before smiling at the eight of them: "When I'm not here, the safety of the village depends on the eight uncles. Practice the training methods I taught you before, and urge the young and old in the village to practice when they have nothing to do."
"Don't worry, Liangsheng, we will supervise you well."
Seeing Lu Pan's promise, Lu Liangsheng looked at his sister's red eyes. Lu Xiaoxian reluctantly pulled her brother's sleeve, tears sliding down her cheeks: "Brother... can't you just not leave?"
At her age, she still doesn’t understand some things, but that doesn’t stop her from worshipping her brother. She lives in a family that mostly lives together in an orderly manner, with a ghost sister, a sleepy toad, and a quarrelsome but harmonious father and mother…
Lu Liangsheng gently wiped the water stains from the corners of her eyes and said with a smile: "The earlier you go, the earlier you can return. You should take good care of your parents at home."
The little girl nodded obediently.
When he walked out of the village, his mother Li Jinhua and a group of villagers were waiting for him on the roadside. He led the old donkey over and took the bag handed to him by his mother. After walking for a while, Lu Liangsheng let the women and villagers who had seen him off go back.
"Fellow villagers, I ask you to help take care of Liangsheng's parents. If there are any difficulties in the village..."
A voice in the crowd called out curiously, "If you are in trouble, will you not leave?"
"I'll try my best to come back." Lu Liangsheng smiled.
His words made everyone laugh out loud. Even the tearful woman burst into laughter and hit her son with her hand.
"You're going on a long trip, and you haven't done anything right yet. Don't behave like that when you're away."
Lu Liangsheng suddenly hugged his mother, patted her thin back, and whispered.
"Mother... my son is gone."
Riding on the donkey's back, the copper bell on the donkey's neck rang softly, we walked onto the official road. Looking back, the Qixia Mountain in the distance was full of green fields, and the village at the foot of the mountain was still there. A group of people stood there, waving goodbye.
Perhaps some feelings come to mind.
The scholar stopped his donkey, got off the donkey, faced the place where he had lived for eighteen years, lifted his wide sleeves, bowed, and after a while, he collected himself and set off again.
It was almost noon, and on the busy official road, a man and a donkey slowly walked into Fushui County. Merchants and pedestrians who knew this figure made way for them and greeted them.
Lu Liangsheng also responded with a smile, walked along the long street, came to a remote courtyard in the corner of the city, opened the door, and respectfully called out: "Master."
The sunlight shines through the gaps between the branches and leaves of an ancient camphor tree, falling on the figure holding a book.
"Here you are, come and sit down." Uncle Hua put down the book and pointed to the stone bench next to him.
In the past three years, the old man has aged a lot. His gray hair has turned completely white. Although he is nearly sixty years old, he is still vigorous. He poured Lu Liangsheng a cup of tea and sat down with him.
"Isn't it a bit too hasty for Liangsheng to prepare to go to Hegu County now? Why not wait another three years?"
Although it was an honor for the old man to have such a good disciple, after three years of trial examinations, he also wanted to protect his son. If he failed the provincial examination, he was afraid that it would dampen Lu Liangsheng's spirit, so he spoke to persuade him.
Over there, Lu Liangsheng took a sip of tea, put it down and said with a smile: "Master, don't worry. Liangsheng will go to Hegu County to settle down first. As for the autumn examination, I will take it easily and will not have the mentality of waiting for it. If I can pass the exam, I will take it. If I can't pass, I will wait for another three years."
"Well, it's the best that you have such an idea. Once you arrive in Hegu County, there is nothing I can do to help you." Wang Shuhua nodded. After saying this, he got up and walked into the house. After a while, he came out with a letter in his hand.
"I have an old friend in River Valley County, who is a well-educated scholar."
The old man handed the letter to the scholar and looked at him kindly: "… When you get there, if you have any questions about your studies, you can ask him. The autumn provincial examination is held every three years, and this year is your turn. If you can take the exam, then take it. If you can't, then just adapt yourself. Don't force yourself."
"Liangsheng knows."
After putting away the book cover, Lu Liangsheng chatted with the old man in the courtyard for a while. County magistrate Min Changwen also came over and walked towards the north gate. They talked about the past three years in a trivial manner, as well as possible scenes in the future.
"If Liangsheng can pass the imperial examination, maybe the three of us can serve as ministers in the same palace. At that time, I will need you, a young talent, to take care of me!"
"Oh... You are too kind, County Master. I have heard from my teacher that you were once the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. You hated evil all your life and offended a villain and were demoted here. If that day ever comes, it should be you who will take care of me."
"Hahaha."
Laughter filled the long pavilion. Soon after, the sun slanted down, and the red glow shone over. Lu Liangsheng mounted his old donkey, bowed to Wang Shuhua and Min Changwen, and left.
Looking at the leisurely figure riding the donkey, Wang Shuhua stroked his white beard and sighed, which reminded him of his youth when he also embarked on a journey to seek a career in politics.
At the side, Min Changwen's smile faded and he turned his gaze away from the receding figure.
"Mr. Shuhua, it seems that you and I will also have to travel far away."
"Um?"
Min Changwen took out a wax-sealed letter from his arms and looked at the figure disappearing in the sunset glow.
"It was sent by an old friend in the court. There is a person who is trying to deceive His Majesty."
The old man turned his head and glanced at the letter in his hand.
"There are so many talented people in the court, how can they use you? It seems like a job that will offend people."
Hearing this, Min Changwen stroked his beard and laughed, put the letter back into his sleeve, and invited the old man to get on the carriage, "It doesn't matter if I offend someone. If the court is not peaceful, it will affect the people of the world. I would like to meet this evil person. Are you willing to go with me, Lord Shuhua?"
"Haha, I followed you to this remote place. How can you just leave? I have to accompany you all the way."
Wang Shuhua held out his hand: "Please!"
"please!"