Three days had yet to pass before news of Fu An’s success on the list spread like wildfire. Not only the scholars in the city knew, but even the merchants in the Fu district had caught wind of it.
Fu An was busy, for he was attending a banquet hosted by the County School.
He was already well acquainted with the County School, but this banquet was especially lively. Besides the key figures from the county government, the newly successful candidates who had passed the examination were also present, making it a grand and bustling affair.
Tutor Wu was extremely pleased with Fu An this time. Although he had anticipated that Fu An would pass the exam, he had not expected him to top the list. This result was an unexpected delight.
Word had long since spread throughout the County School that Fu An was his disciple. With Fu An’s victory as the top candidate in the provincial exam, it was also a great honor for his tutor.
Now that his student had become his proud protégé, Wu not only taught him literature and policy but also instructed him in personal conduct and social skills, doing so with great care.
He introduced Fu An to the county magistrate, the academic officers, and other officials, as well as encouraging him to make friends with the fellow successful candidates from this exam. If Fu An stayed to work in his hometown, these contacts would be valuable connections; if he ventured out for his future career, some of these peers might become his colleagues.
Though young, Fu An already understood quite a bit about managing affairs. With Tutor Wu’s guidance, he handled matters with ease and grace.
After the banquet concluded, Fu An returned to the private school to thank his teachers.
Since he had been admitted to the County School, he would no longer study at the private school in Xu town. Although he hadn’t studied there for two full years, Fu An deeply felt that he had learned much from Master Xu. His achievements today were inseparable from Xu’s teachings.
As a token of gratitude, Fu An thanked his teachers and also shared his exam experiences with his classmates.
Master Xu and his fellow teacher were happy for Fu An and proud to have taught such an outstanding student. They always knew he was no ordinary talent, but had been confined to a small pond; now that he was stepping into a broader world, their hearts felt a little less heavy.
By contrast, his childhood friend Er Wu felt sad that they would no longer study together.
They had studied side by side since their earliest schooling, and after five or six years, they still hadn’t been separated.
Fu An comforted Er Wu for a while, then encouraged him to strive to pass the preliminary exam in the coming years and achieve the rank of xiucai as soon as possible. Then they could study together again at the County School.
Er Wu was somewhat encouraged by this, though he knew that following Fu An’s pace, he might not be able to catch up or enjoy the same opportunities to study together as in childhood.
But if he remained stagnant, there would never be a chance at all.
Fu An was busy with social obligations; the family was likewise kept occupied.
Though they wished to keep a low profile, they still had to entertain properly. No one could sense any lack of importance placed on Fu An’s achievement of the xiucai degree. One group of well-wishers arrived after another, so many in fact that they wore down the doorstep.
It became so hectic that the family eventually held several separate banquets.
There were at least three or four such events, each with many guests, and the household barely managed to accommodate them all.
Outside, news traveled fast, and soon an agent from the local landlord brought a note offering to lend the Fu residence free of charge to hold the banquets with Fan’s family.
This was considerate indeed—an unmistakable gesture of goodwill.
Various merchants in the city used their tangled connections to send invitations that could fill a whole box.
They cited all manner of reasons: their shops happened to be on the same street, they all lived in Chaoyang Lane like the Fan family, their relatives often bought goods from the Fan shops… in short, they found every possible excuse.
Many merchants even included gifts with their notes to curry favor. Kang He didn’t have time to look closely until evening, when he saw all kinds of gifts: money, porcelain, silk, and some precious items he had never seen before.
“Fan Jing, come look at this.”
Fan Jing approached Kang He, who held a deed in his hand.
“What’s so special about this?” Fan Jing said.
Among the gifts, the deeds to shops and property were quite common.
Kang He said, “Look closely at the location on top. It’s the shop at No. 188, South Fu Street.”
Fan Jing frowned, looking at Kang He. “Isn’t that the shop we had our eye on before, the one with a cellar intended for selling vegetables?”
“Exactly.”
Kang He was somewhat emotional. “After running all over, trying every possible connection, we couldn’t get it. Yet here it is, handed over to us as if we’d asked for it.”
Having a way in was good, but an unexpected gift was even better.
Fan Jing asked, “What do you plan to do with these things?”
Kang He put away the deed and the invitation together, tidied up, and looked at Fan Jing.
“Let’s call Father and Mother over. It’s better to discuss everything together.”
Fan Jing nodded.
That night, Kang He summoned Father Fan and Chen Sanfang, and the four of them gathered inside, closing the door.
It was like old times back in the village, when a family would gather to discuss important matters.
“These years, we’ve worked hard together and managed to get this far. Not to say we’re rich and powerful, but we no longer worry about food or drink.”
“Fu An has done well; the family’s status has lifted because of him. From commoners, the Fan family is now the talk of the town. Relatives come to flatter us, merchants curry favor, and gifts pile up like mountains.”
Kang He looked at Father Fan and Chen Sanfang, speaking slowly.
“Just the three of us—Father, Mother, and me—have carefully built everything. Over the years, from digging wells and building houses to buying fields and running the business, every step was cautious and steady.
If we had made a mistake at any point, we wouldn’t be where we are now.”
“Now the family’s well off and quite popular, we must not relax or become careless.
People will use all sorts of tricks to trap us. At a time like this, we must be even more vigilant.”
“Many precious gifts and benefits have come to the family recently, and many people have come bearing favors.
But there is no such thing as a free meal or a gift without strings. Those who flatter us now are looking to ride our coattails.
Will they let go of us once they no longer need us?”
“If we break the law or commit crimes because of their influence, what then? We’d be in deep trouble.”
“Fu An is still young, and many matters still depend on us adults.
If we don’t behave properly and manage our relations well, the debts of gratitude we owe now will all fall back on Fu An.”
“If the boy has a future career, he will be burdened by these entanglements. We must not let that happen.”
Father Fan and Chen Sanfang listened quietly, their hearts awakened by Kang He’s words.
Since Fu An’s success, they had been somewhat dazzled by all the flattery and gifts, but now their hearts slowly settled back into place.
Chen Sanfang said, “So many treasures and money were secretly given to us these past few days. It dazzled our eyes and made us happy, but I never slept well at night.
I couldn’t figure out what felt off.”
“Sanlang, after hearing what you said, I understand now.
If we accept these gifts, we owe favors in return. Our ability isn’t enough to handle that; we’ll have to make Fu An do it.
Once he becomes a government official, he won’t be able to abuse his power for private gain.”
Kang He smiled when Chen Sanfang immediately understood.
“That’s exactly my point.
Fu An has taught us how to earn respect in the world.
How could we teach him to carry a mountain of favors on his back?”
Father Fan also spoke.
“We don’t understand these outside matters.
Relatives exchange gifts during festivals: you send us cured meat, we return with baskets of millet.
But now, people we don’t know suddenly send expensive gifts and great favors.
That can’t go on without Fu An losing face.”
“Yes, Father and Mother are wise.
Fan Jing and I plan to return all the gifts from strangers, untouched.
For those who have long been close to us and bring gifts properly, we will still accept them.
We’ll host banquets to thank friends and relatives.
We can’t cut off all contact just because Fu An became a xiucai.”
Kang He said, “I and Fan Jing will handle the city affairs, but you two must manage the village.
I say this to warn you—to avoid owing unnecessary favors.
If we’re not upright, jealous village folk might find fault and use it against us.
We don’t want to suffer because of that.”
Father Fan and Chen Sanfang nodded.
“We understand. When we go back, we’ll instruct everyone in the village.
Any gifts from unknown or unreasonable sources must be returned and no more accepted.”
“Before, many wealthy villagers and local officials sent us fine gifts and favors.”
Kang He was pleased to see them so clear-headed.
He worried the villagers, with their rural naivety, might be easily ensnared, bringing trouble that could explode unexpectedly.
“Though it’s a pity we must give up these fine things, Fu An’s success as a xiucai has already spared us many taxes.
If we work together carefully, the village will only get better.
The good things we see today are earned honestly, and that’s reassuring.”
Chen Sanfang smiled.
“Sanlang’s right.
If we’re upright, the village will only improve.
We won’t owe anyone favors.”
Father Fan grinned.
“I’m just a barefoot farmer. Now I have food, wine, and a house to sleep in.
Who in the village wouldn’t greet me warmly?
I’m already satisfied.
Even if I had mountains of gold and silver, it wouldn’t matter.
I only wish that Fan Jing, Zhen’er, and Qiao’er, and their husbands, live happily.
If the grandchildren are healthy, that’s all I need.”
Father Fan was easily satisfied and not greedy for gifts.
After hearing Kang He’s words, he was even less interested in accepting more.
The four talked for a long while, encouraging and reminding each other, feeling at peace.
Fu An arrived home late and heard from Little Fu that grandfather, father, and uncle had something to discuss that night.
He didn’t know what it was but thought that now that he had succeeded, he could also participate in village affairs.
Listening to their conversation, he felt a complicated mix of emotions.
The village was in a prosperous period, yet they were still so clear-headed and thoughtful for his sake.
He saw many harmonious families, but also many who caused trouble and unrest.
Fu An was grateful to have been born into the former.
He had heard from great-grandfather about the village’s poor days and often admired his father and uncle.
Their skills had lifted the village from hunger to wealth.
Now, Fu An had more understanding than before.
The next day, all the gifts from the Fan family were returned as they came.
Kang He and Fan Jing followed the original plan, renting a residence to hold banquets for relatives and friends.
Following Fu An’s example when he passed the preliminary exam, they held three banquets: one for the teachers, county government officials, and County School dignitaries; one for relatives and friends in the city; and one for classmates and friends, all arranged and hosted by Fu An himself.
That day, Kang He and Fan Jing went to confirm the banquet location and invited the staff to handle the preparations.
The two returned to the village in a relaxed mood.
On their way back, near the village gate, they ran into a somewhat familiar man wearing a blue, crossed-collar garment.
He looked like a steward or some kind of official.
Behind him followed two assistants, all carrying gifts.
These days, Kang He and Fan Jing were accustomed to seeing such visitors bringing congratulatory gifts.
Usually, upon seeing Kang He and Fan Jing, the visitors would avoid bothering them and sneak out through the back door.
Most of the merchants who tried to ingratiate themselves didn’t even know Kang He and Fan Jing well.
Though Fu An had topped the provincial exam, the Fan family had no particular fame in the city.
Had Fu An been a regular xiucai, few merchants would have cared to seek favor.
But since he had come first, everyone knew the top candidate usually went on to succeed further.
Their status would only rise, making future opportunities quite different from the present.
This visitor, however, was familiar to Kang He—not someone he just met now, but an old acquaintance.
So he did not turn and leave immediately.
“The steward is polite. Thank you for coming,” Kang He said.
“But our master is not in the village now,” the steward replied.
“You’ve made a wasted trip.
Our master sent his thanks for your congratulations.
He said he will come with an invitation to the village one day for a drink and celebration.”
Hearing that only those with invitations were welcomed to drink, the gatekeeper Sheng Han sighed slightly.
This meant they only invited people with invitations, politely declining others.
He thought that the Fan family was remarkably upright.
Since they would not invite just anyone with gifts, the steward had to let it go.
Lingering too long would only cause annoyance, which would be bad form.
Just as the steward was leaving, he bumped into two familiar figures.
He tried to recall their names for a moment before finally recognizing them.
He slapped his forehead.
“Kang brother! Fan Fulang!”
Kang He smiled.
“Manager Jin, it’s been years.
I’m afraid I shouldn’t call you that anymore.”
Fan Jing looked at the man and felt the same.
He immediately remembered who this was: a former clerk at the oil lamp shop near the bridge.
Kang He said it had indeed been many years.
Back then, they often visited the shopkeeper Zou, and the clerk frequently ran errands for him.
Hence they were familiar with each other.
Later, Zou’s business grew so prosperous that their contact faded, and they lost touch.
Luan County was neither too big nor too small.
Without deliberate effort, it was hard to encounter some people again.
Manager Jin brightened upon seeing Kang He and Fan Jing.
He recalled that when they had contact years ago, he was a mere clerk at the oil shop.
Now, after Zou’s promotion, he had become the steward.
Hearing them call him by that name was a little surreal, reminding him of his youth.
Back then, their relations were very cordial.
But after the main parties lost contact, people like them at the lower levels had no connection and, living elsewhere, ceased to interact.
“Are you two here to congratulate Fan Fulang, the successful xiucai?” Manager Jin lowered his voice.
“Truly a remarkable person.
So young and already a xiucai, and topping the list at that.
He must be quite the star in the county town.
Yet the family is very strict—they neither accept gifts nor see many people.”
Kang He smiled slightly.
“My son was fortunate to have some literary luck and managed to pass the exam.
Thank you, Manager Jin, for coming to offer your congratulations.
It’s been a long time.
You are welcome to visit my humble home for a chat, but please, no gifts.”
“My son—”
Manager Jin was surprised by Kang He’s words.
He glanced at the Fan residence plaque and then at Kang He and Fan Jing.
Kang He was articulate, often seeming the head of the family.
If it were just his son who passed the exam, the plaque wouldn’t bear the Fan name.
Who would set up a household with their own name at such a young age?
Suddenly, he realized Kang He was a son-in-law of the Fan family!
So why did the plaque bear the Fan name and not Kang’s?
These old details often slipped people’s minds unless reminded.
He never thought the top candidate was their child.
There were many Fans in the county, and who would imagine that all talented Fans were the same family?
Manager Jin took a moment to regain his composure before bowing.
“Congratulations to you both.”
Kang He was momentarily speechless.
Manager Jin came bearing gifts but had no idea Fu An was their son.
If Zou had bothered to inquire, he would have known about their old friendship.
But now, Manager Jin came completely unaware, showing how little sincerity Zou had in fostering ties.
Kang He did not pursue the matter.
He had no intention of reconciling with Zou.
He merely lamented Zou’s habitual carelessness.
Still, seeing an old acquaintance brought him genuine joy.
They had never had conflicts and had always worked hard to make a good life.
Meeting again, Kang He sincerely invited him to join their gathering.
Feeling both surprised and honored, Manager Jin followed Kang He and Fan Jing into the residence.
He thought this was quite an honor—rarely was he invited to a prestigious gathering without relying on Zou’s influence, but purely on their own friendship and the invitation of the illustrious Fan family.