Chapter 14: The Privileges of the Learned

About twenty miles away, as dusk began to fall, Chen Ping dared not linger on the road. Midway, he spotted a figure approaching from afar.

“Father!” Chen Ping recognized him instantly and quickened his pace.

Chen Duohai responded repeatedly to Chen Ping’s calls, a smile on his face and no idle hands—he pulled a warm flatbread from his pocket and handed it to him.

“It’s still warm, eat it quickly.”

Warm flatbread was a rare treat in the Chen household; precious rice and flour were seldom spared for such a simple bread. Chen Ping bit into it, finding wild vegetables cooked with savory lard inside.

Chen Ping glanced at Chen Duohai, who was helping carry the cloth bag beside him. His eyes grew moist, and he lowered his gaze, opening his mouth. Before swallowing, he offered the flatbread back to his father.

“Father, you eat some too.”

Chen Duohai shook his head, refusing to share. “You eat it yourself. Your old man ate before leaving.”

Chen Ping knew well that his father’s meal was far more substantial than his own.

Chen Duohai did not notice Chen Ping’s unease. Carrying the cloth bag on his back, he looked ahead with eyes full of hope for the future.

“Study hard; our family can afford it. By the way, the herbs you helped me gather are nearly ready. I plan to visit the town tomorrow. Is there anything you want to eat?”

Not hearing a reply, Chen Duohai assumed Chen Ping was tired and did not press further. Instead, he lifted Chen Ping into his arms.

“Put me down, Father!” Chen Ping was startled by the sudden elevation, then blushed from the warmth of his father’s embrace. “I’m not a child anymore; please put me down.”

Thankfully, the mountain path was deserted; otherwise, he wouldn’t know where to hide.

Chen Duohai paid no mind. “If you’re tired, just say so. It’s only a few steps—your old man can still manage.”

Along the way, Chen Ping barely tolerated staying in his father’s arms. Approaching the village entrance, he struggled fiercely, determined to walk on his own despite Chen Duohai’s protests.

In the end, Chen Duohai had no choice but to set him down. Watching Chen Ping trot ahead, he followed slowly, muttering with a smile, “You little rascal, still shy around your old man.”

As Chen Ping entered the house, Mrs. Xiang came out to greet him. Not seeing Chen Duohai, she complained, “Did your father not come to pick you up? How many times have I reminded him...”

“No, that’s not true!” Chen Ping quickly explained. “I just ran ahead.”

Mrs. Xiang stopped mid-sentence, then turned to fuss over Chen Ping, “Are you hungry? Want something to eat? Are you tired?”

“No, I ate a flatbread on the way,” Chen Ping answered honestly.

“Enough? Tell me if you want me to make more.”

He shook his head quickly. “Enough, enough.”

Chen Duohai arrived home as Mrs. Xiang packed Chen Ping’s bag for the academy.

Since the academy was in the town, quite far from the village, after confirming arrangements, Chen Duohai and Mrs. Xiang decided Chen Ping would stay at the academy, despite the extra cost, so he could rest more.

Chen Ping lay on the bed, the soft murmur of his parents discussing nearby.

At dawn, as the roosters began to crow, Chen Ping was already awake.

He met Mrs. Xiang and, after washing up, headed to the kitchen.

“I told you, I can handle these things myself,” Mrs. Xiang said, trying to stop him from gathering firewood, but he dodged her.

“I just want to help, Mother. Besides, doesn’t the teacher feed the chickens? Shouldn’t I, too?”

“Don’t make things up!” Mrs. Xiang tried to cover his mouth. “When have you ever seen a scholar carrying a hoe? They always carry brushes.”

“I actually have,” Chen Ping insisted, vividly describing how Mr. Li held a muddy hoe, digging up earthworms to feed his chickens.

He even called Chen Duohai to confirm, “Father, doesn’t the teacher raise a brood of chicks?”

Chen Duohai, just washing his face and coming to help, was caught off guard by the mother and son’s gaze. Recalling from memory, he replied, “Yes, he does...”

Mrs. Xiang fell silent, tapping Chen Ping’s forehead before returning to cook, though her mind was restless, murmuring, “I told you to read more, and now you’ve caused trouble.”

After a simple breakfast, Chen Ping grabbed his cloth bag and headed toward the neighboring village.

Mr. Li had been reading for some time and, hearing the movement at the gate, knew who had arrived.

But unlike yesterday, after reviewing the previous lessons, he let Chen Ping read on his own.

The book was a light read with straightforward language, meant to help children learning to read enjoy the process—it told amusing tales of a scholar’s journey to take the imperial exam.

Chen Ping was drawn to a subtle line in the story.

He whispered to Mr. Li, “The book says scholars receive special treatment. Is that true?”

“Of course,” Mr. Li answered. Though such a notion was distant for a child just beginning to read, Chen Ping’s enrollment in the academy made it real.

According to imperial law, to cultivate more scholars, special academic land systems existed. The court allocated land to academies, which they managed to generate income and support scholars.

Moreover, the emperor established more county and provincial schools across the land.

To make a name in this place, one must first pass the provincial exam—becoming a successful candidate.

Mr. Li smiled wryly, “Take me for example—I only passed the county exam, not the provincial. I’m just a scholar, but that still brought some tax relief and exemption from labor during the autumn harvest.”

“How do you get tax relief?” Chen Ping caught the key words despite Mr. Li’s quieter tone.

“You need to be at least a scholar, and the further you advance, the better the benefits from the court. But none of that compares to holding office…”

Chen Ping’s eyes sparkled. He had thought attending the academy was merely to learn to read, but now he realized the court was truly eager to encourage common folk into officialdom.

“How can I take the exam?”

Mr. Li paused, then smiled, “You want to take the provincial exam already? First, study well. The county exam is the first step.”

Remembering his parents’ hardships, Chen Ping cherished their warmth. Anything to help them, he was willing to try.

“From now on, I’ll be troubling you, teacher.” Chen Ping awkwardly bowed. “Please continue to teach me.”

In his past life, he had been a scholar to some degree; now it was just starting over, nothing to fear.

Chen Ping’s gaze was resolute. Mr. Li noticed and placed a book from the shelf before him. “A promise is a promise.”

As the day to enter the academy drew closer, Mr. Li did his best to simplify the lessons and speed up Chen Ping’s progress.

Chen Ping studied earnestly, committing passages to memory. Even at meals, he would pause to recite silently.

Chen Duohai and Mrs. Xiang noticed his unusual diligence but could do little to help. Keeping their voices low while working was their greatest support.