Chapter 72: Chapter 51: The Vicissitudes of Human Relationships
Translator: 549690339
Having gained so many benefits and experienced so many things, even today, Mr. Sun, who has always been reading “Zi Bu Yu Gui Li Luan Shen,” now understands what happened to himself.
Similarly, when he noticed that the abnormality in him had disappeared, he quickly realized that he had returned to the ordinary poor scholar he used to be.
Previously, passing the Scholar and juren exams was all thanks to the person in his dream; he was merely a medium.
Now that the person in the dream has gone, he has returned to his true form.
It feels like a big dream.
“Brother Sun, are you saying that you feel that the luck in you has dispersed?” Lu Yuan asked with a shocked face, not expecting such a result.
“Yes, it’s gone.” Sun Siwen nodded calmly. In these days, he has verified that point through various examples, and he has already accepted it: “That’s why I gave up the exams in time.”
Although he has made rapid progress in his studies these days thanks to the help of the person in the dream, Sun Siwen still feels that his knowledge is not up to the mark compared to before, let alone that of a jinshi (imperial examination title).
But even so, with his current knowledge, it is only enough to be an outstanding Scholar.
This knowledge is not enough to secure his juren status, let alone to take the jinshi exams.
And to wait for his knowledge to slowly accumulate to the level where he can take the jinshi exams, who knows how many years later that will be, or even if it’s just a wishful thought.
Instead of relying on such a vague possibility, it’s better to give up the extravagant hopes now and serve as an official with the juren title.
Lu Yuan understood the reason and could empathize with it. He couldn’t help but comfort him: “If Brother Sun doesn’t take the exam, it’s no big deal. With Brother Sun’s talent, even if he starts out as a juren, he can still contribute to society and have a smooth career. It might not be long before I need to address you as ‘county magistrate.’
Even though the career path of a juren is not a long one, they can still reach a level where they can be a local Prefect, at best.
With a smooth path, Sun Siwen has a chance to become a county magistrate within ten years.
“Thanks for Brother Lu’s kind words.”
Sun Siwen smiled and nodded, then said expectantly, “My grandfather’s career ended as a local Prefect. If I, as a grandson, can achieve the same position, I would not disgrace my ancestors.
In the future, when we meet in Huangquan, I will have something to say.”
Lu Yuan wished, “Brother Sun will certainly have his wishes come true.”
Sun Siwen waved his hand, “Forget it, let’s not talk about these. We’re here to drink and enjoy each other’s company. Right now, the appointment hasn’t come yet, so you and I, good friends, still have plenty of time to gather together. Once I’m appointed as an official, I’ll be in government service in a foreign land, with a lifetime of uncertainties. Who knows when we’ll meet again?”
To prevent officials from colluding with locals, scholars who enter the government service have always avoided working in their hometowns.
That is to say, if Sun Siwen wants to be an official, he can only work in a
different region, not in the same prefecture or county where he was born.
Once his appointment comes, this newly appointed juren will have to go to another place to start his career as an official.
At that time, Sun Siwen could only return to his hometown if he was demoted and lost his post or retired to his hometown.
This farewell, for the people of today, really has some meaning of the last gathering.
Seeing Sun Siwen so sentimental, Lu Yuan laughed and comforted him, “What’s the big deal about that? Brother Sun will have official duties and won’t be able to leave at will. But I am all alone, free and easy.
Once Brother Sun becomes an official, when I miss you, I can directly go to you.”
“Just don’t think I am annoying if I visit too frequently,” Lu Yuan said.
As for the vast and beautiful world, Lu Yuan has long yearned to travel and explore it.
However, he now feels that his strength is not enough. It might be dangerous to venture out at random, so he has restrained his restless thoughts.
But right now, his martial arts training is progressing rapidly, and he should be able to reach the level of a third-rate martial artist within two years. In five to six years, second-rate is also possible.
By then, his Cloud Palm technique will be complete.
With this strength, as long as he does not cause trouble and simply travels the world in a low-key manner, there should be no problem.
Sun Siwen said happily, “No, not at all. Brother Lu’s visits would be a great pleasure. How could I ever be annoyed?”
Lu Yuan decided, “Well, that’s settled then. In the future, when I’m free, I’ll come to visit Brother Sun and have fun together.”
With that, the two made a promise to meet again in the future.
In the following days, Sun Siwen’s home was as busy as a marketplace.
All the prominent people in the town, having heard the news, flocked to the new Juren’s home to pay their respects.
Even Xu Ce, who had previously visited and then distanced himself from Sun Siwen, now eagerly came forward, no longer daring to address him as “Brother Sun” but instead changed to “Master Sun” with an attitude of humility.
Some officials and scholars in the county, upon hearing that a new juren had emerged in the county, either personally visited the Juren’s Home, or sent their servants to deliver gifts as congratulations.
The once-deserted Sun Shusheng’s Home turned into a place sought after by everyone simply because of one more juren.
The fickleness of the world and the reality of human nature were vividly displayed.
Sun Siwen spent a full half month just accommodating these visitors, and it wasn’t until the lunar month arrived that he finally had a respite.
Then he came to find Lu Yuan to comDlain.
In the Plum Forest outside the town, the snow-dressed scenery was covered in white, and some buds were already growing on the tree branches amidst the bitter cold.
The two met in the forest to enjoy the snow-covered plum blossoms and drink wine together.
“In the past, people always said that the poor are unnoticed in the city, while the rich are sought after even in the deep mountains. Now I finally understand this point,” said Sun Siwen, looking as if he had seen through the ways of the world. “Since I became a juren, all those classmates and fellow students whom I’ve never met or even heard of, distant relatives, and even “fellow villagers” in the county, all swarmed to me, talking about emotional connections.
What emotional connections do I have with them?
They simply see that I have become successful and want to ask for some benefits.
Fortunately, besides those poor relatives, the other gentry and powerful families in the county have indeed sent me quite a few gifts.
All in all, I ended up with three or four hundred silver tales?
No wonder people always say that every three years, a Prefect earns 100,000 snowflake silver tales. This world…”
Sun Siwen sighed.
Not knowing whether he should be happy or angry about this phenomenon, he didn’t even know if he would become one of them someday.
Lu Yuan patted him on the shoulder, “Brother Sun, just do your best, that’s all that matters. Why worry about anything else?”
“Indeed, just doing my best is enough.”
Sun Siwen looked up at Lu Yuan and said with a smile, “Actually, I have something to tell Brother Lu today as well. I’ve received my appointment from the prefecture. I’ve been appointed as xueyu (education official) of Changning County in Dongting Prefecture, starting from the ninth rank.
My term begins in early February next year. After the New Year, I’ll have to go to my new post.”
The xueyu is in charge of a county’s students and their studies, somewhat like a county school principal. Above the xueyu is the position of jiaoyu, a regular eighth-rank official, who oversees the education, culture, and rituals of the entire county.
As a subordinate and assistant to the jiaoyu, the xueyu is truly a small and insignificant official.
Lu Yuan was slightly stunned when he heard this, “Dongting Prefecture?”
Dongting Prefecture is to the west of Yuzhang Prefecture, with the two prefectures adjacent to each other. Working there is not too far away, and overall, it’s a relatively good location.
This would make it convenient for him to visit his friend in the future..