June 19, it was already "Big Summer," the hottest three months of the year. Yet today, Linhe Prefecture was bustling with activity, even more fervent than the summer heat.
The people of Linhe Prefecture had risen early, heading towards Government Street.
The porters, who awaited the announcements that would bring money to support their families, had already settled on Government Street before dawn, laying down on straw mats, half-sleeping, half-waiting.
Pound, pound, poundâa series of wooden sticks hitting the ground resounded. The Government Officials, seeing the porters sleeping soundly at the government gate, grew more frustrated. Kicking them, they said, "Get up right now, you bothersome lot. Are you beggars? Or do you think the government gate is your home? How dare you sleep here! Have you no respect for the law?"
The porters, awakened by the kicks, hastily rolled up their straw mats and apologized with a smile: "Oh, itâs Brother Liu! Weâre sorry. We came in the middle of the night and got too tired, so we fell asleep while waiting. Donât blame us!"
They then asked, "Brother Liu, are you the one posting the list today? Congratulations then, itâs a fortunate task, with lots of reward money."
The households of those who passed the exams and became Scholars would often reward the officials who posted the list.
Constable Liu replied, "What nonsense! You think I could post the list? This time itâs Squad Leader Song. Iâm just here to clear the place. Todayâs a day of joy, but Iâm warning you, you can wait here for the announcement, but donât fight. If you fight like last time at the government gate, youâll be sorry!"
The porters quickly agreed: "Yes, yes, this time we wonât dare. Weâll behave, and if anyone causes trouble, Brother Liu wonât have to lift a finger; weâll beat them ourselves first."
They moved closer to ask, "Brother Liu, when will the list be posted? Whoâs the top student?"
"Zhang Laoba, are you stupid? Asking something like that, Iâm not Lord Xue Zheng, how would I know?" Constable Liu pointed at them: "All of you shut up, or youâll be kicked off the main street. Donât think about making money announcing the results."
"Hey, hey, hey, calm down Brother Liu, it was my mistake." Zhang Laoba quickly apologized, and the other dozens of porters followed suit, scared of being driven away by Constable Liu.
The people of Linhe Prefecture watching the scene also didnât dare to ask more, standing there waiting, speculating on who would be the top student this time.
Yet the servants of noble families, eunuchsâ households, and Rich Families in the city werenât afraid; they would slip Constable Liu some silver and ask him about certain matters.
Constable Liu knew little, only that the top student was the best of this county. But with several prefectures in the Jianghuai region, each having a top student, who knew who had achieved it?
Tong Familyâs housekeeper, upon hearing this, was overjoyed. Wasnât their Third Young Master one of the Jianghuaiâs top scholars? Their Third Young Master now had at least a fifty percent chance of being the top student.
And the remaining fifty percent? They only needed to find a way to ruin the real top studentâs chances and take the spot themselves.
The Tong Familyâs housekeeper was very happy; if the Third Young Master truly became the top student, they, who came to watch the results, could earn a large sum in rewards.
Meanwhile, the Yan Familyâs Housekeeper was quite gloomy; yet again, they hadnât topped the list. Wasnât the Fifth Young Master quite knowledgeable?
No matter how distressed the Yan Familyâs Housekeeper was, the Gaosong Building, Golden List Tower, and Fugui Building by Government Street were teeming with people, very lively.
Young Master Tong San sat in the Golden List Tower of his family, surrounded by many scholars, all waiting for the results together.
Liu Familyâs young master Liu Wenqing said, "I heard the next-door Gaosong Building has started betting on who will top the list this time. Do any of you want to place a bet and make some money?"
The young master from the Gong family replied, "Of course, we should bet,"
He produced three five-hundred-tael silver notes, saying, "Iâll bet fifteen hundred taels that Brother Tong will be the top student!"
"Well, the Gong family is indeed wealthy." Liu Wenqing praised, then slapped down a one-thousand-tael silver note, saying, "Iâll bet a thousand taels on Brother Tong topping the list."
People in the private room started taking out money, one after another placing bets on Young Master Tong San becoming the top student, their flattery resounding like thunder.
Only Liu Wenqing remained still.
Liu Wenqing noticed this and wasnât pleased, glaring at his cousin from his great uncleâs family, Liu Wenqing, saying, "Wenqing, whatâs up with you? Everyone is supporting Brother Tong; at least place a bet."
Pauper, you donât even have money to bet?
Hey, funny enough, he really didnât.
Since his grandfatherâs generation, when they branched off from the Liu Family, things had gone from bad to worse. Liu Wenqingâs father was born of a concubine, and he got only two taels of silver monthly. Going out for a meal required careful selection; he didnât dare enter a restaurant, so how could he come up with hundreds or thousands of taels to bet?
Liu Wenqing was very troubled. He wanted to say he had no money, but felt ashamed, his eyes reddening in frustration.
His appearance was handsome, with a fairer complexion than most. Seeing his distressed look, Young Master Tong San got heated, taking Liu Wenqingâs hand and saying, "Brother Wenqing, donât worry. As long as your heart wishes for my success, whether you place a bet or not doesnât matter."
Liu Wenqing was stunned, looking towards Tong San. Seeing his predatory gaze, he didnât particularly like it, hastily pulling back his hand without speaking.
Liu Wenqing was furious, slapping Liu Wenqing on the head, scolding, "Liu Wenqing, you really consider yourself something, huh? Brother Tong comforts you like this, and youâre still ungrateful? Quickly apologize to Brother Tong!"
Liu Wenqing was from a branch of the Liu family and had grown up accustomed to Liu Wenqingâs scolding. He was very afraid of Liu Wenqing, and hastily apologized to Tong San: "Third Young Master, Iâm sorry. I didnât mean any disrespect, just..."
Young Master Tong San felt pained, lifting Liu Wenqing up before he could finish, saying, "Brother Wenqing, no need for this; you did nothing wrong. The one at fault is Liu Wenqing!"
Young Master Tong San turned sharply to Liu Wenqing, eyes fierce, voice angry: "Liu Wenqing, I invited you because I value you, not to watch you bully others. If you want to act high and mighty like the Liu Familyâs eldest young master, then get out; the Golden List Tower of the Tong family doesnât welcome you!"
Liu Wenqing was bewildered. What was happening? Being Young Master Tong Sanâs most loyal henchman, Tong San had never scolded him like this in person before.
But Liu Wenqing was someone who could submit and yield. He quickly said, "Third Young Master, donât be mad. It was my lack of understanding, Iâve caused you trouble."
Then hastily apologized to Liu Wenqing: "Wenqing, itâs my fault, big cousin, I apologize to you, please donât be angry."
He gave a deep bow, his manner genuinely respectful to the utmost.
Liu Wenqing was astonished. From childhood, it was Liu Wenqing bullying him, and even if he cried or got sick from the bullying, Liu Wenqing never apologized. But now Liu Wenqing was apologizing to him publicly? It was unbelievable.
Young Master Tong San saw Liu Wenqingâs bewilderment, held his hand tighter, and said, "Wenqing, donât be dazed. Liu Wenqing has apologized; itâs up to you whether to forgive him."
He spoke gently, "Donât be afraid. If you donât want to forgive Liu Wenqing, just say so, Iâll stand by you."