The hoodlums swarmed over, one hugged the big man’s waist, and the other picked up the bench and tried to smash it over his head.

How could Tang Shen let this strange man be attacked from both sides? He pushed his sister far away and jumped into the fray with his own bench. Although there were many hoodlums, not one was of any serious threat. The two hoodlums worked together to knock the big man down, but the big man didn’t move an inch and instead gave each one a punch.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

The big man punched hard, his fists stirring up the wind. Tang Shen was young and a scholar. Though he wanted to help, he could only cause some trouble for the hoodlums on the side.

In the past, they used their large numbers to run rampant in the village, and the villagers did not dare to say anything. Now faced against the big man who seemed unaffected by their punches and kicks, even managing to counterattack from time to time, plus Tang Shen’s assistance. The leader of the hoodlums was beaten so hard that he staggered back, bruises blooming on his face.

“What are you doing? What are you doing here!” A sharp shout came from a distance. The crowd of onlookers moved out of the way, and the village head came over with several people.

Seeing that the momentum was not right, the hoodlums spat blood and saliva in Tang Shen’s direction and ran away.

The village head was also out of ideas regarding these hoodlums. These young men were all destitute, their parents already gone, and they have no relatives either. They were not afraid of heaven or earth, so even if they committed a crime, at most they would just stick their neck out, no big deal, it was just a cheap life they had. The village head expressed condolences and hearing that the Tang siblings were fine, he told them to close the stall early and go back to rest.

The villagers helped clean up the broken tables and chairs.

Tang Shen rubbed his arm. During the fight just now, his arm was hit by a hoodlum and turned red. Ah Huang anxiously ran over and looked at Tang Shen’s arm, flustered and annoyed.

“Those damn hoodlums!”

Tang Shen looked at the big man and saw an old woman running over anxiously to check the big man’s injuries.

This sturdy man was the same man who asked for juice at Tang Shen’s stall two days ago.

Tang Shen had delicate skin and tender flesh, and his skin easily bruised when touched. This big man was muscular all over and should likely be very resistant to beatings, but he was beaten all over by those hoodlums and was covered in bruises. He didn’t utter a sound during the fight, but now Tang Shen discovered that there was a bloody wound on the man’s arm. Don’t know when, but he was scratched by a sharp weapon.

Tang Huang said nervously: “Such a serious injury!”

Tang Shen said: “Take the rest of our things and let’s go to Doctor Liu’s place at the east end of the village to have a look.”

Hearing this, the man said: “It’s no big deal, little brother, it’s just a minor injury. Those thugs only know how to use street tactics. They can only throw aimless punches and kicks and can’t hurt anyone.”

Ah Huang: “You say it’s fine, but you are bleeding!”

The man wanted to say more, but Tang Shen forcefully took them to see the doctor. The doctor prescribed some medicine, but the man had a look of difficulty, so Tang Shen paid for it. The man and the old woman stood on the village road, at a loss. Tang Shen looked at their ragged appearance and asked, “What are you called, big brother? From your accent, are you from the north?”

The man said: “Yes, we came from Shanxi.”

“How did you end up like this?” 

A trace of pain appeared on the man’s face, and he sighed deeply and said, “I’m not afraid of being laughed at so I can tell you. I was originally the guard of a juren’s family, and although I don’t make much, I could still provide my family a happy life. Unexpectedly, last month, there was a flood in Shanxi and the Yellow River overflowed. Aside from my family, even the juren laoye‘s whole family was buried in the Yellow River. I could only take my mother all the way to Gusu Prefecture to seek my relatives. But who knew that our relatives passed away last year, so we are like this.”

Tang Huang hid behind Tang Shen and stuck her head out at this time: “So you were a guard. No wonder you are so powerful. You beat those hoodlums until they cried in pain.”

Tang Shen pressed his sister’s head down: “I see, but with big brother’s skill and age, you should be able to make a living easily.”

The big man sighed: “If it’s only me, I would not have to worry about food and clothing wherever I go. I could make a living as a guard for others. But there is still my old mother. I actually found a family to work for in Gusu Prefecture City before. My boss valued me very much, but when he heard my request to support my mother, he didn’t want to hire me anymore. Little brother, you don’t know, but although Jiangnan and Suzhou are rich, there are many people like me who come from other places. Others don’t have the burden of family, so naturally they are more popular with employers than me.”

Tang Shen understood this.

For the same package of providing food and accommodation, as well as a monthly payment, everyone would choose the one with no burdens, rather than the one with such burdens.

Tang Shen’s eyes lit up: “You’ve been to Gusu Prefecture City?”

“Yes. My relative was from Gusu Prefecture City. I stayed there for more than half a month until I could no longer afford it, so I brought my mother to the village to try my luck.”

Tang Shen said: “Brother, I think we have quite the affinity. I can trust your character.” This was someone who was willing to carry their old mother across thousands of miles, never abandoning her, and taking good care of her. A filial person would not be a bad person. “My sister and I became orphaned last year, and the two of us can only depend on each other. If you don’t mind, you can come and stay at my house.”

The big man was shocked and said: “This is not good. How can I receive this favor for no reason?”

Tang Shen smiled and said, “You saved our lives after all.”

The big man refused again and again, but in the end he couldn’t persuade the other, so he followed Tang Shen back home.

Tang Huang was a little girl who was very fierce at home, but always listened to Tang Shen in external matters. When the four of them returned home, the big man and his old mother diligently helped with cleaning and cooking, and always tried to keep themselves busy. Within two days, the four of them became as close as one family.

This big man’s surname was Yao, and his name was Yao Cheng. He was the third in the family, so others called him Yao San.

Yao San insisted on calling Tang Shen his little boss, feeling that he was being hired, and Tang Shen couldn’t convince him otherwise, so he let the matter go.

In the following month, the four of them were busy making fruit juice. They received a lot of orders at the temple fair, and with the help of Yao San and Aunt Yao, more than a hundred catties of fruit juice were made. In the meantime, he also received some additional orders. From the beginning of August, Tang Huang always liked to count the sixteen strings of coins they earned and slept with them every night.

After dinner in the evening, Tang Shen sat on the patio outside the house and counted the money he had earned in the past six months since transmigrating over.

“… plus the 80 copper coins from this morning, twenty-three strings of coins in total.”

Yao San ran out: “Little boss, the quilts in the house are all ready. It’s getting dark. Come in and have a rest.”

Tang Shen raised his head and looked at the sky: “The moonlight is bright tonight, very bright. Call Tang Huang and Aunt Yao to come out to bask in the moonlight for a while. I also want to say something.”

Yao San went to call the others over in confusion, and the four of them sat on the wooden chairs in the patio.

Yao San: “Little boss, do you have any urgent instructions?”

Tang Shen nodded and looked at Tang Huang: “You have hidden all the money. Tell me how much money our family still has.”

Tang Huang clasped her hands in fear: “What, what do you want to do, don’t you dare touch my money!”

Tang Shen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “Little boss Tang, that’s your money? That’s our family’s money. Don’t be ridiculous, let me ask you, are there more than twenty-three strings?”

The little girl nodded reluctantly and vaguely said a number.

Tang Shen: “I didn’t hear clearly.”

“Twenty-three strings and forty-one coins! Aunt Yao, he’s bullying me.”

“Alright, don’t pretend to cry.” After calculating the numbers, Tang Shen said, “It’s like this. From the beginning, I didn’t plan to stay in Zhao Family Village for long. I’ll tell the truth. In two days, Tang Huang and I will be going to Gusu Prefecture City, and we may never come back.”

Yao San: “This…”

Tang Shen: “Brother Yao, I have never regarded you as a servant. It is a certainty that we are leaving, and we will definitely sell this house. If you and Aunt Yao are willing, you can go to Bush Prefecture City with us. If you are unwilling, there is a small house in the backyard. I don’t need to sell it and I can give it to you.”

Aunt Yao said: “How can we accept such a gift?”

Tang Shen said: “Brother Yao hasn’t established a solid foundation in Zhao Family Village yet, so don’t refuse, Aunt Yao.”

The mother and son looked at each other.

Yao San thought for a while, then gritted his teeth and said, “Little boss, please give me one night to think about it.”

In the early morning of the next day, Yao San came to Tang Shen and said, “Little boss, I want to go with you. My mother and I didn’t have a place to belong to begin with, but you gave us a place to stay. Besides, you two are still young, and going to Gusu Prefecture City by yourselves must be really inconvenient.”

Tang Shen: “If your decision to come with us is because you are worried we will meet with trouble on the road due to our age, then brother Yao, don’t even think about it.”

Aunt Yao came out of the room and said, “He has a clumsy tongue and doesn’t know how to speak the right words. Little boss, don’t listen to his nonsense. Although my eyes are dim, I can see that little boss will have a bright future. San’er will only have a way out if he follows you, and we want to go together with little boss.”

So the matter was settled like this.

In truth, the fact Yao San was willing to go with them caused Tang Shen to breathe a sigh of relief. What he said was true. It was indeed inconvenient for two children to go to an unfamiliar place alone. Even though Tang Shen was actually a doctoral student in his twenties from a prestigious university, his current body was that of a child. If they really met a crook halfway, ten of them would not even be a match against one Yao San.

After confirming that they would leave in ten days, Tang Shen and Yao San began to prepare their luggage.

First they had to find a buyer and sell the Tang family house. There was also an acre of land that Tang xiucai originally owned, which was also sold to the old couple in a herbal tea shop. That acre of land had originally been rented to them for farming. Tang xiucai had never farmed himself, so it was very convenient to sell it to them now.

After getting his things ready and renting a donkey cart, Tang Shen still had thirty coins left.

Hearing that the Tang siblings were leaving the Zhao Family Village, everyone in the village came to see them off.

Tang xiucai was a rare scholar in the village. Although he was pedantic and did not like to socialize with the neighbors, there were no bridges or grievances either. Tang Shen and Tang Huang were even more likable and well-behaved. After starting to sell fruit juice, they get along with the villagers every day. Everyone became fond of the siblings very much.

The sister-in-law of the herbal tea shop stuffed a bag of steamed buns in Tang Shen’s hands: “Little Tang Lang, don’t starve on the road.”

The neighboring auntie gifted a bag of clothes: “These are my son’s old clothes. I hope you don’t dislike it, Little Tang Lang. I heard that the things from Gusu Prefecture City are very expensive.”

“Little Tang Lang, why are you leaving?”

“Little Tang Lang, once you leave, won’t there be no more fruit juice to drink in the future?”

Tang Shen nodded repeatedly with a wry smile: “Yes, Little Tang Lang is really leaving.”

“En, Little Tang Lang must definitely come back and visit when you have the time.”

“Little Tang Lang must definitely not spend money randomly.”

Alright, he might as well make fun of himself.

Yao San and Aunt Yao collected all the things given by the villagers and put them on the donkey cart.

Finally when he was about to leave, Tang Shen stood in front of Zeng fuzi. The gray-haired old man looked down at Tang Shen, looking at this young man who was only as high as his chest. He snorted and threw a package towards Tang Shen: “Study well!” After that, he turned and left.

Tang Shen watched Zeng fuzi‘s retreating back.

The village head said: “Little Tang Lang, don’t forget our Zhao Family Village when you go to Gusu Prefecture City to study.”

Many people in the village thought that the Tang siblings moving to Gusu Prefecture City was for his studies.

Tang Huang said proudly: “My brother will definitely pass the exam!”

“And gain a juren title?”

The little girl cared about face, how could she say that her brother had no ambitions and was content to be just a xiucai? She stuttered a bit and said: “That’s natural. Uncle village head, will you change the name of Zhao Family Village to my brother’s surname when the time comes?”

Zhao Family Village was not called Zhao Family Village before. It was renamed Zhao Family Village because there was a juren named Zhao.

The village head just thought the little girl was saying this for fun: “Okay, if Little Tang Lang really becomes a juren, our Zhao Family Village will be called Tang Family Village from now on. Do you folks have any objections?”

“We listen to the village head!”

Looking at the villagers gathered around him, Tang Shen smiled and said, “Don’t send me off anymore, little Tang Lang is really leaving now.”

On the country road, the donkey cart creaked forward. The figures of the villagers gradually turned into small black dots, and soon, Zhao Family Village could no longer be seen. Tang Huang was a little reluctant and her eyes became a little wet.

Tang Shen sat on the donkey cart and opened the package given by Zeng fuzi. Inside he saw a brand new set of inkstones and a set of four books. “The Analects of Confucius”, “The Doctrine of the Mean”, “The Great Learning”, and “Mencius”. Opening the books, he saw that there were dense notes written in it. The books were not new, the pages seemed to have been turned over and read many times.

It must have taken decades of studying it to have written so many insights and experiences in the book.

Tang Shen put the things away and sighed, “I will continue my studies.”

Wu County was some distance away from Gusu Prefecture City. The four of them rested in the wild for a night and finally arrived at Gusu Prefecture City early the next morning.

There was heaven above, and Suzhou and Hangzhou below.

『Suzhou』

Two wild and unrestrained black characters were printed on the city gate, majestic and full of the vicissitudes of life.

This was a lofty and majestic city. The city gate was over ten meters tall, and the green brick city wall spread to both sides, so lengthy that the ends couldn’t be seen at a glance. In the tall doorway, carriages and pedestrians came and went, painting a flourishing and bustling scene. Guards stood on the city wall wearing armor, and people were hurrying to and fro below the city wall. Before even entering the city, one could hear the bustling and noisy sounds in the city.

The sound of hawking of wares, the tinkling of horse bells.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Outside the city gate, Tang Huang looked at the scene inside the city and was dumbfounded. After living here for half a year, it was the first time that Tang Shen really saw a big ancient city and even he was stunned for a while.

After a long time, Tang Huang pulled at her brother’s sleeve: “Tang Shen, this is, this is where we will live in the future?”

Tang Shen came to his senses.

“Yes, this is where we will live in the future.”

Gusu Prefecture, Tang Family Village, Wu County, Tang Shen.

Only thirteen years old this year.

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After Tang Shen transmigrated and had just solved the problem of food and clothing, he discovered that although this era was also called the Song Dynasty, it was not any dynasty in Chinese history. There was the flourishing literature of the Tang and Song Dynasties, as well as the strong military of the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. Although there were foreign enemies, they were not as suppressed and aggrieved as the Southern Song Dynasty. It was an era when the people were prosperous and powerful.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Zeng fuzi suddenly said a name that Tang Shen didn’t recognize at all. He was confused in his heart but didn’t show it on his face.

Zeng fuzi also realized that it was impossible for a thirteen-year-old boy to know who Liang Bowen was. He sighed: “You have wasted such a good opportunity!”

Tang Shen didn’t think so.

Since the old gentleman could give him a name card, it showed that the other was not completely uninterested in him.

Tang Shen: “Sir, why would such a distinguished guest come to Zhao Family Village?”

Zeng fuzi: “Liang daru (TN: respectful address for a great Confucian scholar) came to Gusu Prefecture last year to serve as governor. Recently, he seems to have been collecting books about the folk customs of Jiangnan. Although I am just a poor scholar from the countryside, I still have one or two books handed down from my ancestors at home. Last night Liang daru‘s attendant spent the whole night copying my ancestral books.”

It turned out that he was here to borrow books.

In order to borrow books, the governor of a prefectural government came all the way to Zhao Family Village in person, which showed that Liang daru attaches great importance to books.

Zeng fuzi still refused to give up: “The distinguished guest is right, don’t think that I don’t know how much money you make every day selling fruit juice at the herbal tea shop. This money can already be enough for you to study here for a year! You rascal, what do you want to do if you don’t study after making money?”

Tang Shen bowed: “Sir, don’t force me anymore, I have my own plans.”

“You won’t come back to study?”

Tang Shen just smiled.

Zeng fuzi looked at Tang Shen seriously. After a long time, he waved his hand.

“Get out, I’m in a bad mood today.”

Tang Shen was not afraid. Instead, he laughed and said, “Then how can you be in a good mood, sir?”

Zeng fuzi opened the bamboo tube and took a sip of fruit juice: “At least to be able to drink a cup of fruit juice every day!”

There were five counties in Gusu Prefecture, and Zhao Family Village belonged to Wu County. Zhao Family Village was adjacent to the county seat. One of the two temple fairs held every year was always held in the Zhao Family Village.

As a transportation hub for eight villages in ten miles, the Zhao Family Village was very wealthy. Tang Shen and Tang Huang worked for more than half a month, and in the three days before the temple fair, they finally produced twenty kilograms of fruit juice. At first, the little girl was worried that the fruit juice would go bad if left out for a long time before the temple fair. She was anxious for two days but Tang Shen was not anxious at all.

“The shelf life of fruit vinegar is not that short.”

Tang Huang: “What?”

Tang Shen said calmly: “Your brother has cast a spell, and the fruit juice will not go bad until the temple fair is over.”

Tang Huang: “…”

I’m afraid there’s something wrong with my brother’s brain.

But as the days passed, the fruit juice did in fact not go bad at all. Tang Huang was extremely happy, as if she could see two big strings of coins waiting for her. But Tang Shen did not stop and continued to make fruit juice.

Tang Huang asked strangely: “Brother, isn’t this already twenty catties?”

Tang Shen: “There are still three days until the temple fair.”

“But we have already made twenty catties.”

Tang Shen put down the tools in his hands, looked at the little girl’s curious and sincere eyes, and said, “If the village head wants twenty catties, and you give twenty catties. Then how much will you earn?”

Tang Huang: “Two strings of coins!”

“The village head wants twenty catties, but what if you gave twenty-one catties?”

Tang Huang subconsciously wanted to say, “Then I lose a catty of fruit juice.” Tang Shen interrupted her directly: “Think about it carefully. There are still a lot of fruits on the fruit trees outside. Making an extra catty of juice is just a hassle, but it is not much cost.”

After all, she was just a nine-year-old girl. Ah Huang really couldn’t figure it out.

The next day, the village head brought someone to pick up the fruit juice. After Tang Shen handed over twenty catties, the village head said in surprise: “Little Tang Lang, I only ordered twenty catties.”

Tang Shen: “The temple fair is a major event in the county. Ah Huang and I have loved temple fairs since we were young. We were so happy that we forgot about time and made more than expected. Uncle Village Head, we agreed, it’s two strings of coins.”

The village head smiled and said, “Okay, here’s the money.”

The village head brought four men to Tang Shen’s house to pick up the fruit juice. Before they left the house, one of the men said to his companions: “This little Tang Lang is not bad. How could a man as pedantic and stuffy as Tang xiucai have such a clever son? Look, even the village head’s eyes changed.”

Delivered the goods and received the money.

In the afternoon of that day, someone came to Tang Shen’s house to order fruit juice, saying that the village head recommended it. That Little Tang Lang’s fruit juice was the best in Wuxian County. That using fruit juice made by Little Tang Lang when setting up a banquet at home would really up the scale.

Tang Shen calmly accepted the deposit money, and Ah Huang opened her mouth wide enough to stuff an egg.

Just when Tang Shen was thinking about whether to borrow an egg from next door and put it into Ah Huang’s mouth to try and see if it would indeed fit, the little girl clapped her hands: “I understand!”

Tang Shen: “…”

What do you understand.

“There are many things you still need to know.”

Ah Huang ignored Tang Shen. With quick eyes and quick hands she snatched the deposit money from Tang Shen’s hand. “I’ll save it for you, you can’t spend it randomly!”

Tang Shen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Jiangnan, the fertile land, was full of outstanding talents.

Among the five counties in Gusu Prefecture, excluding the prefecture city, Wu County was the richest and had a stronger scholarly aura. It was said that of the 131 zhuangyuan (TN: top scorer in the palace examination (highest rank of the Imperial examination system)) in the previous dynasty, 23 came from Gusu Prefecture and five came from Wu County. The temple fairs held twice a year in Wu County were not only attended by locals in Wu County, but also people from the other four counties in Gusu Prefecture and even the residents of the prefecture city would come to participate in the grand event.

The temple fair would last for three days, and the village head set up a stall for Tang Shen’s fruit juice at the entrance of the temple fair. The village head asked the Tang siblings to help distribute the fruit juice, and the two siblings agreed immediately. Tang Shen wanted to take the opportunity to see what the temple fair of ancient times was like, but Tang Huang’s heart had already drifted to the excitement of the temple fair. 

As expected, Ah Huang couldn’t stay idle at all. She didn’t stay at the stall for long before wandering around the temple fair.

July was a hot summer month and the weather was hot and dry that day. The fruit juice sold very well, and many people from other villages came to buy the juice with copper coins. When they heard that the fruit juice was free, they were even more amazed by the wealth of the Zhao Family Village and Wu County.

Tang Shen sold fruit juice all day. Near evening, a small figure slowly walked back.

Tang Shen took a look and said with a smile: “Little boss Tang, after attending the temple fair, do you still have time to come back and check out your stall?”

After waiting for a long time, there was no answer.

Tang Shen frowned and said, “What’s wrong?”

Ah Huang lowered her head, wrung her tunic tightly with both hands, and refused to speak.

Tang Shen threw the things in his hands down and leaned over to check carefully: “No injuries, no fights.”

“Zeng fuzi said you really won’t continue your studies.”

Tang Shen fell silent.

The little girl raised her face, but there was none of the fierceness from when she had chased away the hoodlums and hoarded their family savings privately. She looked at Tang Shen with tears in her eyes: “Tang Shen, don’t stop studying. We have made a lot of money, so we can support your studies. You make all that money but it’s not for the tuition, is it because… because you are saving a betrothal gift for you and a dowry for me in the future. I don’t want a dowry, so you can use my dowry to pay for your studies.”

Tang Shen was amused: “Who told you this nonsense?”

“That’s what they all said.”

Tang Shen didn’t bother to ask who this “they” were. There were always some who liked to gossip, and this would not change even if the times changed.

“Why do I need your dowry?”

“Then why don’t you continue to study?”

“Who said I don’t want to study anymore?”

Ah Huang opened her eyes wide: “Huh?”

“It’s just that I don’t want to study now. Tang Huang, you want me to study, what do you want me to do?”

The little girl thought for a long time: “Take the exams and gain a scholarly title!”

“What is the purpose of that?”

“To live a better life!”

Tang Shen: “Did I say I won’t be taking the exams?”

Tang Huang was dumbfounded: “But you don’t want to study anymore!”

“I don’t study now, but I will later. No matter what, I have to score a xiucai title at least.”

Tang Huang burst into a mix of tears and laughter, but she didn’t laugh for long. The little girl cleverly discovered: “Only score a xiucai title?”

“Yes, only a xiucai title.”

“Why!” My brother can take the imperial examination. My brother is even better than the county magistrate!

Tang Shen said calmly: “Better to be a xiucai for generations than for descendants to become members of the Hanlin Imperial Academy.”

Tang Huang: “?”

“Become a xiucai can live a good life. What do you know, little girl? Just sell your fruit juice.”

Tang Huang became annoyed: “Tang Shen!!!”

Tang Shen did not dodge, and accepted his sister’s soft iron fist.

Better for generations to be xiucai than for descendants to be Hanlin scholars. Only wish to be a scholar farmer family and live a long peaceful life. Although this was not as noble as great official families, it was more prosperous than ordinary commoner families.

Tang Shen watched the fruit juice stall while basking in the sun, feeling that his days were extremely comfortable.

After a busy day, the fruit juice was almost sold out, and Tang Shen was ready to close the stall. Suddenly he caught a glimpse of a tall and stout figure in his peripheral vision. Tang Shen raised his head warily and saw a strong man in ragged clothes walking towards the stall.

This strong man had a tall build, a stocky appearance, and dark skin. He wore a torn linen shirt with holes everywhere, and a pair of scruffy straw sandals on his feet that exposed his two big toes. He walked to Tang Shen’s stall, hesitated for a long time, and asked, “I heard that the drinks at this stall are free.”

Tang Shen gestyred at Tang Huang. The little girl was a little scared of this man’s appearance, but she still poured a cup of fruit juice.

“Here, remember to return the bamboo tube, we have to wash it and continue to use it.”

“Can I have two cups…”

Tang Huang opened her eyes wide: “Two cups?”

The strong man pointed into the distance. Under the big mulberry tree at the entrance of the village, a hunched old woman sat leaning against the tree, skinny as a stick.

Before Tang Huang could react, Tang Shen had already poured another cup of fruit juice and handed it over.

“Thank you, little brother!”

The strong man held the two cups of fruit juice and hurried back to the mulberry tree where he fed the old woman the drink. The old woman seemed to have not drank anything for a long time. After a cup of refreshing juice, she sat up straighter and appeared more energized. The strong man fed the second cup to the old woman without hesitation then he returned the bamboo tubes without taking a sip himself.

Tang Shen: “Don’t leave, I’ll give you another cup.”

The strong man was stunned and looked at the cup in Tang Shen’s hand.

Tang Shen smiled and said, “Only when you take good care of yourself can you take care of others.”

The strong man looked at him gratefully, held the cup, and drank it in big gulps.

The siblings closed the stall and went home.

On the second day, the temple fair was still crowded with people. Tang Shen’s fruit juice was well received and he had received many large orders.

Tang Huang counted the orders he had received in the past two days on his fingers. “One string, two strings… Tang Shen, we can make at least ten strings of coins. I have never seen so much money!”

“It’s ten strings of coins and seventy qian.” (TN: qian=1/10 of a tael)

Tang Huang was very happy: “So much money.”

“It’s quite a lot, more than enough to leave here.”

Tang Huang was still counting the money. After a long time, she suddenly raised her head: “Leave?”

“Have you ever been to Gusu Prefecture City, little boss Tang?”

Tang Huang licked her lips: “No, no.”

Tang Shen curled his fingers and flicked Tang Huang’s forehead: “You will soon.”

Tang Huang covered her forehead and charged forward angrily: “Tang Shen! What do you mean, explain to me clearly!”

Tang Shen laughed and dodged his sister’s punches and kicks.

The days passed peacefully. The siblings have taken a lot of orders and would have work to do in the next month. The three-day temple fair was coming to an end, and the number of people in the village was gradually decreasing. Tang Huang poured a cup of fruit juice and handed it to a villager. She had just raised her hand halfway when someone bumped into her. All the brown juice spilled on the man’s clothes. The little girl was startled and opened her mouth at a loss.

“What are you doing? You made my clothes dirty. You must compensate me!”

Tang Huang raised her head and found that it was a familiar face. He was the hoodlum whom Tang Shen chased across the river three months ago with a kitchen knife.

The little girl straightened her back: “I didn’t. You bumped into me on purpose. Everyone else saw it.”

Before the other villager who was holding a cup of juice on the side said anything, the hoodlum glared at him viciously, causing the other to tremble and run away in fright.

Soon, five to six hoodlums gathered around.

Tang Shen noticed the movement here, and when he saw this scene, he immediately knew that the other party was prepared.

Ten years was never too late for a gentleman to take revenge, but he didn’t expect that these hoodlums could wait three months to take revenge. He walked up to them with a cold face and pulled Tang Huang behind him: “What do you want to do?”

The hoodlums spit on the ground: “What? It’s okay to dirty my clothes, is that it? Brothers, smash it!”

The six hoodlums rolled up their sleeves and ran over to pick up the bench and smash the stall. Tang Shen gritted his teeth and hugged a bench with both hands. He didn’t bring any weapons, so he could only grab whatever was on hand. At worst, he could put up a struggle and let Tang Huang escape first.

The leader of the gang aimed the bench against the juice stand, and a loud bang was heard. But upon closer look, the juice stand remained intact, while the bench was shattered into splinters after it hit a strong body.

Tang Shen stared blankly at the person standing in front of him and his sister.

The darkly tanned man had his arms raised in front of his face. The bench had just made contact with his arm. His arm had a patch of red, but he didn’t say a word. He only slowly lowered his arm, and stared at these hoodlums with bright eyes.

The hoodlums were startled by the look in his eyes, then someone shouted: “There is only one of him, what are you afraid of? Just beat him!”

The hoodlums rushed forward again.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

AN: This chapter quotes a sentence from Mr. Feng Youlan’s “Preface to Sansongtang”.

Original sentence: “I don’t want my children and grandchildren to go to the Hanlin Imperial Academy. I just hope that my children and grandchildren will be xiucais from generation to generation who can farm and study and pass down the family. Although it is not as prominent as the families of officials, it is more impressive than the families of ordinary people.”

In fact, in ancient times, if you didn’t have too many ideals and ambitions, being a xiucai is very good, being a juren is also very comfortable, but being an official is tiring…

Of course, our little shou must become an official! The road is already locked for him, and I have swallowed the key 2333

Finally, when I wrote the end of this chapter, I was wondering if anyone would think that this was our little gong… As a spoiler, our gong in this novel is a elegant-type male god, a true national male god.

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The elder and the young man sat down in the herbal tea shop and ordered two cups of herbal tea.

Tang Shen packed up the stall and prepared to go home. Suddenly, he saw a hoodlum get up and walk into the tea shop. That fellow was a habitual thief. He quietly hid his right hand behind his back and approached the two outsiders with light steps.

“Want some juice?”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

The hoodlum was stunned and stopped in his tracks.

Tang Shen took two cups of juice and placed them in front of the elder and the young man. He raised his eyes slightly and glanced at the hoodlum.

The hoodlum gritted his teeth, thought for a moment, then turned around and left angrily.

The elder chuckled and said, “Thank you, little brother. How much does this juice cost? I’m quite curious about the taste.”

The elder’s expression was calm, and his deep eyes contained the vicissitudes of life.

A thought flashed through Tang Shen’s mind: “Did you already know?”

The young man in a long tunic said: “Heh, just that petty theft? If he really dares to attempt stealing our things, then why not let him give it a try.”

Tang Shen looked at the young man’s hand and found that it was covered with calluses. It turned out to be a martial arts practitioner.

“It seems I displayed my slight skill before an expert,” Tang Shen said with embarrassment.

The elder’s eyes were fixed on Tang Shen, and he said to the young man accompanying him: “This juice has a strange color, but it tastes good. It is refreshing and relieves the heat.”

The young man understood immediately, took out a heavy coin purse, picked out four copper coins and handed them to Tang Shen.

Tang Shen originally refused to accept it, but the young man insisted on giving it. Not long after, the elder and the young man got into the carriage and left the herbal tea shop. Seeing that they had gone, Ah Huang hurried over, collected the coins in Tang Shen’s hand, and carefully put them into her worn coin purse.

“You don’t even accept money when it’s given to you, Tang Shen, you are such a fool!”

“He only gave four copper coins.”

Ah Huang: “Is it too hot that your brain has become fried? Our juice only costs two copper coins per cup. Two cups cost four copper coins.”

Tang Shen withdrew his gaze and glanced at his sister, with a look of exasperation on his face.

“Great men often despise great rewards.”

Tang Huang: “What?”

Tang Shen: “Why are you called Tang Huang?”

“What’s wrong with my name being Tang Huang? Does you being a fool have anything to do with my name being Tang Huang?”

Tang Shen didn’t reply. He muttered “You’re the fool” and turned to leave. The little girl’s eyes widened and she immediately chased after him, yelling and insisting Tang Shen to explain himself clearly.

The siblings carried a bamboo basket on their backs and walked side by side on the field ridge. The setting sun was like fire, carmine red and orange, and soon the sky became dark.

“Don Juan” Chapter 9, Section 6: Great men often despise great rewards.

(TN: Don Juan in Chinese is Tang Huang)

Being able to give four copper coins meant that the elder and the young man noticed the Tang siblings when they entered the herbal tea shop and knew the price of the juice. Though they clearly saw that the two siblings were dressed simply and had little money, they still only gave them four copper coins. This was the behavior of a gentleman, and an act of showing respect to them.

Tang Shen looked up to the sky and sighed.

Don’t respect me, just throw money at me!

Tang Shen returned home depressed, but fortunately very soon there was good news.

The village head and a man have been waiting at the door of the Tang family house for a long time. Tang Huang subconsciously hugged her small basket, which still contained several cups of juice. Tang Shen’s eyes lit up, he walked up to them and greeted them obediently: “Uncle Village Head.”

The village head smiled and said, “Little Tang Lang, are you coming back just now?”

Tang xiucai was called Tang Lang by the villagers, so some people called Tang Shen Little Tang Lang.

​…Little praying mantis. (TN: homophones)

Upon hearing this title, Tang Shen’s face had already evolved from distorted at the beginning to calm now. He said: “Uncle Village Head, did you want to see me for something?”

Village Head: “The temple fair in Wu County next month is scheduled to be held in our Zhao Family Village. Your fruit juice is very delicious and can relieve summer heat and quench thirst. I have discussed it with other villagers and plan to order twenty kilograms of fruit juice from you. The people in the neighboring villages can then try it at the temple fair. Can you do it? Of course, I won’t treat you badly in terms of price, so I’ll set a price of two stings of coins.”

Tang Huang opened her eyes wide in surprise.

Tang Shen seemed to have already foreseen this scene. He agreed and promised to have the juice ready before the temple fair.

When the village head left, Ah Huang said excitedly: “Tang Shen, two strings of coins, three hundred and twenty copper coins, we won’t have to sell juice for the second half of the year!”

“Why do you think I sent free fruit juice to the village head for eight days?”

Tang Huang: “Huh?”

Tang Shen: “Advertising, advertising. No one knows about wine being sold in the alleys. Go, heat up a rice dumpling for me, and I will explain it to you.”

Tang Huang did not move.

Tang Shen had already walked a few steps away when he looked back and saw his sister still standing still. He saw the little girl frowning and thinking for a long time, and suddenly said: “I understand!”

Tang Shen: “?”

What do you understand.

The fruit juice consumer channel for the next month had been secured, and they no longer had to carry baskets of juice to the herbal tea shop to sell cup by cup, but the siblings could not remain idle either. They had to make juice. The next day, Tang Shen carefully covered the jar for brewing fruit juice with a cloth and checked that there was no air leakage. He then filled a bamboo tube with a few cups of fruit juice and went out.

Arriving at the school at the west entrance of the village, before even entering, the sound of children reading aloud could be heard.

They were all busily reciting “The Analects of Confucius” loudly. Regardless of whether they actually understood it or not, just memorize it first before talking about anything further.

Tang Shen looked through the window, but did not see Zeng fuzi, so he guessed that Zeng fuzi should be resting in the back room. He walked to the back room with familiarity and knocked on the door. The voices inside suddenly stopped, and Zeng fuzi said loudly: “Who is it?”

“Sir, it’s me.”

Zeng fuzi was silent for a moment, and then a low voice came from the room: “It’s one of my students.”

After another long while, Zeng fuzi said loudly: “Come in.”

Tang Shen opened the door and saw that the light in the inner room was dim. In the high hall, Zeng fuzi sat on the right side, and a hazy figure sat on the left side. Tang Shen walked into the room and looked up again.

It was the elder in the herbal tea shop yesterday!

The elder also recognized Tang Shen. Both of them were startled and did not speak.

Tang Shen put the bamboo tube on the table: “I brought you some fruit juice to relieve the heat today.” After that, he made to leave respectfully.

Unexpectedly, Zeng fuzi suddenly said: “You rascal, when will you come back to study!” 

This statement was beyond everyone’s expectations.

Tang Shen originally thought that Zeng fuzi was receiving a distinguished guest, and entering the room was already disturbing him, so he put the things down without saying a word and made to dismiss himself. Who would have thought that Zeng fuzi would bring up his studies at this time? So suddenly he was in a dilemma, not knowing whether he should go or not.

The distinguished guest quickly composed himself, as if he understood something.

Zeng fuzi said: “Please excuse us, Mr. Geng. This boy’s name is Tang Shen. He is thirteen this year. He has been studying here since last year. A year ago, his father fell ill and passed away. His father was also a xiucai scholar. After his death, this Tang family boy and his sister were left orphaned, so he stopped studying. I pity this waste of his talent and intelligence, as he can understand “The Analects of Confucius” and “The Doctrine of the Mean” at a glance, and I really can’t bear to part with this good seedling.”

Tang Shen looked at Zeng fuzi in horror.

Understanding “The Analects of Confucius” and “The Doctrine of the Mean” in just one glance?

I’m not, I didn’t, don’t talk nonsense!

You do your bragging, but don’t bring me along!

Originally, the distinguished guest, the elder, was not too concerned about Tang Shen. But after hearing what Zeng fuzi said, he had a teasing look and repeated, “You are thirteen years old and you are proficient in the Analects of Confucius and the Doctrine of the Mean?”

Tang Shen originally wanted to say, “Don’t listen to Zeng fuzi‘s nonsense,” but Zeng fuzi weighted his bushy brows and gestured to him as if to say, “Boy, this is your opportunity, don’t say I didn’t give you a chance.”

Tang Shen swallowed his original words: “In ancient times, Zhao Zeping governed the world with “The Analects”. Simply “The Analects” alone is enough for people to study for a lifetime. I am not talented and dare not say I am proficient. I can only say that I know it by heart.”

The distinguished guest smiled and said: “By heart?”

Tang Shen’s back was straight, appearing neither humble nor arrogant: “Yes.”

“Then recite backwards, “The Analects of Confucius·Shu Er”.”

Tang Shen opened his mouth and recited easily: “Relaxed yet, courteous, not mean yet authoritative, strict yet mild [7:38]…”

In the school at the entrance of the village, the children have already finished their classes. A group of seven to eight-year-old children ran to the back room out of curiosity. They did not dare to knock on the door, but they pressed against the windows and listened to what was going on inside.

In the room, Tang Shen became more and more fluent as he recited.

“The Analects of Confucius·Shu Er” had a total of thirty-seven sentences. He recited it fluently and heartily, and probably no scholar who had studied literature for twenty years could recite it so eloquently and with such rhythm as he did. Even though he was reciting everything backwards, he was not ashamed, but rather quite proud of himself. His tone was righteous and his words were clear and precise, as if what he was reciting was the right order of The Analects of Confucius.

“…Original thinker rather than a transmitter I am: said the Master [7:1].”

When he finished reciting it, there was dead silence inside and outside the school.

A child outside the room said: “That’s not what the teacher taught us.”

The young man next to the elder also muttered: “Why does this kid still look so proud?”

After reciting the article, Tang Shen immediately bowed his head and put on a humble appearance that was completely different from the high-spirited and charismatic young man who had just been reciting, having restrained all his expressions.

After a while, the elder asked: “Why didn’t you continue to study?”

He didn’t ask Tang Shen if he couldn’t afford the tuition fees. Zeng fuzi so eagerly wanted Tang Shen to come back to study that he dared to bring this up in front of him, in order to force Tang Shen and at the same time draw his attention to this Tang family boy. So he would definitely not refuse to accept the boy because of insufficient tuition fees.

Zeng fuzi was extremely anxious. He tried his best to subtly give hints to his favorite student.

Tang Shen sighed inwardly.

The reason why he could recite “The Analects” backwards was because after transmigration, don’t know if To transmigration came with a golden finger, but he could no longer forget a single word of the books he had read and the things he had memorized.

But regarding studying…

Tang Shen said calmly: “May I ask, sir, why do all the scholars in the world study?”

This question was extremely simple, and all the children outside the room actively answered: “To gain a scholarly title!”

“Be an official!”

“Make a lot of money and support my father and mother!”

Zeng fuzi was so angry that he rolled up his sleeves and said, “Rotten wood cannot be carved.” Jumping to his feet, he went out and drove away the group of smart alecks.

What was the purpose of studying?

In modern times, 90% of people would say that studying was to find a good job and live a good life. They declared this naturally, and there was nothing to blame in this attitude. It was a matter of course and a reality in the world.

But those children would say this, even Zeng fuzi might say it. But Tang Shen knew that the mysterious elder in front of him would not answer like this.

The elder was silent for a long time and did not give an answer. Instead, he asked: “What do you think?”

Tang Shen smiled slightly: This was exactly the response he was hoping for!

“Scholars in the world first become educated and then understand reasoning. Only when they are educated and reasonable can they understand the profound meaning of writings.”

The elder looked at Tang Shen quietly, his eyes deep, as if he had gone through many vicissitudes of life. He did not refute Tang Shen’s words: “Educated and reasonable?”

“Yes, educated, reasonable. Zi Qin asked Zi Gong: “When our teacher (Confucius) arrives in any country, he invariably finds out everything about its government. Does he seek this information? Or is it given to him?” Zi Gong said, “Our teacher gets it by being cordial, upright, courteous, frugal, and humble. His way of getting information is quite different from that of other men.” Scholars should take Confucius as a model. Being educated means being reasonable, and with reason we act. I am not talented, but may I dare to ask…”

“If you are already reasonable, why do you need to study?”

The young man in green next to the elder said sternly: “What crooked logic!”

Tang Shen bowed calmly: “Sir asked me why one studies. This is just my bias view, and naturally I know that it is difficult to reach the level of elegance.”

The implication was that your sir asked me, so I answered, okay?

The young man in green wanted to speak again, but was stopped by the elder.

“Foolish!”

The young man lowered his head and retreated dejectedly.

The elder looked at Tang Shen with eyes as bright as a torch. Tang Shen’s back felt numb under the focus of a person with such superior bearing. He vaguely guessed that this should be the aura of an official, and a very high official at that. But he was calm and composed, and even if there were beads of sweat on his forehead, he did not lose his composure.

After a long time, the elder asked: “Are you related to Tang juren in the west of Gusu Prefecture?”

Tang Shen stiffened and said calmly, “I heard there is some distant relation.”

“You go to that herbal tea shop to sell fruit juice every day, but it is not to come back to study just to earn money. Why is that?”

Zeng fuzi had never thought about this problem. So when the elder mentioned it, he realized: “Yes! You kid, you sell so much fruit juice every day and make so much money. Yet it is not to pay for your studies…just what do you want to do?”

Tang Shen smiled bitterly.

As expected, older gingers are more spicy. Zeng fuzi wasn’t spicy enough, so here came someone even spicier than him.

Tang Shen didn’t answer, and the elder didn’t press him either. He stood up and said, “I’ll take my leave first.”

Before leaving, he asked the young man in green to take out a name card and give it to Tang Shen. The young man was extremely reluctant, but he gave it to Tang Shen obediently.

The name card was made of gilded white silk paper, with three big characters “Liang Bowen” written on it, the style of the handwriting was as nimble as a dragon or a snake, elegant like dancing dragons and phoenixes. On the back of the name card was the address written in beautiful calligraphy: Liang Mansion, Tongde Lane, Gusu Prefecture.

Tang Shen looked at the name card and put it away calmly. As soon as he put it away, he was slapped hard on the head.

Tang Shen raised his head in confusion and looked at Zeng fuzi: “…Sir?”

Zeng fuzi felt like he could vomit three liters of blood: “You stupid boy, do you know who that is?”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Tang Shen: “Yes, a distinguished guest.” And probably a very distinguished guest.

Zeng fuzi almost slapped him again. This time, he didn’t slap the back of his head, he slapped that little white face of the boy surnames Tang!

“Liang Song, Liang Bowen, the governor of Gusu Prefecture, and one of the four greatest Confucian scholars in the world!!!” (TN: most ancients have two names, a birth name given by elders/parents, and a courtesy name given by elders/teacher)

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