A few days later, the Ministry of Rites at the county government announced the results, and Song Wei passed as the top candidate of the county examination.
This news quickly spread throughout the village.
The villagers, with little knowledge, asked, "What does it mean to be the top candidate of the county?"
Someone proudly bragged, "Uninformed! What else could the top candidate of the county be? It means first place in the county exam! It’s equivalent to achieving the top spot in both the prefectural and provincial exams, known collectively as the ’Little Three Yuan.’
The person bragging was none other than Song Yuanbao, who happened to hear that his father became the top candidate just as he returned for his ten-day break.
Song Yuanbao glanced at the envious and jealous eyes of the neighbors, feeling absolutely elated inside.
Although he was young, he remembered certain things very clearly.
For years, his father’s luck had been poor; every time he planned to do something, something would happen midway. Even something as simple as copying books at a bookstore and delivering a manuscript to the county would make the whole family worried. Whenever his little aunt was free, they’d always try to let her accompany him.
Had it not been for his father’s resilient spirit, anyone else would have been worn down long ago.
Song Yuanbao heard from his grandmother that when he was young, people sympathized with Song Wei. But as he grew older, and as neighbors got used to Song Wei’s miserable luck—where he could choke on cold water—sympathy slowly turned into mockery.
Some parents even used him as a scare tactic for disobedient children, saying they would end up like Song Wei.
Children were scared, and neighbors laughed.
This was Song Wei’s state before the age of twenty-eight.
Because of this, Song Yuanbao was also alienated by the village children. During his years at the town school, the only one he played well with was Wen Wan.
However, Song Yuanbao never felt aggrieved by being deliberately alienated. Instead, he believed that those who gossiped behind his father’s back were a bunch of uneducated and short-sighted peasants who didn’t understand his father’s great ambitions. With time and luck, his father would surely rise to success and astound those rural bumpkins.
When Song Yuanbao returned home, he didn’t even have time to take off his school bag before giving his father a big hug and then, with a broad grin, said, "Yuanbao congratulates Father on becoming the top candidate."
Song Wei looked at him in surprise, "Why are you back early?"
Song Yuanbao replied, "This time the ten-day break was moved up a day. I met Grandpa in town, and he brought me back in his ox cart."
The "Grandpa" that Song Yuanbao mentioned was Wen Wan’s father.
Song Wei nodded, "Quick, go wash your hands, it’s time for dinner."
"There’s no rush, Dad." While Song Yuanbao was taking his school bag off his shoulder, he said, "When I was coming, the teacher specifically asked me to do something."
"The teacher wants me to ask you what articles you wrote for the county exam and if you could write them again and give them to me to take back. He wants to use them as examples in class."
Song Wei laughed, "Did the teacher really say that?"
"Of course." Song Yuanbao’s face was full of pride, "The teacher also said that not only the county exam but also the prefectural exam, the provincial exam, and even the township exam—whenever you enter the examination hall, your essays will be used as examples in the town school for students to learn from."
Song Wei raised an eyebrow, "How can the teacher be so sure that I will pass?"
Speaking of which, Song Yuanbao felt even more proud, "Because the teacher said you are the most talented student he has ever seen. Once given the opportunity, this little place of Pingjiang County can’t hold you, like an eagle meant to soar."
Song Wei poked him on the forehead, "Be careful not to boast too much."
"Nonsense! I’m telling the truth." Song Yuanbao explained hurriedly while watching Song Wei’s receding figure.
What his father didn’t see was how the old folks of the town school, upon hearing that Song Wei successfully entered the examination hall and completed all five exams without missing one, were moved to tears. That scene was far more exaggerated than what he described.
If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, Song Yuanbao wouldn’t have believed his father had such charisma.
His dad was truly someone who drew envy, no wonder the heavens didn’t let him rise in the previous years.