On the Path to the Great Dao Chapter 256: The Peasant Scholar 21

The post station clerk ca running over again, shouting for them to compensate for the station's damages.

Although Sun Yisheng held an official position in the Western Capital, his rank was not high. He was rely the Grand Emissary of the Guanghui Treasury under the Ministry of Revenue, a minor ninth-rank official with little authority. Even if he had power, the post station was a local institution, subordinate to the local county and managed by the county magistrate. Officials from the Western Capital had no jurisdiction here. If you broke sothing, you had to pay.

Sun Yisheng didn't have much money on him. This trip back to Xinxiang wasn't solely to escort Chen Shi to the capital; he was returning ho for the New Year, and bringing Chen Shi along was just a convenient arrangent. Therefore, Chen Tang hadn't given him much money either.

Chen Shi also didn't have much silver on him; his money had all been given to Accountant Shao Jing. When he went to Qingzhou to topple the Wan Family, the Wan Family indeed had a lot of wealth, but it was all 'robbed from the rich to aid the poor.' He hadn't kept much for himself and had actually spent quite a bit of his own silver.

With no other choice, Sun Yisheng had to mortgage the carriage to the post station. Only then did the station clerk relent.

Originally, there were a few Embroidered Uniform Guards accompanying the carriage. Now, with all the money gone on compensation, they couldn't afford to hire the guards anymore. Swallowing his pride, Sun Yisheng dismissed them.

He felt anxious and uneasy inside. "Lord Chen Tang asked to protect the Young Master on his journey to the capital. Now, not only have we lost the carriage and the money, but I'm also seriously injured. If we encounter danger on the road, what should we do?"

Although Chen Tang had told him to abandon Chen Shi and return safely to the Western Capital if they encountered danger, Sun Yisheng had never considered such an option.

He and Chen Tang were from the sa hotown, and he had received imnse favor from Chen Tang. He deeply understood gratitude. Never mind that Chen Shi was Chen Tang's son; even if he were a stranger, if Chen Tang said to protect him to the Western Capital, Sun Yisheng would fight with his life to ensure Chen Shi reached the Western Capital!

The next day, Sun Yisheng sat in the wooden cart. Inside the cart were Chen Shi, Hu Feifei, and Nannan, along with their luggage, making it a bit crowded.

Hu Feifei held Nannan, who stared at the two Primordial Spirits and the Nascent Soul warming themselves by the horn-shaped Underworld Lamp, finding it very amusing.

The horn-shaped Underworld Lamp was a major treasure of the underworld, belonging to the leader among the Horse-faced Underworld Officers. The lamp's fla was on the doll's Heavenly Aperture. The fla didn't look big, but Chen Shi's six- or seven-inch Nascent Soul and Sun Yisheng's ten-zhang Primordial Spirit both felt the fla was quite spacious upon entering, ample enough to accommodate them.

Chen Shi's injury from reading was much lighter than Sun Yisheng's, so he let Sun Yisheng hold the horn-shaped Underworld Lamp to warm himself most of the ti.

The wooden cart was a bit cramped. Chen Shi found a piece of wood and carved a courtyard. It was much simpler than the courtyard he had given to Li Tianqing, but 'though the sparrow is small, it has all five organs.' Inside, there were also pavilions, towers, artificial mountains, and fish ponds.

Hu Feifei, Nannan, and Black Pot, finding the journey tedious, hid inside the small courtyard. When they passed through Xuan Yan County, the dog went to the market and bought a lot of furniture—tables, chairs, benches, dressing tables, beds, cabinets—everything you could need, had it delivered, and then moved it into the courtyard.

He also bought so pots, bowls, ladles, basins, oil, grain, rice, flour, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar, organizing the kitchen as well.

Not long after, soone drove a flock of chickens, ducks, and geese over, which Black Pot let loose in the courtyard.

Black Pot paid the bill, and the person left, full of gratitude.

Sun Yisheng stared dumbfounded at this scene and suddenly asked, "Where did the dog get the money?"

Chen Shi said, "I gave it to him. I didn't expect he hadn't spent it all."

Previously, when Chen Shi had money, he gave Black Pot a few silver notes to buy things for himself. He never expected Black Pot would be frugal and save it. Now that Chen Shi was broke, he had to rely on the dog's ager savings.

Sun Yisheng looked into the tiny courtyard. He saw Black Pot and Nannan, both wearing spectacles, lying on newly purchased reclining chairs, sunbathing.

The wooden cart swayed a little, making the little girl and the dog's bodies sway too, but they looked very comfortable.

As for Hu Feifei, she was busy in the kitchen cooking.

Wispy smoke from cooking fires rose from the one-foot-square, delicate little courtyard.

Sun Yisheng was extrely envious, wishing he could hide inside to recuperate too.

However, he was still responsible for Chen Shi's safety. How could he hide in a small courtyard enjoying comfort?

"Young Master Chen, now that you have an official title, have you been assigned an official post?" Sun Yisheng inquired.

Chen Shi shook his head. "No. My title of provincial graduate isn't entirely legitimate. It's because the Gongzhou imperial exams were disrupted, and I sohow ended up as the top provincial graduate. It's normal that the court hasn't assigned a post."

Sun Yisheng had heard Chen Tang ntion this matter. "What happened in Gongzhou wasn't your fault. The court not assigning you a post isn't because of Gongzhou. It's mostly because they wouldn't feel at ease placing you in Gongzhou or Xinxiang. They'd only feel at ease if you held office in the Western Capital."

Having said this, he felt the topic was inappropriate and quickly changed the subject, smiling. "Back when Lord Chen Tang and I passed the provincial exams and planned to go to the capital for the palace exams, we didn't take this Five Lakes route we're on now, but the Gongzhou route. We planned to rest in Gongzhou for a few days, but before we could even settle in, our travel funds were stolen."

Chen Shi couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie. "Were you sold to a farmstead?"

Sun Yisheng exclaid in shock, "How did you know? Lord Chen Tang and I were indeed sold to a farmstead outside the city by a fellow with a Xinxiang accent!"

Chen Shi originally wanted to say 'I have a friend,' but laughter ca from the small courtyard. Hu Feifei said, "Because he was sold too!"

Sun Yisheng imdiately felt a closer connection, and the relationship between the two ward considerably.

"Taking the Gongzhou route is shorter. Taking the Five Lakes route ans crossing three major mountain ranges, adding several days to the journey. But many people have suffered losses in Gongzhou, so they'd rather take the longer route to bypass it," Sun Yisheng explained.

On the official post road, carriages, horses, and scholars heading to the capital for the exams gradually increased. They encountered so from ti to ti.

Scholars with money and influence rode in carriages or on horses. Scholars from poor families carried their book boxes on their backs.

However, this journey was quite dangerous. Even on the post road, it was hard to avoid encountering evil spirits. Therefore, scholars traveling on foot often grouped together in threes or fives for mutual support.

So were in their twenties or thirties, so already in their forties or fifties. There were even white-haired elders, aged and frail, also making their way to the Western Capital.

"Those walking to the capital for the exams have to walk continuously for over three months. But only about four or five out of ten who set out actually make it to the capital alive," Sun Yisheng said.

Chen Shi looked at those travel-worn scholars, n and won alike. So faces were tanned dark red by the sun, beads of sweat on their faces, and white salt stains left by evaporated sweat. "Since the journey is so dangerous, why do they still go to the capital?"

"Because it can change their fate."

Sun Yisheng said calmly, "If they can pass the palace exam and beco a Presented Scholar, the court will provide them with the 'imperial grain'—a salary. It may not lead to great wealth and honor, but it's enough to support a family and bring glory to their lineage. Even if they don't pass, they can still secure a good position. After all, it's at the feet of the Son of Heaven; opportunities abound."

He had been one of the multitude of scholars heading to the capital for exams back in the day and had deep feelings about this.

As the number of travelers on the road increased, the wooden cart unconsciously slowed down. Chen Shi watched as the cart overtook group after group of scholars heading to the capital. They walked on the post road like ants, tirelessly moving in the sa direction!

A profound sense of awe rose in his heart—awe at the insignificance of human strength, awe at the indomitable human spirit, and awe at the collective will of these people.

"Change fate... change fate!"

"Can fate really be changed?"

"Can the Western Capital really change the fate of us scholars?"

With deep questions in his heart, he traveled further and further with the wooden cart.

Ahead lay towering mountains and ridges, great lakes nestled against mountain ranges. The road was rugged, winding through mountains and lakes teeming with evil spirits.

The wooden cart was much faster than the governnt's standard carriages. After a few days, they arrived at the southern end of the Great West Lake, at Wind City.

Wind City was the largest city in the Five Great Lakes region and also the final rest stop for scholars from the eastern provinces of the Western Ox New Continent.

Beyond Wind City lay a vast, flat wilderness stretching tens of thousands of li to the west. Most of this area was desolate and uninhabited, crawling with evil spirits that appeared and disappeared mysteriously.

Although there were many provinces in this wilderness, human power was weak. The post roads were in disrepair from years of neglect, and post stations were pitifully few.

Therefore, in Wind City, they had to rest properly first, then purchase sufficient supplies, stock up on food and water, as well as talismans and talisman-weapons, and even hire more Embroidered Uniform Guards before setting out.

Chen Shi didn't have much money left either, so he decided to stay in Wind City for a day and resud his old trade: drawing talismans to sell for money. He earned a few taels of silver, enough for travel expenses.

Seeing this, Sun Yisheng felt extrely ashad. He thought, "If I had been a bit more corrupt, I wouldn't be in such a difficult situation now."

He was the Grand Emissary of the Guanghui Treasury, in charge of the court's monetary inflows and outflows. The silver notes that passed through his hands daily amounted to hundreds of thousands of taels, but not a single one belonged to him. Even if he took one or two, no one would notice.

But Sun Yisheng, having followed Chen Tang for over twenty years, had developed the sa character as Chen Tang. He wouldn't touch a single coin that wasn't rightfully his. Despite being an official for many years, he remained a ninth-rank official, his salary just enough to support his family.

After they had packed and prepared, they left Wind City together with a group of provincial graduates who also ca from official and aristocratic families.

These people also had official escorts for protection and often hailed from prominent families, dressed in fine clothes and riding spirited horses.

They all stayed at the sa post station. Officials were good at socializing, and Sun Yisheng quickly beca acquainted with them.

Upon hearing that he was from the Ministry of Revenue, responsible for escorting the son of Vice Minister Chen Tang to the capital for the exams, they all showed considerable respect.

Chen Shi and Sun Yisheng looked sickly, holding a bronze lamp to warm themselves. The other provincial graduates, seeing the two were injured, were each surprised.

Next to the wooden cart were the carriages of the Zhou Family. The Zhou Family had two mbers heading to the capital for the exams this ti, one male and one female. The woman was nad Zhou Qianying, around twenty years old. She preferred n's clothing and disliked sitting inside the carriage. Instead, she rode a horse, watching Chen Shi's Nascent Soul as she rode. She praised, "Little brother, your Nascent Soul is so big! Was it blown up by the wind?"

Chen Shi, sitting in the cart and still sowhat afraid of the cold wind, answered honestly, "I got it from reading."

Zhou Qianying was puzzled. "How can you get injured from reading?"

Chen Shi said, "Excessive ntal exertion."

Zhou Qianying asked, "How old are you this year, to have cultivated your Nascent Soul to such a size?"

Chen Shi said, "Twelve years old, but counting by the traditional thod, I should be thirteen."

Zhou Qianying clicked her tongue in amazent and laughed. "When I was thirteen, I didn't have your ability."

She was also at the Nascent Soul realm. She summoned her own Nascent Soul, which was only two or three inches tall.

Provincial graduates heading to the capital for exams were typically at the Golden Core or Nascent Soul realm, with Golden Core being the majority. Those at the Nascent Soul realm only accounted for about thirty percent, and they were often from great clans.

The Zhou Family was a minor great clan in Wind City, related by marriage to the Zhang Family among the Thirteen Great Clans, so their heritage was fairly good.

Seeing Chen Shi was injured, Zhou Qianying took out a small jade bottle. "I have so Soul-Returning Pills here. Do you want so? They can help your Nascent Soul's injuries heal quickly. My father had soone buy them for in Xinxiang!"

Chen Shi shook his head. "These are useless for ."

Zhou Qianying put away the Soul-Returning Pills and then offered him so spirit beast jerky, smiling. "The one coming with to take the exam is my uncle. He didn't pass last ti and is too embarrassed to co out."

Coughing sounds ca from inside the carriage.

Zhou Qianying giggled incessantly. "I talk about him, and he gets shy!"

The other provincial graduates heading to the capital, seeing this girl with her dignified and elegant appearance and bold, straightforward personality, couldn't help but feel a sense of closeness. Gradually, they gathered around, introducing themselves to each other, chatting and laughing.

Chen Shi was the youngest and also injured, so they took good care of him. Whenever there was sothing tasty or fun, they'd stuff it into his hands.

Chen Shi thought to himself, "These great clan descendants aren't bad either. They're not all bad people."

On the post road, there were many scholars traveling on foot. Their book boxes were piled with various items: spare clothes, dry rations, drinking water, bedding, books, inkstones, brushes, ink, and so on. The piles were two or three heads taller than they were, wobbling precariously.

These scholars often wore hemp clothing. Even if it was cotton, it had two or three patches. They walked on the post road in groups of three or five.

When they encountered the convoy of Chen Shi, Zhou Qianying, and the others, they would move to the side of the road and slow down to avoid being bumped.

Chen Shi turned to look at them. A scholar ahead had a split shoe and stopped to tie his straw sandal. But when he squatted down, his book box tilted, and the bundled items inside clattered to the ground.

The scholar, having no ti to tie his sandal, hurriedly tried to gather his things. Unexpectedly, a gust of wind blew, scattering many of his handwritten manuscripts everywhere.

The scholar imdiately rushed into the middle of the road to pick up those manuscripts.

"Stop the cart," Chen Shi said.

The wooden cart stopped. Chen Shi got out and helped the scholar pick up the things on the ground.

Everyone else in the convoy also stopped, watching the two busy themselves.

Chen Shi helped the scholar gather his things and stuff them back into the book box. The scholar thanked him repeatedly.

Chen Shi waved his hand dismissively and climbed back into the cart.

The convoy set off again. The gazes of the provincial graduates in the convoy towards Chen Shi held a certain strangeness.

Zhou Qianying couldn't hold back and voiced the doubt in everyone's mind, smiling. "Little Brother Chen, why did you help him?"

Chen Shi said, "His things were scattered on the ground. If we didn't help him pick them up, wouldn't they block the road?"

Zhou Qianying laughed. "He would have gotten out of the way himself. When our convoy ca, he would have moved to the roadside. After our convoy passed, he could have picked up his things. Why lower yourself like that? Next ti you encounter sothing like this, don't lift a finger. Otherwise, people will laugh at us, saying we're just like those mud-legged scholars!"

Chen Shi was stunned.

Then, a provincial graduate from another great clan smiled and said, "Miss Zhou speaks sense. Little Brother Chen is just young and doesn't understand these things yet. Explain this reasoning once, and he'll get it."

Another great clan descendant nad Wang Ping, only a few years older than Chen Shi and also very young, smiled. "Little Brother Chen, we're different from them. Most of these mud-legged scholars going to the capital have little learning and won't pass the palace exam. They're just there to make up the numbers. Helping them is a wasted effort. At most, you get a 'thank you.'"

Chen Shi was utterly confused and sought clarification. "Why is that?"

Wang Ping laughed. "Status is different! Think about it. When we were studying, it was fine. We all cultivated the Heavenly Heart Righteousness Technique and practiced the Ziwu Evil-Slaying Sword. But after passing the Xiucai exam, these mud-legged scholars are still cultivating the Heavenly Heart Righteousness Technique and Ziwu Evil-Slaying Sword. At best, they can only reach the Golden Core realm. With good luck, they might reach the Nascent Soul realm at the absolute peak. What about us? We cultivate ancestral cultivation techniques. Golden Core and Nascent Soul are just the starting point for us!"

Zhou Qianying smiled. "Even if you gave those mud-legged scholars cultivation techniques, without guidance and instruction, they couldn't master them. Moreover, techniques are just the foundation. The other gaps between them and us are even greater."

A provincial graduate from another great clan said, "Every day, I consu five qian worth of Foundation Consolidating and Origin Fortifying Pills and one jin four liang of spirit beast at. The Master I hire to teach spell circulation and refinent costs seventeen taels of silver per month. Besides spell refinent, I also practice combat and have hired another Master for that. I also study calligraphy and painting and have hired yet another Master for that. I also have a music Master who teaches to play the qin and se. In the eyes of a mud-legged scholar, the money I spend in a month could probably support them for half a lifeti."

Zhou Qianying said, "By helping him pack his book box, you lowered your own status and embarrassed yourself for no reason!"

The group of provincial graduates nodded in agreent, smiling. "What can these mud-legged scholars compare with us in the Western Capital? Learning? Daoist arts? They fall short in everything."

"For thousands of years, there hasn't been a single mud-legged top scholar!"

Chen Shi's face darkened. He interrupted them. "My grandpa is a mud-legged scholar."

"What?" They didn't hear clearly.

Chen Shi continued on his own. "My grandpa is a mud-legged scholar. I am a mud-legged scholar. Sun Yisheng, is Chen Tang a mud-legged scholar?"

Sun Yisheng was worried about offending these great clan descendants, but a surge of anger rose in his heart. He still said, "He is a mud-legged scholar."

Chen Shi stood up in the cart. Though he looked sickly, his voice was powerful as he surveyed the group. "Three generations of my family are mud-legged scholars. This year, a mud-legged scholar is going to beco the top scholar! That's what I, your little lord, say!"