Transmigrated into a minor official in a county government, with children at home waiting for rice t

No sooner had he finished speaking than a cold snort came from the other side of the boat.

A young man stepped off the diving board, looked Zhang Sanlang up and down, and curled his lip. "Who do we have here? It's just a gray-robed official."

His voice wasn't loud, but every word was barbed. "A petty clerk like you dare to discuss the imperial examinations? How many lines of the classics have you read? You've copied too many official documents in the county office, do you really think you're a scholar?"

He Lantou's expression changed, and he put down his teacup and was about to stand up.

Zhang Sanlang pressed down on his arm and shook his head.

He didn't speak immediately.

The man was dressed in a moon-white robe with a silk sash around his waist. The copper corners of the book box he carried were worn smooth and shiny, clearly indicating that he was a scholar returning from taking the imperial examination. His brows showed the frustration and shame of failing the exam, as well as the arrogance of a scholar who looked down on clerks.

Several customers in the teahouse put down their bowls and looked over, gloating. The porters also stopped carrying their bags and stood on the pier, craning their necks to see what was happening.

Zhang Sanlang withdrew his gaze, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "This gentleman must also be a successful candidate in this year's imperial examination."

He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, saying, "What is said without intention may be taken to heart by the listener. Brother, you have returned from failing the exam, and it is only natural that you would vent your anger on me."

The man's face flushed red. "You!"

"However," Zhang Sanlang interrupted him, "you should look at that river."

The man was taken aback and followed his gaze. Cargo ships came and went on the Guangji River, their masts standing tall, boatmen punting, porters carrying bags, and people coming and going on the pier.

"Cargo ships sail upstream. The boatman pushes the pole once, and the ship moves forward one step. He pushes the pole again, and it moves forward another step. As long as the right waterway is chosen, the ship will eventually reach the dock."

Zhang Sanlang turned his head and looked at the man. "If you didn't pass this exam, try again next time. There are ships every year, and there are exams every year. As long as you're still on the ship, you'll get there eventually."

Inside the teahouse, someone let out a soft "Oh." Zhang Sanlang's words were simple enough that even an uneducated person could understand them. The porters stopped looking and went back to carrying their packs. The pier returned to its usual hustle and bustle.

The man stood there, his lips moved a few times, but he didn't say anything.

He looked at Zhang Sanlang, then at the cargo ships on the river, and the flush on his face slowly subsided. He switched the book box to his other hand, took a deep breath, and bowed deeply to Zhang Sanlang.

"I was blind and offended you." His voice lowered. "May I ask your honorable name?"

Zhang Sanlang waved his hand. "My surname is Zhang. I'm just a minor official in the county government, nothing to mention. Would you do me the honor of having a cup of tea with me? It's my treat. Please forgive my rudeness earlier."

The man paused for a moment, then smiled wryly, "I was the one who offended you first, and you've already shown great magnanimity by not holding it against me. This tea should be my treat, but alas, I'm short of funds, so I'll have to accept your kind offer."

Zhang Sanlang beckoned to the tea server, "Three more bowls of tea, please. Any snacks?"

The tea server hurried over and replied with a smile, "Yes, yes. Osmanthus cake, sesame cake, and jujube paste pastry are all freshly made."

One for each of us.

The tea server responded and soon brought out tea and snacks, setting them on the table.

The sesame cakes were baked until golden brown, the jujube paste pastries were arranged on a plate, and the osmanthus cake was cut into small pieces and sprinkled with dried osmanthus flowers.

The man looked at the tea and snacks on the table, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

He didn't stand on ceremony; he picked up a sesame cake, took a bite, chewed it twice, and then picked up the teacup and took a sip.

After eating several snacks, he wiped his mouth and said, "My name is Wang Yucheng, from Juye, Jizhou. I failed the imperial examination this year and am on my way home by boat. I am just passing through this place, so please excuse my poor appearance."

Zhang Sanlang picked up his teacup, a smile playing on his lips. "Juye isn't far from Juancheng. It'll be there in two or three days if you go downstream on the Guangji River."

Wang Yu-cheng nodded. "Yes. It's getting late, let's stay here for the night and leave first thing tomorrow morning."

As the three ate, drank, and talked, the cargo ship on the dock was already moored, the ropes on the masts crackling in the wind, and a few fishing lights swaying in the distance.

After finishing their work, the porters went to a food stall in the side room, pooled their money to buy a bowl of mutton offal soup, each took a couple of sips, and shared the rest with steamed buns. They wiped their mouths, got up, and left.

Wang Yu-cheng put down his teacup, looked at the oil-paper lantern by the door that was swaying in the wind, and suddenly recited a line: "The lights at the dock are sparse, and passenger boats are moored in the twilight."

The voice wasn't loud, it sounded more like he was talking to himself. He Lantou scratched his head, feeling quite uneasy.

Zhang Sanlang casually added, "No music is heard, only porters returning home."

Wang Yu-cheng turned his head and looked at him with surprise.

Zhang Sanlang was also looking at him.

The two looked at each other for a moment, then both smiled.

Wang Yu-cheng's eyes lit up. "Brother Zhang, are you also a scholar?"

Zhang Sanlang waved his hand, "I only read a few books in my early years. Later, I was conscripted to work as a scribe in the county government, which ended my path to being sent to the capital."

Wang Yu-cheng was silent for a moment, "I did pass the exam last year, but unfortunately I failed again this year."

He looked out the window at the river and recited, "The Guangji River is a thousand feet deep."

He paused, glancing at Zhang Sanlang, as if waiting for the next sentence.

Zhang Sanlang couldn't help but laugh: "Not as much as my brother's disappointment."

Wang Yu-cheng was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter, "You're not afraid of offending people when you talk like that."

Zhang Sanlang laughed along, "Just telling the truth. With your magnanimity, I'm sure you won't take offense."

Wang Yu-cheng suddenly took out paper and pen from his book box and wrote a few lines on it.

After finishing writing, he pushed it to Zhang Sanlang, saying, "We met today, and I have nothing to give you. Here are a few lines of doggerel; please don't laugh, Brother Zhang."

Zhang Sanlang took it and read it by the lamplight: "Passenger boats moored at the Guangji Bridge, the spring breeze, though not warm, brings sorrow. Do not say the petty official is without charm, a cup of clear tea can dispel a thousand worries."

After reading it, Zhang Sanlang picked up his brush and wrote four lines in response: "The Guangji River flows day and night, carrying away countless sorrows of those who failed the imperial examinations. I urge you not to blame the spring breeze, for next year when the flowers bloom, you can climb the tower again."

Wang Yu-cheng lowered his head and read it once, then looked up at Zhang San-lang for a long time, saying, "Brother, I truly appreciate your encouragement."

Zhang Sanlang laughed and shook his head, "Not at all. It's easy for me to say that when I'm not in the situation. I'm not taking the exam anyway."

Wang Yucheng gave a wry smile, folded the paper, and carefully tucked it into his pocket.

Zhang Sanlang looked outside the shop, stood up, and said, "Brother Wang, it's getting late, and my young children are eagerly waiting for me at home. We'll meet again someday."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yu-cheng quickly stood up, cupped his hands in greeting to Zhang San-lang, and said, "Brother Zhang, I should also go find a place to stay. We'll meet again someday."

Until we meet again.

Wang Yucheng nodded, picked up his book box, turned and left, his face no longer showing any sign of dejection.

Unlike him, Zhang Shouzhi had been standing at the Zhang family's door for half an hour.

Looking at that familiar door, he raised his hand, then lowered it again.

Only when light shone through the crack in the door and someone was speaking in the main room did he take a deep breath and raise his hand to knock on the door.

The door opened.

Zhang's father stood at the door, leaning on his cane, watching him without saying a word.

Zhang Shouzhi lowered his head. "Father, I'm back."

Zhang's father's voice was devoid of emotion; he simply said, "It's good that you're back."

He slowly turned to the side, his cane tapping the ground with a soft thud.

Zhang Shouzhi stepped over the threshold, and the book box bumped against the door frame, making it wobble.