97: On the eve of departure

Before dawn, a thin mist enveloped Su Family Village.

The air was cold and crisp, carrying the moist scent of dew and earth.

At the entrance of the Su Family Small Courtyard, the atmosphere of parting silently brewed.

Chen stood before her son, her hands, calloused and rough, repeatedly straightening Su Ming's collar.

The collar of the blue cloth gown was already smooth as new, yet her fingertips stubbornly stroked over it.

"When you're out, eat well and dress warmly," she murmured softly, as if speaking to Su Ming, and yet also to herself.

She pulled a small cloth pouch from her bosom; it still carried the warmth of her body.

Without a word, Chen tucked the cloth pouch into the inner lining of Su Ming's gown, patting it carefully to ensure it was securely hidden.

"Don't lose it."

Su Ming felt the outline of the pouch. Inside were some uneven hard objects and the feel of thick shoe soles. He knew it was all the family's silver and the thick-soled cloth shoes his mother had stayed up several nights to make.

His throat tightened, but he only nodded forcefully.

"Mother, I know."

Su Shan, who had been squatting by the courtyard gate, stood up and put the unlit dry tobacco pipe back into the cloth pouch at his waist.

He said nothing, picked up Su Ming's not-too-heavy travel bag, and turned to walk towards the village entrance.

In the morning mist, his back, usually stooped by the burdens of life, now appeared exceptionally resolute, like a silent wall shielding his son from all the wind and rain behind him.

Eldest Brother Su Feng and Second Brother Su Yang stood on either side of Su Ming.

Su Feng smiled guilelessly, handing Su Ming a package of dry rations wrapped in a clean cloth. The package still carried the warmth of freshly cooked food.

Su Yang patted Su Ming's shoulder firmly, leaning close to his ear and speaking in a very low voice.

"I'll take care of things at home."

Four words, heavy as a thousand jun.

Su Ming's eyes felt warm.

He took a deep breath of the cold air, suppressing the sourness, and turned to give his family a reassuring smile.

"Father, Mother, Eldest Brother, Second Brother, you can stop here."

He took the travel bag from his father's hand. It was light to the touch, but his heart felt heavy.

"I'm going to Qingshi Town to bid farewell to my teachers, then I'll head straight to the capital. You all... go back now."

Chen's lips moved, but in the end, she said nothing more, only her eyes grew redder.

Su Shan stopped, looked back at his son, his turbid eyes swirling with emotion, which ultimately condensed into a heavy nod.

Most of the fields on both sides of the road had been harvested, leaving neat rice stubble. Several early-rising villagers were busy in the fields. Seeing Su Ming, they stopped their work, straightened up, and greeted him warmly.

"Successful Provincial Graduate Su, out so early!"

"Su Ming, off to the capital, are you? Be careful on the road!"

Su Ming responded to each, his steps unceasing, striding towards the dirt road that led to the world beyond the mountains.

Qingshi Town, West City Corner.

Xu Qing's book stall was busier than usual.

Several half-worn camphor wood chests were lined up behind the stall. Xu Qing's father was directing two casual laborers to carefully sort and pack stacks of books into the boxes, meticulously wrapping them in oiled paper to protect against dampness and insects.

Xu Qing did not participate in the packing. He stood to the side, holding a half-worn ledger, rapidly recording book titles and numbers with a charcoal pencil, his expression focused.

His travel bag, a simple blue cloth bundle, lay at his feet, neatly packed, revealing his pragmatic nature.

"Brother Su." Seeing Su Ming, Xu Qing immediately put down his ledger, a smile appearing on his face. He clapped the dust from his hands, flipped the ledger to a certain page, and showed it to Su Ming.

"The carriage has been hired as we discussed, from Old Chen's family on the west side of Qingshi Town. Old Chen has been running this route for over ten years; he knows the roads well and is reliable. I personally inspected the carriage yesterday; the axles and hubs were all checked, no problems."

His voice was clear and steady, carrying a reassuring strength.

"The route has also been finalized. We'll take the official road, passing through Luocheng and Xiangfan. This route bypasses several treacherous mountain paths. Although it will take two or three extra days, the inns and post stations along the way are complete, supplies are convenient, and it's the safest. This is the general itinerary." He flipped another page, on which a route map was drawn with simple lines, marking major towns and estimated overnight stops.

Su Ming looked carefully and nodded. Xu Qing had considered everything thoroughly.

"Brother Xu, how are the dry rations and medicinal herbs prepared?" Su Ming asked.

"I was just about to discuss that with Brother Su," Xu Qing reopened the ledger. "The dry rations are mainly durable flatbreads and dried meat. I've also prepared some easy-to-carry fried rice. For medicinal herbs, I've stocked up on some agastache, dried tangerine peel, and mugwort for common ailments, plus a small bottle of trauma medicine. Does Brother Su think anything else needs to be added?"

Su Ming pondered for a moment: "Prepare some extra salt and sugar; they can replenish energy at critical moments. Also, could you please confirm with Old Chen again if his carriage can have an additional hidden lock? Better safe than sorry."

Xu Qing nodded, immediately noting it in his ledger: "Alright, I'll take care of it shortly. Brother Su always thinks things through."

"Thank you for your trouble, Brother Xu." He pulled a small money pouch from his bosom and handed it over. "This is the estimated travel expenses for the two of us for this trip: half for carriage fees, half for food, lodging, and miscellaneous expenses. Brother Xu can manage it all."

Xu Qing did not decline, calmly accepted the money pouch, made a note in the ledger, and then closed it. "Brother Su trusts me, and I will not fail his trust."

The two exchanged a smile, everything understood without words.

At this moment, Xu Qing's father looked up from the stack of books. Sweat beaded on his forehead; he wiped it with his sleeve and smiled at Su Ming.

"Successful Provincial Candidate Su, be careful on the road." Xu Qing's father's words were simple. "My Qing'er has read many books, but his experience traveling outside is, after all, a bit lacking. You two travel together and look after each other."

Su Ming bowed in present: "Uncle, rest assured, Brother Xu and I will certainly support each other. You also need to take care of your health; these books... take your time organizing them, no need to overwork yourself."

Old Man Xu waved his hand, smiling, "I'm used to it, used to it. These books are my lifeblood; I wouldn't trust anyone else with them. You two go and pursue your official careers; don't worry about things at home."

"Brother Xu, I'll go to the County School first to bid farewell to a few teachers and fellow students," Su Ming said to Xu Qing.

"Alright." Xu Qing nodded. "I still need about half an hour to finish counting these books, then I'll go buy some more dry rations and common medicines for the journey. We'll meet at the East Gate of the town in the afternoon and depart on time."

"East Gate in the afternoon, see you there."

"Heh, this kid is really reliable. Taking him along will save a lot of worry on the road," Lin Yu commented in Su Ming's mind.

Su Ming replied in his heart: "Master, among friends, trust is key, and everyone has their strengths."

Su Ming left the book stall and first went to a well-reputed blacksmith's shop in Qingshi Town to pick up the several small flying daggers and a slender iron skewer he had custom-ordered a few days prior, hiding them close to his body. This was at Lin Yu's instruction, to prepare some inconspicuous but practical self-defense items.

Su Ming did not go directly to the Zhou Residence but detoured to the quiet Small Courtyard deep within the County School, where a few rows of green vegetables were planted.

Professor Liu, wearing his reading glasses, was squatting in the vegetable patch, carefully mounding soil around a cabbage, his movements as focused as if he were critiquing a magnificent essay.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up and, seeing Su Ming, a gentle smile appeared on his face.

"Leaving?"

"Yes, this student has come specifically to bid farewell to Professor," Su Ming bowed respectfully.

Professor Liu stood up, clapped the dirt from his hands, and gestured to the stone bench in the courtyard.

"Sit."

He didn't go back inside to wash his hands, but casually sat opposite Su Ming.

"The capital is not like Qingshi Town," Professor Liu said slowly, looking into Su Ming's eyes. "It is the Son of Heaven's domain, the center of a power vortex. Everyone you see, even a gate guard, might have intricate connections behind them."

He paused, his tone becoming serious.

"Your policy essay on the flood in Nanwuxiang had good intentions, but it was too sharp, touching on the sore spots of many people. Once you leave Qingshi Town, you must never mention it to anyone again, and it's best to dispose of the draft."

"This student understands."

"A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. Your talent is a sharp sword, but also a flag that invites storms. Before you have enough strength to protect yourself, concealing your edge is more important than brandishing your sword."

Professor Liu's words coincided with Lin Yu's The Way of Cautious Survival.

Su Ming's heart stirred, and he bowed again.

"Thank you, Professor, for your instruction."

Professor Liu waved his hand and took out an unsigned letter from his bosom. The envelope was made of ordinary yellow rough-edged paper and looked somewhat old.

On it was written only a line of small characters: "To Shopkeeper Zhang, Fushun Teahouse, Luoma Market, Capital."

The envelope was made of ordinary yellow rough-edged paper, with only a line of small characters written on it: "To Shopkeeper Zhang, Fushun Teahouse, Luoma Market, Capital."

"When you arrive in the capital, you'll be unfamiliar with the place. If you encounter difficulties you can't solve yourself, or... feel like you're at a dead end, you can go here to find a teahouse shopkeeper named Zhang." Professor Liu's tone was very calm, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

Professor Liu's tone was very calm.

"He is a distant relative of mine who served as a cook in the army in his early years. He's quite reliable. Give him the letter, and he might be able to offer you some minor assistance."

Su Ming took the light letter, but his heart sank.

The weight of this letter was far greater than a thousand gold pieces.

"This old man is on the right track," Lin Yu's voice carried a hint of approval.

"He's giving you an inconspicuous small path, disciple. Keep it safe; who knows when you might need to crawl out of this dog hole to save your life."

"Student, thank you for your guidance, Professor!" Su Ming solemnly tucked the letter close to his body.

Professor Liu nodded, his gaze returning to his vegetable patch.

"Go. The soil in the capital is very hard, and very fertile. Whether you can take root in that land depends on your own fortune."

Coming out of Professor Liu's courtyard, Su Ming felt much lighter.

Emerging from Professor Liu's courtyard, Su Ming strolled towards the student dormitories.

He didn't go to the Class A dorms, but walked slowly through the common dormitories.

Most of the students he encountered along the way, whether familiar or strangers, would stop and respectfully greet him upon seeing him.

"Senior Brother Su!"

"Brother Su, are you leaving now?"

"Wishing Brother Su success in the capital, and may your name be on the golden List!"

Their words were mostly filled with goodwill and respect.

Even though his ranking was not as high as Xu Qing's, the status of a "Successful Provincial Candidate" alone was enough for these scholars still on their path of study to look up to him.

The disparity in status brought by official titles was fully evident at this moment.

Su Ming returned each greeting gently, remaining humble.

"Thank you for your kind words." "Same to you, may all of you also advance in your studies."

He specifically visited a few fellow students with whom he had some acquaintance and solid academic grounding, briefly bidding them farewell and wishing them well.

In the room of a fellow student named Wang, the host offered his treasured tea, remarking with some emotion: "Brother Su, you will surely achieve great things on this journey. I only hope that when you rise to prominence in the future, you won't forget us fellow students from Qingshi Town."

Su Ming said: "Brother Wang, you exaggerate. How could I forget the friendship of fellow students? If there's an opportunity in the future, we will certainly gather again."

At another fellow student's place, a man surnamed Li, the concern was more about the academic atmosphere and the preferences of the examiners in the prefectural city. Su Ming shared some of his less critical observations from the prefectural city, and the other student nodded repeatedly as he listened.

As he reached a corner of a dormitory, he faintly heard hushed discussions coming from within.

...That Su Ming, he just got lucky, barely making it onto the list. How can he be compared to Xu yuan of the second rank?" a voice said with a hint of sourness.

"Silence!" another voice immediately interrupted. "A Successful Provincial Candidate is a Successful Provincial Candidate! How can you and I presume to criticize him? Don't invite trouble upon yourselves!"

The voices inside immediately lowered, becoming inaudible.

Su Ming's steps did not falter, his expression unchanged, as if he had heard nothing.

"Heh, hear that?" Lin Yu chuckled in his mind. "The prestige of a Successful Provincial Candidate is already showing. Even if they're bitter inside, they still have to be respectful on the surface. This is the 'power' that status brings."

Su Ming calmly replied in his heart: "It's just an empty title. Their reverence is for the identity of 'Successful Provincial Candidate,' not for Su Ming himself."

After a circuit of the dormitory area, having fulfilled his obligations to his fellow students, Su Ming turned and left without further delay.

For those whose paths diverge, a nodding acquaintance is sufficient.

He arrived before the familiar black-lacquered main gate of the Zhou Residence.

This time, he had no hesitation, nor did he adjust his breathing.

He simply stood still, raised his hand, and gently knocked three times on the knocker.

The door opened in response.

It was the same old gatekeeper, whose smile was even more sincere than last time when he saw Su Ming.

"Master Su, you've arrived. The Master is waiting for you in the study."

Su Ming walked through the courtyard and headed straight for the study.

He reached the door, his hand just about to touch the knocker.

"Come in."

Zhou Wenhai's voice came from inside, steady and strong.

Su Ming pushed the door open and entered.

The lingering glow of the setting sun slanted through the window lattice, bathing the study in a warm golden hue.

Zhou Wenhai was not sitting behind the desk but stood by the window, his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the phoenix tree outside the window, its branches and leaves already beginning to wither.

He heard footsteps and slowly turned around.