Struggle in Ancient Times

After dinner, mother Deng drove Liao Tingyu to sleep.

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The next day, early in the morning the village chief brought several respected elders to Liao Tingyu’s house; they were planning to discuss the opening ceremony of the ancestral hall.

“Tingyu is the youngest person in our village that got admitted as a scholar. I discussed it with the elders, we plan to do a ceremony and tell the news to our ancestor.” Liao clan patriarch said.

“Of course, it’s no problem. I also planned a banquet to celebrate.” Mother Deng welcomed it warmly, when she was a girl in her natal house; she never encounters this kind of ceremony.

“Okay, let’s have big banquet. Make it grand, this is the first big event in our village. We will do whatever our little sister said.”

Mother Deng was very happy when she heard this, she had never spoken to any elders of Liao clan. Usually, they were lukewarm to everyone because of their status, but now she was almost on par with them.

Mother Deng stood up proudly and said, “I will cook first, xiao-erzi hasn’t woke up yet. You can chat slowly.”

“Okay.” Everyone watched mother Deng’s departure with her tail raised high.

Mother Deng calmly received their glance, after all, she was the one who had capable son. They didn’t have this ability; they could only envy her good luck. Some people thought in their hearts ‘It didn’t matter if you think we are bad.’

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In the kitchen, Wen Xiuer already prepared everything but she didn’t have the status to sit and welcomed the elders. She was waiting in the kitchen for mother Deng.

“Daughter-in-law, did you see it? A person like us don’t have any status. We can’t rely on our husband; we have to do it ourselves. If you have capable and filial child, you can straighten your back. Now, you are pregnant with a child. You must watch it carefully and teach it well. He has a blessing; his uncle is a scholar. Not many people have this, don’t let it be wasted.”

Wen Xiuer nodded her head as mother Deng carefully taught her, “I used to be like you too. It was Chinese New Year; I was young and newlywed; I didn’t know anything and sat in the wrong seat. People laughed at me and joked about me for a long time. But now, who dares to talk bad about me.”

Wen Xiuer listened to mother Deng and patted herself with confident. Everything had their own times.

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Liao Tingyu had a good night sleep, he walked to the main room once he was awake. He saw village chief and the elders, “I have met uncle and the elders, why are you here so early?”

“It’s almost noon, a young man should sleep early and wake up early. Your body is really weak.” Wu-taiye (Fifth grandpa) said to Liao Tingyu.

“Yes, I won’t do it next time.”

“Shizi (child/son), you have been admitted as a scholar. What is your plan in the future?” the patriarch was concerned about this matter, he hoped Liao Tingyu would stay and teach in the village.

The villagers wanted to open a school here but they must go to the government and placed the school under a scholar’s name. A school couldn’t be easily opened, the scholar must have a good reputation and recorded in the government. This way the student could take the exam with peace.

Liao Tingyu knew about this, he still explained to them, “I plan to stay in my original school as a teacher. My teacher already arranged for me and I will go back once the school started.”

This way it was clear he wouldn’t stay in the village, although the village chief was dissatisfied. There was nothing he could do. In fact, most scholars didn’t stay in the village. It was easier for them to find jobs in the town than in a small countryside.

“Shizi, we have been thinking about it all night. You know there are hundreds of people in our village. We are already old and couldn’t see well. But you have the scholar title, we only hope to place your name for our school here.” The patriarch finally said his purpose.

“But, I’m not the only scholar from our village?” Liao Tingyu was puzzled.

“It’s true, they are two others. But they are already the same age as us. Their title even if it’s still there but it’s been so long. Now, we need your help.” The patriarch explained, back then there was no policy to record the scholar’s name to open the school.

If they wanted to open one now, they still needed a scholar with good reputation. Without this guarantee, if the yamen found out; they could be arrested.

Liao Tingyu was a little worried, he didn’t know if this would impact his reputation while he worked in the town. Liao Ming looked at his son and knew he was worried, “Don’t worry xiao-erzi. This school will only teach the children to read.”

Liao Tingyu didn’t refuse and said, “I will think about it and reply to you tomorrow.”

After finished speaking, he went back to his room and checked the law in his books.

“Xiao-erzi, did I do something wrong?” Liao Ming followed his son after sending the people out.

Liao Tingyu shook his head, “I don’t know father. I think it’s better to know more about this. I will go to the town and ask my teacher. I will tell you when I combe back, then we can reply the elders.”

“I…” Liao Ming wanted to explain things but Liao Tingyu interrupted him, “Father, you don’t need to say anything. I know it was also the elders and everyone who helped me to be a scholar. If I can I would definitely help everyone.”

Liao Ming looked at his stable son and said, “I didn’t think clearly today. You don’t tell your mother or she will blame me and quarrel with me.”

“Don’t worry, I will keep it a secret.”

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Liao Tingyu got his answer in the afternoon and told the village chief that he agreed. The village chief wanted to keep him for dinner but Liao Tingyu refused.

The village chief went inside and told his son, “You heard it just now. Our village will have a school. You have the title as tongseng. When the school open, you have to teach there. It is better than doing farm work, you can study while teaching children. Wait a few years then take the exam again.”

Liao Lin nodded his head, although his family was richer than others but he couldn’t take the exam again and again. The money spent needs to be earned again. He was also weak and couldn’t do farm works unlike his cousins. He was unfilial enough to ask for a job from his father.

Liao Lin envied Liao Tingyu’s talents, unfortunately his mother made mother Deng unsatisfied. So, he didn’t dare to build friendship with him. he could only study and try the next exam.

Note

Well, the wife of village chief talked bad when Liao Tingyu used to play in their house and stay for dinner. This was way back in earlier chapter, with mother Deng’s character, there is no way she would take this. She probably held a grudge.

Oh right, I also changed some terms:

Er-ye to Xiao-erzi Da-ye to Da-erzi

It was my fault in early chapter, I wasn’t paying attention. Coz da-ye could another mean as father’s big brother lol. My bad. I changed it into erzi (son) adding Xiao as little and Da as big

Big brother Liao to Liao da-ge

I guess it was easier to type haha.

Anyway, have fun and I’m glad you guys like it. thanks for the comments really love them, I was feeling down these days, it really helps me being appreciated, love y’all.