"Yes."
Chen She's reply made Zhao Xuan overjoyed.
He cupped his fists and asked, "Please enlighten me, Fifth Brother."
Chen She replied, "The martial examination."
"Our master often says that in the Great Jin Dynasty, all occupations are lowly, and only the martial arts are high."
Under Chen She's guidance, Zhao Xuan opened the door to a brand-new world.
The Great Jin Dynasty held martial examinations; county and prefecture tests were held once a year, while state and imperial palace tests were held once every three years. Backgrounds were disregarded, and talent was judged purely by martial prowess.
Passing the county test conferred the status of martial scholar (elementary); the prefecture test conferred a martial Xiucai; the state test conferred a martial Juren; and the palace test conferred a martial Jinshi.
Even if one merely passed the county test and obtained the status of martial scholar (elementary), they could rely on the government and easily avoid being oppressed or humiliated by others.
If one were fortunate enough to be granted the status of a martial Juren, as long as they did not die young, they could establish a family throughout their lifetime that was no weaker than the Hu family.
One must remember that the ancestors of the Hu family started out merely as martial Xiucai. Through generations of martial scholars (elementary) succeeding one another, they attained today's glory. Killing commoners at a whim was merely settled by paying a bit of money.
Looking closely at the major powerful clans currently in Gucheng County, all of them made their fortunes through the martial examination, without exception.
For commoners from humble backgrounds to get ahead, taking the martial examination was the only way.
"The imperial court stipulates that those taking the martial examination must not be older than thirty-five."
"The martial examination is difficult and cannot be mastered overnight. You are already fifteen. If you intend to take the martial examination, you should plan ahead."
Chen She earnestly advised.
Zhao Xuan knew he was advising him to seize the opportunity to become a sparring partner for the young master of the Wang family.
Yet his ambitions lay elsewhere, so he asked, "Fifth Brother, aside from attaching oneself to powerful clans like the Hu and Wang families, are there any other paths to the martial examination?"
He always felt this path was wrong.
According to Chen She, on the road to the martial examination, commoners and powerful clans were competitors.
Given the nature of those who already held vested interests, it would be the height of conscience if they didn't break both your legs and leave you with nowhere to go.
How could they possibly give you an opportunity of their own accord?
Chen She calmly replied, "There are."
"There is a Martial Academy set up in the county seat. As long as you can afford the tuition, anyone can enroll."
"It's just that the tuition is exorbitant, costing two taels of silver a year. With other expenses, it comes to no less than ten taels. Ordinary people simply cannot afford it."
Zhao Xuan suddenly understood. It wasn't that there were no other paths; it was simply that ordinary people couldn't afford to walk them.
"Fifth Brother, please forgive my bluntness, but selling one's life to a master family and scraping together ten taels of silver isn't easy either."
Chen She sighed, "Easy? It is utterly difficult. Your sister-in-law and I can't even save two taels of silver from the beginning of the year to the end."
"The martial examination must be cultivated from childhood. I was too old and came to it too late; there is no longer any hope for me in this lifetime."
"Zhao Er, I know you are proud and ambitious, unwilling to lower yourself to become a slave. But have you ever thought that while our generation is too late, the next generation still has infinite opportunities?"
"Why don't you follow my example, work hard with peace of mind, marry, have children, and pin your hopes on your descendants and grandchildren?"
"Once they make a name for themselves, you and I will enjoy the same glory and wealth."
Zhao Xuan was deeply shaken, but he could not agree.
He could not bring himself to treat his son as a tool to achieve his own dreams.
Neither could he bring himself to act as a torch, illuminating only others.
Under Chen She's persuasion, he only said he would think about it further.
In Chen She's eyes, Zhao Xuan was just like him back then—proud, ambitious, ignorant, and fearless.
Once Zhao Xuan went out, saw the world, and hit a few walls, he would naturally see the reality of the situation.
He merely told him that once he had thought it through, he should remember to find him at Wang Family Village.
Zhao Xuan readily agreed and asked some more questions about the Martial Academy.
Chen She did not know much, but he answered every question he was asked.
It was the typical mindset of someone who had walked through the rain and wanted to hold an umbrella for others in the same village.
Of course, there was also the underlying thought that if Zhao Xuan ever made it big, he might pull him or his son up with him.
This was hardly mercenary.
Zhao Xuan felt only gratitude toward him.
Chen She was a microcosm of countless people in this era, with clear goals.
They were more clear-headed than the bottom-tier commoners who knew only to repeat mechanical labor and survive like machines, while likewise enduring the pain that such clarity brought.
They had a chance of success, but failure was far more common.
Zhao Xuan hoped Chen She could succeed, and he would also give him a helping hand whenever it was within his power.
Bidding farewell to Chen She.
Zhao Xuan pondered his own way out.
The martial examination was imperative; otherwise, staying at the bottom would mean remaining forever at the mercy of others, just like these past few days.
Moving away was also extremely urgent.
The Hu family colluding with bandits to massacre the village wouldn't happen immediately, but he could not gamble his life on it.
He took stock of his wealth.
The money earned from hunting, minus various expenses, left him with just over four taels of silver.
Added to the illicit money he obtained from Young Master Hu Si and the others, the total was less than twenty taels.
According to Chen She, this would barely sustain him at the Martial Academy for two years.
Two years would be enough for him to train "Savage Bull Strength" to perfection.
With the strength of nine bulls, mastering it enough to pass as a martial scholar (elementary) shouldn't be too difficult.
Otherwise, why would the Hu family manage to produce a martial scholar (elementary) in every generation?
However, misfortune could befall anyone overnight, and no one could guarantee they wouldn't fall ill. He needed to prepare a bit more.
He still had to rely on hunting to save money, but he could not linger in Dishan Village for too long.
Three days.
For the Hu family to return to the county seat, contact the mountain bandits, and kill their way back would take at least three days.
This was also the time Zhao Xuan had reserved for himself.
He would make good use of these three days, hunting unreservedly, and earning as much as he could.
No matter how much, he would not be greedy or take chances; he would leave the village promptly after three days.
Thinking of hunting, Zhao Xuan suddenly remembered the horn bow confiscated by the bailiffs, and a sharp ache went through his whole body.
Chanting "disaster averted by losing wealth" dozens of times finally helped him recover.
Fortunately, his homemade ox-sinew bow looked battered and unappealing, so it hadn't been noticed; otherwise, he would have had to spend money to buy a bow.
Time was pressing, so he acted immediately.
Zhao Xuan went home, picked up his bow and arrows, and resolutely headed up the mountain.
Once his arrows were completely exhausted, he took his harvest of four rabbits, a dozen turtledoves, and headed straight for the market.
He went to the blacksmith shop first.
The blacksmith shop owner was very happy to see him and took the initiative to ask, "Little brother hasn't been here for days. Is the horn bow from my shop working smoothly for you?"
He just had to touch on a sore spot.
Zhao Xuan smiled bitterly, "Don't mention it. Not only is the horn bow gone, but I almost lost my life too."
The blacksmith shop owner was evidently well-informed and asked in surprise, "You're from Dishan Village?"
Zhao Xuan nodded.
The blacksmith shop owner sighed, "Tsk, tsk. Everyone outside is saying that a group of villagers from Dishan Village were blinded by greed and had the audacity to kill Young Master Hu of the Hu family."
"Since you're still alive, it seems that was just a rumor."
Zhao Xuan thought to himself: It wasn't really a rumor, except it wasn't a group, but just one person.
"Let's not talk about that. I hunted a few rabbits, some yellow-skinned weasels, and some turtledoves. Does the boss want some?"
The blacksmith shop owner showed a look of anticipation: "Since your horn bow is gone, are you looking to buy a new one? The old rule: I buy your rabbits, and you buy a bow?"
Zhao Xuan was speechless.
You really are a piece of work!
"My family is poor, farewell."
Seeing his fat sheep about to slip away, the blacksmith shop owner hurriedly urged him to stay, "Don't be in such a hurry to leave. If all else fails, you can buy on credit."
As soon as these words were left the mouth, all the assistants in the shop stopped in their tracks and stretched out their necks to watch the show.
Now this was an eye-opener—the stingy, penny-pinching boss was actually willing to let someone buy on credit.
This happened to remind Zhao Xuan.
That's right, if he couldn't afford to buy, he could rent.
He rolled his eyes and said, "Talk is cheap. You'll probably start dunning me for the debt the very next day."
The blacksmith shop owner chuckled and said, "Let's assume you earn one tenth of a tael of silver a day. Within ten days, I absolutely will not press you for payment."
"And if I can't pay it back?"
"If you can't pay it back within half a month, leave the bow as collateral for the debt, and I'll charge you one tenth of a tael of silver as a usage fee."
Zhao Xuan nodded, "Fine, give me another twenty iron-tipped arrows, and put it on my tab."
"It's a deal! Someone, forge some arrows for the little brother."