Chapter 7: Memorial

Chapter 7: Memorial

The graves of Du Village are all located in a small hill to the south of the village, about a twenty-minute walk away.

It wasn’t a formal grave-visiting day, and there were few people around early in the morning. Qiu Huanian silently arrived at the graves of Li the Widow and Du Baoyan.

He first burned incense and kowtowed before the graves of Li the Widow and Du Baoyan, thanking Li the Widow for raising the original owner and expressing that he would take care of the two young children at home and also help Du’s eldest son.

Then, Qiu Huanian took out a somewhat old pouch, which the original owner had made by hand. Since he had no talent for needlework, he had only made this one and never made another.

Qiu Huanian sighed and took off the silver bracelet on his left wrist.

When the original owner was brought to Du Village, although Du Baoyan had already passed away, the Du family was not yet in such dire straits. Li the Widow liked the original owner and had a thin silver bracelet made for him, which the original owner had worn ever since.

He placed the silver bracelet into the pouch, cut off a lock of hair, and added it inside. Then he tied the pouch tightly, dug a small hole at the foot of Li the Widow’s grave, and buried the pouch deep in the soil.

"You considered Li the Widow as your mother in your heart, so I buried you beside her. From now on, this will be your resting place in this world. Everyone who comes to pay respects to Li the Widow will also pay respects to you."

Qiu Huanian didn’t mention any specific names, speaking as if chatting with a friend.

He offered chicken soup and sorghum candy, lit three sticks of incense, recited the memorial text, and burned it along with paper money. After standing quietly for a while, he gathered his things and left.

When he returned home, he let Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng share the offerings and rested for a while.

By then, the sun was up, and the old woman next door was heading out to pick wild vegetables. Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng eagerly volunteered to join, just as they had the day before, to help Qiu Huanian gather willow leaves.

Qiu Huanian gave them a few instructions, then took the newly made sorghum candy out of the mold, cutting it into strips, and took some with him as he went out again.

This time, he was going to the clan leader’s house.

When he arrived outside the clan leader’s house, Qiu Huanian knocked on the door, but no one answered. He sat down on a stone beneath the locust tree by the door, intending to wait.

Though he felt alert, a sudden drowsiness overcame Qiu Huanian as soon as he sat down, and the next second, he fell asleep leaning against the thick trunk of the locust tree.

In his daze, he seemed to drift back to the modern era, observing himself from an outsider’s perspective.

He saw his parents anxiously asking questions in the hospital room, and a strange version of himself sitting on the hospital bed, looking confused.

Gradually, that version of him was moved by the affection and slowly reached out to embrace the middle-aged couple in front of him.

Qiu Huanian smiled, tears streaming down his face, as he gazed deeply at the couple.

"Brother Hua, Brother Hua? Why are you dozing off on the stone?"

It felt like an eternity before Qiu Huanian was shaken awake. He opened his eyes to see the eldest daughter-in-law of the village chief, Meng Fuyue, the aunt of Meng Yuanling.

Meng Fuyue wasn’t familiar with Qiu Huanian, but she knew that her cousin’s son was on good terms with him and that her father-in-law held this family in high regard, so she was very polite.

"I wanted to talk to the clan leader about something, but no one answered when I knocked, so I waited outside for a while."

"My father-in-law went to the fields to check the soil for this year’s crops. He’ll be back soon."

Meng Fuyue invited him in, saying, "Come in and sit with me for a bit. Today marks Yun Cheng’s first day at the county school for his studies. Most of the family went into the city to have fun, and I stayed behind to watch the house. I just went to the garden to fetch some firewood and didn’t hear you knocking."

"Is Yun Cheng going to take the scholar exam?" Qiu Huanian asked.

After passing the county and prefectural exams, a student can be called a scholar, and after passing the academy exam, they become a xiucai (scholar), earning the lowest level of academic title.

A xiucai is also called a shengyuan, and they can meet the county magistrate without bowing. The top-ranked xiucai can also receive a stipend of rice every month.

To achieve the top position in the county exam, prefectural exam, and academy exam is known as the "Little Triple Crown," a term referring to the rare accomplishment of securing first place in all three examinations.

Only scholars and those who have passed the county exam can study for free in the county school. Others who wish to enter not only need a recommendation from a scholar but also have to pay a hefty tuition fee. Therefore, only those who are about to take the scholar exam would spend money to study there for a few months, akin to a last-minute cram session before the exam.

"Scholar Sun thinks Yun Cheng is ready to give it a shot. He should first take the scholar exam, study in the county school for a few years, and then continue to advance."

Scholar Sun is the old scholar who runs a private school in Qingfu Town. Yun Cheng has been studying there, and it is said that Qiu Huanian's husband was also tutored by him.

"Yun Cheng is wise beyond his years and shows great promise as a scholar," Qiu Huanian praised.

"My father-in-law says the same," Meng Fuyue smiled more happily.

Yun Cheng is the eldest son and grandson of the clan leader, who has placed high hopes on him, wishing for a truly accomplished scholar in the family.

Meng Fuyue thought of something and exchanged compliments, "But compared to your husband, who became a scholar at the age of ten, he still has a long way to go."

Qiu Huanian's smile stiffened.

This nickname was inescapable.

Meng Fuyue poured water for Qiu Huanian, and after chatting for a while, the clan leader returned, leaning on his cane.

"Brother Hua? What trouble have you encountered?" The clan leader was surprised to see Qiu Huanian at his home.

"I need your help with something, it's a good thing," Qiu Huanian said, opening a basket. "This is some sorghum candy I made, please try it, Clan Leader."

"This candy is even better than malt candy, Brother Hua says it only costs one coin per piece," Meng Fuyue, who had already tasted it, added.

Sorghum candy? One coin?

The clan leader, who usually avoids sweets because of his teeth, tried a piece and found it soft and not sticky. He took a bite.

It had the rich aroma of grain, the sweetness of beetroot, with no bitterness, instead being sweet, moist, and soft.

The clan leader's eyes sparkled with interest. Having tasted the offerings of county restaurants and pastry shops, and even dined at the county magistrate's residence, he found that the candy made by Brother Hua was not inferior to those in the county.

"Really only one coin?"

Qiu Huanian laughed, "Really, it's made from sorghum, corn, and beetroot, not expensive to make. And if I priced it higher, it wouldn't sell in the countryside."

He had noticed and learned that the malt candy seller in town could sell only thirty to forty pieces a day at most, and higher prices would reduce sales.

Hearing the ingredients, the clan leader did not ask for the specific recipe but stroked his beard in thought, "You want me to help you collect beetroot?"

Qiu Huanian smiled, conversing with a clever person made things simple.

Among the ingredients for sorghum candy, sorghum and corn were still plentiful at home, and even if they ran out, they were easy to buy. But beetroot was only grown by some families for their own consumption, making it difficult to purchase in large quantities at once.

With the clan leader's help to spread the word, he wouldn't have to ask door to door.

"Please inform the villagers that I will buy beetroot at one coin for two catties, as long as it's not spoiled, I'll buy as much as available. Those interested can come to my house tomorrow morning."

Qiu Huanian added with a smile, "I'm prioritizing our village for this good deal, buying from our villagers first, and if it's not enough, I'll go outside to buy more."

The clan leader's look at Qiu Huanian changed instantly, his smile deepening.

If he hadn't said this, some villagers might have hoarded their beetroot, hoping to raise the price. But with Qiu Huanian's words, it would make people feel that if they didn't sell early, they might miss the chance.

Beetroot, which was previously of little value, could now be sold for cash, and missing this opportunity might mean no other chance!

The clan leader realized that this young man, whom he hadn't paid much attention to before, was probably more intelligent than he had thought.

"Oldest son's wife, go and tell the villagers exactly what was said, let them spread the word, and those interested should go to Brother Hua's house tomorrow morning."

Meng Fuyue responded and left. Qiu Huanian was about to take his leave, but the clan leader stopped him.

"Brother Hua, Yun Se will be back in about ten days. If he wants to return to the county school to study, he can come to me if he has any difficulties."

Du Yunse was the formal name of Qiu Huanian's husband by name only.

Seeing Qiu Huanian's surprised expression, the clan leader sighed.

"Yesterday, I specially went to the county to visit the magistrate. He said that Yun Se's mentor has been released from prison, but is still under house arrest in the capital. Those involved have been either demoted or punished, and the case has been concluded. As long as Yun Se returns safely, he can take the imperial examinations normally without any impact."

The villagers only knew to follow the crowd, sometimes calling him a prodigy, sometimes saying his future was ruined, but in reality, they had no clear understanding of Du Yunse's experiences over the years.

Only the clan leader deeply remembered that Du Yunse began his education at seven, became a scholar at ten, and topped both the county and prefectural examinations. A brilliant essay caught the attention of the then Liaozhou educational commissioner, who specially came to Du Village to test this prodigy.

After the examination, Wen Huiyang, a great scholar of the time who had come with the commissioner, took a liking to him and immediately took him as his disciple, taking him away from Zhang County to travel and study.

If it weren't for Wen Huiyang saying that too much brilliance at a young age could be harmful and preventing him from continuing the imperial examinations, Du Yunse would probably have already passed the provincial examination, let alone the county examination!

He was the pride of the Du clan, a true literary star descended to earth!

After briefly recounting these past events to Qiu Huanian, the clan leader said, "I know your family is struggling now, but among all pursuits, studying is the highest. With Yun Se's talent, we must not let it go to waste."

He worried Qiu Huanian might not support Du Yunse's continued education, as studying was indeed very expensive.

Qiu Huanian smiled, "Education is important, but we also need to eat and stay warm, don't we?"

Without waiting for the clan leader to speak, he continued, "But it's okay, I can manage to keep us fed and clothed by myself. The imperial examinations are the best investment. As long as he can take them, I will support him."

He was raising two children alone, including Du Yunse, and could only do his best to provide for them materially, but in ancient times, material things were far from enough. With Du Yunse's status as their elder brother, the two children could have a better future, and Qiu Huanian could also benefit, ensuring more security.

Thinking of the sorghum candy Qiu Huanian made and his worldly wisdom, the clan leader did not doubt his words.

"Yun Se is a good child who knows propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame. With both of you working together, life will surely get better and better."

...

By noon, Qiu Huanian, as usual, took Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng to Hu Qiuyan's house and walked to town with a basket of sorghum candy to sell.

The reputation of the sorghum candy sold yesterday had begun to spread, and in the afternoon, many curious people came to try it. Qiu Huanian sold a total of 183 pieces of sorghum candy.

However, this was because people were initially curious. In a few days, sales would likely drop.

The tofu shop's business also improved due to the increased foot traffic. Meng Yuanling's sister-in-law told Qiu Huanian that he could sell his sorghum candy inside the tofu shop from now on, without braving the elements on the street.

In the afternoon, on his way back, Meng Yuanling's second brother happened to be taking a mule cart to deliver tofu to another village and gave Qiu Huanian a ride.

After several days of walking, Qiu Huanian longed for the convenience of modern transportation. He looked enviously at the tall and strong mule in front of him, "How much does a mule cost on the market?"

"An old mule costs five taels of silver, and a strong young mule like this costs seven taels," Meng Wudong, Meng Yuanling's second brother, said with pride.

The Meng family had two mules, one old one for grinding tofu in the tofu shop and one strong one for pulling carts. In Qingfu Town, only the top families could afford such luxuries.

Most families couldn't even afford one old mule.

"What about horses?" Qiu Huanian hadn't seen a horse since he traveled back in time. As a modern person who had watched many historical dramas, he had a natural longing and curiosity for horses.

"The slowest workhorse costs at least twenty-five taels of silver, and the price of a truly good horse is limitless," Meng Wudong shook his head, since such luxuries were out of reach for people like them.

By today’s standards, a mule is equivalent to an electric bike, which can be bought for two to three thousand yuan, while a horse is like a car—even the cheapest, most beat-up ones start at tens of thousands, and luxury cars are in a whole different league.

Qiu Huanian nodded. He really wanted to buy a good horse to indulge in a taste of time travel.

But before that, he needed to keep his feet on the ground and scrimp and save for a mule to use as transportation.

After crunching the numbers, Qiu Huanian felt that the hundred or so coins he’d made today felt like pocket change. It might take him two months just to scrape together enough to afford a decent mule!