Chapter Six: The Wealthy Man Befriends Me
The young man gazed after the retreating figure of the giant wolf, his eyes filled with relief at narrowly escaping death. The fear in his heart gradually subsided. Standing up, he glanced down at the dampness on his trousers, his face flushing with embarrassment. Fortunately, his clothes were made from dark fabric; otherwise, the humiliation would have been far worse.
He hurriedly stood and bowed deeply to Liu Ping, saying, “Thank you, friend, for your timely rescue. I am deeply grateful.”
Liu Ping, with his keen sense of smell, caught a whiff of an unpleasant odor. Bai Zhi, even more sensitive, buried her nose in Liu Ping’s hair. Naturally, though, neither mentioned it. Liu Ping merely smiled and replied, “It was a small matter, not worth mentioning.”
“Such bravery is hardly a small matter! I am Wang Hong of Qinxian County, courtesy name Zhongbo. May I ask your esteemed name?” Wang Hong, observing Liu Ping’s demeanor and manners, realized at once that this was no coarse farmer. Such courage combined with refinement was rare indeed, and he felt a desire for friendship. Although Liu Ping was younger, Wang Hong addressed him as ‘brother’ out of respect.
“I am Liu Ping, a scholar from Liu Family Village.” Liu Ping cupped his hands in return. In the Great Xia Dynasty, men generally took a courtesy name at fourteen, but Liu Ping had not yet reached that age and so did not have one.
With a respectful tone, Wang Hong asked, “So it is Brother Liu! I have long heard your name. I am truly grateful for your rescue. Would you honor my humble home with a visit, so I may properly express my thanks?”
After a moment’s thought, Liu Ping nodded. “Very well.”
And so the two set out together. When they reached the entrance of Liu Family Village, they saw a blue-canopied, flat-topped carriage waiting.
The carriage was drawn by three spirited black horses, their coats glossy as ink, eyes wide and fierce, occasionally snorting and pawing at the ground with restless energy—a wildness that could not be tamed.
The magnificent horses drew admiring glances from passing villagers. Children watched from atop the wall, fascinated but too intimidated to approach.
Liu Ping, seeing the splendid horses, couldn’t help but shake his head inwardly. To use such fine horses for a carriage—three, no less—confirmed the rumors: the Wang family was indeed a newly rich and ostentatious clan.
The coachman, dozing against the carriage, was roused by Wang Hong with a slap on the head. He blinked in confusion, then quickly stammered, “Young master, you’re back?”
Wang Hong scolded, “You fell asleep after I was gone for just a moment? How much of last night did you waste in a woman’s bed?”
The coachman merely grinned sheepishly, dodging the question.
“Brother Liu, please get in,” Wang Hong said, climbing into the carriage and pulling aside the curtain for Liu Ping.
They entered, and the coachman led the horses onto the road before cracking his whip and setting off at a swift pace.
The carriage was spacious enough for them to sit across from each other without feeling crowded. They chatted as they traveled, quickly growing familiar, as boys of their age often do, speaking openly after the initial reserve faded.
By then, Liu Ping had sent Bai Zhi back to the mountains. He looked at Wang Hong and asked, “By the way, what brought you to the mountains?”
Wang Hong gave a bitter smile. “Best not to mention it—it’s rather embarrassing. As a scholar yourself, you know how it is: lately my parents have done nothing but force me to study, study, and study some more. My head feels as if it might split…”
Liu Ping nodded. “And then?”
“So I snuck out, took my bow and arrows for a bit of hunting and fun—never expecting to run into that… Ugh, it was terrifying. If not for you, Brother Liu, I doubt I’d have survived. I still shudder at the thought.” Wang Hong sighed deeply.
“And your bow and arrows?” Liu Ping asked. “You were hunting—your archery must be decent. How did you end up in such dire straits?”
“That wolf was too fast. I couldn’t hit it at all. I dropped my bow and fled, but it still caught up to me…”
“Sounds truly miserable.”
“Can we change the subject?” Wang Hong said, casting a plaintive look.
Liu Ping laughed. “Alright!” Then he asked, “Are you taking the autumn imperial examination this year? How confident are you?”
“Seventy or eighty percent,” Wang Hong replied after a moment’s thought.
That surprised Liu Ping. In the Great Xia Dynasty, the civil service exams were overseen by divine beings; corruption was impossible. For Wang Hong to claim such confidence meant it was likely true, perhaps even understated.
They continued chatting, Liu Ping occasionally using novel expressions that sent Wang Hong into fits of laughter—sometimes so heartily that Liu Ping could not understand what was so funny.
Half an hour later, the carriage arrived at the gate of the Wang residence.
The Wang family name was the same as the royal surname, so the words “Wang Residence” carried a particularly commanding air, whether spoken or seen.
In truth, the Wang residence was scarcely different from a prince’s manor: high walls enclosed a vast compound, the main gate painted a bright red, the steps leading up high, and guards on either side hastened to open the doors and salute Wang Hong as he approached.
Following Wang Hong inside, they walked a considerable distance before reaching a spacious hall. Wang Hong scolded the servants, “Why are you standing there? Bring tea and refreshments for our honored guest!”
The maids hurried off, responding at once.
Wang Hong turned to Liu Ping, saying, “Brother Liu, please sit and rest awhile. I’ll go change my clothes…”
Liu Ping nodded and found a chair. Even with his knowledge from a past life, he couldn’t help but feel a touch of envy for such a comfortable and elegant home.
Soon, a maid brought tea, accompanied by a stern-looking middle-aged man who entered directly and cupped his hands in greeting. “I am Wang Bin, head of the Wang family, courtesy name Wenya. I came specifically to thank you, young man, for saving my son’s life.”
“Student Liu Ping, greetings…” Liu Ping quickly stood and bowed, but Wang Bin interrupted with a laugh. “No need for such ceremony, nephew. You’ve done my family a great kindness—how could I accept your deference? Please, sit.”
He guided Liu Ping into a seat.
Wang Bin sipped his tea, moistening his throat as he studied Liu Ping—his refined features and graceful demeanor marked him as exceptional. Even in such a grand mansion, facing the master of the house, Liu Ping remained calm—without either arrogance or servility. Wang Bin nodded quietly, impressed.
Liu Ping sampled the tea. It was initially bitter, but the taste was superb and mellow. After swallowing, the bitterness vanished, leaving a lingering fragrance between his teeth. He couldn’t help but marvel at the quality.
Wang Bin smiled lightly. “You saved my son; of course you must be thanked.”
A servant immediately brought over a wooden tray.
Wang Bin lifted the red cloth covering it, revealing several bars of pure silver inside.
“This is one hundred taels of silver—a token of our gratitude.”
Seeing the silver, Liu Ping was sorely tempted. In this world, one tael of silver was worth roughly a thousand yuan from his previous life; one hundred taels was a fortune—enough to support an ordinary family for ten or even twenty years. But he shook his head. “I cannot accept this.”
“Why not?” asked Wang Bin.
“I saved your son out of righteousness, not for reward. If I accepted, wouldn’t I be seen as someone currying favor with the powerful or greedy for money?” Liu Ping answered earnestly. In truth, he could not accept it. Compared to the value of this silver, a favor from the Wang family and the potential relationship were far more important—it would be shortsighted to choose money. Of course, he did not say this aloud.
“You think too much, nephew—this is just a small gesture,” Wang Bin said, very pleased. “If you refuse, it will seem as if my Wang family is ungrateful.”
“Then grant me one request,” Liu Ping said after some thought.
Wang Bin paused and asked seriously, “What is your condition?”
“I wish to secure a scholarly position in your residence for a month, during which I may freely read your household’s books.”
Hearing this, Wang Bin relaxed and regarded Liu Ping even more highly. He laughed, “That is easily done. You’re a scholar, are you not? I didn’t expect you’d become a xiucai at such a young age.”
“It’s not so easy…” Liu Ping replied with a wry smile.
Wang Bin said, “It’s a simple matter. You can work as a copyist, transcribing some of our old, damaged books. I will provide you with lunch and dinner, and the carriage will pick you up and return you home. Copying for two or three hours a day is enough, and at the end of the month, I’ll pay you ten taels of silver. What do you think?”
Liu Ping was delighted. He knew the workload was lighter and the pay more generous than usual, but he did not refuse, responding cheerfully, “Thank you very much!”
A short while later, Wang Hong returned, and the two young men chatted before Liu Ping took his leave.
Wang Hong sent someone to escort Liu Ping back to Liu Family Village. Upon his return home, Liu Ping explained everything.
His father immediately frowned. “Although you won’t be serving as a menial, and your status remains intact, won’t this interfere with your studies? The autumn exam is approaching…”
“It won’t,” Liu Ping replied. “I’ve already mastered most of our family’s collection; the rest is of little use for the exams. But the Wang family’s library will be a great help—only then will I have real confidence for the autumn exam!”
Seeing his son’s determination, his father asked, “You intend to succeed this time?”
Under his father’s expectant gaze, Liu Ping replied firmly, “Yes!”
His father was overjoyed. “Truly, you are my son!”
If Liu Ping really succeeded, he would become a xiucai at thirteen—famed not only in Qinxian County, but throughout Shanghe Prefecture as a prodigy. Such talent would surely attract attention and support. The thought filled Liu Ping’s father with pride and satisfaction.