Xu Huaixian approached Chen Liejiu about the documentation required for the imperial examinations. He couldn't solely rely on Teacher Zhang—while the teacher's previous assistance had been out of kindness, there was no obligation to help again. He asked Chen Liejiu to inquire about other Tongsheng candidates preparing for the Xiucai exams during his debt collection rounds across villages and towns.
Chen Liejiu was delighted that Xu Huaixian turned to him first. "Consider it done," he assured confidently.
Seeing his determination, Xu Huaixian smiled. "No pressure—it's fine if you can't find anyone."
Chen Liejiu disagreed. "If I can't handle this small task, how can I be your proper husband?" Unlike typical ger constrained by societal norms, his experiences traveling beyond the village gave him broader perspectives. While others might panic over such matters, he remained unfazed.
Thus, while Xu Huaixian visited Teacher Zhang with gifts, Chen Liejiu simultaneously sought potential examination partners.
Zhang Jiming, Teacher Zhang, was a spirited 65-year-old with ruddy cheeks, jet-black hair, and an upright posture that belied his age. He warmly welcomed Xu Huaixian into his study—a space reserved only for family and esteemed guests, untouched by illiterate local gentry.
The original host's memories didn't recall entering this sanctum, making Xu Huaixian feel honored. Teacher Zhang's immediate hospitality, without even inquiring about his purpose, signaled respect.
After placing gifts on the side table, Xu Huaixian prepared to bow, but Teacher Zhang waved him to sit. "No formalities needed."
Once tea was served by Teacher Zhang's wife—whom Xu Huaixian respectfully addressed as "Shiniang"—the conversation began.
"Facing difficulties?" Teacher Zhang sipped tea, reclining in his chair.
Xu Huaixian broached the subject tactfully, avoiding direct requests that might put the teacher in an awkward position: "I seek guidance on the mutual guarantee and official endorsement for the exams. Last time, you handled these for me. Now I must prepare them myself, but I fear mistakes might disqualify me."
"Ah?" Teacher Zhang's eyebrows rose. "You've decided to attempt this year's exams?"
Xu Huaixian nodded. "After my parents' passing and my...marriage into another family, I wonder if a live-in husband can still sit for the exams."
Historically, imperial China barred men who married uxorilocally from examinations—except for imperial sons-in-law. But the Jin Dynasty seemed more progressive, permitting merchants to test. Perhaps they'd allow this too?
Teacher Zhang expressed condolences for his parents before probing: "Do you believe you can still take the exams?"
"Possibly."
"And if not?"
"Then I'll abandon the imperial path," Xu Huaixian replied frankly. "Leaving my husband's household to test independently would be dishonorable. Even if he permitted it, resentment might fester over time—unless I grew to despise him and sought divorce."
But Xu Huaixian harbored no such aversion. Initially resistant to marrying in this era, he'd found Chen Liejiu refreshingly unconventional—free from societal shackles, self-reliant, and radiantly self-assured. Their compatibility surpassed anything he might have with traditional, submissive ger.
Moreover, the exams weren't life's sole path—just a shortcut to stability. If barred, alternatives like becoming a strategist or purchasing an official title remained. Why sacrifice happiness for expediency?
As they locked eyes, Xu Huaixian discreetly retrieved ten taels of silver, suspecting hidden complexities.
Teacher Zhang burst into laughter at the bribe. "'A gentleman of subtle humor, humble in courtesy and talent'—when I named you Huaixian, I hoped you'd embody scholarly grace while retaining playfulness. It seems I wasn't wrong!"
Declining the silver, Teacher Zhang instead produced essays from his desk. "Compare these policy discussions and classical analyses."
Xu Huaixian's confidence wavered as he read. These writings—insightful and grounded in practical governance—rivaled his own modern-informed perspectives.
"These are from Qinglian Academy's second-tier Xiucai, circulated as reference materials," Teacher Zhang explained. "Your comprehension proves you haven't wasted these three years."
Xu Huaixian smile bitterly—how could his self-study compete with academy training?
"Thus, your path is clear." Teacher Zhang penned a recommendation letter. "Attend the academy. Even if you fail this August, next year brings another chance. Solitary study has limits."
Xu Huaixian left dispirited. Chen Liejiu, waiting outside, mistook his expression for rejection and brandished an official letter triumphantly. "Look! The magistrate's personal endorsement! If Teacher Zhang couldn't help, your husband delivered!"
Seeing Chen Liejiu's radiant smile, Xu Huaixian's gloom lifted slightly. He produced Teacher Zhang's letter. "I succeeded too."
"Then why the long face?" Chen Liejiu inspected both letters.
Xu Huaixian slumped against his shoulder. "The exams are harder than I thought. I might fail this August."
Modern education had required relentless effort for modest results. Now, despite temporal advantages, he remained mediocre—a bitter pill.
Chen Liejiu patted his back. "You're seventeen, not seventy! You've decades to try!"
"What if I never pass?"
"Then we'll buy an official title at thirty!" Chen Liejiu declared. During his mercenary days, he'd heard nominal fifth-rank titles cost 5,200 taels—a sum he could earn by then.
Xu Huaixian's concern deepened. "What if I don't live to thirty?"
His frail body, despite ginseng and bird's nest, still left him fatigued. Initially indifferent to mortality, he now feared leaving Chen Liejiu too soon.
"Enough!" Chen Liejiu gripped his shoulders, eyes blazing. "I refuse to believe you'll die young. Fate belongs to you—not heaven, hell, or anyone else!"
His conviction stirred Xu Huaixian. Perhaps this transmigration wasn't fleeting.
Chen Liejiu explained the magistrate's letter:
After Xu Huaixian's reforms revived Sheng Yuan Money House, its manager credited Chen Liejiu during a magistrate's inspection. Intrigued, the magistrate interviewed Chen Liejiu about Xu Huaixian.
"Why search villages for examinees when Qinglian Academy brims with candidates?" the magistrate had said, penning the letter. "Your husband's talent surpasses Mian County. Don't confine his studies."
Chen Liejiu added, "The academy charges only five taels yearly, with lectures by Juren, Jinshi, even magistrates—far better than solitary study."
He omitted additional costs—seasonal gifts, scholar robes, and satchels—but Xu Huaixian found the fees reasonable.
"Both the magistrate and Teacher Zhang recommend the academy," Xu Huaixian agreed.
The Jin Dynasty, only forty years established, lacked sufficient county-level schools. Thus, regional academies like Qinglian—jointly founded by five counties—filled the gap, gradually becoming premier institutions.
"Then it's settled!" Chen Liejiu beamed. Elite approval signaled quality, and he believed academic circles would treat Xu Huaixian better than villagers obsessed with his "short-lived" label.
On departure day, the incubated chicks hatched.
Xiaomei's ecstatic shrieks interrupted their packing. "They're here! The chicks are here!"
Neighbors swarmed the incubation shed, marveling at fluffy yellow, black, and speckled chicks pecking through shells.
"It actually worked!"
"So many! The scholar's brains truly differ!"
"The Chen family will prosper with this hatch!"
Rural chicken-rearing faced high uncertainty—hens sometimes destroyed eggs mid-incubation. A dozen hatchlings per brood was already commendable.
Xu Huaixian and Chen Liejiu exchanged proud smiles. The 85% hatch rate (only 600 bad eggs among 4,000) silenced doubters.
Villagers who'd once scorned Xu Huaixian's sickly pallor now admired his refined demeanor in scholar's robes.
"Scholar Xu," a shrewd villager asked, "does your offer to buy chicks at fair prices still stand?"
"Of course," Xu Huaixian delegated, "but I'm bound for the academy. My sister manages the chicks now."
The crowd gasped—another bombshell!
Amidst their astonishment over both revelations, Xu Huaixian slung his satchel, took his beautiful husband's hand, and boarded the oxcart to academia, leaving a trail of awe in his wake.