Shen Guangchu, responsible for tax collection in Linshui Village each year, possessed an eye for measuring fabric nearly as keen as a cloth shop proprietor’s. He merely unfolded the cloth, gave it a cursory glance, then handed it to Shen Yanzhi, who was assisting with tallying nearby. “Record this for the Shen Huaizhi household.”

“Understood, Father.”

Seeing they were still busy, Shen Huaizhi stepped forward to help with the tally. Shen Yanzhi, now free, followed several uncles to collect from those who hadn’t yet paid.

This year’s tax collection came as such a sudden surprise. While no villager dared refuse payment, weaving cloth was painstakingly time-consuming and labor-intensive. Many were willing but unable, and anyone who could avoid paying would. Consequently, quite a few were still rushing to finish their work.

Being fellow villagers, Shen Guangchu didn’t want to make things difficult for anyone. He was willing to wait as long as possible. However, night was falling, and there were still seven or eight households that hadn’t paid. He had no choice but to send Shen Yanzhi to urge them again. Everything must be collected before nightfall.

The county town was quite a distance from Linshui Village. They would have to depart before dawn tomorrow, meeting up with tax collectors from neighboring villages in town before proceeding together. If they were late and the others arrived at the county seat first, the county officials would likely hold Linshui Village accountable.

Shen Huaizhi worked alongside them for over an hour before returning home. By the time he arrived, night had fallen completely. The Shen family had all gone to sleep, with only Lin Yue’s room still lit. Shen Huaizhi pushed open the door quietly, not disturbing Lin Yue, who was dozing against the headboard.

Only after Shen Huaizhi finished washing up and returned to bed did Lin Yue open his eyes, murmuring sleepily, “Why so late? Haven’t you collected everything yet?”

Shen Huaizhi lowered his voice. “We collected it all. Only three households couldn’t pay in full, so they contributed copper coins instead.”

Lin Yue wasn’t very familiar with the villagers yet and wasn’t particularly curious at that moment. He yawned, lay back down, and urged Shen Huaizhi to sleep quickly. “Go to sleep now. You won’t be able to get up tomorrow.”

They slept soundly through the night.

The next morning, as Shen Huaizhi rose, Lin Yue called after him, “I forgot to mention yesterday. If you have time when you go to the county town today, take a look at the pastry shops and food stalls. See if there’s anything new and interesting.”

Shen Huaizhi had originally planned to buy Lin Yue a hairpin or silk flower as a gift, but since Lin Yue had suggested it, he naturally wouldn’t refuse.

Lately, he’d focused on his studies and taken on a few copying jobs. He’d only accepted two scrolls of scriptures from the town bookshop, which he’d deliver today. Over thirty thousand characters would earn him about four hundred wen—more than enough.

Shen Huaizhi inquired, “Is there anything you’d like to eat? Or any particular pastries or candied fruits you prefer? If not, may I just pick something at random?”

Lin Yue was taken aback by the question and shook his head blankly. “Why buy these? I just wanted you to see what’s available. I’m thinking of setting up a stall in town to sell some snacks.”

Recalling the expensive face cream Shen Huaizhi had given him before their marriage, Lin Yue added, “You don’t need to buy anything. Just be careful on your way out and come back safely.”

Shen Huaizhi didn’t respond. He’d finally made it to the county town—how could he come back empty-handed? But Lin Yue’s gaze was fixed on him, so he could only give a vague nod of agreement.

How could he know what the food tasted like without trying it? Better to buy everything back for Lin Yue to sample, so he’d have ideas when setting up the stall later.

Not wanting to keep the village chief and others waiting too long, Shen Huaizhi packed his scrolls and provisions, grabbed a clean hemp sack, and strode out.

Sure enough, Shen Guangchu and his son Shen Yanzhi were already at the village entrance. Seeing him approach, Shen Yanzhi greeted him warmly, “Huaizhi, have you eaten breakfast? If not, we brought some provisions. Let’s share a bite.”

The county town lay dozens of miles from Linshui Village. Even with the fastest pace, the round trip would take a full day. If he got delayed at the county office, he might not make it home until the next day.

Besides, they weren’t familiar with the county town. Finding a place that served hearty, filling meals wouldn’t be easy. It was better to bring their own provisions.

Shen Huaizhi bowed respectfully to the village chief. “Uncle Guang.” He then turned to Shen Yanzhi. “Thanks, cousin. I brought my own provisions.”

Shen Yanzhi laughed heartily. “Alright then, we’ll share later.”

While they spoke, the others arrived. One was an elderly man with graying hair and beard, well past fifty but still vigorous and capable of farm work as well as any youngster. He was the great-uncle of Shen Huaizhi and the others, serving as a clan elder witness. Another was a middle-aged man surnamed Zhou, representing the other clans of Linshui Village.

With everyone present, the group set off in their ox cart.

After about two quarters of an hour, the Linshui Village people arrived at the open space outside the town gate. They were early; only the town’s contingent and the people from Taohua Village, closest to the town, had arrived. The groups from Yushui Village, Qingxi Village, Lijia Village, and Qinghe Village were still absent, though the agreed-upon meeting time was still half an hour away.

Shen Huaizhi, mindful of the scrolls in his embrace, excused himself from Shen Guangchu. “Uncle Guang, I have some personal business to attend to at the town’s bookshop. I should be back in about fifteen minutes.”

Sifang Town was small, and the bookshop lay just beyond the town gate. Shen Guangchu waved him off. “Then hurry back.”

Shen Huaizhi nodded and strode briskly toward town.

Strictly speaking, the town’s bookshop was more of a general store. The proprietor, possessing some business acumen, had sourced inexpensive writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones from the county town to supply local scholars. Business was quite good. He and Shen Huaizhi and he were old acquaintances, having collaborated for three or four years. The transaction proceeded smoothly as Shen handed over his manuscript.

Shopkeeper Liu retrieved four strings of copper coins from the counter—each string worth one hundred cash—along with fifteen copper coins, handing them over. “Mr. Shen, please count them. Let’s settle our business properly.”

Shen Huaizhi accepted without hesitation, swiftly counting the coins on the counter. “Thank you, shopkeeper. The amount is correct.”

Mr. Liu stroked his beard and asked with a smile, “Scholar Shen, would you be interested in taking on new transcription work?”

The town was small, and transcription work was scarce. In previous years, Shen Huaizhi had accepted all requests, whether for scriptures or storybooks, but he could only take on five or six jobs annually. Sometimes, a lengthy manuscript would earn him four or five taels of silver, while shorter ones might bring in less than two taels. Additionally, he earned six or seven wen every few days by writing and reading letters for others.

This year, preparing for the provincial exams, Shen Huaizhi had turned down many jobs, accepting only commissions for the Four Books and Five Classics. That’s why he’d only taken on two jobs this year—and even those were given to him by the shopkeeper because of his neat handwriting. He hadn’t expected another job today.

Shen Huaizhi nodded immediately and asked, “Thank you for remembering me, Manager. What is to be copied, and when is the deadline?“

Manager Liu didn’t keep him in suspense. ”It’s for Magistrate Wang in town. He wants to add a set of the Four Books to his son’s dowry chest. He heard from Magistrate Yang that you bought a set from me before—neat and powerful in style—so he wants one too. The deadline is no later than the day of the Start of Winter.”

At this, Shen Huaizhi understood. The set from Magistrate Yang’s household was precisely the one he had copied, which explained why he was being approached now.

The Four Books contained over 100,000 characters. Copying them nonstop would take less than two months. With four months remaining until the Start of Winter, Shen Huaizhi could finish after his provincial exams. He agreed, “I’ll take the job. But I have matters today. Might I collect the scrolls tomorrow?”

Indeed, the bookshop provided blank paper for copying, while the scribe supplied his own ink and brushes.

Shopkeeper Liu naturally nodded. “Of course. We’ll sign the contract with Scholar Shen tomorrow, then.”

Shen Huaizhi bowed again in gratitude before turning to leave.

Outside the bookshop, a commotion erupted. Shen Huaizhi intended to avoid the crowd, but a glance revealed the troublemakers were acquaintances. His footsteps halted abruptly.

“Chen-ger, you promised to marry me! We met just days ago—how could you marry another today? Keeping me completely in the dark? Was your father forcing you? Chen-ger…”

The man shouting at the courtyard gate wore a scholar’s robe, clearly a literati. Shen Huaizhi instantly recognized him as his former classmate, Shang Wencheng—the one who had withdrawn from the Lin Yue match after Shen Huaizhi had taken leave.

Shang Wencheng was blocked outside the gate by two servants. A middle-aged man, likely the household steward, stood at the entrance, berating Shang Wencheng: “Bah! Today is our young master’s wedding day, a day of great joy! You, some unknown toad, dare to tarnish his reputation? Do you think the Yang family has no one to deal with you? We won’t hesitate to teach you a lesson!”

Shang Wencheng had blurted out the Yang family’s young master’s name in full view of the street crowd. Had he not done so, the Yang servants would have already gagged him and dragged him away—no need for the steward to step out and argue with him.