
In a modest village tucked away in Shaanxi’s countryside, two families—Zhao and Fang—have long lived side by side, tending their fields and dreaming of a better life. When a young Zhao boy surprisingly passes the local scholarly exam, his success ignites both pride and rivalry, prompting the Fang household to invest in a private school and hire an aging yet eager tutor, Wang Ren, to give their children a fighting chance.
The arrival of Wang, a former examination candidate who now devotes himself to teaching, brings new energy to the hamlet. His students quickly discover the allure of official titles, the promise of wealth, and the social standing that comes with passing the imperial tests. As the community buzzes with celebrations, gossip, and a few heated arguments, the story paints a vivid portrait of ambition, family pride, and the quirks of a society where a single exam can reshape destinies.
Language
zh
Duration
~11 hours (656K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
Jan 3, 2008
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1867–1906
A sharp, lively voice from the late Qing era, this writer turned the chaos of a changing China into satire that still feels surprisingly fresh. Best known for witty, critical fiction, he also helped shape modern Chinese popular publishing through newspapers and magazines.
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