I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Chapter 4: Country Folk

The day for selecting a study attendant came quickly. Three days after the news reached the estate, the ox cart to take Zheng Fa to the Zhao residence arrived.

“I want to go to the city too!” Little Sister Zheng Shan tugged at Zheng Fa’s sleeve, clinging tightly.

The main residence of the Zhao family was located in the inner city of Jingzhou. Even Zheng Fa himself had never been there, let alone six-year-old Zheng Shan.

“Shan'er!” Before Zheng Fa could respond, Zheng’s mother had already grabbed her small ear, scolding, “Your brother is going to the main residence, not to play. Do you know how many people are watching? Stop making a fuss.”

Seeing her little sister’s tear-filled eyes as she clutched her reddened ear, Zheng Fa patted her round head. “If I have time, I’ll bring you some treats from the city.”

...

“Mother, I’m leaving.”

Standing by the ox cart, Zheng Fa bid farewell to his mother.

Zheng’s mother didn’t say anything. She simply took out a clean bundle of coarse cloth, unwrapped it to reveal flatbread and a few slices of cured meat, and handed it to the elderly driver. “Sir, the road is long and tiring, so I prepared some food. We don’t have much at home, but please accept this for the journey.”

The old man took the pipe out of his mouth, smiling as he accepted the bundle.

Only after he accepted it did Zheng’s mother implore, “This is my son’s first trip to the city. He’s young, so I hope you’ll look after him and keep him from offending anyone important.”

“No problem.” The old man glanced at Zheng Fa. “This boy looks obedient. There shouldn’t be any trouble—maybe he’ll even make something of himself.”

Zheng’s mother cast a glance at Zheng Fa and whispered, “I’m not hoping for great success, just that he comes back safe and sound...”

...

The ox cart gradually moved away from Zheng Fa’s home. Looking back, he could still see his mother and little sister gazing longingly after him.

“Hold on tight!”

The old man driving the cart suddenly shouted. The long, black whip in his hand cracked through the air, landing on the ox’s haunches.

The cart surged forward unexpectedly. Caught off guard, Zheng Fa fell back and grabbed the side railing to steady himself.

The wind rushed past his ears, and the rice fields beside the road blurred as they passed.

The speed of the cart surprised Zheng Fa.

Though he couldn’t precisely estimate the speed, it felt comparable to the buses he’d taken in another world.

The cart itself was simple, the type used for transporting vegetables, with wooden planks laid on the bottom and railings on both sides.

But the ox pulling it was no ordinary beast. This ox was enormous, nearly three or four meters long.

The most striking feature was the lump on its back. As it ran, veins on the lump throbbed, the red blood within visibly coursing.

What astonished Zheng Fa even more was that despite its massive size and great speed, the ox’s hooves landed silently and steadily, as if gliding on the wind.

“Scared?” The old man laughed heartily.

“This ox?”

“It’s no ordinary ox. It’s called a Dan Zhu Ox, said to have a trace of spiritual beast blood. It can travel a thousand miles a day! And it’s not just fast—it’s smooth!”

“A spiritual beast? Just a trace of its blood can be so extraordinary...”

“The Zhao family isn’t just any family. There are only a handful of such oxen in all of Jingzhou City.”

“The Zhao family is that powerful?”

“Powerful? That’s an understatement! The Zhao family has immortals!” The old man’s voice carried a hint of pride. “Ever since the ancestors began their lineage in Jingzhou City a thousand years ago, each generation has had someone enter the immortal sects and gain the favor of the heavens.”

“Immortal sects? I’d heard the Zhao family had ties to them, but I didn’t know it was true.”

Zheng Fa’s spirits lifted. Though he was born in the countryside, he might not know as much about this world as he did about another.

He’d heard tales of immortals before, but never with the certainty the old man spoke with now.

“In Jingzhou City, which of the three great families doesn’t have an immortal connection?” The old man took a piece of cured meat and chewed on it, glancing at him. “You want to gain heavenly favor?”

Zheng Fa nodded.

“Because of this cured meat, I’ll give you some advice: that’s not something people like us should dream of. I’ve been with the Zhao family half my life and never even glimpsed a hair of an immortal.”

Zheng Fa pressed his lips together, remaining silent as the whip cracked and their journey continued.

Around noon, the cart stopped at another Zhao estate, where a boy around Zheng Fa’s age climbed aboard.

As soon as he saw Zheng Fa, an uneasy look crossed his face, tinged with hostility. “You’re here to compete for the Seventh Young Master’s study attendant too?”

Before Zheng Fa could respond, the old man yawned and said, “Not just you two. There are nearly dozens of eligible candidates throughout the Zhao family’s holdings in Jingzhou City. They just happen to live closer and don’t need picking up.”

Zheng Fa was stunned. He knew the Seventh Young Master was favored but hadn’t imagined there would be such fierce competition for a mere study attendant position.

The new boy seemed to understand the old man’s meaning and withdrew his expression, sitting at the far end of the cart.

Zheng Fa could feel the boy’s eyes darting to him from time to time.

After a while, the boy finally spoke. “I’m Huang Yu. What’s your name?”

“Zheng Fa.”

“Have you attended elementary studies?”

“Yes.”

Huang Yu’s face fell slightly.

Zheng Fa added, “But only for a year.”

“I studied for five years!”

Huang Yu brightened, shifting closer. “If I weren’t too old, I would’ve gone during the last selection for the Seventh Young Master’s study attendant.”

Zheng Fa chuckled inwardly. The boy probably felt less threatened and became friendlier.

“Five years of elementary studies? You must be confident this time.” Zheng Fa encouraged him.

Sure enough, despite his efforts to hide it, Huang Yu’s eyes shone with pride.

The old man merely snorted.

“Who exactly is this Seventh Young Master? Just a position for a study attendant attracts so many candidates, even talented ones like you, Brother Huang.”

“You don’t know?”

“I’ve been in the countryside, cut off from the news...”

Huang Yu sized him up, noting his clean but worn clothes, with sleeves washed so thin they were almost see-through, and his wariness eased.

He hesitated and kept silent, unwilling to share more information.

The old man spoke up. “Our Zhao family is split into three branches, and the main branch is headed by the current master.”

“The Seventh Young Master must be...”

“Exactly. The only legitimate son of the main branch. The Madam only has one son and one daughter, so even though he’s young, the Seventh Young Master is set to inherit the family. I heard that the current external steward of the main branch was once the master’s own study attendant, now highly esteemed.”

Zheng Fa understood immediately.

Being a study attendant wasn’t inherently prestigious, but it was akin to the old adage about following a future ruler.

The competition was for future prospects.

“Also, I’ve heard...” The old man glanced at Huang Yu. “The Seventh Young Master’s sister is already chosen by the immortal sect! Even city officials’ children vie for this spot, and years of elementary studies won’t mean much in their eyes.”

Zheng Fa now comprehended the value of this position.

The only legitimate son of the main branch.

A sister with an immortal fate.

The Seventh Young Master’s status was unshakably secure.

Zheng Fa glanced at Huang Yu, whose face flushed red, likely understanding that the old man was hinting:

Even if you studied more than Zheng Fa, you’re just another country boy compared to the city elites.

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