novelSusiti Chapter 12 Wuchang Provincial Examination
Chapter 12 Wuchang Provincial Examination
In February of the twelfth year of Chongzhen (1639), a document from the Huguang Provincial Administration Commission was sent to the Qishui County School: the provincial examination for this year was scheduled to be held on the ninth day of the eighth month in Wuchang Prefecture.
Students from all prefectures and counties must complete their registration before June and arrive in Wuchang in July to prepare for the exam.
The news caused an uproar at the county school.
This is a major competition held every three years, concerning the fate of countless scholars.
Some were overjoyed—after years of hard study, the opportunity had finally arrived; some were worried—the world was in chaos, and the journey to Wuchang was perilous; some simply gave up—the world was so chaotic, what good would it do to pass the exam?
Ma Changsheng signed up immediately.
Sun Xuezheng looked at his young face, hesitating to speak: "Changsheng, you're only eleven... The provincial examination is not like the children's examination; the competition is fierce, and the questions are profound. Why don't you wait another three years?"
"The students want to give it a try," Ma Changsheng said calmly. "If they don't pass, consider it broadening their horizons; if they do, that's good fortune."
He actually had to go.
The provincial examination was a crucial hurdle in the imperial examination system. Passing it made one a "Juren" (a successful candidate in the provincial examination), qualified for official positions, and granted a completely different social status.
More importantly, Wuchang was the capital of Hubei and Hunan provinces, where there was more information and a wider network of connections—all essential for his survival and development in this era.
Chen Jiru and Li Wenbin also signed up.
The three agreed to travel together and look out for each other.
But Ma Changsheng must first resolve the issue of Majiabao.
He took leave to return to his hometown and convened a meeting with key personnel.
"I'm going to Wuchang to take the provincial examination. It will take at least three months, and at most half a year," he told his father and several team leaders. "During this time, the affairs of the fort will be jointly managed by Father, Instructor Sun, and Tiezhu."
He unfolded a new defense map: "After I leave, there are a few things to do."
Ma Changsheng pointed to several points on the map: "We now have a joint defense of fifteen villages, but communication still relies on people running around, which is too slow. I designed a beacon signal."
He drew several smoke column patterns on the blackboard: "One smoke column means a small group of bandits harassing the area; two smoke columns mean a large group of bandits is attacking; three smoke columns mean government troops are moving around; four smoke columns mean plague and famine. Each village should build a beacon tower, release smoke during the day and light fire at night. Upon seeing the signal, immediately act according to the plan."
Coach Sun's eyes lit up: "This is a great method! It's much faster than running!"
"But we must prevent false alarms," Ma Changsheng said. "Beacon towers must be manned by two people, and signals must be confirmed to be correct before being sent. Anyone who sends out signals arbitrarily will be dealt with according to military law."
"Protection fees alone are not enough," Ma Changsheng said. "We need to have our own industries. I've looked into it; we can grow tea on the hillside behind the village, raise ducks by the river, and open blacksmith shops and carpentry workshops in the village. These industries can be used for our own purposes and also generate income."
He looked at several skilled local militiamen: "Zhang the blacksmith, you take a few apprentices and specialize in making farm tools and weapons; Li the carpenter, you are in charge of making vehicles and machinery; Wang the sister-in-law, you organize the women to raise silkworms and weave cloth. Part of the produce will be used by ourselves, and the rest will be traded with the surrounding villages to exchange for the supplies we need."
Ma Sanbao was somewhat worried: "This...won't this make me a merchant? Scholars say that in the social hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, commerce is the lowest profession..."
"Father, in these chaotic times, survival is the most important thing," Ma Changsheng said. "What's wrong with us not engaging in unfair competition and just trading fairly? Besides, we have over three hundred people to support; how can farming alone be enough?"
"While I'm gone, continue running the night school," Ma Changsheng told Tiezhu. "You not only need to train the soldiers, but also teach them to read. Don't worry about how many characters each person knows; just enough for them to recognize a hundred characters and be able to read simple documents. Also, select ten bright young men and give them special training; I'll be evaluating them when I get back."
Tie Zhu scratched his head: "Chang Sheng, I struggle to even read myself, how can I teach others?"
"I've compiled a teaching material." Ma Changsheng took out a stack of papers. "A simplified version of the Thousand Character Classic, with three hundred commonly used characters, illustrated, and easy to remember. You can teach five characters a day, and you can finish teaching them in two months."
He paused, then added, "Also, Instructor Sun wants to train an elite squad of twenty men, specifically for special missions: reconnaissance, ambushes, and decapitation strikes. This squad will only obey your and Father's orders."
Everything was arranged by mid-March.
Ma Changsheng then met with the clan chiefs of several important surrounding villages to reiterate the joint defense agreement and received their assurances: as long as Majiabao remained peaceful, they would follow suit.
On the eve of his departure, Li wiped away tears as she packed her son's luggage: "Changsheng, Wuchang is so far away, I heard the road is not safe... Maybe we shouldn't go?"
"Mother, don't worry, I'm with Brother Chen and Brother Li, so we'll take care of each other," Ma Changsheng comforted her. "Besides, I'm not going alone."
He called over Tiezhu: "Brother Tiezhu, pick two clever guys to come with me. First, to protect me, and second... to broaden my horizons in the provincial capital."
Tie Zhu nodded: "I'll send Ma Xiaoshuan and Wang Hu. They're both good at martial arts and quick-witted."
In April, during the Qingming Festival, Ma Changsheng bid farewell to his parents and embarked on his journey to take the exam.
Accompanying him were Chen Jiru, Li Wenbin, and two guards, Ma Xiaoshuan and Wang Hu.
Five people in two mule carts, carrying luggage and books, left Qishui County.
This was Ma Changsheng's first time leaving Qishui County.
What I saw along the way was shocking.
Just ten miles outside the county town, I saw burned-down villages by the roadside, with wild grass growing among the broken walls and occasional skeletons.
An old farmer squatted beside the ruins, his eyes vacant. When asked which village he was from, he just shook his head and remained silent.
"This is the village that was looted by Zhang Xianzhong's troops last year," Chen Jiru sighed. "I heard that out of more than 300 people in the village, only a few dozen escaped."
Li Wenbin angrily asked, "Where are the officers and soldiers? Where are they?"
"Soldiers?" Chen Jiru sneered. "Soldiers either enjoy themselves in the city or set up roadblocks to collect money."
Sure enough, after walking less than twenty miles, they encountered the first checkpoint.
Several soldiers in tattered uniforms blocked their way. The junior officer in charge glanced sideways and said, "Travel permit!"
The five men handed over the travel permits.
The junior officer examined the boy closely, then suddenly pointed at Ma Changsheng: "How old is this kid? His travel permit says 'student,' is it fake?"
Ma Changsheng remained calm and took out his scholar's wooden plaque and county school document: "Sir, please take a look. This is an identity certificate issued by the county school."
The junior officer was illiterate, but he recognized the official seal.
His eyes darted around: "Even if you're students, this mule cart and your luggage still need to be checked! Who knows if you're smuggling any contraband!"
This is extortion. Chen Jiru stepped forward and slipped a small piece of silver into his hand: "Sir, you've worked hard. This is just a small token for your tea. Please accept it as a token of my respect."
The junior officer weighed the silver in his hand, his expression softening slightly. "Hmm, scholars are indeed sensible. Let's go!"
After passing through the checkpoint, Li Wenbin angrily cursed, "With the nation in peril, these thugs are still exploiting the people; they're worse than animals!"
Ma Changsheng remained calm: "Brother Li, please calm down. There will be many more incidents like this along the way."
Sure enough, they encountered five checkpoints during the three-day journey, each requiring a toll. Chen Jiru had already spent nearly half of the silver he had brought.
The evening of the fourth day was even more dangerous.
They stayed overnight in a deserted village along the way, and were awakened in the middle of the night by the sound of horses' hooves.
Ma Xiaoshuan peered out the window and whispered, "A cavalry unit! More than twenty people, they don't look like soldiers or ordinary civilians!"
Ma Changsheng immediately became alert: "They might be bandits. Hide the mule cart in the backyard and hide the people."
The five people acted swiftly.
Just as they hid, the cavalry charged into the village.
Under the torchlight, you could see these people riding horses, carrying knives and guns, searching for valuables in the village.
"Boss, this place has been occupied!" someone shouted.
The bandit leader kicked open the door to their room and saw that the bedding on the floor was still warm: "They just ran away! Search them!"
Ma Changsheng and the others hid in the woodpile in the backyard, holding their breath.
Wang Hu gripped the hilt of his knife tightly, while Ma Xiaoshuan nocked an arrow, ready to fight to the death at any moment.
Fortunately, the bandits searched for a while but couldn't find anyone, and left cursing.
Only after the sound of horses' hooves had faded into the distance did the five dare to come out.
"That was too close..." Chen Jiru's face turned pale. "If we had been caught, what would have happened to us scholars..."
"That's why I said we needed to bring guards," Ma Changsheng said. "The people Brother Tiezhu chose are indeed useful."
Having survived this close call, the five became even more cautious.
They traveled during the day and always found a safe place to stay before dusk, taking turns keeping watch at night.
In early May, the five finally arrived in Wuchang.
Wuchang was more than ten times larger than Qishui County.
The city walls are high and thick, the city gates are majestic, the streets are crowded with pedestrians, and the shops are lined up one after another.
But upon closer inspection, chaos lurks beneath the surface of prosperity: long queues form in front of grain stores, cloth prices soar, refugees with their families are a common sight on the streets, and groups of soldiers hurry by, their expressions tense.
They found an inn near the examination hall to stay in.
The innkeeper, a lean middle-aged man, shook his head and sighed when he heard that they were scholars who had come to take the imperial examinations: "Gentlemen, you have come at the worst possible time."
"Why?" Li Wenbin asked.
"News from the north: the Qing army has invaded again, this time heading straight for the capital." The shopkeeper lowered his voice. "In Huguang, Zhang Xianzhong has feigned surrender in Gucheng, but he could rebel at any moment. The government is requisitioning grain and conscripting soldiers, causing widespread panic. It's uncertain whether the provincial examinations can even be held on time."
The three of them felt a chill in their hearts.
If the provincial examination is cancelled, this trip will have been in vain.
After settling in, Ma Changsheng sent Ma Xiaoshuan and Wang Hu to inquire about the situation.
The two spent three days wandering around the city, bringing back various intelligence reports:
"Grain prices have risen by 30%, and salt prices by 50%."
"The government is conscripting men, and the able-bodied men in the city are either hiding or running away."
"The examination hall is under renovation, but progress is very slow. The craftsmen say they are owed wages."
"I heard that some students gathered to petition, demanding that the exams be held as scheduled, but they were dispersed by the government."
The situation is not optimistic.
But since we're already here, we can only wait.
While waiting, Ma Changsheng didn't sit idle.
He went to the bookstore every day to read books—the bookstores in Wuchang were much larger than those in Qishui, and they had many rare and new books.
He focused on two categories: first, collections of contemporary essays to understand the style and hot topics of the provincial examinations; second, practical books, especially those on agricultural administration, water conservancy, and military affairs.
He also met several students from other states and counties.
Most of them were young people in their twenties. Some were full of vigor and talked about ways to save the country; some were pessimistic and disappointed, feeling hopeless about the imperial examination; and some, like him, observed silently and plotted in secret.
Among them, the one who caught Ma Changsheng's attention the most was a young man named Huang Zongxi—not the later great thinker, but another person with the same name, from Yuyao, Zhejiang.
This man was in his early twenties, highly knowledgeable, and had unique insights into the current situation.
They met by chance at a bookstore and talked about Mencius.
Huang Zongxi said, "Mencius said, 'The people are the most important, the state comes next, and the ruler is the least important.' If the current emperor could understand this principle, how could things have come to this?"
These were bold words, so Ma Changsheng cautiously replied, "Brother Huang's insight is profound. But if these words were overheard by someone with ulterior motives..."
Huang Zongxi sneered: "What's there to be afraid of? With the affairs of state in such a state, if scholars still act timidly and hesitantly, what difference is there between them and walking corpses?"
Ma Changsheng admired his courage, but he admired his insight even more.
The two gradually became acquainted and often discussed academic and current affairs together.
Huang Zongxi was quite surprised by Ma Changsheng, this eleven-year-old "little friend"—though young, he was quite knowledgeable.
In June, bad news arrived: the imperial court issued an edict to suspend this year's provincial examination in Huguang due to "difficult circumstances," with the specific date to be announced later.
The news caused an uproar among hundreds of students in Wuchang.
Three years of hard study, traveling thousands of miles to get here, and now they're just going to cancel the exam? Some wept, some cursed, and some packed their bags to go home.
Chen Jiru and Li Wenbin panicked as well: "Changsheng, what do we do? Go back to Qishui?"
Ma Changsheng shook his head: "Let's wait a little longer. The court has only 'suspended' it, not 'cancelled' it. There might be a turning point."
Sure enough, a few days later, the students began to make connections.
Led by several prominent local families in Huguang, they organized a petition demanding an explanation from the governor's office.
On July 15th, hundreds of students gathered in front of the governor's office, shouting "The exams will be held as scheduled!" and "Give us justice!"
A clerk came out of the yamen and said some platitudes about "understanding the difficulties of the court," but was driven back by the students with rotten eggs and vegetable leaves.
Things got bigger.
The prefect of Wuchang dispatched soldiers to disperse the crowd and arrest several ringleaders.
For a time, a sense of unease and fear filled the air. The students dared not gather in groups anymore, but their resentment only deepened.
Ma Changsheng did not participate in the petition.
He observed the situation with detachment, analyzing it:
Was the imperial court's suspension of the provincial examinations truly due to the political situation, or was it because...they lacked funds?
The students' petition, though seemingly reasonable, was actually naive—how could a petition change a decision made by the imperial court?
However, the governor's office had an ambiguous attitude, neither daring to disobey the imperial court nor wanting to anger the literati...
He suddenly thought of a possibility: the imperial court might compromise, but would set harsh conditions—for example, reducing the number of admissions, adding an exam on "current affairs", or... charging fees.
He shared this idea with Huang Zongxi.
After pondering for a moment, Huang Zongxi said, "Brother Changsheng is right. The imperial court is in dire financial straits, and it's possible that they will indeed use the provincial examinations to raise funds."
"So what should we do?"
"Keep preparing for the exam, just in case," Huang Zongxi said. "And prepare money, just in case I have to pay an 'exam fee'?"
Ma Changsheng wholeheartedly agreed.
He asked Ma Xiaoshuan to go back to Qishui and deliver a message to his father, asking him to send some money—Majiabao now had some savings and should be able to come up with it.
In early August, things took a turn for the better.
The new imperial decree: the provincial examination in Huguang will be postponed to September, but the number of candidates to be admitted will be halved, and each candidate will be required to pay ten taels of "assistance silver".
When the news arrived, the students were in an uproar once again.
Ten taels of silver may not be much to a rich kid, but for a poor student, it's a year's living expenses.
Some cursed the government for being shameless, some had no choice but to scrape together money, and some simply gave up.
Chen Jiru and Li Wenbin were relatively well-off and could afford ten taels of silver.
With the support of Majiabao, Ma Changsheng has no problem.
But many poor students were indeed turned away.
"This is cutting off the future of children from poor families!" Li Wenbin exclaimed indignantly.
Ma Changsheng, however, saw another side to the story: "The imperial court is even taking money from the provincial examinations, which means it's truly at its wit's end. How long can such a court... hold on?"
Upon hearing this, Huang Zongxi gave him a deep look: "Brother Changsheng, these words can only be said here."
"I see."
On September 9th, the provincial examination finally began.
The Wuchang Examination Hall, with its dragon gate wide open.
Thousands of students lined up to enter and undergo searches—ten times more rigorous than the civil service examinations.
Not only were they checking for smuggled items, but they were also required to strip and be physically examined to prevent the hiding of cheat sheets. Some were ashamed and indignant, while others were numb.
Ma Changsheng was the youngest, and the soldiers searching him gave him a second look: "A little kid like you is taking the imperial examination? Has your hair even grown up yet?"
A burst of laughter erupted around him. Ma Changsheng remained unfazed, and after the search, he found his cell.
The cells were small, with only one table and one stool for each person.
The exam lasted three days and two nights, and we ate and slept here.
Ma Changsheng surveyed the surroundings: the walls were mottled, the tables and chairs wobbled, and the roof let in light. But as long as he could take the exam, that was fine.
The first exam tested understanding of classical texts. The question came from the Book of Documents: "The people are the foundation of the state; when the foundation is firm, the state is at peace."
A good topic, fitting for the occasion. Ma Changsheng picked up his pen and began: "The people of a nation are like the roots of a tree, the source of water..."
He combined the current situation with his writing on the significance of the people-oriented ideology in chaotic times, citing classical texts, but only touching on the point—the provincial examination was not the children's examination, and one should not be too radical.
The second exam was on poetry. The topic was "Autumn Thoughts," and the poem had to be a seven-character regulated verse.
Recalling what he had seen and heard on his way to the examination, Ma Changsheng wrote:
Years of war have brought autumn to the grass and trees; a scholar, carrying his strategies, heads to the southern region.
Along the way, all one could see were the mournful cries of birds, and all one could hear were the war drums.
A wise ruler should know the people's suffering, and a virtuous minister should alleviate the nation's worries.
I am willing to sacrifice my blood for a brighter future, to sweep away the gloom and let the sun shine through.
The last two sentences are a bit blunt, but when emotions run high, one can't worry about anything else.
The third exam, a policy essay, indeed had a topic closely related to the current situation: "On the policy of suppressing and pacifying bandits."
This was Ma Changsheng's forte. Combining his experience in Majiabao, he proposed the idea of "using both suppression and appeasement, with appeasement as the main approach": resolutely eliminate stubborn bandit leaders and properly resettle those who had been coerced into serving their own purposes; at the same time, rectify officialdom, reduce taxes and corvée labor, and give people a way to make a living, then the bandits would naturally be quelled.
He specifically wrote: "I have heard that Qishui County has a local militia that protects the territory and its people, and thieves dare not attack. This is a good strategy for the people to help themselves, and the government should encourage and guide it, rather than suspect and suppress it..."
This was to vindicate Majiabao and also to test the examiners' attitude towards local armed forces.
Ma Changsheng performed steadily throughout the three-day exam.
When they left the examination room, Chen Jiru and Li Wenbin were both pale-faced, clearly indicating that they had not done well on the exam.
"It's too difficult..." Chen Jiru smiled wryly, "Especially the policy essays, I'm afraid my writing is just bookish clichés..."
Li Wenbin was even more pessimistic: "I rhymed the wrong words in my poem, that's it."
Ma Changsheng comforted them, "Don't think about it anymore now that the exam is over. Just wait for the results."
However, before the results were even released, an even bigger change occurred.
On September 20th, explosive news reached Wuchang: Qing troops broke through the Great Wall, entered the pass to plunder, and were heading straight for the capital!
The news spread like wildfire.
Wuchang was thrown into chaos: wealthy families began fleeing south, shops closed one after another, prices skyrocketed, and rumors spread like wildfire. Some said the Qing army had already captured Tianjin, others said Emperor Chongzhen was about to move south, and still others said Li Zicheng was going to take the opportunity to attack Beijing…
A notice was posted at the examination hall: due to "sudden change in the situation", the results of the provincial examination were postponed, and all candidates were to remain in Wuchang and were not allowed to leave the city.
This was a form of house arrest. The students were angry and helpless, trapped in the inn, constantly trying to find out what was going on, and everyone was filled with anxiety.
Ma Changsheng keenly realized that a critical juncture in history had arrived.
The Qing army's entry into the pass in the eleventh year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign was an important sign of the impending fall of the Ming Dynasty.
If memory serves me right, the Qing army will plunder the capital region for several months before returning north with a large number of people and valuables.
The weakness of the Ming Dynasty will be fully exposed.
He had to do something.
First, he instructed Ma Xiaoshuan and Wang Hu to find a way out of the city and return to Qishui to report: "Tell your father that the Qing army has entered the pass, and the world will undergo a great change. Strengthen defenses, stockpile supplies, and prepare for an even more chaotic situation."
Secondly, he continued to gather intelligence. Through scholars he befriended, such as Huang Zongxi, he learned more inside information: the imperial court had already dispatched elite troops such as Hong Chengchou and Sun Chuanting north to resist the Qing, leaving the defenses of Huguang (Hubei and Hunan) vulnerable; Zhang Xianzhong was stirring in Gucheng; and Zuo Liangyu's troops were observing the situation in Xiangyang…
Chaos has truly arrived.
In early October, even worse news arrived: the Qing army had captured Jinan and Prince De had been taken prisoner! This was the first time a member of the Ming imperial family had been captured, shocking the court and the public.
Panic reached its peak in Wuchang.
The governor's office ordered martial law, with all four gates closed, allowing entry but not exit.
The students were trapped in the city, like ants on a hot plate.
The inn where Ma Changsheng was staying housed more than twenty students.
Everyone gathered in the lobby, arguing endlessly:
"We should petition the court to execute the ministers who advocated peace!"
"We should organize a volunteer army and march north to resist the Qing!"
"We should move south to preserve half of the country!"
They make a lot of noise, but take no real action.
Ma Changsheng watched coldly, his heart filled with sorrow: This is what the scholars of the late Ming Dynasty were like—empty talk that ruined the country, and utterly helpless in the face of adversity.
Only Huang Zongxi remained relatively calm.
He privately told Ma Changsheng, "Brother Changsheng, I think the Ming Dynasty... is nearing its end."
Ma Changsheng didn't respond, but he agreed in his heart.
In mid-October, the results were finally released—despite the turbulent times, the imperial examination process still had to be completed.
Ma Changsheng won.
Ranked 27th, a successful candidate in the provincial examination in Huguang.
Chen Jiru failed the exam, and so did Li Wenbin.
Although disappointed, the two were happy for Ma Changsheng—the first eleven-year-old to pass the imperial examination in the history of Huguang.
"Chang Sheng, you really are..." Chen Jiru didn't know what to say.
Ma Changsheng, however, could not be happy.
Passing the imperial examination is certainly desirable, but in this era, what can a mere title of "Juren" change?
The day after the results were announced, the governor's office summoned the newly appointed scholars for a "Deer Cry Banquet." The banquet was simple, and the atmosphere was somber. The governor hurriedly said a few words of encouragement and then left—reportedly to attend to military affairs.
After the banquet, the newly appointed scholars went their separate ways.
Some went home to report the good news, some stayed in Wuchang to make moves, and some simply disappeared without a trace—in chaotic times, fame and fortune are as fleeting as clouds.
Ma Changsheng decided to return to Qishui immediately.
Wuchang was too dangerous; if Zhang Xianzhong rebelled or the Qing army marched south, it would become a battlefield.
Huang Zongxi came to see him off: "Brother Changsheng, this parting is our last. I hope you take care."
"Take care, Brother Huang."
"I plan to return to Zhejiang," Huang Zongxi said. "The world is about to descend into chaos, and I want to write books to record this era. Changsheng, you are young, but your insight is extraordinary. If fate allows, we will meet again someday to discuss the affairs of the world."
The two bowed to each other in farewell.
Ma Changsheng, along with Ma Xiaoshuan and Wang Hu, hurriedly left Wuchang.
Five people came, but only three returned—Chen Jiru and Li Wenbin were still waiting for their families to pick them up in Wuchang.
As he left the city, he saw a newly posted notice on the city wall: recruiting volunteers to go north to resist the Qing. A few people gathered around, but no one volunteered.
The autumn wind is bleak, and yellow leaves are falling.
Ma Changsheng turned around and took one last look at Wuchang City.
This ancient city, with a history spanning thousands of years, appeared so fragile in the shadow of a chaotic world.
He knew that when he came back next time, the place might have changed owners.
The return journey was even more turbulent than the journey there.
News of the Qing army's entry into the pass had spread, causing widespread panic and rampant banditry along the way. Ma Changsheng and his two companions dared not take the official roads, opting instead for side paths, hiding by day and venturing out at night.
Even so, they still encountered danger twice.
One time, they encountered routed soldiers—officers who had retreated from the front lines were no different from bandits, robbing anyone they saw.
Fortunately, Ma Xiaoshuan was alert and discovered the danger in advance, managing to escape by hiding in the mountains.
Another time, I was passing through a village when I happened to witness starving people looting grain.
The villagers, armed with hoes and sticks, surrounded the landlord's courtyard.
The shouts of battle and cries of agony shook the heavens.
Ma Changsheng took a detour, not daring to look too long—in chaotic times, good and evil are hard to distinguish, only survival matters.
At the end of October, the three finally returned to Qishui County.
Seeing the beacon tower of Majiabao in the distance, Ma Changsheng felt a warmth in his heart—at least, there was still peace here.
The gates of the fortress opened, and Ma Sanbao, Li Shi, Tiezhu, and others came out to greet them.
Seeing her son return safely, Li hugged him and cried and laughed at the same time.
"He passed! My son passed the imperial examination!" Ma Sanbao's voice trembled with excitement.
The fort was filled with jubilation. An eleven-year-old scholar had passed the imperial examination—this was an incredibly joyous occasion.
Despite the difficult situation, at this moment, everyone temporarily forgot their worries.
That evening, a banquet was held in the ancestral hall. Although it was just simple food and drink, the atmosphere was lively. Ma Changsheng was seated in the main seat to receive everyone's congratulations.
But he felt heavy-hearted.
After the banquet, he left behind his core staff and briefed them on the situation outside.
"The Qing army entered the pass, and the capital region was in ruins. The imperial army went north, leaving Huguang (Hubei and Hunan) vulnerable. Zhang Xianzhong could rebel again at any time, and Zuo Liangyu held onto his troops and became powerful..." He finished speaking in one breath, and the ancestral hall fell into a deathly silence.
"Then... what should we do?" Ma Sanbao asked.
Ma Changsheng walked to the map: "First, continue to expand the army. We currently have three hundred men; we need to increase it to at least five hundred. Second, stockpile supplies. Store as much food, weapons, and medicine as possible. Third, strengthen joint defense. Fifteen villages are not enough; we need to expand to thirty, or even fifty. Fourth…"
He paused for a moment: "Prepare for the worst."
What is the worst-case scenario preparation?
"The Ming Dynasty is gone, what are we going to do?" Ma Changsheng's voice was calm, but his words were like a thunderclap.
Everyone was stunned. Although they all had a premonition, no one dared to say it aloud.
"I have three contingency plans," Ma Changsheng said. "If the new dynasty treats the people well, we will submit; if the new dynasty is tyrannical, we will defend our territory and wait for the world to change; if the chaos becomes uncontrollable... we will go into the mountains, establish a stronghold, and preserve our livelihood."
Instructor Sun slapped his thigh: "Good! Let's do it! I, Old Sun, will follow Ma Family Fort for the rest of my life!"
Tie Zhu and others also expressed their loyalty.
Looking at these loyal and brave faces, Ma Changsheng was moved and felt a great sense of responsibility.
He walked to the entrance of the ancestral hall and looked up at the starry sky. His experiences in Wuchang, the hardships of his return journey, the uncertainty of the future... all of this made him even more clear-headed.
An eleven-year-old who passed the imperial examination was a miracle in this era.
But in chaotic times, miracles cannot save people.
Only strength, only preparation, only... a clear mind.
The night wind blew by, bringing the chill of early winter.
Ma Changsheng wrapped his robe tighter around himself and turned to go back into the house.
The provincial examination was just the beginning; the real test was yet to come.