Lin Bo returned the礼 with a humble smile. Others also congratulated Lin Yan.
Their impression of Lin Yan was merely Lin Bo's younger cousin, a boy who trailed behind his elder cousin daily with a shy smile.
They had initially thought this young lad was just tagging along, but to their surprise, he had actually achieved the top rank.
Lin Yan maintained the persona of a humble boy, shyly responding to the well-wishers.
Before long, the congratulatory runners from the yamen arrived. Lin Yan presented them with the prepared pouches of money and, in return, received the invitation to the Deer Meadow Feast from the Prefect.
The Prefect had sent invitations to all fifty scholars who passed the prefectural examination, as a form of encouragement. Lin Yan, as the top scholar, could not decline.
Lin Yan and Lin Bo planned to head home after attending the Deer Meadow Feast. With the academy examination in August, returning to the academy would mean a month of travel back and forth.
At the Deer Meadow Feast, the Prefect expressed his joy at the emergence of young talents within his jurisdiction and spoke of his expectations for them.
The feast then commenced. During the banquet, some scholars, resentful of Lin Yan being the top scholar, began to deliberately test him. Lin Yan continued to play the role of the shy boy, yet he managed to flawlessly navigate their challenges.
Lin Yan's gracious demeanor made those who had challenged him feel somewhat excessive. The pure gaze in the young boy's eyes made their intentions seem ugly.
Despite their many years of experience, they couldn't compare to a boy of ten, yet they harbored jealousy and wished to see him embarrassed.
Even if he couldn't answer their questions, what difference would it make? The rankings were already set. Even if he failed to answer them, could they question the fairness of the prefectural examination?
In the end, it was their own narrow-mindedness.
With this realization, their attitude towards Lin Yan softened, and the atmosphere of the Deer Meadow Feast became much livelier.
The Prefect departed early. It was merely a prefectural examination, and even if some promising individuals were present, his hospitality was already quite generous.
If any of these scholars managed to pass the provincial examination, he might pay them more attention. For now, these scholars had done enough.
After the Prefect's departure, the atmosphere of the banquet became even more spirited. By the time the feast concluded, it was nearly the curfew hour.
Lin Yan helped Lin Bo out of the main gate of the Prefect's yamen. Xiao Kai quickly stepped forward to support his young master. A donkey cart waited not far from the entrance.
"Young Master, why have you drunk so much?" Xiao Kai looked at his master with concern.
"I was happy! I'll get the hangover medicine from my side when we get back and give it to Cousin. It seems we won't be able to set off tomorrow," Lin Yan said with a sigh, looking at the unconscious and thoroughly drunk Lin Bo.
The culture of drinking at the table had indeed persisted throughout history. Both civil and military officials enjoyed drinking until they were inebriated. It was even more so for his cousin, who had so many friends.
When he sobered up, she would have to tell him not to accept every drink if he couldn't handle it. Getting drunk not only delayed things but also harmed his health.
"Yes, Young Master Yan." They had witnessed the medicine in Young Master Yan's hands. A whole box of medicine, separated by efficacy, far more potent than what doctors had.
Once, when the young master fell ill at the academy, he took a single pill from Young Master Yan and recovered the next day without even needing to call a doctor.
Before Lin Yan and the others returned, the village messenger had already gone to the Lin family to deliver the good news. The news of Lin Yan passing the prefectural examination had spread throughout Lin Village.
As the top scholar, Lin Yan was eligible to study at the county school, but he declined, stating that he was already studying at Maolin Academy.
Upon their return home, they were naturally welcomed by the other members of the family. However, everyone knew they still had to prepare for the academy examination and therefore did not disturb their studies.
During his study breaks, Lin Yan also spoke with the clan elder about establishing a Lin family academy within the village.
Currently, the children of the Lin family attended elementary education in the village before proceeding to private tutoring in town. The distance was too great and the cost too high, which led many Lin family children to abandon their studies.
Lin Yan believed that if Lin Village had its own private school, it would enable many more children to continue their education.
However, this was merely Lin Yan's initial idea. He knew that with his current status, he was not yet in a position to propose this directly to the clan elder. Therefore, he intended to discuss the issue of the books he and Lin Bo had brought back from Maolin Academy.
With these books as a foundation, and with a continuous supply of books they would send back, it would be enough to attract some individuals to teach.
What was missing were the venue and the source of funding. The venue was easily obtained; the concern was the teachers' salaries. He believed the clan elder would agree.
If the clan elder disagreed, he would wait until he passed the provincial examination.
When Lin Yan met with the clan elder, his proposal indeed sparked deep thought in the elder, who found Lin Yan's reasoning sound.
Although the Lin family resided in this small village, their ancestors had held official positions, otherwise, there would not have been distinctions between direct and collateral branches.
"Brother Yan, what you say makes sense, but the clan currently cannot afford to allocate so much money," the clan elder also wished to agree. If a Lin family academy could truly be established, it would undoubtedly be more beneficial for the Lin family's development.
However, the Lin family now was only slightly better off than ordinary farming households; where could they find the resources for so much?
"In fact, Grandpa Clan Elder, you worry too much. We can invite our elder cousins to teach the children of the clan, and they can also have more time to prepare for their exams.
Although I am young, I truly desire a better future for our clan." In ancient times, clans were important, and Lin Yan could not fight alone.
Just as having Lin Bo by his side saved him a lot of trouble, once these clan disciples achieved something, it would be much more convenient for Lin Yan to accomplish his goals.
"I know that Brother Yan means well for the clan, but as the clan elder, I need to consider more factors."
"If a clan academy cannot be built for the time being, can we allow the girls of the clan to also learn to read?" Lin Yan then made another request.
"Girls?" The clan elder was surprised by how Lin Yan's topic had suddenly shifted.
"Learning can enlighten the mind. The men of the Lin family will become increasingly successful, and thus the marriages of the Lin women will improve. If they can read and write, then when they marry scholars, they can be like beautiful companions, living in harmony," Lin Yan said.
Lin Yan had more to say, but he believed the clan elder understood.
"Although I do not have a younger sister, my clan sisters will also become excellent marriage prospects in the future."
Although Lin Yan's words were rather boastful, the clan elder inexplicably believed in his confidence.
In fact, Lin Yan's ultimate goal was to have the Lin girls educated. It was merely a "broken window" effect. If opening one window was not permitted, he would first propose a more challenging task, making the opening of another window seem more acceptable.
Lin Yan wanted these girls to learn. Education could instill etiquette and allow them to see a broader world. He hoped these girls would not focus their attention solely on the inner chambers and limited spaces.
"Educated women will certainly be more welcomed by their peers and have more topics of conversation with their husbands. They will also be capable of teaching their own children.
It doesn't require much space. We can simply gather the girls of the clan and teach them basic literacy, arithmetic, and similar subjects. It won't require a large area, and their instructors will be their own elders, so there's no need to worry about their reputation."
Lin Yan spoke at length about the benefits of girls receiving an education, all of which centered on one core idea: the betterment of the Lin family.