Good Man Operation Guide

Scholar Lin from the Lin family passed the examination.

This news excited the entire village.

Xiucai and Juren are completely different. Firstly, Juren has the qualifications to hold an official position, even though it may be a low-ranking one, it’s still an official position.

(TNote: In the county examination, those who have passed the test are enrolled into school are called Shengyuan or Xiucai. Only those who were qualified for the Xiucai could attend the formal Imperial Examination. Those whod passed the first level provincial examination were called Juren. The second level is called an academy examination, and the third level is called the palace examination, where those who are the top 3 would be given high positions by the Emperor.)

Secondly, the fields under the name of a Juren were exempt from taxes. Therefore, whenever someone in the clan became a Juren, all the clan members’ fields were registered under their name to avoid taxes legally.

There’s a saying that goes like this, ‘It’s better to offend ten scholars than to offend one Juren.’

Because scholars only had a good reputation, while Juren could accomplish many things.

According to the regulations of Ye Country, a Juren could receive their own grain ration from the local government every year. This was a tangible benefit. It could be said that from a scholar to a Juren, it’s a direct ascent from a small dilapidated house to a brick house.

Ever since the news of Scholar Lin passing the Juren examination came out, the door of the third family of the Lin house was nearly trampled down. People came to build relationships, inquire about what books the Juren read, and even brought their own children to ask if they could become disciples.

At that time, Mother Lin was at a loss and didn’t know what to do. But this time, she had experience. She immediately boiled hot water to entertain the guests who came to the house. Li Lanlan also followed her, busy attending to them.

This time, there were many more people coming to give gifts compared to when Lin Shiheng passed the scholar examination. And the gifts were even more valuable. Their son hadn’t come back yet, and Mother Lin didn’t know what to do. Father Lin, who was still lying in bed, said they couldn’t accept them.

Everyone knew that gifts were given for favors. What if Shiheng didn’t have that ability? Also, those who gave gifts without asking for favors, goodwill was worth more than favors.

Li Lanlan also thought that her father-in-law was right. If someone gives you a gift without any conditions, would you refuse if they come to ask for help next time?

Mother Lin had always been indecisive. Seeing her husband and daughter-in-law both saying they couldn’t accept valuable gifts from strangers, she immediately told those who came to give gifts that her son wasn’t home and her husband was bedridden. As an ignorant woman, she didn’t dare to accept these valuable things and so on.

The heads of those families who came to give gifts also wanted to establish a good relationship. In the future, if they encountered any difficulties, they could seek help from the Lin family. Seeing that the Lin family refused, they didn’t expect such insight from an old woman in a rural household.

They secretly admired and left, while the villagers who came to congratulate them were full of envy.

The fact that the Lin family didn’t accept so many valuable gifts indicated that they had truly become prosperous.

Standing in her own yard, the eldest daughter-in-law stretched her neck to watch the commotion, her eyes turning red with envy.

So many good things!

Why is my mother-in-law so foolish!

She doesn't want them, but she could have given those things to us!

Who would reject gifts that are handed to them on a silver platter?

She wanted to shout a few words in front of Mother Lin, but she didn’t dare.

She was already scared when she found out that Lin Shiheng knew the scribe at the government office. Now that Lin Shiheng was on his way to becoming an official, she felt even more powerless.

But she was unwilling!

If we hadn't split the family, and her younger brother-in-law became an official, wouldn't he take care of his older brother?!

Now, after the family split, they offended the mother-in-law and the third younger brother. Even the younger brother’s wife had a strained relationship with her. Her hopes of sharing in the benefits seemed to be in vain.

They had initially thought that splitting the family would free them from those burdens. Their own family was full of strong laborers, and they could live a good life. But now, not only were their own lives getting worse, but the neighboring third family was flourishing. It was difficult not to feel upset.

The eldest daughter-in-law felt a deep sense of discomfort and regret. She wished she could go back to the time when the family was splitting and cling to her mother-in-law’s thigh.

But now, it was too late to say anything.

She knew she had offended the third family greatly and didn’t dare to show her face. Afraid that Mother Lin would be angry with her, she clumsily found the eldest son, who was smoking at the back door.

“Husband, there's too many people in the third family, and they’re overwhelmed. You should go and help.”

The eldest son furrowed his brows, remaining silent.

Everyone in the village knew that he had abandoned his biological father and didn't support the elderly. Now that the third family had become prosperous because of Lin Shiheng, if he went to help, what would he become?

The eldest daughter-in-law could tell what Lin Da was thinking. She softened her tone, “Don’t overthink it. We need to consider our grandchildren’s future. Now that the third family has become powerful, they should at least support their nephews and grand-nephews. Otherwise, people would criticize him, won’t they? You need to adjust your attitude. After all, you're her biological son. She will definitely forgive you.”

The eldest son took a deep drag from his pipe.

Yes, Mother has a soft temperament, and she would surely forgive me. If my younger brother became an official, people in positions of power were always concerned about their reputation. As long as I could win over Mother, even if my younger brother didn't want to take care of me, he would have to.

After thinking it through, Lin Da stood up and headed towards the third household.

Mother Lin was happily listening to flattery while smiling widely. She had never been this happy before, but just then her unfilial son arrived.

Her face immediately turned sour, “What are you doing here? Get out!”

“Mother."

The eldest son called out, “I see that you’re busy and thought I could help you.”

“No need!”

Mother Lin sneered, “You must have seen that Shiheng had achieved something and wanted to bask in his glory? You listen, when we divided the family, you said it yourself, you have no relations with the third family anymore. Even if Shiheng becomes a high-ranking official now, it has nothing to do with you!”

Lin Da wanted to say something more, but Li Lanlan realized the situation wasn’t right and had already entered the house.

Inside the house, Father Lin was lying on the bed, surrounded by a group of elders chatting with him. Despite the pain from illness, he wore a relieved expression.

In his sixties, he should have been laid to rest long ago, but fate was stubborn. Not only did he survive severe injuries, but Shiheng also brought in a skilled doctor who, overtime, helped him regain sensation in his legs.

The thought of being able to walk on the ground again, to work for his son, and perhaps even witness Shiheng's child being born, filled Father Lin with renewed vigor.

Now, with the elders praising him, his spirits soared even higher.

When Li Lanlan cautiously informed him about the incident of his eldest son, Lin Da, coming over, Father Lin, who had previously appeared listless, immediately widened his eyes in anger.

“Tell him to get lost!! Tell him I said it! If he dares to come to the third household again, this old man will accuse him of being unfilial!”

Before, he could overlook the fact that both his sons wanted him dead out of fatherly love. But now, the situation was different. Shiheng had achieved success and needed a good reputation. Those two sons were raised by him. Without exaggeration, he knew every detail of their lives, even the times they needed to go to the bathroom.

For the sake of money, they were willing to abandon their own father, let alone Shiheng, their own younger brother.

When Shiheng was younger, he never expected this child, despite his academic achievements, to support him and their mother in their old age. But when things went wrong, it was only this youngest child who stood by him and his wife without wavering.

Previously, during the difficult times of the third family, Lin Da never set foot inside. Now that there were so many people in the yard, he was offering help. Wasn't it just to gain favor in front of the villagers, to show that he cared for his younger brother and was a good person?

Bah! I won’t let this hypocrite have his way!

The elders of the clan were all inside the house. They saw Father Lin, who had been smiling and had a healthy complexion just moments ago, turn pale with anger. Immediately, one of the older ones stepped forward and said, “Don’t get upset. I’ll scold him on your behalf.”

When Father Lin was injured and Mother Lin grew old, it was the eldest son’s responsibility to take care of them. But instead, he directly passed on the responsibility to his youngest brother, who was unmarried at the time. The villagers didn’t hesitate to gossip about him. However, everyone was facing difficulties themselves and had enough troubles of their own, they weren’t willing to meddle in other people’s affairs.

But things were different now. Lin Shiheng had passed the imperial examination, which meant he was half an official. It was crucial to please him now, as there might not be another opportunity like this in the future.

The elders were shrewd individuals. They scolded Lin’s eldest son thoroughly when they went outside, almost making him question his own existence.

And when he heard that Father Lin intended to accuse him of being unfilial, his already unpleasant expression immediately turned sour.

The charge of being unfilial was enough to land him in prison for the rest of his life, and he didn’t want that.

Lin Da was defeated. Lin Er Quietly observing from his own yard, if his elder brother truly succeeded, he contemplated the possibility of joining him. Lin Er also returned to his own room.

They went back to their houses feeling frustrated and angry.

If we hadn't split the family and angered our parents, we would surely benefit from Third Brother's success!

Both of them weren’t good people, immediately blaming their own wives for everything.

They were convinced that it was their wives who instigated it, otherwise how could they have been unfilial to their parents?

The eldest and second daughters-in-law were unwilling to back down. If it wasn’t for their husbands bringing it up in the first place, would they have stepped forward to take the blame? When there were benefits, it was because of their husbands’ competence, but when there were troubles, it was their fault. How could things be like that?

These two couples, who weren’t necessarily affectionate but had a certain level of understanding, were now engaged in a fierce quarrel, almost resorting to physical violence.

On the other hand, news of Li’s son-in-law passing the imperial examination reached the ears of Widow Zhang.

Before Li Lanlan got married, she had often coaxed Father Li to give her and her son the family’s grain and wealth. However, at that time, she only wanted to use Father Li and didn’t consider developing anything with this man, who was much older than her.

But now, things were different. His son-in-law had become an imperial scholar.

Perhaps he could become an official in the future!

Moreover, Father Li treated her so well. Who knows, he might have liked her for a long time. If she married him, he would definitely treat her even better in the future.

So, on a rainy night, Father Li stayed overnight at Widow Zhang’s house to help, and after drinking some alcohol, he ended up appearing disheveled on Widow Zhang’s bed the next day.

With Widow Zhang crying, causing a scene, and threatening to commit suicide, he promptly proposed marriage.

This widower, who had been single for almost half his life, finally bid farewell to his bachelorhood thanks to his son-in-law.

Facing this imperial scholar’s father-in-law, Widow Zhang used every trick in the book to serve him, and soon enough, Father Li became enthralled in her tender embrace.

Soon, Lin Shiheng came back.

On the same day, Widow Zhang urged Father Li to go and talk to his son-in-law, hoping to get some benefits if possible.

After all, he was an imperial scholar. How could he not have a lot of money? Even if he leaked out a small amount, it would be enough for them to enjoy for a long time.

Father Li carried some money with him and obediently went.

Widow Zhang eagerly awaited his return.

He came back...

With empty pockets.