Chapter 7 - The Cannon Fodder Little Fulang [Quick Transmigration]

Translator's Note:

Hello, I hope you've all been doing well.

Here you go, and I wish you a good read.

And, as I said before, if you wish to read ahead, you can head over to my Patreon to get early access to all the translated chapters.

The bookstore Wu Village Head picked out for Wu Bai was remarkable. It was the largest bookstore in Nanping Town, with a pleasant and inviting atmosphere. The store had rows of bookshelves neatly aligned in the center, and along two of the walls were comfortable seating areas where visitors could sit and read. One wall held the store counter, while the other featured desks where students could copy books in exchange for borrowing others.

 

It must be said that the bookstore Wu Village Head picked out for Wu Bai was indeed impressive. It was the largest in Nanping Town, with a well-designed and inviting atmosphere. The center was lined with rows upon rows of bookshelves, and along two of the walls were comfortable seating areas where visitors could sit and browse through books. Of the remaining two walls, one was reserved for the counter, while the other was lined with desks where students could copy texts, allowing them to exchange their work for other books they needed.

 

Despite its size and the number of patrons, the bookstore maintained a tranquil hush; no one raised their voice or disrupted the peaceful ambiance.

 

Rumor had it that the back room of the bookstore even had a stage where, periodically, knowledge competitions were held. The winner could even take home a book from the store—though not an original, but a hand-copied version. For most students, the opportunity to earn a book, even a copy, was like obtaining a treasure.

 

As Wu Bai wandered through the bookstore, he noticed a bulletin board at the counter covered with various announcements. These notices were transcribed daily by bookstore staff from the local magistrate's office, offering students topics for discussion. The notices spanned a variety of subjects, from case reports and analyses of local issues to government edicts from the court.

 

It was well known in town that the bookstore's hidden backer was none other than the magistrate of Qinghuai County. Because of this, no one was particularly surprised by the presence of these official notices in the bookstore.

 

The current magistrate of Qinghuai County was well-loved by the local populace. Since his arrival, he had carried out several beneficial reforms and was known to listen to the concerns of the people, never abusing his authority.

 

Some time ago, a murder case had stymied the magistrate, who was unable to catch the perpetrator. In desperation, he posted details of the case on a bulletin, hoping to find an eyewitness or clue. One of the students happened to notice a discrepancy in the notice, which ultimately led to solving the case and catching the murderer.

 

The magistrate, instead of taking full credit, truthfully reported the student's role in solving the case. As a result, the student was offered a recommendation to study at the prestigious state academy in the prefectural capital, which drew admiration from his peers. The magistrate himself earned praise from higher authorities, with the potential for promotion if he maintained his record over three years.

 

Inspired by this success, the magistrate installed similar bulletin boards in his bookstores, hoping that the county's learned minds might aid him in solving state issues. This initiative had remarkably boosted his efficiency, and he received top marks in his evaluations over the past two years.

 

Wu Bai, examining the bulletin board, quickly understood the magistrate's intent. Having been taught by his husband, who once served as prime minister and had risen through the ranks from the bottom, Wu Bai was no stranger to court politics and the maneuvering required to avoid entrapment by others. Xiao Zimo, Wu Bai's husband, had often explained the subtleties of official matters and the intricacies of court factions to him.

 

Piecing together the information he had gathered, Wu Bai realized that the magistrate would likely be promoted and leave Qinghuai County by late May of next year, shortly after the triennial provincial exams. If Wu Bai's second brother could pass these exams, he would have a strong chance of securing the magistrate's position.

 

With this thought, Wu Bai felt the weight of his responsibilities more keenly. Yet, as his husband often said, "Pressure breeds motivation."

 

With renewed determination, Wu Bai approached the counter, purchasing some paper and borrowing ink and a brush to copy down the useful information from the bulletin board.

 

His father had given him a bit of spending money before leaving, so he was able to afford the ink and brush rental from the bookstore.

 

Focused entirely on his copying, Wu Bai didn't notice the passing carriage outside. Its curtain was lifted just enough for a man seated within to glance in Wu Bai's direction, observing him for a moment before instructing the driver to move on.

 

Only when Wu Bai felt someone's gaze did he look up, but all he caught was the rear of a departing carriage. He shook his head, amused at his own distraction.

 

When Wu Village Head returned after finishing his business, Wu Bai had nearly completed his copying, though the ink on the last two sheets was still drying. Father Wu didn't ask if Wu Bai had grown bored; knowing his son was literate and the bookstore was stocked with so many storybooks, he was certain Wu Bai would be content. Still, he regretted not taking his son for a longer walk around town.

 

The sun was beginning to dip toward the west, and after a short wait, the ink on Wu Bai's pages had finally dried. He carefully folded his copied notes, took them in hand, and followed his father out of the bookstore.

 

Since Father Wu was literate, he had glimpsed what Wu Bai had been copying. However, he didn't question his son's intentions—after all, there was no harm in copying random information, and he trusted Wu Bai wouldn't do anything improper.

 

The two of them headed back toward the academy, as their ox cart was still parked in the academy's stable.

 

With the academy's dismissal time approaching, they would wait for Wu Erge to finish so they could all ride the ox cart back together.

 

When they arrived at the stable where they'd left the cart in the morning, they discovered it was gone—or rather, the cart itself was there, but the ox was missing.

 

Both were shocked. The ox had been borrowed from a fellow villager, and losing it would be a serious matter. In a farming family, an ox was a major asset, and the villager had only lent it because Father Wu was the village chief. Now that it was missing, Wu's father was beside himself with worry. It wasn't that the Father Wu couldn't afford to compensate for the loss, but paying for the ox would cause them considerable financial strain.

 

Father Wu checked back and forth in the stable, wondering if he'd simply remembered the wrong place, but he was certain he hadn't. The empty cart was proof enough, but he also noticed that the remaining oxen in the stable were different from the one they had brought.

 

Oxen were rare in Xingfeng Village, with only two or three families owning them, so the villagers often borrowed from one another. Father Wu was familiar with all of them and knew exactly what each looked like.

 

The missing ox left him flustered and distressed.

 

Wu Bai, just as surprised, examined the rope on the cart, noticing it didn't look as if the ox had worn it down and escaped on its own.

 

He went to the side gate of the academy and asked the gatekeeper, "Uncle, our ox went missing from the stable. Did you see anyone leading it out?"

 

The gatekeeper's eyes flickered before he replied, "No, I didn't see any ox leave. The academy's oxen usually head out in the afternoon. Are you sure yours is missing? Have you looked thoroughly?"

 

Noticing the evasive look in the man's eyes, Wu Bai guessed he wasn't being entirely truthful. Just as he was about to press further, a familiar voice called from behind him, "Father, Little Brother, were you waiting for me to go home together?"

 

Father Wur, dejected and downcast, didn't even respond.

 

"Second Brother," Wu Bai explained, "we came to wait by the ox cart to go home with you, but when we got here, the ox was gone—only the cart remains. Could you ask one of the academy's instructors to help us look around? We've already searched the stable but couldn't find it. I also asked the gatekeeper, but he claims he hasn't seen any ox leave. I wonder if it might have wandered into one of your classrooms. We'd better find it soon, just in case it disturbs the students."

 

Upon hearing their ox was missing, Wu Kang'an grew anxious too. Agreeing with his younger brother's suggestion to inform his instructors and search for it promptly, he nodded and hurried toward the classrooms.

 

So focused was he that he didn't notice the gatekeeper's expression turn ashen at the mention of involving the academy instructors.

 

Wu Bai, however, had been watching closely and caught the man's reaction. He had already suspected something was off with the gatekeeper's earlier responses, and this only confirmed it. Though he lacked proof, he was now certain the gatekeeper either knew who had taken the ox or was somehow involved.

 

With this in mind, Wu Bai decided to give the man a chance. He asked, "Uncle, could you think it over again? Perhaps you'll remember something. If we find the ox, our family will be most grateful to you."

 

The gatekeeper looked into Wu Bai's clear, earnest eyes and felt a momentary panic, as if the young ger had already seen through him. But he quickly steadied himself, thinking, He's just a ger—why should I be intimidated?

 

Feigning nonchalance, he shook his head again and replied, "Sorry, I truly didn't see your ox leave. Perhaps it really wandered into a classroom as you said. You might want to search again."

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