Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 3 2018 | Page 60

“Hello, Zhang.” he chuckled. “Pleased at all to see me?”
Any and all of Zhang’s prior frustrations quickly melted away, replaced with a flurry of
unanswered questions. “Thank you for taking your time out of your schedule to visit us,
your Honour.”
Tang’s grey eyes twinkled. “Thank you. You know I am, after all, just an old man. Come,
sit down.” Zhang gladly bowed to perch opposite him.
“So. What is this I have been hearing from your father, Zhang?” Tang started simply.
Zhang immediately heated back up again. “Village Leader, look at the state of our country
right now! It is a total mess! I have read the daily newspapers. I strongly believe I am smart
enough and I am good enough. Please, let me go to Beijing to take the examinations. My
father clearly doesn’t know me well enough, otherwise he would have more confidence
in me!” he ended, breathing heavily, passion etched into every syllable.
Seeming unfazed by Zhang’s anger, Tang continued on in his passive tone of speech.
“And you don’t believe our village might need some crops, Zhang? We are all starving. If
you do succeed in the Imperial Examinations, what can you do for us , Zhang-- the ones
who helped nurture you and enabled you to become the person that you are?”
Zhang immediately fired back. “I-- I don’t know yet, Village Leader, but I do know that
what we are trying to do is useless and will amount to nothing in the long run! Have you
not heard of the term “subsistence farming”? We cannot survive like this! The
government is far too busy at war to deal with us. If I get into a good position there, I will
help!”
Tang surveyed him with curiosity. “I hope you understand the risk that you are taking,
Zhang. If you don’t make it to Beijing or you don’t make it to the examinations, no one
will be there for you. No one can support you. You will die unsupported and alone, and-
”
Zhang cut him off. “Please, Village Leader. I am ready. If I don’t believe in myself, no
one will believe in me.”
The conversation stopped for a while, with Tang looking deep into Zhang’s eyes, finding
nothing but a burning passion washed over with endless determination. There was a great
pause.
”You know, I think so too.” Tang finally whispered. “I honestly believe that no matter
what contributions your father has made to this village... he could be wrong. Your
determination is impressive, Zhang. We will leave under cover of night, the second day
after tomorrow.”
***