Not long after entering the town, they saw a courtyard adorned with celebratory decorations, with large red lanterns hanging high above the entrance. This was the Li Mansion.
According to Li Chenghang, his father, Li Xian, was among the ranked scholars during the early Huanglong era, officially recognized and awarded for his service. Unlike the honorific "Assistant Clerk" often used by wealthy landowners and gentry, which was largely undeserved, Li Xian held the genuine title of "Substitute Assistant Clerk."
Li Chenghang claimed his own talent was not equal to that of his father. In the past, he had also shown disrespect towards the town deity, which limited his achievements; he had only reached the rank of Licentiate and briefly served as an Eighth-rank Instructor. Though his tenure ended after two short years due to mourning family obligations, it provided him an opportunity to network with friends—some of whom were peers from the same class, while others were younger scholars.
