Chapter Thirteen: Pursuing Knowledge

While Zhang Yue slept deeply, dreaming of his future as a young master, in the southern room, Zhang Shi and his wife were engaged in quiet conversation.

All their household belongings had already been moved out by Steward Zhao, even the dowry that Lady Yu brought from Jianyang was gone. Now, only a narrow cot remained, barely enough for her and Zhang Qiu to lie on; Zhang Shi had to make his bed on the floor.

Zhang Qiu was long asleep, Lady Yu gently fanning him, while she and Zhang Shi spoke softly.

“The house isn’t mortgaged or pawned, so we save two hundred coins a month, but there’s little money left. We have to support Uncle and Qiu for their studies. With our poverty, it’s hard even to provide vegetarian meals. How will we manage in days to come?” Lady Yu sighed with worry.

“Today, the retired official you met at the Peng residence was a good opportunity. Why didn’t you accept on behalf of Third Uncle?” she asked.

Zhang Shi replied, “That old gentleman was evasive about his background, which made me suspicious.”

Lady Yu said, “Given our family’s circumstances, what could he possibly covet?”

Zhang Shi smiled bitterly, “You’re right, but that position for a study attendant was too degrading for Third Brother. If it were for a companion reader, I would have agreed.”

Lady Yu sighed, “Dear, such noble families are always like this. A study attendant is a companion reader, a companion reader is a mentor; true mentorship only comes from examiners or officials who recommend candidates. Do you think they truly lack someone to grind ink and wash brushes? The old gentleman’s invitation was a gesture of support.”

Zhang Shi hesitated, “I hope not; what if the job really is just grinding ink and washing brushes?”

He paced, troubled, “You’re right. I didn’t think it through. What should we do if I’ve ruined Third Brother’s prospects and he blames me?”

Lady Yu said, “Now that you’ve declined, what else is there? You can’t go back on your word.”

“At the time, Master Wu said there was no rush to reply, but the old gentleman seemed genuinely sincere!” Zhang Shi, restless, said, “My wife, this old gentleman is from Jianyang. Father-in-law has many acquaintances there, likely knows him. Perhaps we should ask Father-in-law to make inquiries and send Third Brother over?”

Lady Yu put away her broom and spoke calmly, “If you’ve decided to send Third Uncle to study, then do so. You know our situation—do you have a plan? We’re owed eighty strings of coins by the county office, but who knows when we’ll get it back. It’s not sustainable, and you’re still out of work.”

Zhang Shi hesitated, “Yesterday, Shopkeeper Xu said they’re short-handed and asked me to help.”

“Help? Xu runs a tea house; how much work could there be?”

“There’s always need for someone to manage the storefront,” Zhang Shi replied vaguely, and Lady Yu didn’t press further.

That night, Zhang Shi tossed and turned on his floor bedding, as if making a difficult decision.

For the next few days, Zhang Shi was constantly out, arranging for Zhang Yue’s studies. Zhang Yue, idle at home, had little to do except teach Zhang Qiu the Three Character Classic each day.

Zhang Qiu had a sharp memory, and the Three Character Classic, with its rhythmic and accessible lines, was quickly mastered. This gave Zhang Yue a sense of accomplishment. Knowing he’d soon be leaving to study himself, and that he’d have less time to teach Zhang Qiu, he wrote the text out for him and taught him to recite it, so he could continue learning on his own.

That day, as Zhang Qiu finished reciting “One to ten, ten to a hundred, a hundred to a thousand, a thousand to ten thousand,” Zhang Shi came home with a bag and announced to Zhang Yue that he’d found a private school for him. The next day, they would go together, carrying baskets of offerings, to visit the teacher.

Early the next morning, Lady Yu was up boiling soup and preparing breakfast. After finishing their meal, she roused the sleepy Zhang Qiu to say farewell to Zhang Yue.

Zhang Shi then lifted two baskets of gifts and set out.

The sky was barely light, the eastern horizon tinged with dawn. At Huanghua Temple, the monks’ morning prayers echoed, while travelers began to cross the Nanpu Bridge in the distance. As the gateway between Fujian and the outside world, Pucheng was a place where paths converged. Yet, for Zhang Yue, raised in a second-tier city, life here still felt slow-paced.

He glanced into the baskets, seeing about twenty pounds of rice, cured meat, and two jars of wine.

Zhang Shi followed the creek west, seeking a crossing.

As they reached the river, Zhang Yue saw many ferry boats and asked why they didn’t take one. Zhang Shi sternly warned him—not to take unauthorized ferries, whether familiar or not, and to remember this in the future.

After crossing the river, they walked a long way, the creek growing more turbulent, narrowed by several dams where water rushed down. Beside the dams, water wheels turned ceaselessly, and farmers on both banks irrigated the fields.

The sun rose, and Zhang Yue was dripping with sweat, as was Zhang Shi. Zhang Yue grew increasingly puzzled—setting out so early, they’d already walked nearly ten miles. Why did the teacher’s home lie so far away? Was he a reclusive sage? Would Zhang Yue have to make such a journey daily between home and school?

After another stretch, they left the creek and followed a path into the hills. Half a mile along, past several ancient trees, Zhang Yue saw three thatched cottages and thought, this must be a village school.

Beyond the cottages lay a grove of pine trees. In the heat of summer, mountain breezes carried the sound of rustling pines. Zhang Shi paused under the shade, uncertain. Just then, a boy ran to the edge of the grove to relieve himself. Zhang Shi approached and, after asking, learned this was indeed where Zhang Yue would study.

Laughter and play from children echoed from the cottages.

The brothers strode toward the huts. Before opening the gate, they heard barking—a country dog bared its teeth at them.

Zhang Shi barked a command, and the dog retreated, glancing back at them from afar.

They entered—the three huts faced south, the central one getting sunlight, the other two on either side. The children’s laughter came from the middle cottage.

As they walked to the window, they saw inside a woman in coarse dress, pointing at a man in his fifties and scolding, “How could I have been so blind as to marry you, a poor scholar who can’t even support his wife and child?”

The old gentleman smiled apologetically, “No need to be upset, dear. Today, someone will surely bring gifts for apprenticeship.”

“Dream on! You failed your own exams, and none of your pupils have ever succeeded. Who would send their child here? I’ve been hungry since last night—if I don’t eat, at least Lin should. ”

Her words set the children laughing, and Zhang Yue felt his brother’s embarrassment; he glanced at him and saw his shame.

The old gentleman, unbothered, replied, “Don’t be angry, just wait a little longer. Food will arrive soon. I expect we’ll have rice for lunch, ha ha.”

Zhang Yue looked at the rice in their basket.

The woman retorted, “No rice for ten days, and you claim we’ll eat rice today? Laughable!”

She grabbed a ruler from the table and struck the old gentleman, who cried out, dodging and laughing.

The children dodged and laughed as well.

Irritated, the woman seized his robe. The old gentleman pleaded, “I won’t dodge, don’t tear my robe—without it, how can I be a proper teacher?”

He kept a smiling face throughout.

Zhang Yue almost wanted to retreat, but Zhang Shi pulled him into the cottage, saying, “Scholar Guo, I am Zhang Shi from the south of the city, bringing my younger brother to apprentice with you today.”

Thus, Zhang Yue found himself face-to-face with the “half-bare-shouldered” teacher.

The laughter abruptly ceased.

Moments later, the children sat upright and quiet.

The old gentleman, now tidied up, spoke sternly to his wife, “I told you someone would bring rice—now you see. I’m hungry too, so cook it quickly.”

Seeing the offerings, the woman beamed and carried the rice to the left hut.

The old gentleman turned to Zhang Yue, smiling kindly, “You must be Zhang Yue?”

Under his brother’s gaze, Zhang Yue bowed and said, “Student Zhang Yue greets the scholar.”

The teacher tried to compose himself, though his face still bore scratch marks.

“Excellent. I hear you’ve been initiated, so tomorrow I’ll test you a little and then guide you in the classics. What do you think?”

Zhang Yue thought, from ancient times, teachers speak, students listen—there’s no discussion. He didn’t dwell on it and replied, “I will follow your guidance in all things.”

Zhang Shi, seeing Zhang Yue unfazed, was reassured. “Please instruct my younger brother well.”

The old gentleman stroked his beard and nodded.

Zhang Shi rose, “Third Brother, you’ll stay here tonight. In a few days, I’ll bring bedding and supplies.”

What? I have to board here?

As Zhang Shi prepared to leave, Zhang Yue quickly stood, “Brother, this isn’t far from home—I can commute each day.”

He wasn’t homesick, but the environment was too crude.

Zhang Shi replied, “It’s two hours’ walk each way—you couldn’t manage daily trips. Even if I let you, it would waste your studies.”

Zhang Yue felt as if his brother had tricked him: “Then I’ll go home once a week.”

Zhang Shi shook his head.

“Then twice a month at the new and full moon?”

Zhang Shi sighed, “Third Brother, to be honest, to afford your tuition, I’ve rented out your north room to Aunt Xu, the fish seller, for a hundred coins a month. Except for holidays, you won’t be able to return, but I’ll visit you often…”

Zhang Yue was stunned—his home no longer had a place for him.

“Why didn’t you tell me before? Why wait till today?”

Zhang Shi was at a loss for words; Zhang Yue realized his brother hadn’t told him earlier for fear he couldn’t bear it. Now that they were here, with things settled, the truth could be revealed.

Did his brother really think so little of him, that he couldn't handle hardship? Was he so averse to difficulty?

Turning away in frustration, Zhang Yue said, “Go on, brother. I can take care of myself.”

He expected an apology, but his brother, after a pause, simply said, “Third Brother, take good care of yourself,” and departed.

Hearing his brother’s footsteps fade, Zhang Yue reflected on all the efforts Zhang Shi had made for his education, and how many arguments must have arisen between him and his wife. With both Zhang Qiu and Zhang Yue needing support for their studies, life at home would be even harder. He had unfairly blamed his brother for not arranging things better, lacking understanding.

Thinking this, Zhang Yue stomped his foot, overcome with regret.

Scholar Guo spoke gently, “Your brother is about to leave. If you have anything to say, do so now; soon you’ll seldom meet.”

Zhang Yue hesitated, then rushed to the door, watching Zhang Shi’s figure recede. He called out loudly, “Brother, don’t forget to bring my mosquito net from home, or I won’t sleep well!”

There were many mosquitoes in the mountains—how could he endure without a net?

Zhang Shi turned and nodded, “Third Brother, focus on your studies. Don’t worry about home—strive to learn well!”

He turned away, wiping his tears with his sleeve.