Chapter Nine: Mencius

Madam Yu set the food aside, still not quite at ease. “Tell me everything first,” she insisted.

Zhang Shi smiled, “Wife, to tell you the truth, we’ve made the acquaintance of an important patron.”

“A patron? Which patron? Who did you see today? Don’t you dare speak in riddles!” Madam Yu pressed.

Zhang Shi replied, “Don’t be angry, dear. Today I met with the County Magistrate of Peng. Wouldn’t you call that a stroke of great fortune?”

Madam Yu asked, “Did the County Magistrate see you on account of Captain Xu?”

Zhang Shi’s face shone with delight. “The Magistrate didn’t say so directly, but think of his standing—his forebears served at the founder’s side. Now he’s settled here in our county, and today he spoke to me with utmost courtesy, without the slightest air of superiority.”

“Is Captain Xu’s influence truly so great? Didn’t you ask more about it?” Madam Yu remained somewhat suspicious.

Zhang Shi laughed. “All I could think about was whether we might overturn the case—I didn’t ask. But whether it was Captain Xu’s introduction or not, the Magistrate recommended me to the Second Hall for an audience with the Prefect. Along the way, he gave me careful advice on how to present myself. The Prefect is an extraordinary man; I was sweating all over, barely able to think of anything else.”

Madam Yu shook her head. Though she didn’t know the Magistrate’s intentions, she felt there was no such thing as a windfall from heaven. That Zhang Shi had accepted someone’s favor without fully understanding the reason left her uneasy, as though some hidden motive lurked beneath.

She asked, “Shi-lang, will the Prefect grant us justice?”

“Look at this.” Zhang Shi smiled and took out several silver ingots from a cloth pouch he kept close.

“I thought it was raw silk. Didn’t we recover the money?” Madam Yu was both astonished and delighted as she held the silver.

“The silk merchant Wu has been apprehended as well. All the money has been recovered, and today the Prefect, in high spirits, awarded us over eighty strings of cash on the spot.”

“Over eighty? What about the other half?”

Zhang Shi smiled. “The Prefect said the other half, along with the silk, will be kept as evidence for the case and sent to the provincial authorities. It might be some time before it’s returned.”

“Today the Prefect was very polite and even mentioned Second Brother, saying that he had once visited with a calling card, seeking the Prefect’s good word. The Prefect praised Second Brother, not only for his literary talent but also his fine calligraphy, likening it to that of the great Wang Xizhi! He clearly holds Second Brother in high esteem.”

Madam Yu replied, “When Clerk Zhao bullied us before, the Prefect never brought this up, but now he suddenly remembers it.”

“Once money enters the yamen, it’s hard to get it out again. They say it’s gone to the provincial capital, but really they want us to find someone to intercede. Why didn’t you just ask the Prefect for all of it right there?”

Zhang Shi said, “When I saw the Prefect, I could hardly get out a few words—how could I think to ask about such things?”

Madam Yu shook her head lightly, the unease in her heart still unrelieved. Something about the whole business didn’t sit right, but seeing so much money in front of her, her joy outweighed her worries.

“We may not have recovered the full two hundred strings, but these eighty-odd are as good as returned from the dead.” As she spoke, she unobtrusively took the silver from Zhang Shi’s hands, then scolded, “You should have come straight home with the money. If someone had robbed you while you were out buying wine and meat, what would we have done?”

Zhang Shi chuckled. “You’re right, dear. You look after the money well. Tomorrow, I’ll use it to repay Clerk Zhao, so we won’t have to sell or pawn the house.”

Madam Yu was pleased, but after a moment’s thought she said, “We may not have to sell the house, but let’s pawn it for now.”

“Why?”

“What are you thinking? Xi’er still needs to continue his studies. If we want to find a good tutor, it’ll cost at least eight or ten strings a year, not to mention the expense of brushes, ink, and paper.”

“Quite right. If you hadn’t reminded me, I’d have forgotten. We’ve suffered for lack of a scholar at home. Not only Xi’er, but Third Brother as well needs a good teacher to continue his studies.”

Hearing this, Madam Yu hesitated before saying, “Shi-lang, perhaps you should ask your uncle’s opinion—he doesn’t seem interested in studying.”

Zhang Shi suddenly remembered that his younger brother had never shown much interest in books. “But what else can Third Brother do at his age if not study?”

Madam Yu said, “You yourself were managing the shop at thirteen. Now your uncle is the same age.”

“Well, if he wants to wait another couple of years before finding work, that’s fine. He can tutor Xi’er at home, or if our fortunes improve, he can return to his studies later.”

Zhang Yue thought to himself, Sister-in-law is certainly not planning to teach Zhang Qiu herself.

Zhang Shi hesitated, “Back when we had a hundred mu of land and a shop, Third Brother wouldn’t apply himself to study. Now… What are your plans, Third Brother?”

Zhang Yue answered, “These past years I’ve attended elementary studies. While I haven’t worked especially hard, I can read and write. Lately, I’ve wanted to study the teachings of the sages, to understand what they say about how to live.”

Zhang Shi was delighted. “Third Uncle has indeed made great progress.”

Madam Yu looked skeptical. “Shi-lang, the study of the classics is not the same as elementary learning. Ordinary village tutors won’t do; you need a true master. My elder brother studied for the civil exams, hired several teachers, and spent over a hundred strings, yet never found the way—he ended up in business all the same.”

Zhang Yue understood that something like the Thousand Character Classic could be taught by a village scholar, but classical studies required a deeper understanding of meaning. Zhang Yue could recite the entire Mencius, but not grasp a word’s meaning without a teacher’s guidance. And for the civil service examination, one had to study official commentaries—the government’s standard interpretations.

Zhang Shi, however, was unconcerned. “Even if Third Brother studies for a few years and doesn’t get far, it’s no matter. In the future, I can ask Captain Xu to find him a clerk’s position in the yamen—respectable work, out of the sun and rain, at least enough to converse with the scholar-officials.”

“And what about Xi’er? Are you saying he shouldn’t study the classics and write essays? Can our family afford to support two scholars now?” Madam Yu interjected.

Zhang Shi coughed. How could he not care for his own son, especially one with real promise? The elementary tutor had praised him many times.

“Of course Xi’er will study! We’ll just have to be frugal, but I’ll never let you or the child suffer.”

“I’ve no objection to Third Brother studying, but where will the money come from? You must be clear about this.”

Zhang Yue quickly said, “Brother, sister-in-law, let’s leave this discussion for another time; there’s no rush.”

But Zhang Shi was resolute. “It all comes down to money. If need be, I’ll borrow from my brother-in-law Zhou, and pay some interest if I must.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yue was dumbstruck. His brother seemed unable to break the habit of relying on others. Yesterday, he vowed never again to depend on their father-in-law… but this time he meant to borrow from his wife’s brother.

Madam Yu seemed used to this, almost numb.

She said, “We can postpone finding a teacher for Uncle, but we should first thank the Prefect and the Magistrate. The Prefect will be transferred sooner or later, but the Magistrate is different.”

Zhang Shi agreed, “You’re right. If not for the Magistrate’s help and effort, we’d never have succeeded. I plan to prepare thirty strings as a token of thanks—is that too much?”

Madam Yu shook her head. “Our whole family will still depend on the goodwill of others in Pucheng. Thirty strings is a lot, but it’s not an expense we can avoid. At least we won’t have to fear Clerk Zhao bothering us again.”

Zhang Yue thought to himself: Madam Yu, coming from a great merchant family, truly has insight.

He said, “Brother, sister-in-law, we don’t need to give anything to the Magistrate.”

“How can we not?” Zhang Shi asked.

“The Magistrate’s nephew is my schoolmate and good friend. I ran into Qiao San this time…” Zhang Yue recounted the events in detail.

“Third Brother, you’re so tight-lipped, never saying a word to us!” Zhang Shi exclaimed, turning to Madam Yu with excitement. “Didn’t I say Third Brother was making progress?”

At first, Madam Yu looked astonished, then relieved. “Who would have thought Uncle had such a connection with the Magistrate? I was worried he might have ulterior motives, and that we’d be accepting charity for nothing. Now that Uncle has found a way in, I’m truly reassured.”

Finally, she smiled. “Uncle, this time you’ve truly impressed your sister-in-law.”

Zhang Yue responded modestly, “The Magistrate pays me no mind; it’s Second Brother he values.”

Madam Yu grew serious. “Uncle, you’re too modest. I have no wish to earn a bad name. If you’re determined to study and earn a degree, I won’t stand in your way. But have you truly reckoned with yourself?”

Zhang Yue respectfully replied, “Sister-in-law, your advice is just. In the past, I wasted time, neglecting my studies and squandering family money just to show off among my classmates…”

Zhang Shi waved it off. “No need for such words between brothers.”

Zhang Yue took out his copy of the Mencius. “When our house was ransacked by Clerk Zhao, this was all I kept. I heard from my brother that it was left by our father. These past few days, I’ve carried it with me and studied hard—please test me.”

Madam Yu took the book and asked, “Just these few days? Yet you sleep till midday. Have you really memorized it?”

Zhang Yue blushed slightly. “I rise with my sleeves wide and my books in hand, never daring to slack off.”

Madam Yu hesitated, then handed the book to Zhang Shi. “How about this chapter, ‘Li Lou’? Third Brother, recite as much as you can.”

Zhang Yue replied, “Certainly, Brother. I’ll try. Mencius said: ‘The clarity of Li Lou, the skill of Master Gongshu—without compass and square, one cannot make squares and circles; the keen hearing of Shi Kuang—without the six pitch pipes, one cannot correct the five tones; the way of Yao and Shun—without benevolent government, one cannot bring order to the world…’ ”

He recited the entire chapter flawlessly, without pause. Zhang Shi and Madam Yu stared at him in astonishment—is this truly the same Zhang Yue as before?

Zhang Shi’s voice trembled. “How did you memorize such a thick book, Third Brother?”

Zhang Yue replied, “Perhaps our father is watching over us from above.”

Zhang Shi’s eyes reddened. “Father always wanted his sons to be scholars. If he knew, he’d be so pleased.”

Madam Yu, seeing her husband thus moved, added, “Third Brother, since you have such resolve, I only hope you’ll persevere in your studies.”

“Thank you, Sister-in-law.” Zhang Yue rose and bowed.

Zhang Shi laughed, “Third Brother, didn’t I say your sister-in-law is understanding?”

Madam Yu scolded, “Don’t think to praise me in roundabout ways. Is everything settled with the yamen?”

Zhang Shi thought a moment. “But we still must thank the Magistrate. If we want the other half of the money returned, we’ll need his help, otherwise the yamen may drag things out indefinitely. Tomorrow, we’ll prepare some gifts and visit the Peng residence. We should also bring tea and fruit to thank the headman and the neighbors who helped us—surely you’ll allow me that, dear?”

Madam Yu smiled, “You make it sound as if I’m stingy. I’ll cook us a good meal; Uncle, eat your fill today.”

With that, she served the tender chicken, warmed the wine, and prepared a platter of vegetables.

She poured two cups of wine. “Uncle, will you have a drink?”

“Thank you, Sister-in-law.”

She poured another cup.

Zhang Shi took his cup and drank half, then suddenly said, “I wonder where Second Brother is now? Is he eating well, staying warm?”

Zhang Yue sighed inwardly—his brother was still concerned for their absent sibling.

Madam Yu shook her head and ladled a full bowl of rice. “Eat first, then drink.”

“Very well.” Zhang Shi set down the wine and picked up his bowl.

Zhang Yue did the same. Now, the family ate heartily together. Though there was meat in the meal, it was still the typical southern fare, as Sima Gong once described: “rice and fish soup.”

History records that after the Jin army’s failed invasion of Song, they abandoned mountains of grain, but the Song soldiers—mostly from Fujian, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang—couldn’t stomach millet, so many died each day.

He himself loved rice. A day without a steaming bowl of fragrant rice felt incomplete, as if something were missing.

Zhang Yue watched Zhang Qiu bury his face in his bowl, eating with relish.

Zhang Yue tore off a chicken leg and placed it in Zhang Qiu’s bowl. Zhang Qiu looked up at him, his eyes sparkling. “Third Uncle, may I eat it?”

“Go ahead.”

Zhang Qiu glanced at Madam Yu, then picked up the drumstick and took a bite, happiness overflowing.

Zhang Yue also tucked in with gusto, finishing his meal with rice soaked in fish broth, then went to the water jar to clean his bowl with a loofah.

They used to have servants for such chores, and he would simply leave his bowl. Now, the days of living like a young master were over…

He overheard Zhang Shi’s voice behind him, faintly saying to Madam Yu, “It’s my fault, dear… I’ve failed our father’s trust, failed to keep this family together or look after Second Brother. We once had a comfortable home, and now we barely scrape by. I’m truly useless.”

“Shi-lang, why say such things? Harmony at home brings prosperity. Our days will get better.”

“I only fear you’ll suffer, dear…”

Madam Yu replied gently, “As long as your heart holds me and Xi’er, any hardship is bearable.”

Their voices faded as Madam Yu cleared the tableware and Zhang Shi played with Zhang Qiu.

Zhang Yue finished washing his own dishes and went to the door to look out.

At that moment, the evening bell from Huanghua Temple rang out from the mountain, signaling the monks’ evening prayers. With dusk falling, the usually bustling Xin Street by the southern river had grown tranquil.

Neighbors had lit their lamps; old men and young sat at their tables, eating and drinking, while the womenfolk busied themselves in the kitchens. Children laughed and played as the aroma of food drifted on the night breeze.

This, the warmth of ordinary life, the mingled flavors of joy and sorrow, was all contained within the daily rice, oil, and salt of every household.