APSIL -Chapter 20 The Gentleman of Bamboo and Fleecing the Fat Sheep

The phrase “I have my own clever plan” was enough to satisfy the villagers, who were already delighted at the prospect of renovating their homes.

But it did absolutely nothing to curb Miss Zhu’s curiosity.

Although Zhang Shou had managed to persuade his mother, Madam Wu, to part with some of the savings she had accumulated over the years, he had also accepted the embroidered casket containing Zhu Ying’s personal funds because he could not refuse her sincere goodwill. Naturally, he couldn’t very well reject her perfectly reasonable request now.

As they walked, he occasionally glanced sideways at Zhu Ying, wondering whether she could keep up on foot.

The memory of how weak she had been two days earlier—her stomach growling with hunger, drenched in sweat beneath the blazing sun, clearly lacking physical stamina—was still vivid in his mind.

Yet every time he looked at her, he found her studying him with obvious amusement.

In the end, he could only look away helplessly.

Unable to bear it any longer, he suddenly asked, “Am I really that good-looking?”

“Of course.”

Zhu Ying smiled openly before continuing matter-of-factly.

“You’re wearing that elegant blue scholar’s robe, strolling through this bamboo grove. Every gesture you make is naturally graceful. It’s as if the Gentleman of Bamboo himself has descended into the mortal world. How could you not be handsome?”

Zhang Shou came from an era where thick skin was practically a survival skill. Girls on social media often screamed that someone was so handsome they wanted to do all sorts of outrageous things, boldly proclaiming that they simply liked handsome men and that handsome men weren’t necessarily scoundrels.

But those attitudes had emerged gradually through the influence of modern culture.

In this era, where even unmarried country girls blushed and spoke with shy affection, Miss Zhu’s straightforwardness could only be described as astonishingly bold.

Recalling how she had displayed her likes and dislikes without reservation from the moment they first met, Zhang Shou couldn’t help laughing.

“What Gentleman of Bamboo? You’re making me sound like some immortal detached from worldly affairs. Rice, firewood, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, tea—which of those can I live without? Besides, you’ve seen me kill animals, you’ve seen me cook, and you’ve seen me teach the village boys. You should know perfectly well that I’m just an ordinary country lad living in the mundane world. There’s nothing especially lofty or ethereal about me.”

“So what?”

Smiling, Zhu Ying arched an eyebrow.

“I’m not talking about those so-called immortals who spend all day lamenting spring and autumn, fluttering around in oversized sleeves, skin and bones as though a gust of wind might carry them away. That’s what people call having an immortal bearing.”

She looked around at the endless sea of bamboo.

“A-Shou, you’re just like this bamboo forest. So vibrantly green. So full of life. Doesn’t Buddhism speak of entering the secular world and transcending it? You’re like a Gentleman of Bamboo who has chosen to live among ordinary people.”

“Fine, fine.”

Zhang Shou finally admitted defeat.

He realized that in front of this young lady, it was nearly impossible even to make fun of himself.

“Enough about me. You, on the other hand—a peony of unparalleled beauty and wealth—have been walking this mountain trail without even blushing or breathing hard. It seems I underestimated you.”

“I told everyone I came to inspect my family’s estates in the countryside. How could I stay cooped up indoors all day?”

She lifted her chin proudly.

“Besides, I’m excellent at riding horses and archery. Someday I’ll let you see for yourself!”

Outwardly she sounded confident, but inwardly she was quite pleased by Zhang Shou’s compliment.

She had no objection whatsoever to being compared to a peony.

In fact, if he had likened her to some poetic beauty ‘floating like a startled swan or graceful as a roaming dragon,’ she would have found it unbearably cliché.

After all, the spoiled young nobles of the capital had already recited every famous verse praising beautiful women to her countless times.

Growing even more pleased with herself, Zhu Ying continued boasting.

“I’m not one of those frail young ladies who sway like willow branches and spend their days sighing over flowers. The first day I came here, I was weak because I hadn’t eaten properly for several days after arguing with my second brother. The next day, I nearly fainted from the scorching sun. But now it’s cool, the scenery is beautiful, and I could walk another twenty li without getting tired!”

As she spoke, she stole another sideways glance at Zhang Shou.

Besides…

With such a handsome young man accompanying me through this bamboo forest, why would I mind walking farther?

At that moment, the mountain path suddenly came to an end.

Standing before them was a tall, square screen wall intricately woven from bamboo tubes of different colors, forming two adorably plump pandas.

Across its surface were three powerful calligraphic characters, entirely different from Zhang Shou’s own handwriting.

“Among the Emerald Bamboo.”

Zhang Shou read the words aloud.

Noticing Zhu Ying’s astonished expression, he smiled and walked ahead.

After turning onto an inconspicuous trail concealed within what seemed to be an impenetrable bamboo grove and proceeding another dozen steps, he stopped and turned around.

As expected—

The moment the view opened before her, Zhu Ying froze.

Hidden deep within the bamboo forest lay an expansive clearing.

Delicate bamboo cottages were scattered harmoniously across the grounds, surrounding a slightly yellowed central bamboo house whose aged appearance and old-fashioned style clearly revealed its long history.

Above its entrance hung the only plaque in the entire compound.

“A Gentle Breeze Arrives.”

The calligraphy matched exactly that on the entrance screen.

The surrounding cottages were obviously newer.

Each had its own unique design—pointed roofs, sloping roofs, rounded roofs—all built upon bamboo frameworks with thatched roofing, each displaying a different architectural style.

Compared to the shabby village houses below, this place exuded an atmosphere of refined elegance.

Of course, Zhang Shou knew perfectly well that although the bamboo frames had been coated with tung oil and waterproof cloth had been sandwiched between the bamboo and thatch, the lifespan of such buildings remained uncertain.

Still, in an era free of acid rain, lasting several years posed no difficulty.

Just like the oldest bamboo cottage in the center, which the villagers claimed had once belonged to a reclusive hermit and his two young attendants.

Unfortunately, by the time Zhang Shou had arrived in this world, the mysterious recluse had long since disappeared.

There were no books.

Not even everyday utensils had been left behind.

Perhaps the dream of secluded mountain life had proven too difficult, and the old hermit had eventually returned to the ordinary world.

Still, Zhang Shou rather liked the architectural style.

So over the past two or three years, using various small incentives, he had persuaded the villagers to construct more bamboo cottages here during the farming off-season.

His original plan had been to fabricate a bit of historical mystique, attracting scholars and refined gentlemen willing to pay generously for a peaceful retreat.

To prevent rampant bamboo shoots from destroying the buildings each spring, every cottage had been built upon tall raised foundations.

Every spring, the village children happily came into the forest to dig bamboo shoots for food, while also crawling beneath the cottages to play hide-and-seek.

Half work.

Half play.

As Zhang Shou pondered whether he should alter his plans now that idle young aristocrats might arrive before the literary elite he had hoped to attract, Zhu Ying suddenly burst into laughter.

“Those pretentious fools certainly won’t want to stay in the village, and they’re even less likely to lodge at your home. But they’ll almost certainly fall in love with this quiet, elegant place.”

She grinned mischievously.

“Still, A-Shou, let me be blunt. Those are the most lawless troublemakers imaginable. Even though they throw money around every day, getting them to willingly pay for lodging won’t be easy. And even if they all come rushing here, surely you don’t expect me to personally fleece those fat sheep?”

Zhang Shou had been considering exactly that problem.

Looking at Zhu Ying’s eager expression, inspiration suddenly struck him.

A wonderfully terrible idea came to mind.

“Charging money directly won’t do.”

He smiled.

“How could the mysterious hermit capable of creating such a magnificent bamboo retreat be some vulgar merchant obsessed with profit?”

“But…”

“What if staying here required solving a challenge instead of paying an entrance fee?”

“Wouldn’t that seem much more refined?”

“If they can’t solve it, they’ll lose face in front of you.”

“And who among those young masters could tolerate such humiliation?”

“So naturally…”

“They’d end up spending money simply to preserve their dignity.”

I’ve practically admitted I’m obsessed with making money, Zhang Shou thought to himself.

Surely she’ll realize by now that I’m nothing more than a worldly country boy.

Instead, the moment he finished speaking, he saw unmistakable excitement shining in Zhu Ying’s eyes.

“Don’t tell me…”

“You intend to stump them with those strange geometry puzzles of yours?”

Although her reaction was completely unexpected, Zhang Shou had already suffered enough surprises not to be disappointed anymore.

He merely chuckled.

“If I want to outwit those people…”

“Why would I need geometry?”

Xu Guangqi had yet to popularize the very word geometry, after all.

And besides, one should never underestimate the intelligence of the ancients.

But against a crowd of spoiled young aristocrats…

Was there really any need to unleash the terrifying power of plane geometry—or even solid geometry?

Elementary-school Olympiad math would be more than enough.