APSIL -Chapter 32 One Blow That Knocked Down the Whole Crowd

Since Old Master Ge had left without staying for dinner, Zhang Shou naturally had no intention of letting the freshly prepared dishes go to waste.

He had A-Liu carry the food box while following him toward Cuiyun Retreat.

Of course, they didn’t take the main road.

Instead, they used a narrow path leading through the bamboo grove—a trail only wide enough for a single person, and known only to a handful of villagers such as Old Yang.

To keep the fast-growing bamboo from reclaiming the trail, A-Liu came every spring to clear it out. The bamboo shoots he dug up were enough for Aunt Liu to showcase her full culinary repertoire, preparing countless different dishes throughout the entire bamboo shoot season.

Silently, master and servant entered a bamboo cottage on the eastern edge of the retreat.

If the central hall was called Gentle Breeze Hall, then this unnamed cottage naturally became known as Still Waters Pavilion.

Compared to the other bamboo cottages, this one was unremarkable and tucked away in a corner. Ever since Zhang Shou had converted Gentle Breeze Hall into a classroom as more students arrived and moved himself here instead, no one had thought much of it.

While A-Liu kept watch outside, Zhang Shou carried the food box inside.

He changed into the robes befitting the identity of the “Old Master,” then donned the bamboo hat with its hanging veil.

Only after disguising himself did he send A-Liu to fetch Qi Liang from Gentle Breeze Hall before returning home to inform Madam Wu that he would not be coming back that night.

Not long after A-Liu quietly departed, someone knocked gently on the door.

At Zhang Shou’s invitation, the visitor entered.

It was Qi Liang.

Before the young man could speak, Zhang Shou smiled and pointed at the food box.

“I’d planned to use your house to entertain an unexpected guest.”

“But the fellow suddenly slipped away.”

“It would be a shame to waste all this food, so I brought it here instead.”

Although it wasn’t the first time Zhang Shou had saved something delicious for him, Qi Liang still couldn’t help blushing.

He became so embarrassed that he completely forgot to ask who the mysterious visitor had been.

After thanking him repeatedly, he hesitated before finally speaking.

“Master… Lu Sanlang couldn’t teach them.”

“Not only did Zhang Chen deliberately make trouble for him, but…”

Zhang Shou waved his hand, stopping him.

“I expected as much.”

He stood up calmly.

“You stay here and eat.”

“I’ll go take a look.”

“Your prefectural examination is almost here.”

“Even if your chances aren’t great, you can’t simply ignore it.”

“You’ve already spent several days helping here at Cuiyun Retreat.”

“You’ve done your best.”

“Don’t blame yourself for failing to keep them under control.”

“To suppress a group like that…”

He smiled faintly.

“Even their own fathers might not succeed.”

“Miss Zhu can only keep them in line for a while.”

Qi Liang wanted to say more.

But by the time he found the words, Zhang Shou had already walked out.

The young man scratched his head in frustration.

The older villagers had often questioned many of Zhang Shou’s strange ideas.

Still…

Since he taught children to read free of charge, everyone gladly sent their sons.

If a child misbehaved, the parents would smile apologetically and tell Zhang Shou, “Discipline him however you like—even if you beat him to death, he deserves it.”

These noble youths, however…

Each was arrogant beyond measure.

They formed little cliques.

Looked down on one another.

And constantly competed with each other.

If Qi Liang had once secretly approved of Zhu Ying portraying Zhang Shou as a hidden sage…

Now he had completely abandoned that idea.

These pampered young masters simply weren’t worth teaching.

Trying to educate them was no different from playing music to cattle.

When Zhang Shou arrived outside Gentle Breeze Hall, loud arguing echoed from within.

Zhanjin and Liuyin stood guard outside, their expressions sour.

He gestured for them not to announce his arrival.

Just then, Zhu Ying’s furious voice rang out.

“Have you all had enough?”

Rather than remaining outside to observe, Zhang Shou lifted the curtain and entered.

Zhu Ying’s face was icy with anger.

The gathered noble youths—including Zhang Chen—had all fallen silent like frightened quails.

Zhang Shou chuckled softly.

“Yingying.”

“There’s no need to be angry.”

“I’m merely a recluse living quietly in the countryside.”

“I knew from the very beginning…”

“…that the reason all these young nobles came seeking me was because of you.”

His words only made Zhu Ying feel even more stifled.

Zhang Shou calmly took his seat before speaking leisurely.

“Yingying has told me about all of you.”

“For most of you…”

“You’re poor scholars.”

“You aren’t skilled in martial arts.”

“You aren’t accomplished horsemen.”

“In fact…”

“Many of you probably don’t even know what you’re good at besides eating, drinking, and amusing yourselves.”

He swept his gaze across the room.

“Other than Zhang Chen, none of you are your family’s eldest sons.”

“You won’t inherit your titles.”

“When your families divide their estates someday, many of you may not even receive very much.”

Those words struck directly at their sorest spots.

The noble youths who had respectfully addressed him as Master only moments before immediately darkened with resentment.

Before anyone could explode…

Zhang Shou continued.

“You can still live lives of luxury because your fathers are alive.”

“But what about your sons?”

“And your grandsons?”

He smiled faintly.

“Enjoy life while success lasts; don’t let your golden cup face the moon empty.”

“There’s nothing wrong with those words.”

“But ask yourselves honestly.”

“Are you truly successful right now?”

“Will you still be successful in the future?”

“Yingying once complained to me…”

“If truly accomplished people existed…”

“…would they really chase her all the way into the countryside?”

Zhu Ying stared in astonishment.

The normally gentle Zhang Shou…

The man who had even managed to find redeeming qualities in the pig-like Lu Sanlang…

Was now speaking with astonishing sharpness.

Yet…

These were exactly the things she herself had long wanted to say.

His attack had handed her the perfect opportunity.

“Master is absolutely right!”

She stood up.

“The truly talented and confident people in the capital…”

“Would they really come here begging to study just because I happen to respect a hidden scholar?”

“It’s only people like you!”

“You can’t even do arithmetic as well as illiterate village children!”

“You’re worse than I am—and I get headaches the moment I open a serious book!”

“And yet you’ve managed to turn studying into petty jealousy, rivalry, and endless squabbling!”

The angrier she became, the colder her voice grew.

“No one is forcing you to stay.”

“You can walk out that door right now.”

“The tuition you gave Master…”

“The Duke of Zhao’s household will repay double.”

“Who cares about your money?”

“Master does not accept useless wastrels who lack even the slightest perseverance!”

That final sentence landed like a perfectly aimed hammer.

Several faces immediately turned pale.

Just as Lu Sanlang rose, clearly wanting to speak, Zhang Shou gestured for him to sit back down.

Then he smiled.

“Mathematics isn’t suitable for everyone.”

“Lu Sanlang happens to possess a bit of talent for it.”

“But most of you missed the best age to begin learning.”

“And even if you devoted tremendous effort to mastering it…”

“It might never prove useful.”

“That’s why I didn’t want to accept you from the beginning.”

“I had no desire to force a group of people with no aptitude for numbers to torment themselves.”

“So…”

“Anyone who wishes to leave may do so now.”

“Your tuition will be returned in full.”

“But since we’ve shared the bond of teacher and student for these past few days…”

“I hope you’ll seriously think about something.”

“What are you truly good at?”

“What do you actually enjoy?”

“What do you intend to do with your lives?”

His tone became noticeably heavier.

“To put it bluntly…”

“If you accomplish nothing…”

“If you possess nothing…”

“What makes you worthy of the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhao’s household?”

Those words weren’t directed solely at the young nobles.

Hidden beneath them…

Was a message for Zhu Ying as well.

Unfortunately…

Out of the corner of his eye, Zhang Shou saw Zhu Ying nodding enthusiastically, completely agreeing with every word.

It was obvious she hadn’t noticed the deeper meaning at all.

His subtle hint had been entirely wasted.

He couldn’t help shaking his head.

To Lu Sanlang, who considered himself clever, that gesture meant something entirely different.

He pities us…

And hates that we refuse to improve…

Before he could say anything, however, another young noble sitting in the corner spoke up indignantly.

He had such an ordinary face that even Zhu Ying—who knew nearly every noble youth in the capital—could only vaguely remember that he seemed to be the third illegitimate son of Commander Zhang Xinling.

She couldn’t even remember his name.

“Isn’t it all just about being born into the right family?”

“We have no future…”

“But Zhang Chen is destined to become the Duke of Qin!”

Already in a foul mood, Zhang Chen immediately exploded.

“So what if my birth is better than yours?”

“If you’ve got the ability…”

“Be born into a better family in your next life!”

Before another argument could erupt, Zhang Shou laughed softly.

“Zhang Chen certainly was born fortunate.”

“He’s the only son.”

“He’ll inherit a ducal title.”

“He’ll possess immense wealth.”

“But…”

“What of it?”

“A Duke cannot simply spend his days doing nothing.”

“He can’t lie upon his inherited title while eating and waiting for death.”

“If he accepts an official post someday…”

“…then even the smallest mistake…”

“…will make him the perfect target for the imperial censors.”

He looked around the room.

“How many times has the Duke of Zhao been impeached?”

“How many times has the Duke of Chu?”

“They remained standing because they possessed genuine merit.”

“But since this dynasty was founded…”

“How many noble titles have disappeared…”

“Even though their heirs still lived…”

“And their ancestors had rendered magnificent service…”

“…simply because later generations proved unworthy?”

Without even looking at Zhang Chen—whose face had already turned ashen—Zhang Shou spoke each word deliberately.

“For the sake of the few days we’ve spent as teacher and students…”

“If you truly think things through…”

“I can help each of you find a path.”

“Whether you choose to drift through life accomplishing nothing…”

“Or carve your own way forward…”

“Winning glory as your fathers once did…”

“…depends entirely on yourselves.”

He rose.

“It’s getting late.”

“Return to your rooms.”

Some, like Zhang Chen, left with dark expressions.

Others…

Walked away deep in thought.

Only after everyone had departed did Zhu Ying hurriedly approach him.

Her voice was low with concern.

“Were you serious just now?”

“You mean about helping them find their paths?”

Zhang Shou rested his chin on one hand and grinned.

Instead of answering directly, he said, “You won’t have to wait until tomorrow.”

“Perhaps later tonight…”

“Or even within the next little while…”

“Someone will secretly come looking for me.”

Among these spoiled young nobles…

There were certainly some content to waste their lives.

But many others genuinely wished to amount to something.

They simply lacked direction.

Lacked opportunity.

Lacked support.

Eventually…

They had given up.

Lu Sanlang was far from being the only one.

As for whether Zhang Shou truly intended to tailor a perfect future for every single one of them…

He chuckled inwardly.

Would that really be necessary?

After all…

Wasn’t the reason these young nobles had chased him all the way here obvious enough?