APSIL -Chapter 9 The Young Teacher

Still somewhat upset, Zhu Ying nevertheless finished her dinner.

This time, unlike lunch when she had simply been starving, she kept eating because the very first bite convinced her that the rustic country dishes were surprisingly delicious. More importantly, food prepared with Zhang Shou’s extraordinary cooking skills simply couldn’t be wasted!

That evening, when it came time to wash before bed, Miss Zhu felt too embarrassed to ask Madam Wu for help again. She was as careful as she could possibly be, yet still managed to soak most of the front of her clothes.

Fortunately, she had intended to change anyway, so she reluctantly put on a set of unused undergarments Madam Wu had found for her. Although they were far too short and the fabric was much coarser than what she was used to, she had no choice but to make do.

That night, despite usually being unable to sleep well in unfamiliar beds whenever she traveled, she had a wonderful dream.

In her dream, Zhang Shou no longer kept her at arm’s length. Instead, he smiled at her with gentle elegance.

She woke up smiling.

As she slowly opened her eyes, she realized she had actually laughed aloud.

After finally regaining her senses, she gave a light cough and instinctively called, “Zhanjin.”

Receiving no response, she opened her eyes and looked around blankly.

Only after quite a while did she remember that she wasn’t at home. Madam Wu, who had been sleeping in the outer room, had already gotten up.

Zhu Ying hurriedly sat up.

Beside the bed stood a clothes rack with a neatly folded set of men’s clothing hanging on it.

Her eyes immediately lit up.

She quickly slipped on her shoes and eagerly tried them on.

Fortunately, Zhang Shou’s clothes were simple and easy to wear.

Once she finished dressing, she examined herself in the bronze mirror.

The reflection showed a handsome young gentleman dressed plainly, yet somehow still carrying an air of understated elegance.

Just then, Madam Wu knocked on the door.

Having heard movement inside, she had brought hot water and breakfast.

After washing up with Madam Wu’s assistance, Zhu Ying glanced at the simple but clean breakfast of rice porridge, pickled vegetables, and two small white steamed buns.

Seeing that the sun was already well up, she didn’t even bother eating before asking, “Aunt Wu, what time is it?”

“It’s almost the beginning of the Chen hour—about nine in the morning.”

Seeing the noble young lady inhale sharply, Madam Wu smiled.

“This is the countryside, not the Duke of Zhao’s residence. Sleeping in a little late doesn’t matter. A-Shou even reminded me before leaving this morning to let you sleep a bit longer.”

Zhu Ying heard nothing except two words—

Leaving this morning.

Remembering how Zhang Shou had “disliked” her both in the kitchen and at dinner yesterday, she felt even more aggrieved.

Miss Zhu only has to crook a finger and countless noble young men in the capital would rush to her side…

Yet he actually ran away!

I haven’t even done anything to him yet!

She let out a huff before forcing a smile.

“I really shouldn’t have slept so late… By the way, where did A-Shou go?”

After all these years, Madam Wu had long since stopped placing much hope in the old engagement—especially after Zhu Gongquan’s humiliating remarks yesterday.

Yet after Zhu Ying had taken Zhang Shou away, returned with him, suddenly changed her attitude, insisted on staying, and showed obvious curiosity about him…

Madam Wu couldn’t help but feel both delighted and quietly proud.

So what if my son grew up in the countryside?

That can’t hide how exceptional he is.

Smiling broadly, she replied, “A-Shou can’t sit still at home. At this hour, he’s probably teaching the village boys.”

Zhu Ying couldn’t help being startled.

Suppressing her urge to ask more questions, she quickly finished her already-late breakfast. After asking where Zhang Shou was teaching, she finally set out, bringing along the Zhang family’s servant, A-Liu, since she didn’t know the way.

The Zhang residence stood at the entrance to the village.

Yesterday, merely seeing that house had already struck Zhu Ying as simple to the point of poverty.

Today, as she walked deeper into the village, she finally witnessed what idyllic country life—so beautifully praised in poetry—actually looked like in reality.

The houses along the road varied in age.

Most had fallen into disrepair.

Broken roof tiles were everywhere.

Some buildings even leaked from every side, little more than makeshift huts built from bamboo fencing and thatch, giving off unpleasant odors.

Naturally, she had no idea those last structures were pigsties.

Along the way, she finally managed to coax a few words out of the taciturn A-Liu.

The village where the Zhang family lived had once belonged to landlords who charged unusually light rents and never exploited the tenants.

As a result, it had become one of the wealthier villages around the capital, where people could generally count on having enough food.

It was rice harvest season.

Very few able-bodied men or women remained in the village.

Most had gone out to work in the fields.

Even older children were helping.

Families without rice paddies simply helped harvest someone else’s crop. Later, when their own wheat or cotton fields were ready, the favor would be returned.

This mutual labor-exchange system was one of the practices Zhang Shou had introduced during the past three years.

Of course, Zhu Ying knew none of that.

All she noticed was that most of the people still in the village were toddlers of three or four, running around everywhere.

Thinking back to Zhang Shou’s words from yesterday—

“Every grain on your plate came from hard work.”

She suddenly understood that famous verse much more deeply.

Just then, several children laughing and chasing one another ran past her.

Floating on the breeze with their laughter came scattered lines of poetry.

“At dawn I left Baidi among colorful clouds;
A thousand li to Jiangling in a single day…”

Then another child recited,

“Two golden orioles sing among emerald willows;
A row of white egrets rises into the blue sky.”

If Zhu Gongquan had been there, after confidently declaring yesterday that country children knew nothing of poetry, he would have died of embarrassment.

The amusing thought crossed Miss Zhu’s mind before she asked A-Liu behind her, “Did A-Shou teach them?”

“Mm.”

As always, A-Liu answered with a single syllable.

But that didn’t stop Zhu Ying from beaming with pride.

Zhang Shou really is amazing!

Having already experienced the servant’s near-mute personality, she decided not to ask any more questions.

After only a few more steps, however, she heard someone reciting inside a nearby courtyard.

“One one is one… two two is four…”

She couldn’t believe rural children would actually be learning the multiplication table.

Unable to resist, she stood outside the low fence and peeked inside.

A little boy with a childish voice was waving a small stick while urging an even younger child to recite.

“Why are you so stupid? Little Teacher said anyone who can recite the whole thing without making a mistake gets maltose candy! Sweet candy!”

Although the child had called him “Little Teacher,” Zhu Ying instinctively knew.

The person teaching multiplication was Zhang Shou.

The person teaching poetry was also Zhang Shou.

Her mood improved even more.

Smiling to herself, she quietly continued on.

Soon, A-Liu led her to one of the tidier houses in the village.

Wondering what lesson Zhang Shou was teaching today, she suddenly heard an excited voice from inside.

“It’s all thanks to Little Teacher! My uncle only managed to get me a chance, but I never imagined I’d actually pass!”

Pass?

Pass what?

Could Zhang Shou actually have students who passed the imperial examinations to become scholars?

That would be incredible!

Curiosity overflowing, Zhu Ying stepped closer.

Then she heard Zhang Shou laugh.

“For three years you’ve practiced reading and writing until you’ve worn down who knows how many tree branches before finally spending money on brushes and paper to develop fairly decent handwriting.”

“You’ve also studied arithmetic for three years, spent three years using the abacus, and now you can mentally solve one hundred problems in the time it takes to burn a hundred incense sticks, making only one mistake at most.”

“Among people your own age—and even many older than you—that level of literacy and mathematics is already exceptional.”

“And last time you told me that the Shuntian Prefecture was recruiting clerks as part of the new prefect’s reforms.”

“The examination papers were graded by Magistrate Song, whom the prefect trusts most.”

“There may still have been some cheating by veteran clerks, but they had to admit a few genuinely capable people for appearances’ sake.”

“So with your connections and your ability, if you still couldn’t pass, your father ought to drag you to the ancestral shrine and make you kneel.”

Recruiting clerks?

What kind of position is that?

Zhu Ying was completely bewildered.

She racked her brain but couldn’t remember what rank a government clerk even held.

Just then, another congratulatory voice sounded from inside.

“Deng Little Fool, thanks to Little Teacher you’ve finally earned an official clerk’s robe. Shouldn’t you at least host a banquet to thank him?”

The words official clerk’s robe immediately clarified everything.

The eager curiosity in Zhu Ying’s eyes instantly dimmed.

Feeling somewhat disappointed, she quietly turned to leave.

What exactly was I expecting?

Just looking at Zhang Shou’s dreadful handwriting tells me his scholarship must be rather limited.

So being able to teach a country boy well enough to become a minor government clerk is already an impressive achievement.

Still…

If the Duke of Zhao’s household were willing to help him…

As long as his aptitude isn’t poor, he could surely distinguish himself one day…

Of course…

For that to happen…

Father and Elder Brother must first return safely and victoriously from the battlefield.