PCJ – Chapter 296 Losing Face Completely

“A child?” Wang Xiuhong was taken aback, looking at Wu Tong’an with disbelief.

Wu Tong’an hadn’t clarified the situation earlier. He hadn’t even thought it might involve something supernatural; he just assumed it was bad luck or a run-in with something eerie. He was unaware that their trouble stemmed from attempting to acquire someone else’s tea leaves.

“The secretary Li and Mayor Wang from the township have mentioned that this bamboo tube black tea is supposedly a specialty of our Yidu Shui Township, but no one from our township government has even tasted it. It’s quite embarrassing. They said we should give it to the township government officials to taste. Now, since we are collecting grain, the township wants Wu Mayor and me to contact the Meizi’ao Horticultural Farm,” Tu Chunlin explained.

“So you’re saying your township government was trying to get their hands on someone else’s tea? You really have some nerve. Even a child’s belongings, and you want to take them. It’s no wonder people say your township officials are like bandits. They were right. Luckily, I haven’t told my cousin about this. If he found out, he’d scold me to death. I’m not dealing with this. I can’t afford to lose face,” Wang Xiuhong said angrily and left.

“Tong’an, Xiuhong is right. How can your township government covet a child’s property? You’ve really made a mess. Follow the advice of the water master Tu invited and settle this amicably. In the future, don’t target others’ interests. Even if you win, you might not be able to handle his master. Besides, you can’t keep a child locked up. Knowing you’ve been trying to undermine him, do you think he’ll give you a chance for revenge next time?” Xiao Chunlan said.

Wu Yilin was furious, “You useless thing! I’ve spent my whole life doing revolutionary work without ever doing anything shameful. You really are a disgrace!”

Wu Yilin went to his room and ignored Wu Tong’an.

Wu Tong’an glared at Tu Chunlin, feeling some resentment towards him for revealing the situation. On reflection, he regretted it. This was supposed to be his chance to impress Li Maoyuan and Wang Honglin, but now it had turned into a fiasco. A successful outcome would have been beneficial, but failing like this made him look bad. He feared he would be looked down upon by Li Maoyuan and Wang Honglin. After all, he had failed in this matter.

Tu Chunlin scratched his head, realizing his flattery had missed the mark.

The bean trellises in the horticultural farm were filled with long beans.

“Jiaohua, these beans are high-quality, aren’t they?” Zhang Wenrong found it odd that Zhang Jiaohua’s beans were better than anyone else’s in the village.

“Sort of.” Zhang Jiaohua hadn’t bought any special seeds; these beans were actually from last year’s harvest. He had found the seeds by chance at home. Though he planted them late, they grew better than those in the village gardens. They matured quickly and bore fruit abundantly.

“The string beans over there are also plentiful. We can’t possibly eat them all.” Zhang Jiagen picked a tender bean and bit into it, crunching delightfully.

“If you can’t finish them, just take some home,” Zhang Jiaohua said.

“No need, we already have too many vegetables at home. Luffa, beans, and other produce—we can’t eat it all. I’ll bring a jar back home and make some sauerkraut. It will last for months. We won’t run out of vegetables,” Zhang Wenrong suggested.

“Jiaohua, Jiaohua, you have visitors! Go and check it out.” A mute person ran over and shouted.

Zhang Jiaohua was puzzled about who would come at this time.

“Jiaohua, go ahead. We’ll handle things here.” Zhang Hanggao said.

“Alright, I’ll go check it out.” Zhang Jiaohua put the beans into a bamboo basket and went home.

When Zhang Jiaohua arrived, he saw a stranger standing in his courtyard.

“I’m Shi Qingwang from Popo Tian in Youpu Town. I have something to discuss with you.” Despite Shi Qingwang’s plain words, his gestures indicated he was a fellow practitioner. Zhang Jiaohua, though unfamiliar with this kind of etiquette, had learned similar gestures from his master in dreams and was well-versed in these customs.

Zhang Jiaohua’s gestures, though stiff, were precise. Shi Qingwang’s were less refined. Zhang Jiaohua had received authentic training from an old Taoist priest, while Shi Qingwang’s training was less formal.

Zhang Jiaohua offered Shi Qingwang tea with proper etiquette and prepared some bamboo tube black tea. “Master Shi, you’ve come all the way to Meizi’ao. What brings you here?”

Shi Qingwang took a sip of tea before speaking, praising, “Good tea!”

Zhang Jiaohua waited for Shi Qingwang to get to the point.

Shi Qingwang, after enjoying the tea and commenting on it, began, “We are all practitioners and should support each other rather than undermine one another. However, due to a relative’s issue, I had to trouble you. I hope you will excuse any offense.”

“Master Shi, just speak plainly.” Zhang Jiaohua could tell Shi Qingwang had a matter to discuss but was not trying to cause trouble. He was curious about the reason, having forgotten about Wu Tong’an and Tu Chunlin’s issue.

“Recently, a junior offended you, and as a result, they faced some trouble. They have since reflected on their actions. I dare to ask Master Zhang to forgive them.” Shi Qingwang finally revealed his purpose.

Zhang Jiaohua was confused. He scratched his head and asked, “Master Shi, who are you talking about? I don’t recall.”

“Isn’t it Master Zhang?” Shi Qingwang could tell Zhang Jiaohua wasn’t pretending to be confused.

“Who?” Zhang Jiaohua was puzzled.

Shi Qingwang explained briefly about Wu Tong’an and Tu Chunlin.

“Oh, you mean them. Master Shi, what do you think of this tea?” Zhang Jiaohua asked.

“The tea is excellent,” Shi Qingwang replied, not understanding the connection.

“This tea was made using a special method and won a gold award in the province. I’m now working with the Zijiang Tea Factory. When the two township officials came to collect grain, they said since this tea is a specialty of Yidu Shui Township, even the township government hasn’t tasted it, which is quite embarrassing. They seemed to think I should deliver the tea on time and that the tea should be managed by the township government. Since we’re all practitioners, what do you suggest I do?” Zhang Jiaohua asked with a slight smile.

Shi Qingwang’s expression changed. If he had known the real situation earlier, he wouldn’t have meddled. “Master Zhang, I didn’t know the truth. If I had known, I would not have come and would have given that junior a harsher lesson. When did our practices become subject to ordinary people’s interference?”

“Let’s just drink tea. I knew Master Shi must have been misled,” Zhang Jiaohua said.

“In Yidu Shui, I have two disciples, Song Dachao and Guo Daogui. Do you know them?” Shi Qingwang continued.

“Guo Daogui? I know him. He’s really your disciple? He couldn’t even handle chopsticks properly. Why did you let him graduate? He almost got my cousin killed. I had to go deal with him, and he even called Song Dachao over. Dachao is alright, unlike Guo Daogui,” Zhang Jiaohua said, laughing at the mention of Guo Daogui’s name. He spoke candidly about the young disciple’s shortcomings.

Shi Qingwang’s face reddened with embarrassment. This visit had caused him to lose face. Not only did he misstep by coming without understanding the situation, but he also had old grievances exposed. It felt like getting slapped on one side of the face and deliberately offering the other side.

Shi Qingwang’s face was dark with anger, “Actually, Guo Daogui wasn’t ready to be a disciple. I didn’t pass him on properly due to his poor conduct. I didn’t expect him to act out in the village under my name. When I see him, I will use our practices to teach him a lesson.”

“No need to worry about it. It’s all in the past. I’ve heard he hasn’t caused any more trouble.” Zhang Jiaohua said with a smile.

“So how will you handle Wu Tong’an and Tu Chunlin?” Shi Qingwang asked.

“I didn’t personally take action. They schemed against me, and others intervened to teach them a lesson. If you want to hold me accountable, I don’t mind,” Zhang Jiaohua said confidently.

“I’ll go back and scold them properly. Can we consider this matter resolved?” Shi Qingwang asked, having accepted gifts from Wu Tong’an and Tu Chunlin. He saw that Zhang Jiaohua wasn’t pursuing further action.

“Let it be. Master Shi, do as you see fit. I won’t object.” Zhang Jiaohua agreed.