Chapter 44 Mountain Home Hearth 44

Chapter 44: A Mountain Family's Hearth 44

Liu Guyu and Qin Rongshi set out early, borrowing Lin Xingniang’s donkey cart to head to town and enroll at Luming Academy.

It was the twelfth day of the first lunar month, and the weather remained chilly. A light snow had fallen the previous night, leaving a thin white layer on the thatched eaves by morning. Under the sun, it melted, dripping steadily.

They rode in the donkey cart as Qin Rongshi drove toward Fushui Town. On one side lay rolling hills, and on the other, the Luodai River. A flock of wild ducks gathered by the river, unfazed by the cold, soon leaving long, grayish-white ripples in the water.

It had been half a month since their last visit to town. With the New Year celebrations just ended, the town was still bustling.

Lanterns adorned with the character for "fortune" still hung above the town gate. The guards on duty wore black uniforms with red sashes tied around their waists, adding to the festive atmosphere.

After passing through the gate, they parked the donkey cart in the stable and made their way toward Temple Alley. Crossing Temple Alley brought them to Luming Academy.

Luming Academy was located at the edge of Fushui Town, nestled against a mountainside and covering a considerable area.

"Wow, what a great spot! No wonder it’s one of the best academies in Jiangzhou!" Liu Guyu exclaimed.

They stood at the foot of Luming Mountain, facing a long flight of stone steps that stretched a hundred steps upward.

On either side grew dense pines and bamboos, their verdant shades complementing each other. The old pines had trunks like iron, with sturdy needles, while the bamboos stood lush and vibrant. Their greenish bark, mottled with patches, was dusted with frost—a pale hue hiding hints of emerald, each segment reaching toward the sky.

Before the bamboo grove at the base of the steps stood a bluish stone slab as tall as a person, inscribed with four large characters: "Luming Academy."

Fushui Town was under the jurisdiction of Luo County, which in turn was part of Jiangzhou Prefecture.

Jiangzhou had three highly renowned academies. Luming Academy was situated in the small town of Fushui, while the other two were located in Jiangning, the prefectural capital of Jiangzhou.

Even Qin Rongshi remarked, "It really is impressive."

His tone was calm, but a subtle sense of yearning could be detected upon closer listening.

Liu Guyu wasn’t surprised. Among the scholars of Fushui Town, who wouldn’t want to study at Luming Academy?

As they climbed upward, about halfway up, they spotted two figures descending from the mountain.

They were familiar faces.

"Hey! Boss Liu!"

The old gentleman walking ahead brightened at the sight of Liu Guyu and approached directly. "Boss Liu, when are you setting up your stall again? The Lantern Festival is almost here! There’ll be huge crowds during the festival—aren’t you going to cash in on that?"

The old gentleman wore plain gray linen robes, his graying hair tied up with a wooden hairpin. His attire was simple yet dignified.

Last time, when Zhou Qiaozhi had caused a scene at the stall, accusing Liu Guyu of being ill-omened and a husband-killer, Liu Guyu had rebutted the claims. This old gentleman had been present then, and Liu Guyu had guessed he might be an instructor at Luming Academy. Seeing him here today confirmed Liu Guyu’s suspicion.

He was an instructor—and also a customer.

Since that incident, the old gentleman had frequently been a regular customer at Liu Guyu’s stall!

Liu Guyu hurriedly replied, "What a coincidence meeting you here! We’ve been busy with things to do after the New Year at home. I’m afraid I won’t be able to set up the stall until after the fifteenth."

To his surprise, the old gentleman frowned upon hearing this, shaking his head. "No, no, not a coincidence at all. This old man is leaving town tomorrow. If you’re only setting up after the fifteenth, I’m afraid my taste buds will have to go unsatisfied! I’ll be craving it for a long time!"

He spoke with genuine regret, but the young attendant beside him, Jixiang, wrinkled his face and muttered discontentedly, "Sir, please don’t keep thinking about it! Every time you sneak off to eat without me, you stuff yourself. The physician already said—"

Before he could finish, the old gentleman shot him a stern glare and scolded, "Jixiang, you’re so young, yet you already sound like you’re chanting sutras! If I’d known, I wouldn’t have taught you to read—I should’ve sent you off to be a little monk! Shave your head bald!"

Jixiang pouted and secretly glared back.

Watching the old and young bicker, Liu Guyu couldn’t help but smile, though he quickly suppressed it before the old gentleman noticed.

The old gentleman resumed his composed demeanor, glancing at Liu Guyu and then at Qin Rongshi, quickly discerning the situation.

"Here to seek admission?" he asked.

Liu Guyu nodded.

Qin Rongshi also cupped his hands respectfully and replied, "Indeed."

The old gentleman stroked his beard, then turned his gaze to Qin Rongshi and asked gently, "What texts have you studied?"

Qin Rongshi answered humbly and reverently, "This humble student is not particularly talented but has thoroughly read the Four Books and Five Classics. Recently, I’ve been studying the *Annotations on the Classic of Documents* and the *Discourses on Salt and Iron*."

The old gentleman raised an eyebrow, sounding somewhat surprised. "*Discourses on Salt and Iron*? The version compiled in the previous dynasty?"

Qin Rongshi: "Yes."

The old gentleman asked curiously, "At your young age, can you understand it?"

They were actually having a conversation?

Liu Guyu stood dumbfounded to the side, puzzled by this unexpected turn of events. He didn’t understand how they had suddenly started discussing such topics.

All this talk of classics and discourses was beyond Liu Guyu’s comprehension, so he kept quiet and waited for Qin Rongshi to show off.

To his surprise, Qin Rongshi didn’t boast but instead shook his head sincerely. "The text is abstruse and difficult to grasp. This student only has a partial understanding."

The old gentleman wasn’t surprised and nodded. "Care to elaborate?"

Qin Rongshi gave a slight bow. "Quoting the sage’s words, 'If the people have enough, how can the ruler not have enough?' it is argued that state monopolies on salt and iron contend for profit with the people. But this student fails to understand: if salt and iron are controlled by local powerful clans and gentry, how does that benefit the people? Isn’t that merely high-sounding rhetoric?"

The old gentleman smiled faintly and pressed further, "What, then, do you propose?"

Qin Rongshi: "If farmers do not produce, there will be a shortage of food; if artisans do not produce, there will be a shortage of tools; if merchants do not trade, the three treasures will be cut off; if foresters do not harvest, resources will dwindle. Agriculture, craftsmanship, and commerce are the three treasures—all are fundamental."

"This student believes…"

……

Liu Guyu couldn’t follow the discussion and began to feel drowsy. He lazily leaned against a bamboo stalk, watching the two converse.

After a lengthy exchange, the old gentleman looked quite pleased and seemed satisfied with Qin Rongshi.

Finally, he pointed to Jixiang and said, "Jixiang, escort them inside. The paths are winding, and since it’s their first time here, they might get lost."

Jixiang, who had been listening attentively, snapped out of his thoughts upon being assigned the task. However, he didn’t move immediately but instead pouted and glanced at the old gentleman, muttering under his breath, "Well, if I go, you’re not allowed to sneak off to the East Market to buy snacks!"

The old gentleman scowled. "Stop nagging!"

With that, he gave Qin Rongshi one more look and said, "Go on."

Then he flicked his sleeves, turned, and continued descending the mountain.

Liu Guyu: "???"

What was that all about?

Liu Guyu found it strange, but he didn't ask any questions. Like a clueless fool, he followed Qin Rongshi and Jixiang into Luming Academy.

Luming Academy was indeed vast, with gray-brick and dark-tiled roofs tucked into lush greenery. To the left was a red plum grove, beneath which stood stone tables and stools. Carved into one of the stone tables were deep grooves crisscrossing, forming a chessboard. Underfoot was a three-foot-wide path paved with slate stones, covered with fallen red plum petals.

Jixiang was a nonstop chatterbox, babbling nonstop as they walked.

"Luming Academy has three deans, each in charge of the Meng Academy, Three Pines Academy, and Mingde Academy."

"The Meng Academy is for young children starting their schooling. Since the kids are small, it's separated from the other two academies by a wall. The Three Pines Academy is named after the three old pine trees in its courtyard and teaches Student Scholars. The students in Mingde Academy have earned the rank of Xiucai (cultivated talent) or higher, and there are even a few Juren (elevated scholar) studying there as well."

"How old are you? Have you taken the exams... Oh, you're not even fourteen years old and already a Student Scholar? Then I'll have to take you to Three Pines Academy!"

"The dean of Three Pines Academy is surnamed Lin, and he's very approachable."

"Today is the twelfth, and classes won't start until after the Lantern Festival, so there aren't many people in the academy yet. But most of the deans and teachers have already arrived."

...

He talked incessantly as they walked, finally falling silent when they reached a particular building.

Though Jixiang had stopped talking, the commotion from inside the building was even louder.

"Dean Lin, look at these gifts I brought you—all home-cured meats, along with some chickens and ducks. They're not worth much."

"Please, take a look... What about my son's admission?"

The speaker was a woman, and her voice sounded vaguely familiar.

Liu Guyu and Qin Rongshi shared a look, both recognizing who was inside.

Jixiang hadn't expected anyone to be in Dean Lin's room either and froze awkwardly where he stood.

"You two, please wait a moment. I..."

Jixiang had just begun to speak when his words were cut off by a sharper voice.

It was the same woman's voice. She seemed to have slapped someone and shouted, "Tian Qiusheng! Recite... that thing... yes, recite the 'Thousand Character Classic' for the dean!"

Soon after, a young man's stumbling recitation could be heard from inside.

"Heaven and earth... dark and yellow, universe... vast and desolate... Sun and moon... full and wane, stars... arrayed... Cold... cold..."

The recitation of the "Thousand Character Classic" was stumbling and strained, growing softer and softer until it was barely audible.

But then came the sound of a stinging slap, followed by the woman's scolding: "Speak up!"

Liu Guyu: "..."

Not long after, the door opened.

An attendant opened the door and gestured with a "please," politely ushering them out. Meanwhile, a middle-aged man who appeared to be Dean Lin sat in a chair behind the desk, massaging his temples with a troubled expression.

Sure enough, Liu Guyu spotted two familiar faces inside the room.

It was Zhou Qiaozhi, clutching her son’s arm and digging in her heels, refusing to leave.

Dean Lin, already irritated, looked up and saw Jixiang. He quickly asked, "Jixiang? What brings you here?"

Jixiang glanced briefly at Zhou Qiaozhi and her son before turning his attention back to Dean Lin. He cupped his hands in a respectful salute and replied, "The Master asked me to bring someone here. This child has also come to seek admission. Please take a look, Dean Lin."

He was sent by the Master himself?

Dean Lin immediately perked up and waved them in. "Come, come, come in."

Liu Guyu remained where he was, only giving Qin Rongshi a nod of encouragement before letting him enter alone.

Qin Rongshi nodded, stepped into the room, and gave a formal bow to Dean Lin. He kept his eyes forward, completely ignoring Zhou Qiaozhi and her son on the other side.

Zhou Qiaozhi was startled to see Liu Guyu and Qin Rongshi, and upon hearing that Qin Rongshi was also there to seek admission, her face contorted with rage. She shrieked, "I was here first! Dean Lin, I was here first!"

Her noise made Dean Lin's head ache.

He rubbed his temples and said patiently, "Madam, I’ve already been perfectly clear. Your child is not suited for our academy. Even if he were admitted by some means, I doubt he could keep up with the teachers' lessons."

"There are countless paths to success. Why insist on this path? I've already tested him. While he may be weak in poetry and literature, he shows a strong aptitude for numbers. If he focused on mathematics, he could have a promising future. At the very least, he could become an accountant."

Zhou Qiaozhi widened her eyes, stiffened her neck, and retorted, "All other pursuits are lowly; only scholarship is noble! What glory is there in being an accountant compared to becoming an official and bringing honor to one's ancestors? He must study, pass the Xiucai exams, then the Juren exams!"

Dean Lin: "..."

Dean Lin had nothing more to say. His face showed clear impatience, though his good manners made it difficult for him to speak harshly to a woman and child.

When he said "weak in poetry and literature," was it really just "slightly lacking"? The boy was already twelve years old and still reciting the "Three Character Classic" and "Thousand Character Classic"—students in the Meng Academy, who were only seven or eight, had already memorized them!

That said, Dean Lin hadn't been entirely dishonest. The boy did show a stronger aptitude for mathematics. He had tried to advise them, but if the adults refused to listen to reason, there was little more he could do.

Ah.

Though he was patient, the attendant by the door was not.

The attendant held back as long as he could before rolling his eyes skyward and snapping impatiently:

"Enough already! You come every year! Last year we said no, and now you're back again! Even if you insist on coming, you should go to the Meng Academy! He hasn't even passed the Student Scholar exams—what are you making a fuss at Three Pines Academy for?"

"If polite words don't get through to you, then I'll be blunt! Your son has no talent for studying! Understand? He just has no talent for it! Stop wasting everyone's time!"

"Do you really think anyone can become an official? Is the magistrate a turnip you can grow in your field, ready whenever you want one?!"

"Get out now! Are you leaving or not? If not, I'll take these cured meats and eggs to the kitchen and stew them today! Then don't go accusing us of taking your things—you're the one who didn't want them!"

Zhou Qiaozhi was already furious at Qin Rongshi's presence, and the attendant's provocation only enraged her further.

But this wasn't the village, where she could raise a ruckus freely. In the end, Zhou Qiaozhi could only glare at the attendant before grabbing Tian Qiusheng by the arm and stomped off angrily.

The attendant, unwilling to back down, glared right back and said, "Hey! You dare glare at me? Your eyes aren't even as big as mine!"

Dean Lin: "...Alright, Wu Tong, you may step back for now."

The attendant, called "Wu Tong," pouted, gave a sloppy bow to Dean Lin, and stepped out, closing the door behind him.

Jixiang, having delivered them, turned to Liu Guyu and said, "Boss Liu, I'll leave you here... I'm really worried about my Master, so I'll take my leave now."

Liu Guyu nodded hurriedly. "Thank you for your trouble. Please go attend to your matters."

With Jixiang gone and the attendant Wu Tong dismissed, only Liu Guyu remained outside the door.

Leaning against an old pine tree, he grew increasingly bored as he waited, eventually killing time by counting the pine needles on the tree.

By the time he reached more than a hundred and seventy, the door finally opened. Dean Lin personally escorted Qin Rongshi out, patting him on the shoulder with a satisfied smile. "Splendid! Simply splendid! You may return home for now. After the fifteenth day of the lunar month, you can come to the academy to begin your studies!"

Qin Rongshi exchanged farewells with him before leaving the courtyard with Liu Guyu.

Liu Guyu asked, "Well?"

Qin Rongshi didn’t answer but handed him a small wooden token with his name inscribed on it.

The token was finger-thick and palm-sized. On the back were carved three pine trees, while the front bore Qin Rongshi’s name.

Liu Guyu exclaimed in delight, "Wow! They’ve already issued your academy badge!"

He took the token from Qin Rongshi, inspecting it from all angles, growing more and more pleased with it.

Tracing his fingers over the freshly dried characters, he said with a smile, "Qin... Rong... Shi... Aiya, my Erlang’s name is so beautifully written! It sounds lovely and looks even better!"

...Qin Rongshi.

This was the first time Qin Rongshi had heard Liu Guyu say his full name aloud. A faint, tingling sensation ran through half his body, leaving him momentarily dazed.

His mind went blank, unable to grasp a single thought, with only Liu Guyu’s voice echoing in his ears.

Liu Guyu didn’t notice. Still thinking about the old gentleman they had encountered on the long staircase earlier, he couldn’t help but ask, "That old gentleman we met earlier—did you know who he was? And you talked with him for so long."

Qin Rongshi asked absentmindedly, "What?"

Liu Guyu shot him a glance and repeated the question.

Only then did Qin Rongshi collect himself and reply seriously, "That old gentleman is likely the Dean of Luming Academy."

Liu Guyu’s eyes widened in shock. "The Dean?!"

That old gentleman was dressed so modestly—how could he be the Dean?

Qin Rongshi nodded and added, "At this time, anyone present at Luming Academy would most likely be a teacher. But he mentioned he was about to travel far. The academy is about to start classes—if he were a teacher, how could he leave now? However, I’ve heard that Dean Lü enjoys scholarly travels."

Liu Guyu blinked and asked, "...And then?"

Qin Rongshi continued, "I’ve heard that Dean Lü once served as an official in the capital. Due to disagreements with other court officials over the Salt and Iron Laws, he resigned from his post, retired, and returned home to found the academy."

Liu Guyu replied, "...Alright, you’ve got it."

...All this roundabout reasoning left Liu Guyu muttering under his breath, but he didn’t ask further.

As the two made their way down the hill, they unexpectedly encountered Zhou Qiaozhi and Tian Qiusheng again at the foot of the hill.

Zhou Qiaozhi was scolding her son, jabbing her finger repeatedly against Tian Qiusheng’s head and pinching his arm, repeating her frustrations as if he were a hopeless case:

"Tell me! Just tell me! What use are you?"

"Even reciting a poem, you stumble over your words! Where has all your studying gone?"

"To scrimp and save money for your education, your father didn’t even come home for the New Year—he’s still out selling goods! Your sister said she wanted new clothes last time, and I scolded her for being unreasonable! Our whole family is living frugally, and it’s all for you!"

"Who do you think you’re letting down? Tell me, who?"

"That Qin boy came too! He hasn’t studied in so long—if you can’t even beat him, how will you show your face?"

...

Tian Qiusheng remained silent, his head hanging low. With every word from Zhou Qiaozhi, he seemed to shrink further, his head nearly buried in his chest, shoulders slumped. On closer look, one could see slight tremors, as if he were crying, yet he didn’t even dare lift a hand to wipe his tears.

Noticing Liu Guyu and Qin Rongshi descending, Zhou Qiaozhi finally stopped berating her son and glared daggers at Qin Rongshi.

Qin Rongshi’s expression remained calm, showing no emotion. Assuming they too had been turned away by the academy, she completely overlooked the beaming smile on Liu Guyu’s face.

Zhou Qiaozhi placed her hands on her hips and sneered, "Oh? Kicked out, were you? Hah, did you really think just anyone can enter Luming Academy?"

Liu Guyu hadn’t planned to engage with her, but since Zhou Qiaozhi provoked them first, he saw no reason to hold back.

He waved the wooden token in his hand, widened his eyes, and put on an exaggerated look of shock, covering his mouth with his hand.

"Well, well? Come take a look—what’s this? Holy cow, could this be Luming Academy’s admission token? Look, look—it even has a name written on it!"

"Wow! It’s my Erlang’s name! Oh my! My Erlang is going to study at Luming Academy! This can’t be real, can it?"

He exclaimed in exaggerated surprise, his eyebrows raised, eyes wide, and mouth agape.

There was no acting skill involved—just pure, sheer delight aimed at infuriating her.

Zhou Qiaozhi: "..."

Liu Guyu ran his mouth nonstop, and Zhou Qiaozhi felt her vision darken repeatedly, almost passing out from rage.

She wanted to retort, but Tian Qiusheng suddenly shook off her hand and ran away.

"Qiusheng! Qiusheng!"

"You worthless child, why are you running?"

"What cursed fate I have to give birth to such a useless thing!"

Zhou Qiaozhi could no longer bother arguing with Liu Guyu. After shooting him one last glare, she turned and took off after her son.

Watching Tian Qiusheng, who had been shrinking into himself, run off, Liu Guyu suddenly lost interest in taunting others. He pouted and tucked the token back into Qin Rongshi’s satchel.

Qin Rongshi said nothing, merely watching with an amused smile as Liu Guyu fiddled with his bag.

Liu Guyu pursed his lips and finally sighed. "Actually, what Dean Lin said was the truth. It’s a pity she wouldn’t listen... She says she’s unlucky, but I think that child is the unlucky one for being born as her son!"

Tian Qiusheng was somewhat pitiable, but Qin Rongshi had little concern for outsiders. He cast a dismissive glance in the direction Zhou Qiaozhi and her son had gone, then turned back to Liu Guyu.

With a smile, he said, "Brother Liu, let’s go back. Mother said she’s making chicken stew today—haven’t you been craving it?"

At the mention of food, Liu Guyu’s eyes lit up. Forgetting all about Tian Qiusheng, he took Qin Rongshi’s hand and tugged him along.

"Let’s go, let’s go! We should hurry back!"

-----------------------

Author’s Note: The part about the "Salt and Iron Laws" is just me rambling nonsense...

(My drafts are used up. From now on, new chapters will post at 9 p.m.)