Jinting Han people

Chapter 10 The Choice of Enlightenment
The peach blossoms in the courtyard are blooming again, and the ground is covered with a layer of fallen petals. At the right time, a lingering sound of the piano comes from the Zhang Mansion next door, like dewdrops falling on leaves and yellow birds entering their nests, attracting the cuckoos on the roadside to fly to the eaves and sing along.

The surroundings were already a scene of late spring. The green leaves overhead swayed gently in the breeze, and the water in the courtyard pond had risen to the brim, soaking your trousers to the point of standing beside it. Zhang Ximiao had hurried back to Luoyang today; she had already spent far too long at the manor in Yanshi.

"Have you finished all the chores at Dongwu?" When Zhang Ximiao came to visit, Fei Xiu was hanging out laundry in the sun. She put down her work and sighed, "Ever since Liulang lost his mind, the family finances have been in disarray, and I ended up leaving all the manor affairs to you. Erlang and Qilang have their own court affairs, so I can't help much. Thank you for all your hard work."

She glanced at Xi Miao's haggard yet resolute face and continued, "They say it's hard to support ordinary people, and tenant farmers are cunning. You went over there to manage it, and you didn't get bullied, did you?"

Although the Anle Mansion was a dukedom, enjoying the right to receive a direct tax share from the fiefdom of Anle County, the people of the time believed that if the family business was to continue, it could not be left idle. Therefore, ever since the arrival of Liu Chan, the old Anle Mansion, he had been acquiring land and estates around Yanshi, which became known as Dongwu. Over the years, the Anle Mansion now owned 20 hectares of land south of Yanshi City and had ten tenant farmers. While not a wealthy family, it was still considered a small estate.

However, last year, a series of natural disasters had left Dongwu with a less-than-ideal harvest. Coupled with Liu Xun's reckless spending, the government was experiencing a rare financial crunch. Consequently, Xi Miao had to pay close attention to Dongwu. At the beginning of the year, she had gone to Yanshi to urge the tenant farmers to plant rice and eliminate pests. She had also organized women from various households to raise silkworms and retting hemp. She had also purchased some high-quality pomegranate and grape seeds, intending to plant a few to see if they were successful. If they proved popular, she would gradually expand the range to include the next year.

The tenants all saw her good intentions. In addition, Ximiao kept her public and private affairs separate and helped her servants to the best of her ability, so the tenants still liked Ximiao.

Whenever Liu Xun got angry, everyone would console each other by saying, "The Lord's temperament has changed drastically, but the Lady is as good as ever."

So when Fei Xiu asked about Dongwu, Zhang Ximiao just smiled and said, "What's the big deal? I just want to have enough food and clothes. How bad can it get?"

At this point, she glanced at the east wing where her husband was, and sighed, "He hangs out with women every day, venting his anger by beating and scolding Lai Fu and the others. If he continues like this, how will he face his ancestors, and how will he face his eldest and fifth brothers in the future..."

"Wow!" Seeing his sister-in-law talking about a topic that couldn't be further explored, Fei Xiu quickly interrupted, "Don't say that! You know, he became like this because of this!"

The sisters-in-law suddenly fell silent. As they stared at each other, Fei Xiu let out another wry smile. She pulled Xi Miao into the room, brewed a bowl of tea, and then sat down, comforting her, "Men are all competitive and only care about winning or losing. Winning is one extreme, losing is another. But the most important thing for people in this world is patience and restraint. Xi Miao, he can't bear it, but you still have to be patient. Only in this way can the child have a good role model and grow up well."

Xi Miao had been patient for too long. As soon as Fei Xiu opened his mouth, she knew what he was going to say. She wanted to refute him, but she knew it was useless and didn't want to discuss the topic any further. But when Liu Xian was mentioned, her heart softened and she asked, "Where's Bi Ji? Why haven't I seen him?"

"Biji! He went to Yangqu to fish with A Tianzhinu and the others."

"Is he okay? Has he grown taller? Do his clothes still fit him?"

Fei Xiu looked at Zhang Ximiao's concerned eyes, and thinking of Liu Xian during this period, he continued, "Bi Ji is doing well. He eats a lot and sleeps well. He's just been a bit picky about food lately and won't eat yam."

Zhang Ximiao listened, a smile instantly breaking out on her face. A mother's love blossomed unabashedly in her, like the clusters of peach blossoms in the courtyard. This radiance made Fei Xiu both envious and jealous. She, too, had once had children, but now she could only be a spectator of their happiness, which inevitably made her feel a little lonely.

But happiness is like a naughty child, it will run away from home if things go wrong. Fei Xiu, who has experienced this, understands this deeply, and as an observer, she can also detect some ominous signs.

"Wonderful." She carefully considered her words and said slowly to her sister-in-law, "I think Bi Ji has changed a little."

Although this sentence was incoherent, Zhang Ximiao did not dare to take it lightly. He immediately stood up and waited for the next sentence.

"Over the past six months, Biji has mostly been playing around, but it's become clear that he's been spending more and more time alone. He's become more and more reserved, always seeming to be lost in thought. He might sit under a tree for an hour or two, but he won't say a word. How can he be a child?"

Xi Miao thought for a moment and nodded worriedly: "Is it because of his father?"

"No." Fei Xiu shook his head slightly and said, "Maybe that's part of the reason, but it's definitely not all. In the past two months, Bi Ji has not only been in a daze, but he's also been doing strange things."

"strangeness?"

Fei Xiu began to list them one by one: she often saw Bi Ji rummaging through the drawers and cabinets at home, as if looking for something, but in the end he found nothing; when she was chatting with Lai Fu and the others about family matters, Bi Ji would suddenly appear and disappear like a ghost and stand beside them without saying anything; the strangest thing was that once, she even saw Bi Ji sneak into the ancestral hall while taking a walk in the middle of the night, and he didn't come out for a long time, but when she went in to check, she found that nothing was missing.

After hearing this, Zhang Ximiao remained silent. She was also genuinely bewildered by Liu Xian's behavior. In a mother's mind, her child is always immature and childish, needing her care and attention. Everything about him or her seems to be instinctive restlessness and ignorant impulses, requiring no further attention. Only after the child begins to clearly express opinions and resist does the mother belatedly realize that the child has his or her own ideas. However, this discovery is often forgotten.

But at the moment, Xi Miao cannot ignore this problem. In order to avoid illness and grow better, she must come up with some methods.

In this regard, the widow Fei Xiu made a good suggestion:

"Biji is already six years old. You should discuss with Erlang and find a teacher for him to start his education."

Teacher? Zhang Ximiao was taken aback, but then realized it made sense. Putting Liu Xian's current strange behavior aside, a good environment is paramount for a child. Mencius' mother moved three times because she wanted to be near a school, which led to his learning and understanding of etiquette. And if Liu Xian remained in Anle Mansion, exposed to Liu Xun's actions, it wouldn't be a good idea.

But Xi Miao felt conflicted and reluctant.

In a mother's heart, her child is a part of her. Although she had long imagined her child leaving her to live her own life and sincerely wished for it, she now felt a little afraid: her child's wisdom was growing day by day, and he would soon become an independent individual, but the reality of the situation remained unchanged. By then, when he would learn to examine his parents and the family he was born into, would he feel resentful?

After bidding farewell to Fei Xiu, Zhang Ximiao gazed at the bamboo shoots in the hallway and thought: Children are like bamboo shoots, seemingly fragile, yet in reality incredibly strong and thriving. Every time I see them, they're completely different from the last. Before I even notice, they've already become a magnificent figure. Wasn't that exactly what she hoped Bi Ji would become? Sometimes people are fragile, but other times, they're omnipotent. Ximiao believed her child could become that second kind of person. Having made up her mind, Zhang Ximiao went straight to knock on Liu Yao's door.

"Why is my sister-in-law here?" Liu Yao was surprised to see her after opening the door. As the eldest brother, he had a good relationship with Liu Xun, but he rarely spoke privately with Xi Miao. So, after meeting her, he couldn't guess her purpose. However, he welcomed Xi Miao in and asked his wife Wang Zhi to get her a glass of honey water.

Second sister-in-law Wang Zhi snorted and didn't respond, which made Liu Yao a little embarrassed. But Xi Miao understood clearly: the position of Anle Gong originally belonged to second brother Liu Yao, but the old Anle Gong favored her husband and passed it to Liu Xun against the rules. Although Liu Yao never mentioned it, second sister-in-law was still resentful.

So she pretended nothing had happened and quietly sat down and asked, "Is Second Brother busy now?"

"I'm just a writer, copying official documents and organizing classics. What's there for me to do?" Liu Yao said with a smile, "If you have anything to say, please feel free to tell me."

"It's nothing else. Piji is already six years old, and it's time for him to learn calligraphy. I just want to ask my second brother, what's the best way to arrange it?"

"Oh." Liu Yao suddenly realized. He glanced at the east wing from a distance and immediately understood Xi Miao's distress: she couldn't discuss it with Liu Xun at the moment, so she could only ask him for help.

"You've arrived just in time. This year, His Majesty has just established the Imperial College to the left of the Imperial College. It's specifically responsible for teaching the children of officials of the fifth rank and above in the capital. I'm also very familiar with the doctoral student at the Imperial College. He's Cao Zhi, Cao Yungong. He's an upright man, honest and upright, and well-educated. I'll go greet him tomorrow and send Pi Ji there in a few days. What do you think?"

Liu Yao thought that this was an excellent choice. Not only did the Imperial Academy have famous teachers selected by the emperor himself, but the classmates also had profound backgrounds. They were either children of heroes or royal relatives. If Liu Xian could make some good friends among them, his future career in officialdom would surely be much smoother.

However, Zhang Ximiao wasn't entirely satisfied. She shook her head slightly, lowering her brows and speaking submissively, "Going to the Imperial Academy is certainly good, but Biji is still too young to understand the ways of the world. Our family has few connections, and the Emperor is suspicious of him. I'm afraid if he goes to the Imperial Academy, he'll be ostracized. If his childish behavior flares up and he gets into trouble with another prince, it would be too late for regrets."

Liu Yao was stunned when he heard this, and subconsciously tapped the table with his fingers. He really hadn't thought of this level, and Zhang Ximiao, as a woman, had considered it so thoroughly. This made him feel a little admiration, and he asked in return:

"What does my sister-in-law think?"

"I think..." Zhang Ximiao pondered for a moment, gradually sorting out his thoughts, and said slowly: "I can wait a few years before going to the Imperial College. Right now, I still want to find a famous teacher for Pi Ji. In addition to learning how to read and recite poetry, I think it would be great to teach him some social skills."

At this point, she thought of a candidate and immediately asked, "I've heard that the renowned scholar Wang Yifu is incredibly talented and insightful, a rising leader in the literary world. He comes from a prominent family, yet he's known for his generosity and generosity, helping those in need. Despite his immense wealth, he now lives in a small garden west of the city, making a living by lecturing and criticizing. Isn't he a great teacher?"

Hearing Wang Yan's name, Liu Yao burst out laughing. He waved his hand and said, "Wang Yan is indeed a man of great learning, but he comes from the Wang family of Langya, and he's very arrogant. Although he's well-connected, they're all from prominent families. He's also been heavily influenced by the 'Zhengshi Metaphysics', often discussing metaphysics with his bare hands, and is obsessed with Buddhism and Taoism. I'm not sure if he'd agree, but even if he did, I'm afraid it wouldn't satisfy my sister-in-law."

Zhang Ximiao was a little disappointed, but she also agreed with Liu Yao's opinion. Since childhood, they had been taught to "respect the rich and despise the poor". They were very disgusted when talking about Tan Xuan, and always thought it was a kind of whining from a playboy.

She thought for a moment before suggesting another candidate. "How about Zuo Si, Zuo Taichong? I've heard that although he comes from a Confucian family, he grew up poor. He's been studious and thoughtful since childhood, devoting himself to writing. Every time he publishes, his rhetoric is breathtaking and acclaimed. He's also a fan of the Han Shu and the Shiji. Since he's well-versed in history, he must be a pragmatic person. He's an excellent choice."

Unexpectedly, Liu Yao still refused and said, "No way."

The reason for this refusal was simple. Liu Yao leaned forward and whispered, "Three days ago, Zuo Taichong presented a petition to Your Majesty, claiming he would spend ten years writing a unique and unparalleled Three Capitals poem. However, he was concerned that his accumulated knowledge was insufficient, so he requested Your Majesty appoint him as a secretary, to study literature within the Lanting. Your Majesty considered this a significant literary event and has already agreed."

After Liu Yao rejected two candidates in a row, Xi Miao didn't know what to say, and she felt conflicted and sad. Finding a suitable teacher for her child was such a simple task, but she couldn't do it herself?

Actually, this was a simple matter; all she had to do was find an old scholar with some knowledge. But Zhang Ximiao was unwilling to give up, feeling that giving up would be a defeat. She looked to Liu Yao for help, hoping he could suggest a good candidate.

Liu Yao also knew what his sister-in-law was thinking. To him, he had no son, only a daughter, and Liu Xian was as worthy of care as his own child. But good teachers didn't just fall from the sky, and he didn't know where to find one right away.

Facing the intriguing gaze, Liu Yao rubbed his chin, lost in thought. If I only focused on the famous scholars in Luoyang, I'm afraid there wouldn't be anyone suitable. What if I included hermits? What about those in retirement or in mourning? If I took a long-term view, I could also include Kongtong, Longmen, Songshan, Mangshan, and other places... Wait, Mangshan?

Suddenly, a tall and thin figure popped into Liu Yao's mind. He had a pale and familiar face with an ordinary smile, which made Liu Yao feel nostalgic and regretful.

"Maybe I can ask him..." Liu Yao said to herself.

Xi Miao didn't understand and waited blankly for her second brother's next words.

"There's a suitable candidate, but I'm not sure if he'll agree. After all, we have to consider avoiding suspicion..." Liu Yao knocked on the table again, sighed and smiled bitterly, "I'll take Bi Ji to see him tomorrow. I hope he won't refuse."

Zhang Ximiao became more and more curious. She asked, "Who are you talking about, brother?"

"Former General's Chief Clerk, Chen Shou."

　Please read more and vote more. Thank you for your support. Your support is my motivation.

　　Friends who are interested in communication can join the Jinting Han Chinese Book Club, group number: 622584545
　　I would also like to thank Tadokoro Hiroji, 1919, Ye Ye Da Zhang, book friend 20180514212559334, and You You Kou Ten Unit- for their donations.
　　Special thanks to Qingluo, the leader of the weak-hearted group. He has been supporting me since my last book. I will definitely work harder. Thank you very much for your support.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)