Chapter 3

The night was deep, and Yang Ji lay in bed, unable to fall asleep.

"I underestimated them; they couldn't wait any longer. Twenty copper coins... They want to force Liang Bo and me to the brink of death."

"With the clan controlled by the matriarch, they definitely won't give me any more silver, nor will they help us. They might even claim that they've already given us more silver. Without enough silver, Liang Bo and I will either freeze or starve to death. Every winter, many people in Pingchuan County can't survive."

Thoughts raced through Yang Ji's mind, and he considered many possibilities.

Liang Bo was old, so it was up to him to find a solution. To get through this crisis, he had to find a way to earn enough money before the New Year. This was a problem he had to face.

For the first time in his life, Yang Ji felt the pressure of life, a sense of being at a loss. There were only a few days left until the New Year, and after that, the long winter would begin.

How could he earn enough money to last two months in such a short time? Moreover, Yang Ji had no experience.

"…Gathering firewood to sell?"

Yang Ji shook his head and quickly dismissed the idea:

"At this time, the dead branches on the mountains have already been picked clean, and those who need firewood have already prepared enough for the winter. Cutting trees in the mountains to sell firewood is definitely not an option. Selling goods?"

Yang Ji shook his head again, "I have no money, no connections, and no capital to sell livestock. It's easier said than done, and I might not be able to do it."

"Going to work as a laborer?"

"No! People will look down on me because I'm young. In just a few days, I can only do short-term work. Even if I work myself to death, I won't earn enough money for Liang Bo and me to survive the winter."

...

Yang Ji pondered, one idea after another came to mind, but he quickly dismissed each one.

That night, he couldn't sleep.

"Got it, during the New Year, every household needs to put up couplets. If I write couplets for people, with my calligraphy skills, I might be able to earn some money."

Yang Ji's eyes brightened as he finally had an idea. He had never felt such a sense of urgency before.

In other aspects, Yang Ji admitted he had no significant advantages, but in calligraphy, he was confident he could match anyone.

"…But selling calligraphy is beneath a scholar. I've studied for eight years; how can I do such a thing!"

Yang Ji hesitated, but then he thought of Liang Bo's hard work and felt a pang of pain in his heart:

"Liang Bo has been loyal to our family for over twenty years. I'm just a young man, but how can I let him suffer from hunger and cold with me?"

Yang Ji's heart was filled with mixed emotions. He gritted his teeth and finally made up his mind.

...

A cold wind blew through the streets, bringing a chill from the north, making the night even colder.

Early in the morning, Yang Ji took five copper coins from the old steward, carried his inkstone and brush case, and left the Yang residence through the side door.

The weather was getting colder, and there weren't many people on the streets. After turning three corners, Yang Ji entered a "Wenfang" shop that sold Xuan paper.

This shop had been around for many years, with an ancient and elegant decor. The walls and desks were filled with items of various qualities, not just Xuan paper, but also brushes, ink, inkstones, and paintings.

A few scholars were browsing inside, and at the entrance, the old shopkeeper, dressed in a blue robe, stood with his hands folded, smiling:

"Customer, feel free to pick anything. We have items of all qualities, and we guarantee your satisfaction."

Yang Ji nodded but didn't respond.

The shop was filled with a variety of items, but Yang Ji didn't have much money. After looking around, he picked a small stack of Xuan paper and placed three copper coins on the counter.

"Shopkeeper, here's the money for the paper."

Yang Ji didn't have much money, so he didn't dare buy too much at once.

"Hehe, young man, that's not enough."

The old shopkeeper chuckled, his face creased with wrinkles, and he pushed the three copper coins back with a calloused finger:

"Three copper coins were the price a few days ago. The price of Xuan paper has gone up."

"What?"

Yang Ji was surprised. Although he didn't often buy Xuan paper, he knew the price.

"Hehe, don't think I'm taking advantage of you. Everything is getting more expensive in the days leading up to the New Year."

The old shopkeeper squinted and glanced at the bag on Yang Ji's back, smiling:

"Also, from your appearance, you're planning to sell couplets at the market, right? But I advise you to reconsider."

"Why?"

Yang Ji was surprised; this was not what he had expected.

The old shopkeeper leaned back, laughing:

"Normally, a businessman wouldn't discourage a customer, but I always do business with a clear conscience. You're young and clever to come up with this idea, but let me tell you, it's not as easy as it seems."

"Many people have come to my shop to buy Xuan paper to write couplets and earn some money. The price of Xuan paper has risen because of the high demand. If you had come a few days earlier, you might have had a chance, but now, it's not so easy."

"Writing couplets isn't like writing for fun. It's a competitive field, and only the best calligraphers can earn money. Even old scholars who have studied for decades can't make a living this way, let alone a young boy like you. If it were that easy, the streets would be filled with people."

The old shopkeeper said kindly:

"So, take my advice, think it through before you decide."

"This old shopkeeper is truly well-intentioned."

After the initial surprise, Yang Ji calmed down, his eyes showing gratitude.

The old shopkeeper's insight was valuable, and Yang Ji had to admit that he made a good point.

"Unfortunately, I have no other choice. Winter is coming, and if I don't earn enough money in the next few days, when the snow blocks the mountains and the weather turns harsh, Liang Bo and I will be in trouble. This business might be difficult, but I'm confident in my calligraphy. I have to give it a try."

Yang Ji made up his mind quickly.

"Shopkeeper, thank you. But could you please pack these things for me?"

Yang Ji said firmly, handed over an additional copper coin, and left the shop with the stack of Xuan paper under his arm, leaving the shopkeeper surprised.

"This young man... is not ordinary."

The old shopkeeper watched Yang Ji's back, his eyes filled with admiration...

...

The market was in the northwest part of the town, and with the New Year approaching, it was the busiest time.

Although Yang Ji had expected it to be difficult, he still felt a sinking feeling when he arrived.

The old shopkeeper had warned him, but the number of scholars at the market was much higher than he had anticipated. In the bustling crowd, over a dozen scholars with deep literary backgrounds had set up their stalls along the streets, writing New Year couplets.

These scholars were all excellent calligraphers, their writing like waterfalls, smoke, peaks, and rivers. Even Yang Ji had to admit that they had spent many years honing their skills, far surpassing a typical teenager.

"This is going to be tricky."

Yang Ji's brows furrowed, and he felt a headache coming on.

In the crowd, he even saw a few tutors from prominent families. These people had studied classics and calligraphy for decades, with great achievements and reputations.

"I'm already late to the game, and now there are so many scholars and tutors. The competition is fierce, and making money by writing couplets is going to be difficult."

Yang Ji realized that it was easier said than done to support a family.

Yang Ji was confident in his calligraphy, believing he was among the best of his peers. However, comparing himself to these scholars was a different matter. Nevertheless, Yang Ji was not one to give up easily, and the current situation only fueled his youthful pride.

Carrying his brush case, Yang Ji walked around the market, observing and comparing.

"I've practiced calligraphy for over eight years without ever slacking off. Although I can't match those tutors, I'm better than most people here. If I work hard, I might be able to earn enough money before the New Year."

Yang Ji felt more confident.

He then negotiated and rented a stall in front of a bow shop for ten days for one copper coin. The stall came with a table, chairs, and a banner.

"This time, I'm truly penniless."

Yang Ji felt his empty pockets and smiled bitterly.

It was his first time selling calligraphy on the street, and he couldn't help but feel nervous.

"There's no turning back now. I have to raise enough money."

Yang Ji calmed himself, took off his brush case, laid out a sheet of Xuan paper, and carefully ground the ink, preparing to write his first couplet. This was called a "doorway," a display of his calligraphy skills, with no strict rules, giving him a lot of freedom.

Seeing a fifteen-year-old boy about to write a couplet, the crowd was amazed, and many people gathered to watch.

Yang Ji didn't rush. After the ink was evenly mixed, he picked up the brush, thought for a moment, and then confidently wrote the first line:

"Clouds spray pen flowers, tigers and leopards rise."

Yang Ji's brush moved like a dragon, and he quickly wrote the second line:

"Rain flips ink waves, dragons and snakes dance."

"A pity to waste two sheets of Xuan paper."

Yang Ji felt a bit regretful. The "doorway" couplet wouldn't sell, and he was already poor, so wasting two sheets of paper was painful.

After finishing the couplet, Yang Ji blew on the ink to dry it and hung it on the banner behind him. The moment the couplet was displayed, it received a round of applause:

"Great calligraphy! The strength of the brushwork is almost on par with the old scholars. Impressive!"

"I've never heard this couplet before! He must have come up with it himself. Impressive!"

"This young man has potential, much better than my family!"

...

The crowd cheered, and although they were laymen, they could see that Yang Ji's calligraphy was powerful and beautiful.

"This couplet... has some depth."

A few of the older scholars also took a closer look. Unlike the laymen, they saw more. Yang Ji's calligraphy was indeed excellent, but it was the couplet itself that caught their attention.

"Clouds spray pen flowers, tigers and leopards rise; rain flips ink waves, dragons and snakes dance." It perfectly reflected the essence of their profession.

"Fortunately, the reaction is good."

Yang Ji remained calm but felt relieved, "As long as people recognize my skills, things will be easier from now on."

Selling calligraphy had a high threshold; poor calligraphy wouldn't sell, and no one would even look. At least he had passed the first test.

However, what happened next was unexpected.

Although many people praised his work, no one came to his stall to inquire or buy. The crowd that had gathered around him quickly dispersed.

"What's going on? Why isn't anyone buying?"

Yang Ji initially thought it was a coincidence, but as the hours passed, the situation didn't change. By midday, Yang Ji's legs and back were sore, and he still hadn't sold a single couplet.

"If this continues, I won't just fail to earn money; I'll waste the five copper coins Liang Bo gave me."

Yang Ji's heart sank, and he became increasingly anxious.

"There's no reason for this... My calligraphy might not be the best, but it's certainly not bad. It's normal for a new stall to have few customers, but it's unreasonable to not sell a single couplet for so long!"

Yang Ji began to deeply reflect.

"I'm young and not as steady as the older scholars, but being the only young man among so many older scholars could be an advantage. And with all the praise earlier, why isn't anyone buying? There must be something I'm missing..."

Yang Ji looked around carefully...