Chapter 8

Despite Du Shiyi not accepting the precious herbs offered earlier and also declining to move into the grand mountain villa on Junji Peak at Songyang Temple, after Sun Zifang left the prescription, Songyang Temple still sent a Taoist boy with two large bags of heavy medicine. One bag was for treating Du Shisanlang’s cold and fever, and the other was for Du Shiyi to nourish his body and replenish his vital energy. This time, Du Shiyi naturally did not refuse; he thanked them and had Zhu Ying take the medicine in.

Similarly, Zhu Ying, who also had a cold and fever from the rain, felt much better after a night’s sleep following Du Shiyi’s acupuncture, but she insisted on not taking more needles or medicine. Seeing her recovery, Du Shiyi, unable to persuade her, had to let her be. Since the vegetables, eggs, and oil and salt they had bought were enough for a few more days, she decided to stay indoors and take care of her brother and sister.

Several days passed quickly. People feel refreshed when good things happen. Seeing Du Shiyi recover rapidly, Du Shisanlang found that the bitter medicine she had always feared since childhood was no longer bitter, and her body gradually recovered. Although she vaguely felt that Du Shiyi seemed different from the brother who used to talk confidently outside but was often silent at home, she undoubtedly preferred the brother who cared for her in every way. After all, having faced a life-and-death situation, such a change was not surprising.

One day, after she frowned and drank the bitter medicine in one go, she looked around and, not seeing Du Shiyi, couldn’t help but ask, “Where is my brother?”

“Madam, Master is in the bamboo grove outside.” Seeing Du Shisanlang’s puzzled look, Zhu Ying explained softly, “Master said this morning that he wanted to read, but after I brought out the few scrolls from the book box, he flipped through them and put them down. Then he said he wanted to write. I brought out the Four Treasures of the Study and set up a seat in a bright spot outside, ready to hold the paper for him, but he only glanced at it, frowned, wrote a few characters, and then threw everything aside and went to the bamboo grove. If it weren’t for your medicine time, I would really be worried.”

Hearing this, Du Shisanlang felt both suspicious and worried. Her brother had just recovered from a serious illness; if he was triggered by old memories and became sad again, wouldn’t all their efforts be in vain? After much thought, although she knew that her brother’s former fame in Fan Chuan was hard-earned, and the Four Treasures of the Study she brought were gifts from Du family elders and other relatives, most of which were extraordinary and extremely valuable, and the few scrolls in the book box were rescued from the old house fire, she had never thought of selling them even in her most difficult times.

But at this moment, she finally made up her mind and said, “Tomorrow, you secretly put these things away. If my brother asks for them again, say you can’t find them. Before we return to Chang’an, sell them all!”

“Why sell good things?”

As she spoke, Du Shiyi entered the room. He glanced at Du Shisanlang, whose face had suddenly turned pale, and Zhu Ying, who was caught off guard, and then said in a deep voice, “These are priceless treasures. If they fall into the hands of庸人 (ordinary people), they will be wasted. Thirteen, you don’t need to worry unnecessarily; I’m not at the point where I would be saddened by seeing these things.”

“Brother…”

Seeing Du Shisanlang’s hesitant look, Du Shiyi sighed inwardly. He had wanted to read and write early in the morning, not for any other reason, but because after several days of rest, he wanted to pass the time by reading or writing. When he picked up the scrolls, which were several meters long, he felt a sense of alienation. As for writing... when Zhu Ying prepared the Four Treasures of the Study and stood by to hold the paper, certain memories immediately resurfaced.

Writing while sitting at a desk was a posture that became common after the Song and Ming dynasties. In this era, one would sit cross-legged on a mat, roll the paper, hold it with the left hand, and write with the right. Even in a household like the Du family, which could afford servants, the most they would do was have someone hold the paper; the actual writing required a free hand.

The problem was that the former Du Shiyi, who had been educated in this way since childhood, naturally found it easy. He tried to muster the energy to write, and his body could adapt to this posture, and the characters he wrote were decent, but the low efficiency was unbearable.

Moreover, he learned from Zhu Ying that the paper left in the book box was limited, and the ink cakes were almost gone. If they ran out, he would have to buy more. To practice writing, unless he followed the ancient method of using clear water to write on a lacquered tray, he would have to think of another way!

However, in front of Du Shisanlang, he said nonchalantly, “It’s fine. I just saw the deep bamboo grove outside and thought that if the person recommended by Sima Daxiong arrives, we could ask him to cut some bamboo to add a few more decorations.”

As he spoke, a familiar cheerful voice came from outside: “Is Du Xiaolang here?”

This time, seeing Du Shiyi about to go out with a look of surprise, Zhu Ying quickly stood up and hurried out the door. Outside the door, she saw Sima Heiyun followed by a young man with a bare upper body, a robust build, and a dark complexion, carrying a bag of various farming tools. She couldn’t help but be stunned.

Looking at the young man, he seemed to be a Kunlun slave. Even in Chang’an, such a Kunlun slave would cost at least 100,000 coins, and they were mostly used by wealthy women to lead horses and hold stirrups. Sima Daxiong had only intended to hire an ordinary, honest farmer, so why did he send such a person?

Despite her doubts, Zhu Ying quickly went to the gate and opened it. Then she noticed that Du Shiyi had also come out of the hut. She had already known that Sima Heiyun was just a follower, but seeing Du Shiyi still addressing him as “Sima Daxiong” with warmth and closeness, she frowned slightly and then tiptoed back to the hut.

Seeing Du Shisanlang propping herself up with her elbow, half-sitting, she quickly helped her. When Du Shisanlang asked softly, she said, “It’s Sima Heiyun, who brought us back in the rain and brought Sun Daoren to treat you.”

“Ah, that’s him.” Du Shisanlang nodded thoughtfully and then instructed Zhu Ying, “When Sun Daoren visited, we only had plain water to offer. Now that I’m much better and my brother’s condition has improved, and our expenses are limited, the next time you go to the market, remember to buy some fruits to make yogurt. We won’t be so embarrassed when guests come.”

Zhu Ying was about to speak when she heard Du Shiyi and Sima Heiyun enter the room. She quickly nodded and went to the outer room, arranged the seats, and served water, then stood aside, her eyes frequently glancing at the young Kunlun slave kneeling at the door, looking around curiously. Fortunately, she didn’t have to wait long. After a few pleasantries, Sima Heiyun got straight to the point.

“Du Xiaolang mentioned needing a reliable person who knows how to farm, so I brought this Kunlun slave today. To be honest, I was accompanying my master to stay at Songyang Temple for a while. Since Du Xiaolang entrusted me with this, I planned to look around the nearby villages. By chance, I went to Dengfeng County with my master yesterday and saw someone selling this Kunlun slave on the street for only 10,000 coins, which is less than one-tenth of the market value, but no one was interested.

Upon inquiry, I learned that the original owner of this Kunlun slave was fond of rural life. Although he was only fourteen, he had learned excellent farming skills from a young age. However, he knew nothing about leading horses, holding stirrups, or serving people, and had no understanding of the rules of being a servant. After several transfers and mistakes that angered his owners, his price dropped from the initial 120,000 coins to 10,000, and no one would buy him.

Who would buy a big, strong man who only knows how to farm for 10,000 coins? But Du Xiaolang only needs someone who can work, so my master laughed and said this person would be perfect. I bought him for 8,000 coins. Since he is not afraid of cold or heat, a simple bamboo shelter in the yard will suffice, and he is more reliable than hiring someone. The family that sold him even included the farming tools he had carried with him through several transfers, so his price is almost free. If Du Xiaolang finds him unsuitable, I can take him back and sell him in the Eastern Capital.”

Hearing this, Du Shiyi carefully examined the young Kunlun slave. Seeing him lower his head in obvious disappointment when Sima Heiyun spoke, he thought for a moment and then shook his head.

“Anyway, I just need someone to tend the fields and grow some fruits and vegetables, not someone to serve me closely. Whether he knows the rules or not doesn’t matter. But his price is 8,000 coins, and I won’t hide it from you, Sima Daxiong. My sister has almost exhausted our family’s wealth to treat my illness. Even if I sell this hut and all our belongings, I can’t come up with that much.”

“There’s no rush. You can pay later.”

Hearing this, Du Shiyi immediately shook his head: “I can’t say ‘later.’ I have already received so much kindness from you, Sima Daxiong, and I dare not accept such a valuable gift. No one deserves a reward without doing anything. I must pay for the Kunlun slave.

How about this: I have just recovered from a serious illness and can’t do much else, but idling around is not good for my health. I have read and written since childhood, and although I have been ill for a long time, I can still copy books. Does your master have any books that need to be copied? The price for copying a scroll in the market is a certain amount, and I will pay you that amount, which will eventually cover his price!”

Hearing this, Sima Heiyun was initially surprised but then laughed, “Since Du Xiaolang has made up his mind, I will report back to my master.”

With this matter settled, Du Shiyi felt relieved and had the guest sit for a while before seeing him off. After watching him disappear down the path, he looked at the young Kunlun slave by the door and asked thoughtfully, “What is your name?”

The dark-skinned young Kunlun slave looked up at his new master and stammered, “My former name was given by my former master. Please give me a new name, Master.”

Hearing this, Du Shiyi raised an eyebrow: “What name did your first master give you?”

This time, the young Kunlun slave answered quickly: “Xue Shaofu named me Tianmo. Tian for field, and mo for path.”

Hearing him clearly explain the origin of his first name, Du Shiyi immediately said, “Then let’s keep the name Tianmo. Since you worked well for Xue Shaofu, I will entrust the fields outside to you.”

Regaining his familiar name, Tianmo’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Without hesitation, he knelt and kowtowed, saying, “Thank you, Master!”

After recognizing his new master, Tianmo immediately took an axe and went to the bamboo grove to cut some bamboo and build a shelter. After a quick lunch, he spent the entire afternoon plowing the two plots of land in the yard. Sweating profusely, he was about to fetch water, but Zhu Ying told him there was a well behind the hut and a mountain stream nearby. He wiped his forehead and smiled, “In Xue Shaofu’s place, I used to fetch water from a stream a mile away to irrigate the vegetables. Xue Shaofu always praised the vegetables I grew.”

Hearing this, Du Shisanlang in the inner room couldn’t help but laugh and said to Du Shiyi, “Brother, there are many people who can grow vegetables and farm. Xue Shaofu used such a valuable Kunlun slave for these tasks, no wonder other families bought him and quickly resold him. Seeing his diligence, he would feel bored if used as a servant or attendant!”

“So, the people who sold him probably thought that his first master, Xue Shaofu, was eccentric and wasted his talents.” Du Shiyi smiled and suddenly remembered something. He walked to the door and asked Tianmo, who was drinking water from a wooden ladle, “Tianmo, what should we plant in the fields this season?”

Tianmo put down the ladle, straightened up, and said without hesitation, “This season is best for planting melons and vegetables like cucumbers, Kunlun melons, and cabbage. If we want to plant something else, it will be too late. However, this plot of land is too small. If Master is willing, we can clear more land in the bamboo grove. Although the bamboo shoots are mostly old now, we might find some tender ones, which can be used in various dishes. It’s spring, and wild vegetables are everywhere on the mountain. Xue Shaofu used to enjoy trying new things, and it only takes half a day to fill a basket!”

Tianmo’s mention of Xue Shaofu might have upset other masters, but Du Shiyi didn’t mind. The wealthy wanted Kunlun slaves to lead horses and hold stirrups, but Tianmo’s farming skills were wasted. However, in his current situation, where everything was lacking, this skill could solve his most pressing need. After all, even a clever housewife can’t cook without ingredients!

“Good, then show me the full extent of your skills from Xue Shaofu’s place!”

After being handed over multiple times and finally seeing approval and praise from his new master, Tianmo was both surprised and delighted. As Du Shiyi turned back into the room, he heard a suppressed cheer from outside, and his mood improved.