To Rule in a Turbulent World Chapter 19-21 44 Apr 27, 2020

Chapter 19

February is over before anybody knows it. The weather gets warmer around March and

April, and You Miao makes two rounds through the estate every day. He’s well and truly out of

money now, gotta make the twenty silver Qiao Jue gave him last for an entire month before

anything’s ready to be harvested.

You Miao still wants to build a dyehouse and a silkworm room, and all sorts of other

interesting looking things too, but the complete lack of funds forces him to put it all on hold for

now. He passes the time flipping through books, going outside to read when the weather’s nice,

and taking care of their rapeseed field together with Li Zhifeng when he doesn’t feel like reading.

The rapeseed flowers bloom across the whole field as far as the eye can see right when

spring arrives, and the beekeepers come take up residence at the estate around late spring.

The four hundred mu of land behind Shen Garden stretching all the way downhill are all planted

with rapeseed; Cheng Guangwu and everyone else in the manor tend to half of it, while the

tenant farmers help take care of the other half.

April, late spring, and the over two thousand mu of rice paddy are lush and green. You

Miao flings his book in boredom, whining, “Ay, there’s nothing to do at home.”

Li Zhifeng is in the middle of stirring the coal and lighting up the stove to heat water, and

says, “Isn’t that a good thing? You’ll just complain about being tired if there is something to do.”

You Miao rolls his shoulders with book in one hand as he says, “I’m bored of just sitting

home reading all day, find me something to do.”

Li Zhifeng replies, “I have nothing to do either.”

You Miao can’t stand being idle, unlike Li Zhifeng, who can just sit under the roof and

zone out for a whole day when he has nothing to do. You Miao suggests, “Let’s go horseback

riding.”

Li Zhifeng is, of course, happy to go along with his wishes. “Sure, you pick the place.”

You Miao thinks for a moment, Yangzhou City? Jiang Prefectural City? Actually, forget

it—he knows he’s gonna want to spend money in the market if they go out, and there really isn’t

much money left to spend, just twenty silver to feed this many people for so many months.

“Nevermind, let’s just stay put,” You Miao mumbles dully. “I wonder how Zhao Chao is

doing.”

He hasn’t heard from Zhao Chao since he left on that campaign to Goryeo at the start of

spring. According to the refugees that came to You Miao, the situation up north is getting less

and less stable every year, so much so that it’s hard to make even a basic living. More refugees

might be fleeing here to Jiangnan with their entire families in tow soon.

You Miao can’t fall sleep at night after doing nothing all day. He’s actually pretty envious

of the people doing manual labor, eating plenty and sleeping well. Now that it’s summer, his own

appetite’s even worse.

Li Zhifeng offers, “I’ll teach you archery.”

You Miao was just looking for something to do to move about a bit. He happily agrees

and calls over a bunch of servant boys, lining them up in a row before the archery target board

to learn how to shoot from Li Zhifeng.

Li Zhifeng’s archery skills are masterful and deadly precise. He can shoot from the front,

back, while running, even on horseback, and never misses. Starting then, You Miao’s daily

routine becomes reading in the mornings, riding and shooting practice with Li Zhifeng in the

afternoons.

The days go by, and the rapeseed flowers are all fully grown. You Miao designs a

bamboo pipe oil press for the rapeseed, and jar after jar of canola oil starts to pile up. Qiao Jue

makes a round through the Yangzhou, Liuzhou, and Suzhou Prefectures with the oil and makes

a net profit of three hundred thirty five silver, and there’s still the honey stored in the cellar too.

You Miao takes out an amount to be paid out as wages and splits the rest fifty-fifty with Qiao

Jue, immediately feeling more confident with a hundred fifty silver in his coffers. The soil is still

fertile after the rapeseed harvest, so You Miao heeds the advice of some veteran farmers, tills

the couple hundred mu of rapeseed field, and plants peanuts.

But he still can’t spend any of this money—gotta build a granary first, and buy things like

grindstones and sieves, not to mention feed the thousand-some people until the harvest in

August.

You Miao curbs his playfulness to properly study and practice martial arts. He’d more or

less learned some things before, back at the Capital, and now manages to absorb some more

from all the reading he’s doing at the estate. It’s early summer now and the entire Jiangnan

region becomes sweltering. Luckily, Shen Garden is next to the river, with cool breezes drafting

over time and again. Together with all the hundred year old trees in the garden, the place makes

for a surprisingly good hideout from the heat, and whenever it gets too hot, You Miao would go

sit in the bamboo forest to read.

Another letter comes from Zhao Chao, the first in four months. The letter is only a couple

lines long, briefly telling You Miao that he’s on a campaign at Goryeo, and that the situation is

more arduous and difficult than he’d thought it would be.

The letter goes on to talk about how hundreds died somewhere, how there was an

ambush somewhere, and how they had won a major victory somewhere, and so on. You Miao

doesn’t really understand what it all means, so he calls Li Zhifeng over and asks him about it.

“Mount Khuanmar is the boundary line between the Goryeo people and the Yuanlang

clan,” Li Zhifeng says as he draws a rough map on the paper. You Miao asks, “Are you

Quanrong people still in that region?”

Li Zhifeng answers, “When I was still in the tribe, I heard there was a branch of the tribe

that often roamed around Mount Khuanmar, and that they’ve been expanding in recent years.”

You Miao nods. After all, with Zhao Chao going off to war, it won’t have nothing to do

with the Quanrong. So he hands him the letter. “Here, take a look.”

Li Zhifeng finishes reading the letter, and is silent for a long moment.

You Miao asks, “They’ll win, right?”

Li Zhifeng doesn’t answer, getting up instead and walking over to the edge of the

bamboo forest. He gestures You Miao over, then uses a bamboo branch to draw two mountains

and a river on the ground, saying “They’ll get to Mount Khuanmar around late July, early August,

and past there is a large stretch of wetlands. Once it’s summer, the wetlands will turn into a

marsh, and it’ll be extremely difficult to march an army through.”

You Miao leans in from the side and studies the drawing seriously. Li Zhifeng continues,

“Zhao Chao’s surroundings are actually very dangerous, it’s just that he didn’t say it in the letter.

Once the supply line is set up around autumn, it’d be best to strike quickly and conclusively, else

if it drags on into the winter, I’m afraid the entire army will be done for.”

You Miao murmurs, “It’s that dangerous?”

Li Zhifeng tosses the bamboo branch aside and says absently, “The King of Goryeo is

seventy three this year, it’ll depend on whether he takes to the battlefield himself.”

You Miao lifts his head and looks at Li Zhifeng. “And if he does?”

Li Zhifeng gazes back seriously as he answers, “If he does, then Zhao Chao will lose.

The court has vastly underestimated Goryeo’s military strength; Goryeo may be a small country,

but forty two years ago, their king waged war against the Wusun clan and won every single one

of the seven battles fought, driving the Wusun out of their territory altogether. Why else,

considering the Quanrong clan’s fighting prowess, would the situation with the Goryeo have

been at a stalemate or this long?”

You Miao nods, thinking about what to write back to Zhao Chao. But he knows little of

strategy and tactics, and also can’t infer Zhao Chao’s battle style from the few words he wrote.

After racking his brains for a while, he turns to Li Zhifeng and asks, “What do you think Zhao

Chao should do in order to win?”

“To win, the first thing is to not drag it out,” Li Zhifeng says, washing the teacups at the

side while You Miao leans on the table, watching him with his head tilted.

Li Zhifeng contemplates for a long moment, then continues, “The longer it drags on, the

more variables will arise. And if the battlefront gets too long, it’ll be easy for the Goryeo and

Quanrong to infiltrate and ransack the rations. Once winter arrives, some are bound to freeze to

death. On top of all that, if the court delays his funds, defeat will be unavoidable.”

You Miao says, “What would you do if you were Zhao Chao?”

Li Zhifeng: “If it was me, I’d ally with the Quanrong and strike together. The enemy of my

enemy is my friend.”

“Mn,” You Miao says, “the Great Qi just wants the Goryeo to surrender and stop making

trouble at the border anyway.”

Li Zhifeng says nothing to that, but continues after a pause, “The leader of Quanrong’s

eastern mountain division is named Sayedo, very filial to his mother. His mother is the only

woman who travels with the Quanrong tribe, and is also very calculating. If Zhao Chao can

manage to take her as godmother, that might resolve your Han army’s predicament.”

You Miao: “How could he possibly just go and take someone else as godmother?”

Li Zhifeng explains, “The Quanrong customs are different from Han customs. Since the

children don’t stay with their mothers, the men always have their sons take something as

mother. Some take the mountains and rivers as their mother, others the snow wolves,

something auspicious to protect the children from dying young.”

You Miao writes down what Li Zhifeng has told him in his letter back to Zhao Chao, a

thousand miles away on the battlefield.

The weather gets hotter still, and You Miao hardly even wants to go outside, only

stepping outside to look around the land in the evenings. It’s June now, and the tenant farmers

have begun to tend the paddy sprouts. You Miao has gone to survey the fields once and is a

little worried about the early season rice harvest, but the old farmers assure him that the soil is

good and the first half of the year has been good weather for the crops, so the harvest certainly

won’t be bad.

You Miao checks over a couple ears of the rice with an air of seriousness, using all that

he’s learned from the books. It might not be the three hundred catties per season nine hundred

catties a year scenario like he’d thought, but a hundred-some catties per mu of land shouldn’t

be a problem at least, enough to eat even if there isn’t much money to be made there. He

makes a trip to Yangzhou at the start of June, and finds that all the scholars there are talking

about how the Prefecture Exam this year has been moved up to June, so You Miao sorts

through his books and gets a last bit of cramming in to get ready to go write the Prefecture

Exam.

The Prefecture Exam is three days long. You Miao is lazy by nature, but since coming to

Riverwave Estate, he’s discovered that he can’t actually do much of anything aside from

studying.

Him? Work the land? No way. Back when they pushed him to study all day, he only liked

to laze about and play around instead, wandering about here and there, doing anything but

actually going to school. But now that there’s no one pestering him, all he feels is restless and

wanting to find something to do. Might as well study up and go write the imperial exams after all.

First of all, thinking of Zhao Chao, You Miao wants to be of some use to him.

Secondly, he can’t exactly just go on like this. Sure, Shen Garden’s not bad, and Li

Zhifeng is great at his side as well, but he doesn’t want to just sit at home all his life.

So he’s been using these couple of months to read in preparation for the exam. No one

knows why the Prefecture Exam got moved up by two months in all the regions this year; some

people think it’s because they’re going to be holding the Grace Exams next year, while others

say it’s because the border is unstable and the court is short on people. There are all kinds of

theories flying around, and no one knows what’s what.

Qiao Jue makes a trip to Jiang Prefectural City and slips some silver across some

counters on behalf of You Miao, telling them that he’s already a Xiucai. Those people naturally

already know who You Miao is, and are happy enough to let him come take the Prefecture

Exam in June, saying that Sunshower Jade Estate has also already sent someone to have a

friendly talk30 with the administrator of the Prefecture Exam for him. Upon hearing that, You Miao

30 bribed

figures that You Han’ge will probably be there too—but he’s only studied for these few months,

who knows if he can even read the Three Character Classic31 yet.

Sixth of June, and You Miao rides into Jiang City with Li Zhifeng. It’s hot and stifling,

with a rainstorm brewing in the skies above. The exam hall is packed full of people, with Xiucai

from counties and villages all over Liuzhou Prefecture gathered and chatting amongst

themselves. You Miao stands by himself under the eaves, watching the dark clouds above.

“Ready?” Li Zhifeng asks.

You Miao responds, “It’s just the Prefecture Exam, it’ll be a walk in the park for me.”

Li Zhifeng starts laughing and reaches out to pinch You Miao’s cheeks. You Miao

side-eyes him and says huffily, “What’s so funny.”

Li Zhifeng shakes his head and can’t help smiling as he says, “You’ve changed a lot in

the past year.”

“Have I?” You Miao wonders absently, but thinking back, he does seem to have changed

somewhat. Just when did he start to slowly change? He mulls it over for a while, then says,

offhandedly, “It’s cause you’re always with me, must be your influence.”

The You family’s horse carriage stops outside the Prefecture Exam hall, and a pair of

bookboys help You Han’ge down. You Han’ge steps into the hall and asks something; You Miao

is stunned at seeing him—he really is here for the exam?! Didn’t he only just start learning his

letters late last year? He couldn’t even read all the writing on the wall when he came to visit at

New Year’s.

“Didi!” You Han’ge comes over with a smile and a greeting. “I knew I’d see you here.”

It was Qiao Jue who’d smoothed the way for You Miao to write the Prefecture Exam,

although Sunshower Jade Estate had put in a word for him as well; You Miao doesn’t really feel

like splitting hairs. He says, “You’re here for the exam too?”

You Miao thinks it funny to even see him at a place like this. You Han’ge is bashful as he

says, “My mom taught me a bit before, so dad said I might as well come try, just to see what it’s

like.”

You Miao is truly impressed by the old man and this cheap dge of his, mentally

grumbling you’ve only got six months of learning letters under your belt, if you can qualify like

31 三字经 [Three Character Classic] 13th century reading primer consisting of Confucian tenets in

lines of 3 characters

that, then what’s even the point of everyone else studying. But then he realizes that that’s not

it—the old man’s got nothing but money; if he just throws some money at the exam graders,

won’t You Han’ge easily qualify?

You Miao’s entire face darkens at the thought. At least You Han’ge himself doesn’t look

like he’s gonna cheat.

You Han’ge has a bookboy take out a wooden box. “Here, gege got this for you.”

You Miao takes the box and, seeing how expectant You Han’ge looks, can’t bring himself

to be cross with him. You Han’ge always been giving him stuff ever since he left home, be it

money or little things like these. He opens the box to find a Yixing tea set inside, with a teapot

and four cups made of purple sand.

“I didn’t bring you anything…” You Miao says a little awkwardly, but luckily the exam hall

rings the bell just then, and all the Tongsheng start to filter in one after another. From the other

side, You Han’ge yells, “Didi! Good luck!’

You Miao nods and steps into the exam hall. Stopping just outside, Li Zhifeng says,

“Good luck.”

You Miao grins and walks over to Li Zhifeng, squeezing him in a hug. The exam proctor

comments from the side, “Is your ge here for the exam too?”

You Miao points with his thumb at Li Zhifeng outside as he responds, “My ge is the one

that’s waiting outside.”

You Miao takes out paper and brush, and the proctor produces a bamboo tube from his

sleeve, handing him the wax-sealed exam question before leaving and locking the door behind

him, officially starting the Prefecture Exam.

Zhang Er is registered as a resident of Jiangnan, so his Prefecture Exam location is at

the Yangzhou Government Office, while You Miao and You Han’ge, who are registered at

Jiangbei, write their exams at the Jiang City Government Office. The exam is three days in

length, eating relieving and all that are all done in the exam room, which provides all the living

necessities, with food being delivered from the outside through a little window. There’s always a

bowl of steamed egg with You Miao’s meals, though he has no idea where Li Zhifeng’s getting

them from.

The Prefectural Governor of Liuzhou personally comes by every day during this period

and makes two rounds through the exam hall. He comes to a stop outside You Miao’s exam

room once and asks Li Zhifeng a couple of things, which Li Zhifeng answers tersely.

Three days later, the doors to the exam hall open, and each of the Xiucai’s emerge,

looking sallow and exhausted. You Miao himself looks to have lost weight, and he grumbles,

“Let’s get outta here… it’s home time.”

You Han’ge is pushing through the crowd to come over again to say hello, but the exam

hall is a rowdy mess, so You Miao waves at him, “No need to come over! We’ll talk if we bump

into each other later!”

Li Zhifeng grins, “How was it? Think you can pass?”

“Of course I’ll pass.” You Miao replies, “You should ask if I can rank top in all three levels

of the exams!”

“What was on the exam?” Li Zhifeng asks.

“The way of ultimate wisdom is the manifestation of absolute integrity.” You Miao replies.

“Don’t get it.” Li Zhifeng says.

“Ay, I didn’t think you would. It’s Han philosophy, the first verse of “The Way of Ultimate

Wisdom.”32

The two chit chat about nothing important as they return to Riverwave Estate, and

discover it’s Zhang Er who’s come back first ahead of them, so You Miao brews a pot of tea in

the study, discussing the exam questions with Zhang Er. After that he stops caring about it, only

waiting for the day the results come out now.

You Miao has studied in the Imperial College at the Capital before, and back then the

professor regarded highly of the school of Rationalism33, being one of the great confucian

scholars of the country. You Miao never really liked the set put together by Zhu Xi34, and couldn’t

help but clown around during every class. Yet now when he thinks back on it, while he didn’t

agree much with what the professor had taught, his words are still very useful when it comes to

taking exams.

The way of ultimate wisdom is the manifestation of absolute integrity. How You Miao

interprets it is in order to achieve erudition, one must exemplify morality; “act after careful

32 The Way of Ultimate Wisdom or the most direct translation The Great Learning by Confucius. It

is a chapter from the Book of Rites, and formed one of the Four Books of Confucianism. The Four Books

were selected by the Neo-Confuscian scholar Zhu Xi during Song Dynasty as the foundational

introduction to Confucianism.

33 Lixue - Rationalism is a neo-confuscian school of philosophy that is greatly regarded in Song

Dynasty. Neo-Confucianism is founded on the principles of Confucianism but with the removal of Taoist

and Buddhist superstitions and mysticism.

34 Zhu Xi is the founder of Lixue, and the most influential Neo-Confusian in China.

consideration”, this is how Zhu Xi had explained it. Zhang Er however, understands it as in order

to learn35, one must self-cultivate integrity. The two debate the meaning of the text for a while,

and feel each has their own reason.

You Miao jokes, “Your version is right too. If both of us can pass, then we’ll have two

Juren’s in the house.”

Zhang Er smiles helplessly, “Young Master will definitely pass. As for me, I best stop

dreaming and go help harvest the crops.”

T’is harvest season, and the rice crops are drooping heavy with grain. The second day

You Miao returned, everyone in every single tenant household of the whole estate have moved

out, wearing straw hats and harvesting rice under the scorching sun. The sheafs of rice are

piled high like a small mountain. You Miao is adamant in going to check it out, one, it’s his very

first harvest as a landlord, second, there’s rent to be given to him in all of that.

In the next five to six consecutive days, You Miao wears coarse fabric shirts, mingling

alongside the tenants, and spends every meal at a different household, sidling along as he ate.

The farmers built a straw hut by the side of the fields, and when they see You Miao and Li

Zhifeng coming, they all get up to greet them in smiles.

After harvesting crops once, the entire body is covered in cuts after coming out of it;

spending three days soaked in sweat, arms all red with cuts, even the neck is bitten by bugs.

You Miao followed along and inspected two hundred mu of land, his entire person so sunburnt

he’s lost a layer of skin. Finally, all the land in the estate has finished reaping, and the farmers

begin threshing, dragging oxen and donkeys to the threshing field to compress, pushing the

grain from their shells, then sending it to be grinded.

It’s as if the entire estate is celebrating a festival for this very first harvest. A

hydro-powered grinder is constructed next to the water canal, so even the donkey is saved.

There are farmers using the large waterwheel to grind, and others who are gathered by the

water canal, waiting to use the grinder You Miao constructed.

From the moment the rice seedlings were planted, You Miao has been asking

incessantly how much catty can be harvested how much catty can be harvested, asking for over

three months, so much that everyone wanted to die. Until finally, brown rice is weighed, and

every household start to haul bags and bags of rice over the large scale before the manor, that

You Miao sighs a breath of relief.

35 As per previous footnote, the most direct translation of the title of this work is The Great

Learning, and Zhang Er is deriving his analysis from the word “Learn” directly whereas You Miao is

analyzing through a more literary sense.

“EVERY MU OF LAND PRODUCED A HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR CATTY! GOOD

GOING!” You Miao shouts, “Your house collected the most for this year’s early harvest!”

Chatters erupt from the crowds all around, many staring enviously at that burly man, and

the burly man sighs, “It ain’t easy eh, Young Master. Gotta get up before the sun’s up to toil for

good returns, I’ve got elders and young’uns at home to take care of.”

“For those who produced above a hundred and twenty catty per mu,” You Miao decides

and announces to the tenants, “I’ll only take four parts rent.”

The cheers of the tenants explodes like thunder. You Miao never mentioned this

beforehand, and now that he’s said it, there are households who rejoice and households who

mourn, and so the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. You Miao closes the books and

smiles, “Don’t be lazy, lighten up, there’s the late harvest still. Now that all the grain has entered

the granary, keep it on mind, and go build your houses.”

Sacks and sacks of rice enter the granary, and that night, after You Miao closes the

granary door and does a full count, there is a total of forty-two thousand catty of grain harvested

from three thousand two hundred and twenty-four mu of land, and just his rent alone is twenty

thousand catty, all collected from tenants who paid up early, and delivered to You Miao’s house

in full gratitude too. If he sells all this rice, he can make close to four hundred silver.

It ain’t easy, eh.

But You Miao doesn’t want to sell the rice yet, so the grain will stay stored for the time

being.

“I feel better that way.” You Miao laughs.

“Poverty got to you, that’s all.” Qiao Jue says, “But people need to experience being

poor sometimes. Those who've never been poor live like they’re missing something.”

In the heart of summer, the cacophony of insects sound, and You Miao and Qiao Jue sit

under the big tree in the yard to stay cool. Poverty has indeed gotten to You Miao, recollecting

on how back at the beginning of the year he was so poor he would break a coin in half to use as

two if he could. Supporting thousands of people using that couple hundreds of silver, those are

days he never want to relive again.

Fortunately, the most difficult part is over. In a few days the peanuts can be harvested

too, and Shen Garden transforms into a money-making field all of a sudden. A few hundred mu

of peanut fields, the peanuts can sell for at least a hundred silver.

You Miao’s abacus is clacking furiously, there’s finally some money. He’s going to save

up all of his own grain, it won’t sell for much anyway, and the yield from both the rapeseed and

peanuts is enough to pay for Shen Garden’s entire year’s expense. Thinking back on how he

once wastefully spent in the Capital, the silver going out in tens and twenties, and that the entire

estate’s farmers working hard for a full year, selling all of the grain, isn’t even enough to support

what he spent in a month, You Miao is full of mixed emotions.

Li Zhifeng comes walking in from the outside, a letter in his hand and he stops

underneath the lantern to read, and the red glow illuminates the profile of his handsome face.

“Whose letter is it, let me see?” You Miao asks, “There’s someone who’d write you

letters?”

“It’s yours.” Li Zhifeng says, then hands him the opened letter right after, and You Miao

takes it casually, thinking if it can draw Li Zhifeng’s attention then it’s probably something that

relates to Quanrong, so it’s more than likely Zhao Chao’s letter.

Of all in the world there is only You Miao who disregards etiquette like this, permitting the

housekeeper to just open letters as he will, and when he glances at the letter in question, it’s

indeed from Zhao Chao.

The Third Prince going on war expedition with the army, there are naturally advisors by

his side, and the one leading is also Nie Dan, so You Miao can guess that Zhao Chao wouldn’t

be waiting for them to mention all the analysis Li Zhifeng gave of the situation months ago.

However, those customs in regards to Quanrong that You Miao wrote in his letters still helped

him big time.

The letter still talks of the current war situation first. The summer brought many

consecutive thunderstorms to Mount Khuanmar, and the army of the Great Qi has sunken into

mud puddles, unable to move forward nor retreat, and the most troublesome is the food

supplies couldn’t be released. Zhao Chao’s letter is full of helplessness, and couldn’t help but

lament his lack of people in the imperial court.

Presently, the central government is prematurely pulling food supplies from all the

prefectures of Jiangnan in order to aid the troops north of the border, but who knows when they

would arrive.

At the end, Zhao Chao wrote a long paragraph talking about the state exams—— that

the Prefecture Exam is fast approaching, and You Miao must study hard and write properly, so

in the future when You Miao enters the Capital he can help him feel the pulse.

This letter should’ve arrived in Jiangnan in April, but was delayed on the road, and this

year’s exams also moved up in dates, so if those trivial things didn’t happen, then Zhao Chao’s

letter would’ve come right on time. But, without the need for his reminder, You Miao had already

attended the Prefecture Exam, and while he carried a more careless and casual mindset at first,

now that he’s thinking about it seriously, it’s true that to be a man, one must work properly and

do great things instead of stuffed at home all the time.

Days later, the results of the exam are released in Jiang Prefectural City. When You

Miao gets up in the morning, he yawns, then sits listlessly inside the main hall, turning towards

Li Zhifeng, “Why don’t you go take a trip and go check the results?”

“Mn.” Li Zhifeng brings his porridge up then wipes his hands, and You Miao adds, “Might

as well check and see if that cheap dge of mine passed too.”

Qiao Jue is still sleeping in the back, and as the two eat, someone comes to visit.

“Aiyoh, congratulations, Young Master!” A granny with a handkerchief pinched between

her fingers comes trotting over the moment she gets off the carriage outside Shen Garden’s

front entrance, shouting “Congratulations, congratulations! Congratulations Young Master

Nephew!”

Outside, Cheng Guangwu has only just gotten up too, and when he sees this person

running without manners he is instantly outraged, shouting, “WHAT WITH ALL THIS RACKET?

IS SHEN GARDEN A PLACE YOU CAN JUST INTRUDE?! GET OUTTA HERE!”

That granny only urges in a high pitched voice outside, “YOUNG MASTER NEPHEW!

OLD MASTER ER HAS SENT ME TO CONGRATULATE YOU! YOU’VE GOTTEN JUREN!”

You Miao glances outside, then exchange a look with Li Zhifeng, both of them not

knowing whether to laugh or cry. Li Zhifeng places his chopsticks down and is just about to go

outside when You Miao says, “Well, that makes life easier. You don’t need to run to Jiang

Prefectural City anymore.”

“I’ll go give her a red envelope grant36.” Li Zhifeng says.

You Miao grunts, feeling a little proud inside. He passed just as expected, now let’s see

what the old fart has to say. Li Zhifeng only just left to get money when that granny starts

shouting outside again, “YOUNG MASTER NEPHEW GOT JIEYUAN37! THIS IS THE FIRST

TIME IN OUR QIAO FAMILY, EH!”

36 It’s tradition for those who bring good news to be rewarded with a money grant, and for extra

good news such as passing the exams or promotion, anyone who comes to congratulate in the first

minute can also get a small reward.

37 First place in the Prefecture Exam.

When You Miao hears this he instantly topples his bowl, and exclaims like he’s still

dreaming, “WHAT? WHAT DID YOU SAY?!”

In the back, Qiao Jue has risen too. That granny is indeed someone sent by Qiao Zhang

to deliver news; turns out the exam results already came out in Jiang Prefectural City the day

before, and it just so happens Qiao Zhang was visiting a friend in Jiang City. The entire street

was talking about the You Family of the Sunshower Jade Estate, and the little young master of

the You’s got Jieyuan! The moment Qiao Zhang heard he knew this is incredible news, and

hastily sent someone over to congratulate first while he himself returned to Yangzhou to change

before rushing over.

Jieyuan is the first place of the Prefecture Exam. This year, there are more than three

hundred people writing the exam in Liuzhou, but You Miao’s essay is the one appointed first

place. All of a sudden You Miao’s feeling a little light-headed.

Qiao Jue on the other hand is eyes wide and mouth open shocked, he didn’t even put on

shoes, standing there in bare feet. He was stunned for a long time before he bursts out

laughing, “We’ve got a Juren in the house!” Then he wobbles back insanely to grab money to

reward that granny.

Good on You Miao for remaining calm still, but his heart is thumping in his chest, and he

turns to that granny, “What about my dge?”

That granny chuckles, “He passed too. Sunshower Jade Estate is so happy right now

they’re speechless. Two Juren’s in one family! Elder Young Master You takes the estate on that

end, but Young Master Nephew is one of our Qiao Family…”

Of course You Miao understands what that granny means, but You Han’ge having also

passed actually makes You Miao a little upset. No doubt father spent money to buy that title.

Hopefully his Jieyuan wasn’t bought too.

After receiving two red envelopes, that granny sits down inside to drink tea. Li Zhifeng is

only standing outside in the corridors gazing at him with a smile, and You Miao’s expression is

changing rapidly, looking indiscernible.

“What is it now?” Li Zhifeng asks.

“I’m just afraid that this Jieyuan is also a title bought by my dad.” You Miao says.

“You’re thinking too much.” Li Zhifeng says. “If your dad has so much money, why

wouldn’t he buy that title for your ge first?”

You Miao en’s, and when Qiao Jue re-emerges and hears this, he also adds, “Did you

think this Jieyuan can be bought with money? All the first place examinees for each Prefecture

Exam will need to have their names registered when they enter the Capital! Even if your dad is

rolling in riches the Prefectural Government wouldn’t dare to take money so easily to appoint

you. If they’re not careful they’ll lose their positions!”

Li Zhifeng adds, “You’ve worked hard studying in this past half year. Do you not believe

even yourself?”

You Miao spins that in his head and thinks, that’s true too, and so he becomes happy

again. He sits back down to eat more breakfast, but he’s not really hungry, so he starts to pace

back and forth inside the main hall with a smile on his face. Qiao Jue hasn’t gotten over his

excitement yet, and speaks up, unable to hold back, “This is great, Miao-zi. Xiao-jiu has been

waiting for the day you’re able to hold your head up high, this is great this is great…”

You Miao goes over to hug Qiao Jue, and the two stand there in silence for a bit, and it’s

Qiao Jue whose eyes grow red first, looking to have remembered You Miao’s mother.

A moment later You Miao loosens his hold, then goes to hug Li Zhifeng. The corners of

Li Zhifeng’s lips twitch for a while, a rare display, and he coaxes, “Alright, alright, I’ll buy you

candy.” Then, with a stiffened body he drags You Miao off.

You Miao has just eaten breakfast, so Li Zhifeng brings over new robes for him to dress,

and just as they are heading out to set off firecrackers, visitors have come.

The first to come is the Lieutenant of Yangzhou’s Military Defense Bureau. After Tang

Hui left a while back, a new general by the name of Huang has replaced him, and he’s using

this occasion to come acquaint You Miao. Following right after is You Han’ge who’s come to

congratulate You Miao. In You Han’ge case, he’s seen the exam results himself in Jiang

Prefectural City the day before, and send a boy attendant home to deliver the news while he

himself came to Riverwave Estate.

You Miao doesn’t know how he feels about You Han’ge right now, and You Han’ge only

hangs congratulations off his lips, never speaking a word of how he himself has gotten Juren

too. Everyone knows internally what’s going on, but no one broke the facade.

After that it’s the Village Chief of Guozhuang and the Village Chief of Anlu.

After noon is past, Lieutenant Huang leaves, and You Han’ge speaks up, “Didi, dad

wants you to make a trip back home.”

You Miao still has the fight from that Yuanxiao night on mind, so the moment he hears

this he scrunches up his face, “We’ll see.”

You Han’ge continues, “We’re both students under the examiner now. Now that we’ve

gotten Juren, we have to go pay a visit to greet Teacher.”

You Miao does know this is a rule; family affairs is family affairs, but he still needs to

know the importances and priorities of things outside, and so he replies, “I can go by myself.

You…”

You Miao eyes him, knowing You Han’ge wants the two of them to go together. They’re

brothers after all, visiting the examiner separately doesn’t look good either, “...You just find a

time to come over, and we’ll go together.”

Only then does You Han’ge nods, but just as he is taking his leave, the County

Magistrate of Peixian County actually shows up himself.

Now this is truly giving You Miao a huge face, this is the very first time You Miao receives

a County Master in his own home. The Village Chiefs inside the main hall both hastily rise to

bow to the Magistrate, and the moment that Magistrate enters he chuckles, “The Jieyuan of our

Liuzhou has come running over to Yangzhou to farm the fields, now what do I tell the others.”

Laughter fills the hall, and You Miao and You Han’ge then quickly greets the County

Magistrate with the etiquette of a nephew. You Miao jokes, “Doesn’t half of this land still sit in

Jiangbei?”

“Well let me ask you, Nephew You.” The County Magistrate asks teasingly, “You’re still

one of our Liuzhou, right?”

“But of course.” You Miao smiles apologetically, and beckons the Magistrate to take the

head seat, then goes to retrieve tea, brewing a pot for the guests. Everyone knows very well in

their minds that the parent official38 of Peixian County would personally come not for the fact

that both You brothers have gotten Juren, but because You Miao has been appointed Jieyuan.

In other words, getting Juren isn’t hard, but it’s the one who’s appointed Jieyuan whose future is

bright, and a young talent that even parent officials must acquaint.

That County Magistrate says a bunch of things, most of it being reminding You Miao to

go greet the examiner. After all, getting Juren makes one the student of Liuzhou’s Bureau of

38 Local officials are called parent officials because they watch over the local people like one

would as parents.

Personnel, and things must not be muddled. Plus, all the Jurens of the same hometown should

socialize more.

The moment You Miao hears he gets a headache, guessing that this must be You

Dechuan knowing his rebellious son wouldn’t be returning to the estate, so the Peixian County

Magistrate was asked to come over to talk on his behalf, and there’s nothing You Miao can do

but listen. Soon after, Qiao Zhang comes to pay a visit too, bringing Madam Bai with him. You

Miao is practically in tears but with nowhere to cry; it’s the first time in his life that so many

guests have shown up at home, and there’s not even enough teacups to go around.

That day, when time is getting a bit late, You Miao is already prompting mentally for them

to leave, why are you all still hanging around here, are y’all trying to get a free dinner off of me?

Thankfully the Peixian County Magistrate leaves first, then both Village Chiefs of Guozhuang

and Anlu take the leave as well. Qiao Zhang on the other hand, is bilking around refusing to

leave, and another person shows up at the door.

This time it’s Zhang Er.

You Miao quickly calls out to him, “You’ve come right on time. Give a hand and butcher

that goose the old Village Chief gave outside, we’ll eat that for dinner.”

Zhang Er puts down his sack, acknowledging he’s heard from outside the door. He

usually works around Shen Garden along with the other boy attendants, so everyone takes him

for a playmate, and so Cheng Guangwu asks him, “Yangzhou’s exam results are out too. How’d

you do?”

“I passed too.” Zhang Er replies, “In a few days I was hoping to ask Young Master for

some tea leaves to go greet the Teacher.”

You Miao is still talking to Qiao Zhang inside the main hall, but when he hears this he’s

immediately taken aback, and comes out running, “Zhang Er, you passed?!”

Zhang Er aye-d in response, running around with Mu Yan chasing that goose

everywhere, but now the entire Shen Garden has exploded, everyone running out to

congratulate Zhang Er. You Miao waves at him, “C’mere, c’mere, don’t worry about that goose!”

Zhang Er laughs, “As long as I’m here in Shen Garden, Young Master can still take me

for a Study Companion.”

You Miao understood him and laughs, “Very well, very thoughtful of you. Let’s eat dinner

together though, and let me congratulate you!”

The news of two Jurens birthed from Riverwave Estate has shaken all of Yangzhou

Prefecture. That night, after You Miao’s had dinner, he chats with Zhang Er til deep into the

night. Although Zhang Er has gotten Juren, he still appears poor and humble, having not even a

courtesy name. You Miao’s courtesy name Ziqian was given by Qiao Ke’er, he just doesn’t use it

often. The meaning of if taken from: The best of virtue is like water; water benefits all but does

not compete. Such is the virtue of humility39. Thinking it over, You Miao gives Zhang Er a brand

new name called Zhang Wenhan, and also the courtesy name Mohuai40.

The next day when You Miao gets up, there’s more people coming to visit to

congratulate him. This time it’s the County Magistrate of Yangzhou Prefecture’s Anping County.

Originally, You Miao is a citizen registered in Liuzhou, so even if he is appointed Jieyuan it has

nothing to do with Yangzhou. However, Anping County has a Juren Zhang Wenhan living in the

manor, and so the County Magistrate has come to pay a visit. This time You Miao appears much

more mature than his age. After all, Anping County’s Magistrate isn’t close with his own father

You Dechuan, but is acquainted with the You Family of Yangzhou, and so when they conversed,

the tones are much more familiar.

On the morning of the third day, uncles and cousins from the You clan of Jiangnan have

come to congratulate, and taking the chance to check out You Miao’s estate while they’re there.

This continues on for ten consecutive days, the number of guests who come and go are

practically flattening his threshold. He’s so tired of dealing with this that he’s ready to shut the

door for good.

Things finally calm down a bit after ten days, and You Miao simply takes all the boy

attendants of the entire Shen Garden out to harvest peanuts, slapping a slip on the door that

says “Jieyuan isn’t home!”, and if guests come, he’s making Zhang Wenhan deal with them all,

while he dusts his own ass off and flees.

---

39 A line from The Classics of Virtue and Morality by Laozi.

40 Both are scholarly names.

Chapter 20

By the time You Han’ge comes to visit again, half a month has already passed.

You Miao is just in the middle of learning how to pull out peanuts; when everyone else

next to him pull, they can pull out a long string including the roots, but the way You Miao yanks,

the stems on the top just snaps, leaving a bunch of peanuts still buried underground, how

infuriating. And now You Han’ge’s come searching for him in the fields, shouting, “Di! We’ll have

to travel to Jiang Prefectural City for the next couple of days!”

Only then does You Miao remember the whole greeting the examiner thing, and can only

clap his hands clean, shaking off all the dirt on him, and shouting in the other direction, “LI

ZHIFENG!”

Li Zhifeng straightens up and gazes at him from between the fields. You Miao shouts,

“TIME TO GO INTO TOWN!”

“TO BUY WHAT?” Li Zhifeng yells back from the other end of the field.

“NOTHING!” You Miao yells, “MY GE CAME TO FIND ME SO WE CAN BOTH GO INTO

TOWN TO PLAY CUTE!”

The moment those words come out, You Han’ge immediately looks awkward, but You

Miao isn’t wrong. The point of them going into town is to play cute, what else is there? The

reason why You Han’ge keeps coming to visit must be because You Dechuan is forcing him,

since You Han’ge doesn’t know how to deal with officials at all, and wouldn’t know how to make

himself likeable to the Commissioner of the Bureau of Personnel. There’s no way You Dechuan

would personally bring You Han’ge to pay visits, so he can only have the elder son come find

the younger son, for no other reason than to have You Miao take care of his older brother.

Li Zhifeng comes over, and You Miao first enters the main hall with the intention of

changing, but then he changes his mind, “What did the old man have you bring to go pay visit?”

“I’ve two cases of the best Sunshower Jade Qingfeng.” You Han’ge says, “Take a look,

di.”

With only a single glance and You Miao can tell it’s tribute stock, a case like this is worth

a minimum fifty silver. He takes one of the cases and says, “Call Zhang Er over.”

The boy attendant outside the door goes off to pass on the message. Ever since Zhang

Wenhan became a Juren he’s still staying in You Miao’s home, and You Miao still makes him

tidy the study, helping around with errands. Zhang Wenhan is also enjoying himself, not asking

for anything else. When he comes in, he first bows to You Miao, “Young Master.”

Then he nods at You Han’ge, “You-xiong.”

You Miao passes him a case with tea, “You’ve got the gift for visiting the examiner now.

Take it with you.”

You Han’ge, “But…”

You Miao opens the case to show Zhang Wenhan, and instructs, “The box is packed

properly don’t spill it, all the tea leaves in here are tribute grade goods.”

Zhang Wenhan takes the case and nods, and You Han’ge questions, “Then didi, what

about you?”

“Li Zhifeng, go pack two gunny sacks full of the peanuts we just collected, and we’ll go.”

You Miao says.

You Han’ge, “...”

Nonetheless, peanuts are one thing, a finer gift still needs to be prepared, so You Miao

grabs another two jugs of wine but doesn’t bother changing his attire. You Han’ge speaks up,

“Di, you can’t be going dressed like this…”

“Ay.” You Miao blows him off, “You don’t get it. Let’s go let’s go.”

You Miao is dusty and covered in mud, and Li Zhifeng is also only wearing a brown robe,

the two of them hopping onto the horse just like that, and even if You Han’ge has complaints he

daren’t speak them, and can only follow You Miao go down to the river to board the ferry,

heading to Jiang Prefectural City.

The two give their name cards at the Sun Residence, and immediately a housekeeper

comes out to welcome them, “Which one of you is the Jieyuan41 of Liuzhou?”

You Miao is still wearing a straw hat for blocking the sun, and he stuffs a broken silver in

that housekeeper’s hand, and the housekeeper immediately smiles, “Lord Sun has been waiting

a long time for you.”

41 Rank first in the Prefectural Exams.

“There’s been some things at home that I couldn’t get away from.” You Miao says, “I

should’ve come to pay Teacher a visit a long time ago.”

“And this one is…?” The housekeeper inquires.

You Han’ge immediately responds, “I’ve also passed the exam this year. You Han’ge

from Sunshower Jade Estate.”

The housekeeper nods.

You Miao adds, “He’s my older brother.”

The housekeeper understood, and says, “Come with me, brothers.” Then he leads You

Miao and You Han’ge inside. Li Zhifeng has two sacks of peanuts in his left hand and two jugs

of wine in his right, and when the housekeeper brings them to the side chamber of the main hall,

You Miao tells Li Zhifeng to follow along and go drop off the things in the kitchen.

After announcing them in the main hall, the housekeeper comes out directly and says,

“Lord Governor and the Old Master are just talking, and when they heard you have come, they

both want to meet you.”

You Miao nods and follows the housekeeper to go in, and signals You Han’ge with his

eyes to go together.

It’s just some time past noon, and Liuzhou Prefecture’s Commissioner of the Bureau of

Personnel Sun Yu and the Prefectural Governor Hai Muyang are just having tea and chatting,

so You Miao has come at the best time. When he and You Han’ge go in, they first bow to the

Prefectural Governor, then kneels and kowtows before Sun Yu, respectfully addressing him as

“Teacher”.

The two sees You Miao is covered in dirt and find it extremely amusing, and Hai Muyang

asks, “Why is Nephew You covered in mud?”

You Miao lets You Han’ge take the head guest seat while he himself takes the second

seat on the right, smiling, “The estate just finished collecting peanuts. I’ve brought two sacks full

of home-grown peanuts and two jugs of Champion Reds for Teacher.”

You Han’ge receives the eye signal, and very respectfully presents the tea, “Father has

also instructed student42 to prepare some tea, pray Teacher will receive it happily.”

42 It’s etiquette to refer to oneself in third person and indicate the lower status when speaking to

one higher in authority/hierarchy to show respect.

“Good. Good.” Sun Yu strokes his beard and nods; he’s over fifty some this year. Half a

month ago he was indeed the Chief Examination Officer who patrolled the Precture Exams, and

Hai Muyang also made a couple rounds everyday routinely.

“Your father was infamous throughout Liuzhou, Yangzhou, and Suzhou regions back in

the day.” Hai Muyang says with a smile, “And now he’s attained such huge estates to support

you two in serious studies, pass the exams to acquire a title, you can say one of his wishes are

now fulfilled.”

You Miao nods repeatedly, knowing full well that what this governor meant by “infamous”

might not be a compliment. After all, his old dad has caused a number of strife that men of

books are no longer strangers to.

Sun Yu doesn’t mention the Prefecture Exam, and the group of them only briefly made

pleasantries. You Miao says, “Before I was born my mom bought me a manor. It’s not a huge

place but quiet and peaceful, right next to the river. If Teacher and Lord Hai wouldn’t mind

visiting Shen Garden, then when Autumn comes student will naturally clean and await your

coming.”

“I’ve heard.” Sun Yu says, “Lu Fangweng’s garden. It’s a nice place, but don’t end up

falling into slothish pleasures all day.”

“Of course not.” You Miao sniffs in amusement, “I only hope the Capital will begin the

grace period soon so we can travel to the Capital for the Interview Exam, study and serve the

country.”

“You You Clan has such a large business enterprise, even if you don’t study, there’s

enough assets to support five to six of your future generations.” Sun Yu says.

You Han’ge quickly replies, “Dad always lectures me that we must survive on our own

means, and not just hang on to the ancestors’ lands to pass our days.”

“Very good, that’s the spirit.” Governor Hai says, “You Miao, I’ve read your essay. It’s

very well written…”

Sun Yu and Governor Hai exchange a look, the two of them seeming to share a tacit

understanding. You Miao can’t read them so he only nods obediently, and responds with humble

declines. Governor Hai then adds, “I didn’t think you’d know of the common livelihood at first,

but now that I’ve met you today, it seems you enjoy getting your hands dirty and do things

yourself. Very good that you carry this attitude.”

“Don’t praise him too much, now.” Sun Yu chides.

Governor Hai chuckles, “I’m simply here to check out your students. I’ll take my leave

now.”

Governor Hai rises to bid farewell, and the brothers You Miao and You Han’ge quickly

get up too to send him off, following after Sun Yu to see him out the door. When Sun Yu returns

again, his expression is a bit unreadable, and doesn’t speak for quite a while.

“How much does ten kilograms of rice cost this year?” Sun Yu asks languidly after a

long while.

Even You Miao hasn’t expected he’d ask this question, and You Han’ge is even more

perplexed. A moment later, You Han’ge answers honestly, “Student is ashamed. Student doesn’t

know.”

While You Han’ge followed his mother to make a living for many years, he’s never

managed the family finances, so all the purchases for rice and oil were all done by Madam

Wang herself. You Han’ge only handled taking the money while conducting their small

businessnesses, so he doesn’t know anything else.

You Miao calculates mentally for a moment; ten kilos of rice is twelve catty, one catty is

eight coins, and so he answers, “A kilo of rice is approximately ninety-six coins. The harvest

wholesale price this year is ninety coins, and the market price is a hundred.”

Sun Yu nods slowly. You Miao is quiet for a moment, then speaks up, “Let me brew a pot

of tea for Teacher?”

“Go wash your hands in the water basin down the hall first.” Sun Yu commands.

You Miao smiles and goes off to wash his hands. After he’s gone, Sun Yu turns to You

Han’ge, “Your essay doesn’t compare to your little brother’s. You need to put in the hard work,

and study seriously for several more years. “Ten years by the freezing window”43 isn’t an

experience that can be bought with money.”

Sun Yu doesn’t hold back with his words at all, and You Han’ge can only nod, his

forehead starting to sweat. How can his exam scroll be considered an essay? It’s clearly You

Dechuan’s money! And Sun Yu continues on, “If you are only seeking for plentiful living in

Liuzhou, and have the tenant farmers respectfully address you as Old Master Juren

43 An idiom describing years of painstaking studying. It’s very difficult to pass the Prefecture

Exam, as there are limited slots for passing each time, and only hundreds out of hundreds of thousands

are able to pass. Thus, in ancient times, it’s not strange for a Xiucai to have studied for decades, his

entire life even, and not manage to reach Juren.

everywhere, then this is enough. If you want to try for a title, then you’ll need to study for

another ten years.”

“Yes sir.” You Han’ge nods, “Teacher is right.”

Sun Yu adds, “Your father on the other hand, certainly is very learned, and often

socializes with the scholars of Liuzhou. If you have the time then go meet with them, familiarize

yourself with them. The Lin Family of your Peixian County also has a newly approved Juren,

he’s the nephew of Peixian County’s Magistrate. You can befriend him and others alike.”

“Teacher’s instructions will be heeded.” You Han’ge says.

You Miao comes back in after washing his hands, and takes the seat right next to Sun

Yu matter-of-factly. He rolls up his sleeves to start brewing tea, and Sun Yu gives him a look,

“And you. You’re outstandingly smart.”

You Miao is excellent at reading a person, and in a few short lines he can tell Sun Yu

favours him. But there are different types of favouring and different ways of responding to them,

and so You Miao starts to chuckle softly, trying to think of something to say. In the end, he only

responds with “Student doesn’t deserve this praise.”

The corners of Sun Yu’s bearded lips twitch. You Miao pours the tea and signals with his

eyes, and immediately You Han’ge gets up to respectfully pick up the teacup to offer to Sun Yu.

Sun Yu casually takes the tea without sparing a single glance at You Han’ge, and puts it down

after having taken a sip. He gives You Miao a look, appearing extremely amused, “Your father’s

trying very hard.”

You Han’ge isn’t used to crossing fires on the political stage, so when he hears this he’s

completely in the fog. You Miao however, understands perfectly. The moment Sun Yu saw him

squint his eyes he knew this was all planned by You Dechuan.

Jieyuan coming to pay a formal visit and bringing along with him the brother who bought

the Juren title, Sun Yu rarely ever runs into something this hilarious in his life. You Miao only

smiles helplessly, not saying a word.

“You’re smart.” Sun Yu places the empty cup by the corner of the table, and taps his

fingers a couple times, his gaze moving to the yard outside. “But frivolous and impatient in

character. You will need to grind and train in order to achieve great things. What are your plans

in the near future?”

You Miao thinks for a moment then answers, “Nothing in particular. Live in the estate for

the time being, study behind closed doors, then we’ll see in a few years.

Sun Yu nods, “And after that? Do you plan on staying at the estate for the rest of your

life?”

You Miao contemplates the question for a moment, then responds respectfully, “I want to

cultivate self discipline, bring order to the family, govern the state, and conquer the world.”44

“And how does one govern the state and conquer the world?” Sun Yu questions.

You Miao knows that Sun Yu is now starting to test him, and he must absolutely not give

a wrong answer at a time like this. He spends a long time ruminating the question and Sun Yu

doesn’t rush him either, sitting there drinking his tea in leisure.

The silence lasts for a long time.

You Miao finally speaks, “The foundation of world governance is people; to govern the

world is to govern the people. Those who have the hearts of people have the world.”

Sun Yu doesn’t give his approval, nor does he refute this statement. A long while after

he nods.

“And what about you?” Sun Yu turns to You Han’ge.

You Han’ge replies reverently, “Show respects to the parents, take care of didi. You

Han’ge knows himself to be dull, I daren’t have other imaginations. Father is also making

student study in order to widen my perspectives and properly manage the family business.”

“You’ve reached the stage of bringing order to the family and stopped.” Sun Yu’s beard

twitches, and a moment later he nods, “But what you’ve said is correct too. Filial piety is the

most important of all virtues; there’s also the saying that if one cannot sweep one’s house, one

cannot sweep the world. It’s already rare that you should think thus.”

You Miao is feeling nervous, his heart lurching, wondering if his answer is maybe too

grand, and he watches Sun Yu’s expression carefully. However, after Sun Yu finishes that pot of

tea, he turns to You Miao, “I won’t keep you both.”

You Miao knows this means the visit is over, and quickly rises with You Han’ge to bid

farewell. Sun Yu adds, “If you have questions about your studies, things that confuse you, come

over and ask, but you can leave the tea next time. You Miao, you can come often.”

44 修身、齊家、治國、平天下。A shortened version of a paragraph from The Great Learning

of the Book of Rites by Confucius. A good explanation of it here.

You Miao sighs a breath of relief inwardly, and the two brothers quickly bow to show their

thanks then take their leave. After they get out the door, You Han’ge says, “I’ll have to go home

to report to father. Why doesn’t didi come back with me?”

“No.” You Miao replies seriously, “Don’t hurry off, let me tell you something, and this’ll be

me having completed my duty for the old man.”

The two stand in the street outside the residence, and You Miao explains, “What Teacher

meant is we can come pay visits diligently if there’s anything.”

You Han’ge nods, “Yes, of course I’ll come frequently.”

You Miao doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry, and further explains, “You didn’t get it.

Teacher wants you to study first. All those trivial nothings, like if you don’t recognize a character

or something, there’s no need to run over to ask him. Only come visit to request for guidance on

questions that regular book teachers can’t answer. One is one, two is two45, don’t be afraid to

show your hand. He already knows perfectly well what our cards look like after reading through

our essays anyway.

You Han’ge nods to indicate he understands.

You Miao was going to explain a bit more, but then he changes his mind and thinks,

whatever, it’s not like You Han’ge’s end goal is to become an official anyway. You Dechuan

doesn’t have plans to make him become an official, and is only paying for the Juren title. The

estate will have more a reputation if the eldest son has some status, that’s all. And so You Miao

says instead, “Go back and ask the old man, and just obey whatever it is he has in store for

you.”

“What about you?” You Han’ge asks, “Let’s go back to the estate together?”

“Nah.” You Miao replies, “I’m gonna stay a night here in Jiang Prefectural City. You go on

back.”

You Han’ge’s left, leaving just You Miao and Li Zhifeng. Li Zhifeng asks, “We going back

to the estate?”

“We haven’t finished talking.” You Miao replies, “I’ll have to visit again tomorrow to keep

playing cute. Come, let’s go stroll through the markets and shop around.”

Li Zhifeng has the horse’s reins in hand, and the two stroll once through the markets,

buying a few small things, both food and stuff that can be used, and wrap a full bundle onto a

45 Be honest and don’t hide.

cart. That night, You Miao spends it in Jiang Prefectural City. The next day, he gets up right at

the break of dawn, and goes to stand outside the Sun Residence.

When the housekeeper first opens the door and sees You Miao, he’s a little bewildered,

but then he soon understands and smiles, “Wait inside. Old Master hasn’t risen yet.”

Thus, You Miao enters the side chamber of the main hall, and indulges by himself. Li

Zhifeng is standing by his side to serve him, and You Miao drinks tea by himself, picking up “The

Book of Songs” that’s tossed to the side and flips through it, gesturing for Li Zhifeng to drink with

him.

It isn’t until early before Sun Yu rises. As two maids are brushing his beard, he learns

You Miao has been outside waiting since dawn, and nods, pleased, then instructs the

housekeeper to serve You Miao breakfast. The one senior and one junior sit together in the

main hall after breakfast is done, and only today does You Miao start to talk about the essay,

and begins requesting for guidance.

Sun Yu is a scholar born of Liuzhou Prefecture, and was once an official of the Capital

for ten years. Later he was transferred back to Liuzhou to become the Commissioner of the

Bureau of Personnel, but this post ended up lasting fifteen years. A Jinshi of the third year of

Qingshuo, he’s friends with many of the great confusician scholars of the Capital. During the

Prefecture Exam this time, the moment he saw You Miao’s scroll, it was as if he’s met old

friends. Sun Yu also likes You Miao’s literary character and heart, and so he has personally

given the first place Jieyuan to him.

However, based on You Miao’s accumulated knowledge, he still needs many more years

of studying. The teacher and student conversed for an entire day, and You Miao has gained

greatly, feeling that he can’t screw around like he used to back at the Capital a year ago.

The way of politics, the way of learning, for the country and for the people, as a man

those are things that should constantly be on his mind.

-

You Miao is very worried about Zhao Chao’s situation, and when the conversation raises

the subject of war with Goryeo, he can’t help but say a bit more, consulting Sun Yu on the issue

of the border. However, the conversation only just starts and both Sun Yu and You Miao are

surprised.

Sun Yu is surprised that You Miao is actually very knowledgeable of what’s happening

with the army at the border, and what made You Miao surprised was, Sun Yu actually knows

how to fight! The art of war, planning strategies, Sun Yu can analyze everything in logical detail.

“Thirty years ago, at the height of our Great Qi’s prosperity.” In the end Sun Yu sighs in

spite of himself, “Civil servants can hop on horses with bows and arrows to kill enemies, they

can raise their brush and pen appeals. But look at it now. How many young people can do the

same? Can you do it? The imperial court now is full of rotten scholars who are weak in both

mind and body, they only know how to write official essays, but when it comes to war strategies

and positioning soldiers, they know nothing. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have lost so tragically when

facing the barbarians ten years ago.”

You Miao replies, “Student does want to learn things, it’s just, sigh…”

Sun Yu replies languidly, “Of course your teacher I know you want to learn things,

otherwise you wouldn’t have come to visit again today.”

When You Miao hears this compliment, his heart is still somewhat heavy, worry lining his

brows, all seen by Sun Yu. Sun Yu adds, “You want to learn the art of war and stratagem, but it’s

not something to be rushed.”

“What is victory? What is defeat? What are soldiers?” Sun Yu says, “Don’t underestimate

a civil official. A true capable official can replace a million fierce soldiers at the imperial court, do

you believe me?”

You Miao seems to have understood something.

Sun Yu adds, “The highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy's plans; the next

best is to prevent the junction of the enemy's forces; the next in order is to attack the enemy's

army in the field; and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities.46”

You Miao is instantly enlightened, understanding what Sun Yu means. This old civil

official is indeed learned, and Sun Yu continues, “The supreme art of war…”

“--Is to subdue enemies without fighting47!” You Miao finishes.

“That’s it exactly.” Sun Yu replies, “From thousands of miles away, if the court can clearly

deduce the situation, there are many battles that don’t need to be fought. Back then at the

Capital, I presented to His Majesty the plan to sow discord between enemies, and if the Goryeo

royals would turn on each other, how would we see Goryeo strengthen to its current glory now,

and find ourselves in such trouble?”

“Teacher, you… You held a post in the imperial court back then?” You Miao asks.

46 The Art of War by Suntzu.

47 Also from The Art of War.

Sun Yu gives a light, indifferent smile, “Teacher is actually banished here to Liuzhou!”

You Miao gets it now. It seems Sun Yu was a high official back in the days, but he

doesn’t dare ask more, and so he only furrows his brows and sighs, “San-Dianxia is off on

expedition, I only hope he’ll return soon in victory.”

“We all wish for the same.” Sun Yu sighs heavily, “But the current Chancellor has made

one wrong move: first, the food rations can’t keep up; second, to pull out the defense troops of

the Yanbian border to go on a long expedition to Goryeo, this really is…”

“Exhausting the people and draining the treasury?” You Miao finishes for him.

Sun Yu frowns slightly and You Miao quickly shuts his mouth. Sun Yu then continues, “In

a little while, the imperial government will most likely give out the order to expropriate food

supplies from Jiangnan to aid military rations. Never mind, time for you to head back, it’s getting

late.”

You Miao rises to his feet to take leave, but inquires, “Can I borrow a few books from

Teacher to read?”

“Take as you like.” Sun Yu replies.

You Miao goes to the library and borrows the books, then takes his leave respectfully.

After he gets home and thinks back carefully, he certainly did learn a lot from Sun Yu. And so he

reads the books seriously, then pays another visit. Sun Yu tests him on his studies but scolds

him harshly, reproaching him for being frivolous and restless, and to go home to read again.

“How does one read?” Sun Yu questions, “When you read do you only stop at knowing

the text? Do you not have a single thought of your own?”

You Miao’s forehead is covered in sweat. At first he only wanted to butter Sun Yu up and

play cute, showing that he has finished reading all the books in order to please Sun Yu, then

maybe learn a thing or two. Yet unexpectedly, Sun Yu can see through You Miao’s little plan in a

flash.

“Let me just ask you one thing.” Sun Yu says, “The Path is not far from man. When men

try to pursue a course, which is far from the common indications of consciousness, this course

cannot be considered The Path.48 How do you interpret this?”

You Miao, “...”

48 “A line from Doctrine of the Mean, one of the Four Books of Confucianism.

Sun Yu sits down with the book in hand, “Answer freely, I won’t punish you with the

plank.”

You Miao doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry and ponders for a moment, then says,

“Student believes: The Path is not far from man. When man tries to pursue a course, which is

far from the common indications of consciousness, this course cannot be considered The Path.”

Sun Yu grunts, and after You Miao’s made his pause, he explains, “This course man is to

pursue cannot stray and remain standalone, but is…”

You Miao had thought he understood, but now that the words are coming out of his

mouth, he suddenly realizes he can’t express himself.

“Ho ho.” Sun Yu watches You Miao, chuckling without mirth.

You Miao is dumbstruck.

He ponders for another moment, and says, “This is the principle… and in order to put

action to the principle, we must begin with the citizens… implement… within a crowd? The

moment we stray and become singled out, we… I don’t get it?”

Sun Yu holds the book out high, his expression steely dark, almost slapping it onto You

Miao’s face.

After You Miao finishes this sentence, even he himself feels it’s bullshit that made no

sense, and his face scrunches up, looking like he can’t bear to witness this mess either, shaking

in nervousness as he approaches to take the book.

“Let me ask you another question.” Sun Yu is holding out the book but doesn’t give it to

him, and questions in a solemn voice, “What is The Path?”

“The Path… it’s… the path the path the path…” You Miao knows the Examiner’s

question comes from something within “The Doctrine of the Mean”, so naturally this is The Path

of the Golden Mean. But what is the “Golden Mean”? In truth, the entire book is talking about

the Golden Mean. Once again You Miao doesn’t know what to say.

“The Path that can be spoken of is not the Eternal Path.49” Sun Yu enunciates

unhurriedly.

49 The Classics of The Way and Virtue or, Daodejing by Laozi. Laozi is the founder of Daoism,

and this is the foundation text of Daoism. The Path, The Way, The Principle, etc are all variations of the

translation for Dao.

“Right right right.” You Miao says, “This Path can’t be spoken of.”

“Go home and think on it properly! All this half-baked knowledge! Perilous!”

What immediately follows is that book flying over and hitting You Miao squarely on the

face.

And so You Miao can only pick up the book and go home. Sitting in his study, he takes

out a piece of paper, and going by the book, he first copies a few lines, then annotates based on

his own understanding. In the past when he read, he thought he understood, yet now, in

between lines, there are actually many places where he doesn’t get it.

Making him read, he can understand the basic meaning of the text, but if he’s forced to

write, then he’s scratching his head, not knowing where to start, so he can only ask Zhang

Wenhan for help.

Zhang Wenhan thought he understood too, but when he’s facing the paper, he abruptly

discovers he has the same problem. The two debates for half a day, then Zhang Wenhan takes

the books to go consult his teacher in Yangzhou, filling You Miao in when he returns.

The two spend a full ten days before they finish annotating the one book. Hugging a pile

of papers, You Miao goes to visit. Sun Yu is just drinking tea, and doesn’t spare a look at

whatever You Miao’s written, “There’s a case on the top of the shelf in the library. Go bring it

over.”

You Miao does as he is told, and when he opens the case, he discovers it’s full of

annotations from the grand confuscian scholars of the previous reign. Instantly, it’s as if he’s

found treasure, and starts to compare them with his own notes. There are still many places

where he doesn’t understand, so he asks questions as he reads. Sun Yu tosses him a book,

and it’s got Sun Yu’s own annotations inside, still fresh with ink, obviously his own

understanding of the book in the past ten days.

You Miao is rendered speechless on the spot, but then he starts to smile in spite of

himself.

“What are you smiling about?” Sun Yu questions.

You Miao grins, “I get it, so I smile.”

Sun Yu grunts, “Enlightened?”

You Miao nods modestly, “A little bit.”

“If a man can learn of the right Path in the morning, he may die by sunset without

regrets.50” Sun Yu says, “To comprehend The Path, this is the path.”

“Right right.” You Miao says.

“Now try telling me again, what is The Path?” Sun Yu questions.

The one senior and one junior stare at each other in silence. A moment later, You Miao

says, “Student… is shallow. I still don’t know what to say.”

Sun Yu smiles in satisfaction, “A child can indeed be taught. This old man doesn’t know

what to say either.”

You Miao bursts out laughing, indescribably happy. Sun Yu continues, “What Teacher

has written might not be right either. Now look at yourself, see how laughable it is that you think

you can read a book in three day’s time?”

“Yes, yes, student is too arrogant and overestimated my own abilities.” You Miao says.

“Relying on good memory cannot compare to ruining the head of a brush51. From now

on, speak less, write more, and words will flow from your proficiency. After you’ve read a book,

you must recognize that book doesn’t belong to you. It only belongs to you the day you can start

teaching people how to read it.”

You Miao is in complete and utter awe, and ever since then he doesn’t dare to show off

his own supposed cleverness, but instead begins to follow Sun Yu properly, learning how to

learn from the beginning.

Sometimes when Sun Yu gets into it while teaching, he would chuck books, cursing that

the sages speak nothing but bullshit, and sometimes when he reads until he forgets himself, he

would burst out laughing.

Yet now that You Miao is making frequent visits diligently, he’s discovered that while Sun

Yu was banished to Liuzhou, the people who come knocking are endless, and many of these

people all seem to be hoping for the day Sun Yu would rise to power again and return to the

Capital. Sometimes when guests come, Sun Yu would have You Miao stand by the side to

listen. When it comes to topics regarding the state of the imperial court and of the world, You

Miao discovers even more that although Sun Yu doesn’t leave the house, he knows everything

about what’s happening in the world.

50 A line from Analects by Confuscius

51 Hard work over talents

And after the guests leave, Sun Yu would repeat the conversation again, and discuss

and analyze it in detail for You Miao.

Sometimes when Sun Yu feels smothered reading books, he would also play Go52 with

You Miao. You Miao’s skills in brewing tea is second to none in all of Jiangnan, but when it

comes to the art of Go, he’s a nobody, his skills lousy, often giving Sun Yu this old fart a good

laugh.

However, You Miao is full of the pride of youth, so every time he loses he wants to go

again, and can never hold back in dragging Sun Yu into rounds after rounds. Still, too bad that

his opponent is the teacher, so his only place is receiving scolding. Gradually, when guests

come and play Go with Sun Yu and You Miao stands on the side serving water and tea, You

Miao would stretch his neck and peek. After a while, he still manages to learn a bit of Sun Yu’s

skills, though he’d still lose completely every time.

Until finally, You Miao unintentionally learns from the mouth of the governor that Sun Yu

is actually a national champion! No wonder.

After many thunderstorms, the summer is over. You Miao picks up the brush to write a

letter to Zhao Chao, letting him know that he’s gotten first place in the exams, then includes all

of Sun Yu’s analysis of the current war situation. During the day, other than taking care of his

own fields and learning archery with Li Zhifeng, drinking tea and reading, he’d visit Sun Yu

routinely to study.

Sun Yu doesn’t care for Mohist’s mechanical engineering a single bit, and calls it nothing

but “petty tricks”. Not getting the attention he expected plus a round of scolding, You Miao can’t

do much but study and learn obediently before the teacher.

The late season crops have been harvested, and compared to the first season, the yield

has doubled. There was enough fertilizer, the tilling deep, plus the sun in the second half of the

year was good, so before winter, a full forty-five thousand catty of grain is collected! Qiao Jue

does the books for You Miao, and discovers there’s now over a thousand silver in the account.

With this money, You Miao both wants to splurge but reluctant to do so too, and when he

goes to find Qiao Jue to plan, Qiao Jue proposes, “Miao-zi, I’ve got a plan actually. How about

we open a rice shop in Yangzhou City?”

“Do we have that much rice to sell?” You Miao asks.

52 Strategy chess game, modeled after war strategies

“Yangzhou’s property is easy to get at the moment.” Qiao Jue says, “Only eight hundred

something silver and we can set up four storefronts facing the streets, two houses…”

You Miao, “...”

“EIGHT HUNDRED SILVER!” You Miao wails, “That’s robbery! NO! I worked so hard in a

year and only made a thousand!”

“But this is a business of money growing money.” Qiao Jue explains, “Once you’ve set

up this business, in the future you can open a rice shop, an oil shop, a honey shop… a tea

shop, everything’s been thought through…”

You Miao gives it a thought and realizes that’s true too. Instead of letting middleman

grain and tea merchants profit, it’s better if he opens up shop to sell the goods himself. That

night when he goes back, he pulls Li Zhifeng over to talk about it some more, but Li Zhifeng only

stares at him.

“It’s your money.” Li Zhifeng says, “Your call.”

“Ay, aren’t we in this together? What do you think?” You Miao presses.

“Then open up shop.” Li Zhifeng replies, “Qiao Jue is an intelligent man, trusting him

won’t be a loss.”

You Miao doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry; when everyone else is making decisions

they do so based on the issue, but Li Zhifeng bases his decisions on the person. As long as

he’s accepted the person they can do no wrong. However, when You Miao thinks about it

carefully, that has its reasons too, so in the end he still grants Qiao Jue the permission and

gives him two hundred silver.

---

Chapter 21

Winter passes and spring comes. This year, You Miao is dead set on not going back to

Sunshower Jade Estate, so he might as well cut ties directly. Then, when the spring season

begins, he recruits another hundred something tenant farmers from Suzhou Prefecture, and

manages to lease out eighty percent of Riverwave Estate’s land.

The second year, You Miao begins to attempt growing three seasons of rice, but

unfortunately the heavens do not fulfill the wish of man, and the Jiangnan region is still not warm

enough, so he can only go back to growing two seasons. At the same time, Qiao Jue’s tea

plantation is growing too. Tea trees don’t produce good teas in their first year, but picking still

needs to be done, and so Qiao Jue hires over twenty tepicking girls to come to Jiangbei. Tea

of the highest grade can’t be so easily picked, it needs to be sofly plucked from the tips of the

branches with the soft lips of a girl. Then tea is sieved, stirred, fermented, and baked, going

through innumerous processes. After going through much struggle for its first year, in the end

only nine catty of tea is produced.

You Miao doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry at this nine catty of tea, but Qiao Jue

chuckles instead, “Not bad, this is the first harvest. None of the tea trees are fully grown, this is

enough.”

“What can this bit even do!” You Miao exclaims.

Qiao Jue replies, “Our tea is a tael of leaves for a tael of silver, count that yourself, that’s

at least a hundred and fifty silver. Stuff like tea is all quality over quantity, the less there is the

greater its value. Let those rich nobles and officials have a taste, and have them think all the

other teas are bland after tasting ours, then we’re good.”

You Miao tries a sip of that oolong, the fragrance certainly is thick, and in that richness

has a trace of astringency. After tasting, there’s a sweet aftertaste. That bit of astringency is

probably due to the fact the leaves were only just stored, and haven’t aged enough to lose the

light bitterness of green tea. Give it another few months and the flavour should be properly

mellow.

Another year passes. In the thirty-fifth year of Qingshuo, You Miao spends a sum of

money and builds two suspension bridges connecting Riverwave Estate to both the north and

south shores. By the time rice is harvested in both the spring and autumn seasons, You Miao

has hundreds of dan of grain in storage, becoming a true oil-dripping rich little landlord.

Naturally, the first and fifteenth of every month, a visit to seek education from Sun Yu

can’t be skipped. As days go by, You Miao gradually realizes that the man Sun Yu really isn’t

anybody simple. He’s adept in both the brush and the sword, thoroughly versed in the Four

Books and Five Classics, but his temperament is also very peculiar and unpredictable. There

are times when You Miao would get lazy and not study for three to nine days, and Sun Yu would

actually punish him by having him kneel in the courtyard for six hours, from lunch all the way to

sun down.

Under Sun Yu’s guidance, You Miao has read a huge amount of books, not just

confuscian philosophies, but also histories and classics. When faced with the vast sea that is

the book collection of the Sun Family, You Miao sighs deeply that maybe he’ll never get through

them all in this lifetime.

However, after having read every single book, compared to when he was at the Capital,

he’s learned much more thoroughly.

In the two years Zhao Chao has only sent five letters, all of them talking about the war

front, making it obvious just how hard it is for the army to march in a land of blowing snow. Until

finally, in the spring of the thirty-sixth year of Qingshuo, the imperial court finally receives its first

devastating defeat.

Right at the start of winter the year before, the barbarians had started to encroach the

northern border more frequently, so the Emperor of the Great Qi could only pull Nie Dan out and

have him defend Hebei. A hundred thousand soldiers were pulled out, but another hundred

thousand were replaced for Zhao Chao, only, they were all new recruits.

Come spring, the King of Goryeo personally came to the war front, and upon the

battlefield, two hundred thousand soldiers of the Great Qi and one hundred thousand of

Goryeo’s army fell into stalemate. There was an urgent need for rations, so the imperial court

ordered to expropriate food supplies from the four prefectures of Jiangnan Liuzhou, Suzhou,

Jiaozhou, and Yangzhou in order to aid the frontlines. However, this is a difficult problem for the

governors of the four prefectures; in order to make to the amount demanded by the central

government, they will need to have the landlords sell their grain at a low price, and so they can

only send out expropriation decrees, informing all the great clans of the Jiangnan region.53

After Sun Yu finishes reading the letter, he doesn’t speak for a good while. In the end, he

lets out a long sigh.

“Sir, there’s no one in Jiangnan willing to release food supplies right now, what should be

done?” You Miao asks.

53 Each local government has their own storage of supplies, but when they can’t make the

numbers required by the central government, they will need to buy from the local landlords. This is the

same for tribute goods as well as other things.

Sun Yu gives You Miao a long, meaningful stare, and a moment later, he questions, “Are

you going to take the lead in donating the supply?”

“What do you mean, take the lead?” You Miao replies, “My friend is at the frontlines, isn’t

war the business of the entire country?”

“If you have the mind to follow a career of being an official, then you should know you

can’t stand with the Third Prince’s faction.” Sun Yu says, “And if His Majesty cares even a little

for this son, then he would never have thought to send him to the frontlines.”

“But what they’re fighting for is our homeland! SIR!” You Miao cries.

You Miao is no longer the same person he was two years ago. He’s learned much more

of contemporary politics and affairs in the current imperial court, and through Sun Yu’s

education and guidance, he’s now able to see things much farther, and knows that all of the

imperial court are hoping Zhao Chao would lose.

The moment Zhao Chao is defeated and returns to the Capital, peace can be

negotiated, but this Third Prince will never see the light of the sun ever again. If the Emperor

really did have plans to have Zhao Chao go and establish himself, test his abilities, then in this

situation, if Zhao Chao returns defeated, he can only put his tail between his legs, settle down

honestly, and never be qualified to fight with the Taizi ever again.

“From your standpoint,” Sun Yu asks, “What should you do? From the nation’s

standpoint, what should be done? You should know, after having been taught by Teacher in

these past two years.”

You Miao nods in silence. He knows it all, but he also knows that at the bottom of his

heart, Sun Yu also supports donating food supplies. A man should put the country first, and the

self second. Sun Yu was also a tough bone back then, which was why he lost the position as an

official of the Capital, and banished to Liuzhou to be a powerless Commissioner.

That day, when You Miao gets home, he donates a hundred thousand catty worth of

grain. The moment the word gets out, all the big households of Liuzhou start to debate heatedly;

some following after You Miao and donate, some only watching and observing on the sidelines

without a word.

In the end, the four prefectures are able to very arduously put together five hundred

thousand catty of food supplies to be sent to the Capital.

But Zhao Chao’s war front still doesn’t have any new developments. You Miao responds

to his letter but doesn’t mention the thing with expropriating food supplies, and only talks about

Sun Yu’s analysis of the war. When another year passes and spring comes once more, the

news Sun Yu received from the imperial envoy is: Zhao Chao lost.

Zhao Chao lost completely and utterly. There wasn’t enough food supplies and the

soldiers mutinied, then there was a sudden ambush by the Goryeo King. Nearly half of the two

hundred thousand soldiers were lost, and the broken army fled back to behind the checkpoint at

the border. Chancellor Li is getting on in age, so Li Yan goes beyond the border on behalf of his

father to negotiate peace. One hundred thousand silver is to be paid, thousands of silk to be

yielded, and all four cities of Guandong is to be surrendered to the Goryeo King.

When You Miao hears this news inside the main hall, instantly he starts to shake, as if

his entire body has gone numb. Anguish, fury, hate, all sorts of emotions surge into his heart,

the waves crashing left and right in his breast, unable to find an outlet. He wants to roar in

anger, but has to force himself to hold it in, so only the rims of his eyes are red, his lips quivering

nonstop.

Sun Yu lets out a long sigh, “Tragedy of the country.”

The imperial envoy sighs with mixed emotions, “Everything was expected. The day

San-Dianxia personally entered the battlefield, there were already many who tried to talk him

out of it, but alas, youth are proud, they don’t listen…”

You Miao is standing behind Sun Yu, his tears streaming down unable to stop. Sun Yu

says, “Now that we’ve suffered a defeat at Goryeo’s hands, the five barbarian tribes beyond the

border will be fueled with arrogance, I’m afraid peace won’t last for too many years now.”

That imperial envoy is also Sun Yu’s student, and he notices You Miao’s reaction, then

looks back at Sun Yu. After contemplating for a moment, he starts a different topic, “Student has

heard of another news. His Majesty will be holding the grace exams next year.”

Sun Yu nods slowly, and that imperial enjoy continues, “Chancellor’s Li is getting on in

years. In the future, the Capital will probably become the stage of Taizi’s faction. Currently the Li

Clan is gathering friends and exterminating foes. In a few years when Taizi ascends the throne,

there will be another major change. Even if student has the heart, there are some things I

daren’t do. Just a few days ago, because of the affair with the food supplies, I’ve admonished

the Vice Minister of Revenue with heavy offense...”

“Don’t move rashly out of distress, stay prudent and it’ll be fine, everything is

negotiable… You Miao?”

You Miao’s head is full of Zhao Chao’s defeat and barely heard anything, and it takes

Sun Yu calling him twice before You Miao notices the two. He immediately bows slightly.

“Go out and wash your face. Go to the library and finish copying my annotations of “The

Classics of Music”54.” Sun Yu instructs.

You Miao nods and goes out into the large courtyard. The sun is shining down radiantly,

and he stands beneath the tree, bursting into tears and starts to cry, unable to hold back.

Li Zhifeng is just sitting by the small room beside the door waiting for You Miao to be

done his studies, and when he hears the noise he rushes over. This is the first time he’s ever

seen You Miao cry like this, and hurriedly asks, “What is it? Got yelled at? What’s happened?”

You Miao just stands there endlessly sobbing, then hugs Li Zhifeng in spite of himself,

and buries his head on his shoulder to continue his lamentatious bawling, his heart filled with

sorrow but not the words to express it.

“Zhao Chao lost…” You Miao says in between sobs.

Li Zhifeng pats You Miao’s head and gives a smile, “Don’t cry.”

You Miao is having a hard time controlling his emotions, and he blubbers, “The Hans lost

gravely…”

“I’ll fight them back for you in the future.” Li Zhifeng promises.

You Miao pfft’s in spite of himself, and wipes at his tears helplessly. Earlier when he

heard Zhao Chao was defeated, that anger and sadness overwhelmed his chest, the feeling

indescribable with words, yet with only a light fluttering response from Li Zhifeng, he’s left not

knowing whether to laugh or cry.

“Never mind.” You Miao replies dejectedly, going off to do his copying listlessly.

No news comes from the Capital again after that. Spring goes and autumn comes and

time flies by.

This year is a year of great harvest, and the amount of grain collected in Jiangnan is

piling so much it’s ruining granaries.

Qiao Jue’s tea plantation finally starts to formally produce Riverwave Oolong. This

oolong tea also has another name called “Beauty’s Kiss”, since every single leaf is the best and

the most tender picked from the tips of branches, Also, even if leaves are picked with a young

54 Classics of Music is a Confuscian Classic that’s now been lost. It is thought to have been

important in the traditional interpretations of The Book of Songs.

maiden’s fingers it can’t guarantee the leaves wouldn’t suffer damages, and so they are all

gently plucked from the top of the trees with their soft lips.

You Miao’s accumulated grain is at three million and eight hundred thousand catty. Rice

in Jiangnan is cheap, the landlords aren’t willing to sell their rice, and so they store it in their

granaries.

One day, when You Miao finished his spring harvest and makes it to the Sun Residence,

Sun Yu doesn’t make him read as he did usually, and instead tells him to brew a pot of tea.

You Miao is skilled in brewing excellent tea, plus there’s the Riverwave Dongding Oolong

from Qiao Jue he’s brought over. In these past few years, You Miao has been doing his very

utmost in serving Sun Yu, praying if only he would teach more things. The first batch of tea of

spring, the best honey of the spring harvest, the fresh plum wine of summer, the crabs collected

in the autumn, winter bamboo shoots and cured meats, including the aged Champion Reds he

has in the cellar, are all sent to the Sun Residence. Of course, Sun Yu also likes that this

student is clever, understanding both respect and knows to study hard, and so he teaches him

all that he knows, reciprocating this good will.

“You Miao.” Sun Yu speaks up.

You Miao uses both hands to offer the tea, and bows, “Student is here.”

Sun Yu questions unhurriedly, “You’ve studied under Teacher for three years. What

books have you read? What have you learned?”

You Miao contemplates for a moment, then replies, “There’s too much, student can’t

recall right this moment.”

“You’ve read thoroughly of the Four Books and Five Classics.” Sun Yu says.

You Miao quickly responds, “Read, but I daren’t say thorough.”

“About halfway, enough to compose steady essays to deceive people.” Sun Yu says.

You Miao doesn’t dare to respond to this. Sun Yu continues, “”Act after careful

consideration”, you understand this.”

You Miao, “Yes.”

Sun Yu, “You can flip through ”Zhuangzi”55 and “The Classics of The Way and the

Virtue”. A man must show promise but do not do what is against nature. You understand the

concept of “Do Nothing”56, but barbarians won’t be talking to you about old Master Zhuangzi.

When the blade is on your neck, you can only go with the flow and go meet the King of Hell.”

“Yessir.” You Miao replies, “Student will keep this in mind.”

“Carnal and obscene literature should be avoided. Be sincere and genuine in your words

and actions, do not chase after frivolous trends and speak useless words at great length.”

You Miao, “Yessir, student will heed this lesson.”

“”Study things to acquire knowledge”57, I’m sure you remember this as well.” Sun Yu

says.

You Miao doesn’t know what Sun Yu means by mentioning this, and wipes his sweat,

feeling nervous, and he answers, “It’s shameful to speak of it, but student has always been

lacking in this aspect.”

“Then let me test you a little.” Sun Yu says, “What kind of person do you want to be?”

Very respectfully, You Miao answers in full accordance with the philosophy of “Studying

Things”, “Like the pine unafraid of wind, like the rock unafraid of waves, unfawning of power and

wealth, be a man of integrity, fill my heart full of the desire to serve my country. Like the bamboo

and the river, know to be flexible but unchanging of principles and heart, tenacious and

unmovable, hide my power to wait for the right time, and give the impression of weakness until

the opportunity to strike back arises.”

Sun Yu nods, “Extreme firmness is easy to break, extreme strength brings insults. A

person must only be eight parts full.”

You Miao, “Yes, yes.”

“Do you still remember what you said on the first day you came to visit Teacher?” Sun Yu

asks.

55 Zhuangzi is a foundational text to Daoism, right next to The Classics of The Way and the

Virtue. It’s full of anecdotes and stories that exemplify the carefree character of Daoism.

56 Zhuangzi teaches the philosophy of going with the flow, and do nothing that will go against

nature; govern without intervening nature.

57 A line from the Book of Rites. It means we should understand how to conduct ourselves based

on our contact with things.

With this You Miao remembers, and he replies, “Cultivate self discipline, bring order to

the family, govern the state, and conquer the world.”

“Very good.” Sun Yu strokes his beard and nods, “You are someone with ambition. The

courier brought news the other day, the Capital will hold the Grace Exams this year, and all the

Jurens of every region are welcome to take the Interview Exam. Go back and prepare, then

depart in three days. There’s no need to come and bid Teacher farewell.”

The Interview Exam?! It’s been a full three years since You Miao has traveled to the

Capital, so when he hears this all of a sudden, he’s feeling a little at a loss. Since the day he’s

returned from the Capital, it feels like it’s been a long, long time, and that life no longer has

anything to do with him.

When Sun Yu told him to go for the exam, You Miao felt a little scared all of a sudden.

That fear is exposed in Sun Yu’s eyes, and Sun Yu is immediately outraged.

Sun Yu’s face darkens, “To be a man of ambition, what’s the point of reading the sage’s

books if you don’t intend on serving the country?! Had you mentioned your lack of will, Teacher

wouldn’t have spent all this effort shaping you! Do you want to spend the rest of your life

guarding that bit of land in Jiangnan?!”

You Miao immediately knows he’s wrong and quickly explains, “No… It’s not that,

Teacher. It’s just, hearing I have to return to the Capital, I’m a little nervous to meet my old

acquaintances."

Sun Yu jeers, “Your teacher I have always known you hold the idea of staying content in

your small wealth…”

You Miao hastily says, “Student doesn’t dare…”

Sun Yu yells, “LISTEN UP! If one day you can advise a wise ruler and benefit the world,

then the nation is the millions of fertile land for you to manage! The country will be the

chessboard on which you can freely play! If you have the ability, why fear conquering the world?

You have the will? Why not use it to be kind to millions of people?! Take the world for your

estate, see the people as your tenants, that is the true great benevolence!"

These words are like taking a bat to the head, and everything clears in You Miao’s mind

in that instant. He falls to his knees and bows, answering solemnly, “Student has received

guidance, I will definitely not disappoint Teacher’s expectations.”

Only then does Sun Yu’s expression relax a little, and he nods slowly, “You are my

student, so it’s time to go. Based on what you’ve learned, you will not earn the Zhuangyuan title,

but it won’t be hard to achieve a Jinshi. Keep in mind the truth that there will always be people

better than you. Do not seek riches and splendour, do not fight for hollow names.”

You Miao’s heart is thumping, and he nods, then the rims of his eyes grow red. Sun Yu

then takes a letter out from his robes and says, “You're not like your father, you didn’t inherit the

air of that stingy, sordid merchant cheapness, which is in itself luck. Once you’ve removed this

cap of “degenerate noble”, you are sure to go much farther. When you arrive in the Capital, if

you don’t have anywhere to stay, then you can follow the pointer on this letter and go to the

Directorate of Education58, and they will automatically take care of your room and board.”

You Miao takes the letter, and in that instant, a rush of complicated feelings surge

through him, and immediately he kowtows three times in full respect before Sun Yu.

Sun Yu freely receives his respects. You Miao couldn’t quite bear to leave him, and the

rims of his eyes grow red, “Teacher…”

Sun Yu says languidly, “Remember the promise you’ve made to Teacher, to self-cultivate

discipline and serve the country. Remember to never conduct misdeeds. Go on now.”

You Miao nods in acceptance of the lecture and takes his leave. With the letter in hand,

he stops outside the second entrance of the Sun Residence. Right at that moment, he is

overwhelmed with mixed emotions.

Li Zhifeng is just sitting across the street in a tea shop. You Miao realizes all of a sudden

that like several decades in a day, this man has practically never changed. When You Miao first

met him at fifteen he looked like this, and now that he’s eighteen, almost at the height of the

man’s ears, Li Zhifeng still looks the same.

It’s almost as if all the rambunctious and convoluted wordly entanglements in life have

nothing to do with him. You Miao crosses the streets still hugging that letter. Li Zhifeng is just

listening to the storyteller59 talk; that storyteller is telling the tale of the thirteen barbarian

generals, and Li Zhifeng is completely engrossed in the story, and doesn’t notice You Miao until

he’s about two steps close.

“Why were you let out so early today?” Li Zhifeng watches You Miao’s expression

closely, and asks in spite of himself.

58 The Directorate of Education was one of the largest libraries and publishers of various writings.

The Imperial College was the school under this agency, and it was only a school for members of the

imperial clan and officials of the highest degree, not for the education of the average official.

59 Storytellers set up shop in local restaurants, tea shops, inns, and entertainment halls to tell

tales to large crowds.

“Graduated. Time for the Interview Exam.” You Miao answers,

Li Zhifeng mn’s, but his face looks somewhat confused still, so You Miao explains

further, “Time to head to the Capital.”

“Taking me along?” Li Zhifeng asks.

“Of course.” You Miao says, “Who else can accompany me?”

Li Zhifeng replies cheefully, “Come, let’s go home and pack.” All of You Miao’s heart full

of parting grief is blown away by Li Zhifeng again, and he can only return to the estate with him,

feeling ambivalent.

They didn’t ride the carriage today, and so Li Zhifeng and You Miao hold hands as they

hike to the high plains, standing on the hills overlooking the entire estate. The paddy fields are

lusciously green in the air of spring; there are people herding oxen on the road, fresh rain has

just passed, and the skies are verdant blue, the fields tenderly green, and black shingled white

bricked farmhouses are scattered everywhere. When You Miao sees this landscape, the sense

of achievement fills his heart.

Upon that high plains is a gigantic tree; apparently it was planted a hundred years ago

by the owner of Shen Garden, and beneath the tree stands a stone slate with Riverwave

Estate’s name. You Miao takes in a deep breath, feeling relaxed and happy.

“If I end up becoming an official of the Capital, I won’t be able to stay home much

anymore.” You Miao says regretfully.

“Everyone must leave home one day when they grow up.” Li Zhifeng says.

Something stirs inside You Miao’s heart, and he tilts his head to look at Li Zhifeng,

remembering that he suffered a difficult fate of a wanderer in the past ten years. The description

isn’t wrong; a Quanrong who went from growing up beyond the border to coming to the territory

of the Midlanders, then followed You Miao himself down south to the teeming, splendid world

that is Jiangnan, he’s moved around quite a bit in the last ten years.

A person must always move around to different places in life; if even Li Zhifeng doesn’t

complain about his fate, what reason does You Miao have to whine?

You Miao flashes a smile and drags Li Zhifeng down to the manor. Zhang Wenhang is

just in the study reading the book You Miao borrowed. In the past few years, every time You

Miao went over to Sun Yu’s place for class, he would always share everything he’s learned with

Zhang Wenhan when he got back.

Meanwhile, Zhang Wenhan found an elder confuscian for a teacher in Yangzhou, and so

when he returned, he also exchanged his lessons with You Miao. The two would swap books

from both teachers with each other and discuss the annotations. This time, Zhang Wenhan

received the news as well, and so You Miao tells him to go home to pay respects to his parents’

graves, then after noon is past the next day they’ll depart together to head to the Capital for the

exams.

-

That night, You Miao tells Qiao Jue everything, and Qiao Jue replies, “Why didn’t you tell

me sooner? You’re leaving first thing tomorrow? Did you give your dad’s side a shout?”

Only then does You Miao realize he’s completely forgotten about his dad’s plans,

“Whatever, we’ll leave him for now. If my brother is going too, there’ll be people to serve him on

the road for sure, I don’t need to join him for the giggles.”

Qiao Jue chuckles, “If your brother goes with you, he’ll have to be the one who lowers

himself to serve you, eh.”

You Miao snorts and grins, “It’s true. I’ll let him off the hook this time.”

That night, lying in bed, You Miao finds it hard to fall asleep, while Li Zhifeng busies

himself tidying and packing things late into the night.

“Hey,” You Miao says.

“Yup?” Li Zhifeng comes over.

You Miao: “Leave it, it’s bedtime.”

Li Zhifeng: “I’m almost done.”

You Miao: “Do it tomorrow. I’m feeling kinda on edge, come hold me for a bit.”

Li Zhifeng puts down the things in his hands and walks in, undressing and climbing into

bed, where his hands immediately start to wander. It’s already spring but his hands are chilly,

and You Miao yelps when they grope into his shirt.

“Don’t…”

Li Zhifeng moves to lie on You Miao’s shoulder, long hair cascading loosely down as he

kisses his ear intimately, whispering, “We’re practically an old married couple already, what’re

you getting all shy for?”

Li Zhifeng is still wearing the jade pendant that You Miao had given him three years ago

around his neck, and it droops down to rest against You Miao’s chest when he leans down, right

where his heart is. Face flushed and heart beating fast, You Miao reaches up with a hand to cup

Li Zhifeng’s face, asking, “Do you ever miss your home?”

Li Zhifeng: “?”

Li Zhifeng breaks from kissing and sniffing at his neck to prop himself up on his elbows

at these words, puzzled. “What?”

You Miao says, seriously, “Home, beyond the border. Do you miss it?”

Li Zhifeng has followed You Miao for three years already, and in these three years, You

Miao’s feelings toward him have changed and shifted without him even realizing it. Looking into

Li Zhifeng’s eyes now, he sees something there that he’s never seen before.

Just like looking at a tamed wolf.

You Miao isn’t quite sure what kind of expression it is; perhaps, to Li Zhifeng, he himself

is also a wolf, one that’s always by his side. His eyes shift about incessantly, like a wolf in its

nest, looking at its mate, deep in thought about something.

“Why do you ask?” For the first time in his life, Li Zhifeng counters with a question of his

own rather than directly answering You Miao.

You Miao says, “When I think about leaving home, it feels like… leaving my mom’s

arms.” Even he himself can’t help the ‘pfft’ of laughter that escapes at these words of his.

But it really does feel like that, because Riverwave Estate was left by Qiao Ke’er,

because it’s his root. It’s taken a lot of hard work these last three years to get this place up and

running, but now he has to leave. He really is reluctant; it feels as if, once he leaves and goes

elsewhere, whatever house he lives in won’t really be “home”.

Li Zhifeng nods in understanding before sitting up to work open the buttons of his thin

inner shirt. You Miao sits up as well to help with the buttons. Li Zhifeng takes the shirt off,

revealing an attractive chest, where the injuries from that year have already healed up nicely

without scarring. You Miao reaches out to touch the arrow wound at the small of his back; all

that’s left there now is a light scar.

“Let me see the one on your face.” You Miao turns his head by the jaw to look at the scar

on his brow. That one’s pretty much faded too; other than the line of blemish through his

eyebrow where the injury was, it looks very handsome.

Li Zhifeng holds You Miao close with his left hand, the two of them pressed skin to skin,

undressing him with his right as he whispers next to his ear:

“It doesn’t matter to me. Home is where you are.”

These words make You Miao feel like his dangling heart had suddenly found solid

ground. His breathing quickens as he wraps his arms around Li Zhifeng’s neck. “You’re right.”

Li Zhifeng strips You Miao out of his clothes and holds him close, their lips pressed

together and tongues intertwining. You Miao’s hand trails down Li Zhifeng’s chest, all the way

down to wrap around the hardness between his legs, stroking softly there while Li Zhifeng gazes

earnestly at him with the tips of their noses pressed together.

“Us Quanrong, we don’t have a home.” Still holding You Miao where he’s sitting astride

him on the bed, Li Zhifeng applies oil and then lets him sink slowly down onto his shaft. You

Miao clutches tightly at his shoulders, face buried against his shoulder and breathing short and

shallow as he feels that length press into his body.

Li Zhifeng noses at the corner of You Miao’s lips, continuing in a quiet voice, “Once we

find our beloved, wherever we are, living together, that place is home…” He pushes deep inside

of You Miao as he speaks, presses against that spot that makes him tremble and cling to his

neck.

“Mn…” You Miao says, “I’ll give you one.”

Li Zhifeng answers quietly, “You already have.”

Saying so, he lowers his head to kiss along You Miao’s neck and collarbones as he

thrusts into him below, slow and gentle, and You Miao’s arousal is hard and leaking where it

rubs against Li Zhifeng’s abdomen with every movement, making him tremble with how good it

feels. He can hardly even speak anymore, only managing to gasp out brokenly, “Don’t… don’t

leave me.”

“I won’t leave you,” Li Zhifeng answers, just before suddenly pushing You Miao down

onto the bed, pulling out his slick-covered cock and fucking back in one hard stroke.

You Miao: “AH!”

Li Zhifeng picks up the quilt and wraps it around their naked bodies, sealing You Miao’s

lips with his own as he fucks him, drawing sweet cries from him, only pausing a short while later

when You Miao, face flushed and eyes dark with desire, is just about to tip over the edge. You

Miao mumbles, “Even after I go to the Capital… stay with me, just like this…”

“I’ll stay with you,” Li Zhifeng whispers softly into a kiss.

You Miao: “I don’t need a wife anymore…”

Li Zhifeng: “You are my wife…”

You Miao’s entire heart melts at his words. Li Zhifeng holds him close, pressing their

bodies flush together as You Miao’s hazy eyes stare at the bed curtains, feeling Li Zhifeng

thrusting into him with abandon.

They go at it the whole night, only parting when the sky begins to brighten, both of them

drenched in sweat but still clinging to one another. Outside, a rooster crows, and Li Zhifeng tries

to pull out the arm wrapped around You Miao, only for You Miao to stir awake immediately, one

hand reaching out to clutch instinctively at his wrist as he blearily opens an eye.

“I won’t leave,” Li Zhifeng says. “Just packing.”

“Mm,” You Miao makes a noise of assent but wraps his whole body around Li Zhifeng,

clinging to his waist and refusing to let go, mumbling sleepily about something or another. Li

Zhifeng smiles and watches him for a bit, giving up on getting out of bed and turning to pull him

closer into his arms instead. Outside, Mu Yan is calling, “Young Master.”

Mu Yan is all grown up already, with a voice that had cracked through puberty and ended

up like a duck’s, a bit of a stubble, and a mature, earnest demeanor. He says respectfully,

“Zhang Wenhan is back from visiting the grave, and is waiting for the Young Master outside

now.”

Li Zhifeng says, “Tell him to wait.”

Mu Yan acknowledges the instruction. You Miao doesn’t even hear it, holding onto Li

Zhifeng and continuing to snooze away.

A little while later, a low voice speaks up from the outside, “Young Master.”

It’s Cheng Guangwu this time, standing outside in the corridor and reporting, “Jiu-ye is

arranging for the meal to be served.”

Li Zhifeng replies, “Tell him to eat first.”

Cheng Guangwu leaves, and nothing happens until late morning, when Mu Feng comes

by, but he only stands outside quietly.

Li Zhifeng: “What is it.”

Mu Feng: “The Elder Young Master of the You Family is here.”

Li Zhifeng: “Let him wait.”

You Miao is sound asleep when he feels Li Zhifeng kissing him. Their breaths mingle as

his consciousness begins to stir, and his skin feels like it’s burning under the caresses, the two

of them burrowed naked and snug under the quilt as he slowly wakes up. He’s still half-asleep

when Li Zhifeng moves to press him underneath himself again, his arousal sliding easily into

him in the same movement. You Miao swallows sleepily, mind hazy as he wraps his arms

around Li Zhifeng, letting him fuck himself.

“Wake up…” Li Zhifeng murmurs quietly.

“Mm…” You Miao swallows with difficulty, opening his eyes. Li Zhifeng leans in to close

the distance between their lips, tongue pushing past to brush against the other. For a moment,

You Miao is overwhelmed with desire and wants nothing more than to press their bodies closer,

closer still. Li Zhifeng asks again, “Awake yet?”

“Ah!” You Miao cries out in pleasure as he feels Li Zhifeng brush against that spot in him.

“Awake?” Li Zhifeng asks while fucking in and out leisurely.

You Miao’s eyes snap open wide and full of tears, and the two of them kiss while

entwining, until Li Zhifeng brings You Miao to climax again, and as he comes, he can feel Li

Zhifeng’s cock pulsing inside of himself, can feel the stickiness between his thighs when he

pulls out, and knows that he too is sated.

“What time is it?” You Miao asks in a daze as he slowly wakes up.

“Almost noon,” Li Zhifeng pecks him on the lips. “Your ge is waiting outside.”

You Miao jolts wide awake.

You Miao: “Is everything packed?”

Li Zhifeng: “Nope, you wouldn’t let me go.”

You Miao doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry as he says, “Finish packing quick, I said

I’d be ready to head to the Capital today.”

Li Zhifeng mn’s and gets up to go fetch clean clothes. You Miao asks, “How many carts

left?”

Li Zhifeng: “The gifts for people haven’t been packed yet.” Then he helps You Miao get

dressed while still fully naked himself. You Miao reaches out to stroke that half-hard length

between his legs like that of a horse, feeling his mouth go dry and his breaths go faint.

“How many times did we do it last night?” You Miao asks.

“Four times,” Li Zhifeng answers.

You Miao thinks it’s no wonder he’s so tired, if they went for that many rounds last night.

Even after all these years sleeping with Li Zhifeng every day, he still can’t help himself—this

guy’s really got some serious stamina, and is always full of vigor like he’ll never run out.

Li Zhifeng starts getting dressed himself after attending to You Miao, but You Miao hooks

his arms around his neck again on a whim and kisses him all clingy. Li Zhifeng turns his head

slightly to look at him, their lips brushing together and nuzzling for a bit until You Miao pushes Li

Zhifeng back down into bed again and climbs onto him to kiss.

Li Zhifeng: “You still want more?”

You Miao shakes his head; he’s honestly too tired to go again, and only wanted to kiss

him. They kiss and grope for a while longer before You Miao gets up with a sigh, finally awake

now, and pulls Li Zhifeng up too. “Let’s get up.”

With a smile playing on his lips, Li Zhifeng puts on his outer robe and goes out, and the

boy attendants come pouring in to serve. The two brothers Mu Yan and Mu Feng come over

personally to brush You Miao’s hair while the rest of the boy attendants stand in a line, all of

them having been recruited later. Qiao Jue likes astronomy, and so he gave these boy

attendants names based off of various stars in the sky. From left to right, there’s Chang Yuan,

Wei Zhen, Yao Guang, and Shao Wei. The oldest is Chang Yuan who’s eighteen, the same age

as You Miao, and the youngest is Shao Wei who’s sixteen. Some are boys the tenant

households have sent over to serve the young master, in order to make a small bit of money to

bring home, and some are bought by Li Zhifeng from Yangzhou, Liuzhou, and Suzhou

prefectures. Blue robes, straight brows and bright eyes, their dispositions proper, and they’d

usually practice archery with Li Zhifeng to strengthen their bodies. Those who practice martial

arts, despite only knowing a little bit, already appear different than the bodyguards in all the

other major households. You Miao doesn’t like weasel-like youths, so he’s taught all the boy

attendants under him to have the air of a martial artist, each with their robes straight and tidy,

and when they came in they divide off into two lines on each side of the room, going off to do

their own work.

Mu Yan brushes You Miao’s hair while Mu Feng passes the toothpaste over. You Miao

swirls it in his mouth then gargles and rinses his teeth. Tea is then served and You Miao takes a

sip, asking, “How many people are waiting outside now?”

“Jiu-ye and Zhang Wenhan are keeping You Family’s DShao60 company, chatting and drinking

tea. Lunch hasn’t been served yet, and Guangwu is guarding the carriage outside the second

entrance.”

You Miao has already discussed with Qiao Jue the night before that he doesn’t want to

bring too many people along to go to the Capital for the exams. If his travel is accompanied by a

bunch of boy attendants, going on the road with such pomp, it’d be way too much fanfare, plus

once he reaches the Directorate of Education, he’d become an easy target for talk, so Li Zhifeng

going with him alone is good enough. Once You Miao’s settled with a house, it wouldn’t be too

late then to write a letter to Qiao Jue to have people enter the Capital to serve.

“Once Young Master leaves, we’ll have nothing left to do.” Wei Zhen pouts.

Shao Wei grins happily, “Now that Young Master is going to the Capital, won’t you take

us all to visit too sometimes?”

Mu Feng is down on one knee helping You Miao straighten the hem of his robe, and Mu

Yan instructs, “Bring over the white jade waist pendant.”

One of the boy attendants opens the box, and within it is a white jade with the lustre of a

crystal, You Miao’s favourite accessory, and Mu Yan bends down to tie the pendant. You Miao

looks himself over in the mirror, “Sure, once everything’s settled, I’ll buy a house in the Capital

and bring you all over to play.”

Outside the chamber, Qiao Jue’s personal attendant has come, and he stands in the

corridor, inquiring, “Jiu-ye has sent the little one over ask what wine the Young Master wants to

have with lunch.”

“A jug of the Bamboo Green from the cellar is good enough for my ge.” You Miao

responds.

60 Elder Young Master but cut short, so not as polite.

That boy attendant leaves, and You Miao is also now dressed in silk brocades so he

steps out of the room. The boy attendants all follow behind You Miao in two lines, and they

cross through the corridors like the stars holding up the moon heading towards the main hall. As

they are passing through the garden, Li Zhifeng comes over in a few large steps, and their eyes

meet.

“All packed?” You Miao asks.

Li Zhifeng dipped his head then walks in front of the boy attendants, parading as they

escort You Miao into the main hall.

In recent years, You Miao’s grown taller some, truly a handsome, elegant, and dignified

gongzi. After being pushed face down to study and learn how to be a person by Sun Yu for so

long, all the cheekiness and shrewish little thug act from the past has faded, replaced by the

scholarly air men of books cannot hide, yet because he also practices martial arts, between his

countenance has the unbridled carefreeness of a martial man, and beneath his crisp brows is a

sharpness that cannot be hidden.

Qiao Jue is just having tea with You Han’ge and Zhang Wenhan, and when he sees You

Miao enter, he smiles, “Got up so late today.”

You Han’ge greets, “Didi.”

You Miao nods lightly and sits down on the master seat, smiling, “We depart today. I

can’t bear to leave home so I lazed in bed for a bit longer. Let’s start lunch first, we’re all

hungry.”

The servants at home thus start to bring out the meal, filling an entire table full of an

assortment of dishes, a feast for the eyes. When there are guests staying for a meal at home, Li

Zhifeng would stand behind You Miao to serve him the food and pour wine. You Miao asks, “Is

dge going to the Capital too?”

You Han’ge replies self-deprecatingly, “Nah, I’ll stay properly at home.”

“Shuofang61-xiong is also a Juren and has studied for many years, why not attend the

exams?” Zhang Wenhan asks.

61 You Han’ge courtesy name. Now that Zhang Wenhan is a Juren, he is on equal status as You

Han’ge and can therefore address him as such.

“Dad has especially instructed me to come and send you off today.” You Han’ge says,

“While I did study in the past few years, it’s still not good enough, and there won’t be anyone

managing the house either if I leave.”

When You Miao hears this, he only nods. He doesn’t see You Han’ge with the same

animosity as he did before in the past, and while his own Riverwave Estate can’t compare to his

father’s tea hills, it’s still enough to sustain itself. In the many years, You Dechuan doesn’t speak

a word of the inheritance, and You Miao can’t be bothered to ask either, so he just ignores it

altogether.

Qiao Jue taps the table a couple times with his fingers and the boy attendant comes

forward bringing the wine. Qiao Jue smiles, “Han’ge and I have pretty much the same

temperament, neither of us enjoy composing essays, so it’s good to be at home doing some

business too.”

You Miao mn’s, and Qiao Jue toasts, “Come, Miao-zi, may you have the blessings of the

Wenqu Star62and bring home a Zhuangyuan!”

The crowd becomes thrilled, You Miao tilts his head with a smile, holding up a cup to

glance at Li Zhifeng.

Li Zhifeng takes the cup and You Miao pours him half a cup of Bamboo Green. You Miao

then turns to Zhang Wenhan, “Zhang Er, you’ll have to write the exam properly too, alright.”

Zhang Wenhan nods, smiling, “I don’t have the fate of a Zhuangyuan, I only pray for a

Gongshi so I won’t embarrass Young Master.”

“Study for as much as you can, go as far as you can go. Let’s all just do it!” You Miao

cheers.

Everyone downs their wine in one gulp.

Once the stomachs are filled and the wine drunken, You Miao steps out of the mountain

gate tipsy, and all the servants in Shen Garden come out to send off. When the entire

Riverwave Estate learned the young lord is leaving for the Capital to take the exams, everyone

comes out, dragging their sons and daughters, their parents their children, to give their well

wishes in order to get that first-comer grant63.

62 Star that governs the scholarly fate and exams, blessing those who are meant for high official

positions.

63 Same reward as previous.

You Miao is finally feeling a little horrified. The well-wishings of “Good luck Young

Master” and “May Young Master be listed on the Golden Bulletin64” are everywhere, and You

Miao just wants to burrow into the carriage faster. Qiao Jue is giving the lucky loose envelopes

out to the tenants with a smile, and outside the grand entrance, Li Zhifeng is tacking on the

carriage while Chang Yuan and Shao Wei is each driving a carriage, waiting.

“Alright, alright.” You Miao says with a smile, “You can all go back now, I’ll definitely get

listed on the Golden Bulletin, definitely!”

In these years, You Miao has managed the estate with generosity, and whoever comes

with whole families to seek asylum, he’d take them all, and so today as he departs for the

Capital, the tenant households all stand in a line of over two hundred meters, very reluctant as

they see him off.

You Han’ge approaches the carriage and faces You Miao, “Didi, dad told me to give you

this.”

You Han’ge’s boy attendant comes over holding a heavy flower-sculpted case. You Miao

opens it to take a glimpse; inside are all palm-sized square boxes, and he quickly understands,

these are all tribute tea. Just this sandalwood case carrying the tea alone is significant in value.

“Put it in the carriage.” You Miao nods and has Li Zhifeng take it.

You Han’ge then continues, “This is gege’s bit of heart. I know you’re not lacking in

money, but these are light, if you keep it on you, it can help protect your person in case of.” He

says as he hands over a small pouch. You Miao weighs it in his hands, knowing that it’s all gold

leaves inside.”

“What about you?” You Miao asks seriously, “Dge, you’ve studied for the past few

years too, don’t you want to go to the Capital?”

You Han’ge laughs self-deprecatingly, “No, gege isn’t made for that. That I can achieve a

Juren is enough.”

You Miao jokes, “You can just take it as coming up to the Capital to play, yea?”

You Han’ge shuffles over to You Miao’s ears and whispers, “I really can’t, even if I go

take the exams it’d be embarrassing our family. Don’t you know, for the Prefecture Exam, it was

dad who hired a scholar and had him compose an essay. I only memorized and copied…”

64 The examinees who passed the Palace Exam will have their names published on the Golden

Bulletin.

When You Miao hears this, his face instantly turns an inexplicable shade.

You Han’ge then chuckles again, “Go on, earn a title. Then you can return home in glory

and greatness.”

You Miao nods then mounts the carriage. T’is the season of spring crossing into

summer, and the fresh, luscious green of wheat rolls like waves after waves in the wind to the

horizon. Sitting inside the carriage, he gazes at Riverwave Estate, gazes at Shen Garden,

gazes at his home… until it disappears in the far distance. His heart is filled with ambivalent

emotions as he leans in Li Zhifeng’s arms.

“What are you thinking about?” Li Zhifeng asks.

“Thinking about my ge.” You Miao says.

“Your ge?” Li Zhifeng wonders.

You Miao says, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, “I was wondering how he managed

to get a Juren after only having studied a few months, barely recognizing any characters! Turns

out, it was a hired scholar who wrote an essay and he forced himself to memorize it!”

The ends of Li Zhifeng’s lips twitch, and You Miao continues, “Money can truly make the

world go ‘round, no wonder my Teacher doesn’t care to meet him.”

The front window of the horse carriage is open, and Chang Yuan who’s driving turns his

head back and smiles, “Young Master going to the Capital this time is based on true talent and

knowledge, you’ll definitely enter the bulletin!”

Truthfully however, You Miao really doesn’t feel confident. While he did study under Sun

Yu for three years and read all that needs to be read, he still can’t be sure just to what level he’s

achieved. Can he make it as a Gongshi? Or a Jinshi? Or will he be able to enter the Golden

Bulletin and actually be appointed a Zhuangyuan? Sun Yu had said that for all that You Miao’s

studied, it’d be impossible to get a Zhuangyuan, and should be satisfied with a Jinshi.

Something comes to You Miao’s mind, and he asks, “How much money did we bring?”

Coming out on the road, he actually forgot to ask about something as grand as the heavens like

money. But all the ins and outs of the account of the estate are all managed by Li Zhifeng and

Qiao Jue; Qiao Jue takes care of sales and income while Li Zhifeng manages the expenses of

the manor. All You Miao needs to see is the total sum at the end of each month, most other

times it’s in one ear and out the other, and he vaguely knows he has about five thousand some

silver and four granaries of hundreds of thousands of catty of grain. Traveling to the Capital is a

grand affair, and even if he’s too careless to ask about it, no doubt Qiao Jue would have

exchanged the silver to paper money for him already.

Li Zhifeng replies, “At the beginning of the year I went to Yangzhou Prefecture to

exchange two thousand silver worth of bills, they’re all on me. Qiao Jue also packed three

hundred taels of silver inside the chest, enough for you to spend for a whole year. When you

buy slaves, remember to bargain.”

You Miao hadn’t expected Li Zhifeng would still keep that affair of the past on mind and

bursts out laughing, leaning on Li Zhifeng squeezing and nuzzling him all over, laughing so hard

tears are coming out.

Li Zhifeng then continues, “That enough? If not there’s still a few hundred silver at the

shop in Yangzhou, we can go withdraw now.”

You Miao contemplates for a moment then says, “Should be enough.”

“Well, damn!” When Chang Yuan hears this he laughs in spite of himself.

“You think I’m putting on an act, nothing of the sort.” You Miao says, “Your Young Master

has a ton of fairweather friends, and now that everyone’s prospering, in the future the imperial

court is Li Yan that little bitch’s world, if I want to clean out that mess, without two thousand

silver it really won’t be enough.”

Li Zhifeng hums for a moment, then says, “Not enough? Let’s detour and go withdraw.”

“It’s fine.” You Miao replies, “We’ll keep to this amount for now.”

Back then when You Miao spent money, it was easily tens and hundreds of silver; he

was young then, and now when he spends, it’s no longer the same as before.

Once he enters the Capital, there are many people he needs to see.

The Imperial College of the Directorate of Education, the Chancellor’s Residence, Li

Yan, Ping Xi, Lin Luoyang… all the gongzi chums he used to screw around with have all

reached the age to screw around the political scene. Perhaps everyone has changed, and their

hearts no longer the same as when they were youths, especially Li Yan. Every time an official of

the Capital comes down south to Jiangnan, what they speak of the most is the Li father and son.

Currently, the Li clan dominates in power and influence, becoming a firm tower of

strength within the imperial court of the Great Qi. The Li faction’s power is great, plus there’s the

recognition and support from the Taizi… There’s also the Third Prince Zhao Chao, a comrade

who once lived through life and death perils alongside You Miao, and now that he’s lost a battle,

he’s being looked down upon everywhere in the Capital.

The undercurrents of the Capital are surging, and no doubt a copious amount of money

will be spent, and the conflict between factions unavoidable; there’s going to be plenty of

confrontations and intrigues. You Miao abruptly discovers that what he had unintentionally

distanced himself from three years ago still needed to be faced straight on now. It appears like

the passing years have given them a leisurely time, but in truth they’re like a whetstone, forcing

them to grow up.

Thankfully You Miao isn’t that rusty sword thrown aside in the corner.

You Miao sighs ambivalently the whole way, “Am I going off to earn titles and serve the

country? Or am I heading off to the battlefield!”

---

Book 2 End

---

Butterflies in Love with Flowers

Su Shi (1037-1101) Song Dynasty

花褪殘紅青杏小。燕子飛時，綠水人家繞。

枝上柳綿吹又少，天涯何處無芳草。

牆裡鞦韆牆外道。牆外行人，牆裡佳人笑。

笑漸不聞聲漸悄，多情卻被無情惱。

Red flowers fade, green apricots still small

When swallows pass

Over blue water which surrounds the garden wall.

Most willow catkins have been blown away, alas!

But there is no place where grows not the sweet green grass.

Without the wall there's a road; within there's a swing.

A passer-by hears a fair maiden's laughter in the garden ring.

As the ringing laughter dies away by and by,

For the enchantress the enchant'd can only sigh.65

---

This is a poem composed by Su Shi depicting the refreshing and lovely spring

landscape, expressing a poet’s lament over the passing of spring, as well as the trouble of

having no one knowing his feelings.

65 Butterflies in Love with Flowers, translated by Jade on thebeijinger.