Chapter Five: The Schoolhouse

  Jiangning Weaving and Dyeing Bureau, side gate.

  Several young men held horses and guarded a horse-drawn carriage in front of them.

  It was not until half past six in the morning that the side door opened and Cao Song walked out, followed by two young servants in their teens carrying a package containing writing materials.

  Among the men, there was one wearing a blue cloth shirt, twenty-five or six years old, strong and robust, looking like the leader of the crowd. Seeing Cao Zhan come out, he smiled and stepped forward: "Young master, I'll carry you to the carriage!"

  Cao Gong searched his memory and found that this man was Cao Fang, the second son of Cao Fu, a big manager, who was in charge of Cao Gong's schooling.

  Cao Fang saw that Cao Gong was speechless, thinking he had tacitly agreed, and bent down to carry him onto the carriage. Inside the carriage were seats, with small armrests on both sides, apparently custom-made for Cao Gong. Through the bamboo curtain of the carriage, Cao Gong saw the coachman sitting on the left side, two young boys got on the right side, and the rest of the people all mounted their horses.

  "Hold on!" Cao Gong saw that the coachman was about to crack his whip and hastily lifted up the curtain, shouting out loud.

  Cao Fang pulled on the reins of his horse and bowed his head to ask: "Young master, have you dropped something?"

  Cao Guang pointed at the two little book boys: "Let them come in and sit!"

  "Master, this is not proper!" Cao Fang muttered a sentence, and saw Cao Jue looking at himself with a smile that was not quite a smile. He felt inexplicably uneasy in his heart, and turned to smile: "Xi Mo, Nong Mo, you two little monkeys, don't you hurry up and thank Master for his kindness?"

  Xi Mo and Nong Mo giggled as they got into the carriage, which then left by the side gate and headed to the clan school a mile or so away.

  The location of the clan school is a three-entrance courtyard, with the front entrance for the long-following attendants to rest, the middle entrance being the school hall, and the innermost part being the residence of the husband.

  Now, the husband of the clan's daughter is Cao Hu, who is about the same age as Cao Yin. In terms of generation, he is Cao Yin's uncle and Cao Guang's grandfather. Cao Hu was a rare talent with a good reputation, and at the age of twenty, he passed the imperial examination to become a scholar-official. However, after taking the exam for over twenty years, he still failed to achieve success and eventually obtained a position as a seventh-rank county official through his family's efforts. Due to his incompetence in handling current affairs, he was dismissed from office within half a year, which left Cao Hu disheartened and disillusioned with serving as an official. He then joined his clan nephew in southern Jiangsu.

  Cao Yin saw that although this young uncle was not familiar with human emotions and worldly affairs, his learning was solid, so he entrusted the family school to him.

  Apart from the children of the Cao family's main and side branches, there were also children from relatives' families who came to study together, so there were about twelve or thirteen students. The older ones were thirteen or fourteen years old, while the younger ones were six or seven years old. Cao Zhi was the eldest grandson of the main branch, his seat was in the first row and right in the middle, and on his right side was Cao Song's seat.

  When Cao Kun arrived, the lesson had not yet started. Cao Cong was already there, and when he saw him coming, his little face was full of joy, almost to the point of dancing with excitement. On Cao Kun's left side sat a child of about ten years old, wearing clothes that were neither new nor old, unlike Cao Cong who was mischievous and playful, but instead sitting quietly, speaking fluently. Cao Kun heard him say "It is rare for someone to be filial and yet fond of offending their superiors" and "Filial piety and brotherly love are the roots of benevolence". These were quotes from the opening chapter of the Analects. Just as Cao Cong had mentioned, today Master would be lecturing on the Analects, it seemed that this child was reviewing his lessons in advance.

  "Hmph, always pretending to be something they're not!" Cao Cong muttered to himself when he saw the young boy catch Cao Guang's attention. Seeing Cao Guang's confusion, he whispered: "He's a relative of your mother's family from before, you weren't here for these few days to attend school. The teacher favors him and arranged for him to sit in the front row."

  Just then, Cao Huan walked in with a stride and saw Cao Kun had arrived. He pointed to the little boy on his left and said: "It seems that it's all right now. This is your new classmate, Gu Na." Then he turned his head to Gu Na and said: "This is Cao Kun, the eldest son of your maternal uncle Cao's family. You should call him Uncle Cao."

  Gu Na stood up, shook his sleeves and gave a salute: "Nephew Gu pays respects to Uncle Shi!"

  In front of him were two bookish-looking men of different heights. Cao Song slightly curled up the corners of his mouth: "Be polite, please get up!"

  The ancient homework was very monotonous. First, the master led everyone to recite the first volume of "Analects" three times, and then pointed to the two older students in the back seat to lead everyone to recite. For a whole two hours, nothing else was done. Cao Kun's mouth was dry from reading, fortunately, every half hour, he could rest for a moment, and two book boys poured tea and sent it over, all brought out from the mansion.

  It was almost noon, and it was time for lunch. The teacher returned to the inner house, and the students' families sent over various snacks to eat. The students sat in groups of three or five, depending on their relationships with each other. Only the three small ones in front were different from everyone else. Cao Yun and Cao Song, two brothers, formed their own group, served by several book boys. Gu Nai's family did not send anyone to deliver lunch, so he took out a paper package from his school bag, which contained a white steamed bun and two slices of salted vegetables. He ate a small bite of the bun and a small bite of the vegetables, looking rather elegant.

  A murmur arose from behind, someone wanted to mock a few words, but considering Cao Guang, they didn't dare say much, and only said in a gloomy tone: "Poor guy, where are you qualified to sit in such a good seat!"

  Cao Song's heart was straightforward and his mouth was quick. Seeing Gu Na open the paper package, he shouted: "How is it again steamed buns and salted vegetables!"

  Guna's face was calm, without a ripple, still eating slowly, one small mouthful of steamed bun, one small mouthful of salted vegetables. When she had eaten half, she wrapped up the remaining steamed bun and put it back in her school bag.

  Cao Gong watched from the side, seeing how such a young child could be so calm and composed, and he couldn't help but feel curious. It seemed that the child came from a poor family, but he didn't know what kind of parents could raise such an understanding child. Cao Song saw that it wasn't good to not share with others, and earlier he had accidentally shouted out in embarrassment. He took a chicken leg from his meal box and walked over to Gu Na's side, placing it on his desk.

  Gu Na only did not see, took out "Analects", whispered recitation. Cao Ge saw him ignore, fire rose in his heart, threw the lunch box on the table, chicken legs flew out, slid from Gu Na's sleeve to the ground, clothes stained a piece.

  "You!" Gu Na glared at Cao Tong, her small face flushing bright red.

  Cao Song glanced at Gu Na and returned to his seat with a pleased expression.

  Cao Cong patted his own forehead, "Oh dear, kids are really troublesome." At this time, the students sitting in the back saw the commotion in front and started to murmur "oh" and "ah".

  Gu Na stood up from his seat and walked in front of Cao Song: "You stained my clothes, why don't you apologize?"

  Cao Song glared: "I won't, I just won't!"

  "It's not worth apologizing for!" Gu Na said firmly.

  Cao Song turned his head away, not looking at him. The students behind, some of whom were intentionally causing trouble, gathered around and said "Second Uncle, teach him a good lesson". Some said "Don't even think about bullying Second Brother, first ask Master's fist".

  "Bang!" Cao Song slapped the table, stood up, and pouted: "Alright, alright, it's my fault for getting your clothes dirty, is that okay now?"

  Guna nodded and returned to his seat.

  Cao Song turned his head back and shouted at those meddling students with a mixture of shame and anger: "All of you, scatter! It's too hot, aren't you annoyed?"

  Cao Gong saw that his younger brother was kind-hearted and didn't bully others with his power, so he became even closer to him.

  After a half-hour lunch break, the teacher came to the classroom again. The content of this afternoon's class is reciting "Sheng Yun Qi Meng" and writing large characters. "Sheng Yun Qi Meng" is an introductory book for mastering phonetic rhythm rules, and today's lesson is:

  Clouds are paired with rain, snow with wind, and sunset with clear sky. The coming swan is paired with the departing swallow, the roosting bird with the chirping insect. A three-foot sword, a six-chi bow, the north of the mountain ridge is paired with the east of the river. In the human world, there is the Clear Heat Temple, in heaven, there is the Vast Cold Palace. The willows on both banks are green with morning mist, and the apricot blossoms in the garden are red after spring rain. Two temples with wind and frost, travelers who set out early; one umbrella in the smoke and rain, an old man fishing late by the stream.

  Along the river, different from the same, white and yellow. River wind against sea fog, herdsman against fisherman. Yan's alley is narrow, Ruan's path is exhausted, Ji's north against Liao's east. Water in the pool to wash feet, outside the door to hit headwind. Emperor Liang lectures on scriptures at Tongtai Temple, Emperor Han sets up wine at Weiyang Palace. Ashamed to see the hundred-refined green bronze.

  The poor and the rich, the blocked and the unimpeded, the rustic elder and the brook youth. The temples are white against the green eyebrows, the teeth are bright against the red lips. The sky is vast and profound, the sun is warm and harmonious, the sword at the waist matches the curved bow. Half of the stream's water is green, a thousand trees' fallen flowers are red. In the wild, swallows flit through the willow rain, in the fragrant pool, fish play with the lotus wind. The woman's eyebrows are delicate, below her forehead appears a new crescent moon; the man's energy is robust, from his chest emerges a long rainbow of ten thousand feet.

  The students nodded and read fluently, much smoother than the dry "Analects" in the morning. Those who loved to show off were already expecting the teacher to ask them to recite a couplet, so they could flaunt their skills. The teacher knew that teaching should be gradual, so after seeing everyone had read it several times, he asked each student to stand up and recite the first paragraph, and half of them could do it. Then, the teacher also asked everyone to memorize the remaining two paragraphs at home.

  After reciting "Voice and Rhyme Enlightenment", the master asked everyone to prepare their writing materials, watching them write big characters. The content was actually the previously taught "Hundred Family Surnames" and "Thousand Character Classic". It's okay to have homework, but Cao Yun is particularly diligent, in order not to be illiterate, he still reads and writes carefully.

  Before it was time for the second watch, school was dismissed. The attendants from various official residences came to fetch their young masters and left in different directions, some on horseback and others in carriages.

  Cao Guang sat in the carriage, feeling very bored. He had spent nearly twenty years studying in his past life, and now he was going to start all over again after just a few years. The thought of it made his head ache.

  Weaving Department, side gate.

  A sly-looking man bowed and scraped to the gatekeeper, who looked to be in his thirties, wearing a crumpled silk robe. The gatekeeper's face was full of impatience, he rolled his eyes and cursed under his breath.

  The man still wanted to make trouble, so the gatekeeper called out two burly men, scolded him a few times, and finally scared him away.

  Cao Fang's carriage arrived, and after he got off the carriage, he saw a dirty and thin man staring at him from a distance. He looked at Cao Fang and asked, "Who is that person?"

  "Cao Fang replied, "That's Gu San, considered a relative of our household. He used to be a young master, but his family declined and he came to our lord for refuge. However, he's a good-for-nothing who only knows how to indulge in whoring and gambling, and even uses our lord's name to bully men and cheat women outside. Our lord was so angry that he drove him out! His son is currently studying, I heard his wife came to beg Lady a few days ago."

  It's really unexpected that this seemingly despicable man is actually Gu Na's father. Cao Yun thought of the child who even sold steamed buns with a elegant demeanor, and was secretly astonished in his heart.

  Cao Fang saw Cao Guang off at the Second Gate, where a carriage with two young maidservants was already waiting.

  Gu San spent several days in the casino, losing his last copper coin. He wanted to go to the Weaving Department to beg for food but couldn't even get past the gate. His stomach was burning with hunger. Afraid of being beaten, he didn't dare complain at the door, and only when he was far away did he spit out a mouthful of saliva: "You bastards, just wait until Gu San makes it big, then you'll be sorry!"

  When Cao Kun got off the carriage, Gu San looked at him from a distance, his whole body in brocade, with a necklace around his neck and jade pendants hanging from his waistband, and he couldn't help but have thoughts. Until Cao Kun and his servants entered the door, he coldly smiled and turned away.

  This is the nephew of Mrs. Gu, the wife of Cao Yin's late wife. Cao Yin dislikes him for being uneducated and untalented, but seeing his late wife's relative, he cannot be too heartless. Although he drove them out of the house, he still rented a small courtyard in the back alley for them to live in and sent some money and grain every month. Every time, he let Gu San go gamble, making life at home very difficult. It was all thanks to Gu San's wife, Zhou Shi, who wove and embroidered, that the family did not starve.

  When Gu San returned home, Gu Na was having dinner with his mother, Zhou Shi. The mother and son had a bowl of rice porridge each. On the table, there was also half a white steamed bun left over from noon, which Gu Na pushed to his mother's side for her to eat.

  Zhou's wife hesitated for a moment, then pushed the steamed buns in front of her son and herself ate a few pieces of salted vegetables with porridge.

  After Gu San entered the house, he went to the kitchen to find something to eat. He saw a white steamed bun and picked it up, taking a bite of it.

  Mrs. Zhou saw this and hastily stepped forward to stop her: "This is for my son to take with him when he goes to school tomorrow, I'll go get you some congee!"

  Gu San lost money and was also humiliated at the Cao residence, with a belly full of pent-up anger. Seeing his wife nagging, he slapped Zhou Shi twice: "You stinky woman, jinx, since you entered our Gu family's door, I've never had a peaceful day!"

  Zhou covered her mouth and sobbed. Gu San stepped forward and kicked: "What are you wailing about, I'm not dead yet? Don't think I don't know what's on your mind, you adulteress, wishing me an early death so you can find a young lover."

  Zhou was kicked to the ground, his face pale with fear, and he cried bitterly. Gu San still wanted to take action, but saw Gu Na stretch out her arm, protecting her mother behind her, her small face tightly staring at him.

  Gu San felt bored and muttered, "What a load of nonsense!" He looked at his son again, his eyes rolling around, unsure what to think. "Haha" he laughed twice, lifted the curtain and left. Behind him, Zhou Shi's crying voice was heard.