Chapter Sixty-One: Youcai Has Found a New Job

He held back his excitement until they were far from the Academy, with no one else around. Then Li Qiyu shook Su Lu’s shoulders, his voice trembling with joy. “Brother, you’re my true brother. No, brothers are nothing compared to you—you’re my godfather!”

He dropped to one knee, clasped his hands, and declared, “Qiyu has wandered for half his life, never found a wise master. If you don’t mind, I wish to take you as my adoptive father!”

“Spare me,” Su Lu replied, politely declining. “I don’t have any money for you to change how you call me. What’s gotten into you?”

“I know, it’s the wind from our ‘Essay School’!” Su Dan chimed in, eager to join the fun, but Su Lu shot him a glare, keeping him from making a scene.

“Yes, Dan’s absolutely right!” Li Qiyu nodded emphatically. “Brother, your lesson during Qingming was truly magnificent! After listening, my mind was no longer muddled. Every section, every sentence—I knew exactly how to write them!”

He chuckled sheepishly. “Though my writing still lacks something, that’s my own skill, not the fault of the school’s teachings.”

“For the first time, before I even started, I had a clear structure in mind, everything logically connected. Writing flowed effortlessly! Whatever the outcome, I’m truly satisfied with myself!” Li Qiyu’s voice quivered, almost to tears. “Brother, I finally see hope to stay!”

“I feel the same!” Su Dan’s voice trembled with excitement. “Before, my essays were disconnected, and I’d often stray off topic. With your method, I can build layer upon layer, always focused on the main theme. No more worries about losing my way!”

“Brother, you’re the king of essay writing!” Li Qiyu, knowing Su Lu disliked being called the ‘Essay God’, switched his praise. “From now on, I’ll call you the Essay King!”

“Get lost!” Su Lu scolded the scatterbrained fellow, but he was clearly pleased. “Did I really help? Are you sure?”

“Of course. I wouldn’t dare say we’re the best at essay writing, but the differences are clear enough. There’s no way we’ll be far off.” Li Qiyu was full of confidence.

“Exactly. We’ve read plenty of our classmates’ essays; mine won’t be worse than theirs!” Su Dan said, then asked Su Lu, “So, brother, how did you do?”

“Just so-so.” Su Lu forced a bitter smile. “I explained the principles clearly, but that’s as far as I can go… When it comes to alternating rhyme and rhythm, harmonious tones, I simply can’t manage it.”

“Sigh…” The joy drained from Su Dan and Li Qiyu’s faces. They began worrying for Su Lu—this was indeed a daunting problem.

“It’s true, you have to learn poetry from a young age to really master those.”

“Don’t wait, brother. I’ll teach you poetry right now!” Li Qiyu volunteered. “I may not be the Little Li Bai of Tucheng, but I know my way around poetic forms.”

“Spare me, you’re no match for brother’s father. When our teacher writes poetry, you were barely out of diapers.” Su Dan suddenly remembered something and hurriedly asked, “I heard our teacher resigned?”

“Yes,” Su Lu nodded.

“Was it something I said last time that unintentionally hurt him?” Su Dan asked, feeling guilty.

“What did you say? My father’s not so fragile that a single sentence from you would break his resolve.” Su Lu shook his head. “He just wants to live differently now…”

As they talked, the three arrived at ‘Sweetwater House’ at the crossroads. The storefront had been newly decorated. The eye-catching sign was adorned with brightly colored fruits—tangerines, apricots, pears, grapes, cherries, peaches…

Though all carved from wood, they looked lifelike, freshly painted, and stood out on the drab gray street.

Spring was the season for fruit in the market. Sweetwater House kept launching new seasonal products, greatly increasing repeat customers…

Actually, it was a necessity. All these items depended on the fruit available. For example, the loquat-flavored ‘Golden Jade Dew’ had already been taken off the menu.

So to try something new, you had to hurry; miss this round, and you’d have to wait until next year.

Sweetwater House now had a number of regulars, mostly women and children from well-off families, who always had to sample the latest offerings.

Today happened to be the fifteenth temple fair. Even with light rain, many people crowded the shop, queuing to buy the newly released ‘Red Cherry Sweet Dew’.

Li Qiyu squeezed to the counter, holding up three fingers and shouting, “Boss, I want three extra-large ‘Red Cherry Sweet Dew’!”

That was Su Lu’s idea. The shop now offered medium, large, and extra-large sizes. The extra-large used thick bamboo, the large used thin bamboo, the medium used fragrant bamboo—naturally, the bigger, the better value!

“Alright. That’ll be thirty coins, thank you for your patronage!” A familiar voice rang out.

Su Lu and Su Dan were standing at the door, not in line; if the proprietress saw them, how could they let Qiyu treat them?

Hearing the voice, both looked toward the counter and exclaimed,

“Eh? Teacher?”

“Father? When did you become the shopkeeper?!” Su Lu was surprised, then suddenly understood.

Behind the counter, dressed in navy shopkeeper’s robes, stood the handsome middle-aged man—Su Youcai.

Seeing his son and student, Su Youcai’s face reddened, but he quickly composed himself. “My son, come upstairs, your father has something to ask you.”

~~

Sweetwater House, second floor.

“What does Father want to ask?” Su Lu gazed at his father, half amused, half skeptical.

“Well…” Su Youcai coughed awkwardly. “How did you do on the exam?”

Su Lu didn’t want to answer—was this really the time for interrogation?

“Don’t overthink it. Me leaving the academy has nothing to do with that!” Su Youcai admitted, feeling a bit guilty. “I’m just here to help out…”

“I see.” Su Lu nodded.

“I told you, it’s hard for someone like me to find work. The shop was busy, so I came to help your godmother for a few days.” Su Youcai spoke righteously.

“Then why act so sneaky about it?” Su Lu pressed.

“I’m afraid your grandfather will overreact.” Su Youcai sighed. “He’s got such a temper. If he gets upset, what then?”

“I see.” Su Lu nodded again, not entirely convinced.

“I didn’t tell the family because I was afraid you’d all worry.” Su Youcai sighed. “I’ll just work here for a while. If I find something else, I’ll move on. No need to upset the old man.”

“Don’t tell your grandfather about this.” He coaxed Su Lu, “Father will buy you something delicious tonight.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t gossip. But if Grandpa asks, I can’t lie.” Su Lu earnestly advised, “You can’t keep a secret forever, Father. Better to come clean sooner.”

“What are you talking about?” Su Youcai’s face reddened, lowering his voice. “I don’t mind, but your godmother cares about her reputation. Not possible for the next couple of years.”

“What are you thinking, Father? I’m talking about you working for godmother, nothing else.” Su Lu finally understood and laughed, waving his hand. “Just work in peace. I’m heading home!”

“It’s not what you think…” Watching Su Lu dash downstairs and disappear, Su Youcai sighed:

“When rumor flows like water, before Wang Mang usurped the throne.

A long road tests a horse’s strength, time reveals a person’s heart.”

~~

Taiping Academy, Dao Nan Hall.

After lunch, the teachers began grading papers. Dean Zhu was especially attentive to this first monthly exam after implementing the ‘Three Levels Advancement System,’ and came to the front hall to oversee the process, eager to see the students’ progress.

“The improvement is clear,” said Vice Dean Qian Huairen, pleased. “This time the written interpretations are still flexible, but the students’ answers are much better.”

“Last time they were caught off guard. This time they were prepared, so naturally it’s much better.” Dean Zhu smiled, then asked, “And the essay section? Any promising talents?”

“Yes, indeed.” Qian Huairen nodded. “For example, the student who ranked first upon admission—Zhu Zi and his essay is precocious, already showing the style of a master.”

“No need to mention Zi and—I taught my nephew myself, I know his level better than you.” Zhu Liu waved it off with a smile. “Tell me about the others.”

“Yes.” Qian Huairen thought, ‘You may not listen, but I have to say it. If I don’t mention your nephew, you’ll make trouble for me.’

He brought several graded papers to Zhu Liu and said, “There are several students—Lin Zhihong and others—who show remarkable potential. With proper guidance, advancing to higher studies shouldn’t be an issue.”

“Let me see.” Zhu Liu took the papers and skimmed them quickly. After reading, he was gratified. “Excellent, excellent. As the saying goes, ‘In every marsh within ten paces, fragrant herbs grow.’ These children are every bit as good as those in Luzhou City.”

“All due to your wise selection, Dean.” Qian Huairen said solemnly. “To think we once had doubts—truly, we missed the forest for the trees.”

“Exactly.” Zhu Liu accepted the flattery with a smile. “The previous method let mediocre students who relied on rote learning occupy the places meant for real talent.”

He raised his voice, reminding the teachers, “When grading, mind the rules, but don’t be too rigid. Be alert for those rough gems who may not stand out yet, or have some flaws. For them, you can lower the standards a little—don’t sweep them out too soon.”

He was, in fact, patching up his own ‘Three Levels Advancement System.’ Zhu Liu liked to stir things up, but he understood people well. He knew that when subordinates opposed a policy but dared not say so, they over-enforced it to create chaos, forcing the policy maker to revise.

Zhu Liu’s personal oversight was for this reason—not to find any hidden gems. After all, the students had studied for years; real talent would have shown itself by now. There were hardly any overlooked prodigies.

Unexpectedly, one teacher stood up. “Dean, I think I found a rough gem.”

As mentioned before, no matter their age, scholars must address examiners as seniors.

“Are you talking about that Su Lu?” Qian Huairen blurted out.

“That boy’s paper—” Other teachers looked up; clearly, they’d all read it.

“Su Lu?” Zhu Liu touched his forehead. “I remember that child—he got in last place. His name was squeezed off the list, and Mr. Zhu had to make an extra trip.”

“Yes.” The list keeper, Mr. Zhu, laughed. “A few days ago, after months of wind and rain, all the names on the announcement board had faded—except his. Su Lu’s name still hangs on the academy wall.”

It was Mr. Zhu who recommended Su Lu’s paper…

“His essay drew such interest from you all?” Zhu Liu grew curious, and asked Qian Huairen, “Why haven’t I seen it yet?”

ps. Good news: we finally topped the new book chart the day before release. Bad news: if I post two chapters now, the word count will exceed 200,000 and we’ll be knocked off the chart immediately…

So, let’s compromise: the next chapter will be posted a bit later, so I can enjoy being on top for at least a day.

Tonight at midnight, the book goes on sale. I’ll post the last public chapter before midnight, then four paid chapters. Five chapters in a row—how’s that?