Chapter 10: CH 10

After listening to Cui Xie’s words, Old Zhao furen’s eyes turned red and she distressingly comforted: “Yes, yes, a real man will never worry about ending up alone…cough, cough, do not worry over financial matters! Then, I think that the windows in your residence should have their papers* switched out. The pillars and four walls also need to be resealed as well. My family has a paper mill and we produce the finest white mulberry parchment. Later, I’ll have Zhao Kui send a few rolls over to paste on the walls and windows.”

夫人(fū ren): the mistress/wife, also a general term to refer to an official’s wife/madam.

This phrase a real man will never worry about ending up alone is said by Zhao Yun during the Three Warring Kingdoms era. This phrase essentially says that a real man should worry about having a successful career rather than worry about getting married. It emphasizes that ambitious men accomplishing great things will not have their love life adversely affected by the overall situation.

Since glass was not commonly used for windows, architecture often involved a wooden lattice covered by pasted refined/crafted paper instead. The paper was often produced to be waterproof and fireproof. Below is a good picture of what it should look like and I also included a rough diagram of how paper was made in ancient China.

Cui Xie, fighting back a grin, bowed his head in thanks: “Many thanks Grandma Zhao. Once Uncle Yuan returns, I will send him over with the payment.”

Old Zhao furen could not help but to pat his arm softly and beamed: “My house only has a small paper workshop and all these papers were crafted in my own shop. My own windows were also carelessly pasted by servants, it’s not worth your special thanks. Speaking of which, my family’s paper mill is quite profitable and even borrowed a lot of your family’s Official’s reputation for the sake of business!”

She proceeded to make a great show of looking earnest, lifting her sleeve to block her mouth, lowering her voice to whisper to Cui Xie: “If it wasn’t for your family’s Master getting admitted as a jinshi, uplifting the feng shui of this street and even mortgaging the residence to Master Wang to open up a primary school, how could so many scholars come here to buy residences, or rent a courtyard? My family’s paper was luckily sold to those scholars. Otherwise, with so many other paper shops in town, this old body and my eldest son would not be able to do any business. Just where could we continue our family business?”

Cui Xie was conveniently searching for a nearby place to attend school and smoothly followed up: “Oh? There are scholars living near here? Are they all Mister Wang’s former pupils? Are they rutong or shengyuan? Do the two elders know how deep their knowledge is, can they teach students?” 

Rutong; nickname meaning Confucius’ child, basically referring to scholar

Shengyuan: scholar preparing for imperial examinations

I know the Imperial examination titles can be quite confusing so here is a diagram and definitions pulled from Wikipedia.

Entry-level examinations were held annually and accessible to educated individuals from their early teenage years. 

These were held locally and were collectively called Tóngshéng shì (童生试, “Child Exam”) or Tóngshì (童试). Tóngshì was broken down hierarchically into the Xiànshì (縣試, “County Exam”), the Fǔshì (府試, “Prefectural exam”) and Yuànshì (院試, “college exam”).

Provincial exams: Xiāngshì (鄉試, “township exam”) were held every three years in provincial capitals.

Metropolitan exams: Huìshì (會試, “conference exam”) were held every three years in the national capital.

Palace exams: Diànshì (殿試, “court exam”) were held every three years in the Imperial palace and often supervised by the emperor himself.

Grandma Zhao did not understand, so she had to take a few glances at her husband.

Landlord Zhao picked up the cup and savored a mouthful of the refreshing beverage, exhibiting some arrogance in front of his wife. He then narrowed his eyes to concentrate on talking about ancient times: “If one were to talk about the scholars here, then one must start from the year when Official Cui became a jinshi. Because he was awarded a jinshi title and moved to the capital, people said that he had been affected by the good feng shui in the residence. Only after moving here was he able to land himself into one of the rankings on the two lists* and become a high-ranking official in the capital. Therefore, this entire street’s residences were all in high demand by scholars who wanted to rent out the courtyards. Wealthy households with studious sons put forth high prices to purchase—not to conceal it from you, but if it were not for my family having two unpromising grandsons attending school and thinking of borrowing your Master’s feng shui, we would have also set our residence out onto the market.”

It turned out that even in the Great Ming Dynasty there were school district residences*, the speculation was even quite hot. He was currently living in the center of such a feng shui holy land, should he rent out a few rooms to earn some rent money?

Reminder:

Two lists: Scholars who passed both the juren and jinshi examinations; considered to be very impressive and high achieving. 

In the imperial examination, the jinshi examinations were divided into A and B subjects, which is the so-called ‘two rankings’. In the Ming Dynasty, the A examination was the jinshi examination and the juren examination was the township/provincial examination. They were called the A list and the B list collectively called the two lists. In the imperial examinations, the list of candidates for juren is called the B list, and the list of jinshi is called the A list. Anyone who passes the B list and then passes the A list to become an official is called ‘born of the two lists’.

After China loosened its birth policies, it ignited parent demand for ‘school district houses’, which were literally houses in a district in which education authorities required that families enroll their students into public schools based on these designated areas. As a result, more parents are eager to buy property near these key, elite schools for children, leading to skyrocketing prices.

Or should he manufacture some objects scholars commonly used instead and open a small store in the outer courtyard to earn some money?

Seeing that it was not the right time to ponder over such matters, he temporarily gave this thought a rest, humbly requesting: “Not to keep this from the two elders, but this junior is planning on taking the examinations at the ancestral home and needs to find a teacher to learn Confucian scriptures and essay composition. Is there a suitable scholar here with good knowledge? The payment for a private tutor can be pooled together by the household, so long as the knowledge learned is genuine and real.”

Landlord Zhao frowned, his brows wrinkling to say: “This…after Teacher Wang left, his former pupils were transferred to a Teacher surnamed Lin. Our family’s second grandson is currently studying there and says that it is not as good as the previous Teacher Wang. Other scholars do not teach students. In former years, there were indeed some who passed, but for the most part, most curry favor with others to obtain a governmental official position, not in the mood to take in students. You had been under the tutelage of a Teacher from within the capital and studied under him. Compared to these local, shabby literati who receive guests all day, they will not necessarily be as good as what you are used to.”

Cui Xie helplessly chuckled: “Not at all. I was raised by my grandmother’s side since childhood. Ever since my grandmother fell ill, I have spent more time attending to her illness and less on seriously continuing my studies. Even now, I have yet to read the Five Classics. The former juren maternal Uncle who taught me became an official two years ago…”

Juren: the qualified graduate who passed the triennial provincial exam

Five Classics and Four Books by Confucious was an integral part of a scholar’s education and one needed to master the material to pass the Imperial examinations at multiple levels.

Landlord Zhao asked with a dazed look: “That Liu family’s maternal uncle was admitted as a juren? A wujuren right? After speaking, he suddenly raised his hand to his mouth, his lips twitching. He frowned and remarked: “I must have remembered wrong, Colonel Liu* was transferred to defend the Yulin (city in Shaanxi province) garrisons in early years, how could he have been in the capital to teach you…then is it the brother of that later second wife? One must realize how difficult it is to be chosen as a juren. If it was not for your father’s status, how could he have been chosen as a county head magistrate? Not even properly instructing your studies, truly an improper son of a man!”

Wujuren: successful candidates awarded special titles for those who obtained the top three rankings in the juren examinations

Reminder: The Liu family is Cui Xie’s maternal family!

*Whenever Colonel comes up, remember that this is just the English translation of the term, qianhu. A Colonel in charge of 1,000 men. The Ming Dynasty had multiple marshal offices and administrative offices set up under high commanding officers. Qianhu, is one of many types of administrative titles given to senior and junior Colonels. There were a total of 17 Qianhu offices, each office and their Colonel in command of 1,000 households. 

It was only now that the old furen finally understood the gist of things and exclaimed in surprise, “What? He did not properly instruct your studies? What a cruel heart! There is another woman filling in as the second wife, and the younger brother is not a good thing either. So, they treat the former Madam’s Eldest son like this?”

Landlord Zhao hurriedly patted her hand and scolded: “Look at what nonsense you are spouting! Such remarks that instigate disagreements would be easily told to the ears of those little officials!”

Old Zhao furen also became anxious: “But you said it first! It was your mouth that was flapping the most…”

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The two of them started squabbling with each other again, and Cui Xie’s head was bowed, silently watching over them like a Daoist Master untethered to the mortal world, as if he had not heard anything. The clamoring couple suddenly remembered that they were at someone else’s residence and the victim was sitting next to them. Both of them awkwardly coughed, lowered their heads, and smoothed down their clothes.

Whenever I see Buddha face, I think of this ICONIC Haikyuu picture

Landlord Zhao’s psychological predisposition was a bit stronger and more resilient. Stroking the collar on his robes, he started talking about the proper business at hand: “If you really want to find a mentor, it is best to go to Fucheng. Two years ago, my eldest grandson was lucky enough to enter an academy there and is now an affiliated student at the official academy in Fucheng. There are many scholars there, all with profound knowledge. There is also the Lonely Bamboo Academy situated outside the city. It is said to be passed down from the era of Boyi and Shuqi, a place in which Sages are created!”

Boyi and Shuqi were two brothers who lived in China at the time of the transition between the Shang Dynasty and the Zhou Dynasty. They are remembered in Chinese literary culture for their personal and moral virtue, loyalty, and pacifist idealism. They were the sons of Ya Wei, the Ruling Lord of the Guzhu state, or the Lonely Bamboo Kingdom in English.

Fucheng? Cui Xie considered it for a while and shook his head.

Currently, they only had thirty taels of silver in their possession. If they wanted to move to Fucheng, they would have to rent a residence for at least ten taels per year. The remaining money would not be enough to make ends meet, let alone fund his studies.

Besides, they had been banished by the original owner’s father. While the Cui family could care less about his food, clothing, housing, life, or death, they definitely would not allow him to leave at will. Even if he really went to Fucheng, as long as the Cui family couple said a few words, he would have to obediently move back. Otherwise, it would be considered unfilial and would be a criminal charge that would harm his future prospects. 

It would be better to take it step-by-step. Besides, there were scholars here as well. Disregarding teaching quality, teaching him how to write eight-legged essays would also work. 

Eight-legged essay: ‘eight bone text’; style of essay in imperial examinations during the Ming and Qing dynasties in China. The eight-legged essay was needed for those test-takers in these civil service exams to show their merits for government service, the contents often focusing on Confucian thought and knowledge of the Four Books and Five Classics in relation to governmental ideals.

Seeing that Cui Xie did not agree,  Landlord Zhao knew he had suggested the idea of moving to Fucheng just now a bit too prematurely. He patted the back of his head and said: “I must have misunderstood. After all, you are still young and will not necessarily feel at ease in your ancestral home, how could you possibly just relocate outside so suddenly. Then, you might as well lay a foundation at Teacher Lin’s place first.”

“Next year, the Autumn Examinations will occur. Talented scholars are all now preparing for the Autumn Examinations, it’ll be hard to find a good Teacher. Wait until that group of scholars comes back from the examinations, there will definitely be people seeking postings. At that time, I will ask my household to recommend the one with the most solid knowledge. Then, us two households can invite them home, and it won’t cost you that much!”

Ming-era exams are held every three years-each autumn in the provinces, then each spring in the major cities for level two exam, and then immediately after, level three exam in the imperial place. 

Cui Xie thanked him for his kindness and then asked how much money it would cost to study with Teacher Lin.

Landlord Zhao had some expertise in this area, so he explained how he had paid for his grandsons’ tutoring fees, ceremonial festival gifts, quietly teaching Cui Xie how to pay the lecture fees: “It will be the Mid-Autumn Festival soon. You should wait until after the Mid-Autumn Festival ends before going to formally request to be a pupil. You can also save two or so silvers on the festival gifts. If you are not in a hurry, just wait for the Sage Confucius’ birthday on the 27th and save some more money.”

The Mid Autumn Festival is the second-most important holiday after Chinese New Year, it’s history dating back to when dynasties worshipped the moon for bountiful harvests. It is held on the 15th day of the 8th month, where the Chinese believe that the moon is at its brightest and fullest size. Lanterns of all sizes and shapes are carried/displayed as beacons to light the way to prosperity and good luck. Mooncakes, rich pastries with sweet-bean and lotus-seed paste are traditionally eaten. They are often gifted to friends and family, multiple ceremonial rites one would have to follow.

Confucius’s birthday falls on the 25th day of the 8th lunar month and is officially celebrated in Taiwan as Teachers’ Day on the 28th while Mainland China observes it there on the 10th instead. Here, the date is off since the ancient Chinese lunar calendar was not accurate.

Cui Xie profusely moved his head up and down, silently making note of the amount of money and the proper dates of gifting he needed to follow. He was not afraid to attend school a little bit later. This is because, before attending school, he would take time to memorize the books the original owner knew and imitate the boy’s handwriting again. Even if he were to spend a month on this task, it would not be easy.

While they were talking, the Zhao family’s maids came over to refill the tea table with new plates of freshly-cracked walnuts in addition to pine nuts mixed with crystallized sugar kumquats for tea. All of this was paired with a bamboo steamer with mutton-stuffed willow-leaf dumplings and a plate of deep-fried buns coated with a layer of icing sugar to serve as dessert.

Landlord Zhao had spoken for an entire afternoon and was both hungry and thirsty. He took a sip of tea and picked up his chopsticks, indicating that Cui Xie should eat some of the light refreshments.

Old Zhao furen hadn’t been able to speak a word for an entire half of a day, and finally, caught someone who wasn’t talking about studying and instructed her: “Go home and take a few rolls of the wallpapers, a stack of window papers, two newly muslin-pasted window lattices, as well as a few pearl-beaded curtains to hang up. See if there is enough water in the courtyard, and ask Zhao Kui and the others to fill it up…”

Cui Xie hurriedly interrupted: “My family’s Cui Yuan and Pengyan have already gone out to shop, they will naturally buy these things. I do not dare to take the Zhao family’s things.”

Grandma Zhao’s mouth lifted up, and she refuted: “This is all my own family’s things, not worth much. Your residence has many rooms and courtyards, even if you were to buy too much, you can put it aside. Just treat it as being prepared just in case.” She continued with her orders: “Fetch the jasmine pot under my window and give it to Little Xie-ge to fumigate the entire residence. Once you are done with that, come back to make dinner and let Ah Ji make the meal at our residence.”

The servant woman gave a noise of agreement and went back to do her tasks. She came back, clasping a handful of jasmine flowers in a pot, and put them underneath the window. She also brought another manservant with her to install a pearl-beaded curtain in the bedroom in the main room. A layer of oiled paper was pasted onto the window lattice, and then the muslin-gauze window frame was buckled in from the inside. It was just that the house was too old, the walls had an ashy surface and the pasted wallpaper had long started peeling off. The wallpaper could not be pasted up, it would have to wait until someone reapplied a layer of mortar and white powder to reseal the surface.

Cui Xie felt a little embarrassed, but he still received it, tanking the two elders and saying: “These two days, my residence’s well will be dredged and cleaned out. People will be coming in and out. I am afraid I will disturb the neighbors, I will have to ask Grandma and Grandpa Zhao to help appease the neighbor’s complaints. Once we settle down here, I will arrange for a wine-tasting reception inviting the distinguished neighbors to come to visit, a small token of my sincerity and intention to become closer.”

Landlord Zhao and his wife were all people who liked to attend such lively events. After exchanging a few pleasantries, their faces immediately began to flush with light, both smiling from ear to ear: “These are all trivial matters, they will be covered by this old couple. You moved here alone and everything in the residence must be personally watched over by yourself. How can you have the time to handle all these busy matters! It is better to leave the banquet to us, we will definitely handle it decently and gloriously, no need for you to spend more money.”

Cui Xie quickly got up to them, solemnly entrusting them with these few tasks.

The couple talked contentedly and since they seized the important event of handling the house-warming banquet, this major event, they were anxious to go back to make plans. After sitting for a while, they got up, leaving only a servant behind to help him make dinner.

In the evening, when Cui Yuan and his son came back, they saw that the residence was very different from when they had left it: there was a roaring fire in the stove, half-warmed dishes placed in the pot, the tables, chairs, and trunks inside and out of the house had been polished brightly until they shined. Additionally, the windows had been buckled over with a clean, green muslin frame and a new pearl-beaded curtain hung from the door. All of this finally gave the house some semblance of homeliness.

Both of them were a little worried that Cui Xie had done something inappropriate at home and hurriedly unloaded the carriage to check upon him. But, they did not expect that after entering the room, Cui Xie was very honestly resting with his eyes closed, not even reading a book.

Cui Yuan nodded with satisfaction and probed: “Young Master, why is the residence so clean? Who sent over these window screens and beaded curtains?”

Cui Xie first ordered them to go to the kitchen to carry back the goods and during the meal, he told them about the Zhao family’s visit. After listening, Cui Yuan set down his chopsticks, worriedly commenting: “Young Master did not properly handle this matter. You talking about your family’s matters with family is nothing much, but how can you exaggerate the faults of our family in front of others. If the Master hears the word of this, see if he doesn’t call people to severely beat you at once!”

Cui Xie grinned and assured: “Even if we don’t say anything, won’t people will still wonder why I, the son of a fifth-ranked capital official, brought only two servants and drove a small, broken carriage back to thr ancestral home? The family is not poor, only we are, then doesn’t that indicate a rift between father and son, meaning either the Master or the furen is unkind? Or I was kicked out of the house for being stubborn and unfilial?”

Seeing Cui Yuan gaping at him and unable to refute a word, he continued with a knowing smile and said: “I’ll make a bet with you. The day someone from the family is sent over to give us our monthly allowances, they definitely will complain about how hard it is to live in the capital and will thus unable to squeeze out any money for us. Do you dare to bet?”

Pengyan whispered, “Who knows if anyone will send it anyway. Who in the inner courtyard doesn’t fawn after the furen…”

Cui Yuan gave a smack on the back of his son’s head, but he couldn’t help sighing and murmured: “If we are standing upright, there is no need to fear a crooked shadow. The neighbors will naturally realize what sort of person the Young Master is and won’t randomly gossip.” When he saw that Cui Xie’s eyelids did not move, he knew that Cui Xie did not think there was anything wrong with the way his father had arranged things.

‘If we are standing upright, there is no need to fear a crooked shadow’: idiom; No matter how upright or honest a person is, the shadow is still crooked. If you are upright, there is no need to be afraid of those who say bad things and provoke you from the shadows.

Ai, since the Young Master was beaten, his temperament had also changed a little. He wouldn’t really be at odds with the master, right?

He did not dare to ask Cui Xie about this, nor could he tell his son, so he could only hide it in his heart and stuffily continue eating.

TN: Early release today! I love Cui Xie’s interactions with his servants and other people, everyone just ends up adoring him and the way the author introduces new information and characters in this book is natural and well done, which I like.

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