Chapter Forty-Four: The Noble Scion from Humble Origins

The next morning, Zhang Shi was up early, washed, and prepared to head out. Mrs. Yu asked him where he was going, and he replied that he had errands to run. Zhang Yue found it odd, as all businesses were closed at this time of year—why did Zhang Shi still have work to do?

Zhang Shi gave only vague answers, mentioning something about Manager Xu’s shop. Mrs. Yu didn’t think much of it; Manager Xu was the cousin of Captain Xu, so perhaps it was something related to the yamen.

Zhang Yue was also somewhat skeptical. Mrs. Yu revealed that his elder brother had been coming home very late these past few days.

So Zhang Yue said, “Brother, I’m going into the city as well. Could you take me along?”

Zhang Shi smiled, “Very well, it’s been some time since we brothers went into the city together.”

After breakfast, the two brothers set off for town.

Passing Nanpu Bridge along the way, Zhang Shi bought a baked cake. The brothers strolled, eating as they went. Zhang Yue was gnawing at his cake when he saw Zhang Shi enter Manager Xu’s tea and meal shop—he truly did have business there.

Zhang Yue’s doubts were dispelled and he was about to leave, but Zhang Shi came out and called, “Third Brother, come in and have something to eat before you go.”

“Alright!” Zhang Yue replied happily.

He entered the tea and meal shop, only to find it completely empty—not a single customer nor even the usual idlers who loitered there.

Zhang Shi wiped down a table for Zhang Yue with a cloth, saying, “I’ve already told the kitchen to prepare a bowl of lamb soup noodles for you.”

Lamb soup noodles!

Zhang Yue felt a surge of happiness. But then he remembered: in Bianjing, lamb was one hundred and thirty-five wen a pound, and here in southern Pucheng, it was more than two hundred wen a pound. Even if the lamb in the soup was sliced as thin as cicada wings, it was still no small expense. His brother was spending recklessly again.

Zhang Yue quickly said, “Brother, lamb soup noodles are too expensive! Let’s order something else instead.”

Zhang Shi chuckled quietly, “We’re eating the owner’s food—it’s not expensive at all.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yue glanced around nervously. Zhang Shi laughed, “The owner went out to buy New Year’s supplies. Today it’s just me and the cook here. Didn’t you see I’m acting as the ‘Big Uncle’ today? Normally I don’t do this.”

In the Song Dynasty, the waiter was called ‘Big Uncle.’

Zhang Yue relaxed a little, thinking to himself, as his sister-in-law said, his brother now spends his days running errands and doing odd jobs.

Zhang Shi continued wiping the table, “Third Brother, if there’s anything else you want to eat, just tell me.”

“One bowl of lamb soup noodles is enough, Brother. Since ancient times, owners are never unwise—you should be careful.”

Zhang Shi laughed, “I’m only treating my brother to a bowl of lamb soup noodles. Even if the owner finds out, he won’t mind. Besides, I’ll bring you two pieces of lamb oil cake as well.”

Zhang Yue finally relaxed. Though eating the owner’s food felt a bit improper, he couldn’t help but look forward to the lamb soup noodles.

Zhang Shi tossed the cloth over his shoulder and went into the kitchen. At that moment, two or three men in short jackets took seats and called out, “Big Uncle, bring us a few bowls of wine!”

“We don’t serve wine here. What dishes would you gentlemen like?”

After a few words, Zhang Shi hurried to serve their food. Zhang Yue watched this scene with a pang of sadness.

It was still early for lunch, so the shop was quiet, but the kitchen was already busy. Steam from cooking billowed out the windows into the street, carrying the fragrant aroma of lamb soup.

The cake in Zhang Yue’s stomach had long since been digested; he was both expectant and bored, sitting at the table watching the flow of people outside.

“Hey, isn’t that Third Brother?”

Zhang Yue looked over; it was Zhang Cai and another student from the clan academy.

“I am the record keeper,” said Zhang Cai.

“Haha,” Zhang Cai laughed, “I was planning to visit you during the New Year, but I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

“Indeed, as the song goes, ‘A clear song fills the cup of wine; where in life do we not meet again?’” Zhang Yue replied with a smile.

“Marvelous! That’s a verse from Dayan.”

The three laughed together.

“Let’s go inside and talk!” Zhang Cai suggested.

The other student glanced at the men eating in short jackets and said, “Why not go somewhere else? There isn’t even a private room here. I’ll host!”

Zhang Cai looked at Zhang Yue and said immediately, “If anyone hosts, it should be Seventeenth Brother, but since we’re already here, let’s stay.”

Zhang Yue hesitated, then nodded, “Alright.”

The three sat together and exchanged words about their recent partings. Seventeenth Brother called out, “Big Uncle, bring us tea!”

At that moment, Zhang Shi, wearing a short jacket and no headscarf, came from the kitchen with lamb oil cakes.

“Third Brother, the noodles are still cooking. Have some of these first,” he said, placing the bowl on the table. Seeing Zhang Cai and the other, he paused, “Are these your fellow students?”

Zhang Yue hesitated, “Yes.”

The other student laughed, “What’s this, Third Brother? Are you familiar with the Big Uncle here?”

Zhang Cai also smiled and looked at Zhang Shi.

Zhang Shi thought to himself, these two classmates of Third Brother wore scholar’s robes and had caps, while he, as Zhang Yue’s elder brother, looked shabby by comparison.

He hurriedly said, “No…”

But Zhang Yue interjected, “This Big Uncle is my elder brother.”

Zhang Cai and the other were shocked, quickly standing to bow, “Greetings, Elder Young Master!”

Zhang Yue explained, “Brother, these are my friends from the Nanfeng Academy’s scriptorium, whom I met while working there. We met by chance today.”

“Good, good,” Zhang Shi’s eyes glistened with tears, and he patted his chest, “Friends from Nanfeng Academy are brothers of the Zhang family! If you call me Elder Young Master, I must treat you well today. Let’s cut three pounds of lamb!”

“That won’t do!” the two protested.

Zhang Yue said, “Brother, just give each of us a bowl of lamb soup noodles.”

“Alright! No need to be so formal.”

The three ate their lamb soup noodles, and found the bowls brimming with lamb—the three pounds had all gone into the soup. This was no mere lamb soup noodles, but a hearty lamb noodle dish.

“If you haven’t had enough, I’ll bring more!” Zhang Shi said warmly.

Zhang Cai tried to pay with silver, but Zhang Shi refused to accept it. Yet somehow Zhang Cai managed to force the silver onto him.

Afterwards, the three left together. Zhang Cai said, “Third Brother, this afternoon we’re visiting the teacher; you should come with us!”

Zhang Yue hesitated, “Well…”

Zhang Cai smiled, “I know you don’t like to visit empty-handed. How about this? Seventeenth Brother and I each prepared a gift, so we’ll share some with you. Let’s go together!”

“How can I…” Zhang Yue began to refuse.

The other student laughed, “How can you not? Third Brother, you’re our classmate; it’s settled.”

Zhang Yue clasped his hands, “Record Keeper, Seventeenth Brother, I am grateful for your kindness today… but I will repay you for the cost later. If you do not agree, then I must decline.”

…

Zhang Yue, Zhang Cai, and Seventeenth Brother, carrying gifts, arrived at Professor Zhang Youzhi’s home.

Even before entering, they saw a steady stream of visitors coming to pay their respects to Zhang Youzhi. There were officials, renowned scholars, distinguished local elders, and even ordinary scholars who admired his reputation.

Zhang Yue saw the blue brick walls, the grand black lacquered doors, and the carved lintels. At this moment, guests filled the hall; as the saying goes, “In laughter and conversation, there are great scholars; no commoners come and go.”

A servant led them aside to sit for a while. Nearby, people were talking.

“I hear the emperor has yet to decide on the heir, and all the civil and military officials are worried.”

“The ministers are rushing about for this matter, while we sit here anxiously.”

Zhang Yue thought, how lofty their conversation sounded; but on closer inspection, they were just a few young scholars fresh from the academy. He couldn’t help but smile.

“Brother Chunru!”

A young man, just over twenty, approached. Zhang Cai and Seventeenth Brother greeted him, and Zhang Yue also bowed.

“So it’s you—Zhang Cai, Seventeenth Brother. But this face is unfamiliar!” the young man laughed.

Zhang Cai said, “Third Brother, this is the eldest son of the teacher’s family.”

“Just call me Chunru,” he replied.

Zhang Yue said, “Greetings, Brother Chunru. I worked as a scribe in the academy, and was fortunate to be favored by the teacher, allowing me to audit lessons at Dayujin Hall…”

The young man laughed loudly, clapping Zhang Yue’s shoulder, “Your name is Zhang Yue, right? My father has mentioned you. He said he fears his seal script may go unpassed—don’t let him down.”

Zhang Yue replied, “The teacher is generous to think so highly of me.”

“No need to be modest. If you downplay yourself, you imply my father’s judgment is poor.” With that, he examined their gift list.

He shook his head, “Zhang Cai, Seventeenth Brother, it’s fine for you two to bring gifts, but why did you encourage Third Brother to bring such a heavy gift? That’s not right. Third Brother, I mean no offense, but you work as a scribe to support your family. How can we accept such a generous gift from you? If I accept, my father will surely scold me. Forgive me.”

Zhang Cai and Seventeenth Brother were taken aback—their good intentions had backfired.

Zhang Yue was at a loss for words.

Soon the three were led to the professor’s receiving room. They waited outside the hall, watching the professor discuss calligraphy and painting with several elder scholars.

When the discussion ended, the professor saw the three and smiled, “You’ve been waiting some time. Come in!”

The three hurried inside and offered their respects.

Zhang Youzhi smiled, “You three are thoughtful indeed.”

He then said to the others, “Gentlemen, allow me to introduce three of my students.”

Zhang Yue was surprised—he had not formally become a disciple yet. Why did Zhang Youzhi say this?

The others took it at face value.

“Brother Boyi’s disciples must be exceptional.”

“All young talents, fine in appearance!”

The three bowed together.

Zhang Youzhi smiled proudly, “You all often say my seal script is hard to grasp, that my words are empty. But Third Brother has already achieved it.”

“Oh? Is that so? We must see for ourselves.”

“We have never seen the true face of Mount Lu; today, we will broaden our horizons.”

Zhang Youzhi laughed, “Would I lie? This student, though from a poor family, works as a scribe to fund his studies, but he applies himself with great diligence—commendable indeed!”

“Oh? Which of the three is it?” someone joked.

Zhang Youzhi nodded, turning to Zhang Yue, “Third Brother, these are distinguished local gentlemen. Write here all you have learned from me—do not falter, lest your teacher be embarrassed.”

His words were unusually intimate, a marked change from his usual distant and solemn manner.

Zhang Yue stood frozen, until Zhang Cai whispered, “The teacher has spoken—what are you waiting for? Go on!”

Zhang Yue regained his composure, “Yes, teacher. I will do my best.”

He bowed deeply, earning approving nods from Zhang Youzhi and the elders—this young man knows proper etiquette.

Zhang Yue stepped to the desk, where paper had been laid out. As he took up the brush, he calmed his racing heart.

He then focused and began to write, the brush moving like dragons and snakes, just as he did in the script hall or even in dreams, immersed and oblivious to all else.

He hardly noticed the comments around him, only catching fragments—

“How long has this student studied under Brother Boyi?”

“Brother Boyi’s method is indeed not empty…”

“To maintain such skill throughout… remarkable, truly remarkable.”

“Every stroke is identical—he has worked hard indeed.”

“Yes, noble sons can come from humble families!”