Chapter Forty-Five: The Trap

In previous years, as festivals approached, the Zhang family home was always bustling with visitors—some came to ask for loans to tide them over the new year, others were tenants seeking to buy on credit. But this year, all that stopped; apart from frequent neighborly calls, the house was much quieter than before.

They had thought few guests would come, yet that day Peng Jingyi arrived.

He hadn't been seen for over half a year, and Peng Jingyi was now much tanner and leaner than before—no longer the idle, chubby youth who lounged about the private school. Today he wore a new robe and carried a saber at his waist, looking quite grand. Behind him followed a soldier, carrying a shoulder pole laden with soup, lamb, and fine wine, which they brought into the Zhang household.

Zhang Shi and Lady Yu were taken aback. "This is too generous," they protested.

Peng Jingyi laughed, "What is this between good friends like me and Sanlang? It's nothing at all!"

Zhang Yue replied with a smile, "It seems your trip to Renshou Fort has been quite profitable."

Peng Jingyi quickly protested, "Sanlang, don't joke. What profit? That godforsaken place was crawling with bandits, I wore out several pairs of boots and got nothing but leaner for my trouble—and spent quite a bit, that's the truth."

Zhang Yue was sure he was not telling the whole story; Peng Jingyi was the kind to make a quiet fortune. His denials only confirmed the suspicion that he had done well for himself.

He was not shy with his childhood friend. "Big brother and sister-in-law, just accept it."

Zhang Shi smiled, "Very well, I won't refuse. You're only a year or two older than Sanlang, but you're much sturdier and shrewder than he is."

Zhang Yue recognized this as the kind of thing adults always said, but he still couldn't help showing a hint of indignation, just like when he was a child.

Peng Jingyi was clearly pleased, though he demurred, "Nonsense! Sanlang takes the scholarly path, I the martial. One day we'll stand shoulder to shoulder and make our names together!"

Everyone laughed at that.

Zhang Shi said, "Good! You two have been friends since childhood; all the more reason to support each other. Stay for dinner tonight—I'll... cook you a good meal."

He had meant to say he'd buy something nice from the tavern, but Lady Yu shot him a look and he quickly changed his words.

Zhang Yue, watching, was grateful to see his brother making progress.

Peng Jingyi, oblivious to this exchange, laughed heartily at the prospect of a good meal. "Splendid! I'll trouble you, big brother!"

After this, Peng Jingyi sent the soldier away and drew Zhang Yue aside to whisper, "I hear you've been taken as a disciple by Master Boyi?"

Zhang Yue smiled, "How did you hear that already?"

Peng Jingyi replied, "This county town is small; nothing escapes me. Besides, it was all the talk among the local notables—someone named Zhang Yue—so I knew right away it was you."

"You certainly have an ear to the ground, but you didn't even let me know about such a big thing. Do you realize who Master Boyi is? Even the highest officials can't persuade him to serve. How did you become his pupil? Weren't you saying you couldn't get into the Zhang clan school?"

Zhang Yue gave him a general account of how, while working as a copyist, he happened to catch the master's attention.

"I'm only learning seal script from him," Zhang Yue said, "and it's not as if I've been formally received as a disciple. Whether I get into the clan school is still uncertain. But tell me—what do you need from me?"

Though they were close, Zhang Yue knew such a lavish gift must come with a request.

Peng Jingyi laughed, "I thought you were already Master Boyi's favored student, but you're only studying seal script and haven't even been admitted to the clan school yet... Actually, it's not for me to ask, but my second uncle has long wanted a piece of calligraphy from Master Boyi..."

Zhang Yue was surprised. "Your second uncle wants Master Boyi's writing?"

Peng Jingyi grinned, "He may not appreciate the work, but it would look impressive on the wall when guests come."

Zhang Yue thought to himself, so that's it—much like in my previous life, when you walked into someone's office and saw a wall full of photos with famous leaders. The ancients knew this trick well.

With a slight smile, Zhang Yue asked, "Why doesn't your second uncle ask himself?"

Peng Jingyi sighed, "Master Boyi never gives his writing to others, won't take money, and only gives to close friends. My uncle can't just barge in and ask—if he fails, it would be embarrassing."

Zhang Yue considered this. "I can't promise anything, but if your uncle isn't in a hurry, give me some time."

Peng Jingyi said, "If you're willing to try, that's enough."

Zhang Yue replied, "Your uncle's business is mine as well. I'll do my best."

Peng Jingyi smiled, "You are a true friend, Sanlang."

Suddenly, Zhang Yue said, "By the way, my brother has been coming home with unexplained money lately. You have good connections in town; could you investigate where he's been going?"

Thinking back on the previous night, Zhang Yue realized his brother's stories about his earnings didn't add up. After further reflection, he grew suspicious.

"You want me to check on your brother?"

Zhang Yue nodded. "Exactly. I suspect he's either found some dubious source of income or has been gambling."

If it was gambling, that would be serious.

Peng Jingyi nodded, "You might be on to something. Leave it to me."

Soon after, Zhang Shi called them to dinner. Though they didn't buy food from the tavern, the meal was still hearty and filled with good wine.

Zhang Shi said, "Sanlang rarely drinks with me, but with Peng Dalang here, let's have a few cups together!"

Peng Jingyi, a born drinker, was delighted.

That evening, Peng Jingyi and Zhang Shi both drank themselves under the table. But Zhang Yue was not worried; Peng Jingyi was the kind of friend who would look out for you without being told.

The new year approached, with peachwood charms hung and ancestors honored, firecrackers set off to ward off evil.

The great families had their own ways to celebrate, while the humble found joy in their own traditions.

Over the festive days, Zhang Shi took the family to visit temples and monasteries, enjoying the bustle of the county town.

Zhang Yue kept up his studies, diligently reading the Book of Songs by day, practicing calligraphy in his dreams by night, and helping the family hang charms and clean the house. He was thorough—if he undertook a task, he saw it done perfectly, from top to bottom.

On New Year's Eve, after the festive meal, Zhang Qiu wore a look of anticipation.

Zhang Shi and Lady Yu laughed to see it. Zhang Shi took a string of copper coins and hung it around Zhang Qiu's neck. "May you live to a hundred and twenty."

This was a local saying, wishing for a long life.

Zhang Qiu was overjoyed with his coins, though he didn't know Lady Yu would take them back to keep safe the next day.

"Sanlang, yours as well."

"Mine?" Zhang Yue was surprised. He had nearly forgotten he was only thirteen, still a child in their eyes.

"Our family tradition is to give New Year's money until one is married," Zhang Shi explained.

"Thank you, brother!" Zhang Yue accepted cheerfully.

He counted thirteen coins—indeed, after the new year, he would be thirteen.

Soon it would be the second year of the Jiayou era of Great Song, though he couldn't recall what year that would be in the modern calendar.

Zhang Shi added, "You've grown another year older, Sanlang. Perhaps it's time to find a matchmaker to arrange a marriage for you."

Zhang Yue broke into a sweat—he was still just a boy.

Firecrackers sounded outside as Zhang Shi continued, "Now that you've become Master Boyi's disciple, things are different. You bring honor to our family. Since our great-grandfather's generation, we've had land and property, but no official rank."

Zhang Yue knew his great-great-grandfather, Zhang Renche, had been a magistrate and later an assistant minister of works in the Southern Tang. His great-grandfather, one of seven sons, inherited some wealth but no official title. Later, he became a minor official in Zhejiang, but when the Southern Tang fell, the family had to move back to their ancestral home in Pucheng.

His great-grandfather had three sons and three daughters; his grandfather, born of a concubine, lived a quiet life of farming and study, never inheriting rank, and eventually died of old age.

His grandfather had a son and a daughter—Zhang Yue's aunt married far away.

His own father took the civil service exams many times without success, spending much of the family's wealth, but at least there was enough left to support them.

Now, with Zhang Shi and Zhang Yue's generation, the family's name remained, but even the ancestral land and house were gone.

The family had once pinned their hopes on the second brother, but after he ran away from an arranged marriage, Zhang Shi blamed himself, thinking he had failed as an elder brother and had not restored the family’s fortunes.

Now that Zhang Yue was studying under Zhang Youzhi, a glimmer of hope returned.

Suddenly, Zhang Shi said, "I wonder where your second brother is these days?"

"Brother, do you still blame him?" Zhang Yue asked.

"How can I not?" Zhang Shi replied. "But family is family. Sanlang, remember this: brothers are bound by more than blood—our bones may break, but our sinews remain tied."

"You may not understand now, but if ever you or your brother are in trouble, I would give my life to protect you. If life itself is not too dear, what are land and money? Once I realized that, I stopped blaming your brother."

Zhang Yue nodded, thinking to himself, Second brother is fine now, but he dared not say so, lest it cause trouble. Perhaps his brother hoped to succeed in the coming exams and come home to seek forgiveness.

Two days later, while Zhang Yue was reading in his room, a stone landed on his windowsill.

He leaned out and saw Peng Jingyi on the street below, making faces at him.

Zhang Yue hurried down. Peng Jingyi pulled him aside and whispered, "I've found out about your brother. As you suspected, he's been gambling these past months."

Zhang Yue's heart sank.

"It's lucky you asked me, for there's a plot behind this—someone set your brother up!" Peng Jingyi said.

"What?" Zhang Yue was furious. His kind-hearted brother, targeted by schemers!

His eyes grew cold. "Was it Deputy Zhao who arranged this?"

He had once felt guilty toward Deputy Zhao, but after his sister-in-law hinted at hidden motives, Zhang Yue had grown suspicious.

Peng Jingyi said, "I can't say if Deputy Zhao is involved. But Sanlang, don't go up against him—otherwise..."

Zhang Yue replied, "I know what I'm doing. Tell me everything."

Peng Jingyi explained, "It started with one of your brother's friends..."

Hearing the story, Zhang Yue clenched his teeth. First, they used someone close to gain trust, then lured him with small gains, only to ensnare him for a greater loss.

Peng Jingyi said, "Fortunately, your brother is still a novice and hasn't lost much. There's still time to pull him back—wait any longer, and it will be too late..."

Zhang Yue nodded. "I understand."