Chapter Seventeen: A Different Gentleman

Zhu Hao’s plan was to buy a few rabbits and set up a stall at the flower and bird market to attract those who came out of the Prince Xing’s mansion.

Although this plan seemed like searching for a needle in a haystack—after all, the desire of a child wanting to buy rabbits had happened months ago—there was simply no better solution at the moment.

However, acquiring a batch of rabbits was not easy. First, he had to find out the channels, since only hunters outside the city occasionally caught them.

In these times, except for the imperial palace gardens, no one truly kept rabbits as pets. There were also few who raised rabbits for meat among the common folk because rabbits were prone to many infectious diseases. Without vaccinations and proper treatment, it was difficult to have a good yield in concentrated breeding.

Outside the city, Zhu Hao found several hunters through farmers who dried salt and learned that rabbits were not something one could get on demand; one had to wait several days, depending entirely on luck.

Catching rabbits in summer was no easy task. The mountains were full of thorns, rabbits found it easy to forage, and they vanished into wild grass, making traps ineffective.

…

The next day at noon, Zhu Hao returned home and saw behind his mother a gaunt man in his forties reeking of alcohol. If it weren’t for his scholar’s blue robe, he wouldn’t look like a proper literati at all.

“Quick, come and greet the gentleman,” Zhu’s mother said eagerly, finally seeing her son come back. She hurriedly pulled him over and introduced the old man with a smile.

“Sir, this is my child, eight years old by nominal age. I have taught him a few characters before, but I have little learning myself, so my teaching is very limited. I hope you can guide him more in the future.”

Zhu’s mother was very happy, as if believing her son would now walk the right path.

Zhu Hao quickly pulled his mother aside and asked, “Mother, where did you find this man? Didn’t I say I want to go to a school? Why did you actually bring a teacher home?”

In Zhu Hao’s mind, even if he was to attend school, he shouldn’t have a teacher come home for one-on-one tutoring. Regardless of whether this teacher was competent, their levels would probably be evenly matched.

In terms of knowledge, in his previous life he had studied under famous masters, held a doctorate in literature, and was an advisor for doctoral students. He possessed exceptional accomplishments in classical literature, literary theory, calligraphy, and painting, far above the ordinary students of this era. Seeking “freedom,” he naturally hoped to study in a crowded school, where he could have chances to skip classes.

Zhu’s mother scolded, “Enough nonsense, come greet the gentleman… He is very talented, far more than a mere scholar, I think he’s even a successful candidate of the imperial examination.”

She spoke loudly so the old man would hear.

Hearing this, Zhu Hao glanced again at the old man.

The old man only nodded slightly at Zhu Hao, then hiccupped, sending a strong smell of alcohol towards him.

Zhu Hao frowned, unable to hide his disdain.

The old man wore a faded blue robe of fine hemp, patched at the hem with several irregular patches, and his sleeves were stained with grease, looking shabby and unkempt. How dare he call himself a successful candidate?

Did he not know that such candidates had privileges like exemption from corvée labor and taxes, and that even just leasing out farmland could bring in a fortune? How could someone so destitute claim that title?

“From now on, this gentleman will teach you… Come, kneel and kowtow,” Zhu’s mother said.

Before Zhu Hao could refuse, the old man raised a hand: “No need for too many formalities yet. It seems your child is unwilling to accept me as his teacher. Discuss it with him first… I’ll sit across the tea house, have some tea to sober up.”

…

The old man put on an air of dignity.

After a brief exchange, Zhu Hao did not think the old man had any real skill; rather, he felt that Zhu’s mother was making a desperate gamble.

“Mother, where did you find this man? Why do you insist he’s learned?”

Zhu Hao was angry.

He had done his best to handle things for the family, and she just randomly grabbed someone off the street to be his teacher?

How humiliating!

Aunt Li smiled slightly, “Earlier, this gentleman was lying in the back alley, probably drunk all night and nobody cared. Madam kindly gave him a bowl of sobering tea, then chatted a while. The more they talked, the brighter madam’s eyes became, and she insisted on inviting him to be Master Hao’s tutor.”

The story was so bizarre that Zhu Hao was extremely anxious.

His mother really had just caught some random man from the street to teach her son? That was simply too fanciful!

Zhu’s mother said, “You don’t understand. The gentleman’s learning is very good; he speaks eloquently and has extraordinary insight. When he stood up, he casually recited a poem. Though I couldn’t catch the exact words, it had a beautiful rhythm and seemed to express lament over unrecognized talent… When asked about his rank, he said he was more than just a scholar and showed disdain for ordinary students… You can’t judge a book by its cover!”

Zhu Hao asked in surprise, “If he’s already a successful candidate, why would he lament unrecognized talent? Isn’t that contradictory?”

Zhu’s mother glared at him, “He didn’t mind you being an ignorant child, and you still have the nerve to look down on others? Come, go pay respects to your teacher.”

She dragged Zhu Hao to the tea house.

To show sincerity, Zhu’s mother arranged a formal teacher-acceptance banquet in the tea house, apparently hoping to make the matter irreversible, so the Zhu family would have no reason to take her son back to study and prevent mother and son from seeing each other again.

…

“Sir, please do not mind my son’s ignorance and his earlier rudeness,” Zhu’s mother said earnestly.

The old man put down his teacup and smiled, “If you want me to accept him as my disciple, I must first test him… Madam, would you allow me to speak to him alone?”

Zhu’s mother nodded and quickly signaled Zhu Hao, meaning if he failed the test, she would come after him later.

Then she left the second floor of the tea house.

After Zhu’s mother left, the old man’s smile faded, “You’re fortunate to have such a good mother.”

Zhu Hao replied bluntly, “Don’t try anything with my mother.”

“Ha ha,” the old man laughed. “You’re a clever child. Your mother is a virtuous woman whom ordinary people dare not offend. I only drank too much and had no intention of staying long in this small town of Anlu.”

“Anlu is a small place?” Zhu Hao said, “This is a land of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.”

The old man had been joking, but his expression suddenly turned cold when he heard this. He studied Zhu Hao intently and after a moment asked, “Who taught you that?”

“No one,” Zhu Hao said casually.

But noticing the old man’s changed expression, he realized this was no ordinary person.

The phrase “hidden dragons and crouching tigers,” referring to the sensitive position of the Prince Xing’s mansion at court, was not something common scholars would study since it was a delicate matter. Yet a destitute drunkard on the street knew it?

Could this be the meaning of “Those in high office worry for the people; those far away worry for the ruler”?

“Where are the dragons and where are the tigers?” the old man asked.

Zhu Hao smiled, “You ask where I heard it? Then I’ll make up a story… To the east of Anlu Prefecture is Anlu County, where Tiger’s Breast Rock is located. Legend says during the Spring and Autumn period, the Chu state’s Prime Minister Dou Ziwen was abandoned by his grandmother at birth and was suckled by a female tiger there. Also, the Han River winds like a dragon nearby. Isn’t that hidden dragons and crouching tigers?”

It sounded plausible.

But could the old man not tell Zhu Hao was teasing him?

A seven-year-old bear of a child fooling a learned scholar? A rare marvel.

“Have you studied? Know some characters? Write something,” the old man swiftly entered test mode.

“No pen.”

“Use your finger dipped in tea, write something on the table.”

“Sorry, I forgot how.”

Zhu Hao’s goal was simple: don’t take me as your student, no ties between us, everyone go their own way.

The old man laughed, “I must say, Anlu is full of surprises. I only passed through, getting drunk on the street for a traveling reputation, but didn’t expect to meet such an interesting little fellow because of a few drinks… I’ll tell your mother now, I accept to be your tutor!”

…

Dragging feet, stepping backward.

Zhu Hao wanted to ask, are you a donkey?

No one wants to be your student, yet you forcibly take on a disciple?

Soon, Zhu’s mother was called upstairs.

“Sir, do you agree to take my son as your disciple?”

Hearing the old man’s intention, Zhu’s mother was overjoyed.

The old man smiled, “I admire your son’s quick wit, but I’m on my way to Jiangxi via Huguang and cannot stay long in Anlu. I can only give him the first lessons. For regular teaching, you must find someone more capable.”

“What… does that mean?” Zhu’s mother didn’t understand.

Zhu Hao said, “He means Anlu is too small a place for a big shot like him.”

“Xiao Hao, how can you be rude to the teacher? Apologize at once,” Zhu’s mother, though not well educated, valued respect for teachers and saw this as a good chance to shape her son’s values.

The old man chuckled, “I appreciate his straightforwardness, no pretense… young but genuine, it seems he will have his own path in learning, not bound by convention.”

While the old man spoke lightly, Zhu’s mother’s true feelings were different.

She did not want a half-hearted teacher who would only give a few lessons and then leave; she wanted a long-term instructor to systematically educate her son.

…

The old man boasted about his importance.

Indeed, in these times, traveling the world was difficult; travel documents could trip up many. Claiming he could travel freely was a form of boasting.

But for Zhu Hao, this was good news: the old man accepted him as a disciple but could not stay long in Anlu. Having a teacher who would soon leave was like having no teacher at all.

“Sir, why not stay longer in Anlu? Perhaps wait until autumn when the weather cools before heading out? I can arrange your lodging and meals, you will be treated with great care,” Zhu’s mother offered as a compromise.

Since the old man planned to go to Jiangxi, she hoped to use him to appease the Zhu family, buying enough time to find a new teacher once they confirmed Zhu Hao had a tutor and stopped forcibly taking him back.

The old man shook his head with a smile, “My itinerary is fixed, I cannot stay long. Thank you for your kindness.”

No matter how sincere she was, he refused to accept it.

Zhu’s mother was disappointed, but at this point, she couldn’t just send him away outright. She said to her son, “Then, Xiao Hao, you must make the most of this time to learn from the teacher and live up to his favor… By the way, have you asked the gentleman’s full name?”

The old man said, “My surname is Lu…”

From his slight hesitation, Zhu Hao guessed this was not his real name.

If he didn’t even give his true surname, his caution was extreme. Yet Zhu’s mother treated him like a treasure. Zhu Hao felt disdain for this man.

Hopefully, he harbors no ill intentions towards my mother.

…

The next day, Mr. Lu arrived as promised.

He was no longer the drunken, half-dead figure from yesterday. His face was clean, and he wore a pristine white scholar’s robe, adding a scholarly elegance. He looked spirited.

Zhu Hao even thought if his first meeting with this old man had been in this attire, his impression wouldn’t have been so poor.

But now that he had already seen the shabby side, washing up and changing clothes wouldn’t change his judgment.

“Mr. Lu, the study is ready with the Four Treasures of the Study. Please come in,” Zhu’s mother said.

She wore a magnificent embroidered silk robe, gleaming with colorful patterns, appearing noble and elegant.

Her son was only accepting a temporary teacher, yet she treated it as if welcoming a daughter-in-law. She even applied a touch of powder on her face—a widow had not hosted so grandly for a long time.

Mr. Lu smiled, “Today I plan to fish in the city and want to take my disciple along. We can chat casually and discuss his studies. If there’s something I can teach on the spot, I will. We won’t return inside the courtyard.”

Zhu Hao had been watching this old fellow with suspicion.

Hearing this, he relaxed slightly. At least this man was sensible enough to know that a widow’s household was full of gossip, especially with two widows in the courtyard.

But fishing inside Anlu City… what kind of move was that?

He said he was on his way to Jiangxi, passing through Huguang, and only stopping a few days in Anlu, likely lodging with friends or relatives. Yet he had time to fish in a foreign town?

The city’s waterways were mostly artificial canals connected to the moat, linking the Han River to the north and south lakes. The current was gentle and fishing was difficult.

As for having a good mood?

What was with the bout of drinking and sulking two days ago?

Even though Zhu Hao thought he was good at reading people, he couldn’t figure out much about Mr. Lu, sensing deep layers beneath—connected to officialdom yet detached.

Aunt Li asked puzzled, “Teaching outside the home and going fishing—is that effective?”

She voiced what Zhu’s mother was hesitant to say.

Zhu Hao smiled, “Mother, I think Mr. Lu’s idea is good. Before starting lessons, there should be a period to get acquainted, like asking what I’ve studied so far. If he immediately made me memorize the Three Character Classic, Hundred Family Surnames, or Four Books and Five Classics, it might be too rigid.”

Zhu’s mother looked at her son in surprise.

Since when did he change so much?

Yesterday, he seemed to criticize Mr. Lu in every possible way.

“Ladies, please go back. I will take my disciple out,” Mr. Lu said, then bowed to Zhu’s mother and Aunt Li, leading Zhu Hao out and heading across the northern canals of Anlu City.