Kang He and Fan Jing listened silently as Dafu recounted his experiences and observations at the county academy. Their hearts skipped a beat, realizing just how formidable the place truly was.
No wonder the scholars couldn’t withstand it. When they talked about it, they only shook their heads; when pressed for details, they would avoid the topic altogether. The intense questioning there was indeed torturous. Without some real knowledge stored in one’s heart, it was truly difficult to respond. It was impressive that Dafu could endure it all.
Then, upon hearing that Dafu had spoken with Master Wu, Kang He and Fan Jing exchanged a glance.
Kang He couldn’t help but smile as he said, “You don’t know, but your father and I originally intended to send you to the Wu family for study. We just didn’t know how to bring it up yet. But you, this child, actually got the Wu family to initiate it first and invite you to study under them. This trip certainly wasn’t wasted.”
Dafu’s eyes flickered with interest at Kang He’s words. It seemed that both Father and Uncle had long known that Uncle Wu next door held a prominent position at the county academy.
He couldn’t help but ask, “What kind of person is Uncle Wu exactly? He never told me what his role at the county academy is. I didn’t want to ask too much and seem clueless.”
Kang He chuckled, “Your Uncle Wu isn’t an ordinary man. He passed the imperial exams years ago. I imagine he secured a suitable position afterward and became an official. Right now, he serves as a teaching advisor at the county academy.”
Dafu’s eyes widened. Although he had guessed Uncle Wu wasn’t ordinary, he hadn’t expected him to be a teaching advisor. Many tutors had already moved there, yet he hadn’t known. Thankfully, today’s hospitality had been proper and respectful.
Amid his surprise, he felt a secret joy swell within.
A successful examinee, an esteemed teaching advisor—what kind of scholarship did that imply! Today, with Uncle Wu’s permission to borrow books and ask questions, it was a tremendous honor.
Kang He patted Dafu’s head and was equally pleased. This coincidence, this stroke of luck, had actually turned out well.
Now that Dafu had gained Master Wu’s favor and was recognized as one of his students, it was far better than them going to ask for help themselves.
He said to Dafu, “Since Master Wu favors you, you must study diligently. Go ask him questions and learn well. Treasure such an opportunity.”
“Hmm, Father, I understand.”
Fan Jing noticed the small beads of sweat on Dafu’s forehead and gently brushed them away. “You’ve been standing outside the academy for a long time. Your legs must be aching, and your nerves tight from all that tension. Let’s go back inside and rest a bit. Don’t overexert yourself and risk heatstroke.”
“It’s rare to have a day off. Don’t read or write this afternoon.”
Dafu smiled in agreement.
“This child, it takes you telling him to rest before he agrees.”
Watching Dafu return to the courtyard, Kang He pulled Fan Jing aside, feeling relieved and relaxed.
“Looks like our Dafu is getting smarter by the day. Not only is he more sensible, but he’s managed to secure a teacher on his own. It’s far better than us fumbling about like amateurs.”
Fan Jing felt comforted as well. It was truly a fortunate opportunity. He couldn’t help but let a small smile curve his lips.
Kang He’s eyes twinkled as he leaned over to kiss Fan Jing, but suddenly a figure burst into the room, shouting loudly, “Father, Uncle, is my brother home yet?”
Fan Jing, seeing the young Fu rush in, gently pushed away the person clinging to him.
Young Fu’s eyes opened wide. “What are you two doing? It’s so hot, yet you’re sitting so close.”
Kang He cleared his throat and straightened his back. “Uncle said his tooth aches. I’m going to take a look.”
Upon hearing this, Young Fu hurried to Fan Jing’s side, furrowing his brow. “Which tooth hurts? Do you have a cavity?”
Fan Jing shot Kang He a sidelong glance. Picking up Young Fu, he said, “He brushes every day, no cavities. It’s already not hurting.”
Young Fu tilted his head to look at Fan Jing’s cheek. “But you’re not a doctor. How come a kiss made the pain go away?”
Fan Jing: “……”
Kang He laughed at the scene, reclining lazily on one side. “Father used to be a barefoot doctor. You wouldn’t know that. When Uncle’s tooth aches, he comes to Father for treatment. The other doctors don’t bother.”
Young Fu eyed him skeptically. “What about me? Can you treat my teeth?”
“That, I can’t.”
Kang He said, “You should just eat less sugar and be diligent about rinsing your mouth morning and night to protect your teeth.”
Young Fu huffed and said he wouldn’t be nice to Father anymore. Clinging to Fan Jing, he started acting spoiled.
Hearing Dafu had returned to the courtyard, Young Fu ran off to find his brother, eager to tell him about pulling lotus pods earlier that day.
Kang He found it amusing and leaned close to Fan Jing. “Does your tooth still hurt? Let me treat you again.”
Fan Jing pushed Kang He lightly but didn’t push him away.
They spent some time inside treating his tooth before heading out.
After that day, Dafu often went to the Wu family’s home. After school, he returned home, but when Master Wu finished teaching, Dafu would find time to visit for guidance and questions.
Before going the next time, he would ask Master Wu in advance when he was free.
He frequently returned with books, and whenever there was a lecture at the county academy, he would even take leave from school to attend.
He grew closer with the Wu family, and Young Fu also played with Wu Heguang. Seeing this, Kang He occasionally brought gifts to the Wu family—not expensive valuables, but fresh fruits and vegetables, homemade preserved meats, and other specialties from home.
One day, Kang He entered Dafu’s courtyard and saw that their supplies of paper and ink were running low. They wanted to buy more to replenish.
Besides writing articles daily, Dafu often borrowed books from the Wu family, and when he found ones he really liked, he would copy them down.
He showed some to Uncle Luo Chuanyi as well.
His hands would ache, but he liked to copy while reading—it made the knowledge sink in deeper.
The two of them didn’t say much more on the subject.
Meanwhile, a while ago, Young Fu, under Dafu’s strict tutelage and influenced by Wu Heguang—who had learned to read and write since childhood—finally began learning to recognize characters and write as well.
In Dafu’s study, Young Fu would scribble a few words before making a mess of doodles, which only increased their consumption of paper and ink.
“You don’t need to worry about that anymore. Wulang and I will go to the stationery shop to buy some new paper and brushes.”
Awang nodded.
Kang He called Fan Jing to accompany him to the stationery shop to pick out new writing supplies to stockpile.
Most of their previous paper and brushes had been gifts from the Luo family’s eldest brothers. Other relatives and friends would also send some during festivals.
Dafu was very careful with the paper and ink, so their usage wasn’t much. It was mostly for serious writing and articles.
Because of this, Kang He and Fan Jing rarely went to the stationery shop themselves in recent years.
The couple browsed around the shop, and it seemed to be doing well. Many scholars came to buy supplies, and there were even poorer students who came to copy books in exchange for paper and ink.
Kang He asked about prices; a stack of rough paper only cost three qian. He remembered it used to be five or six qian, so the price had dropped significantly.
“Sanlang, Dajing.”
Just as they were browsing eagerly, someone called out to them. They turned to see Luo Tong’er.
Kang He greeted him with a smile.
Since Dafu passed the exams, Luo Tong’er had been very kind to him, and by extension, had grown close to Kang He and Fan Jing as well.
Luo Tong’er cheerfully asked about Dafu’s recent affairs, then mentioned he hadn’t seen him at their home for a while. Finally, he asked what Kang He and Fan Jing were doing there.
“He has the provincial exams in August next year and is focused on studying and taking tests. Recently, he’s been visiting the county academy to seek out scholars. His days are quite full. We just happened to be passing the stationery shop and stopped by to take a look.”
Hearing this, Luo Tong’er couldn’t help but praise Dafu for seeking out Master Wu’s guidance. He then asked, “Are you running low on paper and ink? Go get some from home.”
Kang He waved his hands. “Brother Luo has already given us plenty of paper and ink. It’s not right to always trouble him. Though it’s our own business, the cost adds up. The supplies he sent before are still being used.”
He felt awkward speaking honestly. They didn’t buy their paper and ink from the Luo family shop because he knew Luo Tong’er wouldn’t take their money after several offers. It was almost like he was losing out.
But Luo Tong’er said, “It’s only natural to give paper and ink to your own nephew studying. Why speak of family favors? When Dafu lived here, Brother Luo already liked the boy a lot. And Dafu is sensible and polite, getting along well with his siblings and cousins—like one big family.”
“Using our own paper and ink is the most convenient. Come on, I happen to have some free time. Let me go with you to the shop to pick up the supplies.”
Kang He and Fan Jing accepted the warm invitation after three refusals. If they had declined again, it might have hurt Luo Tong’er’s feelings, so they agreed to go together.
“Father, why are you here?”
Hearing the clerk say Luo Tong’er had arrived at the shop, Luo Dage went out. Seeing Kang He and Fan Jing there too, he greeted them with a smile and called the clerk to prepare some tea and snacks.
Luo Tong’er said, “You and Sanlang, Dajing, take the paper and ink, pack them up, and give them to Dafu to take home.”
Luo Dage responded and then said to Kang He, “Brother Kang, you should have said something. You let the clerk send these all the way home, but you didn’t come yourself. I was too busy and didn’t think it through.”
“Brother Luo, you say that and I feel even more embarrassed. You’ve already gone out of your way to help us.”
After a few polite exchanges, Kang He entered the Luo family stationery shop for the first time and followed Luo Dage for a quick tour.
The Luo stationery shop was large, with two floors. They mainly sold brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Almost every writing supply a scholar might need could be found there.
Bookstores that sold books often bought their paper and ink from shops like this to resell.
“Is business good these days?”
Kang He was half a businessman himself. They exchanged some small talk without unnecessary formality.
Luo Dage said, “The world is peaceful. In recent years, the common people live and work in peace. There are more children, and more willing to study. Our stationery shop has benefited from this and business has improved for a while.”
“But good business attracts competition. In the past two years, several new stationery shops have opened in the city. They compete fiercely, using all sorts of tricks, even price wars. Paper has become cheaper.”
“Though more customers come to stationery shops than before, when we tally the accounts, sometimes it feels like we make less than before.”
Luo Dage took some paper and brushes for Kang He to see. “Look here—these used to be our best-selling items. Now their prices are twenty percent lower than before, nearly selling at cost.”
Kang He examined the paper and brushes and deeply felt the truth in Luo Dage’s words.
The times were peaceful, no disasters or epidemics, so people slowly saved money and were better off. The customers buying meat from their shop had increased noticeably, and now they bought three to five jin instead of just a few liang.
Moreover, their family’s honey, sesame oil, and expensive spices, which once sold poorly, now found more buyers, mostly from wealthy merchants buying in autumn. Kang He even sold these high-priced goods outside the county for greater profit.
In the past two years, as business in the city improved, they no longer depended solely on wealthy merchants.
As Luo Dage said, more customers meant more shops opening up.
The spice business was still difficult. Kang He and Fan Jing had spent years building theirs slowly. Others might envy and try to imitate, but in three or so years, they hadn’t succeeded.
Selling pork was easier. Just in their neighborhood alone, three new shops opened recently. One had already closed, but there were still two left, and along with their own and others in the alley, there were a total of five pork shops.
How could this business not be affected? Even with a good reputation, customers wanted to try the new shops.
Luo Dage listened and shook his head. “Looks like it’s not just my stationery shop having trouble; your side isn’t easy either.”
“Fortunately, my younger brother has some official rank, which reduces some taxes for me. Otherwise, business would be even harder. Dafu has a bright future. Hopefully, he won’t take long before he can share some of the burden.”
Kang He laughed, “Though I don’t know how he’ll turn out, it’s true that there’s one more hope now. I don’t know when that hope will come true, so for now, we have to keep a tight grip on our business.”
Luo Dage nodded in agreement. “I’ve also spent a large sum setting up a movable type printing press, thinking I could take on printing jobs later, adding another source of income.”
Kang He agreed. This kind of business was hardly unique. Earning easy money was difficult; at best, they earned money with hard work.
He knew Luo Dage’s situation wasn’t easy. With a large family, it was mainly his business that supported them.
Luo Tong’er also taught, but his income was meager. Luo Chuanyi had the title of xiucai and received a government stipend but was still studying himself.
The two scholars lived comfortably, but without Luo Dage’s support, they wouldn’t be so well-off.
The county was full of poor scholars—families without earning fathers or business-minded brothers, and who remained honest and did not seek favors. Their lives were inevitably hard.
Some even lived worse than farmers with a few extra acres of land.
For a family to live well, one person excelling wasn’t enough. If others were incompetent, even the talented one would be dragged down.
When they left, Kang He left money to pay for the paper and ink, but Luo Dage refused to take it. They bickered playfully as they did during festivals, but in the end, no money changed hands.
Kang He thought to bring fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat to the Luo family later to avoid taking advantage.
Back home, Kang He told Fan Jing about his conversation with Luo Dage.
“Business isn’t as good as before. More customers but more competitors. Once price wars start, profits shrink. At this point, we have to come up with new ideas.”
He couldn’t think of many new strategies for their two shops and considered exploring other paths.
“I heard from Third Brother Bao’s cousin’s husband—Xu Kedian, the one who helped us with the house—that the city’s population is increasing, and the county might expand outward.”
Since Dafu passed the exams, Xu Kedian considered the Fan family close and often invited Kang He and Fan Jing over for drinks. Kang He had also invited Xu Kedian twice.
“If this expansion is true, once new houses and shops are built, if we buy some and rent them out, that would be very profitable. But investing in such properties first requires capital.”
Kang He counted his abacus and took out the family’s silver notes. They had just under two thousand guan on hand.
Fan Jing glanced at it and said, “The county magistrate has been in office less than two years. Would he manage this expansion while still in office? If not, the next magistrate might get the credit.”
“That’s true. I’m not impressed with the current magistrate. I doubt he’s willing to put in the effort.”
Kang He said, “But recently, I saw some county gazettes Dafu brought from the Wu family. Compared to our county, other more prosperous key counties have already completed expansion due to population growth. Travel is smoother, and congestion eased. This project has even been praised by the court, and the officials involved rewarded.”
“Maybe it’s a trend. Officials wanting achievements will eventually do it. If it happens later, we should take advantage of this window to save some money. Then we can afford to invest.”
Fan Jing agreed but had little business ambition. He didn’t know Kang He was already entertaining business ideas in his mind when he spoke.
Seeing Kang He worried about money, he always tried to share some of the burden.
Leaning back in his chair, Fan Jing said, “Yao Yuan mentioned that after marrying Qiao’er, he doesn’t want to keep running around. He’s thinking of opening a martial arts school to train good fighters who could escort caravans or guard homes.”
Kang He raised an eyebrow. “Hearing that from him, do you think he’s showing loyalty and love for Qiao’er, or trying to rope you into his business?”
Fan Jing said, “Probably both.”
Kang He laughed, “That kid—no wonder he can run a martial escort agency at such a young age.”
“You like these things. If you invest money and yourself, it wouldn’t be impossible to do. I’ll ask him in detail. If it’s reliable, it could be a good business.”
He was also thinking of partnering with Luo Dage on a venture.
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