Fan Xin talked with Old Xu about the matter of the Shuxue, and when Xu Lao Xiucai heard this news, he didn’t blame him at all. Instead, he felt twice as gratified.
Back then, he had accumulated a good reputation by teaching at the village Shuxue. Later, he managed affairs in the County, but originally, he had planned to stay at the village Shuxue and continue teaching and nurturing the younger generation.
However, at that time, Xu Tong Sheng was at a crucial stage of the imperial exams, and Old Xu still wanted to keep him by his side to guide him, so the Shuxue in the Village was disbanded.
Whenever he thought about it, he always felt a twinge of guilt in his heart.
Now that Fan Xin was considering reopening the Shuxue, the children in the village wouldn’t have to worry about having no one to introduce them to reading and writing.
Fan Xin was also his own student, so he felt that nothing could be better. Moreover, Fan Xin’s rare motivation earned him a round of praise and encouragement.
With Xu Lao Xiucai’s approval, Fan Xin felt even more determined to do this, so he went home and explained it to his family.
That day, the second son of Chen Yushun’s family, Chen Qi, and Chen Erlang, went to Zhu Doctor’s place again to get some mild medicine for his injuries.
He had taken a liking to Zhu Doctor’s apprentice, Sanqi, and was always thinking of ways to go see her.
He heard from Xu Yang about the Fan Family wanting to open a Shuxue, and went home to tell his father, Chen Yushun, about it.
“The Fan Family wants to open a Shuxue? With Fan Xin’s level of learning, he has the nerve to organize a Shuxue?”
Chen Yushun heard the news and didn’t quite believe it.
He always thought the Fan Family wasn’t the sort to accomplish much, let alone something as important as starting a Shuxue.
Previously, he’d given Fan Shoushan a bit of respect. For one, Fan Xin was studying, and if he ever got lucky and passed the exams someday, it would bring glory to the Village, and he’d have to try to win him over a little.
Secondly, because Fan Xin studied under Xu Lao Xiucai and had followed him for over ten years, he couldn’t ignore the Xu Family, even if he didn’t care for the Fan Family.
But in the first half of the year, Fan Xin failed the exam again, stopped studying, and started working the fields in the Village. He was clumsy and fainted from heatstroke at the field’s edge, which gave people something to gossip about.
He felt even more that the Fan Family had no future, so he didn’t even bother with that bit of courtesy he’d shown Fan Shoushan before.
“Xu Yang said it himself. How could it be false? I heard Xu Lao Xiucai is quite supportive of Fan Xin opening the Shuxue. That old man always thinks about teaching more people to read and write.”
Chen Yushun was troubled when he heard even Xu Lao Xiucai supported it.
Anyone else starting a Shuxue would be fine, but he simply didn’t want the Fan Family to do it.
Once the Shuxue opened, families would surely send their children to study there, and by then, everyone would have to show respect to the Fan Family.
If anything happened at the Teacher’s home, the students would go to help; if something happened at the students’ homes, they’d help each other too. It was a way of gathering people together.
The Fan Family Second Branch didn’t get along with him. If they managed to run the Shuxue, they’d have more influence in the Village, and it would be even easier for them to go against him. He’d have to be even more wary.
The more he thought about it, the more he felt that opening a Shuxue wasn’t an idea that bookworm could come up with. Maybe it was that live-in son-in-law’s plan.
He’d seen before, during the land division, that this kid wasn’t easy to deal with.
Chen Yushun couldn’t sit still and, for the first time, went to the Fan Family.
After hearing from Fan Shoushan that the news was true, he felt angry inside, but then Zhang Jingui started boasting about how satisfied Xu Lao Xiucai was and how he’d even come to the Village to talk about the Shuxue—just to show off the Xu Family’s support.
No matter how upset Chen Yushun felt, he still put on a look of happiness on his face, blaming the Fan Family for not telling him about such good news earlier. He also said that if they had any difficulties, they should let him know so they could figure out a solution together.
Zhang Jingui, simple-minded as she was, got even happier after Chen Yushun’s visit and said to Fan Shoushan, “Look, now that we’re starting a Shuxue, even the Xiangzhang wants to show us respect. He’s so enthusiastic about helping us—never would have happened before!”
But Fan Shoushan kept a stern face. “Just believe whatever people say? Didn’t he make things difficult for our second son before? Didn’t he put our Fan Family in a tough spot?”
“If he sincerely wanted us to open a Shuxue, I doubt Chen Yushun would have such a generous heart.”
Zhang Jingui was half-convinced, half-doubtful. “How could it be as scary as you say?”
But Fan Shoushan saw through people more clearly. Now that Chen Yushun knew the Xu Family supported them, the Fan Family’s Shuxue could open with legitimacy.
How could Chen Yushun easily step forward to stop them? The villagers would blame him if he did.
Chen Yushun came up with a plan, brought a jug of wine, and had his wife make a dish of stir-fried minced pork with bamboo shoots, then went to visit Old Village Chief Qian Er Ye.
“Busy with the autumn harvest lately, haven’t seen you in a while. Looks like you’ve tanned quite a bit.”
Qian Er Ye saw Chen Yushun and was all smiles.
“Every year at this time, we’re all busy. When the villagers’ grain is stored, and life is peaceful, no matter how busy I am, I’m happy.”
While pouring wine and serving food to Qian Er Ye, Chen Yushun said, “I’ve widened the threshing ground by ten feet and added two stone mills so everyone can dry their grain better. Been so busy, I haven’t had time to visit you, Master.”
“That’s a good thing. I’m happy too.”
Chen Yushun said, “Though sometimes I lack ability, I always try to do my best for the Village. I won’t say more, but I put my heart into it.”
Qian Er Ye ate and said, “A child like you, it’s right to lift you up. Since you care for the villagers, I also feel at ease with you.”
After a few more words, Chen Yushun said, “Master, have you heard any good news lately?”
“Are you talking about Xu Yang inviting a doctor to our Village? I heard about it already. Everyone is happy—Zhu Doctor’s skills are excellent. When it rained before, my leg acted up, but one treatment from him worked better than the ones in the County Town.”
“Zhu Doctor’s skills are unquestionable, and Xu Yang is capable to bring such a good doctor to our Village.”
Chen Yushun said slowly, “But that’s not what I was talking about. Zhu Doctor has been here for a while now. I mean the Fan Family wanting to open a Shuxue.”
“A Shuxue?”
Qian Er Ye was surprised. “Is it the eldest Fan who wants to run it? I remember he studied under Xu Xiucai.”
“That’s right.”
Chen Yushun squinted and said, “Not long ago, he failed the Tong Sheng exam and decided not to study anymore. Even Xu Lao Xiucai came to the Village to persuade him, but it didn’t work.”
“After that, he farmed with his elder brother in the Village. After years of studying and being away from the fields, he couldn’t handle it and got heatstroke.”
“A couple of months ago, I heard he found some work in the County Town, but after just a month, he quit again. Now, suddenly, he wants to open a Shuxue.”
Chen Yushun spoke as if making idle conversation, “I heard about it, didn’t believe it at first, but after visiting the Fan Family, I found it was true.”
Qian Er Ye recalled the harmonious days when he was the Xiangzhang and Xu Xiucai was still teaching in the Village.
He said, “Since Xu Xiucai left for the County Town, our Village and the nearby ones have had no Shuxue. The children have nowhere to learn to read—very inconvenient.”
“Young people like Fan Xin having such ambition is a good thing.”
Hearing this, Chen Yushun said, “I agree. If the Shuxue is for the Village, I couldn’t be happier. But I’m also a bit worried.”
Qian Er Ye asked why, and Chen Yushun replied, “Fan Xin studied under Xu Lao Xiucai for over ten years but never achieved anything. His learning… But then again, at least he’s read more than us country folk.”
“What worries me is that opening a Shuxue might just be a rash decision.”
“He said he’d stop studying and did, even Xu Lao Xiucai couldn’t persuade him. I thought maybe he had a good plan, but instead, he just stayed home and farmed. Doesn’t seem like someone with a clear plan.”
“Then he worked as an Accountant in the County Town for just a month before quitting, and now wants to start a Shuxue.”
Chen Yushun said, “If he really had the heart for it, why didn’t he do it earlier? Why wait until now?”
“Running a Shuxue isn’t child’s play. To put it bluntly, I worry that he’s too young and impulsive, thinking of one thing after another. The Fan Family isn’t wealthy—what if they use the Shuxue to make money? Most folks here are poor; they can’t be taken advantage of.”
Qian Er Ye frowned deeply at these words. “If that’s true, how could it work?”
Chen Yushun was secretly pleased to see this. “But as Xiangzhang, it’s not good for me to say such things and risk discouraging young people. If they come for my Seal Document, and I refuse, the Fan Family might tell the villagers, and there’d be misunderstandings.”
Qian Er Ye said, “This matter isn’t trivial. You have to be careful. As Xiangzhang, you take a salary and must think of the villagers. If the Fan Family really has bad intentions, how could they teach the children well?”
“Don’t worry, Master. I understand.”
After getting Qian Er Ye’s words, Chen Yushun turned around and made things difficult for the Fan Family.
A Shuxue isn’t like other businesses; it’s a serious, respectable endeavor. To do it properly, you need a Seal Document.
From the County, you need a Seal Document from the County Office’s Ritual Bureau to open one. In the Village, you need the Xiangzhang’s seal, which is then sent to the County.
Without the proper Seal Document, it’s considered illegal. If someone reports it, there will be trouble with the authorities.
Chen Yushun didn’t want to block them himself, so he used Qian Er Ye as a shield.
Having been Xiangzhang for over twenty years, Qian Er Ye was respected by all in the Village. If he said the Fan Family shouldn’t open a Shuxue, the villagers would believe him.
Chen Yushun even pretended to tell the Fan Family he’d help persuade Qian Er Ye, and that when Qian Er Ye agreed, he’d stamp the Seal Document for them.
“He said Old Qian doesn’t approve, but did anyone hear Old Qian say that with their own ears?”
Fan Xin went to Chen Yushun for the Seal Document but failed. The whole family gathered at the Second Branch to discuss.
Kang He had already guessed that Chen Yushun wouldn’t give in so easily, so he wasn’t surprised by the result.
“Even if we didn’t hear it ourselves, Qian Er Ye is Chen Yushun’s master—he wouldn’t lie about it.
Qian Er Ye’s neighbor used to want to send his son to our Shuxue and would ask every few days when it would open. Now he’s stopped asking altogether. The last time he asked around, it sounded like Qian Er Ye didn’t support us opening the Shuxue.”
Kang He said, “Our family never offended Old Qian. Why would he refuse us for no reason? I’m afraid Chen Yushun had a hand in this.”
The family was at a loss. These were families with deep roots in the Village—how could they win against them?
Knowing Kang He always had ideas, they asked, “Sanlang, what should we do now?”
Kang He said, “No matter what others say, we should go pay our respects to the old immortal ourselves.”
Fan Shoushan agreed. Even knowing Qian Er Ye was closer to Chen Yushun, there was no other way. “Alright, I’ll prepare some gifts and go to the Qian Family.”
Chen Sanfang said, “I’ll bring some salted duck and a jar of that honey Sanlang and Jing got from the Mountain. Eldest Brother and Qian Er Ye can take them over.”
“These gifts are fine, but don’t bring anything too expensive, and definitely not a Red Packet—otherwise people will say we’re bribing Old Qian, and it’ll backfire and be even harder to explain.”
Kang He said, “Also, don’t let Eldest Uncle and Aunt go; Fan Xin should go himself.”
Fan Shoushan was anxious. “But Fan Xin isn’t good with words. If he messes up, it’ll only make things worse—Qian Er Ye is close with Chen Yushun.”
Kang He shook his head. “Even if he’s not eloquent, Fan Xin is already in his twenties. If the Shuxue is to be run by him, he should step up now. If he hides behind his parents every time, what will Qian Er Ye think?”
“If he already doesn’t support us, and sees Fan Xin not taking responsibility, he’ll only be less willing.”
Fan Xin agreed with Kang He’s reasoning and was willing to go, though he was worried. “What if I say the wrong thing and make things worse?”
“Just be sincere and honest about your intentions. Everyone has their own personality, and not everyone is smooth-talking, but sincerity and integrity shine in anyone.”
Kang He said, “Even if Qian Er Ye is close with Chen Yushun, he was Xiangzhang for over twenty years, and even in retirement, the villagers respect him. He’s not someone who doesn’t know right from wrong. If you show him your true intentions, he’ll consider it carefully.”
“Of course, we could also ask the Xu Family for help, but that’s the same as having your parents speak for you. No matter what, Fan Xin should visit him himself.”
Fan Xin thought it over and agreed with Kang He.
The next day, he nervously went to visit Old Qian.
Fan Xin hadn’t interacted much with Old Qian before, so he was nervous and awkward at first, answering questions timidly.
But his determination to open the Shuxue was strong, and when he talked about it, he was rare in his firmness and seriousness.
Seeing this, Qian Er Ye’s opinion of Fan Xin changed greatly. He asked why Fan Xin had stopped studying and why he kept changing jobs.
Fan Xin felt ashamed but explained everything honestly.
After hearing the whole story, Qian Er Ye thought the matter wasn’t Fan Xin’s fault. If others were causing trouble, it wasn’t his mistake.
Fan Xin also said his own knowledge wasn’t high, so he’d only teach basic literacy and wouldn’t charge high tuition—his fees would be thirty percent lower than other Shuxue.
He felt Fan Xin wasn’t blind to his own abilities and had a plan, unlike what Chen Yushun had said.
He even started to feel some annoyance at Chen Yushun.
He didn’t yet suspect that Chen Yushun was deliberately making things difficult for the Fan Family, just that as a Xiangzhang, Chen Yushun was too hasty in forming opinions without checking the facts.
Fan Xin only talked about wanting to open a Shuxue and never said a bad word about Chen Yushun.
Everyone in the Village knew Chen Yushun was brought up by the Old Village Chief. As an outsider, Fan Xin wouldn’t dare speak ill of him, lest Old Qian think he was a troublemaker.
After sitting for about an hour, he left.
A few days later, Xu Yang came to visit Old Qian as well.
“You still remember to visit me, eh? What have you been busy with lately?”
Qian Er Ye was always happy to see Xu Yang, especially after he brought Zhu Doctor to the Village.
“I heard my friend is planning to open a Shuxue, so I went to the County Town to buy some paper and pens to donate. My grandpa and father also gathered some old books to send to the Shuxue for the children to use.”
“But when I went to ask Fan Xin, he said the Seal Document still hasn’t been approved.”
Xu Yang already knew Fan Xin had visited Old Qian and that his attitude wasn’t forceful. Hearing this, he said teasingly, “I heard they say you don’t approve, how could that be? If you didn’t approve, I wouldn’t have gone to all this trouble. I’m busy too, you know.”
“When did Old Qian ever say he didn’t approve?”
Xu Yang pretended to frown in confusion. “That’s what I said—how could Old Qian, who cares so much for the Village, not support a good thing? Besides, Fan Xin was taught by my grandpa, and he’s all for it. When I went home, he kept asking me about it, and I didn’t dare say you hadn’t given your approval.”
When Qian Er Ye heard that even Xu Lao Xiucai supported the idea, he thought that if Fan Xin really was no good, Xu Lao Xiucai wouldn’t be in favor. He was even more convinced.
He said, “Good thing you didn’t tell your grandpa I didn’t approve, or he’d think I’d gone senile. Where did you hear such nonsense? Just the other day, Fan Xin came to talk to me about the Shuxue, and he spoke so well—I was only happy about it.”
Xu Yang said, “I wouldn’t believe idle talk. Unless it’s your apprentice, the Xiangzhang, I don’t listen to anyone else.”
Qian Er Ye asked, “He said that?”
“Old Qian, I wouldn’t dare trick you.”
Qian Er Ye started thinking about how, some time ago, Chen Yushun had come to talk to him about the Fan Family, leading him to misunderstand and think the worst, and then went around telling everyone that Qian Er Ye didn’t approve of the Shuxue.
But what could he do?
Suddenly, Qian Er Ye recalled the land division incident. He hadn’t looked into whether it was Chen Yushun’s doing, thinking as Xiangzhang, he wouldn’t do such things.
But seeing his actions now, Qian Er Ye started to have his doubts.
He didn’t want the Fan Family to open a Shuxue, but also wanted to avoid criticism, so he used Qian Er Ye’s name to block the villagers’ questions—a clever scheme.
In the end, he even dragged his own teacher into it.
Suddenly, Qian Er Ye felt a mixture of emotions, but didn’t show it on his face. He only said, “I’ll have to ask him about this when I have time.”
Qian Er Ye was angry, but didn’t go question Chen Yushun directly.
A few days later, he went to the Fan Family, brought Fan Xin to his place, and stamped the Seal Document for him.
Chen Yushun hadn’t gotten a word from his master, but brought people over anyway, catching Qian Er Ye off guard.
His face turned green and then red, but he had to grit his teeth and finish the paperwork.
Villagers came to watch the excitement, and soon everyone knew the Fan Family was opening a Shuxue, supported by both the Old Village Chief and the Xu Family.
With the crowd dispersing, Chen Yushun tried to explain to Qian Er Ye.
Qian Er Ye let him talk, but didn’t take it to heart. After a while, he knocked some sense into him.
“Lately, you seem to be working too hard, and you’re taking some unnecessary detours. When you promised to do good for the Village, you said you’d always put the villagers first. I hope you can be like me.”
“You’ve only been Xiangzhang for four years, Yushun. There’s a long road ahead. If you change your attitude after getting this position, don’t blame me for not standing by your side.”
Chen Yushun was shocked and felt a chill in his heart.
He’d treated Qian Er Ye like his own father all these years, thinking the old man saw him as his son too. Who would have thought it was all just wishful thinking?
Even for something like this, he had to watch his master’s expression.
With things settled, the Fan Family busily prepared to open the Shuxue.
Xu Yang, as promised, drove his donkey cart to the County Town and brought back lots of paper, pens, and books to donate to the Shuxue.
The villagers were all grateful to him.
“After all this fuss, Big Xin finally got it done.”
Kang He took out the money box and asked Fan Jing, “Before the Shuxue opens, we’ll need to spend some silver. As a family, we should all contribute. When we got married, Uncle and Aunt gave us a nice cabinet, and Big Xin gave us a set of cups. Now that they’ve accomplished something, we should give a gift too.”
“I think money is the most useful gift. How much do you think I should put in the Red Packet?”
Fan Jing was sitting at the table, eating the rice crackers Kang He had fried from new rice—crispy, a bit sweet, and very fragrant.
Hearing Kang He’s question, he glanced at him. “Why are you asking me about this?”
“I just want your opinion.”
Fan Jing said, “If this worked out, half the credit is yours. Uncle’s family is only grateful to you. No matter how much you give, they’ll be happy.”
He felt that now, Kang He not only had a say in their own household, but even the main branch listened to him.
He’d become almost like the eldest grandson of the Fan Family’s main branch.
Kang He teased, “You sound a bit sour. Are you unhappy? Think I’m meddling too much?”
“No.”
Fan Jing knew that Kang He’s efforts were all for the family.
Kang He went over, snatched some rice crackers from Fan Jing, and said, “Honestly, at first I didn’t care for Big Xin. He couldn’t study well, had no other skills, yet was pampered by the whole family and spent their money—no different from a bug in the rice jar.”
“Thinking about such a useless man, why bother with him?”
It was the first time Fan Jing had heard Kang He criticize a family member. He used to hit Fan Xin too, partly for that reason.
Seeing him so useless yet still doted on by the family, he couldn’t help but want to give him a smack.
He grew up and became more mature, so he let it go.
“Then why bother with him?”
Kang He said, “If we really didn’t care, he’d keep sitting by the rice jar eating grain. We’ve already lost over twenty years; if we keep losing decades more, that’d be a real headache.”
“If we don’t help him stand on his own, he’ll still need the family for everything—marriage, starting a family, all of it. Better to make use of him, help him become someone, and let him share the burden with the rest of us.”
Fan Jing thought about it and agreed it was much more sensible.
He said, “Uncle and Aunt spoiled him too much before, but after all this, they’ve changed. Maybe he’ll turn into a real man now.”