Eighty-eight

“What exactly is going on?” Zhang Bao fixed his gaze on the servant. Though Zhang Bao usually appeared amiable, when he truly lost his temper, he possessed an undeniable air of intimidation.

The servant felt the pressure around him surge suddenly, leaving him flustered and at a loss. “I… I… Master Zhang, I…” he stammered helplessly, unsure how to explain. After all, he was in the wrong—how could he dare to confess now?

“You what? I see you don’t want to stay here any longer, is that it?” Seeing the servant’s demeanor, Zhang Bao’s anger only grew, his fists clenched and his whole body trembling. “Speak!” he bellowed, slamming the table with force. The sound reverberated so loudly that even Wang Bo, standing nearby, felt his ears ring.

Startled by Zhang Bao’s sudden outburst, the servant collapsed to the floor with a thud. “Master, no, please—cousin-in-law, forgive me this once, I didn’t mean it!” The servant was now thoroughly terrified, clutching Zhang Bao’s leg and weeping bitterly.

With a long sigh, Zhang Bao shook his head, then turned and cupped his hands toward Wang Hu. “It’s my fault for failing in discipline. Please forgive me for this embarrassment, brother.”

“Not at all, not at all,” Wang Hu replied hastily, returning the gesture.

“Enough, stop crying and get yourself back to the inner room. Don’t disgrace me here any further.” Zhang Bao, looking down at the servant at his feet, could barely contain his anger, and his tone was laced with it.

“Yes, yes, I’ll go now.” The servant scrambled away, half crawling, in a panic toward the back room. Watching him go, Zhang Bao could only shake his head in helplessness.

“I’m truly sorry to have let you witness such a scene, brother. Please don’t take it to heart.” He apologized to Wang Hu once more. “By the way, what exactly happened just now?”

Before Wang Hu could reply, Wang Bo hurried to interject. “Master Zhang, here’s what happened.” He recounted everything to Zhang Bao in detail. It turned out the servant, seeing that Wang Hu seemed to be a simple country fellow, deliberately quoted him a lower price, intending to pocket the difference for himself. He assumed a rustic wouldn’t know the market rates—he’d done this often before. But this time, he hadn’t expected to run into Wang Bo, who calculated the accounts with precision and laid out the facts before him, yet the servant stubbornly refused to admit his wrongdoing. This greatly angered Wang Bo, and the servant, whose scheme was exposed and whose illicit income was threatened, was equally furious—hence the scene when Zhang Bao entered.

After listening to Wang Bo’s account, Zhang Bao looked a bit embarrassed. “I truly apologize. My failure in supervision nearly caused you a loss, brother.” He apologized again to Wang Hu, who, for his part, was somewhat flustered and insisted there was no need.

“By the way, brother, perhaps Wang Bo didn’t mention it earlier, but I have something I’d like to ask of you,” Zhang Bao suddenly said, shifting the topic and glancing at Wang Hu with a somewhat awkward expression. Wang Hu was momentarily taken aback, then replied, “Master Zhang, please speak plainly. If there is anything I can do, I will certainly help.”

“Oh, it’s nothing so serious,” Zhang Bao said, shooting Wang Bo a smile. “The thing is, I find Wang Bo to be a bright child, and I’ve taken quite a liking to him. I’d like him to stay and help me here. Of course, he’ll be paid.”

Wang Hu pondered this for a moment. “That’s something the boy himself should decide—he’s not a child anymore.” With that, he looked at Wang Bo.

“Rest assured, brother,” Zhang Bao smiled. “Wang Bo already agreed earlier. We just need your word now.” His temper had vanished, replaced by his usual genial smile.

“Well, since Wang Bo has agreed, as his father I certainly won’t stand in his way.” Wang Hu turned to Wang Bo and said, “Since you’ve decided to stay, then work hard and listen to Master Zhang.”

Wang Bo nodded and said to Wang Hu, “Don’t worry, Father. I know what I should do.”

“Good, that’s all I ask.” Wang Hu, noticing the hour was getting late, prepared to head home. “Since that’s settled, I’ll be heading back now. Wang Bo, you stay here.”

“No rush,” Zhang Bao said cheerfully. “Let Wang Bo go home to pack his things and say goodbye to his mother. Let him come tomorrow.”

“But…” Wang Hu hesitated.

“No buts about it. I’ve decided—let Wang Bo start work tomorrow. Today, let him go home with you,” Zhang Bao said firmly.

“Yes, Father, I don’t have anything here. I need to go home to fetch some clothes,” Wang Bo chimed in eagerly.

“In that case, since you say so, Master Zhang, let’s do that,” Wang Hu agreed at last.

“In that case, brother, wait a moment while I get your payment,” Zhang Bao said, turning and going into the inner room. Soon he returned with a pouch. “Here, brother, this is your money for the grain. Please count it.”

“There’s no need. How could I not trust you, Master Zhang? We’ll be off now,” Wang Hu replied with a good-humored laugh. He pocketed the money, took up the handcart, and set off with his son.

“Safe travels, brother, Wang Bo,” Zhang Bao called after them, watching as father and son departed.

Overjoyed, the two did not linger, heading straight for the city gate. All were satisfied—Wang Hu had sold all his grain without effort, and Wang Bo had taken his first successful step toward working in the city. The two chatted and laughed along the way, and in no time arrived at the city gate.

There, the same soldier who had tried to extort them earlier was on patrol. When he saw the pair approaching, and noticed the handcart was now empty, Li Chao felt aggrieved. “How do they know the gatekeeper? Even if they do, why is my luck so bad?” he muttered under his breath.

Staring at the empty cart, Li Chao’s mind began to work. He started forward, only to be grabbed by a fellow soldier. “Li Chao, what are you doing?”

“What do you think? They’re not related to the gatekeeper—what am I afraid of?” Li Chao snapped, already in a foul mood, and shook off the other soldier. “Besides, it’s none of your business if I make some money.”

“You really are thick-headed,” the other soldier replied, ignoring Li Chao’s tone. “If you don’t care about keeping your hide intact, go ahead.” With that, he let go.

Startled by these words, Li Chao asked, “What do you mean?”

“Hmph,” the other soldier snorted. “Those two may not be close with the gatekeeper, but they’re acquainted with his parents. Judging by that man’s tone, he’s on very good terms with the gatekeeper’s father.” He cast Li Chao a meaningful look.

Li Chao, hearing this, dared not act rashly, though he was still reluctant. “That middle-aged man looks simple enough—surely he wouldn’t…”

“You’re blinded by greed. You think a truly simple man could sell all that grain so quickly? You know this year’s harvest was good and there’s still plenty of grain—how could he have sold out so fast if he were simple? Maybe he just wears a simple face to fool others, but he’s actually quite shrewd.” If Wang Bo had heard this, he’d have laughed—no one was more honest than Wang Hu; if he wasn’t honest, there were no honest men left. The reason the grain sold so quickly was simply because someone bought it all at once, but the soldier and Li Chao couldn’t have known that.

After hearing this, Li Chao suddenly understood. “Thank you for the warning, Brother Huang. If not for you, I’d be finished. Let me buy you a drink someday.”

“No problem. Just open your eyes a bit wider next time,” Brother Huang replied casually.

Wang Bo and Wang Hu, still chatting, reached the gate and once again saw the soldier who had tried to take advantage of them. This time, however, the soldier had lost his previous swagger and greeted them with a fawning smile. Wang Bo, however, remained vigilant.

“You’re back already? Sold all your grain?” Li Chao simpered, trying to ingratiate himself.

Before Wang Hu could reply, Wang Bo stepped forward and stood protectively in front of his father, shooting Li Chao a wary look. “What do you want now? Planning to check something else?”

Li Chao was annoyed by Wang Bo’s attitude. “I’m already humbling myself, and you still act like this?” he thought. But remembering Brother Huang’s warning, he swallowed his anger and forced a laugh. “Ha, it was all a misunderstanding earlier, little brother. If I’d known you were acquainted with the gatekeeper, I wouldn’t have dared, even if you gave me ten times the courage.”

The abrupt change in attitude caught Wang Bo off guard, but Wang Hu spoke up. “It’s fine, a misunderstanding is all it was.” Then he turned to Wang Bo. “Come on, son, it’s getting late. Your mother and Duo’er are waiting at home.”

Wang Bo realized there was no need to argue further. “Yes, let’s go, Father.”

“Safe travels!” Li Chao called after them. Once they were out of sight, he spat on the ground in disgust. “Bah, who do they think they are? If it weren’t for their acquaintance with the gatekeeper, I’d have thrown them out myself.”

“Enough,” Brother Huang said, patting his shoulder. “Why get worked up over a kid? When the gates close, I’ll buy you a drink.”

“I couldn’t dream of troubling you. You’ve already helped me enough today—let me treat you. After the gates close, it’s settled,” Li Chao replied with a forced smile.

Outside the city, Wang Bo and his father hurried home, now that the cart was empty. When they arrived, they found Li Shi resting in the yard, with Duo’er playing nearby.

“You’re back so early—did you not sell everything?” Li Shi asked at once, worried upon seeing them return so soon.

“How could that be, Mother? Of course it’s all sold—and at a price above the market, too!” Wang Bo said cheerfully, coming to her side. He recounted their day and his plan to work in the city. Upon hearing this, Li Shi grew sorrowful, unsure what to say, and could only stroke Wang Bo’s head as her eyes grew misty. She knew all too well why Wang Bo wanted to work in the city—it was for the family.

“Mother…” The scene tugged at Wang Bo’s heart, making his nose tingle with emotion.

“It’s all right, Wang Bo. I understand. If you want to go, then go. Whatever you do, I’ll support you,” Li Shi said, wiping her eyes. “I just worry for you.”

“I know, Mother, but don’t worry. I’ll work hard in the city, and one day I’ll bring you and Father there to live,” Wang Bo said resolutely.

“Don’t overwork yourself, just do your best.” Li Shi was comforted by his determination. “But, Wang Bo—if you’re working in the city, how will you continue your studies with the village head?”

“I have a plan for that, you needn’t worry. I’ll go and inform my teacher now, I’ll be back soon.”

“Very well,” Li Shi nodded. “As long as you know what you’re doing. Go on, then.” With her blessing, Wang Bo left the courtyard for the village head’s home.

Upon arrival, he found the gate open and entered without knocking. The village head sat alone in the yard, deep in thought.

“Teacher,” Wang Bo greeted him with a deep bow.

His voice broke the elder’s reverie. “Ah, Wang Bo, is that you? What brings you here?”

Wang Bo explained his plans and asked for his teacher’s approval.

The village head looked at him expressionlessly, lost in thought. He neither spoke nor moved, and Wang Bo dared not interrupt, waiting anxiously as the seconds dragged by. Finally, the old man spoke. “Since you’ve already made up your mind, what difference does my approval make?”

“I…” Wang Bo stammered, flustered by the question, not knowing what to say.

Seeing his discomfort, the village head burst out laughing. “Enough, I’m only teasing. Since you’ve decided, go—it will do you good to see more of the world. If you stay in the village, you’ll see nothing but the bottom of a well. In the city, you’ll meet more people and broaden your mind. Learning isn’t just about rote study; you must live, you must apply what you’ve learned. What you lack is experience.”

“So, Teacher, you agree?” Wang Bo’s worry turned to delight.

“Why wouldn’t I? If you spend your life in this tiny village, how could you ever achieve anything? This place would only bury your talents—the world outside is where you can shine.”

“Then, Teacher, I’ll take my leave for now,” Wang Bo said excitedly, bowing deeply.

“One moment,” the village head said, stepping inside. He soon returned with several scrolls. “Take these with you,” he said, handing them to Wang Bo. “Though I won’t be there to teach and urge you, you must continue to work hard.”

Wang Bo accepted the scrolls with a determined nod. “Don’t worry, Teacher. I won’t neglect my studies. I won’t let you down.”

The village head nodded with satisfaction. “I know your character well. I have no worries. Go on, then. Remember to visit your old teacher when you can.” Though he kept a stoic face, his heart was heavy. Truly, once a teacher, always a father—a saying that could not be truer. His affection for Wang Bo was no less than Wang Hu’s. After all this time guiding his favorite pupil, to see him leave was painful.

Sensing the sorrow behind his teacher’s words, Wang Bo was at a loss for words. “Don’t worry, Teacher—I’ll come see you whenever I can.”

“I knew you’d be the filial one. Off you go now—you have much to prepare for tomorrow,” the old man said, forcing a smile and waving him off. “Go on, go on.”