Liu An scratched his head and said to Wang Dongyang, “Young Master, my father and uncle came today not only to deliver vegetables to the restaurant, but also to ask about private schools.”
Upon hearing this, Wang Dongyang turned to the Liu brothers and said, “I’m fairly familiar with the private schools in town. There are two in total. One is run by Scholar Wang. His academy is larger, and the tuition is naturally more expensive. He’s currently preparing for the provincial examination himself, aiming to earn the title of Juren.”
“The other school is run by Scholar Li. He was my former classmate. He’s talented and upright in character. Unfortunately, he injured his leg while pursuing the imperial examinations and now walks with a limp, so he can no longer sit for the exams. He has since devoted himself to teaching at home. His school is small, and he’s strict—both in discipline and in choosing students. However, his tuition is more affordable than Scholar Wang’s. Whichever school you prefer, I can tell you where to find it.”
Only then did the Liu brothers realize that the restaurant’s young master had once studied alongside these scholars. No wonder he had gifted their sons books—he was clearly well-educated himself.
After thinking for a moment, Liu An turned to his father and uncles. “Father, I would like to try enrolling at Scholar Li’s school.”
“An’er, have you thought this through?” Liu Sanzhuang asked worriedly, afraid his son was choosing the cheaper option just to save money.
Liu An nodded seriously. “Father, I have. Scholar Wang is still pursuing the examinations. I’m young and need a stable teacher. Also, Scholar Li was the Young Master’s classmate. Studying under him won’t be a bad choice.”
Hearing this, Wang Dongyang couldn’t help but nod inwardly. Though the boy was young, he had his own judgment—truly commendable.
Liu An’s eldest uncle, Liu Dazhuang, who had been silent, finally spoke. “An’er, the Young Master said Scholar Li is very strict. Can you endure that?”
“I can,” Liu An replied firmly. “Strict teachers produce outstanding students. I won’t fall short in the future.”
“Strict teachers produce excellent students—well said!” Wang Dongyang laughed. “Since the child has such ambition, I’m willing to help. I’ll write a letter to my former classmate. It may earn him a chance, but whether he is accepted will still depend on whether he meets my classmate’s standards.”
The Liu family immediately expressed their gratitude. Wang Dongyang waved it off casually and went to write both the recommendation letter for Liu An and a contract outlining the profit-sharing agreement for the braised dishes. Meanwhile, Manager Qiu settled the account for their longevity vegetables, and Liu Sanzhuang went to the kitchen to demonstrate the key techniques for making the braised dishes. Everyone busied themselves with their tasks.
When Liu Sanzhuang finally held the recommendation letter and two taels of silver in his hand, he felt more confident. Liu Dazhuang and Liu Erzhuang were also delighted, and even more grateful to the young master of Heyun Restaurant.
“Brother Sanzhuang, the Young Master truly is a good man,” Liu Erzhuang said with emotion.
Liu Sanzhuang nodded firmly. He couldn’t believe how fortunate the Liu family had been to meet such a benefactor. At first, he refused to accept the five taels of silver, but the young master insisted it was their rightful share of the profits and pressed it into his hands—despite the fact that they hadn’t even sold much yet. How could there already be such generous profits?
Liu Dazhuang sighed. “The Young Master thinks of us at every turn. From now on, we must deliver fresh vegetables early every day. Right—let’s go buy the gifts needed for paying respects to the teacher.”
The other two brothers nodded quickly.
Liu An felt both touched and calm. He was confident the braised dishes would sell well. He was already thinking about future collaborations with the young master—perhaps making tofu. During his time in town and from chatting with the restaurant workers, he had realized that tofu didn’t yet exist here.
However, since he was about to formally become a student, he decided to put the tofu idea aside for now. Education came first. Without money at home, there would be no way to support his studies. He silently resolved to make it happen.
The town was small. Carrying celery, lotus seeds, red beans, longan, dried lean pork strips, and other customary gifts for a teacher, the Liu family asked for directions and quickly found Scholar Li’s school.
“Brother Sanzhuang, you take An’er to see the teacher. Brother Erzhuang and I will go buy some more offal,” Liu Dazhuang said.
Liu Sanzhuang nodded and gently knocked on the door. An elderly woman came to open it. She looked them over and asked, “Are you here to enroll and study?”
“Yes, ma’am. My son wishes to become a student of Scholar Li,” Liu Sanzhuang replied politely.
“Come in and wait a moment. I’ll ask my son,” the old woman said kindly, without any hint of disdain for their farmer background. She led them into the courtyard and went to fetch her son, who was teaching at the time.
Only then did they realize she was the scholar’s mother. Liu Sanzhuang quickly straightened his clothes and adjusted his son’s outfit, worried the teacher might refuse them.
Soon, a young man in a blue scholar’s robe approached. He carried an air of refinement, his expression stern and scholarly.
Liu Sanzhuang felt nervous at the sight of him. Liu An, however, remained calm. In his previous life, he had participated in many competitions and speeches during university, and later attended academic forums with his mentor, meeting numerous distinguished figures. Facing Scholar Li now did not unsettle him.
Observing the father and son, Scholar Li secretly nodded in approval of the boy’s composure.
“Are you here to enroll as a student?” he asked.
“Yes, sir,” Liu Sanzhuang replied hastily. “This is my son, Liu An. And this—” Suddenly remembering the recommendation letter, he quickly handed it over.
Scholar Li took the letter and read the name and contents. A rare smile flickered across his usually stern face. “So you know Brother Yunji. Even so, if the child fails my assessment, I will not accept him. Do you understand?”
Both father and son nodded in agreement.
Scholar Li seemed satisfied. He turned to Liu An. “How old are you this year? Have you studied before?”
“Greetings, sir,” Liu An said respectfully. “I am five years old and have not yet studied.”
Scholar Li nodded and asked, “Why do you wish to study?”
Liu An answered without hesitation, “I want my family to live a better life.”
Scholar Li nodded. “Your heart is sincere. Now, I’ll read—repeat after me.”
Liu An quickly nodded.
Scholar Li began reciting, “At the beginning of man, nature is inherently good. Natures are similar; habits make them different. If there is no teaching, one’s nature will change. The way of teaching values dedication. In the past, Mencius’s mother chose her neighbor wisely…”
After finishing those lines, he looked at Liu An.
Liu An understood this was a test of his learning ability. Without delay, he repeated clearly and flawlessly:
“At the beginning of man, nature is inherently good. Nature is similar; habits make them different. If there is no teaching, one’s nature will change. The way of teaching values dedication. In the past, Mencius’s mother chose her neighbor wisely. When her son failed to study, she cut the weaving loom. Dou Yanshan had righteous methods; he taught his five sons, and all became renowned.”
Scholar Li had only intended to see how many lines the child could remember. He hadn’t expected Liu An to recite every word perfectly. Surprise flashed across his face, followed by understanding. No wonder his discerning old friend had recommended this child. The boy was intelligent. It seemed he had gained a promising student thanks to his friend—perhaps one who might fulfill the scholarly ambitions he himself could no longer pursue.
Liu Sanzhuang was just as astonished. He hadn’t realized his son was this sharp. It truly seemed the boy was meant for study. He would have to find a way to earn more money.
Scholar Li nodded. “Very good. Tuition here is two taels of silver per year. You are aware of this, I presume? Books, brushes, ink, and paper must be prepared by yourselves. Since he is just beginning, cheaper materials will suffice. For now, purchase Three Character Classic and Hundred Family Surnames.”
Liu An understood—this meant he had been accepted. Joy swelled in his chest. Liu Sanzhuang grinned foolishly with delight and urged, “An’er, quickly bow to your teacher.”
Just as Liu An was about to kneel, Scholar Li stopped him. “Wait. Come with me.”
Liu An obediently followed.
Scholar Li lit a stick of incense before the portrait of Confucius. Only then did he allow Liu An to perform the formal ceremony of becoming a disciple. “A teacher for a day is a father for life.” As he bowed, Liu An resolved to treat Scholar Li with the same respect as his own father.
Scholar Li was deeply satisfied. The child was composed, respectful, and gifted in learning. Perhaps this young disciple might one day succeed in the imperial examinations and accomplish what he himself could not.
“Since you have become my student today, you must never neglect your studies. Go home with your father and purchase your supplies and books. Return tomorrow on time for lessons,” Scholar Li instructed.
“Yes, Teacher. I will arrive punctually,” Liu An replied respectfully.
Scholar Li nodded in approval and personally saw them out. Even after stepping outside, Liu Sanzhuang still felt as if he were dreaming.
Liu Dazhuang and Liu Erzhuang were waiting outside the academy gate. As soon as they saw them, they hurried forward. “Brother Sanzhuang, how did it go? Did Scholar Li accept An’er?”
Liu Sanzhuang laughed foolishly. “Yes! He accepted him! An’er starts tomorrow. Our An’er is so clever—whatever the teacher recited, he repeated word for word. I couldn’t even remember what was said!” he boasted proudly.
Liu Erzhuang chuckled and patted his shoulder. “Of course—our An’er is the smartest! So, do we need to buy anything?”
“Yes,” Liu Sanzhuang nodded. “The teacher said to buy books and writing supplies.”
“Then what are you waiting for? Take him quickly!” Liu Dazhuang urged.
“Come with us, Brother Dazhuang, Brother Erzhuang—we’ll go together, then head home.”
But Liu Dazhuang waved him off. “We just bought fatty pork and it smells awful. We won’t enter the bookstore. We’ll wait at the city gate.”
“That’s right,” Liu Erzhuang agreed. “Hurry up. If we return too late, Father and Mother will worry.”
Seeing the time, Liu Sanzhuang stopped insisting and brought Liu An to the town bookstore.
At the entrance, seeing well-dressed scholars going in and out, Liu Sanzhuang grew nervous. “An’er, be careful inside. Don’t break anything—we can’t afford to pay for it.”
Liu An noticed his father’s anxiety and reassured him gently. “Father, the Young Master already gave me the primer books, so we don’t need to buy those. We only need paper, brush, and ink. I’m still young—we don’t need expensive ones. Please help me choose carefully, and don’t let them overcharge us.”
At once, Liu Sanzhuang straightened up. His nervousness faded. His son was right—they couldn’t afford to be cheated, especially with only a little over two taels of silver on hand. Without the two taels the restaurant’s young master had given in advance, they wouldn’t even have money for writing supplies.
As they entered, the shop assistant greeted them warmly. “What would you like to buy, sir?”
Remembering his son’s words, Liu Sanzhuang replied, “We need a beginner’s brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone.”
The assistant noticed their coarse clothes and worn shoes and knew they were farmers with limited means. Still, he showed no disdain. Instead, he said kindly, “For beginners, this brush will do—one hundred yuan each. If you don’t mind slightly imperfect inksticks, I have some that work perfectly fine at half price. Two inksticks for two hundred yuan. For paper, beginners can use this coarse kind. If you buy two bundles, I’ll charge three hundred yuan per bundle. As for inkstones, the cheapest costs six hundred yuan.”
Hearing the prices, father and son silently gasped. Even without buying books, it would already cost over one tael. Studying truly consumed silver like water.
Liu An tugged at his father’s sleeve. “Father, let’s not buy an inkstone. You can grind one for me from stone at home. We’ll buy the rest as he suggested.”
Liu Sanzhuang nodded. “All right. One brush, two inksticks, and two bundles of paper.”
The shop assistant quickly gathered the items. “Nine hundred yuan in total.”
After paying carefully, Liu Sanzhuang tucked the supplies away with great care.
The shop assistant smiled warmly. “Exact amount—thank you, sir. Please come again; I always offer the lowest price. Safe travels.”
Holding the precious writing supplies, Liu Sanzhuang felt both the weight of expense and the weight of hope. Tomorrow, his son will begin his path of learning.