Chapter Forty-Two: Deep Within the Bamboo Grove (Second Update)

Zheng Yanqing was fully aware that his actions would make him appear as a prodigy. But to achieve greatness, one must embrace madness. He needed fame—more fame, more eyes upon him. This desire went against his nature, yet he had no choice.

Once inside the Zheng family, the depths were unfathomable; countless eyes watched, countless schemes unfolded in the shadows. The patriarch needed him to stabilize the standing of Anyuan Hall, but with seven branches in the Zheng clan, how could anyone expect them to willingly see the patriarch’s wishes fulfilled?

One could see the traces of this in the matter of the patriarch arranging for his grandfather and himself to return to their ancestral lineage. If the internal clan was so fraught, how much more perilous might things be outside?

The safest way to avoid hidden plots was to place oneself in the open, forcing those with malice to pause. Of course, this meant Zheng Yanqing would face all manner of doubts and controversy. Yet the more controversy, the greater his target became. When he accumulated enough attention, safety would come naturally.

This was an unavoidable display of boldness, and Zheng Yanqing understood deeply the hardships of life within a powerful family. It looked glamorous, but every step was fraught with danger. Fall behind once, and you remain behind forever. Zheng Yanqing had no other choice.

At dawn, Zheng Shian sought out Zheng Weishan, sharing his intention to exchange farmland for money. He also explained his wish to trade his noisy residence for a house in the bamboo grove below Longmen Mountain.

Zheng Weishan, having been tasked with managing Zheng Shian’s affairs, was quite surprised to hear he didn’t want the farmland. “Old steward, are you sure about this?” Zheng Weishan advised, “The fields allotted to you by the patriarch are all of excellent quality. If you refuse, you may regret it later.”

Zheng Shian had a deep attachment to land. If not for Yanqing’s persuasion the previous day, he would have accepted the fields. Even so, after hearing Zheng Weishan’s words, he hesitated for a long while before finally biting his lip and shaking his head, refusing the offer.

“It isn’t that I am unwilling. Yesterday, I visited my old friends at Tianjin Bridge Market. I truly want to help them. Although the patriarch intends to restore their monthly stipends, you know what stubborn temperaments those old fellows have. Madam’s actions wounded them deeply; they still refuse the stipends. Several old brothers’ families are nearly starving, and this troubles me greatly. Even if the patriarch intervenes, it may not help. Fortunately, I once fought alongside these brothers, so if I step forward, they might accept assistance. I plan to exchange for some money and do business with them. Even if I can’t help much, at least I’ll feel better in my heart.”

“You truly are a man of great loyalty,” Zheng Weishan said, moved by Zheng Shian’s words. The old soldiers of Tianjin Bridge Market had been deeply hurt by recent events. Zheng Weishan knew their fiery tempers; they had once dared to block Zheng Renji’s carriage to question right from wrong. They refused charity, and even though the patriarch ordered their stipends restored, none had claimed them.

Zheng Shian’s words touched Zheng Weishan, who agreed and promised to handle it as best he could. That day, Zheng Weishan relayed Zheng Shian’s request to Zheng Renji. Zheng Renji dared not decide alone and sent someone overnight to Xingyang to ask the patriarch for guidance.

On the third day, the messenger returned from Xingyang. The patriarch’s letter simply said: “All matters in Luoyang are yours to decide; do not ask for instructions on everything.”

“Brother, what do you think Zheng Shian means by this?” Zheng Renji, at a loss, sought advice from Yan Shigu.

Yan Shigu had been busy lately—teaching Xu Shiji and Zheng Hongyi at noon, then spending afternoons in his room studying and annotating the Three Kingdoms. In truth, the Three Kingdoms had already been annotated during the Wei and Jin dynasties by Pei Songzhi of the Hedong Pei clan, whose work was considered nearly flawless.

Yan Shigu realized that surpassing Pei Songzhi’s annotations would be no easy task. Pei Songzhi spent more than ten years on the Three Kingdoms, and Yan Shigu would need even greater effort to outdo him.

Zheng Renji knew Yan Shigu was busy and tried not to disturb him. After hearing the matter, Yan Shigu frowned and pondered before saying, “Zheng Shian is indeed a man of loyalty; he is the best person to comfort the old soldiers. If the family can afford it, let him have what he wants. I just think the old man wishes to appear refined—does he wish to emulate the sages? Or perhaps he wants to follow the example of Mencius’s mother, moving three times for her son?”

Youth has its advantages. At least in many eyes, Zheng Yanqing could not make decisions, and Zheng Shian could shoulder most of the burdens.

Zheng Renji said, “Zheng Shian does have some talent; in terms of ability, he far surpasses Weishan.”

“In that case, grant their request and see what comes of it,” Yan Shigu replied.

Zheng Renji agreed. After all, the patriarch favored this grandfather and grandson; whether they sought to emulate the sages or not, Anyuan Hall would benefit. So Zheng Renji decided to give Zheng Shian twelve hundred strings of cash.

Zheng Shian only wanted a thousand, but Zheng Renji was generous. Sixty acres of hereditary farmland, converted at official rates, amounted to little; the wasteland didn’t count. If you want to do good, then do it—let’s see what you make of it.

Zheng Renji was a young gentleman at heart and looked down somewhat on merchants. Even bringing Xu Shiji over was just so Zheng Hongyi would have a helper in the future; regarding Xu Gai, he paid little attention. Zheng Shian seeking money rather than land made Zheng Renji look down on him more.

Whatever Zheng Shian’s motives, as long as he engaged in commerce, Zheng Yanqing’s prospects would be affected. Did you not see that Zheng Weishan’s grandfather was also a merchant? Even with martial skills, Zheng Weishan was only of the fourth rank. This also fit the patriarch’s plan: on one hand, elevating Yanqing, and on the other, suppressing him.

Zheng Shian took the twelve hundred strings without hesitation. He immediately spent five hundred to have Luoyang craftsmen make fine packaging boxes, and returned all the family’s strong servants and beautiful maids to Zheng Renji, keeping only the blue donkey. The family moved to the bamboo grove at Longmen.

Longmen Mountain stood beside the Yi River, on its west bank. The bamboo grove, nestled against the mountain and water, covered about fifty acres. The green bamboo was lush, the mountain scenery delightful. The bamboo formed the walls, creating a natural courtyard; from outside, the views within were clear. Wild grasses swayed in the wind. The paths in the grove were more trodden than carefully made.

Strolling along the paths, one saw little dots of verdant green. On the bamboo stalks, droplets lingered like stars—bright and delicate.

In the center of the grove rose three bamboo towers, newly built. It was not difficult to construct such towers; Luoyang was home to many craftsmen. Zheng Shian spent sixty strings to have them built in two days, with help from both the farmhands and the old soldiers from Tianjin Bridge.

The grove was tranquil, the small towers graceful.

“I want a bamboo tower!” Du Ruhui exclaimed as soon as he arrived. The scenery here was beautiful, an ideal place for cultivation and reflection—reading, enjoying the view, a special pleasure.

“The middle tower is for Grandfather. The one facing the Yi River is mine… Brother Du, if you want one, you’ll have to settle for the mountain-side residence.”

“All the furnishings are ready. If you plan to stay here long, why not name your bamboo tower?” Zheng Yanqing suggested.

“What’s yours called?” Du Ruhui asked.

“I haven’t decided yet…”

“Once you’ve thought of a name, give mine one as well,” Du Ruhui replied.

Du Ruhui now considered Yanqing a prodigy and spoke without restraint. Zheng Yanqing smiled, tied the blue donkey to a bamboo outside the tower, and helped Zheng Shian move their belongings inside. They had little luggage, mostly Yanqing’s books.

By noon, everything was arranged. Zheng Yanqing sat on the porch, barefoot, legs swinging in the air, gazing at the lush greenery, feeling delight.

“Little prodigy, with scenery like this, why not compose a poem?” Du Ruhui had started calling Yanqing ‘little prodigy’ instead of his name, after hearing Du’s explanation, Zheng Shian laughed and agreed. Yes, this grandson truly was extraordinary.

There were many bamboo poems throughout history, most using the bamboo to symbolize character. Yanqing needed fame, but could not display too much ambition; it was not easy. The earlier phrase, “A scholar would rather be burned alive than accept an unearned title,” had elicited worry and danger from the patriarch—something Zheng Shian missed, but Yanqing noticed. If he continued like this, it might backfire.

He needed leisure, but also to display grace…

Yanqing pondered, then said to Du Ruhui, “Better to have no meat than no bamboo. Without meat one grows thin; without bamboo one grows vulgar.”

Du Ruhui stared at him, eyes complex.

Yanqing ignored him, rising suddenly. “I must attend a lecture this afternoon; take your time to settle in.”

“I’ll go with you,” Du Ruhui said.

“Brother Du, your grandfather wants you to study, not to follow me wandering about. If you feel lonely, you can climb up to see the Wei and Jin calligraphy steles. My teacher dislikes interruptions; please don’t get me scolded.”

Du Ruhui laughed, agreeing. Yanqing changed clothes, led the blue donkey, and left the bamboo grove slowly.

The grove was cool and solitary, tinged with mystery.

Du Ruhui watched Yanqing depart from the porch, sat quietly for a while, then suddenly stood and walked toward another bamboo tower.

Yanqing, so young, possessed such talent and still studied diligently. I have wasted twenty years—can I not even match a child? Today we share a seat, but as Yanqing’s fame grows, will I have the face to share it again?

In recent days, Du Ruhui had been deeply affected. Yanqing struggled to survive, constantly borrowing poems, astonishing Du Ruhui.

Returning to his room, Du Ruhui opened his book bag. He set aside the calligraphy rubbings, took out a volume of Spring and Autumn, leaned against the bamboo window, and read earnestly.

Outside, the wind stirred the green bamboo, rustling softly…

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Thank you, brothers, for your support! Now Old Xin is on both charts and very happy. Let’s keep it up, shall we? Let’s stabilize our position—the ups and downs are nerve-wracking… ^_^ This is the second update; there are two more today. Brothers, rally for Old Xin, bring out all your recommendations and favorites. Also attached is a picture of Longmen Mountain for everyone to enjoy!