Chapter Forty-Six: Scheming Intentions (Part One)

The withdrawal procedures for Zheng Yanqing were handled smoothly. The old headmaster had long been instructed by the family to comply with Yanqing’s wishes, no matter what he decided. Though he felt it a pity, the headmaster knew well that Yanqing would hardly achieve further greatness by staying in the academy.

The clan school was much like a modern preschool, focusing primarily on enlightenment. According to the law, students could enter the official school at fourteen; before that age, their education centered on fundamental learning. There were two paths: children from wealthy families or those with remarkable talent aimed for official schooling, focusing on the basics of classics and history; while those from poorer backgrounds or lacking in aptitude learned practical skills—reading, writing, accounting—to survive in society after leaving school.

Yanqing had clearly surpassed the stage of elementary education. Not to mention whether any teacher would be willing to endure the hardship of instructing him, his very presence in the academy exerted enormous pressure on the other students. A small gap might inspire motivation, but a vast gulf would only breed inferiority. The teachers, too, were not all as learned as Li Ji. If a mistake occurred in class and Yanqing caught it, their reputation would suffer instantly.

Thus, while the old headmaster was regretful, he also felt a sense of relief. Keeping such a prodigious student in the academy might bolster the reputation of the Dou family school, but the troubles outweighed the benefits.

Yanqing returned to the Bamboo Garden in a daze, instructing Dou Fengjie’s family to move all his books and belongings into the Bamboo Pavilion.

“Yanqing, I don’t want to stay in the academy either!” Dou Fengjie, on his way out, suddenly grabbed Yanqing’s hand.

“Why?”

“If you’re at the academy, I still have a companion. If you leave, the others will treat me as they did before. Rather than stay there, I’d rather be with you. I’ll talk with my uncle and grandfather, and from now on, I’ll study with you. Is that alright? Your learning is praised even by the teachers, so if I study with you, my uncle will surely agree... Yanqing, what do you think?”

In truth, Yanqing believed Dou Fengjie should remain at the academy. Most of his peers were there, making communication easier. Yanqing, on the other hand, mostly interacted with older people; even he himself bore the temperament of an adult. Though he sometimes acted as a child, it was usually out of necessity.

Dou Fengjie in the Bamboo Garden would likely find it unsatisfying. But Yanqing, lacking the energy to persuade him, simply let things be as Fengjie wished.

Perhaps, after spending some time in the Bamboo Garden, he would grow restless and naturally want to return to the Dou family academy...

“If your uncle and grandfather don’t object, then do as you like.”

Upon hearing this, Dou Fengjie became delighted, hopping onto the carriage to go home and discuss it with his family.

Yanqing, meanwhile, sat in the Bamboo Pavilion, listening to the rustling wind outside, lost and motionless for a long time.

“Little demon, what’s happened?” Du Ruhui entered, seeing the pile of belongings and the statue-like Yanqing, unable to resist asking.

“My teacher has gone.”

“Teacher?” Du Ruhui was momentarily surprised, then understood. “You mean the teacher from the academy?”

“Yes.” Yanqing nodded.

Du Ruhui himself felt that Li Ji, an elementary school teacher, was a bit unqualified to be the mentor of a prodigy like Yanqing. In these times, reputation and background mattered greatly. A teacher without name or lineage serving as the tutor of the famed genius Zheng Yanqing—such news would not benefit Yanqing’s standing. In Du Ruhui’s view, Yanqing should seek a renowned scholar or a powerful official as a teacher. In fact, if Yanqing announced his desire to study under a master, plenty of eminent scholars would come forth.

Yet Du Ruhui could see Yanqing held deep respect for Li Ji. This was not something he could discuss openly, but it didn’t mean he approved of Li Ji himself. Now that Li Ji was gone, it was not a bad thing for Yanqing. If Yanqing seized this opportunity to apprentice under a distinguished scholar or powerful official, his future would be bright indeed.

But Du Ruhui could only keep such thoughts to himself. Seeing Yanqing’s grief, he sat beside the pile of books, picked one up, and leafed through a few pages.

“Ah! This is ‘Records of the World’s Talk’!” Du Ruhui exclaimed. In later generations, this book would not be considered rare, but in the era between Sui and Tang, when printing was not widespread, every book was precious. ‘Records of the World’s Talk’ was compiled by Liu Yiqing, a prince of the Liu Song dynasty, recording the anecdotes and curiosities of aristocrats and men of talent from the Han and Wei onwards.

The print run was small, and most circulating copies were reprints. Yet the one in Du Ruhui’s hands was a unique annotated edition from the Liang dynasty, commented upon by Liu Jun. Liu Jun lived between the Liang and Qi dynasties, around 500 CE, during a time of chaos and constant warfare. After Liu Jun’s annotations, only five hundred copies were woodblock printed, many lost in war.

Even Du Ruhui’s grandfather, Du Guo, possessed only a reprinted copy.

That Li Ji should have an original edition?

He picked up another book—‘The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons’ by Liu Xie, a contemporary of Liu Jun. Though a reprint, it was an early one, and also extremely valuable. Even Du Ruhui had heard of it but never seen it. Just these two books astonished him, and his impression of Li Ji changed drastically.

This man was no ordinary person...

“Little demon, what are your plans now?”

“I want to be alone for a while, and then study here in the Bamboo Garden.”

Du Ruhui laughed. “That’s not a bad idea. The teachers at the Dou family academy probably couldn’t teach you anyway. I also grow bored studying alone at home. Having you as a companion will be wonderful... ‘Among three, there must be one from whom I may learn.’ We can exchange ideas.”

In Du Ruhui’s mind, Yanqing was already his equal. Though young, his reputation far surpassed Du Ruhui’s. Du Ruhui knew well how extraordinary Yanqing was.

From his early ‘Goose Verse’ to the recent ‘Without bamboo, one becomes vulgar,’ Du Ruhui had witnessed his rise and would never underestimate Yanqing. After a series of setbacks, Du Ruhui even felt reluctant to compete with Yanqing anymore. This was evident when he abandoned his obsession with calligraphy to focus on history and the classics.

Yanqing nodded. “Brother Du, my mind is in chaos right now. May we talk another time?”

“Yes, that’s fine. Though your teacher has departed, he left you many precious books, a sign of his high hopes. Little demon, let your mind be disturbed for a short while, but not too long. Otherwise, if your teacher learns of your state, how could he be happy?”

“Thank you, Brother Du!”

Zheng Yanqing bowed deeply. Du Ruhui picked up ‘Records of the World’s Talk’ and left, cheerfully.

Four times—blown up four times again... Ah, brothers, let’s rally and strike back.