Chapter Forty-Eight: Cultivating Destiny, Seventh Rank (Part Two)

As the scroll was unfurled, it revealed two pieces of calligraphy.

“It’s in the style of the ‘Ode to the Goose’!” one scholar couldn’t help but cry out. The crowd immediately fixed their gaze upon the scrolls. On one, it read: “The mountain of books has a path, diligence is the way;” on the other: “The sea of learning has no end, hard work makes the boat.” The inscription and signature were unmistakably by Ban Yuanjun: “The virtue of the learned gentleman brings benefit for a thousand autumns.”

The meaning was clear: Mr. Luopu, by turning culture into an enterprise, was engaging in a deed whose merit would benefit generations to come.

“It is indeed the work of Ban Yuanjun.” Several scholars stood before the scrolls, appraising them with admiration.

Young Mr. Luopu smiled gently and opened a box, which contained a neat row of items: small scissors, a little knife…

He picked up a small knife and, with a light stroke along the edge of a sheet of paper, sliced through it. The paper separated smoothly, and servants immediately stepped forward to gather the cut sheets into a pile. Repeating the process, in a short while, an entire volume of the Dongshan Collection had been trimmed. Then, with silk thread, it was bound and set aside. His series of movements was as fluid as drifting clouds and flowing water, leaving the scholars watching in envy.

“Mr. Luopu, what are these tools?” someone asked.

“Oh, these are the Seven Implements of Cultivating Affinity,” he replied.

“The Seven Implements of Cultivating Affinity?”

“You scholars, to obtain a book is fate; to comprehend it thoroughly requires cultivation—this is the second affinity. Look, with these seven implements, you can trim paper, organize books…” Mr. Luopu took out each of the seven tools from the box and explained their uses one by one. Finally, he produced a paperweight about ten centimeters long, two fingers wide, polished to a shine, with the character ‘Calm’ engraved on it. He opened the newly bound Dongshan Collection and placed the paperweight upon it.

“To read well requires a focused mind, and this paperweight helps to steady one’s thoughts. This is the first implement of cultivating affinity… If you acquire all seven, then your bond with the words in the book is sealed, and you are destined for success and fame in the future.”

“Well said!” exclaimed one of the scholars, unable to restrain his admiration, picking up the paperweight and playing with it in his hand.

“Mr. Luopu, where might one acquire this set of Seven Implements?”

“Oh, they are available at the Xiong’s Emporium—just three strings of cash, and you may attain them.”

“Three strings… that’s affordable. If it lets me find my fate within these books, it is worth the price.”

The scholars exchanged glances, bid farewell to young Mr. Luopu in turn, and hurried away.

“Master, is this really appropriate?” a servant asked.

“Ha! Why not? I think it’s most appropriate. My father opened this library to serve the scholars. To have such things at hand is a comfort. Who knows, perhaps it truly helps cultivate affinity with books—that would be a blessing indeed.”

With that, he laughed heartily, his gaze resting upon the two scrolls hanging in the hall.

“The mountain of books has a path, diligence is the way; the sea of learning has no end, hard work makes the boat… What splendid words! With such talent as Ban Yuanjun, how could that Wang Tong possibly prevail?”

He lowered his voice: “Ten days from now, with these scrolls, our library will surely become renowned throughout the land… What a business this is, what a business!”

His household staff nodded and chuckled in agreement.

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Meanwhile, the Xiong’s Scissor Shop in Luoyang suddenly changed its name to Xiong’s Emporium. The store no longer displayed only scissors; now, elegant boxes were arranged on the shelves. At the entrance stood a wooden sign that read: “All trades rank beneath scholarship; only study stands supreme. Cultivate affinity with books, and your good name will endure for ages.”

Many people gathered outside, pointing at the sign and discussing it. Just then, a group of scholars rushed in, bursting into the shop.

“Shopkeeper, we’re here to obtain the affinity within books!”

The leading scholar produced three strings of coins from his sleeve and placed them on the counter. A clerk respectfully took a box from the shelf and handed it to the scholar. “Study is the highest calling; we dare not be tainted by the odor of money. Please deposit your payment in this box.”

The scholar made no objection, placing his money into the box by the counter and leaving with the box, laughing heartily.

“Now that I have this treasure, I’m sure I’ll unlock the mysteries within the books.”

His companions looked on enviously. They wished to buy one too, but lacked sufficient funds. As others came to inquire, the scholars eagerly shared their experience, stirring the curiosity and desire of many. If even a poor scholar could seek aid, why couldn’t they?

Two well-dressed youths strode into the shop without hesitation.

“We want to seek this affinity, too,” they declared, tossing several strings of coins into the box and leaving with a smug air.

With someone taking the lead, others naturally followed. In a city like Luoyang, with so many scions of noble families, who would care about a few strings of cash? Some even asked for multiple sets, but the clerk refused.

“Affinity comes from a righteous heart. One set is enough if your intentions are pure; seeking more is counterproductive.”

In this day and age, who ever refuses a big sale? But the more it was handled this way, the more people believed in it. In just one morning, a hundred sets of the implements were snatched up.

Commoners watched the crowds thronging Xiong’s Emporium, noting how it was full of well-dressed scholars, and their curiosity was piqued. They wandered in to learn the truth for themselves. After inquiring, they realized what was really going on.

Just look at Xiong’s; this was a place of refinement!

Whether out of a desire for good fortune or admiration, these commoners, though unable to afford the costly items, were still willing to spend a little to buy an ordinary pair of scissors.

Besides, Xiong’s products really were of excellent quality…

Thus, the Cultivating Affinity set drove sales of scissors, and the scissors in turn enhanced Xiong’s reputation, which grew ever more illustrious. This was not something that could be achieved by simply lowering prices.

This was branding—true branding. We may not be scholars, but if we use Xiong’s products, we have status all the same!

For several days, Xiong’s Emporium was packed with customers, selling out its stock each day.

The old neighbors of Tianjin Bridge were all beaming with delight. Now their daily earnings equaled ten days’ takings from before.

“Big Nose, your idea is truly brilliant—beyond words!” Xiong Dazhui was grinning from ear to ear. “I always said you were a crafty old fox, and I was right. Xiong Wei, you see now? Listen to your Uncle Big Nose in the future. Just the other day you wanted to lower prices… See? Big Nose barely lifted a finger, and not only did we NOT have to cut prices, business is booming! Today, when I went out, Old Lady Luo from the pastry shop smiled at me so sweetly, even called me Shopkeeper Xiong. From now on, use your brains!”

Xiong Wei scratched his head and laughed sheepishly.

Zheng Shian was proud too, but even more so, he felt a sense of fulfillment.

After all, he had an extraordinary grandson… Those jealous competitors tried every trick to ruin his business. Now, after a single move from his grandson, they all folded their banners and slunk away in defeat. Ha! Now we’re really prospering!

The more Zheng Shian thought about it, the more pleased he became, and he couldn’t help but laugh aloud.

“Little Imp, how did you come up with this idea?” Sitting in the bamboo loft, Uncle Du Ruhui leaned barefoot against a veranda pillar, smiling as he asked.

Zheng Yanqing was focused on grinding tea leaves.

Nearby, Mao Ya squatted by the porch, resting her chin on her hand, curiously watching Yanqing’s every move.

“Everyone has a herd mentality. They may not seek the best, but they certainly want the most expensive. I read in a book that in ancient Chu, the king liked women with slender waists, so all the women starved themselves until their ribs touched. Everyone wants to pursue something better. Even if they can’t have it, being able to dream of it brings satisfaction. As for the Seven Implements of Cultivating Affinity, well…”

Du Ruhui nodded repeatedly as he listened, deeply in agreement.

“By the way, that Buddhist story you wrote—where did you find it?”

Yanqing looked up, pausing in his work, his face a picture of innocence.

“You know, the one about not taking scriptures for nothing…”

“Oh, I made it up!” replied Zheng Yanqing, lowering his head to scoop out the ground tea.

“You made it up?” Du Ruhui stared at him in astonishment, and after a moment, burst out laughing—so hard that tears streamed down his face.

“Do you realize, just because of that story, how many people have scoured the Buddhist scriptures, searching for its source?”

Yanqing smiled, noticing the water in the kettle had come to a boil. He ladled out some and poured it over the tea leaves.

“That’s their business—nothing to do with me.”

He glanced up at Du Ruhui, and the two exchanged glances before both began to laugh.

Mao Ya gazed at Yanqing with a look of rapt fascination. She couldn’t quite follow the conversation between Yanqing and Du Ruhui, but she could tell that her young master had casually made up a story that the whole world believed to be true. Such talent was truly remarkable…

She could only see Yanqing’s profile, gentle and delicate, yet with an undercurrent of unyielding strength.

She recalled her mother’s words: if luck was with her, perhaps she might serve the young master one day.

At the thought, Mao Ya’s heart raced, her face flushing with shyness. Still, would the young master ever look at her? He was destined for great things, while she couldn’t even read—how could she hope to catch his eye? No, she must work hard…

In ancient times, girls matured early; it was not uncommon to marry at fourteen. Mao Ya was actually nine, but by traditional reckoning, already eleven. Her monthly cycle had begun, and with it, the thoughts of a young maiden. Her mother had spoken to her privately, so she was quite mature for her age.

Yet Zheng Yanqing was oblivious to Mao Ya’s inner world.

He poured out the brewed tea, giving Du Ruhui a bowl and taking one for himself, savoring it in silence.

“Little Imp, in a couple of days it’ll be your competition with Wang Tong. Are you prepared? I hear Wang Tong hasn’t left his house lately, and speaks as though he’s confident. He is talented—you must be careful.”

Zheng Yanqing took a sip, exhaling deeply.

The tea was from Mount Emei, a gift sent by Sun Simiao after traveling to Sichuan.

As he let out a breath, a faint fragrance lingered at his nose.

He smiled, “There’s nothing to prepare. At worst, he’ll humiliate me a little—does he really think himself a Confucius?”

When Confucius executed Shaozheng Mao, he was an official in Lu.

Wang Tong, on the other hand, was just a commoner… I am not Shaozheng Mao, and Wang Tong is certainly no Confucius. The tide of public opinion is already in my grasp. Even if Wang Tong wins, I doubt he’ll ever be able to establish himself in Luoyang!

If no one offends me, I will not offend them…

I only wished for a quiet life of study, waiting for my chance. But since someone insists on causing me trouble, then don’t blame me for ruining your reputation… Since ancient times, have those with nothing ever feared those with something to lose?

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Two chapters released!