Volume One: A Commoner by Morning Chapter 8: The Gossip of the Master

Chu Liu kept his eyes fixed on the study’s door and saw Su Bigtooth tiptoeing in, carrying a kettle and a bowl.

“Chu Liu, Young Master Su instructed me to bring you some water at noon before he left.”

Sensing Chu Liu’s confusion, he poured a bowl of water, his face stretched in a fawning smile as he explained, “The young master told me to be quiet, said not to disturb your calligraphy practice… Drink up, if it’s not enough, I’ll bring you another kettle.”

“Thank you!”

Chu Liu took the bowl, the warmth instantly spreading to his palm and, in turn, warming his heart.

“No need to thank me, it's just my duty,” Su Bigtooth bowed and nodded, “I won't interrupt your practice any longer. If you need anything, just call for me.”

With that, Su Bigtooth withdrew from the study.

After eating his barley cake, Chu Liu found a stick about the thickness of a brush to practice his calligraphy.

“Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li, Zhou, Wu, Zheng, Wang…”

Chu Liu had a habit of reading aloud as he wrote. Today, he intended to review all the characters he had learned from the “Hundred Family Surnames,” and only after that would he begin learning new ones.

“Teng, Yin, Luo, Bi, Hao, Wu, An, Chang…”

Completely absorbed in his practice, Chu Liu didn’t even notice Su Biao standing behind him, watching intently.

Su Biao had arrived at the private school early, planning to tutor Chu Liu himself. But seeing him writing with such confidence, loudly reciting each character, Su Biao realized he probably wouldn’t be of much help after all.

But Chu Liu had never been to school before—how did he know so many characters?

Unable to contain his curiosity, Su Biao finally asked, “Chu Liu, have you really learned all these characters?”

Chu Liu paused, smiling broadly, “Of course!”

Su Biao was astonished, “Who taught you?”

Anticipating such a question during his self-study, Chu Liu had once gone to consult the elderly man in the village who wrote couplets for people. This so-called teacher had only attended a few years of private school himself, and aside from writing couplets, no one ever sought him out.

After Chu Liu watched him show off his knowledge with exaggerated gestures, he decided this was a perfect excuse.

“There’s an old gentleman in the village. I often go to ask for his advice. When I have free time, I just scribble whatever comes to mind…”

Chu Liu tried to keep his answer humble, but to Su Biao it sounded almost boastful. Eyes wide with envy, Su Biao exclaimed, “Chu Liu, you’re amazing! You can recognize so many characters just by messing around—you’ve really got a sharp mind!”

“You can swim, you know how to detoxify poisons, you can save lives, and you pick up characters so quickly… Were you born under the Star of Literary Talent?”

Chu Liu gave an awkward laugh, “Su Biao, don’t tease me. What does the Star of Literary Talent have to do with me? I’ve just worked a little harder than most.”

I work hard too!

As if suddenly enlightened, Su Biao grabbed a small stick and began writing in the sand. But after a short while, he grew impatient.

He wanted to throw the stick away, but worried Chu Liu might laugh at him. Yet he couldn’t force himself to keep at it.

“You’re here early, Young Master Su!” Su Bigtooth appeared just in time, plastering on a flattering smile. “Arriving so early to practice calligraphy—Young Master Su is destined to be the top scholar, a dragon among men…”

Taking advantage of the moment, Su Biao tossed the stick aside and chuckled, “The top scholar will be Chu Liu—no one can take that from him. I might not be as good as Chu Liu, but I’ll muddle my way through as second place. That shouldn’t be too hard…”

“Second place is easily within your grasp, Young Master Su!” Su Bigtooth kept the compliments flowing, and Su Biao was clearly pleased.

After a moment, he suddenly told Su Bigtooth, “From now on, when Chu Liu goes to and from school each day, you’ll escort him to the bridge.”

Su Bigtooth said nothing, but his sour expression betrayed his reluctance.

Chu Liu quickly interjected, “Su Biao, that’s not necessary. My father already said he’ll pick me up and drop me off on time every day…”

“Chu Liu, don’t refuse. Your father has to work the fields—he can’t always spare the time. Just let Bigtooth escort you. Otherwise, your father might get annoyed and stop letting you come to school.”

Those words froze Chu Liu in place.

Children from well-off families always thought further ahead—he hadn’t even considered that.

Imitating an adult’s manner, Su Biao put his hands behind his back and said, “Bigtooth, wipe that sour look off your face. When I get home, I’ll tell my father to give you a raise.”

“Young Master, please don’t mention money. It’s not about the pay. Serving you is this humble one’s greatest wish…” Su Bigtooth was overjoyed, his face blooming into a grin.

Chu Liu had saved the young master’s life.

By extension, that made him a young master too.

Escorting a young master to and from school was an honor.

A few extra steps, a bit more money—what a good job!

Chu Liu quietly took note of all this, planning to repay the favor someday.

———

That afternoon, the teacher began teaching the “Thousand Character Classic.”

“Heaven and earth are mysterious and yellow, the universe vast and boundless. The sun and moon wax and wane, the constellations are arrayed across the sky.”

The teacher led the recitation, and the children repeated after him.

After more than a dozen repetitions, the teacher saw that most of the students could recite it, so he wrote the lines on paper and posted them on the wall.

Half the students didn’t own books, so posting the lines helped everyone learn.

My goodness!

The teacher’s calligraphy was truly beautiful—this was the standard Chu Liu aimed to reach.

Brushwork was the soul of the civil service examinations; without a fine hand, one could never impress the examiners.

Chu Liu was well aware of his own shortcomings.

For now, they were the traditional characters and brushwork. In a few years, it would be poetry and composition.

He set himself a small goal.

First, master three thousand traditional characters and write with the elegance of the teacher’s brush.

“What does ‘Heaven and earth are mysterious and yellow’ mean?” The teacher, holding his scroll, his eyes bright with excitement, began to explain with great enthusiasm, “Heaven refers to the firmament above, governing the workings of all things, unfathomable and boundless, the dwelling place of the gods… The way of heaven is ever-changing—wind, rain, thunder, and lightning all come from heaven, its power immeasurable…”

The children exchanged puzzled glances, all at sea.

Oblivious, the teacher continued passionately, “Earth is that which bears all things, nurturing all life, the foundation upon which we stand…”

The teacher was in high spirits, fully immersed in his sea of knowledge, lecturing with relish, entirely unaware of the children’s bewilderment.

At last, the dismissal bell rang. Still unsatisfied, the teacher said, “The rest of today’s lesson is for self-study. Learn these characters well—I’ll check at the end of the last class… If you haven’t learned them, ten raps on the palm. And tomorrow, I’ll call your father…”

“We—under—stand—” the children replied, dragging out their words with little energy.

The punishment wasn’t so terrible—a sore hand would soon pass.

But calling a parent—that was truly dreadful.

Parents didn’t care for explanations. Sometimes, both parents would join in the scolding.

It seemed today they had to study hard.

“Chu Liu, want to go to the latrine together?”

“All right!”

As they walked to the outhouse, Su Biao, suddenly full of gossip, whispered, “Chu Liu, do you want to hear a story about the teacher?”

Oh?

Su Biao, who would have thought! Behind that burly exterior, you actually hide such a gossipy heart.