Chapter Twenty-Five: Disciples of the Lu Sect

The ceremony of apprenticeship was kept simple; neither Du Shiyi nor Cui Jianxuan even brought the customary gifts, which remained outside on the ox cart. At the urging of Lu Wangzhi, their senior disciple, they performed the rites. Lu Hong, having learned that his eye ailment might be cured, was filled with joy and welcomed his two new disciples with even greater warmth. Amid the cheerful gaze of his pupils, he took them in, laughing as he watched Du Shiyi and Cui Jianxuan being led about to pay respects east and west by Lu Wangzhi. Suddenly, he noticed only Pei Sanlang standing unmoving at his side, and gently remarked, "Sanlang, this solitary nature of yours needs to change."

"Thank you for your concern, Master Lu. I am used to it." Fearing his tone might seem too curt, Pei Sanlang quickly added, "As long as Master Lu is pleased, I am happy too!"

"You..."

Being the youngest and last to enter among them, Du Shiyi could only watch as Cui Jianxuan claimed the title of Ninth Brother, then followed Lu Wangzhi to meet each of their senior brothers in turn. He soon learned that Fourth Brother Hou Xiao, who had quarreled fiercely with him moments before and now treated him with marked courtesy, truly hailed from humble origins. Though he now studied at the cottage, he often served as a woodcutter in the mountains, relying on his strength, and was closest with Second Brother Song Shen, who was equally robust.

Of the other disciples, only he, Cui Jianxuan, Pei Sanlang (Pei Ning), and Sixth Brother Wang Wei came from notable families; the rest were of modest or impoverished backgrounds. Yet, when they stood together, only the order of entry and age mattered; all else was disregarded.

After the round of introductions, Cui Jianxuan, who had been holding back for some time, finally coughed and asked, "Master Lu, Third Brother mentioned earlier that once we enter the school, there are monthly examinations, and failing them means expulsion. May I ask..."

He glanced sideways at Du Shiyi, hoping for support, but Du Shiyi appeared utterly unconcerned, eyes fixed on his nose and mind, as if nothing mattered. This left Cui Jianxuan momentarily frustrated. Fortunately, Lu Hong did not keep them in suspense, but smiled at Pei Ning and said, "Sanlang, is that what you told them?"

Pei Ning nodded expressionlessly. "Yes. Since we are formally apprenticed, we must not bring shame to Master Lu. Senior Brothers One and Two agree, and all junior brothers have followed this rule for years."

So it was not a rule set by the master, but a private one established by this cold-faced brother!

Lu Hong smiled at his disciples, seeing their faces filled with acceptance, while Cui Jianxuan's was dark with worry. He asked, half-joking, "Study and examination are proper, but don't let these harsh rules frighten newcomers. Eleven, do not worry. Learning lies in diligence and earnest effort; as for how much one truly acquires, every person differs. I would not measure progress solely by this. Lu’s disciples have many interests; you may choose your own to pursue. Though I alone do not know everything, the cottage's many members allow us to draw from each other's strengths."

Upon hearing this, Du Shiyi saw Cui Jianxuan’s eyes light up as he bowed his head in contemplation. Du Shiyi immediately stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said, "Master Lu, I wish to study law and history, and also practice composition. Moreover, after my illness last year, I retained some memory of various books I read in my youth, such as the ophthalmology text mentioned earlier, but much else has been lost. So I beg permission to copy the various books you keep."

Cui Jianxuan, unsure what to study himself, heard Du Shiyi mention law and history and, before the rest of his words had sunk in, immediately declared, "I wish to do the same as Nineteen!" As soon as Du Shiyi mentioned composition and copying, Cui Jianxuan quickly added, "But I’ll skip the composition and copying; I am not suited for poetry, nor do I have the patience to sit for it."

"Very well, as you both wish," Lu Hong agreed readily. When the others heard Du Shiyi request to copy books, they no longer dismissed the rumors of his lost talent as irrelevant, but felt a sympathetic kinship and offered their own books for him to borrow. Grateful for their kindness, Du Shiyi bowed repeatedly in thanks. As he prepared to depart, he suddenly remembered the most pressing matter, turned back, and bowed deeply to Lu Hong, saying, "Master Lu, I have another matter to report. I was brought to Song Mountain by my younger sister to seek medical treatment, and my recovery is thanks to her devotion. Now, at home in Fan Chuan, only a couple of old servants remain, and my sister, being a young woman alone, I am truly uneasy about leaving her in the cottage beneath Junji Peak."

"Brother Sima mentioned this when he visited. But men and women must be kept separate, and with so many scholars here, it would be unwise to let your sister stay," Lu Hong replied, frowning in thought.

Cui Jianxuan spoke up, "Nineteen, this is not so hard. The cottage beneath Junji Peak is not far from here; I’ll leave two attendants there, and with your own maid and servant, they should manage well. I’ll also have my seventh uncle send people to check regularly, and we can ask for help from Songyang Temple. Besides, you can return every few days."

Realizing he'd made a decision on behalf of his master, Cui Jianxuan quickly added, "Please grant permission, Master Lu, to let Nineteen have a day off every ten days or so to visit his sister."

"This isn’t an official post; there’s no need for formal leave," Lu Hong replied with a laugh. Then he nodded, "Eleven’s suggestion is excellent. If you wish to return, simply take the mountain path to Junji Peak—have your second or fourth brother accompany you a few times to learn it well."

Hou Xiao immediately said, "As long as young brother copies out the golden needle technique and prescriptions, I’d be willing to accompany him every time!"

Du Shiyi promised gladly, and after much laughter, they all left the cave. Their group of nine, combined with Lu Wangzhi’s earlier commotion, naturally drew the attention of many cottage scholars. Among them, Liu Ximing saw Lu Wangzhi chatting warmly with Du Shiyi, and even Hou Xiao—who had quarreled fiercely—now seemed friendly. This left Liu Ximing both shocked and furious. But what he could not have expected was the news brought by curious scholars: Cui Jianxuan and Du Shiyi had both become disciples of Lu Hong! And unlike those who came with recommendation letters, their situation was different.

"Clearly, his talent is gone, so why is he still so proud?"

Others might be envious or angry, but Du Shiyi was unconcerned. He apologized to Du Thirteen for his absence, but the next moment saw his sister’s face bloom with unparalleled joy, as she threw herself into his arms.

"Brother, it’s wonderful, truly wonderful... Heaven’s eyes have opened, heaven’s eyes have truly opened..."

Hearing her incoherent words and seeing her sparkling eyes, Du Shiyi felt his heart fill with warmth, and spent much time comforting her. Soon, Du Thirteen calmed, smiling through tears, tugging at his sleeve and giving countless reminders. Du Shiyi nodded to each, then summoned Zhuying to prepare luggage for tomorrow, and gave instructions to Tian Mo.

Meanwhile, Cui Jianxuan, full of satisfaction, brought his attendants forward. "Nineteen, let your sister ride my ox cart home; I’ve told them to take good care of her. The cart will stay at Dengfeng County Office, so if she needs it, just send someone. As long as my seventh uncle is there, he’ll look after her well. Our own luggage will come tomorrow."

"Thank you, Eleven!"

Though only a temporary parting, watching Du Thirteen leave with Zhuying and Tian Mo, surrounded by attendants, Du Shiyi felt an emptiness inside. In just a month or two, he had fully accepted his new identity, new life, and new family. Now, even if not for himself, for his sister’s future, he had to strive harder.

Cui Jianxuan originally planned to leave two servants to build a new cottage, but at Lu Wangzhi’s enthusiastic invitation, and thinking of the monthly examinations, he decided to ingratiate himself with the senior brother, and persuaded Du Shiyi to move into the cottage together. At that moment, while Cui Jianxuan was trying to get close to the senior brother, he noticed Du Shiyi had already settled in, seated cross-legged, paper in left hand, writing swiftly with his right—a clear fulfillment of his earlier promise. Curious, Cui Jianxuan peered over and saw he was writing out the Eight Methods of Needle Insertion.

"For needles, measure the patient’s age, form, suffering, and joy, and prepare the organs beforehand. Two or three days prior, administer a mild dispersing decoction to balance qi and blood. Draw fresh well water, place it on a stand; the patient sits upright facing the basin, the physician stands to the side, stirring the water, repeatedly pouring it over the eyes. When the coolness penetrates the brain, the lipid becomes more condensed and can be removed without bleeding. The tissue becomes numb, and pain is not felt. Then insert the needle, wielding it as a chisel in the wind, so the eyes are no longer stuck. In winter or for the elderly and weak, this method need not be used. The eight essential techniques for eye treatment: six are easy to teach, but two are subtle, requiring the practitioner’s keen mind and nimble hands; with time, mastery comes naturally. The eight methods: first, examine the opportunity. The patient, having washed the eyes with cold spring, sits upright, back against the wall, head steady..."

He became absorbed, and upon seeing several prescriptions, read them aloud: "Fangfeng Powder: Leonurus, Saposhnikovia, Platycodon, Schisandra, Anemarrhena—each two ounces; Black Ginseng, Rhubarb, Asarum, Mirabilite, Plantain, Scutellaria—each one ounce; grind to powder, take one coin’s worth with a bowl of water, boil to half, strain, and take warm after meals. Antelope Horn Decoction: Antelope horn three ounces, Anemarrhena, Asarum, Plantain, Ginseng, Scutellaria—each two ounces, Saposhnikovia two and a half; grind to powder, take one coin’s worth with a bowl of water, boil to half, take warm after supper... Is that all?"

When Lu Wangzhi took the two sheets, he could not help but take a deep breath, then looked at Du Shiyi with shining eyes. "Young brother, if Master Lu can regain his sight thanks to this, it will all be your merit! I’ll go at once to Songyang Temple to see Daoist Taichong. Everything in this cottage is yours to peruse—you need not feel constrained!"