Chapter Fifty-One: The Tide of Hearts

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PS: This is the second update of the day... By the way, there's a pinning function for the bookshelf—if you like this book, feel free to pin it! Still asking for recommendation votes, thank you everyone.

Inside the thatched cottage, Wu Jiu watched as Du Shiyi casually flipped through the thick account books, his heart both anxious and uneasy, fearing that he might discover some mistake within them. Only after a long while did he see Du Shiyi finally look up, close the last ledger, and say to Du Shisanniang, "So, in these last three months, excluding necessary expenses, the profit amounts to two hundred strings of cash?"

"Yes, brother. Because it was just the New Year season, the profits going forward likely won’t be as good."

"Very well." Du Shiyi nodded thoughtfully toward Wu Jiu. "Here’s what you’ll do: I’ve already had Tian Mo send word to Magistrate Cui. From these earnings, you are to deliver one hundred strings to the county office for Magistrate Cui, explaining that this sum is to repay the principal lent by Cui Eleventh-Lang, and ask him to send it back to the Cui household in Yongfeng Ward, Eastern Capital. The remaining one hundred strings, find a way to exchange them for gold. There are three months left on the lease. For any further profits, send half to Magistrate Cui as before, as interest for Cui Eleventh-Lang’s loan."

Wu Jiu, having served in the county office for many years, was always quick to catch news. Lately, there had been some rumors in Dengfeng County, so he couldn’t help but cautiously probe, "Sir, I hear His Majesty has summoned Lord Lu. Is it true?"

"Indeed. But Master Lu is still recovering from a serious illness and needs some time to recuperate. When the time comes, I too will travel to the Eastern Capital." Noticing Du Shisanniang’s surprise, Du Shiyi smiled. "Thirteen, I’ve already obtained Master Lu’s permission to bring you with me when I depart. If all goes well, we’ll return to Guanzhong to visit our home. It’s been over a year since we left—I can scarcely remember what our house in Fanchuan looks like anymore."

"Ah!" Du Shisanniang was overjoyed, and Wu Jiu was likewise astonished. He quickly realized that Du Shiyi’s need for gold was to cover expenses in Luoyang, and his feelings were complicated. Previously, Du Shiyi had helped him pay off a debt that nearly drove him to ruin—how could he not be grateful? Yet, having gone from a free man to a servant, he inevitably felt ill at ease. What’s more, business at the tavern was now flourishing, but the profits no longer concerned him. By contrast, he had poured so much into those five hundred pigs, only to end up with nothing for all his hard work. While he was lowering his head in frustration, his ears suddenly caught another sentence.

"For the next three months’ revenue, after sending half to Magistrate Cui, the other half shall be yours." Seeing Wu Jiu’s head snap up in disbelief, Du Shiyi smiled. "You’ve already invested much and learned your lesson; this money is what you deserve. When I depart for the Eastern Capital, I’ll give you a deed of manumission at the county office—then you’ll be a free man again."

If at first he could scarcely believe it, upon hearing the words "deed of manumission," Wu Jiu felt as though he were dreaming. In households of modest means, it was common to keep one or two servants for life; he had hardly ever heard of anyone setting their servants free. After signing his contract, he’d given up hope of ever being released. Swallowing hard, seeing that Du Shiyi was not joking, Wu Jiu’s heart burned with emotion. He dropped to his knees and kowtowed several times.

"Sir, your kindness is beyond repaying... Though I am a rough man, I know the meaning of loyalty and righteousness. I will do my utmost to serve you all my life, and would never dare ask for my freedom."

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"As you wish," Du Shiyi replied indifferently, waving his hand. "Think it over yourself. If you miss this chance and ask for your freedom later, I may not agree. That’s all for now—you may go."

After Wu Jiu bowed again and took his leave, Du Shisanniang couldn’t help but ask, "Brother, why let him go?"

"It’s better to have no servant at all than to keep one who is half-hearted. Let him come to his own decision." Seeing Du Shisanniang frowning in thought, Du Shiyi, as he often did in the past, reached out to gently smooth her brow. "You needn’t trouble yourself over such matters. Though Master Lu has agreed to answer the imperial summons, he’ll likely delay until the end of the year or even next year. Instead of worrying, why not think about what you’d like to eat? Spring is here, time for sowing. When Tian Mo came to the cottage a few days ago, he said he wanted to open up more land—not only for vegetables, but even to plant some wheat."

Seeing Du Shisanniang nod and immediately call for Zhuying to go out with her, Du Shiyi headed for the east room, lying down on the bamboo bed where he’d once been bedridden. One hand idly spun a brass weight, the other caressed the bed’s smooth, timeworn edge, and before his eyes replayed scenes of his helpless struggle from the past.

More than a year had passed in a flash. With each task he accomplished, his understanding of this world grew deeper—and he was no longer the Du Nineteenth-Lang of old!

When Li Linfu arrived three days later, as promised, with his attendants and learned that Lu Hong was not yet recovered and that, with so many disciples at the cottage, departure could not yet be set, though he had prepared a memorial to be forwarded, he was somewhat displeased. But recalling that previous officials sent with the imperial summons had failed in their missions, he decided it was best to acquiesce. After all, if Lu Hong refused again and he returned empty-handed, he’d surely be slandered by his peers. Better to report the facts as they stood—the emperor’s displeasure would then not be his to bear.

After all, Lu Hong was a renowned scholar—he would not go back on his word.

Once Li Linfu departed, the other students, far from home, recovered from their initial excitement over the imperial summons. If Lu Hong entered government, where would they find such a learned and impartial teacher? Thus, when Lu Hong lectured in the cottage that day, someone could not help but blurt out after class:

"Can’t Master Lu refuse the summons?"

This question sparked a chorus of agreement, but others rebuked, "The emperor’s command can’t simply be declined! Our studies are important, but we mustn’t make things difficult for Master Lu!"

This drew further assent. Seeing the discussion grow heated, Lu Hong raised his hand for silence, then smiled gently. "I am still weak and will not leave for the Eastern Capital until year’s end or later. Even then, I’ll return in a few months to teach once more, so you needn’t worry."

A cheer rose from the students. Lu Hong continued with a smile, "To govern a state and bring peace to the world is beyond me. But if some of you become men of great talent, able to assist the emperor and govern well, that will satisfy me as your teacher."

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When the resounding chorus of assent finally faded, he went on, "Precisely because the sea of learning has no shore, I have yet to grasp its true essence. None of you should slacken. From this day on, the cottage will regularly hold question-and-answer sessions, where we shall all, teacher and students alike, test our understanding and improve together!"

"Thank you, Master Lu, for your guidance!"

Though the imperial edict had sparked much debate at the cottage, Lu Hong’s announcement that he would answer the summons but not depart until his health was restored, and his encouragement for all to devote themselves to their studies, quickly fostered a scholarly spirit throughout. Every five days, the students wrote down their recent questions, which were then discussed together—anyone could answer, and mistakes were not criticized. Thus, what was meant to be two hours of questions often stretched to three or four, sometimes from dawn till dusk, or even through the night. Everyone benefited greatly and took ever more joy in learning.

Spring came swiftly. In March, messages arrived in turn from Cui Jianxuan and Pei Ning. Cui Jianxuan wrote briefly to say his grandmother’s illness was grave and he would not be able to return soon; Pei Ning, usually cold and proud, was likewise caught up in trouble—his brother had arranged a marriage for him, but his fiancée’s family had encountered difficulties, keeping him in Luoyang and unable to return, for which he apologized profusely. In both cases, the frustration of being unable to come back was clear from their writing.

Though Du Shiyi missed his sharp-tongued but reliable friend and his stern yet helpful third senior brother, he gradually grew accustomed to a life so full it was almost overwhelming. Copying books, attending lectures, answering questions, practicing the lute, studying music theory, riding, brass weight exercises, climbing with his fourth senior brother, visiting Du Shisanniang—he wished he could split himself in two to make use of every hour. Yet, precisely because of this, he could clearly sense he was undergoing the greatest transformation of his life.

One day at the end of the month, needing to purchase charcoal and rice for the cottage, he set off with Lu Wangzhi and two of the Cui household’s servants for Dengfeng County town. As they entered along Songyang Street, not yet reaching the market, they heard the thunder of hooves behind them and a loud proclamation:

"An imperial edict! General amnesty for all under heaven!"

On hearing this, Du Shiyi exchanged a glance with Lu Wangzhi. Knowing that the county office’s bulletin board would surely display the edict, they turned aside to see. Sure enough, a crowd had gathered. After the scribe posted the announcement, he read aloud:

"By imperial command—a general amnesty for all criminals, except those guilty of treason and great rebellion; all taxes and corvée labor for Henan Prefecture are remitted for one year; in the regions of Henan and Hebei affected by last year’s floods and locusts, the land tax for this year is also waived; all local governments are to seek out the descendants of officials from the Wude and Zhenguan eras who hold no office, and recommend them to the court; those recluses of the mountains and forests renowned for virtue but unwilling to serve, the governors are to recommend by memorial!"

The government clerk’s straightforward explanation of the paired prose of the edict made it instantly understood by all. Cries of joy erupted like thunder all around.

Du Shiyi recalled what Gongsun Daniu had said about the lack of tax relief after the great locust plague two years ago, likely due to Yao Chong’s private interests. Though the tax relief and labor exemption came late, it was, at last, rain after a long drought. He could not help but sigh inwardly: Harsh governance is fiercer than a tiger, but benevolent rule wins the hearts of the people—this edict would save countless lives!