Chapter 78 The Free School

Chapter 78 The Free School

Master Chen walked to the door and called out, "Bring me a pot of hot tea."

The servants outside the door hurriedly left.

Master Chen slowly took off his official hat, ignoring Du Min as if he didn't exist. He then tidied his official robes and waited for the tea to be served before pouring it for himself and drinking it.

Du Min stood calmly in place, his eyes lowered as he stared intently at the ground three inches in front of him, as if flowers were blooming on the paving stones.

With a "ding," the tea lid fell onto the cup. Du Min looked up and met the gaze of Master Chen.

"You'll help me get promoted?" Master Chen spoke up, a mocking smile on his face. "You overestimate yourself. You speak with such arrogance. What ability do you have to help me get promoted?"

Du Min was utterly disgusted. He had already bowed his head and begged for mercy, yet this despicable woman still wouldn't give up on suppressing and belittling him. He knew that Master Chen was dissatisfied with his attitude; he was used to seeing himself trembling with fear and groveling before him.

He refused.

“I’m not sure if I have the ability, but Magistrate Yin promised me the position of county magistrate, so it seems he thinks I have the ability. I’ll just take this chance and see if you, sir, dare to gamble.” Du Min said calmly, looking at Master Chen. “I’m willing to wait for the election and stop trying so hard to get an official position. I don’t want an official position or a salary; I’ll pay out of my own pocket to work for you. If I can help you get promoted, you win the gamble; if I’m useless, you lose the gamble but have nothing to lose.”

Master Chen was also thinking the same thing. Now, no matter how much he disliked Du Min's attitude, he couldn't bring himself to refuse. So he could only find fault and say, "Did you get turned away by Prefect Yin before you thought of coming to me? What do you take this place for? Or do you think I have no one else to use without you?"

"No, that's not it. A servant from Yin Mingfu suggested that we visit Yin Mingfu when we pass through Luoyang on our way back to our hometown, and become a minor official under him without any rank. I refused." Du Min lied without changing his expression. "I haven't forgotten your words. I have received many favors from you, but I haven't let you benefit from me. I feel guilty and want to do something for you to pay off my debt."

Master Chen's expression darkened. Du Min was right. He was famous for making paper funerary objects. With this reputation, it would not be difficult for him to find a job without rank or salary during the selection period. Prefect Yin of Luoyang was happy to take him in.

"Would you be willing to take me in? If not, I'll find another way. My brother and sister-in-law are already eager to go back," Du Min asked again.

Master Chen's expression softened. "What? Weren't you going to repay my kindness? Are you already looking for another way out?"

Du Min took the opportunity to back down, "So you're agreeing?"

"Tomorrow is a rest day, so wait two more days. When I'm on duty, I'll go and ask around to see if I can get you a minor official position in the Ministry of Rites. It won't have a rank, but you'll get a salary and be able to move around the Ministry of Rites regularly." Master Chen relented.

Du Min visibly breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

Master Chen got up and walked over. He patted Du Min twice and said, "I'll forgive you this time. But remember this time, don't eat my food and then try to peek over other people's walls."

Du Min lowered his head in shame. "I've got it."

"Alright, you can go back now. I'll send someone to inform you when things are looking up," said Master Chen.

Du Min turned to leave, but as soon as he stepped out the door, he was called back by Master Chen. "What did you just say? Your brother and sister-in-law are in a hurry to return to their hometown?"

"Yes, they accompanied me to Chang'an to take the imperial examination. Now that I have passed and achieved the Jinshi degree, they have achieved their goal and want to return to Wu County," Du Min replied.

Master Chen tapped his fingers, glanced at Du Min, and understood in his heart, "You can't keep your brother and sister-in-law here?"

Du Min nodded immediately, looking at Master Chen expectantly.

"What use are you to me? Do I have to solve this problem?" Master Chen scoffed. "Go back first, I'll go over there tomorrow."

Du Min let out a cheerful "Ah!" and this time he walked away with light steps.

As the footsteps faded into the distance, Master Chen scoffed dismissively, "He's just lucky, what skills does he have?"

*

Du Min returned to Anyifang and happened to meet Du Li returning from the ferry. The two went home together, where Meng Qing had already prepared dinner.

"You're back? Did you get it done?" Meng Qing asked Du Min.

Du Min nodded, "It's done. He plans to give me a temporary official position, allowing me to work in the Ministry of Rites."

"What is a 'flowing official'?" Du Li asked.

“I don’t know either.” Du Min sighed. “They say that there is no official rank but a salary, which is probably like a courier in an official post station. Without being appointed by the court, he is just a errand runner and a handyman, and his salary is paid by the official post station.”

“That’s good. Working in the Ministry of Rites will allow you to meet other officials, which is an opportunity,” Meng Qing said.

Du Min nodded. "It's a piece of good news amidst the bad news. By the way, I've already let them know you're going back to your hometown. He's coming over tomorrow."

“I actually found out at the ferry that there are merchant ships going to Wu County. They’ll be departing in a couple of days,” Du Li said. “I also found out that the fare is fifty guan per person, and if you don’t cook for yourself, you’ll have to pay an extra twenty guan for food.”

"Why are you asking so many questions? Do you really want to go back to Wu County? Don't leave me behind!" Du Min stood up, his voice trembling with emotion.

Wang Zhou was so frightened by him that he almost dropped the bowl.

"What's wrong with you? Sit down." Du Li frowned. "If you really wanted to leave, would I be bringing this up in front of you?"

"You might be deliberately trying to lower my guard," Du Min thought, becoming suspicious.

“Yes, we’ll leave after you fall asleep. Don’t sleep tonight, sit outside our door and keep watch,” Meng Qing said.

Du Min remained silent.

Meng Qing put a piece of fish on Wang Zhou's plate and said deliberately, "The fish in Chang'an is really hard to eat. The fish meat is too thick. Every time I eat fish, I miss the fish from Wu County."

“It’s the season for sea bass and water spinach. You like sea bass, and Wangzhou likes it too,” Du Li continued. “Wangzhou, do you still remember what sea bass tastes like?”

Wang Zhou nodded.

"You really remember?" Du Li asked in surprise.

“I remember eating fish soup,” Wang Zhou said clearly. “I also remember my grandparents and uncle, a river with many boats on it, and a bridge with many people on it.”

"I'm not eating anymore," Du Min said, putting down his bowl.

Apart from Wang Zhou, the other two did not react to these words. Du Li even took away his bowl and said, "If you're not going to eat, throw the rice away and feed it to the geese, and then scoop a ladle of wheat to feed them."

"You're just trying to annoy me." Du Min gritted his teeth as he picked up his bowl and started eating.

Du Li and Meng Qing exchanged a glance and smiled at each other. Du Min saw this and yelled, "You two did this on purpose!"

Wang Zhou couldn't understand it, and he found it too noisy, so he asked his father to put some food on his plate and he would take it out to eat.

Du Min: "...He's angry with me too?"

"Don't go looking for trouble, don't ask for a beating," Du Li warned him. "With your build, you wouldn't stand a chance if I beat you up."

Du Min shut up.

"Eat more meat and get your body back in shape. If the official who appointed you as the third-ranked scholar saw you like this, he'd probably regret it to death," Meng Qing said, then laughed at herself.

Du Min smiled and said, "Okay, I'll eat more."

After dinner, night fell, and the group sat in the courtyard chatting. When Wangzhou got sleepy, they all went back to their rooms to sleep.

*

The next day.

At the end of Chen Shi (7-9 AM), Master Chen arrived at Anyi Lane with his steward. When the two arrived, Du Li was drying winter clothes in the courtyard, while Meng Qing sat under the eaves accompanying Wang Zhou as he painted. No matter how haphazardly Wang Zhou painted, she had the ability to string together the chaotic lines to create various things.

Wang Zhou cried out in surprise. He then scribbled another mess and said, "Mother, it's your turn. Hurry up and draw."

“You draw it yourself, I’ll keep Lord Chen company.” Meng Qing went to wash her hands, then brought out a pot of hot tea from the kitchen. “I heard from Du Min yesterday that you were coming today, so I started brewing the tea early this morning.”

"Tea becomes bitter if it's boiled for too long, I don't like it, there's no need to brew tea." Master Chen glanced at the crowded courtyard. Standing there, he could smell the winter clothes drying in the sun, the smell of goose feathers and goose droppings, and the fumes from the kitchen, which were really unpleasant.

“Almost all the students who failed the exam have left Chang’an, and the rented courtyards are all empty. I’ll have someone find a bigger house for you. You can pack your things and move there in a couple of days,” said Master Chen.

Meng Qing sighed, "No need. You know we're planning to go back to our hometown. We've already arranged a boat; a merchant ship will depart for Wu County the day after tomorrow."

“Last year I persuaded you to come to Chang’an. At that time, I asked you if you planned to work in the Meng family’s paper horse shop in hiding for the rest of your life, and whether you wanted to become famous and let the world know about your craft, Meng Qing. You didn’t answer me, but you came to Chang’an with me. I thought you had figured it out,” said Master Chen.

“No, the main reason I was willing to travel thousands of miles to Chang’an with my family was for Du Min.” Meng Qing shook her head and pondered for a moment before saying, “He kept saying that he was able to pass the imperial examination thanks to me, and I thought so too before, especially since I used my skills to find him a job as a county magistrate. I firmly believed that he deserved 70% of the credit for passing the imperial examination. But in the end, the job was rejected because it did not meet the requirements for official appointment. I immediately understood that he was able to become a Jinshi because of his own abilities. The imperial court has its own rules and regulations, and it would not lower the threshold for unorthodox methods.”

Master Chen choked up—was it all Du Min's doing? Does this erase his contribution as well?

Du Min felt a release from his frustration, and his breathing became much easier.

Not knowing how to respond, Master Chen changed the subject, saying, "Pour me a bowl of tea."

Du Min quickly got to work, brewing a bowl of bitter tea that was even yellower than urine and handing it over.

Master Chen glanced at it a few times, but ultimately didn't drink it. He handed it to Steward Chen instead. Was this old man mute today?

"How could he not have made any contributions? The reason I kept Du Min to work for me was because I saw the potential value in the paper effigies." Master Chen finally admitted it himself. "Chang'an will never lack talented people. Du Min was able to stay by my side to work after offending me. Do you think I'm short of people to serve? Didn't he tell you that he swore he could help me get promoted? What did he rely on? Wasn't it the paper effigies that gave his pen a chance to shine?"

Meng Qing didn't answer the question. Instead, she leaned forward and asked, "Sir, you've recognized the benefits of paper effigies for your promotion today. Was your promotion of Du Min in previous years also for this purpose?"

Master Chen suddenly stood up and shouted angrily, "How dare you!"

Du Min was startled. He glanced at Meng Qing. She had never discussed with him how to negotiate with Master Chen. He never expected that she would expose this matter.

"I was just asking casually, why are you so angry?" Meng Qing straightened up and said seriously, "Whether you did it for that purpose or not, Du Min really benefited, so you are still kind to him."

Master Chen, his breathing unsteady, forced a smile and denied it, saying, "I have no such purpose. What's so special about paper effigies? What benefit could they bring me?"

"Isn't it something that can get you promoted?" Du Li interjected. "You said it yourself. You kept Du Min because you valued paper effigies, and it was paper effigies that gave his writing skills a purpose."

Master Chen was annoyed. He glanced at Du Li and said, "Fine, fine, you want to force me to admit that I used him? Tell me, what benefit did I get from using him?"

Even now, he still stubbornly refuses to admit that his promotion of Du Min was for ulterior motives. Meng Qing has seen through him; he insists on maintaining the facade of a benefactor. And rightly so, having shown favor makes it easier to suppress someone without restraint.

“You misunderstand, I just had this doubt.” Meng Qing immediately changed her tune. She said, puzzled, “I think that if someone with no blood relation is unusually kind to another person for no reason, there must be an ulterior motive. I came to Chang’an because of what you said, but I’ve been here for half a year and I haven’t seen you ask me to do anything. So my suspicions have wavered. Now that you’ve denied it, I’ll stop thinking about it. It seems I have a businessman’s eye, I’m greedy and forget about righteousness, and I’ve misjudged you. You are a truly righteous person.”

Master Chen was caught in a dilemma by her sarcastic remarks. He was so angry that he felt suffocated, but he couldn't say a word. He had been in officialdom for one or two decades and had a reputation and status. If it weren't for his reputation, why would he have used Du Min's name to act and let this ungrateful wretch take advantage of him?

“We’ve known each other for four years. Du Jinshi was recommended by my master to enter the prefectural school. As the saying goes, if you’re going to be a good person, you should be a good person to the end. My master was just thinking of taking advantage of the situation. He didn’t have any ulterior motives.” Steward Chen interjected, giving Meng Qing a reproachful glare. “It’s really hard to be a good person. I did a good deed and you all became suspicious of me.”

Meng Qing didn't respond to that. She looked at Du Min and said, "It's your own business if you want to repay the favor. I've done more than enough by seeing you off. Don't drag me into this anymore. Your second brother and I should go back now."

"If you leave, will Master Chen still take me in?" Du Min looked at Master Chen for help.

"What are you going back to Wu County for?" Master Chen sat down again. "What I said last year was true; I can make you famous in Chang'an."

Meng Qing shook his head. "Lord Chen, don't blame me for not believing you. I landed in Chang'an at the end of November last year, and today is April 28th. It's been a full six months. You said you wanted me to make a name for myself, but you haven't taken any action."

Master Chen looked embarrassed and somewhat awkward.

"What are your plans next?" Meng Qing pressed. "How can I make a name for myself? Will you help me find business?"

Master Chen would never do such a thing. He looked down on people from humble backgrounds, and he was too ashamed to try to do business with noble families. Besides, when the emperor went on his southern tour, most officials had been taken to Luoyang, making a grand funeral in Chang'an a rare occurrence.

“See? You have no plans at all, leaving me stuck here day after day. It’s really making my life miserable. Everything is expensive in Chang’an. We have to buy everything from firewood and rice to oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea. We’ve had considerable expenses every day for the past six months, and the money we brought with us isn’t enough to support us.” Meng Qing looked at the child sitting in Du Li’s lap, listening attentively to their conversation, and continued, “My child is growing up day by day. In two more years, he should be starting his formal education. I need to make plans for him.”

Master Chen understood: he was short of money and wanted money.

“I’ll have someone move you to a more spacious house. You can continue making paper effigies to earn money, and I’ll have Du Min bring you business,” he said.

Meng Qing shook his head. "I don't do business. I'm not a merchant. Does Chang'an allow farmers to engage in commerce?"

“That’s easy. Just change the name. For example, if I want to buy paper funerary objects, I’ll give you some money to buy the materials and make them for me. I’ll give you a reward after you’ve done it.” Master Chen thought it was no big deal. He promised, “With me protecting you, no minor officials will bother you.”

Meng Qing thought this was too unreliable.

“But I’m alone, and it’s impossible for me to make a whole set of paper offerings during the funeral. Making them on the spot is not practical.” She shook her head again.

Master Chen grew impatient. "Nothing works out of the way. You expect me to solve everything for you. What am I supposed to do with you? Du Min? Is this what you call repaying a debt of gratitude?"

“My lord, you are the one who wants to use paper offerings to get promoted,” Meng Qing reminded him. “Let me put it this way, even if you didn’t have any ulterior motives in using Du Min before, he’s using paper offerings to help you get promoted for your own sake, right? The grudge between you two has nothing to do with me. I don’t owe you any favors. I’m staying here purely for your sake. If you don’t settle these matters for me, I won’t get any benefits. Why should I stay? I have no sense of righteousness and don’t want to be a good person.”

"You think you can just leave whenever you want?" Master Chen bared his fangs.

"So you've finally shown your true colors?" Meng Qing was not afraid. "I can't leave Chang'an, but my hand is still in my body. Can you cut off my hand to make me work?"

"Lord Chen, what do you want to do?" Du Min asked.

Du Li stood up and went to bolt the gate.

Butler Chen tensed up, "What are you going to do?"

“We’re barefoot, sir, don’t push us too far,” Meng Qing said.

"Good, good, good, you've done a great job." Master Chen clapped his hands. "Sit down, all of you. Let's have a proper talk. I'll say it first: don't even think about going back to your hometowns. I'm not going to let you go. Think about it, what conditions would it take for you to be willing to work for me?"

"Are we in a cooperative relationship?" Meng Qing first clarified the relationship.

Master Chen remained silent for a moment. A cooperative relationship? With her?

“I didn’t beg to stay in Chang’an,” Meng Qing said.

"Alright, a cooperative relationship." Master Chen nodded. "Anything else?"

"Can you help me solve the manpower problem?"

Master Chen thought of the craftsmen of the Imperial Household Department, but there weren't many craftsmen left. Most of them had been sent to Luoyang to oversee the construction of the Daming Palace. The remaining ones were all tough guys, and they probably wouldn't be willing to lower themselves to learn the craft before paper-made funerary objects became famous.

"How about I find you a group of apprentices?" he asked.

"You want me to teach them one by one?" Meng Qing was unwilling. "If another bunch of apprentices come, making such a big commotion, are you sure I won't be classified as a merchant because of this?"

"So troublesome?" Master Chen sighed, looking at Du Min. "Do you have any ideas?"

Du Min was almost certain of Meng Qing's purpose: she wanted to use Master Chen's help to open a private school.

“I do have an idea, but I don’t know if it’s feasible. Before I went to study in the prefectural capital, I studied in a private school. Private schools can open their doors and accept students, and they are not considered merchants. Could my second sister-in-law use the shell of a private school to do business? Firstly, having a private school can prevent her from being classified as a lowly person, and secondly, it would give her the pretext of taking on apprentices,” Du Min said.

Meng Qing suppressed her joy, forcing a smile, and said in feigned surprise, "That's a good idea, but I don't know if it will work."

The question then returned to Master Chen, who found the method quite novel. "I've never heard of such a private school before, but I don't think there will be any major problems."

“A private school can accept students, but can it sell paper effigies and funerary objects?” Du Li quickly raised his long-standing concern, “After all, a private school that teaches people to read should not be involved in buying and selling.”

Master Chen was stumped. "I'll ask around later."

“Just change the name. When you’re trading, don’t say it’s buying and selling. If you want to get the paper effigies, you have to donate a few strings of cash to my private school,” Meng Qing said. “It’s like a Buddhist temple’s ritual for the deceased. We don’t charge money, but you have to donate incense money.”

"This is acceptable, feasible, feasible." Master Chen's eyes lit up.

“If that’s what you’re saying, we could open a free school and take on students. That would give us even more reason to accept donations, and we could also gain a good reputation,” Du Min suggested.

"Isn't it easier to set up a free school than a private school?" Meng Qing asked Master Chen.

Master Chen nodded, “I have never seen a woman run a private school, especially not one that teaches academic subjects. The name of a charity school is more suitable. You can take on students without charging them money, and no one will care about your status.”

"Can you resolve this matter?" Meng Qing asked.

“Yes,” Master Chen replied affirmatively. “I’ve taken care of the matter of setting up the free school for you. From now on, you won’t be hindered by your social status when doing business. Shouldn’t you thank me?”

“We’re partners, this is what you should do, why thank me? If you get promoted in the future, will you thank me?” Meng Qing couldn’t stand him anymore.

"Cooperate with me? You dare to ask? Who am I? And who are you?" Master Chen said.

“No matter who I am, it is you who needs my help.” Meng Qing reminded him again, “You are not the only one who can do things for me, but I am the only one who can solve your problems.”

Master Chen's face darkened. He loathed Meng Qing's attitude; she lacked respect for hierarchy and acted arrogantly in front of him, taking advantage of his favor. He finally understood that Du Min's change was probably influenced by her—someone with a bit of ability had become arrogant.

"I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now." Master Chen's expression instantly turned cold. He pointed at Du Min and Steward Chen, "You two will be responsible for the handover from now on."

Du Min thought for a moment, then got up to see him off.

Steward Chen chased after him, saying as he left, "I'll take the master back first and then come back."

After a while, Du Min returned. He sat back down, exhausted. "Second sister-in-law, you really have guts. You actually dared to expose his disguise. I had the urge to do it before, but I didn't dare to say it."

“You can’t say that he’s your mentor, benefactor, and superior, yet he looks down on you and expects you to respect and worship him. If you tear off his mask, the two of you will become complete enemies. He looks down on you, but he looks down on me even more. My status is lowly, and my ability to fathom his thoughts is like an ant watching a hedgehog. He doesn’t fear me, and I can’t influence him. Once he’s had his fill of anger, he won’t take me seriously anymore,” Meng Qing analyzed to him.

"So he's still wary of me?" Du Min asked.

“It’s not fear. He treats you as his henchman and follower. He has certain standards for his image in front of you, but once you tear that image down, he has no more scruples,” Meng Qing said. “I don’t want to be humble and ingratiating in front of him anymore, nor do I want to be indebted to him for taking care of me in the future, so I might as well be frank. Besides, after today’s argument, he will definitely restrain himself in front of you in the future, and he probably won’t be able to claim with such confidence that he does good deeds without expecting anything in return.”

Du Min looked away and said jokingly, "Second sister-in-law, if you keep talking, I'm going to cry."

Meng Qing peeked over and thought, "Maybe she's already crying."

"No, I didn't." Du Min pushed her away.

Meng Qing patted his shoulder. "Third brother, I've found a way out through his connections. Now it's up to you. Try to use his connections to get a position higher than a county magistrate. Master Chen isn't scary. He's concerned about his image, arrogant, and looks down on you. If you think about it carefully, he's easy to deal with, much easier than your father. Remember, don't go against him. You should use him to your advantage."