Mo Sang – CH 202

Chapter 202. A Way Out

Zhou Shen’an carried about ten jin of rice on his back and a two- or three-jin piece of fatty meat in his other hand as he entered the back street of the prefectural school.

“Teacher’s wife!” Standing at the decent-looking courtyard gate, Zhou Shen’an called out loudly.

“Ah.” From the remaining half of the side room, a thin old woman, leaning against the wall, slowly emerged. “It’s Second Master Zhou. What are you doing? Why are you bringing things again? There are still some cakes from yesterday; we have not finished them.”

“Is the teacher feeling any better?” Zhou Shen’an handed the piece of fatty meat to the old woman, took the bag of rice, looked around, kicked a small stool against the wall, and placed the rice down.

“It’s Second Master. You’ve brought things again. You brought some yesterday.” At the far end of the side room, a broken bamboo couch was propped up by an elderly man in his fifties.

“Are you feeling any better, Teacher? I just passed by Physician Ying’s house and saw he’d set up a tent and was seeing patients. I told him to come over when he has time to check your pulse and prescribe some medicine; that should make you better.” Zhou Shen’an squatted down in front of the broken bamboo couch.

The broken bamboo couch was supported by a few bricks and looked shaky. The old man moved slightly, and the couch swayed again. Zhou Shen’an instinctively reached out to steady it, preventing it from collapsing.

“Where did you get the money? From your home? Is that Second Master Zhou? My eyesight is not very good, but I recognize your voice.” The old man shifted his seat and strained to see.

“It’s Second Master! Second Master also brought a piece of meat, weighing two or three jin, and rice—a whole bag of rice!

Second Master, where did you get the money?” The old woman, holding the meat and looking at the rice, suddenly seemed much more energetic.

“I found a job; it pays quite well.” Zhou Shen’an stood up, reaching under his tattered long robe to untie a large string of copper coins. “This is half a string of coins, Master’s wife; take it, use it to buy groceries and firewood.

As for Physician Ying, I’ve already spoken to him about the consultation fee and medicine cost; I will settle it with him later. You do not need to worry about it.”

“Where did you get the money?” The old lady took the half string of coins, her body slumping slightly under the weight, even more surprised.

“Second Master! Where did you get the money? What have you been doing? You cannot…” The old gentleman sitting on the broken bamboo couch was anxious.

“Do not worry, Teacher and Teacher’s wife; please put the money away first.

“There’s a wealthy family near the east gate; they own more than a dozen houses in Yangzhou. They’ve come up with the money to rebuild their houses, and they are looking for someone to draw up the plans, the layout of the pavilions and terraces.

“I went and agreed, drew up several houses, and luckily, they liked one of them all, so I got some money,” Zhou Shen’an hurriedly explained.

“You silly child, why do you still waste your energy on these useless things? You are not stupid. If you put that same effort into your writing, you would have already…” The old gentleman became anxious upon hearing this.

“Do not worry, Teacher, I’ve put it into my writing; I really have. These are extraordinary times; we need to eat our fill before we can study,” Zhou Shen’an quickly said with a smile.

“Old man, what time is it? We are starving! Sigh, and you are still nagging about these useless things.” The old lady looked around and stuffed the half-string of coins under the old gentleman’s pillow.

“Once you’ve earned enough to eat, do not get distracted anymore. Focus all your energy on your writing.

Our Yangzhou city has suffered such a calamity; those who survive are destined for good fortune.

This year might see a special imperial examination, a year of major examinations. Even without the special examination, Yangzhou will surely recruit many more people; it is customary.

You must seize this opportunity to study diligently. If you pass the autumn examination, you will at least be an official. Even if you fail the spring examinations repeatedly, that’s still…”

The old gentleman grabbed Zhou Shen’an, urgently instructing him.

“I understand, Teacher; do not worry. I understand. I’ve remembered everything. Please rest and recover. Have Teacher’s wife make some rice porridge for you to nourish yourself. Get well soon.

Our Yangzhou city is quite lively now. Grain shops and meat markets are all open, and all the shops are open too.

Just now, when I was buying rice, the rice shopkeeper, Manager Hong, asked me how Teacher was doing and when his school would open. He said his eldest son asked him this morning since he wanted to come to school.

Manager Hong also said that if your school is still open, he will send the tuition fees over first.

You get well soon, and I will find a few people to clear the schoolyard and set up a shed so you can open the school.”

Zhou Shen’an smiled and changed the subject.

“Thanks to Second Master, when your younger brother Qun comes back…” The old lady wiped away her tears.

“Do not mention him! Do not mention that bastard. How could he possibly come back alive? Look at this battle, this battle…” Tears streamed down the old man’s face. “These dead people, they are not even human! Do not mention it.”

“I will not mention it, I will not mention it.” The old woman turned away, forcing back her sobs.

“Qun’er will definitely come back safe and sound. If he does not, I will take care of you and your wife until the end. Before he passed away, he entrusted everything to me. Do not cry, Teacher’s wife, and take care of yourself, Teacher.

The landlord at the East Gate is busy, so I will not keep you company any longer.

Just use this money, Teacher’s wife; do not be stingy. Do not skimp on the rice either; eat as much as you need.

There are vendors selling vegetables and firewood at the little market on the corner. Go buy some, Teacher’s wife. I will be going now; I will come back tomorrow.”

Zhou Shen’an stood up as he spoke.

“Is everything settled at home? Is your mother alright?” The old man reached out and took Zhou Shen’an’s hand, asking.

“All is well, Teacher; do not worry. Get well soon, Teacher, and get the school open as soon as possible. Once it is open, everything will be fine.” Zhou Shen’an stood up, bent down to tuck the old man’s blanket in, bid farewell to his teacher’s wife, and hurried away.

He had to get to that house inside the East Gate as quickly as possible.

The wealthy landlady had told him yesterday to be there on time today; he could not be late.

Zhou Shen’an rushed to Li Sangrou’s house inside the East Gate, stood by the gate, glanced sideways at the large water clock placed against the doorframe, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Not late, just a quarter of an hour early, perfect.

Zhou Shen’an adjusted his tattered turban, tightened his belt, and tidied himself from head to toe before climbing the steps and entering the courtyard.

It was still early; the two long benches inside the courtyard were empty.

On the threshold of the second gate sat the sullen man who always seemed to be calling out to people, picking his teeth with some kind of stick.

Seeing Zhou Shen’an enter, Datou quickly turned and called into the courtyard, “Boss, that scholar surnamed Zhou is here.”

“Please let him in.” Li Sangrou’s voice came from inside the courtyard.

“Master Zhou, please come in.”

Hearing the word “please,” Datou immediately became polite, jumping down from the threshold and bowing to let Zhou Shen’an in.

“I dare not accept such praise.” Zhou Shen’an quickly bowed to Datou, carefully stepping aside to pass him.

He could tell from this group that they were wealthy; they were definitely not ordinary rich merchants.

Their courtyard was filled with weapons!

“Please sit, sir.” Li Sangrou stood up from a chair on the veranda, cupped her hands in a respectful gesture to Zhou Shen’an, and smiled as she offered him a seat.

“No, no!” Zhou Shen’an quickly returned the bow, awkwardly taking a seat next to Li Sangrou.

“In the past two or three days, I’ve received a total of sixteen house plans.” Li Sangrou went straight to the point, taking a large roll of drawings from Mazha as she spoke.

“Of the sixteen, only one is yours—this one.” Li Sangrou pulled out the top drawing, rolled it up, and placed it aside. Pointing to the remaining fifteen drawings, she smiled and said, “Please take a look at these fifteen drawings for me. What do you think of the layout of these houses and gardens? Which are clever, which are not so good? Just tell me.”

Zhou Shen’an became uneasy. “Master, these are all…”

“I’ve covered up the names on the drawings. Just look at the drawings, just talk about the drawings. Do not worry about who drew them,” Li Sangrou interrupted Zhou Shen’an, smiling.

Zhou Shen’an hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, “Alright.”

Taking the thick roll of blueprints, Zhou Shen’an stood up, spread the blueprints on the long table, weighed them down with paperweights, and bent over to carefully examine the top drawing.

Li Sangrou picked up her tea and sipped it, waiting for him to finish.

“I remember going to see this site before, with that Master Ma.

This plot of land is rather long and narrow, especially the middle section, which is only two and a half rooms wide. This drawing still arranges the east and west wings, which is correct, but after construction, the central courtyard will be too cramped, creating a feeling of oppression, and it is not good feng shui either.

This section that juts out to the side, this section, turning the back wall into a screen wall, I think it is excellent; the interplay of reality and illusion is extremely clever.”

After carefully examining it, Zhou Shen’an pointed to the first drawing and commented.

“Hmm, do you have any ideas about the courtyard in the middle?” Li Sangrou did not stand up but leaned back in her chair, looking at Zhou Shen’an as she asked.

“How about making the west wing half-room, giving up half for the courtyard? That way, from the outside, it is just a high wall, and from the courtyard, you cannot tell that the west wing is only half a room.

This west wing could be turned into a study, with bookshelves lining the back wall—it would be an elegant place.”

Zhou Shen’an thought carefully and smiled.

“Hmm,” Li Sangrou smiled, only giving a brief “hmm.”

Zhou Shen’an rolled up the first drawing and began looking at the second.

After commenting on each drawing, it was almost noon.

“Master Zhou is indeed extremely skilled in designing residences and gardens.” Li Sangrou smiled as Zhou Shen’an rolled up the last drawing.

Zhou Shen’an was momentarily stunned.

“I’ve inquired about you,” Li Sangrou explained with a smile, then looked at Zhou Shen’an and asked, “Sir, you passed the preliminary examination long ago. Are you planning to take it this autumn?”

“I have to take it,” Zhou Shen’an replied with a wry smile. “I took the preliminary examination when I was sixteen, and since then, until now, in my early thirties, I’ve failed repeatedly. I have limited talent in reading and writing, but I still have to try.”

“Sir, have you been living off the stipends from the prefectural school for the past ten years?” Li Sangrou asked, sizing up Zhou Shen’an.

“Yes,” Zhou Shen’an answered somewhat embarrassedly.

“I have a job here. Why not take it, sir?” Li Sangrou smiled, pointing to a large roll of blueprints. “Have them revise these blueprints as you just mentioned. Besides, I had some houses that I would entrust to you. You would oversee the construction of the buildings and gardens, and I would also ask you to supervise the work and make adjustments as needed.”

Zhou Shen’an was taken aback. “The master has more houses? How many houses does the master own in total?”

“Quite a few. I have not counted, but it seems like all the houses in half of Yangzhou are mine,” Li Sangrou said slowly.

Zhou Shen’an’s eyes widened. “You?”

“I have many properties to manage, and I do not have time to spend on these houses all the time. But I do not want them to be a mess, ugly and unsightly.

Yangzhou is such a beautiful place, with its Twenty-Four Bridges under the bright moon. I hope my houses, if not adding to the beauty of Yangzhou, will at least be pleasing to the eye.

So, before building, I had someone design and draw up plans. But designing houses and gardens is extremely complex; not everyone can do it well.

After looking at them these past few days, I am most satisfied with the house designed by the gentleman.

Therefore, I want to hand over all the houses in this half of the city to the gentleman for his overall management.

However, the regulations for these residences and gardens should not be handled by one person alone. It would be best to allocate these residences to others first, let them observe the arrangements, and then let the master make the final decision. That way, everyone can have a living,” Li Sangrou said with a smile.

“That would take many years…” Zhou Shen’an was a little flustered; he really had not expected this.

“No rush; build slowly, repair slowly, three to five years, ten to eight years, it is all fine,” Li Sangrou said with a smile. “We are not in a hurry; we will not compete with those who are eager to build their residences for craftsmen.”

“Master,”

“They all call me the boss. If you are willing to take on the project, I will have Da Chang talk to you about the details and your wages,” Li Sangrou smiled at Zhou Shen’an.

“Alright!” Zhou Shen’an hesitated for a moment, then agreed.

He had long since given up on the imperial examinations, but he was physically weak and lacked any skills. As a scholar’s companion, he was not clever or interesting enough; even selling pretentious essays was beyond his reach—nine and a half out of ten were rejected.

Having no other way to make a living, he had no choice but to stay at the prefectural school year after year, living off the meager stipend.

Now, with this job at a small house in the city, he might be able to earn enough to live on for the rest of his life. After all, he had no wife or children, only an elderly mother who ate and dressed poorly.

Watching Zhou Shen’an follow the Boss into the side room, Meng Yanqing stood over and praised, “The boss has excellent taste.”

“Hey, was this not the person you chose first?” Li Sangrou looked at Meng Yanqing, raising an eyebrow.

“Ah, yes, yes, I mean, this person is really good.” Meng Yanqing’s smile held a hint of embarrassment.

“I had Chuantiao follow him for two days.

The day before yesterday, he received five taels of silver from us, exchanged them for copper coins, bought rice, and took it home. First, he went to his first teacher’s house, bringing some cakes and a bundle of firewood. Then he visited his teachers and classmates at the prefectural school, bringing rice or giving them money.

His five taels of silver are probably almost gone.

Chuantiao inquired with the old handyman at the prefectural school, saying that he’s always been in charge of all sorts of miscellaneous tasks, hardworking and conscientious, and very popular.

Your judgment is indeed excellent,” Li Sangrou explained, looking at Meng Yanqing and praising him.

“You flatter me, Boss. I was just saying it casually,” Meng Yanqing replied with a joyful smile.