When Xie Yan wrote to him, his passion was still vivid.
He said that with many of his classmates, he couldn’t have such deep exchanges.
Lu Yang poured tea and clinked cups with him.
“Now I understand how you feel,” he said.
When chatting with others, he didn’t feel that kind of passion. Somehow, being here to accompany the exams had brought them to this point in conversation.
Lu Yang shook his head, thinking to let things be—go with the flow, follow the heart. Everything had its best arrangement.
They set out a month early, so upon arriving in the provincial capital, there was no rush. The next morning, the commotion outside woke them, but they lingered in bed a while before getting up to prepare to visit Wu Pingzhi’s residence in the city.
The attendant arranged for two donkey carts. The carts were small; the attendant rode with the luggage in one, while Wu Pingzhi, Lu Yang, and Xie Yan took the other.
Xie Yan linked arms with Lu Yang, smiling endlessly at Wu Pingzhi.
Wu Pingzhi barely looked at them. “I know you have a husband; no need to show off!”
Xie Yan pouted, denying that he was showing off.
Lu Yang stayed out of the conversation, his eyes wandering.
The bustling waterfront needed no description; the provincial port was even wider, with stone-paved streets. Disembarking, they walked along two streets, still stone-paved.
Once past the docks, the roads became ordinary earth and sand, with some stretches still littered with horse and donkey droppings.
The streets weren’t wider than the prefectural city’s, mostly just wide enough for two carts. Small stalls were fewer, but the shops were lively, some even hanging five signboards.
Passing one shop, Lu Yang craned his neck to look at the characters on the sign.
It was a bookstore. With the county exams approaching, the shop had turned its bestsellers into signs, hanging them prominently. Literate passersby could see what was for sale; scholars might even step inside to buy a couple of volumes.
Lu Yang wanted to buy some.
Xie Yan pulled him back. “No need; I’ve read these books.”
Wu Pingzhi glanced at the signs; two books he hadn’t seen, he asked, “Are these for the prefectural academy?”
Xie Yan shook his head. “Uncle Cui gave them to me; they were his son’s old books, filled with notes. I’ve noted them all—once we reach the residence, I’ll teach you.”
Lu Yang and Xie Yan hadn’t yet visited the Cui family. Xie Yan explained that once he passed the juren exam, he could visit them.
Wu Pingzhi was surprised. “Such confidence… the family must be influential?”
Xie Yan wasn’t sure. “Perhaps just encouragement to do better.”
Along the way, other shops resembled those in the prefectural city, particularly the inns and restaurants, almost identical. Cloth and tea shops in the provincial capital were slightly larger, sometimes as big as three other shops combined.
Lu Yang couldn’t look away. If only their business could be this big…
The provincial capital had mountains, but their mushrooms didn’t match those from Xishan. Like the local herbalist Hu had remarked, outsiders struggled to access the mountain goods, game, or medicinal materials. Xishan mushrooms had been fashionable in the prefectural city for over a year; the trend had reached the provincial capital, but small local merchants couldn’t compete, posing no threat to their business.
Lu Yang said, “Shall we browse the bookstores later? There must be some books you haven’t seen. We can spend a day exploring. The selection in the provincial capital should be similar. We can also submit documents to the official academy; then you two can study properly, and I’ll make sure you’re fed and comfortable.”
Wu Pingzhi asked, “How’s the bookstore preparation going? Will it wait until the capital?”
Lu Yang shook his head. “Almost ready. After the exams, Xie Yan and I will return to the county, bring my godfather and brothers, get them settled, then I’ll secure a shop and open the bookstore. My godfather’s printing blocks should be mostly done; I’ll spend money buying the rest. Before securing the shop, they won’t be idle—they can prepare paper and ink, call my aunts to help in the workshop, my two fathers, our mother, and Aunt Chen can all help. Once the shop opens, I’ll have Xie Yan send the money. Then I’ll hire additional helpers.”
Wu Pingzhi looked at Xie Yan. Xie Yan smiled. “I plan to invite people to annotate books together. The Civil Service Exam Answer Manual already covers all question types I’ve seen. In future editions, we’ll use different articles matching the question types. One person’s perspective is too narrow—I want several classmates to compile it. You can join too; we’ll work together.”
Wu Pingzhi was modest. “I won’t; my knowledge isn’t enough to impress—might look foolish.”
He was skilled in business. “Once we return to the prefectural city, I’ll help you choose the shop. When the books are ready, show me; I’ll advise how many to print.”
Xie Yan disagreed. “Your knowledge is enough—you can sit the juren exam. You’re underestimating yourself. Don’t stay stuck in the mindset of your early studies.”
Wu Pingzhi only shook his head. Years of study had smoothed out his sharp edges.
While walking, Lu Yang noticed a particularly tall tower.
Wu Pingzhi explained, “This is the Golden Buddha Tower. Inside is a golden Buddha. My father came years ago, prayed for focus and diligence—it worked. Once my county exam results are out, I’ll come to fulfill my vow.”
Lu Yang thought, That’s… a rather forceful way of making a wish.
Xie Yan looked at the tower, eyes full of longing.
“If I wish to become the top scholar…”
Wu Pingzhi said, “Depends on your sincerity. Many make wishes yearly—why would Buddha hear you?”
Xie Yan asked, “What’s sincerity?”
Wu Pingzhi replied, “The knowledge in your head.”
Xie Yan laughed. “That’s just my scholarship!”
Wu Pingzhi nodded. “Even the blacksmith must be strong himself. If Buddha wants to help, you must have the ability to carry it.”
Xie Yan understood and decided not to make the wish.
Wu Pingzhi’s residence was tucked away in the southern part of the city. Entering through streets and alleys, they reached a small lane resembling a back entrance, unseen by neighbors.
The attendant knocked. Soon, a gatekeeper opened the door.
A man in his forties greeted Wu Pingzhi warmly. “You’re here! I’ve tidied the house multiple times, prepared guest rooms—come in, rest. I’ll have the kitchen prepare a welcome feast!”
Wu Pingzhi called him “Uncle Lei.” Inside, the household staff emerged. Wu Pingzhi introduced them, then told Lu Yang, “If you need anything, tell Uncle Lei. My father and I seldom come here; he manages the household and acts as steward. The staff are drawn from our workshop—clumsy at first, but capable. Feel free to assign tasks.”
Lu Yang surveyed the house, speechless.
Before coming, Wu Pingzhi had said their provincial residence was small, yet sufficient for both families. Indeed, the house was not large. Entering, it resembled their prefectural home. The courtyard was visible at a glance, but the interior craftsmanship was exquisite.
Beams and eaves weren’t rough-hewn; they were carefully carved with delicate designs. The style was modest but refined. Windows had patterned lattices, not uniform grids, with designs along the edges.
Normally housing only one or two people, the rooms were sparsely populated but decorated with many items.
Lu Yang, unaccustomed, only noted that the decorations were more numerous and of higher quality than those in the county Wu family. The porcelain glimmered finer, with patterns more appealing.
He also recalled Wu Pingzhi mentioning “a mere ten thousand taels” as a trifle.
Lu Yang thought: his courage was indeed too small—he’d need a household fortune like the Wu family’s before daring to talk about fear.
