Chapter 29: Guidance

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Though he felt a tinge of regret, in this age without mobile phones, telephones, or the internet, searching for someone was no different from looking for a needle in a haystack; Liu Yitiao was truly at a loss. He could only hope that fate would bring them together again someday.

After halfheartedly composing a poem for Huang Zichu, Liu Yitiao took the words that Xiao Wu had mounted for him and headed home.

Upon arriving, he was surprised to find an extra work ox in the yard; Old Liu was in the midst of dosing it with medicine. Liu Yitiao set down his basket and asked, “Father, was this ox just delivered? Whose is it?”

“Yes, it’s from Uncle Wang of the eastern village. They brought it over soon after you left this morning,” Old Liu replied honestly. “Just as you suggested, I had Ertiao sign a contract with him—three days, for a fee of two strings of coins. The contract is in the main hall, you can take a look at it later.”

“That can wait,” Liu Yitiao nodded. Gazing at the five sick oxen in the courtyard, he felt the shed was a bit cramped, and gathering all the sick animals together like this seemed unwise. He said to Old Liu, “Father, let’s move the oxen apart later, ideally keeping about five paces between each. Each spot where an ox stands should be thoroughly doused with boiling water or strong spirits to keep things clean and dry. The disease spreads through water and feed—when feeding, be careful not to let them transmit it to each other.”

“Yes, and once any ox recovers, don’t wait for the contract to expire—send it back immediately. Our home is small, and there will surely be more oxen brought here in the future. Also, when returning the animal, be sure to tell the owner about the preventive measures I mentioned. Earning the fee once for each ox is enough—a second time would be improper.”

“Well said,” Old Liu agreed, for this was in keeping with the family’s longstanding sense of integrity and kindness.

“I’ll start moving the oxen, Father. Can you go boil some water?” Liu Yitiao began to lead one of the animals away.

Old Liu moved to help. “Your mother can handle the boiling water—let’s divide up the oxen first. Let’s tether them to the posts along the yard’s fence; that will free up more space.”

“Very well, Father,” Liu Yitiao replied, nodding. As he led an ox, he casually asked, “Is Ertiao not at home? I haven’t seen him around.”

Old Liu answered, “Ertiao went out. We’ve almost run out of paper because of the contracts these last days, so I sent him out to buy more paper and ink. He should be back soon.”

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As if on cue, the moment Old Liu finished speaking, Liu Ertiao appeared at the gate, ambling home.

Liu Yitiao noticed that his brother was dressed in the new cotton robe he’d bought the day before, topped by the most fashionable scholar’s cap of the era; at a glance, he did look rather like a young intellectual. But he wasn’t yet fifteen—still just a boy.

Seeing Liu Yitiao at home, Liu Ertiao’s face lit up as he pushed open the door and hurried over. “Big Brother, you’re back! Have you prepared my gift for the apprenticeship ceremony? I have to go tomorrow!”

Liu Yitiao calmly finished tying up the ox and smiled. “How could I forget such an important event? I’ve prepared everything for you—it’s in the basket. Go and see for yourself.”

“Thanks, Brother!” Liu Ertiao cheered and dashed to the basket. Inside, apart from a few New Year’s goods, he found a simply mounted piece of calligraphy, nothing especially ornate. He couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed.

He casually unwrapped and unrolled the rice paper, but when his eyes landed on the pair of couplets—perfectly matched and full of profound meaning—his expression changed to one of surprise.

“Three feet of desk, three inches of tongue, three inches of pen—three thousand disciples; ten years of trees, ten years of wind, ten years of rain—ten thousand pillars of strength!” He turned to Liu Yitiao, still busy with the oxen, and asked, “Big Brother! Did you write this? You must have—Brother, you’re amazing! I really admire you!”

Liu Yitiao laughed. “Compared to costly gifts of silver or silk, do you think your teacher, Vice Magistrate Wang, would not prefer something literary as a token?”

“You’re right, Brother. I was feeling a bit dissatisfied just now and let myself be disappointed. I’m ashamed of that,” Liu Ertiao admitted with some embarrassment.

At this, Liu Yitiao became more serious. “Ertiao, as a scholar and soon-to-be disciple of Vice Magistrate Wang, you will one day become an official, dealing with both bureaucrats and common people. You must always remember: whether in officialdom or daily life, never judge by appearances. You can’t measure the sea with a bushel; anything or anyone, properly used, can become your strong right arm. Treat everyone with humility, and you won’t be fooled by surface appearances—your life and work will proceed more smoothly.”

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“I will remember your teachings, Brother,” Liu Ertiao responded respectfully, bowing deeply to Liu Yitiao. He etched his brother’s words into his heart, knowing this was advice neither their private tutor nor their farmer father could ever give. Only his extraordinary elder brother would offer such genuine guidance.

“All right, put the calligraphy away and go inside to study,” Liu Yitiao said, satisfied with Ertiao’s willingness to learn. “Father and I will handle things here. You just focus on your studies.”

“Yes, Brother. I’ll go now,” Liu Ertiao replied, tidying up his things and heading inside to his books.

Once Ertiao had gone in, Old Liu sighed. “Yitiao, our family is fortunate to have you. Without you, I could never teach him these things. The Liu family’s luck rests in having you.”

Liu Yitiao remained silent. Matters of officialdom were indeed beyond the reach of someone like Old Liu, who’d spent his life tilling the fields. Ertiao’s road ahead was still very long, and what he’d just said was only the barest beginning.

“Father, we’re family. Everything I do is for us—there’s no need for such words,” Liu Yitiao replied, then continued, “Right now, it’s most important to cure these oxen. At two strings of coins each, I believe after this epidemic we’ll have earned at least two hundred strings, perhaps even more. Once we have the money, we can make further plans.”

“You’re right,” Old Liu agreed, nodding. “I’ll peel more garlic and have your mother boil extra water. Also, the two oxen from Xia Dezhao are showing clear improvement—they should recover by tonight. You can deliver them back then; I’d rather not see him myself.”

“Understood, Father. I’ll go this evening,” Liu Yitiao answered, a faint smile on his lips. Xia Dezhao still owed him five strings of silver—his savings would soon grow. He just wondered if Xia Dezhao would try to back out when he learned that others were only charged two strings.