CH 22

Returning inside, Liang Feng finished the tea Lüzhu had brought him and sighed in contentment. Training had gone better than expected. Really, he had to thank those two dimwits for having the audacity to cheat right in front of him. It made it much easier to deal with them. Yiyan’s performance was commendable as well. Not only had he selected an excellent route, but he was sharp-eyed and merciless too. That was what the character he required of a drill instructor.

It was because of these modern military training methods that Liang Feng wasn’t too worried about sabotage. It’d only take a few days for the trouble-makers, slackers, and cowards to be phased out of the forces. Those who remained were just the soldiers he wanted. He wondered if enough of them would remain to form the seedlings of four squadrons. 

“Master, ah-Liang requests an audience,” Lüzhu reported.

Was there news already? Liang Feng said, “Summon him in.”

After he entered, ah-Liang instantly informed, “Master, yesterday, Retainer Tian invited Head Craftsman Wu of the clothworks and Head Craftsman Jiang of the clayworks to his quarters. They talked and drank for about two hours.”

Liang Feng smiled blandly, “What are Craftsmen Wu and Jiang like, as people?” 

Ah-Liang dithered for a moment before responding, “Craftsman Wu is somewhat lecherous. He’s got illicit affairs with quite a few of the seamstresses in the clothworks. Craftsman Jiang is an okay person, but he’s a bit deceitful.”

Since they were from the same estate, ah-Liang had likely answered conservatively. Liang Feng didn’t react outwardly at his answer. He nodded, “I see.”

Now, ah-Liang was at a loss. How did the master intend to deal with them? He thought for a moment, then worked up the courage to ask, “Are you going to summon them for a talk, master?”

“No need, I’ll see how things develop first.” Liang Feng wasn’t planning on settling accounts with them immediately. He didn’t have anyone to replace them at the moment. He had more to lose than gain if he allowed Tian Chang to turn the four workshops upside down. Waiting and watching to see what they’d do was the better option.

Liang Feng’s words didn’t reveal a hint of his intentions. Sweat beaded on ah-Liang’s forehead. He couldn’t help but think that the master had become far more capable ever since they returned from Lu City. Though, it made sense. After all, his ancestor was one of the Nine Ministers. If he really put his mind to sorting them out, there wasn’t anything that small folk like them could do about it.

Noticing that ah-Liang was tense and nervous, Liang Feng smiled, “You carried out your task well this time. After you finish taking stock of the warehouses, keep an eye on any activity amongst the farmhands. Take special note of how the drought has affected the estate and report back to me.”

That meant that he was trusted enough to carry out important tasks. Ah-Liang’s concerns were instantly assuaged. He replied confidently, “I’ll definitely do it well.”

“Very good. You’re dismissed then.” 

After waving ah-Liang away, he was beset by another surge of irritation. He felt as though there was a blaze muffled in his heart, making him too restless to sit. But clearly, everything was proceeding smoothly, right? He hesitated for a moment, then said, “Lüzhu, help me over to the study.”

Surely it’d be more bearable if he found himself something to do. It seemed that the original occupant of this body had only studied the classics and histories. There wasn’t anything useful in all the random poetry floating around in his brain. He needed to cram so he could fill in the gaps in his knowledge.

The study was also in the main courtyard, situated on the side that faced the sun. It had an inner and outer room. The outer room was used to receive guests, while the inner room held an abundant library. In this era, where bamboo scrolls hadn’t disappeared completely, books were also a status symbol. Forget about having libraries – copying books by hand was annoying as hell. Because of this, any family that considered itself scholarly must have their own book collection. The more books they had, the more it proved the depth of their learnedness. If the Liang family could produce a Minister of Finance, then presumably they’d preserved the foundation of their nobility.

Once he walked in, Liang Feng took a look around. The study seemed to be tidied every day. The table was free of dust, and so were the bookshelves. Its owner must’ve been very conscientious with regard to the preservation of his books. Liang Feng ordered Lüzhu to grind ink and prepare paper as he wandered past the shelves. 

The Liang family possessed a copious amount of books, but most of them were still classics and historical records. The Confucian classics didn’t even need to be mentioned. There were countless “annotations” and “commentaries” lying around. The original texts, already worn thin, were placed side by side with more recently transcribed copies. “Laozi,” “Zhuangzi,” and a few volumes on Daoist alchemy principles appeared to be often frequented as well, showcasing the former Liang family patriarchs’ taste in books.

Naturally, Liang Feng had no interest in those. He turned away from the middle bookshelf. The shelf by the side was filled with historical records, a few copies of “Book of the Grand Scribe” – which upon cursory inspection seemed to be “Records of the Grand Historian” – travel journals, taxology references, and other miscellaneous texts. There was a copy of “The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art,” sleeping under a thick blanket of dust. Liang Feng got all the way to the corner before finding “The Grand Duke’s Book of War.”

That was a military treatise! Who could’ve thought that the Liang family would have military treatises? Liang Feng was pleasantly surprised. He quickly rummaged through the nearby scrolls, finding “The Six Secret Teachings,” “The Three Strategies,” “The Methods of Sima,” and an annotated copy of “Sunzi’s Art of War.” They must’ve been quite old, judging by the state of the braiding between the bamboo slats; probably passed down from the Liang family’s ancestor, Liang Xi. He was, after all, a badass who held office as provincial governor for two decades. It wasn’t strange that he possessed a few military treatises.

Ktfs vlvc’a tjnf jr wemt qgjmalmji jqqilmjalbc jr “Ktf Rfk Kgfjalrf bc Zlilajgs Soolmlfcms,” yea klat wlilajgs agfjalrfr, atf wbgf atf yfaafg. Oljcu Mfcu gberfv tlr rqlglar jcv mjgfoeiis fzjwlcfv atf gfra bo atf ecibnfv ybbxr bc atja rtfio. Lf obecv akb afzar gfujgvlcu juglmeiaegf, ktlmt tf kbeiv tjnf ab raevs atbgbeutis jr kfii. 

He just didn’t have enough people to use, or else why would he, someone who specialized in criminal investigation, need these things?

He chuckled bitterly under his breath as he walked to the desk. He needed to record everything he could remember, lest he forgot it all. Just as he was deciding which things were worth writing down, he heard footsteps pattering lightly outside the door. Lüzhu entered and said, “Master, the young master’s here to greet you.”

Ever since that incident yesterday, Liang Feng had instructed Liang Rong to carry out morning greetings at around eight to nine A.M. instead. Children should get more sleep, eat a meal once they wake up, and give it time to digest, before bothering with all these empty formalities.

”Father!” Liang Rong was much more energetic today. He was still pretending to be steady and calm, but his steps were so rushed he was nearly jogging. 

Liang Feng smiled upon seeing his little red round face, “Have you eaten already, Rong-er?”

“Yes, I have, and I also did three pages of writing practice!” Liang Rong hurriedly answered.

“How well-behaved. Sit here, and tell me how your studies are progressing,” Liang Feng said casually; homework was truly a timeless conversation subject between parents and children.

Liang Rong really did perk up, “I just finished memorizing ‘The Classic of Filial Piety!’” 

Liang Rong’s eyes were practically sparkling with the words “test me test me.” Liang Feng swallowed. He could manage to recite some of the contents in those old classics thanks to the original’s tattered memories, but it’d been too long since he’d learned “The Classic of Filial Piety.” He barely even knew what it was about, how was he supposed to test someone else’s knowledge? Also, if a four-year-old finished memorizing “The Classic of Filial Piety,“ was that progress fast or slow? He had no idea!

Liang Feng smiled warmly and nodded, “Not bad. Have you started on the ‘Nine Chapters?’”

Liang Rong’s small face instantly fell, “I haven’t gotten to poetry yet…”

Wait a second, just what did the “Nine Chapters” have to do with poetry? 

Seeming to notice the faint awkwardness between father and son, Zhaoyu, who kneeled behind Liang Rong whispered to him, “Young master, the master isn’t referring to the ‘Songs of Chu,’ but the ‘Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art.’”

The “Nine Chapters” usually referred to the nine songs of the “Songs of Chu.” It wasn’t beginner material at all. On the other hand, the “Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art” actually was commonly taught to young children. The “Classic of Rites” said one should teach a child of six years numbers and the names of the four directions. Thus, children would often begin to learn the first of the nine chapters, “Bounding Fields,” at the age of five or six. Liang Rong was only four, so it was a bit early, but the question wasn’t too strange.

Not expecting that Liang Rong’s nursemaid would lend him a hand, Liang Feng appraised the plain-looking twenty-something woman and asked, “Are you responsible for tutoring Liang Rong?”

”Liang Feng’s“ wife had died earlier, and there weren’t any womenfolk in the household, so there were only so many people who might be teaching Liang Rong. 

“Yes, master,” Zhaoyu answered submissively as she bowed.

“You’ve learned the ‘Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art’ before?”

“I have some familiarity,” Zhaoyu answered cautiously. There wasn’t a hint of flusteredness or boastfulness in her expression. Her conditioning wasn’t bad at all.

Liang Feng didn’t continue that line of questioning. He picked up a nearby bamboo scroll and handed it to her, “Take a look at this scroll and see if the numbers match up.” 

Mystified, Zhaoyu respectfully received the bamboo scroll with both hands, and was a bit dumbstruck when she unfurled it. This was the estate’s ledger. Zhaoyu diligently began scanning row after row of numbers, her lips silently moving. Shortly, she got to the last row, then closed her eyes and thought for a moment. When she opened them again, she said, “Master, there’s nothing wrong with the numbers on this scroll, but there are two places that seem to have been altered.”

Then, she gently pointed out two numbers. Liang Feng looked closely and found that, just as Zhaoyu had said, a one had been changed into a three. They were all minor adulterations that were only too easy to make. And yet even a nursemaid noticed something off, a nursemaid who was proficient in mental arithmetic. That wasn’t something just anyone was capable of.

Liang Feng couldn’t help asking curiously, “Who did you learn mathematics from?”

“To answer your question, master, I know a little because my grandfather is obsessed with mathematics. Although, I’m not very well versed in it. I’ve only gotten to the ‘Two-sided Reference’ chapter. I haven’t finished the ‘Base and Altitude’ chapter yet, and my understanding of the ‘Proportional Distribution’ chapter is only so-so,” Zhaoyu answered quietly, almost embarrassedly. 

Liang Feng: “………”

He didn’t remember what exactly the nine chapters were, but he understood what “two-sided reference,” “base and altitude,” and “proportional distribution” meant. That was already early high school material, and she claimed she wasn’t well-versed?

“Is your grandfather still well? Are there any others in your family proficient in mathematics?” Liang Feng was getting excited. In this era, because knowledge was monopolized by the few, it was mostly passed down through families. Without the personal instruction of relatives, it was hard to be a self-made genius. It was extremely likely that the descendants of a man “obsessed” with mathematics were educated in the subject as well.

“My grandfather passed five years ago,” Zhaoyu noticed Liang Feng’s intent. She paused, then amended, “Although, I do have two uncles who are skilled in mathematics, though they haven’t much innate talent. Other than them, my grandfather had a few direct disciples. It’s just that since I’ve been away from home for a long time, I’m not too clear what their circumstances are.” 

Their family was clearly “mathematics nobility,” yet Zhaoyu still came to the Liang Estate to be a nursemaid. It seemed they weren’t possessed of great wealth or status then. His hopes sparked, Liang Feng asked, “Do you know if your two uncles have entered the bureaucracy? Would they be amenable to coming to the Liang Estate as retainers?”

Now, Zhaoyu could clearly tell that her master wanted to recruit people who understood mathematics. Her family wasn’t affluent. Her grandfather only understood mathematics and not how to make a living. Her two uncles were meek and timid, and even her two cousins didn’t have many prospects. She already counted as one of her family’s breadwinners with her job as a nanny in the Liang Estate. It must be stated that a nursemaid’s status was not low. If Liang Rong inherited the estate, her position would also “increase with her child’s.”

But no matter how you put it, she was still a slave servant. A retainer was different. Before, the Liang Estate had shown signs of falling into decline. But after the master had recovered from his deadly illness, he suddenly started to revitalize his household. He seemed rather capable as well. If he could regain the kind of status that Duke Liang had possessed, they’d be amongst the highest ranked nobility. Then, whether they came to be retainers or math tutors for the young master, it’d be leagues better than being an ordinary commoner.

Zhaoyu smiled, “Neither of my uncles have taken up office. I can write to them to ask.” 

“Do so with all haste. I will send someone to deliver your letter.” Thus it was settled.

Liang Rong blinked puzzledly at the side, not knowing how they’d arrived at that topic. Remembering that his son was there, Liang Feng reached out and patted his head, “You’ll have to learn some mathematics. That, as well as archery and horseback riding are part of the gentlemans’ six arts. It won’t do to neglect some in favor of others.”

In this damnable era, no matter how literate you were it might all amount to nothing. Only physical training and knowledge of military tactics and economics would help one survive.

Liang Rong didn’t know what Liang Feng was thinking, but he was so thrilled at his father’s amicable manner that he was nearly trembling. They casually conversed for a short while before Liang Feng let Zhaoyu take him away. 

He massaged his achy temples, planning to look over a few more scrolls. Lüzhu had already adroitly presented a small wooden platter and softly urged, “Master, it’s time for some porridge.”

Was it mealtime already? Still, Liang Feng really wasn’t in the mood to eat. He felt like there was a steelyard weight sitting in his stomach, heavy and cold, making it hard to have any appetite. Spurred by Lüzhu’s hopeful gaze, he managed to finish almost half the bowl of mung bean porridge before setting it down.

“Just that?” Lüzhu’s disappointment was nearly written all over her face.

Liang Feng dabbed at his mouth with a silken handkerchief and asked, “Has the caning finished already?” 

He was very obviously changing the subject, but it worked very well on the young maid. Lüzhu huffed indignantly, “They’ve already been dragged away. Those two wretched slaves, they’re simply intolerable! Thank goodness Yiyan caught them quickly and didn’t let them get away with it….”

“It’s due to a lack of discipline that they’ve forgotten their place. From now on, I’ll have to rectify the situation in the inner courtyard,” Liang Feng stated blandly. “Lüzhu, bring these two books back so I can go over them more thoroughly.”

Did that mean he was returning to his room to rest? Lüzhu instantly scooped up the texts Liang Feng pointed to and chirped eagerly, “You should hurry and rest then, master. Reading while lying down is more comfortable.”

Liang Feng chuckled. He suppressed the throbbing pain in his chest as he slowly plodded back to the bedroom. 

The author has something to say:

The “Records of the Grand Historian” were originally named “Book of the Grand Scribe.” It started circulating outside the country as early as the Eastern Han, although it didn’t become majorly popular till the Tang Dynasty. Military books weren’t something that just anybody could read. Young Liang’s taking advantage of being from a noble family.