Chapter 4: Old Master Kuan
Clan Elder Li Shikuan emerged from the Ancestral Hall, hands behind his back, walking slowly towards home.
Upon entering the Courtyard Gate, Li Shikuan stopped, tilted his head slightly, and looked at the Loquat Tree in the Courtyard. After a moment, he raised his voice and called for his grandson, Azhuang.
“Where is Azhuang? Go call your Third Uncle over.”
Azhuang, who was studying in the house, responded with a sound and then, hopping and skipping, went out to call his Third Uncle, Li Wenhua, from the other end of the street.
Li Wenhua was in his thirties, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, and a cheerful expression, but he liked to keep a straight face to appear fierce and stern. Li Wenhua was the eldest son of Li Shikuan’s younger brother, Li Shiping, who had passed away from illness several years ago.
Li Wenhua’s home was not far away. Before long, Li Wenhua entered Li Shikuan’s Courtyard Gate carrying a bowl of Steamed Pork with Preserved Mustard Greens. He placed the dish in the Kitchen and then entered the Main Hall.
“Has the matter of Qingming been settled?” Li Wenhua asked before sitting down.
His branch of the family had the fewest adult males. For matters like the Qingming Festival Sacrifice, the Copper Coins allocated to them were the same as branches with more males, but when it came to distributing the surplus grain from the ancestral fields, it was still divided per person. Because of this, he always felt annoyed whenever the Clan was mentioned.
“Yes, it’s the same as last year. I called you here for something else,” Li Shikuan said, his hands in his sleeves, and stood up. “Come, let’s talk in the backyard.”
Li Wenhua followed Li Shikuan, one after the other, into the backyard.
“Li Wenshan from Xiao Li Village, do you know him?” Li Shikuan asked in a low voice.
“Didn’t he die several years ago? His funeral was quite grand; I heard people talking about it,” Li Wenhua said, pursing his lips and shaking his head.
To have a grand funeral even after death, what a spendthrift!
“Li Wenshan’s only son, Li Xuedong, took third place in this year’s County Examination,” Li Shikuan continued.
“Oh, they still have a scholar in their family? So much Copper Coins? No wonder they had such a grand funeral,” Li Wenhua clicked his tongue.
No matter how much Copper Coins they had, it shouldn’t be spent on the dead; truly a waste!
Li Shikuan glanced sideways at Li Wenhua, who was clicking his tongue incessantly, and let out a long sigh.
His younger brother was honest and useless, and this eldest nephew was just as useless as his father!
Never mind, never mind. If they’re useless, they’re useless. At least they know how to live and aren’t wasteful.
“Go push a cart, say you’re going to the County Town to look at Incense and Candles, and wait for me at the crossroads,” Li Shikuan said, not elaborating further, and directly gave the instruction.
“Okay!” Li Wenhua first replied, then asked doubtfully, “Why aren’t we going together?”
“We’re going to Gao Village Market. Remember, this trip to Gao Village Market must not be known to anyone! Not even your wife can know,” Li Shikuan instructed sternly.
“Don’t worry, Uncle,” Li Wenhua nodded continuously.
Although he didn’t know what his uncle’s plan was, it didn’t stop him from listening attentively.
His uncle was known throughout the region as a shrewd man. When his father was alive, his uncle made all the important decisions for their family.
His father often said: “Do as your uncle says! Don’t think too much!”
………………………………
Li Jinzhu and Li Yuzhu returned home pushing Li Xuedong. Li Xiaonan and Li Yin Zhu were cooking and, seeing the expressions on their faces, knew they hadn’t gotten any Copper Coins.
Li Yin Zhu served the rice and then cut an Egg in half with Cotton Thread, giving one half to Li Xiaonan and the other to Li Xuedong.
Last spring, their family had hatched over a dozen Hens. Some were stolen by Third Uncle Li Wencai’s family, two were given to the Teacher, one was killed for the New Year, and another was killed for the County Examination. Now, most days, they could only get one Egg.
“Sister, if the Clan doesn’t give us any Copper Coins, how will we go to Pingjiang Prefecture?” Li Yuzhu asked, unable to hide her worry after eating a few mouthfuls of rice and vegetables.
“Borrow some?” Li Yin Zhu’s ideas were many and quick.
“Who can we borrow from? How will we repay it? Even if he passes,” Li Jinzhu paused, her whole body slumping, “after the Prefectural Examination, there’s still the Courtyard Examination.”
“The Courtyard Examination is held in Hangzhou City,” Li Xiaonan added softly.
“If we borrow Copper Coins and he doesn’t pass…” Li Yuzhu glanced at Li Xiaonan and lowered her head to eat.
Li Xiaonan didn’t say anything. She truly didn’t dare to guarantee that she would definitely pass.
No one spoke for a while, and they all buried their heads, eating their rice and vegetables.
After finishing the meal, Li Jinzhu rallied her spirits and said, “Xuedong and A Nan will go to study. I’ll find a way for you and your Second Sister and Third Sister regarding the Copper Coins.”
Not long after Li Xiaonan and Li Xuedong went to the Main Hall, Li Jinzhu and Li Yuzhu entered with grim expressions, each taking a Loom and starting to weave cloth with a clanging sound.
Li Xiaonan slipped out of the Main Hall and sidled up to Li Yin Zhu, who was washing a pot, and asked in a low voice, “Third Sister, has Eldest Sister thought of a way?”
“Eldest Sister said not to tell,” Li Yin Zhu’s eyes reddened.
“Let’s tell each other secretly,” Li Xiaonan squeezed closer to Li Yin Zhu.
“It’s your Second Sister; she’s going to sell herself into servitude,” Li Yin Zhu choked.
Li Xiaonan was stunned. After a moment, she slowly slumped down by the stove, watching her Third Sister wash the pot and wipe away tears from time to time, feeling so sad she wanted to cry her eyes out.
The next morning, Li Jinzhu and Li Yuzhu sent Li Xuedong and Li Xiaonan back to the Gao Family School.
As Li Xuedong entered the schoolroom, Mr. Gao beckoned Li Jinzhu to stop.
Li Jinzhu followed Mr. Gao into the Gao Family Main Hall and felt that the room was so bright and opulent it made her eyes water; there were good things everywhere.
“How much do you know about your Clan’s affairs?” Mr. Gao asked first.
Li Jinzhu was taken aback. “Xiao Li Village is four or five li from Li Family Market, so we don’t go to the Clan much. When there are Clan matters, Third Uncle passes on the message, like collecting Copper Coins for sacrifices and thanking the gods. We don’t know much.”
“Your Li family is divided into five branches: Feng, Sheng, Xiang, Man, and Wang.”
“The Feng branch is the eldest. You and your Third Uncle’s family are both in the Sheng branch. The Sheng branch shares the same ancestor as the Feng branch and has always been closely allied. These two branches also have the most people. Clan matters are handled by the Feng and Sheng branches, and the current Clan Leader is from the Feng branch,” Mr. Gao explained in detail.
Li Jinzhu nodded repeatedly.
“Inevitably, some branches get more, and others get less. The other three branches, though I don’t know about the others, the Wang branch is very dissatisfied,” Mr. Gao lowered his voice.
Li Jinzhu stared blankly at Mr. Gao.
“Yesterday, the head of the Wang branch, your Tang Weng Weng, Old Master Kuan, came to see me. He wanted to inquire about Xuedong’s character and learning. Old Master Kuan’s intention is that he will pay the Copper Coins for your family’s Xuedong to take the Prefectural Examination and Courtyard Examination.”
Li Jinzhu’s eyes widened.
“Do you understand?” Mr. Gao asked, looking at Li Jinzhu.
“He wants my Xuedong to help them in the future?” Li Jinzhu blurted out.
“You are so clever!” Mr. Gao said with a smile. “Old Master Kuan’s intention is that if Xuedong doesn’t pass the examination, this matter will not be mentioned again, and he will consider the Copper Coins as wasted. However, if Xuedong passes and becomes a Xiucai Scholar, your family’s Xuedong must stand behind their Wang branch in Clan matters.”
“Okay!” Li Jinzhu immediately nodded.
Third Uncle dared to covet their family’s dozens of mu of land because his family had the final say in the Clan. She dreamed every day of the day she would have the power to slap Third Uncle and his wife until their faces were swollen!
