Chapter 104
By mid-March, the tenant farmers' houses were completed, and they gradually moved from the guesthouse to their new homes, starting to cook and light their stoves. In no time, several new plumes of cooking smoke rose from the village.
The tenant farmers also kept their word and sent their children to work at the Zhang household. Overnight, the Zhang family gained four or five more helpers who could be assigned tasks.
The older ones were twelve or thirteen, while the younger ones were around ten, all at an age where they could be given responsibilities.
Xu He handed the children over to Huangqi and Gancao, who had been with the family longer, to teach them the rules. Meanwhile, he and Zhang Fangyuan were busy preparing to move into their new house in the city.
The couple considered that since the tenant farmers had been settled and were already farming the land, they could now move to the city with peace of mind.
In truth, they could live both in the village and the city. They still had many businesses in the village and would need to return often to check on things. However, they weren’t worried about leaving the village, as the Zhang family wasn’t just the two of them, Zhang Fangyuan’s uncles would also keep an eye on things at home.
“I won’t be moving to the city with you two. I’m used to living in the village, and I’m also concerned about the tea shed and guesthouse business.”
Zhang Shiyue helped pack the children’s clothes and toys. The couple had naturally assumed she would move to the city with them to enjoy a more comfortable life, but after much thought, she decided she preferred staying in the village.
“In the village, if I get bored sitting at home, I can always find something to do outside like pulling weeds from the fields, hoeing a patch of land, or chatting with familiar neighbors. Life here is easier to pass.” Zhang Shiyue added, “Xiao’e is also pregnant, and when her time comes, she will need me to take care of her. It’s much closer from the village than from the city.”
Zhang Fangyuan wanted to persuade her further, but Xu He stopped him: “Let’s respect Second Aunt’s wishes. After all, the city isn’t far from the village, and it’s not like we won’t see each other often.”
Xu He understood Zhang Shiyue well. As people age, they become more attached to their roots and less adaptable to new environments. Besides, with her child in the village, she had no desire to move.
Zhang Fangyuan had no choice but to agree.
Once everything was packed, the couple planned to move to the city as soon as possible to find a teacher for the children. However, before they could leave, an unexpected guest arrived.
“I heard that Ruijin and Ruili are looking for a teacher for their early education, and you two haven’t found a suitable one yet. Why didn’t you let Shaochun inform me? After all, we’re relatives by marriage, and we should help each other out.”
Zhang Fangyuan asked Xu He to make tea, sending him out of the room so he could speak privately with Fei Lian, who had been pleased with the spring breeze after his recent success.
[春风得意 (chūn fēng dé yì): lit. Pleased with the spring breeze; fig. Someone who is proud of their success or good fortune.]
It wasn’t that Zhang Fangyuan was petty and didn’t want his fulang to talk to Fei Lian, but rather that Fei Lian tended to put on airs and boast more when Xu He was present.
“We’ve thought about it, but considering that the children you teach are older, and our two are still young, they might require more attention and discipline. We’re afraid you might be too busy, so we think it’s better to hire a teacher in the city. That way, both Xu He and I can feel more at ease.”
Fei Lian replied, “How could that be? I treat all my students equally and teach them diligently. As a teacher, how could I complain about being busy or tired?”
“I know you hold city teachers in high regard, but your thinking is a bit rigid. City teachers aren’t necessarily better at teaching children. They often charge exorbitant fees, but their literary skills are mediocre at best. They just inflate their reputations to deceive those who haven’t studied.”
Fei Lian paused and then smiled slightly: “Recently, a student from our village school even passed the imperial examination and became a xiucai (the lowest level of scholarly rank in the imperial examination system). So, the important thing isn’t the location but choosing the right teacher.”
Zhang Fangyuan sipped his tea, unsure whether Fei Lian genuinely wanted to teach Ruijin and Ruili or was simply here to boast about the student from his school who had recently become a xiucai.
No matter how much Fei Lian praised himself or belittled city teachers, Zhang Fangyuan had no intention of sending his children to Fei’s school. Not only did he dislike Fei Lian, but he also understood the Fei family’s ulterior motives.
If Fei Lian became the children’s teacher, he would hold the title of “master,” and in the future, if their family ever needed a favor, it would be hard to refuse.
Zhang Fangyuan suspected that Fei Lian, who prided himself on his integrity, wouldn’t have come on his own accord. It was likely Fei’s mother, who was more calculating, had persuaded him to come.
“I don’t expect Ruijin to pass the imperial examinations and become an official in the future. As long as he can read and write, that’s enough. It’s not just because I think city teachers are better that I’m taking him to the city for education. It’s also because our business is in the city, and it’s easier to manage things there. Finding a teacher in the city is just a bonus. If we stayed in the village, commuting back and forth would be exhausting.”
Fei Lian’s smug expression faded upon hearing this. He realized that his family’s wealth couldn’t compare to the Zhang family’s. With two large houses, one in the village and one in the city, servants, and so many tenant farmers, Zhang Fangyuan had surpassed even the local landlords in wealth. In terms of financial power, no one in the surrounding villages could match him.
However, Fei Lian still held himself in high regard. He firmly believed in the traditional hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. No matter how wealthy a merchant family might be, they were still considered lowly and could never bridge the gap with scholarly families like his, who were dedicated to teaching and learning. He was confident that once he properly educated his own son and helped him pass the imperial examinations, it would only be a matter of time before his family surpassed the Zhang family.
Seeing that Zhang Fangyuan showed no sign of relenting, Fei Lian cupped his hands in a gesture of farewell, maintaining his dignified demeanor and refusing to adopt the subservient attitude typical of villagers. “The Zhang family’s business is thriving, but I must still advise you that your children’s education is equally important.”
Without saying more, Fei Lian declared, “I take my leave.”
Zhang Fangyuan didn’t bother to see him off, remaining seated as Fei Lian left.
Xu He then entered the room. “Second Sister often visits, but she never mentioned sending the children to the Fei family for schooling. Instead, she always said that now that our family is doing well, we should hire a renowned teacher from the city. Fei Lian coming here on his own must have been planned by his mother.”
“That’s what I thought too.”
The Zhang family’s wealth and status in the village were like a single horse leaving the dust behind, unmatched by anyone, and everyone envied them. Even relatives who were eight poles away tried to get closer to them. The Fei family, being related by marriage, naturally didn’t want to miss this opportunity. However, did they really think the Zhang family was fool?
[一骑绝尘 (yī qí jué chén): lit. A single horse leaves the dust behind; fig. To be far ahead of others, unrivaled.]
[八竿子远 (bā gān zi yuǎn): lit. Eight poles away; fig. Very distant or unrelated.]
The couple ignored Fei Lian’s sudden visit and continued preparing for their move.
Two days later, they chose an auspicious date for the move. They left Huangqi and two of the tenant farmers’ children at the old house to manage things, while they took Gancao and the remaining servants to their new home in the city
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