Chapter 12: Li Feng Teaches Writing

That night, Chen Ping’s mind was filled with countless thoughts, so the next day he woke up late.

By the time he got dressed and rose, Chen Duohai, who should have been out in the fields much earlier, was instead dressed in a fresh robe and carrying a pound of cured meat. With a cheerful expression, he urged Chen Ping to hurry.

“Today, we’re visiting a scholar in the neighboring village. Quickly change into these clothes—your mother made you a new outfit.”

Before Chen Ping could move, Madam Xiang handed him the clothes and compared the size against him; they fit perfectly.

On the way, Chen Duohai spoke of the scholar they were to visit: Li Feng. This was the same man mentioned the night before. Li Feng was not only the only successful candidate for the imperial examination in several nearby villages but also held a reputation at the Huating Academy. Chen Ping recalled having seen him before—he was the man listed in the exam registration roster.

Chen Ping had a faint impression of Li Feng, as it was Li Feng who had earlier advised him on what to prepare.

This visit was to seek help on several matters, and Chen Duohai specifically instructed Chen Ping never to mention Li Feng’s repeated failures in the imperial exams.

Though called a neighboring village, it was still over twenty li away.

Fortunately, they hadn’t started too late, and upon arrival, they just caught the children finishing their lessons at Li Feng’s home.

Chen Duohai adjusted his robe, held up the cured meat, and knocked on the main door of the Li family with a beaming smile.

“Please come in, please come in. I don’t deal in those formalities,” Li Feng said, seeing them as he was sending out the last child.

“I was worried about disturbing you,” Chen Duohai said.

Seeing Li Feng’s friendly demeanor, Chen Duohai led Chen Ping inside. “We came to visit because some things are unclear. I hope you can help us check if there’s anything wrong.” As he spoke, he placed the wrapped cured meat on the table.

“That’s nothing. You didn’t have to bring such a heavy gift,” Li Feng said, looking at the thick package and guessing its contents immediately.

Chen Duohai didn’t agree. “No, no, to be honest, this visit is about my son’s admission to the academy. Our family has farmed for generations and lived a rough life. We know nothing of the scholars’ ways, so we must ask for your help.”

“Oh, don’t say that!” Li Feng quickly interrupted. “There are no such rules.”

He then looked at Chen Ping. “This boy is Chen Ping, right? I vaguely remember someone wanting to send him here to learn literacy?”

“That’s right!” Chen Duohai’s voice rose noticeably. “I was thinking of you from the start.”

Li Feng was surprised by Chen Duohai’s reaction and quickly explained, “It’s nothing. I was just thinking it’s a good thing he didn’t come to me earlier, or he’d have been at a disadvantage.”

“Not at all!” Chen Duohai hurried to clarify, worried Li Feng might think badly of Chen Ping because of this. “It’s my fault for not thinking it through.”

Seeing Chen Duohai grow more anxious, Li Feng broke in. “Don’t worry. I don’t blame you.”

Chen Duohai wiped the sweat from his brow, relieved to feel Li Feng’s genuine kindness.

While Chen Duohai was busy, Chen Ping noticed the faint look of helplessness on Li Feng’s face. Catching Chen Ping’s gaze, Li Feng winked playfully.

This was no ordinary scholar.

Chen Ping thought the image of a rigid, old-fashioned scholar from ancient times didn’t fit Li Feng at all, which made him feel a little closer to him.

Since Chen Duohai and Li Feng needed to discuss the apprenticeship ceremony, Li Feng opened his study for Chen Ping to browse some books and pass the time.

Chen Duohai wanted to refuse but recalled that their conversation would involve money matters, so he only reminded Chen Ping to handle the books carefully and didn’t stop him.

It was unclear how these two adults could trust a child to stay alone in a room, but Chen Ping was no ordinary child.

He approached the desk, where a poetry collection lay open. Some characters were unfamiliar to him, so he tried to infer their meaning from context.

Not wanting to disturb the household, Chen Ping kept to himself. The conversation outside ended quickly, and only Li Feng remained inside.

“Where’s my father?” Chen Ping asked, as a child would when uncertain.

Li Feng smiled. “He’s resting outside. But you don’t get to rest.”

“What do you mean?”

“Of course, it means you have to study and learn to read,” Li Feng said naturally.

During the short time Chen Ping stayed in the study, Chen Duohai finished asking Li Feng all about academy admission and entrusted Chen Ping’s education to him.

“Don’t just stand there. After all, Ye Lao, who tested you before, was also my teacher. There’s no need to be distant between us.”

Li Feng called Chen Ping over and wrote his name on a piece of paper. “Do you recognize these two characters?”

“Yes, that’s my name.”

Chen Ping answered decisively. Li Feng wrote two more large characters, “And these?”

“Your name.”

In that moment, Chen Ping felt his intelligence insulted.

But then he thought about his current status and realized there was no issue, so the feeling of insult faded.

Li Feng didn’t continue writing but instead pulled a book from the shelf and handed it to Chen Ping, pointing to the first vertical column and reciting it.

Realizing Li Feng was reciting from the book, Chen Ping quickly matched the words with the characters.

Surprisingly, Chen Ping kept pace with Li Feng’s speed. Occasionally glancing at the text, he found no discrepancies, which delighted Li Feng.

Earlier, while chatting with Chen Duohai, Li Feng had worried that after hearing the costs of the apprenticeship ceremony and daily study expenses, Chen Duohai might find it too burdensome and give up. But instead, Chen Duohai’s eyes shone with enthusiasm and hope for the future. Such determination from a simple farmer moved Li Feng deeply.

He therefore suggested Chen Ping stay with him for a while to get familiar with the studies. Chen Ping’s current performance convinced Li Feng to invest more effort, unwilling to waste such a bright child.

By the time Li Feng finished reciting from the “Selections from the Seventeen Histories,” Chen Ping had recognized all the characters. When Li Feng quizzed him, Chen Ping answered without hesitation.

Li Feng was still skeptical. Could Chen Ping really recognize every character after just one reading?

He thought Chen Ping might have merely echoed the recitation without truly knowing the characters.

So he casually wrote a few characters on paper, and Chen Ping answered correctly each time. Li Feng’s admiration grew, but since Chen Ping was still a child, he didn’t want him to become arrogant. He wrote one more character and asked, “Do you recognize this one?”

Chen Ping looked closely, uncertain. The strokes were more casual than the printed script. He guessed it was the character “Meng,” but wasn’t sure.

“It’s okay to be wrong,” Li Feng reassured, seeing his hesitation. “It’s from the book after all.”

With that, Chen Ping braved a guess. “Is it the character ‘Meng’?”

Though only a child, Chen Ping furrowed his brows as if facing a great challenge.

Li Feng had only meant to tease the child with a tricky question, but Chen Ping’s serious demeanor made him feel a bit guilty for taking it so seriously. He chuckled to himself.

Chen Ping blinked, puzzled by Li Feng’s hearty laughter. Was his guess that far off?

Li Feng patted his shoulder, gradually calming his laughter. “Don’t overthink it. You’re right—that is the character ‘Meng.’”

Chen Ping sighed in relief but still wondered why Li Feng had laughed. Li Feng quickly changed the subject, writing the standard script for “Meng” beside the cursive one, and told him that both forms were essential to recognize in the academy.

It was a vital part of the learning journey.