Chapter 5: Borrowing Money

Chen Ping noticed his mother, Madam Xiang, was restless. Claiming he would go to the village entrance to welcome his father, he slipped out. Before long, he reached the village entrance and immediately spotted a lonely figure sitting under a large tree.

It went without saying that his father had failed in his errand and felt too ashamed to face his wife and child.

This, however, suited Chen Ping just fine. Their family lived a hand-to-mouth existence; sending him to school would only add insult to their already meager injury.

When Chen Ping ran over, his pace was light. "Dad, why aren't you going home? Mom and I are waiting for you for dinner."

Chen Duohai tucked away the distress on his face, stroked Chen Ping’s head affectionately, and forced a smile. "Just resting my legs after a long walk. You didn't make your mother angry today, did you?"

Chen Ping shook his head obediently and smiled.

Chen Duohai asked softly, "Do you want to learn to read and write?"

In this day and age, who wouldn't want their child to get ahead and succeed in the imperial examinations? Wealthy, noble families would hire tutors for their children as early as three or four years old. At Chen Ping's age, most children could already recite the *Three Character Classic* and the *Di Zi Gui*.

But this time, Chen Ping shook his head even faster. He looked up at his "cheap" father with sincerity. "No."

*This parent is quite decent,* he thought, *knowing how to respect a child’s wishes.*

Chen Duohai looked at the "anticipation" in Chen Ping's eyes and thought he understood.

"Once the busy farming season is over, Dad will find you a tutor."

Chen Ping froze. Was his expression and verbal refusal not clear enough? *I don't want to!*

He pouted, complaining, "I don't want to learn, it’s too tiring! I think herding cattle is better."

He felt a rap on his head. Chen Duohai straightened his face and scolded, "You little brat, I’m offering you an education and you’re complaining? All you know how to do is run wild. Do you want to be like your father, digging in the dirt for food your whole life?!"

"Ouch!"

Chen Ping cried out in pain, clutching his head as he scrambled away from Chen Duohai. Running toward home, he shouted to report the grievance, "Mom! Dad hit me! He hit really hard!"

As Chen Ping dove into Madam Xiang's arms and his wife shot him an accusatory look, Chen Duohai scratched his head, explaining, "Don't listen to the brat, I didn't actually hit him."

Madam Xiang snorted, "If you hurt him, see if I let you off."

Chen Duohai stood there, hesitating, wanting to say something but holding back.

Madam Xiang had already finished comforting Chen Ping and set the table. After the family finished their meal, the sky turned completely dark. They lit the oil lamp, made the bed, and prepared to rest.

Although Chen Ping’s body was that of a child, his mind was that of an adult. At his strong insistence, Chen Duohai had built him a small wooden bed and hung a piece of coarse cloth between them, at least ensuring "propriety in sight."

After the oil lamp was extinguished, Madam Xiang, assuming Chen Ping was fast asleep, whispered to her husband, "How did your inquiry about sending Ping to school go?"

Chen Duohai let out a bitter laugh. He hadn't known until he asked, and the answer had shocked him. The cheapest private school cost six taels of silver a year, and a child needed at least three years of study before they could take the preliminary examinations—totaling eighteen taels. And that was just tuition, excluding food, books, and other expenses.

Madam Xiang sat up, her eyes wide; she was clearly terrified by the figure. The couple could barely save a few taels a year after scrimping and saving, and they had exhausted their savings two years ago to buy their ox, Old Huang.

Chen Duohai remained silent for a while, then looked at his wife with firm eyes. "Our Ping has been sensible and intelligent since he was little; he will surely be more successful than I am. Once the spring plowing is finished, I’ll look for odd jobs in town to save money for his schooling."

"Yes, and I will take on some embroidery and mending work," Madam Xiang replied.

Chen Ping, listening to his parents' conversation, felt deeply moved. It was a selfless, great love, but to him, this love felt heavy. Soon, his eyelids grew heavy as well, and he drifted off to sleep.

Chen Duohai sighed, hardening his heart. "I’m just afraid we won't have enough time. If Ping doesn't enter school soon, it will be too late. I’ll think of other ways—if all else fails, I’ll sell Old Huang!"

Old Huang: ???

The family's main source of income was their land and Old Huang. The ox was used for plowing in the spring and hauling goods during the autumn harvest. A yellow ox was worth about twenty taels, which would be enough to cover the tuition.

Children usually started school between the ages of four and seven. Ancient private schools did not have fixed start dates, but there were three enrollment seasons: the end of the lunar New Year's agricultural work, the retreat of the summer heat in the eighth month, and the freezing weather in the eleventh month.

By comparison, starting the seven-year-old Chen Ping now was already considered late. If they had to save up the money, who knew how long that would take?

The next day.

Before dawn, the couple rose to get to work. Madam Xiang went to wash rice and cook, while Chen Duohai went to organize the farm tools, preparing to head out to the fields. They would work for a while in the morning before returning for breakfast.

Chen Ping heard the commotion and drifted awake. Just as he finished dressing, there was a knock at the door.

The door creaked open, and a woman a few years older than Madam Xiang walked in.

"Sister, I saw smoke coming from your chimney, so I knew you were up."

The woman was Zhou, the wife of his eldest uncle, Chen Duoguang. She was known for putting on airs. She spoke with a smirk, casting a glance at Madam Xiang, who was busy by the stove.

Madam Xiang asked indifferently, "Sister-in-law, is there something you need?"

"A small matter. Spring plowing is almost here, so I’ve come to ask the Fourth to help plow our fields today. You wouldn't disagree, would you, sister-in-law?"

Zhou’s tone was forceful. This wasn't a request; it was an order.

Madam Xiang frowned, though she tried to hide it. She said coldly, "Our own fields aren't finished yet. Sister-in-law, could you wait until tomorrow?"

Zhou was displeased, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Sister-in-law, that’s not right. When you borrowed money to buy that ox, we didn't turn you away like this."

At the mention of this, Madam Xiang’s anger flared. They had only borrowed fifty coins, yet it was treated as a massive favor. They had already repaid the money and had even plowed their fields for free for two years—was that not enough? Besides, she hadn't refused to help; the fact that she was quibbling over a single day was infuriating.

She had initially thought that since they were family, letting the others benefit from their ox was fine, but Zhou’s overbearing, entitled attitude enraged her.

Just as Madam Xiang was about to lash out, Chen Ping tugged at her from behind. She hesitated, suppressing her anger. "Helping with your field first is fine, but I also have a request, sister-in-law."

Zhou paused, wary. "Sister-in-law, you aren't asking to borrow money, are you? That shouldn't be! You’re doing quite well now, aren't you? To be honest, I’m almost out of rice myself, and with an extra mouth to feed, we haven't saved a penny."

Zhou was shrewd; she played the victim to block Madam Xiang’s request. If the eldest uncle's family were actually struggling, it would be one thing, but their standard of living was better than everyone else's.

Because the eldest uncle was the first to marry, Zhou had received the largest dowry. Just yesterday, Chen Ping had seen their son, Chen Jun, gnawing on a chicken leg, making his mouth water.

Nothing in the world was harder than borrowing money. When money was mentioned, relatives and friends alike would avoid you.

Once Zhou realized the money was for Chen Ping’s schooling, she sneered at the boy and shook her head. "Sister-in-law, it’s not for me to say, but we are all humble, poor folk. Education is for the children of nobles and the wealthy. What does it matter if a child can’t read? As long as he is fed and clothed and grows up well, that’s enough.

"Don't reach for the stars. They say dragons beget dragons, and mice beget tunnel-diggers. Look at the Chen family—do we have the roots for this? Does your son have the destiny for it? If he studies for three years and fails the exams, it’s just money down the drain! In my opinion, wait until Ping is older and find him a wife to start a family—that’s better than anything."

In short, she looked down on them! She didn't believe Chen Ping would ever amount to anything, even with an education.

Chen Ping didn't mind; such minor slights couldn't stir a ripple in his mature mind.

But Madam Xiang’s face turned black instantly. She could not tolerate anyone looking down on her son, and she immediately showed her the door.

"That is none of your concern, sister-in-law. Even if I were to borrow money, I wouldn't come to your house. If there is nothing else, please leave!"

Seeing the look on her face, Zhou snorted, "I was only trying to be kind—a wasted effort! I’m leaving then, but don't forget to tell the Fourth to plow our fields."

Zhou hurried away, leaving Madam Xiang still fuming. Chen Ping went to his mother’s side and whispered, "Mom, why get angry with her? She’s just jealous that others might do better than her. She doesn't have your foresight."

As he subtly flattered his mother, Madam Xiang’s eyes reddened. She sighed, "My child has truly grown up."

Chen Ping took her hand and continued to charm her. "I know you are the best, Mom. You love me from the bottom of your heart. When I grow up, I will definitely take good care of you and Dad, and let you eat the finest food. Maybe even find a pretty, obedient daughter-in-law to wait on you—how about that?"

Madam Xiang burst into a laugh. "You silly boy, if you don't amount to anything, you won't be able to marry a pretty wife."

Seeing his mother smile, Chen Ping laughed foolishly along with her.

At that moment, Chen Duohai, who had been working all morning, returned. Entering the house, he asked blankly, "Whose daughter-in-law are you two talking about? No one in the village is getting married, are they?"

Madam Xiang glared at him, still annoyed, and recounted what had happened with Zhou.

"How could I have married a man with no backbone? We’ve worked ourselves to the bone for them, and they’ve never helped us once. Now that we want to send Ping to school, they won't even lend us a penny and instead mock us. I think we should just split from this family once and for all!"

Chen Duohai, having been scolded out of the blue, rubbed his calloused hands and smiled sheepishly, "Yes, yes! Don't be angry, dear, it’s all my fault."

Though Madam Xiang complained, she knew her husband was suffering too. After venting, she set the table and told them to eat.

After the meal, it was time to head to the fields. Madam Xiang hated for Chen Ping to work, but the boy was a great help—Old Huang only listened to him.