Chapter Twenty-One: Wang Gui’s Hidden Concerns

The next day, before dawn, Li Daqi and his cousin Li Daguang arrived at the patriarch’s residence. Although Li Daguang had been negligent regarding the burning of the ancestral hall, he was not shunned by the clan leader. The new ancestral hall remained under his management, and on top of that, he secured an opportunity to revise the family genealogy.

“Daqi, I heard this time the genealogy revision will be done together with the Li family in Bianjing. Maybe we’ll even get a chance to visit Bianjing!” Li Daguang said excitedly.

At the thought of the dazzling brothels and music houses in Bianjing, Li Daguang’s spirits soared.

Li Daqi still wore his shabby jacket. He hadn’t had time to buy new clothes yet. Though his body remained slender and frail, having eaten two full meals yesterday and seeing a glimmer of hope in life, he looked more spirited; a faint glow returned to his face.

“Let’s hurry! We shouldn’t keep the patriarch waiting,” Li Daqi urged.

The two entered the Li residence and approached the courtyard gate, where they faintly heard a heated argument inside.

“You know well that Feng’er will be entering the county school next year, and participating in the Children’s Assembly is a chance to build connections. You gave the spot to someone else without consulting me. Have you considered how I feel?”

“Feng’er has attended the Children’s Assembly for four consecutive years. Isn’t it fine to let someone else go this time? Even if I ask for it once, can’t you give it to me?”

“You know very well! Do you think I would give up the steward position for you just once?”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“You know full well!”

Li Daqi and Li Daguang exchanged glances. They recognized the voices as those of the patriarch’s brothers fiercely quarrelling. What could have happened?

Suddenly, the courtyard gate swung open, and Li Wengui stormed out in anger. Without control, he collided heavily with Li Daguang, nearly falling. Startled, Li Daguang quickly bowed in apology. Li Wengui shot a fierce glare at him and then strode away.

Li Daqi grabbed the uneasy Li Daguang’s arm, and the two walked into the courtyard. The patriarch stood with his hands behind his back, his face still flushed with anger. Seeing them, Li Wenyu nodded and said, “Let’s discuss this inside.”

Once inside the main hall, Li Wenyu had regained his composure. He invited them to sit and spoke slowly, “The genealogy revision has been delayed for years. Now that the county is updating its local records, I’m taking this chance to revise the genealogy as well. The Bianjing branch has been urging us to complete it and send it there for compilation.”

“That sounds urgent,” Li Daguang asked.

“Not really. Bianjing just started at the beginning of the year and will take at least another year. We’ll need about a year too, so it’s perfect timing to finish simultaneously and merge.”

Revising the genealogy’s lineage order isn’t difficult; the challenge lies in documenting the key life stories of ancestors, which requires time to investigate and verify. One year is necessary.

Li Wenyu smiled, “We plan to allocate one hundred guan from the clan treasury for this project. It will mainly cover your travel expenses, living allowances, and other necessary costs. I think this will be enough for a year. If not, let me know. This important family matter is entrusted to both of you.”

Li Daguang was delighted. Most of the Li clan lived within Tangyin County, so travel costs would be minimal. Splitting the funds, he would have fifty guan for the year—a comfortable living.

Li Daqi nodded silently, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.

Li Wenyu then said to Li Daguang, “Daguang, you may go now. I will discuss the local records with Daqi.”

Li Daguang stood, bowed, and left. Li Wenyu gently spoke to Li Daqi, “Let’s forget past grievances. I may have wronged you before, and I ask for your forgiveness.”

Li Daqi’s throat tightened. “I am grateful to the patriarch. There is no place for resentment.”

“Good. Let’s get back to business. But before talking about the local records, I want to discuss this year’s Children’s Assembly because it involves Qing’er…”

***

Lushan Town was named after Lushan, which was less a mountain than a long, narrow hill, like a slender earthworm stretched across the vast plain. The hill was densely wooded, and a small stream flowed at its base.

At the hilltop stood a pavilion, the ‘Lushan Sunset,’ a local scenic spot. It often attracted scholars and poets from the county, who brought their companions to compose verses and sing songs there, making it a fashionable pastime.

A small path behind the school led directly up to the pavilion, and students often spent their lunch breaks playing on the hill. One midday, Li Yanqing followed Wang Gui up the mountain. It was Li Yanqing’s first time at Lushan. From inside the pavilion, he could overlook the entire town and even glimpse Li Wencun faintly along the official road to the south. The view from above was refreshing and uplifting.

Suddenly, Li Yanqing heard Wang Gui cursing bitterly behind him. Turning around, he saw Wang Gui furiously beating a small tree with a wooden stick, as if it had wronged him deeply.

Li Yanqing chuckled. Wang Gui had been in a foul mood all morning, ignoring everyone. Since he dragged him up the hill, he must want to say something.

“Even if you kill the little tree, it won’t ease your frustration,” Li Yanqing said, leaning against the pavilion pillar leisurely.

Wang Gui threw down the stick in anger and stormed into the pavilion, shouting toward the school, “I’m just full of hate. Why do all the bad lucks fall on me?”

“Tell me about it. Maybe I can help.”

Wang Gui sat heavily on the stone steps, then muttered gloomily, “Have you heard of the Children’s Assembly?”

“I heard about it from Li Er at school. It starts next month. Last year your cousin Wang Hui participated. This year it should be your turn, right?”

Suddenly, Li Yanqing understood Wang Gui’s frustration and smiled. “Could it be you didn’t get a spot this year?”

Wang Gui said resentfully, “The first and second times, it was my eldest cousin Wang Zhu; the year before last and last year, my second cousin Wang Hui. Both have entered the county school, so it should be my turn this year. I’ve waited a whole year, but yesterday grandfather told me the Wang family’s spot was given away. I have to wait until next year... I...” Wang Gui suddenly buried his head in his knees and cried sadly.

Li Yanqing looked at him with sympathy. That morning, Li Er had told him about the Children’s Assembly, and he realized that the four slots for Xiao and Xiang towns were monopolized annually by four great families: last year it had been Li Feng, Wang Hui, Tang Huai, and Zhang Daxiao. Since Wang Hui had gone to the government school this spring, the spot should have gone to Wang Gui.

Unexpectedly, something had gone wrong. Li Yanqing sat beside Wang Gui and asked with concern, “Who got the spot?”

Wang Gui sobbed, “It was given to Brother Yue!”

Li Yanqing was stunned. Given to Yue Fei? So why was he crying? No wonder he hadn’t spoken to Yue Fei all morning.

Wang Gui wiped his tears, “I don’t resent Brother Yue. It’s just... I wanted to go with you all.”

“Wait a minute!” Li Yanqing sensed something and hurriedly asked, “What do you mean ‘go with us’? Does it have anything to do with me?”

Wang Gui looked at him in surprise. “Don’t you know? Li Feng isn’t going this year. The Li family’s spot is yours.”

Li Yanqing blinked in disbelief. The news came too suddenly; he wasn’t prepared. After a moment, he asked, “Me? Who decided this?”

“My grandfather said the master suggested it, and your patriarch agreed.”

So it was Master Yao. This news truly surprised Li Yanqing. It seemed the master did not dislike him after all!

He scratched his head and asked, “But I don’t even know what the Children’s Assembly is or what we’re supposed to do there.”

“I heard it’s a kind of contest where you defeat opponents with various skills, but it’s all done through literary talent.”

Wang Gui’s face suddenly flushed. His studies were the worst among them; even Tang Huai was better. If he went, he’d probably come in last. But... since several good friends were going, he wanted to go, too!

Li Yanqing grew interested. It was probably some kind of knowledge competition. He had often participated in such contests before, always winning first place. This would be his first time competing in a Song dynasty knowledge contest, and suddenly he looked forward to the Children’s Assembly.

Patting Wang Gui on the shoulder, Li Yanqing smiled warmly, “Don’t worry! We’ll go together. Leave it to me.”

“Really?” A gleam of hope sparked in Wang Gui’s eyes.

Li Yanqing nodded. “This is a small matter, a mere trifle!”

***