C11 The Geniuses Were in the Mountains and the Wilderness

The wild tea, fresh with new green, released a subtle elegance from within the purple clay teapot. In the clay stove, the fine bamboo charcoal glowed a faint red, gently brewing the pot of tea with meticulous heat.

Though merely wild tea harvested by mountain folk, it couldn't compare to esteemed varieties like Longjing, Biluo Chun, or Da Hong Pao. Yet, in terms of flavor, it was smooth and refined, with a bitterness that sweetly lingered, offering a distinctive taste of its own.

The polished sandalwood tea table was adorned with thirteen plates of delicate white porcelain. The plates held an array of snacks: five-spice melon seeds, fried peanuts, osmanthus cakes, mung bean cakes, jujube paste cakes, crab roe crystal buns, and eight-treasure rice balls cooked in bamboo tubes... These treats, meant to accompany the tea, were mostly favorites of children.

"Eat slowly, there's more if you need it," Zhang Yaozhi said with a smile, pouring himself a robust cup of tea. He blew on the hot liquid while observing the child seated across from him.

At that moment, Ye Chuxue was earnestly nibbling on a peach blossom cake. He ate with delicate precision, savoring each small bite. Mountain children were known for their boisterous eating, eagerly stuffing morsels into their mouths, racing to eat before the best treats were gone. But Ye Chuxue was fortunate; Mr. Ye never competed with him for food. Moreover, Mr. Ye had taught him the importance of chewing slowly for the sake of his health.

The peach blossom cake was delightful, crafted from seasonal peach blossoms and glutinous rice flour mixed with honey, requiring an hour to steam to perfection.

Soft and sweet, dusted with a layer of fine sugar, such treats were a luxury in the teahouse. A small dish of these cakes, no bigger than a baby's fist, cost ten copper coins for just six pieces. That sum could buy twenty beef buns outside.

Ordinarily, such indulgences were spared. Only the well-to-do of the town could afford leisurely visits to the teahouse, which sat at the heart of the bustling market. Its name, Yazhou, was suitably refined. Within its walls, one could find musicians playing the zither, storytellers, and performers of grand operas.

To put it simply, it was a gathering spot for those who fancied themselves as members of the cultured elite. Naturally, one needed to have the means to enter; it was no place for impoverished scholars.

Zhang Yaozhi was quite generous and avoided mingling with the casual patrons on the first floor. He opted for a private room on the second floor instead. The so-called private room was merely a space partitioned with blue-and-white drapery, offering just a bit more room than the ground level seating.

Having finished a cup of aromatic tea, Ye Chuxue had also polished off his peach blossom cake. He had only taken a single piece, leaving the rest of the treats on the small plate untouched.

"What's the matter? Don't you like it?" Zhang Yaozhi asked, his brow furrowed in confusion. He had chosen treats that children typically enjoyed, and he expected Ye Chuxue to be quite fond of them.

"It's not that; the dessert is delicious. But Mr. Ye mentioned that Zhixian shouldn't have too many sweets while his teeth are coming in." Ye Chuxue opened his mouth to show a wobbly baby tooth and explained to Zhang Yaozhi with a look of disappointment.

"Ha! That's right, you shouldn't have sweets when you're teething. Zhixian, is it? Uncle wants to know, what's your name?" Zhang Yaozhi chuckled, setting down his teacup to inquire further.

"My surname is Ye, Ye Zhixian!" Ye Chuxue blinked, recalling Mr. Ye's advice not to share his full name carelessly and to use his style name instead. So, he was correct in telling Zhang Yaozhi this.

"Ye Zhixian, what a fine name. Tell me, Zhixian, where are your parents? Do they have plans for you to pursue an education?" Zhang Yaozhi praised, his smile widening. He was quite taken with the bright young boy, seeing him as a promising candidate for scholarly studies.

If Zhixian's parents were amenable, he was even prepared to take the boy under his wing for personal guidance. Surely, the boy would grow to be a distinguished scholar. Zhang Yaozhi himself, nearing forty and without a son, had his youngest daughter at six years of age. He mused that once Zhixian achieved academic success, he could become part of the family through marriage, ensuring a lineage of learned individuals. Though the boy was somewhat older, the saying went, 'A woman three years senior is like a precious gold brick.'

Zhang Yaozhi found himself growing increasingly fond of the child before him. It seemed as though everything was falling into place. Yet, upon observing Ye Chuxue once more, he noticed a hint of worry on the youngster's face. Zhixian fiddled with a small porcelain cup and spoke in a gentle voice.

"Zhixian has no parents. It was Mr. Ye who raised me. Mr. Ye believes that studying is pointless and that it's better to learn a trade that can provide a meal and earn enough to support a family."

In that moment, Zhang Yaozhi felt a pang of sadness and his heart went out to Ye Chuxue.

Such a pitiful child, he thought. Mr. Ye must be a simple countryman, unaware of the value of scholarly pursuits, and thus a promising young life was being squandered. Resolute in his decision to encourage Ye Chuxue's education, Zhang Yaozhi softened his voice and said,

"Zhixian, you must understand the value of learning from the sages. If you apply yourself to your studies, I will ensure you find a wonderful spouse in the future. And if Mr. Ye is against your education, how is it that Mr. Jiang has been teaching you?"

"Grandpa Jiang is a tutor in the town. He sometimes teaches me to read and write. Grandpa Jiang says that a boy should not be illiterate. He's had many students who became high-ranking officials through their studies. If Zhixian dedicates himself to learning, he too could become an official someday."

Ye Chuxue gazed earnestly at Zhang Yaozhi with clear eyes, while a flicker of anxiety crossed Zhang Yaozhi's face.

He inquired further, "Zhixian, tell me about this Grandpa Jiang. Does he have a white beard and a scar on his forehead? Does he often stand with his hands clasped behind his back?"

"Yes, that's him! Uncle, do you know Grandpa Jiang?"

"I do indeed. Later on, I'll need you to show me the way, as I plan to pay a visit to Grandpa Jiang."

With a heart lightened by progress, Zhang Yaozhi took a sip of strong tea, keeping his elation in check.

"Zhixian, I want to ask you, what books have you read with Grandpa Jiang, and how much do you remember?"

"Yes, there are many. The Three Character Classic, the Analects, Mencius, the Book of Rites, Idle Chats from the Study... and the first volume of the Taibai Poetry Collection! Zhixian remembers them all..."

Ye Chuxue carefully counted them off on her fingers as she replied.

"You've read quite a bit, and to remember all that is impressive... Wait, you can actually remember everything!"

Zhang Yaozhi nearly choked on his tea as he realized the extent of her memory. His eyes widened in amazement as he looked at Ye Chuxue.

"Yes, Zhixian remembers them all!"

Ye Chuxue nodded, somewhat confused. Why was Zhang Yaozhi so astonished? Wasn't it normal to remember what you read?

"Zhixian, you mustn't deceive your uncle. Since you've read the 'Taibai Poetry Collection', tell me, what is the title of the first poem on page 173, and what is the last line?"

"The first poem on page 173 of the Taibai Poetry Collection is 'Lushan Ballad, Sent to Lu Shiyu's Empty Boat'. The last line is 'From afar, I see an immortal amidst the colorful clouds, holding a lotus as he heads towards the Jade Capital, preceding the sweat that covers the nine realms.'"

Ye Chuxue recited effortlessly. Upon hearing her response, Zhang Yaozhi's face lit up with wild joy. He pressed on with another question.

"What about the third stanza of 'Sending Thoughts to Yuan Liu from the River'?"

"At midnight, the Milky Way turns, I rise to see the vast sea swell. How chilling is the breeze, how lively the murmuring waters."

...

"How many chapters are in the Analects, and how many passages in total?"

"The Analects are divided into twenty chapters, with a total of over six hundred passages."

...

"What are the titles of the ninth and fifteenth chapters of the Analects, and how many passages do they contain?"

"The ninth chapter is titled 'Zi Han', and the fifteenth 'Wei Ling Gong'. 'Zi Han' contains thirty-one passages, while 'Wei Ling Gong' has forty-two..."

...

Up in the teahouse, Zhang Yaozhi asked and Ye Chuxue answered. It took the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea before Zhang Yaozhi finally paused. In that moment, his eyes gleamed as if he were beholding a priceless treasure, gazing at Ye Chuxue with admiration.

"Zhixian, can you tell me how you managed to remember so much?"

After fielding a barrage of questions, Ye Chuxue felt his mouth go dry. He sipped the tea from his cup, puzzled by adults' preference for such a bitter beverage. In his opinion, spring water sweetened with sugar was far more palatable than the bitter tea.

Having downed his tea, Ye Chuxue stuck out his tongue, numbed by the bitterness, and explained, "Grandpa Jiang said that when you read a book, you must commit it to memory. Otherwise, reading is pointless. That's why Zhixian remembers."

Zhang Yaozhi was taken aback by this guileless response and sighed deeply. Suddenly, a figure pushed aside the curtain and entered—it was Hsu San.

"Master, I've taken care of everything you instructed. The children have taken their candy and gone home."

"Hsu San, you're absolutely right. Tongshui Ancient Town is indeed a place of great feng shui. Now, it seems we are about to witness the rise of a dragon—a true dragon!"

Zhang Yaozhi drained his cup of tea and, gazing at Ye Chuxue's refined features, smiled with profound significance. He was convinced that this child was a natural-born scholar, a genuine prodigy.