C13 The Teacher in the Mountains Was an Official in the Court

"Come on, you're too old for this. What kind of impression are you making? Get up quickly."

Upon recognizing the visitor, a touch of emotion crossed Jiang Ning's face. He gestured for Zhang Yaozhi to rise.

"Zhixian, why don't you go outside and play with Big Yellow and the rest? Grandpa Jiang and your uncle need to talk."

Jiang Ning smiled as he gently patted Ye Chuxue's head and spoke softly to him.

"Okay, Zhixian is off. Take your time chatting, Grandpa Jiang and uncle."

Ye Chuxue nodded dutifully and quietly exited the room, carefully closing the door behind him. Once Ye Chuxue had left, Jiang Ning gestured for Zhang Yaozhi to sit, then settled himself into the armchair behind his desk with a leisurely air.

"If you're in the mood for tea, help yourself in the front hall. I'm a poor old man without access to the imperial court's fine teas, so you'll have to make do."

"What are you saying, Teacher? It's the student's duty to prepare the tea."

Zhang Yaozhi, upon hearing Jiang Ning's remark, quickly stood to fetch some tea leaves from the front hall, but Hsu San intervened.

"Master, it's been many years since you've seen Mr. Jiang, and surely there's much to discuss. Allow me to handle the tea so you can focus on catching up with Mr. Jiang."

With the gift box in hand, Hsu San silently withdrew from the room, leaving the space to the teacher and his pupil. Deprived of the tea-making task, Zhang Yaozhi returned to his seat, gazing around the humble dwelling and sighing deeply.

"Seven years apart, and to think, Teacher, you've been living so simply."

"Simply? I find it quite pleasant here, surrounded by mountains and water. When idle, I teach the children to read and relish the tranquility. I've experienced the grandeur of high society in my life, and now, retiring to the countryside in my old age is indeed a fortune.

"Yaozhi, it appears that your time in the bureaucracy has dulled your perception. You're not as insightful as you once were."

Clasping the brush he had used for writing, Jiang Ning dipped its tip into the bowl of clear water and meticulously cleaned it. The ink from the brush slowly dissolved into the water, turning the bowl murky.

"The lesson is well taken, Teacher. You may have extricated yourself, but I remain entangled in affairs. There are some realities that are simply beyond my control," Zhang Yaozhi said with a sigh, his voice low. After rinsing the brush, Jiang Ning looked up at him.

"Yaozhi, as the Prefect of Changqing Prefecture, why aren't you in Jinzhou where you belong? What brings you to the ancient town of Tongshui in Cloud State? Don't tell me it's just to see me; the old lady may be aged, but she's still sharp."

"Teacher, you jest. I'm no longer the Prefect of Changqing Prefecture. Last year, the Imperial Court reassigned me to Cloud State as an official. I'm here on official business. Passing through, I remembered you had retired here, so I decided to pay a visit," Zhang Yaozhi replied with a respectful smile.

"It looks like you've done well for yourself over the years, rising to a fourth-rank official. Remember back in school when you were just a kid who couldn't even finish an essay?" Jiang Ning teased, pinching his snowy beard and squinting as if lost in memories.

"Teacher, you flatter me. You were a distinguished Grand Secretary in the Hanlin Academy. My modest accomplishments pale in comparison. But I wonder, when you retired, the Imperial Court granted you a generous pension. Why then do you choose to live so simply now?"

"Haha, Yaozhi, my boy, you're still missing the point. I'm old and without heirs; what use do I have for so much silver? This ancestral home and enough food to eat are all I need. There are countless scholars out there, many with unacknowledged talents. I've donated that money. My life began with the teachings of the sages, and it will end with them. Even now, I continue to teach in a private school..."

Jiang Ning chuckled and returned the pen to its stand. He gazed out the wide-open window and took a deep breath.

"Teacher, your spirit is so pure, you're practically a saint! I am humbled in comparison, truly humbled."

Reflecting on his own years of diligent study, Zhang Yaozhi couldn't help but feel a growing admiration. His teacher had genuinely dedicated his life to education, a commitment worthy of the highest respect.

"What saint? I'm just an old schoolmaster from the hills. Enough of that. Since you're here, why not stay for a simple lunch?"

Just as Jiang Ning finished speaking, the door opened. Hsu San entered, carrying two cups of hot tea, and placed them respectfully before Zhang Yaozhi and Jiang Ning.

"Master, your tea is ready."

After a sip of the comforting tea, Zhang Yaozhi smiled and addressed Jiang Ning.

"I have official duties to attend to and cannot stay for lunch. However, if it's convenient for you, perhaps you could accompany me up the mountain for a vegetarian meal?"

"Up the mountain? Aside from that Taoist temple in the Great Mountain, where else could you be going?"

"Exactly, that Taoist temple. The Dao Sect is renowned throughout the world. My mission is to carry the Dao Sect's mandate and establish a branch in Cloud State. The location is set for the ancient town of Tongshui. It's time for the mountain temple to be relocated."

Zhang Yaozhi looked at Jiang Ning, a proud smile spreading across his face.

"Indeed, the Dao Sect is a sanctuary for Cultivators. Establishing a temple in Tongshui is a blessing for the locals. If it leads people onto the path of cultivation, that would be wonderful. Yaozhi, you've handled this matter excellently."

After pondering for a moment, Jiang Ning nodded in approval.

"My mother's family hails from Tongshui; it's only natural to contribute to my ancestral home."

Zhang Yaozhi spoke slowly, moistening his throat with another sip of tea.

Seated in the grand master's chair, Jiang Ning cradled the cup of hot tea, inhaling its subtle aroma. His gaze drifted to the courtyard where Ye Chuxue was frolicking with the large yellow dog.

"Yaozhi, what's your opinion of Zhixian, the boy?"

"He's truly exceptional—a once-in-a-century find. My only concern is whether our teacher has accepted him. If we're from the same sect, it wouldn't be right for me to take him under my wing."

Whenever Zhang Yaozhi spoke of Ye Chuxue, his face would light up with enthusiasm. But at the mention of his teacher, his voice would falter and fade away.

"You've noticed it too. Zhixian has extraordinary talent. If he commits to his studies, he could surpass all my disciples. He might even become a Grade One Great Scholar, or rise to the rank of Left or Right Minister among the civil officials.

I still remember the first time I saw him, just outside the school. He was a mere two-year-old, perched at the window, listening intently to my lecture. When I caught him and asked what he had heard, he recited the entire lesson back to me. It would be such a waste for a child of his caliber not to pursue an education.

I've tried to take him on as a student, but he declined, saying that Mr. Ye at home forbids him from studying. It's their family business, and I shouldn't intrude. It took considerable effort just to get the boy to learn some letters and read a few books with me."

Jiang Ning let out a sigh, a look of profound regret crossing his face as if this were the greatest disappointment of his life.

"Don't fret, Teacher. This Mr. Ye is probably just an unenlightened villager, unaware of the value of scholarly pursuits. I'll make time to visit and explain it to him. Zhixian is a promising young sprout; we can't let his potential go to waste."

Zhang Yaozhi offered his reassurance with a sympathetic sigh.

"If you could indeed take Zhixian as your disciple, that would be wonderful. Just be mindful not to offend. Mr. Ye is a pitiful soul—a blind man who arrived here three years ago with a child in tow. Raising Zhixian by himself must have been an arduous task."

Jiang Ning shook his head, perhaps out of compassion, and spoke softly to Zhang Yaozhi.

"I'll handle it with care. When the time is right, I'll bring both him and Zhixian to my estate. They will be well looked after."

Upon learning that Ye Chuxue had not become a disciple of Jiang Ning, Zhang Yaozhi finally felt a weight lift from his chest. Having such a promising prospect in his own sect would indeed be a matter of great pride. As for Mr. Ye, Zhang Yaozhi decided to put thoughts of him on hold for the time being.

The mountain folk, being blind, would surely be easy to handle. His current priority was to welcome Ye Chuxue into his sect, a move that was undoubtedly the right decision.