Chapter 186: Virtuous
Translator: Translation Nation Editor: Translation Nation
Thick dark clouds would occasionally cover the sky, causing the sky to turn dark and the weather to be cool.
The boat would occasionally stop at harbors for some time, and people would embark while others disembarked. In the blink of an eye, eleven days had passed. Ren Wei and Pei Zi Yun had started to be familiar with each other.
Pei Zi Yun’s cabin was huge. He would frequently order several cold dishes, a jug of wine and a plate of peanuts as the pair would talk and discuss everything under the sun. They would talk about poems and sometimes about philosophy.
A jug of wine was placed just above the stove as it heated up. The scent of rice wine wafted in the air. Pei Zi Yun picked up his cup and took a sip as he smiled, "In order to live a proper life, a person must always bear the teachings of philosophy upon his mind, and keep to it carefully."
"Our ancestors said, ‘Sincerity and virtues have to be cultivated. Once it’s been grasped, never let go of it.’"
"Although this proverb sounds deep, it actually bore a very simple meaning. A person must be loyal. A disloyal person would die and his entire clan would have no continuity. A person must be filial, for an unfilial person would lose his reputation. A person must know justice, for an unjust person would be disrespected by others. A person must be kind, for an unkind person would have a bad ending to his life."
"In such a society, it’s impossible for someone to have all these qualities in big amounts. Instead, if they have just a little bit of each quality, a person would be able to live life comfortably and happily."
"But these qualities, what would you be willing to do to have them? When you’re alone and nobody’s watching, how would you act?" Pei Zi Yun laughed out. In his previous life when he was working in the corporate world, a person who upsetted his own boss would be sacked. A person who upsetted his friends would be ostracized and a person who upsetted his girlfriend would be labelled a heartless person.
But on the internet, where everyone’s true identity was masked, their true colours would show. ‘So what if I’m ostracized and a heartless scoundrel without any friends, what can you do to me over the internet?’
That was how the values started become eroded with the introduction of the internet. Pei Zi Yun then sighed regretfully, "When a person is alone, and his true colors are shown, would he still act kindly, loyally, be filial and just?"
"If a person can do all those things, he is truly virtuous."
When Ren Wei heard this, he was stumped. Over the course of these few days, he’s been amazed by the discussions held with Pei Zi Yun. He felt that Pei Zi Yun was not an ordinary person. Furthermore they shared many common viewpoints and opinions. However, after listening to him for days, he knew without a doubt that Pei Zi Yun’s views and knowledge far surpassed his own. Ren Wei sighed, "Just speaking that way about virtues, I know for sure that brother Pei’s knowledge far surpasses mine. I failed in becoming a High Scholar, and the fact that you failed as well shocks me."
Pei Zi Yun didn’t reply him but pushed open the windows as a fresh breeze blew in. He looked across the water and spoke, "I’ve read brother Ren’s essays and have some views of my own. Shall I voice them?"
Ren Wei raised his glass, "Brother Pei shouldn’t worry about my permission. Please carry on."
"When it comes to the examination subjects, apart from the practicality aspect it has to be studied and understood in the academic sense. Although there are many instances where mere studying doesn’t help, it is still important. Brother Ren is very talented, but is too rigid on your ideas. If you are able to break out of your stereotypes, you should be able to achieve High Scholar status easily."
Hearing these words, Ren Wei seemed to have understood something. He looked at Pei Zi Yun and replied, "Brother Pei is generous with his compliments. Brother Pei can see things much better than I can, and is definitely High Scholar calibre. Why don’t you attempt the examinations? Why are you contented with being just an Elementary Scholar?"
Pei Zi Yun poured a cup of wine and paused for a long time before speaking, "Being an official is tiring and endless work for the state. If an official slips and makes a mistake, it might cause his entire career to stall and he will amount to nothing. Wandering around the lands as a traveller with no obligations suits me better."
Ren Wei heard this and picked out a single peanut. He then forced a bitter laugh, "Travelling the lands requires a person to have some money as well. Without money, how can a person travel."
"In a person’s life, he would face many unhappiness. How can he let a simple setback such as money prevent him from moving forward?" Pei Zi Yun used his chopsticks to pick up a single peanut as he spoke.
The minute his last word was spoken, it turned silent as the pair of them drank their wines and remained quiet in deep thought.
"We’ve arrived at Crow’s Head Pier. We’ve arrived at Crow’s Head Pier." The boat jolted as it arrived at the shore. Pei Zi Yun noticed that Ren Wei was preparing to disembark and spoke out, "Brother Ren has reached his village. Since I’ve enjoyed your company, I shall see you off."
"Many thanks brother Pei." The both of them walked down the boat together and headed for the pier. Ren Wei then pointed out, "My house is not far away from here."
As soon as they left the pier, they stepped onto a small road. It was about a hundred meters long and many different shops were scattered on both sides of the road. Ren Wei pointed at a house some distance ahead, "That is my house. I’ve been spoilt by brother Pei on the boat, now’s my turn to treat you to a good meal in my house."
When he spoke, a teenage boy brushed past them and knocked past Ren Wei. Feeling that something was amiss, he reached out a hand to pull the teenage boy back. He then looked at his face, "Song’er, where are you going?"
Hearing a familiar voice, the teenager whose head looked down at first raised his glance up and realized that it was his father. Seeing Ren Wei, tears rolled down the teenager’s cheeks as he hurriedly spoke out, "Father, not good. Something bad happened."
He sounded very anxious and was clearly at a loss.
Hearing his own son’s anxious and panicked tone, Ren Wei was worried as well, "Song’er why were you in a rush? Did something happen at home? Slow down, speak clearly and explain to me what’s happened."
"Father, you’re finally back." The teenager stepped forward to hug his father as he started wailing. "Father, I was on the way to find uncle and ask him for help."
"Some time ago, mother borrowed nine taels of silver to help with brother’s illness. Who knew that the money lender was capable of cheating us. It’s now been several months and the total sum inclusive of interests in thirty six taels."
"Our family doesn’t have that type of money and they have come up to our house to demand for the three mu of land we own as payment. Mother was preparing to sell her dowry and I decided to look for uncle to see if he could be of assistance."
Hearing these words, Ren Wei’s face turned pale. Thinking of his Elementary Scholar status, he gritted his teeth, "Song’er let’s go back home and we shall discuss this matter further."
"Yes, father." The teenager finally had someone to lead him and provide guidance. The three of them started making their way back.
When they were nearby, they could hear a racket from outside. A large group of people had gathered around to watch the spectacle. Some other people couldn’t squeeze through the crowd and had to climb over the wall to get a better view.
Seeing such a situation unfolding before his house, his face turned ashen as he took big strides forward. When the crowd saw that it was Ren Wei, and that he had returned, they moved aside and allowed him to cross. Some of them who didn’t recognized him whispered, "Paying your debts is the way it should be. We can’t blame them for doing this."
As soon as they reached, a foul stench filled the entire area. When they looked up, they saw that the walls were plastered with faeces. Several big burly men were crowded around the house as a tall man who looked like the leader carried a wooden bench and was glaring at the mother son duo.
Another teenager was within the house, his face was pale and he was coughing repeatedly probably due to his sickness rather than from fear.
Pei Zi Yun looked across and spotted a woman dressed in plain robes carrying several jewelleries. The leader looked at her and shouted, "All these gold silver ornaments put together are worth at most five taels of silver. You're still short of thirty one taels. If you can't produce that money, your cow, land deed and house deed shall belong to me."
The woman started begging, "Money lender master, these jewelry were handed down from my family and valuable goods. They are worth at least thirty taels. I'm not lying to you. Believe me. Tomorrow I shall pawn them off for thirty taels tomorrow okay? Without the cow, house and land, you're driving us towards death."
The unsympathetic money landed cleared his throat, "If it weren't for the fact that I respected the Elementary Scholar in your home, I would have collected the money a long time ago and chased you from your home. I've already given you enough time. How long more do you want to drag it out for?"
At this point Pei Zi Yun and Ren Wei walked in and heard these words.
Ren Wei limped forward and shouted out, "Money lender. You are very bold."
The money lender jumped up in shock as he straightened his posture and scrutinized the pair of them before speaking, "So the Elementary Scholar has returned home. Your wife borrowed thirty eight taels of silver. I'm here to claim my money."
The woman realized that Ren Wei had returned. Her eyes shone, "Husband!"
The money lender kept his cold gaze and smiled, "When you borrow money, you have to return the amount borrowed. That's the way of things. Even if you decide to take this matter to court, I shall remain as steadfast and loud. It's good that you're back Elementary Scholar Ren. Return me the money and nothing bad shall happen. If not, don't blame me for repossessing your land, house and cow."
"This is ten taels of silver, take it first. As for the rest of the money, I will pay you back later." Ren Wei fished out ten taels.
The money lender froze before laughing out loud, "Ten taels can only pay off the interest. If you don't return the full amount today, the total amount will increase again next month."
Ren Wei’s face turned red as he asked, "What’s the interest rate?"
The money lender then replied, "The current interest is double the original amount. I only lent this money on account of the fact that you're an Elementary Scholar."
"Jin Xiu, is he speaking the truth?" Ren Wei turned to his wife and asked.
The woman heard her husband’s question as her face fell, "I was cheated by him. The original amount was supposed to be two taels of silver as interest from the nine taels of silver as the borrowed amount. Every month, the interest increased by two taels. I thought that husband would send some money back soon. Before long, the interest had accumulated until it was double the amount."
At this point Song’er stepped forward, "Father, I know of this matter as well. Mother was really cheated."
"Show me the loan receipt." Ren Wei was fuming in anger as he glared at the money lender and requested for the receipt. The money lifer fished out a bill and held it out. Just as Ren Wei was about to retrieve it, the money lender kept it back and laughed, "Elementary Scholar, wait till you have the money to pay me back then I will give this to you. If not, you might tear it right here."
The money lender took his ten taels of silver and was about to depart. Just then, Pei Zi Yun stretched out a hand to block him from leaving, "Hold it."
The money lender was a local bully and was about to lash out at him. But he glanced at his demeanor and suddenly felt confused at who this person was. He then swallowed his words and kept quiet.
Pei Zi Yun was a High Scholar and killed numerous of people before this. He had cultivation techniques and knew how to fight. But this was not supposed to be handled in those ways. He glared at the money lender before bursting out into a smirk, "It’s just a mere thirty eight taels of silver. It's nothing."
Pei Zi Yun turned around to face Ren Wei, "Brother Ren. Last time, you wrote those essays for me, I haven't paid you for them. You’re also being selfish for keeping your troubles to yourself and not informing me earlier."
He then took out two notes and handed it over to Ren Wei.
Ren Wei peered across and noticed that it was a pair of fifty taels notes amounting to a total of a hundred taels. Just as he was about to reject the kind offer, Pei Zi Yun slapped his back gently, "My nephew looks tired. As a father you should be more observant. If not, he will fall ill and that will be bad for everyone."
Ren Wei’s face turned red as he became speechless. Pei Zi Yun then continued, "Brother Ren I have a matter to attend to, and the boat won't wait for me. I have to go. Let's meet again some time in the future where we can have a cup of wine together."
He then walked over to the money lender, tapped his shoulder and smiled, "Don't be unmerciful just because you're in the right. Heaven is watching how you live your life. Retribution will come soon."
He then turned around to leave.
The once dejected and fearful expression of the woman turned into one of hope and excitement. Everyone in the crowd burst into loud discussion as they sighed, "What do you think the Elementary Scholar wrote that could actually be worth a hundred silver taels. Elementary Scholar Ren has struck it rich."
Pei Zi Yun walked out of the door and back to the harbor. Along the way, someone seemed to be running towards him as he finally over took him and bowed deeply, "Many thanks master Top Scorer. In the coming days, I, Ren Wei will be sure to repay your kindness."
"Oh, you know it’s me? How can you tell through my disguise?" Pei Zi Yun paused.
"At first I couldn’t tell. But we’ve been together for more than ten days. And you’re so young with so much talent, knowledge, wisdom and literary skills. You even are aware of military strategies and matters about sea trade prohibition. I’m afraid in this world, the only other person who could be so multitalented would be yourself, master Top Scorer." Ren Wei spoke out.
"Actually as for knowledge and wisdom, I’m only average with many lucky breaks. You don’t have to send me off, farewell. We shall see each other again." Pei Zi Yun smiled before continuing to speak, "You are an academic, and many things are going to be difficult to handle. As for the bully from earlier, I’ve already handled him for you. He may seem strong and fit now. But the minute he has money, he will turn to drinks and women, which will kill him before long. You don’t have to worry about him anymore."
"As for whatever I just mentioned, it might be relying on misfortunes to befall someone. But in this life, I have no intent of becoming an official, and thus can live my life however I want, without having any worries." Pei Zi Yun then turned around to leave without turning back again.
Seeing his shadow depart, Ren Wei bowed deeply and didn’t get up for a long time. He sighed, "This person is really a rare miracle."