Chapter 4
The children at the private school needed paper for their studies, Xie Heng needed paper to copy books, and Ling Zeyu also needed paper to practice calligraphy.
To save money, Ling Zeyu had no choice but to become self-sufficient—by making his own paper.
The check-in system contained a papermaking manual that cost 5,000 copper coins to exchange for.
Ling Zeyu decisively gave up on it.
In the modern age of information overload, countless videos about papermaking could be found online.
Although he had never made paper himself, he had researched the process carefully. He had once considered making an episode about traditional papermaking methods, but because the production cycle was too long, he had shelved the idea.
Now that he had arrived in this world with its limited productive capabilities, putting some effort into making paper would solve the problem once and for all.
Apart from writing paper, he also desperately needed toilet paper.
He really didn’t want to keep wiping his butt with leaves!
Just thinking about it was enough to bring tears to his eyes.
Besides, there was a vast bamboo grove at the foot of the mountain. It would be a waste not to make use of it.
When renovating their house, he had purchased a piece of wasteland downstream along the creek from the village headman and built a small workshop there for future use.
He hadn’t expected to need it so soon.
And so, after spending an entire year experimenting, he finally succeeded in producing bamboo paper.
Although the quality of bamboo paper couldn’t compare with Xuan paper, it had the advantages of a shorter production cycle, abundant raw materials, and sufficient output. It was more than adequate for students to practice their writing.
Once they had paper, they also needed writing brushes and inksticks.
Ling Zeyu figured that if he was going to make one thing, he might as well make two. Better yet, why not make everything?
And so, after spending a year practicing their writing in sand trays, the fifteen students at the private school finally had access to the four treasures of the study: brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
As for how Ling Zeyu had acquired these skills, Xie Heng never asked. He simply helped him quietly.
In his eyes, extraordinary talents and abilities were nothing unusual in this world. His Liangjun possessed exceptional skills, and those skills were the foundation upon which he could establish himself in society.
Likewise, Xie Heng himself was extensively educated and possessed a wealth of scholarly knowledge. Once their lives had stabilized, he calmly took the imperial examinations, earned scholarly honors, elevated their household’s status, and eliminated any jealousy the villagers might have harbored toward them.
When someone with status and standing displayed exceptional abilities, simple and honest villagers would only regard them with awe, not daring to offend them.
Besides, everything Ling Zeyu did benefited the village’s children, and he even paid villagers to work for him. What reason could they possibly have to object?
The village headman was full of praise for Ling Zeyu and Xie Heng and frequently made things easier for them in their daily lives.
Ling Zeyu kept his activities modest and never attempted to turn these crafts into a profitable business.
As the saying went, an innocent man could invite disaster simply by possessing something valuable.
If he took these products to the county seat to sell, he feared that not only would he fail to make money, but he would also attract covetous attention and bring disaster upon himself.
Any profitable business had long since been monopolized by local merchants, wealthy gentry, and officials. How could an outsider of humble origins like him possibly get a share?
Even though Xie Heng was a Worthy Scholar, he could only remain within his proper station and avoid competing with others for profit, lest he unnecessarily attract the hostility of powerful figures.
During their two months of fleeing famine, Ling Zeyu had experienced firsthand just how cruel this world could be.
In feudal society, distinctions between the noble and the lowly were clearly defined, social hierarchies were rigid, and ordinary people at the bottom had very few opportunities to improve their circumstances.
They could already consider themselves fortunate if the rich and powerful didn’t devour them alive.
Just as Xie Heng never asked where Ling Zeyu had learned his skills, Ling Zeyu never questioned why Xie Heng had stopped pursuing scholarly honors after becoming a Worthy Scholar.
Everyone knew that the imperial examinations were the only path to advancement for families who relied on farming and education.
One could study diligently for ten years without anyone taking notice, only to achieve fame throughout the realm upon passing the examinations.
However, geniuses capable of earning a place on the imperial examination’s golden list were ultimately few and far between. Most people spent their entire lives toiling away in obscurity, never making a name for themselves.
Therefore, Ling Zeyu never worried about Xie Heng’s official career. If he had chosen to stop at the rank of Worthy Scholar, he must have his reasons. There was no need to ask.
He was quite satisfied with his present life. He didn’t need great wealth or high status. All he wanted was to have enough food and clothing and live freely and comfortably.
“That stroke was too light.”
Suddenly, the man’s deep, gentle voice sounded beside his ear.
Ling Zeyu returned to his senses and was startled to discover that Xie Heng had put down his book at some point and was now standing beside him. He bent slightly at the waist, his broad hand naturally covering Ling Zeyu’s brush-holding hand as he guided him to write the character “入” on a blank portion of the paper.
The left-falling and right-falling strokes were vigorous and powerful, possessing an innate elegance and strength of character.
“Have you got it?” Xie Heng asked softly.
“I… I’ve got it.” The man’s warm breath brushed against his neck, making Ling Zeyu tremble slightly as a faint blush silently spread across the tips of his ears.
They were standing far too close, their breaths mingling, inevitably reminding him of their intimacy the previous night.
Xie Heng released his hand. His gaze swept across Ling Zeyu’s neck, and when he noticed the conspicuous, petal-shaped red marks there, his eyes darkened. He turned and retrieved a jar of medicinal ointment from the cabinet against the wall.
As that intoxicating presence moved away, Ling Zeyu let out a breath and secretly touched his burning ears.
This was going to be the death of him!
The man was like a walking mass of hormones, tempting him every moment of the day. Yet he remained completely unaware of it, seriously teaching him calligraphy without the slightest idea of his own charm.
Xie Heng returned with the ointment and noticed Ling Zeyu’s distracted expression. The corners of his mouth lifted almost imperceptibly.
He walked slowly to Ling Zeyu’s side, opened the lid, dipped a fingertip into the ointment, and gently applied it to the marks he had left on his neck the previous night.
“Hiss! Cold—” Ling Zeyu flinched.
The ointment was cool and had properties that reduced swelling.
“Bear with it.” Xie Heng carefully spread the ointment evenly. “Where else?”
Ling Zeyu couldn’t help rolling his eyes at him. Boldly pulling open the front of his robe, he revealed a large expanse of marks across his chest. “Here. Go ahead and apply it!”
Xie Heng lowered his gaze, dipped his fingertips into the translucent ointment, and conscientiously helped him apply it. “There’s some new ointment I bought in the drawer beside our bed.”
“I’m too lazy.” Ling Zeyu loosened his robe and belt, exposing a large expanse of skin that displayed the evidence of last night’s activities. “Even if I apply it today, there’ll be new marks in another couple of days.”
Although his partner behaved like a beast at night, he had his own well-established principles when it came to maintaining good health.
They engaged in marital intimacy once every two days, resting on the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month. Whenever they were exhausted, drunk, overly full, hungry, or recovering from illness, they also had to conserve their strength and recuperate.
At first, Ling Zeyu had scoffed at these rules.
They were both young men in the prime of their lives. Having finally experienced the sweet relief of rain falling on parched land, with all their pent-up affection finding an outlet, he had wanted nothing more than to indulge in pleasure every night.
During those two days of rest, he had employed every trick he could think of to seduce the man. He originally believed success would be effortless, but who would have thought that Xie Heng would remain completely indifferent? Faced with his delectable Liangjun, the man remained as unmoved as the famously virtuous Liu Xiahui, seemingly free of all worldly desires.
Unwilling to believe it, Ling Zeyu tried three times, only to fail every time. In the end, he had no choice but to abandon the idea.
Fortunately, Xie Heng possessed a strong physique and boundless stamina. A single night was more than enough to satisfy him, often leaving Ling Zeyu so exhausted that he could barely move.
As time passed, he came to wholeheartedly support the arrangement of one day of intimacy followed by two days of rest.
Excessive indulgence in pleasure could harm the body, while tender companionship was the key to a lasting relationship.
In short, he found his partner’s approach to maintaining good health extremely scientific.
As for applying the ointment, he really was being lazy.
For one thing, there were so many marks that applying ointment to all of them was time-consuming and troublesome. For another, even if the marks faded, new ones would appear two days later. He might as well leave them alone. Perhaps the next time they were intimate, seeing the marks that hadn’t yet faded, Xie Heng would show a little mercy with his mouth.
Unfortunately, Xie Heng never allowed the marks to remain for two days. He patiently applied the ointment for him every time, never finding the task troublesome.
Over time, Ling Zeyu grew accustomed to it and even began to enjoy it.
Having thoroughly satisfied himself the previous night, he knew that even if he stripped off all his clothes today, Xie Heng wouldn’t become aroused.
A quarter of an hour later, Ling Zeyu, now covered in the fragrance of medicinal ointment, leisurely put his clothes back on.
“I’m heading back.”
The midday break was almost over, and Xie Heng would soon have to teach his afternoon lessons. Ling Zeyu had also arranged to go into the mountains to gather plants with someone.
He had spent a considerable sum exchanging for the Comprehensive Guide to Plant Identification a few days ago and needed to put his newfound knowledge into practice as soon as possible.
In fact, he had coveted this book for a long time. If he had been able to identify various plants while fleeing famine, he could have gathered more wild vegetables, fruits, medicinal herbs, and other things to fill their stomachs and treat illnesses.
Unfortunately, the stingy check-in system awarded only a limited number of copper coins each day. It had taken him a year and a half to accumulate enough points.
The House Renovation and Stream Water Diversion manuals had cost only three hundred copper coins combined, yet the Comprehensive Guide to Plant Identification alone cost an astonishing eight hundred copper coins.
Still, when he saw the physical book, as thick as a dictionary and filled with detailed illustrations and explanations, he felt it was well worth the price.
Ling Zeyu picked up the food carrier, leaned over to give Xie Heng a kiss on the lips, then left with light, cheerful steps.
Xie Heng accompanied him to the entrance of the private school. Only after Ling Zeyu’s figure had disappeared from sight did he return to his quarters and tidy up the scattered calligraphy practice sheets on the table.
His little husband was remarkably hardworking. Compared with his handwriting from the previous month, the improvement was far from insignificant.
Ling Zeyu walked along at an unhurried pace, occasionally encountering students rushing back to the private school.
“Greetings, Teacher’s Husband!” “Good afternoon, Teacher’s Husband!” Such greetings came one after another.
“Hello, hello, hello. Good afternoon to all of you—”
Ling Zeyu smiled and responded to each of them.
Once there were no more students on the road, he let out a long sigh. Being greeted so enthusiastically as “Teacher’s Husband” every day was honestly a little overwhelming.
“Young Master Ling! Young Master Ling!”
An auntie up ahead waved enthusiastically at him.
Ling Zeyu approached and asked, “Auntie He, is something the matter?”
Auntie He said cheerfully, “Our pig looks ready for slaughter. Could you help me choose an auspicious day?”
Ling Zeyu readily agreed. “Of course. I’ll give you an answer tomorrow morning.”
He knew nothing about calculating auspicious dates, but there was a calendar on the check-in system’s virtual interface. When it appeared tomorrow, he could examine it carefully and choose a good day for Auntie He to slaughter her pig.
Auntie He said happily, “Thank you, Young Master Ling. Once we’ve slaughtered our pig, I’ll send you one of its hind legs.”
Ling Zeyu hurriedly waved his hands. “You’re too kind, Auntie He. There’s no need to give me a hind leg. Two ribs will be enough.”
A pig weighing more than two hundred jin would have a hind leg weighing around twenty jin. Selling it in the county seat could bring in quite a bit of money. How could he have the nerve to take advantage of her generosity?
However, Auntie He insisted on giving it to him. “It’s all thanks to your advice, Young Master Ling, that the pigs in our village have grown so big and healthy.”
Raising pigs required proper knowledge and skill. Before Young Master Ling arrived, only one household in the village raised pigs. After his arrival, the villagers learned about the benefits of castrating pigs, and the number of pig-raising households quickly increased to ten.
They had been raising the pigs since last year, and most were now ready for slaughter.
The pig belonging to Old Liu’s family next door had been slaughtered five days ago. After deducting the butcher’s fee and the expenses of setting up a stall in the county seat, they had earned seven guan of money.
The other pig farmers were delighted and eagerly began arranging to have their own pigs slaughtered.
These past few days, Butcher Wang had been so busy that he was practically running in circles.
Auntie He was also eager to sell her pig so she could use the money to cover her son’s travel expenses when he went to the prefectural capital to take the Worthy Person examination.
The village had originally had an elderly man who calculated auspicious dates, but he had passed away peacefully in mid-March of this year. With no one available to choose an auspicious day for his funeral, Young Master Ling volunteered and helped calculate a favorable date and time.
The old man’s younger relatives weren’t entirely reassured, so they made a special trip to the county seat and paid a professional to calculate the date. As it turned out, the date selected by the professional was exactly the same as the one Young Master Ling had chosen.
From then on, Young Master Ling replaced the old man as the village’s date-selection master.
Young Master Ling was kindhearted and generously calculated auspicious dates for the villagers free of charge.
To express their gratitude, the villagers compensated him with gifts. Chicken, duck, and goose eggs, vegetable seeds, embroidered handkerchiefs, decorative purse tassels, and all sorts of other things—whatever they had at home, they would give. They absolutely refused to let Young Master Ling go to the trouble for nothing.
Seeing how enthusiastic the villagers were, Young Master Ling accepted some of their gifts as a token of appreciation.
Auntie He’s offer to give Ling Zeyu an entire pig’s hind leg was completely sincere. However, he politely declined and asked for only two ribs.
“Two ribs are far too little. If you don’t mind, Young Master Ling, I’ll add a pig’s heart!” Auntie He declared decisively.
Ling Zeyu thought for a moment and said, “Half a pig’s liver will be enough.”
Pig liver helped replenish blood and vital energy and was beneficial for eyesight. It would be perfect for nourishing A Heng’s body.
Most importantly, he liked eating pig liver himself.
Hopefully, he would be able to gather some wild goji berries in the mountains that afternoon and cook them with the pig liver into a nutritious soup.
Auntie He happily slapped her thigh. “Then it’s settled! When the time comes, I’ll have Little Lan deliver everything to your house.”
Little Lan was her daughter, who had just turned nine years old.
Ling Zeyu nodded. “All right.”
After parting ways with Auntie He, he continued walking home. As he passed the fields, a young boy as nimble as a monkey suddenly darted out.
“Brother A Yu!”
The boy had a clever, likable appearance. He carried a large bamboo basket on his back, with a woodcutting knife tucked into his belt. His face was full of excitement as he called out, “I heard from Brother Yi that you’re going up the mountain together. Let me come too!”
Comments 0
You must be logged in to comment.
No comments yet. Be the first!