Striking the Mountain to Shake the Tiger

When Chen Ping'an arrived at the Iron Lock Well with his water buckets, he passed by several breakfast stalls in Apricot Blossom Alley. His stomach rumbled without warning, but his purse was empty. The young man could only grit his teeth and join the queue to fetch water. Three other households were ahead of him. When it was his turn, Zhi Gui suddenly appeared with a small water bucket, cutting in line. The people behind him immediately became displeased.

While they didn't curse, their words were unpleasant. Among them was a hunched old woman, known as Granny Ma. Both of her sons were successful, each owning a Dragon Kiln. Though small, ranking at the bottom among over thirty Dragon Kilns, they were considered exceptionally wealthy in Apricot Blossom Alley. However, for some reason, the old woman didn't get along with either of her daughters-in-law. Her sons and daughters-in-law had already moved to Taoye Lane, leaving the old woman to live alone in the ancestral home in Apricot Blossom Alley. In the eyes of Chen Ping'an and Liu Xianyang's generation, Granny Ma had always been a terrifying elder. She was vicious in her scolding and extremely stingy. In the dead of winter, she would even try to hoard the snow from outside her courtyard gate into her own home. If children used the snow from in front of her house for a snowball fight, or broke off the icicles hanging from her eaves, she would chase them down the street with a broom, scolding and hitting them without tiring.

In the past, in these alleys west of the small town, only Gu Can's mother could suppress Granny Ma's arrogance. Now, Widow Gu was said to have followed her late husband's distant relatives to his hometown. Granny Ma, who had become somewhat gentler over the years, immediately became energetic and returned to her old ways, finding fault with everyone. When Song Jixin's maidservant pulled a stunt like this, Granny Ma immediately started speaking sarcastically. Her voice wasn't loud, and her smile didn't reach her eyes. She deliberately chatted with the women beside her, saying that some young ladies could finally "open their faces and trim their eyebrows" (a euphemism for getting married). Anyway, their legs couldn't be kept together when they walked – what great news! They no longer had to live the life of a maidservant with the body of a young lady, and could openly be called "Madam."

Chen Ping'an's scalp tingled. He couldn't bring himself to drive away Zhi Gui, who was in the wrong, especially since they had been neighbors for so many years. After helping Liu Xianyang fill two buckets, he quickly helped her fill one, thinking he should leave this nest of chattering women as soon as possible. Seeing that Song Family's little slut of a maid pretended not to hear, Granny Ma became even more enraged.

A duel between masters is like this; the most feared opponent is one who doesn't engage. They have all the martial skill in the world but nowhere to apply it.

In the past, when the old woman argued with Widow Gu, that vixen, she always lost. But afterward, the old woman felt her skill had improved and she would surely win the next time. It was unlike this little imp from Mud Bottle Alley, who always deliberately stayed silent. Yet, every time the young woman left, her eyes held a meaning that made the old woman extremely uncomfortable. It truly made the old woman grind her teeth in hatred, wishing she could grab her face and scratch it, just to stop the young men and strong lads in the nearby alleys from hanging their souls on that shameless maidservant's waist.

Especially her grandson. Although outsiders considered him a fool, even his grandmother now felt that the child was truly out of his mind. He babbled nonsense all day, always saying that he would marry this maidservant from Mud Bottle Alley as his wife in the future, and then punch a hole through the heavens.

Seeing that the detestable young woman didn't react, Granny Ma set her sights on the impoverished young man. She tutted, "Useless, damned mud embryo. You killed your parents and still have the nerve to live. Knowing you'll never be able to afford a wife, you shamelessly try to hook up with someone else's maidservant. You two are a match made in heaven, a pair of dogs. Why don't you just get together? Mud Bottle Alley is a place for trash and lowly people anyway. The children born there might truly rule the roost in Mud Bottle Alley."

Chen Ping'an thought for a moment and bent down, about to put down the burden on his shoulders.

The maidservant Zhi Gui had already put down her water bucket and strode towards the old woman, who was acting fearlessly. Without a word, the young woman slapped Granny Ma, making her spin around. Dizzy, she was only prevented from falling by the women beside her. Before the old woman could recover, Zhi Gui stepped forward again and slapped her across the face. The young woman cursed, "You old hag, I've put up with you for too long!"

The old woman shook her head, furious. Just as she was about to retaliate, perhaps it was an illusion, but the two women supporting her were too attentive, making it impossible for her to break free. As a result, she suffered a third humiliation. The maidservant struck again, bending her fingers and banging them hard on the old woman's forehead. "If you dare to curse again, I'll pull out your tongue, you gossip. For every word you curse, I'll prick you with a needle!"

The old woman was so frightened that she forgot to retort, let alone fight back.

The young woman turned and left quickly. She saw that her neighbor, the young man, was already carrying her water bucket for her. She smiled and returned to Mud Bottle Alley with him.

Before Chen Ping'an could speak, the young woman sealed his lips, "Don't thank me. My scolding has nothing to do with you."

Chen Ping'an was speechless.

The young woman, with empty hands, muttered to herself. In any case, she had no intention of taking back the water bucket from the straw-sandaled youth.

Beside the Iron Lock Well's windlass, the old woman sat on the ground and wailed, "You damned little slut, you'll face divine retribution... My life is so bitter. Heaven is blind, why doesn't it strike you dead with lightning, you little tramp..."

The young woman's footsteps were light, and she raised her hands towards the sky, making a strange gesture.

Fortunately, Chen Ping'an had been her neighbor for so many years that he didn't find it strange.

As they passed the breakfast stalls, Chen Ping'an saw a familiar back. She wasn't tall and was wearing a blue dress, buying freshly baked meat buns. The steam rose from them, and their aroma wafted through the entire street.

Chen Ping'an

This morning, the clouds had lowered without anyone noticing, forming a thick layer like a rich family's quilt spread out to sunbathe.

Rumble, rumble. Thunder roared above the small town.

Granny Ma, who was at the Iron Lock Well, scrambled to her feet and hurried home. Her small water bucket swayed, spilling well water along the way. By the time she got home, there probably wouldn't be half a bucket left.

Perhaps the old woman knew that if Heaven truly opened its eyes, the first bolt of lightning would likely strike her.

Chen Ping'an looked up after hearing the thunder, puzzled. It didn't look like it was going to rain.

The young woman smiled and said, "My young master read in a book that it's said that in early spring, Heavenly Gods in golden armor beat drums in the sky to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, deterring all evil spirits in celebration of the new spring."

Chen Ping'an nodded. "Your young master does read a lot."

The young woman sighed. "My young master is good at everything, except he's a bit lazy, and he likes to curse at Heaven. I don't think that's good."

Chen Ping'an had no habit of speaking ill of others behind their backs, so he didn't comment. Song Jixin next door had a peculiar habit that he'd maintained for many years: cursing at Heaven, much like Granny Ma. He would curse the heavens for being blind. However, scholars had their own ways. On stormy nights, during rain, or when the sky was filled with colorful clouds, Song Jixin would observe his "three no-curses" rule. He claimed he cursed Heaven when it was dozing, so it wouldn't hear him and get angry. This way, Song Jixin could vent his frustrations and be content, achieving two goals at once.

Seeing that Chen Ping'an wasn't responding, Zhi Gui casually said, "You didn't go home last night, did you? You went to Liu Xianyang's place?"

Chen Ping'an nodded. "There were guests at home, it wasn't convenient."

She suddenly asked, "By the way, did Mr. Qi meet with you? And did he say anything?"

Chen Ping'an countered, "Why do you ask?"

She smiled innocently. "Just asking. Because when I went out to fetch water this morning, I happened to run into Mr. Qi, who said he was out for an early morning stroll. He also asked if you were home, and I told him truthfully."

Chen Ping'an chuckled. "I ran into Mr. Qi by chance before. He just chatted with me a bit, saying that Liu Xianyang and I should have gone to school back then. I could only say that my family was poor, and there was nothing I could do about it. Otherwise, I would have been willing to study."

Zhi Gui looked puzzled. "Is that so?"

Chen Ping'an looked into her eyes and smiled, asking, "Or what did you think?"

She smiled and dismissed it.

They parted ways at the street corner. Zhi Gui took the water bucket and headed towards Mud Bottle Alley, while Chen Ping'an returned to Liu Xianyang's house. After that, he still had to go to the east gate of the city to pick up family letters. Each letter cost one coin. If he had gotten this business earlier, with Chen Ping'an's legwork covering a hundred-mile radius, he probably would have saved enough for a dowry.

At the entrance of Mud Bottle Alley, Zhi Gui saw her young master standing there, yawning.

She walked over quickly and asked curiously, "Young Master, why are you out here?"

Song Jixin stretched slowly, lazily saying, "I was bored staying inside."

She whispered, "Young Master, when will the new Supervising Official return to the small town? After that, will we be able to go to the Capital City?"

Song Jixin thought for a moment. "It should be within ten days."

Zhi Gui hesitated, her small water bucket swaying along with her.

Song Jixin smiled and asked, "What's wrong? Something on your mind?"

She timidly said, "Young Master, can I borrow that local county gazetteer to take a look? Just for a night or two, so I can learn to recognize characters. That way, when we get to the Capital City, people won't look down on me, and I won't embarrass you and make you a laughingstock."

Song Jixin let out a soft laugh. After a moment of thought, he said, "What's there to be embarrassed about? Just remember to wash your hands before turning the pages, don't get dirt on them, and be careful not to drip candle wax. Other than that, there's nothing else to worry about. It's just a worn-out book that says 'The End'."

Zhi Gui smiled brightly. "Your servant thanks you, Young Master!"

Song Jixin was amused and laughed heartily, "Come, come, young master will help you carry the water."

Zhi Gui flinched slightly and said seriously, "Young Master! Didn't we agree that a gentleman stays away from the kitchen? How can you get involved in such chores? If word gets out, the neighbors will point fingers at me!"

Song Jixin chuckled, "Rules, principles, and etiquette are things you can use to fool and scare others, but for me, young master..."

He stopped speaking at this point.

She asked curiously, "What is 'young master'?"

Song Jixin resumed his roguish smile and pointed at himself, "Me, young master? I'm essentially just a farmer. I divide a piece of land into rows and lines, then have people sow seeds and irrigate. I just wait for the harvest, year after year, that's all!"

She looked dazed.

Song Jixin burst into laughter.

The young man suddenly stopped laughing and said earnestly, "Zhi Gui, did that fellow surnamed Chen help you carry the water buckets all the way?"

The maidservant nodded, her eyes innocent.

The young man said meaningfully, "A sage once said that it is wrong to cherish the small kindnesses of strangers like precious treasures, while taking the complete devotion of those close to you for granted and ignoring it."

The maidservant became even more bewildered, "Huh?"

The young man rubbed his chin and muttered to himself, "She didn't even catch my implied meaning. How am I supposed to continue the conversation? Should I find a smarter, more perceptive, and prettier little maidservant when we get to the Capital City?"

The maidservant couldn't help but laugh, completely unfazed by her young master's threat. She revealed the truth, "You actually wanted me to ask who this learned sage was, didn't you? Young Master, I know! It's you!"

Song Jixin laughed heartily, "Zhi Gui knows me best!"

Inside the study room, the middle-aged scholar sat upright. All the black and white chess pieces on the board before him had turned to dust amidst the sound of spring thunder.

In the small town, children would catch stone flatfish in the creek. One method involved striking the stones in the creek with a heavy hammer, which would stun the fish hiding underneath, causing them to float to the surface.

This was quite similar to what was written in books as striking the mountain to shake the tiger.

However, if one wanted to warn a sage not to defy heaven and act against the Great Dao, then the only powerful artifact in the world that could match such a status would likely be the awe-inspiring heavenly thunder.