A Fated Encounter with Mr. Zhang

The refugees were little more than a rabble. Seeing they couldn't crack Wei Residence's hard shell, they headed for other places.

Wei Youcai led Wei Yuan down from the corner tower and took charge in the main hall, beginning to handle the aftermath. Little Wei Yuan was covered in blood, so he was taken away to bathe and change. Once he was cleaned up, Wei Youcai had him brought back to the main hall, where a chair was set beside him. He sat there and watched Wei Youcai handle the aftermath.

In the wake of the great battle, matters piled up like mountains. Every one of the dozens of household retainers who had fought was wounded, and several had died. Dozens of refugee corpses lay atop the walls and in the courtyard; they had to be carried out first. The steward also picked several bold and careful retainers to search the refugees' bodies for valuables. In a year of great disaster, every little bit helped.

Wei Youcai was issuing orders one by one when Baldy Liu walked into the main hall carrying someone. He tossed him to the ground and said, "Big brother, I picked this fellow up among the refugees."

The man was dressed as a scholar. His hands were bound, and a strip of rag had been stuffed firmly into his mouth. Other than that, he seemed fine. His scholar's robe was just a little dusty; at a glance, it was clear he hadn't suffered much.

The steward took one look at the scholar and thought he looked familiar. Looking more closely, he cried out, "Mr. Zhang!"

Wei Youcai looked toward the steward, who said, "This is the scholar who gave the young master the name Yuan three years ago."

Wei Youcai slapped his thigh. "So you're Mr. Zhang Sheng! How did you end up like this?"

He hurried over to Zhang Sheng and personally untied the ropes around his hands, then shot Baldy Liu a fierce glare.

Baldy Liu immediately protested, "It wasn't my fault! When I found him in the refugee camp, he was already like this!"

Zhang Sheng pulled the rag from his mouth and gave a wry smile. "It truly wasn't this strongman's fault. I should be thanking him for saving me."

"Since you gave Yuan'er his name, you're no stranger to us." Wei Youcai ordered someone to bring over a chair and let Zhang Sheng sit before asking, "How did you end up among the refugees?"

Zhang Sheng sighed. "It's embarrassing to say, but I was teaching in Lin Commandery and wanted to earn some travel money. I never expected a large group of refugees to suddenly arrive. The city's garrison fled at the first sign of trouble, leaving all the county's people to the refugees. One of their leaders saw that I could read and insisted I serve as his strategist. When I refused, he tied me up and brought me here. He treated me with some respect along the way, but if he loses patience after a while, he might boil me up with everyone else."

Wei Youcai asked in surprise, "I remember you're a man of great cultivation. How did the refugees manage to capture you?"

Zhang Sheng mumbled and couldn't give a clear answer. Seeing this, Wei Youcai didn't press him. He looked Zhang Sheng up and down, then suddenly smiled. The sight of that grin made Zhang Sheng's skin crawl.

Wei Youcai cupped his hands toward Zhang Sheng and said, "Three years ago, when my son—no, my worthless son, Wei Yuan—was born, you honored him with a name. Now, three years later, we've met again. We truly are fated!"

"No, we aren't!" Zhang Sheng blurted out, startling Wei Youcai.

Seeing Wei Youcai's expression change, Zhang Sheng hurriedly explained, "I mean, the young master is blessed with deep fortune and deserves that name. I had nothing to do with it."

Wei Youcai's smile grew wider. "You're a man of great talent, sir. Just how talented, I couldn't say, since I never studied, but there's no one for dozens of miles around who knows more characters than you. The world outside is in chaos, and my son has reached the age to begin his studies. Why not have you teach him to read and write, and instruct him in the wisdom of the sages?"

For some reason, seeing Wei Youcai smiling so warmly as he spoke in such a half-literary way gave Zhang Sheng another shiver.

Zhang Sheng hurriedly demurred. "Master Wei, you flatter me. My learning is shallow; to teach anyone would be to mislead him. Besides, everything I've studied in my life is Daoist studies, far removed from the wisdom of the sages."

Zhang Sheng had put it politely. In truth, he simply didn't want to stay here.

Wei Youcai seemed not to understand his meaning at all. He smiled and said, "You can teach for as many days as you like. There's no need to decide now. Sit down first!"

Whether by design or not, two burly household retainers sat Zhang Sheng between them, while Baldy Liu stood behind him with a hand on his saber. Baldy Liu still had several fresh wounds; blood had soaked through his bandages. He carried not only a murderous aura but the hot, heavy stench of blood.

Wei Youcai returned to his seat and continued handling the aftermath. Zhang Sheng said, "I don't seem to be very welcome here. It would be better for me to leave."

Wei Youcai smiled and waved a hand. "That's no trouble. You're no stranger to us, sir. Feel free to watch!"

Zhang Sheng found it difficult to leave, so he could only stay seated.

Just then, the steward hurried in again. He glanced at Zhang Sheng and hesitated, as if he wanted to speak but held back. Wei Youcai said, "Mr. Zhang is one of us. It's fine—go ahead."

The steward said, "Master, there are still many wounded refugees outside. Most of them are badly hurt and can't move. I've counted more than ninety. What should we do with them?"

Baldy Liu gave a derisive snort. "Old Eight, those people were just trying to kill us. Why even ask? You haven't shaken off that timid, softhearted streak in all these years. Fine, I'll tell you what to do. Dig two big pits. Bury the dead first, and bury them deep. Then lay the living beside the other pit and see who's still alive tomorrow morning. If anyone's still breathing then, save them."

Zhang Sheng frowned.

Even the least wounded among those refugees had taken a deep slash. Anyone who could move had already fled. If they were left out in the wilderness for the night, how could any of them survive? Wasn't this burly man simply letting them die?

Zhang Sheng looked toward Wei Youcai. He saw that Wei Youcai had his eyes narrowed, as if he'd already fallen asleep and heard nothing. The steward didn't wait for Wei Youcai to speak before leaving the room, clearly going to carry out the burly man's orders.

Zhang Sheng turned around and happened to meet the burly man's gaze. The burly man bared his teeth in a menacing grin. Zhang Sheng immediately understood what he meant: Keep running your mouth, and you'll be buried with them.

Only after the steward had left did Wei Youcai seem to finish his nap. He slowly opened his eyes and asked, "Where's Old Eight?"

The steward hurried back in and said, "I just went to take care of a small matter. Big brother... I mean, Master, what are your orders?"

Wei Youcai smiled. "I told you Mr. Zhang is no stranger to us. Don't worry so much about how you address me. Tell me again about the fields and grain stores."

The steward answered without a moment's thought. "The estate has fifty-three mu and five fen of first-grade fields, one hundred and thirty-seven mu of second-grade fields, and sixty mu of third-grade fields. We have one hundred and seven tenant households working our land, each renting about two mu and three fen. We sold some old grain at the start of the year, and there are still two hundred and thirty shi of grain in the storehouses."

Wei Youcai said slowly, "This year's harvest is certainly lost. If we only want to keep people from starving before spring next year, how many can this grain feed?"

The steward thought it over and said with some difficulty, "Sixth Master can hunt..."

The burly man snorted. "There isn't even any grass left on the mountain. What game could there be?"

"In that case, we can probably keep two hundred and forty people alive, at three liang per person per day. We can't cut it any lower."

Wei Youcai spoke slowly. "So, aside from the people in the residence, only thirty percent of our own tenants will survive if they return."

If only thirty percent of the tenants could survive, everyone else would either starve to death or flee and become refugees. If they didn't want to starve and didn't want to flee, then only one road remained.

By now, Zhang Sheng understood. Wei Residence's food stores couldn't even feed its own tenants, so how could they possibly support all those severely wounded refugees outside? In all his years, Zhang Sheng had never before faced such a cruel choice.

In that brief time, Zhang Sheng watched coldly and came to another realization: everyone in this room was probably the sort who could kill without batting an eye.

He suddenly remembered the fortunes he'd seen three years ago when he set up the Wushui Heguan Array, and his heart gave a sudden leap.

"Mr. Zhang!" Wei Youcai suddenly looked toward Zhang Sheng, his eyes narrowed in a smile. "Have you made up your mind? Will you teach Yuan'er?"

Looking at Wei Youcai's smiling eyes, Zhang Sheng thought of the two big pits being dug outside the estate. If he dared say no, he'd probably end up buried in one of them alongside the refugees. Zhang Sheng had suffered a calamity three years ago, and not a trace of his Dao Power could be used. He was no different from an ordinary person. Now that the refugees had passed through, they'd gnawed away every blade of grass for a hundred miles around; all that remained as far as the eye could see was yellow earth. Even if Zhang Sheng escaped, he'd starve to death in the wilderness. If he died now, his death would be worth less than a penny.

After thinking it over from every angle, Zhang Sheng found himself with nowhere to go.

Then again, teaching and nurturing the young was a noble pursuit, and Zhang Sheng had planned to teach in Lin Commandery anyway. He could only say, "Of course I'm willing."

Wei Youcai was delighted and immediately drew Wei Yuan over to perform the master-disciple ceremony. Little Wei Yuan was very obedient. He knelt before Zhang Sheng and bowed.

Zhang Sheng's face turned red, then pale. Several times he wanted to stand up and run, but Baldy Liu and his great saber were right behind him. How could he escape? He hesitated only briefly, and little Wei Yuan had already knocked his head against the floor three times.

Zhang Sheng sighed deeply in his heart. Since he'd accepted the disciple's bows, their bond was sealed.

Since he was already here, he might as well make the best of it. After the ceremony, Zhang Sheng felt calmer instead. He stepped forward, helped little Wei Yuan to his feet, and looked him over carefully.

Three years ago, Zhang Sheng had left in such a hurry that he'd never actually met Wei Yuan. This was their first meeting. Little Wei Yuan had sword-shaped brows and bright, starry eyes. His large eyes were especially beautiful, brimming with spirit, and Zhang Sheng couldn't help but like him.

Little Wei Yuan looked up at Zhang Sheng too. Suddenly, the corners of his mouth slowly lifted into a smile. He could sense that Zhang Sheng was the fourth person who felt fond of him.

Looking at that little face gradually blooming with joy, Zhang Sheng's heart softened.

After the master-disciple ceremony, Wei Youcai said, "For the next three years, I'll entrust Yuan'er to you."

"Three years?" Zhang Sheng was startled. He hadn't planned to stay that long. He'd only wanted to teach the boy to recognize characters, then make his escape.

Wei Youcai narrowed his eyes, picked up his teacup, and took an unhurried sip before saying, "The Great Tang Immortal Sect Unified Examination will be held three years from now. Yuan'er will be six then, just the right age to register. Three years of foundational instruction is already a very tight schedule."

Zhang Sheng slapped his forehead. He'd nearly forgotten the major event of the Immortal Sect's unified recruitment examination. But three years was far beyond what he'd planned, so he could only say, "I have important business to attend to and must go to Southern Qi. I'm afraid I can't stay for three years."

Wei Youcai gave him a knowing smile. "The nearby commanderies are full of refugees. Before long, they'll turn into bandits, and the region won't be peaceful for two or three years. You haven't left Yongzhou in the past three years. Do you really think you'll be able to leave in the next three?"

Zhang Sheng was taken aback and considered it carefully.

After hearing that, Zhang Sheng knew he wouldn't be able to leave for the next three years. He composed himself and said solemnly, "If he's to take the Immortal Sect Unified Examination, then three years really is a tight schedule. In that case, please make the arrangements, Master. We'll start lessons first thing tomorrow morning."

Wei Youcai was overjoyed. He immediately ordered the servants to prepare a room, arrange a place for Zhang Sheng to stay, and set up a study for Wei Yuan's lessons. Once everything was arranged, Wei Youcai picked up his teacup, took a light sip, and smiled. "Since you're no stranger to us now, I'll forget about the wild chicken you tossed into my courtyard back then."

Zhang Sheng broke out in another cold sweat.

At dawn the next morning, Wei Residence heard the sound of朗朗 reading for the first time.

In the study they'd tidied up overnight, Zhang Sheng and Wei Yuan sat facing each other. Zhang Sheng's clear, bright voice echoed through the room:

"The great tides of the world: after long division, there must be unity; after long unity, there must be division. At the end of the Zhou Dynasty, seven... Ahem! I misspoke. This one: Great Tang has stood for a thousand years, and at its founding, it established Jin Qi..."

Outside the window, Wei Youcai, Baldy Liu, and the steward crouched against the wall, ears cocked as they eavesdropped.

After listening for a while, Wei Youcai slapped his thigh and whispered, "The great tides of the world: after long division, there must be unity; after long unity, there must be division! I never studied, but even I think that passage makes a lot of sense! This先生 is truly talented!"

Three years passed in the blink of an eye.

Before they knew it, the mountains were green again and the Tong River was roaring once more. Zhang Sheng had also crammed all the subjects that would take others ten years to learn into Wei Yuan's lessons.