Jia Huaigang returned to the Discipline Hall, took out brush and ink, and let his brush race across a sheet of rice paper like a dragon weaving among snakes. Once he finished, he summoned a servant and told him to post it on the noticeboard.
Today was the day new students reported for enrollment. The Knowledge and Practice Institute bustled with crowds as students arrived one after another from all over the country. The noticeboard stood near the institute gates, with commendations and disciplinary orders posted prominently upon it.
A man dressed like a servant pasted a fresh sheet of white paper, still wet with ink, onto the noticeboard. Many students gathered around to look out of curiosity.
Written in black upon the white paper were the words "Knowledge and Practice Institute Disciplinary Order." Beneath the large heading was a smaller line: Number One. Below that read: New student He An of Chuzhou Prefecture disregarded institute regulations and engaged in fighting. He is sentenced to three days of confinement to reflect upon his misconduct, as a warning to others! Signed: Discipline Hall!
A new student confined on his very first day-nothing like this had ever happened since the Knowledge and Practice Institute was founded. He An's name swept through the student body like thunder. Everyone discussed it, eager to see just what sort of person this history-making He An was.
Fan Dazhi walked back toward the dormitory with his lips thrust out in a pout. He had wanted to be punished alongside He An, but the teacher in the Discipline Hall, who looked like a judge of the underworld, had bristled his beard, glared at him, shouted that it was outrageous, and driven him out.
Good brothers should share their blessings and shoulder their troubles together. How could I stand by and watch He An suffer punishment alone? Is there any way I can be punished with him?
Pick a fight with another student? No, we have no grudge between us. Even winning would be dishonorable, and fighting isn't this young master's strong suit anyway. But I have nothing to my name. How am I supposed to achieve this grand goal?
Fan Dazhi pondered as he walked. After thinking for quite a while, his head began to ache, so he pulled a pear from inside his robe. He had secretly stashed away an extra one when he went to the dining hall that morning.
The food in the Knowledge and Practice Institute's dining hall was excellent, far better than Fan Dazhi had imagined. There were golden chicken drumsticks glistening with fat, river fish fried tender and crisp, thin-skinned buns stuffed generously with braised meat, and other delicacies from across the country. His palate would certainly be blessed from now on.
He took a bite of the pear. Mm, crisp, sweet, and delicious-except there seemed to be a worm in it. Fan Dazhi widened his eyes and looked closely. A plump worm poked its head out of a hole, then crawled onto the snowy-white flesh and wriggled as though protesting his intrusion.
Fan Dazhi puffed out his cheeks and blew the worm away with a puff, then took another crunching bite of the pear. A spark flashed through his mind, and suddenly he had a brilliant idea.
His mood instantly brightened, and he returned to the dormitory beaming. He discovered that the occupants of the other two beds had also arrived. One looked a year or two older than him, wore sumptuous clothing, and was talking to the other in an unending torrent.
The two greeted Fan Dazhi warmly when he came in. He gave a slightly bashful smile and bent to gather the papers scattered beneath his bed. The richly dressed youth also stooped to help.
He picked up a sheet and saw these words written in neat, delicate small regular script: "In those youthful days, my spring robe was thin; on horseback, I lingered by the slanting bridge, while red sleeves beckoned from every floor..." His eyes lit up, and he clicked his tongue in admiration. "My, my, what talent you have, brother! Your handwriting is elegant and dignified-you write a splendid regular script. This 'Bodhisattva's Barbarian' by the great poet Wei of the Former Dynasty-I never thought you would like it too. I'm especially fond of these lines: 'By fragrant lamplight, the tasseled bed curtains lie half drawn. Beneath the waning moon, I leave, while my beauty bids farewell through tears... Spring shines fair in Luoyang City, while Luoyang's gifted son grows old in foreign lands... Peach blossoms float on emerald spring waters, where mandarin ducks bathe.' You have such charm and grace, brother. It seems we are kindred spirits!"
Fan Dazhi flushed slightly, cupped his hands, and offered a few modest pleasantries. The richly dressed youth was exceedingly friendly. Drawing the other young man over, he introduced them all to one another.
The richly dressed young man was named Gu Qingzhou. He had swordlike brows, star-bright eyes, red lips, and white teeth, with a heroic air to his every movement. He described himself as charming, generous, and loyal, even declaring that he was the most handsome man in Luoyang City. When it came to looks and bearing, no one dared challenge his edge. He also thumped his chest and told Fan Dazhi that he would protect him from now on-no one in the Knowledge and Practice Institute, or even in the Capital, Luoyang City, would dare bully him.
Fan Dazhi chuckled inwardly. Little An often called him narcissistic, but this fellow seemed even more narcissistic than he was. Still, there was no denying that his brocade robe, jade belt, and luxurious attire set off his handsome, dashing appearance, making him a match for Pan An. He certainly had the looks to justify his vanity. Unlike Cui Mengshu, he was not an overbearing wastrel. Though his words were arrogant and unrestrained, the warmth behind them kept Fan Dazhi from feeling the slightest dislike.
The other young man was named Bi Feiyun. He had ordinary looks and plain clothing, spoke with great caution, and possessed a shrewdness that showed through his shifting gaze.
Fan Dazhi had not chatted with the two young men for long before Gu Qingzhou's deliberate friendliness made them quite familiar with one another. Toward evening, Gu Qingzhou said that fate had brought them together today, and he was delighted to have met such sincere brothers as Fan Dazhi and Bi Feiyun. He wanted to treat them to the water banquet at Truly Different, with its exquisite delicacies and eight treasures of land and water. It was a renowned establishment in Luoyang City, and one dish, "Peony Swallow's Nest," was unrivaled, better even than what the imperial chefs made.
Still intent on sharing He An's hardship, Fan Dazhi distractedly declined, saying he had something to do that evening but would definitely join them next time.
By the time Gu Qingzhou and Bi Feiyun left, it was already dark. Fan Dazhi went out and wandered around the Knowledge and Practice Institute, peering here and there. He even jogged two laps around the empty training ground.
Only when he grew a little hungry did he find the privy. After thoroughly emptying himself, he wandered for another good while along the paths through the institute's flower beds.
The strolling passersby gradually thinned as the night deepened. Fan Dazhi stopped outside a small courtyard, glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then darted inside.
The moon emerged from the clouds. In the silent night, tree shadows swayed, and mottled moonlight fell upon the plaque over the courtyard entrance, which read "Kitchen."
Fan Dazhi clung to a privet tree like a raccoon. Through its still-lush leaves, he furtively watched the rear kitchen as several busy servants finished tidying up and left one after another. The last extinguished the lights and shut the door, fastening a brass padlock with a click before his figure slowly receded into the night.
Once he confirmed that everyone had gone, Fan Dazhi hopped lightly down from the tree, opened a rear kitchen window, and climbed inside without hesitation.
In the moonlight, his eyes shone with delight at the dazzling array of chicken, duck, fish, meat, fruit, and vegetables. His stomach chose that moment to rumble.
Things he had seen before and things he had never seen-all of them delicious-filled almost the entire rear kitchen. They had been prepared in advance for the next day's meals for teachers and students.
Fan Dazhi rolled up his sleeves, tore a drumstick from a plump golden chicken glistening with fat, then grabbed the biggest, juiciest rib from a pile of lamb ribs that were still warm and began to feast. The room was silent, making his smacking and chewing sound especially loud.
About two hours later, the rear kitchen was a complete mess, with fruit peels and bones strewn everywhere.
Fan Dazhi's mouth and face gleamed with grease, and his belly bulged. He let out a loud belch, poured himself a brimming bowl of plum soup, and slurped down half of it in one go, then gave two more thoroughly satisfied belches.
He kept eating until each belch made the food churn in his stomach, as though the slightest misstep would make him vomit. Only then did he rub his swollen belly and find a square table. He swept all the food on it onto another table, lay down, and stretched comfortably. Before long, drowsiness overtook him, and ringing snores filled the rear kitchen...
Early the next morning, Jia Huaigang sat in the Discipline Hall with one leg crossed over the other, having just brewed another pot of tea, when Old Zhang, who managed the kitchen, dragged Fan Dazhi inside.
Jia Huaigang took one look. Why was it that same chubby boy who had made such an absurd request yesterday?
Old Zhang said furiously, "Master Jia, this little bastard sneaked into the kitchen last night and stole food! He ate a great deal of what we prepared for the teachers and students today, and damn it, he picked only the best things! Now I won't be able to serve today's dishes. Isn't that infuriating?"
Jia Huaigang frowned as he listened. Fan Dazhi leaned forward, his expression animated. "Your student Fan Dazhi willingly accepts punishment. Please sentence me to confinement too, Master Jia... Hurry and sentence me to confinement!" He actually seemed impatient for it.
Jia Huaigang was so angry that smoke might have poured from all seven openings of his head. "Utterly outrageous! Yesterday you wanted to accompany He An. Such an absurd request-you treat the Knowledge and Practice Institute's regulations like child's play! To think you would deliberately break them! Such willing degradation-you'll be the death of this old man... Fine! Fine! Fine! I'll grant your wish. Confinement for seven days!"
Fan Dazhi was dumbstruck. How had he ended up with four more days than He An...?
Soon, a servant posted another notice on the noticeboard by the institute gates.
Knowledge and Practice Institute Disciplinary Order Number Two: New student Fan Dazhi of Chuzhou Prefecture disregarded institute regulations and stole food from the kitchen. For this egregious misconduct, he is sentenced to seven days of confinement, as a warning to others!
The announcement swept through the Knowledge and Practice Institute like thunder too swift for anyone to cover their ears. Two students confined one after another-this truly set a record in the institute's history.
The new students' admiration for the pair instantly flowed like a mighty river, surging without end. Meanwhile, the senior students privately discussed how unruly this year's intake was, and they too wanted to meet these two and see just what extraordinary figures they were.
In a study room, Ding Wenruo sat by the window in a lake-blue silk robe, bent over her desk as she reviewed the material her teacher had just taught. Sunlight filtered through the mottled tree shadows onto her face, tranquil and lovely.
Ding Wenruo happened to overhear several female classmates chattering outside.
"What? Confined as soon as he enrolled? He certainly has some nerve!"
"The other one stole food? Hahaha... That's hilarious... His name is Fan Dazhi!"
"You're saying that He An came with him... Those two are quite a pair!"
"Yes, apparently He An was confined for fighting!"
A breeze drifted in. Wenruo tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and slightly knitted her pretty brows. Aren't these the outstanding students Senior Brother Fang brought back, the ones Father mentioned? He even told me to spend more time with them. How could they be so disgraceful? I'll have to tell Father when I go home.
In a small courtyard dappled with leafy shade, Lu Zhengqing was debating with another instructor, Yan Zhongjie, over the passage about a man of Qi with a wife and a concubine in the "Li Lou" section of Mencius... Lu Zhengqing argued that a man who survived by begging for wine and meat could hardly have both a wife and a concubine. Yan Zhongjie maintained that poverty brought a hundred sorrows to a marriage, but sorrow or not, the couple would remain together until their hair turned white, and begging a little wine and meat from people offering sacrifices at graves was no great offense.
They argued for ages without either convincing the other. Yan Zhongjie brewed a pot of tea and said, "Zhengqing, have some tea. We should wait for the headmaster to return and give his judgment."
He handed Lu Zhengqing a cup, then picked up his own and took a small sip. "Who knows what the headmaster is thinking? The Cui Family clearly founded the Dragon Gate Academy to target us. I hear dark currents are stirring in court too, yet at this critical moment, the headmaster has gone off wandering. Ah!... And this year's new students are no credit to us either. One was confined as soon as he enrolled, and another was confined for stealing food. Things really are going downhill like a river rushing to the sea... Tell me, Fang Yizhi is mature and steady, with both excellent character and scholarship. How did he bring back these two unruly brats?"
Lu Zhengqing froze despite himself. "These... two unruly brats you mentioned, are they named He An and Fan Dazhi?"
Yan Zhongjie nodded and spat out a tea leaf. "Yes. Zhengqing, you've already heard?"
Lu Zhengqing spluttered, spraying out a mouthful of tea...
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