Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 31: A Farmer’s Discussion on Fish
“Emperors value heroes; literature teaches children. All things are of lower rank, only reading is exalted.”
Zhu Ping’an returned to his usual spot outside the classroom window with his brush and black wooden board just as Old Scholar Sun was leading the children in reciting this poem encouraging study. Ancient private-school education was clearly quite flexible—at least for the teacher, who could choose what to teach according to his own judgment, unlike modern schooling with its prescribed syllabi.
The teacher aimed to instill the importance of studying in the children, so they could take pride in reading and focus on their studies.
The children below did not understand the meaning of the poem but bobbed their heads and followed the teacher, reciting it word by word.
Zhu Ping’an had long since memorized the poem and understood the meaning of “all things are of lower rank; only reading is exalted” far better than the children inside. His knowledge from several hundred years in the future gave him an advantage, but not as much as one might imagine. A college student might have no trouble with an elementary-school exam, but would that same person still feel confident taking the college entrance examination years after graduation? The imperial examinations were much the same: far more difficult than modern college or graduate entrance exams. Although Zhu Ping’an had twice seen the mysterious manifestation of fortune, it had brought no practical change to his life, and he still could not examine his own fortune at will.
Thinking of this, Zhu Ping’an placed the black wooden board on a stone again, poured water from the bamboo tube into the groove, and prepared to practice calligraphy. In the path of the imperial examination, calligraphy was crucial. It was the first impression for the examiners, so diligent practice was essential.
While Old Scholar Sun led the students in reciting the exhortation to study, he happened to notice the chubby little rascal outside the classroom fiddling with the stone and water again. Truly playful! A child of this age in the county would already have begun his studies. One step behind could easily become step after step behind.
The teacher sighed, feeling increasingly that he needed to discipline these children in the school strictly. He led the children in reading the poem over and over again.
Outside the classroom, Zhu Ping’an dipped his brush in water and practiced the traditional characters he had recently learned on the black wooden board. With persistent practice, his once-wobbly strokes were gradually beginning to take shape, which only made him more enthusiastic.
As the day drew to a close, Zhu Ping’an saw that it was getting late, and the teacher was about to assign homework to the children. He packed his things, walked through the bamboo forest, took hold of the old yellow cow, and walked down the slope.
In recent days, the old yellow cow had been taken out to graze by Zhu Ping’an. Its coat was shiny and well-groomed, and it seemed to have forgiven Zhu Ping’an for trimming its tail, affectionately licking Zhu Ping’an’s small hand with its tongue.
Reaching the foot of the slope, Zhu Ping’an released the old yellow cow and walked slowly to the riverbank where he caught fish.
The creek was shallow and gently rippling, its aquatic plants and small fish clearly visible beneath the surface. Zhu Ping’an stepped barefoot into the pleasantly cool water, which reached only to his calves, and walked to the spot where he had set the fish basket that morning. The moment he lifted it, the basket erupted with furious splashing as the trapped fish thrashed inside, spraying water onto his face.
Inside was a yellow catfish nearly as thick as his wrist and five or six silver carp, each seven or eight centimeters long, all thrashing and jumping. The narrow opening and inward-pointing bamboo barbs left them no way out.
Don’t be angry; you will make a significant contribution to enriching our dining table.
Seeing you all so excited to dance, let’s make some braised fish. Braised crucian carp is the tastiest.
Watching the fish get caught because they had been greedy for the bait made Zhu Ping’an think of himself. Wasn’t that exactly why the scheming little loli kept managing to tease him? It was all because he was greedy for food. Then again, when he remembered those fragrant chicken legs and crisp, tender snacks, being teased a few times suddenly did not seem so terrible.
Carrying the fish basket, Zhu Ping’an put on his shoes, gathered his brush and black wooden board, climbed onto the old yellow cow, and headed home.
When Zhu Ping’an arrived home, dinner was already being prepared. Seeing him return with a basket of fish, Grandmother unusually gave him a few words of praise.
“Oh my, this catfish is really big! It’ll make a fine pot of fish soup.” Eldest Aunt came out to take a look and smiled. “Not bad, Zhi’er. I said letting Zhi’er herd the cow would turn out well.”
After a while, grandmother placed the fish into a basin, added a couple of drops of oil, saying it was to let the fish expel the mud and sand, then led several daughters-in-law to busy themselves with dinner.
Zhu Ping’an stood beside the basin. Just then, Eldest Uncle came out of the room, apparently having heard there was fish and expecting a meat dish after several days of vegetarian meals.
Zhu Ping’an’s eyes darted around, and he hurried over, tugged on Eldest Uncle’s sleeve, and pulled him toward the basin.
“Eldest Uncle, look how happily the little fish are swimming in the basin!” he said in the thoroughly childish tone of a five-year-old.
Eldest Uncle gave a perfunctory nod.
“But Grandmother said you like stewed fish soup, and she’s going to cook them soon!”
Seeing his little nephew on the verge of tears—and noticing his feisty second sister-in-law Chen looking their way—Eldest Uncle decided he could not let her think he had made Zhi’er cry.
“Alright, alright. Don’t be sad. Eldest Uncle won’t eat the stewed fish soup.”
Eldest Uncle only said it to placate him. Children’s moods changed quickly, after all. If he could calm Zhi’er down now, Mother would still cook the fish, and by dinnertime the boy might have forgotten all about it. Even if he remembered, what could he do then?
“Really?” Zhu Ping’an immediately looked up and ran into the kitchen, shouting, “Grandmother! Grandmother! Eldest Uncle said he won’t eat the stewed fish soup. I caught the fish, and I want the braised fish!”
Outside, Eldest Uncle—who had only been trying to appease his little nephew—was left speechless.
Even so, Zhu Ping’an had underestimated the extent of Grandmother’s favoritism. Although Eldest Uncle had just said he would not eat the soup, Grandmother still made fish soup. Fortunately, only the catfish was stewed; the six small silver carp were braised, which soothed Zhu Ping’an somewhat.
Dinner left Zhu Ping’an thoroughly speechless. He had caught every fish himself and had even needed to scheme just to get some of the braised fish, yet Grandmother ultimately gave him only a bowl of catfish soup with a single piece of catfish meat.
Of the six braised silver carp, one went to Grandfather. Two went to Eldest Uncle because, Grandmother said, studying was hard work. Zhu Pingjun likewise received one whole fish. Zhu Ping’an could only stare: Jun’er was constantly being punished by the teacher for sleeping in class, while Zhu Ping’an was the one out herding cattle! Of the two remaining fish, one went to Fourth Uncle, who had supposedly not yet recovered from his illness. As it happened, the family had been clearing ditches that day, and Fourth Uncle had fallen ill again, claiming his hemorrhoids were acting up. Yet there he was happily drinking catfish soup and eating large chunks of fish without the slightest problem.
The final silver carp was split between Third Uncle and Zhu Shouyi. Zhu Shouyi gave his half to Zhu Ping’an. Nibbling on his half-fish while watching Zhu Pingjun happily devour an entire silver carp, Zhu Ping’an gained a fresh appreciation for just how partial Grandmother could be.
Next time, Zhu Ping’an decided, he would roast two fish by the river before bringing the rest home. Otherwise, he might catch the fish himself and still barely get to eat any.