Chapter 10: A Visit from Teacher Tang

“Father, eldest brother, this gentleman is Mr. Huang Yi from Chang’an,” Liu Ertiao introduced.

“Ah, the teacher has arrived! Quickly, quickly, please come inside and sit!” Liu Honest greeted him warmly. Although he was illiterate, he harbored a blind reverence for scholars, especially the teachers of the private school. Now that a teacher was visiting his home, his hospitality was boundless—so much so that he even forgot his beloved ox.

“Good day, teacher.” Compared to Liu Honest, Liu Yitiao was much more composed. He merely nodded slightly to Huang Yi and greeted him softly, showing little reaction. He watched his father’s radiant smile and felt baffled. It was merely a routine home visit—was it really necessary to be so attentive?

Huang Yi stroked his short beard and surveyed the young man before him, smiling as he asked, “You must be the Liu Yitiao of ‘two fists raised, five fingers—two short, three long’ fame?”

“That’s me, sir. I suppose you must be the ‘one pointed horn, six corners facing all directions’ gentleman from Chang’an. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner—please, come in and have a seat.” As Liu Yitiao spoke, he couldn’t help but cast a sharp glance at Liu Ertiao. How could he let the teacher know he had helped with homework? Wasn’t this just asking for trouble?

Well, now the teacher was here. How should he handle this?

“No hurry, no hurry,” Huang Yi waved his hand gently, remaining where he was. “Before we go inside, I have a few questions for you, if you don’t mind?”

“Here it comes!” Liu Yitiao shot Liu Ertiao another glare and replied respectfully, “Please speak freely, sir. I shall answer honestly.”

“Have you ever attended a private school?”

Not about the homework? Liu Yitiao glanced at Huang Yi’s gentle face and said, “No, I haven’t.”

“Then, do you know how to read?”

“I know a little.”

At this, Liu Honest interjected, “Yitiao, you mustn’t lie to the teacher. You never attended private school for a single day. How can you claim to know how to read?”

“Father,” Liu Yitiao responded, “private school isn’t the only way to acquire knowledge. Not having attended doesn’t mean I can’t read. Just as you never went to private school or learned calculation formally, yet you possess skill in the abacus—where did you learn it?”

“That… well…” Liu Honest was at a loss for words. His abacus skills were taught by Old Liu, and indeed, he had never attended private school. But who had taught Liu Yitiao to read? In the Liu family, apart from Ertiao, no one else seemed literate. Yet Ertiao had only studied for three years and spent every day in class—how could he have had time to teach Yitiao?

“Liu Elder, there are countless ways to learn, not just through private school. Let’s not pursue this further,” Huang Yi said, gently stopping Liu Honest from speaking again. He turned once more to Liu Yitiao, “Young Liu, was the couplet ‘two fists raised, five fingers—two short, three long’ truly written by you, not by someone else?”

What kind of question was that? Did he look like someone who copied others’ homework? Annoyed, Liu Yitiao cast yet another sharp look at Liu Ertiao. If not for that brat, he wouldn’t be facing such suspicion from Old Huang.

Liu Ertiao, after suffering three glares, shivered inwardly. He couldn’t understand where he had offended his brother. In his mind, having the teacher visit their home for Yitiao should be a joyous occasion.

“Mr. Huang, my brother indeed composed that couplet. I was right beside him when he came up with it last night,” Liu Ertiao testified, sparing Liu Yitiao much explanation.

Huang Yi, whether skeptical or not, shook his head and chuckled, “Such talent in young Liu truly impresses me. As it happens, I have another couplet, acquired three years ago, for which I’ve long struggled to find a matching line. Would you be interested in attempting it?”

“Certainly! Please recite the upper line—my brother will surely match it,” Liu Ertiao agreed readily, prompting another glare from Liu Yitiao.

Liu Yitiao had listened carefully to Huang Yi’s words—‘acquired three years ago,’ ‘long lacking a lower line’—this was all to test him.

If Yitiao could answer, it proved he had genuine talent and Ertiao’s claims were true. If not, it would suggest plagiarism, that the previous couplet was stolen.

Being branded a literary thief was hardly desirable.

“Please recite the couplet, sir. Whether or not I can answer, I’ll do my best,” Liu Yitiao replied calmly.

“Excellent! Youth truly has vigor,” Huang Yi laughed. “Listen well, young Liu, my upper line is: ‘Upon hearing of good deeds, my heart rejoices first.’”

“Hm?” Liu Yitiao looked at Huang Yi in surprise. Why such a simple upper line—was he really testing me?

Or was Huang Yi himself lacking in skill?

“Mr. Huang, I already have a matching line,” Liu Yitiao replied coolly. “Mine is: ‘Upon finding a rare book, my hand copies it by itself.’ What do you think?”

“Upon hearing of good deeds, my heart rejoices first. Upon finding a rare book, my hand copies it by itself,” Huang Yi recited the couplet softly, then smiled, “Wonderful—meaningful, fitting, and perfectly matched. Young Liu, you are truly exceptional.”

“You flatter me, sir. It’s merely some unusual literary technique,” Liu Yitiao responded with humility, though he had now categorized Huang Yi as a mediocrity in his mind.

“You are too modest, young Liu. With talent like yours, it’s a shame to stay hidden in the countryside. Would you be willing to become my student, and learn the arts of governance and statecraft? I can guarantee you a bright future.”

Huang Yi was moved to take him as a disciple—but Liu Yitiao had no intention of pursuing further study.

Liu Yitiao declined politely, “Thank you for your kindness, sir. My aspirations lie here in the countryside; I have no desire to enter the halls of power. I fear I must disappoint your good intentions.”

“Eh?” This time, it was Huang Yi’s turn to be surprised. Clearly, he hadn’t expected to be refused.

In this era, those who learned the arts of letters or arms dreamt of serving in the imperial court. Huang Yi could not fathom how such an oddity as Liu Yitiao could exist, nor could he discern if this was truly his sincere wish.

“Brother, Mr. Huang rarely accepts disciples. This is a great opportunity,” Liu Ertiao tugged at Liu Yitiao’s sleeve, whispering urgently.

Liu Yitiao shot Ertiao a glare and pretended not to hear, then smiled at the still bewildered Huang Yi, “Since you’ve made a rare visit, I happen to have something to ask you. Some days ago, I composed an upper line, but my limited knowledge and narrow thinking have left me unable to find a fitting lower line. May I ask for your guidance?”

“Oh?” A playful smile crossed Huang Yi’s face. He had just tested the young man, and now the young man was testing him in return. “Please, go ahead, young Liu.”

Liu Yitiao said, “Please listen carefully, sir. My upper line is: ‘No moon is seen at Shangyuan; a few lanterns are lit to bring color to the world.’”