Chapter 125: A Small Gift, a Weighty Sentiment

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Zhou Zhi had been away from home for a month, and the Zhou family had undergone considerable changes. The two foals born of the official mares had already been taken by the authorities. Normally, an extra foal produced within three years would earn the family five taels of silver from the government. However, the village chief, Lü Xingchuan, after consulting with Ouyang Zheng, the county clerk, secured a reward of twenty taels of silver for the Zhou family.

According to Lü Xingchuan and Ouyang Zheng, such a rare occurrence as twin foals was exceptional, a testament to the Zhou family’s excellent care of the official horses. The government deemed it necessary to lavishly reward families entrusted with raising official horses, both to set an example and to encourage others.

Zhou Zhi’s elder sister, Zhou Luyun, was originally set to marry in mid-October, but the Hu family from Gaochang Town sent word that the wedding should be expedited. The reason was that Hu Zhe’s mother, Madam Hu Qiu, was in rapidly declining health; she wished to see her son wed before passing peacefully.

In recent days, Zhou Tie, the family patriarch, had been actively preparing Zhou Luyun’s dowry. The Zhou family’s fortunes were improving day by day, and Zhou Luyun’s dowry could not be shabby.

Of course, what was called a dowry was mostly an ample provision for daily life; purchasing a modest set of gold and silver jewelry was already quite an achievement. After all, though the Zhou family was better off, they remained far from the wealth of the great families.

Zhou Luyun tried to dissuade their father from buying jewelry, but his stubbornness prevailed. Over several days, he spent more than twenty taels of silver on her dowry before finally relenting.

When Zhou Zhi returned home and saw his sister’s dowry, he was naturally pleased. Zhou Luyun had sacrificed much for their family and deserved a grand wedding. Besides, the Hu family’s situation was also quite strained, so supporting them was necessary.

Zhou Zhi wished to add more to her dowry, but Zhou Luyun was resolute, her face dark as ink. She declared that if any more was bought, she would refuse to marry. Zhou Zhi had no choice but to yield.

Fortunately, Zhou Zhi already had new plans. It was good that his sister was marrying now, as her husband, Hu Zhe, could then rightfully come to the Zhou household. In just over a month, after the potato harvest, Zhou Zhi intended to teach Zhou Tie to make vermicelli noodles.

Potatoes were yielding bumper crops in Baiyue Village and its surroundings, just as Zhou Zhi had anticipated—there was an embarrassment of riches. By purchasing the farmers’ surplus potatoes, they could scale up vermicelli production.

Zhou Zhi still needed to study and compose essays, so he had little time to participate. His brother-in-law Hu Zhe would be the best assistant, and Zhou Zhi even thought of having Hu Zhe sell the fresh vermicelli and noodles, confident that he would rapidly open the market and introduce these new products to the people of the Ming realm.

Hu Zhe was the only son of his family, and with Zhou Luyun married into the Hu household, the two families were now one. As long as they worked together, their lives would surely improve.

August nineteenth was Zhou Luyun’s wedding day. After a warm Mid-Autumn Festival reunion, the family awaited this joyful occasion.

In recent days, many poor neighbors from Baiyue Village had brought gifts of congratulations. They were humble offerings, but heartfelt, and the Zhou family accepted them gladly.

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Even the local ruffians and hooligans, including Liu Hui and others, sent their regards. Of course, most came at night; those who arrived during the day were brief visits.

Fàn Jìn, Lü Xingchuan, Wei Haogu, and Che Lang—all members of the literary society—also sent gifts. Yue Shuzhen of the Yue family, though not heavily involved in the society or closely acquainted with Zhou Zhi, sent three taels of silver.

Unexpectedly, Qu Renbin, the old schoolmaster, sent six taels, revealing his esteem for Zhou Zhi.

Most astonishingly, the county magistrate Chen Guangyao sent twenty taels through Jiang Bin. Zhou Zhi was deeply grateful.

He had done nothing for the magistrate, yet received such favor. He vowed to repay this kindness—his foremost way would be to pass the imperial examinations as a scholar and bring honor to the magistrate. Other forms of repayment were beyond his current ability. For now, he must read, read, and read, continuing his diligent essay compositions.

The next day, August nineteenth, the Zhou family held a banquet for the neighbors. The small Zhou courtyard was bustling as never before.

Though not lavish, the feast included chicken, duck, fish, and meat—especially the stewed pork, which was served generously to all.

A two-hundred-jin pig cost only a few hundred copper coins, insignificant for the now-prosperous Zhou family. Yet for many impoverished neighbors, it had been long since they last tasted meat. They ate heartily, their mouths dripping with grease, their bellies full, belching contentedly.

By afternoon, the courtyard quieted down.

Then, suddenly, “The Riddle Boy,” Old Wang, entered the courtyard with a joyous expression. Zhou Zhi had thought Old Wang had already attended the wedding and left. His return was unexpected.

Before Zhou Tie and Zhou Zhi could inquire, Old Wang loudly proclaimed, “Zhou Zhi, lad, someone has brought a gift!”

No sooner had he spoken than a troupe of drummers and horn players appeared outside. They took their places and began to play.

In Baiyue Village, only wealthy families could afford such bands for celebrations. Though the Zhou family was now considered well-off, they had not hired a band for Zhou Luyun’s wedding.

After a long performance, several soldiers appeared outside, followed by a short but imposing officer.

Zhou Zhi immediately recognized him as Li Lin—the man who, disguised as a government agent, had helped rescue Zhou Tie at Xinzhuang.

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Li Lin strode confidently into the courtyard, his soldiers carrying two wooden chests behind him. Li Lin smiled warmly and cupped his hands in greeting. “Brother Zhou Zhi, haha! A small token—please accept it graciously.”

Then he stepped closer, whispering into Zhou Zhi’s ear, “This isn’t from me, but from the Kou family of Tang County.”

Zhou Zhi was momentarily stunned.

The Kou family of Tang County—this must have been a gift sent by Kou Peihan himself.

Zhou Zhi wanted to question Li Lin further, but Li Lin smiled obsequiously and said, “The Kou family says, the gift may be small, but the sentiment is profound; everything is in the gift, haha!”

He waved to his soldiers, who carried the chests inside, then left with a flourish.

The musicians had clearly been hired by Li Lin from nearby; once he and his men departed, they quickly dispersed as well.

Zhou Zhi and Zhou Tie hastened indoors and opened the two chests. One was filled with various silk fabrics and decorations; the other contained one hundred taels of silver and seven or eight pieces of gold and silver jewelry.

The jewelry Zhou Tie had prepared for Zhou Luyun was clearly of a different, lesser caliber. Though neither father nor son were experts, they recognized these as precious items.

“The gift may be small, but the sentiment is weighty”—this gift was not only heavy in meaning but also of great value.

It seemed Kou Peihan and the Kou family held Zhou Zhi in high regard. Zhou Zhi’s thoughts soared delightfully.

Just then, Old Wang’s excited voice rang out again outside: “Zhou Zhi, lad, another gift has arrived!”