Chapter Seventy-Seven: Impartial and Selfless

Over the next few days, Zhou Zhi needed to sell off the entire crop of chives at the Gaochang town market. There was little celery and spinach left, so each morning he loaded thirty or forty pounds of chives, along with a few pounds of celery and spinach, onto his battered little cart and pushed it toward Gaochang. Though these days were not market days in town, the commercial street was always bustling with people.

Chives sold easily. The families of some means in town, knowing Zhou Zhi’s reputation and wary of the price suddenly rising, rushed forward to buy as soon as Zhou Zhi stopped his cart. After the festivities at Scholar Cheng’s home, many townspeople had tasted spinach-tofu soup and celery stir-fried with meat at the banquet, and soon discovered where the vegetables had been purchased. As a result, Zhou Zhi’s spinach and celery also sold well over the following days.

Six days passed in this manner, and the spinach and celery from the greenhouse were completely sold out. Zhou Zhi made nearly two taels of silver a day, totaling more than ten taels over these days. The news of Zhou Zhi’s fortune from the greenhouse was impossible to keep secret. On that day, Old Wang the “Riddle Boy” and several other farmers learned about it in town.

When they returned to the village, word spread quickly. Within two days, everyone knew Zhou Zhi had struck it rich. Many people envied, admired, and resented him.

Zhou Lüyun worried that her mother, Zhou He, would find it hard to accept so much silver suddenly coming home, so she gradually guided and prepared her. When Zhou He finally learned how much money Zhou Zhi had made, she was overjoyed, knelt down, and knocked her forehead on the ground several times, thanking Heaven for its favor and declaring their family’s hardships finally over.

Immediately she thought of Old Zhou Tie. If only he knew, he would be overjoyed! It had been a month and a half since he went to Tanghe for corvée labor, and he should have returned by now, yet there was still no news.

One afternoon, while Zhou Lüyun tended the greenhouse, Zhou Zhi returned home to change out some books. He had finished the Book of Documents, thoroughly memorized it, and planned to start reading the Spring and Autumn Annals that day.

As he reached the gate, he saw Zhang Bing, a farmer from the village, holding a box of pastries and politely pushing it toward his mother, Zhou He, in the courtyard.

Seeing Zhou Zhi return, Zhang Bing’s face lit up with a smile. “Sister-in-law Zhou, look, isn’t that Xiao Zhi back? Let him decide whether you should accept these pastries or not.”

Though both families were poor, Zhou Zhi’s family had little interaction with Zhang Bing’s. Zhou Zhi was puzzled and asked, “Uncle Zhang, what’s this about?”

“Haha, Xiao Zhi, it’s all because you built that vegetable greenhouse and grew fresh produce in the cold winter. I made a bet with Ding Ergou and the others—they didn’t believe you could do it, but I did. Now, look! Not only did you grow fresh vegetables, you made a fortune. Ding Ergou and the others lost their silver to me. To be honest, I won more than a tael this time, thanks to you. So, whose credit is it? Isn’t it yours? I must thank you. These pastries cost little—shouldn’t you accept them?” Zhang Bing said sincerely.

Zhou Zhi laughed. For that? He knew many villagers had bet on his greenhouse, but he hadn’t cared. They gambled, he worked—each minding their own business.

“Uncle Zhang, I should be thanking you. You often helped watch over the greenhouse when things were busy at home. These pastries, you ought to take them back—your family isn’t wealthy either,” Zhou Zhi replied cheerfully.

Zhang Bing feigned anger, “Xiao Zhi, you mustn’t say that! Since I brought them, I won’t take them back. I know things are better for your family now, but since I brought them, I won’t leave with them.”

Seeing his determination, Zhou He and Zhou Zhi had no choice but to accept the pastries.

Zhang Bing was delighted, and chatted with Zhou He, praising Zhou Zhi’s abilities and saying that with such a capable son, their days would only get better, and she should enjoy her good fortune.

Zhou Zhi had things to do, so he greeted them and went inside to fetch the Spring and Autumn Annals, preparing to return to the greenhouse.

But Zhang Bing stopped him, smiling, “Xiao Zhi, I actually came for another reason. You’ve done well with your greenhouse. I’ve struggled all my life, so I thought next year I’d try building one too. I’d like to see your greenhouse and learn the tricks these next few days.”

He blushed as he spoke.

Ah, so how about that? Ancient people were no fools—shrewd indeed! Zhang Bing brought gifts as thanks, but he’d already decided to try growing vegetables next year.

Zhou Zhi replied almost without hesitation, “Uncle Zhang, you’re welcome in the greenhouse anytime. It’s a simple thing—within a few days you’ll learn the method.”

Zhang Bing had worried Zhou Zhi would refuse, since it was his secret and a source of income. But Zhou Zhi agreed so readily that Zhang Bing was overjoyed, inwardly sighing, “Who says this Zhou boy is a ‘cold-faced butcher’? He’s a true gentleman—understanding and generous.”

Zhou He heard Zhou Zhi’s generosity, sharing without reservation, and couldn’t help feeling uneasy. “This child is too honest. If everyone learns to build greenhouses, how will our family keep earning money?”

Suddenly, Zhou Zhi’s expression grew serious. He said, “Uncle Zhang, though I made some money this year with the greenhouse, I can’t promise the same next year.”

“Haha, that’s fine. Just teach me the method. Whether I earn anything depends on my luck,” Zhang Bing replied cheerfully.

Though Zhang Bing was usually reserved, he joked and laughed with Zhou Zhi as they walked together to the greenhouse.

Zhou Lüyun, seeing Zhou Zhi bring Zhang Bing to learn the greenhouse technique, was not annoyed. Zhou Zhi had already told her that next year greenhouses would be everywhere, and there would be little profit.

She took Zhang Bing around, teaching him a few skills. Zhou Zhi returned to the greenhouse, sat down, and thought to himself: today Zhang Bing came, tomorrow it will be someone like Wang Bing or Li Bing, each wanting to learn. Ah, now I’m a public-spirited philanthropist, serving the people.

With Zhang Bing’s help, he’d have much more free time. After selling the last thirty pounds of chives tomorrow, he could finally rest and devote himself to reading.