Chapter 843: The Ties of Old Friendship

Not long had passed since the Lantern Festival, and throughout the markets, streets, and archways, countless lanterns and colorful ribbons still hung, awaiting removal. As a southerner, the spring chill of the Eastern Capital was still not easy for Zhong Mo to bear, though fortunately the warm spring sunlight provided some relief. Strolling through the streets, savoring the bustling prosperity of the Eastern Capital, Zhong Mo wore a look of leisurely contentment, nearly losing himself in the scene.

Zhong Mo was in high spirits, searching all through the Southern Market for the spot where he had once set up a stall writing for a living. Unfortunately, things had changed, and it could no longer be found—not even a trace of how it had looked back then remained.

Through some stroke of fate, he encountered the stall owner who had once given him steamed buns as charity. The little stall owner of those days now had his own shop front, located on Wine Street in the Southern Market. The shop was small, but business was excellent, for the food was delicious and famed throughout the neighborhood, earning him the nickname "Sun the Bun-Seller."

Meeting an old acquaintance naturally brought joy, and they conversed warmly and amiably. "Sun the Bun-Seller" was a shrewd, worldly man. Seeing Zhong Mo's fine clothing and distinguished bearing, he received him with great enthusiasm, reminiscing about their past friendship. Naturally, he showered Zhong Mo with flattery, but once a man gets carried away, he loses his sense of self-awareness. He brought up Zhong Mo's destitute days, and boasted to those present about how he had seen Zhong Mo's extraordinary potential back then, and about the generosity of his gift of food...

Zhong Mo had never regarded his past hardships as shameful; on the contrary, he often used them to spur himself on. However, when his former benefactor used their past friendship as material for boasting, perhaps without any malice—just the vanity of a common townsman at work—Zhong Mo still felt a strange stirring in his heart.

He kept a smile on his face, magnanimously tolerating it, and repeatedly expressed his gratitude. When taking his leave, Zhong Mo left behind a silver ingot, then departed without the slightest reluctance, his attendants following.

"Minister, that vulgar common fellow—crude and shameless, with no self-awareness at all—how dare he speak to you so rudely?" The attendant following him could not help grumbling to Zhong Mo, his tone dripping with contempt.

Zhong Mo, however, remained perfectly at ease: "You said it yourself—a street peddler who knows no etiquette. Why should I bother taking offense? Moreover, when I was down and out back then, he did show me kindness. Though they were only a few meat buns, they greatly relieved my hunger, and I should acknowledge that debt of gratitude. If I were to hold a grudge simply because he said a few extra words, would my heart not be far too narrow..."

After wandering the Southern Market for nearly two shichen, he found a tavern and drank a little wine. As dusk approached, the carriage driver and the young servant came running back excitedly, wearing shrewd smiles: "Master, the place you were looking for—this humble one has found it for you. I asked around, and it is indeed a Zhang family household. The capital has changed greatly; the alleys and lanes have mostly had their names and numbers changed. An ordinary person could never find it—even this humble one had to spend quite a bit of effort talking to people..."

Hearing his words and seeing his expression, Zhong Mo understood perfectly well what he meant. He gestured to an attendant: "You've worked hard. Reward him!"

"This humble one thanks you for the reward!" The carriage driver's face immediately lit up with joy.

"Lead the way!"

"Yes!"

In the early evening, with the light dimming and the wind turning cold, Zhong Mo draped an outer robe over his shoulders and left the Southern Market. The great households around had already lit their candles. Night had fallen, and the adornment of ten thousand household lights made the vast Eastern Capital seem all the more a picture of prosperous governance.

Feeling the scene of the city, Zhong Mo secretly resolved that for the remaining days he would spend in the Eastern Capital, he would walk through it thoroughly, high and low, inside and out, and write another piece, "A Record of Travels in the Eastern Capital."

Back when he had lodged in Kaifeng, he had written a "Record of Observations in the Eastern Capital." After returning to Jinling, he had presented it to Li Jing, who had praised it greatly for its beauty of prose and the truthfulness of its observations. It was later circulated and copied among the literati of Jinling. At that time, shortly after the great defeat at Huainan, the entire Tang court was cowed under the might of the Northern Han. Against the backdrop of the Han court's growing influence, many people came to understand Kaifeng and the Great Han through that record.

What Zhong Mo sought, naturally, was the Zhang family with whom he had lodged back then. When it came to debts of gratitude, that was what Zhong Mo truly remembered—a place to shelter, food and clothing assured.

The great renovation of the Eastern Capital had indeed made a considerable impression on ordinary citizens. The Zhang family residence, originally at the southern edge of Kaifeng near the city gate, now, after the expansion, stood almost at the very center of the city.

"How it has changed!" Standing before the quiet gate of the residence, Zhong Mo could not help but sigh.

The courtyard was still an ordinary small one, but it had clearly been renovated, its gate design kept in harmony with the civilian houses along the entire street. Zhong Mo knew that was a requirement of the authorities. Still, he could tell that the Zhang family's circumstances were fairly decent.

A servant stepped forward to knock on the door. Without a moment's wait, the gate swung open, and half a body leaned out—a youth with a boyish face, sizing up Zhong Mo and his party with some curiosity: "Who are you?"

"You must be Zhang Guangyao!" Zhong Mo stepped forward a few paces and asked.

The youth nodded: "Yes! And who are you?"

"Guangyao, it's been many years—do you not recognize this old man?" Zhong Mo said with a smile.

The Zhang family son was named Zhang Da, with the courtesy name Guangyao, which Zhong Mo had given him before he had departed south back then. The youth was surprised to hear this. He rubbed his eyes, and once he made out Zhong Mo's features, his face lit up with joy: "You are Mr. Zhong?"

Though phrased as a question, his tone was quite certain. Turning his head, he shouted toward the interior: "Father! Mother! Mr. Zhong has returned!"

After shouting a few times, he threw the gate wide open and knelt directly before Zhong Mo at the side of the door. While Zhong Mo was still startled, he kowtowed three times, each knock of his head solid and sincere. Such a grand salute, offered with such reverence, moved Zhong Mo deeply. He immediately helped the youth up, saying there was no need for such a great ceremony, but the youth answered earnestly that he should be treated with the rites due a teacher.

Back then, as a teacher, Zhong Mo had instructed the Zhang siblings for a period of time. Before leaving, he had left the youth a copy of the Analects and urged him to study it well.

Zhong Mo's arrival brought liveliness to the quiet little Zhang courtyard. The Zhang couple, hearing the commotion, came out together to greet him. Zhong Mo immediately ordered his men to present the gifts he had purchased, then observed the couple.

Old Zhang had aged considerably more, but his frame, though not imposing, still looked just as sturdy. He was very respectful toward Zhong Mo, still the same plain, taciturn figure. Zhang's wife looked little different from before—still the same sturdy country woman—though far more white strands now streaked her hair.

The courtyard had clearly been renovated. The kitchen and the chicken coop were still in their old places, and the rooms were still the same few. A windlass had been added to the well, and the old tree beside it still stood at a slant, its shadow dim and indistinct in the twilight. Seeing this scene, Zhong Mo could not help but be moved by the sight.

Because of Zhong Mo's visit, three brand-new candles were specially lit, brightening the room considerably.

"Had we known Mr. Zhong was coming, we would surely have prepared some fine food. To receive you so shabbily, please forgive us!" As the head of the household, Old Zhang appeared somewhat embarrassed.

It was mealtime, and food was set out on the table—clearly leftovers from lunch. Old Zhang immediately instructed his wife: "Take out the meat from the house and make a few more dishes!"

"Alright! Sir, please wait a moment!" Zhang's wife replied.

"No need, sister-in-law!" Zhong Mo stopped her, smiling: "When I was down and out back then, a full meal was more than enough. What your household eats, I can still eat today! Just add an extra pair of chopsticks and a bowl!"

"How can that be? You are both an honored guest and a benefactor—how could we entertain you with these leftover dishes!" The youth Zhang Da, standing nearby, spoke up.

The Zhang family did not know the details of Zhong Mo's status, but they understood he was no ordinary man. Now, just from his clothing and the servants waiting at the door, they could tell his circumstances. Thus, in their words and actions, they were clearly cautious and deferential, not daring to be presumptuous—yet their warmth was genuine.

Under Zhong Mo's insistence, the Zhang family had no choice but to yield. Old Zhang then had his wife bring out a jar of wine stored in the house, which Zhong Mo did not refuse. Zhong Mo first picked up a piece of leftover vegetable with his chopsticks, then shoveled two mouthfuls of leftover rice, eating with every appearance of relish. Only then did the Zhang family feel relieved. His wife and son tried to remain standing, but Zhong Mo insisted they sit at the table and eat with him.

Seated, eating the dishes and drinking the wine, a round of polite small talk was unavoidable.

"It seems someone is missing from the household! Where is your young daughter?" Zhong Mo asked.

Zhang's wife said: "She married last year!"

"Oh? I imagine she found a good match—a plain and honest family, I should think!" Zhong Mo said with a smile.

Old Zhang replied: "She was originally to marry this year, but the groom's father is a squad leader in the imperial army, and he had to go fight in Chuanshu. Sir knows that on the battlefield, swords and blades have no eyes. To avoid any regret, we hurriedly held the children's wedding first!"

Noticing that Old Zhang's left hand was missing two fingers, Zhong Mo asked the reason. Zhang's wife sighed and said: "Two years ago at the meat market, he ran into a brawl. In a moment of carelessness, his fingers got cut off!"

Old Zhang instinctively tried to hide his left hand. Zhong Mo asked: "And what do you do for a living now?"

Old Zhang smiled and said: "I took up a job as a night watchman in the neighborhood. I walk the night roads a fair bit, but I enjoy the freedom!"

Nodding slightly, Zhong Mo let his gaze wander, then sighed: "Brother Zhang, forgive me for asking bluntly—back when I left, I gave you money as a gift. How is it that you are still in such coarse clothing and simple fare, content with poverty?"

Back then, Liu Chengyou had rewarded Zhong Mo with a hundred taels of silver, and Zhong Mo had forcefully given half to the Zhang family. Fifty taels of silver had astonishing purchasing power in the Great Han, even in the Eastern Capital. With the Zhang family's frugality, even if they could not feast on meat and fish every day, they should have had no trouble at all improving their food and clothing and living more comfortably.

At the question, Zhang Da answered on his own initiative: "Most of the money you gave us went to fund my studies! Later, when the authorities ordered the renovation of the house, repairing the gate and walls also cost some. Last year, when my sister married, we prepared some dowry..."

As he spoke, Zhang Da rose and said solemnly to Zhong Mo: "The great kindness you have shown my family, I will remember all my life. In the future, I will repay you tenfold!"

Hearing this, Zhong Mo smiled freely and shook his head: "The kindness your family showed me is what I should remember forever!"

"How are your studies coming along?" Zhong Mo suddenly asked.

"The Thousand Character Classic and the Analects that you taught me, I can now recite from memory in full!" Zhang Da said with a modest smile.

"If I have time, I shall have to examine you!" Zhong Mo stroked his beard and said: "What plans do you have for the future?"

"My brother-in-law's family found me a position as a clerk in the county office, but I declined!" Zhang Da replied: "I want to wait until my studies bear fruit, then take the imperial examinations!"

"Ambitious..." Zhong Mo laughed heartily.