Chapter 26: Why Li Su Is So Outstanding

Classmates cast admiring glances, wondering how he could have such a remarkable mind. Lin Ze asked in confusion, “Su, what earth-shattering achievement have you pulled off this time?” His curious eyes were fixed on Li Su.

Li Su sat down with an air of calm indifference. “Nothing much, just made a new plow for my family to use.”

Lin Ze nodded, half understanding. He knew nothing about farming and assumed it was a simple matter. “Then why are they all looking like that?”

The classmates were at a loss for words. One finally replied, “Brother Li has invented a new plow! It can greatly save time and effort for farmers. For all the farmers in the world, this is a tremendous blessing!”

Lin Ze, Ren Shuhua, and Qin Ming were stunned. They looked at Li Su, then at the classmate who spoke. Qin Ming stammered, “Su, is that true?”

Li Su nodded. “That’s right. If it couldn’t save time and effort, why would I bother making a new one?”

Everyone: “...” Why does that sound so irritating?

Every scholar dreams of benefiting the nation and its people, but the chances are slim. Li Su wasn’t even a licentiate yet, and he had already achieved this. If word got out, scholars everywhere would envy him.

If it were them, they’d be dancing with joy. Yet Li Su acted so nonchalant—wasn’t he just inviting resentment?

Thinking this, their gazes at Li Su grew more forlorn. They all studied in the same private school, so why was Li Su so outstanding?

In the corner, Chen Ping watched Li Su, surrounded by admirers, with a dark expression, jealousy surging in his heart. Li Su, your time in the sun won’t last long.

Lin Ze, Ren Shuhua, and Qin Ming all echoed, “Su, why are you so exceptional?”

Their eyes reflected admiration, not envy.

Li Su lifted his eyes and looked at them. “Have you forgotten your plan? What are you supposed to be doing now?”

The three flustered. “Oh, right, right!”

They quickly opened their books and started studying. What does it feel like to have an extraordinary brother?

The three agreed: it’s a mix of pride and pressure, a sense that if you slack off, you’ll be left behind.

...

“Master, I’ve looked into it. This curved plow was invented by a scholar named Li Su. After working in the fields and seeing his family’s hardships, he created it out of filial piety. He’s a good, dutiful child,” said a middle-aged man.

A bearded old man in his fifties sat alone, playing Go. “How is his learning?”

The middle-aged man replied, troubled, “He’s been praised as a prodigy since childhood. Passed the county exam at nine, but still hasn’t passed the provincial exam at fifteen. He’s failed several times.”

The old man dropped a Go stone, saying nothing.

The middle-aged man continued, “That ‘prodigy’ title is probably just rural folk being ignorant. They think knowing a few characters makes one a prodigy.”

“Master, are we really not going back? The higher-ups keep urging you to return. The person the Imperial Preceptor mentioned might not even exist. We can’t stay here forever.” Such a small place could never produce the extraordinary talent the Imperial Preceptor spoke of.

The old man placed the final stone. “Uncle Lin, send the plow to that young man. I don’t wish to return just yet.”

Uncle Lin hesitated, “Are you still angry with that person?”

“Just do as I say, don’t ask questions. Anything significant happening here lately?” Xi Sheng looked up at Uncle Lin.

Uncle Lin thought a moment. “There’s a poetry gathering soon. Would you like to attend?”

“I’ll go that day,” Xi Sheng said, slowly packing away the Go board.

“Send the plow first. Though Li Jin might submit a report, he’s slow.” Xi Sheng instructed.

Uncle Lin answered respectfully, “Yes.” He hoped Li Jin would write honestly; if he claimed all the credit, he’d be in for bad luck.

No one expected that the current Prime Minister would be living in such a small place—and for two years already.

He suspected his master just wanted a quiet refuge. As for seeking the person the Imperial Preceptor mentioned, perhaps it was merely incidental.

Uncle Lin sighed helplessly. It seemed persuading his master to return would not be easy.

...

After Li Su received the custom-made cart and paid the carpenter, he brought it home. The children immediately gathered around, curious but hesitant to touch it.

“Is this the custom cart? Does that mean we can set up the stall tomorrow?” Everything else was nearly ready.

“Tomorrow works. If we’re setting up tomorrow, we can wash the vegetables and skewer them tonight, chill them in well water, and buy fresh meat in the morning to prepare.” Li Su thought breakfast hours weren’t ideal; lunchtime was better for the stall.

This way, it would be easier to buy meat fresh in the morning. Without a refrigerator, buying meat daily kept ingredients fresh—a must for good business.

Vegetables were still from their own garden. Once business picked up, they could buy from other villagers.

Li Su had already trained his second brother and sister-in-law for possible situations they might face.

Since they decided to set up the stall tomorrow, the Li family sprang into action.

Li Zhengqiang and Dong Fangfang were nervous and excited, yet worried they might make mistakes.

What if they encountered difficult customers? What if they made a mistake with the accounts?

Though Su had taught them simple—what was it called—ah, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, they were still anxious. It was money, after all; a miscalculation could be costly.

Li Ziliang whispered to his parents, “Why not take me with you? I’m pretty good at math.”

Li Su had gathered the whole family, young and old, to teach them basic arithmetic. The children learned quickly—the best at picking it up.

Among the adults, Li Zhengqiang was the best, and being shrewd, he and his wife were chosen to run the stall.

Dong Fangfang pushed Li Ziliang away. “Go on, don’t distract us from reviewing.”

Li Ziliang: “...” He really wanted to go. He’d never been to the county town and was curious about what it looked like.

At that moment, Li Zhengqiang and Dong Fangfang were so anxious, they had no mind to consider the child’s wishes.

Li Ziliang snorted. If they wouldn’t take him, he’d ask his uncle! Uncle Su’s word carried the most weight in the family—even grandparents listened to him.

Li Ziliang crept to Li Su’s room, picking at his fingers by the door, but didn’t knock. Uncle Su must be studying now; he shouldn’t interrupt. He’d ask another day—his parents would be going to the county town daily anyway.

The next morning, as Li Su prepared for school, Li Zhengqiang said, “Fourth, don’t eat cold steamed buns at noon. Come to our stall and have something hot.”

Li Su wanted to see how their business went, so he nodded. “Alright, I’ll find you at the dock at noon.”

With everything ready and some time before lunch, Li Zhengqiang and Dong Fangfang set out from home, their hearts pounding with anticipation and anxiety.