Volume One: A Country Lad by Morning Chapter 11: The Leading Brother

Jiang Ping sobbed and cried out for Sixth Master. Chuxiu climbed off him, gently dusted his hands, and cast a cold glance at the furious Zhang Qiang and Zheng Peng standing nearby.

While teaching Jiang Ping a lesson, he’d kept an eye on the other two, wary of a sudden attack. Yet, neither made a move to intervene.

Jiang Ping rolled to his feet, aching all over, and shouted through tears, “Zhang Qiang, Zheng Peng, what are you waiting for? Help me beat him!”

Zhang Qiang and Zheng Peng exchanged a glance, silently agreeing to do nothing. They were only there to bolster Jiang Ping’s courage—fighting Chuxiu was a step too far. With Su Biao backing him, anyone who crossed Chuxiu was doomed. So, as Jiang Ping took his beating, they honored the promise of a one-on-one fight and firmly stayed out of it.

But now Jiang Ping made his intentions clear. If they didn’t act, their friendship would be at risk.

“Come at me! If I don’t smash your eggs today, I won’t be called Xie!” Chuxiu raised his fists, eyes fixed intently on their lower bodies.

Zhang Qiang and Zheng Peng immediately felt a chill between their legs. Though their hands were still, their mouths remained defiant. Zhang Qiang roared, “You ambushed him! That’s not how a hero fights!”

Chuxiu sneered, standing tall and retorting loudly, “Jiang Ping is two years older than me! Bullying the young counts as heroism? Please, have some shame!”

Jiang Ping, incensed, wiped his tears and threatened, “I’ll tell the teacher and get you kicked out of the academy!”

“Go ahead, I’m not afraid!” Chuxiu scoffed. “If you have reason, you can walk anywhere; without reason, you can’t take a step. You started it by pushing me. And you’re older, yet you still lost—if word gets out, everyone will laugh at how useless you are. As for who should be kicked out, I think it’s you…”

“Then I’ll tell my father and have him come here to beat you up.”

“Haha, then your father will know you’re not studying properly and that you bully a six-year-old at school. You can’t even beat a six-year-old! Shame will follow you home, and your father will surely give you a beating…”

Unable to win in a fight, unable to win in words—where was his dignity left?

This ridicule broke Jiang Ping’s defenses completely. He plopped down on the ground and wailed louder than ever.

Su Wei seemed stunned by the scene, looking from Chuxiu to Jiang Ping, his face full of confusion but his heart full of admiration.

Chuxiu, you’re amazing!

“You…” Zhang Qiang went to help Jiang Ping up. Zheng Peng wanted to retort, but Chuxiu’s words made too much sense. After a moment’s struggle, he muttered, “You can’t tell anyone about this. Whoever does is a puppy.”

To bully the young and still get beaten—if that got out, it’d be humiliating. Zheng Peng meant to comfort his friend, but instead it felt like salt on the wound.

Jiang Ping cried even harder.

“Why aren’t you tidying up the classroom and brushing off the dirt? What are you crying for? Have you memorized your lesson? Practiced your handwriting? If the teacher comes and doesn’t punish you, I’ll eat my words…” At Chuxiu’s command, Jiang Ping’s sobs abruptly stopped.

He sniffled as he stood up, patting the dust from his clothes. Zhang Qiang and Zheng Peng hurried to restore the desks and benches.

Chuxiu hadn’t kicked Jiang Ping very hard—if he had, and hurt him badly, his family would owe compensation. So Jiang Ping was sore, but nothing serious.

“I’ll say it again: if you want to hear stories, you need to keep up with your studies. Anyone who can’t, when it’s story time, gets sent outside.”

The lure of stories was strong. The children quietly returned to their seats. Jiang Ping sniffled but sat and opened his book.

…So well-behaved today?

Wen Lancang entered the classroom, amazed to see the children all bent over their work. Usually, they were noisy until he arrived, and only the sound of his ruler striking the desk would quiet them.

“Good day, Teacher!”

Before he could puzzle it out, the students stood and bowed.

“Sit!” Wen Lancang glanced at the class and said, “Su Biao is absent today, so we won’t start anything new. We’ll review what we’ve learned. ‘To learn and constantly practice—is that not a joy?’ ‘Reviewing old and learning new makes one fit to teach…’”

He quoted the Analects to stress the importance of revision. The children didn’t really understand, but listened earnestly, afraid he might call on them to check their homework.

“Hmm… Jiang Ping, you have tear marks on your face and dirt on your clothes… Did you get into a fight?”

Jiang Ping didn’t dare look up, which only drew Wen Lancang’s attention.

“Teacher, I just tripped…”

“Be careful in the future! Mencius said: ‘Prevent disaster early, avoid sorrow later; act with caution, a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall, nor take risks lightly…’”

Jiang Ping lied to avoid mentioning the fight. Wen Lancang didn’t press further, instead delivering a long lecture on safety.

He assigned homework, announced he’d check it in the last period, and left.

When he returned to check, Wen Lancang found the children had mastered the material well. He was pleased, feeling his teaching finally had purpose. If these children achieved academic success, it would fulfill his own dreams.

…

The next day, Chuxiu arrived early.

Jiang Ping avoided his gaze, his ribs aching, but he hadn’t dared tell his parents.

Chuxiu set down his school bag and walked over to Jiang Ping, quietly handing him a boiled egg.

“I acted rashly yesterday. Here’s an apology. Take it…”

“You think a single egg will make me forgive you? Never!” Jiang Ping’s face was indignant, but his hand took the egg without hesitation.

His family saved eggs to sell; he rarely got to eat them himself. A beating in exchange for an egg—seemed a fair trade.

Just then, Su Biao burst into the classroom, yelling before even putting down his bag, “Jiang Ping, you turtle, how dare you fight Chuxiu! I won’t let you off!”

Yesterday, at home, Su Wei had told Su Biao everything. Though he took some pleasure in Jiang Ping’s misfortune, proper procedure had to be followed or they’d continue bullying Chuxiu.

“Wah…” Jiang Ping began to cry, “He beat me! I’ve already forgiven him, what more do you want? At most, I’ll give the egg back…”

He handed the egg over, but Chuxiu shook his head, saying, “It’s meant for you—eat an egg to heal an egg…”

Laughter erupted, and the classroom atmosphere instantly warmed.

Su Biao suddenly said, “Chuxiu, tell the story you told yesterday again. Su Wei’s version wasn’t any good.”

Chuxiu walked to the teacher’s desk, hands in his pockets. “From today, I’m your class leader. I’ll keep you reading and following the rules. If you want to hear stories, you all have to listen to me.”

Su Biao was puzzled. “What’s a class leader?”

Chuxiu replied, “It means I’m the big brother for our group of sixteen.”

“Why should you be the big brother? You’re the youngest! We don’t accept it,” Zhang Qiang and Zheng Peng were first to object. “If anyone should be leader, it’s Su Biao.”

“Chuxiu is great at swimming, curing poison, saving people, fighting, and telling stories. If he doesn’t lead, who should?” Su Biao spoke up, and the other children agreed.

Su Wei suddenly stood and said, “Chuxiu, I agree you should be class leader. Tell us another story…”