Volume One: From a Country Lad to the Imperial Court Chapter 22: Learning to Compose Poetry for the First Time

After listening to Su Biao’s explanation, Wen Lancang finally understood that the students’ sudden enthusiasm for learning was not due to his own teaching methods, but was in fact the result of Chuliu’s clever scheme.

Wen Lancang asked with curiosity, “Chuliu, how did you come up with this idea?”

Chuliu answered with an innocent smile, “During busy farming seasons, my grandmother would say that whoever could collect three baskets of pigweed would get a boiled egg at lunch. Hearing this, all the children at home would pounce on the task like little tigers, scrambling to gather pigweed… The students drew their inspiration from this example…”

Wen Lancang merely nodded gently and did not dwell on the matter. Instead, he asked, “You’ve read the ‘Detailed Explanation of Poetic Forms and Meters.’ Have you tried composing poetry yourself?”

Chuliu replied, somewhat embarrassed, “I’ve only scribbled a few lines here and there—doggerel, nothing worthy of mention.”

After a moment’s thought, Wen Lancang spoke slowly, “Today happens to be the Lantern Festival. Why not try composing a five-character quatrain on this theme?”

Chuliu felt a headache coming on.

His exceptional memory certainly made learning much more efficient. But poetry required not just memory and diligence; it called for inspiration and a sense of rhythm—gifts of talent and muse. He had never been a prodigy; in his previous life, getting into college was the result of tireless practice and hard work. Now, though he worked even harder, composing poetry was still a challenge for him.

Well, even an awkward bride must eventually meet her in-laws—he might as well try a doggerel.

After pondering for a long while, Chuliu recited slowly, “On Lantern Night, the moon is round, teacher and students share joy profound. Guidance deep with earnest care, sincere hearts forever bound.”

“This poem… is passable.”

Wen Lancang had intended to offer a sharp critique, but changed his mind. For a child just learning to write poetry, this was already quite good. Demanding too much might hinder his growth.

“Take this ‘Treasury of Rhymes’ and read it. Remember to return it when you come back to school. Composing poetry is like a gentle stream; it must progress gradually, not hastily. First, nurture your poetic spirit. When your heart is overflowing with poetic feeling, fine verses will come naturally.”

“Thank you, Teacher!”

“Have some snacks first. I’ll go cook you some Lantern Festival dumplings.”

It’s said that gentlemen keep away from the kitchen, but for Wen Lancang, this was a luxury. With his family fallen on hard times and relying on teaching to get by, if he didn’t learn to cook, would he simply starve?

After Wen Lancang left, Su Biao impatiently said, “Chuliu, tell us a story.”

“I want to hear one too.” Su Wei put down his snack, his eyes shining with anticipation.

For them, poetry was mere drizzle—telling stories was true skill.

Chuliu told the tale of the Wolf Grandmother, which had both boys exclaiming in surprise, completely immersed in a world of fairy tales.

After they finished the Lantern Festival dumplings, the three took their leave. Wen Lancang saw them to the door, watching the three small figures gradually disappear into the distance, lost in thought.

…

Back home, aside from burying himself in books and writing, Chuliu spent most of his time thinking about how to increase the family’s income.

Although he was now in school, the expenses were being covered by the Su family. Once the new school term began in the spring, all costs would fall on his own family. Buying books, paper, and ink all required money, and there were many other expenses at home. Without some savings, if a year of bad harvest came, survival would be impossible.

After careful consideration, Chuliu finally worked out this year’s plan for increasing income: expanding their livestock operation.

They would renovate the chicken coop and pigsty. By raising two sows, they could breed piglets, which could be sold or kept to raise themselves. They would also fatten four pigs to be slaughtered and sold for meat at the end of the year. They’d hatch more chicks, aiming for over forty in total; eggs alone would be a good source of income.

When the weather warmed, they would make tofu to sell at the market, while the rest of the time, their energy would be focused on farming and livestock.

As their land was poor and yielded little, they might as well plant alfalfa to provide feed year-round. They would also buy an ox to save on manpower.

The whole family agreed to this plan.

After the Lantern Festival, the Xie family was busy renovating the chicken coop and pigsty, buying piglets, and hatching chicks. They also spent twenty-one taels of silver on a strong adult ox. While at it, they bought Chuliu copies of “The Great Learning,” “The Four Books with Collected Annotations,” and some school supplies, costing over eight taels.

…

“Chuliu, Chuliu, tell us a story!”

On the first day back at school, as soon as Chuliu entered the classroom, he was surrounded by a group of eager children. After waiting the whole holiday, everyone was eager to hear his stories.

“Once upon a time, there was a child named Ma Liang. He loved to paint, but his family was too poor to afford even a single brush. One day, while gathering firewood, he passed by the study hall and saw an artist painting for a high official…”

The story was so captivating that all the children followed Ma Liang into that fantastical world, not even noticing the bell signalling the start of class.

Wen Lancang arrived at the door of the study hall and, hearing Chuliu telling a story, didn’t interrupt but listened quietly instead. After a long while, he entered the classroom.

“Stand up!”

Chuliu’s clear voice rang out, and the children rose and saluted, “Good day, Teacher!”

This was a rule Chuliu had established after becoming class monitor.

“Please be seated,” Wen Lancang said gently as he watched the students settle down. “From today, we will study the Four Books of Confucian classics, beginning with ‘The Great Learning.’”

“The way of the Great Learning lies in making bright virtue shine, in loving the people, and in reaching the utmost goodness…”

The new term officially began.

…

When it was time to practice calligraphy, he practiced calligraphy; when it was time to read, he read… No one could find fault with Chuliu’s studies. In others’ eyes, he was a genius, but in truth, his discipline and study methods made the difference. Of course, his extraordinary memory since crossing over also allowed him to excel in his studies.

Before long, spring plowing arrived. The family grew busy, and the livestock operation lacked hands. Since the private school did not grant time off for spring farming, Chuliu had no choice but to ask Wen Lancang for leave.

“What? You want to leave early during afternoon self-study?”

Wen Lancang shook his head. “You must know, a person’s energy is limited. If you divide your attention too much, and your studies suffer, that would be the greatest loss of all…”