The refugees were just a mob. They moved on when they realized that they could not crack the tough bone that was the Wei estate.

Wei Youchai took Little Wei Yuan down the corner tower and kept watch at the main hall. Then, he began dealing with the aftermath. The boy was covered in blood, so he ordered the servants to take him away for a bath. After his son was clean, Wei Youchai ordered the servants to bring him back and place a chair next to him. Little Wei Yuan would sit on the chair and watch Wei Youchai as he worked.

There was a mountain of things to do after a great battle like this. Everyone who had fought in the battle was injured to some extent, not to mention the few who had died. Dozens of refugee bodies littered the walls and the courtyards, and they had to be carried out as soon as possible. Besides that, the housekeeper selected a few servants he deemed bold yet scrupulous to search the bodies for valuables. In a year of famine, any valuable was better than no valuable.

Wei Youchai was still issuing orders when Old Six stepped into the main hall with a man in tow. He dropped him on the floor and said, “I picked up someone curious among the refugees, Big Brother.”

The man was dressed like a scholar. His hands were tied, and his mouth was completely stuffed by a cloth. That was all. His clothes looked a little dusty, but it was clear he hadn’t suffered in the refugees’ hands.

The housekeeper thought the scholar looked familiar. When he looked again, he cried out in surprise, “Teacher Zhang!”

When Wei Youchai looked at him, he clarified, “This is the scholar who gave Young Master his name three years ago, Master.”

Wei Youchai slapped his thigh and exclaimed, “You’re that Teacher Zhang? What happened to you?”

He strode up to Zhang Sheng and untied the rope binding Zhang Sheng’s hands himself. Then, he threw Old Six a glare.

The baldie immediately defended himself, “It wasn’t me! He was already like this when I picked him up in the refugees’ camp!”

Zhang Sheng removed the cloth stuffed inside his mouth and smiled bitterly. “He is right. In fact, I should thank him for saving my life.”

“You are the one who named Yuan’er, so we’re all friends here. No need to be so polite.”

Wei Youchai ordered someone to bring a chair over and beckoned Zhang Sheng to take a seat. Then, he asked, “How did you get involved with the refugees, Teacher?”

Zhang Sheng let out a sigh before answering, “It shames me to say this. I was teaching in another county in the neighboring commandery, looking to earn some travel expenses, when a large group of refugees suddenly appeared out of nowhere. When the garrison caught sight of them, they immediately left the county and abandoned the people to their fates. One of their leaders noticed that I could read and demanded that I work as his military advisor. I refused, so he tied me up and took me all the way to this place.

“Luckily for me, he treated me with a fair amount of respect and did not harm me much. However, it was only a matter of time before he lost his patience. If you hadn’t rescued me, he would have lost his patience and perhaps cooked me like the rest of his victims.”

Wei Youchai asked curiously, “If I remember correctly, you are an expert with mystic powers, Teacher. How did the refugees manage to capture you?”

Zhang Sheng’s composure faltered, and he could not give a clear answer despite stalling for a long time. Wei Youchai did not press him. Instead, he looked the scholar up, down, then up again until suddenly, a smile suddenly spread across his face. It was a smile that instantly caused goosebumps to break out on Zhang Sheng’s skin.

Wei Youchai cupped his hands in salutation and said, “Three years ago, you bestowed upon my son, I mean, my whelp, the name Wei Yuan. Three years later, you somehow ran into each other again. It looks like he shares karma with you, Teacher!”

“No, he does not!” Zhang Sheng blurted out all of a sudden and startled Wei Youchai.

Noticing the odd expression on Wei Youchai’s face, Zhang Sheng hurriedly explained, “What I mean to say is that your young master is naturally blessed and fortunate, and he is deserving of the name. You’re giving me more credit than I deserve.”

Wei Youchai’s smile widened as he replied, “You are a man of great ability, Teacher. I have never studied, so I do not know exactly how great that ability is. Still, I’m sure there isn’t anyone within tens of li who is more literate than you. It’s pretty dangerous out there, what with all the turmoil and chaos, and it so happens that my whelp is at the age where he should begin his education. Until things settle down, why don’t you teach him how to read, write, study the teachings of the sages and whatnot?”

For some reason, Zhang Sheng broke out in goosebumps again when he saw Wei Youchai beaming at him and talking in a half-formal, half-casual fashion.

Zhang Sheng hurriedly made an excuse, “You flatter me, Master Wei. My abilities are nothing special, and my learning is shallow. It would be pure folly for me to teach anyone, not to mention that I spend my whole life studying Daoism. I assure you that it is quite different from the wisdom of the sages.”

Zhang Sheng was putting it euphemistically, but his meaning was simple: he did not want to stay here any longer than was necessary. This simple meaning seemed to have completely gone over Wei Youchai’s head, however. Still beaming, Wei Youchai said, “Please, you do not need to make a decision right now. The duration of my whelp’s education is entirely up to your discretion. For now, please catch some rest!”

It was impossible to say if it was intentional or not, but two large servants stood to Zhang Sheng’s right and to his left, pincering him. Behind him, Old Six stood with his hands resting above the hilt of his blade as well. The baldie had recently added a few new wounds to his body, and blood was seeping out of the bandages. Thus, he wasn’t just emanating killing intent. He reeked of hot blood as well.

Wei Youchai sat back down and resumed his work. Seeing this, Zhang Sheng tried, “I feel like I’m inconveniencing you. I should probably leave.”

Wei Youchai waved his hand dismissively with a smile. “Oh, you’re not inconveniencing me at all, Teacher! We’re all friends here, so feel free to stay!”

Since he put it that way, Zhang Sheng could not excuse himself. He could only remain in his seat.

It was at this moment the housekeeper rushed into the main hall. He threw Zhang Sheng a glance and seemed reluctant to speak, so Wei Youchai said, “Teacher Zhang is one of our own, so worry not. Tell me what’s on your mind.”

The housekeeper began, “Master, there are still many wounded refugees outside. The large majority of them bear severe injuries and cannot move. I counted over ninety of them in total. What should we do with them?”

Old Six, the baldie, snorted out loud. “What kind of question is that, Old Eight? Have you forgotten that these people tried to kill us not all that long ago? So many years have passed, and still you haven’t fixed your cowardice and softheartedness. Fine, I’ll tell you what to do. Dig two pits and bury the dead in one of them. Bury them deep. Then, leave the living on the edge of the other pit. If anyone is still alive by tomorrow morning, then we will save them.”

Zhang Sheng frowned at his suggestion. Even the refugee with the mildest injury carried a deep wound in their body. If they could move, they would have run away a long time ago. How could anyone still be alive if they were left out in the open overnight? What the baldie suggested was no different from leaving them for dead.

The scholar looked at Wei Youchai, but the master had closed his eyes as if he had fallen asleep and couldn’t hear anything at all. The housekeeper left the room without waiting for the master to issue an order. Clearly, he was going to do as Old Six suggested.

Zhang Sheng looked back and coincidentally met Old Six’s eyes. When the baldie cracked a vicious grin, Zhang Sheng understood what he meant instantly: Just try and say a word. I’ll bury you with them.

It wasn’t until the housekeeper was out of the door that Wei Youchai slowly opened his eyes as if he had just taken a short nap. “Where’s Old Eight?”

The housekeeper hurriedly rushed back inside and replied, “Just handling some minor stuff. Do you have any other instructions, Big Bro... I mean, Master?”

Wei Youchai gave him a smile. “I told you Teacher Zhang is not an outsider. There is no need to be so strict about the way you address me. Anyway, tell me again about our fields and food reserves.”

The housekeeper didn’t need to think before replying. “The estate has 53.5 mu[1] first-grade fields, 137 mu second-grade fields, and 60 mu third-grade fields. We have 107 tenant households cultivating our fields, each leasing approximately 2.3 mu. We sold some of our stored grain at the beginning of the year, so the granaries now hold a total of 230 shi[2] food reserves of all kinds.”

Wei Youchai said slowly, “It’s going to be a total crop failure this year. Assuming we just want to make it to next spring without starving to death, how many people can we keep alive with our current food reserves?”

The housekeeper mulled over the question for a moment before answering hesitantly, “Master Six can hunt...”

Old Six immediately grunted. “Not even grass is growing in the mountains right now. Where am I going to find prey?”

“In that case, around 240 people will survive on a ration of 3 liang[3] a day. That is the lowest amount of rations we can go for.”

Wei Youchai said slowly, “So, apart from those living in the estate, only one-third of our tenant households can survive this year.”

Two-third of their tenant households would not live to see the next spring. Everyone else could only starve to death or become a refugee. If they did not wish to starve to death or leave their homes, then they only had one option left.

By now, Zhang Sheng understood the situation completely. The Wei estate did not have enough food to keep even their own tenant households alive, much less the seriously injured refugees outside. This was the first time in years he’d had to face such a cruel choice.

Not only that, but he came to a realization as he watched coldly from the sidelines: Every single person in this room was likely a cold-blooded killer.

Suddenly, he recalled the fortunes he had seen when he set up the Gui Water Light Convergence Array three years ago. He felt a lurch in his chest.

“Teacher Zhang!” Wei Youchai suddenly looked at Zhang Sheng and smiled, his eyes disappearing into narrow crescents. “Have you made up your mind yet? Will you educate my Yuan’er?”

Looking at Wei Youchai’s smile, Zhang Sheng was reminded of the two pits that were being dug outside the estate right now. If he dared to say no, then he would probably be buried alive with the refugees.

Three years ago, Zhang Sheng had encountered an accident that prevented him from using even an ounce of his Daoist powers. Thus, he was no different from an ordinary person right now. Right now, the refugees were running amok and consuming everything within a hundred li, including the grass. All that was left in their wake was yellow soil. Thus, even if Zhang Sheng managed to escape this den of murderers, he would eventually starve to death in the wilderness. Worse still, the timing wasn’t right. His death would be worthless if he died now.

After taking everything into consideration, Zhang Sheng came to yet another realization: This was the only way he could survive this crisis.

Teaching was a relatively noble cause, and it had been his original purpose when he went to the neighboring commandery. Thus, Zhang Sheng had no choice but to say, “Of course I will.”

Wei Youchai was overjoyed when he received his answer. He immediately pulled Little Wei Yuan over and taught him how to perform a discipleship ceremony. Without hesitation, the boy dropped to his knees in front of Zhang Sheng and kowtowed.

Zhang Sheng’s complexion fluctuated between green and white when he saw this. More than once, he considered jumping to his feet and running away. However, Old Six was standing right behind him with that massive blade of his. There was simply no way for him to escape.

During the short period he hesitated, Little Wei Yuan had already kowtowed three times and completed the ritual. Zhang Sheng let out a long sigh inside his heart. Since he had let the ceremony be performed in full, there was no escaping this karmic bond any longer.

What was done was done. Zhang Sheng actually felt less restless now that there was no going back. He took a step forward, lifted Little Wei Yuan to an upright position, and watched him closely.

Three years before, he had left in a hurry. He hadn’t even seen Wei Yuan at all. Thus, this was their first meeting.

Little Wei Yuan had eyebrows that resembled swords and eyes that looked like the stars. His big eyes were especially attractive and intelligent. Zhang Sheng felt a surge of fondness just looking at them.

While Zhang Sheng was looking at Little Wei Yuan, Little Wei Yuan was looking at Zhang Sheng as well. Suddenly, the corners of his mouth turned up in a smile. He could feel that Zhang Sheng was the fourth person who was fond of him.

Looking at the happiness slowly welling in the young boy’s face, Zhang Sheng’s heart gradually softened as well.

Seeing that the discipleship ceremony was complete, Wei Youchai declared, “I shall leave him to your capable hands for the next three years, Teacher.”

“Three years?” Zhang Sheng exclaimed in surprise. He wasn’t planning to stay that long. He was going to escape as soon as he taught Little Wei Yuan how to read.

Eyes narrowed, Wei Youchai raised his tea cup and took a leisurely sip. It was only then he continued, “The Great Tang Immortal Sect Unified Examination is in three years. Yuan’er will be six by then, so he’ll be at the perfect age to register for the exam. Frankly, three years is just barely enough time to prepare him.”

Zhang Sheng slapped his own forehead. After everything he had gone through, he had almost forgotten about the exam. However, three years definitely exceeded the scope of his plans, so he forced himself to say, “I have other business to attend to. I need to travel to Southern Qi, so I don’t think I can stay for three years.”

While wearing a smile that didn’t quite reach the eyes, Wei Youchai replied, “All the nearby commanderies are crawling with refugees right now, and a refugee can turn into a thief or a bandit in the blink of an eye. It will be two or three years before things start to settle down. You were stuck in Yong Province for three years when things were still calm, so what makes you think that you’ll succeed now?”

His wisdom caught Zhang Sheng by surprise. He mulled over his words carefully.

A few moments later, he understood that he wasn’t going anywhere. So, he composed himself and said seriously, “If he’s going to participate in the Immortal Sect Unified Examination, then three years is definitely a tight schedule. In that case, please begin the preparations immediately. We will begin his lessons tomorrow morning.”

Wei Youchai was ecstatic to hear this. He immediately ordered the servants to clear out two rooms and turn them into Zhang Sheng’s dwelling and Wei Yuan’s classroom. When everything was arranged, Wei Youchai finally picked up his tea cup and took another sip. He said smilingly, “Since you’re no longer an outsider, I shall forget about the time you tossed a pheasant into my courtyard.”

Once again, Zhang Sheng broke out in cold sweat.

The next day, early in the morning, the sound of reading filled the Wei estate for the first time ever.

Zhang Sheng and Wei Yuan sat face to face inside the classroom that took the whole night to prepare. The scholar’s bright, clear voice echoed inside the room.

“The world under heaven, after a long period of division, tends to unite; after a long period of union, tends to divide. When the rule of the Zhou Dynasty weakened, seven contending[4]... Ahem! Forget what I said at the end, I recalled the wrong version. Where was I? A thousand years after Great Tang was founded, Jin and Qi were established to...”

Outside the classroom, Wei Youchai, Old Six, and the housekeeper crouched underneath and eavesdropped on the lesson.

After listening for a bit, Wei Youchai slapped his thigh and whispered, “The world under heaven, after a long period of division, tends to unite; after a long period of union, tends to divide! I may be illiterate, but even I think that this makes perfect sense! Teacher Zhang really is a man of great ability!”

Three years passed in the snap of a finger. The mountains regained their lush greenness, the currents of Tong River regained its former ferocity, and Zhang Sheng successfully taught a decade’s worth of lessons to Wei Yuan in three years.

1. The mu is a traditional unit of area now standardized to 1/15 of a hectare, or 666 square meters. ☜

2. The shi is a traditional unit of weight now standardized to 71.68 kg. ☜

3. The liang is a traditional unit of weight now standardized to 50 g. ☜

4. This is the opening line of Three Kingdoms. Is it an author mistake? Or... ☜