The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 54: Gift

Chapter 54: Gift

“Assistant Instructor Zhang is truly a man of noble character and unwavering integrity.”

Zhang Keqian stood frozen in place, taking a long moment to collect himself before finding his voice to ask Gao Yun: “Isn’t this the Female Medical Academy?”

Gao Yun replied matter-of-factly: “It is the Female Medical Academy, but before studying medical texts, one must first learn characters. How can one delve into medical studies without even recognizing basic words?”

Convinced by her reasoning, Zhang Keqian took two steps forward, bending at the waist and squinting to examine the marks in the sandy soil.

The ground was covered with a layer of fine gravel, where shallow grooves connected to form large, crooked characters. Among noblewomen their age, such penmanship would be deemed inadequate, but for beginners, it was remarkably proficient.

Writing in sand was an experience Zhang Keqian had also shared. Coming from a modest family where ink, brushes, and paper were expensive luxuries, he had practiced in sand before committing words to paper, reluctant to waste precious materials.

However, sand and paper differed significantly. Controlling brush pressure was challenging in sand, hindering the development of elegant calligraphy. Habitual sand writing made correction difficult when transitioning to paper.

Poor penmanship could bias examinersa setback Zhang Keqian had suffered personally. Without better resources, he had focused on neatness, making him somewhat an expert in ground writing.

Straightening his neck, Zhang Keqian glanced back at Gao Yun. “Beginners should avoid using the ground as paper. It becomes hard to break the habit later.”

Gao Yun nodded in agreement. “Your point is well-taken, Assistant Instructor. But the Female Medical Academy was established under difficult circumstances. With many students and limited funds, requesting additional resources for writing materials might provoke dissatisfaction and jeopardize the academy’s operation.”

“Indeed a thorny issue,” Zhang Keqian acknowledged.

At that moment, Luzhu approached, holding a stack of hemp paper, which caught Zhang Keqian’s attention. Pointing at it, he asked, “What is this?”

Gao Yun smiled slightly, taking the papers to show him. “These are rewards for outstanding performers. Those who recite the fastest or answer questions flawlessly each day earn the privilege of writing on these.”

Due to paper shortages, this was the only feasible distribution method.

Luzhu added, “These were recently collected. Our lady intends to preserve them, eventually binding them into a volume. They serve as records of progress and cherished mementosmeaningful and invaluable.”

Zhang Keqian picked one up for closer inspection. It contained a passage from the “Thousand Character Classic” they had just recited.

Though the characters were loosely structured with uneven strokes, care in execution was evident. They were roughly aligned, and even slanted ones leaned naturally like willows in the wind, with gaps filled by others’ smaller script.

Examining further, Zhang Keqian discovered a small cloth piece embroidered with a rhyming folk song. To his surprise, the stitches formed delicate, graceful charactersa stark contrast to the earlier crooked writing.

His eyes lit up as he seized it. “Is there someone here who can read? Where did they learn this?”

Gao Yun glanced down, frowning slightly. “Some women recognize a few basic characters, but I never taught any songs.”

The ballad was brief, using wild herbs as its opening motif. Each line consisted of four characters, divided into two sections. The first half depicted family poverty and overwhelming worries in a somber tone, while the latter half abruptly shifted to describe constructing palaces for wages, leading to family prosperity. The entire household began studyingmen passed imperial exams to become officials, while women entered the palace as female physicians, thus elevating their social status.

Though the wording was simple and straightforward, it brimmed with genuine emotion. Particularly in the latter section, joy shimmered between the lines, winning praise for its natural flow. The rhythm made it highly recitable.

Zhang Keqian marveled and hurriedly asked, “Who composed this? With my limited talent, I fear I could never write such verses in this lifetime!”

Gao Yun approached holding the cloth. The recitation ceased as all eyes turned to her. Raising the fabric, she inquired, “Who created this?”

The crowd below chuckled. Zhang Keqian, standing behind Gao Yun, looked puzzled until a clear voice explained: “Lady Gao, we all brainstormed this together. We embroidered it on cloth fearing we might forget it later.”

Someone added from the crowd: “Indeed, milady! We searched through the Thousand Character Classic for characters we recognized. It took great effort to compile them all, tracing each one carefully. Would you check for errors?”

Though they couldn’t write, they excelled at needleworkno pattern was too complex for them to embroider.

Zhang Keqian stood dumbfounded. A knowing smile touched Gao Yun’s lips as she stole a glance at his stunned expression, her amusement deepening.

To avoid disrupting further recitations, Gao Yun and Zhang Keqian moved aside to converse.

Gao Yun sighed worriedly, “Assistant Instructor Zhang, you’ve witnessed these talented young women yourself. It’s regrettable they’re constrained by prejudice, making literacy so difficult. Who knows what their circumstances will be years from now.”

Zhang Keqian echoed her sigh, “Indeed, what can be done…”

“What can be done,” Gao Yun repeated heavily, her gaze drifting toward him.

Oblivious, Zhang Keqian stared at the ballad when inspiration struck. “Ah! Perhaps you could record all their ingenious ideas! After compiling them, present them to His Majesty. He would be delighted and surely grant rewardsfunding requests would become easier.”

After consideration, Gao Yun nodded, “Then we’ll need your assistance in advocating when the time comes.”

“Certainly, certainly.” Remembering unused hemp paper at home, Zhang Keqian offered, “If you don’t mind, I have discarded writing materials and books that could be donated to the Female Medical Academy.”

“How could we impose… When may I send someone to collect them?”

Zhang Keqian stiffened, waving awkwardly, “No need for trouble. I’ll organize everything and deliver them in a few days.”

Gao Yun flashed a bright smile, clasping her hands respectfully. “My gratitude, Instructor Zhang. Your integrity shines brightly.”

For some reason, Zhang Keqian felt a chill down his spine. He ducked his head sheepishly, limbs fidgeting, and mumbled, “You flatter me, Lady Gao. Such trivial matters aren’t worth mentioning.”

Unable to stay longer, he hastily took his leave.

After seeing him out, Gao Yun retrieved a small booklet from her sleeve and checked off Zhang Keqian’s name. Luzhu nearby asked, “Milady, who shall we approach next?”

“How many copies of the Book of Songs have we borrowed?” Gao Yun flipped through her booklet, her voice returning to its usual calm tone.

Dewdrop thought for a moment and said, “I’ve collected all the books from the gentlemen in the estate, and even borrowed from Madam Lu and Madam Li’s households, but we’ve only managed to gather six volumes.”

Gao Yun set down her brush and gazed toward the residential quarters. “It’s still not enough. Let’s go visit Wu Zhaoyan for a chather family has an extensive collection of books.”

Dewdrop broke into a cold sweat. Her mistress wouldn’t even spare Scholar Zhang, and now Lady Wu was about to suffer the same fate.

Zhao Yingzhong was escorted under Sun Zhuo’s guard. Fearing that any mishap befalling Zhao Yingzhong would lead to blame, Zhou Jin personally accompanied his carriage. Estimating when Zhao Yingzhong would enter Qingzhou territory, Zhou Jin sent word to the Qingzhou Governor.

As the population grew sparser, Zhao Yingzhong grew increasingly fearful, especially at night. He was too tense to sleep, terrified that his life might be taken while he slumbered.

Not only was Zhao Yingzhong on edge, but Zhou Jin also slept restlessly. When they finally reached the border of Youzhou, the Qingzhou Governor had been waiting for some time. Zhou Jin presented the documents for the governor to seal, transferring responsibility for Zhao Yingzhong’s safety to him. Only then did Zhou Jin breathe a sigh of relief.

Zhou Jin bid farewell to Sun Zhuo, the weight lifted from his mind. With a grave expression, he cautioned the Qingzhou Governor, “Just beyond Youzhou is where incidents are most likely to occur. Be extremely careful.”

The Qingzhou Governor dismissed the concern. “Don’t worry. Qingzhou has produced the most officials, with widespread connections. Those with ill intentions will think twice before acting.”

Zhou Jin smiled without comment. The governor hadn’t witnessed how many people Zhao Yingzhong had offended at court. If he didn’t take it seriously, so be itZhao Yingzhong’s life or death was no longer Zhou Jin’s concern. If something happened in Qingzhou, all the better; he’d be pleased to see it.

“Farewell.”

The carriage wheels turned, each party going their separate ways.

No sooner had Zhou Jin left than he heard horses neighing loudly, followed by a clamor of voices. Surprised, he turned to see chaos: men and horses thrown into disarray, a panicked horse charging wildly. The horse pulling Zhao Yingzhong’s carriage also spooked, causing the carriage to lurch violently, nearly throwing its occupant out.

Sun Zhuo pressed his lips together, whipped his horse forward, and in the blink of an eye, leaped onto the carriage shaft. He seized the reins and swiftly detached the harness. The horse bolted away, leaving the teetering carriage shaking slightly.

Zhou Jin stared, astonished at Sun Zhuo’s skill. By the time he regained his senses, Zhao Yingzhong had emerged from the carriage, disheveled and trembling, his legs wobbling. Sun Zhuo lifted him down as if handling a chick.

The Qingzhou Governor, pale-faced, rushed over to attend to Zhao Yingzhong, who trembled all over, his knees weak. Unable to stand, Zhao Yingzhong sat on the ground while the governor repeatedly apologized.

“Let’s go, quickly!”

A chill ran down Zhou Jin’s spine. Grateful he had handed off Zhao Yingzhong just in time, he wanted no further involvement. Pretending ignorance, he swiftly departed with his subordinates.

Having been spooked right after leaving Youzhou, Zhao Yingzhong refused to travel by carriage or horse again, switching to a sedan chair. Unexpectedly, the carrying pole suddenly snapped without warning. Terrified, Zhao Yingzhong had no choice but to proceed on foot.

The Qingzhou Governor, shaken and relieved that Zhao Yingzhong was unharmed, no longer dared to underestimate the situation. He carefully escorted Zhao Yingzhong out, heaving a sigh of relief while cursing him inwardly three hundred times over.

Officials from various prefectures and counties took turns escorting Zhao Yingzhong in a strict relay. The rigorous procedures deterred potential assailants. Seeing that Zhao Yingzhong remained alive and no reports were necessary, they schemed to cause him minor ailments or discomfort as a form of vengeance.

Zhao Yingzhong felt he wasn’t going to assume his post but rather fleeing from disaster. He couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep well, and had to walk alone to Jiahe County. The despair in his heart grew increasingly heavy until he fell ill.

The bailiffs carried the drowsy Zhao Yingzhong as they hurried along the road. The Provincial Inspector sighed deeply, clasped his hands together, and prayed to all the Buddhas in heaven, begging that nothing serious would happen to Zhao Yingzhong.

Sun Zhuo, riding on his horse, watched this scene and slightly twitched the corner of his mouth before raising his hand to press between his eyebrows.