Chen Changsheng left some (food) for Ruyi to give to Wang Sanniang later. After finishing her meal, Ruyi began reading a book in the yard.

The book was borrowed by Ping’an from the school teacher. Previously, Ping’an had visited the school, and the teacher thought highly of him. In fact, he should have started school then, but Ping’an wasn’t very willing. He was still too young, having just turned four at the time, far below the proper age.

Wang Sanniang didn’t force him. Plus, things weren’t very peaceful back then, so she decided to wait a while longer, allowing Ping’an more carefree days.

“What is written in the book?” Chen Changsheng asked.

Ruyi said, “It’s someone’s words, a person named Master Qi.”

The book was titled “The Sayings of Master Qi.”

This book had existed for a long time, somewhat similar to the “Analects,” filled mostly with lessons and principles.

Master Qi was a wise man from the ancient Jing Era. Later, his disciples compiled this book and spread it throughout the world. Nearly every school had a copy.

“Can Ruyi understand it?”

“Some parts I do, some I don’t.”

Ruyi actually didn’t have enough knowledge to completely grasp the contents yet. But it didn’t matter. She had already begun learning, and as she grew older, she would slowly understand the principles inside.

At noon, Ping’an took a break.

He sat nearby and asked Uncle Chen, “Why does Sister Yun call you ‘Mr. Chen’?”

Chen Changsheng said, “Your Uncle Chen used to be a Storyteller. Isn’t it normal to be called ‘Mister’?”

“Is that so?”

Ping’an thought it might not be quite right. He asked again, “Uncle Chen, were you really a teacher before?”

Chen Changsheng shook his head. “I’ve never taught.”

“Oh…”

Ping’an propped his chin on his hand. “In another two months, Ping’an will start school.”

Chen Changsheng glanced at him. “It is time you should go.”

Actually, eight was the usual age, but Ping’an understood far more than children his age.

Ping’an, however, shook his head. “But Ping’an doesn’t want to go.”

“Isn’t reading the same at school? I’ve listened to the school teacher’s lessons. I just found them very dull, not as comfortable as reading quietly by myself.”

“Can Ping’an really understand everything in the books?”

“Of course!”

Chen Changsheng immediately said, “Then should Uncle Chen test you?”

Ping’an straightened up, patting his chest. “Go ahead, Uncle Chen. Test me.”

Chen Changsheng thought for a moment, then asked, “If a stranger fell into a well, and you tried to rescue them, you would die. Would you save them or not?”

Ping’an froze.

He pondered, finding this question very difficult.

Seeing Ping’an remain silent for a long time, Chen Changsheng asked, “Have you figured it out?”

Ping’an looked up. He opened his mouth but couldn’t answer.

“So should one rescue them or not?” Ping’an asked.

Chen Changsheng patted his head. “A gentleman does not rescue.”

“D…does not?”

Ping’an was stunned again. This seemed different from what he had learned from books.

‘A gentleman does not rescue’? If one doesn’t rescue, is that still a gentleman?

Chen Changsheng explained, “Facing misfortune, one naturally feels compassion first. But a gentleman is not a foolishly rigid person. He can go to the well and try to save the person, but he will never let himself be trapped in a fatal situation.”

“This is a principle a Mr. Qi taught me. And now, I teach it to you, Ping’an.”

“Master Qi?”

Chen Changsheng shook his head. “A teacher named Qi Jingchun.”

“A gentleman can die for righteousness, but he cannot die just for the sake of morality. He may die for his inner principles, his ideals, his calling. But he should not die because he is bound by moral constraints.”

“Now, Ping’an, do you still dare say you understand everything?”

Ping’an fell silent.

Chen Changsheng said, “The meaning of reading is not just about understanding the content in books. Principles start in the books but extend beyond them into real life. What is more important is learning how to be a person, how to act, how to view the world correctly. This requires guidance. Being called ‘Mister’ isn’t just because of knowledge; it’s because they understand the principles of being a good person.”

Ping’an listened, feeling a dawning realization. He opened his mouth, seeming to discover many things he hadn’t understood before.

Like ‘A gentleman does not rescue’.

After a moment, Ping’an looked up at Uncle Chen and said, “Could you, Uncle Chen… become Ping’an’s teacher?”

Chen Changsheng paused slightly when he heard this, then shook his head. “I cannot.”

Ping’an felt very disappointed. He thought Uncle Chen was probably far wiser than the school teacher.

Someone who could say ‘A gentleman does not rescue’ must be an extraordinary teacher. And Mr. Chen had heard this lesson from Mr. Qi, which made Mr. Chen an extraordinary teacher too.

That day, Ping’an sat and thought for a very long time. He didn’t even practice his swordplay.

He was thinking about the meaning of reading, about what it means to be a good person, and about what the world was really like.

These were not things boys his age usually pondered. But for Ping’an, they had come early.

“Mr. Chen, then what is the meaning of learning the sword?”

Without realizing it, Ping’an stopped calling him Uncle Chen and instead called him Mister Chen.

Chen Changsheng thought for a moment and said, “Perhaps so that in the future, you will never have to face principles like ‘A gentleman does not rescue’.”

Ping’an looked down at the wooden sword in his hand.

Suddenly, he understood the words he had once read in a book: ‘The burden is heavy and the road is long.’

…..

Around noon, Chen Changsheng went out to buy oil for the oil lamp.

Most shops sold cow oil, pig oil, and sheep oil. After seeing the price, Chen Changsheng decided against it – it was really not cheap.

Instead, he bought some candles.

Most households in Qingshan City bought wax candles. The wax could be reused and was much cheaper than lamp oil.

After buying a few candles, Chen Changsheng prepared to head back.

On the street, someone called out to him.

“Mr. Chen!”

The person who stopped him was Tao Sheng.

Tao Sheng was right across the street in a shop – a shop selling clay bowls.

Chen Changsheng walked over and asked, “Is this your shop, Brother Tao?”

Tao Sheng shook his head. “Mr. Chen, you joke. How could I afford that? I’m just a helper here, assisting the owner.”

“Not bad at all,” Chen Changsheng said, glancing inside. Then he added, “It’s just right, as I actually need to buy a few bowls.”

They were short on bowls. Perhaps mice had run through the courtyard earlier, causing several bowls to crash and break.

“Sure thing! Let me pick out some good ones for you, Mr. Chen.”

Tao Sheng led Chen Changsheng inside.

He dared not be careless and specifically selected the finer bowls.

Chen Changsheng said, “There’s no need for very fine ones. They just need to be usable.”

Hearing this, Tao Sheng guessed Mr. Chen might not have brought enough money with him.

“We have some bowls with chips in the back. They just don’t look very nice, but they function fine. You can take a few of those, Mr. Chen.”

“Is that appropriate? Wouldn’t it cause trouble for you, Brother Tao?”

“It’s fine. These are flawed bowls; they hardly ever sell. Eventually, they either get smashed or thrown away. Taking a few won’t matter.”

Using bowls had its customs here. People didn’t eat from chipped or broken bowls; it was considered unlucky. Those with a little money would buy decent bowls. The broken ones just never sold.

Chen Changsheng thus got a bargain.