Chapter 2: Became the King of Children

Zhao Xing's treatment method is a bowl of bone broth

Zhao Xing opened his mouth but quickly closed it again. He silently reminded himself: "Speak cautiously! Speak cautiously!"

Zhao Xing's third attempt occurred during the Qingming Festival

Cheng Xia neither bowed nor spoke; he answered while performing a kowtow: "A Da said: This year we must heed the teacher's arrangements, so we need to invite the teacher to the ancestral hall"

This statement is significant; it implies that Zhao Xingjin's visit to the ancestral hall is not to accept inquiries from the Cheng clan, but rather to appear as a decision-maker. He has a designated seat in the hall, and it is positioned at the place of honor.

In this era, most teachers emphasize the saying "reading a book a hundred times makes its meaning clear," which requires students to learn through rote memorization and photographic memory. ... However, Zhao Xing's lectures are vivid and unique; he begins with the radicals and structure of the characters in "Qingming"—essentially recounting the process of literacy acquisition in elementary school. ... Yet, children in this era have hardly encountered this.

As another autumn arrives, Zhao Xing, who knows the truth, welcomes the season of falling leaves in solitude. This season is one of harvest, yet Zhao Xing does not know how to position himself.

Subsequently, Zhao Xing became the "teacher"

On this day, the adults were all working in the fields, and the bored Zhao Xing chatted with the children. Hearing them mention that it was "Qingming," he casually wrote the two characters "清明" on the ground and recited Du Mu's line "During the Qingming season, the rain falls in drizzles." He also shared with the children some proverbs related to the "24 Solar Terms"—for example: "During the Qingming season, plant melons and beans," and "When the insects awaken, the farmer is busy yet idle," among others.

This autumn, Zhao Xing is melancholic. Although the villagers have never lacked in their support for him, and his dual professions as a "teacher" and a "doctor" have filled his house with various harvests, he, accustomed to modern life, always feels a sense of loneliness. Thus, he began to find things to occupy himself with—under his guidance, the villagers started to learn how to "package" their game and mountain goods—this could also be considered as "deep processing of agricultural products"

Seeing Zhao Xing still hesitating, Cheng Tong proudly boasted: "Here, the vast mountains stretch for thousands of miles, and human habitation is scarce. Among the nearby mountains, the village of Chengjiacao is the largest and has the most inhabitants..."

The term "great-grandfather" refers to the sixth ancestor. Cheng Tong's great-grandfather had fought bravely on the battlefield, known for his boldness and ruthlessness, as well as his extensive knowledge and experience. Relying on his ferocity, he easily established a foothold in the mountainous region. Through the efforts of six generations—great-grandfather, grandfather, father, and himself—over nearly two decades of propagation, the natural village of Chengjia'ao was formed.

Shortly after the New Year, Chengjiacao expanded to twice its size and gradually developed towards Baihu Village

After the news spread, parents from nearby villages came in droves, sending their children to be fostered by Zhao Xing, and bringing with them a large amount of "school fees"—referred to as "shuxiu" in the Song Dynasty. Naturally, these were all local mountain products, the best that the villagers could find—wild mushrooms, pheasants, wild boars, and so on. Zhao Xing packed these items into baskets and sold them at high prices.

As the labor increased, Zhao Xing's management methods also improved. Under Zhao Xing's planning, the children in the village were divided into six cooperative groups (during the Song Dynasty, these cooperative groups were referred to as "she"), each responsible for tasks such as digging, brick making, pottery making, hunting, weaving, bookkeeping, and external sales

Upon seeing Zhao Xing arrive, Cheng Tong pointed to the chair beside him with the fire poker in his hand, indicating for Zhao Xing to take a seat. However, Zhao Xing shook his head and replied, "Not appropriate"

By the end of the year, Zhao Xing's reputation in the mountainous area grew increasingly widespread, and the number of gifts he received continued to rise, to the extent that his modest wooden house could no longer accommodate them. Therefore, he hired several potters from the nearby county town, dug a large kiln near Chengjia'ao, and began to fire bricks, constructing a brick house for himself to shield against the wind and rain

In the remote mountain village of Chengjiacao, even a doctor with a single skill can attain a high status. However, Zhao Xing's several interventions have led to a significant decrease in the illness rate among the village children. As a result, the itinerant doctors who used to roam the streets are no longer favored by the villagers, and Zhao Xing's status has gradually risen. This winter, Zhao Xing has remained in a state of busyness, welcoming yet another New Year (Spring Festival) amidst his hectic schedule

Upon hearing Cheng Xia's call, Zhao Xing lifted his eyelids, turned a page of the book, and calmly asked, "Me? That would not be appropriate"

Zhao Xing's second attempt occurred during this transitional period.

However, even with such an expansion rate, the village still appears to be short of labor. The villagers have begun to invite friends and acquaintances, preparing to incorporate several more distant mountain villages into Chengjiacao.

By the third spring, Chengjiaao had transformed into a fully brick village with 200 households. The entire village was built against the mountains, consisting of a large architectural complex formed by six earthen houses, either square or round. The village walls, constructed of blue stone, enclosed the area outside the village, and each household had moved into spacious brick and stone houses

Previously, he had relied on the voluntary support of the villagers for his livelihood. The villagers had limited savings, and as the Spring Festival approached, the village of Chengjiacao, with over 20 households and more than 100 people, found its grain reserves depleted due to the burden of this idle person.

Thus, after mastering the skill of bamboo weaving, his students also learned how to fire kilns, leading Chengjiacao into an era of significant transformation

What else can be done? Zhao Xing learned from the television and clasped his hands, saying: "In this way, I have troubled you!"

After his vivid explanation, the children immediately remembered the six characters: "Qingming, Water, Green, Sun, Moon". That evening, the parents returning from the fields were astonished to see the children boasting, and they all coincidentally brought gifts to pay their respects to the teacher.

Once Zhao Xing was seated, Cheng Tongqing cleared his throat and began: "Before the teacher arrived, we discussed what we should do this year... Well, in recent years, the pottery kiln and bamboo workshop have been profitable. The hard work of men and women in the fields for a year does not compare to working for a month at either of the two kilns. Therefore, families with children in the workshops are reluctant to toil in the fields and prefer to lend a hand in the workshops... Ahem, teacher, please discuss how this work should be allocated."

The main force behind the deep processing of agricultural products is the children, as Zhao Xing can only direct them. The children are physically weak and unable to perform strenuous tasks, so Zhao Xing guides them in making various auxiliary tools—fixing blades to wooden tables for cutting bamboo strips; steaming the cut bamboo strips in a steamer; and after shaping them at high temperatures, weaving them into various exquisite bamboo products

As a result, the children returned triumphantly, and the villagers achieved basic sustenance. Zhao Xing thus became the leader of the children

In this situation, Zhao Xing gathered the children from the village, imparting his knowledge of wilderness survival to them. He taught the children how to improve hunting tools, create hunting nets, traps, and snares, and track the signs of wild animals

Zhao Xing's manner of responding left Cheng Tongyi momentarily stunned, yet he did not reveal his astonishment

Due to the dominance of the Cheng clan, the outsiders residing in Chengjia'ao have largely become hired workers or sons-in-law of the Cheng family. Ultimately, they can only obtain recognized residency rights through marriage alliances. Furthermore, over more than a century of intermarriage has established extensive connections between the Cheng surname and several surrounding natural villages, solidifying the Cheng clan's status as a formidable presence in the vast mountains.

By the fire pit in the ancestral hall, there are two chairs placed at the main seat, one occupied by Cheng Tong and the other left empty

Accompanied by a group of children, Zhao Xing leisurely spent the remaining spring and summer of that year. During this time, he took the children several times to the nearby Qishui and Yingshan. Ultimately, it was confirmed that this indeed took place during the Song Dynasty, approximately at the end of Wang Anshi's reforms, although by this time, Wang Anshi had already been dismissed from his position multiple times.

Cheng Tong mentioned the term "wushi," which is equivalent to the modern word "dongxi." It is said that the term "dongxi" was brought over by the Mongols. Before the Northern Song Dynasty, there was another more elegant term in China called "wushi."

Is this really large? Zhao Xing could not help but feel disdain: is this village of over 20 households and more than 100 people really considered large? He has yet to see a city with a population of millions.

Cheng Xia bowed and said: "A Da said: The teacher has left, take the seat of honor"

The days without light are truly difficult. In the mountainous areas, the humidity is quite heavy; even living in a brick house, the fire pit cannot be extinguished for a moment. Furthermore, in this era, it is challenging to start a fire, and preserving a source of fire is a problem. Reading has become a privilege for Zhao Xing, who needs this flame for illumination; thus, even during the Cold Food Festival, Zhao Xing has no desire to extinguish the fire

Cheng Xia, originally named Cheng Qi, with "Qi" being his birth order, was named Cheng Xia by Zhao Xing because he was born in the summer. He first knelt on the ground to pay his respects to the teacher, and then said with utmost respect: "Teacher, A Da asks you to go to the ancestral hall for a meeting"

The "A Da" mentioned by Cheng Xia refers to his father—Chieftain Cheng Tong

More than 20 households in the village underwent a complete renovation into brick houses, with only about 20 rooms to be built. To save on bricks, the houses designed by Zhao Xing were built adjacent to each other, allowing most residents to only construct the front and back walls, while the left and right sides utilized the brick walls of their neighbors. As a result, inadvertently, they ended up resembling a fortress-like village similar to the earthen houses of the Tujia people in southern Hunan

Cheng Tong was unaware of Zhao Xing's inner thoughts. He continued, "My Cheng family hails from the Cheng clan of Jiangxia, which is one of the prominent families in Jiangxia, incomparable to those barbaric tribes in the mountains

Cheng Tong did not rise, while the other elders seated around the fire pit bowed slightly and insisted that Zhao Xing take a seat. However, Zhao Xing remained unwilling. Ultimately, the empty chair was moved slightly away from the fire pit and repositioned behind Cheng Tong's shoulder, at which point Zhao Xing finally agreed to sit down

Cheng Xia was still kneeling on the wooden floor waiting for a response. Zhao Xing thought for a moment, poured a cup of tea onto the fire, and said, "Then go ahead."

These two workshops were established by Zhao Xingjian, and the design and construction were entirely his own efforts; the children were merely his employees. However, Cheng Tong now regards them as the property of Chengjiacao and intends to distribute them in the ancestral hall—no wonder he was invited.

Supplementing calcium and nutrition yields immediate results

By the second year of the twelfth lunar month, the residents of Chengjiacao had all moved into new brick houses. During the New Year celebrations, nearby villagers came to pay their respects and were struck by the changes in Chengjiacao, prompting the entire village to relocate near Chengjiacao. The adults sought work in the village, while their game was directly sold to Chengjiacao for purchase. The children were taught by Zhao Xing, and when they fell ill, they sought medical treatment from Zhao Xing.

The medical conditions during the Song Dynasty were extremely poor; even as an emperor, 70% of his children did not survive to adulthood. However, for modern individuals, parenting knowledge has been honed through television programs.

Zhao Xinghe wrote a book

However, the Chengjiaao now invites him to enter the ancestral hall to participate in the "New Fire" ceremony, and the fire must be extinguished.

In the past, my ancestor fought alongside the founding emperor to establish the realm (of course, as a lowly soldier). At that time, this area was still inhabited by the Hu people. Later, as my ancestor grew old, he was granted retirement by the Taizu and returned to his hometown, only to find himself unrecognized by the Cheng clan of Jiangxia. In a fit of anger, my ancestor came here empty-handed and single-handedly carved out this mountainous forest

In the dawn, the newly purchased copper bell in the village rang with a melodious sound. The villagers began to extinguish their household fires in succession and headed towards the ancestral hall to pay their respects to their ancestors. After the bell's sound subsided, Zhao Xing did not extinguish his fire; instead, he continued to sit by his hearth, using the firelight to read a book.

After describing the influence of the Cheng family, he gently advised again: "If the guest is aimlessly drifting, they may as well settle here! Although my Cheng family settlement is small, it is not a problem to support you, sir!"

The doorbell rang, and his student Cheng Xia entered respectfully.

The mountain goods and treasures contained in exquisite bamboo baskets have brought a bountiful year to the villagers. Meanwhile, the children have also learned to read and write three hundred characters

Thus, the time gradually approached the Qingming Festival, which is the annual sacrificial day for the people of the Song Dynasty to replace the "new fire." On this day, families must extinguish their household fires and then observe the "Cold Food Festival." At midnight on Qingming, the village elders will come forward to distribute the "new fire seeds" to each household, while also announcing the farming plans for the entire year.

In addition, under the vigorous advocacy of Zhao Xing, the living conditions of infants and young children were immediately improved. Zhao Xing's requirements are: ventilation, improvement of lighting conditions, and encouraging children to spend more time outdoors in sunlight

Cheng Tong's speech was indeed quite exaggerated, yet the information he revealed left Zhao Xing perplexed—when did the Hu people start grazing their horses by the Yangtze River?

Indeed, the clan power in southern China has always been entrenched. After Zhao Xing learned about the origins of Chengjia'ao, he had no interest in challenging a millennium-old tradition. Therefore, while carrying out his tasks, he exercised caution and refrained from interfering with Cheng Tong's exercise of clan authority. This careful approach greatly pleased Cheng Tong and led to the swift recognition of his presence by the Cheng clan mountain dwellers

Under his care, throughout this year, not a single child among the more than 20 households in the entire village passed away, which was a miraculous occurrence. This miracle brought Zhao Xing fame, to the extent that the title of "Divine Doctor" spread throughout the surrounding areas. Young mothers from nearby villages often trekked dozens of miles over mountainous paths, regardless of whether their children were ill or not, just to have the "Divine Doctor" from Chengjiacao examine their children's development

In Zhao Xing's village, the first change was the improvement of medical conditions

In order to conceal his identity, he could only adopt an attitude of "caution and prudence," patiently hiding in the countryside to teach children and diligently learning the language and customs of the time. During this period, he also occasionally used his rudimentary medical knowledge to treat the villagers.

The glow of the fire in the hearth gradually diminished, and Zhao Xing stopped turning the pages of the book. He glanced at the hearth and hesitated before saying, "The Cheng family's plan... I have no right to interfere, but..."

The term "teacher" originates from the Song Dynasty, where it was used to refer to rural educators. The term "mister," on the other hand, was used during the Song Dynasty to address itinerant physicians and Taoist priests. It was not until after the Xinhai Revolution that "mister" was again used to refer to teachers

Fortunately, the clay resources near Chengjiacao are exceptionally abundant, allowing the surplus labor to be quickly absorbed, which also enabled the brick kilns to rapidly upgrade to pottery kilns