Chapter 7: The Kunlun Slave

Upon hearing these words, Du Shisan Niang could not help but feel both suspicious and worried. It was not easy for her brother to finally recover from a serious illness; if old wounds were truly stirred up and he became distressed again, would that not mean all previous efforts were in vain? After much contemplation, she was acutely aware that her brother's former reputation in the Fan Chuan region was hard-earned. The writing implements she had brought along for this journey were mostly gifts from the elders of the Du family, while some were bestowed by other relatives, all of which had extraordinary origins and were extremely precious. Not to mention the few scrolls in the book box that had survived the fire at the old residence, which she had managed to salvage during the most difficult times when seeking medical help, never once considering selling them.

But at this moment, she finally steeled her heart and said: "Tomorrow, quietly put these things away. If my brother asks for them again, just say they cannot be found. Before we return to Chang'an, we will sell all of these!"

As Zhu Ying was about to speak, she heard that Du Shiyi and Sima Heiyun had already entered the room. She quickly nodded and went to the outer room, arranged the seating, and served water. After that, she stood aside with her hands down, but her gaze couldn't help but frequently glance at the curious young Kunlun slave who was kneeling at the door, looking around with a face full of curiosity. Fortunately, she did not have to wait long; after exchanging a few pleasantries, Sima Heiyun straightforwardly got to the point.

Upon hearing this, Du Shiyi couldn't help but raise an eyebrow: "What name did your first master give you?"

Why sell something that is good?

This is not urgent; it can be repaid later.

Tian Mo, having set down the water ladle, straightened his back and said without hesitation: "This is the best time to plant melons and fruits, such as cucumbers, Kunlun melons, and cabbage. If you want to plant something else, it will be too late for the season. However, this small plot of land is indeed too little. If you are willing, we can clear a few more plots in the bamboo forest. Although most of the bamboo shoots at this time are somewhat old, there might still be some tender ones if we look carefully. Digging up some bamboo shoots to prepare any dish is quite suitable. Moreover, it is now spring, and wild vegetables are abundant on the mountain. In the past, Xue Shaofu enjoyed tasting seasonal delicacies, and he could easily gather a basket in just half a day!"

After bowing to acknowledge his master, Tian Mo immediately took a hatchet and went out to cut several bamboo stalks in the bamboo forest, constructing a shelter to shield against the wind and rain. After having lunch, which was as swift as the wind sweeping away the clouds, he spent the entire afternoon turning over the two barren plots of land in the courtyard. Sweating profusely, he initially planned to fetch water, but upon learning from the bamboo shadows that there was a well behind the *Tushu* straw hut, with a mountain stream nearby, he wiped his forehead and smiled, saying: "In the past, when I was at Xue Shaofu's place, I had to go to the mountain stream a mile away to fetch water for irrigating the melons and fruits. Xue Shaofu always praised the vegetables I grew as delicious."

Du Shiyi observed Du Shisan Niang's hesitant demeanor, sighing inwardly. His desire to read and write was not for any other reason; it was genuinely because he intended to pass the time by reading books or practicing his writing during these days of recuperation. However, when he held those scrolls that were often several meters long, he felt a distinct sense of incongruity. As for writing... Zhu Ying arranged the Four Treasures of the Study and then assisted by stretching the paper beside him, instantly reviving certain memories.

Upon hearing Sima Heiyun's words, Du Shiyi immediately shook his head: "The two characters 'day' and 'sun' cannot be mentioned. I have already accepted the deep affection and friendship from Brother Sima, and I absolutely cannot accept such a precious gift again. One should not receive rewards without merit; I must give you the value of this Kunlun slave.

Although Du Shiyi had previously declined to accept those precious medicinal herbs and also politely refused to move to the lofty mountain villa at Songyang Temple on Junji Peak, after Sun Zifang left the prescription and returned, Songyang Temple still sent two heavy bags of medicine with a Taoist boy. One bag was for treating Du Shisan Niang's cold and fever, while the other was for Du Shiyi to nourish his body and replenish his vital energy. This time, Du Shiyi naturally did not refuse; after expressing his gratitude, he instructed Zhu Ying to take them in. One bag was for treating Du Shisan Niang's cold and fever, while the other was for Du Shiyi to nourish his body and replenish his vital energy. This time, Du Shiyi naturally did not refuse; after expressing his gratitude, he instructed Zhu Ying to take them in

Similarly, the bamboo shadow, which had caught a cold and developed a fever from the rain, was nearly recovered after a night's sleep following Du Shiyi's acupuncture treatment. However, it insisted on refusing further needles and medication. Seeing that the person was recovering well, Du Shiyi could not persuade her and had to let her be. Since the vegetables, eggs, and oil and salt purchased earlier were sufficient for a few days, she devoted herself entirely to staying at home to take care of the two siblings.

Despite her doubts, Zhu Ying still hurried to the fence and opened the courtyard gate. Immediately, she noticed Du Shiyi also coming out from the thatched cottage. Previously, she had learned that Sima Heiyun was merely a servant, yet seeing Du Shiyi still addressing him as "Brother Sima" with such familiarity and warmth made her frown slightly. She then tiptoed back to the thatched cottage.

Therefore, most of those who sold him would feel that his first master, Xue Shaofu, was the one who was truly eccentric and wasteful. Du Shiyi smiled slightly, suddenly recalling something. He then walked slowly to the door and asked Tian Mo, who was drinking water from a wooden ladle, "Tian Mo, what do you think is the best thing to plant in the fields at this time of year?"

Having successfully concluded the matter, Du Shiyi immediately felt a sense of relief. He allowed the guest to sit for a while longer before finally seeing off Sima Heiyun. Once he had watched the figure disappear at the end of the path, he then lowered his gaze to the young Kunlun servant by the door and, in a contemplative manner, asked, "What is your name?"

"Madam, the young master is in the bamboo grove outside." Upon seeing Du Shisan Niang's surprise, the bamboo shadow softly explained, "The young master mentioned early this morning that he wanted to read, but after I took out those few volumes from the book box, he only flipped through them briefly before setting them aside, saying he wanted to write instead. This time, I brought out the Four Treasures of the Study and moved a seat to a bright spot outside, standing by to prepare paper for the young master. However, he only glanced at it and frowned deeply, writing only a few characters before discarding the items and heading into the bamboo grove. If it weren't for the fact that it was time for Madam to take her medicine, I would truly be worried."

Ten thousand coins to buy a big-bellied man who can only do farm work, who would be willing? However, Young Master Du only needs someone who can work, and the owner laughed, saying this person is just right, so he offered eight thousand coins to buy him back. After all, he is not afraid of cold or heat; he can simply cut some bamboo in the yard to build a shed and live comfortably, which is more reliable than hiring someone. The family that sold him also included the farming tools that he had carried with him through several households, making his actual value almost equivalent to being given away for free. If Young Master Du finds him unsatisfactory, I can take him back and sell him in the Eastern Capital later.

This familiar name was regained, and a spark of excitement instantly shone in Tian Mo's eyes. Without a moment's hesitation, he knelt down and directly bowed his head, saying: "Thank you, my lord"

Alright, then you should showcase all the skills you have honed at Xue Shaofu's place

Mr. Du Xiaolang mentioned previously that he needed a reliable person who could farm, so today I have brought this Kunlun slave. To be honest, I also accompanied my master to linger at Songyang Temple for a while. However, since Mr. Du Xiaolang entrusted me with this task, I originally planned to visit the nearby villages. Coincidentally, yesterday, when I accompanied my master to Dengfeng County, I encountered someone selling this Kunlun slave on the street, asking for only 10,000 coins, which is less than one-tenth of its market value, yet still no one showed any interest.

Writing while leaning on a desk became the norm after the Song and Ming dynasties. In this era, it is only proper to sit cross-legged on a seat, rolling the paper into a cylindrical shape, with the left hand holding the roll and the right hand writing. Even in families like the Du family, who can afford servants and attendants, they would at most have someone beside them to stretch the paper and assist; true writing must be done with the wrist suspended above the paper.

Upon hearing Du Shiyi's words, Sima Heyun was first taken aback, and finally smiled as he said: "Since Young Master Du has made up his mind, I shall go and report this to my master."

How about this: I have recently recovered from a serious illness, yet I am unable to engage in other activities. However, merely idling away my time to recuperate is not only unbeneficial to my health but also leaves me with nothing to do. Since childhood, I have been studying and practicing calligraphy, and although I have neglected it for a long time due to my severe illness, I still find copying texts to be a viable pursuit. I wonder if the esteemed master of your esteemed residence has any classic texts or books that require transcription? What is the going rate for copying a volume in the market? Regardless of the cost, I will consider it as an investment in my future value.

Seeing Du Shisan Niang propped up on her arm and half sitting up, she hurriedly stepped forward to assist her. When Du Shisan Niang softly inquired, she could not help but reply: "It is Sima Heiyun, who sent us back in the rain before and brought Daoist Sun to treat you."

It was only after some inquiry that I learned that this Kunlun slave originally belonged to a family with a fondness for rural life. Thus, although he was only fourteen, he had learned a good deal about farming from a young age. However, he was completely ignorant of other tasks such as leading horses, handling saddles, or serving as a guard, and he had no understanding of the rules governing servants, relying solely on his brute strength. After the original owner passed away, his family sold him before leaving Dengfeng. Each time, he was sold due to having made mistakes that angered his masters, and this had happened several times already. His value had dropped from an initial 120,000 coins to just 10,000 now, and no one was willing to buy him.

The issue is that Du Shiyi, who received such education from a young age, naturally accepted it with pleasure. He reluctantly mustered the energy to give it a try; his body could adapt to this writing posture, and the characters he wrote were at least somewhat neat. However, the low efficiency was truly unbearable for him

Upon hearing the clear articulation of the origin of this first name, Du Shiyi immediately spoke up, saying: "Then let us still call it Tian Mo. Since you have done such excellent farming work under that Xue Shaofu, I will entrust all the fields in the outer courtyard to you."

Tian Mo repeatedly referred to Xue Shaofu, which might have displeased other masters, but Du Shiyi was completely indifferent to this matter. Those wealthy families sought Kunlun slaves to lead horses and hold the reins for show, while Tian Mo's agricultural skills were naturally overlooked. However, in a place where everything was lacking, this single skill could resolve the most pressing issues. After all, although bamboo shadows are skillful, a capable woman cannot cook without rice

On that day, after she furrowed her brows and downed the bitter medicine in one go, she looked around and, noticing that Du Shiyi was not in the room, could not help but ask, "Where is my brother?"

After a long time and having changed hands multiple times, Tian Mo once again saw affirmation and appreciation in the eyes of the new owner, which filled him with surprise and joy. As Du Shiyi turned back into the house, he heard an uncontrollable cheer from outside, which also lifted his spirits.

Hearing this, Du Shisan in the inner room couldn't help but chuckle and said to Du Shiyi: "Brother, there are many people who can farm these kinds of crops. That Xue Shaofu actually uses such a high-priced Kunlun slave to do these farm chores. No wonder other families bought him and then resold him within just a couple of days. Look at how busy he is at this moment; if he were to serve as a follower for someone, he would surely feel frustrated himself!"

Moreover, he learned from Zhu Ying that the remaining paper in the book box was few and far between, and there was only a tiny bit of ink left. If these were used up, he would have to buy more. If he wanted to practice writing, unless he, like the ancients, used clear water to write on a lacquered plate and wore out a thousand brushes, he would have to think of another way

Observing that young man, he seems to be a Kunlun servant? Even in Chang'an, such a Kunlun servant would cost at least 100,000 coins, mostly used by noble ladies to lead horses and hold reins. Yet, my lord only intended to hire an ordinary honest farmer, so why has such a person been sent over?

The dark-skinned youth, Kunlun Nu, looked up at his new master and then hesitantly said: "The names from before were given by my previous masters; please bestow a new name upon me, my lord"

However, in front of Du Shisan Niang, he casually said: "It's nothing, I was just admiring the deep bamboo grove outside. I was thinking that if the person recommended by Brother Sima arrives, we might ask someone to cut down a few bamboo stalks, which could perhaps add a few more decorations."

As he spoke, Du Shiyi entered the room from the outer area. He glanced at Du Shisan Niang, whose complexion had suddenly turned pale, and at the startled Zhu Ying beside her, then said in a deep voice: "These are all invaluable treasures; if they fall into the hands of the unworthy, they would be wasted for no reason. Thirteen Niang, you need not worry unnecessarily; I have not yet reached the point of being sentimental over material things."

This time, upon seeing Du Shiyi's expression of surprise, she was about to step outside when Zhu Ying immediately stood up nimbly and hurried to the door. After exiting, she saw at the other end of the fence a robust young man with a bare upper body, dark-skinned, and carrying a bag of various farming tools, following behind Sima Heiyun. She couldn't help but pause in astonishment.

Upon hearing this, Du Shiyi could not help but scrutinize the young Kunlun slave closely. Noticing that upon hearing Sima Heiyun's words, the boy's head immediately drooped down, looking visibly dejected, he pondered for a moment and then shook his head.

As soon as the words were spoken, a familiar cheerful voice came from outside: "Is Master Du Xiaolang here?"

This time, the young Kunlun slave responded quite readily: "Xue Shaofu named me Tian Mo. Tian refers to the land, and Mo refers to the path of the well."

In any case, all I need is someone to tend to the fields and grow some fruits and vegetables; I do not require them to serve me closely. It does not matter if they understand the rules. However, their asking price is 8,000 coins. I will not hide this from you, Brother Sima. Due to my illness, my sister has nearly exhausted our family fortune. Even if I were to dismantle this thatched cottage and sell off the household items piece by piece, I still could not come up with that much money

Several days passed in the blink of an eye. When one encounters joyful events, their spirit is uplifted. Observing that Du Shiyi was recovering remarkably quickly, Du Shisan Niang felt that the bitter medicine she had dreaded since childhood was no longer bitter, and her health was gradually improving. Although she sensed that Du Shiyi seemed somewhat different from the brother she remembered—who was eloquent outside but often taciturn at home—she undoubtedly preferred the brother who now showed concern for her in every way. Moreover, having faced life and death, such a transformation was not surprising.

Elder brother

So it was that person. Du Shisan Niang nodded thoughtfully and then instructed Zhu Ying, "Previously, when Daoist Sun visited, we only had plain water to offer our guests. Now that my health has improved and my brother's condition has taken a turn for the better, our expenses have also become limited. Next time you go to the market, remember to buy some fruits for making yogurt. That way, we won't be too embarrassed when we have guests."