Chapter 002: Entering the Dream

Opposite her, the woman scrubbing the pot paused her work, wiping the sweat from her forehead with the back of her damp hand, and looked at her husband: "Then let's buy an old donkey, and with the remaining money, buy Liang Sheng a pen and a notebook."

He still doesn't want to buy a pen; he is understanding. Today, he spoke to him in the fields.

He walked over and sat down beside his son: "Liang Sheng, do you really want to buy a pen?"

The previous experience felt as if it were a dream

A face marked by deep wrinkles bore a smile, and the back was slightly hunched; yet, those eyes were exceptionally bright, resembling two sharp blades that pierced the gaze, making one hesitant to look directly. At the waist was tied a gourd, adorned with black patterns, which compelled him to take a second glance.

After sending his younger sister away, Lu Liangsheng took out the two books he had hidden away, finally believing that what had happened earlier was not a dream. After putting them back in place and changing into a different outfit, he went to the kitchen

Lu Liangsheng sat dazedly on the edge of the bed. Outside, his mother was preparing dinner in the kitchen, while his younger sister tended to the fire, and the occasional sounds of laughter between his father and sister came through, creating a sense of reality.

In the flickering firelight, Old Lu Shi stood up and left. The rainwater splashed onto his pant legs as he walked to the door of the side room. He glanced at his son, who was already asleep, sighed, turned around, and returned to sit at the door of the kitchen. He picked up the remaining basket that his wife had woven during the day and continued to weave, likely trying to finish more before the market day.

The elderly man, who had originally looked up at the mountains and fields with pride, was momentarily taken aback, unable to believe it, and even wore a somewhat absurd expression as he looked at the young man: "You want to learn to read? You seek me as your master just to learn to read?"

After having breakfast, Liang Sheng followed his father, Old Stone Lu, carrying a hoe to the fields. Their family's small plot of land was located a bit farther from the village, surrounded by familiar relatives and acquaintances from the village. They greeted each other and went to their respective fields.

I... I want to learn to read and write

Beneath the tightly shut eyelids, the eyes suddenly began to move, and the pale, emaciated cheeks appeared to be blown by the wind, forming a small dimple as they slowly drifted.

"The day has turned so quickly, could it be that it is going to rain?" Lu Liangsheng thought for a moment, took two steps back, and turned around: "It would be better to head back first; if it rains heavily, I won't be able to descend the mountain..."

The young boy, having just come down the mountain with two books in his arms, was met with a heavy downpour. He hurriedly tucked the books under his clothing, braving the curtain of rain that connected heaven and earth, and quickened his pace to return home

The lips slightly parted, quivering.

The sound of footsteps is a rustling noise

The thunder rolls over the mountain ridges

Good bone structure... young man...

After a busy morning, Lu Liangsheng's calves were covered in mud as he sat on the ridge, watching the stream of water that had been diverted, flowing slowly with the muddy and turbid mixture.

As I turned and took two steps forward, I suddenly heard a voice from behind: "Little child, aren't you going to wait a moment?"

A long tongue hung down to the chest, and when the flash of lightning passed, that streak of crimson swiftly retracted into the mouth

The spring plowing season has already passed, and even during the farming off-season, one must go to the fields to keep watch, drive away birds, and pull out the spoiled ears of grain

The wind blows and the raindrops drift into the window frame, the slowly drifting incense sways gently, blowing towards the figure lost in slumber

After a brief midday rest, Lu Xiaoxian watched her elder brother and father busy themselves for a while longer on the ridge, before the three of them returned home together. At this time, there were still matters to attend to at home, but Lu Liangsheng's desire to resolve the confusion in his heart grew increasingly urgent. Taking advantage of finishing the tasks assigned by his mother, he washed his feet, put on the pair of worn-out shoes, and quickly ran up the mountain, following the familiar path to the mountain trail

The golden morning light illuminates the gaps between the clouds, the edges of light spreading from the earth, pushing aside the azure hues, enveloping the distant foothills.

Lu Liangsheng

As the sky gradually darkened, it was not until his younger sister, Xiao Xian, called him to dinner at the door that he came back to his senses

Having said that, regardless of whether the young man agreed or not, as if by magic, two worn books appeared in his hands and flew into Lu Liangsheng's embrace. The latter quickly held them tightly, staring at the fragrant volumes, momentarily at a loss for what to do.

You ... ...

The sky outside has turned almost completely dark, with only a few embers of the firewood still burning at the stove, casting a glow on the silent figure of Old Lu Shishi, who breaks a dry branch and tosses it into the fire

The old man glanced at him, turned away, and walked to the side with his hands behind his back, gazing at the surrounding mountain walls, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth: "That was the dream I entrusted to you. For half a month, with daily offerings, it is evident that your heart is sincere, which is why I called you over. Since you wish to take me as your master, what do you wish to learn?"

The figure that had just turned and left paused for a moment. Although there was some preparation in his heart, he was still taken aback. Lu Liangsheng turned his head and looked towards the front of the giant rock, where he saw an old man in a gray robe standing there, though he did not know when he had arrived.

Over there, leaning on the hoe and observing his son's expression, he thought he was still contemplating the matter of buying a pen, feeling somewhat sighing in his heart. However, the person was too mild and honest, unable to let out a single fart after a long time.

The sky, with wisps of smoke rising gently, the sounds of people in the mountain village are bustling, bringing life to the scene

The sound of rain falls heavily outside, weaving a curtain of beads along the thatch of the eaves.

The rooster crows loudly

A faint trembling sound echoed in the emptiness, and suddenly, the chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects seemed to vanish in an instant, leaving only the rustling of leaves; the surroundings were remarkably quiet

Pushing aside the obstructing and drooping branches, Lu Liangsheng found the mountain wall he had visited several times before, where giant rocks stood tall, moss climbed, and birds perched on the branches pecking at the leaves while the slowly moving caterpillars crawled.

Crossing over the small ditch that was outlined, Lu Xiaoxian squatted down between an old man and a young boy, holding a basket and a chipped pottery jug, and took out two coarse, grainy buns from the basket with her small hands

As your teacher is injured and unable to speak with you for long, you should return first. When you go to bed tonight, remember to light a stick of incense by the window, and I will impart my knowledge to you in your dreams, including literacy.

Boom

The old man was at a loss for words. After looking at the other person for a moment, he waved his sleeve, and a stone the size of a millstone suddenly flew up with a loud crash, striking a nearby tree. With a sharp crack, the branches trembled wildly, and the entire tree broke in half and fell down.

The woman's perspective is that he cannot read.

He poured a bowl of cold water into the earthen pot and handed it to Lu Liangsheng, saying: "Here, the bread is quite coarse, don't choke on it."

What is the use of saying this? You are just as bad, agreeing verbally while thinking who knows what in your heart. If a scholar were to emerge, your entire Lu family's ancestral grave would surely be smoking with envy

Father, brother, it is time to eat

Our family cannot afford to support scholars

Lu Liangsheng was stunned, staring blankly at the scene before him, unable to react for quite some time. Only after a while did he timidly raise his face to look at the old man

Think

Old Master Lu looked at his sensible son and patted him on the head, saying, "You are also reaching the age to marry. Our family has many places where we need to spend money."

Apprenticeship

Rumbling ... ...

... ...

The old man, seemingly satisfied with the expression of the young man, rolled up his sleeve and placed his hands behind his back, asking, "Are you willing to learn?"

Old man Lu instructed his son beside him, and the father and son duo diverted the stream from several zhang away in the morning, channeling it through the fields of others and into their own land. The quality of the harvest for the year depended on this small stream.

The night breeze sweeps through the forest, rustling the leaves as they whisper among the intertwined branches

"Should we call out once or twice?" The young man stood opposite the giant rock, his fingers clenched tightly in a bit of nervousness

"What about me?" Old Lu spread his hands, while the little girl beside him, with wide eyes, pointed at her brother: "Let brother drink first, father is an adult and can withstand thirst"

Dig the ditch a little deeper to allow for more water to be stored

The old man waved his robe sleeve and said, "It is going to rain, hurry back home. Do not speak of today's events to anyone."

... ...

After hesitating for a long time, Lu Liangsheng took a deep breath, gathered his courage, and shouted: "Gao... Gao Ren... I... I am coming!"

is the first master of ... ...

As the father and son were conversing, from a distance came a call of "Dad!" and "Brother!" A small figure, with two braided pigtails swaying, ran towards them.

As we continue to write, it will become clear, so it is settled. In a few days, when we go to Fushun County with everyone, we will also bring Liangsheng along.

Lu Liangsheng stood there in a daze, hearing these words, recalling the events of last night, and bowed to the old man: "I... I would like to become your disciple"

Ah... does the gentleman still have more to teach?

This child, Liang Sheng, has something on his mind and has hardly eaten a few bites of his meal

A series of shocks shattered Lu Liangsheng's long-held perceptions. Holding those two books, he politely bowed to the elderly man in front of him and, in a daze, walked down the mountain.

After dinner, Lu Liangsheng helped to clear the dishes and returned to his room

The boy's gaze darkened slightly as he looked up; the sky had become somewhat overcast, with a drifting cloud obscuring the sun that had just been bright.

You, young one, have only just arrived and are already about to leave? I am grateful for the hospitality of many and the *Tu* book, and I should also reciprocate in some way. Do you have any wishes?

The shattered fragments that were flicked away rolled at the feet of the youth

The old man approached, the gourd hanging at his waist swaying gently, his gaze fixed on the boy's face, and after a moment, he asked, "What is your name?"

The sky darkened with clouds, and a strong wind began to rise

I will be there shortly

The boy, lowering his head, raised it again, a tender smile squeezing onto his youthful face: "We should buy a donkey for the family first; we cannot spend money recklessly, I understand this."

The voice of the elder resounded, and the dream from that day returned again

The events of this morning are still weighing on his mind; the strange dreams of the night and the sudden appearance of the painting on the ground leave him feeling both uneasy and perplexed

The innocent expression and words of the little daughter made Old Master Lu laugh heartily, while Liang Sheng, who was filled with worries, also chuckled softly.

The family is frugal; if we buy a donkey and make a donkey cart, my father can help transport some goods, and during the agricultural off-season, he can earn some extra money.

A family sat around the stove, with only two small dishes, both made from vegetables grown in their own yard. The rice was millet. In this day and age, it is a blessing that the government does not impose heavy taxes. If a year of disaster were to occur, this meager meal would be considered a luxury.

In the darkness, the young boy lit an incense stick and placed it in the window. He returned to his bed, resting his head on a wooden pillow, staring wide-eyed at the pitch-black ceiling. The scent of the incense penetrated his nose, and he could faintly hear his parents talking in the kitchen.

The thunder roared, rushing in from the horizon. Amidst the pale blue and white flashes of lightning, an elderly man stood in the open, his face flickering with light and shadow, his white beard gently stroked.

My name is Lu Liangsheng, and I live in the village at the foot of the mountain. Liangsheng did not dare to raise his head, thinking about some stories told by the elders at the village entrance, and lowered his head even further: "Sir, last night... I had a dream"