Chapter 0005: The Dong Family's Teachings to Their Children

Upon arriving at the main hall, I saw the old man still present, sternly speaking with my mother. The chubby boy had not made an appearance, instead pushing aside the servant to listen intently.

What is the first year? It is the initial year of the ruler. What is spring? It is the beginning of the year. Who is referred to as the king? It refers to King Wen. Why mention the king before discussing the first month? Because the first month belongs to the king. What is meant by the king's first month? It signifies great unity. Why does the duke not mention the ascension to the throne? It is the intention of Duke Cheng. What does the intention of the duke entail? The duke intends to pacify the state and return to Huan. Why return to Huan?

I have knelt here for a full seven hours; look, am I fainting? Am I crying in pain?

The old man taught for a full two hours. During this time, the chubby boy remained kneeling, not knowing whether it was out of fear or something else, but he managed to endure it. Seeing the boy in such a state, the old man finally nodded in satisfaction while stroking his beard. At the hour of You, the old man bent down to take a bamboo slip, turned around, and left without saying goodbye. Watching the old man walk out of the door, the chubby boy continued to kneel, drenched in sweat, his face pale. A young servant rushed in, grinning, and said, "Young Lord, he has already left!" The old man nodded in satisfaction while stroking his beard. At the hour of You, the old man bent down to take a bamboo slip, turned around, and left without saying goodbye. Watching the old man walk out of the door, the chubby boy continued to kneel, drenched in sweat, his face pale. A young servant rushed in, grinning, and said, "Young Lord, he has already left!"

When the chubby boy opened his eyes, Dong was kneeling beside him. The chubby boy affectionately called out, "Mother," but Dong remained motionless, kneeling on the bed, silent and not turning her head. The chubby boy thought to himself, could it be that he had angered his mother? He then obediently got down and softly said, "Mother, Hong knows his mistake, please do not be like this..."

Just as he was thinking, he looked up and saw the侯府 had arrived. Dong Zhong gazed at the grand and magnificent residence, unable to help but exclaim in admiration. Dong Chong, on the other hand, lost his composure. Although he often saw this侯府, every time he laid eyes on it, his heart filled with a burning desire to achieve great things. A man should be like this, indeed!

On this day, a bullock cart was slowly making its way towards the侯府, with a young boy leading the way, pulling the oxen's reins. He muttered softly, somewhat dissatisfied, "With so many servants at home, why must my father make me drive the cart?" However, he did not dare to say this aloud. In this era that places great importance on filial piety, not only is it commendable to drive a cart for one's father, but even to carry him like a horse is also worthy of recognition. Yet, how could the father not be aware of the son's thoughts? Inside the cart, dressed in splendid attire and wearing a cap, he appeared quite out of place, yet he seemed unconcerned, holding a bamboo slip, seemingly engrossed in reading something.

Respecting teachers and valuing the Way, Heaven, Earth, the Sovereign, Parents, and Teachers, I am but a humble woman, yet I am aware and can kneel and sit for seven hours without uttering a word of suffering, what about you, a dignified young man

Recalling his two sons, Dong Chong felt a bit of a headache. Helpless, he bent down again to read. Dong Zhong turned around and asked, "Father, I have heard from others that all those auspicious signs were fabricated by the servants in my aunt's household. Why must you personally go and inquire about it?"

The eldest son's thoughts were certainly known to him, and he helplessly glanced at his dissatisfied eldest son, Dong Chong, sighing inwardly. His son had been intelligent and clever in his youth, and he had always regarded him as the heir to cultivate. However, as he grew older, Dong Chong became increasingly disappointing, unable to contain his emotions, displaying his feelings openly. How could such a person achieve great accomplishments and establish a career? At this moment, he could not even comprehend his father's painstaking efforts. In order to enhance his eldest son's reputation as a filial son, he had deliberately staged a scene, making his son drive the carriage for him, while publicly claiming it was voluntary. Yet, with his current demeanor, who would believe that he was willingly serving his father as a filial son?

Do not be loquacious, recite to me what I taught you yesterday

It cannot go on like this; I must go find my mother and report to her, asking her to dismiss this old man. I want to learn swordsmanship, not some useless ram! The chubby boy had an idea in his mind, so he had the servant support him as he made his way to the main hall, preparing to complain to his mother. As long as he cried and made a fuss, his mother would have no choice but to listen to him. The chubby boy sneered, saying he would dismiss you and take back all the grain and fine wine previously given, ensuring that this old man would not starve!

... ...

The young servant hurried over to help the chubby boy up. The boy's legs were trembling, and his calves were somewhat red and swollen. The old man insisted on the formal kneeling ceremony, forcing the chubby boy to kneel and sit according to ancient customs. At this rate, if he continued learning like this, he would likely break his legs before even finishing the study of the "Gongyang Commentary".

As the days passed, the people of Jiedu Pavilion gradually forgot the auspicious event of that day. There were rumors among the populace that it was merely a fabrication by the servants of the Marquis's residence to please the young lord, claiming that the fish had been purchased and gold dust sprinkled upon it. No officials came to investigate this matter, which allowed the Dong family to finally feel at ease, while simultaneously being secretly alarmed by the methods employed by Manager Liu.

Mother, why do you scare me like this

The little chubby boy glanced at his mother, dared not to speak, and shook his head

"What do you understand? The day before yesterday, I had a dream of a black dragon circling around a pillar, and soon after, auspicious signs were reported from the侯府. There must be a connection between these events!" Dong Chong said with fervent eyes, while Dong Zhong secretly sighed in his heart. For the sake of achieving fame and success, his father had become obsessed. What auspicious signs? They are all mere words! It is only he who suffers, like a household servant, leading the ox for several days!

I do not wish to engage in further conversation with you. Let the rice wine be set aside. In the future, I will come four times within a span of ten days, totaling three months. After that, I will have no further dealings with your noble house!

Is that old man up to some mischief again

... ...

With a loud slap, Dong struck the chubby boy directly on the face. Instantly, the left side of the boy's face swelled and turned red. He was completely stunned, staring blankly at his mother, tears welling up in his eyes. This time, he truly began to cry.

This person is indeed Dong's elder brother, Dong Chong

"Mother, Hong knows he is wrong!" The chubby boy seemed to understand yet did not fully grasp the situation, but he resolutely bowed down. Dong nodded, stood up, and said: "Tomorrow, Master He will come again. At that time, remember my words today!" After saying this, Dong left without looking back. The chubby boy was left in a daze for a moment, still somewhat confused. It was now the hour of the rat, and outside was pitch black. Inside, the candle flickered and was about to extinguish. Before long, the chubby boy covered his face and fell into a deep sleep on the couch. After about another hour, Dong slowly pushed open the door and cautiously walked in.

"Do you truly hold your teachers in such disregard? Who taught you this? Are you not a child who has been educated?" Mr. Dong questioned sternly. The chubby boy did not know how to respond, quietly sobbing without uttering a word. Mr. Dong furrowed his brow and slowly said, "You are young and have lost your father, yet you still have me! In our great Han, we govern the country with filial piety; if you disregard your teachers, how will you establish yourself in the world?" Of course, Mr. Dong swallowed the latter part about how to govern the country.

The Dong family, the most unsuccessful imperial in-law during the late Han dynasty

With a heart full of pain, Dong was almost brought to tears as she looked at the chubby little boy covering his face. She leaned down and sat beside him, gently stroking his cheek, lost in her thoughts.

I know! Don't you help me up!

Come quickly! The young lord has fainted!

The next day, as expected, the old man hurriedly arrived again. This time, the young attendants had learned their lesson and no longer dared to obstruct him; they all bowed in greeting. When the old man reached the study, he saw the chubby boy kneeling motionless in front of the wooden table, his gaze exceptionally resolute. Upon noticing the old man’s arrival, the chubby boy stood up and bowed deeply, saying: "Hong Nian, being young and ignorant, has offended my esteemed teacher. I hope the master will forgive my transgression!" The old man's stern gaze gradually softened, yet he proudly waved his hand, placing the bamboo scroll behind him with his left hand while drawing out his sword with his right hand. The boy, upon noticing the old man’s arrival, stood up and bowed deeply, saying: "Hong Nian, being young and ignorant, has offended my esteemed teacher. I hope the master will forgive my transgression!" The old man's stern gaze gradually softened, yet he proudly waved his hand, placing the bamboo scroll behind him with his left hand while drawing out his sword with his right hand.

The little chubby boy gritted his teeth; originally, he did not want to yield, but he still succumbed under the sword. This shows that the teachings of the "Gongyang Commentary" can be disregarded, but swordsmanship is something that must be learned

Kneel down

However, Dong remained with his eyes slightly squinted, motionless. The chubby boy grew anxious, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and began to plead and beg for mercy. Seeing that this was ineffective, he resorted to pushing and shoving. Dong remained unmoved. The chubby boy suddenly burst into tears, crying for a long time, yet Dong did not offer any comfort. Eventually, he quietly ceased his sobbing. Thus, half an hour passed, and the chubby boy felt particularly distressed. He called out to the young servants outside, but no one responded. At that moment, Dong slowly lifted his head and fixed his gaze on the chubby boy.

... ...