Chapter 4: The Immortal Spring?

Today, however, the words came out the opposite. "Hmm, no wind today!"

In the past, squatting in the latrine would take at least half an hour. With each call, the tenant farmers working in the fields all knew that Master Xu was surely squatting in the toilet. But today, for some reason, everything was exceptionally smooth.

——

——

Early the next morning, the money delivery arrived—two full loads. A middle-aged man dressed in silk came with a servant carrying the loads.

"Master Xu, all the copper coins are here. Will you give us a little something?" he asked.

Xu's father replied, "No need, thank you for your hard work," bowing slightly in respect.

The middle-aged man quickly declined, saying, "Master Xu, the house and fields have been mortgaged. I suspect I may have to sell them soon, so I kindly ask you to move out as soon as possible. If the buyer arrives and can’t move in, that would be a problem, right?"

"Of course, of course!" Xu’s father said. "Once the debts are cleared, we plan to build a thatched cottage at the foot of the mountain east of the village and move out. It won’t cause you any trouble, don’t worry. Just look at the luggage in this yard—we've already packed it all."

"Alright, alright," the middle-aged man said, feeling a bit puzzled. Master Xu had been ruined by his profligate son. The last time he came, Master Xu looked on the brink of death. Yet today, he was radiant and vigorous.

What, had he taken some miracle elixir?

After talking with his son yesterday, Xu’s father increasingly felt that this made sense. He was eager to build the thatched cottage and move out, ready to take off the landlord’s hat. Unfilial sons were one thing, but having no descendants was the greatest shame. He absolutely could not let the Xu family die out.

After the money carrier left, Xu’s father instructed his son, "Fugui, take advantage of the mild sun and go early. Cover the baskets with pumpkin leaves to hide the money and keep it from being exposed. Be careful on the road, repay the debt, and come back soon."

Xu Fugui nodded, "Got it, Father!"

Xu’s mother said, "Fugui, why are you wearing this rough cloth? It’s not breathable, it’s coarse, it’ll chafe your skin and be too stifling. Change into silk."

"Mother, it’s alright," Xu Fugui replied. "You have to wear cloth when carrying loads; silk is too slippery. The yoke won’t stay on. I’m off to pick pumpkin leaves now."

——

His mother and Jia Zhen helped, and Feng Xia came along too. She picked the biggest leaf and even placed it atop her head, innocently saying, "Father, look, mine is the biggest!"

Cheerful and carefree, she didn’t yet know her father was going to the city to repay a debt.

Xu Fugui patted the child's head gently. "Feng Xia, be good and help Father cover the basket."

"Okay!" Feng Xia hopped forward happily.

Once everything was packed, Fugui and Chang Gen each shouldered two baskets and set off. The household servants had all left; only Chang Gen remained. Though also a servant, Chang Gen was different—he had been brought into the family by Xu’s grandfather and had lived there for most of his life, almost like family.

The road to the county town was over ten li. Usually Chang Gen would carry the load both ways, but today they were carrying the baskets themselves. Chang Gen had never done heavy labor before; his body was weak, worn down by his time in the city’s brothels. After a short while, he was panting, his shoulders rubbed raw and bleeding.

Chang Gen stopped ahead, setting down the baskets and coming to help. Seeing the young master like this, he felt deep pity.

"Young master, why don’t you rest here first? I’ll take this load back to the city and repay Dragon Er. Then I’ll come back and help you carry yours."

Xu Fugui shook his head, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Chang Gen, I’m fine. A little rest is enough."

He laid the yoke across the two baskets and sat down. Taking a gourd hanging on one side, he shook it—empty. He had just finished drinking the water inside. He had planned to get some from a nearby stream, but then realized he could retrieve water directly from the space inside himself. With a thought, he filled the gourd with water from his inner space.

Taking it out, he carefully sipped a mouthful, savoring it. It was surprisingly sweet, so he drank boldly.

"Gulp, gulp."

Halfway down, the water entering his stomach cooled his overheated body as if the scorching heat of midsummer suddenly gave way to the crispness of autumn. The sensation was indescribably refreshing. He rested for just three or four minutes, fatigue melting away, and strength flooding his limbs.

Even consuming an entire ancient ginseng root wouldn’t have such an effect.

Amazed, he wondered if the stream inside his space was some kind of immortal spring. This discovery thrilled him. Though he didn’t fully understand how it worked, it clearly benefited his body greatly.

He called out, "Chang Gen, come, have some water to quench your thirst!"

"I have my own, young master," Chang Gen replied.

"But mine’s different, hurry up."

"Ah?"

Though puzzled, Chang Gen came over and drank a few sips from the gourd.

"Young master, this water you just drew? It’s a bit cool."

"Is it good?"

"It seems to have a faint sweetness!"

Xu Fugui smiled and hoisted the yoke again.

"Chang Gen, let’s go. The sooner we reach the county and pay Dragon Er back, the sooner we can be at ease!"

Striding ahead with the loads, Chang Gen watched curiously. Had the young master gained strength after resting so briefly?

"Young master, slow down, don’t fall!"

He caught up, picking up his own load.

Whenever they grew tired and their strength waned, a sip of this ‘immortal spring’ water would instantly restore their stamina. They hardly rested along the way and smoothly reached the county town. Chang Gen followed behind, amazed. The young master was usually pampered, complaining even about stepping on stones on the road. Yet today, carrying two baskets full of copper coins, he barely rested until they reached the city. It seemed the young master had truly grown up and learned to endure hardship.

Upon arrival, they found Dragon Er. He wore no long robe but a black silk outfit, sunglasses on his face, and fanned himself with a paper fan while seated in a grand chair. Politely, he greeted them:

"Yo, young master Fugui, why are you carrying the load yourself?"

Xu Fugui bowed and changed his address: "Lord Long, I am no longer a young master but a poor commoner. This basket is full of copper coins to repay your gambling debt. Please accept it."

Dragon Er laughed heartily.

Hearing the title “Lord Long,” he was delighted and stood to inspect the baskets, brushing off the pumpkin leaves without counting the coins—there were too many to count.

"Fugui, why didn’t you just convert to silver dollars? Carrying this is so tiring. No need to count—I don’t doubt you."

"Alright, alright."

Dragon Er had the coins taken away and returned the IOU to Fugui.

"Fugui, our debts are settled," he said, in a surprisingly generous mood. "Gambling is something to avoid. You know the saying, ‘Nine out of ten gamblers lose.’ I’ve just been lucky, but luck can’t last forever, right? From now on, live well and avoid gambling."