Chapter 43: The Four Beautiful Maidens

The two of them walked toward the granary, drawing the gaze of everyone present—especially the villagers, who were so anxious they could scarcely breathe. The young master had just gone in, and rumor had it that Lady Cai doted on him, indulging his every whim. If he decided not to lend the grain, they would be forced to seek out the greedy Master Liu.

“Good day, everyone—elders, fellow villagers. I am Cai Cong, and my mother is the Lady of Filial Piety and Virtue.” Without hesitation, Cai Cong cupped his hands and addressed the crowd in a clear voice.

“Greetings, Young Master!” The response was as if rehearsed—the entire crowd cried out in unison, their enthusiasm so sincere that one might have mistaken the occasion for the grand division of pork by the patriarch himself.

“The matter is thus: Today I have two things to announce. First, my mother just reminded me how, during our family’s destitute days, many of you extended a helping hand. Because of this, she has decided to lend the grain to all in need.”

Cai Cong paused, studying the faces before him. Rather than joy, he saw worry deepening among the crowd. He cleared his throat and smiled, continuing, “Many of you are anxious about the interest on the grain. I overheard two uncles discussing it on my way here. My mother is compassionate and cannot bear to see you suffer. The interest will be only ten percent. Next year, when you return the grain, you need only add a tenth as interest.”

No sooner had he spoken the words than the crowd erupted as if water had been poured into boiling oil. Everyone began talking at once, disbelief stamped on every face. In these times, fivefold interest was common, and even a threefold rate was considered generous. For the Cai family to ask only ten percent—they were saints! If next year’s harvest was good, they could repay their debts in full, retain enough for their families, and save seed for the following year. At this thought, every face blossomed with smiles.

“Everyone, please quiet down. The second matter is this: My mother has observed that the children in the village run wild all day and gain nothing of worth. She intends to establish a private school, so the village children may study.”

“If your village has children of suitable age, they are all welcome. My mother says the life of a farmer is too bitter—our backs to the sky, we depend on heaven’s mercy for our food. Now the Emperor values talent and has opened the civil service examinations. If we have knowledge and ability, our fate can change. Of course, she knows how hard things are at home, so our family will hire the teachers. No one needs to pay a thing.”

“Young Master, is this really true?”

A middle-aged man from a neighboring village asked tremblingly. In these times, an education was nearly unattainable; the cost of books alone was suffocating for ordinary families, and most could only borrow books to copy, as paper was cheaper than buying the books themselves.

“It is absolutely true. So long as a child wishes to study, it matters not who they are—they are welcome,” Cai Cong replied with certainty.

“Young Master, my brother Shitou’s family are of low status. Can their child come to study too?” someone asked loudly, feeling awkward immediately after, and looked at Cai Cong apologetically.

“As long as they are kind-hearted, honest, and sincere, they may come. We are all human and deserve dignity, don’t you think?” Cai Cong replied firmly. The so-called “low status” referred to those outside the four traditional classes—scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—professions inherited from one generation to the next, and it was nearly impossible to change one’s status.

At this, the entire crowd knelt, including those from Cai Family Village. For the mother and son to act with such compassion was an act of supreme benevolence—no one would dare utter a word against them, lest the crowd tear them apart on the spot.

“Get up, all of you—especially you from our own village! Haven’t I told you to keep your knees strong?” Cai Cong hurried to help them up, scolding the villagers lightly.

“Today, take your grain home first. In the coming days, those with children who wish to study may come and register. Once the school is ready, classes will begin,” Cai Cong said cheerfully, already planning to find more teachers—one would certainly not be enough.

Ignoring the bustle behind him, he took his sister’s hand and returned home. Once there, he asked her to distribute New Year’s goods among the villagers and have the servants deliver them. He himself went to speak with the old master.

The old master was in good spirits, weeding two small vegetable plots in the courtyard. Though the passing of Cai Tian had struck him hard, Cai Cong’s return was like a tonic, filling him with new vitality. He would not dare die before seeing the family flourish with his own eyes.

Cai Cong shared his plan with the old man, who closed his eyes in thought. At last, he said, “Now that we lack for nothing, your idea has my support. But this will not be a mere private school—it will be an academy. There are hundreds of children in the surrounding villages. Are you sure you can find enough teachers?”

“That’s why I came to ask your advice, Uncle. Where in our village would be best for the academy? And which teacher in the region is most renowned? We’ll need help. Scholars have friends of like mind—if we invite one, he can bring others.”

“The land in front of Little Ring Mountain is large enough—river at the front, mountain behind, picturesque enough. The most famous teacher nearby is Master Wei, a learned man who once held office under the previous dynasty but resigned in disillusionment. Even now, high officials pay him visits and address him as ‘Sir’ with great respect.”

Without hesitation, the old master gave his answer. Cai Cong thought for a moment—he couldn’t recall any famous scholar surnamed Wei from early Tang, but let that be. After discussing further, they decided to visit Master Wei the next day.

On his way home, the aroma of food reached him before he even entered the house, instantly lifting his spirits. Everything was slowly getting better, and he felt content.

After dinner, he sat with his sister for a while, then began grinding ink and writing. He set down the Three Character Classic, then wrote out the multiplication table. Pinyin? Perhaps that was too advanced for now, but he wrote it anyway—he could always present it to Emperor Taizong and let him battle the great clans with it. As for himself, it was safer to remain behind the scenes.

He wrote for over an hour, revising and completing the Three Character Classic at last. It was deep into the night by then; his sister sat proudly by his side, winking at the maids. The maids ignored her, instead gazing reverently at Cai Cong.

They regarded Cai Cong with a mixture of respect and awe, but felt no such fear of his sister—she was only in her twenties, kind to everyone, never treating the maids as inferiors, often chatting and laughing with them as equals. They looked upon her with the affection one reserves for an elder sister.

Cai Cong put down his brush and stretched, only then noticing that his sister and the maids had not left. Smiling, he asked, “Mother, why haven’t you gone to rest? And you girls, it’s late—no need to stay, go get some sleep.”

“It’s nothing. Seeing my son writing makes me happy,” his sister replied, beaming.

“Indeed, Young Master, you look so handsome writing. Who knows how many noble girls will fall for you when you grow up? You must be tired after writing so long—let me give you a massage. Qiuyue, fetch a basin of hot water for the Young Master’s feet. Xiayun, bring the lotus seed soup from the kitchen for the mistress and Young Master to enjoy,” said Chunyu, the head maid, directing the others without hesitation. The two named immediately set off, delighted to be useful. Compared to their former masters, the present ones treated them as family—they couldn’t help but feel grateful.

“What about me? I have nothing to do—that’s not fair!” the youngest, Dongzhu, pouted, eager to be useful but left with nothing to do.

Cai Cong couldn’t help but laugh. “Isn’t it nice not to have chores? Come, sit and chat with my mother.”

“That won’t do. The mistress now holds the rank of fourth-grade official. You and she treat us well, and we are grateful, but we must know our place—we can’t bring you shame,” Dongzhu replied seriously, and Chunyu nodded vigorously behind Cai Cong.

Though they had only been here a short while, their days were easy—Cai Cong brought good food, his sister invited them to eat together. What other family treated their servants like this? They were deeply loyal to the Cai family.

“That’s when there are outsiders. Right now it’s just us—no need for such formality. You’ve seen my mother never treats you as mere servants. When the household grows, you’ll help manage it. Don’t be so restrained—come, sit down.”

In public, Cai Cong maintained strict class boundaries, keeping a serious demeanor with the maids. But in private, he relaxed. To him, these girls of fifteen or sixteen were like little sisters. In another era, they would be in school, not serving as maids—he could never treat them as less than human.

“Mistress…” Dongzhu’s eyes filled with tears at his words. She went to Cai Cong’s sister, unsure what to say. A maid’s life was worth little—beaten to death, they’d be tossed in a mass grave, with the authorities turning a blind eye.

“Dongzhu, don’t cry. Our family isn’t like those great landlords. Your young master and I have tasted hardship ourselves; we won’t mistreat you. In private, just call me ‘elder sister,’” Cai Cong’s sister said, taking Dongzhu’s hand with a smile. Before their rise, their lives had been harder even than those of the maids—they understood what it meant to empathize.

“Mm! We’ll serve you and the young master well!” Dongzhu nodded vigorously, her voice loud and clear. Xiayun brought the lotus seed soup, and at Cai Cong’s request, fetched four more bowls. In the end, the six of them enjoyed the soup together, laughing and chatting.

Cai Cong wiped his mouth and said, “Let’s all rest early. Tomorrow, I’ll visit Master Wei—Dongzhu and Qiuyue, you’ll come with me.”

“As you wish, Young Master!” the two replied with broad smiles, their hearts surging with excitement. At last, they had something to do—no more idle days of eating without work.