Chapter 23: Words from the Heart Flow Freely—Confidences Shared Over Drinks in the Tavern

The merchants beneath the river longed for wealth and status; they dreamed not only of earning vast fortunes each day but also of donning robes and crowns, mingling with the elite. The vast mansions beneath the ancient archway at the imperial wharf belonged to the Yan family, who had operated in the salt trade for generations. The first three generations were merchants; the grandson began to study literature, and by the fourth generation, a scholar was born. No one in the riverside town failed to know their name.

Master Shen was, of course, aware of Master Wu’s troubles. Wu’s ancestral home was in Lianshui; when the Yellow River changed course and claimed the Huai, his family migrated to this riverside town. Wu’s great-grandfather, Wu Ding, his grandfather Wu Ming, and his father Wu Zhen—all had single-character names. But in Master Wu’s generation, his wife Madam Xu bore only a single daughter. Stubbornly, Master Wu refused to give his daughter a name, promising to name her only when a younger brother was born.

Now, Heaven had smiled upon Master Wu; he took a second wife, Madam Zhang, who proved fruitful. The Wu family line was continued, and the elder sister was finally named Chengjia, reflecting how much Master Wu had yearned for the birth of Cheng'en.

“You’re right; all officials are of low rank, only scholars are exalted. But tell me, what scholar does not wish to excel in learning and then enter officialdom?” Master Wu said sincerely. “You know how much I love to read, but our home was destitute. After Father passed, Mother and I returned to the riverside town. From then on, Mother swallowed her pride and mended clothes, washed laundry to scrape by—those days were bitter.”

“Those hard days are gone for good. Treasure your son; he’ll bring luck to your ancestors’ graves!” Master Shen patted Master Wu’s shoulder. “Come, let me treat you to a back scrub.”

“Ah, how could I let you spend money on me?”

Tonight, buoyed by wine, they spoke their hearts. Half an hour later, they left the bath and lay down to sleep. Amid the chorus of snores, they soon drifted to dreams.

They slept until they woke naturally. Master Shen saw it was already late, and Master Wu still slept. He reflected on the Wu family’s decline—their unfulfilled hopes for official glory, the lonely return from Hangzhou, the hardships borne in silence.

Master Shen sipped his Dragon Well tea and pondered. The Wu family had survived on the strength of a widowed mother, until Master Wu found work in the Xu family’s copper alley shop, selling small wares. Miss Xu took a liking to him, leading to marriage between the Wu and Xu families. Only then did Master Wu inherit the small business and their days slowly improved.

Yet, with his talents unrecognized, Master Wu’s temperament set him apart; his scholarly airs marked him as the oddity of Copper Alley. He read in the shop, never attending to customers. If someone came to buy, he wouldn’t even look up, just pointed to a sign reading “Honest dealings for all.” Customers left their payment themselves. Only when someone came to buy wholesale did he step forward.

Master Shen knew the Wu family had served as officials for generations, but Master Wu’s father died unexpectedly in office, ending their fortune. Since then, Wu’s spirit had never recovered. But fate is as it is; one cannot fight destiny.

“Waiter, another cup of water!” Master Shen called loudly, waking Master Wu.

“Ah, what a sleep! Didn’t realize the time.” Master Wu opened his eyes, saw it was late, and quickly got dressed.

“Awake? I’ve brewed tea for you—drink a cup to sober up.”

“Thank you, Brother Shen.”

“Well then, since fate has brought us together, let’s dress and find a small tavern to continue our talk.” Master Shen tidied up first.

“Good idea!” They agreed at once.

Strolling from east to west along the stone road, they entered the bustling Lake Mouth Street, the liveliest part of the riverside town. Crowds jostled through the alleyways, tempting aromas drifting in the air. Master Wu realized he’d drunk too much at lunch, and after the bath, hunger gnawed at him.

“Let’s go to the far west end of Lake Mouth. I’ve heard that roast chicken there is special—let’s try it.”

Master Wu replied, “It would be rude not to accept.”

The sunset bathed the magical land in golden light. The Wu and Shen families had thrived in this ancient town for decades. Both were merchants, but Master Wu knew the Shen family dealt in big business, while his own little shop was hardly comparable.

Yet, since the second wife became pregnant, Master Wu grew anxious. Madam Xu knew her husband longed for a son, lest the Wu family line be severed. “Of the three unfilial acts, failing to continue the family line is greatest.” Such thinking was common in the riverside town, throughout Huai’an, and indeed all of China.

Thus, men took multiple wives—not only for the times, but also to ensure heirs.

Night deepened, and a crescent moon rose in the west. They reached the Inner Canal, where smoke curled along the winding riverbank. Boatmen settled on the water, never mooring at the shore for fear of theft, instead anchoring their boats a dozen meters out.

Not far away, a fisherman cast his net, spreading it like a disc over the river. He waited patiently, then shook the rope, pulling it in at an angle. The two watched curiously.

“Look, the net’s bursting!” someone exclaimed.

Master Wu watched as the small boat rocked. The fisherman struggled to haul in the heavy net; the river’s surface sparkled, shimmering, as he excitedly dragged the net aboard.

“Fisherman, bring ten pounds of fish!” The roast chicken tavern owner cupped his hands to his mouth and shouted.

“Coming, Boss Dai!” A woman’s voice rang out, melodious and clear.

“Year after year, the moon on the river appears the same, but who does the river moon wait for?” Master Wu gazed at the vast canal, listened to the flowing water, and recited with feeling: “When will spring flowers and autumn moon end, how much do we know of the past? Last night in the small tower, the east wind blew again; the homeland is unbearable to recall under the moonlight. Carved railings and jade steps should still remain, but rosy faces have changed. How much sorrow can one have? Like a river of spring water flowing east. Brother Shen, the thousand-year canal brought prosperity to our ancient town, but fate has been cruel to me!”

“Brother Wu, you are in fine spirits, but don’t be so despondent! The Poet Immortal Li Bai wrote so well: ‘When life is full, enjoy it to the utmost, never let your golden goblet face the moon empty. Heaven gave me talent, it will be put to use; riches scattered will return again. Roast lamb and slaughter oxen for pleasure, let’s drink three hundred cups together!’ Come, let’s try the roast chicken.”

Master Shen led Master Wu down the riverbank.

“Waiter, bring out your specialties, and make a potstickers dish with the fish we just got!” Master Shen called to the friendly waiter.

“Right away, gentlemen! Please enjoy some tea and melon seeds while you wait—the dishes will be ready soon.” The waiter swiftly brewed tea and went to the kitchen.

Suddenly, the beat of a gong announced the arrival of an eight-carried sedan chair descending the riverbank. The gong-bearer, emboldened by the power behind him, shouted commands: “Clear the way! Clear the way!”

“Who is that?” Master Wu asked.

To know what happens next, stay tuned for the following chapter.