I Cultivate in a Government Office

His tone was calm, but he spoke with clarity and precision on matters of principle and long-term planning. Though the clan elders were his seniors, it was clear they deferred to Yang Wenqing’s lead on concrete business operations and external affairs.

With business mostly concluded and the sun nearing its zenith, Yang Wenqing set down his teacup and rose. "Third Grand-Uncle, and all you elders," he said, "the general plan is settled. I’ll have to trouble all of you and my father with the specific arrangements. I’ve been away for a long time. I’m going to go see my mother first."

"Of course, of course. Go on, hurry back. Your mother has been talking about you nonstop!" Yang Dehou and the other elders all rose to see him off.

Stepping out of the ancestral hall, the afternoon sun was a bit blinding. The clansfolk who had gathered outside had long since dispersed.

The bustle of the village washed over him, more real and immediate now—the sounds of chickens and dogs, the wisps of cooking smoke curling into the air. Yang Wenqing politely declined the elders’ offer to see him home and walked alone down the familiar alleyways of his memory, toward his house.

His home was located in the middle section of the village, in a spot neither remote nor central. The courtyard was enclosed by common rammed-earth walls, much flimsier than the village ramparts. The lintel above the door was plain, and the two wooden doors were ajar.

Pushing the doors open revealed a squarish, moderately-sized courtyard. The ground, paved with fine gravel, had been swept spotlessly clean. To the left grew a banyan tree of some age; to the right was a small vegetable patch, fallow for the season.

Directly opposite the entrance stood the three main rooms of the house, roofed with green tiles. The wooden window lattices were pasted over with yellowed paper. To the east were two slightly shorter side rooms.

This was Yang Wenqing’s home, and also the residence of his second uncle, Yang Jianlin, and his family. His father, Yang Jianmu, being the eldest son, had inherited the main house of the ancestral home. When his second uncle married, he built the side rooms. The two families shared the courtyard, living in separate quarters while still looking after one another, a common arrangement in the village.

In the courtyard, a woman wearing an apron was carrying a basin of hot water out from the kitchen. When she saw Yang Wenqing push open the door, she froze for a moment before a brilliant smile lit up her face.

It was none other than Yang Wenqing’s mother, Wang Qin.

"Mom!"

A smile spread across Yang Wenqing’s face.

"Yes! You’re back!"

The smile on Wang Qin’s face broadened. She set the basin on the ground, wiped her hands on her apron, and hurried over. Looking him up and down, her eyes filled with an unconcealable mix of joy and concern. "Was the journey tiring? Have you eaten? You’ve lost some weight. Don’t they feed you well in the county?"

"I’m not tired, and the food in the county is great," Yang Wenqing answered with a relaxed smile. "It just can’t compare to home cooking."

"Well, of course," Wang Qin chimed in. "Nothing from the outside can ever compare to home."

Just then, the door curtain to the main house was pushed aside. His younger brother, Yang Wenjian, poked his head out. His eyes brightened at the sight of Yang Wenqing, and he called out, "Big Brother," his voice soft with a touch of youthful shyness.

His younger sister, Yang Wenning, had already run back from her aunt’s. As soon as she saw Yang Wenqing had returned, she rushed over to trail behind him, chattering nonstop.

His father, Yang Jianmu, walked over from another part of the yard and set down his hatchet. Squatting under the eaves, he took out his long-stemmed pipe, polished to a shine from years of use. He took a couple of puffs—PUFF, PUFF—and looked at his son. "What did the clan elders talk to you about?"

"Just about the company and the slots for the exam," Yang Wenqing replied.

The door to the eastern side-rooms opened then, and his second uncle, Yang Jianlin, and second aunt emerged. They had their two daughters with them, one eight and the other five, and his aunt was holding a baby boy, sound asleep and wrapped in swaddling clothes.

"Wenqing’s back!" his second uncle said with a hearty laugh, and his second aunt quickly chimed in with a greeting.

"Second Uncle, Second Aunt," Yang Wenqing replied with a smile. He patted his two young cousins on the head. "Look at you two! You’ve both gotten so tall."

The family gathered in a lively group in the courtyard, chatting for a while about the most ordinary things: Was the journey smooth? Was it cold in the county? Was he busy with work? Was he staying healthy?

When it was time to eat, Wang Qin set the dishes out in the main hall. A large square table was packed to capacity. The meal was simple but substantial: a platter of golden-scrambled eggs, a bowl of glistening steamed cured pork, and three different stews.

Both families sat down to eat together.

Once Wang Qin sat down, her chopsticks were in constant motion, piling food into Yang Wenqing’s bowl. "Have more eggs, build up your strength. We smoked this cured meat ourselves before the New Year, eat a few more pieces..."

Yang Wenqing said quickly, "Mom, that’s enough, really! I can get it myself."

During the meal, the conversation eventually turned to the upcoming clan test. With a voice tinged with envy and anticipation, his second aunt said, "I hear that the ones who do well on the test this time will get to go to school in the county!"

Wang Qin glanced at her younger son and daughter. She said nothing, only letting out a soft sigh.

Yang Jianmu kept his head down and ate in silence.

Yang Wenqing noted his mother’s expression and spoke in a steady voice. "Dad, Mom, Second Uncle, Second Aunt, we’ll handle the clan test according to the rules. My brother and sister are still young; there’s no need to rush them into competing for those few slots."

He paused, his voice gentle but filled with a reassuring power. "In the future, if they truly want to study and pursue their education, they can come directly to me. I’ll take care of it, so there’s no need to worry."

’Given his current position in the county, arranging for his brother and sister to attend school was a simple matter—nothing that couldn’t be settled over a few dinners.’

Joy spread across Wang Qin’s face, and his second aunt looked equally pleased. But Yang Wenning immediately piped up, "I don’t want to study! It’s too hard, and I can’t understand anything."

"..."

"Don’t make me hit you during dinner!"

Wang Qin’s face was stern.

Yang Jianmu quickly interjected, "She’s just a kid. It’s normal for her to be more interested in playing. When she gets older..."