Chapter 8: The Fleet Seen Once More

After school, Master Sun watched the children happily leave the schoolhouse. Among them, the few boys he favored caught his eye with their distinctive figures.

Wei Guangde had no idea that the master was watching him from behind. At this moment, he was joyfully leaving with five companions, unaware of the teacher’s gaze fixed upon him.

Had Wei Guangde known how much the master valued him, he might have wished for death, for it meant more beatings to come. In this era, the common belief was that jade must be carved to become a gem, and filial sons were born under the rod.

In Master Sun’s eyes, the beating he gave Wei Wencai back then was far too mild. Otherwise, who could say that this boy wouldn’t have passed the district exam to become a scholar, rather than ending up as a rank-and-file soldier?

He saw nothing wrong with his methods; this was how everyone had been raised.

Days passed swiftly. During this time, under the master’s guidance, Wei Guangde began studying the “Great Learning,” officially starting his lessons in the Four Books and Five Classics to prepare for the imperial examinations.

Yet Master Sun had not begun teaching him the rigid “eight-legged essay” style or how to compose it. Instead, each day was filled with scripture recitation, calligraphy practice, and the occasional strike on the palm.

These days were bitter for Wei Guangde. It seemed the master’s displeasure with him only grew. Though he tried earnestly to improve his handwriting, he simply could not write well.

After all, no one enjoys being beaten daily. Wei Guangde certainly was no masochist.

He might impose strictness on others, but he was unwilling to endure it himself.

To Wei Guangde, memorizing texts was actually quite easy. The real struggle was with calligraphy, for even in his past life, he had never mastered penmanship, much less the large, unwieldy brush.

As they walked home, the children occasionally picked up stones to toss into the river, chatting and laughing. Among them, Wei Guangde was quieter; after all, who wouldn’t be unhappy after a beating?

Suddenly, they all stopped in unison, gazing toward the distant river where sails appeared, a fleet moving upstream against the wind.

As the boats drew closer, the large banner atop the lead ship bore the characters “Jiujiang Garrison,” stirring excitement among the children.

“They’re back?” they exclaimed in unison.

The atmosphere in the fort had been heavy these past days. Many had left, and those who remained were usually the ones who traveled outside.

Since these were military households, most families had someone with the expedition. Naturally, the fort was filled with worry—who wouldn’t be anxious for the men away from home?

For the children, though unattended, the mood at home was hard to bear.

Seeing the fleet return lifted their spirits.

Yet their joy was short-lived. They weren’t worried about their parents’ arrival or the renewed constraints that might come with it. Instead, they wondered: if the fleet had returned, where were the men?

Wei Guangde’s mind raced with the question: was his father among them?

Deep down, he believed that since the fleet had come back, the soldiers should have returned too. After all, from Yingtian Prefecture to the capital, they couldn’t have walked—it would have taken forever.

As the fleet neared, dense crowds on the boats came into view.

Only then did the children leap with joy, waving eagerly at the approaching ships.

Wei Guangde imagined the soldiers’ fear when they first set out. That’s why, days ago, when the fleet was seen, only a few sailors were at the bow and stern.

But now, with everyone back, no one would return to that perilous battlefield. The soldiers at the bow and stern were packed with people, all joyful.

Once the fleet passed, the children ran home excitedly, confident that the fort’s residents had also seen the returning ships and that life was returning to normal.

Back in the fort, the scene was indeed festive.

People gathered in small groups along the streets, chatting and laughing. Except for the fields outside the fort, which remained quiet, everything seemed restored to its former state.

Inside the gate, Wei Guangde and the other children quickly dispersed to their homes. Not far from the entrance, he spotted his elder brother standing and laughing with acquaintances.

Running over, Wei Guangde asked, “Did mother see them?”

“Yes, she did. She’s very happy,” Wei Wencai replied with a smile.

“That’s good. Have you sent anyone to inquire at the garrison? When will Father be back?” Wei Guangde asked anxiously.

Wencai shook his head, “No. The men have returned, so he won’t be delayed much. It should be in the next couple of days.”

He pointed inside the gate and added, “Now that things are settled, you should go back and practice your calligraphy.

“I noticed you’ve been distracted these past few days, barely practicing. I didn’t want to bother you.

“But Father will be home soon. You must practice your writing properly, or you’ll get scolded.”

Wei Guangde thought this over. He did not want to endure more beatings from the master. He resolved to find time to practice, confident that with his body’s memory and knowledge beyond his era, he would have an advantage in the imperial exams.

That night, after dinner, Wei Wencai went out to patrol the fort several times. Wei Guangde knew his brother was heading to the fort’s gatehouse.

For the first time since arriving in this era, Wei Guangde lit a candle to practice calligraphy. Compared to when he first came, his handwriting seemed much improved.

The night passed quietly. Though he was awakened twice by his brother’s movements, Wei Guangde calmed himself, knowing his brother simply lacked patience.

The next morning, life resumed as usual. After breakfast, Wei Guangde set out with his companions for the private school.

He had wanted to wait at home for his father’s return, but his mother gently but firmly sent him out to study, smiling and urging him not to slack off.

By heavens, all Wei Guangde wished was to spend more time at home practicing calligraphy and avoid the master’s punishments. The strikes on his palms were truly painful.

His mother’s smile had never left her face since the previous evening, carrying through the morning like a ray of sunshine.

With his satchel on his back, Wei Guangde headed to the school with his friends, facing another monotonous day.

Well, the only change was that Chen Youcai, that wretched fellow, surprisingly approached their group during recess and talked at length. His father likely had also returned with the fleet.

At the private school, besides the six children from the mountain fort and the three from their hundred-household division, no one else shared their background or stories.

And so, their days continued.