A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, carrying with it the scent of early summer. The sunlight, filtered by the branches, danced across the ground in fleeting patterns. In the midst of this tranquil scene, the world seemed to pause, suspended in a moment of quiet anticipation.

“Oh, what did the child say?” In the old man’s eyes flashed a subtle brilliance that few could perceive.

Seeing that the village chief offered no resistance, Wang Feng hurriedly pleaded on Wang Bo’s behalf, “He says he finds it difficult to achieve anything through martial arts, so he wishes to pursue literature instead. Village Chief, you see, young Wang Bo’s situation is truly not easy. Please accept him.”

The old man waved his hand, signaling Wang Feng to stop speaking. He fell into thought for a while, then turned to Wang Feng and said, “So he has his own perspective. He can assess the situation, recognize his own strengths and limitations. He’s a promising seedling. Go and bring him here now; I have some questions for him.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Bo realized what was happening and quickly asked, “Village Chief, does this mean you agree?”

The old man smiled and nodded, “Consider it agreed. Bring him to me. I’ll ask him some things, and if his answers satisfy me, I’ll accept him.”

“Thank you, Village Chief. I’ll go and fetch him right away.” Wang Bo, overjoyed to hear the chief’s approval, hurried out. Watching him leave, the chief nodded in satisfaction.

Meanwhile, while Wang Feng was speaking to the chief about the matter, Wang Bo searched through the memories left by young Wang Bo for any information about the village chief, but found little of use—nothing beyond what he already knew.

“Little Bo, come here.”

Wang Feng rushed over while Wang Bo was distracted in his training and called out to him.

Wang Bo stopped and turned around, seeing Wang Feng, and asked anxiously, “Feng Brother, what happened? What did the chief say?”

Wang Feng’s face was full of joy as he replied, “The chief wants you to come over. I think there’s a good chance this will work out.”

“Really?” Wang Bo was overjoyed at the reply.

“Of course,” Wang Feng affirmed.

“Alright, Feng Brother, I’ll go see the chief now.” Without waiting for Wang Feng to say more, Wang Bo hurried off toward the chief’s house.

“Hey, why are you in such a rush?” Wang Feng was about to speak but saw Wang Bo hastily leaving. “This child, so impatient. I haven’t finished speaking yet. I hope the chief won’t mind.”

Arriving outside the chief’s house, Wang Bo, heart pounding with anxiety, knocked at the door.

“Village Chief, are you home?” Wang Bo asked softly, his voice trembling with nerves.

“Come in, the door’s open,” came a voice from inside—quiet, aged, yet upright and penetrating.

With the chief’s permission, Wang Bo opened the door and entered.

The chief sat alone, kneeling at a long table, holding a book. Only when Wang Bo entered did he set the book aside, smiling as he fixed his gaze on him. Wang Bo stood straight, arms joined in front, right hand bent, left hand placed atop it, arms lowered from forehead to chest, bowing forty-five degrees in a traditional salute, then stood aside.

“I wonder if my salute is proper. I’ve only seen it on TV; if it’s not quite right, I hope the chief won’t mind,” Wang Bo mused inwardly.

The chief was surprised by Wang Bo’s gesture, a hint of suspicion flickering in his eyes, but he quickly composed himself and smiled, saying, “You’re here, sit down.”

“In the presence of elders, how could I take a seat?” Wang Bo replied respectfully.

The chief nodded approvingly and said, “I’ve asked you to sit; no need for such formality.” He pointed to the empty seat beside him.

“Well, then, I’ll obey your command.” Helpless, Wang Bo did as told, kneeling beside the chief. He sat upright, exuding a faint air of vitality. Though he tried not to appear nervous, his tightly clenched fists betrayed him.

Seeing Wang Bo’s demeanor, the chief smiled faintly, then asked, “Why so tense? I merely asked Wang Feng to bring you for a chat—no need for such solemnity. And that gesture just now—who taught you? No one in the village does that. How did you learn it?”

Wang Bo was taken aback, his mind blank. “Oh no, I wanted to appear as a model student, but forgot to account for this. Trying to impress, but overlooked the place. What a misstep,” he regretted inwardly.

“That… That was just my way of showing respect to you,” Wang Bo stammered.

The chief smiled, saying nothing, only staring at him, making Wang Bo increasingly uneasy.

Sweat began to bead on Wang Bo’s forehead. “What should I do? How can I make up a story?”

The chief remained silent, and Wang Bo grew too nervous to speak. Time ticked by until suddenly the chief spoke.

“Well, since you don’t wish to say, I won’t press. Otherwise, you might blame this old man for meddling,” the chief joked.

Relieved, Wang Bo wiped his cold sweat with his sleeve and replied carefully, “How could I dare?” He breathed deeply, thinking, “I must be more cautious in the future, or I’ll slip up again.”

“Enough of that,” the chief said, his smile fading as he grew serious. “Now, answer my questions earnestly.”

Seeing the chief’s change in demeanor, Wang Bo also became solemn, taking deep breaths to steady himself, then replied formally, “Village Chief, rest assured, I will answer sincerely.”

“Good. Wang Feng tells me you plan to study, is that so?” The chief stroked his beard, his cloudy eyes shining with a keen light.

“Yes, Village Chief. I wish to study, and hope you will teach me,” Wang Bo nodded humbly.

The chief nodded, pleased with Wang Bo’s attitude, and asked sternly, “Why do you wish to study? For a farmer, education is of little use.”

Wang Bo bowed his head in thought, then looked up and said, “Village Chief, though I am a farmer, my physique is not suited for such work. To support myself, I must eventually leave this village. The world beyond is vast; without skills, how could I survive?”

The chief nodded, “Hmm, that makes sense.” Then he pressed further, “Aren’t you learning martial arts from Wang Feng? Are you giving up?”

“Yes, Village Chief. I learn from Feng Brother merely to strengthen my body. I know my limits; I’m not fit for martial arts. But without good health, how can I accomplish anything? So I intend to continue training with him,” Wang Bo replied respectfully.

The chief continued, “But can you manage both? To dabble in many things and master none is not good.”

“I understand, Village Chief. I will focus on study, but a gentleman must master six arts, both literary and martial,” Wang Bo answered readily, having anticipated the question.

“Oh? You, a farmer, know of the Six Arts of a gentleman?” The chief was again astonished.

“Oh no, I’ve slipped up again. Why can’t I control my tongue?” Wang Bo chastised himself.

“Uh… Village Chief, I…” Wang Bo stammered, at a loss for words.

Seeing his embarrassment, the chief laughed heartily.

“Haha, enough, Little Bo. No need to explain. Since you have your secrets and they are no great matter, I won’t force you. Otherwise, I’d be unkind. Since you have the heart, from now on, come to my house. I agree to teach you. But you must study diligently—if you fail, don’t blame me for being harsh.” The chief slapped the table, his expression stern, eyes like sharp blades piercing Wang Bo.

Overjoyed at the chief’s acceptance, Wang Bo rose and bowed repeatedly, saying, “Thank you, Teacher. Thank you, Teacher. I will study diligently and not let you down.”

Seeing Wang Bo’s attitude, the chief was pleased, nodding continuously. He quickly slipped into the role of teacher, motioning for Wang Bo to sit. Stroking his beard, he asked, “Since you know of the Six Arts, do you know what they are?”

This question stumped Wang Bo. He had only heard the term, but couldn’t name them all. He answered honestly, “I do not know, Teacher. I hope you will enlighten me.”

“Good. In learning, ignorance is not a fault, but failing to ask is. You have this quality, so my choice was right,” the chief nodded with satisfaction. He rose, turned into the inner room, and soon returned with a bamboo scroll.

Kneeling at the table, he opened the scroll and continued, “Since you don’t know, I’ll explain. The Six Arts are the six essential disciplines for a gentleman: the Five Rites, Six Music, Five Archery, Five Charioteering, Six Writing, and Nine Mathematics. Instruction in the Six Arts is gradual, divided into minor and major arts. Writing and mathematics are minor arts; rites, music, archery, and charioteering are major. I’ll start with the minor arts—writing and mathematics. In the Six Arts, ‘Six Writing’ refers to literacy. Liu Xin’s ‘Seven Summaries’ of the Han dynasty says: ‘In ancient times, children entered elementary school at eight, and the Zhou official instructors nurtured the sons of the state, teaching them the Six Writing: pictographs, ideographs, ideogram, phonogram, transfer, and loan, the foundations of character creation.’ The first four refer to the forms and structure of characters, the last two to their usage. In mathematics, the Six Arts include the multiplication table—a fundamental subject.”

Hearing the chief’s explanation, Wang Bo was astonished—so the multiplication table existed even in the Three Kingdoms era. The wisdom of the ancients truly knows no bounds.

Time flew by during the lesson, and before they knew it, the morning had passed. The chief continued teaching enthusiastically, and Wang Bo, embodying the spirit of a model student, asked about anything he didn’t understand. The chief patiently explained again and again until Wang Bo comprehended.

Suddenly, the chief rose and said, “Alright, that’s enough for today. Learning cannot be accomplished in one stroke; it must be gradual. Think over what you’ve learned, and strive to master it. This afternoon, you needn’t come; go train with Little Feng. From now on, study with me in the mornings, and train with him in the afternoons.”

Seeing the chief rise, Wang Bo quickly stood and responded respectfully, “Understood, Teacher. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave and return tomorrow to study.”

“Go on, go on,” the chief nodded again.

Watching Wang Bo’s departing figure, the chief felt deeply satisfied. In his heart, he was very pleased with Wang Bo—he believed the boy was gifted, respectful, and unafraid to ask questions. Though he didn’t say so aloud, he already regarded Wang Bo as a student who could inherit his mantle.

“Looks like my little village will see two great talents in the future,” the chief mused.

Wang Bo left the chief’s house, but didn’t go straight home. Instead, he headed to Wang Feng’s house. After all, he’d been gone half a day without letting Wang Feng know, and wondered what he might think. It was necessary to offer an explanation.

Arriving outside Wang Feng’s courtyard, he pushed open the gate and found Wang Feng standing motionless with eyes closed.

Curious, Wang Bo was about to speak when Wang Feng opened his eyes.

Seeing Wang Bo, Wang Feng’s first words were, “Oh, Little Bo, how did it go? Did the chief accept you? You’ve been gone so long; I imagine it’s good news.” The concern was evident on Wang Feng’s tense face.

Feeling his brother’s care, Wang Bo grinned, scratching the back of his head, and replied, “Thank you for your concern, brother. The chief has agreed to take me as his apprentice, and spent the whole morning teaching me. I’ve benefited greatly.”

Wang Feng was genuinely pleased to hear the chief had agreed, though a little wistful. He patted Wang Bo on the shoulder and said, “Very good. Little Bo, you should study diligently with the chief. You needn’t come here anymore.”

Wang Bo quickly shook his head, “That won’t do. I’ll still come to train with you as usual. Besides, the teacher told me that a gentleman must master the Six Arts, including archery and charioteering. Without a sound body, how can one achieve anything? So I’ll keep coming. The teacher has also agreed—he’ll teach me every morning, and after lunch I’ll come to train with you. So, brother, you’ll still have your hands full. Don’t blame me for disturbing you!” Wang Bo winked, smiling brightly at Wang Feng.

“That’s nothing,” Wang Feng waved dismissively. “If you’re not afraid of hard work, neither am I. You seemed out of breath just now—I suppose you rushed here to tell me before going home. Why not stay for lunch? Since Xiao Yun left to study martial arts with Master Tong Yuan, I’m alone here and it gets dull. I’d appreciate the company. What do you say?” Wang Feng asked hopefully.

Seeing Wang Feng’s expectant gaze, Wang Bo found it hard to refuse. He replied, “Alright, brother, but I’ll go tell my mother first, so she won’t worry.”

Wang Feng was delighted at Wang Bo’s acceptance. Since Zhao Yun left to study martial arts, he’d been alone, with no one to talk to, often feeling lonely. Training Wang Bo was as much about finding a companion as anything else.

“I knew you were filial—never forgetting your parents. Go ahead, I’ll prepare the meal. Since you’re staying, I’ll head to the woods to see if I can catch some game, maybe bring some meat for your family,” Wang Feng said cheerfully, his mood clearly buoyant.

The latest chapter of “My Grand Transformation of the Three Kingdoms” is available for free reading at Zhua Book House.