History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

Chapter 145 My surname is Zhao, Chiyang Lane

People's memories of dreams are often quickly forgotten upon waking, but the sad emotions in dreams can inexplicably linger for a period of time.

The silk window was illuminated by the faint light of the sky, so he decided not to sleep. After washing up, he sat down at his desk, lit a candle, and began to read.

At this time, Wei Yao was already on her way to Cui Academy. Yesterday, in order to stay at home one more night, the mother and daughter left home at dawn. Zhao Zhi tied all the books and luggage tightly to one side of the wheelbarrow, and laid a quilt on the other side so that Wei Yao could continue to sleep with her head covered.

When they arrived in Xicheng and passed through Shifang Street, Zhao Zhi woke up her daughter.

The aroma of mutton soup and cheese mingled with the scent of firewood, filling the entire street. Peddlers and food vendors used witty banter to attract customers, each word like a string of pearls, each phrase passionate and uplifting, instantly dispelling any drowsiness.

The mother and daughter chose a food stall that looked quite clean and ordered three large bowls of mutton soup, one small bowl, five large flatbreads, and one small flatbread. Zhao Zhi had a huge appetite, and the large portions were all hers.

The tutor came to this street as usual. The young master needed large pieces of mutton or wild game for every meal. He couldn't get used to the bland breakfast at the school, so he would go to the market early every morning to eat his fill before buying a portion to take back.

Erzhu bought some food and walked past the food stall, then came back, looking at Zhao Zhi with a puzzled expression. "Huh? Isn't this the female warrior that the young master is looking for?" He sat down as well, and Zhao Zhi glanced at him, and he understood.

Tell him to pretend he doesn't know you!
"Give me two bowls of mutton soup and four flatbreads. Fill this food box when I'm almost finished eating."

"It's Erzhu Langjun. You ate here the day before yesterday."

"Really? I don't remember."

Upon hearing the surname "Erzhu," Wei Yao glanced at the person discreetly while picking at her pickled vegetables. She knew that a new junior brother named Erzhu Rong had arrived at the Xunyi Academy. The last time, the brawl at the Plum Garden was too chaotic, and she and Erzhu Rong only exchanged a few words.

Erzhu Mai noticed a box of books on a wheelbarrow next to him and asked, "Are you going to study at Cui's Academy up ahead? I'm also at Cui's Academy, or Xunyi Academy, haha."

With her mother present, Wei Yao didn't respond, but looked at her mother instead.

Zhao Zhi: "There is a Confucius in the Xunyi Academy."

“Yes.” Erzhu replied with even greater pride.

Confucius had three direct disciples.

"That's it."

"My daughter is one of them."

Erzhumaiti blinked, then exclaimed in realization, "Ah, this young lady is the poetry champion, Wei Yao?" He pulled his food table closer, trying to strike up a conversation, but Zhao Zhi glared at him and pulled him back to his original spot. "Actually, it's my young master, Erzhu Rong, who studies at the Xunyi Academy. He's not very literate, so I'm helping him take notes. Wei Yao works very hard; she's already come from the east city to the west city early this morning."

Zhao Zhi realized that this person was straightforward and not being sarcastic, so she sighed, "You've all worked hard. The Erzhu family lives in Xiurongchuan, which is even further from Pingcheng."

"Yes, I wish a Confucian scholar would come to Xiurongchuan to teach someday, haha. I, Wei Yao, will definitely visit Xiurongchuan sometime. There are towering mountains reaching into the clouds, bottomless lakes, grasslands, wild beasts, not to mention the exotic trees and abundant flowers—it's breathtakingly beautiful!" Wei Yao listened with longing. She and her mother had finished eating and bid farewell to Erzhu. The mother and daughter walked and talked: "Mother, Xiurongchuan is so wonderful, with mountains and water, it must be very vast, right?"
In both her past and present lives, Wei Yao knew almost nothing about the Erzhu clan. So many powerful and wealthy young men in Pingcheng wanted to enter the Xunyi Academy to study the Book of Poetry, but the Xunyi Academy only accepted Erzhu Rong, which shows that the Xiurongchuan region was exceptionally wealthy and powerful.

Since her daughter had asked, Zhao Zhi naturally told her everything she knew: "Xiurongchuan is three hundred li in circumference. It is not only vast, but also has fertile land, suitable for grazing horses and growing grain. Most importantly, Xiurongchuan is located in a certain area."

"Xiurong is bordered by Hengzhou and Shuozhou to the north, Fenzhou to the west, Bingzhou to the south, and Dingzhou to the east. All of these are prefectures where the royal families stationed their heavy troops. Therefore, the court is not afraid of the increasing population of the Qihu people, nor is it afraid of their prowess in warfare. All that is needed is for the Qihu tribe to use their horse-breeding skills to turn Xiurongchuan into a large horse farm for the court."

"From Erzhu Yujian to Erzhu Xinxing, four generations of Qihu leaders have lived up to the court's expectations. They led the Qihu people to domesticate livestock. In times of war, they would offer horses and camels to the court and sheep as military rations, but they did not covet power."

"Chief Erzhu paid homage to His Majesty in winter, and after receiving rewards for weaving and meritorious service, he returned to Xiurong to live in peace. How many court officials would vie to befriend such local powerful figures? How could Governor Yuan be an exception?"

Wei Yao understood and analyzed her mother's words one by one: "Xiurongchuan is indeed a treasure land for producing horses and grain, but no matter how vast the land is, it is only three hundred li. Compared with the surrounding five prefectures, it is as small as a bullet."

"No matter how wealthy the Erzhu clan is, they have no chance to enter the court and compete for real power; they only have the merits and reputation bestowed by the court. The court officials who want to befriend the Erzhu clan are also after the livestock and grain that cover the mountains. If the Yuan governor keeps Erzhu Rong in Pingcheng to study poetry, he can buy a large number of fine horses at low prices, keeping them for himself or selling them at high prices!"

"Furthermore! Generation after generation of Erzhu chieftains only know how to raise horses and graze livestock, and only hunt in small mountains and forests. The warriors' spirit will be worn down generation after generation, which makes the chieftains more willing to protect Xiurongchuan and be satisfied with letting it belong to the Qihu people forever."

"But by the time of Erzhu Xinxing's generation, this chieftain didn't think that way. Although the capital had been moved, Pingcheng was still the place with the most Confucian scholars and teachers in the Great Wei. He sent his sons there, not so much for their studies, but for making friends with the sons of powerful and influential people in the north. Did Chieftain Erzhu think that His Majesty... no longer trusted the court...?"

Wei Yao dared not say anything more, and Zhao Zhi nodded.

Zhao Zhi originally intended to live a peaceful life for her daughter's sake, not wanting to get involved with any powerful figures. But Yao'er was too outstanding; like her father, she enjoyed analyzing political affairs—it was an innate talent, ambition, and a gift.

Forget about my husband, he's already getting on in years. But my daughter is in the prime of her youth. Her talent, her poetic genius, her courage and ideals to venture into Luoyang—none of these should be wasted!

After Zhao Zhi dropped her daughter off at the museum, she hadn't walked far back when she ran into Erzhu Maiti, who was carrying a food box. "Did you bring your half-scissors?"

Erzhu Maiti's expression turned serious. He first put the food box aside, took out half of the scissors, and handed it to Zhao Zhi with the iron tip pointing towards himself.

With a snap, Zhao Zhi broke one half of the scissors in two. At the same time, she swung her right hand horizontally, and Erzhu Maiti only heard a dull thud of metal hitting a tree, without seeing where it landed.

Zhao Zhi returned the remaining pointed part to the other party and said, "My surname is Zhao. When we were hunting in Wuchuan Town in May, your clan's young master helped me pick up arrows. He is young but has great courage. If he is willing to learn martial arts from me, he can find me in Chiyang Lane in the East City."

"Chiyang Lane, Zhao Mengshi, I'll remember that." Erzhu Maiti was even more horrified when he saw that what he received back was a pair of scissors!

This self-defense weapon was made by blacksmiths who crafted weapons specifically for the Qihu nobles. It was much sturdier than ordinary ironware, yet it was so easily broken, and the ringed end was even used as a projectile to hit a tree.

Both the young master and he underestimated the martial prowess of this female warrior!
A thousand soldiers produce brave warriors, and ten thousand brave warriors produce fierce warriors! The Qihu tribe reveres fierce warriors the most. Erzhu Maiti, to express his respect, watched Zhao Zhi turn the corner before going to look for the half-ring scissor handle, but it was too deep in the wood and he couldn't pry it out for a while.

So he picked up the food box and decided to go back to the hotel first.

(End of this chapter)