Cangmang Asks the Way 1: Guardian of the Lamp

The next morning, the cobblestone streets of Nancheng University still bore the dew of the previous night. Cang Lifeng changed into a clean, dark blue work uniform. Lin Wei walked beside him, wearing an oatmeal-colored chunky wool cardigan paired with a matching plaid skirt, and a light gray cashmere scarf loosely tied around her neck. This outfit made her blend seamlessly into the scholarly campus, adding a touch of artistic elegance, just like the warm and unassuming atmosphere of the early spring morning.

"Are you nervous?" Lin Wei asked softly.

Cang Lifeng pursed his lips: "A little. Professor Shen is a great scholar, while I didn't even finish junior high school..."

"The depth of knowledge is not determined by academic qualifications," Lin Wei interrupted him. "Moreover, the relationship between you goes beyond academics. He is someone your great-grandfather saved with his life, a living witness to this history. Today is the passing of the torch."

These words sent a jolt through Cang Lifeng's heart. His hand unconsciously touched the inner pocket of his chest—where he kept a family letter, entrusted to him by his grandfather, Cang Houde, after a family meeting, through Sister Liu Qing. It detailed his great-grandfather's deeds and his connection to Shen Moyuan. The pattern on the dark gold copper coin seemed to burn into his heart through his clothes. He recalled the stories his grandfather had told him in the old house in Xiqiao Village—his great-grandfather, Cang Yunshan, had served in the Japanese "Golden Lily" unit in Beiping, relying on his discerning eye and his unwavering belief that "cultural relics must not fall into the hands of foreign invaders." And today, he was to meet someone who would vindicate his great-grandfather's dedication to protecting the nation and who would inherit his spirit.

The old building of the School of Humanities was covered in ivy, and the door to room 304 was ajar. Lin Wei gently knocked on the door, and Shen Moyuan's gentle yet somewhat urgent voice came from inside: "Please come in."

Pushing open the door, they were greeted by the aroma of books. Shen Moyuan was standing in front of the bookshelf, seemingly waiting for them. Upon seeing them enter, he immediately turned around, his gaze instantly locking onto Cang Lifeng. That look was no longer the scrutiny of their first meeting, but a complex mix of guilt, remembrance, and entrustment, like a long-suppressed tide, almost overflowing.

"Professor Shen, I'm sorry to bother you. I've brought Cang Lifeng with me," Lin Wei said with a smile.

"Lifeng...child!" Shen Moyuan's voice trembled noticeably. He quickly walked around the desk, reached out and pressed his hands heavily on Cang Lifeng's arms, saying excitedly:

"It's so great that you could come! So great!"

Seeing the old man so excited, Cang Lifeng felt a surge of warmth in his heart, as if he were seeing an elder. He raised his right hand to hold the old man's hand, but then realized he was carrying something. Only then did he remember the gift he had brought.

He picked up the net bag somewhat awkwardly: "Professor Shen, this is just a little something from the countryside, nothing special..."

Shen Moyuan's gaze finally fell on the net, and his eyes softened instantly, even carrying a deeper sense of emotion. He didn't take it, but instead patted Cang Lifeng's arm forcefully: "Child, it's good that you're here, it's good that you're here! If your teacher knew that his descendant was so polite and sentimental, he would be so gratified. Keep the things and share them with the brothers at the construction site. We're family, we don't need to do this. From now on, just call me Grandpa, calling me Professor Shen is too formal."

The old man's hands trembled slightly with emotion. Cang Lifeng could feel the strength and emotion contained in his palm. He recalled what his grandfather had written in his letter, the heart-wrenching story told in the main room on the morning of the 24th of the twelfth lunar month, and the heroic sacrifice of his great-grandfather in Beiping. His throat tightened, and he could only nod vigorously.

"Sit down, please sit down." Shen Moyuan released his hand, quickly wiped the corner of his eye with the back of his hand, and gestured for them to sit on the old sofa by the window. He then moved a chair to sit opposite them. Three cups of tea were already prepared on the coffee table, the tea leaves slowly unfurling in the glass.

Shen Moyuan stared intently at Cang Lifeng's face, as if making up for the regret of not seeing him for forty-eight years. After a moment, he took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Lifeng, Liu Qing told me everything about Xiqiao Village. Your grandfather, and you, suffered so much! Your great-grandfather, grandfather, second uncle, and you, a family of heroes! 'A family of heroes,' truly a name... Good, good! Your teacher has an heir, the Cang family has an heir! Your teacher's spirit in heaven can rest in peace."

Cang Lifeng's throat tightened, and he said in a deep voice, "Professor Shen, my great-grandfather and grandfather guarded the country their whole lives, and my second uncle fought for the country. They are the true heroes. What I did was just something I happened to encounter by chance, and I don't count as a hero."

"To remain so clear-headed and humble in the face of such great honor is truly remarkable! Truly worthy of being a descendant of our teacher," Shen Moyuan exclaimed, tears welling in his eyes.

"That night in Beiping, it was my teacher who risked his life to draw away the pursuers, saving me and preserving the clues. I, Shen Moyuan, have carried this debt of gratitude and this cause and effect for forty-eight years. Today, seeing you, I... I have finally found some peace in my heart."

He paused for a long time, his gaze becoming distant and sorrowful: "Over the years, I have often asked myself, am I worthy to be my teacher's successor? He protected the bloodline of our nation's civilization, a visible national treasure. And I... guarded a history that cannot be spoken, waiting for a descendant who may never appear. Only when the copper coins reappeared, only when your Cang family has reconnected this lifeline for generations, did I dare to say that this wait was worthwhile. Now that you have come, what you need to learn is not how to guard inanimate objects, but how to lead living people forward. This 'path' is more difficult and heavier than what I have guarded."

Suddenly, as if remembering something, he asked, "You were so happy to see your teacher's descendants that you forgot to get down to business. Reporter Lin said you wanted to see me. Kid, tell me quickly what it is? How can I help you?"

Cang Lifeng pulled out the book "Introduction to Economics" from his pocket, handed it to him with both hands, and said, "Old Shen, I want to learn some economics, not for a diploma." He pointed to the parts marked with question marks in the book, "These principles, I've been feeling my way across the river by feeling for stones, and I don't understand them. Before, I just wanted to lead my brothers to do a good job and make money. But now... (pauses, his voice becoming deeper) After learning about my great-grandfather's story, I often think that he risked his life to keep accounts in that den of wolves, leaving a legacy for future generations. I dare not compare myself to my great-grandfather in this life. But the livelihood of these dozens of brothers under my command, the hope of their families, now rests on my shoulders. Just relying on hard work and loyalty is not enough. Nancheng is so big, and the rules are so deep. I have to understand the intricacies of economics and the boundaries of the law so that I can lead them not only to make money in the present, but also to settle down, live a secure life, and have hope for the future. This, perhaps, is the 'way' I should uphold."

Shen Moyuan took the book and flipped through the pages filled with dense pencil annotations—some words were written crookedly, some places were marked with question marks, and some paragraphs were repeatedly underlined. His fingers gently traced those marks, and the sorrow in his eyes gradually turned into a deep admiration.

"Did you see all of these yourself?" he asked.

"Hmm. There are some parts I don't understand, so I just memorize them and think about them while I'm working during the day. But the more I look at them, the more I realize that the way this world works is different from what I used to think. It's not enough to just be strong and willing to work hard; you also have to understand the rules, understand... understand how money makes money, and how people gather together," Cang Lifeng answered honestly.

Shen Moyuan closed the book and solemnly placed it back in Cang Lifeng's hands, as if it were not an ordinary introductory book, but a certificate of oath. "What you think is very correct. And very practical." His voice was gentle yet powerful. "Economics is about how resources flow, how wealth is created, and how people's hearts are moved by profit. You want to lead your brothers to settle down and live a good life. This is a matter of utmost importance, and also the most difficult reality. As you said, loyalty and courage alone are not enough."

He paused for a moment, his fingertips brushing across the book cover as if touching the texture of an ancient text: "The 'rules of Nancheng' you encountered are like the 'eye for detail' and 'depth' of the antique trade. They seem intangible, yet they determine the value of an item and the cost of its circulation. In economics, there's a whole field dedicated to studying these things. As for the 'boundaries of the law,' everything in the world ultimately boils down to two things: 'ownership' and 'agreement.' Your intuition is spot on; it hits the nail on the head."

He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the budding sycamore trees outside. After a moment, he turned around, his eyes piercing: "Lifeng, you can see this much, and you have taken the initiative to knock on the door of this knowledge. This insight and sense of responsibility already surpasses many muddle-headed people. If you want to learn, I will do my best to help you."

Cang Lifeng felt a great weight lifted from his heart, but his back straightened even more. He knew that the real test had only just begun.

"Professor Li Zhenhua of the Economics Department at Nanjing University is a close friend of mine." Shen Moyuan walked back to his desk, took out a slip of paper he had prepared beforehand, on which the name, time, location, and references of a course were written in neat handwriting. "He teaches 'Principles of Economics,' Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 pm to 9 pm, in Room 203 of the Third Teaching Building. He is a man of solid scholarship, and more importantly, he doesn't indulge in empty talk. He spent many years conducting research at the grassroots level when he was young, and he understands the realities of daily life and business dealings among ordinary people. His class is the most suitable for you."

Cang Lifeng took the note with both hands, as if he were receiving a key to an unknown world, his fingertips slightly warm.

"However," Shen Moyuan's tone shifted, his expression turning serious, "Lifeng, you need to think this through. You'll be working tirelessly on construction sites during the day, and then studying these completely new, even tedious, theories at night. Will your brothers understand? Will you be able to coordinate the work on the construction site? More importantly," he looked directly into Cang Lifeng's eyes, "knowledge is a knife; it can cut through illusions, but it can also hurt you. When you begin to understand the rules and see the flow of interests, the world you see will be vastly different from before. You might see more injustice, more scheming, and you might have to confront your own inner struggles. This path is a whetstone for the mind, more mentally taxing than martial arts training."

He picked up the introductory book, opened it to a page with diagrams, and said solemnly, "Especially for you, the real first hurdle may not be understanding the ideas, but deciphering their 'words.' These formulas, diagrams, and terms are like another kind of 'oracle bone script' for you. The booklet I'm giving you is like a simple 'dictionary' and 'beginner's guide,' helping you recognize a few words and read a few simple sentences. This path is the hardest at the beginning, much more tedious and strenuous than practicing martial arts stances or carrying heavy loads on a construction site. It's this part that's toughening you up." He gently tapped his temple and said, "You have to be prepared for this."

Without the slightest hesitation, Cang Lifeng said in a deep voice, "Grandpa Shen, I've thought about all of this. I can arrange the work on the construction site. As for the brothers, I won't say much, I'll just let the tangible benefits in the future speak for themselves. As for the tempering of the mind..." He paused, recalling his master Chen Jiren's teachings on "the lamp of the heart" and "the way of seeking the Dao" on Eagle Cliff, and his struggles in the blood and dust of Nancheng over the years, "I knew from the first day I started practicing martial arts that physical pain is easy to endure, but mental barriers are hard to overcome. The necessary trials are inevitable. I'm prepared."

"Excellent!" Shen Moyuan's admiration deepened. "With this determination, you'll be able to enter and exit this field of knowledge." He then took out two thin, yellowed booklets from the drawer. "These are some notes and insights from my early studies, covering basic accounting management and case studies of private lending. They might be more relevant to your current situation than textbooks. Take them and read them first. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me, or write them down and ask Professor Li after class."

Next, he gave detailed instructions on the procedures for auditing the classes—applying as a "social trainee" and an "advanced individual for acts of bravery," with him acting as guarantor and coordinating to ensure Cang Lifeng had no worries about eligibility. He also reminded Cang Lifeng not to rush into the classes at the beginning, but to focus on understanding the basic concepts and learning the economic perspective from which to observe the world.

"Economics isn't a magic trick that turns lead into gold," Shen Moyuan said earnestly at the end. "It's a pair of glasses that helps you see the blurry, tangled threads of how the world works more clearly. Once you see them clearly, you'll know where to direct your efforts and which path to take. If you want to lead your brothers to make money and establish themselves, that's the application of economics, but the foundation lies in first 'seeing clearly'."

Cang Lifeng carefully tucked the note and booklet into his pocket, attaching them to the letter from home. He felt an unprecedented sense of fulfillment, not a false sense of pride, but the solid feeling of having a map in his hand and a path beneath his feet. He knew that starting next week, his nights would no longer be filled with the exhaustion of the work shed and the anxiety of planning affairs; they would also have an extra lamp, illuminating the unfamiliar words on the pages, and also illuminating the path in his heart that he wanted to lead everyone through the fog to prosperity and peace.

When it was time to say goodbye, Shen Moyuan insisted on seeing them downstairs. The warm spring sunshine shone on the old man's gray hair. He held Cang Lifeng's hand tightly for a long time, saying, "Child, go. Your teacher guards the 'great tent' of civilization, while you guard the 'living tent' of your brothers. The accounts are different, but the hearts are one. If you encounter any difficulties, come back anytime. This is also your home."