Yang Fugui was not some good-for-nothing big name. He was undoubtedly the most renowned scholar in Wei, having retired some 30 years ago to pursue 'enlightenment'. He had thousands of famed literati and court officials under his name, though he only taught less than 20 students in his life. (Other titles having been given on a whim, ahem, bribery, which wasn't important.) But, none of those accomplishments could compare to his most prized work, his favorite little student from the Lu family.
He had fate with all 3 generations of the Lu family. Lu Yu's grandfather was his seatmate in class. They studied together up until the imperial exams, after which they went their different ways. His classmate's son, Lu Feng, was his first student. The most famous by far, but also his greatest disappointment. His son, Lu Yu, is his last. Not as bright as his father was, but is undoubtedly the student he's most pleased with.
As a teacher, Master Yang doesn't believe in geniuses, apart from one oddity; Lu Feng. Compared to him, any prodigy was talentless, and his son, Lu Yu, was no exception. Mastered the Thirteen Classics at age ten? Your dad did it first. Juren at sixteen? He was studying while already an upper 5th rank official. Taking the imperial exams? Lu Feng reorganized the curriculum.
Whatever achievement, Lu Feng accomplished it with grandeur, but as his teacher, Yang Fugui was less than pleased. After completing his studies, Lu Feng dived into the bloodiest depths of the court, losing himself in the midst and forever staining his reputation as a scholar. Therefore, when it came to educating Lu Yu, Master Yang took a different approach.
Instead of fixing his goal on politics, studying the classics for the sake of entering the court, he presented poetry as a harbor for when the winds blew too fiercely, calligraphy as a stream to cleanse the mind, and philosophy as a basket to collect one's thoughts. With this mindset, Lu Yu became a scholar through and through. A pure soul, untainted, and incorruptible by the muddy waters of politics. His master's pride and joy.
Reclining into his lounger, the old man fanned himself with a Bajiao leaf, beginning to snore contentedly. Unfortunately for him, his nap was soon to be disturbed by a string of curses.
"What are you fuckers doing here? You're not welcome. Get the hell out. Shoo!"
'Ah yes, my beloved daughter,' Master Yang smiled pleasantly. 'The spitting image of her mother.'
"Wasn't I clear enough? Your ears too full of shit?"
"Miss, we're deeply sorry for disturbing you. I'm looking for my Master. Is he around?"
"Around? He won't be 'around' for much longer with the way you're cursing him. Nope not home. Now leave."
Ignoring the dirty-mouthed woman, Lu Yu began to call in a loud voice,
"Master? Master? You here? It's a pity. I even brought the deeds to the properties." He paused for a minute, hoping for a reaction. Seeing none, he continued,
"Also that manor in Jingling district..."
"Look who it is! My student... uh, what was your name again? Lu Feng? Lulu?" Enticed, Yang Fugui emerged from the inner courtyard.
"Lu Yu," he corrected, rolling his eyes.
"Ah yes! Mini Little Lu-" Lu Yu brought out the properties he promised, cutting the old man off from spouting his array of nicknames.
"Why, isn't this a surprise! The debtor's wreaking havoc at the creditor's door. Can't wait to get away from this old man, can you?" Lu Yu nodded furiously, agreeing to his master's self-deprecation.
"You little brat. Well, can't blame you. Pass them here."
Thankfully, he stopped talking as he went through the papers. Flipping heartily at first, as the pages thinned, his willowy white eyebrows grew more furrowed.
"Hmm, that manor. Who bought it for you? And your storefronts, were they the ones who gave you those as well?"
"You're correct, Master."
"A deed, but no reciept. Store titles, but no business permits. Want to land me in the heavenly prison, young man?"
Lu Yu blanched at his words. Receipt? Business permit? He remembers every page he flipped through but had no recollection of seeing anything of the sort. On the ride from the Eastern Gate to the Southern Gate, he sorted things out himself, picking the documents meant for this meeting. He came all the way to his Master's courtyard in the capital, just to find out he had been cheated by Du Sirui? This didn't sit well with him.
Lu Yu's scheme radar was underdeveloped, but even more unfortunately, his appearance hadn't fully matured either. His lips twisted into a frown, yet with his baby fat enveloping his cheeks, it wasn't clear if he was pouting or scowling. Seeing his student's long lashes tremble with rage, Master Yang's heart melted, even going so far as to pinch Lu Yu's face.
Watching this scene at the side, the girl with the cleaver shivered with disgust. Her father, an old man nearing seventy, smiling and squeezing a teenager's face. Truly a sight to behold.
Master Yang tried to redirect his student's anger, chuckling,
"So cute. Still too young, ah. It's fine, it's fine. I'll hold onto these, just remember to get me the rest of them when you can. Oh, and your tuition! You're taking the exam in a few days, aren't you? Becoming an official and all that. Your tuition and your dad's added together comes to about sixty thousand taels of silver. Interest included. No time limit. You can just give me some of your pay every month."
(For reference, the annual income of a first rank upper-level official was a hundred eighty taels. A quick calculation and one will find that without eating or drinking, handing over the entire income of the year, it would take three-hundred thirty-three years before the full amount could be paid. )
Lu Yu did not react, but someone else stood out for his sake. Mu Zhonghuai, who had been standing awkwardly at the side, spoke up against the tyranny.
"What kind of blackhearted scam are you running here? Sixty thousand? Don't push a mile when we give you an inch, old man. I don't know what kind of relationship you have with Brother Lu, but I don't have anything to do with you. If you continue to be so outrageous, I'll report you to the magistrate!" In a moment of fury, Mu Zhonghuai had forgotten that the capital city did not have a magistrate office. It was home to the high court, and all disputes were settled there directly.
"You are?"
"This one's surnamed Mu, name Zhonghuai, courtesy Ziling."
"Your master is Chen Zhishu?"
"My master's name isn't something you should speak of so lightly. Though you may be older than his esteemed self, he may only be addressed that way by my grandmaster, Master Yang." He paused in satisfaction, but as he looked around, the others wouldn't meet his eyes.
"Pfffttt!"