Chapter 19
Gang Jo-hang had once heard that scholars needed copybooks for practicing calligraphy.
Gang Gye didn't know much about that.
There were handwriting practice books in modern times too, but people in this era used brushes and ink. It didn't seem practical to place paper over a model and trace directly on top of it.
If all he needed to do was look at an example and imitate it, then the characters printed in ordinary books should be enough for practice.
Gang Gye wasn't entirely sure, but he still said,
"Wouldn't looking at the characters in books be enough? I'm only just starting, so I think that should work for now."
At his current level, it probably wouldn't make much difference what kind of model he used anyway.
"Later, let's buy a hand-copied book. I can learn from the contents and also use the handwriting as a model. That way, we get two benefits at once."
The basic books required for the Imperial Examination had many buyers, so most of them were printed.
But books with fewer readers were too expensive to print separately.
Those were usually copied by poor scholars who wanted to earn some extra silver.
Naturally, anyone hired to copy books had to have handwriting of at least a certain standard.
Some scribes even had distinctive styles that made their copied books more expensive.
Gang Gye didn't need anything that fancy.
A standard official script would be enough.
That style was commonly used for the Imperial Examination, so learning it wouldn't cause any problems.
Later, once he became skilled with a brush, he could learn other calligraphy styles.
Gang Jo-hang wanted to give his son the very best of everything.
But since their circumstances didn't allow that, he felt this solution was good enough.
"The next time we go into town, you can choose one yourself."
Perhaps his son was simply too mature.
Gang Jo-hang had completely forgotten that Gang Gye was only four years old, had only just started learning characters, and probably shouldn't know how to choose a book.
Gang Gye, however, nodded as if there were no problem at all.
"Okay!"
They practiced writing for a little longer.
By then, lunch was ready in the kitchen.
When someone called them to eat, Gang Gye carefully gathered his books, brush, and inkstone, carried them back to the room, and stacked them neatly.
Then he washed his hands and ran over to eat.
The atmosphere at the table was somewhat better today.
The children were still as noisy and cheerful as ever.
After everyone finished eating, Old Master Gang, as head of the household, put down his chopsticks and stood up.
"Second Son, you and your wife come with me for a moment."
The couple's faces instantly turned pale.
Everyone froze for a moment.
Then they quickly pretended nothing had happened and returned to whatever they were doing.
Still, their attention remained fixed on Old Master Gang.
The eldest branch, in particular, immediately assumed he had called the second branch away because of the children's education.
The matter had dragged on for two days.
It was time for a decision.
Their own son was already out of the running, so they didn't particularly care whether the second or third branch's child was chosen.
That only made watching the situation more interesting.
Jang Un-chu lowered her head and bit her lip.
No matter how she looked at it, she didn't feel good.
The second son and his wife followed Old Master Gang into his room.
Old Madam Gang was still outside, and none of the others dared to eavesdrop.
Old Master Gang's room was the largest in the house.
There was even a proper table and chairs inside.
After entering, Old Master Gang pulled out a chair and sat down, then gestured for the couple to sit opposite him.
"It's already been three days."
"Between Munsaeng and Little Six, who do you think should study?"
Neither of them answered immediately.
They hesitated for quite a while.
Old Master Gang spoke directly.
"Today, you must give me an answer."
"If neither of you says anything, I'll send Little Six to study."
The second son hesitated for a moment before finally saying,
"Father, let Little Six study."
Old Master Gang looked at him.
"Do you truly mean that?"
"Yes."
The second son nodded.
"Little Six is more suitable than Munsaeng."
Ever since this matter began, the couple had spent nearly every waking moment thinking about what to do.
They had also watched the children carefully.
Little Six really did remember everything after seeing it once.
He had self-discipline too, and his enthusiasm for studying was obvious.
Every day at noon, he studied characters with his father in the courtyard.
They didn't deliberately read loudly, but even from the way father and son spoke back and forth, anyone could tell that his studies were progressing very smoothly.
Munsaeng, in comparison, seemed to have fairly ordinary talent.
"Munsaeng came to us too."
"He said he doesn't want to study anymore and that Little Six should be the one to go."
"He said Little Six has a better chance of passing the Imperial Examination."
With Munsaeng's ability, passing the examinations would indeed be difficult.
Everyone understood the logic.
The second son knew that educating Gang Gye was the best choice for the entire household.
He also knew that the cost of raising a scholar wouldn't be paid by him alone.
And he knew very well which child his parents and eldest brother preferred.
The problem was simply that he and his wife had long assumed that this opportunity would eventually belong to Munsaeng.
They had even secretly sent gifts to a relative so Munsaeng could study in advance.
After preparing for so long, it had been difficult to accept that everything might suddenly come to nothing.
After spending two days calming themselves down, however, they had slowly begun to accept reality.
Especially because, throughout all the conflict among the adults, Little Six's attitude toward them hadn't changed at all.
He had even continued teaching Munsaeng.
That made them feel ashamed.
And then there was the third son...
Madam Sun's feelings were at least understandable.
She hadn't grown up in the Gang family.
Her emotional connection to the others wasn't as deep, so naturally she would think first about her own child.
But the second son was different.
Whenever he remembered how angry his younger brother had been that day, he couldn't describe what he felt.
If the third son's leg were still healthy, would he have dared behave like that?
Would he have remained silent when Gang Jo-hang said Little Six should study?
Of course not.
Now that he had finally chosen to step aside for Little Six, he actually felt much lighter.
Old Master Gang's expression softened slightly.
