Chapter 41
Just as their discussion was coming to an end, Gang Gye suddenly spoke.
"Headmaster, may I ask you for one small favor?"
He even pinched his fingers together to show just how small the request was.
Liu Yunhe found the child so adorable he almost couldn't stand it.
"What is it?"
Gang Gye answered,
"If I ever need it in the future, could you let me learn some medicine from the physician at the academy?"
Gang Gye wasn't certain that he absolutely had to study medicine.
But if his father's leg eventually required surgery, there might not be any physician in this era capable of performing it.
In that case, he might have to do it himself.
Among the rewards he had received through check-ins were medicinal plasters, prescriptions, and medicine packets.
It seemed sensible to learn some basic medical knowledge.
Of course, that was still far in the future.
He had no intention of seriously studying medicine for at least another two or three years.
For one thing, he still hadn't collected all the rare ingredients required for the medicinal plaster.
And for the next few years, he needed to devote almost all his attention to studying.
Once he had more time later, learning medicine then wouldn't be a bad idea.
Still, it was better to make the request in advance.
Physicians usually didn't teach their skills casually.
If he could get Liu Yunhe's promise beforehand, that would make things much easier.
Liu Yunhe frowned slightly.
Then his expression relaxed, and he asked gently,
"Do you not want to study the classics?"
"That's not it."
Gang Gye shook his head.
"I'll study first."
"After I pass the Imperial Examinations, I'll learn medicine."
Gang Gye didn't explain in detail.
But since he said he wanted to study medicine only after passing the examinations, Liu Yunhe didn't ask further.
Perhaps the child had been frightened by how seriously ill he had just become and wanted to learn medicine as a way to protect himself.
Or perhaps...
Liu Yunhe's gaze unconsciously passed over Gang Jo-hang's body.
Maybe it was for his father's leg.
Liu Yunhe smiled.
"That's hardly a difficult request."
"I promise."
After finishing their discussion, Liu Yunhe took them to see the dormitory.
The rooms were designed for four students and were fairly spacious.
"The other three boys sharing this room are also from nearby villages."
"They're all well-behaved children."
"This will be Gang Gye's bed."
"He'll be commuting from home for now, but he'll still need somewhere to rest at noon or after lessons."
Classes at the academy didn't last all day.
Once students finished what they were supposed to learn, they were given time for self-study.
They didn't have to remain in the classroom.
They could study in the dormitory instead.
Each student had his own desk, chair, and other basic furnishings.
White Crane Academy's benefits really were tempting.
And as expected of an academy attended by the children of officials and wealthy merchants, everything inside looked neat and orderly.
The windows were bright.
The desks were clean.
One look was enough to tell that it was a good environment for studying.
At least, Gang Gye liked it very much.
Clean bedding had already been placed on his bed.
Even though Gang Gye knew Liu Yunhe was ultimately investing in him, he still couldn't help developing a better impression of the man.
He thanked him.
"It's nothing."
"There's no need to thank me."
Liu Yunhe stared at Gang Gye for a moment.
Then, unable to resist, he lightly pinched the child's soft cheek.
"..."
You're already this old and you're still teasing a little kid?
After seeing the dormitory, Gang Jo-hang took Gang Gye back down the mountain.
They agreed that Gang Gye would begin studying the next day.
Now they only needed to visit the bookstore and buy the required books.
The academy didn't provide books or other study supplies.
Students had to purchase those themselves.
Gang Jo-hang had brought plenty of silver today.
Using the book list Liu Yunhe had given him, he bought everything required.
He also purchased another bundle of brushes and paper.
The supplies they had bought previously were already nearly used up.
By the time they returned home, everyone was already slicing the konjac into thin strips and scoring the surface.
Gang Jo-hang went inside and told his parents what they had seen and discussed at the academy.
Then he said,
"I've been thinking."
"Since we'll have to take Little Six and Munsaeng to school and bring them home every day, perhaps it would be better for our family to make an ox cart instead of always borrowing someone else's."
The Gang family already owned an ox.
They only needed to make the cart.
Buying a finished cart would be too expensive.
Anything they could make themselves, they should make themselves.
Old Master Gang rarely objected to sensible suggestions.
"Making a cart sounds good."
"We'll need one when we go sell Koukouxiang too."
"Talk to your second brother and start preparing it together."
Once Old Master Gang approved, Gang Jo-hang went to find his second brother, who was working in the fields.
The two brothers planned to work together and finish the cart as quickly as possible.
That evening, after dinner, Old Madam Gang suddenly announced,
"Make some time."
"We should discuss how to divide the money we earned from selling Koukouxiang."
The atmosphere in the Gang household had finally settled down.
No one felt weighed down anymore.
So when Old Madam Gang brought up dividing the money, everyone wanted to cheer.
But out of consideration for appearances, they all held themselves back.
The table was quickly cleared.
Old Madam Gang went into her room and brought out the pouch they had used to store the money from the previous market day.
Everyone's eyes immediately fixed on it.
Copper coins were visible inside.
There seemed to be quite a lot.
Old Madam Gang placed the pouch on the table and poured everything out.
With a clattering sound, a small mountain of coins piled up.
Before dividing the money, she spoke.
"All the money is here."
"But before we divide it, we need to decide how we're going to do it."
She wasn't actually saying this because she wanted a debate.
