Chapter 127 Teaching a Man to Fish
In an ordinary house on the outskirts of Beijing, neither luxurious nor dilapidated.
Yu Zhiyi stared in astonishment at the scene before her, while Shuli's face was filled with shock.
"This... is the method you were talking about?"
In a room directly opposite the courtyard gate, behind a half-window, a young man was holding a pen in his mouth, scribbling and writing on paper.
Although he painted with his mouth, his paintings were not affected; both his brushwork and artistic conception were superb.
"We are all in the same boat, so I think we should have a lot in common."
Du Ziheng said, "His name is Su Yuanlin. He is a very famous genius in our academy. My teacher once predicted that his future achievements would surpass most of the outstanding seniors in the academy."
"His talent and ability are beyond my reach, and I cannot feel even the slightest bit of jealousy."
"Unfortunately, fate is cruel to the talented. Several years ago, when he was traveling for his studies, he was robbed by bandits. Although he was highly skilled in martial arts, he was no match for the bandits and was injured. One of the bandits seemed to have a grudge against him... and actually chopped off his hands."
"He was once famous for his elegant calligraphy and his exquisite landscape ink paintings. After losing both hands, he could no longer pick up a brush, which completely ruined his career."
After all, no matter how talented a person is, if they have a disability, they cannot serve as an official in the imperial court.
Moreover, since this person has lost his hand and cannot hold a pen himself, he cannot expect others to handle all official documents for him in the future.
When they learned that Su Yuanlin had lost both hands, many people felt sorry for him, thinking that one should not be too amazing, otherwise one will surely be punished by heaven.
They will probably never see that elegant calligraphy, those magnificent paintings again.
Unexpectedly, a few years later, Su Yuanlin's paintings reappeared.
Compared to his paintings from previous years, his current works have a more mature and composed feel, and also contain more details that he never had before.
The art style is still the same, but the drawing skills have obviously improved a lot.
At first, everyone thought that someone was impersonating Su Yuanlin to sell paintings.
Until that day, a classmate came to visit him under the pretense of speaking up for him, and also told him that someone was impersonating him to swindle people. So, he saw Su Yuanlin painting with his mouth.
Since then, those dissenting voices have disappeared.
Du Ziheng said, "Su Yuanlin comes from a poor family. After his accident, many people thought his future was ruined. Apart from a few teachers in the academy, only a few classmates still come to visit him."
“I felt sorry for him and would come to visit him from time to time.”
Actually, he learned by chance that someone had come to bully Su Yuanlin.
Su Yuanlin's reputation was so great back then that it blocked many people's paths. So after he fell from grace, some people took advantage of his misfortune, some sought revenge, and others came specifically to see him make a fool of himself...
If it weren't for Du Ziheng's intervention, Su Yuanlin probably wouldn't be alive today.
However, he felt there was no need to mention these things, as it would seem like he was deliberately trying to take credit.
Yu Zhiyi pondered for a moment: "If he's willing to help, I'm willing to offer him compensation."
As soon as he finished speaking, the door creaked open and Su Yuanlin came out, smiling, "No need for payment, I'm happy to help you, sister-in-law."
Yu Zhiyi pursed her lips: "You can call me Boss Yu."
Su Yuanlin paused for a moment, then subconsciously glanced at Du Ziheng. Seeing that Du Ziheng was just frowning but didn't say anything, he readily agreed: "Okay, Master Yu."
Looking at the painting through the window, Yu Zhiyi felt that it was excellent in both its craftsmanship and artistic conception, and she couldn't help but marvel at the tenacity of life.
Indeed, every living being has something worthy of reverence.
Yu Zhiyi is knowledgeable in medicine. Zhang Tuwa's body has been completely drained, and he needs to rest properly in order to survive without exercise.
She personally wrote a medicinal diet plan and asked Steward Wu to find someone to cook it for her.
A few days later, Zhang Tuwa's health improved somewhat. Although he was still very weak, he could see some color in his face.
However, he had little will to live.
Yu Zhiyi then acted as a go-between, arranging for him to meet Su Yuanlin.
She didn't preach any grand principles; she simply let him watch from afar as Su Yuanlin painted with his mouth.
Zhang Tuwa was indeed greatly shocked.
He thought that after becoming disabled, his life was completely over.
Even after losing the use of their hands, they can still support themselves by creating paintings and calligraphy, and even become famous.
If even such a precious scholar can do it, why can't he?
He thought of his biological father again.
Old Zhang is very old, and he has suffered so much in the years trying to find him, so his health is not good.
If he can't stand up, how will he take care of Old Man Zhang in his old age and see him off when he dies?
If he continues to be so despondent, not only will Old Man Zhang not be able to enjoy his old age in peace, but he will also have to worry about him.
From that day on, the deathly look on Zhang Tuwa's face faded considerably.
He had originally been living a life of mere survival to avoid worrying his father, but now he was seriously considering what he could do.
He definitely can't paint, since he doesn't have that talent.
But he can write a few words.
Moreover, he also has a good talent for abacus calculation.
Back when her family still lived in the village, Miss Feng was kind-hearted and taught the village children to read, write, and do simple abacus calculations for free.
Although Zhang Tuwa couldn't remember those literary articles and poems, he was very interested in arithmetic, calculated very quickly, and always got the right result.
After learning this, Hongluan discussed with Yu Zhiyi that Wu Shan, the steward, should teach him more abacus skills and bookkeeping abilities so that he could help Yiluan with charity work once he had completed his apprenticeship.
The kind of work where you get paid.
Yu Zhiyi had no objection.
Teaching someone how to fish is also a way to do good deeds and accumulate merit.
Old Zhang and his son were naturally extremely grateful.
Old Zhang said that he could also do work for Yi Luan Charity, and he wouldn't need any money.
Yu Zhiyi naturally wouldn't let anyone work for free. It just so happened that Chef Fang in the kitchen had been complaining about needing an assistant. Old Zhang had experience cooking for himself, so he was perfectly capable of handling this task. Yu Zhiyi then arranged for him to work in the kitchen.
In this way, the future livelihood of Zhang and his son was secured.
In the friendly atmosphere of Yi Luan Charity, the father and son's spirits improved day by day, and with the decent food at the shop, their complexions became much rosier than before.
"Yi Luan Charity? Charity!"
In a rather elegant house on the outskirts of Beijing, Yu Mingyu smashed a teacup: "This heartless bastard has ruined our family and put us in such a predicament, yet she dares to say that what she's doing is charity!"
Yu Mingquan frowned: "Second brother, the matter of Father's demotion has nothing to do with Yi'er."
Yu Zixuan, who had been lost in thought, snapped back to reality and glared angrily at Yu Mingyu: "Sister Yi is innocent."
"How could you two betray your own side?"
Yu Mingyu said in a sinister tone, "Could it be that you're planning to go and seek refuge with that bitch so you can continue to be your young masters after your father falls from power?"
Yu Mingquan's eyes were filled with hurt: "Second brother, how could you think like that? We're a family, so naturally we have to get through tough times together. I just hope you won't blame Yi'er for everything that happens!"
Yu Mingyu wanted to say something, but the eldest brother, Yu Mengqin, coldly said, "That's enough. Don't mention that woman again. Alright, let's disperse."
Yu Zixuan pushed Yu Mingquan out of the room.
A glint of shrewdness flashed in Yu Mingyu's eyes: "Big brother deliberately sent them away to deal with that ingrate?"
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