“Come on, big brother, you have no idea how terrible his reputation is. He indulges in every vice imaginable—drinking, gambling, whoring. I even heard that his own wife is living apart from him.” Frank Bolton reached out his hand. “Spare some silver, big brother.”

“Handwriting reflects the person. You can judge a man’s learning by his calligraphy. My judgment is never wrong. Sometimes, a playboy’s reputation is just a façade. Little Ethan, come with me later to pay a visit to this Scholar Clark.” David Bolton studied the scroll, but at the same time casually took some loose silver from his pocket and tossed it to Frank Bolton.

……

In the afternoon, Inspector David Bolton actually brought Frank Bolton to pay a visit.

“Scholar Clark, I, David, have come uninvited. Please forgive the intrusion!” David Bolton cupped his hands in greeting, while instructing the officers to set down bundles of fruit and tea as gifts.

“Sir Bolton, it is an honor to have you visit my humble home. Ethan apologizes for not welcoming you from afar. Please forgive me, Sir!” Ethan Clark looked at David Bolton and the smug-faced Frank Bolton in confusion.

“The thing is, David heard from my younger brother that Scholar Clark’s calligraphy is quite unique, so I’ve come to request a piece.” David Bolton chuckled, but his eyes drifted toward Ethan Clark’s study.

“Sir, Ethan’s calligraphy is really not worthy of display. How could I dare show off? I am ashamed!” Ethan Clark now understood—Frank Bolton must have brought his calligraphy back and piqued David Bolton’s interest.

“Why be so modest, Scholar Clark? Please, grant me this favor.” David Bolton cupped his hands again.

Though the inspector’s rank was low and not even officially recognized, he was still a government official. Ethan Clark had only been in Ming for two days, but he understood that it was unwise to offend an official, especially the “local authority” at his doorstep. With this in mind, he respectfully invited the guests in and walked with David Bolton to the study.

“At the edge of Yellow Cloud City, crows seek to roost,

Returning, they croak hoarsely on the branches.

In the loom, a Qin River girl weaves brocade,

Green gauze like mist, speaking through the window.

She pauses her shuttle, lost in thoughts of her distant love,

Alone in her room, tears fall like rain.”

Ethan Clark pondered for a moment, then, using his favored Slender Gold script, wrote out this poem by Li Bai.

“Marvelous!” David Bolton clapped in delight. “Excellent calligraphy—well-proportioned, spirited brushwork, flowing like clouds and water, with twists and turns, full of vitality! Paired with this ‘Wuye Ti’ by the Poet Immortal Li Bai, it’s a perfect match—truly wonderful!”

“Sir, you flatter me.” Ethan Clark smiled slightly. He was quite confident in his brushwork—after all, he had studied art, and in traditional Chinese culture, painting and calligraphy go hand in hand. Calligraphy was one of his basic skills.

“Handwriting reflects the person. David was truly disrespectful before. Who would have thought that in this tiny Yan Shen Town, there would be such a talent as Scholar Clark!” David Bolton’s eyes shone with admiration. As a scholar himself, he could recognize true skill. Suddenly, he bowed deeply. “Scholar Clark, I, David, have long wanted to find a teacher for my younger brother, so he might stop being so unruly all day… Please, Scholar Clark, do me this honor!”

“This…” Ethan Clark was a bit at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

“Frank Bolton, come here and pay your respects to your teacher.” David Bolton’s loud voice rang in Ethan Clark’s ears, leaving him dazed and dizzy—becoming a teacher? From a wastrel to a role model, this transformation seemed a bit too sudden.

Volume One: The World in a Pot

Chapter 9: First Meeting with the Lady

Frank Bolton reluctantly walked over. An elder brother is like a father; though David Bolton doted on him, once David Bolton set his mind to something, Frank Bolton dared not disobey. He knelt down and hurriedly knocked his head three times, muttering softly, “Greetings, teacher.”

Ethan Clark was taken aback and quickly bent down to help Frank Bolton up, smiling. “Since Inspector Sir shows such kindness, Ethan will reluctantly accept. Brother Ethan, there’s no need for such formality. Please rise.”

David Bolton laughed heartily. “I’ll leave Frank Bolton in your care, Scholar Clark. As for the teacher’s fee…”

“Inspector Sir, please don’t be so formal. Ethan absolutely will not accept it.” Ethan Clark waved his hands repeatedly. He knew that “束脩” was the traditional salary given to a teacher, but he had no intention of becoming a tutor—he only agreed out of embarrassment and had no intention of accepting any payment.

David Bolton knew that Ethan Clark came from a wealthy family and didn’t rely on this for a living, so he didn’t insist. He simply gave Ethan Clark a deep look. “Since that’s the case, David is deeply grateful. I will remember this favor always!”

……

After seeing off David Bolton and Frank Bolton, Ethan Clark didn’t go back inside. Instead, he stretched in the courtyard and tried practicing a set of long fist boxing. At first, his movements were stiff, but gradually they became more coordinated, and he started to regain some of the feeling from his previous life. The former “Ethan Clark” may have been a wastrel, but he had a good physique—tall, strong, with long limbs, a natural for martial arts. Unfortunately, he was too fond of women and wine, lazy and gluttonous, ignorant of farm work, and his body was rather weak. After one round of long fist, he was already panting and drenched in sweat.

Ethan Clark frowned, wiped his sweat, and thought, Too weak! I’ll have to train my strength more from now on.

At some point, the archway to the inner courtyard had quietly opened. Liam Young and Lucy Young were escorting a dignified and graceful lady, all of them wearing expressions of surprise and shock.

“Young master, the lady wishes to see you,” Liam Young called softly.