Chapter 16: Second Brother’s Dream

The weather in the twelfth lunar month was growing colder, yet he still had to attend school every day. During breaks, he visited the little chubby boy Zhang Wentao’s house several times, even inviting Zhang Wentao to his own home.

The little chubby boy, wrapped in a thick fox fur coat, followed Wang Mingyuan into the Wang family courtyard for the first time. He was amazed by the steaming pigpen and the chickens, ducks, and geese scurrying about, finding everything fresh and fascinating.

He clumsily tried to help Wang Ernniu chop pig fodder, nearly overturning the chopping blade, which made Wang Ernniu laugh heartily, his round body shaking with amusement. Gradually, even Wang Ernniu, who escorted Wang Mingyuan to and from school every day, grew familiar with this young master Zhang, who bore no airs of a rich kid, occasionally exchanging boisterous jokes with him.

One day after school, Wang Ernniu, as usual, was waiting by the school gate, pushing a wheelbarrow. Wang Mingyuan bundled tightly in his thick cotton jacket jumped onto it, the cart creaking over the frozen hard dirt road.

The biting wind was fierce, but Wang Ernniu pushed more steadily than usual, his steps heavier.

After a while of silence, Wang Ernniu suddenly spoke in a muffled voice, his words carried away a bit by the wind:

“Sanlang… tell me, do you think I can learn martial arts from Qian, the escort captain at the escort agency? Would the family… agree to it?”

Wang Mingyuan was taken aback, then asked, “Learn martial arts? Ernniu, you want to learn martial arts?”

He hadn’t expected his second brother to have such a thought.

Wang Ernniu stopped walking, turned around, his face flushed red from the cold wind, shining with a rare glimmer of longing.

He rubbed his numb hands, lowering his voice as if trying to dispel nervousness:

“Yes! It’s Uncle Qian. A few days ago, when he sent you to young master Zhang’s house and waited at the escort agency gate, I saw Captain Qian practicing boxing in the courtyard. I… I watched a little longer. Uncle Qian noticed and asked me to try, so I copied what he had just done and flailed about awkwardly…”

He scratched his head shyly.

“After watching, Uncle Qian’s eyes lit up! He said my build and sinews are made for hard work! He even said I have some sort of ‘innate talent’! Sanlang, do you think Uncle Qian was just flattering me?”

Wang Mingyuan looked at the light in his brother’s eyes, a light never seen before, feeling both surprised and delighted. He nodded firmly and said with seriousness:

“Erniu, Captain Qian is a seasoned veteran who has traveled all over! His judgment is sharp! If he says you have talent, it must be true! If the family doesn’t agree, I’ll talk to Mom and Dad! I’ll make sure they say yes!”

Encouraged by his younger brother’s affirmation, Wang Ernniu seemed to shrug off a heavy burden, and his words began to flow:

“I… I’ve wanted to learn some real skills for a long time. Not just how to kill pigs, but… real skills!”

He took a deep breath of the cold air, lowering his voice even more as if sharing a great secret:

“I want… to be like the great generals in the village operas, standing tall and proud! Riding a magnificent horse, commanding respect! But… this, I’m only telling you—I dare not let others know, afraid they’d laugh at me…”

After speaking, his dark face reddened further, but his eyes shone with astonishing brightness.

Wang Mingyuan looked at this twelve-year-old boy who already bore the heavy weight of the family’s responsibilities, feeling for the first time the restless heart beating within his chest. He nodded firmly, as if making a solemn vow:

“Don’t worry, Erniu! This is your dream, and I will help you make it come true!”

The two brothers talked all the way home. Wang Ernniu described Captain Qian’s fierce boxing style, while Wang Mingyuan thought about how to convince their parents.

At home, the kang bed had already been heated, and the house was warm.

Mrs. Zhao and eldest sister-in-law Liu had prepared dinner: a steaming pot of mixed grain porridge, a plate of pickled radish, and several cornmeal cakes roasted to a fragrant crisp.

The family sat around the table, the clinking of bowls and the slurping of porridge blending together.

When their bowls were nearly empty, Wang Ernniu put down his chopsticks, swallowed hard as if mustering great courage, and quietly said:

“Father, Mother… I want to learn martial arts from Captain Qian at the Zhenyuan Escort Agency in town.”

Silence fell over the table.

Mrs. Zhao was the first to react, frowning deeply:

“Learn martial arts? Why would you want to learn such dangerous things? With knives and sticks, it’s all too risky! If you learn martial arts, who will do the pig killing and meat selling, or the heavy work in the fields? There will be even more work in spring!”

Her concerns were instinctive, worried about the family’s livelihood.

Wang Danniu also put down his chopsticks, glanced at his anxious younger brother, and immediately understood. He said:

“Mother, there isn’t much heavy work in the fields during winter, and I can also do the pig killing and meat selling! Let Ernniu go; learning some skills is not a bad thing.”

As the eldest son, his words carried a sense of responsibility.

Sister-in-law Liu was more practical:

“Learning martial arts… it must cost a lot, right? Tuition fees, initiation rituals—no more need for brushes and ink, but weapons like swords and sticks can’t be cheap either.”

She was accustomed to careful budgeting and worried about the extra expenses.

Wang Ernniu quickly shook his head:

“No… no money needed! Uncle Qian said I’m a good prospect and is willing to teach me for free! He said… he said it’s like doing a good deed for the escort agency. Later… if I really become successful, I’ll always remember the escort agency!”

He looked earnestly at his parents and sister-in-law, eager to explain, afraid that money would shackle his dream.

At this moment, Wang Mingyuan spoke up clearly and steadily:

“Father, Mother, Sister-in-law, I’ve met Captain Qian a few times. He’s a truly skilled old escort master and commands respect in the agency.

He really values Erniu and praised his sinews as perfect for martial arts.

Learning martial arts is not just fighting; it’s also good for health and sharpening the will.

If Ernniu learns it well, he can protect himself. Moreover… maybe he can get a job at the escort agency like Captain Qian, which is far better than working the fields all day. The escort agency travels far and wide, gaining much experience. Learning from there will broaden Erniu’s horizons.”

He spoke clearly and logically, hitting precisely the points that mattered, without mentioning the dream of becoming a great general. He simply emphasized the practical benefits of earning a living and gaining knowledge.

He touched the simplest hope in the hearts of Wang Jinbao and his wife—that their son might have a better path.

Wang Jinbao listened silently, his rough fingers tapping the table unconsciously. He looked at his younger son, flushed and nervous with sweaty palms, then at his third son, calm and resolute.

After a long pause, he lifted his bowl, drained the last drop of porridge, then slammed the bowl down with a heavy thud.

“Alright!”

His voice was low but resolute and unyielding.

“Since this opportunity has come, and Captain Qian thinks highly of you, then go learn! Before spring, the eldest son will take on more of the field and household work. Ernniu, study hard; don’t let down those who believe in you, and don’t bring shame to the Wang family!”

“Father!”

Wang Ernniu suddenly lifted his head, eyes wide with overwhelming joy.

He sprang up, wanting to speak, lips trembling but unable to find words. Finally, it turned into a tearful, silly smile.

“Ah! I… I understand! I will study hard!”

Like a child finally given a cherished toy, he spun around awkwardly, his face pure and unreserved with happiness. The days of anxiety and anticipation all transformed into radiant light in that moment.

Mrs. Zhao saw her younger son’s long-lost, childlike pure smile, then looked at her husband and eldest son, and finally swallowed her objections, only whispering:

“Then… be careful, don’t get hurt…”

Wang Mingyuan watched his brother’s eyes shining in the dim light, his heart full of comfort and hope.