Chapter Twelve: The Well of East Slope

The house where Su Shi currently resided was originally a humble official lodging, constructed from several small wooden huts. Later, it was expanded to include a larger building, which served as a school.

At this moment, a dozen or so officials and soldiers had arrived outside the school.

"Lingnan is shrouded in miasma, its roads treacherous, yet I find this place even worse than Lingnan," complained a commander as he and his men trudged unevenly to Su Shi's residence.

"Huang Gudang, if that's the case, why are we here at all? Why not let him fend for himself?" one of Huang Gudang's subordinates remarked, glancing at the foul weather.

"You think I want to be here? We're just carrying out orders; what else can we do?" Huang Gudang replied with a bitter smile.

Not only did his subordinates fail to understand, but Huang Gudang himself was baffled. Su Shi had already fallen so low, yet the court still refused to let him be, insisting on driving him from this place—barely fit to be called an official residence—and exiling him to the wilderness.

Yet, compelled by orders from above, Huang Gudang had no choice but to come and expel Su Shi.

After a journey fraught with hardship, Huang Gudang finally reached the home of Su Shi and his son. In front of the house, countless villagers had gathered, most of them from the Li ethnic group, and from the wooden huts came the sound of children reading aloud.

Though Huang Gudang and his men were perplexed, they stepped forward and called out loudly, "By order of the authorities, Qiongzhou Deputy Magistrate Su Shi is to come out and receive his orders!"

Su Shi, demoted again and again, now held the insignificant post of Deputy Magistrate of Qiongzhou, a position without any real duties.

The surrounding Li people turned to look at the group.

"My teacher is unwell; if you have business, speak to me," said a handsome boy of about ten, exiting the house before Su Shi and his son could appear.

"And who are you?" Huang Gudang frowned at the boy.

"I am Li Sanjian, a disciple of Master Dongpo. Speak your business, and I will report it to my teacher," replied Li Sanjian with a smile.

"Impudent!" Huang Gudang barked. "A mere child dares speak to the emperor’s envoy this way? Get back inside and send Su Shi out to receive his orders!"

"I already told you my teacher is unwell. Are you deaf?" Li Sanjian, seeing Huang Gudang’s rudeness, responded coldly.

The Li people gathered around Li Sanjian burst out laughing, none louder than Sanjian’s uncle, Fu Lin.

Had this been Kaifeng, ordinary folk might not dare treat officials so, but here in Qiongtai, a wild and remote place, imperial or official authority counted for little. Should the Li people be provoked, they would simply ignore these arrogant officials—or even kill a few, and think nothing of it.

Of course, if matters escalated, that would be another story.

"Impudent! Arrest this insolent child," Huang Gudang commanded, humiliated by Li Sanjian’s words.

"Huang Gudang, isn’t this... a bit unwise?" one of his men tugged at his sleeve, glancing nervously at the surrounding Li people.

His subordinate was frustrated—was Huang Gudang blind? Did he not see that the boy was prepared, that the Li people around him were with him?

The Li people, hearing the order to arrest Li Sanjian, all wore angry expressions.

"Why not—" Huang Gudang began, then realized: if a real conflict broke out, and they clashed with the Li people, none of them might survive. Even if the court later charged them with treason, the ones to suffer would still be Huang Gudang and his men.

"Who exactly are you?" Huang Gudang asked, sullen.

"He’s my nephew," Fu Lin answered, glaring.

"Hmph..." Huang Gudang snorted. "By order of Supervisor Dong, Su Shi and his son are to vacate the official residence and relocate elsewhere."

Su Shi was old, his health declining. Forced to leave the official residence and live exposed to the elements, in Qiongtai’s harsh climate, amidst wild beasts, it was tantamount to sentencing him to death.

"Supervisor Dong’s order? Is there an imperial edict?" Li Sanjian asked.

"Su Shi is subordinate to Supervisor Dong; why would we need an imperial edict? Do you dare defy orders? You ignorant child, step aside!" Huang Gudang shouted.

"In the Warring States, Gan Luo went on a diplomatic mission at twelve, and Sun Shu Ao slew a serpent at thirteen; how can you look down on the youth?" Li Sanjian retorted with a smile. "Let me ask: do you have the emperor’s order to move my teacher? According to Song law, without the emperor’s pardon, an exiled official cannot be relocated."

Li Sanjian had studied under Su Shi for over a year and knew the Song laws well enough. In such cases, only when the emperor granted pardon out of mercy could the exile be moved or even be forgiven and allowed to return to the capital.

If a pardon had truly been granted, Li Sanjian would not object and would rejoice for Su Shi. But it was clear that Su Shi’s enemies were plotting against him, seeking his death, and Li Sanjian would not agree.

"This..." Huang Gudang was speechless.

Beside them, Gao Er gave Li Sanjian a thumbs up. At such a young age, he was already so eloquent and went straight to the heart of the matter.

Li Sanjian was correct—according to Song law, this was indeed the case. Yet, generally, exiled officials were subject to the whims of others; who dared utter a word against it? Even if an official died in exile, few would investigate.

"Supervisor Dong will inform the emperor; the edict will arrive soon," Huang Gudang argued.

Li Sanjian laughed. "Without the imperial edict, you dare act first and report later? Violating Song law knowingly—what crime should that be?"

"Well said!"

"So they are the real traitors!"

"Bah! Corrupt officials, outrageous!"

The crowd cheered, applauding Li Sanjian.

Huang Gudang’s subordinates hung their heads in silence, blaming Huang Gudang for his reckless words that gave the opposition ammunition. In their hearts, they scorned him a thousand times—unable to win an argument against a mere child, perhaps it was better to hang himself from a tree.

"You, you, you..." stammered Huang Gudang. "Step aside! We’re here by order. If you defy the authorities, how many heads do you have? This is a matter too great for a mere child to obstruct. Today, Su Shi and his son will move—whether they want to or not!"

"I cannot stop you," Li Sanjian replied, pointing to the Li people. "But ask them if they agree?"

"We do not agree!" the crowd shouted in unison.

Danzhou was not known for its scholarly traditions. When Su Shi and his son were exiled there, they opened a school and made friends with literature.

The Li people of Danzhou did not farm, living from the sea; the land was barren and yields were meager. When sick, they relied on shamans rather than doctors, their thinking closed, their culture backward. Su Shi, upon arriving, urged them to make agriculture their foundation, taught them farming methods, and wrote "Six Poems in the Spirit of Tao Yuanming to Encourage Farming."

He patiently taught them about cleanliness, guided them in surveying water sources, digging wells—the well later known as "Dongpo’s Well." From then on, the people no longer drank from muddy ditches.

How could the people of Danzhou not be grateful? In their hearts, Su Shi was a living Buddha; now that someone threatened him, how could they not be furious?

The Li people of Danzhou were simple and sincere; anyone who did them a kindness, they remembered for life.

"Are you... plotting rebellion?" Huang Gudang shouted, pointing at Li Sanjian. "Insolent child! How dare you obstruct officials in their duties, incite the people? Do you think you rule here?"

At this, several of Huang Gudang’s guards drew their swords and pressed forward.

"He does not rule here," came a bold voice. "I do."

Huang Gudang turned toward the speaker and saw a burly man in his thirties, with a thick beard, step forward from the crowd.

It was Wang Kunrui, the chieftain of Maodao.

"Greetings, Chieftain," the Li people bowed as he arrived.

Why was he here? Li Sanjian was secretly startled; he had previously had some discord with Wang Kunrui, so Wang’s arrival now was uncertain—friend or foe?

Wang Kunrui waved his hand and addressed Huang Gudang, "I know you—you’re one of Dong Bi’s men. What’s your name again?"

"Chieftain, his surname is Huang," answered a servant who knew Huang Gudang.

"Oh, Huang something-or-other, I’m in charge here. If you have business, speak to me," Wang Kunrui said.

"So, you’re Wang, the village chief," Huang Gudang responded, bowing. "Chief Wang, I am under orders. Please, make some allowance."

Wang Kunrui was the local lord; Huang Gudang knew this well and dared not offend him.

"What business do you have?" Wang Kunrui asked.

"I am ordered to relocate Su Shi and his son," Huang Gudang replied.

"Not allowed," Wang Kunrui answered briskly.

"Why not?" Huang Gudang asked, astonished.

"Because I say so. Is there need for so many words? Besides, my daughter wants to study with Master Dongpo," Wang Kunrui said with a smile.

"And you’re not afraid to defy Supervisor Dong’s orders?" Huang Gudang asked.

"Supervisor, ox, whatever—when I say no, it’s no," Wang Kunrui replied.

"You—" Huang Gudang was so angry he could not speak.

Thus, both sides were at an impasse.

Li Sanjian looked at Wang Kunrui in amazement; he had never expected Wang’s arrival to be in support of himself, or Su Shi.

Hiding behind Wang Kunrui, Wang Wen, whom Li Sanjian had not noticed, peeked timidly at him.

Just then, Su Shi, supported by Su Guo, stepped out of the wooden house.

Su Shi bowed to the crowd. "I thank all my friends and neighbors, and Chief Wang, but since the authorities have given orders, I will vacate the official residence."

"Master, you..." Li Sanjian cried anxiously.

"Jian’er, you are very good—your devotion is clear to me. But there are many things in this world that cannot be forced," Su Shi said with a gentle smile.