Casting a glance at the sky beyond the courtyard, Chu Mu set down his book, rose, and stretched lazily, inadvertently nudging the puppy lying at his feet.
The puppy whimpered twice, lifted its head to look at Chu Mu, and then, with surprising docility, rubbed its fluffy head against his ankle.
"Hahaha…"
Chu Mu burst into hearty laughter. This little pup was quite perceptive of human nature, and keeping it around wasn't half bad.
Crouching down to give it a rub, Chu Mu then stood, positioned himself at the door, and gazed at the snowflakes swirling in the courtyard. His thoughts, however, couldn't help but drift back to the history book he'd been reading.
The Great Chu, spanning seven hundred years, was a land of peace and prosperity, as fantastical as a fairy tale.
So the history book claimed!
Yet, from what he had seen—though merely in the small town of Nanshan—it was not hard to discern that reality was far from the idyllic picture painted in those pages.
The people of this world were not so kind and virtuous, nor were there any shortage of ambitious schemers.
This era was not truly one of peace and prosperity.
In his previous life, the Zhou Dynasty, the longest-lasting in history, endured nearly eight hundred years. Yet it existed in an era of feudal division, passing through the Western Zhou, Eastern Zhou, Spring and Autumn, and Warring States periods, with countless heroic figures stirring the tides and coveting the throne.
But this Great Chu, steadfastly ruling for seven hundred years—what gave it such stability?
This was no trivial matter. According to the history book, Great Chu was no small, insignificant state. It spanned eighteen provinces and two thousand six hundred thirty-eight counties!
Its vast territory was likely comparable to the China of his previous life.
Such an expansive domain could not possibly be some subdued vassal state or ruled by a puppet emperor.
Suddenly, Chu Mu's thoughts turned to the paper currency, so refined it seemed out of place in this era; to the minerals that defied market logic; to the cheap grain and the exorbitant cost of knowledge…
These things seemed unrelated, yet they all hinted at the complexity of this era.
Chu Mu let out a long breath, his eyes flickering as he once again suppressed these thoughts.
He should be grateful, really. Great Chu had held the realm for seven hundred years, its central authority still intact.
At the very least, this meant the era he had arrived in was still far from the chaos of a troubled age.
After a moment's reflection, Chu Mu gathered his thoughts, turned back into the room, picked up the bookbag he had prepared, and headed out into the wind and snow.
This morning, he planned to spend at the private school.
Speaking of which, nearly a month of studying there had upended his assumptions about education in this era.
Chu Mu had initially thought private schools here would be rigid and dogmatic, steeped in inflexible tradition.
But the reality exceeded his expectations.
The education at the private school was neither harsh nor rigid. In fact, it was rather relaxed, even carrying a faint sense of joyful learning.
As Master Chang had put it: "Learning is for application; how can it be confined to mere ink and paper?"
Under such guidance, the learning atmosphere was naturally quite open, free from being shackled to the so-called wisdom of sages.
Chu Mu didn't know if this was an exception, but such an environment undoubtedly suited him well.
After all, he was only here to learn to read, not to pursue scholarly honors or officialdom. If it had been too strict and rigid, he would have found it unbearable.
Hurrying to the Chang residence, Chu Mu arrived only to find himself back at its entrance moments later.
He smiled wryly. The patrol office had been relentless with no breaks, causing him to forget the private school's holiday schedule.
"Fortunately, the snow has stopped."
Chu Mu glanced at the sky, brushed the snowflakes from his shoulders, and retraced his steps homeward.
The wind and snow filled the air, and the streets were nearly deserted, though the roadside taverns and eateries buzzed with lively chatter.
"Sir, are you here to dine or to stay?"
As he passed a tavern, a waiter greeted him with a cheerful smile.
Chu Mu raised an eyebrow, instinctively glancing at the signboard. The words "A Guest Arrives" caught his eye.
His expression turned peculiar. Such enthusiasm made him wonder if he'd mistakenly wandered back to the Pleasure House…
The Pleasure House…
Recalling that carefree night at the Pleasure House, Chu Mu couldn't help but smack his lips, a trace of nostalgia flickering within.
Say what you will, in any era, those places of indulgence knew how to entertain.
"Alright, I'll eat."
Chu Mu glanced at the lively clamor inside the tavern. Though he had initially intended to decline, his mind shifted inexplicably. With a nod, he followed the waiter's enthusiastic call and stepped into the eatery.
Over a month in this unfamiliar world had been uneventful, yet it had made Chu Mu acutely aware of a significant problem.
While the original owner's memories were comprehensive, the boy had been young, his world small, and his understanding of the outside world nearly nonexistent.
As for Chu Mu himself… newly arrived, he was practically blind to this world. Between his duties at the patrol office, studying, and practicing martial arts, his time was almost entirely consumed.
His own world was scarcely larger than the original owner's.
Now, with his literacy nearly mastered, his martial training showing initial results, and his role at the patrol office fully integrated, Chu Mu felt it was time to adjust his way of living.
This shift in mindset was precisely why he chose to stay.
After all, those who could afford to dine at such a tavern had some spare coin and leisure. Over meals and drinks, their conversations—whether grand or trivial—could broaden his perspective.
The tavern had three floors, with a staircase in the center surrounded by an open atrium. The second floor was clearly for dining as well, while the third, with its tightly shut windows, was for lodging.
Though it was only morning, the first floor was already bustling, with no empty seats in sight.
Chu Mu wasn't surprised. In Nanshan Town, the tradition of morning drinking was perhaps its most distinctive feature.
Even at the patrol office, there were always a few who started the day tipsy.
In any era, those with spare money and time were never in short supply.
Scanning the room, Chu Mu followed the waiter to the second floor. Compared to the packed first floor, the second was far emptier.
"Here will do."
Chu Mu pointed to a table and chair nearby, sitting down without waiting for the waiter's response.
The seat was by the atrium railing, offering a clear view of the lively scene below—a perfect spot.
"Right away, sir! What'll you have? Our signature morning dishes are the Eight-Treasure Pork Belly, Ten-Spice Delight, and our specialty roast goose… And our house liquor is top-notch. On a cold winter day like this, a warm pot of liquor will keep you cozy all day…"
"A pot of liquor, a portion of Ten-Spice Delight, and a roast goose," Chu Mu replied casually.
The chatty waiter promptly halted his spiel, gave a cheerful nod, shouted an order downstairs, and hurried off.
Chu Mu surveyed his surroundings before turning his gaze to the floor below.
Amid the clamor, the most striking sight was the storyteller on a small stage to one side. Nearing seventy, with a silver tongue, he spoke animatedly, captivating a crowd of diners…
…
*(End of Chapter)*