Old Li, what's this? You come all the way to Hangzhou and don't even stop by to say hello?
Now you're working for some grand household, are the rules so strict you can't slip out for a drink?
Pinglan Academy really is a fine place. Even ordinary folk like us can send our children there to learn their letters. My boy has just started, and the teachers take good care of him. He's writing this letter for me, in fact. Say hello to Uncle Li! Hello, Uncle Li. It's Zhang Erniu. Anyway, there seems to be some new government rule. Lately, even the children of the great families have been enrolling. Is that why your household is sending someone too? The Gu family has always been known for its learning, and I hear the only little girl old enough to start school has been ill since she was born... You should have a word with your employers. They're hardly short of money. If the child's unwell, why not pay for a good tutor at home? Why send her out to struggle?
Enough from me. Come and find me when you're free. Surely you can spare an old friend the time for a drink!
Letter