“Xu Cijiiu, my student, is well-versed in military strategy and shows great potential,” introduced Zhang Shen, the master of military tactics. He was not one known for poetry.
This statement weighed heavily on Xu Xinnian’s mind.
Master Zhang found it strange that Xu Xinnian had spoken up, given his lack of poetic skill.
Zhu Tuizhi, who had been confident in obtaining the jade pendant, became briefly alert upon hearing a voice. Realizing it was Xu Xinnian, he dismissed it with a mere glance.
Having been classmates for years, they were familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Xu Xinnian excelled in policy discussions and had achievements in military strategy, but his poetry was far from remarkable.
The jade pendant is still mine, thought Zhu Tuizhi.
The students’ gazes fell upon Xu Xinnian. Enjoying the attention, he looked towards the sun hanging lazily in the sky with an air of arrogance:
“A thousand li of yellow clouds, the white sunsets.”
Grand Master Li Mubai nodded, stroking his beard. This line was a simple description of scenery, but it conveyed a broad-minded spirit.
“North wind blows geese, snow falls in flurries.”
It was now early winter, and while snow hadn’t yet arrived, it wasn’t far off. This line wasn’t an exaggeration. The imagery of dusk, heavy snowfall, and wild geese flying through the howling north wind immediately came to life.
These two lines set the background perfectly, matching the mood of this farewell gathering.
Zhang Shen was extremely surprised. Scrutinizing Xu Xinnian, he thought that given his student’s usual level of poetic skill, these two lines of seven-character verse must have been the result of painstaking effort. If he could maintain this standard, he might even be able to compete with Zhu Tuizhi.
Among the three highly respected great scholars, the Purple Yang Resident, most skilled in poetry, savored the two lines, feeling inexplicably melancholic.
A thousand li, dusk, north wind, lone geese, falling snow… It painted a desolate and forlorn picture.
It was as if he wasn’t leaving for an official post, but being exiled.
Yet, it truly captured the essence of the situation.
This appointment, while seemingly a sign of the court’s favor and trust, was fraught with uncertainty. Would the faction from the Imperial College stand idly by as he rose to power? Would they allow him to establish a foothold in officialdom for the Yunlu Academy?
This journey to Qingzhou was, in fact, one of an uncertain future and a vague path ahead.
Suddenly, Xu Xinnian opened his arms wide. His handsome face, bathed in the warm sunlight, radiated the flawlessness and delicacy of fine jade.
He raised his arms, looking directly at the Purple Yang Resident, and delivered the final two lines with resounding clarity:
“Don’t worry that the road ahead lacks kindred spirits,”
“Who in the world does not know your name?”
Inside and outside the pavilion, silence fell instantly.
A moment later, goosebumps rose on everyone present.
Zhu Tuizhi slowly turned his head, staring blankly at the proudly standing Xu Xinnian.
“Don’t worry that the road ahead lacks kindred spirits, who in the world does not know your name.” Li Mubai clapped excitedly, “Brilliant!”
The first two lines conveyed a melancholic atmosphere, while the last two lines took an unexpected turn, bringing sudden enlightenment and inspiration.
Zhang Shen looked at Xu Xinnian in silence.
The Purple Yang Resident, known for his poetry, was still immersed in the artistic conception of this seven-character quatrain and deeply moved.
“Good poem, what a good poem…” he murmured.
“Why only half?” Zhang Shen, the master of military tactics, couldn’t help but ask when he saw that his student hadn’t continued reciting.
Xu Xinnian’s mouth twitched, “This poem only has half a verse.”
Only half?!
The scholars present immediately widened their eyes, unable to accept such a statement. Who writes only half a poem? Is that even human?
“It’s alright, it’s alright. Half a verse is already earth-shattering,” the Purple Yang Resident composed himself, his smile deepening. “Xu Cijiiu, does this poem have a title?”
“No!”
Xu Xinnian maintained his arrogant demeanor, truly not knowing how to explain. Only by maintaining a lofty attitude could he prevent further questioning.
“Don’t rush, don’t rush,” the Purple Yang Resident’s smile widened even more, “This poem was written to see me off, correct?”
Xu Xinnian nodded.
“Why don’t I think of one for you?”
Grand Master Li Mubai and Master of Military Tactics Zhang Shen suddenly understood his intention, feeling sour inside.
“How about ‘Seeing Off Yang Gongzhi to Qingzhou at Mianyang Pavilion’?” The esteemed scholar’s eyes gleamed with expectation.
“It’s passable!” Xu Xinnian instinctively replied haughtily, then realizing his lack of respect, he added, “It’s entirely up to you, sir.”
“Shameless old thief.”
“Hmph!”
The two great scholars felt even more bitter.
“This is destiny,” the Purple Yang Resident laughed heartily, smugly bowing to the other two.
In this era of poetic decline, this poem would surely cause a sensation in the scholarly world once it spread, being recited by students across the land.
The Purple Yang Resident’s reputation would also rise accordingly. The key was that his maneuvering had essentially tied his name to this poem.
If this poem became a timeless classic, the Purple Yang Resident’s name would also be passed down through the ages.
Such a masterpiece had a high possibility of becoming immortal.
In the eyes of the two great scholars, the most shameless part was that Xu Xinnian, as a student, had gifted a poem to his teacher. The poem’s title shouldn’t include the teacher’s given name, but rather his courtesy name or style name. Only peers or close friends could write one’s given name in a poem.
It was clear that this old scoundrel had discarded all shame for the sake of fame.
What is the greatest dream of scholars? To cultivate oneself, govern the country, and bring peace to the world? No, that’s an ideal, not a dream.
For thousands of years, scholars have had only one greatest dream: to leave their name in history!
The two great scholars were jealous to the point of bursting.
Zhang Shen, as a teacher, realized that this poem might not have been composed by his students, but he didn’t expose it. It was his student’s good fortune to gain the favor of the Purple Yang Resident. As a teacher, he felt happy about it.
Amidst the excited discussions of the students, Xu Xinnian coughed and confessed honestly, “Teacher, respected sirs, this poem was not composed by me, but by someone else.”
The discussions ceased abruptly.
The three great scholars had different expressions. Zhang Shen looked enlightened as if his suspicions were confirmed.
Li Mubai seemed shocked and quite surprised.
The Purple Yang Resident had the strongest reaction, stepping forward eagerly to ask, “Who is it? Is it a student from our academy? Are they here?”
His gaze swept past Xu Xinnian, searching among the students.
“It’s my elder brother!” Xu Xinnian raised his chin slightly, maintaining his proud demeanor.
The silent students began to discuss again:
“Xu Cijiiu’s elder brother?”
“Where does he study? How come we’ve never heard of such a person?”
“Uh… if I remember correctly, isn’t Xu Cijiiu the eldest son?”
“Cijiiu, what’s your brother’s full name? Who is his teacher… Come on, tell us! How could we not know about such poetic talent?”
The students were getting impatient.
The three great scholars also looked at Xu Xinnian.
Not good, I’ve been influenced by my uncouth father. I shouldn’t have mentioned my uncouth brother… Seeing the eager gazes of the students, Xu Xinnian suddenly realized he had made a mistake.
“All pursuits are of low value; only studying is high,” shows how proud scholars are, and Xu Xinnian was no exception.
The scholars of Yunlu Academy were even prouder.
If Xu Qianan were also a scholar, they would admire and look up to him. But if they knew he was merely a constable, it would evoke negative emotions.
How could a lowly patrolman write such an exquisite seven-character quatrain? Where should we hide our faces?
Xu Xinnian steeled himself and said, “My elder brother… studies the classics diligently at home. He’s not at Yunlu Academy or the Imperial College. He… he has a quiet and unambitious nature, not fond of fame or achievement, only wishing to grow old studying the classics.”
Such integrity, truly a model for us all, worthy of admiration… The students of Yunlu Academy were shocked and filled with a desire to befriend this mysterious brother.
As expected, the jade pendant was awarded to Xu Xinnian. The Purple Yang Resident, beaming with joy, bid farewell to everyone. Feeling enlightened, he boarded the luxurious carriage and left a meaningful remark:
“Such great talent should not be hidden away like a pearl under dust. Chunjing, Jingyan, what do you think?”
The two great scholars either truly didn’t understand or pretended not to, remaining silent as they saw off the Purple Yang Resident. As the carriage disappeared into the distance, Li Mubai suddenly grabbed Xu Xinnian’s hand and pulled him aside, “Cijiiu, I suddenly feel the urge to take on a disciple. Since we have nothing else to do today, why don’t you take me to meet your elder brother?”
Zhang Shen was shocked and quickly said, “Cijiiu, if you and your brother were to become my disciples together, it would surely make for a wonderful story.”
Whether one could write poetry or not wasn’t important; the main thing was not to let such talent go to waste.
If in the future, by some stroke of luck, a timeless poem like “My Teacher Zhang Shen” were to be written, that would be excellent indeed.
Li Mubai said discontentedly, “Military strategy isn’t mainstream. A scholar should first study the classics, master policy discussions, and cultivate oneself to manage the family.”
“Hah, as if the art of Go is mainstream? And you’re such a sore loser, never winning against Wei Yuan,” Zhang Shen snorted coldly.
“You old thief shut your mouth. Don’t mention Wei Yuan in front of me. I’ve always cherished talent, and I’m determined to take this student as my disciple.”
“You old fool, is that cherishing talent? You’re just coveting his poetic ability.”
“Shameless old scoundrel, watch me strike you down with a mouthful of righteous qi.”
“As if I don’t have that too.”
Xu Xinnian felt his scalp tingling with anxiety.
In the distance, the students were shocked. They didn’t know what had happened, but the two great scholars were suddenly arguing with flushed faces, even on the verge of coming to blows.