People say there are three stages to viewing mountains and water. The first is seeing mountains as mountains and water as water. The second stage is seeing mountains not as mountains and water not as water. Reaching the highest stage is truly extraordinary—seeing mountains still as mountains and water still as water.
Yun Ye had spent a full three months viewing mountains and water, from spring all the way until the start of summer. He had watched until Lingdang’s belly grew large, yet viewing mountains and water remained no different from before. He didn’t know whether he was at the first stage or had somehow directly transcended the ancient sages to reach the third and highest stage.
Elder Yao Silian had been frequently visiting the Yun family lately, without any of the eye for climbing high and stepping low that was typical of the official world. He loved eating the Yun family’s salted soybeans and never tired of them. But eating beans without wine wouldn’t do. Whenever he got slightly drunk, he would sit with Yun Ye beneath the great tree, freely expressing their views and passing judgment on heroic figures both ancient and contemporary.
“Cao Mengde was truly a hero of the age. As a descendant of a eunuch, he felt no shame but instead harbored lofty ambitions. He could overturn clouds with one hand and rain with the other. He held the Emperor hostage to command the lords, directing affairs with pointed criticism, making wind and clouds change color. He was truly the foremost exemplary figure.”
“Elder Jian Zhi, dissatisfied with Chen Shou’s ‘Records of the Three Kingdoms’ and even more dissatisfied with Prime Minister Fang’s ‘Biography of Chen Shou,’ believes the former was one who demanded money from the dead, while the latter, blind and deaf, beat the drums for others. Why not remake the ‘Records of the Three Kingdoms’ yourself to prevent later generations from being misled by sycophantic traitors? When that masterwork emerges, it will surely bring fame across the four seas and utterly shame Prime Minister Fang. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”
“That scoundrel Chen Shou utterly shamed us historians. Back then, Ding Yi and Ding Yi had great reputations in Wei. Shou said to his son: ‘If you can find a thousand bushels of rice to give me, I will write an excellent biography for your honorable father.’ When Ding refused to give it, he completely failed to establish a biography. Shou’s father served as an adjutant to Ma Su. When Su was executed by Zhuge Liang, Shou’s father was also implicated and had his head shaved as punishment. Zhuge Zhan also looked down on Shou. When Shou wrote a biography for Liang, he said Liang’s strategic abilities were not strong and he lacked the talent to respond to enemies. He said Zhan was only skilled at calligraphy and his reputation exceeded his reality. Critics criticized him for this.”
This was the painful part of conversing with the old gentleman. Things that could clearly be explained in plain language had to be told using extremely formal literary language. Many of his words Yun Ye still couldn’t understand even after coming to the Great Tang for ten years. To comprehend these words required knowledge of ancient criminal law and understanding of many historical figures’ personal names and courtesy names—things far beyond what a half-trained fellow like Yun Ye could grasp.
“First Nine: The hidden dragon should not be used. Second Nine: The dragon appears in the field, beneficial to see the great man. Third Nine: The superior man is active and vigilant all day, cautious in the evening as if in danger, stern, without fault. Fourth Nine: Perhaps leaping in the abyss, without fault. Fifth Nine: The flying dragon in the sky, beneficial to see the great man. Top Nine: The arrogant dragon has regrets. Using Nine: Seeing a group of dragons without a head is auspicious.” Yun Ye recited with a smile what he considered the most terrifying piece of learning. To this day, he hadn’t understood a single word of this passage, so he brought it out to give Yao Silian some difficulty.
Unexpectedly, Yao Silian actually showed an expression of enjoyment as if drinking fine nectar. Low moaning sounds seemed to emerge from his throat, causing Yun Ye to look on in horror.
“Excellent, excellent, excellent! What a magnificent Qian hexagram! What wonderful ‘originating, penetrating, benefiting, and persevering’! So Marquis Yun also understands the principle that ‘Heaven’s movement is strong, the superior man strengthens himself without ceasing.’ Hahaha, my way is not solitary! Come, come, you’re still young and surely don’t understand the wonderful subtleties within. Let this old man explain them to you one by one.”
Without another word, Yun Ye took to his heels, saying as he ran: “Elder Jian Zhi is vastly learned and eloquent. This junior is far inferior. I must go confess before my teacher’s spirit tablet to atone for my sin of not studying diligently back then. Heavens, save me!”
Yao Silian laughed heartily, pointing at Yun Ye’s retreating figure and saying: “You are also a master of mathematical studies in this generation. Why do you only cultivate mathematics and ignore literary traditions? Heaven and earth are divided into yin and yang, people into men and women. If Yushan Academy cannot embrace diverse approaches and incorporate the strengths of all schools, how can it shine for ten thousand generations? Even if your mathematics and physics are extremely strong for a time, can you walk far on one leg?”
Yun Ye dejectedly turned back, grabbed the wine flask and downed half of it in one gulp. Burping with the smell of wine, he said: “What does Yushan Academy have to do with me now? I’m no longer the Academy’s Director. To worry about the Academy further would only be inviting humiliation.”
Hearing these words from Yun Ye, Yao Silian grabbed the wine flask and smashed it on Yun Ye’s head. His beard and hair bristled, his face extremely terrifying. Yun Ye wiped the wine from his head and, seeing his palm covered in bright red, asked foolishly: “Elder Jian Zhi, why did you do this?”
Yao Silian grabbed Yun Ye’s collar and said loudly: “Tell this old man—did you create Yushan Academy to become its Director, or did you become Director for the sake of Yushan Academy?”
“Naturally, I became Director for the sake of Yushan Academy. If not for the Academy, only a bastard would become some Director. I arrived in the Great Tang in complete confusion, wandered the wilderness for who knows how long, helplessly joined the army. On the road back to Guanzhong, I opened my eyes and saw devastation everywhere, voices crying of hunger all around. But many people were working hard so that the people of the Great Tang could fill their bellies.”
“General Niu Jinda, a grand general, pushed a grain cart for over a thousand li. When climbing slopes, the old Marquis pushed the cart from behind while I, the young Marquis, pulled it from the front. It was just laborious, but everyone’s hearts thought as one and strength moved in one direction. Though the days were difficult, I believe that was when the Great Tang was strongest. Following the army, freezing and wailing on the grasslands, I still felt comfortable.”
“Now barely ten years have passed. Open your eyes and look—isn’t it just a few more grains in the granaries, a few more copper coins in the treasury? They’ve captured a few petty chieftains to perform songs and dances, putting on a show of peace and prosperity, and suddenly we’re a great nation?”
“Do you know how high the heavens are and how thick the earth is? Do you know that at the ends of the earth there are countless other nations? Do you know that the powerful Caliphate dynasty is rising? Do you know that Songtsen Gampo has already unified that plateau? Do you know that in distant lands there are already incomparably powerful fleets? That people were piling stones fifty zhang high three thousand years ago?”
“What are they so proud of, one after another? The common people have only just begun to not starve, with barely enough clothing to keep out the cold—this is the extent of their ambition.”
“What are they worried about? One after another, what are they worried about? Are they afraid that one day I, Yun Ye, will monopolize power? Huh? One after another, they just know how to make a dojo in a snail shell, thinking themselves capable. Skilled at internal strife, incompetent at external conflict. Complete ignoramuses yet petty everywhere, guarding against this person and that person. If you have the ability, let all the people under heaven have meat to eat! Then I don’t believe it—who could overthrow such a realm? When everyone has food and drink, would they stupidly follow a bunch of fools to rebel?”
“Wei Zheng says I’ll corrupt the common people. Bah! Look at Yun family estate—in ten years, there hasn’t been a single case of adultery. Such an estate would be considered a household of good people anywhere.”
“Li Jing says my thoughts are devious. I continue to say bah! Rather than admit your own stupidity, you must say my actions are strange. To avoid being strange myself, I created Yushan Academy to teach a whole group of people like me. That should be acceptable, right?”
“I’ve accommodated you this much already. What more do you want me to do? Should I stick out my paws like a dog, tongue hanging out, to amuse you? I am a descendant of immortals, not some cat or dog for you to dispose of as you please. If you annoy me enough, I’ll take my whole family and leave! I’ll leave the Great Tang realm for you to play with. Out of sight, out of mind!”
Yao Silian hadn’t expected Yun Ye’s reaction to be so intense—his fury was even greater than his own. After listening to Yun Ye’s complaints, he let out a long breath and said with a chuckle: “Boy, drink up! The flask is gone, let’s use jars instead. How satisfying! This is how a man should be. If you keep your thoughts hidden in your heart, who will know? Speaking out and venting feels much better, doesn’t it?”
The two men each clutched a wine jar and drank heavily before stopping. Yun Ye wiped the blood from his eyelids and said: “Knowing I’m aggrieved, why did you smash me with the wine flask? Look, I’m bleeding.”
Without thinking, Yao Silian smashed a wine jar on his own head. The jar didn’t break, but his head split open. Sticking out his tongue to lick the flowing blood, he cackled and said: “Satisfied now? Don’t think that because this old man is a bookworm who hides in his study year-round that my backbone and courage are less than others. Just this business of smashing one’s own head—you can’t do it without some guts.”
Yun Ye extended his thumb high. This fellow really was a madman. Still, today was truly satisfying. But this old fellow wouldn’t randomly say these things, would he? Could he have been entrusted by someone?
“Hmph, you think this old man has time to discuss learning with a commoner like you? First, I find you agreeable. Second, Yuanzhang, Li Gang, Yushan, Lishi—those old fellows were afraid you’d get sick from holding it in. Do you know that last time you really almost finished yourself off? Sun Simiao still breaks into a cold sweat when he mentions it. When a person loses their fighting spirit, they’re done for. They’ll die whether sick or not.”
“Boy, since you’ve opened your heart, then go ahead and act boldly. It’s nothing special. You just said it yourself—those people only have that much ability. This old man thought they were too stupid back then, so I didn’t get involved with them. If I had gotten deeply involved, with my temperament I would have been angered to death long ago. Oh right, boy, write a poem about your grievances right now. This old man will take it and cry out injustice for you.”
“I won’t let them see me make a fool of myself. Even if I die of grievance, I won’t make a sound.”
“Nonsense! If you don’t speak, who will know you’re aggrieved? People aren’t your father, watching your expressions every day.” Yao Silian wanted to slap Yun Ye, but seeing the blood on his head, he put his hand down and gently persuaded him.
“You’ve always had poetic talent. Write a good one, and this old man will spread it for you. At least let people know of your grievances. There are many discerning people in the Great Tang. Look at how Sima Xiangru’s ‘Rhapsody of Eternal Regret’ he wrote for Empress Chen served this purpose. We must act with proper method, not recklessly. Curse however you want in private, but the public matters cannot be neglected.”
“I can’t write about grievances. Something more passionate is no problem. Fine, I’ll compose one casually. You can take it.”
“Then I’ll come again tomorrow. Put your heart into it today and brew it properly.”
“Fine wine in golden goblets, ten thousand coins per dou; jade plates of delicacies worth ten thousand coins in all.”
“I stop my cup, put down my chopsticks, unable to eat; I draw my sword and look around, heart bewildered!”
“I wish to cross the Yellow River, but ice blocks the stream; I would climb the Taihang Mountains, but snow fills the peaks.”
“At leisure I angle on the emerald stream; suddenly I’m on a boat, dreaming of the sun’s edge.”
“The road is hard! The road is hard! Many diverging paths—where am I now?”
“When the long wind breaks the waves, there will come a time; I’ll hoist high my clouded sail and cross the vast sea.”
Yao Silian looked as if he’d seen a ghost, staring at Yun Ye with wide eyes and asking: “You composed this? This old man’s head hurts terribly. Am I having hallucinations? What’s the title?”
“‘The Road is Hard!'”