Chapter 9, Apprenticeship (Part 2)

Thus, when Master Chen opened his mouth to ask, Lord Fang immediately blurted out an answer to help Fang Zheng without a moment's thought. As soon as the words left his lips, Lord Fang regretted it. As a businessman, Lord Fang had undoubtedly told countless lies throughout his life, but the lie he told today was undoubtedly the easiest to expose, which left him feeling extremely anxious.

On the way back, Master Fang could no longer suppress his inner doubts and asked, "Zheng'er, when did you learn to compose couplets?"

Ideas are beautiful, but reality is harsh

Fang Zheng's eyes lit up upon hearing this, "Oh, this couplet seems familiar. How is it that in this era, no one has ever created this couplet? Wow, a cheat device, a golden finger, how wonderful life is in this time travel! From now on, I have another title: talented scholar, Fang the Great Scholar, charming and handsome Fang the Great Scholar. Who can call it out loud, reward! Wow, a cheat device, a golden finger, how wonderful life is in this time travel! From now on, I have another title: talented scholar, Fang the Great Scholar, charming and handsome Fang the Great Scholar. Who can call it out loud, reward!

Master Chen smiled and said: "Today, inspired, I shall compose another couplet. Listen carefully: 'A lofty ambition is hard to extinguish; I still wish to ride the strong winds and break through the ten-thousand-mile waves.'"

"Father, did I not say that I am aided by divine assistance?" Fang Zheng replied with a smile, "Whenever Master Chen poses a question, I can vaguely see a multitude of deities swirling above my head. With each couplet that Master Chen presents, a Bodhisattva whispers the corresponding line in my ear..."

Master Fang, having aged, has become increasingly precious about his old face. Upon hearing the words, he was about to respond with a couplet, but suddenly opened his mouth, intending to divert the matter.

Master Fang appeared quite embarrassed, fearing that what he dreaded had come to pass. What was he to do now? He knew best what kind of person his son was; he was a master at drinking and entertaining women. Having hardly touched a book throughout his life, how could he possibly compose couplets?

Master Fang slumped his shoulders, closed his eyes in frustration, and leaned against the back of the armchair. He could hardly bear to witness his son's subsequent dumbfounded embarrassment, thinking to himself, let you all do as you please; out of sight, out of mind.

Students may indulge in leisure and self-entertainment, why not enjoy the bright moonlight over the South Sea while playing with pearls

The student is intentionally indifferent to Xue Fei, yet in another year, he will return on his own

Although Lord Fang spoke disparagingly about his son, he wore a look of pride on his face. Who among parents would not feel happy when someone praises their child? At that moment, Lord Fang felt as if he had consumed a large jar of honey, sweetness radiating from his face to his heart. His son had finally brought him some honor as a father, which delighted him even more than earning tens of millions of taels of silver.

Old Master Fang maintained a calm demeanor, sipping his tea without glancing sideways at Fang Zheng, who was casting him an extremely resentful look. However, his heart was far from tranquil; the older one gets, the more one values their dignity, especially since Old Master Fang was a prominent and wealthy figure in Jinling City. Thus, Old Master Fang told a lie, and the reason was simple: it was all about face, a completely instinctive reaction.

Nonsense! The immortals will help you with couplets, are you just being idle? Lord Fang shot him a glare, but inwardly he felt a sense of joy. As long as his son did not bring him shame, it would not be too embarrassing even if Master Chen continued to present couplets and they could not respond.

Those studying in the Chinese department at university are certainly not unfamiliar with ancient Chinese poetry and couplets. When Fang Zheng was in college, he was somewhat serious about his studies, but he was still influenced to some extent and had read a few serious books. He was aware of phrases like "clouds paired with rain, snow paired with wind, evening glow paired with clear sky" to some degree. Of course, what Master Fang was more familiar with were purely academic romantic novels like "Jin Ping Mei," which he often studied to the point of neglecting sleep and food. As for whether he sought the help of Miss Wu to alleviate his passions after his studies, that is not something to be disclosed to outsiders. Naturally, Master Fang was more familiar with purely academic romantic novels like "Jin Ping Mei," which he often studied to the point of neglecting sleep and food. As for whether he sought the help of Miss Wu to alleviate his passions after his studies, that is not something to be disclosed to outsiders.

Master Chen's couplet features a double association. In this upper line, "Zilu" encompasses two meanings: one refers to the moves of a chess piece, while the other pertains to a disciple of Confucius, who is also named Zilu.

Master Fang's closed eyes suddenly opened wide, exclaiming, "What?"

How can I? Can I say no? Fang Zheng had a mournful expression on his face. Does Dad really want to see me make a fool of myself? What benefit is it to you for your son to embarrass himself? You're a businessman, yet you engage in such self-destructive nonsense!

Master Fang sat in the grand armchair, staring in astonishment as the two engaged in a back-and-forth exchange. He simply could not comprehend when his son, who had previously struggled to recognize even a few characters, had learned to compose couplets. Moreover, he was able to match wits with the esteemed Master Chen, renowned for his literary talent in Jinling, to a standstill. Observing Master Chen's expression, it seemed he was increasingly pleased with this new disciple.

The two father and son are more aware than anyone else that being a scholar is merely a hat worn on the head; this hat is like a bubble, easily burst with a gentle poke. Knowledge cannot be acquired through shortcuts, nor is there an easy path. The effort of diligent study day and night is essential; even a slight deficiency can be discerned by others. Not to mention that this young master Fang cannot even recognize all the characters, and as soon as he opens his mouth, his true nature will be revealed.

He did not give Master Fang a chance to interrupt, and hurriedly said: "In that case, please pose a question, Master."

The couplet presented by Master Chen happens to fall within the limited scope of knowledge that Fang Zheng possesses. It must be said that this fellow's luck is quite extraordinary

Hmph, are all the deities in the heavens coming to help you with your couplets? Are they really that free?" Looking at Fang Zheng's playful grin, completely lacking seriousness, Old Master Fang understood that he was unwilling to speak about certain matters. No matter how much he pressed, it would be futile, so he could only let out a disgruntled hum and ceased his inquiries

Face is something elusive and intangible, yet at times it can be truly seen and touched. Being in the current position of Lord Fang, the feelings are much more profound than those of the average person

Isn't this a master-disciple ceremony? How did such a scene come about? According to custom, Master Chen only needs to accept the gifts from the Fang family, then offer a few bland words of encouragement to Fang Zheng, and finally serve tea to send the guests off, and that would conclude the matter. However, human plans cannot match the heavens' arrangements. Had I known earlier, it would have been better to let this scoundrel admit that he cannot read a single character, thus sparing both father and son from the reputation of being "liars".

Having agreed to enter the academy for study five days later, the Fang family, consisting of father and son, then took their leave and departed

Alright, listen, I will present again: 'Zhu Ben Wu Xin, how can one let the occasion pass in vain?'

By merely matching a few couplets, he unexpectedly managed to completely reverse the negative impression that Master Fang had formed of him over the years, and even earned frequent praise from Master Chen. Such benefits were beyond Fang Zheng's expectations

Haha, what a delight! It has been quite some time since I have felt such joy! Master Fang, you have a wonderful son!

This is also a dual association, in which "Yan Hui" has two meanings: one refers to true appearance, and the other refers to a disciple of Confucius named Yan Hui.

Thinking it over, I decided to take a bold step and simply say that I had injured my head recently and had forgotten everything I had learned before. After all, my father was present, so if there was any embarrassment, it would be his. He was the one who had put me in this situation, so I would let him experience a moment of shame as well. This is what one calls "like father, like son"

Inconceivable, truly inconceivable! Master Fang found it difficult to accept for a moment. He shook his head, trying to dismiss this bizarre scene as a mere illusion, wishing to cast it out of his mind. The image of Fang Zheng, in the eyes of his father, for the first time seemed to carry an air of profound mystery. Upon reflection, ever since his son awoke from his coma, his words and actions had been markedly different from before, as if he had become a different person entirely, completely shedding the image of the reckless spendthrift he once was. Could it be that... he hit his head and instead gained enlightenment?

Master Chen gazed at the portrait of Confucius hanging on the wall, pondered for a moment, and said: "Listen carefully, I present 'Last Night's Search for the Chess Piece'"

Fang Zheng recalled for a moment and soon had an answer. He pretended to ponder for a while and then said aloud: "The student refers to 'Today, I see my reflection in the mirror.'" After speaking, he proudly reached out to smooth his scarf, appearing graceful, yet in reality, rather ostentatious

Turning his head to stare at Fang Zheng, he said: "How could you..." Halfway through his words, he stopped, yet a look of confusion lingered in his eyes

Little did they know that Fang Zheng had already made up his mind, unafraid of the boiling water like a dead pig, and if worse came to worst, he would die spitting blood like a pierced intestine.

***

As long as my son excels at mhetushu.com, allowing him to gain face, he can, like Madam Fang, maintain an optimistic attitude, focusing solely on the results without questioning the process

Master Fang suppressed his doubts and smiled, saying: "The rascal is too mischievous and only knows how to play petty tricks. In the future, I hope Master Chen will take more care."

Master Chen pondered over the lower couplet in silence for a moment, and suddenly his eyes lit up as he exclaimed, "Not bad, truly wonderful!"

How could a wealthy businessman with assets amounting to tens of millions tolerate others saying that his son is an uneducated and incompetent wastrel? Even if others do not speak of it in his presence, Mr. Fang would still be unable to endure the scornful and mocking expressions.

Of course it is wonderful; how could it not be wonderful when it is printed in books for thousands of years to come

Thus, the two sat facing each other, both feeling anxious and uneasy, only hoping that Master Chen would quickly serve tea and see them off, so they could properly complain to each other on the way back

At this moment, his thoughts aligned with those of his precious son: what if this Master Chen, in a fit of enthusiasm, decided to assess Fang Zheng's knowledge on the spot

Fang Zheng humbly said: "Father, this child is merely aided by divine assistance; it cannot be taken seriously"

Finally, Master Fang decided to ignore the situation and fell into deep thought: "Given this circumstance, my son must not be an ordinary person. His previous misdeeds were merely youthful folly. Wasn't Zhou Chu also a reckless youth who caused trouble for his neighbors before he killed tigers and slayed dragons? If he can truly repent, he still has great potential for achievement." After this contemplation, he found Fang Zheng even more pleasing to the eye.

Indeed, Master Chen lived up to everyone's expectations and said with eager anticipation: "Since this is the case, let me test you. The principles of the classics are too profound and extensive to discuss today. I will give you a couplet, and you shall respond. How does that sound?"