Chapter 4: Discussion of Books in the Tavern

Gao Qiu felt that he had gained a lot, but he couldn't help but think that if his master were here, he would probably be even more excited. Just as he was lost in thought, the scholar Su suddenly spoke up: "Today, I have the pleasure of interacting with young Master Gao in the art of calligraphy, and our connection is indeed profound. I wonder if you could handwrite a piece for me to appreciate?"

On that evening, there happened to be a literary gathering, where Su Shi publicly introduced Gao Qiu to several young talents. Following this, everyone began to compose poetry and engage in couplets, and naturally, exquisite songs and dances were not lacking to enliven the atmosphere. However, Gao Qiu never expected to be thrust into the spotlight, and after racking his brains, he managed to produce a piece of "famous poetry and prose," ultimately having to escape under the pretense of needing to relieve himself. Fortunately, Su Shi was aware of his limitations and only tasked him with transcribing the works of others, which inevitably led to more praise for his calligraphy. Gao Qiu never expected to be thrust into the spotlight, and after racking his brains, he managed to produce a piece of "famous poetry and prose," ultimately having to escape under the pretense of needing to relieve himself. Fortunately, Su Shi was aware of his limitations and only tasked him with transcribing the works of others, which inevitably led to more praise for his calligraphy.

After all the commotion, Gao Qiu returned home when the moon was high in the sky. Fortunately, there was no curfew in the Song Dynasty, and he did not encounter anyone checking on the road, so he had a trouble-free journey. However, just as he approached his own courtyard, he unexpectedly heard a conversation between a man and a woman coming from inside, and he quickly and quietly concealed himself.

Seeing Su Shi recite with great enthusiasm, Gao Qiu finally felt relieved. Meeting for the first time, he urged the man to write, fully aware that he was being overly reckless. However, opportunities are fleeting; if Su Shi did not write, where would he find a chance to show off? Yet, once the writing was completed, he truly witnessed what it meant to be intoxicated with the spirit of the moment. A piece titled "Nian Nu Jiao: Chibi Huai Gu" displayed unparalleled grandeur and style, far surpassing any stone carvings of later generations.

How are you, Gao Xiaoxiong?" The intoxicated Su Shi gazed at his new work, feeling exceptionally satisfied, yet he still remembered to ask for opinions.

He began to contemplate what to say on the road; when encountering a benefactor, one must demonstrate some skills, otherwise how could one be greatly utilized. He was unaccustomed to living in poverty and needed to improve his living conditions as soon as possible, which required effort in dealing with Su Shi. After all, that legendary Prince Wang seemed to be an old friend of Su Shi, and the whereabouts of Zhao Ji should be sought from that angle.

Indeed, it has come! This is the moment that Gao Qiu has been eagerly awaiting. He naturally does not expect to impress Su Shi merely with a few empty words, so he has long since made his plans. After a few humble remarks, he unceremoniously spreads out the rice paper, thinks for a moment, and then writes vigorously. With that previous display of wild cursive as a reference, he recalls Su Shi's high regard for regular script, and thus does not dare to show off in front of the master. He immediately opts for standard regular script, and what flows from his pen is a stanza from Su Shi's "Jiang Cheng Zi." Although he has not experienced the pain of losing a wife, his writing is upright, and within the text, a sense of solitude and the essence of calligraphy subtly emerges from the words, naturally reflecting his feelings about his current situation.

The Encounter with Immortals restaurant is located on the south side of Quyuan Street, with pavilions in front and terraces behind. In contemporary terms, it is a typical garden hotel, a place where dignitaries and nobles gather, and naturally, the prices inside are astonishingly high. Gao Qiu knew that if he were not following the renowned Scholar Su, it would be difficult for him to even step through the threshold of this place. Even so, when he caught sight of the row of wooden signs on the wall displaying the prices, he couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement. A silver bottle of wine costs seventy-two wen, and a lamb wine costs eighty-one wen; dining here would likely cost several guan.

Just as in his memories, at this time, Su Shi, who was over fifty years old, was indeed in a position to be utilized. He still held the title of Vice Minister of Rites, and everyone was well aware of his literary reputation. Naturally, a mere tavern owner would go out of his way to flatter him, effortlessly arranging a window-side elegant seat on the upper floor, and using a screen to separate them from other guests. In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the tavern staff brought a full table of dishes in a continuous stream. Su Shi then ordered some wine to be warmed beside him before he began to converse with Gao Qiao.

"Industry is diminished by indulgence and refined by diligence. It is not uncommon for young people to waste time. However, observing your talents, I believe that with some effort, you could certainly achieve distinction. If you are truly earnest, you might consider visiting my residence at m.hetushu.com, where literary figures often gather, and I could offer you some guidance."

Su Shi initially only nodded slightly, but later he was taken aback. This poem, "Jiang Cheng Zi," was composed by him years ago in memory of his deceased wife, and he was very familiar with it. However, he never expected that a young man of not yet twenty could express such sorrowful words through calligraphy. Although the brushwork still seemed somewhat lacking, the artistic conception had already reached seventy to eighty percent, enough to leave him in awe.

Gao Qiu hurriedly called over the servants to clear the dishes from the table. First, he spread out the rice paper, then rolled up his sleeves to grind the ink, all the while stealing glances at the esteemed calligrapher whom this master held in high regard. After all, he had never seen the inebriated Su Xueshi in such a state. Once the ink was ready, he pressed down three weights, personally standing on the left to hold the paper. At that moment, Su Shi, holding a cup in his left hand and swaying unsteadily, walked over. He paused briefly in front of the rice paper, then suddenly took a brush, dipped it in the thick ink, and began to write vigorously.

Su Shi nodded thoughtfully. Coming from a prominent family, he had seen many instances where a lack of effort in youth led to regret in old age. At this moment, he found Gao Qiu's straightforward words and calm demeanor quite refreshing. Although one could not gauge a person's knowledge solely from their calligraphy, he genuinely felt a sense of appreciation for talent. After pondering for a moment, he came up with an idea.

Gao Qiu was immediately overjoyed. Although Su Shi's career was fraught with difficulties and challenges, it was undoubtedly a stroke of luck for him to be associated with such a figure. Have many not considered it fortunate to come from the Su family, as recorded in the Song History? Moreover, spending some time in this scholar's residence is certainly more prudent than gathering information about the court and Zhao Ji in the marketplace. With this thought in mind, he respectfully bowed and expressed his gratitude, saying, "If Qiu achieves success in the future, I will certainly not forget the scholar's nurturing grace." Moreover, spending some time in this scholar's residence is certainly more prudent than gathering information about the court and Zhao Ji in the marketplace. With this thought in mind, he respectfully bowed and expressed his gratitude, saying, "If Qiu achieves success in the future, I will certainly not forget the scholar's nurturing grace."

"Good, what a pearl like millet!" Su Shi, filled with great enthusiasm, directly took a corner of the wine and poured it into his mouth. Only then did he lean on the railing and exclaim: "In my lifetime, the work I admire the most is Wang Xizhi's 'Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Gathering' from the Eastern Jin dynasty, but unfortunately, I have never had the chance to see the original. When it comes to cursive script, no one has surpassed Wang Xizhi from ancient times to the present. Every piece he wrote in wild cursive, how could it not be infused with the spirit of wine? Before him was the cursive sage Zhang Xu from the Tang dynasty, and after him, many great masters of our Song dynasty, all of whom wrote cursive script while intoxicated. In comparison, they inevitably fall short." When it comes to cursive script, no one has surpassed Wang Xizhi from ancient times to the present. Every piece he wrote in wild cursive, how could it not be infused with the spirit of wine? Before him was the cursive sage Zhang Xu from the Tang dynasty, and after him, many great masters of our Song dynasty, all of whom wrote cursive script while intoxicated. In comparison, they inevitably fall short.

Gao Qiu, at a loss for an appropriate comment, suddenly recalled the admiration expressed by the Ming Dynasty scholar Dong Qichang for Su Shi's calligraphy that he had read in a book. In a moment of inspiration, he hastily borrowed from it. "This calligraphy employs the upright brush technique throughout, with strength penetrating the paper, akin to the Lanting of a scholar. At the end of each stroke, there are faint traces of ink gathering, resembling grains of millet, truly a work of the highest quality"

When it comes to poetry and literature, Gao Qiu and this literary giant naturally have little common ground, and it is impossible for him to feign elegance. However, once the topic shifts to calligraphy, he becomes loquacious. Thus, the two discussed calligraphy from the Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties through the Sui and Tang Dynasties to the masters of the current dynasty. With experts present, Gao Qiu dared not offer excessive flattery, only occasionally making a comment that was somewhat superficial, which greatly amused the other party. As the wine flowed, he took advantage of the atmosphere to urge Su Shi to demonstrate his calligraphy. Coincidentally, this scholar Su was equally enthusiastic and readily agreed. Therefore, they continued their discussion on calligraphy from the Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties through the Sui and Tang Dynasties to the masters of the current dynasty. With experts present, Gao Qiu dared not offer excessive flattery, only occasionally making a comment that was somewhat superficial, which greatly amused the other party. As the wine flowed, he took advantage of the atmosphere to urge Su Shi to demonstrate his calligraphy. Coincidentally, this scholar Su was equally enthusiastic and readily agreed.

Su Shi was also of a cheerful disposition. After enjoying food and drink at the tavern, he immediately took Gao Qiu back to his residence. The Su family had served in official capacities for generations. Su Xun had purchased a wealthy merchant's garden on the western ridge of the outer city of Bianjing during the reign of Emperor Renzong, which, after several renovations, became a spacious residence frequented by literati and gentlemen in the capital.

Such matters can be easily understood with a casual inquiry; Gao Qiu would not dare to speak recklessly with the intention to deceive. With a face full of sorrow, he reflected on himself and said: "I am truly ashamed to be questioned by the scholar. Since childhood, I have been unruly and resistant to discipline. Now, having turned twenty, I have achieved nothing, except for a few characters that I can write well. As for the imperial examination, although I have considered it, I am unfortunately lacking a solid foundation and guidance, so I can only temporarily abandon that thought."

Young Gao has achieved such remarkable accomplishments at a tender age, which is truly commendable!" The rarely complimentary Su Shi finally revealed a smile of admiration, "You appear to be a scholar; have you ever attempted the imperial examination?"