Chapter 8: Reading

Sitting down, Xu Ping noticed that apart from a few books, there was nothing on Lin Wensi's desk, which made him feel somewhat guilty. He said, "Teacher, please have a seat. I will go and ask Xiuxiu to prepare some tea."

Xu Ping said irritably: "Who would be happy to enter the school?"

In the end, I sighed; such significant matters of life should be set aside for now, and I shall focus on being a landowner.

Xu Ping filled her bowl with soup and smiled, saying: "How old are you? You can't be much taller than this pot; I'll handle this kind of thing."

Upon exiting the study, Xu Ping also felt somewhat embarrassed.

From thought to action, must one truly integrate completely into this world

Xu Ping shook his head: "I understand these principles. A person's status differs, and so do their positions; naturally, their perspectives on issues will also vary. There is reasoning behind every argument."

Returning to the courtyard, Xiuxiu noticed that his expression was not good and cautiously asked: "My lord, you are back so soon, are you not enjoying your studies?"

The two returned to the hall holding bowls, and Xu Ping took a sip and remarked, "If only there were two more sesame cakes, this day would be perfect"

Lin Wensi nodded: "Indeed. You have made much progress these past few days, as expected, one must experience more of the world to gain understanding. Very well, I shall continue to teach as usual, and you should learn diligently, doing your best while leaving the rest to fate."

The study was right next door, and upon entering, I realized that Lin Wensi had not yet arrived. After sitting for a while, I grew bored and glanced at the table, which had several books displayed—namely, the Analects, the Mencius, the Book of Changes, the Spring and Autumn Annals, the Book of Documents, and the Book of Songs. I casually picked one up and looked at it for a moment, but after just a couple of pages, I felt drowsy.

Xiu Xiu fell silent for a moment and then said softly: "I have dreamed of attending school since I was young, even if it were just for one day, that would be good! My younger brother is only five years old, and he helps my father tend the sheep. Who doesn't want to read and write? What can we do when the family is poor? You, sir, truly do not know the blessings you have been given."

Watching Lin Wensi slam the door and leave, Xu Ping stood there in a daze. This situation seemed somewhat off; according to the novels, even the top scholar of the Dali Kingdom was left speechless by Huang Rong's words. How could a failed candidate dismiss these few remarks so easily? Shouldn't he engage in a serious discussion with himself, then suddenly realize that the Confucian classics he had read before were all nonsense, and subsequently view himself in a new light?

Upon seeing Xu Ping come out, everyone hurried to greet him with bows and salutations. Yesterday, his unintentional act unexpectedly won over quite a few hearts, yet it remains unclear what Granny Hong thinks in her heart

Xiuxiu cut the lamb and wanted to put it all into Xu Ping's bowl. Xu Ping said, "This is about enjoying the flavor; the soup is what you drink. You should put more in your bowl."

Xu Ping did not ask further; there was no need to guess the little girl's thoughts, as time would naturally heal everything

Xu Ping is troubled by the grand principles that Lin Wensi is lecturing on, and irritably says: "Fortune is fortune; how could it be something earned from past lives? It is simply what you have earned yourself. I teach you because you are obedient and sensible; if you were mischievous with me every day, I wouldn't bother teaching you!"

Xu Ping waved his hand and said, "I will just say it; if there is none, then so be it"

Gradually, I began to understand that the novels and strange tales I read in my previous life, which were written by disillusioned literati filled with cynicism, are likely not mainstream in this world. Such nonsensical discourse would not be engaged in by any normal scholar, as their purpose in reading is to seek the truth. Even if I personally view the search for truth in the classics of sages as nonsense, that is merely a limitation of the times.

Lin Wensi said: "We are not outsiders, so there is no need for these formalities; our studies are what truly matter"

After tidying up, he said to Xiuxiu: "Wasn't there some cooked lamb left from yesterday? Go cut a few slices and put them in the soup, it will taste even better"

Yesterday, there were still some coriander and chopped green onions left. Xu Ping picked them up and added them to both bowls, then frowned as he added a few grains of salt. It is indeed a small landlord who still eats this coarse salt with large grains; it would be better to filter it and refine it into fine salt when there is time

A true talent will naturally emerge in response to the times, benefiting the world, rather than hiding in the shadows to mock and deride, pretending to be a detached sage. No one is born a deity; to gain something, one must lose something. With ambition and vigor, there must also be compromises and concessions. It all depends on how one chooses and understands the balance between gain and loss.

He replied awkwardly, "Perhaps the students are still young; maybe they will have an epiphany in a few years."

Why is it that the rulers are blind to the talents and are envious of the capable? Wang Anshi, the most outstanding thinker and politician of the Song Dynasty, was able to achieve high honors in the imperial examination and govern the world. Although he has been slandered for over a thousand years by the admirers of his political rivals, the brilliance of his thoughts remains evident. The intellectual debates he initiated have influenced this nation for over a thousand years

Unfortunately, Xiuxiu added too little water, so it could not hold much soup. He picked up the ladle and filled his own bowl, then turned to Xiuxiu and said: "Bring me your bowl."

She is still a child, suddenly separated from her parents and family, it is strange that she can eat and sleep well. Moreover, last night Xu Ping asked her to cook the lamb bones, and she did not know how they should be cooked, so she was afraid to sleep deeply, getting up from time to time to check the fire, fearing that she would ruin it and be scolded by Xu Ping

Lin Wensi, upon hearing this, suddenly turned his head to look at him. After a long while, he placed the book on the table and sighed deeply: "If you were not my son-in-law, I would have kicked you out! What is the purpose of reading the classics? To understand the great principles of spring and autumn, to clarify the natural order of humanity, to cultivate one's heart and self, and to stand magnificently between heaven and earth! If you do not wish to read, then do not read; why must you learn such words akin to a shrew cursing in the streets! Let alone the Zhou Emperor, the Song state is still a guest; which do the sages wish to discuss, Zhou or Song? The way of heaven is constant; it does not exist for Yao nor perish for Jie. A scholar must first respect the way of heaven, and then clarify human relationships. Enough, take some time to reflect on this yourself, and we shall resume classes after the Tianchen Festival!"

Xu Ping could only hear a buzzing in his ears, unable to absorb a single word. His agitation grew, and he felt that after so many years of schooling, he understood the principles better than this impoverished scholar. Yet, he still had to obediently sit there and listen to the scolding, while the scholar looked down on him with disdain.

Xu Ping is unable to respond; the previous dandy was even less receptive, letting words enter through the left ear and exit through the right as if blown away by the wind, retaining even less than Xu Ping.

Looking at Xiuxiu, I suddenly said: "Do you want to read and write? I will teach you!"

Xu Ping was stunned for a moment. What constitutes talent in this era? Only those in official positions are considered talented! Yet, despite his wealth of knowledge, he found himself disconnected from this reality, feeling both somewhat dejected and somewhat indignant.

Xu Ping hurriedly stood up and saluted, saying: "Teacher, you have had a tiring journey, and I did not pay my respects to you yesterday. I hope you will forgive me for this offense"

He said: "I am not good at composing poetry and prose, so naturally, you are not pleased. But if I teach you a few common characters and you write a couple of lines in the dialect of the village, being able to read and write them, what difficulty is there in that?"

Thus, he picked up the "Mencius" and began to explain it while speaking, regardless of whether Xu Ping could comprehend it or not

He picked up the book to review the content that Xu Ping had taught earlier

It is inexplicable, yet I suddenly recalled a small poem from the Jin Yong novels I read in my previous life, and I blurted out: "Has a beggar ever had two wives? Why does the neighbor's family raise so many chickens? At that time, there was still the Zhou Emperor, so why are there so many discussions about Wei and Qi?"

There is no choice but to live well in this world, to reassure everyone, and to maintain appearances. After tidying up, I slowly made my way out of my small courtyard.

Xu Ping thought to himself, you little sister, if I cannot teach you the sayings of Confucius, how can I teach you the population distribution of the upper, middle, and lower classes

Taking another sip, I thought that adding a bit more chili to the soup would enhance the flavor. I glanced over at Xiuxiu, who was sipping delicately, occasionally stealing glances at me, but I kept my thoughts to myself. Tomorrow, I suppose; it wouldn't be right to have this little girl running around in circles. Besides, going outside to pick chili would mean she wouldn't be able to eat in peace.

After finishing the meal, Xiuxiu tidied up and said to Xu Ping: "My lord, Lady Lin mentioned that you are starting school today, so I woke you up early. Please get ready and go."

Having finished speaking, a person entered the study and began to handle the ink, brushes, paper, and inkstone inside.

Xiu Xiu felt a sense of relief in her heart and timidly said, "My lord, I should handle this matter myself."

Just as Xu Ping was feeling restless, Lin Wensi walked in.

The recent conversation with Lin Wensi has clearly conveyed to him that in this era, if one wishes to pursue a normal path of education and officialdom, relying on sensationalism is futile and will only have the opposite effect. Consider Liu Yong, known as Liu Sanbian in later generations; no matter how novelists embellish and glorify him as a renowned talent of his time, the emperor's lack of discernment only resulted in his unfavorable performance in the imperial examinations. Similarly, those extraordinary talents and eccentric geniuses who have been exalted in later generations, even the great thinkers who are celebrated in history, mostly share this same outcome: unfavorable results in the imperial examinations.

Early the next morning, Xu Ping was awakened by Xiu Xiu

Xiu Xiu was taken aback and stammered, "This is certainly good. However, since the gentleman does not wish to attend school, how could he possibly teach others"

Xiu Xiu lowered her head and did not speak

Xiu Xiu whispered: "My lord, there are no steamed buns in the kitchen"

Xiu Xiu was not concerned: "Then thank you, my lord!"

If Xu Ping knew that the protagonist of this poem was about the same age as him and was currently shivering in the misty rain of Jiangnan, he would not know what to think

Xiu Xiu felt a bit sweet inside, and her anxiety about coming to the Xu family diminished significantly. The toothless old woman at least did not lie to her about one thing: this family indeed often had meat to eat

In the yard, the villagers gathered in small groups, squatting on the ground to eat. They were quite well-behaved, having boiled the offal from the sheep they had yesterday, and were enjoying it with steamed buns.

Lin Wensi waved his hand and said, "We are all family, it is not a problem."

Xiu Xiu was attending to the washing, while Xu Ping carried a large bowl into the kitchen. Xiu Xiu followed behind, feeling anxious and uncertain whether her actions would meet Xu Ping's expectations

Lifting the lid of the pot, Xu Ping took a deep breath: "What a wonderful aroma!"

After asking a few questions, Xu Ping answered off-topic. Lin Wensi closed the book and sighed: "Xianxu, do you truly have no intention of pursuing an official career in your life? Even if you do not participate in the imperial examinations, reading more virtuous books is still beneficial. Otherwise, when sitting with others, wouldn't it be awkward if you have nothing to say?"

Yawning, I stepped out of the room and saw Xiuxiu with red eyes, so I asked her: "Did you not sleep well last night? Are you not used to staying here?"

Xiu Xiu said joyfully: "That is also the blessing I earned in my past life"

Xu Ping felt lost; this choice was too burdensome, leaving him somewhat panicked

Xu Ping silently nodded. He was very reluctant to go to school; after all, he had spent nearly twenty years in education in his previous life. However, when it came to the Four Books and Five Classics, he was quite the novice, which made him feel somewhat embarrassed. His worldview had long been established, and the thought of listening to a pedantic old scholar lecture him on Confucian principles regarding rulers and subjects, fathers and sons, filled him with resistance.

Xu Ping stood alone in the courtyard, lost in thought, seriously contemplating his future and whether he should pursue studies to participate in the imperial examination and attain a degree.

When you arrive at a mountain, you must sing the song of that mountain, desiring the pride of being the only sober one among the intoxicated, while also wanting the carefree independence of being unconventional, naturally, one must bear the consequences of such behavior. To put it bluntly, wanting to be a prostitute while also seeking to establish a reputation is not something that can be achieved in every world.