Chapter 10, Popular Literature

Gongsun Zan initially intended to remind Liu Xiu, but upon recalling that Liu Bei had not offered any warning, he felt it inappropriate as an outsider to interfere further. Not wanting to risk being blamed by Liu Xiu later, he simply pretended not to see and sat back down.

Liu Xiu was taken aback. Although Lu Min seemed to be inquiring about his meaning, there was a hint of coldness in his tone. He glanced at the wooden tablet in his hand and nervously asked, "May I ask, sir, did I write it incorrectly?"

"Yes." Liu Xiu glanced over and immediately nodded, then assumed a very humble demeanor

Liu Xiu looked for a moment and, seeing that Liu Bei's annotations contained no new insights, he intended to ask if there were any others. Leaning forward, he noticed that Liu Bei's complexion was somewhat pale, and he couldn't help but ask with concern: "Xuande, what is wrong with you?"

"It seems unfamiliar, probably just arrived today," another voice responded.

The young man asked, "Who is Liu Deran from Zhuo County?"

Lu Min took out the wooden slip written with the official document by Liu Xiu and handed it to Liu Xiu, saying: "Is this yours?"

A mocking voice said: "This is uncertain; perhaps it is due to good scholarship. Sir, you may want to test it in person, directly entering the hall and classroom."

Liu Bei felt a sudden sense of panic and quickly said, "It's nothing, perhaps it's just that I've been traveling all day and am a bit tired. A short rest will do me good."

Gold will always shine in the end. However, this is a bit too fast. Liu Xiu thought to himself with a hint of self-satisfaction, a smile appearing on his face. Yet, just as this smile emerged, it was interrupted by a remark from Lu Min.

"It's just nonsense," Liu Xiu laughed heartily, looking around and changing the subject: "Isn't it time for dinner? After a long day of travel, I'm feeling a bit hungry"

As they were eating, the young man who had previously arranged for everyone to check in walked in. He glanced around, and the few people who had been chatting and laughing while eating immediately fell silent, lowering their heads to eat without a word. The atmosphere in the dining hall instantly became serious

"Here." Liu Xiu did not dare to be negligent, quickly leaving his seat and striding to the door. He put on his shoes and politely said to the young man, who looked surprised: "May I ask what guidance you have?"

Liu Xiu followed the young man to the other side of the corridor and stood still, yet he could hear the sounds from the dining hall clearly. He felt somewhat perplexed; he hadn't done anything wrong, so why was he called out by this so-called young master on the very first day? The young man who delivered the wooden tablets seemed to have mentioned that this young master was Lu Zhi's eldest son, Lu Min. Could it be that Lu Zhi was very pleased with his calligraphy?

Liu Bei stepped out with three wooden slips in hand, feeling somewhat hesitant. He wanted to take the opportunity to see Liu Xiu's jokes to vent the accumulated displeasure of the past few days. However, with Gongsun Zan by his side, was this action somewhat inappropriate? Just a moment ago, in a fit of impulse, he had used his gaze to stop Gongsun Zan, and now he felt quite regretful, thinking that this approach towards Liu Xiu was indeed excessive. Yet, it also seemed inappropriate to return and remind Liu Xiu.

Liu Xiubian looked on and smiled, saying: "Xuande, you have been putting in quite a bit of effort lately"

Hehe, preparing a little at the last minute is better than not preparing at all. If Mr. tests us, perhaps I might get one or two answers right by chance. Liu Xiu chuckled, putting down the book in his hand. His own home had no scrolls at all, but Liu Bei had brought a few volumes, among which were two from the Analects: "Xue Er" and "Wei Zheng," and one complete volume of the "Classic of Filial Piety," which had many markings and appeared to have been written recently.

Lu Min listened, and only then did his expression clear up. He nodded and said it was fine before turning to leave. Liu Xiu stood in place, his face turning quite ugly. He snorted coldly but then revealed a smile, turning back to the room. He took out his writing tools again, sharpened the notice he had painstakingly written, and rewrote it in a dignified clerical script. After carefully checking it, he finally got up and headed towards the back courtyard

Oh. Liu Xiu noticed his evasive gaze, and a cloud of suspicion and curiosity arose in his heart. However, he did not expect it to be a matter of a notice. He initially intended to ask, but upon seeing Liu Bei turn inward, it was clear that he did not wish to speak, so he had no choice but to swallow his words back down.

Liu Bei found himself in a dilemma, contemplating for quite some time before finally steeling himself to proceed. When he handed over the wooden tablet, he deliberately placed Liu Xiu's edict in the middle to avoid revealing any flaws, and then he retreated. On the way, he took a moment to check the dining area, lingering outside for a while before returning to the room. Gongsun Zan lay on the bed with his eyes closed, unsure whether he had fallen asleep or was merely pretending to doze off due to the lack of conversation with Liu Xiu. Liu Xiu was flipping through the books he had brought, and upon hearing Gongsun Zan's footsteps, he looked up and casually remarked, "You're back." Gongsun Zan lay on the bed with his eyes closed, unsure whether he had fallen asleep or was merely pretending to doze off due to the lack of conversation with Liu Xiu. Liu Xiu was flipping through the books he had brought, and upon hearing Gongsun Zan's footsteps, he looked up and casually remarked, "You're back."

This time, Liu Xiu heard it and quickly shook his head, saying: "How could I dare? You are a model in my heart, how could I show any disrespect to you? I truly did not know this was a common book. Since you have taken the lead, I will immediately return and rewrite it, then send it to you."

Gongsun Zan listened and leaned over to take a look, furrowing his brow. Just as he was about to speak, he met Liu Bei's gaze and swallowed his words back. Liu Xiu's calligraphy was indeed beautiful, but he made a mistake. Although regular script, running script, and cursive script had emerged during the Han Dynasty, they were all considered common scripts. Writing letters and such was acceptable, but when it came to formal documents, it was necessary to use official script, specifically clerical script. Liu Xiu's calligraphy was beautiful, yet he made a mistake. Although regular script, running script, and cursive script had emerged during the Han Dynasty, they were all considered common scripts. Writing letters and such was acceptable, but when it came to formal documents, it was necessary to use official script, specifically clerical script. When they wrote the official document, it was the first impression given to the teacher, and thus it should be written in clerical script to convey solemnity. Liu Xiu's use of common script, from a certain perspective, was disrespectful; no matter how beautiful his writing was, it was still incorrect. This is akin to modern examinations; can you write in cursive on them? Even if you are a master of cursive, you will ultimately face consequences. When they wrote the official document, it was the first impression given to the teacher, and thus it should be written in clerical script to convey solemnity. Liu Xiu's use of common script, from a certain perspective, was disrespectful; no matter how beautiful his writing was, it was still incorrect. This is akin to modern examinations; can you write in cursive on them? Even if you are a master of cursive, you will ultimately face consequences.

Lu Min glanced at him and saw his earnest expression, which did not seem feigned, making her feel somewhat reluctant. After hesitating for a moment, she said: "It is not entirely incorrect, but using this common script to write it is ultimately somewhat inappropriate. It would be better to rewrite it in clerical script. You... you do not have anything to say to my father, do you?"

Lu Min said lightly: "You have no objections, do you?"

Liu Xiu was taken aback; he paused for a moment, preparing to ask Liu Bei who this person was. However, Liu Bei kept his head down, silently eating. Liu Xiu had no choice but to stand up and bow, saying: "I am the one."

Hmm. Liu Bei responded with a hint of guilt, forcing a smile as he said, "Are you reading?"

Liu Bei smiled awkwardly, intending to retrieve it, but found himself unable to reach out. He could only mumble a couple of sounds and lay down on the bed to rest. He thought about the official document he had just sent up and felt a sense of unease. He both hoped someone would come soon to embarrass Liu Xiu and feared that someone would come and let Liu Xiu discover his mischief. Listening to the footsteps outside, which occasionally echoed, he felt a mix of tension and relief in his heart. He thought about the official document he had just sent up and felt a sense of unease. He both hoped someone would come soon to embarrass Liu Xiu and feared that someone would come and let Liu Xiu discover his mischief, listening to the footsteps outside, which occasionally echoed, feeling a mix of tension and relief in his heart.

Gongsun Zan cast a meaningful glance at Liu Bei, who, feeling embarrassed, lowered his head.

A burst of laughter suddenly erupted in the cafeteria, and someone remarked, "Where did this reckless person come from, getting called out by the young master on the very first day?"

The young man glanced at him and said expressionlessly, "Step outside for a moment."

Not long after, someone came to invite them for dinner. Liu Xiu called Gongsun Zan and Liu Bei, and the three of them went to the dining hall together. The dining hall was a room next to the kitchen, furnished with more than ten long tables. Most of the early arrivals had already become familiar with one another, eating while quietly discussing various topics. When Liu Xiu and the others entered, there was no great surprise; only a few people came over to greet them. Gongsun Zan was indifferent, while Liu Bei warmly engaged in conversation with them. Liu Xiu listened with a smile, choosing not to speak much.

We moved aside to speak. The young man looked at him, his eyebrows twitching slightly, as if he wanted to laugh but couldn't, so he had no choice but to turn and leave. Liu Xiu, puzzled by his meaning, could only follow closely behind.

Upon arrival, he was criticized; this young man truly has poor luck

After Liu Bei finished writing, he first went to Gongsun Zan's desk to take the wooden slips, then turned around to take Liu Xiu's slips. He glanced at them, his eyes brightening, and then he chuckled, saying: "Elder brother, when did you become so skilled in calligraphy?"