Chapter 9, Super Memory

An hour has already passed

The old fourth beside him had a stern expression: "You are so bold, not kneeling before the master, asking for a beating!"

"Who else could it be besides him?" Zhang Zhixian smiled and said, "My elder brother and Xia Yan are both individuals with remarkable memories. Back when they were preparing for the imperial examination in the capital, they casually picked a book from a bookstore, each perused it once, and then recited it from memory, managing to do so without a single word amiss.

Moreover, with so many titles, unless the person has previously studied the family tree and memorized it in a haphazard manner. However, this family tree is usually kept under strict preservation, and ordinary people have no chance of seeing it at all

The branch of Sun Dan's father separated from that time. While carrying this family tree, Sun Dan made a small alteration, adding a few entries at the point of separation, including the names of his grandfather and father, thereby completing the interrupted sections of the family tree

... ...

This can no longer be explained by mere guesswork; if one is not a true member of the Sun family, it would be impossible to know so many names of ancestors

Once Sun Zhong and his party had departed, Sun Dan expressed his gratitude to County Magistrate Zhang and prepared to leave

Sun Dan's expression was calm: "Sun Dan knows."

Zhang Zhixian's eyes widened in surprise: "Old Sun, was what Sun Dan just recited correct?"

Sun Zhong and Sun Dan completed the reading of these three large family genealogies, and then extracted a few obscure lines to inquire about repeatedly

Now, once it is memorized, there is no need to think at all; one can simply open that folder and read it verbatim.

The attendant busily opened a beautifully crafted red lacquer cabinet, took out three large, thick volumes of religious texts, and solemnly placed them on the table. He then handed over a clean towel.

Sun Dan straightened up and said, "Thank you, my lord"

This level can be considered completed

The old man was taken aback by Sun Dan's composure, and his gaze towards Sun Dan became even more focused

As it was not a formal court session, there were few officials in the hall, which somewhat diminished the solemnity and authority of the court.

Zhang Zhixian said: "No need, no need. If he truly is a member of the Sun family, he shall naturally be exempt from labor. However, if he is not, I will certainly not show favoritism."

... ...

However, all this information exists in Sun Dan's mind. As the first notable figure in the history of Zouping County, although the genealogy of Sun Jizong has been lost several times, it was eventually compiled and organized over a period of more than thirty years through the joint efforts of the Sun family members both domestically and abroad. It was revised into more than a dozen volumes and is preserved as a rare historical document in the archives of the county's historical office. Later, Zouping County implemented office automation, and several staff members from the historical office spent several months inputting this genealogy into the computer. Finally, it was compiled and organized into more than a dozen volumes, preserved as a rare historical document in the archives of the county's historical office. Later, Zouping County implemented office automation, and several staff members from the historical office spent several months inputting this genealogy into the computer. At that time, Sun Dan, feeling a bit restless and needing to write the so-called promotional materials, also copied a version to his personal computer, adhering to the principle that more information is better. The last time he was struck by lightning, all this information also entered his mind, becoming part of the collection in his brain's library.

If a person can recite their own family tree fluently, can it not prove their identity? In this context, Sun Dan discovered while reading the Sun family genealogy that during the Xuande period, the Sun family branched out into three or four lines. In ancient times, large families were prosperous, often comprising thousands of households, and collateral relatives were intricately intertwined. Over time, this became a tangled mess, making it difficult to clarify the truth.

Sun Zhong let out a light laugh from his nose, ignoring Sun Dan, and turned to Magistrate Zhang, saying: "Master Zhang, since this is the case, I have troubled you, so I will take my leave now"

Sun Danqing cleared his throat, took a deep breath, and said in a loud voice: "The Sun clan of Zou Ping has compiled its fourth revision of the genealogy, titled Tian Yi Tang."

The old man with a white beard from the Sun family of the Marquis of Weichang spoke with precise diction, his Beijing accent quite fluent. However, this person had an air of arrogance, casually sitting in the chair, exuding a sense of competence. Even the several attendants he brought along appeared quite spirited.

Sun Zhong smiled as he stood up and cupped his hands together, saying: "Whether Sun Dan is indeed a member of the Sun family, I cannot make a decision. I must consult with the elders of the main family in the capital before reaching a conclusion. If it is confirmed, it would not be inappropriate to add a few notes to the family genealogy." After speaking, he glanced at Sun Dan again and said to County Magistrate Zhang: "Lord Zhang, I will cover the expenses for Sun Dan's labor."

Sun Dan's body swayed as if struck by a powerful lightning bolt

Of course. Zhang Zhixian nodded and said: "One is my elder brother Zhang Cong, and the other is my classmate Xia Yan"

This person exudes a strong scholarly aura, speaking in a slow and deliberate manner, yet his Zhejiang dialect leaves listeners in a haze. If it weren't for Sun Dan having hosted a few guests from Wenzhou in the past, it would have been truly difficult to communicate with him

The county magistrate said it was no problem and suggested waiting.

Upon seeing Sun Danyi's desire to leave, County Magistrate Zhang suddenly sighed: "What a pity, such a good memory; how wonderful it would be if you studied more. After ten years of hard study, you would surely be able to ascend the dragon gate. It is lamentable that at your current age, you have already passed the best years for studying."

Even the direct descendants of the Sun family might struggle to recite a few lines

The old man smiled gently and said, "You must be Sun Dan, right? I am Sun Zhong, the steward of the old residence in Shandong. If you truly belong to the Sun family, you may have to call me 'uncle' in the future. However, if you are lying and deceiving, I fear the law of the land will not spare you. You must think this through carefully." As he spoke the last part, his smile faded, and his voice became stern.

Sun Dan felt a sense of relief upon hearing this and hurriedly bowed, saying: "Thank you, esteemed elder."

At the beginning of the recitation, Sun Zhong appeared calm. After all, the Sun family is a prominent clan in the country, and several notable figures in the family are renowned worldwide, well-known to the public, and it is not surprising that people are aware of their names and dates of birth and death. However, as he listened further, his astonishment grew. The genealogy recited by Sun Dan was almost identical to that in the book, even down to the collateral branches, with no discrepancies whatsoever.

Zhang Zhixian smiled as he glanced at Sun Dan and said, "Your Sun family, especially Sun Dan, is truly gifted. Although he cannot read a single character, he has managed to memorize the thick three volumes of the family genealogy after only hearing it a few times. The Sun family of Huichang Marquis is indeed exceptionally talented!" In his smile, Zhang Zhixian's eyes were filled with admiration.

"What, have you memorized the genealogy of the Sun family?" Sun Zhong, who had just been fuming, suddenly perked up and turned back to look at Sun Dan with keen eyes. To be honest, he had a good impression of Sun Dan. The descendants of the Gongchang Marquis Sun family numbered at least eight hundred, if not a thousand, and he was familiar with most of them, including many talented young individuals. However, in such a situation, it was rare to find someone as calm and composed as this young man. If he truly is a descendant of the Sun family, he could very well be a talent. As a prominent family, to maintain their glory, the elders are consciously aware of the need to discover and cultivate talent within the family. When they encounter a promising individual, they naturally would not let the opportunity slip by.

If, as Sun Zhong said, it takes three to five months to ascertain one's identity, then during this three to five months, one can surely come up with a solution. As a modern person, earning two taels of silver is not a difficult task at all

When a light sound was made as the teacup was placed on the table, the old man lifted his eyelids and said: "Isn't it better for the members of the Sun family to discuss this later? There are many people with the surname Sun in the world, and this matter still requires your explanation."

Master Zhang's elder brother, Zhang Cong, is a renowned talent in the Liangjiang region, and I have also heard of him. As for Xia Yan, is he not the talented scholar who became a jinshi in the twelfth year of the Zhengde reign, served as an official, and was promoted to the position of a military official in the Ministry of War?

Zhang Zhixian, whose given name is Duan, is approximately forty years old. He is of tall and upright stature. It is said that he was a successful candidate in the imperial examination of the thirteenth year of the Zhengde era, ranking fourth in the second class. His performance is quite commendable; otherwise, he would not have been appointed as the magistrate of a prominent county like Zouping.

Sun Dan, unfazed, smiled: "My lord, although I cannot produce the family genealogy, every word and sentence of the Sun family's lineage is engraved in my heart. When I was young, my father had a copy of the genealogy. Unfortunately, in my unfilial youth, I sold our ancestral property and the genealogy was subsequently lost. At that time, my father was illiterate and could not read. However, he never dared to forget our ancestors' surname. Every Qingming and Chongyang festival, during the sacrificial rites, my father would invite someone to read it aloud. Having listened to it many times in my childhood, I became quite familiar with it."

However, to simply acknowledge that Sun Dan is a member of the Sun family seems rather absurd

Sun Zhongchang took a breath and said, "Not a word off."

Sun Dan was not afraid either, nodded slightly at him, and smiled faintly

Sun Dan spread his hands and said: "You, a poor lad from a humble family, have no household registration or family genealogy, so naturally you cannot produce any evidence."

Sun Zhongxin curiously asked: "Dare I ask, Lord Zhang, is there really someone in this world with such a good memory, yet does not know who the two individuals are?"

"I never expected that there could be such a remarkable person in the world," Sun Zhong exclaimed.

Sun Zhong straightened his body and, when discussing serious matters, the old man's tone became stern: "Sun Dan, I ask you, you claim to be a member of the Huichang Marquis family, but do you have any proof? Did you bring the family genealogy? Our Sun family's genealogy, starting from the late Duke of Huichang, traces back six generations and extends down four generations, with detailed records. When the time comes, we can easily verify it."

Then the court session will commence to hear the case

"Come here, present the genealogy of the Sun family to me." Sun Zhong did not hesitate, turning to a subordinate and commanding.

Good memory! Zhang Zhixian took a breath of cold air: "Such a good memory, I have only seen two people like this."

Yes. Sun Dan nodded slightly

The three thick volumes of the family genealogy contain at least 60,000 words from beginning to end, and it would indeed take some time to memorize them.

Ancestral Figure: Sun Tiren, styled Bopi, a native of Jinan, with ancestral roots in Zouping. He was devoted to the teachings of Confucius. In the twenty-first year of the Yongle era, he passed the imperial examination and served successively as the magistrate of Taoxian and as a deputy judge in Chengdu. He was born on the fifteenth day of the tenth month in the winter of the twenty-second year of the Hongwu era, at the hour of the rat, and passed away on the guichou day of the eighth month in the first year of the Xuande era, with his burial taking place in Dongling Mountain, Zouping, Shandong. His wife, of the Yan family, was posthumously honored as Lady Yan. She was born at the hour of the rat on the seventeenth day of the sixth month in the twenty-sixth year of the Hongwu era and passed away on the fifteenth day of the tenth month in the nineteenth year of the Yongle era, with her burial in the joint tomb of the esteemed Lord Xiong Bopi.

Sun Dan stepped forward and cupped his hands towards the county magistrate, saying, "I have the honor of meeting you, Lord Zhang." He then bowed to the elderly man, saying, "This elder is indeed a senior member of the Sun family from the Wangchang Marquis lineage."

The old man with a white beard held a teacup in his hands, gently blowing on the tea leaves' froth, while his pair of bright, piercing eyes fell upon Sun Dan, occasionally sparkling with a glimmer of brilliance

After drinking two pots of tea in the signing room, the water captain and the fourth brother finally managed to invite the county magistrate and the members of the Sun family over

How could he know that Sun Dan is essentially a humanoid computer, a mobile storage device, and no matter how he asks, Sun Dan remains unyielding in his responses

Gaozu, Sun Jizong, styled Guangfu, was the brother of Empress Zhang. In the early years of the Xuande era, he was appointed as the commander of the front guard of the imperial army, later transferred to the Jinyiwei. In the early years of the Jingtai era, he was promoted to the deputy commander of the capital's garrison and soon inherited his father's title. With the merit of the Gate of Seizure during the Tianshun era, he was elevated to the rank of marquis and given the title of "Wucheng Xuanli Wu Chen". He was also specially promoted to the position of Grand Minister of Rites and Pillar of the State.

Zhang Zhixian waved his hand and said: "No need for that. Since you are from the Sun family, I have not tried the case, so there is no need for you to kneel."

Zhang Zhixian glanced at Sun Zhong, and seeing Sun Zhong nod, said: "Director Sun, shall we begin?"

Emperor Taizu, Sun Lian, styled Tuisu, was appointed as the Commander of the Jinyiwei, born in the first year of the Hongxi era

Sun Zhong took the towel and wiped his hands, then sincerely picked up the first roll, looking at Sun Dan with a serious expression: "We can begin now"

Zhang Zhixian felt extremely embarrassed, "I trouble Elder Sun to come here, and I, Zhang, feel ashamed." He glared at Sun Dan and shouted sternly: "Sun Dan, you impersonated a member of the Huichang Marquis's family, deceiving this official, which is one crime. Wrongly recognizing your ancestors and being disrespectful and unfilial is another crime. According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, you shall receive fifty strokes and be exiled three thousand miles. Do you understand your crimes?"

... ...

Therefore, there can only be one explanation: this Sun Dan is indeed a genuine descendant of the Sun family

Sun Zhongxiaoxiao took his leave, stating that the head of the Sun family was currently in the capital. The back and forth would take one to two months. It was not feasible to make a special trip for such a trivial matter, so it would have to wait for another opportunity to discuss. It is estimated that it would take at least three to five months.