Section 3

Although Sang Chongguo did not participate in this provincial examination, his literary reputation surpassed that of Tang Di. At that time, it was widely acknowledged throughout the world, from the Sichuan and Gansu regions to the Khitan in the north, the Western Xia in the west, Dali in the south, and Goryeo in the east, that Su Shi's writings were the best. Su Shi's works were produced in the Great Song, and within a month, copies were already in the hands of the nobility of the Khitan. Tang Di's boastfulness was excessive, and even Sang Yu and Tang Gannan found it hard to believe, let alone Sang Chongguo.

Unexpectedly, when Chai Guiyi mentioned the Equal Distribution Law, it stirred up Tang Gannan's grievances. He couldn't help but sneer, "Equal distribution, equal distribution, the government is doing business, and us common folks who engage in trade are the ones suffering. We in the southwest are somewhat better off, but those in the southeast are the most unfortunate." Tang Di did not expect Tang Gannan to dare criticize the government, realizing that his resentment ran deep. He quickly smiled and said, "We should just stockpile less goods for speculation in the future. This Equal Distribution Law is a good method for the government to increase revenue; it is not a bad policy." Tang Gannan suddenly came to his senses, quickly chuckled, and said, "Indeed, indeed, we still have to do business anyway."

This speech was delivered in a grandiloquent manner, leaving everyone speechless. Sang Yuchu was particularly dumbfounded, as it was the first time he realized that there could be such a wonderful justification for making money in business. Only Tang Gannan remained secretly vigilant: a person who can use lofty principles to disguise any situation should never be underestimated

Sang Chongguo nodded slightly; this painting was indeed created by his sister, Sang Zier. Sang Zier, being a child, insisted on hanging it in the living room and instructed the servants outside to remember the comments of visitors and relay them to her. Not many people in the residence were aware of this matter. Although Shi Yue could discern its origins, it was not particularly surprising, yet it still demonstrated his cleverness. Just as he was about to ask further, he heard Shi Yue say, "This painting could be paired with a poem." Although Shi Yue could discern its origins, it was not particularly surprising, yet it still demonstrated his cleverness. Just as he was about to ask further, he heard Shi Yue say, "This painting could be paired with a poem."

The winter of this year is one that Shiyue will never forget. It has been many years since such heavy snow and such cold weather have been experienced! In ancient times, when there was no greenhouse effect and the natural environment had not been destroyed, a modern person might even find it difficult to adapt.

Chu Yun'er smiled gently and said, "Liu Tuntian's lyrics carry a bit too much melancholy and sorrow, which do not suit the current mood and setting, so I dare not sing them. Master Yan's lyrics possess a certain noble elegance, perfectly aligning with the status of the host family and the temperament of the young gentlemen present. I have taken the liberty to choose this piece." By comparing the Sang family to the esteemed Prime Minister Yan Shu, she naturally intended to embellish her statement.

The Chai brothers had always been concerned about this matter, but they had no way to inquire about it. At this moment, Shi Yue suddenly took the initiative to bring it up, and Chai Guiyi could not help but say: "Since February of this year, when Wang Anshi was appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister and established the Three Departments Regulations Office and initiated the new laws, in June the Deputy Censor was dismissed, in July the uniform transportation system for the six provinces of Huai, Zhejiang, Jiang, and Hubei was established, and in August, more than ten censors from the Censorate were dismissed for discussing the new laws—now is indeed a time of national reform and change. Brother Shi also mentioned that the Jinshi examination will abolish poetry and prose; I suppose this is also part of the new laws? However, I have heard that during the Qingli period, poetry and prose were also abolished, but soon the old system was restored. Is the abolition of poetry and prose ultimately beneficial or harmful to the country?"

Everyone hurriedly clasped their fists in return and replied: "It is indeed presumptuous of us to come here; we should first seek the elder's understanding."

Tang Di seemed to be in a very good mood, continuously keeping time in the carriage, nodding his head and humming popular tunes from the streets. The Chai brothers and Li Dunmin were engaging in casual conversation, while Shi Yue asked where they were going, but everyone just smiled in response without answering. After a while, feeling stuffy, Shi Yue lifted the curtain of the carriage to look outside, realizing that they had been to this place a few days ago; they had arrived near Panlou Street. The carriage wound through the alleys around Panlou Street, almost like wandering through a maze. After about forty minutes, the carriage finally stopped in front of a residence. Before it could come to a complete halt, Tang Di pulled Shi Yue down from the carriage and, without any announcement, directly rushed inside, followed by Li Dunmin and the Chai brothers.

Tang Di and Li Dunmin, along with the Chai brothers, had long been waiting in the inn's lobby. Upon seeing him come out, Tang Di immediately laughed loudly and said, "Ziming, today is a rare occasion with such fine weather; I will take you to a wonderful place"

As soon as Chu Yun'er sat down after apologizing, Chai Guiyi smiled and said: "I have long heard that Miss Yun of Biyue Pavilion excels in all arts, including the three exceptional skills: pipa, Liu poetry, and calligraphy. I did not expect to have the fortune of meeting you today"

Is Ziming referring to inscribing a poem on the painting? Li Dunmin approached with great interest. During the Song Dynasty, it was not customary to inscribe poems on paintings

Although Shiyue could not fully appreciate the wonders of this residence at that moment, he could discern its scale and history merely from the towering ancient cypress trees in the front yard. Such a courtyard, located near the bustling commercial area of Panlou Street in the capital, while not exceeding regulations, could certainly not be afforded by a family that was not quite affluent. Observing Tang Di's carefree demeanor, the family members coming in and out not only did not come forward to stop him, but instead wore smiles at the corners of their eyes, leading Shiyue to realize that the owner of this house had a deep connection with Tang Di. Indeed, as soon as he entered the main gate, he heard Tang Di shouting excitedly, "A distinguished guest has arrived, the host should come out to greet them."

The young man continuously scrutinized Shi Yue and the others with his eyes. Upon seeing Tang Di start a casual conversation, he mocked, "Is this your way of hosting guests? Tang Yifu is being quite rude, leaving the guests neglected on the side." Meanwhile, he invited Shi Yue and the others to take their seats and called for his family to serve tea.

At this moment, she noticed everyone gazing at her, and with a graceful bow, she said in a melodious voice: "I am Yun'er, and I extend my greetings to all the esteemed gentlemen and young masters. I apologize for my earlier rudeness and hope for your understanding." Upon hearing this, everyone felt a stir in their hearts. Even though Sang Yu and Chu Sheng were naturally stern, a faint smile could not help but appear on his face as he gently said: "No need for such formalities." Throughout his life, he had never spoken politely to a courtesan, and his tone now seemed rather awkward. Sang Chongguo then instructed someone to offer a seat to Chu Yun'er.

The character 'Li' (礼) is merely a method adopted by Confucius to achieve the principle of Ren (仁). In terms of Confucius's original intent, he would not rigidly adhere to the character 'Li'. Otherwise, why would Confucius have traveled to persuade various states when the Zhou Emperor was still in power? And why would Gongyang have the theory of Jing and Quan? Jing refers to adhering to Li; Quan refers to the adaptation of Li. Under what circumstances is it permissible to adapt? The key lies in whether it aligns with the principle of Ren. Jing refers to adhering to Li; Quan refers to the adaptation of Li. Under what circumstances is it permissible to adapt? The key lies in whether it aligns with the principle of Ren

Li Dunmin and the Chai brothers quickly stood up to pay their respects, and Shi Yue followed suit, mimicking their gestures of greeting. The two middle-aged men, aware that these individuals held positions of merit, did not dare to be negligent and returned the greeting politely. However, the young man appeared very pleased to see that Shi Yue and the others were all of similar age.

Shiyue had little interest in the extravagant pleasures of life. He was quite curious about the furnishings and decorations of wealthy families during the Song Dynasty, so he carefully examined the arrangement of the living room. What caught his eye was a meticulous figure painting depicting a girl playing the flute in front of plum blossoms. He knew that landscape painting was more popular than figure painting during the Song Dynasty, and seeing a meticulous figure painting made him even more curious. Without understanding the need to apologize, he slowly walked up to appreciate the painting. Li Dunmin and the Chai brothers were already accustomed to Shiyue's "rudeness" and could only exchange wry smiles. He knew that landscape painting was more popular than figure painting during the Song Dynasty, and seeing a meticulous figure painting made him even more curious. Without understanding the need to apologize, he slowly walked up to appreciate the painting. Li Dunmin and the Chai brothers were already accustomed to Shiyue's "rudeness" and could only exchange wry smiles. Sang Chongguo slightly shook his head, looking at Tang Di with a mocking gaze. Tang Di quickly introduced Shiyue's background in a low voice. Seeing that his explanation was so peculiar, Sang Chongguo couldn't help but feel a bit curious, so he walked behind Shiyue and said with a smile, "Brother Shi must be well-versed in painting, but do you know how this painting is? Could it possibly catch your discerning eye?"

He was determined to compete with Shi Yue, so he thought of a way to create an opportunity. After a few turns of his eyes, he came up with a plan and said with a smile: "Today, we have many distinguished guests, and in the rush, I have nothing particularly entertaining. A few days ago, I heard a singer named Yun'er at Biyue Pavilion, and her songs were exceptionally good, especially the long and short verses of Liu Sanbian; she sang them beautifully. Why not invite her here to liven up the atmosphere?"

This woman is Chu Yun'er. Biyue Pavilion is located on Panlou Street, not far from the Sang residence, so it did not take long to arrive. When she came, everyone was engaged in lively conversation, and she did not dare to interrupt, so she had to wait under the eaves until she heard Shi Yue's profound discourse, which resonated with her, prompting her to speak those words. The Song Dynasty has been established for over a hundred years, and although it is said to be 'peaceful', in reality, floods, droughts, and earthquakes have never ceased. Although the court has made efforts to relieve the suffering of the disaster-stricken, on one hand, there are natural disasters, and on the other, the encroachment of powerful landlords, leaving the common people in unbearable distress, with instances of selling sons and daughters occurring from time to time. Chu Yun'er was sold by her family due to the encroachment of local tyrants when she was young, and she ended up in a brothel. The madam, seeing her exceptional beauty and intelligence, invested effort in her upbringing, hiring someone to teach her music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and literature. By the age of sixteen, she began to perform, and over the years, her fame spread throughout Bianjing. Although she cannot be ranked among the top courtesans, she has attracted many talented scholars and poets, making her one of the main attractions of Biyue Pavilion. After years in the world of dust, she has encountered countless scholars, some of whom are even court officials. However, the higher-ranking ones discuss poetry and literature, while the lower-ranking ones indulge in pleasures, and none have ever been as concerned for the common people as Shi Yue. Although her extensive experiences have taught her that it is important to observe what a person does rather than what they say, she is still deeply moved by those who strive for an ideal world she has never heard of.

Shiyue looked around and saw a young man with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, who was quite handsome. Among the two middle-aged men, one had a chiseled face, with bright eyes that sparkled with intelligence, and sported a short beard; the other was quite stout, wearing a smile reminiscent of the Amitabha Buddha, and his small eyes could inadvertently reveal a cunning glint. When Shiyue's gaze met his, he immediately looked away and turned his head to search for Tang Di.

The two parties once again exchanged pleasantries regarding their host and guest positions. Tang Di and Sang Chongguo, due to the presence of elders, could only stand and serve. Sang Yuchu and Tang Gannan, both of merchant background, exchanged a few words with Shi Yue and others, but then fell silent, allowing Sang Chongguo and Tang Di to engage in conversation with the four, while they merely listened quietly

If it could be so, what use would there be for the rites of Zhou? Even the era of Yao and Shun cannot compare. However, how easy is it to realize this? Tang Di sighed. Everyone nodded in agreement. The society outlined by Shi Yue in just a few words is indeed the ideal society that has resided in the hearts of countless Confucian scholars since the time of Mencius

Seeing her speak in this manner, everyone secretly praised the girl for her cleverness, and they all cheered in unison.

Chu Yun'er lightly adjusted the strings of the zither, her melodious voice singing: "The golden wind gently blows, the leaves of the parasol tree fall. The green wine, when first tasted, easily intoxicates; a pillow by the small window invites deep slumber..." Accompanying her were two maidservants, each holding an instrument to provide harmony. In an instant, the entire room was filled with the enchanting sound of Chu Yun'er's singing, and the people within were almost entranced—this was also the first time in Shi Yue's life that he experienced the delightful songs and dances of an ancient aristocratic family.

As soon as the words were spoken, someone in the courtyard laughed and said, "What esteemed guest is Tang Yifu this time?" The voice was clear and resonant, easily identifiable as that of a young gentleman. A little girl then chimed in with a clear and crisp laugh, saying, "Cousin is too cunning; he has left this house unattended for over a month, and now he wants to come and be a 'distinguished guest'..."

Tang Gannan, however, did not believe that Shi Yue would have any genuine intention to pursue the governance of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Nevertheless, he absolutely dared not publicly question Shi Yue's sincerity. He understood very well that the minds of scholars are often easily burned, especially those of young scholars, and he would not seek to make himself a fool. Moreover, Shi Yue spoke of their business in such noble terms, which helped to elevate the status of their fathers in the eyes of their sons and nephews. In the future, when encountering some pedantic scholars, it would also serve as a means to show off a bit. From this perspective, he actually quite liked Shi Yue.

Chai Guiyi could not help but respond: "What Brother Shi said is indeed correct, but in my humble opinion, there is also the character 'Li' (meaning 'ritual' or 'courtesy')." Everyone nodded in agreement.

The Chai brothers are native residents of Shu, influenced by the Shu school, and tend to lean towards the Buddhist and Daoist fatalistic views. Therefore, they are more inclined to believe in Shi Yue's mysticism. At this moment, what they wish to further understand is not whether to abolish the examination of poetry and prose, but rather the pros and cons of abolishing poetry and prose and its relation to the current political situation. Understanding these aspects will help them grasp the political pulse and submit a satisfactory answer sheet to the ruling ministers during the provincial examination. At this moment, what they wish to further understand is not whether to abolish the examination of poetry and prose, but rather the pros and cons of abolishing poetry and prose and its relation to the current political situation. Understanding these aspects will help them grasp the political pulse and submit a satisfactory answer sheet to the ruling ministers during the provincial examination

Shiyue seemed to be lingering on his thoughts, and he waved his hands, saying in a loud voice: "Although I am not talented, I dare not forget the teachings of Confucius. My lifelong belief is that the people of the world should have land to cultivate and homes to live in. Under heaven, no one should starve to death due to lack of food, and no one should freeze to death due to lack of clothing. The sick should receive medical treatment, the elderly and lonely, as well as the young and orphaned, should receive care, and all children should be able to attend school to learn etiquette and righteousness. Even the uncivilized should be able to be educated by the teachings of Confucius and Mencius. I believe that only in this way can we achieve the goals pursued by a true benevolent person." The sick should receive medical treatment, the elderly and lonely, as well as the young and orphaned, should receive care, and all children should be able to attend school to learn etiquette and righteousness. Even the uncivilized should be able to be educated by the teachings of Confucius and Mencius. I believe that only in this way can we achieve the goals pursued by a true benevolent person.

Shiyue asked again, "Have you ever sold cotton fabric?" Tang Gannan replied, "Cotton fabric? The production of cotton fabric is not large, the craftsmanship is complicated, and the profit is low, far inferior to silk and satin—why are you interested in this, my dear nephew?" Shiyue shook his head, did not answer, and pondered quietly for a while before asking, "Uncle, do you know the process of weaving cotton fabric?" Tang Di and the others were puzzled to see Shiyue discussing cotton fabric with Tang Gannan, but only Sang Yuchu found it quite interesting and couldn't help but interject, "How could one not know! My brother-in-law has not engaged in the cotton fabric business, but I have. I have personally seen those weavers do these things: to weave a piece of cotton fabric, one must first remove the cotton seeds, but the seeds grow inside the cotton bolls and are not easy to peel. They can either be peeled by hand or crushed with iron rods, but regardless of the method used, the weavers work hard all day with very limited results. A large amount of cotton accumulates, requiring countless manpower to remove the seeds, thus the initial step in producing cotton fabric consumes so much labor. After that, whether it is carding the cotton or spinning it into yarn, it is extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive. Moreover, the profit from cotton fabric is far less than that from silk, which is why there are very few weavers of cotton fabric in our Song Dynasty; only in Fujian, Lingnan, and Yazhou do some people rely on this for a living." Shiyue nodded repeatedly as he listened to him explain clearly, while Tang Di and the others seemed as if they were listening to a fantastical tale.

Shiyue felt a stir in his heart, walked over, and asked Tang Gannan: "May I ask what business Uncle Er is engaged in?"

Chu Yun'er respectfully bowed to Chai Guiyi from a distance, then quietly glanced at Shi Yue before saying: "This young master has overpraised me. My humble skills are not worthy of such high regard. I shall play a piece of 'Qing Ping Le' to entertain everyone, wishing the host good health and abundant wealth; wishing all the young masters success in the examination and a smooth rise to prominence." She was a woman of the world, and with a single glance, she discerned the identities of the host and the young men present, thus her wishes were very appropriate.

Seeing that everyone agreed, Sang Chongguo smiled and called over the steward, Lai Fu, whispering a few instructions in his ear. The singer named Yun'er was actually called Chu Yun'er. Since the character "Chu" was taboo for Sang Chongguo, he could not mention it directly and had to explain it to the steward in a roundabout way.

At this moment, apart from Sang Yuchu and Tang Gannan who were still there drinking tea, everyone else gathered around. Shi Yue felt a mix of amusement and helplessness in his heart. Since childhood, he had memorized poetry and classical literature, having recorded at least several thousand poems. What was originally a useless skill in modern times unexpectedly proved useful at this moment—deceiving the world and stealing fame, a method that never failed. However, he had no intention of showing off. Now, forced by circumstances, he could only ponder slightly and recalled Li Qingzhao's "Lonely Wild Goose" mourning her deceased husband, claiming it as his own. He began to recite: "On the rattan bed with paper curtains, I wake up in the morning, unable to express my endless thoughts. The scent of sandalwood smoke fades, the jade stove is cold, accompanying my feelings like water. The flute plays three tunes, the plum heart is startled, how much spring affection is there? The gentle breeze and sparse rain fall softly, urging down a thousand lines of tears. The flute player has left, the jade tower is empty, who can I lean on in my heartbreak? A branch is broken, in the world and in the heavens, there is no one to entrust my feelings to."

Two middle-aged men, upon noticing the arrival of an outsider, quickly stood up and clasped their fists, saying: "We were unaware of your esteemed presence and have failed to extend a proper welcome; we humbly ask for your understanding"

Shiyue was not angry and calmly said: "I wouldn't dare to say that. Brother Sang, you have read the classics extensively. If I were to say that Confucius's lifelong pursuit was actually just the character 'ren', I believe you would not disagree, would you?"

Shiyue saw that he spoke of the significant events that had occurred in the court over the past year with utmost accuracy, and could not help but smile, saying: "As a mere commoner, I do not dare to rashly comment on the gains and losses of the court. We are all among ourselves here, and the matter of abolishing poetry and prose will soon be made public, which is why I dare to speak without reservation; I merely hope that you all can prepare in advance. As for other matters, they are not suitable for discussion."

Shiyue originally just wanted to find a reason to deal with Sang Chongguo, but unexpectedly, he ended up speaking so grandly that by the end, it seemed he even began to believe that this was his ideal. At that moment, upon hearing Tang Di say, "It's easier said than done," he was prepared to deliver a discourse on the nature of difficulty and ease in the world. However, he then heard a delicate voice from behind say, "This young gentleman has such great ambitions; I, being unworthy, must also thank you on behalf of the suffering people of the world."

The owner of this establishment is named Sang Yuchu, known for his chiseled features, and he is the maternal uncle of Tang Di. Sang Yuchu has surpassed the age of forty, and he has only one son and one daughter. The elder son is named Sang Chongguo, with the courtesy name Changqing, who is twenty years old this year; the younger daughter is named Sang Zier, who is merely thirteen years old, possessing remarkable intelligence and is greatly favored by the elders. The Sang family hails from Bianjing. During the Five Dynasties, when the Khitan invaded and Kaifeng fell, they fled the chaos of war and migrated to Chuanxia Road. After several generations of hard work, they established their wealth through commerce, accumulating a considerable fortune, but they have only had a single line of descent for several generations, resulting in a sparse population. As Sang Chongguo abandoned business to pursue scholarly endeavors, the Sang family believed that Bianjing, being a hub of culture, would be beneficial for his development. Thus, they moved the entire family back from Chengdu to Bianjing, which occurred just a month ago. This time, Tang Di brought Shi Yue here with the intention of introducing him to his cousin Sang Chongguo. Unexpectedly, they encountered his second uncle, Tang Gannan, who had come to the capital. The Tang family is numerous, and although Tang Di's father, Tang Ganchu, is the clan leader and manages most of the Tang family's businesses, it is Tang Gannan, known as the 'Smiling Fox,' who is more widely recognized.

Sang Chongguo raised an eyebrow and said with a smile that seemed to be both present and absent, "May I ask Brother Shi to bestow upon us a verse?" He was deliberately trying to take the opportunity to test Shi Yue's abilities

Tang Di had already knelt on the ground at this moment, both surprised and delighted, bowing his head to the two middle-aged men, saying: "I pay my respects to my uncle and second uncle." He then turned to the fat man and asked: "Second uncle, what brings you to Bianjing?"

In the following eight or nine days, Shi Yue accompanied Tang Di and others in their scholarly pursuits. When they discussed the principles of the classics, he would quietly listen from the side. Occasionally, he would express astonishing opinions that earned him the admiration of the group. However, when others sought to engage him in discussion, he would only smile and remain silent. Before long, everyone became aware of his habit and assumed that he was naturally reticent, thus ceasing to press him further. Little did they know that although Shi Yue had a solid foundation in traditional Chinese studies, he was ultimately afraid that speaking too much would lead to mistakes, and therefore he was particularly cautious. Moreover, Shi Yue was also aware that the pronunciation of ancient and modern Chinese differed. To others, his pronunciation might seem peculiar, and he was even less inclined to raise suspicions. Thus, he prioritized caution in all matters, focusing on understanding and learning the customs of the time, especially the Kaifeng dialect. Fortunately, hard work does not go unrewarded; it was not long before his spoken Kaifeng dialect became quite presentable.

Sang Chongguo smiled and said, "Brother Shi, why must you be overly modest? If you are unwilling to bestow your written work, why not compose a verse on the spot?"

The stout man squinted his eyes and laughed, saying: "Get up quickly. Isn't it all for you, this troublesome flying fox? You came to Bianjing, and your family is worried about you. Just in time, a batch of goods is being sent to Bianjing for sale, so your father asked me to come personally." Tang Di smiled as he got up and replied: "Uncle, you want to come to the bustling city of Bianjing, and it all falls on me. Am I not old enough to take care of myself? Besides, with my uncles around, what is there to worry about!"

Sang Chongguo sneered, "Then I must ask, does Brother Shi intend to bring about a catastrophe for the ages?"

Tang Di turned his head and smiled, saying, "It seems that you, Sang Chongguo, have thought this through thoroughly." At the same time, he composed himself and addressed the two middle-aged men, saying, "These four are new friends of my child. Shi Yue and Shi Ziming, Li Dunmin and Li Xiuwen—these two are the brothers of the Chai family, and you have met their uncle before."

On that day, at Xiangguo Temple, Shi Yue was introduced to Tang Di and others. Shi Yue, inebriated, was assisted back to the inn by the group. They all recognized his exceptional talent and believed that he would surely achieve great things in the future. Seeing him in such a predicament, they were eager to offer their financial support, but all were firmly rejected by Tang Di. The Tang family was a prominent merchant family in Shu, and their ancestors were among the initiators of the jiaozi (paper money). Tang Di, being the eldest grandson of the family, was encouraged by them to pursue academic success, as the civil service examination during the Song Dynasty did not discriminate against merchants. He came to the capital to participate in the provincial examination, and his father, Tang Ganchu, had already instructed the Tang family to provide him with funds from their business in the capital, allowing him to withdraw as needed. Had it not been for his preference for the company of scholars at the inn who were also preparing for the provincial examination, he would have already purchased a house in the capital. At this moment, to support someone like Shi Yue, it was certainly not a burden for others. Shi Yue felt grateful in his heart but did not express a single word of thanks. While Tang Di did not take it to heart, even Chen Yuanfeng and the others thought that Shi Yue regarded wealth lightly, and thus they did not pay particular attention to it.

A few words made everyone nod in agreement. Sang Chongguo's expression slightly cleared up, and he asked, "What is the relationship between benevolence and profit?"

Everyone laughed in unison and said, "This proposal is indeed wonderful"

Upon entering the grand gate, one realizes it is a vast estate. The entire courtyard is spacious, covering more than 4 acres, with tall locust trees and ancient willows, further shaded by dense ancient cypress trees. Various flowers and plants are interspersed throughout, with layers of accumulated snow still hanging on the branches, enhancing the scene's silvery attire. The courtyard is designed in a siheyuan style with three main sections, comprising a total of 33 rooms, corresponding to the number of "33 heavens." The rear garden is exceptionally elegant, featuring a pond of one and a half acres, bordered by peach trees. In the pond, there is a pavilion, and an arched bridge connects the pavilion to the pond's bank, with lotus flowers blooming abundantly beneath the bridge. Although it is winter now and the lotus leaves have long withered, their grandeur is still evident.

Li Dunmin wondered: "It is said that Miss Yun loves Liu Yong the most, and his lyrics are the best sung. Why not sing Liu's lyrics and then sing Yan Xiang's long and short verses?" The phrase "繁花锦烂" was written by Liu Yong, while "金风细细" was penned by Yan Shu. Both are well-known pieces from that time, which is why Tang Di and Li Dunmin posed this question.

What is the way of benevolence? The benevolent person loves others. Therefore, those who love others are benevolent. If there is a person whose actions can bring welfare to the people, allowing them to live in peace and happiness, and leading to a prosperous life, this is the way of benevolence. Brother Sang said that a gentleman does not speak of profit, but he seems to have forgotten another saying: public profit can be discussed! After the Duke of Zhou, Confucius valued Guan Zi the most. However, Guan Zi spoke of profit; he engaged in commerce and made the State of Qi prosperous, allowing the people of Huaxia to be free from the troubles of foreign invaders. This achievement has already brought him close to the way of benevolence, so whether or not to speak of profit, Confucius did not oppose it. What Confucius opposed were merely those pursuits of profit that were of no use to the country or the people!" Shi Yue looked at the crowd and spoke passionately, "The cotton and yarn techniques I discussed with your father and Uncle Tang are indeed greatly beneficial to the national economy and the livelihood of the people. The most basic aspects of the people's lives are two things: food and clothing. If cotton yarn and cotton cloth can be widely used in the world, then first, the people can dress better, and only when they are well-fed can they talk about propriety and righteousness; second, cotton cloth can be sold abroad, and the country can collect taxes, which can supplement national expenses; third, many people can rely on this to support their families; fourth, one can also earn a substantial amount of money, thus having the ability to do more beneficial things for the people. Would Confucius oppose such matters?" Would Confucius oppose such matters?

Shiyue shook his head and said with a bitter smile, "My handwriting is too poor; I do not dare to ruin this fine painting."

As they were speaking, Tang Di led Shi Yue into the living room of the Zhongjin residence. At the head of the room sat two middle-aged men, while a young man in his twenties and a girl around thirteen or fourteen stood at the lower end, evidently the two who had just been speaking. A group of family members and servants stood on either side. The little girl, surprised by the arrival of strangers, softly muttered "Good Tang Di" and hurriedly retreated into the inner hall. Shi Yue was taken aback and puzzled: how could a girl from a wealthy family be so impolite? After seeing Li Dunmin and the Chai brothers hurriedly apologizing, he finally realized that in ancient times, girls were also not allowed to casually meet outsiders. Understanding this, he couldn't help but find it amusing.

Tang Di was not particularly fond of extravagant pleasures, but at this moment, seeing Chu Yun'er speak so appropriately and looking quite charming, he couldn't help but join in the conversation, saying: "But what about the 'splendid flowers and brocade' in 'Qingping Le'?"

Everyone was taken aback and turned to look in the direction of the sound, only to see a woman holding a pipa, standing at the door and bowing deeply. Behind her stood two young girls dressed as maids, also performing a courtesy. From Shi Yue's perspective, this girl was exceptionally beautiful, in her teens, wearing a brown-yellow mink coat and deep crimson satin narrow-legged trousers, her figure graceful and elegant. Her delicate face featured brows like fine ink and eyes like crystal beads, with a refined charm as graceful as water, clearly hailing from the water towns of Jiangnan. From Shi Yue's perspective, this girl was exceptionally beautiful, in her teens, wearing a brown-yellow mink coat and deep crimson satin narrow-legged trousers, her figure graceful and elegant. Her delicate face featured brows like fine ink and eyes like crystal beads, with a refined charm as graceful as water, clearly hailing from the water towns of Jiangnan

"If someone could simplify the cotton spinning process and enable mass production, how much profit could this cotton cloth yield, according to Uncle Sang and Second Uncle Tang?" Shi Yue seemed to ask casually. The two men’s eyes lit up, and they replied in unison, "If that were the case, the profits would be limitless." After speaking, Sang Yuchu sighed and said, "But how easy is that to achieve?" Tang Gannan, however, asked with a smile, "Could it be that the esteemed nephew has a solution?"

Tang Gannan was taken aback; he did not know that Shi Yue, due to his equal status with Tang Di, followed modern customs and addressed him as "Second Uncle" just like Tang Di. Seeing Shi Yue speak so affectionately, he was momentarily stunned, but upon reflection, he also felt a sense of warmth and smiled, saying: "It is nothing more than Shu brocade, ceramics, silk, and timber, and sometimes we also sell fine wine and tea, though those are items strictly regulated by the court."

Shiyue could not help but smile bitterly. The act of appropriating the poetry of "later generations" was merely a momentary jest, but as it became more frequent, he could not escape a sense of guilt, which was truly not his intention. However, considering that this was the best way for him to establish himself in ancient times, he had no choice but to continue. He sighed half-heartedly and said languidly: "The study of poetry and prose is of no use to the country or the family; it is better not to study it at all. Moreover, after this examination, the Jinshi examination will eliminate poetry, prose, and the study of the classics. From this examination onward, the palace examination will focus more on policy discussions—this study of poetry and prose is gradually losing its relevance as a resource for the state"

Chu Yun'er smiled and, pursing her lips, said: "It is 'Jin Feng Xi Xi' from 'Qing Ping Le'"

Shiyue glanced at Sang Chongguo and said lightly: "Brother Sang, you may have missed some parts in your studies. My discussions with your father and Uncle Tang Er about profit are precisely influenced by the teachings of Confucius"

Just as Shi Yue was about to respond, Sang Chongguo had already grown impatient. Initially, he thought that Shi Yue was merely fond of discussing natural history and would talk about some folk weaving matters as a way to showcase his erudition. To his surprise, it seemed that they were genuinely discussing business matters. Unable to restrain himself, he sarcastically remarked, "A gentleman speaks of righteousness, not profit. With Brother Shi's talent, I wonder why he places such importance on this Kong Fang?" Although his words were somewhat rude, they expressed the sentiments of Tang Di and the others. The crowd fell silent, all eager to see how Shi Yue would defend himself.

Tang Di recalled the intention and smiled at Sang Chongguo, saying: "Changqing, I have come this time specifically to introduce Ziming to you. You often say you wish to study under the great Su, but in my opinion, if you could study under Ziming, it would not be any less than studying under the great Su." He praised Shi Yue's poetry and prose as outstanding, and his scholarship as exceptional. Li Dunmin and the Chai brothers already admired Shi Yue, and they joined in to praise him in unison. This left Shi Yue caught off guard, and he hurriedly said, "I dare not." Li Dunmin and the Chai brothers already admired Shi Yue, and they joined in to praise him in unison. This left Shi Yue caught off guard, and he hurriedly said, "I dare not."

Shiyue saw the Chai brothers smiling and shaking their heads nearby, unsure of what Tang Di was causing a fuss about. Just as he was about to respond, he was abruptly pulled by Tang Di and taken to the carriage outside the inn. With the driver's command of "giddy up," the carriage swiftly departed.

Shiyue habitually shrugged his shoulders and smiled, saying: "Whether or not there is a title on the painting is not important; what matters is the harmony between poetry and painting"

Shiyue was mentally sketching this painting of a woman playing the flute under the flowers when suddenly he heard someone speaking beside him, nearly startling him. Without thinking, he replied: "This painting is quite good, but it is the work of a woman."

The young man beside him laughed and said, "If it is reckless, it is also Tang Yifu's fault, and has nothing to do with others". This remark made everyone laugh.

After several consecutive days of heavy snow, the sun began to show itself, and the number of pedestrians in Bianjing City increased, making it feel even more prosperous. As Tang Di had arranged a meeting, Shi Yue got up early and changed into a black round-collared narrow-sleeved garment. Lacking long hair, he simply wore a square scarf hat. The clothing of the Northern Song Dynasty favored simplicity and naturalness, which did not quite align with Shi Yue's aesthetic preferences. According to his taste, these clothes would all need to be improved; however, at this moment, he was living under someone else's roof, so how could he be picky? Shi Yue chuckled silently, shaking his head to dismiss those chaotic thoughts, and quickly walked out.

As the crowd listened to his recitation, the words conveyed a deep sense of longing, truly heartbreaking, and resonated well with the scene depicted in the painting. This immediately prompted everyone to exclaim in unison, and Sang Chongguo was greatly impressed, praising: "A man who can express a woman's feelings so intricately is indeed unparalleled, even Liu Sanbian has his limitations; this is truly a masterpiece. It is rare to find such quick talent! Even the two Su brothers would need to revise their verses, but when it comes to Brother Shi's words, upon careful consideration, one cannot change a single character." He sincerely added: "With Brother Shi's talent, achieving fame would be as easy as reaching into a pocket, yet it is a pity that he has missed this opportunity."