Chapter 2, The Infatuation of the Lu Family
The tenant, Lai Fu, temporarily acted as a carter, driving an ox cart slowly along the uneven mountain path. The distance from Lingyin Temple to Chenjiawu at the foot of Jiuyao Mountain is nearly 20 li, and the ox cart takes about one and a half hours to cover this distance
Lu Weirui saw her cousin glaring angrily at the departing youth and couldn't help but chuckle: "Sixth Brother, this young man has taught us the name of the flower, the Golden Hairpin Dendrobium. We should be grateful instead. Moreover, even if he is from the North, there is no need for such anger; after all, he is still just a young man."
In the past, Chen Cao's filial piety was indeed filial piety, but it was limited to obedience and compliance. Understanding intentions and being considerate were not his strengths.
At this moment, a clear voice interjected: "This is Dendrobium, but it is not the ordinary Dendrobium; it is a variant known as Jin Chai Dendrobium."
Chen Cao's Way: "Mother, the child feels that his body is weak. In the future, I want to find ways to strengthen my body and practice exercises like the Five Animal Play."
At this moment, the three had already exited the Lingyin Mountain path. Not far away, a vast lake stretched across the horizon, its azure waves extending for miles, merging with the distant sky. Several small islands dotted the lake, and the expansive surface showed no signs of a fishing boat. With the blue sky, white clouds, and green mountains reflecting in the clear lake, the warm breeze was intoxicating.
Yes, it is about strengthening the body and enhancing physical fitness, it is about strengthening the body and enhancing physical fitness
Chen Cao expressed his concern, saying: "Mother, this mountain road is bumpy, and it is easy to feel dizzy while riding in the carriage. It would be better if the child supports you as you walk this stretch of road, is that alright?"
The people of Wu look down upon those from the North, while the prominent families of the North also disdain the people of Wu, mockingly referring to them as "marten," which means a local dog, truly an unpleasant term
Indeed, Mother Li Chen said: "Ugly child, do not mention our visit to Lingyin Temple to pay respects to the Buddha to anyone else. Comefu, you must remember, you absolutely cannot speak of it"
The term "Beicang" refers to the barbarians of the northern regions, a derogatory label used by the gentry of the Three Wus to describe the people from the north. The Three Wus, comprising Wujun, Wuxing, and Wuhui, are the historical territories of Sun Quan's Wu Kingdom. Fifty years ago, a large number of northern Jin people migrated to the Three Wus to escape the turmoil of war, with the southern migration totaling nearly one million, accounting for one-sixth of the population in Jiangdong. The people of Jiangdong felt that the northerners encroached upon their territory and harmed their interests, leading to significant dissatisfaction.
The young gentleman, seeing that the handsome youth had an excellent demeanor and appearance, was certain he was a scion of a noble family. He clasped his hands and said, "May I ask your esteemed surname and the place of your family origin?"
The Chen family of Chenjiawu adheres to the teachings of the Heavenly Master Dao, also known as the Way of the Five Pecks of Rice, and reveres Du Zigong, the Daoist leader from Qiantang County, as their master. The name Chen Caozhi is associated with the Heavenly Master Dao, where the character "zhi" serves as a symbol of this tradition, akin to the character "Shi" in Buddhism. During the Wei and Jin dynasties, many individuals bore the character "zhi" in their names, the most famous of whom are the father and son, Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi.
Chen Cao's mother and son were sitting in the car, navigating the rugged mountain road, jolting and bumping along. Chen's mother, Li, felt a sense of discomfort in her chest and her complexion appeared somewhat pale
Lu Qin also felt that he lacked grace, and with a self-deprecating smile, he remarked: "Indeed, he is a child who knows nothing; upon seeing the most beautiful woman of Wuxing County, he actually remains oblivious. Truly, he is blind."
The young gentleman exclaimed in anger: "They are the true raccoons, these northern rascals. In Jiangbei, they were beaten by the Hu people, trembling like lost dogs. Yet upon arriving in Jiangnan, they act as if they are powerful and privileged. Our four prominent families of Wu County—Lu, Gu, Zhu, and Zhang—are all well-versed in poetry and propriety. How could we possibly be inferior to the Wang, Xie, Qi, and Yu from the north?" And - illustrations - books
With such thoughts, Chen Cao couldn't help but feel a bit excited. He waved his sleeves, which were more than two feet wide, and looked at his slender, thin left hand. Bathed in sunlight, that hand appeared almost translucent, truly a delicate beauty of a young man
The young woman laughed and said, "Sixth brother, you call them 'Beicang', and they call us 'raccoons'"
Du Zigong was said to have a profound understanding of Taoist arts, wielding significant influence in the region of Sanwu. Many prominent families, such as the Wang family of Langya, the Xie family of Chenjun, the Kong family of Kuaiji, and the Zhou family of Yixing, have come under his tutelage; these are all top-tier aristocratic clans. Since the introduction of Buddhism to the Central Plains, it has been in fierce opposition to Taoism, remaining fundamentally incompatible. Therefore, if Du Zigong were to learn that his follower, Chen Caozhi, had gone to Lingyin Temple to pay respects, Chen Caozhi's future would likely be quite bleak.
Lu Weirui, with her bright eyes casting a sidelong glance, shot a look at her cousin and immediately ordered her attendants to uproot this Dendrobium nobile, intending to transplant it to the back garden of the Lu residence in Wu County
Madam Chen, of the Li family, was assisted by Chen Caozhi as she walked for a while. She indeed felt her chest less constricted and much more at ease. Seeing her son holding up his hand to examine his palm, she smiled and asked, "Ugly child, what are you looking at your hand for?"
The young gentleman approached to take a closer look at the cluster of flowers. The leaves were oval, the petals slightly drooping, and the colors of the flowers included white, yellow, light red, and pale purple. A single branch displayed all five colors, making it quite splendid. He hesitated and said, "This—could it be a rose?"
Lai Fu replied, "Lai Fu will never say that, regardless of any Buddha or celestial master, as long as they can ensure the safety of the young lord, then Lai Fu will believe in whoever that may be"
Chen Cao's father and brothers did not have long lifespans, and Chen Cao himself had always been frail and prone to illness. His mother, Li, often worried about this. Now, upon hearing Chen Cao express his desire to engage in fitness, she is naturally overjoyed.
The young woman, dressed in a narrow, elegant robe and a floor-length white skirt, with her hair styled in a falling horse bun, possessed a graceful figure and striking beauty. She pointed at a cluster of flowers over two feet tall by the lakeside and asked in a Wu dialect, "Sixth brother, what kind of flower do you think this is?"
The young gentleman and the maiden in plain attire turned around together to see a handsome youth with a small crown and large sleeves, gracefully approaching in high-soled shoes. He wore a faint smile on his face, exuding an air of leisure and elegance.
The tenant driving the ox cart interjected, "Young master, if you wish to strengthen your body, it would be better to learn swordsmanship. The Taoist priests have a ritual master who is skilled in sword techniques."
The Lu family's garden in Jiangdong is unparalleled, and Lu Weirui is particularly infatuated with flowers, earning her the title of "Lu's Flower Enthusiast" among the people of Wu County
During the Eastern Jin dynasty, there was a prevailing atmosphere that valued literature over martial prowess. The sons of the gentry emphasized the application of powder and fragrance, graceful demeanor, the gentle strumming of the five-stringed instrument, and grandiloquent discourse. Who would be willing to sweat profusely in the practice of martial arts? Although the Chen family did not belong to the gentry, they had always upheld a tradition of poetry and literature. Therefore, it is understandable that Chen Cao's mother, Li, was reluctant to allow him to learn swordsmanship.
Mother Chen, Li, expressed joy, saying: "Good, my son is so considerate; I am truly comforted."
The young gentleman named Lu Qin is a descendant of Lu Xun, the Grand Commander of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period. His father, Lu Shi, held the position of Minister of War, a third-rank official. The maiden in plain attire is his cousin, the daughter of Lu Na, the Prefect of Wuxing County, whose given name is Lu Weirui. The Lu family is one of the most prominent and influential clans in Jiangdong.
Chen Cao helped his mother onto the ox cart, and he continued to walk alongside it, enjoying the picturesque scenery of the lake and mountains. After walking for a while, he saw several ox carts parked by the lakeside, along with a sedan chair. More than a dozen attendants and maidservants, each holding feather fans, square cushions, scrolls, and other items, were in attendance. A tall and fair young gentleman was accompanying a woman in plain clothing as they gathered wildflowers by the lake.
Chen Caozhi is an experienced traveler; how could he not know that Lingyin Temple is right by West Lake? Yes, it is the renowned West Lake, but it is now called Mingsheng Lake, also known as Wulin Water. The local villagers refer to it as Jinniu Lake, as there are legends of a golden bull appearing in the lake. Compared to the West Lake, which attracts countless tourists over a thousand years later, the present Mingsheng Lake is much more vast, with clean waters and few visitors.
Mother Chen, Li, said: "Do not learn swordsmanship; that is what the commoners and soldiers practice. It is sufficient for the ugly child to practice the Five Animal Play."
Chen Cao supported his mother as they walked slowly along the mountain path. Looking at his mother's graying hair and the age spots on the back of her hands, he silently vowed: "Mother, I am your son, and I will certainly honor you."
The young gentleman felt that the youth was disrespectful and, somewhat indignant, said: "He is not worth considering as a person of significance; he is likely from a lower-ranking gentry family in Qiantang, and very possibly a commoner from the North"
Chen Cao smiled and thought: "Seven hundred years later, Su Dongpo compared West Lake to Xi Zi, while the West Lake before me can be said to be a youthful Xi Shi, completely untainted."
The afternoon sunlight filters through the dense branches and leaves, casting dappled patterns on the mountain path, flickering unpredictably. Chen Caozhi, dressed in a small crown and flowing sleeves, walks gracefully in his high wooden clogs amidst the scattered light. The mountain path is tranquil, and the sound of the clogs is crisp. He takes a deep breath, feeling an unparalleled sense of ease and contentment. The Soul-Transcending Longevity Lamp has been lit for over three months, and his negative emotions have largely been overcome. At this moment, he feels only the joy of rebirth. He is now fifteen years old, twelve years younger than in his previous life, returning from youth to adolescence, and it is over sixteen hundred years ago. Isn't it marvelous? He takes a deep breath, feeling an unparalleled sense of ease and contentment. The Soul-Transcending Longevity Lamp has been lit for over three months, and his negative emotions have largely been overcome. At this moment, he feels only the joy of rebirth. He is now fifteen years old, twelve years younger than in his previous life, returning from youth to adolescence, and it is over sixteen hundred years ago. Isn't it marvelous?
The youth spoke in a calm tone: "What of the Wang and Xie families' sons? What of the children of humble origins?" After a slight bow, he walked eastward alongside the ox cart.
The young woman chuckled lightly and said, "How could this possibly be a rose? It absolutely is not!"
Weirui (pronounced: Wei Rui) refers to two meanings: first, the flourishing of plants and trees; second, it signifies splendor and vividness. Additionally, there is a unique interpretation of these two characters in a more nuanced sense, which denotes the delicate and tender petals.
Lai Fu, in his forties, is loyal and simple-minded. Originally a refugee from Huaibei, he found himself in Jiangdong without household registration or land. When Chen Caozhi's father served as the county magistrate of Wuxing, he showed kindness to Lai Fu. Consequently, Lai Fu brought his family of five to Chenjiawu to work the fields for the Chen family, becoming their tenant farmer, a relationship that has lasted for over ten years.
The plain-clothed woman gazed at the receding figure of the young man in the patterned shirt and softly remarked, "I never expected to find such a person in this secluded mountain area!" She then turned to look at the cluster of Dendrobium orchids and smiled, saying, "Jin Chai Dendrobium, this flower name is quite unique."
Chen Cao estimated that his current height was just over 1.6 meters, which is approximately 6 feet 5 inches in Jin measurements. For a young man who has just entered puberty, this height is not considered short. However, compared to the robust physique he had in his previous life, where he traveled with a heavy load, this body is indeed too frail, almost as if he has no strength to bind a chicken.
The young gentleman asked those attendants and maidservants, who chattered away, discussing all the flowers of spring and summer. The young lady shook her head and said, "None of those; I think it resembles Dendrobium, but not quite..."
On the eighth day of the fourth month, in the early summer season, last night's heavy rain refreshed the valleys and left the trees glistening with dew. The afternoon sunlight illuminated the roadside Dendrobium, daylilies, mulberries, and roses, their floral shadows intermingling, competing in beauty, creating a picturesque scene along the mountain path from the foothills of Wulin Mountain to Mingsheng Lake