Chapter 6, Old Qin
When Ning Yi finished taking a hot bath and changed into new clothes, Madam Qin looked him up and down, clearly pleased: "My lord, Young Master Ning in this outfit does bear some resemblance to Da Lang." Ning Yi glanced at the clothes, which indeed had a youthful style and were made of new fabric, likely belonging to Qin Lao's son. The old man had two sons, both of whom were away. Upon hearing his wife's words, Qin Lao nodded and then inquired why Ning Yi had fallen into the river. Ning Yi recounted the unfortunate events that had transpired earlier, prompting another round of hearty laughter from the old man.
Old Qin's original wife is a rather unassuming and amiable woman, originally from a farming background, yet she does not possess the petty or harsh traits typical of ordinary farmers. Now in her fifties, she manages the household and tends to some fruits and vegetables. Just now, Ning Yi saw the abandoned garden where Yun Niang was picking fruits, which was cultivated by Mrs. Qin leading the family to work on it by hand; Old Qin likely participated as well. Perhaps it is this kind of temperament that allows her to manage the household so orderly. The relationship between Mrs. Qin and Yun Niang is also good, and this trio of spouses can be considered a model family under a polygamous system.
The Puyuan Poetry Gathering... the six connected boats of the Pu family are indeed quite interesting, but those who go there are generally not very talented in poetry. If we speak of a gathering that attracts numerous talented individuals, it ultimately remains the Zhishui Poetry Gathering of the Pan family
"Hehe, I really can't tell whether he can do it or not. If he had said this in the first few days, I would have believed it. But now, it's hard to say." Old Qin shook his head and smiled, "In my lifetime, I have encountered many people, both those who seek fame and those who are genuinely talented. I have seen truly learned individuals who follow the teachings of Confucius and Mencius, exhibiting calmness, integrity, humility, and courtesy. There are also those unconventional talents, flamboyant and free-spirited, whose actions are bold and captivating, leaving people in awe. However, regardless of how one may categorize them, they all amount to the same thing. Yet, this young man from the Ning family truly baffles me; I cannot comprehend his thoughts."
The Pu family was originally wealthy merchants, but merchants and scholars held a lowly status. After acquiring wealth, they aspired to align themselves with the literati. Unfortunately, such aspirations cannot be realized in just a few years or even a decade. Their family is quite large, and in recent years, they have produced a few talented scholars, slightly better than the Su family. However, in the eyes of the world, they still do not qualify as a scholarly family. The Pu Garden Poetry Festival is renowned for its grandeur, luxury, and liveliness along the Qinhuai River, but most attendees are similar to the Pu family, having backgrounds or connections in commerce, such as Xue Jin and Su Tan'er, who come to join the festivities. Some may self-proclaim as literati and compose poetry, while others use the occasion to build relationships and discuss business. The quality of the poetry varies greatly; it is the most luxurious poetry festival, yet it cannot compare in literary atmosphere to the top few poetry gatherings.
On the Mid-Autumn Night of Qinhuai, talented scholars engage in literary contests while beautiful women compete in singing. Numerous poetry gatherings, both large and small, take place, often with invisible rivalries among them. When one gathering produces an excellent poem, another strives to surpass it, leading to a lively atmosphere that resonates throughout the night and becomes a cherished tale for months or even years to come. Naturally, this phenomenon is also fueled by the behind-the-scenes efforts of various merchants and even government officials, but regardless, the reputation of the Qinhuai River is elevated in such an ambiance.
He declined with a casual air, and Old Qin found it inappropriate to say anything further. After finishing breakfast, the sun was already high outside, and Ning Yi had to take his leave to go to Yushan Academy. After seeing him off at the door and watching him depart, Yun Niang smiled and asked Old Qin, "Sir, does this Young Master Ning truly not understand poetry?"
You rascal, tarnishing the innocent, is truly despicable
Ning Yi and the old man Qin were playing chess on a nearby street. They only knew that each other lived in the area, but had never visited one another's homes. At that moment, as Yun Niang entered, she saw an elderly man in the living room, engrossed in reading an ancient scroll. His demeanor was serious and focused, exuding a subtle air of authority, which was quite different from his relaxed attitude when setting up a chess stall by the river. Upon noticing someone enter the room, he squinted and looked up for a few seconds before realizing who it was, appearing somewhat amused. Yun Niang approached with a smile, and before she could speak, he nodded, as it was indeed clear what needed to be done at that moment.
At first, when playing chess with him, I found his moves unconventional and aggressive, yet they always provoked thought. I initially assumed he was just a flamboyant and quick-witted young man, and his speech was rather unpretentious. However, after playing for a while, I realized that his chess strategy could be both orthodox and eccentric, completely unbound by rules. After chatting for some time, I also felt that although this young man from the Ning family spoke casually, he possessed an inner tranquility and subtlety, occasionally offering profound insights that, while novel, did not stray far from the essence of the Dao
The time of our intersection is still short, and it is indeed too early to draw any high conclusions. However, during our chess game, he also recited a few fitting lines of poetry, which were quite good, though I had never heard them before. If we were to judge solely based on poetry, I would not believe that he is someone who does not understand it.
What do you think, Xiaoyun?
Since you are preparing to attend, do you have any poems ready, dear Li Heng? There are also a few chess friends at the Pan family. If you are interested, you might as well ask for an invitation.
I remember a few days ago he mentioned that he would go to the school to teach. He casually remarked that teaching is not merely about instructing people on how to do things, but rather about teaching them why they should do them. The ancient sages and wise men wrote their works primarily to convey the profound truths of human relationships and the workings of the universe and human hearts. Only after understanding these principles can one truly know how to act, and that is what it means to be a true scholar. He spoke so casually at the time that if heard by those of shallow understanding, they might label him a madman. However, the reasoning is indeed just that. To see a mountain as a mountain and water as water, to see a mountain not as a mountain and water not as water, and then to return to seeing a mountain as a mountain and water as water—that is to truly comprehend the essence of books. Hmm, this statement of his should not be widely circulated, lest it bring him some trouble.
Haha, how to view great talent and small talent is indeed a difficult question. There is always some distinction between poetic talent and artistic skill. Every year during the Mid-Autumn Festival poetry gathering, there are always a few good poems emerging from the Zhi Shui Academy. The Pan family has produced three generations of Hanlin scholars, and those who possess talent and wish to be recognized are always willing to explore that avenue.
Old Qin turned around and walked back, with Miss Yun following: "Why does Young Master Ning insist on keeping a low profile? No matter what..."
After Old Qin finished speaking, he looked at Ning Yi across the table. Ning Yi smiled and shook his head, saying, "I don't understand poetry; I'm just going to Pu Garden to see the excitement"
This statement is truly a case of turning the tables
According to Ning Yi's previous plan, he originally intended to take a run outside and then head directly to Yushan Academy. At this moment, he was already completely soaked, so he had no choice but to turn back and change his clothes. It was already early August in the lunar calendar, and feeling drenched all the way home was quite uncomfortable. His physical condition had not improved much, and he estimated he would catch a cold by tomorrow. Fortunately, he had not walked far when he encountered someone he knew, a concubine from the Qin family whom he had met a few times.
Regarding this matter, Elder Qin still felt a sense of regret. It is normal for a man to have aspirations for fame and wealth, or to possess ambition. From the interactions of these past few days, even if Ning Yi harbored some ambition, it would not lead him to marry into a merchant family. At this time, the public's awareness was still limited, and the distinction between uneducated individuals and those who had received an education was quite apparent. Without even discussing whether he truly possesses talent, one can say that a person with such eloquence and demeanor would not starve regardless of what they did, so why would they need to marry into a family of merchants? At this time, the public's awareness was still limited, and the distinction between uneducated individuals and those who had received an education was quite apparent. Without even discussing whether he truly possesses talent, one can say that a person with such eloquence and demeanor would not starve regardless of what they did, so why would they need to marry into a family of merchants?
The Zhishui Poetry Gathering is a truly elite assembly of talented individuals in the Qinhuai area. The host, the Pan family, is a genuine literary lineage with three generations of Hanlin scholars. In this generation, Pan Mingchen serves as a Hanlin scholar while also holding the position of Deputy Minister of Rites. The poetry gatherings held at his residence have always attracted numerous aspiring scholars seeking fame and success. However, to qualify for participation in the poetry gathering, one must possess a certain level of talent or sufficient connections. Besides some already renowned talents who receive invitations, many aspiring poets send their names and poetry to the Pan residence before the Mid-Autumn Festival each year, hoping to gain favor. Additionally, many famous courtesans take pride in being invited to the Zhishui Poetry Gathering, which is entirely different from the significance of the Puyuan Poetry Gathering, where substantial sums are spent annually to invite guests.
Yun Niang blinked her eyes: "Are you lying?"
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Yun Niang inquired about what had happened. Ning Yi pointed to the Qinhuai River not far away and said, "He fell into the river." Yun Niang smiled slightly and did not ask further. Instead, she invited Ning Yi to accompany her to a nearby residence, saying, "The autumn wind is strong. If you walk back like this, you might catch a cold tomorrow. Since you are a close friend of the master, please do not stand on ceremony. The master is at home right now... Oh, he mentioned just yesterday that you haven't come to play chess these past few days."
Compared to the expansive Su family courtyard in Jiangning, the Qin family's residence is not particularly large, and its level of wealth naturally does not compare. However, it can still be considered a respectable affluent household. The property is well-maintained, giving a sense of fullness, imbued with the fragrance of books and the essence of life, exuding a solid foundation that instills a sense of security. Although in the morning, Madam Yun personally goes out to pick fruits and vegetables, the household does employ several maids and servants. A family capable of supporting multiple servants is, after all, doing quite well economically.
Let Xiaohong prepare hot water, Yunniang, you go and fetch a set of clothes for Dalang... Haha, Liheng, my young friend, what is going on with you?
Oh, a talented person... is it the kind of talent that is truly remarkable
I am aware of that
Ning Yi went out for exercise, choosing a direction that would not lead to the bustling city. He headed towards the street he was most familiar with, where he often came to play chess with Old Qin. Old Qin's concubine, named Yun Niang, was in her thirties and had once been a woman of the world, yet she did not possess the allure typical of such women. Ning Yi had seen her several times when she brought lunch to Old Qin; she was dignified and graceful, and during their conversations, she could even recite a few lines of poetry with Old Qin. At this moment, he encountered her on the road. Dressed in simple clothes and adorned like a peasant woman, she carried a wicker basket filled with fresh vegetables and fruits just picked from the nearby fields. Upon seeing Ning Yi, she looked surprised.
Once the important matters were settled, the old man finally burst into laughter, his laughter tinged with a sense of schadenfreude, much like a player who has just made a brilliant move in chess. In fact, during these days of playing chess, he had become quite adept at it. The old man often jokingly referred to him as "the young lad Liheng," likely because he found him in a predicament, but he smiled and called him "young friend," his expression still quite cheerful. Ning Yi could only manage a wry smile, shrugging his shoulders; after all, with the old man's concubine present, he could not casually say, "You old man, reveling in others' misfortune."
Haha ... ... However ... ... is this a case of turning the tables? Is there any historical reference to this phrase?
It is not advisable to converse with learned individuals without purpose, often asking about historical anecdotes. During a game of chess, Ning Yi would smile and explain, saying, "It's a long story." After a while, Madam Qin prepared breakfast and, along with Yun Niang, invited Old Qin and Ning Yi to join them. At the table, they discussed Ning Yi's initial experiences in the courses at Yushan Academy. To Old Qin, Ning Yi was merely a novice in teaching, and he couldn't help but jestingly criticize him for leading students astray. The conversation then shifted to matters concerning the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The Puyuan Poetry Gathering and the Zhi Shui Poetry Gathering are among the most influential poetry events of the evening. Although the Puyuan Poetry Gathering is named after Puyuan, it is actually formed by six large boats connected together, drifting along the Qinhuai River throughout the night, enjoying wine, reciting poetry, watching fireworks, and admiring the lights along the riverbanks, with various performances taking place on the boat.
Therefore, it is difficult to understand, but there is one point that is clear. Speaking of this, Elder Qin slightly frowned, then shook his head and sighed softly, "As you, Xiaoyun, mentioned, some young people, despite their talents, may choose to conceal their abilities or deliberately hide their shortcomings, enduring loneliness and resisting momentary temptations. They all hope to achieve greater accomplishments in the future, aspiring to leap over the dragon gate and attain success one day. However, any such individuals would never choose to become a son-in-law in a merchant's family before establishing their name and career. Throughout history, how many have succeeded as a son-in-law? This is all in the hope of achieving greater accomplishments in the future, aspiring to leap over the dragon gate and attain success one day. However, any such individuals would never choose to become a son-in-law in a merchant's family before establishing their name and career. Throughout history, how many have succeeded as a son-in-law? Alas, if he truly possesses great talent, it would indeed be a pity..."