Chapter 010 Narration
Today, I come to meet you, and I congratulate your esteemed household on having another son of exceptional talent
Jia Zheng was also filled with uncertainty, so he sent someone to inquire. Before long, the servant returned to report that it was indeed the case, and now the entire Jia residence was abuzz with the news
Oh, what good news do I have? Could it be that the three young ones have made significant progress in their studies, and that is why the teacher has come to congratulate me? If that is the case, it would indeed be a great joy for me
Lian'er possesses considerable talent, but having been raised by his grandmother, he has become quite lazy. Perhaps he should change his approach and strive to improve himself.
Both of them returned to know. Then, Jia Zheng inquired about the details.
"You are not dreaming." At this moment, Lin Zhixiao's voice came from beside.
pinched
Upon hearing the report, Jia Zheng did not hesitate, and instructed someone to summon Lin Zhi Xiao and Tao Tou Ling to meet him
Lin Zhixiao impatiently said, "Go find those few and tidy up the things in the study yard." After saying this, he walked away with his hands behind his back
Jia Zheng immediately stood up, bowed, and said: "Thank you very much for your guidance, sir. If my son succeeds one day, he will not forget your kindness."
It is not merely the three young masters playing around, but rather that we have encountered a joyful event, and thus we have come to congratulate you, my lord, " said Li Wenbin
As soon as the two of them stood still, Jia Zheng asked, "Do you know that your master is practicing martial arts in the grand study today?"
Then, inside the house, Jia Zheng and Li Wenbin took their respective seats as host and guest, and the servants presented tea.
"He grabbed the wrong direction; he grabbed me instead. It hurt so much that I must have turned purple. You scoundrels, just wait and see how I deal with you all," Lin Zhixiao exclaimed furiously.
Having said that, the two resumed their seats
The people outside, shocked and fearful, finally came to their senses. One by one, they displayed expressions of disbelief. They looked at each other, thinking they were in a dream.
"Xiao Liu, pinch me once."
Jia Zheng extended his hand to assist and said: "Your esteemed talent is remarkable, yet you have devoted yourself tirelessly to the three young ones of the Jia family. Their academic achievements are largely due to your efforts. Please, come inside and have some tea."
Jia Ke and others spent the day as usual, attending classes, having meals, attending classes, and enduring beatings from Jia Lian
vomit
Before long, the two arrived at the door to request an audience, and Jia Zheng invited them in
Brother Song, why
Jia Zheng, knowing Li Wenbin's temperament, did not make any attempts to retain him, merely stating that they would gather again on another day. He then had someone escort them out.
Li Wenbin, seeing that Jia Zheng had misunderstood, hurriedly explained: "Sir, you have misunderstood. The eldest son is indeed somewhat lacking in his studies, and the students are not unaware of this. However, today the eldest son has showcased his talents, astonishing the entire residence. Surely, you have heard of this"
Jia Zheng looked at Leader Tao and asked, "Is Ke'er really that skilled in martial arts?"
After school in the afternoon, Li Wenbin did not return to his room to read and study the classical essays as usual. Instead, he changed his clothes and went alone to Jia Zheng's small study, Mengpo Studio. Upon arriving outside the door, he had Jia Zheng's attendant go in to report to Jia Zheng.
Jia Zheng was in his study playing chess and discussing ancient topics with guests Zhan Guang, Shan Pinren, Cheng Rixing, and Wang Zuomei. Upon hearing from a servant that Li Wenbin had arrived, he immediately went to the door to greet him personally. Li Wenbin, upon seeing him, immediately paid his respects and said: "How can a latecomer like me trouble you, my lord, to come out and welcome me personally"
The leader Tao was still staring blankly at the halberd that Jia Ke had casually thrown aside. Reflecting on the martial skills that Jia Ke had just displayed, and considering his own age of thirty, which is the prime of life, he thought that if he were to encounter Jia Ke on the battlefield, he would likely lose his life in just a few exchanges. Indeed, he was a man of two dukes; one could tell from Jia Ke's demeanor that he possessed the grace of the two dukes, Ning and Rong, from years past.
Lin Zhixiao seized a young servant and said, "Aren't you from the study? Where are you going?"
Jia Zheng was overjoyed, for it should be noted that Jia Zhu was still under ten years old. According to Li Wenbin's assertion, it was possible to pass the examination for a scholar at the age of thirteen or fourteen, which would indeed be considered a prodigy even in the culturally flourishing Jiangnan region. How could this not make Jia Zheng ecstatic
Upon seeing Li Wenbin enter the study, the three brothers, Jia Ke and his siblings, hurriedly followed him inside. Mr. Li's authority was still quite formidable; when Jia Ke and his brothers first began their elementary studies, they were all quite intimidated by Mr. Li. In particular, Jia Ke and Jia Lian were almost beaten every day.
Lin the steward, you are also here, I must be dreaming. Just now, Xiao Liu pinched me and I didn't feel a thing
One cannot be separated from the grace of the teacher's guidance
The four guests, Zhan Guang, Shan Pingren, Cheng Rixing, and Wang Zuomei, exchanged glances, aware that Li Wenbin held them in disdain. They then stood up and said to Jia Zheng: "Since Dong Weng has matters to attend to, we shall take our leave first"
The young man finally realized that he was indeed working in the study, and there was nowhere for him to run. He quickly began to apologize to Lin Zhixiao.
The leader Tao replied truthfully: "This is the first time in my life that I have witnessed such martial arts. Even if I were to be killed, I would not believe that such skills exist in this world. I am not boasting; I am also a well-known martial artist in the capital, and I have encountered many famous masters and generals. However, in my opinion, they all pale in comparison to the young master. If there were a fine steed, the young master could certainly ride it across the world."
Li Wenbin shook his head and said, "Although Jia Lian has a good natural talent, if he does not change his temperament, I fear that this is all he will amount to." He then continued, "I am referring to your esteemed family's eldest son, Jia Ke, whose talent is likely superior to that of the second son, Jia Zhu."
Jia Zheng then asked: "If the gentleman is not in the study reading in preparation for next year's imperial examination, then he must have come to my Mengpo Studio for some important matter. Could it be that the three young children at home have been a bit unruly, provoking the gentleman's anger?"
The gentleman jested, but I am still aware of my son's situation. Jia Zheng shook his head and smiled wryly
Did you pinch it
Li Wenbin replied: "This morning, the eldest son Jia Ke continued our conversation, stating that although his knowledge is not as profound as Jia Zhu's, he possesses immense strength and the courage of ten thousand men. I told him he was boasting, and he became agitated, saying, 'Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, and Teachers—how could one lie to a mentor?' He insisted on demonstrating his skills for me to see. Thus, in the courtyard of the grand study, he practiced martial arts with a borrowed halberd in front of a large audience. It is not that the students lack insight; I truly observed that the eldest son's martial skills are remarkable. I fear that even the late Jia Gong would have no equal. The spectators were astonished and bewildered, momentarily believing they were on a battlefield. If the gentlemen do not believe this, they may send someone to inquire, and they will find out."
Among the three young masters, the second master Jia Zhu excels the most in his studies. He has already made considerable progress in the Four Books. As long as he puts in some effort on the Five Classics and practices writing the eight-legged essays, he should be ready to take the examination in a few years, which would take a total of about three to four years.
Li Wenbin entered the room and saw the four distinguished guests, Zhan Guang, Shan Pinren, Cheng Rixing, and Wang Zuomei, all slightly nodding their heads, yet they did not offer any formal greetings. It was evident that Li Wenbin held these scholars in great disdain. These learned individuals, either due to the prevailing social climate or their unfortunate fates, were compelled to seek sustenance and secure their families, resulting in their lack of prominence. They were proud yet unable to fully assert themselves, thus they had no choice but to attach themselves to wealthy families, seeking favors and playing the role of sycophants, indulging in leisure and entertainment to please the powerful, thereby enhancing the reputation of their hosts. They were merely akin to the ancient retainers; although there was no formal title of servitude, the reality was one of servitude.
Upon seeing this, Lin Zhixiao became furious, and immediately scattered like birds and beasts, fleeing completely.
Li Wenbin hurriedly stood up to return the greeting: "Jia Zhu's achievements today are due to his own efforts and exceptional talent"
Lin Zhixiao replied: "When I arrived, the master had just gone to borrow weapons from Chief Tao, who personally brought the master over. After that, the master practiced the spear technique. I was unaware of its power, having never seen such a valiant person before."
Then why doesn't it hurt, it seems I was indeed dreaming, ha, ha. I said, how could Master Ke be so formidable
Today, just after leaving the office, I had a brief conversation with a few gentlemen, but it seems I did not hear the report from others. If you know, could you please explain it to me
I will see if I am dreaming
Jia Zheng trembled slightly; he thought of many people, even considering the collateral relatives, yet he did not think of Jia Ke. As the saying goes, no one knows a child better than their father. Jia Zheng was aware of Jia Ke's situation; the child was a good child, diligent in his studies, but his talent was somewhat lacking, merely of average ability. If one were to say that Jia Ke was exceptionally gifted, Jia Zheng would be the first to disagree.
Jia Zheng was also filled with great surprise. He had been quite worried about Jia Ke's lack of talent in literature, wondering how he would manage once they separated. However, upon hearing this news today, he was overjoyed. It seems that although Jia Ke's academic abilities are lacking, he has inherited the martial prowess of his grandfather and great-grandfather. In the future, with Jia Zhu representing the literary side and Jia Ke the martial side, how could the Jia family not prosper? With these two exceptional talents, even if he were to meet his father and grandfather in the afterlife, he would have no regrets.