Chapter 6, what is learned from books is ultimately superficial

On June 22, after the solar term of Great Heat, the period of the Three Fu has entered its middle phase, marking the hottest time of the year. At dawn, Zhang Mu of the Lü family took her eldest daughter Yi Ting, along with Zhang Da Chun and Zhang Cai, to the fields outside the city to supervise the tenants in paying their wheat rent. In the household, apart from Zhang Yuan, Wu Ling, and Tu Ting, there were also Zhang Cai's mother and two elderly female servants in the kitchen. In total, there were only a few people, which could not be compared to the numerous servants in the Western Zhang family. However, among the eight households in the Eastern Zhang area, they could be considered relatively affluent. Some families in the Eastern Zhang area do not even have a single servant, and all laundry and cooking must be done by the housewives themselves.

... ...

Wuling Yingdao: "Yes"

In addition to seeking guidance on the classics, Zhang Yuan also inquired with Fan and Zhan about various current affairs, government policies, customs, and livelihoods

Oh, when did Zhang Jiezai become so clever!" Zhang E rolled her eyes, indicating disbelief, and asked, "What book are you reading?"

On that evening, Fan and Zhan finished reading a volume of books for Zhang Yuan and went around to prepare to return to Xi Zhang via the three-arch stone bridge. However, they saw Zhang E directing the craftsmen to build a bamboo pavilion under the arch bridge, saying that it was cool there, making it pleasant to read and play chess in the pavilion

Zhang Yuan walked to the outside of the study and clasped his hands, saying: "Third brother, what brings you here?"

Wuling Chong Zhang E's silhouette glared, thinking: "You say I am foolish, but you are even more foolish. My young master can win against you even while blindfolded in chess, humph"

Wuling quietly argued, "My young master’s eyes have already recovered."

Still wearing it

"Old Fan—Old Zhan—" Zhang E called out

Wuling felt a deep disdain for that book boy who walked in a coy manner: "He must be a little boy who flaunts his backside to seek favor. Oh dear, this is not good—Buddhas of the heavens and all the deities, please bless my young master not to be corrupted by the Third Young Master, I earnestly pray for your protection."

Zhang Edao: "A book boy, one you have never seen before"

Fan Zhen replied: "I have finished reading the tenth volume of 'The Collected Exegeses of the Spring and Autumn Annals'"

The handsome young attendant behind him let out a soft "tch" and quickly covered his mouth with his hand

Fan Zhenqia is indeed a talkative person; discussing anecdotes and sharing experiences is more interesting than reading books. Although Zhan Shiyuan does not speak much, his words are quite incisive. For instance, he remarked, "Fate is low, one gets three provinces," referring to the difficulties of holding official positions in Shanxi, Jiangxi, and Shaanxi. Shanxi and Shaanxi have barren land and a fierce populace, with tax resistance occurring frequently. Meanwhile, Jiangxi has a large population but limited land, leading many to seek livelihoods elsewhere. In the two capitals and thirteen provinces, those who practice fortune-telling, physiognomy, and geomancy are predominantly from Jiangxi, making it difficult to collect taxes from them.

Fan Zhen and Zhan Shiyuan exchanged glances; if a heavy rain were to come, all three arches of the stone bridge would be submerged, and the bamboo pavilion would be swept away by the water. This is simply like throwing silver into the water!

The young master is waiting in the study to listen to a book

... ...

The timid and trembling voice: "Third Young Master, my young master is in the study."

Zhang Yuanxin said: "Fan and Zhan are merely young scholars, yet their knowledge is not lacking; they have at least thoroughly read the Four Books and Five Classics. From this perspective, it seems that the scholars of the Ming Dynasty were indeed not so easy to become, comparable to graduates of prestigious universities in later generations"

Hearing Zhan Shiyuan mention Sanxi, Zhang Yuan couldn't help but think: "Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong from Shaanxi must have been born around the same time, these two great scourges seem to be contemporaries."

Zhang E smiled and said: "How pitiful, with his eyes damaged, he can only sit in the room all day, and without anyone to read to him, he can only stare blankly."

Where is the particle?

Zhang Yuan no longer asked further questions, entered the study, and sat down. Wuling presented two cups of fragrant tea before exiting, concerned that Zhang E might tease their young master. After listening for a while in the corridor, upon hearing Zhang E begin to read, he finally felt at ease

The Qing guest connects with bureaucrats and gentry above, and with merchants and commoners below. He has a wealth of experiences and extensive knowledge, and conversing with them allows for the understanding of many matters that cannot be gleaned from books. This is precisely what Zhang Yuan needs. The original Zhang Yuan was young and somewhat naive, knowing too little. Although he is now relatively well-versed in the major historical events of the late Ming, such as the "Battle of Sarhu," the "Three Great Cases of the Late Ming Court," and the "Conflict between the Eunuchs and the Donglin Party," he realizes that knowledge acquired from books is ultimately superficial. The vastness of history and the river of literature are accumulated from small events, piece by piece. If one cannot fully understand the world in which they find themselves, how can they navigate this extraordinary period with ease and even stand out?

To read and be able to ask questions indicates that one has understood the book and is capable of thinking. What astonished Fan Zhen and Zhan Shiyuan even more was that when the young Zhang Yuan asked questions, he quoted the original texts of the classics fluently and recited them aloud, with very few errors or omissions in the words.

Knowing that Zhang Yuan listened to the reading with utmost seriousness, Fan Zhen and Zhan Shiyuan did not dare to be careless. They focused their attention and took turns reading, completing the first volume of "The Spring and Autumn Annals with Commentary" in one and a half hours. Zhang Yuan invited the two gentlemen to stay for lunch, but Fan and Zhan firmly declined, stating that they would return in the afternoon to read for Young Master Jiezi, as they could not afford to neglect the task assigned by Young Master Yan.

Are you ready? Are you still wearing the eye mask?

Outside the grand entrance of the residences of the wealthy gentry in Shaoxing, there are also wall gates, either six panels or four panels, adorned with fine flower-patterned bamboo mats, fastened with gilded nails, which are quite exquisite. In contrast, ordinary households merely surround their main entrance with a bamboo fence, opening two wooden doors. Wuling leaned against the wooden door, waiting. After more than half an hour without seeing Mr. Fan and Mr. Zhan arrive, he glanced at the sun's shadow, which suggested it was nearly the end of the Chen hour. Could it be that Mr. Fan and Mr. Zhan have matters to attend to today and will not come?

Zhang Yuan was in a cheerful mood. After listening to books for nearly two months, this morning was the most enjoyable. Previously, Zhang Cai and Wu Ling read with many stumbles, often mispronouncing words, and he had to guess while listening to the recordings, which was quite taxing. Now, it is much better, as Fan and Zhan are reading for him, and their reading is both fast and easy to understand. Reflecting back, the first volume he just listened to is vividly clear in his mind, and he remembers it all.

... ...

"That is not good at all." Zhang E turned to glance at the handsome young scholar, gave him a signal, and said to Wuling, "I will go in and read for your young master; you need not follow me. I find you clumsy and awkward." Having said this, she took the young scholar inside.

Zhang Yuan practiced the simplified version of Tai Chi twice in the early morning. Although he has firmly decided to become a scholar, maintaining physical fitness is still essential. A scholar who lacks the strength to bind a chicken is not desirable. Now is the time to cultivate one's appearance, and practicing Tai Chi is quite suitable.

Zhang Yuanliao thought that Zhang E would not honestly teach him, yet he was not afraid of Zhang E's tricks, saying: "Well then, I appreciate your efforts, Third Brother." He noticed that there was another person behind Zhang E, faintly scented with powder, who asked: "Who else did Third Brother bring along?"

Fan Zhen said: "Very good, Young Master Jie is exceptionally intelligent, with an extraordinary memory; no, it should be said that he never forgets what he hears."

Zhang E, holding a hand-held folding fan, inquired: "How well are the two of you teaching Zhang Jiezai?"

Zhang E nodded slightly, but said: "Tomorrow morning, you two should not go to read to him; I will go, hehe."

Mother and Yiting went to the field manor, while Wuling waited at the door for Mr. Zhan and Mr. Fan. In this inner courtyard, there were only him and Tuting. The little girl walked very lightly, almost like a cat, and with Zhang Yuan's current hearing, he could hardly hear her movements. However, as soon as he called out "Tuting," the little girl would quickly peek her head out from the door and ask, "Young Master, what is your command?"

The sound of footsteps came from the hallway, and Zhang E exclaimed: "Jiezi, Jiezi—"

Xiao Wu—"Zhang E called out: 'Your grandmother has gone to collect the rent, hasn't she?'"

In the following days, Fan Zhen and Zhan Shiyuan visited Zhang Yuan's residence twice a day to read the "Spring and Autumn Annals with Commentary and Annotations" for him. They read two volumes each day, and sometimes, after finishing a volume while it was still early, Zhang Yuan would ask Fan and Zhan about some difficult passages in the text.

Zhang E came over and nudged Zhang Yuan's elbow, smiling as she said, "Today, I will read to you. I read better than Zhan and Fan."

Xiao Xinu, early in the morning, had already cleaned and tidied the study, making it bright and neat. After serving the young master breakfast, he hurriedly drank two bowls of rice porridge and had a piece of sweet cake, then went to wait at the door for Mr. Fan and Mr. Zhan.

Wuling was just about to enter and inform the young master, when he saw the third young master, Zhang E, wearing a square cap and a brand new lake-colored robe, elegantly waving a folding fan as he approached, followed by a handsome young scholar.

Zhang Yan, the guest of Zhang San, possesses this temperament; he cannot afford to delay in pursuing what he desires, seeking only immediate gratification, regardless of the cost in silver and money

Fan Zhen and Zhan Shiyuan hurriedly walked to the bridge below and clasped their hands, saying: "What instructions does the Young Master of the Swallow Guests have?"