Chapter 285
Although Scholar Gu and Old General Yang had never met, the first letter Zhan Feiyu brought that day was a test. Both sides had the intention to cooperate, but they were concerned that His Majesty would not have direct contact.
Furthermore, some things were better understood than spoken. Zhan Feiyu's actions in Xiangwu County represented Scholar Gu's intentions. The master and disciple had never truly discussed the Yang family's control over the military in Longyou Dao, but they shared an innate understanding.
"Teacher," Zhan Feiyu's fair, bun-like face grew more serious. She replied earnestly to Qiu Zongxi, who had asked, "Just as I told Uncle Yang before, as long as the Yang family does not collude with the enemy and betray the country, my teacher will do his utmost to help the Yang family. Similarly, the people of the Great Qing Dynasty are the bottom line for my teacher and me."
Sharp knives and blades could harm people, but they could also protect them! Power, or military authority, was in a sense a sharp blade. Gu Qingzhou, who held power and was skilled in strategy, aimed for the welfare of the common people. The Yang family guarding the border was also a similar intention. The two sides could cooperate because their paths were the same, leading to their alliance.
Even though these words were spoken by a young girl, Qiu Zongxi believed them. His seemingly fierce and ferocious expression instantly softened. "Having your word is enough."
Gu Qingzhou and the little girl were both calculating individuals. Yang Xu, with his dull mind, had not yet awakened. Qiu Zongxi and Old General Yang knew that Yang Xu's talent lay in martial arts and military strategy. He would become a general adept at leading troops in the future, but he would never become a minister skilled in strategy and calculation.
Moreover, the court was full of unpredictable changes, especially since His Majesty was already at an age where he had accepted his destiny. Within twenty years, an heir apparent would surely be established, and the Great Qing Dynasty would likely experience some fluctuations. Yang Xu, who was not yet thirty, would surely be able to navigate this period safely with Zhan Feiyu or Scholar Gu assisting him in the capital.
With one matter resolved, Qiu Zongxi immediately changed the topic to Zhan Feiyu's newly composed poem. He snorted dismissively, "I'm too lazy to critique this poem of yours."
Zhan Feiyu, who was self-aware, gave an embarrassed laugh. It was just a passable poem, with no new ideas. If it wasn't critiqued, it was fine, saving Old Mr. Qiu from getting angry.
Picking up his brush, Qiu Zongxi dipped it in ink and then quickly wrote another poem, "Xiang Ling Gu Se," below Zhan Feiyu's.
"This poem was written by a predecessor," Qiu Zongxi put down his brush. The little girl's poem was as illegible as Yang Xu's turtle-like handwriting; looking at it for too long made one's eyes ache. "Tell me, what do you think of this poem?"
"Skillfully playing the cloud and harmonious zither, I often hear of the divine spirit of the Emperor's son... The song ends, and the person is unseen, only green peaks on the river remain."
Zhan Feiyu turned her head to look. What met her eyes was the continuous strokes of the Zhangcao script. It was likely that, considering Zhan Feiyu's young age, the characters were somewhat restrained and not yet wild or unrestrained.
After quickly reading the entire poem, Zhan Feiyu replied, "The title of the poem comes from 'The Far Journey' in the 'Songs of Chu': 'Let the Xiang spirits play the zither, and command the sea gods to dance.'"
Legend has it that Emperor Shun died and was buried in Mount Cangwu. His consorts, mourning, threw themselves into the Xiang River and became the spirits of the Xiang River. They often played the zither by the river, expressing their sorrow through the sound of the instrument.
Qiu Zongxi already knew that Zhan Feiyu had the ability to remember everything she saw. "Tell me the first two lines."
"The opening lines point out that it is said the goddess of the Xiang River was skilled at playing the zither, and they subtly use the meaning of 'The Lady of the Xiang' in 'Nine Songs': 'The Emperor's descendant descends to the northern bank,' describing the goddess gracefully descending to the banks of the Xiang River..." Zhan Feiyu was completely clueless about writing poetry, but she was an expert at critiquing it.
"The most brilliant part of the entire poem, which makes the whole piece shine, is the last two lines: 'The song ends, and the person is unseen, only green peaks on the river remain.'" Zhan Feiyu couldn't help but recite it, truly a poem that had been passed down for hundreds of years.
The key was that this was a "shi tie shi" (a type of regulated verse with a given topic). To write such a beautiful poem with such imagery in the cramped examination stalls, Zhan Feiyu had to admire the poet's rich imagination. She could probably imagine a lavish feast while gnawing on hard, cold steamed buns.
Qiu Zongxi stared coldly at the eloquent Zhan Feiyu. "Since you can talk so well, why don't you write a poem of comparable quality for me to see?"
Zhan Feiyu's face instantly fell. "Teacher, you are asking the impossible."
When Yang Xu and Qiu Jinyu arrived at the study, Zhan Feiyu's new poem had not only been crumpled into a ball by Qiu Zongxi and thrown into the charcoal basin to turn into ashes, but she was also standing at the desk, being thoroughly berated and looking utterly dejected.
Yang Xu looked at Zhan Feiyu's bun-like face, all scrunched up, with concern. "Grandpa Qiu?"
"You still know to come to the study? I thought you'd been running around outside these past two days and planned to pack your bags and move into the county jail!" The attack instantly turned to Yang Xu. After all, when facing Zhan Feiyu's dark, round eyes, Qiu Zongxi looked elsewhere when scolding. The little girl was too beautiful, with her jade-like, adorable appearance, making it hard to scold her without a firm heart.
But when facing the dark and thin Yang Xu, Qiu Zongxi had no such reservations. All his anger erupted, making Yang Xu unable to lift his head.
According to Qiu Zongxi's wishes, a selfish, greedy, and vain woman like Madam Zhang. It was one thing for Yang Xu to visit her in prison, but to go through so much trouble, trying to preserve Madam Zhang's life, was another. If Qiu Zongxi hadn't received a letter from Old General Yang beforehand, he would have beaten Yang Xu's legs in his anger.
A quarter of an hour later, Qiu Zongxi, finally feeling relieved, assigned new homework to Zhan Feiyu. Yang Xu continued his task of copying books. As for Qiu Jinyu, allowing him to enter the study was already Qiu Zongxi's concession; guiding his studies was absolutely out of the question.
The study fell silent again. Qiu Zongxi, his throat dry, drank half a cup of tea and glanced at Zhan Feiyu, whose eyes were darting around. "Why aren't you quickly putting pen to paper? What are you daydreaming about?"
"Teacher, I heard someone mention the three realms of scholarship before." Zhan Feiyu had written two poems, and although both were criticized as worthless, she truly had no poetic inspiration in her mind at the moment.
"Tell me about it," Qiu Zongxi also knew he was being overly critical. The little girl's essays were good, and her poetry was only mediocre to below average, but it was enough to pass the imperial examinations. Given that she was Scholar Gu's only disciple, which chief examiner or marking official would dare to fail her paper because of her ordinary "shi tie shi"? Their entire official career would likely end.
"The first realm: 'Last night, the west wind withered the green trees. Alone I ascend the high tower, gazing to the end of the horizon.'" Zhan Feiyu lowered her voice so as not to disturb Qiu Jinyu, who was reading at another desk, and Yang Xu, who was practicing calligraphy.
"'My belt grows looser, yet I have no regrets. For her, my person becomes haggard. This is the second realm,'" Zhan Feiyu continued. "'I searched for him a thousand times in the crowd, and suddenly looked back, only to find him there, in the dim light.' This is the third realm."
Qiu Zongxi couldn't help but put down his teacup and quickly reviewed these three realms in his mind. His expression was one of enlightenment and感慨, remaining silent for a long time.
On the other side, Yang Xu secretly glanced over and was immensely impressed by Zhan Feiyu. Little Yu had just been thoroughly scolded by Grandpa Qiu, but now she acted as if nothing had happened. Yang Xu remembered that the first time he followed Qiu Zongxi to learn calligraphy, the five-year-old Yang Xu had cried on the spot without being scolded.
When it came to thick skin, Zhan Feiyu was second to none.
Although Qiu Jinyu was a scholar, he was also a martial artist. Therefore, even though Zhan Feiyu kept her voice low, Qiu Jinyu could still hear her. He was also contemplating these three realms of scholarship, and the more he thought about it, the more marvelous it seemed. Could these words have been spoken by Scholar Gu?
Seeing that Qiu Zongxi had fallen into contemplation, Zhan Feiyu silently let out a sigh of relief. She then calmed herself and rewrote the previous two poems, making revisions where necessary and changing words. This was the plight of a science student taking imperial examinations in ancient times...
...
Staying in a separate courtyard in Xiangwu County, Zhang Minxian had a complex expression, feeling fortunate to have narrowly escaped.
"Big Brother," footsteps were heard outside the door. Zhang Minhua entered the room, letting the maid sweep the snow from her cloak. She looked at Zhang Minxian, who was seated in the main position. "Wang Wu is back?"
"Uncle," Zhou Shuyao, bored, also called out. Xiangwu County was small. In this weather, where water froze into ice, Zhou Shuyao could only huddle in the small courtyard, wishing she could immediately go to Linzhou Prefecture and sit by the fire with her girlfriends, appreciating plum blossoms in the snow. That would truly be pleasant and comfortable.
After the maid served tea, Zhang Minxian waved for her to withdraw. He looked at the mother and daughter seated below and spoke after a long pause, "Wang Wu just returned from gathering information."