Chapter 19 – Teaching

With the intention of teaching Xu Chun well, Xie Yi watched the play while starting a casual conversation: “Mr. Liurru, do you know what the six ru refer to?”

Xu Chun: “…” He felt as though he had been suddenly called upon to answer a question in a private school class, staring blankly, unable to respond.

Xie Yi slowly taught him: “The Diamond Sutra says: All conditioned things are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, shadows, dew, and lightning, and should be viewed as such. Therefore, Juewen Juren’s ‘six ru’ comes from this, like dreams, like illusions, like bubbles, like shadows, like dew, like lightning.”

Xu Chun was enlightened: “So it’s like that, thank you, Brother Jiuge, for teaching me.”

But Xie Yi patiently continued: “Look, Juewen Juren suffered repeated setbacks at the time, getting involved in cases of exam fraud and rebellion by the feudal lords. His circumstances were difficult, and his life was half filled with sorrow. Therefore, he gave himself the title of ‘Liurru,’ seeing everything as transient and fleeting, originally conveying a sense of being passive and detached from the world. Reading his poems, such as ‘I would rather die among flowers and wine than bow before carriages and horses’ and ‘Thirty verses written in sorrow, who knows the grief of spring,’ they are mostly works of world-weariness and melancholy. Given his proud and unyielding personality, do you think he would disguise his identity and sell himself for a slave girl’s smile, carefully courting her to marry her as a concubine?”

Xu Chun: “…” Brother Jiuge was so serious. Of course, he knew that the script was made up, but watching Xie Yi patiently stare at him with his recently healed, incomparably beautiful jet-black eyes, Xu Chun felt that whatever he said was out of concern for him. His whole body felt light, and he simply agreed: “Brother Jiuge is absolutely right.”

Xie Yi said: “You only see the beauty and charm in his paintings, but you can’t see the frustration in his heart, his melancholy and sorrow. You must understand that life is not like a script; you can’t just watch for the excitement. You must not take the stories in scripts seriously. Look at the stage where scholars and beauties, emperors and generals, greed, hatred, and delusion, union and separation, are all like dreams and illusions, like dew and lightning?”

Xu Chun: “Brother Jiuge’s teaching is correct.” But in his heart, he thought that Brother Jiuge was indeed unhappy. Everyone watching the play only thought about the excitement and fun, but Brother Jiuge only saw it as dreamlike and illusory, like dew and lightning. He was probably thinking about the hardships of Scholar Liurru. There must be something he could do to cheer Brother Jiuge up. Horse riding and archery, seeking out flowers and enjoying the spring, he’d have to spend some thought on it.

Xie Yi didn’t know that Xu Chun was thinking about his depression. Seeing that Xu Chun was listening to his instruction, he nodded in satisfaction and asked him: “Did you open this theater? Did the Duke’s Mansion agree?”

Xu Chun hurriedly shook his head: “My family doesn’t know. According to the rules on my maternal grandfather’s side, the Sheng family starts handling money and trying their hand at business at twelve years old. I’m just experimenting and playing around. At the time, I thought of opening a theater, making it convenient to watch plays and inviting troupes to perform whatever I wanted to see. Opening a publishing house was also because I liked reading stories…”

His voice dropped slightly, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Xie Yi nodded: “It’s good that you’re skilled at managing businesses at your young age. However, in the capital, the nobility look down on this path, so it’s best for you not to make a fuss about it. A son does not stand in his father’s place; if someone brings up your private property, you won’t be able to defend yourself. You must be careful.”

Xu Chun, seeing Xie Yi treat him kindly, became even happier: “I thought Brother Jiuge would disdain me for engaging in commerce, thinking I was a big vulgarian.”

Xie Yi said: “Whether it’s vulgar or not isn’t determined by that.” That ten thousand taels of silver had been a great help. The large ship at the Ministry of Works had been repaired, and the Minister of Works seemed to have become several years younger. He walked with a breeze when attending court, and his spirit was invigorated when addressing the emperor. His loyalty seemed to have increased as well.

If there was someone skilled in practical management affairs in the Ministry of Revenue, he wouldn’t be so strapped for resources. Money wasn’t vulgar; although this child was muddled, he was by no means vulgar. He treated people sincerely and acted with a chivalrous spirit. He just needed someone to guide him.

With this idea in mind, he couldn’t help but look Xu Chun over. The idea of the Prince of Jing’s heir… filling a post at the Ministry of Revenue wouldn’t be a problem. It was just that he was still quite young. Once he entered officialdom without anyone protecting him, with such a personality, he would soon be schemed against until there was nothing left of him. It looked like his knowledge of the Four Books and Five Classics wasn’t solid either, and his scholarship wasn’t profound. If he were to properly hire a teacher to teach him for a few years…

Thinking this, Xu Chun noticed that it was almost noon and hurriedly had meat dumplings delivered. Xie Yi saw the golden broth emitting a fragrant aroma, the snow-white meat dumplings inside looking translucent and adorable. Indeed, it was a flavor he would like. There was also honey-grilled bear paw sliced and steamed with ginseng and deer antler, knowing these were nourishing meals. These past few days, the clothes and food he had at Xu Chun’s place had cost more than a year’s worth of tributes in the palace. It was almost laughable.

After listening to the play and having a rich lunch, Xu Chun accompanied Xie Yi back. After watching him take his medicine, Xie Yi suddenly remembered something: “Where did you read in history last time…”

Xu Chun hurriedly said: “Your eyes aren’t good now…”

Xie Yi: “It’s precisely because my eyes are bad that I need you to read to me.”

Xu Chun: “…”

Xie Yi had a hint of a smile in his eyes: “I haven’t read the Great Learning for many days. Please read it to me.”

Xu Chun thought in his heart that he clearly knew it by heart, but he still resignedly got up and went out to find a copy of the Great Learning. He came back and began to read: “The way of the Great Learning lies in manifesting virtue, in loving the people, and in stopping at the highest good…”

Xie Yi closed his eyes and listened, his long eyelashes covering his face, which seemed like a jade carving. Xu Chun read while stealing glances at him, his gaze lingering on his high nose bridge, thin lips, and occasionally rolling throat. For a moment, he was somewhat distracted, and reading the book wasn’t as unwilling anymore.

Xie Yi, with his eyes closed, suddenly asked: “‘This refers to sincerity within and manifestation without, so the gentleman must be cautious when alone.’ What is the explanation for this sentence?”

Xu Chun: “…” Indeed, he was going to be tested. He knew he couldn’t escape it and was fortunate to have quickly reviewed a few pages of the Great Learning commentary while waiting outside for the book.

He stammered and picked out a commentary that discussed the unity of mind and form, the unity of mind and matter, and the unity of knowledge and action, and said a few sentences. Actually, he himself understood only partially. He had just memorized a few lines by rote. Xie Yi opened his eyes and looked at him: “Your sincerity is rare and true, this passage should be well understood. What you have learned should be the commentary of the school of mind, which is also what current scholars highly promote. Just continue learning it.”

Xu Chun was sweating profusely and stammered through the entire Great Learning, breaking out in a back sweat. Xie Yi said: “Good, is there any sentence you don’t understand?”

Xu Chun hesitated to say anything, afraid that Xie Yi would ask, so he reluctantly picked a few sentences to inquire about. Unexpectedly, Xie Yi patiently explained them to him, asked a few more questions, and then gave him a thorough explanation. Then he said: “Go back and memorize it, recite it to me tomorrow.”

Xu Chun: “…”

Xie Yi said: “It’s also a good opportunity to see your handwriting. You’ll write it down tomorrow.”

Xu Chun secretly glanced at Xie Yi a few times. Xie Yi looked at him calmly: “What’s wrong, unwilling? You’re only eighteen years old. You don’t need me to explain the principle of studying and understanding reason, do you?”

Xu Chun hurriedly said: “Brother Jiuge, teaching me makes me very happy. Brother Jiuge, please rest. I have a little matter at the Duke’s Mansion, but I’ll definitely have the book memorized by tonight.”

Xie Yi saw his expression and wondered inwardly, but he still waved him away.

After Xu Chun left, he rode his horse back to the Duke of Jing’s Mansion. It turned out that Qiuhu had sent someone to deliver a message, saying that Lady Sheng was looking for him. He returned and saw Lady Sheng, who handed him a letter and said: “Your cousin Changzhou will arrive in the capital tomorrow. I suppose there’s something going on at home. You should go to the port to meet him tomorrow.”

Xu Chun was startled: “Why did Eldest Cousin suddenly come to the capital? Hasn’t he always been in charge of family affairs in Minzhou? Is there something going on with Grandpa?”

Lady Sheng said: “I was also thinking that might be the reason why I let you meet him first. Sheng An will accompany you, and you should settle your cousin properly. There are many prying eyes in the mansion, and your grandmother has never really considered the Sheng family as proper relatives. Your eldest cousin is coming for the first time, and as the future head of the family, he has never been wronged for a single day. He shouldn’t come to our mansion and suffer indignities. Meet him outside first, and find out the reason for coming to the capital. If there’s anything that can be handled, deal with it for him. Report back to me and choose a good day to pay a formal visit.”

Xu Chun understood, recalling that the elders of the Sheng family only came to escort Lady Sheng when she married in, and after that, they only sent their nephews every year to deliver festival gifts. They must have been slighted at the time. He smiled: “Mother is now a lady of the imperial court. How can guests from the Sheng family not be proper guests? Let me entertain Cousin on behalf of Mother.”

Lady Sheng stared at him for a moment, her eyes slightly red, and smiled: “You’ve grown up now, get closer to your cousins. They will always support you.”

Xu Chun smiled: “My cousins are naturally like brothers to me. Mother doesn’t have to remind me of this. Just rest assured.” He asked a few more questions about warmth and then left the courtyard. However, he couldn’t help but feel sad, fearing that Brother Jiuge would misunderstand and think he was avoiding his studies.

But Eldest Cousin suddenly coming over was indeed strange. After all, the head of the Sheng family was currently Eldest Cousin’s father, and as the future head of the family, Eldest Cousin basically never traveled far, staying in Minzhou to help manage the family business. Suddenly coming to the capital must mean there was a major event, no wonder Mother was nervous and had him go to meet him.

He thought for a moment and called Qiuhu over to send a message to Zhuzhi Workshop. He also specially brought a jar of almond mushroom sauce and chicken mushroom sauce over for Brother Jiuge.

Meanwhile, at Zhuzhi Workshop, Xie Yi, seeing Xu Chun leave, called Fang Zixing to ask questions.

Fang Zixing said: “We specifically arranged for people to watch the pharmacies, but we haven’t seen anyone inquiring. Perhaps it was through another channel; regarding the families mentioned by the Emperor, we’ve also been monitoring them, but we haven’t seen any contact. In the palace, Empress Dowager and Concubine Jing are also very quiet.”

Xie Yi sneered: “They haven’t obtained concrete information, so no one dares to act rashly. After all, it’s not like during the regent’s time, when there were feudal lords and border generals collaborating with them inside and outside the capital. Huh.”

Fang Zixing remained silent. Xie Yi thought for a moment and said: “Make arrangements, I’ll return to the palace tomorrow.”

Fang Zixing was startled. Xie Yi said: “Naturally, there must be enough bait to lure the snake out of its hole.”

Fang Zixing said: “I just heard you mention testing Prince Xu tomorrow…”

Xie Yi looked at him: “Let him write it down first, seal the scroll and bring it to me.”

Fang Zixing agreed, but Xie Yi said: “Tomorrow, have the Ministry of Personnel send me the list of names and resumes of the current professors, scholars, and officials teaching at the Imperial University and the National College. Also, find out which college Prince Xu is in at the National College and which official is teaching him now.”

It seemed that Prince Xu was going to be in trouble. Fang Zixing couldn’t help but secretly chuckle with schadenfreude, but he was seen by Xie Yi, who scolded him: “What are you laughing at? Teaching him is his good fortune.”

Fang Zixing hurriedly straightened up and said solemnly: “What the Emperor says is true. Only those who pass both the provincial and metropolitan examinations can be called sons of the emperor. It’s truly an accumulation of ancestral virtue for him to receive personal instruction from the Emperor!”

Xie Yi frowned but changed his mind: “Forget it, wait until I test him tomorrow before returning to the palace. Anyway, he usually arrives early.”

Fang Zixing had just agreed when he heard Wufu loudly say from outside: “Ninth Master, Chunxi has come to report that Prince Xu will have guests to receive tomorrow and may not have time to come and accompany Ninth Master. If Ninth Master has any instructions, you can tell Steward Sheng Lao Liu, or call Xia Chao and Dong Hai to handle it.”

He wanted to wait for him, but he had something else to do first? Could it be that he was avoiding his studies? Xie Yi raised his eyebrows slightly and saw that Fang Zixing had a look of barely contained laughter again. He scolded him: “Still not going to handle business!”