Chapter 689: The Mouse Leaves Its Hole
Chapter 689: Chapter 689: The Mouse Leaves Its Hole
Everyone burst into laughter.
Who among those with the same surname wasn’t family five hundred years ago?
The atmosphere suddenly became lively.
Qin Yuan whispered a few words, and then Si Yuan said, "In the Eight Prefectures of Jiangnan, aside from Suzhou and Hangzhou, over the years the number of Advanced Scholars from Changzhou Prefecture and Songjiang Prefecture have been similar. Wuxi is not a neighboring county of Changzhou Prefecture, lacking favorable time and geographical conditions, yet it alone accounts for sixty percent of the Advanced Scholars from Changzhou Prefecture. This shows that it is a renowned county for the imperial examinations, with extraordinary strength."
"Why is Wuxi’s literary tradition so prosperous?" someone couldn’t help but ask.
Si Yuan replied, "Wuxi is one of the four major rice ports, as well as a hub for textiles, money, and silk. Out of a dozen of the richest people in the world, two or three are from Wuxi. Jiangnan is already affluent, but Wuxi is even more so, overflowing with wealth. Local gentry, after achieving success, encourage their descendants and clansmen to take the imperial examinations, striving for enduring prosperity."
"What does Young Master Nantang mean by mentioning Wuxi?"
"Wuxi has many Advanced Scholars, mostly from noble families, and their official titles are known far and wide. This is common knowledge. But I will mention just one person, Lu You, Mr. Lu, who served as an Imperial Censor.
This person was an Advanced Scholar fifty years ago in this dynasty, with an excellent reputation, and he is also from Wuxi. He lost his father at a young age, and his family was poor, having to sell the house beams and railings for food, yet he persisted in his studies and became an Advanced Scholar.
When he entered officialdom, he served with kind and excellent governance, maintaining a great reputation."
People from Wuxi nodded in agreement, "Indeed, the Wuxi county annals record the deeds of Mr. Lu. After his death, there were few personal possessions left in his home, truly having lived with two sleeves of fresh breeze."
Si Yuan said, "Jiangnan is affluent, so being a scholar here is arduous. Why? Because resisting many temptations is necessary to achieve success."
Everyone laughed.
Si Yuan continued, "Mr. Lu’s family background was difficult, yet he did not lose his will, studying diligently every day, much like the people of Jiangxi.
I have heard that the Jiangxi people are very diligent in their studies. Among those staying in the same dormitory, each sits on a wooden bed, not allowed to have long benches, to prevent falling asleep while studying.
In Jiangxi, every family loves to learn. In the first hundred years of our dynasty’s founding, Jiangxi had the most Advanced Scholars, with the saying ’Many Hanlin of Jishui, half the officials are from Jiangxi.’ Later, Zhejiang surpassed Jiangxi.
In recent years, Suzhou and Changzhou have also become prominent figures.
Tallying up the Eight Prefectures of Jiangnan, it indeed has the foremost Advanced Scholars in the world."
Everyone agreed, "Indeed."
Si Yuan continued, "Although Lu You was from Wuxi, he wasn’t as affluent as most Advanced Scholars there, relying entirely on diligent study to achieve success. Yet his poetry and literature still belonged to the Wu style, proving that a white horse is still a horse."
The stubborn scholar also fell silent.
Everyone laughed, "Indeed, a white horse is still a horse."
Si Yuan added, "I speak of Wuxi for Wu, and Jiangxi Jishui for Chu. Jiangxi is a large province where everyone loves to read, with even noble families, farmers, and laborers understanding knowledge, which is why they have so many Advanced Scholars, cabinet ministers, and great scholars. But what do the Jiangxi people love to do? They love to use quotes and references for debates, mainly for banter, which is why the Jiangxi literary style is simple, proper, and rigorous."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Si Yuan glanced at Qin Yuan.
Qin Yuan smiled and said a few more words.
Si Yuan continued, "Someone once traveled through Jiangxi Jishui and said that the local customs were elegant, with the people valuing education, and the sound of reading echoing through every street and alley. Most Scholars received good education at home before entering official studies, and their fathers, brothers, teachers, and friends were mostly well learned."
Everyone nodded repeatedly.
Si Yuan went on, "This person also went to Wuxi and said it was a renowned town of Jiangnan, with fertile land, picturesque mountains and rivers, many traders, well-exposed and worldly people, and thus the customs valued beauty and appearance.
The people are good at reading and writing, but do not enjoy debating. In leisure, they gather to tour mountains and rivers, compose poetry, paint, watch plays, and sing songs."
Everyone said, "Yes, yes, Young Master Nantang has clarified the differing customs and literary styles of talents from Wu and Chu."
Si Yuan smiled and whispered to Qin Yuan, "How do you remember such records?"
Qin Yuan quietly replied, "I read some travel notes out of boredom and flipped through the Wuxi county annals, luckily remembered a few lines, but didn’t expect to use them."
Si Yuan was much impressed.
The younger sister must learn embroidery, serve by the aunt’s side, learn to manage the household, while also having such academic achievements, one can’t help but admire her.
Qin Yuan nudged him, "Quickly ask what else people want to ask, I’ve finished discussing this topic."
Before Si Yuan could speak, Mr. Songshan handed over a scroll, saying, "What else can they ask, you have spoken about Jinling, Wuxi, and Jishui, occasionally quoting county records, and reciting who knows where you found poems from. With such references, anyone with a sense of decency can’t ask more."
Qin Yuan took the scroll, blinking, "Sir, what’s this for?"
Mr. Songshan had a stern face, "Don’t pretend to be confused with your cleverness, the topics they raised, the rest will be left to you. You are so talented, with Si Yuan assisting you, don’t just pick on me alone."
Qin Yuan said, "Isn’t this like a blind cat catching a dead mouse, just by chance!"
Mr. Songshan gave a mocking laugh, "Tonight, even mice are out in the open enjoying the moon, getting stuffed on mooncakes until they burst is commonplace."
Qin Yuan: "..."
Following this, Qin Yuan had to answer more questions. Although her knowledge wasn’t as solid as Mr. Songshan’s, her ideas were novel, and her wide-ranging knowledge impressed people often.
The more everyone admired her, the more frequently they asked questions.
Even the noblewomen listening could comprehend what was being discussed.
Wang Zichuan kept sighing below.
Someone beside him asked, "Big brother, why are you sighing?"
Wang Zichuan said sorrowfully, "I didn’t expect someone so young to be so intelligent. So intelligent, yet uninterested in official titles."
Hearing this is heartbreaking, but leaving is also reluctant.
The heavens are so unfair.
If he had such talents, why would he have turned to banditry?
From afar, the sound of a bell was heard, it was already the second watch.
Everyone quieted down, waiting for one hundred and eight chimes to pass.
Qin Yuan turned around and saw Marquis Gu standing in the shadow, staring at her blankly.
"What is the Marquis thinking?"
Marquis Gu came back to himself, didn’t ask Yang’er and Hehua for help, poured a cup of tea himself, handed it over, and said with bright eyes, "Quick, moisten your lips. You’ve been speaking for so long; you must be thirsty."
Si Yuan was stunned for a moment, then turned his face away, pretending not to see, and quietly poured himself a cup by the table.
Qin Yuan did not refuse and took it readily.
Below the loft, Princess Fuyun said to Prince Qi, "Third Brother Gu is incredibly attentive to Young Master Nantang."
Prince Qi looked at Princess Fuyun strangely, "Just a handy act."
Princess Fuyun shook her head.
Men just can’t see the subtleties in this.
Third Brother Gu’s intimacy with Young Master Nantang is tinged with attentiveness.
This isn’t ordinary camaraderie.
Besides, since when do martial artists and scholars become comrades?
Princess Fuyun’s expression darkened, as if she thought of something.