The Confucian scholars’ interpretations of the classics resemble the Buddhist monks’ expositions of the Dharma. Interpretation is not merely reading the texts, and expounding the Dharma is not simply reciting the sutras. These are tasks only accomplished by great masters. Yet the impoverished scholar standing before Prince Your Highnesspresent company dares to critique the renowned Neo-Confucian scholar Yao Bai, who is famed for his commentaries on the classics. This act itself is an unforgivable transgression.
As for the ambition of attaining the posthumous title “Wenzheng,” it is even more shocking. Even the venerable Yu Zhou, the old sacrificial official, would consider it a great fortune to receive the title “Wenzhong” after death. Since the Spring and Autumn period, when the feudal lords vied for supremacy, and after the Lianyang dynasty seized the throne, there has been a clear standard for posthumous titles of officials. For civil officials, “Wenzheng” is the highest honor, but this title has remained vacant for a hundred years. “Wenzhen” follows closely behind, and both the court and commoners regard it as the rightful title of Chancellor Zhang Julu. After that come titles such as Zhong, Duan, Kang, and Yi. Since “Wenzheng” and “Wenzhen” are unattainable, the title “Wenzhong” has become the most coveted honor among the regional lords and top civil officials, akin to the intoxicating Five-Stone Powder. In today’s world, when evaluating the status of aristocratic families, the number and prestige of posthumous titles are an extremely important standard. How could a common scholar dare to claim that he deserves the title “Wenzheng” upon death? Even the most audacious eccentric would not dare to dream of it.
Once exposed, at the very least, it would be seen as a moral failing; at worst, it could lead to imprisonment. The scholar who nearly wept over his book “Four Classics: Annotated Commentary” falling into water was clearly of humble origins. When his inner thoughts were exposed, his expression briefly turned flustered before quickly returning to calm indifference. He continued to eat half a chilled watermelon with his head bowed. Xu Fengnian, having pierced through the scholar’s heart, did not press the advantage but instead found himself reflecting on the matter of posthumous titles. For civil officials, receiving a prestigious title is natural, and military generals are no exception. Although the titles associated with “Wu” (military) are fewer, there are still eighteen such titles, hence the saying, “A true man should aspire to one of the eighteen.” Among them, “Yi” (resolute) is the highest, followed by “Lie” (loyal), “Ning” (calm), “Jing” (respectful), “Ping” (peaceful), “Xiang” (prosperous), “Jing” (reverent), “Min” (diligent), and “Su” (solemn). It is said that General Gu Jiantang has already been granted the posthumous title “Wujing,” while the titles “Yi,” “Lie,” and “Ning” remain uncertain.
Military officials are not as favored as civil officials when it comes to posthumous titles. Generally, being among the top nine is considered a great honor, partly because aristocratic families look down upon military lineages. Of course, if a military general can receive a title starting with “Wen” (civil), it is considered even more prestigious, a privilege reserved for those from noble families. For instance, the Sword Immortal of Tangxi, Lu Bai Jie, who entered government service, might even receive a posthumous title beginning with “Wen.” Xu Shao never cared much about this, always saying that having a decent posthumous title after three generations would be sufficient. This is because, no matter how favored a court official was during his lifetime or how great his achievements, having a posthumous title changed from a good one to a bad one after death is not uncommon.
Xu Fengnian was lost in thought when a burst of applause from inside Baoguo Temple startled him. It seemed the debate on kingship versus hegemony had begun, and one of the scholars had received praise. Inside the temple, there was a stream winding around the banquet hall, where famous debaters sat along the banks. When a wine cup floated to someone, a beautiful servant would pick it up and hand it to the debater, who would drink it in one gulp and then express his views. If he received resonance and applause, he could drink again. If his speech was mediocre, he would have to pour himself three cups as punishment. If someone stood up to challenge him and lost, he would have to leave. In Jiangnan, eloquent debates were highly valued, and no scholar could be considered a master without being a consistent winner in such contests. Privately, some kept track of how many people had been expelled. Lu Xuanlang of the Huting Lu family had expelled sixty-two opponents without ever being expelled himself, firmly placing him among the top three debaters in Jiangnan. However, the other two figures who stood alongside Lu Xuanlang in undefeated status were also participating in today’s debate at Baoguo Temple, making it a rare and grand occasion. One of them was Yuan Jiangyan, who had expelled over a hundred opponents, hailed as the best in Jiangzuo, and was fond of holding a whisk, exuding an elegant and refined demeanor. The other was the senior monk Yin Daolin of Baoguo Temple, respectfully called the “Unshaken Monk” by the scholarly community. He seldom spoke, but when he did, his words were always profound and striking. His famous debates with Liu Yan and Lu Xuanlang, “The Subtlety of the Yi Images” and the debate on the “Four Natures of Talent and Character,” had taken place at Baoguo Temple. It can be said that Baoguo Temple has become the sacred land of scholarly discourse in Jiangnan.， In addition to the picturesque scenery， Taking advantage of thousands of peonies, including the renowned Wei Purple and Yao Yellow varieties， This is largely due to the old monk with an impeccable reputation and unparalleled elegance.。
Xu Fengnian finished eating the watermelon.， Asking the Way：“ Would you like to join this debate?？ I heard that you just casually won a few.， More useful than achieving scholarly honors。”
The scholar, who had only taken a few bites of the watermelon, chuckled and shook his head.， He said with self-deprecation.：“ I once had the privilege of participating in one.， After just a few words, he was kicked out.， No idea if it’s a win or a loss.， Probably lost.。 The Yuan scholar who debated with me， Probably one will be recorded as leaving the field.。”
Xu Fengnian caught a glimpse of the female Taoist priest Xu Hui leaping out of Baoguo Temple from the corner of his eye.， walked straight over， Turn a blind eye， Just staring at the scholar before him.， Smiling softly：“ Isn’t this just common sense?？ I bet you were sitting all alone during the debate.？”
The approaching Taoist nun spoke up.：“ Your Highness guessed wrong this time.。”
Xu Fengnian suddenly looked enlightened and said,：“ It was Sister Xu who took me inside.？”
The Taoist nun Xu Hui smiled and nodded.， Explain.：“ Young Master Zhang is a man of profound learning.， Especially skilled in the debate between the ways of kings and hegemons.， Exquisitely crafted， He once entrusted me to explain the military and political stakes to Xu Gong.， Abbreviation《 Memorial on Six Matters》， Rated by the Grand General as unconventional and innovative.， exceptionally difficult。”
Xu Fengnian let out a slightly surprised “Oh.”， During lunch, I had a casual chat with Eldest Sister Xu Zhihu, and we talked about Xu Huipu’s family background.， The Xu clan of Gumu took General Xu Gong, the Soaring Dragon, as the pillar of their family.， This great general, who skillfully balanced military affairs with political discussions, hailed from a noble and prestigious family.， In charge of military affairs in the three provinces of Jiangnan Circuit， He carries himself with the air of a minor feudal lord.， Implemented many bold and sweeping reforms， Rectifying Official Governance， Mixed reviews， Xu Xiao held a rather high opinion of this individual.， Since even the notoriously picky Xu Xiao acknowledged it as “not bad.”， He is truly a formidable character.， As for that Six-Point Memorial which vanished without a trace in Yangzhou…， You probably wouldn’t believe it even if I told Xu Huipu.， Xu Xiao had a copy in his study.， Personally marked many with circles.， On how to strengthen border defense and address the severe shortage of financial resources， There were even moments that made people slam the table in amazement.， This was what Xu Fengnian witnessed with his own eyes.， Its significance is beyond doubt.。
On the way to Huting County， He once specifically instructed Lu Qiuer to obtain a copy.， I just didn’t expect it to be the work of this impoverished scholar before me.， I just wonder how this young master Zhang became involved with Xu Huipu.， The Entanglement of a Noblewoman and a Poor Scholar， It’s just a beautiful plot from a romance novel.， Especially in the Jiangnan region, where the obsession with family pedigree runs deep.， is even more unrealistic， This is probably also Wang Dongxiang.《 The First Snowfall》 The root of its extraordinary popularity in the markets of Jiangnan.。 At the banquet， Xu Zhihu bluntly recounted the grievances and entanglements between Xu Huipu, Lu Baijie, and the three families of Lu, Yu, and Xu.， It was utterly impossible for this female Taoist priest to have any improper relations with the impoverished scholar.， That only made Xu Fengnian even more curious.， Could it be that this scholar truly possesses the talent to govern and bring order to the nation?？ Born into a humble commoner family， yet possesses a visionary perspective that towers above the rest， Yet it is truly rare beyond measure.， Xu Xiao’s right-hand men back in the day“ Yang Cai” Zhao Guangling and“ Shadow Talent” Li Yishan could hardly be considered a destitute scholar.， He is of genuine aristocratic lineage.。
Xu Fengnian was just about to exchange pleasantries.， To their astonishment, the legendary Sword Immortal Tangxi had also appeared.， Xu Huipu’s face darkened instantly.， Turn a blind eye， Lu Baijie let out a faint, bitter smile.， The impoverished scholar met one of the Seven Jades of the Lu Family’s Linlang.， Nor groveling servility， It seems not unfamiliar.， Take the initiative to bow with hands clasped， He merely assumed the demeanor of a junior relative.， Such arrogance， In the eyes of scholars, this would surely make them bristle with rage.， What kind of immortal figure is the Sword Immortal of Tangxi?， What kind of insignificant nobody are you?？ How dare you neither retreat nor dodge!， Wouldn’t it tarnish Mr. Lu Qi’s eyes?？ Meanwhile, Lu Baijie also seemed to hold the scholar in high regard.， He offered a few heartfelt words of encouragement, not empty but sincere.， Then he turned to look at Xu Huipu.， Hesitated for a moment， Or perhaps it is said：“ Let me share a few words with you.。”
Xu Hui sneered coldly.：“ Mr. Lu Qi has been avoiding suspicion for so many years.， Why make an exception today?？”
Xu Fengnian and the poor scholar both turned their heads automatically.， With unspoken agreement, they resolved to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear.。 The man and woman, who had once stirred up a storm in Jiangnan Circuit, remained locked in a stalemate.， In the end, it was the female Taoist priest Xu Hui who succumbed to defeat.， Walking along the quiet and deserted wall of Baoguo Temple with Lu Baijie.， Before her departure, Xu Huipu did not forget to bid farewell to His Highness the Crown Prince.， Then he turned to the scholar and said, “Why not go into the temple for a debate?”， She had already spoken with the Baoguo Temple.， No one will stand in your way.。 Thus, only three remained by the spring once more.， The scholar Zhang frowned slightly.， Xu Fengnian smiled and said,：“ My name is Xu Dianxia.， Classic tome， The scabbard of the sword case， How about the name？”
The impoverished scholar chuckled and said,：“ The tome lies silent in its case, unheard.， Hmm， A good name。”
The veiled Princess Jing’an, Pei Nanwei, couldn’t help but roll her eyes.。
Xu Fengnian Asking the Way：“ Since permission has been granted， Not going in to listen to the debate.？ As for me， Good-for-nothing， Since Sister Xu mentioned that you possess remarkable talent and learning…， Want to bask in the glory， I’ll sit with you.。”
Scholar Fan Asking the Way：“ Sit with me at the same table， Young master, aren’t you afraid of being ridiculed by scholars and celebrities?？”
Xu Fengnian wore a peculiar smile.， No answer.， Instead, he turned to ask Princess Pei.：“ Go ahead, tell me.， Am I afraid?？”
The Princess of Jing’an, who had endured no small amount of hardship along the way, dared not treat the questioning as mere idle chatter.， In a cold and stiff tone, he said.：“ Fearless。”
Xu Fengnian was thoroughly satisfied.， Smiling at the destitute scholar， The latter sighed.， Nods slightly.， Put down the finished watermelon.， Pick up the sun-dried items from the ground.《 Annotations on the Four Classics》， Carefully tucked into the sleeve.。 The three of them stepped out from the cool shade of the ancient pine.， Heading towards Baoguo Temple， Xu Fengnian stands at the center.， The Princess Consort of Jing’an is on the left.， The poor scholar is on the right.， There is a distinction between earlier and later.。 The three of them had just left.， Xu Fengnian then spotted a little girl lingering by the base of the wall, who suddenly darted toward the spring.， Previously, because he was…， The sallow and emaciated child, who looked like a little beggar, dared not step forward to enjoy the cool shade.， Hiding in the corner.， After the three of them left， Finally mustered up the courage， She arrived beneath the tree by the spring.， Lift the two halves of the watermelon first.， Placed on the stone by the spring.， But inadvertently locking eyes with the turning Xu Fengnian.， The ragged little girl’s face turned deathly pale in an instant.， Quickly put the watermelon back in its place.， Seeing this wealthy and elegant young master not showing any anger， Then, timidly, she crouched beneath the tree.， The scholar feared this nobleman, who was acquainted with both the Sword Immortal of Tangxi and Xu Huipu.“ scholar” A shadow in the heart， whispered softly：“ This child is a pitiable soul.， Begging for a living， Living with a paralyzed grandfather as their sole support， If not for her， The old man had long since failed to survive the previous winter.， I taught her some words.， Begging with a touch of cleverness， Alas， It must be her grandfather having another episode.， Otherwise, she wouldn’t have come to Baoguo Temple to pick up copper coins.， Every time she picks them up, she dares not take too many.， Just a few copper coins.， Just enough to buy half a basket of steamed buns.， Yet it was enough to feed her and her grandfather for several days.， As for that watermelon……”
Xu Fengnian said expressionlessly,：“ After slicing, watermelon rind can be stir-fried as a dish.。”
The poor scholar was stunned for a moment before nodding and saying,：“ Yes。”
The Princess Consort of Jing’an must have heard for the first time that watermelon rind could be used to make dishes.， Subconsciously, I took another glance at the little girl.。
The Debate on Kingship and Hegemony at Baoguo Temple， Attracted many from the Jiangnan Circuit. scholar， Those qualified to partake in the grand occasion had already entered the temple and taken their seats.， Many ordinary ones whose origins and reputations are not worthy enough scholar， Just join in the fun， Only allowed to wander and loiter outside the temple.， Under the Reclining Dragon Pine lies a land of auspicious Feng Shui.， Originally occupied by Xu Fengnian， A young master like His Highness the Crown Prince, whose very presence exudes an air of arrogance without even speaking.， At first glance, he appears to be an unapproachable figure.， And he emerged from the temple.， Outside the Temple scholar They could only stand far away.， More about that figure whose face was obscured yet whose form was enchantingly alluring.“ Maid” Pointing fingers， A feast for the eyes.。
This world， The wealthy and noble families on their travels， Generally, it’s about judging people and horses.， As for the renowned scholars of the Qingliu faction， It’s about admiring the beautiful companions by their side.， The highest rank is held by female Taoist priests of noble lineage.， like Xu Huipu and his ilk， It is even more a matter of serendipity than deliberate pursuit.， Next, the courtesans of exceptional beauty and talent are ranked as the first class.， The young and beautiful maids in one’s own household are of lesser importance.， The more you have, the more prestigious you appear.， The renowned master of metaphysical discussions on the Jiangnan Road， As the Yuan Clan of Boling, Yuan Jiangyan， There was once the grand feat of traveling with nearly a hundred young boys and girls in tow.。 Finally, Xu Fengnian managed to free up some space.， Several pairs of elegantly dressed young masters and ladies immediately stepped forward to enjoy the cool breeze.， The little beggar, rolling up his trousers and bending down to pick up coins in the spring pool, had undoubtedly become an eyesore.， A young nobleman with triangular eyes sneered and kicked the watermelon into the spring with a scoff.， Countless splashes of water.， The terrified little beggar, drenched in sweat, trembled uncontrollably.， Never dare to pick up a copper coin again.， Wanting to dodge， Walking too quickly in the water， In a careless moment, I tumbled into the spring.， Eliciting a burst of uproarious laughter， A heavily made-up noblewoman gloated with malicious delight.， Shrieked with venomous scorn.：“ Little bastard， Who told you to come here and pick up the wishing coins?， Fearless To be beaten to death by the monks at the temple?？！”
The spring pond was encircled by these idle young nobles seeking respite from the heat.， The little beggar had nowhere to hide.， Can only stand in the spring water， With reddened eyes, she lowered her head and spoke softly.：“ The temple said that as long as you pick up a few copper coins each time…， It’s not a big deal.。”
The woman shouted.：“ How dare you talk back!？”
In her fury,， Since there are no outsiders around anyway.， Too lazy to play the noble lady， He picked up a stone from the ground and hurled it with fury.， The little beggar instinctively dodged.， The woman missed her strike.， Originally, being barred from entering the temple had already stirred some anger within.， This only served to further enrage him.， Pick up a pebble the size of an egg， With a sinister smile, he said…：“ Dare to dodge， Keep hiding and I’ll break your legs.！”
She hurled it with all her might.， Hit the little beggar in the chest， Heartbeat Thundering， The men and women around all clapped and cheered in approval.， Praise for the great aim!。 The little girl’s frail, bamboo-thin frame could hardly endure such torment.， swayed slightly， face twisted in agony， Yet still dared not evade.， Standing in the water, she said with a tearful voice.：“ I’ll never dare to pick it up again.， Never again.！”
The young woman sneered and picked up a few more pebbles.， And even distributed it to his gang of good-for-nothing friends.， Sharing joy is better than enjoying it alone.， Ready to play a game similar to arrow throwing into a pot.， The refined scholars of Jiangnan have long upheld the elegant tradition of singing refined songs and playing pitch-pot to enliven gatherings.， Many renowned scholars excelled in the art of blind casting behind screens and reverse throwing while seated with their backs turned.， General Longxiang Xu Gong could even fill a pot with over a hundred bamboo arrows.， Finally, it presents a scene where clusters gather like a forest of arrows or a mountain of arrows.， This archery game is considered one of the Six Arts of the Noble.“ Shoot” The evolution of， It’s all the rage on the Jiangnan Road.， But today, the bamboo arrows were replaced with pebbles.， The pottery jar transformed into a little beggar.， To the noble sons and daughters, it also holds a similar charm.， Those who obtained the stones were eager to give it a try.， Aim there.， It seems.， It doesn’t matter whether the little beggar’s frail body can withstand a few throws.， To the Jiangnan Region scholar Let us speak， Stone a beggar to death Little bastard， What’s the big deal。
The impoverished scholar, who had already set one foot across the threshold of the Temple of Loyalty to the Nation, hastily offered his apologies.， Turn and run away， Angrily said：“ Stop！”
With a single roar， The pampered young ladies were momentarily stunned.， But it was just a fleeting moment of surprise.， Then they looked at each other and burst into laughter.， Ignored no more， The two impatient young masters only intensified their efforts, hurling stones at the little beggar in the water.， a blow to the chest， a strike to the arm， The little beggar bit his lip, not daring to make a sound.， Just crouching in the knee-deep, icy spring water.， Curl up。 Where is it not that the human heart is colder than water?？ Yet the little beggar, in the throes of unbearable agony, still managed to force out a pale, trembling smile.， To the impoverished scholar who stepped forward bravely, he said：“ Brother Zhang， It’s okay.， Hit a few times， No pain。”
No pain。
Neng No pain What？
The impoverished scholar, who remained neither haughty nor humble in the face of such distinguished scions of Yangzhou as Lu Baijie and Xu Huipu, leaped into the water.， No longer caring if the ancient tomes in his sleeves would be soaked， Standing protectively in front of the little beggar.， a sorrowful visage， Gazing at these noble men and women who lived a life of comfort and luxury solely by virtue of their family lineage.， No sorrow is greater than a withered heart.， Not even bothering to question。
The arrogant woman who started it all wore a look of utter disdain.， Looking down from above, he said with an air of superiority.：“ Where did you come from, you lowly swine?？”
At this moment， A rich, mellow voice came from behind the scion of the noble family.，“ This prince has come from Beiliang.。”
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