White-robed Minister

0023 [Waiting for Spring Thunder in the Deep Winter]

early morning.

Yu Shanyuan lay in bed taking a nap.

Yang Shu got up early and went to the garden to exercise, using two chairs as dumbbells.

Xu Lai is still reading "The Analects with Commentary".

The Analects itself is not very long, but the Analects Commentary is over 200,000 words long, and the complete set consists of four volumes.

After a while, the servant brought breakfast: meat porridge and pickled vegetables.

I heard that Yu Jing also eats these for breakfast.

As Yu Shanyuan sipped his porridge, he said, "I reckon they've already started arresting people in Guangzhou. The Qingyuan County Inspectorate has been colluding with salt bandits for years and has shown no respect for county officials; they must have powerful backers in Guangzhou."

"Who is your backer?" Xu Lai asked curiously.

"I don't know."

Yu Shanyuan shook his head, then guessed, "The Chief Inspector of Guangdong Circuit oversees all the patrol offices in Guangdong, and his main duty is to investigate the smuggling of salt within Guangdong. This person is definitely problematic, and he should be the first one arrested. Not only should Minister Yu arrest him, but Minister Cai should also arrest him."

Xu Lai pressed further, "Can local civil officials directly deal with military officers of this rank?"

Yu Shanyuan said, "Actually, the rank of the patrol inspector is not very high. But they can't just take action directly; there's usually a certain procedure. First, they take the item for questioning, then temporarily detain it, then report it up the chain of command, and the final decision-making power rests with the capital."

"Sigh, I hope we can finish this quickly, it's making me feel uncomfortable." Yang Shu blurted out.

Yu Shanyuan laughed and said, "Brother Jiezhi is skilled in both literature and martial arts, but he has only one flaw: he is a little impatient when things happen. Look at Xu Sanlang, he can adapt to any situation and even settle down to study."

After listening, Yang Shu remained silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "I really shouldn't have been so hasty. If I could be more composed, I wouldn't have gotten into trouble by hitting someone. I need to change this temperament, but I just can't help it."

"Just keep practicing," Yu Shanyuan comforted him.

Yang Shu asked Xu Lai, "Did you give Sanlang that piece of paper to Mr. Chu yesterday?"

Xu Lai nodded: "I've paid."

Yu Shanyuan said, "Your new interpretations of the Analects are indeed refreshing. But interpretations of the classics cannot be done haphazardly. To convince the public, there are two key points."

"Which two points?" Xu Lai asked curiously.

Yu Shanyuan said:

"Firstly, you are a renowned Confucian scholar of our time. With this identity, even if your interpretation is highly controversial, it will be difficult for others to ignore. People will debate and discuss it."

"Secondly, new interpretations must have sources. Look for sources in the classics and the works of great scholars throughout history. Even if the connection is far-fetched, it still has a basis. The clearer the source, the more convincing the new interpretation will be."

Yang Shu continued, "Although your interpretation of 'the virtuous are more attractive than beautiful' cannot be found at the moment, it can be corroborated by the *I Ching*, the *Book of Rites*, and the *Mencius*. If this new interpretation were taken to Kaifeng or Luoyang, it would surely convince everyone. You are definitely right; the great Confucian scholars of all ages are wrong."

Actually, this sentence has a source.

Yan Shigu, a great scholar of Confucian classics in the Tang Dynasty, interpreted it in the same way as Xu Lai.

However, it was hidden in Yan Shigu's annotations to the "Biography of Li Xun" in the Book of Han, and remained obscure to the attention of Confucian scholars.

Yu Shanyuan said, "It's difficult to attract your attention with just these new interpretations of the Analects; at most, they might leave some impression. Moreover, Mr. Chu might not even pass them on for you."

Xu Lai smiled and said, "Do your best and leave the rest to fate. That's all. If I gain it, I'm lucky; if I lose it, it's my fate."

"Those two sentences are well said!"

"It's both open-minded and positive, and it makes sense."

Yu Shanyuan and Yang Shu both praised it highly, because these two lines were new words that had never appeared in the Song Dynasty.

The three chatted and ate, and before they had finished their breakfast, Chu Cheng walked to the door.

"Xu Lai."

"exist."

"Come with me to see Master Yu."

Xu Lai, who had been calm and collected for the past two or three days, was now running out happily.

Yu Shanyuan and Yang Shu looked at each other in bewilderment.

Yu Shanyuan found it hard to believe: "Is it really possible to gain a private audience with Minister Yu based solely on a few new interpretations of the Analects?"

Yang Shu laughed and said, "Xu Sanlang is really lucky."

……

When Xu Lai was taken to see Yu Jing, Yu Jing was working at his desk.

Chu Cheng whispered to him, "You can sit and wait."

After saying that, Chu Cheng also left.

Only Jing and Xu Lai remained in the hall.

Xu Lai tried to walk quietly, found a chair to sit down, and looked around at the furnishings of the room.

After some time, Xu Lai got so bored he wanted to doze off and regretted not bringing his copy of the Analects with him to read.

Finally, Yu Jing put down his brush, looked up at Xu Lai, and said, "Sit closer."

Xu Lai stepped forward and bowed, saying, "This junior, Xu Lai, pays his respects to Master Yu."

"Have a seat," Yu Jing nodded.

Xu Lai chose the nearest chair and sat down.

Yu Jing asked, "How many scriptures have you read?"

Xu Lai replied, "My family is poor, and the mountain village is extremely remote. There isn't a single fourth-class household in the entire village. Therefore, I have never had a proper education. Occasionally, I would go down the mountain to sell firewood with my father and brothers, and I would eavesdrop on the classes when I passed by the school. Over time, I have learned some of the words of the sages in a haphazard way. I also practiced my calligraphy on my own, using a chicken feather brush dipped in water to practice on a stone slab."

Upon hearing this, Yu Jing's interest was piqued: "Then how can you offer a new interpretation of the Analects?"

Xu Lai explained, "Before coming to Guangzhou, my brother Yang Shu gave me a set of commentaries on the Analects. I read it on the ship for two days and then at Xiyuan for two days. I have only read less than half of it so far, and I have some doubts about the commentaries of great Confucian scholars throughout history, so I dared to ask Mr. Chu for advice."

"So, you only studied the Analects for four or five days?" Yu Jing was somewhat suspicious that Xu Lai was lying.

Xu Lai quickly added, "I used to eavesdrop on the village school teacher's lectures. I'd hear a few lines this month, a few lines that month. It was sporadic and disorganized. But I have a good memory, so I can remember it after hearing it once or twice."

Yu Jing scrutinized Xu Lai, trying to figure out if he was lying or if he truly was a child prodigy.

The Song Dynasty highly revered child prodigies!

"You really want to study?" Yu Jing asked again.

Xu Lai said, "I gained the favor of Magistrate Shen for killing a bandit and presenting him with treasure. Magistrate Shen is willing to vouch for me and allow me to take the county examination at the end of the year. I heard that the prefectural school offers free classes and accommodation, so I want to take the exam to enter the Guangzhou prefectural school."

Yu Jing chuckled, "Many county officials, to save time, only test your knowledge of poetry and prose in their county examinations. Can you write poetry and prose?"

Xu Lai said, "When I was eavesdropping at the village school, I already knew what prosody was. I used the reward money I earned from killing the thief to buy 'The Rhyme Dictionary of the Ministry of Rites' at the bookstore, and I also listened to the shopkeeper explain the rules of poetry for the imperial examinations. Actually... it's not that difficult."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Yu Jing was amused by the words "not difficult": "Then write a poem. You can write one from before, but it must be your own poem."

Xu Lai got up and wandered around, looking for pen, ink, and paper.

Yu Jing pulled out a piece of writing paper, pointed to the pen and ink on his desk, and said, "Come here and write here."

Xu Lai first bowed respectfully, then picked up a pen and quickly wrote (copied) the poem.

Yu Jing sat there, watching with great interest.

Yu Jing did not react after the first sentence was written.

The second sentence states that Yu Jing's expression remained unchanged.

The third sentence states that Yu Jing remains the same.

Yu Jing smiled as he finished writing the fourth sentence, a smile tinged with surprise.

New Thunder

Creation is silent yet full of affection; every time winter ends, spring is felt to be born.

Thousands of red and purple arrangements are waiting for the first sound of new thunder.

This metaphor compares him to withered grass in winter, struggling to survive in the bitter cold. Combined with Xu Lai's impoverished background—unable to afford even a village school and having no access to books—it makes his story all the more poignant and moving.

At the same time, Yu Jing is likened to the Creator, and the withered grass in winter is like the young people waiting for his guidance. As long as the Creator rings out a clap of thunder in spring, these young people will be reborn and bloom into a riot of colorful flowers.

Yu Jing grew to love the poem more and more as he read it.

You flattered him until he felt good!

"You're asking for something," Yu Jing said with a laugh.

What do you want?

spring thunder!

Xu Lai cupped his hands and said, "The winter is bitterly cold and hard to bear. I only ask to hear a clap of thunder in spring."

Yu Jing thought for a moment: "Once you've survived the harsh winter in Qingyuan, come to Guangzhou to hear the spring thunder. Go now."

After Yu Jing finished speaking, he picked up his pen to work, not having time to chat any longer.

Xu Lai respectfully took his leave.

When he returned to the West Garden Inn, Yu Shanyuan and Yang Shu immediately came to greet him.

Yang Shu asked impatiently, "How is it?"

Xu Lai replied, "As long as I pass the county exam, I can go to the prefectural school to study."

He still has to take the state school entrance exam, but it's just a formality. Regardless of how he does, Yu Jing will admit him through an exception.

The prerequisite is passing the county exam!

The county exam was like a harsh winter for Xu Lai; he had to get through it on his own.

Yu Shanyuan asked curiously, "How did you manage to obtain Prime Minister Yu's favor?"

Xu Lai said, "I wrote a poem."

"What poem?" Yang Shu asked hurriedly.

Xu Lai recited the poem, and the room fell into complete silence; you could hear a pin drop.

Yu Shanyuan and Yang Shu stared at him as if they had seen a ghost.

After a long silence, Yu Shanyuan clicked his tongue in admiration: "To write such a poem, even if Prime Minister Yu doesn't want to, he has no choice but to grant it. Otherwise, if this poem gets out, people will ridicule him for suppressing younger generations."

Yang Shu, however, was still savoring "New Thunder," and sighed, "Alas, I began my studies at the age of five and have been studying diligently for fifteen years. Although I am confident in my talent, I still cannot write a poem like this."

First, it's appropriate for the occasion.

Second, flattery.

Third, it was a coup attempt.

Xu Lai portrayed himself as pitiful, flattered Yu Jing, and then pressured Yu Jing to do him a favor.

This combo was so powerful that even Yu Jing couldn't withstand it and had to unleash Spring Thunder on Xu Lai.

……

"Xinfu, look at this poem," Yu Jing said with a smile.

Chu Cheng appeared beside Yu Jing at some point, carefully read the poem, and asked in surprise, "Was that written by Xu Lai?"

Yu Jing laughed and shook his head: "This boy is very cunning. I haven't been forced into anything for many years. And yet, I'm actually quite pleased with him doing this. If he can pass the imperial examination, he will surely achieve great things in the future."

Chu Cheng stared at the poem for a long time and had to admit a fact: he couldn't write it.

Yu Jing wasn't in a hurry to deal with official business; instead, he cheerfully wrote a letter to Ouyang Xiu.

Besides discussing important matters, he also recounted in detail what had happened that day, and included Xu Lai's poems and a new interpretation of the Analects.

This is a refined affair, worthy of being passed down as a beautiful story, and the bigwigs are very enthusiastic about it.

That poem, in particular, was bound to spread rapidly in Kaifeng and Luoyang, and even reach the point where scholars in both capitals knew about it.

But it is very likely that people will only remember the anecdotes and poems, and only remember that Yu Jing is the protagonist, while ignoring Xu Lai, who wrote the poems!

It was common in ancient times for a poem to be famous while the poet remained unknown.