tallest building

Chapter 37 Trial Learning

When Gong Xu arrived home that day, he noticed that Song Shi looked unwell and asked, "Are you feeling unwell?"

Song smiled somewhat reluctantly: "It's nothing, I just feel a little dizzy and weak."

"Then why don't you call a doctor to take a look?" Gong Xu said. "Can't you just wait and see if you're sick?"

“It’s already this late, let’s talk about it tomorrow,” said Mrs. Song. “I just feel sleepy and want to sleep.”

"Then you should rest," Gong Xu thought she was probably too tired and that resting might help. "Bao'er should be back soon. I'll take him for a walk so as not to disturb you. We'll come back around dinner time, by which time you should be rested enough."

Madam Song smiled gently and gratefully at Gong Xu. Gong Xu had been incredibly kind to her, gentle and considerate, and never looked down on her.

In truth, Madam Song knew that Gong Xu treated her this way largely because of their two children.

Gong Kang'an instilled in Gong Xu a lifelong sense of guilt towards him, while Gong Bao'an acted as an invisible, soft ribbon, binding the two tightly together.

Gong Xu loved children very much, and she had known this for a long time.

Hearing footsteps outside, Gong Xu went out to greet them.

Sure enough, they ran into Gong Baoan.

"Father is back. Bao'an greets Father." Gong Bao'an was wearing a light blue gauze robe, with a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead.

"You ran away again, didn't you?" Gong Xu asked deliberately with a stern face.

Gong Baoan shrank back a little and whispered in defense, "I only ran a few steps into the second gate."

“Your mother is tired, let her sleep for a while, I’ll take you for a walk.” Gong Xu stopped sternly and smiled at her son, taking his little hand in hers.

Gong Baoan followed his father out of the courtyard and urged, "Father, let's go see Fourth Brother! I haven't seen him for many days."

Gong Xu looked down and saw his youngest son staring at him expectantly, his pure black eyes as clear as glass, without a trace of impurity.

I can't help but think of how I used to chase after my older brother Gong Rang all day long when I was young, like a little tail that I could never shake off.

The bond between siblings is ingrained in their bones; to forcibly separate them would be too cruel, especially for children.

"It just so happens that Father also wants to see how well your fourth brother is learning. Let's go now!" Gong Xu found a plausible reason to erase the vague unease in his heart.

With plenty of free time before dinner, Gong Chang'an was playing Cuju (ancient Chinese football) in the courtyard.

He was dressed in a short jacket and wore a pair of small cowhide boots with rolled-up flaps. He kicked the football around as if it were glued to his body.

"Fourth Brother is amazing!" Gong Baoan shouted as he rushed over. "My uncle also has this skill, but he doesn't show it to me often."

When Gong Chang'an saw them arrive, he gently put down the football, straightened his clothes slightly, and greeted Gong Xu.

Then he turned to Gong Baoan and said, "You're back from school? Are you tired?"

“There’s nothing much to say about what happens at school. There are also people who play Cuju (ancient Chinese football), but none of them are as skilled as Fourth Brother.” Gong Bao’an seemed to admire his Fourth Brother even more. “Father said he would test your knowledge, and if you do well, he would let you go to school so we can have company.”

Children don't hold back their words, and Gong Bao'an immediately started shouting.

Gong Xu watched Gong Chang'an without showing any emotion, noticing that he was covered in fine sweat, and although he was small, he was quite sturdy.

Handsome yet not frail, spirited yet not barbaric, like a pine tree growing among rocks, upright and resilient, elegant and natural. Both of Song's sons were rather delicate and fair-skinned, with gentle temperaments.

Gong Chang'an was clearly different from him.

"Let me ask you, what books have you read these past few years?" Gong Xu asked, clearing his throat as he sat on a chair under the Chinese tallow tree.

“My son hasn’t read many books, and he’s only learned some basic principles in a rudimentary way.” Gong Chang’an stood respectfully to the side, “They’re just ordinary children’s primers.”

"Have you read the Book of Poetry?" Gong Xu asked him, turning his head slightly to the side.

"I've read some, but I don't quite understand it," Gong Chang'an replied.

"Very well, let me ask you, what is the meaning of the poem that says: 'In the south there is a gnarled tree, entwined with vines. How joyful is the virtuous man, for he is blessed with good fortune and happiness.'"

Gong Xu was asking about the "Jiu Mu" poem from the Zhou Nan section of the fifteen Guo Feng poems in the Book of Songs. It is not considered a famous poem among them, but anyone who has read the Mao version of the Book of Songs should know this poem.

There is an old saying that this poem satirizes King Ping of Zhou for abandoning his clan. The Mao Commentary on the Book of Songs also says: "Ge Lei is a satire of King Ping. The Zhou dynasty was declining and he abandoned his clan."

However, my son, in his limited opinion, thought this explanation was rather far-fetched and therefore disagreed with it.

The son thought that poets are skilled at using metaphors and allegories. This poem merely uses the imagery of vines and creepers growing side by side to symbolize joy and celebration. It could be used to congratulate a newlywed couple, a birthday celebration, or any kind of happy occasion—that's all.

"How dare you question the ancients at such a young age? The 'Preface to the Book of Songs' has been passed down for over a thousand years. How can a mere child like you criticize it?!" Gong Xu's tone was somewhat cold, and his face was expressionless.

Gong Baoan, watching from the side, couldn't help but worry for his elder brother and quickly said, "It must be because Fourth Brother has never been to school and has never had a teacher. Our teacher said that poems like 'Shu Li' and 'Jiu Mu' all speak of the decline of the kingly way and the sorrow of losing the country and the family."

Gong Chang'an remained calm and insisted on his opinion: "Since ancient times, there have been countless annotations on classics and history, with similarities and differences. This is simply a matter of different people having different opinions."

As the sages said, it is better to have no books than to believe everything in them. My son believes that when reading, one must learn to ponder things for oneself, rather than blindly following the teachings of the ancients.

Furthermore, Confucius once said: "The Book of Songs contains three hundred poems, which can be summed up in one phrase: 'No evil thoughts.'" My son is young and knows very little, but he has a pure and innocent heart.

Reading this poem only evokes feelings of joy, harmony, and happiness. Even after repeated readings, I haven't detected any sense of irony.

Therefore, I do not want to go against my conscience and agree with what my predecessors said.

Or perhaps one will only be able to appreciate its deeper meaning as one grows older; who knows?

After listening to his explanation, Gong Xu remained silent for a long time.

It must be said that Gong Xu highly approves of Gong Chang'an's understanding. He also feels that the "Preface to the Book of Songs" contains too many instances of everyday human emotions being forcibly dragged into satire and national affairs.

When he was young, he read many poems in the Book of Songs, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't understand the reasoning behind the teacher's words. Yet, he still followed the crowd against his conscience.

However, he did not praise Gong Chang'an for this, but changed the subject: "Go and get some paper and pen, I want to see how your calligraphy is."

Gong Chang'an responded and turned to go inside. At this time, Wen Mingqian had already sent a maid to bring tea and snacks.

Gong Baoan was hungry. Looking at the exquisitely crafted pastries on the plate, he couldn't help but swallow.

Gong Xu frowned. When he saw the snacks Wen Mingqian had given him, he was reminded of his eldest son's death.

“Don’t eat random things,” he warned Gong Bao’an. “If you want to eat something, go back to your mother’s courtyard.”

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(End of this chapter)