Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 396 Disappointed Meng Shanren

As evening fell, Zhang Dai left the palace with a cheerful smile. He had originally intended to go home with his grandfather, but upon seeing his grandfather being surrounded by a group of officials heading towards the Ministry of Personnel in the capital, he felt a mixture of admiration and envy, wondering when he himself would be able to achieve such a grand display.

On his way home, he made his usual detour to Pingkang Lane to check on the construction progress of his house. As soon as he entered the lane, he heard the courtesans of the three northern districts practicing new songs, including some of the poems he had written the day before.

After walking only a few steps, various melodies such as "Canghai" and "Wushan" filled the air like bewitching music. It was easy to imagine that for a long time to come, this song "Li Si" would be one of the most popular pieces in the pleasure quarters of Chang'an, becoming one of Zhang Dai's representative works, just like the previous "Jin Lu Yi".

After walking three bends and continuing south, Zhang Dai found that there weren't many people working on his property; only a few family members were tidying up. When he arrived at the gate, the family members hurriedly came to greet him.

"Reporting to Sixth Master, the craftsmen did not start work today, so we will tidy up first."

Several people came forward to report, and one of them couldn't help but whisper, "These craftsmen are so irresponsible. They didn't even bother to inform us before coming. How can mortar and wood withstand the wind and sun? Liu Lang treated them with courtesy and kindness, but they probably think their master's family is easy to bully."

“Those craftsmen are diligent and conscientious in their work, and the progress of the project is not slow. They are worthy of the treatment they receive from their employer. They are probably tired from being idle all the time and need to rest for a few more days. There is no need to be too harsh on them. The materials and work can be put away for now and resumed when work resumes.”

Zhang Dai was generally satisfied with the work of these craftsmen. In a short time, the foundation and frame of the house were nearly half completed. At this rate, the main building could even be completed within three months, allowing more time for careful finishing and decoration.

These people aren't professional bricklayers, after all. They've been stationed on the frontier for years, and after returning home, they're back to this kind of work to support their families. It's understandable that they might need a few more days of rest. Of course, it would be even better if they could let us know, so we can make more appropriate arrangements.

After inspecting his own residence and exchanging a few words, Zhang Dai noticed that construction had finally begun at his neighbor Li Linfu's house. The ground was marked with faint crisscrossing foundation lines, and a dozen or so craftsmen were working in different locations.

Li Linfu's mansion was many times larger than Zhang Dai's, and it would probably take one or two years to complete with just these dozen or so workers. The fact that they arranged for craftsmen to work there also reflected a stubborn insistence on not wanting Zhang Dai to laugh at them.

It should be noted that this fellow is burdened with hundreds of thousands of strings of cash in debt, which he needs to pay to the authorities this year. He probably doesn't have any spare money to build a mansion.

However, Zhang Dai's house is progressing well, while his own remains untouched, which would undoubtedly make him even more of a laughingstock. For the sake of his reputation, he has to put on a show, even if it's just for appearances. If his relatives and friends knew that he was short of money, it would be even more difficult for him to borrow money to tide him over.

After strolling around the area, Zhang Dai returned directly home. In the evening, his family members, who had been out sightseeing, returned one after another. Upon learning that Zhang Dai had received another reward and promotion, they were overjoyed and celebrated with a celebratory dinner.

The next day was still a day off for all officials, and Zhang Dai also took a day off at home. He slept until late morning before getting up, only to find Aying, Xiaolian, Wanqing, and the other girls leisurely playing shuttlecock in the courtyard. The girls were nimble and their movements were light and powerful, showing none of the weak and whimpering demeanor they had displayed on the bed the night before. Zhang Dai himself, on the other hand, still felt a bit sore in his lower back.

"My lord, wake up!"

When the girls saw Zhang Dai come out of the bedroom, they immediately stopped playing. Some brought him a bath and some went to prepare food.

After washing up briefly, Zhang Dai lay down on a bamboo-woven recliner he had specially arranged under the flower trellis, basking in the warm sun while waving to the girls to go play, leaving only Aying there to keep him company while he ate.

"My lord composed some new poems the other day, and I have learned to sing them for you."

Now that the master was up, the women naturally couldn't go off to play on their own. Yingnu stepped forward and quietly asked for permission. She had once been a star performer carefully trained by Song Sanniang, and was proficient in various vocal arts, even surpassing the other performers by the Qujiang River the other day.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai nodded. Yingnu quickly went back to her room to fetch her pipa, brought it out, and sat down under the flower trellis. After tuning it briefly, she began to play and sing. Xiaolian and Wanqing, the two former dancers from the Prince Shen's mansion, also joined in the dance, their graceful movements captivating.

Looking at the graceful waist that swayed like a serpent, Zhang Dai couldn't help but recall the erotic scenes from last night's bed. He sighed that in ancient times, even being a playboy required a high degree of self-control. Surrounded by beautiful women who would give him whatever he wanted, if he really let loose and didn't restrain himself, he probably wouldn't last more than a few years!
The servants' shouts outside interrupted the erotic festivities inside. Zhang Dai didn't want to give his family members a bad impression of indulging in debauchery in broad daylight, so he waved for the women to return to their rooms before getting up and leaving.

"Reporting to Sixth Master, the hermit Meng from the front hall has sent a letter requesting an audience."

Meng Haoran had been visiting the Zhang residence frequently in recent years, so the Zhang family members were not unfamiliar with him.

"Let's first lead Meng Shanren to another hall, I'll go there later."

Zhang Dai, dressed in a simple evening gown, felt it inappropriate to directly entertain guests. He returned to his room to change into more appropriate attire before heading to the detached hall. "Having not seen you for days, Sixth Master's charm has only grown stronger with each passing day; he is truly captivating, and I long to visit you!"

Meng Haoran was in his forties and not particularly tall. He wore a well-tailored round-necked robe, which did not give him much of the carefree and otherworldly air of a recluse. He was no different from the fashionable scholars who traveled around the capital region at that time. When he saw Zhang Dai, he quickly got up from his seat to greet him.

"Meng Shanren is too kind. I am in a relaxed and leisurely state, with nothing to do. How could I possibly be showing any signs of improvement?"

Zhang Dai strode into the hall, gestured for Meng Haoran to take a seat, and looked him over. He noticed that Meng Haoran had heavy eye bags, suggesting that he hadn't been sleeping well lately.

That's understandable. Anyone who repeatedly fails the imperial examinations would inevitably feel frustrated and doubtful. Especially for Meng Haoran, who was no longer a young man, but in his forties, and who prided himself on his literary talent, facing such results time and again must have made him even more depressed.

"I have come here today to bid farewell to Liu Lang. His words of encouragement from last year still ring in my ears, but this year I have failed the examination again, failing to live up to his advice, which I am deeply ashamed of. I already had no face to visit you again, but it would be inappropriate to leave without saying goodbye, so I have come to see you again with great shame..."

After taking his seat, Meng Haoran looked ashamed and said to Zhang Dai, his dejection even greater than last year, showing that this year's defeat had hit him harder.

"This year's election is indeed more intense than in previous years, and there are many conflicting opinions and discussions within the court. Meng Shanren's defeat this time is not due to a lack of skill. The ancients, even after three defeats, did not succumb. I, on the other hand, have already lost heart after only two defeats."

Seeing Meng Haoran so dejected, Zhang Dai offered some words of comfort.

"Sixth Brother was a young man of great ambition. His words were always bold and inspiring, making people deeply envious. This old man is forty years old. He should be free from worldly concerns, but he is still eager for fame and fortune. He has been humiliated again and again. He should know shame and stop now."

Meng Haoran sighed again, then changed the subject, saying, "The other day I also went to Qujiang with a friend. I heard about Liu Lang's heroic feat of single-handedly stopping a group of people, and I couldn't help but feel secretly pleased. I've come to visit Liu Lang today to express my gratitude for this pleasure!"

Having failed the imperial examination, he recently went on a spring outing with several friends who had also failed to reach the top, to relieve their disappointment. When he heard how badly Zhang Dai had made the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) look at the candidates, he was naturally delighted, and his dejected mood after failing the exam improved considerably.

"The crowd was making a ruckus and engaging in some reckless play, which made Master Meng laugh at us!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai waved his hand and laughed, saying that he hadn't expected to unintentionally help Meng Haoran vent his anger.

"No, all of Liu Lang's works from the other day were of the highest quality. We, his companions, discussed them all night long. His poem 'The Emperor's Personal Offering of Sacrifice' deeply resonates with Wang Wei's style, his poem 'Ancient Thoughts' fully expresses the spirit of a righteous scholar, and his poem 'Spring Pond' is like a chorus of voices. Liu Lang is not only highly talented, but also has a deep understanding of people..."

Meng Haoran, having clearly engaged in considerable reading and analysis of Zhang Dai's poems with his friends, now recounted the characteristics of each poem in detail, and exclaimed sincerely, "In the art of poetry, Liu Lang has already become a master. His mastery of variation is both refined and complex, as if playing with an object between his fingers, effortlessly creating a magnificent scene. The art of Yan Gong has been passed down to him, truly a worthy successor. We, the masses, were still marveling at his talent when we heard 'The Vast Sea and the Wushan Mountains,' and we could only prostrate ourselves in admiration, utterly speechless!"

Zhang Dai was overjoyed to receive such high praise from Meng Haoran. He was about to have a detailed discussion with Meng Haoran about his poetic style when a servant came in and said, "Reporting to Liu Lang, a guest has come with a letter claiming to be Zhao Buwei, the Assistant Minister of Personnel of the Ministry of Personnel, who requests an audience in the outer hall."

Upon hearing this, Meng Haoran's expression immediately became somewhat unnatural. This Zhao Buwei was the very examiner who had disqualified him from this year's provincial examination. He quickly stood up and said, "Since you have such an honored guest, I shall take my leave now."

"Why must you leave so soon, sir? Stay here and continue our conversation!"

Zhang Dai gestured for Meng Haoran to sit down, and then said to his family, "Go and tell that Master Zhao that I have guests to entertain today. If what he said is not urgent, please come back another day."

The servant responded and came out, but Meng Haoran still hesitated and said, "Master Zhao is in charge of the selection, so it might be inappropriate to politely decline his offer."

The world of fame and fortune is a snobbish circle. In the past, Meng Haoran lived a peaceful and leisurely life in the south of the mountains. However, as he went to the capital to take the imperial examinations several times, he also witnessed the differences in status and power among various people.

Although the rank of the Assistant Minister of Personnel Examination was not high, it was an extremely important and prestigious position, in which the future of many candidates rested in his hands. Every examination season, countless people sought an audience but could not obtain one.

Now that this person has taken the initiative to come to the Zhang family to seek an audience, it naturally shows the great power of the Zhang family. However, Zhang Dai has refused to see him on his own initiative. This naturally makes Meng Haoran feel uneasy, worried that Zhang Dai's youthful arrogance might offend someone. So he quickly gave him a reminder.

(End of this chapter)