Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 283 Encountering an Old Friend
On the seventh day of the first month of the second year of Jiayou (1098), the day of Renri (human day).

The Book of Divination records that "the first day of the first month is the day of the chicken, the second day is the day of the dog, the third day is the day of the pig, the fourth day is the day of the sheep, the fifth day is the day of the ox, the sixth day is the day of the horse, the seventh day is the day of the human, and the eighth day is the day of the grain."

During the Han Dynasty, Renri (Human Day) was mainly used for divination. It only began to become a folk festival after the Wei and Jin Dynasties, and it became popular during the Sui and Tang Dynasties. On Renri, the emperor would bestow colorful silk human figures as gifts and hold a grand banquet for his officials.

By the Song Dynasty, Renri (Human Day) was not as grand as it had been in the Tang Dynasty, but it was still a small festival between the New Year and the Lantern Festival, with many unique celebrations and rituals, such as wearing human-shaped ornaments, climbing mountains, and chasing away ghost birds.

The so-called "Rensheng" is a kind of headdress, also called Caisheng or Huasheng. It originated from the Wei and Jin Dynasties. It involves cutting colored paper into human figures and then pasting them on screens, bed curtains, or wearing them in the hair.

In the morning, Lu Beigu drank a soup made from seven kinds of vegetables. Then, according to the custom of the time, he pasted a portrait on the curtain. The portrait he pasted was of the famous Wenchang Emperor in Shu. This ribbon-cutting portrait was a gift specially given to him by Song Tang.

The prototype of Wenchang Dijun was named Zhang Yu. He died heroically in battle in the second year of Ningkang of the Eastern Jin Dynasty while leading the people of Shu to rise up against Fu Jian of the Former Qin Dynasty. The people of Shu built a shrine for him in Qiqu Mountain in Zitong County. After a long evolution, he became the god of Shu who was widely worshipped by the people of Shu and was in charge of the fame and official rank of scholars.

"May the Emperor grant me the chance to leap over the Dragon Gate and pass the imperial examination with flying colors!"

Thinking that "it's never wrong to have a faith," Lu Beigu bowed and made a gesture of respect.

Afterwards, he put on a thick green squirrel fur cloak and prepared to go out. To be honest, if he hadn't been freezing in the northern winter, Lu Beigu really wouldn't have been willing to buy such expensive winter clothing.

But there was no other way. This era was during the Little Ice Age, when temperatures dropped drastically, and medical care was also relatively backward. If you were to freeze yourself to save money, the cost of medical treatment would be a minor issue; the real fear was that it could lead to pneumonia and death.

Therefore, Lu Beigu spent a huge sum of money to buy this "cold-resistant cloak".

However, he wasn't particularly heartbroken after buying it, because in this era, clothes were essentially equivalent to money. These high-quality clothes were not only very practical and could be worn for many years, but they could also be pawned for a sum of money if he ever became poor, making them much more valuable than other items.

The coachmen of the Imperial Academy had returned to their posts, and Lu Beigu was still riding in his mule cart.

As you walk along the road, you can feel that the lingering New Year atmosphere of Tokyo has not yet dissipated. The peach wood charms on the door lintels of each alley are still bright red, and the air still retains the unique aroma of firecracker smoke mixed with incense and candles for ancestor worship.

The recent sunny weather has completely melted away the light snow of December, leaving only traces of water dripping from the eaves, announcing the arrival of the chilly spring.

"The snow wasn't heavy, it was just cold."

"Yes, there was much more snow last year than this year. The roads were all mud and snow, making them very difficult to travel on. This year, the road conditions are much better."

How was your New Year?

"Oh dear, things didn't go well. My child had a bit of a headache and fever, and the whole family was worried. Fortunately, after drinking some herbal medicine for a few days, he got better and there's nothing serious."

During their casual conversation, Lu Beigu rode in a carriage through the still rather deserted Imperial Street and arrived at the alleyway where Zhang Fangping's residence was located.

Compared to the deserted Song Xiang residence, Zhang Fangping's residence was much more lively.

Although the peak season for New Year's visits had passed, the carriages and horses parked at the gate and the officials hurrying back and forth all indicated the host's important status.

—The Commissioner of the Three Departments, who controls the empire's finances and resources, holds a high position of power and influence.

"Wait at the door!"

"I am."

Even if Zhao Zilong comes, it won't work. I told him to wait at the door.

Lu Beigu told the driver to find a place to park the mule cart and walked several dozen steps to the Zhang residence. At this time, the person talking to an official in green robes in front of the Zhang residence was the same gatekeeper who had made Lu Beigu wait in the snow for half a day last time. He seemed very arrogant.

However, when he saw Lu Beigu, his expression immediately changed. "So it's Young Master Lu, please come in!"

Presumably because he had been severely reprimanded by Zhang Fangping last time, the gatekeeper respectfully led Lu Beigu into the mansion this time before going to report.

After waiting for a while, he was led through several courtyards by the steward of the mansion. Instead of going to the main hall, he was led to a more secluded warm pavilion with more elaborate furnishings.

The fire inside the pavilion burned extremely brightly, warm as spring, dispelling the chill of early spring.

A refreshing and invigorating fragrance filled the air, quite different from the calming aroma of spices in Song Xiang's study.

Zhang Fangping was receiving guests here, and Lu Beigu recognized them as Su Xun and Su Zhe.

Su Xun and his group must have set off shortly after arriving in Lubei Gulichuan.

However, because Kaifeng was such a large city, and Lu Beigu had been engrossed in his studies at the Imperial Academy, they never had the chance to meet.

"Greetings, Master Zhang."

Lu Beigu stepped forward and bowed deeply to Zhang Fangping.

"coming."

Hearing the sound, Zhang Fangping looked up, forced a smile, and pointed to the chair below him.

"Sit down, no need for formalities. How was the New Year?"

"Thanks to your blessing, everything is well."

Lu Beigu sat down as instructed, and then greeted Su Xun and Su Zhe one by one.

"Mr. Mingyun, my dear brother Ziyou! It's truly a rare treat to meet an old friend like me at the Zhang family's residence today!"

Su Zhe smiled sincerely and cupped his hands, saying, "Brother Lu, it's been a long time! It's been several months since we last met after parting in Luzhou. It's truly a joy to see you all together again in Tokyo!"

Su Xun stroked his beard and laughed, "Haha, I was just talking to my two sons a few days ago that I would definitely seek you out when I came to the capital this time, to have a good discussion on the meaning and principles of literature. What a coincidence! We all know that your essay 'On Zhongda' has already made you famous in the capital!"

"I am ashamed," Lu Beigu said modestly. "Mr. Mingyun's prose is skillful and his writing is elegant and unrestrained. Not to mention that he is famous in Tokyo, it would only take him a day or two to become famous throughout the world."

Su Xun shook his head.

Afterwards, Su Xun told Zhang Fangping about Lu Beigu's "On the Six States" and "On Xiang Ji," which he had written at the Luzhou State Academy. Zhang Fangping was quite surprised to hear this, as Lu Beigu had never publicized these excellent articles. He would not have known about them if Su Xun hadn't brought them up.

Looking at these talented individuals who also came from Sichuan, Zhang Fangping's smile grew even wider.

He had served as the prefect of Chengdu, and these talented people from Sichuan were all people he had befriended and discovered. Once they entered the imperial court, they would naturally become close to him. To be frank, even a big shot like him still needs newcomers to act as his vanguard in matters of state. After all, he couldn't do everything himself.

"Good! Good!"

Zhang Fangping clapped his hands and laughed, "It seems that this warm pavilion has become a place for you talented people from Sichuan to meet old friends in a foreign land. Since you are old acquaintances, such a fate is truly rare."

(End of this chapter)