Di Ming

Chapter 123 If We Met for the First Time

There are more than forty students in this class, and there are more than just one or two older students. The number of people who have achieved some success in calligraphy cannot be counted on one hand.

But no one can have that level of skill at Zhu Yin's age.

Only child prodigies with a natural talent for calligraphy can achieve mastery of the art at the tender age of ten.

A middle-aged student skilled in calligraphy nodded in admiration:
"Excellent! The style of Jin, Tang and Song have been partially captured. The overall effect is quite impressive! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I really wouldn't dare to say that it came from the hand of a child."

Another young student also praised it highly, saying, "Just looking at his calligraphy, one can tell that he has practiced diligently for at least ten years, and he must have had the guidance of a famous teacher."

Most people were generous with their praise, but Wang Ruifang and a few others, although they acknowledged in their hearts that Zhu Yin's calligraphy had reached a high level, had somewhat gloomy expressions.

In particular, Wang Ruifang, who has always been arrogant, has a grandfather, Wang Shizhen, who was a leading figure in the literary world and was famous throughout the country. He was also known as a child prodigy in his youth. He always looked up to his grandfather and considered himself a child prodigy.

He has been renowned for his essays, poems, and calligraphy for many years. Whether within the Wang family or among his classmates, who doesn't praise his grandfather's style?
He skipped a grade when he came to the Imperial Academy and will soon be going to the Daoist Hall. Next autumn, he will be able to take the imperial examination. Even his grandfather and eldest uncle say he is confident of passing.

If he passes the exam, he will be a fourteen-year-old scholar who has passed the imperial examination!

But this Zhu Yin writes better than her and has received so much praise. Wang Ruifang's gaze towards Zhu Yin grew even more gloomy.

Suddenly a clear and deep voice laughed:

"Zhihu is learning from the styles of Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi; the characters of Wang are the foundation of his style. As for the Tang and Song styles, they are merely superficial. This stroke of ancient simplicity truly has the style of the Wei and Jin dynasties."

“The young tiger’s poetry and calligraphy both have the style of the Wei and Jin dynasties, which can be the pioneer of reviving the past among young people.”

Upon closer inspection, everyone recognized Dr. Zhou from the Doctoral Department, followed by Teaching Assistant Li.

"Dr. Zhou!" Everyone quickly straightened their clothes and bowed.

Zhu Yin also put down his brush, bowed, and said, "Student Zhu Yin greets Doctor!"

He was even planning to visit Dr. Zhou in the doctoral hall, but to his surprise, Dr. Zhou knew he had arrived so quickly.

It turns out that once a new student enrolls at the Imperial College, the Doctoral Hall, the Rope and Imprisonment Hall, and the Culinary Hall will also receive official documents.

Dr. Zhou soon found out about Zhu Yin's enrollment as soon as he entered school that morning.

Thinking of the "young friend" who had previously written a poem at the Confucius Temple praising the philosophy of mind, Dr. Zhou took the initiative to visit this "child prodigy old friend".

This was not only because of Zhu Yin's previous poems, but also because Zhu Yin was a person with connections who had been given special treatment.

"Child Tiger, we meet again." Dr. Zhou chuckled. "I didn't expect you to enter the Imperial Academy so quickly. I thought I would have to wait two or three years. When I learned that you had entered the Southern Academy of Imperial Sciences, I couldn't wait to come to Chongzhi Hall."

Everyone looked at each other in surprise, only then realizing that Dr. Zhou knew Zhu Yin and had taken the initiative to come from the Doctor's Hall to Chongzhi Hall to see Zhu Yin!

Dr. Zhou Can was the most famous teacher in Nanyong, and he came from the Zhou family of Raozhou.

Moreover, Dr. Zhou was a key figure in the Taizhou School of Neo-Confucianism at the Imperial College. And Neo-Confucianism is a prominent field of study these days.

Wang Yangming has already been enshrined in the Confucian Temple, and is honored with the title of "Prince of the Former Confucian Scholars".

Dr. Zhou examined Zhu Yin's calligraphy, stroking his beard with an appreciative expression, and said:
"In the Ming Dynasty, there were many calligraphy prodigies. During the reign of Emperor Yingzong, there was Jiang Ligang, who achieved minor success in calligraphy at the age of seven and entered the Hanlin Academy for his excellent calligraphy. His characters had the momentum of surging waves. During the reign of Emperor Jiajing, there was Mo Shilong, who achieved minor success in calligraphy at the age of eight and became a master at the age of fourteen. Today, there is Zhu Zhihu, who achieved minor success in calligraphy at the age of ten and whose characters have the style of the Wei and Jin Dynasties."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruifang and the others felt even more jealous, but outwardly they all echoed her sentiments.

He thought to himself, "Can Zhu Yin be compared to Jiang Ligang and Mo Shilong? Dr. Zhou is exaggerating. And talking about the Wei-Jin style is just child's play."

Zhu Yinrong remained calm and composed, saying, "You flatter me, Doctor. I dare not accept such praise."

Although he spoke modestly, his expression was calm and he showed no shame, clearly indicating that he deserved the honor.

Zhu Yin was even a little depressed.

I have practiced calligraphy for twenty years and copied many famous Wei and Jin dynasty calligraphic works. Am I only comparable to Mo Shilong and Jiang Ligang when I was a child?

Even though the two were calligraphy prodigies, Zhu Yin was not entirely convinced.

Zhou Boshan suddenly recited: "...Wang Yangming spent seven days studying bamboo, attained enlightenment at Longchang, and passed away in Nan'an. Chen Xianzhang, the Master of Baisha, sat quietly at Chunyang Terrace for ten years..."

After reciting the poem, he looked on with a knowing expression.

When everyone heard him suddenly recite poetry, they couldn't help but praise him.

"What a wonderful poem, Doctor!"

"The essence of the philosophy of mind is found in the recitations of the scholars."

"Concise and to the point, profound yet easy to understand, it vividly portrays the great achievements of the ancients, towering high above all others."

"What a remarkable feat: seven days of bamboo grove exploration, ten years of meditation! The difficulty is like wading through a vast ocean, the perseverance like traversing mountain passes; wherever the heart is set, the effort will not be in vain..."

"A single poem by the Doctor reveals the vastness of the philosophy of mind and the subtlety of the Daoist mind."

Although the praise from everyone had a hint of flattery, it was also because Dr. Zhou's poem was truly excellent.

Scholars care about their reputation. No matter how high your status is, if your poetry is bad, they'll be embarrassed to praise you.

Even Wang Ruifang absentmindedly added a compliment.

Zhu Yin touched his forehead, thinking to himself: It's really not that good, you're overpraising me.

He looked at Dr. Zhou with a bit of shame, only to be met with Dr. Zhou's slightly mischievous smile.

"This poem was not written by me," Dr. Zhou said slowly with a smile, shaking his wide sleeves and pointing at Zhu Yin.

"This poem was written by Zhu Yin. I was collecting poems at the Confucius Temple before, and Zhu Yin recited it on the spot. Although he did not compose a poem in seven steps, he was still quick-witted in his poetry."

"The Imperial Academy is preparing to publish this poem and include it in the Nanyong Poetry Collection. Zhihu, let's waive the writing fee, hehe."

What? The poet is Zhu Yin? Is he really a child prodigy?

The way everyone looked at Zhu Yin changed once again.

Because this poem has the style of the Wei and Jin dynasties, and its poetic quality is quite good!
To be able to compose a poem on the spot like this, what else could he be but a child prodigy?
"So, Junior Brother Zhu is truly a child prodigy. No wonder he entered Nanyong at the age of ten," Mo Shao said happily. "I was unaware of your mistake."

Seeing that Zhu Yin was not only skilled in calligraphy but also had remarkable poetic talent, everyone immediately became enthusiastic and praised him as a child prodigy. Little did they know that Zhu Yin was also skilled in horseback riding and archery, and could play the zither.

Only a few people chose to stand by and watch.

Wang Ruifang took a deep breath, feeling a tightness in his chest. He had been writing poetry since he was ten years old and had received praise from others. Composing poems was something he was very proud of.

He was called a child prodigy, and his poetic talent was at least half of it.

Hearing everyone praise Zhu Yin as a child prodigy now, he couldn't help but feel depressed.

You used to call me a child prodigy. Now that someone even younger has come along, you've all forgotten about me.

He's a child prodigy, so what about me?

Wang Ruifang's feelings weren't just jealousy; they were also driven by self-interest. Having Zhu Yin, this so-called child prodigy, meant having another competitor vying for a place in the provincial examinations.

Dr. Zhou was very satisfied with everyone's attitude towards Zhu Yin.

His public praise of Zhu Yin was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but a deliberate arrangement with a purpose.

Zhu Yin was a student who had been imprisoned on official business and had been given prior notice. He was to take the provincial examination next year.

However, places in the provincial examinations were hard to come by. The Imperial Academy only had sixty places for the provincial examinations.

Moreover, only the highest-ranking students, those with a score exceeding eight points, were eligible to qualify for the provincial examination.

Zhu Yin is too young and a freshman. If he wants to get a spot in next year's provincial examination, he will have to skip a grade.

As a result, many people will be dissatisfied, believing that the Imperial Academy is being biased and its behavior is too ugly, openly disrupting the imperial court's talent selection ceremony.

What to do? In order to quell public opinion, the only option was to let Zhu Yin's reputation as a child prodigy spread throughout the Imperial Academy.

With the reputation of a child prodigy protecting him, even if Zhu Yin skipped a grade to the main hall within a year, obtained eight points, and secured a spot in the provincial examination, no one could say anything.

He's a child prodigy, why can't he be? You're not convinced, why aren't you a child prodigy?

What is a child prodigy? It's an auspicious sign!
Wang Ruifang suddenly winked at a young man, who immediately cupped his hands and said:

"Master Zhou, Master Li, your student Dong Shi, I never imagined that this poem was written by Zhu Yin. It is clear that Junior Brother Zhu is truly a child prodigy. Junior Brother Zhu is only ten years old. If he could compose a poem on the spot, it would be an even more remarkable story. Even if he does not live up to his reputation, he will surely become famous."

“Junior Brother Wang is already known as a child prodigy. If we add Junior Brother Zhu to the list, wouldn’t they be equals? This would be an auspicious omen for our Nanyong.”

This man, named Dong Shi, was Wang Ruifang's classmate and close friend. Although he was two years older than Wang Ruifang, he was always sycophantic and followed Wang Ruifang's lead without question.

He came from the Dong family of Huating, a prominent clan in Songjiang. His uncle, Dong Qichang, had always been allied with the Wang family, and the two families were considered old friends.

Wang Ruifang and Dong Shi, being young and quick-witted, were well aware of Dr. Zhou and Assistant Professor Li's intention in praising Zhu Yin.
They must be vying for a spot in the provincial examination. Since it concerns their own interests, why would they let it go so easily?
Upon hearing Dong Shi's words, Dr. Zhou and Teaching Assistant Li both thought to themselves: Dong Shi, you really don't know any better.

Although Dong Shi's words were veiled and malicious, they were also perfectly worded and impeccable.

Wang Ruifang smiled slightly. Dong Shi is a sensible person.

Dr. Zhou, of course, wasn't so easily fooled. Experienced and shrewd, he glanced at Wang Ruifang without batting an eye and smiled kindly:

"Yes, although Wang Ruifang is three years older than Zhu Yin, he is also known as a child prodigy, which is truly rare. Very well, Wang Ruifang, then compose a poem, a five-character poem with eight rhymes, on the theme of the Imperial Academy."

"Since you are three years older, you should recite first. Zhu Yin will recite later. What do you say?"

That is indeed fair.

Dr. Zhou believes that Zhu Yin will definitely produce excellent works. As for Wang Ruifang, it's normal for her to produce excellent works as well.

Wang Ruifang was overjoyed upon hearing this.

He has always been quite confident in his knowledge of poetry, and today, composing a poem in front of Dr. Zhou, he is determined to make a name for himself as a child prodigy.

"Yes, sir! I obey!" Wang Ruifang bowed and accepted the test. After a moment's thought, he strode out with an air of nonchalance, taking seven slow steps.

Just as he finished the seventh step, he spoke at the perfect moment: "Ode to the Imperial Academy!"

He then recited:

Where can we find such a worthy man? This hidden gem is right here.

The tranquil Jiming Temple, the majestic Imperial College.

The chanting of Buddhist hymns under the bright moon, the sound of reading aloud at dawn.

In this prosperous era, purple smoke rises over the Southern Palace.

After Wang Ruifang finished reciting, he flicked his sleeves, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, and said, "This student has made a fool of himself; I humbly request your correction, teacher."

When the classmates heard the poem, most of them nodded in approval and showed their admiration.

It is truly remarkable that Wang Ruifang, at only thirteen years old, could compose this poem on the spot so quickly.

Dr. Zhou and Teaching Assistant Li exchanged a glance, both with amused expressions.

This poem is quite good; considering Wang Ruifang's age of thirteen, it is indeed impeccable.

Unfortunately, this was a poem written to celebrate peace and prosperity. Although it was well-crafted and elegant, its artistic conception was lacking, and the poem's quality became vulgar.

The poem is full of the sentiment that the world is at peace and there are no worthy men left behind.

The so-called poetry expresses one's aspirations. By reading Wang Shengzhi's poems, one can understand how fervent Wang Ruifang's ambition for an official career was.

Neither of them wanted to comment on this flawless, well-behaved, and conventional poem, so they simply smiled and nodded.

Dr. Zhou and the others looked at Zhu Yin expectantly, only to see Zhu Yin with a pair of small horn-shaped topknots, bowing like a little adult:
"A student makes a fool of himself, 'Ode to the Imperial Academy'."

He stood by the window, gazing at the ancient locust tree outside, and once again recited in the theatrical tone of a stage recitation—what others mistakenly thought was the chanting of a scholar from Luoyang:
The ancient locust tree in Nanjian was planted during the Wu period.

The Biyong Hall faces the moon over Jin, and the Pan Palace gazes at the Liangtai Terrace.

Beneath the solemn and dignified ground, once came the jade carriage.

"Surrounded by the Pearl River, yet the sorrow of the Six Dynasties remains unseen." Upon hearing this poem, the entire classroom fell silent. Wang Ruifang's eyes slowly turned gray.

"Excellent!" Dr. Zhou couldn't help but clap his hands, his eyes filled with admiration. "A ten-year-old child, to utter such profound words, truly a prodigy!"

Teaching Assistant Li couldn't help but exclaim, "A sigh for the past, a lament for the present, a melancholy that is subtle and profound, a lingering charm, truly reminiscent of the Zhengshi era. Young Tiger, you've really put in a lot of effort."

"No wonder Dr. Zhou said you have the demeanor of the Wei and Jin dynasties; it is indeed so."

Besides the two teachers, many capable students also nodded in agreement, and dared not look down on Zhu Yin any longer.

They weren't completely incapable of writing Zhu Yin's poem, but Zhu Yin was only ten years old.

It was still an impromptu performance, done on the spot.

What makes this poem so good? It's all about the word "sorrow." It speaks of the changing times and the rise and fall of history in Nanyong with a melancholic and wistful tone, using the past to satirize the present, yet without any resentment.

The poem's verses are subtle and poignant, yet they are not deliberately obscure or difficult to understand; rather, they are just right. This is what Assistant Professor Li described as "deeply melancholic and pure."

Compared to Wang Sheng, whose poems celebrated a peaceful and prosperous era, Zhu Sheng's poetry was clearly a level above.

The superiority or inferiority is immediately apparent, and the difference in quality is immediately clear.

Even Wang Ruifang herself couldn't help but clench her fists.

He lost!
He himself had to admit that Zhu Yin's poem was better than his own. But he didn't think Zhu Yin was better than him; he just thought Zhu Yin had a cleverer idea.

Damn it.

Hearing the praise from the crowd, Zhu Yin bowed repeatedly and said calmly:

"My two teachers and fellow students are too kind. I, Zhu Yin, am unworthy of such praise! Besides, poetry is ultimately a minor art, not worth mentioning. For us, the imperial examinations and the imperial examination system are still the priority. This orthodox path of the eight-legged essay and the imperial examination system are my true purpose in coming to Nanyong."

His words were well-reasoned and comprehensive.

Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged smiles.

This child is far too precocious; he's clearly a seasoned scholar.

Dr. Zhou looked around and laughed, "What did I tell you? Isn't this a child prodigy? This young tiger is quick-witted and incredibly intelligent. He writes good poetry, and his essays on the eight-legged essay are not far behind."

Everyone nodded in agreement, momentarily forgetting Wang Ruifang's poem.

They even forgot that neither of the two teachers commented on Wang Ruifang's poems.

Unwilling to give up, Wang Ruifang gave Dong Shi a wink.

Dong Shi thought for a moment, then suddenly, as if possessed, said:
“Junior Brother Zhu’s poem is indeed good. It is truly remarkable for someone your age. However, it is ultimately inappropriate for Junior Brother Zhu to harbor grievances against the court and the emperor.”

He didn't say he harbored resentment, but rather that he "felt grumbling," which was quite harsh.

Dr. Zhou coughed and said solemnly, "What complaints? Nonsense and absurdity!"

"Yes!" Dong Shi's face flushed red, and he could only retreat awkwardly.

Dr. Zhou then nodded to Zhu Yin, "I am the author of the Spring and Autumn Annals. You may come to the Doctor's Hall to find me for matters concerning the imperial examinations."

Zhu Yin said, "Yes!"

Dr. Zhou then said to Assistant Professor Li, "Brother Bokang, Zhu Sheng is intelligent, but he is still a child. I hope you will take good care of him."

Teaching Assistant Li laughed and said, "Brother Yuji, Zhu Sheng is my student, why do you need to remind me of this? However, if he skips a grade, I won't be able to teach him for more than a few months."

Once the two division commanders left together, everyone started chattering away.

"Junior Brother Zhihu, you're really something! You've only just entered Nanyong, yet you've already gained the attention of teaching assistants and professors."

“Childhood Tiger is a prodigy; which teacher wouldn’t like him? To teach someone with such talent and good qualities is the greatest joy for a teacher.”

“Junior Brother Zhihu, your poetry and calligraphy are both prodigy-like. Your knowledge of the classics and the imperial examinations must be excellent. If you pass the imperial examinations in four years, you will be a fourteen-year-old scholar.”

"Why four years from now? Is it definitely not possible next year?"

"Next year? You really dare to dream. Yang Wenzhong passed the imperial examination at the age of twelve, making him the first person in the entire dynasty to do so. Although Zhihu is a child prodigy, he can't compare to Yang Wenzhong, can he?"

Some even volunteered to introduce themselves:

"Child Tiger, my name is Shangyang..."

"Junior Brother Zhihu, my name is He Bi..."

"I am Han Shang..."

Zhu Yin had no choice but to exchange pleasantries with each of his new classmates, getting to know them while secretly observing their expressions and deducing whether they were worth befriending.

I quickly became familiar with everyone.

Wang Ruifang, Dong Shi, and several others, who usually looked down on their classmates from ordinary families because of their backgrounds and talents, were suddenly ignored when Zhu Yin arrived.

It is showing signs of becoming isolated.

Wang Ruifang and Dong Shi watched coldly, showing no intention of joining in the fun; instead, they sneered.

Soon, it was lunchtime.

After school, everyone went to the main dining hall in twos and threes for a meal.

The Hall of Culinary Affairs was the least important hall in the Imperial College. Although it contained the word "hall," it was not one of the four main halls.

The head of the kitchen, the kitchen manager, was not even the lowest-ranking official of the ninth grade; he was merely a first-class clerk.

The kitchen was in charge of food, banquets, and cooking. In Zhu Yin's view, it was similar to a university cafeteria in later times.

It was mealtime, and all the more than a thousand students headed to the dining hall, creating a magnificent sight as their scholarly hats filled the air.

Zhu Yin, along with Mo Shao, Shang Yang, He Bi, Han Shang, and others, crossed the bridge and passed through the archery range and vegetable garden before finally seeing a large hall.

Above the hall, smoke still curled from the chimneys.

A delicious aroma of food wafted over.

When dining at a restaurant, you don't need to bring your own bowls, chopsticks, or other tableware. They provide all the necessary cups, bowls, plates, and dishes.

Doctors, teaching assistants, academic directors, and academic registrars who held official positions generally did not dine at the main dining hall. As officials, they naturally went to the banquet hall.

The group gathered in front of the dining hall's plaza, but did not immediately enter through the doors.

Only when the chef arranges for entry will everyone file in in an orderly fashion.

The restaurant has many restaurants, but many of them are closed, and only a dozen or so are in normal use.

Zhu Yin entered the restaurant of Chongzhi Hall and saw that the hall was filled with low tables and chairs.

Zhu Yin was taken aback, but then he understood.

It turns out that the Imperial College dining hall used a separate dining system. Not only was it a separate dining system, but it also required proper sitting posture (kneeling) according to ancient etiquette.

Indeed, the Imperial College and the Temple of Confucius are the most traditional places for etiquette today. In many ways, they still deliberately preserve ancient rituals, making them somewhat different from those outside.

At times, the kitchen is responsible for preparing grand feasts. The food for the annual spring and autumn sacrificial ceremonies is also prepared by the kitchen.

Mo Shao said, "Zhihu, the rules in the kitchen are strict. Don't eat immediately after the food is served; there are etiquette rules..."

The two found a small table and sat upright.

Many people sit on their knees.

Mo Shao laughed and said, "Many people just don't like kneeling, so they don't want to dine at the main dining hall because they think the main dining hall has too many rules. But once you get used to it, it's not so bad."

Zhu Yin, however, sat upright, which earned him some admiration from Mo Shao and the others.

What they didn't know was that Zhu Yin practiced calligraphy while kneeling.

Soon, a group of maids carrying wooden tripods filed out from the two corridors of the hall.

They were government slaves of the Imperial Academy, euphemistically called "food cooks." Many were descendants of criminals, slaves for generations, and some were family members of criminals or officials.

With these government slaves serving them, the Confucian scholars were like guests dining at a restaurant.

One by one, wooden tripod food boxes were placed on the table. Upon opening them, one could see that today's dishes consisted of a carp, a plate of green vegetables, a plate of tofu, and a small plate of pickled vegetables.

The dishes were very simple, but they were also exquisitely prepared.

The staple food is five ounces of refined rice.

There is no alcohol.

Everyone sat upright and did not pick up their chopsticks immediately.

Even if a hungry person is swallowing their saliva, they won't look at the food in front of them.

After waiting for a full quarter of an hour, suddenly the bell in the dining hall rang with a "dong".

As soon as the bell rang, everyone bowed slightly before picking up their chopsticks and slowly and deliberately began to eat.

Zhu Yin ate a piece of fish, which wasn't particularly delicious, and the rice was a bit hard, but the vegetables and tofu were to his liking.

But considering that he was still growing, Zhu Yin couldn't be picky and ate all the food.

That's right. According to the rules of the Imperial College, food should be finished and it's best not to waste it.

After finishing the meal, many people's legs and feet were numb.

After lunch, the cooks brought out water for the scholars to rinse their mouths and wash their hands.

After Zhu Yin and the others finished lunch, they left the kitchen and returned to the classroom. They only rested for a quarter of an hour before the bell rang for lunch.

Alright, back to memorizing!

Zhu Yin recited the Book of Poetry again and then recited Mencius again, and it was already three quarters past Shen time.

It's time to end school.

Zhu Yin immediately felt relieved.

School ended early in ancient times; it's only a little past three o'clock.

Everyone placed their daily 200-word homework on their desks for the teacher to review.

The two hundred characters were all from chapters of the Four Books and Five Classics.

Once you pass the test, you can leave the classroom.

Zhu Yin finished writing his calligraphy in the morning and even received praise, so he had already passed the test.

Zhu Yin left the Imperial Academy and led the Kangxi brothers to the main gate, where he saw a girl smiling at him.

They were obviously there to pick me up.

It was Ning Caiwei.

"Sigh, I was so afraid you'd get kidnapped, so I came to pick you up from school. Being a parent is really tough."

Ning Caiwei smiled sweetly, her dimples showing, radiating a romantic charm in the autumn sunlight.

Zhu Yin squinted slightly at the sunlight, looking at Ning Caiwei before him as if it were the first time they had met...

P.S.: That's all for today! Thanks for subscribing and voting! Goodnight, my eyes are sore! Those two poems took me almost half an hour, it's exhausting…

(End of this chapter)