Swords emerge from the human world

Chapter 74: Offering help in times of need, that's all.

“In the name of the clan elders, I recommend Chen Jin and propose to hold an ancestral worship ceremony for him in order to seek the blessings and protection of our ancestors.”

Chen Shounian stood ramrod straight, his voice resounding.

At this moment, Chen Shouyi, the head of the fifth branch of the family who had always been on good terms with him, could no longer sit still. He quickly came over and grabbed him, saying, "Sixth brother, what are you doing? The matter of recommendation concerns the rise and fall of the entire branch of the family. How can you make such a decision so lightly?"

The clan chief, Chen Shouqi, stared intently at Chen Shounian's face: "Sixth brother, take back what you said. We'll pretend we're old and hard of hearing and didn't hear you."

Chen Shounian resolutely said, "Clan leader, I have thought this through and I implore everyone to grant my request."

Chen Shouyi asked, "Have you discussed this with He Ming and Sheng? Did they both agree?"

Chen Shounian said calmly, "As the head of the family, I have the final say."

Chen Shouyi opened his eyes wide: "Is it worth it for an outsider?"

Chen Shounian replied, "It may be worth it, or it may not. Who can know what will happen in the future? But I trust my own judgment."

Chen Shouyi earnestly advised, "Even if you think highly of him and believe he is destined for greatness, you can wait until he passes the provincial examination. If he passes, everything can be discussed; if he fails, you can send him home. Wouldn't that be safer?"

Chen Shounian sighed and slowly said, "People all want to add flowers to brocade, but no one is willing to offer charcoal in the snow. I think this is not good."

Chen Shouyi frowned, then suddenly thought of something: "So, you've decided on him, and you've already betrothed Ai'er to him? If so, then they'd be family... But wait, he's so much older than Ai'er, would Ai'er be willing?"

Chen Shounian: "..."

He waved his hand and said, "What are you talking about? Ai'er has her own ideas about her life's most important matters, and I won't interfere too much."

Chen Shouyi curled his lip: "Fine, since you've made your decision, I won't say any more. Speaking of which, I'd like to see what this Chen Jin looks like. Does he have three heads and six arms, or what? Is he worthy of your favor?"

Chen Shounian shrugged: "To be honest, it's just a recommendation opportunity."

Chen Shouyi muttered, "The problem is that the clan elders only have one chance to recommend someone. Who doesn't save it for their own children and grandchildren? You, on the other hand, are foolish enough to give it to someone else."

Chen Shounian gave a wry smile: "My family members, let's not even mention them. They were given opportunities but they were useless, a complete waste."

Clan Chief Chen Shouqi said in a deep voice, "Sixth Brother, are you sure that Chen Jin will be able to seize the opportunity once it's given to him?"

Chen Shounian shook his head: "Unsure."

Chen Shouqi added, "You should understand that it is as difficult as climbing to heaven for descendants of collateral branches to obtain ancestral blessings."

Chen Shounian nodded: "That's Chen Jin's own business."

Chen Shouqi stopped trying to dissuade him: "Since that's the case, I will follow the clan rules. The day after tomorrow happens to be the first day of the month, which is an auspicious day, so we can hold the ancestral worship ceremony. Go and explain this to Chen Jin first, and then bring him over."

"Thank you, patriarch."

Chen Shounian bowed and expressed his gratitude.

Chen Shouqi waved his hand: "Let's leave it at that for today. Everyone, please disperse."

After everyone dispersed, they met privately and continued to discuss the matter. They unanimously agreed that Chen Shounian was too foolish to make such a decision, and even suspected that Chen Jin had bewitched him.

"A mere collateral descendant with no outstanding resume, yet he dares to dream of receiving ancestral protection? That's utterly delusional."

"Exactly? Heh, to put it bluntly, we don't even know where Chen Jin's ancestors are."

"This ancestral worship ceremony is destined to be a joke; Lao Liu is getting senile."

"Perhaps he was angered by his children and grandchildren; they are such a disappointment..."

……

Old Clothes Alley, in a secluded courtyard.

Chen Jin welcomed a guest.

To be precise, it should be the Lord's family.

After all, the other party was the son of Sixth Uncle Chen Shounian, named "Chen Hesheng". He was over forty years old, with a slightly weathered appearance, and his clothes gave him a rather unconventional and unrestrained feel.

After he came in, he looked Chen Jin up and down and asked with a question, "You are that old scholar, but you don't look old at all."

Chen Jin politely replied, "Thank you for the compliment."

Chen Hesheng didn't dwell on the issue of age and changed the subject: "I heard you are a child prodigy who could compose poetry at a young age. Please recite one for me."

Chen Jin: "..."

He coughed lightly and said, "I haven't written anything in a long time. These are just my childhood scribbles, not worth listening to."

Upon hearing this, Chen Hesheng immediately said, "The sages said that poetry expresses one's aspirations. How can a scholar not write poetry? If one is only concerned with passing the imperial examinations and writing rigid, conventional essays, one will squander one's talent and literary flair. Alas!"

He was both sighing and grieving, putting on quite a dramatic performance.

Helpless, Chen Jin could only say, "I still write a little bit occasionally."

Chen Hesheng frowned: "You're talking about the five-character, eight-line poems for exams, right? Does that even deserve to be called poetry? Just piling up fancy words, only concerned with format and rhyme—it's all outdated stuff. Let me tell you what poetry is, and what lyrics are..."

He immediately launched into a long and eloquent speech, full of flowery language.

Time flew by, and Shi Qifeng returned with the exchanged copper coins. Seeing the situation, I didn't dare to disturb him and stood aside. But after listening to a few words, I was completely confused. I felt drowsy and quickly slipped away to feed the horses in the backyard.

After speaking at length, Chen Hesheng shook his head and asked, "Have you gained any insights?"

Chen Jin patiently replied, "I do have some insights."

"Oh, tell me."

Chen Hesheng's eyes lit up.

After a moment's thought, Chen Jinwei said, "Two orioles sing in the green willows, a line of egrets flies up to the blue sky."

"Ok?"

Chen Hesheng was taken aback and didn't understand for a moment, but as he recited these two lines, he felt that they had a certain charm. After carefully pondering them, he asked urgently, "Is that all? What about the rest?"

Chen Jin replied, "No further information for now, that's all."

"pity."

Chen Hesheng sighed deeply and asked, "Are these two lines of poetry your insights? They certainly have a beautiful meaning, but I don't know how to understand them."

Chen Jin smiled and said, "That depends on your understanding. Why don't you go back and think about it?"

"Alright, farewell."

Chen Hesheng was quick to leave, coming and going like the wind.

Shi Qifeng lowered his voice and asked, "Young Master, is that fellow insane?"

Chen Jin chuckled: "Don't talk about people behind their backs. If they hear us, they might kick us out, and then things won't be easy for us."

In the afternoon, Chen Shounian came to visit, and after a brief exchange of pleasantries, nothing more was said.

Chen Shounian asked, "Did my son come to talk to you?"

"coming."

"Hmph, he's probably just spouting nonsense about poetry and romance, all talk and no substance. You don't need to pay him any mind."

Chen Jin didn't know what to say, so he remained silent.

Chen Shounian then spoke of the ancestral worship ceremony: "If you can receive the protection of your ancestors, you will be qualified to enter the library. In the two or three months before the provincial examination, read through the classics, articles, notes, and other books inside. Although it is a matter of time and last-minute cramming, there are still some benefits."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jin's heart skipped a beat.

(End of this chapter)