fake gentry

Huangshiyan was bustling with activity.

Xie Hong noticed that these scholars each had their own free and unrestrained style, and their clothing consisted mainly of loose-fitting robes made of light linen, gauze, and silk.

Some didn't even wear undergarments, emphasizing a casual and carefree attitude. If it weren't for the presence of some aristocratic ladies, these so-called scholars would have even gone so far as to bare their chests and bellies.

Of course, as the gathering progresses and the atmosphere becomes more lively, some people might even go streaking.

After all, most scholars in the Eastern Jin Dynasty took Han Shi San (a traditional Chinese medicine formula).

Hanshi San is also known as Wushi San. After taking it, it will produce a short-term feeling of excitement, making people feel clear-headed and bright, and will also make the skin white and delicate. However, the medicine is hot and dry, so it must be dissipated by walking briskly, eating cold food, or taking a cold shower.

This stuff is extremely toxic. Long-term use can cause chronic heavy metal poisoning, leading to symptoms such as skin ulceration, internal organ damage, and mania.

The more enjoyable it is to eat, the more painful it will be to die.

Xie Hong also noticed a subtle difference: those so-called famous scholars all wore silk headscarves, while those who wore lacquered gauze hats or flat headscarves should have held official positions.

As for those servants?

Commonly known as low-level staff, they could only wear black or blue sparse scarves.

That's where the term "苍头" (cāngtóu) comes from.

A young man in a coarse linen shirt emerged from the thatched hut. He looked to be about twenty-five or twenty-six years old. He was clearly used to working, as his hands and face were slightly dark. He was not tall and was rather thin, which made his eyes look particularly bright.

He remained calm and composed in the face of so many famous figures.

He was Zhai Zhuang, the son of Zhai Tang, who inherited the Zhai family's scholarly traditions.

Zhai Zhuang stood below the stone platform, then bowed to everyone without saying a word.

The scholars stopped talking, while the young gentry outside became excited.

"Lord Zhai has emerged."

"Are those Lord Gu and Lord Zhu?"

Three people walked out of the thatched hut side by side. The middle one was an old man in his fifties, thin and frail, wearing a faded cotton robe and a turban. He had a gentle look in his eyes. He was Zhai Tang.

The middle-aged man to his left was in his thirties, with a handsome face, a long beard, and clear eyes. He held a whisk in his hand, had a smile on his face, and wore a flowing robe and wide belt. He moved with an elegant and light gait, like a deer.

In the crowd, Lu Shi looked at Gu He with intense excitement in his eyes.

This is exactly what the noble families of his dreams should look like.

To Zhai Tang's right was a monk in black robes, about the same age as Gu He, who was none other than Zhu Faqian, the foremost scholar outside the secular world.

As the three renowned scholars made their appearance, everyone on Huangshi Rock rose to their feet and bowed. Little Xi Yin, still somewhat dazed, was led to her feet by her older sister.

Zhou Guang, the prefect of Xunyang, rose and introduced some famous scholars present to Zhai Tang and the other two. After another round of mutual greetings, everyone took their seats.

Xie Hong watched this scene from afar.

"My lord, we meet again."

Xie Hong turned his head and saw Lu Na, who was looking at him with a sincere expression, as if to say, "Tell me who you are!"

Xie Hong's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, then he calmly and aloofly asked, "Is there something you need?"

Lu Na...

He hadn't expected Xie Hong to be so arrogant, even disdainful of speaking to him.

Although he was the second son of the Lu family of Wu County, gentlemen from noble families were always proud, and he could not tolerate Xie Hong's attitude. He was about to turn and leave when Xie Hong suddenly said, "You and I are just strangers who met by chance, there's no need for such formalities."

Lu Na's eyes started shining again.

meet by chance?

It's wonderful!

He suddenly found himself unable to move his feet.

Without asking who Xie Hong was, she simply stood side by side with him.

Xie Hong felt a little regretful. Given his personality of always going along with things even if he wasn't being attacked, the benefits of being associated with the Lu family of Wu County would have been numerous.

But he just couldn't stand Lu Shi's gaze.

Who is Xie Hong? He's incredibly shrewd, even more so than a monkey, and he saw right through his older brother Lu Shi's personality at a glance.

He is self-righteous, arrogant, and sensitive, and looks down on anyone of lower social standing than himself.

Befriending Lu Na would inevitably invite Lu Shi's ridicule or even contempt.

He's not that shameless.

The metaphysical discussions of the Eastern Jin Dynasty were actually similar to modern debates, but they were more like academic salons that combined debate and talk shows.

This was an essential social activity for the aristocracy. If an aristocrat couldn't engage in philosophical discussions, it would be like a wealthy person in modern times not knowing how to play golf or ride horses—making it difficult for them to integrate into high society.

Simply put, it's the difference between old money and new money.

However, debate differs from metaphysical discussion. Metaphysical discussion involves two sides engaging in back-and-forth arguments, with bystanders acting as listeners. The standard for victory is not solely based on who has better eloquence; sometimes, the two sides may even resort to insults or physical fights.

The "pure discussion" was a test of the knowledge and demeanor of young scholars. The host would set a topic and let the young scholars express their opinions, then debate with each other, and finally the host would give an evaluation.

Today's debate is a specially customized version for Mr. Tu.

Although it's a custom version, it's not shameful at all; in fact, it's something to be proud of.

Who has the ability to invite top scholars and virtuous people from both the North and South to endorse them?

Of course, the customized version and the non-customized version are completely different in purpose and content.

One is the pursuit of fame.

One is social interaction.

Today's public debate is quite a large-scale affair.

Once Zhai, Tang, and the other two were seated, the performance began.

Generally speaking, discussions of metaphysics naturally revolve around the Three Mysteries: Laozi, Zhuangzi, and the Book of Changes.

However, after the migration of the elite to the south, the Qingtan (pure conversation) deeply integrated with the local culture of Jiangzuo (southern China) and foreign Buddhist thought, and the content of the Qingtan included Confucianism and Buddhism.

Since it's a performance, it really tests the actors' acting skills.

First, Zhu Faqian was the host of the discussion, and the question he posed was from the Lotus Sutra—that all sentient beings can become Buddhas.

The speaker's viewpoint is considered "comprehensible," while the opponent's questions are considered "difficult." After multiple rounds of debate, everyone summarizes and draws a conclusion.

Listening to the group of aristocratic youths showing off their high spirits, and then that guy named Tu Xiu coming out and making a decisive statement that won him a round of applause, Xie Hong almost burst out laughing like a pig.

That's really bad.

What price did Tu Qin offer to get these three famous scholars to support his grandson?

Does this even need a debate?

And that's how fame comes about, isn't it?

Of course, apart from the person in question and Xie Hong, all the other young gentry who attended today's gathering were kept in the dark.

Can news obtained for 100,000 coins be spread around so easily?

Zhu Faqian's final assessment of Tu Xiu was that he acted freely and unrestrainedly.

Then Gu He appeared.

The Gu family of Wu County is a representative of the Confucian aristocratic family in Jiangdong, with Confucianism as its core family tradition. They are a typical Confucian family, and their family tradition of passing down Confucianism has been established since the Han Dynasty.

The Confucian traditions preserved by the southern gentry far surpassed those of the northern gentry. The northern gentry were extravagant, competitive, and prone to empty talk, which was the fundamental reason why the southern gentry looked down on the northern gentry.

But now that the North and South are merging, the Southern gentry must also integrate, otherwise they will be seen as outcasts.

Gu He's question comes from the Analects: "Benevolence and propriety, which is fundamental?"

This question is like a jack-of-all-trades; whoever says it is right.

In the end, Tu Xiu once again stole the show.

Xie Hong was amazed by what he heard.

So this famous scholar is actually a movie star.

He even suspected that the movie star might have leaked the questions to the financial backer behind the scenes.

That guy named Tu Xiu is definitely a great actor.

Judging from his appearance, no one could tell that he was acting.

Gu He's evaluation of Tu Xiu was: "Upholding virtue and tradition."

It's more like moral depravity.

Finally, everyone's eyes on Huangshiyan turned to Zhai Tang.

Xie Hong also looked over.

He wanted to see if this man, whose name would be etched in history, truly lived up to his reputation.