Chapter Forty-One: One Thousand Strings of Cash (Part Two) – First Update

Before the hour of the Pig, Du Ruhui arrived at Zheng Yanqing’s residence, carrying bundles of luggage.

“Brother Du, are you planning to stay indefinitely?” Yanqing, who had been preparing to copy the memorial text sent by Pei Shiju, was momentarily stunned at the sight of Du Ruhui’s load.

“Heh, I intend to stay here for a while. My father wanted to arrange a marriage for me, but I used the excuse that I haven’t earned any honors, and so it was postponed. My grandfather said I should remain in Luoyang and study diligently, so that when the next imperial examination opens, I can earn my name. I then told him I planned to study in the renowned Goose Young Master’s residence, and perhaps learn the Goose Style of poetry… Ha! My grandfather agreed without a second thought!”

Zheng Yanqing nearly choked. “Brother Du, your grandfather seems to hold me in far too high regard.”

“There’s nothing to be done. Your reputation is so grand now… My grandfather said I should learn from the virtuous. He remarked that you, Goose Young Master, possess remarkable talent at such a young age. Staying at the side of a man of virtue would benefit me, so he agreed.”

So, fame could be used as a means to refuse marriage proposals?

As Du Ruhui spoke, his expression suddenly grew serious. “But my grandfather asked me to secretly tell your grandfather that it would be best not to settle here.”

“Ah?”

“He also said, now is the time to sell this property; even living in the city would be better than here.”

It sounded unremarkable at first. But Du Ruhui’s grandfather was none other than the Minister of Works in the imperial court. If Zheng Yanqing were unaware of the plans to renovate Luoyang, he might have thought Du Minister was concerned about the remote location and wanted him to move to the city. But since Yanqing already knew about the renovation, he interpreted the words differently.

The imperial court intended to requisition the Zheng family’s land.

And the old city of Luoyang would not undergo much change.

Du Ruhui explained, “I don’t know why my grandfather said this, but you may want to consider it seriously.”

“Brother Du, I just discussed this with my grandfather. I too find this place too noisy, so I plan to move. But I’m not thinking of moving to the city—I’m considering settling at the foot of Dragon Gate Mountain.”

Du Ruhui said, “The scenery of Dragon Gate Mountain is indeed splendid.”

“Brother Du, I only said I’d settle at the foot of the mountain, not that I’d admire its scenery… There, my family owns a field lush with emerald bamboo, and I intend to build a few bamboo lodges. Studying there would surely be more enjoyable.”

“Yanqing, are you trying to emulate the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove?” Du Ruhui laughed, “Do you think your reputation isn’t grand enough? Still, it’s a fine idea—‘Build a hut among men, but without the clamor of carriages and horses. Ask why it can be so, the heart far away makes the place secluded. Plucking chrysanthemums under the eastern hedge, I gaze leisurely at the southern mountain. The mountain air is lovely at dusk, the flying birds return together. There is true meaning here, but I forget how to express it…’ Truly a wonderful place.”

It was Tao Yuanming’s famous poem from the Eastern Jin, and Du Ruhui could not help but recite it softly.

Upon hearing this, Yanqing felt that moving to Dragon Gate Mountain might indeed be a clever move.

Whether it was for fame or for leisure, it would certainly win him the praise of the cultivated elite. And did he not need such praise now?

The Zheng family’s efforts to promote him were meant to bolster their reputation. Well then, he would support them, and in this way, show that he had no desire to compete for fame or profit. Thus, the Zheng family would have fewer misgivings and work harder to promote him. When his fame became so great that even the Zhengs grew uneasy, they would no longer be able to restrain him.

Who was using whom? Until the end, no one could tell…

“Yanqing, what are you writing?”

“Oh, it’s a memorial text for Lord Pei of Wenxi County in Hedong, written for his late wife. He’s asked me to copy it, and will collect it tomorrow.”

“The Assistant Minister of the Secretariat, Pei Shiju?”

“You know him?”

“Hah, how could I not? He is formidable, a man of exceptional ability. My grandfather once said privately that, in reputation and power, Lord Pei cannot match the Duke of Yue, but in skill and talent, the Duke of Yue falls short of him.”

Yanqing couldn’t help but gasp softly.

Was Pei Shiju truly so remarkable?

The Duke of Yue was none other than the renowned Yang Su. Yet Pei Shiju’s name was unfamiliar.

Pei Shiju, Pei Shiju…

Wait—after Li Shimin ascended the throne, Xu Shiji had to change his name to Li Ji due to taboo. Even someone like Li Ji had to change his name, so… Pei Shiju, remove ‘Shi’ and you have Pei Ju.

He really was a formidable character.

In Emperor Yang’s time, he was a notorious traitor; but under Li Shimin, he became a loyal and upright minister. His dual reputation has left much speculation for posterity. Even in the “Twin Dragons of the Tang Dynasty,” Pei Ju is portrayed as the evil king Shi Zhixuan.

Tsk tsk, who would have thought that he would copy a memorial text for such a man?

Yanqing adjusted his mindset, carefully rereading the memorial written by Pei Shiju. Undeniably, the chief of one of the Four Great Clans of Hedong possessed remarkable literary skill. His style was distinctly of the Jiangzuo school, ornate and elegant, intricate and layered. Clearly, Pei Shiju deeply loved his late wife, painfully so.

Zheng Yanqing frowned, thinking: The Zhengs had me copy this text, letting Pei Shiju owe the Zhengs a favor, but it has nothing to do with me.

Though I now have a teacher and can rely on the Dou family for support, it is not my own accomplishment.

If Pei Shiju owes me, then the Zhengs would be even more cautious in the future. Hmm, perhaps this is a strategy.

“Yanqing, what are you thinking about?”

“Ah, I was reading Assistant Minister Pei’s memorial—truly full of deep feeling.”

“Haha, a sentimental soul indeed.” Du Ruhui had witnessed Yanqing composing poems for Duoduo and could not resist teasing him. Then he lowered his voice, “But Assistant Minister Pei and Lady Pei were indeed a good match. When Pei was pacifying Lingnan, Lady Cui, being elderly, could not accompany him, so she found two beautiful maids and sent them to serve him.

After Lady Cui passed away, Pei was so grief-stricken that he sent away all his concubines and maids. Such depth of feeling is rare.

Ah, I forgot to mention, Lady Cui was also a renowned calligrapher in her day…”

This Lady Cui was not Zheng Renji’s wife, but Pei Shiju’s own.

Yanqing carefully finished reading the memorial, pondered for a moment, then took up his brush to copy it.

Du Ruhui watched from the side, never disturbing him. He even brightened the candle and rolled up his sleeves to grind the ink.

The five-hundred-character memorial was not difficult to copy. Yanqing had read it many times, so he finished it smoothly in one go.

After copying, he did not set down the brush.

He dipped it again in ink, and after the memorial, wrote two words: “Parting Thoughts.” Then, he added: “I was entrusted to copy this memorial for the late wife, moved by the deep affection between the Assistant Minister and his lady. Thus, I attach a poem as a gift to the Assistant Minister.

‘Having seen the vast sea, no other waters can compare; apart from Mount Wu, no clouds are clouds. Passing through a cluster of flowers, I barely glance back, half in pursuit of the Way, half for you.’

Zheng Yanqing, on a night at the end of spring in the fourth year of Renshou, by the outskirts of Luoyang.”

After finishing, Yanqing seemed wholly satisfied, gently blowing on the ink that had yet to dry.

Du Ruhui was dumbfounded, staring first at the poem on the paper, then at the contented smile on Zheng Yanqing’s face, unable to speak for a long time.

A monster—this fellow is no prodigy, but a true monster!

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Offering up “Parting Thoughts” to forge ties with Pei Shiju… Haha, it seems everyone guessed wrong! Thanks to all the brothers for your support last week, which put me on the weekly recommendation list. Let’s strive for another great week—I’ll keep working hard. Let’s work together and make “Overthrowing the Tang” another success. With respect and gratitude, Old Xin bows deeply in thanks!