Chapter 20: Loyal Minister

To calligraphy masters like them, each stroke of Chinese characters had its own soul and sinew, and these charcoal-written characters might not yet reach the level of a grand master, but they already displayed sufficient skill. Just as Nie Yunzhu had perceived, in this era no one would think someone would specially practice this kind of brushwork at home, so someone who could write such characters with charcoal naturally had calligraphy skills estimated even higher. Especially those character styles they'd never seen before—to them, these held indescribable value.

That final italic bold style that looked like blocks might merely be novel without much reference value, just like a sophisticated child's game. However, the Song typeface and slender gold style used to write "The three peaks half below the blue sky seem to fall, like a white egret, in two divided, mid-stream sprawls" truly made the two feel delighted and see great potential.

These two fonts originally appeared in the Song dynasty. The Wu dynasty's trajectory was similar to the Song—many scholars, highly developed Confucianism, various innovations appearing in the process of seeking novelty and change—and these two fonts were undoubtedly results that both innovated and best suited contemporary aesthetics.

One step ahead of the times makes a genius; two steps ahead often makes a madman—these two fonts precisely stood on the foundation of their era, appearing to have achieved qualitative change through quantitative accumulation, making perfect breakthroughs. When Ning Yi wrote them, he perhaps didn't actively think too much, at most just giving people some amazement to illustrate his point, but given his way of thinking, even without active consideration, various complex considerations were already completed subconsciously, filtering out the simplest result. These cultural things didn't require constant hiding of ability, and his final "unreliable" italic bold perfectly proved he normally loved tinkering with these seemingly interesting things, both maintaining the impact of Song typeface and slender gold style while making this amazement and impact natural, not merely sharp throughout.

As for when the two later discussed calligraphy, Ning Yi mostly remained silent, only occasionally mentioning key points he knew, as these two were true masters with much more solid fundamentals than him—naturally it was best to speak less, listen more, and hide inadequacies. He'd been bored these days, also improving his calligraphy ability, and occasionally hearing a sentence or two, he felt it greatly beneficial.

If it were ordinary talented scholars, they probably couldn't receive such guidance from these two—of course, if the two took a teaching attitude, they'd mostly give targeted explanations to disciples. Ordinary students hearing too much would actually be counterproductive, but Ning Yi's own abilities to summarize, distinguish, and organize were super strong. He only admired their erudition in this area without worship or blind following, so listening didn't matter.

This discussion about calligraphy lasted about half an hour as the few occasionally used charcoal to write and draw on the whiteboard, their hands already black all over. Then they went to the riverside to wash their hands, and Old Qin and Old Kang now didn't mention the matter of charcoal versus brush techniques. With the standard Ning Yi displayed, just making some innovations in a small academy no longer needed their guidance—of course, if wanting to promote it widely, there would certainly still be problems. Ning Yi clapped his hands, then shook off water droplets, saying casually:

"Actually charcoal writing is indeed inferior. In a few days I plan to get some gypsum, see about making some chalk to use. Then paint the board black, with white characters on top—clearer than these charcoal characters and easier to wipe clean."

"Gypsum?" Old Kang asked doubtfully, "What's chalk?"

"After calcining gypsum with fire, add water and stir, then solidify into sticks in molds—they can be used for writing, less likely to smudge than charcoal, and hands won't get this dirty."

In the Wu dynasty at this time, gypsum and lime already existed, and Old Kang thought for a moment, then nodded: "That's right, after calcining, gypsum can indeed be used for writing... Heh, no need to find others for this. If you want it, this old man can have people make a batch for you. I wonder what specific size and shape requirements there are, and what else needs attention?"

Kang Xian had vast family property—Ning Yi knew this—so since he'd offered, naturally he wouldn't decline. He immediately gestured to show chalk's appearance, as making chalk was originally simple. Even without deliberate effort, hard lumps forming in some lime kilns could barely be used for writing. There wasn't much to explain: "You can have craftsmen try several times, maybe mix in some clay or other impurities, finding the most suitable ratio for writing would be best."

"This old man naturally understands—Ah Gui." Old Kang went out daily with four attendants—two men and two women—always nearby, and now he called one over. "You heard Young Master Ning's words—after returning, arrange this matter." That person bowed and said "Yes."

"Hehe, discussing characters all along, the tea has gone cold..."

Earlier the three held charcoal sticks, naturally couldn't drink the brewed tea, and now time was getting late, with little mood left for chess. After sitting at the tea stand a while, Kang Xian's maid brewed new tea, and that white board still sat beside them, the topic naturally still revolving around characters. Before long, Old Qin commented on current calligraphy masters' styles—he himself excelled at calligraphy, commenting all along effortlessly, incidentally teasing Kang Xian's writing. Kang Xian laughed and scolded: "Clerical script, wild cursive—this old man may not match you, but for regular script, you fall far short of this old man."

Old Qin laughed: "This is having specialized skills—Master Ming trains people in the gentleman's way all day, so if your regular script were poor, it would lack persuasive power. But practicing regular script to such a level just for convenient lecturing—Master Ming might be history's first..."

After joking briefly like this, Old Qin thought and changed topics: "...However, seeing Liheng's handwriting reminds this old man of someone—this person is also from our Qin clan, quite talented. Years ago in the Eastern Capital¹, he submitted writings to this old man—his talent and eloquence were extremely outstanding, and he wrote excellent characters. His style and composition were similar to Liheng's style in 'The three peaks half below the blue sky seem to fall,' capturing the essence of Yan's sinew and Liu's bone², but his handwriting then hadn't yet broken free from convention. I wonder how it is now."

Ning Yi's eye corner twitched slightly, while on the other side, Kang Xian laughed: "Is Old Qin speaking of the current Vice Censor-in-Chief³ Qin Hui, courtesy name Huizhi?"

Old Qin nodded: "That's him⁶—several years ago when the Liao people⁴ came south, they captured his whole family. But this person has both courage and strategy—though deep in the wolf's den, he could still deal with the Liao people through false compliance. The year before last, when the Liao attacked Shanyang, he took the opportunity to flee south with his family—oh... he's already Vice Censor-in-Chief?"

"Last month's court gazette already reported this—because of his southern return, he's now heavily favored, especially for not forgetting his first wife despite danger. Reportedly in Liao, the Liao people originally wanted to detain his wife. The two painstakingly performed a good show before they could travel south together. When discovered by Liao people during escape, several loyal servants fought to the death as rear guard before they could escape, showing his skill in commanding subordinates... Sigh, it's also because the frontline war isn't going well that his deeds appear more precious, though in court now, it's not all praise. Regarding his southern return, there's quite a lot of suspicion, thinking this matter is questionable, fearing there's something else..."

Old Qin thought and shook his head: "This matter is hard to say, but making baseless random speculation isn't what gentlemen do. According to what this old man saw that day, this person has upright character, is fair and magnanimous, worries about country and people—definitely not pretending—and how he'll be in the future, just observe his actions. Heh... speaking of which, Huizhi's hometown is right in Jiangning, so if he comes in the future, Liheng could meet him. Perhaps you'd have common language..."

Ning Yi blinked, then somewhat complexly touched his nose, and after a moment, he finally smiled, perfunctorily nodding.

Old Qin and Old Kang didn't see anything improper as Kang Xian picked up his teacup for a sip, looking toward Ning Yi: "However, with Liheng's talent, do you truly have no thoughts of achieving merit and fame?"

Speaking purely of time, Ning Yi's association with the two wasn't long—as Kang Xian said, it was just playing chess and chatting, friendship light as water. But these types of scholars mostly had thoughts of worrying about country and people—establishing heart for heaven and earth, establishing life for the people, continuing lost learning for past sages, opening peace for ten thousand generations⁵, or learning civil and military arts to sell to the imperial house—these were unquestionable matters needing no discussion. Now it seemed Old Qin just leisurely played chess daily, and Kang Xian also appeared to be a wealthy idler, but there were certainly complex reasons within.

From these days' contact, to Mid-Autumn's Water Melody Prelude, to now with characters and chalk, everything—to them, Ning Yi having talent and learning no longer needed discussion, and the following questions became clear. Like when Old Qin occasionally sighed it was a pity he was a live-in son-in-law, it was actually more sighing than questioning, but this question at this time had different meaning.

This afternoon's conversation, between the lines, Ning Yi's intention to deny the talented scholar reputation was very obvious, apparently not joking or casual deflection. How could anyone in the world truly have no thoughts of merit and fame—there should be some hidden circumstances. And these two's identities weren't simple—Kang Xian asking this with such attitude actually showed he'd truly developed thoughts of cherishing talent. This was already... an attitude of preparing to help.

Autumn wind bleakly blew past the riverbank, stirring willow branches, as Old Qin raised his teacup, slowly blowing the tea leaves in the cup, his gaze lifting, obviously also curious about Ning Yi's answer. Sensing the meaning in the words, Ning Yi lightly shook his head.

"I know saying this perhaps no one will believe, but... some things I truly don't want to do—talented scholar or not, reputation or not, merit and fame—I don't want to touch them. This... is true."

"Mm?"

(End of Chapter)

1. Eastern Capital: Kaifeng, capital of the Northern Song Dynasty ↑
2. Yan and Liu: Famous Tang dynasty calligraphers Yan Zhenqing and Liu Gongquan ↑
3. Vice Censor-in-Chief: High-ranking official responsible for impeachment and supervision ↑
4. Liao people: The Khitan Liao Dynasty that controlled northern China ↑
5. Famous Neo-Confucian mission statement by Zhang Zai ↑
6. Qin Hui: Historically controversial Song dynasty prime minister, traditionally blamed for the execution of patriotic general Yue Fei ↑