Chapter 07: Old Qin

According to Ning Yi's previous plan, he'd originally intended to go directly to Yushan Academy after running a circuit outside, but now completely soaked through, he had no choice but to turn back and change clothes. It was already early in the eighth lunar month, and feeling completely soaked and having to walk all the way home wasn't pleasant. His physical fitness hadn't improved much either—he'd probably catch a cold tomorrow. Fortunately, after walking not far, he met someone he knew—Old Qin's concubine whom he'd met several times.

When Ning Yi went out to exercise, naturally he wouldn't choose directions toward the busy markets, and what he was most familiar with was of course this area of streets where he often came to play chess with Old Qin. Old Qin's concubine was named Yun'niang, in her thirties—in her early years she'd been a courtesan, but showed no signs of coquettish behavior. The several times Ning Yi had seen her were when she brought Old Qin lunch. Her bearing was dignified and generous, and in conversation she could even discuss poetry with Old Qin. Meeting on the road at this time, Yun'niang was dressed as a peasant woman in plain clothes and thorn hairpin, carrying a rattan basket with some fresh vegetables and fruits just picked from nearby fields. Seeing Ning Yi, she looked surprised.

After brief greetings, Yun'niang asked what had happened, and Ning Yi pointed at the nearby Qinhuai River: "Fell in the river." Yun'niang smiled slightly, then didn't ask more, just having Ning Yi follow her to a nearby residence: "The autumn wind is strong. If Young Master walks back like this, tomorrow you'll probably catch a chill. Since Young Master Ning is Old Master's good friend, don't be polite. Old Master is also at home... Oh, yesterday he even mentioned Young Master hadn't come to play chess these past few days."

Ning Yi played chess with Old Qin on the nearby streets and only knew the other lived around here but hadn't been to the specific location. Following Yun'niang through the door at this time, he saw the old man in the living room holding an ancient scroll reading. His expression at this moment was serious and earnest, even faintly revealing an authoritative dignity, quite different from his demeanor when setting up the chess stall by the river. Seeing someone enter, he raised his head and squinted for several seconds before reacting, seeming somewhat taken aback with amusement as Yun'niang walked over smiling. Before she spoke, he nodded—after all, what most needed doing right now was indeed obvious at a glance.

"Have Xiao Hong prepare hot water. Yun'niang, go get a set of our eldest's clothes... Haha, young friend Liheng, what happened to you?"

After arranging the important matters, the old man burst out laughing with the same gloating as when getting a brilliant move while playing chess. In fact, playing chess these days, they'd become quite familiar. Usually the old man unceremoniously called him "boy Liheng," but probably seeing him bedraggled, he smiled and called him young friend, though his expression was quite happy. Ning Yi could only smile helplessly and spread his hands—after all, with the other's concubine present, he couldn't casually say: "You old man gloating at misfortune."

Compared to the Su family compound in Jiangning that could be called sprawling, the Qin family residence wasn't large. The degree of wealth naturally couldn't compare either, but it could still be considered a well-off wealthy family. Everything front and back was managed in perfect order, making people feel substantial—a residence full of scholarly and living atmosphere had a kind of reassuring foundation, and though Yun'niang had personally gone out to pick vegetables and fruits in the morning, actually this household also had several maids and servants. A family that could support several servants was always economically well-off.

Old Qin's first wife was a quite amiable and gentle woman, originally from peasant stock but without the pettiness or harshness of ordinary peasant women. Now in her fifties, she usually managed this household, tending some fruits and vegetables. The abandoned garden Ning Yi had seen Yun'niang coming from picking fruits and vegetables was personally cultivated by Madam Qin leading the household. Old Qin himself had probably also worked on it. Perhaps it was this temperament that could manage this household so perfectly in order. Madam Qin and Yun'niang's relationship was also good. These three spouses probably counted as a model family under polygamy.

After Ning Yi had taken a hot bath and changed into new clothes, Madam Qin looked him up and down in his outfit, very pleased: "Old Master, Young Master Ning wearing these clothes looks somewhat similar to our eldest." Ning Yi looked at the clothes—indeed a young person's style, the fabric also new, presumably Old Qin's son's clothes. The old man had two sons, both in other places, and hearing his wife say this, Old Qin nodded, then asked why Ning Yi fell in the river. Ning Yi told about the unlucky incident that happened earlier, and the old man laughed heartily again.

"You boy, sullying someone's innocence, truly despicable."

"That's really calling the victim the thief..."

"Haha... but... calling the victim the thief? Does this phrase have some allusion?"

"..." Talking with learned people wasn't good either—asking about allusions with or without reason, though when playing chess Ning Yi would smile and explain. At this time he just said: "It's a long story," and before long, Madam Qin had prepared breakfast, joining Yun'niang in calling Old Qin and Ning Yi over. During the meal they chatted about Ning Yi's feelings about these first few days of classes at Yushan Academy. To Old Qin, Ning Yi was purely a rookie at teaching, naturally couldn't avoid laughing and scolding Ning Yi a few times for misleading students. Then they chatted about Mid-Autumn Festival matters.

"Puyuan Poetry Gathering... The Pu family's six connected boats, interesting is quite interesting, but those who go mostly have no poetic talent. If we're talking about what makes numerous talented scholars flock to it, ultimately it's still the Pan family's Zhishui Poetry Gathering..."

"Oh, talented scholars... the very talented kind?"

"Haha, how to judge great talent or small talent, that's hard to say. Poetic talent they always have some. Every year at the Mid-Autumn poetry gatherings, Zhishui Academy always produces several good poems, and the Pan family has three generations of Hanlin scholars¹. If one has talent and learning and desires recognition, they're always willing to try that route..."

Qinhuai Mid-Autumn night—talented scholars competing in literature, beautiful women competing in song. There were many poetry gatherings large and small, and often there was also some invisible competition between gatherings. If one poetry gathering produced good poems, another gathering produced even better ones, often stirring up enthusiasm in one night and becoming a celebrated story for months or even years afterward. Naturally this also had the promotional work of various merchants and even government behind the scenes. But no matter what, the Qinhuai River's reputation was built up in this atmosphere.

The Puyuan Poetry Gathering and Zhishui Poetry Gathering counted among the several poetry gatherings with the greatest influence that night. Though the Puyuan Poetry Gathering was called Puyuan (garden), it was actually six large boats connected as one, drifting on the Qinhuai River the whole night, drinking wine, composing poems, watching fireworks and lights on both riverbanks. There would also be various performances on the boats.

The Pu family were originally wealthy merchants, but merchants had low status. After having money they wanted to lean toward the literati direction. Unfortunately such things couldn't be accomplished in just a few years or a dozen years, though their clan was large. These past years they'd also produced several somewhat talented literati, slightly better than the Su family. Just that in the world's eyes they still didn't count as any scholarly family. The Puyuan Poetry Gathering was famous on the Qinhuai River for being grand, luxurious, and lively. But those who went to participate were mostly people with merchant backgrounds or connections similar to the Pu family—like Xue Jin, like Su Tan'er. Making some excitement—if there were those who fancied themselves literati composing poems, the other half was for making connections and discussing business. The quality of poems was mixed. It was the most luxurious poetry gathering but couldn't compare with the top several poetry gatherings in literary atmosphere.

The Zhishui Poetry Gathering was the truly top talented scholars' gathering in the Qinhuai area. The Pan family hosting the poetry gathering was a true scholarly family—three generations of Hanlin scholars. This generation's Pan Mingchen, while being a Hanlin academician, also served as Vice Minister of Rites². The poetry gatherings his family held had always been eagerly sought after by numerous students with ambitions for official careers. Of course, to truly qualify to participate in the poetry gathering, one needed certain talent and learning or sufficient connections and background. Besides some already famous talented scholars receiving invitations, every year before Mid-Autumn Festival, many talented scholars would also submit name cards to the Pan residence, sending their poems hoping to gain favor. Beyond this, many famous courtesans of the pleasure quarters also took being invited to participate in the Zhishui Poetry Gathering as an honor. This had completely different meaning from the Puyuan Poetry Gathering throwing down heavy money to invite people every year.

"Since you're prepared to go participate, does young friend Liheng have any poems prepared? I have several chess friends at the Pan family. If you're interested, I could get you an invitation."

After Old Qin finished speaking, he looked at Ning Yi across the table. Ning Yi smiled and shook his head: "Don't understand poetry. Purely going to Puyuan to watch the excitement."

He refused lightly, and Old Qin couldn't say more. After finishing breakfast, the sun outside was already high. Ning Yi had to take his leave for Yushan Academy. After seeing him to the door and watching him go far, Yun'niang smiled and asked beside Old Qin: "Old Master, could this Young Master Ning really not understand poetry?"

"What does my little Yun'er think?"

Yun'niang blinked: "Lying?"

"Hehe, whether he can or not, I really can't figure out either. If he'd said this in those first few days, I'd have believed it—now, that's hard to say." Old Qin shook his head and smiled. "In this life I've seen many people and also met young people either fishing for fame or truly talented. Those truly learned—some follow Confucius and Mencius's way, peaceful and upright, modest and courteous. Or there are also wild scholars taking unconventional paths, acting ostentatiously, unrestrained and romantic, but also truly talented, often amazingly so. But no matter how you put it, these are all just that sort of thing. Only this Ning family boy truly makes one unable to understand his thinking."

"Initially playing chess with him, I felt he took unconventional paths, often making aggressive moves, but always able to make one think. I just thought he was an ostentatious, quick-witted young person. Speaking didn't involve too much either, but after playing long, I discovered his chess paths could be orthodox or unorthodox, completely unbound by rules. Chatting for a period, I also felt though this Ning family boy spoke casually, inside he was peaceful and diluted. Occasionally having thought-provoking sayings—sounding novel, but actually not departing from the great way."

"I remember a few days ago mentioning he'd go teach at the academy. He casually mentioned a few phrases—teaching isn't teaching people how to do things, it should be teaching people why to do things. Ancient sages writing and establishing theories mainly just spoke of these human feelings and worldly ways, the ultimate principles of how heaven, earth and human hearts operate. After understanding these things then knowing how to act—that's a true scholar. He spoke casually at the time—if shallow people heard it, they'd probably label him a wild scholar. But... the principle is indeed this principle. Seeing mountains as mountains, seeing water as water; seeing mountains not as mountains, seeing water not as water; being able to return to seeing mountains as mountains and water as water—that's truly reading books thoroughly. Mm, don't spread his words much, otherwise it might bring him some trouble."

"This concubine understands."

"We've known each other still a short time, and to truly make too high a conclusion is still early. But when playing chess he's also said several fitting poetic lines that were very good. I'd never heard them before, so if just discussing poetry, saying he doesn't understand—heh, I don't believe it."

Old Qin turned to walk back as Yun'niang followed: "Then why does Young Master Ning keep concealing his light?"

"That's why I can't understand. But one point is clear." Speaking of this, Old Qin slightly frowned, then shook his head again, sighing softly. "As you said, little Yun, some young people, even with talent and learning, might conceal their light, might deliberately appear clumsy, able to endure loneliness, bear temporary temptation. This is all hoping for more achievements in the future, hoping one day to leap over the dragon gate³ and rise to success. But any such people couldn't possibly choose to marry into a merchant family as a live-in son-in-law before making their name and establishing their career. Throughout history, among those who became live-in sons-in-law, how many could establish achievements? Sigh, if he truly has great talent, it really is a pity..."

Mentioning this, Old Qin still felt somewhat regretful. Men having thoughts of fame and fortune or ambition was normal, and from these days of interaction, even if this Ning Yi had a bit of ambition, he wouldn't have married into a merchant family. At this time people's wisdom wasn't developed. The difference between uneducated people and scholars who'd read books and received education was very easy to see. Not to mention whether he truly had talent—just someone with this kind of conversation and bearing, doing anything casually wouldn't starve. Why must he go marry in?

(End of Chapter)

1. Three generations of Hanlin scholars: Hanlin Academy was the highest academic institution; three generations indicated exceptional scholarly prestige ↑
2. Vice Minister of Rites: High government position overseeing education, ceremonies, and cultural affairs ↑
3. Leap over the dragon gate: Metaphor from carp becoming dragon; means achieving success through imperial examinations ↑