Chapter 23

In fact, Wang Sheng and others' bodies were discovered by local farmers in the evening and reported to the county. That night, the county was in chaos—over ten people had died, five of whom were children of officials in the state. The county magistrate was so anxious that he almost hanged himself.

The next noon, Shi Yi, Wang Xiu, and others all rushed back from the capital, dispatching household servants and able-bodied men from the county to investigate everywhere. It wasn't until late at night that Shi Xun and four others finally limped back to the city one by one.

After listening to his son and cousin recount their ordeal of being captured by the Yellow Turban rebels, Shi Yi stomped his feet and scolded Shi Jun, "You little rascal, unwilling to study at home, causing trouble all day! If it weren't for this misfortune turning into a blessing, making your seventh brother speak, I would have beaten you to death! If Zheng Yien had been captured because of this, how could I face Mr. Zheng Kangcheng?"

He then "crackled" with the family punishment, giving Shi Jun a good beating, and after that, locked him up. He then said to Shi Xun, "You also made a mistake by following that rebellious son. If you weren't injured, you wouldn't escape the family punishment. I'll note it down for now, but in the future, you must not leave the city without my permission!" Shi Xun nodded repeatedly, swearing he would never go out again—joking, with the Yellow Turban rebels right under our noses, even if you allowed it, I wouldn't go out!

However, Shi Jun was released after only three days of confinement—Wang Sheng and others were holding funerals, and Shi Yi had to take them to pay respects. Before leaving, Shi Yi quickly wrote several eulogies and handed them to Shi Xun and Shi Jun, instructing, "In the memorial hall, you can read them in turn."

The five who died were all children of officials in the state—compared to them, only Zheng Yien's family had no current officials—so many prominent families came to pay respects. Shi Yi took them to four families over three days—fortunately, the wounds on Shi Xun's shoulder and thigh did not get infected and began to heal after using medicine at home, otherwise, just the back-and-forth would have been enough to exhaust him. On the last day, at the last family, it was Wang Sheng's eldest brother, Wang Xiao, who was a close confidant of the Governor of Beihai, Kong Rong, and was hired as a supervisor. His influence was so great that even Kong Rong personally came to pay respects.

Shi Xun stood in the queue, mustered his courage, and looked up to observe the famous Kong Rong—this man was in his thirties or forties, with a face like a jade crown, arched eyebrows, and fine eyes, with a long beard, exuding more scholarly than bureaucratic air. After Kong Rong paid his respects and read a short eulogy, he rested for a while and was about to leave. At this moment, it was Shi Xun's turn to read the eulogy. He held the wooden tablet written by Shi Yi, hesitated for a while in front of the altar, then, with a deep breath and a stomp of his foot, before Kong Rong left, he began to chant:

"Once the dark chamber is closed, the wise and virtuous are helpless. Those who came to pay respects have returned to their homes. Relatives may still grieve, but others have already sung. What can be said of death? The body is entrusted to the mountains!"

Kong Rong, who had already put one foot out the door, was stunned on the spot, then slowly turned around and suddenly clasped his hands together in front of his chest: "Wonderful, what a great 'What can be said of death? The body is entrusted to the mountains!'"

What Shi Xun recited was half of Tao Yuanming's "Elegy," the original poem had eighteen lines, but he had omitted most of it, and condensed "Once the dark chamber is closed, it will not open again for a thousand years, for a thousand years, the wise and virtuous are helpless" into two lines. The reason was simple, he couldn't remember the rest.

In his previous life, Shi Xun had a certain level of involvement in Sinology, especially fond of poetry and verse. Among the poets, he had memorized the most works by Cao Cao, Cao Zhi, Tao Qian, Li Bai, and Su Shi. A good穿越者 (time traveler) never copies poems, and a good modern person knows how to cut and paste. So ever since he entered the Shi family, he had been thinking about becoming famous by copying poems, but whose should he copy?

Cao Cao's? No. Many of Cao Cao's poems were not dated accurately, who knew if he had already written them. Who knew if "Drinking wine and singing, how long is life?" was written in his youth and only recited on the Yangtze River in his old age? In this era, he dared not plagiarize and be caught, and he certainly wouldn't dare argue with Cao Cao.

Cao Zhi's? Not safe either. He couldn't remember when Cao Zhi was born. Even if Cao Zhi was still a child, who knew if he was a prodigy who could write poems as soon as he was born? At most, he could copy "Seven Steps Poem" without worry... If there was a collision, he could argue with Cao Zhi, but if the old man Cao came to support him... He still wouldn't dare argue with Cao Cao.

Li Bai, especially Su Shi, were too far from the end of the Han Dynasty, and the styles of the eras were completely different, making it hard to directly transplant. Could he sing "When did the bright moon appear, I raise my cup to ask the sky" in this era? Or "People say, the Red Cliffs of the Three Kingdoms" (this one was definitely the least reliable)? In this era, four-character and five-character poems were popular, and seven-character poems were just beginning to gain popularity, let alone lyrics, who could understand those Song Dynasty urban terms?

The most suitable choice was Tao Qian, Tao Yuanming. The vocabulary and usage between the Eastern Jin and the end of the Han Dynasty did not change much, and the Central Plains pronunciation was not contaminated by the Five Barbarians, so the tones were basically harmonious. Especially, Tao Yuanming's aesthetic style was very much in line with the tastes of the corrupt scholars of this era. So, he decided to copy Tao Qian!

But copying poems had to aim for a one-shot success. In this era, the brothel industry was not developed, and he couldn't learn from those successful people from the Northern and Southern Song or the Ming Dynasty, who recited poems in front of courtesans, as no one would pay attention—most courtesans in this era were not well-educated and couldn't spread the poems among scholars. He had to recite poems in front of scholars, and ideally, in front of a famous scholar who loved poetry.

Kong Rong was undoubtedly the best target in the Beihai State. People like Shi Yi, the aristocrats and officials, and scholars like Zheng Xuan, usually didn't recite poems or sing, focusing entirely on politics or scholarship. No matter how well he recited in front of them, it would be like playing the lute to a cow. The best target would have been Cao Cao, but unfortunately, Cao Cao was not in Beihai, probably recruiting soldiers in Guangling, nearly a thousand miles away.

It was a lucky coincidence that he met Kong Rong in the Wang family's memorial hall. If not now, when? It was also fortunate that Tao Yuanming had a few "Elegies" that Shi Xun still remembered, so he made some minor changes and recited them.

He was right on the mark. As one of the "Seven Sons of Jian'an" and a famous poet at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, even if they were separated by a long time and different spaces, Kong Rong and Tao Yuanming must have a spiritual connection—after savoring it, he immediately applauded. The other officials and nobles, including Shi Yi, all looked at each other, unable to appreciate the poem's beauty.

Kong Rong then asked, "This young man is..." Shi Yi quickly stepped forward: "My nephew, Shi Xun." Kong Rong nodded at him: "Very good, very good. I will return to the capital tomorrow, bring your nephew to see me."

So, Shi Xun followed Shi Yi out of Yingling City the next day, heading to the capital of Beihai, Ju County. The two traveled in the same carriage, accompanied by five household servants and twenty soldiers for protection—Shi Xun thought, last time, we were also twenty people, and we were beaten like dogs. These people, even if one can fight ten, Guan Hai, though he hasn't shown his skills, with his physique, could probably fight thirty or fifty without a problem.

So, he was on edge the whole way, looking like he expected to see Yellow Turban rebels at any moment. Shi Yi thought he was nervous about meeting high officials and encouraged him: "Kong Rong's appearance is unparalleled in the world, but he is kind and gentle, and his speech is very humorous. You don't need to be nervous."

Shi Xun thought to himself, I'm not afraid of anyone, not even Kong Rong. Someone like Mi Heng, with his foul mouth and temper, Kong Rong could tolerate, so why would I, a straightforward child, offend Kong Rong?

Fortunately, the journey was safe, and they quickly entered Ju County and visited the governor's residence. Kong Rong asked about Shi Xun's age and background, then asked, "The poem you recited at Wang Ziling's memorial, was it an old work or composed on the spot?"

Shi Xun quickly shook his head: "I don't have the talent to write quickly. This was composed after a sleepless night, reflecting on the brevity of life, like the fleeting bloom of autumn flowers, after much thought." Joking, if he pretended to be quick-witted and was asked to write a poem on the spot, what would he do? Even if he copied, he would need time to decide which one to copy.

It seemed that Kong Rong was very interested in him and asked, "Do you have any other old works? Can you recite them for me to appreciate?"

This was easier. Since they were old works, there were no special requirements for style, theme, or content, so he could copy freely. He thought for a moment and decided to continue copying Tao Yuanming—

"Plucking the flourishing tree, here it takes root. Flowers bloom in the morning, but by evening they are gone. Strength and weakness are determined by people, not by fate. What path should one follow? What virtue should one uphold?"

"This poem is profound," Kong Rong clapped and praised, then turned to the puzzled Shi Yi, "I didn't expect such a flourishing tree in your family!"

Shi Xun was sweating... The "flourishing tree" was a hibiscus, and Tao Yuanming's poem lamented the fleeting nature of the hibiscus flower, warning people that fate is in one's own hands, and one must follow the teachings of the sages. Although "flourishing tree" could be used to praise someone, following this poem... were you cursing me to die early?

While respectfully criticizing in his mind, Kong Rong asked if he had more. Shi Xun was forced to copy two more poems, and Kong Rong praised more and more, urging him to continue. Shi Xun finally got angry—enough already! Do you think I'm a complete collection of Tao's poems? Remembering these three or five poems is already impressive, you know!

Of course, he couldn't say that, so he changed the subject: "Although poetry expresses one's aspirations, it is not as important as the classics. A man should focus on studying the words of the sages and supporting the state, not on idly reciting poetry."

"Very well said," Kong Rong clapped again, then asked, "Who is your teacher, and which classics do you study?"

Here we go again... Shi Xun had to answer with a blush: "I am from a remote county, without a good teacher, and I have been self-taught. There are many things I don't understand and have no one to ask."

Kong Rong nodded: "Shi Xun is a talented young man. If I could teach him, it would be a great honor." Then he suddenly changed the subject: "Unfortunately, state affairs are busy, and I have no time, which is a pity, a pity..."

Shi Xun thought, if you have no time, why say anything? He quickly responded, "I have just met Zheng Yien, but I haven't had the chance to learn from him yet."

Kong Rong shook his head: "Yien is a loyal and virtuous man, but his talent is average. Mr. Zheng Kangcheng's knowledge is vast like the ocean, and Yien has only a small part of it—it's not worth learning from." He thought for a moment, then suddenly clapped his hands: "There is a talented man in the capital who also studied under Mr. Zheng Kangcheng. I will write a letter of recommendation, and you can study with him, which will surely be beneficial." He immediately took out a wooden tablet and wrote a letter, addressing it to: "My younger brother, Gongyou."

Shi Xun couldn't immediately remember who "Gongyou" was, and glanced at Shi Yi, who also looked puzzled. But since he was a disciple of Zheng Xuan and recommended by Kong Rong, he must be someone special, at least knowledgeable in one or two classics. So, he thanked him repeatedly and accepted the wooden tablet.

Kong Rong sent a servant to lead Shi Xun to find this "Gongyou" Mr. The residence was not far from the governor's residence, and they arrived after passing through two streets. After knocking on the door and handing over the letter, a servant soon came out to lead him in. Walking to the hall, he saw a middle-aged man standing tall, with a yellow face and a long beard, and most strikingly, his eyes, which were very light in color, seemed to pierce through one's soul when he looked at them.

Shi Xun stepped forward to introduce himself. The man also bowed deeply: "I am Sun Gan."

What the hell! It turned out to be Mr. Sun Gongyou!