Chapter 41

Xun arrived at the room Chen Deng had arranged for him. Generally, when visiting someone's home, one would sit and chat with the host, whether there was a topic or not, right? But this Mr. Chen Yuanchao, after greeting his brother at the manor gate, didn't even say a word about being tired from the journey and needing to rest. Instead, he followed a servant to find his bedroom, as if he were at a hotel rather than a friend's manor.

Xun looked at the door, which was tightly closed even in broad daylight, and wondered if Chen Deng was really so tired that he had already lain down. Although scholars shouldn't nap during the day, even if he were just dozing, it wouldn't be appropriate to disturb him. Then he noticed that the window was open despite the cold weather, which seemed to be for lighting rather than sleeping. So he boldly coughed and cupped his hands, saying, "I am Xun, and I have something to discuss with Mr. Chen."

The door creaked open, and a servant bowed, saying, "My master is packing his luggage. Do you have something urgent? If not, please come back later." Xun pretended it was urgent, and the servant stepped aside, raising his hands, "In that case, please come in."

This is my home, and the room isn't that big. You won't even come to the door to greet me. Xu Si was right; this guy really doesn't know how to treat guests. Xun grumbled inwardly as he stepped inside. Sure enough, Chen Deng was sitting by the window, unfolding several bundles and taking out bamboo slips.

Xun bowed to him, and Chen Deng put down the bamboo slip he was holding, returned the bow casually, and said expressionlessly, "I am the Chief of Dongyang, not the County Magistrate."

In the Han Dynasty, counties were divided into large and small, with the head of a large county being called a Magistrate and the head of a small county being called a Chief. However, just as in later times, people often referred to deputies as if they were the main officials, omitting the "deputy" part, it was also customary to call a County Chief "Magistrate" in this era. Who would have thought that Chen Deng wouldn't accept this and would even point it out specifically.

Looking at Chen Deng's expression, it was clear he was saying, "Speak up, get to the point, I'm busy." Xun didn't mind. Since he was already inside, he decided to follow the proper etiquette. He didn't speak until the servant brought a mat, laid it out in front of Chen Deng, and he took off his shoes and sat down. Then he took a deep breath and began his planned approach.

"I heard Mr. Chen's name from Kong Wenju in Beihai, so I came to pay my respects..."

Chen Deng's eyes flickered, and he looked at Xun, asking, "Kong Beihai actually knows of me? What did he say?"

Xun couldn't help but laugh inwardly, "There's a way in!"

According to historical records, Chen Deng claimed to respect several people, including Kong Rong. Kong Rong had become famous very early, and stories like giving pears to his brothers and visiting the famous scholar Li Ying were only dug up by the "paparazzi" of the time after he became famous. But at sixteen, he had the courage to hide Zhang Jian, and when the incident was discovered, he, his brother Kong Biao, and their mother all vied to take the blame and face death, which earned him a great reputation among scholars. So Kong Rong was truly famous throughout the land, while Chen Deng was not even well-known in Xuzhou at this time.

Of course, there was also Liu Bei, who, in later terms, was just a "veteran" (old soldier) at this time. Although he had the opportunity to become a 2,000-dan official, his reputation among the gentry was not as high as Chen Deng's. To put it this way, if Kong Rong were a phoenix, then Liu Bei would be a crow, and Chen Deng a peacock. Although there was a difference in status, both would be overjoyed if you told them the phoenix thought highly of them.

In fact, Kong Rong hadn't mentioned Chen Deng to Xun, but that didn't matter. Chen Deng couldn't possibly go to Beihai to verify it in the short term, and even if he did, Kong Rong would likely nod and say, "Yes, yes, I praised you." Although Kong Rong was proud at heart, he maintained a humble exterior, which was very different from Chen Deng.

So Xun casually made up a story, saying, "Kong Wenju said: Chen Yuanchao is a famous scholar in Xuzhou, like a dragon in the depths, once it flies, its future is boundless, but alas..."

Xun's short statement was very carefully crafted. First, he directly called Kong Rong by his courtesy name, not his official title—whether as the Governor, Prefect, or "Beihai." This indicated that he and Kong Rong were peers. Of course, he hadn't dared to call him that in front of Kong Rong, but theoretically, after the relief of Douchang, Kong Rong had held his and Taishi Ci's hands, telling people, "These are all my young friends." This acknowledged Xun as his friend, and friends could call each other by their courtesy names.

By calling Kong Rong by his courtesy name, Xun subtly elevated his own status—since you, Chen Deng, respect Kong Rong so much, you should be a bit more polite to his friend, right? At the same time, when Xun fabricated Kong Rong's words, he pretended that Kong Rong also called Chen Deng by his courtesy name. Generally, elders would call juniors by their courtesy names to show respect and closeness, but when talking to others, they would use their given names. If they used the courtesy name in the latter case, it indicated a high regard and respect for the person. So, I'm right, aren't I? Kong Rong thinks highly of you, and you should show some respect to me, who brought this message.

Finally, Xun deliberately left a cliffhanger, waiting for Chen Deng to ask, thus taking control of the conversation and avoiding a dismissive response like, "Is that all? That's not urgent. I'm busy, so please leave."

Sure enough, as Xun had expected, when he said "but alas," Chen Deng leaned forward slightly and asked, "What's the pity?" Xun smiled and continued, "The pity is that your proud spirit will inevitably invite criticism from the vulgar."

Chen Deng clasped his hands and sighed, "Kong Beihai truly understands me."

Xun seized the opportunity to move to the next topic, "Since Kong Wenju holds Mr. Chen in such high regard, I have come to pay my respects and seek your guidance— I've heard that in Dongyang, you care for orphans and widows, encourage farming and weaving, and have made the granaries full. Therefore, Governor Tao wants to appoint you as the Agricultural Inspector. I, who am ignorant of farming, wonder what is most important in agriculture?"

This was his real strategy for getting closer. He thought that although Chen Deng was arrogant and looked down on others, he had been in office for many years and was well-regarded by Tao Qian, Liu Bei, Lü Bu, and Cao Cao. He couldn't be completely ignorant of social skills—otherwise, he wouldn't have the ability to be an official and would have to retreat to the mountains like Guan Ning. Xu Si was overrated, so Chen Deng deliberately made things difficult for him. If Xun lowered himself and asked for advice, Chen Deng probably wouldn't reject him outright.

Generally, proud people like to show off and teach others. So, if I come to you like a student to a teacher, you might be willing to talk to me.

In fact, Chen Deng wasn't particularly fond of teaching, but when a young man who was a peer of Kong Rong came to him for advice and asked about his greatest achievements, Chen Deng couldn't help but share some insights. "A smiling face invites no punches," and you don't have the "scholar" halo like Xu Si, who comes in with a puffed-up attitude, expecting equal treatment and demanding that I speak first. Of course, Xu Si was eating for free in the Yanzhou government at the time and probably hadn't met Chen Deng yet.

So, when Chen Deng heard Xun's question, he pulled out a bamboo slip and handed it to him, saying, "The key points of agriculture and farming are all in this book." Xun took it and saw the title—*Fang Sheng's Book*. He thought, "I've heard of this book, but I haven't read it."

Fang Sheng was a famous agronomist in the late Western Han Dynasty, who summarized the "field division method"... Well, that's all Xun knew about him. As for what the "field division method" was, he had no idea.

Xun unrolled the bamboo slip and read it, while his mind raced, "I come to you for advice, and you give me a book? Do you want me to study it on my own? No way, I haven't finished talking yet, how can I retreat now?" Thinking this, he looked up and said, "What is read in books is shallow, true knowledge comes from practice. It's nearly the end of the year, and the government offices are closed. Why don't you stay at my place until after the New Year? If I have questions while reading this book, I can seek your guidance day and night."

Chen Deng stroked his beard, thought for a moment, and nodded, "Very well. I will be a nuisance then."

Xun pressed on, suddenly changing the topic, "What do you think of women? Some say, 'A woman without talent is virtuous.' Is this true?"

Chen Deng shook his head, "What a ridiculous statement! Talent brings insight, and insight brings virtue. A woman without talent can hardly be virtuous."

Xun countered, "The *Book of Rites* only mentions a woman's virtue, speech, appearance, and skills, not talent."

Chen Deng answered succinctly, "Talent brings virtue, and talent brings speech."

"So, you don't disapprove of women who enjoy poetry and books?"

Chen Deng didn't understand what Xun was getting at, but since they were already in conversation, he continued, "The classics bring virtue, poetry brings joy, and history brings success. If Cao Dajia hadn't studied the classics and history, she couldn't have been a teacher to the nobility. As long as they don't become overly indulged and neglect their duties, it's fine." This meant that as long as women didn't get so engrossed in reading that they neglected their household duties, it was acceptable.

"Indeed," Xun couldn't help but smile again. "Mr. Chen's insight is truly extraordinary. Now, there is a woman who excels in virtue, appearance, speech, and skills, but is criticized by mediocre scholars for her love of poetry and books. She has nowhere to go. Does Mr. Chen have any interest?"

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