Chapter 64

Then the two of them sat down at the table, Lin Yanchao accompanying them, while the mother-in-law added a set of bowls and chopsticks. However, despite being the mother-in-law, women were not allowed to sit at the table.

After setting the table, the mother-in-law left.

Three dishes and one soup, simple and plain. Lin Chengyi said they had added two more dishes, which seemed to indicate that the couple usually only had one dish and one soup! However, considering the importance the Lin family placed on Lin Chengyi, this was not out of neglect, but rather a reflection of the family's frugal and simple lifestyle.

Lin Yanchao began to chat animatedly with the guest.

In the conversation, Lin Yanchao gradually understood the guest's identity. This person was named Lin Shibì, the eldest son of Lin Xuan, a fifth-rank official and Censor-in-Chief. His grandfather was the late Minister of Works, Lin Tingji. Additionally, the late Minister of Works, Lin Tingji, was his great-uncle, and the Minister of Works in Nanjing, Lin Rong, and the Prefect of Taiping, Lin Jing, were all his uncles. This background was so impressive that few young masters in the capital could match him.

Not only was his background impressive, but Lin Shibì was not a good-for-nothing playboy. He was exceptionally talented. Lin Shibì was regarded as a prodigy in his youth, known throughout the region, and even considered more outstanding than his uncles who had passed the imperial exams. He was highly valued by his family, and his poetry and prose were compiled into collections, which had a significant influence in the scholarly community.

Everyone thought the Lin family would produce another imperial scholar, continuing their family's tradition of academic excellence.

However, Lin Shibì's reputation as a prodigy faded like a shooting star. At first, some thought he would be another Fang Zhongyong, but his new poems continued to be praised. It turned out that he was simply more interested in poetry and prose than in the imperial exams. Although his interests were not far off, he shifted from the current literary style to poetry and prose.

The imperial exams did not test poetry in the provincial and metropolitan exams.

Later, his family noticed that Lin Shibì was becoming increasingly strange. Instead of staying at home to study and advance, he spent his days drinking and singing, enjoying the company of people from all walks of life. This lack of ambition and his obsession with poetry and prose frustrated his father and other elders, who eventually confined him to the family estate, forbidding him from engaging in poetic exchanges with friends.

Lin Shibì was not afraid of being confined, but he was afraid of not finding like-minded friends to drink with. Fortunately, Lin Chengyi moved to the family estate, and Lin Shibì found a drinking companion in him.

Lin Chengyi and Lin Shibì discussed poetry and prose at the table.

Lin Shibì spoke frankly and showed his true character, reminiscent of the free-spirited scholars of the Wei and Jin dynasties. In the Ming dynasty, where Confucianism constrained scholars, it was rare to see such a person.

Lin Yanchao looked at Lin Shibì and thought of Confucius' words: "If I cannot find a man of perfect virtue to associate with, I must find a man of firm and unbending principles. The firm and unbending man is always ready to act, while the man of principle is always ready to refrain from action."

In other words, if you cannot find a person of moderate virtue to be friends with, you should associate with those who are bold and principled. The bold are ready to act, and the principled are ready to refrain from action.

Lin Shibì was probably such a bold and principled person.

Their conversation was all about poetry and prose, and Lin Yanchao, who had little knowledge in this area, could not contribute much.

However, if he could not contribute, he would not force it. Even if he could, he would not show off, as that would be vulgar. Lin Yanchao did not want to show off; although Lin Shibì was a young master, he himself was upright and had no need to flatter. He could treat Lin Shibì as a playboy.

However, he did not want to appear inexperienced and lose face for Lin Chengyi. Since he was young, he would be humble and serve Lin Chengyi and the great scholar Lin Shibì diligently, ensuring he did not leave a bad impression.

As the saying goes, "Be slow to speak but quick to act." Confucius' words would always guide him.

Halfway through the meal, a servant came in and said to Lin Shibì, "Young Master, Second Uncle has returned. The old master asks you to meet him."

"I won't go, I won't go. It will just be the same old talk," Lin Shibì replied.

The servant dared not say more and retreated.

Lin Shibì then said to Lin Yanchao, "This must be the disciple who recommended Shixiong to Hu Tixue."

Lin Chengyi smiled and said, "Yes."

"What are you studying now?"

"The Analects, the commentary on the Analects."

Lin Shibì sighed, "Another child corrupted by the eight-part essay. The harm of the eight-part essay is worse than the burning of books. It ruins talent. Emperor Qin only buried 460 scholars alive in the outskirts of Xianyang, but today, the court's use of the eight-part essay to select officials has harmed countless people."

Hearing Lin Shibì's words, Lin Yanchao could not help but feel annoyed. He was just getting into the eight-part essay, but now someone was pouring cold water on his enthusiasm. He thought, "This person is criticizing my beloved eight-part essay. If it weren't for your status as a Lin family member, I would have countered you."

Lin Chengyi also said, "My disciple is dedicated to the imperial exams. Your words are harmful and unhelpful."

"Shixiong, I am merely trying to wake you up. If I had dedicated myself to the exams, I would not just be a scholar. It's not that I am unwilling, but that I do not choose to."

Then Lin Shibì asked Lin Yanchao, "Where are you studying now? Who is your current teacher?"

Lin Yanchao replied, "At Lianjiang Academy, my teacher is named Lin Liao."

Lin Shibì, after drinking a bit, spoke more boldly, "Lin Yuan, that old pedant, is very rigid and not worth talking to. As for Lin Liao, he is just my junior. People who fragment the classics to show off are not worth discussing."

This was an attack, and Lin Yanchao had to respond to defend his teacher's honor, which was his duty as a disciple.

Lin Yanchao said, "Uncle, your words are mistaken. The headmaster and Mr. Lin are both virtuous gentlemen and learned scholars. I have benefited greatly from them, and I cannot allow you to defame them."

After saying this, Lin Yanchao took out the silver ingot Lin Shibì had given him and placed it on the table, "Uncle, I feel unworthy of your gift. I return it to you, and I ask for your forgiveness."

A man must have his temper and principles. When someone harms his teacher or friends, he must stand up for them, even if it means a confrontation.

Lin Shibì took a sip of wine and laughed loudly, "This young man has some spirit. I was just trying to advise you. Why don't you give up the eight-part essay and study poetry and prose with me? I will teach you from the beginning."

"Thank you, but I have no interest in your poetry and prose. The court selects officials through the eight-part essay. Even if I had the talent of Li Bai or Du Fu, I could not pass the exams."

Lin Shibì's face turned cold, "Scholar, scholar, you are too arrogant. Lin Yuan and Lin Liao are confused, and so are their disciples."

Lin Yanchao said, "I may be confused, but the headmaster and the lecturer have a good reputation, and I cannot allow you to speak ill of them."

"Enough, enough," Lin Chengyi interjected, "Yanchao, Uncle is an elder. You must not speak disrespectfully. Apologize to Uncle."

Lin Yanchao said, "Master, I will apologize, but I do not think I am wrong. If someone defames you in front of me, I will cut ties with them."

Lin Chengyi's face was expressionless, but he was secretly pleased. He still scolded Lin Yanchao, "What do you mean by cutting ties? You must distinguish right from wrong. If I am in the wrong, will you side with me over the truth?"

"Brother Lin, well said," Lin Shibì slapped his thigh, "We should drink to this. Besides Brother Lin, no one else in the world is in my eyes. Your disciple is indeed confused, but I will discipline him for you."

"Discipline?" Lin Yanchao asked, "How will you discipline me?"

Lin Shibì and Lin Chengyi both laughed. Lin Shibì said, "Your disciple is quite impressive, not at all intimidated. You say you are not confused. I will test you. If you can answer all my questions, I will retract my words."

"Fine, but only on the classics," Lin Yanchao quickly cut off the other's words. The other's poetry and prose were already published and widely praised. He had just heard him discuss poetry and prose with Lin Chengyi, and he did not understand a single word. He did not want to embarrass himself.

"The Four Books? Are you afraid I will test you on poetry and prose, which you cannot answer?" Lin Shibì mocked. Lin Shibì admired Tang and Song poetry and despised the eight-part essay. He found it distasteful to discuss the eight-part essay.

Lin Yanchao replied with a faint mockery, "The current emperor values articles. Why do you insist on discussing Han and Tang? Uncle says his poetry and prose are excellent, but there is no public standard. The eight-part essay, however, clearly shows who is better. Uncle has failed the exams many times and has lost his edge. You only boast about your poetry and prose to cover your shortcomings. In the end, it is just a lack of confidence."

"The real reason is that Uncle is afraid of losing to others in the classics, isn't it?"

PS: Yesterday, I accompanied my family on a trip. The last update was written on the train. Today, I am back with a pleasant surprise. Thank you all for your support and recommendations. I am overwhelmed by your support and will update diligently. There will be another chapter tonight.

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