Chapter 8

"White fool, what do you want?!" Xu Qixian's face turned black, and he pulled Xia Hongsheng behind him, glaring at Bai Jianzhi. This Bai Jianzhi, dressed in white, was a man of talent, holding a book in his hand. He always carried a book wherever he went, as if to show everyone that he was a reader of the classics. Seeing the book he always carried, Xia Hongsheng suddenly had an idea. Bai Jianzhi, always dressed in white and carrying a book, was no doubt trying to display his refined demeanor. Thinking about the literati of later dynasties, who didn't carry a folding fan? A white robe paired with a folding fan, gracefully swaying, with beautiful verses flowing from their lips, how elegant and refined! Xia Hongsheng's eyes lit up, and he forgot about Bai Jianzhi's provocative tone, focusing only on how to make a folding fan. Such a thing could be sold in both high-end and low-end markets, and it would surely bring in a lot of money!

"Ha ha, Senior Brother Bai, since Master Yan has exceptionally taken me as a disciple, I am naturally overjoyed. However, I am rather dull and cannot fully understand Master Yan's teachings. If Senior Brother Bai wants to know, why not ask Master Yan directly? As a senior, if you could also explain it to me after asking, I would be very grateful." Xia Hongsheng stepped out from behind Xu Qixian, bowed to Bai Jianzhi, and said this with perfect manners, effectively blocking Bai Jianzhi's words. Even if Bai Jianzhi had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare to question the headmaster.

But Bai Jianzhi, his words cut off, rolled his eyes and put on a concerned elder brother's face, lecturing Xia Hongsheng: "Junior Brother, now that you have entered Master Yan's door, you must focus your mind and study hard. Master Yan is a great Confucian scholar of our time, and we are fortunate to be his disciples. We should be diligent and self-disciplined, not tarnishing Master Yan's reputation or damaging the master's name. In the future, you should focus more on your studies and avoid close associations with idle people. It's a small matter if it affects our studies, but it's a big matter if it ruins Master Yan's reputation. Do you understand?"

After saying this, Bai Jianzhi glanced at Xu Qixian, clearly referring to him as one of those "idle people."

"White fool, I didn't expect you to be not only a fool but also a flatterer!" Xu Qixian sneered, his disdainful gaze unhidden.

"Ha ha, Senior Brother Bai, there's no need for you to worry. Although I am dull, I have endured hardships since childhood and can distinguish between good and bad people. Some people are worth befriending, while others I don't even want to look at. Senior Brother Bai, I and Senior Brother Xu have things to do, so I'll take my leave." Xia Hongsheng was not polite in his words. He was the type who would repay kindness with kindness and repay enmity with enmity, always clear about his loyalties. He sighed slightly, thinking that his personality, which had caused him many troubles in the future, was hard to change. Perhaps because of this, he couldn't get along in his workplace and ended up being a volunteer teacher in a village.

Xia Hongsheng's words were very clear. A crowd of students had gathered, and Bai Jianzhi's face turned black, then he laughed coldly and stepped back. Suddenly, a student ran out from the crowd, blocking Xia Hongsheng and Xu Qixian, who were about to leave, and said, "Junior Brother Xia, since you are the headmaster's disciple, you must be very talented in literature. I heard your words just now, and they were quite clever. But I wonder how your literary skills are. The headmaster is a great scholar of our time, proficient in poetry and prose. Senior Brother Bai won the spring examination with a farewell poem and became the headmaster's disciple, as everyone can see. Now that Junior Brother Xia has become the headmaster's disciple without any reason, many classmates must be puzzled. Since Senior Brother Bai is here today, why don't you write a poem in front of everyone to show your talent? This way, no one will doubt your abilities."

This student's words were met with a chorus of agreement from the surrounding students, all shouting for Xia Hongsheng to write a poem.

Xia Hongsheng didn't need to look to know that this person was on Bai Jianzhi's side. Although the students were cheering for different reasons, Xia Hongsheng had no intention of writing a poem. He shrugged and smiled at the student, saying, "A true man should stand tall and straight, with a noble heart. A gentleman in the world should look at the masses, think of the world, and strive for the well-being of all. It's a pity that some people, instead of being gentlemen, choose to be dogs barking at others' feet. Everyone has their own aspirations."

The student, being called a dog in front of everyone, was furious, his face turning red. The surrounding laughter was even more grating. In his anger, he lunged forward and grabbed Xia Hongsheng by the neck. Fortunately, Xu Qixian reacted quickly, kicking the student hard and sending him tumbling. The student tried to attack again, but Bai Jianzhi waved his hand, and several other students immediately held him back.

"Junior Brother Xia, you are quite eloquent," Bai Jianzhi, not getting any advantage, said with a sarcastic tone, his eyes coldly staring at Xia Hongsheng. "Master Yan wouldn't make a mistake in choosing a disciple. Since you are his disciple, you must have exceptional talent. There are some murmurs in the academy about your exceptional admission as Master Yan's disciple. I'm sure you've heard about it. Master Yan's reputation cannot be tarnished, and it is our duty as students to protect it. Today, you should write a poem in front of everyone. This will silence the critics and maintain the headmaster's dignity."

"Senior Brother Bai, this might not be appropriate," Xia Hongsheng and Xu Qixian hadn't even had a chance to speak when another student stepped out from the crowd, speaking calmly. "Junior Brother Xia has only been in the academy for a short time and is still in the启蒙 stage. How could he have learned to write poetry? Everyone knows that we only started learning poetry after two years of study, and even then, we can barely write a few lines. Junior Brother Xia is very young. Why make things difficult for him?"

"Oh, so Junior Brother Xia doesn't know how to write poetry?" Bai Jianzhi raised an eyebrow, a mocking smile on his face, looking at Xia Hongsheng. "Junior Brother Xia, do you really not know how to write poetry?"

Xia Hongsheng thanked the student who had spoken up for him and was about to speak when Xu Qixian cut in, sneering at Bai Jianzhi. "White fool, you're wrong. My junior brother not only knows how to write poetry but is much better than you. Don't believe me? Listen to this: 'In the second month, the grass grows and the orioles fly, the willows by the dike are drunk in the spring mist. Children return early from school, busy flying kites in the east wind.' What do you think, everyone? This poem is full of the joy of spring and the vitality of life, something I can't match."

The academy was like a boiling pot, with all the students repeating the lines Xu Qixian had just recited, savoring the joy of spring and the vitality of life, filled with poetic charm and life's pleasures. It was indeed a fine poem!

Those who had been cheering with Bai Jianzhi were also shocked, repeating the lines in disbelief, staring at Xia Hongsheng in amazement.

"Xu Brother, did you write this poem? Junior Brother Xia is still in the启蒙 stage, how could he write such a good poem?" A student in the crowd shouted, suspecting Xu Qixian.

This shout was met with a chorus of "Yes, yes" from the crowd.

Xu Qixian smiled bitterly and shook his head. "I wish I had written this poem, but I am not talented enough. I wouldn't plagiarize someone else's work. This poem was indeed written by Junior Brother Xia."

The students in the academy began to discuss, and Xia Hongsheng turned to Xu Qixian, feeling helpless. Well, the achievement of being a cultural thief is accomplished. Xu Qixian was so supportive, and he couldn't let him down. Besides, Bai Jianzhi was so aggressive, and even though he had already taken a step back, Bai Jianzhi still wouldn't let it go. Does he really think I'm easy to bully? I'm not the original Xia Hongsheng anymore.

"Senior Brother Bai, we have things to do and don't want to argue over these trivial matters. But since you want to protect Master Yan's reputation and want me to prove myself, I will accept. After all, it concerns Master Yan's face. If I back down now, it would damage Master Yan's reputation and the faces of my master and Senior Brother Xu." Xia Hongsheng turned to Bai Jianzhi with a smile. "Since Senior Brother Bai became Master Yan's disciple with a farewell poem, I will also write a farewell poem. Listen: 'The city walls guard the three Qins, the wind and smoke look over the five rivers. With you, I share the feeling of parting, both of us travelers. In the world, there are true friends, and though far apart, we are close. Do not weep at the crossroads, for children and women shed tears.'"

After reciting the slightly altered poem, Xia Hongsheng immediately pulled Xu Qixian through the crowd and headed to the back mountain.

Bai Jianzhi was stunned, and the students surrounding him were also stunned. They felt as if the lines of the poem were not just words but a huge slap in the face, ringing loudly.

The entire academy was in an uproar, and no one paid attention to Bai Jianzhi and his stunned followers.

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