Fengzhou.
"Is that the Wushulou?" On the second floor, Zhan Feiyu looked out the window at the mansion not far away. It was just a three-section mansion, but in the southeast corner, there was a five-story tower-like building, which was Fengzhou's most famous library.
Qi Heng nodded and said, "Since it's a letter of self-reliance, it's better to have no books. So it's named Wushulou. Some say the library has five floors, and initially it was named Wushulou, but it was somehow passed down as Wushulou."
Ming San, holding a teacup, chuckled, "How come I heard that whenever someone wanted to borrow a book from Scholar Wei, the Wei family servants would just say the Wei family had no books, and that since it was Wushulou, of course there were no books."
Regardless of the reason for the name, it all indicated that it was absolutely impossible to borrow or copy books from Scholar Wei.
"This gentleman looks unfamiliar. Are you from out of town?" Suddenly, a scholar in a green robe walked over, cupped his hands in greeting to Ming San, and continued, "I am Zhou Bingquan from Fengzhou. May I know your esteemed surname and given name?"
Ming San leaned back lazily in his chair, his eyes half-closed as he sized up Zhou Bingquan, not even returning the greeting. "What? Do you need to announce your name to drink tea at a teahouse? Is this the custom in Fengzhou?"
Uh... Not only did Zhou Bingquan freeze, but the other scholars at several tables were also stunned.
Even if the other party wasn't a scholar, judging by Ming San's demeanor and the two children beside him, he was clearly from a wealthy family, and was Zhou Bingquan's target. Who would have thought Ming San's attitude would be so arrogant?
"You impudent brat!" an angry reprimand sounded. It was Zhou Bingquan's friend who stood up, looking furiously at the indolent and unrestrained Ming San. "Brother Zhou is the youngest Juren in Fengzhou, how dare you be so rude!"
At this, not only Ming San was surprised, but Zhan Feiyu and Qi Heng's gazes swept over. Zhou Bingquan looked no older than twenty-five or twenty-six, and he was already a Juren.
In comparison, Ming San was merely a Xiucai, and Zhan Feiyu and Qi Heng were still Tong Sheng.
"Brother Huang, can a gentleman's friendship be judged by status? I find this gentleman exceptionally refined and wish to befriend him." Zhou Bingquan said with a hearty laugh, completely unfazed by Ming San's arrogance and rudeness.
Huang Wen naturally wouldn't refute Zhou Bingquan's words, but merely cast a cold glance at Ming San. "A gentleman does not flatter those above him, nor does he slight those below him. Brother Zhou's character is so noble, let us raise our cups. I offer tea as a substitute for wine to Brother Zhou."
For a moment, all the scholars who knew Zhou Bingquan raised their teacups. They talked with learned scholars and associated with no commoners, making Zhan Feiyu and the other two seem particularly out of place.
Is the Juren Zhou truly just fond of making friends? Such a young Juren, Zhan Feiyu thought of Wan Yunhao. He could be considered someone who valued talented people, but he wouldn't rashly "strike up a conversation" with people in a teahouse, which would diminish his status as a Juren.
Ming San was also a talented and popular figure in Nanxuan Prefecture, even more popular than the highly sought-after Zhou Bingquan. At this moment, he smiled and said, "Little fatty, a gentleman does not flatter those above him, nor does he slight those below him. What does this sentence mean?"
Qi Heng, who was asked, immediately sat up straight. "This sentence comes from the Book of Changes. The Master said: 'How profound is the understanding of the subtle! A gentleman does not flatter those above him, nor does he slight those below him. How profound is his understanding?'"
A group of scholars glanced at Qi Heng. It wasn't surprising. Although Qi Heng was young, his clothes were luxurious. Wealthy children usually began their studies at four or five. Qi Heng might have already studied for three or four years.
Qi Heng continued to answer, "It means that a gentleman, when interacting with people of higher status, does not flatter them; when interacting with people of lower status, he does not slight or neglect them. This is how a gentleman makes friends, like an orchid in a secluded valley, which one dares not desecrate, and whose fragrance brings joy."
Ming San nodded, then changed the subject and asked Zhan Feiyu, "Are you still reading Zhuangzi these days?"
Huh? At this, Zhou Bingquan and the others finally showed surprise.
It was normal for Qi Heng to answer correctly. The Four Books and Five Classics were required reading for the imperial examinations. But for Zhan Feiyu, an eight or nine-year-old girl, even if her family hired a tutor, she would typically start with the "Three Character Classic," "Hundred Family Surnames," "Book of Songs," or the "Four Books for Women."
As for the book "Zhuangzi," the scholars present had also read it, but few could claim to be proficient. After all, the oldest among Zhou Bingquan and the others looked no older than thirty.
Under the gazes of everyone, Zhan Feiyu said in a clear voice, "The friendship between gentlemen is as pure as water, while the friendship between petty men is as sweet as wine. Gentlemen are close through their shared principles, while petty men are sweet in their association but easily estranged. Those who unite without cause will also separate without cause."
This sentence is precisely from "Zhuangzi."
"Little fatty, remember, friendship is not about quantity but quality. Keep close to gentlemen and stay away from petty men." Ming San looked meaningfully at Zhou Bingquan. For someone who came to them, even a Juren, it was unclear whether he was a gentleman or a petty man.
Qi Heng nodded in agreement, "Little martial uncle, I remember."
"Is this gentleman also a scholar?" Zhou Bingquan asked loudly, his attitude becoming more enthusiastic. However, he realized Ming San's personality was not good, so he turned to Qi Heng and Zhan Feiyu, smiling, "I didn't expect you two young friends to be so well-read. Let me test you two young friends. What is a gentleman?"
Zhou Bingquan was a Juren. Being called a young friend by him meant his status was at least that of a Juren. However, since Zhan Feiyu and Qi Heng were young, his words were merely polite, and no one took them seriously.
As the leading figure of Qingya Academy, Qi Heng naturally could not let down the academy's reputation. However, regarding the definition of a gentleman, whether from the Four Books and Five Classics or from the various schools of thought, there were different descriptions. Qi Heng was thinking about how to answer.
Zhan Feiyu, on the other hand, had already spoken, "Cinnabar can be ground but its color cannot be removed; orchids can be burned but their fragrance cannot be extinguished; jade can be broken but its white cannot be changed; gold can be melted but its hardness cannot be altered."
Cinnabar can be ground, but its red color cannot be removed; orchids can be burned, but their fragrance cannot be extinguished; fine jade can be broken, but its white cannot be changed; gold can be melted, but its hardness cannot be altered.
A gentleman is one who: cannot be corrupted by wealth and honor, cannot be moved by poverty and lowliness, and cannot be coerced by power and might. However, compared to this sentence in "Mencius," what Zhan Feiyu said came from "Liu Zi." If one had not read extensively, they might not even know this sentence.
"Is this sentence appropriate?" Zhan Feiyu asked with a raised eyebrow and a smile.
Meeting Zhan Feiyu's dark and pure eyes, Zhou Bingquan's smile was a little forced. "The younger generation is to be feared."
Ming San leisurely swirled his teacup, thinking that "showing off one's limited skill before an expert" was more fitting.
Did this young girl's elders raise her as a boy? As the scholars were shocked by Zhan Feiyu's talent, they saw her stand up.
Compared to Ming San's indolent rudeness, Zhan Feiyu tidied her clothes and bowed deeply to Zhou Bingquan. Her fair, round face was serious and earnest. "You mentioned the friendship between gentlemen just now. I have something I don't understand, and I ask Scholar Zhou to enlighten me."
Is Xiao Yu going to cause trouble? Ming San immediately sat up straight, and Qi Heng's eyes gleamed with excitement.
He had an inexplicable feeling of unease, but under everyone's gaze, how could Zhou Bingquan, a dignified Juren, be intimidated? Instead, he smiled magnanimously, "Ask."
If it weren't for her previous performance, everyone would have thought Zhan Feiyu would ask about poetry or literature. Talented women generally had poetic talent or were skilled in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Few were well-read, especially in books related to the imperial examinations.
Zhan Feiyu, who had become serious, made people overlook her age and gender. "Generally, gentlemen befriend those of the same way, and petty men befriend those of the same profit. This is the natural principle. However, it is said that petty men have no friends, only gentlemen do. What is the reason for this?"
As soon as this question was posed, the teahouse fell into an eerie silence. At this moment, they seemed to see a teacher holding a ruler and asking questions, and they were students trembling because they couldn't answer.
"The theory of factionalism?" Ming San suppressed a smile and looked at Zhan Feiyu with immense admiration. The little girl was ruthless enough to ask a question that could appear as an essay question in the metropolitan examination.
After hearing the question, Qi Heng immediately frowned in thought. Unfortunately, he was just a young Tong Sheng, with limited knowledge and even more limited vision. His perspective was too narrow to know how to answer.
Ming San tapped Qi Heng's forehead with his finger. "Stop thinking. Don't you see that Scholar Zhou is still contemplating? As a mere Tong Sheng, you shouldn't struggle pointlessly."
Even though there were ice basins in the four corners of the teahouse, Zhou Bingquan still felt sweat breaking out on his forehead. If Ming San had asked this question, even if he couldn't answer, he could have said that there was no absolute best in literature.
But looking at the little girl standing in front of him, who only reached his waist, she tilted her head slightly, appearing to seek guidance. Zhou Bingquan wished he could turn back time. Why did he have to provoke these three, one big and two small, and put himself in such a difficult position?
Huang Wen, as Zhou Bingquan's loyal follower, couldn't help but point at Ming San and angrily rebuke, "I have seen shameless people, but I have never seen anyone as brazen as you! You deliberately let this little girl memorize the question and then set a trap for Brother Zhou. A little girl dares to talk about friendship, it's simply preposterous!"
Looking at the indignant Huang Wen, the scholars suddenly realized, and then each looked at Ming San with disdain. That's right, if he hadn't taught her beforehand, how could a little girl ask such a question?
Ming San, who was being pointed at by everyone, laughed heartily. He lightly waved his wide sleeve and pushed away Huang Wen's hand pointing at him. "Since that's the case, why don't you ask a question and test this little yellow-haired girl? I can't possibly teach her the Four Books and Five Classics, the various schools of thought, the classics and historical records, and poetry and songs beforehand."
Huang Wen couldn't help but sneer. If he could teach her all of that, wouldn't she be a prodigy!
"Since that's the case, we were just talking about gentlemen. Little girl, what do you mean by a gentleman not being a vessel?" Huang Wen looked down at Zhan Feiyu, with a picky and disdainful expression, wanting to see if she could come up with something.
Zhan Feiyu replied without thinking, "This sentence comes from the Analects."
It wasn't unusual for Zhan Feiyu to be able to quote "Liu Zi" and to have read the Analects thoroughly.
Huang Wen's expression was a little unsightly, and Zhou Bingquan suppressed the anger in his eyes. If you're going to ask, you should ask something tricky. Such a simple question is simply asking for humiliation.
As if not noticing everyone's expressions, Zhan Feiyu continued, "Entering the path of a gentleman, and learning the conduct of a gentleman, there are different levels of a gentleman's realm. A scholar is one who seeks the path of a gentleman. One who has achieved and reached it has entered the realm of not being a vessel."
With this explanation, the scholars present knew that Zhan Feiyu had true talent and learning, and was not just someone who had read a few books and memorized a few phrases superficially.
Ming San's smile remained unchanged. Gu Shixue's youngest disciple, it would be strange if she were stumped by a few so-called scholars.
Huang Wen's face turned red. He wanted to ask again, but he was a scholar, and didn't even have the title of Tong Sheng. His mind was in a mess, and he didn't know how to ask.
"What is a vessel?" Zhou Bingquan asked with a dark face. Even though there was the suspicion of bullying the young, he had won. It was just that his reputation was affected. But if he lost, how could Zhou Bingquan establish himself in Fengzhou in the future? A dignified Juren would be surpassed in scholarship by a little girl.
"The Book of Changes says: That which is above form is called the Dao, and that which is below form is called the vessel." Zhan Feiyu's answer was still concise and clear. "'The Great Dao is not a vessel.'"
Zheng Xuan's commentary: "Meaning the path of the sage, unlike a vessel, is applied to one thing."
He Yan's collected commentaries quoted Bao Xian as saying: "A vessel is for its specific use. As for a gentleman, his influence is everywhere."
Zhan Feiyu cited three allusions in a row before concluding, "What is meant by a gentleman not being a vessel is that a gentleman should be learned and knowledgeable, possessing versatile talents, not confined to a single aspect. He can govern the country with his pen and pacify the nation with his sword, and not disgrace the king's command!"
A moment later, the second floor was cleared.
Huang Wen fled in shame, covering his face. Zhou Bingquan, "worried" about his friend, chased after him without regard for gentlemanly etiquette. Others also left one after another.
Qi Heng blinked blankly. "Little martial uncle, were we too aggressive?"
"Showing excessive eagerness without reason is either deceitful or thieving!" Ming San glanced out the window. This Zhou Bingquan was somewhat strange.
"But what if Scholar Zhou is just friendly? As the saying goes, 'Is it not a joy to have friends coming from afar?'" After saying this, Qi Heng shrunk back, fearing that Ming San would slap him.
Ming San's discerning gaze appraised Ming San. "You are so stupid, I'm already worried you'll fail the provincial examination in August."
"I..." Qi Heng stiffened his neck, but fearing a beating, he could only sullenly shut himself down.
"Scholar Zhou approached us after observing me and Qi Heng. Logically, he should have noticed you, Third Young Master, first." Zhan Feiyu was not a truly naive child. Zhou Bingquan's scrutinizing gaze was filled with malice, as if she and Qi Heng were commodities being put up for sale.
Her "showing off" her knowledge earlier was actually to verify that this Juren Zhou was definitely not as good as he appeared. Even if the theory of factionalism was a bit beyond the scope, a dignified Juren should not be unable to answer it. At most, he would answer well or poorly.
It was like if Zhan Feiyu were a Tong Sheng, even if she didn't have poetic talent, as long as a question was posed, she could still write a poem on the spot. Whether it was a brilliant masterpiece or a passable mediocrity was another matter.
Ming San smiled knowingly. "No matter what his purpose is, if he comes again, we will surely find out. It's just a matter of meeting force with force and blocking water with earth."
As soon as he finished speaking, a commotion suddenly came from downstairs. Ming San and Zhan Feiyu looked out the window and saw a group of constables in official uniforms pushing through the crowd, heading towards the teahouse with fierce expressions.
"They're here too quickly?" Zhou Bingquan had only just left, and Zhan Feiyu looked speechlessly at the group of constables who had already rushed to the second floor, their waists adorned with military sabers, clearly intending harm.
"Ming Maoze, a Xiucai from Nanxuan Prefecture, may I know what offense I have committed?" Ming San stood up and blocked Zhan Feiyu and Qi Heng. At this moment, he once again regretted not taking the imperial examinations back then. The title of Xiucai was simply not enough to hold the situation.