Declining

Fang Wenshao took the sobering tea and drank a sip, smiling bitterly. "The midday banquet was for Master Liu's sixtieth birthday. It did not disperse until early afternoon. Though Master Liu is merely a Cultivated Talent and his current standing is below mine, he was once my benefactor and teacher. How could I slight him by leaving early?"

"Besides, his son Liu Hongmo is diligent and has already become a Cultivated Talent as well. I cannot treat him lightly either. Ah, if only Xi had such promise. This time, Xi made such a disgraceful mess that I could only plead a minor illness and claim I needed rest, unable to attend. It truly shames me to death!"

Fang Zhengshi knew her husband dearly loved this son, though he hated his frivolous ways. She hurriedly said, "Our son's illness has already recovered."

As she spoke, she recounted the entire course of events in detail, then added, "Common folk say fortune suppresses misfortune. The friends our son has made seem to possess some good fortune."

Hearing that his son had recovered, Fang Wenshao was delighted. Yet after thinking it over carefully, he hesitated. "You mean Xi did not hurt when he was close to him, but began hurting once he left?"

Fang Zhengshi said, "According to our son, that was indeed the case."

This was no longer merely a matter of good fortune. Fang Wenshao froze, then rose to his feet. "I shall go take a look, and test Xi on his studies while I am at it."

Fang Zhengshi was not someone who failed to understand reason. She merely spoke gently to her husband. "His face is swollen, and he has not reviewed his lessons these past few days. If he has fallen behind, do not punish him before his friends."

Fang Wenshao stroked his short beard. "Rest assured, my lady. I know my limits."

He went looking and found the study, only to discover that his son had forgotten most of the lessons from even a few days ago. At once, he picked up the ruler and struck him hard several times. "How did I teach you? You rely on a little reputation for talent, behave rashly, and refuse to strive for progress?"

Fang Xi's eyes brimmed with tears, but he could only endure it.

"Tell me, then. What exactly happened in this matter?" Fang Wenshao set down the ruler, returned to his chair, and asked.

Fang Xi widened his eyes and looked toward his father, then explained everything one by one. His account differed little from Fang Zhengshi's.

Fang Wenshao fell into thought. His son did possess some talent in his studies and had smoothly passed as an Examination Student, but his nature was somewhat frivolous. He had failed to become a Cultivated Talent last time, and now the Prefectural Examination was imminent. If he did not administer some strong medicine and spur him on, his own hopes might come to nothing.

At this age, it was easiest to take the wrong road. He could not let things continue unchecked.

Seeing his father's face dark as still water, Fang Xi looked conflicted and said softly, "Father, your son knows he was wrong. From now on, I will certainly study diligently and bring glory to our family."

"That will depend on your future conduct. It is not enough to make a promise." Fang Wenshao had no intention of making his son change overnight. To him, cultivating connections was more important.

Zheng Yingci was their relative and had been known to them since childhood. He was indeed outstanding. Yet there was another person whom they had only just met. Fang Wenshao stroked his beard and asked, "That Su Ziji you have newly become acquainted with—is he an Examination Student?"

Fang Xi thought for a moment. "Yes. My cousin said he had only recently passed as an Examination Student. Though your son has never heard of his reputation for talent, to become an Examination Student at fifteen, his learning should be quite good."

Though Fang Wenshao disliked his son's lazy frivolity, he was fairly reassured by the friends his son made.

"As the saying goes, do not despise a youth for being poor. Though he comes from a humble household, passing as an Examination Student already puts him above many others. Very well, I shall go meet him."

When Fang Wenshao went to the hall to meet the guest, Su Ziji had already changed clothes and was chatting idly with Yu Lü and Zhang Sheng.

"Worthy Nephew Su, your father and I came from the same native place and were even fellows of the same year. We were always close, and I received his guidance as well. Yet I had never met you. Seeing you today, you are indeed a young talent. One glance tells me you are seed fit for study." Fang Wenshao not only spoke with his nephew Yu Lü and exchanged pleasantries with Zhang Sheng; his attitude toward Su Ziji was also quite warm.

"You and my son have both passed as Examination Students in this county. You must keep in close contact in the future."

Su Ziji hurriedly said, "This student merely succeeded by luck and is truly unworthy."

Fang Wenshao continued, "I heard that your father had passed away. The countryside is closed off, and I never received word. I failed to come offer my condolences, for which I am deeply ashamed. I have prepared fifteen taels of silver in condolence money; Worthy Nephew, please accept it for now. Later, I shall personally come pay my respects."

As he spoke, someone entered carrying a wooden tray. Upon it lay three silver ingots, each of roughly five taels.

For a poor student like Su Ziji, fifteen taels of pure silver was absolutely a large sum, truly startling. Yet accepting it at the site of a funeral would have been understandable; accepting it now, however, did not accord with propriety.

Su Ziji declined repeatedly, saying only, "If Uncle wishes to offer condolences, this nephew will respectfully welcome you ten li away. But I cannot accept this money now."

After a pause, Su Ziji said sincerely, "However, I do indeed have one request."

"Oh? Worthy Nephew Su, please speak." Fang Wenshao was somewhat curious what Su Ziji wanted. Not only Fang Wenshao, but Madam Zheng and the others also awaited Su Ziji's next words. This was fifteen taels of silver. As a poor student, he had actually refused it. It truly left people puzzled—having declined the gift of money, what was Su Ziji asking for?

Then they heard Su Ziji say, "Brother Fang and I felt as though we had known one another at first sight. I have heard that Uncle's writings are seasoned and profound, every word a pearl. This nephew wishes to ask Brother Fang to recite them, so that I may benefit from them for the rest of my life."

Everyone was stunned. A Provincial Graduate's insights did hold some value for scholars, especially those seeking to become Cultivated Talents. Yet after Shizu of Great Wei reformed the system, establishing the Imperial Examinations and woodblock printing, they had become the foremost path to officialdom over the past several centuries. The County Examination, Prefectural Examination, Provincial Examination, Metropolitan Examination, and Court Examination were nearly all decided by examination essays.

For the sake of the Imperial Examinations, publishers gathered and printed the writings of Provincial Graduates and above, especially Presented Scholars and members of the Hanlin Academy. The reading of examination essays had spread with unprecedented depth and breadth. To read such essays, one needed only spend a tael of silver to buy three volumes.

No matter how confident Fang Wenshao was, he did not believe his own writings could compare with the Hanlin writings found in such publications.

Moreover, Su Ziji's clothing showed that his household was likely not poor, though neither was it wealthy. He had declined the silver merely to hear Fang Wenshao's writings read aloud. Was this lofty integrity, or some kind of scheme?

Fang Wenshao gave a dry cough and said to his bookboy, "That is easy. Moxu, go bring over the small wooden chest from my bookshelf. Xi, read for Worthy Nephew Su."

Though they had met for the first time, Su Ziji had made a rather good impression. If it was lofty integrity, it was a little naive, but entirely suited to a youth's disposition and was only human nature.

But if it was a scheme, merely to flatter him, then that was somewhat frightening.

At only fifteen, to have such thoughts from a flash of inspiration—he could be said to harbor treacherous mountains and rivers in his chest. Even if he truly were a noble person, he could not be befriended.

If that were the case, even should one profit for a time, disaster would eventually follow. His own son might be frivolous, but his heart was broad and straightforward. When the time came, he would become a scapegoat. He absolutely could not allow Su Ziji to remain at his son's side.

Of course, Fang Wenshao had no intention of offending a possible noble person. He would not suppress him. Instead, he would spend some money and use some connections to send Su Ziji to study at the Prefectural Academy. That would not only separate them, but also earn him a favor, making it easier to meet again in the future.

With this in mind, he sent the bookboy to fetch it. The Fang Family did not keep women to add fragrance to their sleeves. Whether Fang Wenshao or Fang Xi, those attending them were all bookboys. In this regard, Fang Wenshao set an example himself. Yet what could he do when his son's nature was thus? There were no women in the household, so he went outside to moon over women. Even after becoming engaged, he remained the same.

Now that he had learned a lesson, if this caused him to restrain himself, then in Fang Wenshao's view, it would be a blessing in disguise.

"Master, the chest has been brought." Shortly afterward, Moxu returned from the study, carrying a not overly large wooden chest and setting it gently on the table.

Fang Wenshao motioned for Su Ziji to come over. Not only Su Ziji, but the others also crowded around.

Fang Xi in particular could not resist peering inside when he saw his father open the chest. "Father, are these all your manuscripts?"

There seemed to be more than ten volumes inside.

Fang Wenshao glanced at him. "These are my insights from over ten years of study, along with my poetry and prose. You have already read most of them. As for the remaining two volumes, you must study them thoroughly over the next few days. Do not be lazy."

If not for his son, why would he ever have written these down?