Having said that, Xiao Hua lifted his foot to leave. The scholar opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to offer thanks, but seeing Xiao Hua's breezy, unruffled manner, he ultimately said nothing. Yet just as Xiao Hua had taken two steps, one of the four burly men behind him hurriedly leaned close to the scholar's ear and whispered a few words. "Young master, I fear it will not be easy for us to enter the city today. The person you arranged to meet... is still waiting inside the city, isn't he? Naturally, we can go, but would that not make him unhappy? Young master, why not ask this gentleman to bring you into the city..."
The burly man put particular weight on the word "ask," and Xiao Hua frowned when he heard it. Still, he pretended not to have heard, raised the scroll in his hand, and recited with swaying head, "The Master said, 'Was not Shun greatly filial? His virtue made him a sage, his rank made him Son of Heaven, and all within the four seas was his wealth. His ancestral temple received offerings, and his descendants preserved them.' Thus, one of great virtue must attain his position, attain his emolument, attain his fame, and attain his longevity. Therefore, when Heaven brings forth things, it is sure to nourish them according to their material. Thus, what is planted, it cultivates; what leans, it overturns. The Odes say, 'Joyful and admirable is the gentleman, radiant in noble virtue. Fit to govern the people, fit to employ men. He receives emolument from Heaven. Heaven protects and grants him its mandate, and renews it from above.' Thus, those of great virtue must receive Heaven's mandate..."
Xiao Hua had only walked several dozen feet when the scholar, though clearly unwilling, hurried after him