One twist after another

Xie An lived in seclusion at Kuaiji Dongshan, repeatedly refusing the court's summons and declining to take office. A saying circulated in the capital, Jiankang: "If Anshi will not come forth, what will become of the common people?" When Sima Yu, Prince of Langya, heard that Xie An spent each day roaming beneath the trees with courtesans, he declared that Xie An would sooner or later leave the mountains to serve the state. His reasoning was: "Since he shares in others' pleasures, how could he not share in their sorrows?"

Thus, in Eastern Jin, taking courtesans on outings was an expression of a celebrated gentleman's elegance and did not damage his reputation in the slightest. The prerequisite, however, was that one had to be a celebrated gentleman. Such men could do anything; laughter, anger, mockery, and abuse all added to their fame. Anyone else would merely be a fool wallowing in carnal desire. Yet even among celebrated gentlemen, no one was said to have indulged in courtesans and sensual pleasures before marriage. Besides, Chen Caozhi was still far from being a celebrated gentleman, he was a boy of fifteen, and this was a solemn, refined gathering for a mountain ascent.

Though the young woman in her splendid makeup and dazzling clothes possessed no common bearing, Chen Caozhi's discerning eyes still detected the air of the pleasure quarters about her. Otherwise, what respectable young lady would show herself in public like this with only a little maid?

Chen Caozhi said no more to her and walked briskly on his high-toothed wooden clogs. Unable to keep up, the young woman called sweetly after him again and again, "Young master, wait! Young Master Caozhi, please wait a moment-"

Chen Caozhi signaled for Lai Fu to hold her back, then hurried down to Yicui Pavilion and said to Feng Mengxiong, "Uncle Feng, a strange woman is pestering me. I hope you can help."

When the finely dressed young woman had passed Yicui Pavilion earlier, both Feng Mengxiong and Wang De Yi had seen her. Though they had found it somewhat strange, neither had paid it any mind. Now, hearing what Chen Caozhi said, they were greatly surprised.

Feng Mengxiong was an honest, kindly elder and had yet to work out why this woman would pester Chen Caozhi. His daughter Feng Lingbo, however, was quick-witted. She said softly, "Father, this woman has come with bad intentions. She wants to ruin Brother Caozhi's reputation. Think, Father-the grading official will be here any moment-"

Feng Mengxiong understood at once and cupped his hands toward County Magistrate Wang in the pavilion. More worldly than he was, County Magistrate Wang had already grasped what was happening. He nodded and said, "County Magistrate Feng, go and deal with it. Do not let this woman make a scene."

With Lai Fu and Ran Sheng blocking her front and rear, the young woman could neither advance nor retreat. She was just about to scream to attract attention when she saw Chen Caozhi returning, a faint smile on his face, looking nothing like someone who had seen through her intentions. She decided to hold off; there would still be time to make a scene once the commandery officials arrived. With a coquettish pout, she said, "Young master, why have you had your men stop me?"

Chen Caozhi approached with Feng Mengxiong and said gently, "I do not know how you came to recognize me, young lady, nor do I wish to ask. Could you go back the way you came now?"

The young woman froze, then flushed with shame. She knew Chen Caozhi had seen through her. Somehow, rather than panic, she felt her humiliation turning into anger, along with an inexplicable despair-

Feng Mengxiong said sternly, "You there, do not harm another and yourself for the sake of a little money, a mere worldly possession. The county magistrate is right over there. Just try making a scene, and you will be the first to land in prison."

The young woman's willow-leaf brows shot up, but then she lowered her head and bit her lip, looking on the verge of tears.

Chen Caozhi instructed, "Lai Fu, escort this lady down the mountain. Do not make things difficult for her. If she has no ox carriage, you may take her back to town."

Just then, the brothers Ding Xiashang and Ding Chunqiu came up. After exchanging a few pleasantries with County Magistrate Wang, they passed Yicui Pavilion and saw Chen Caozhi speaking to the finely dressed young woman. Ding Chunqiu's eyes opened enormously wide. He could not understand how this woman had come up the mountain.

The young woman kept her head down and said nothing as she followed Lai Fu downhill with her little maid. When she passed Ding Chunqiu, she ignored him entirely, leaving him dizzy with anger. This spoiled young wastrel, who could not tell good from bad, vented his anger on Chen Caozhi instead. He glared fiercely at him, unsure how to lash out, until he spotted the food hamper Lai Fu had set beside the mountain path. He stormed over and kicked it over, saying, "This is my Ding Clan's food hamper. What right have you to enjoy it-ah-"

Seeing the food hamper kicked over, Ran Sheng flew into a rage. In a single stride, he was in front of Ding Chunqiu. He seized the front of Ding Chunqiu's robe with one hand and hauled him upward, almost lifting his feet clear off the ground. He roared, "Pay for that food hamper!"

Chen Caozhi hurriedly stopped Ran Sheng's rash behavior. For a commoner to strike a member of the gentry was a serious crime, regardless of who was in the right.

Rubbing his chest with one hand, Ding Chunqiu backed away several steps and pointed at Chen Caozhi. "You-you-you-"

Chen Caozhi cupped his hands toward Ding Xiashang and said mildly, "If the grading official were to learn of your younger brother's conduct, it would hardly be a good thing."

Ding Xiashang was not as reckless as his younger brother. Although he paid little heed to Chen Caozhi, he knew that Ding Chunqiu's kicking over the food hamper had been a gross breach of decorum, and word of it would damage the family's reputation. He gave a slight bow. "Please forgive him-"

Just then, a commotion arose by Yicui Pavilion. The inspecting grading official for Wu Commandery had arrived. He was none other than Quan Li, the Regular Mounted Attendant, who came from Qiantang's foremost clan.

Chen Caozhi's expression did not change. Sister-in-law guessed exactly right. The man responsible for inspecting and grading the twelve counties of Wu Commandery really is Attendant Quan.

Quan Li, whose post as Regular Mounted Attendant carried distinguished prestige, passed Yicui Pavilion surrounded by County Magistrate Wang, County Magistrate Feng, the other officials, and the heads of Qiantang's seven great gentry clans. He immediately spotted Chen Caozhi, wearing a small cap and a hemp robe, his bearing outstanding. He laughed and said, "My young friend Caozhi, you did come after all! Of everyone on Qiyun Mountain today, you were the one I most wished to see. I was worried you might stay away because of your youth, in which case you would not have fallen into my hands."

At these words, the mountainside fell silent. Every gaze converged on Chen Caozhi's face, making even him feel their heat. Apart from Ding Yi, the heads of Qiantang's Seven Surnames were all seeing him for the first time. Each thought, This boy's bearing truly is exceptional, but Attendant Quan seems to be showing rather excessive regard for a youth of humble birth.

Chen Caozhi broke into a smile and bowed to the ground. "To see you again, Lord Quan-what joy could compare?"

Quan Li looked Chen Caozhi over and smiled. "Long ago, Lü Meng of Eastern Wu said, 'When a scholar has been away for three days, one must rub one's eyes and look at him anew.' Several months have passed since we parted, my young friend Caozhi, and I hear you have also become Ge Zhichuan's pupil. Your learning must surely have advanced still further. Today I shall test you-come, help your elder up the mountain." Taking Chen Caozhi by the arm, he climbed the steps. Then he noticed the overturned food hamper on the ground and asked, "What happened here?"

Ding Xiashang and Ding Chunqiu instantly held their breath in alarm. Ding Chunqiu groaned inwardly, This is terrible! Chen Caozhi will certainly seize this chance to take revenge on me. I can forget about receiving a grade this year. I fear even my reputation in the years to come will suffer greatly!

Chen Caozhi answered calmly, "A servant was momentarily careless and tipped over the food hamper."

Only then did the two brothers, Ding Xiashang and Ding Chunqiu, release the breath trapped in their chests. For the first time, Ding Chunqiu felt ashamed.

Quan Li said, "No matter. You shall share my mat at the outdoor feast later."

Under everyone's gaze along the way, Regular Mounted Attendant Quan Li and the humbly born youth ascended side by side, hand in hand, to Guanlan Terrace at the summit. Thirty-one young scholars had climbed to Guanlan Terrace in hopes of receiving the grading official's appraisal. Seventeen of them came from Qiantang's eight clans.

When Chu Wenbin saw Chen Caozhi climbing the mountain hand in hand with the grading official, his eyes nearly burst from their sockets. Words could not describe his shock.

Quan Li invited everyone to make themselves comfortable, whether whistling long and clear or chanting verse, following their inclinations freely rather than standing on ceremony. He himself stood with Chen Caozhi on Guanlan Terrace, overlooking the surging river, asking after Ge Zhichuan and what books Chen Caozhi had been reading lately...

After noon, grading official Quan Li set his question. He asked them to expound a fresh interpretation of the Master's words, "I am with Dian," in the passage "Zilu, Zeng Xi, Ran You, and Gongxi Hua sat in attendance" from the "Advanced Disciples" chapter of the Analects.

The sons of gentry and humble families stepped forward in turn, citing the classics in their speeches. Most, however, merely recounted the views of great scholars such as Ma Rong and Zheng Xuan, without offering any development of their own.

Quan Li deliberately left Chen Caozhi until last. Last was the hardest position, for almost every meaning of the four short words "I am with Dian" had already been covered by those before him. How could it be easy to offer something new?

Quan Li valued Chen Caozhi, but he also placed the greatest pressure on him. Opportunities were not given away for nothing; one had to be able to seize them.

Chen Caozhi shook out his sleeves and stood at the summit with his back to the great river, his robe sleeves fluttering. His voice rang clear as gold striking jade as he offered a finely drawn analysis: "The Master said, 'I am with Dian.' Here, 'with' means to agree: he was saying that he agreed with Zeng Xi's words. Zilu, Ran You, and Gongxi Hua all had their hearts set on entering office, yet the Way was in decline and the world in turmoil, so their ambitions might not be fulfilled. Zeng Xi was an unrestrained spirit among Confucius's disciples and had no intention of serving the world. On suddenly hearing his words, the Master found them in harmony with his own habitual joy in drinking water and resting his head upon his bent arm, and was stirred anew by thoughts of putting out to sea and dwelling among the eastern tribes. Thus he could not help giving a heartfelt sigh. Yet the Master was surely a man who cherished the ambition to practice the Way and save the world. How could he truly have wished to forget the world in private pleasure and join the company of Xu You and Chao Fu? Deep indeed were the feelings behind the Master's sigh!"

Quan Li pondered in silence, then sighed. "Exquisite learning and profound thought, expressed with graceful feeling, saying what no predecessor has said. Of the thirty-one discourses, this one ranks first."

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