Chapter 20 (1/2)

Half A Stanza To Surprise The Established Confucian Scholar

The military strategist who was bad at poetry introduced his student. “Xu Cijiu, my student who excels in the art of war. He is a promising scholar.”

Zhang Zhen kept his surprise to himself.

‘You’re not a poet, why have you volunteered yourself?’

Zhu Tuizi had thought the purple jade belonged to him when a student called out. Warily, he sized up the competition. However, when he saw that it was Xu Xinnian, his confidence rose again.

Zhu Tuizi only spared Xu Xinnian a glance.

They were classmates for years. Although they rarely interacted, they were aware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

Xu Xinnian was skilled in composing essays that discussed contemporary affairs, he also had a good grasp of military strategies. Poetry was not his strong suit.

The jade accessory was Zhu Tuizi’s.

All eyes fell on Xu Xinnian as he basked in the attention. His eyes were far away, staring into the soft glow of the sun.

“Thousand miles of yellow clouds darken the day.”

The national chess player, Li Baimu, stroked his white beard. The simple sentence was meant to set the scene but the words resonated in his chest.

“The north wind stirs the geese and snow.”

It was almost winter. While snowfall had not begun, it was only a matter of time before the weather changed. There was no hyperbole in that sentence.

The imagery appeared in everyone’s mind. The setting sun was blocked by a flurry of snow as the north wind roared—the sky was dotted with flying geese.

The two sentences painted an image befitting a farewell.

Zhang Zhen was surprised. In his many years of observing Xu Xinnian, the student showed little aptitude for poetry. These two seven-character sentences must have taken a lot of effort. If the whole poem was of this quality, Xu Xinnian might outperform Zhu Tuizi.

Among the three established Confucian scholars, Ziyang’s Layman was the most skilled in the art of poetry. He ruminated on the words and felt sorrow in his heart.

A thousand miles, the sunset, the north wind, the flying geese, the flurry of snow… The setting was one of loneliness and desolation.

The poem sounded as if he was being banished, not promoted—and yet there was a certain charm in its sorrow.

His past achievements were acknowledged by the courts, therefore he was assigned to Qingzhou. However, would the powers of the Imperial College allow him to grow and prosper in the courts?

Would they stand by and watch as he built a foundation in the courts for the White Deer Academy?

An unknown fate awaited him in Qingzhou—the path ahead was uncertain.

Then, Xu Xinnian spread his arms apart. His handsome face glowed under the warm rays of the sun, unmarred and delicate.

With his arms wide open, he looked at Ziyang’s Layman and recited loudly.

“Fear not a journey of loneliness, for you are not a stranger to the realm.”

A hush fell over the pavilion and its surroundings.

A chill swept through the audience.

Zhu Tuizi’s head turned stiffly to look at the erect Xu Xinnian.

“Fear not a journey of loneliness, for you are not a stranger to the realm.”Li Mubai applauded loudly. “Exceptional!”

The first two sentences evoked sadness, then the last two sentences changed the mood and lifted everyone’s hearts and spirits.

Zhang Zhen kept his eyes on Xu Xinnian.

Ziyang’s Layman was still caught up in the beauty of the poem, his heart was moved.

“A good one, really impressive,” he mumbled.

The military strategist saw that his student did not continue his recital and asked, “What about the next half?”

A smirk tugged at Xu Xinnian’s lips as he replied, “The poem exists in only half a stanza.”

Only half a stanza?

The scholars were wide-eyed at the statement. This man performed a half-written poem?

“No matter, no matter. Half a stanza was sufficiently impressive,” Ziyang’s Layman said calmly. He wore a cheery smile as he asked, “Xu Cijiu, does this poem have a name?”

“No!”

Xu Xinnian maintained his proud demeanor in hopes to avoid their questions. His reluctance to elaborate would discourage further questions.

The smile on Ziyang’s Layman’s face widened. “No rush. This poem was meant for my farewell, right?”

Xu Xinnian nodded.

“Why don’t I name it for you?”

Li Mubai and Zhang Zhen realized what he was doing and frowned as if they both tasted a lemon slice.

“How about ‘Yang Gong’s Farewell To Qingzhou At The Sheep’s Pavilion’?” The elder looked expectantly at Xu Xinnian.

“Satisfactory!” Xu Xinnian called out. Noticing his lack of respect, he added. “As you please.”

The two elders beside Ziyang’s Layman made sounds of disapproval.