CH 63

Who asked a question like that right off the bat? Liang Feng paused; he could hardly tell a famed Confucian scholar to his face that it was because the feudal society’s ruling class wanted to keep people stupid, could he? Though, because the original “Liang Feng’s” memories weren’t entirely useless, and because he’d been furiously devouring historical annals lately, he hesitated for only a second before answering, “The words of the wise cannot be assumed so rashly.”

It was an answer that was in adherence with the societal standards of this era. It was written in the Book of Rites, Record on the Subject of Education that: “In the first year it was seen whether students could read the texts intelligently.” Basically, it meant that the first thing a student had to learn was how to recognize chapters, infer sentences, and deduce meaning and connotation. This was the course that ancient scholars had to follow. They needed the guidance of a mentor and the comprehension borne of intensive study in order to understand the deep nuances hidden within the classics. 

But there was no punctuation in the sages’ canons. Under these circumstances, scholars had to distinguish phrases and surmise the sages’ intentions based on their own opinions and analyses. This gave birth to countless different interpretations and annotations, which formed the basis of countless different sects. Those of different scholarly lineages, naturally, read in different ways. Who could ever drown out the entire academic community to punctuate the sages’ masterworks once and for all? Thus, the classics had to be passed down in their “original” uncommentated form. But true scholars wouldn’t just take a single explanation at face value. More often, they had to read widely of many sources and examine innumerable commentaries before they could inherit and build upon their forebearers’ philosophies.

Liang Feng thought his answer was unassailable. But the old man, still expressionless, continued asking, “Why did you give to us the printing blocks of ‘Funerary Raiment?’”

What did that have to do with the previous question? Still, Liang Feng answered confidently, “It was borne of your sweat and blood, sir, it’s not mine to do with as I please.”

“In ‘The New Treatise on Cold Damage,’ why are there end marks?” the third question followed. 

“It is not the teachings of a sage. Its purpose is only to save lives, not to save the world.” Liang Feng responded smoothly – he had already come up with an answer when he decided to add punctuation in “The New Treatise on Cold Damage.”

“If books that save lives can be spread to all under heaven, then what of words that save the world?” The old man’s clouded eyes, icy and emotionless, bored into Liang Feng.

What did he mean by that? After giving it some thought, cold sweat beaded on Liang Feng’s back. He bowed, “Carved block printing is merely a petty craft. I daren’t misrepresent the sages’ words.”

He wasn’t asking questions, he was warning him! Liang Feng realized what Cui You was actually saying.

In this era, knowledge, especially knowledge regarding The Way of Governance – The Way of Kings – was clutched in the ironclad fists of the very few. Every family and every sect had its own set of principles. The conflict over “old texts” and “modern texts” had only just ended, but now, carved block printing might just become the fuse that reignited it.

How should he decide, if someone sought him out to print their family’s doctrines? Forget annotation, even regular punctuation was a thorny subject. The consequences were, at best, getting embroiled in sectional disputes, and at worst, treading on the ruling class’s bottom line. Even the imperial court shied away from issues that touched upon ideology.

Perhaps that was also one of the reasons why a technology as simple as carved block printing hadn’t truly made any headway until after the Song Dynasty. The absence of punctuation was a chasm lying between ordinary people and erudition, forbidding those without scholarly lineage from attaining mastery of the classics. But what if punctuation were to be added? What if there were to be an “official” version? Wasn’t that just another way of controlling people’s thoughts and homogenizing their beliefs? The Way of Kings wasn’t so simple, because it wasn’t simply a matter of educating people, but a discourse on the principles and theories of how to govern a country!

The old man’s eyelids lifted slightly at Liang Feng’s acknowledgment of his mistake, “Do you still intend to print ‘The New Treatise on Cold Damage?’” 

As he hadn’t even asked about the Diamond Sutra, it seemed he’d already seen through his little gimmick. Liang Feng grit his teeth, “This book can save lives!”

Yes, it’s true that printing might be dangerous. But if he didn’t print, his income would decrease significantly and his promise to Physician Jiang would become impossible to fulfill. Not to mention the lives that it would save! Of course he would continue printing it!

Ktf biv wjc twwfv ilutais, tlr fsfilvr vgbbqlcu ibk. Oljcu Mfcu kjlafv jczlberis; atf klatfgfv biv wjc’r ujhf tjv j kjs bo qjglcu tlr rxlc jcv oifrt ogbw tlr ybcfr, yjglcu jii tlr tlvvfc atbeutar ab atf iluta!

C ibcu ktlif ijafg, atf biv wjc jrxfv, “Mgbw ktfgf vlv sbe gfmflnf sbeg rmtbbilcu?” 

“From the Fanyang Lu family,” Liang Feng answered politely. The Fanyang Lu family was known throughout all the land. The original “Liang Feng” had gotten in through connections. Although, since both his aptitude and health were lacking, he’d only stayed there for a year before going back home.

“Which of the Three Commentaries on the Spring and Autumn Annals was the focus of your study?” the old man asked.

“I am ashamed to say that I have not many scholarly attainments,” Liang Feng said honestly. This wasn’t the time to boast; when it came to the classics, he lose a footrace to the old man in front of him even if he rode a galloping steed.

The old man let out another long hmm and queried, “Have you any children?” 

“Just one, he’s five years old,” Liang Feng said.

The old man finally nodded, “If you are not opposed, you can send him to the Cui family to begin receiving instruction next year.”

Liang Feng was even more puzzled now. How had he suddenly got it in his mind to accept Liang Rong as a disciple? Those possessed of great learning, like the Cui family, were notoriously loathe to share it. Usually, one needed both powerful connections and superb talent in order to pass through their doors. After all, everyone took the imparting of their insight into the classics, the measure of their family’s esteem, very seriously. And whether or not an aspiring official could apprentice under a master scholar concerned his future prospects. Who knew how many people would scramble over themselves at the chance to be taught such a prominent academic.

After a moment’s consideration, Liang Feng replied, “My slow-witted son is lucky to receive your notice, sir. Though I fear he is too young yet, to receive formal education before he is six years of age.” 

Seen one way, he wanted to wait another year before letting his son begin schooling, and seen another way, it was a tactful refusal.

The old man raised a brow, “That’s fine. A year is enough to reach a verdict.”

His words had two meanings as well. One of them was that a year was enough to determine the child’s disposition, and the other was that he’d give him a year to think it over before making a decision. Still, the meaning was the same. As long as Liang Feng permitted it, the Cui family would take the child under their wing.

As the old man had already proffered his leniency to such an extent, there wasn’t anything more for Liang Feng to say. He smiled, “I am honored by your regard, Mister Cui.” 

Having said all that needed to be said, the old man closed his eyes, sagging with weariness. Liang Feng, considerate as ever, saluted gracefully before exiting. Cui Lian, who’d been waiting outside, greeted him amiably, “It seems my grandfather has really taken a shine to you, Zixi. He hardly sees anyone for so long.”

Liang Feng didn’t know how to reply to that. What with giving him advice and offering his tutelage, he really had taken an extraordinary shine to him. Even though engaging with such a canny old fox was exhausting, it had to be said that it’d given Liang Feng an important reminder. He had to approach book printing with more caution, it seemed. After all, he’d only break his legs if he tried to take a “great leap forward” with his current strength. In these uncertain times, power was the only certainty.

In the building that Liang Feng had just left, a man emerged from a side room. He bore a strong resemblance to Cui Liang, though he looked older. He kneeled respectfully before the desk and asked, “Grandfather, why are you willing to accept the child of the Liang family?”

He’d listened in on the whole conversation, and wondered why, if his grandfather was so partial to Liang Zixi, he didn’t just take him on as a student. Why go through the trouble of teaching his son? 

“He has no interest in the classics. But his son needs someone to guide him,” the old man languidly stated.

The man’s expression instantly grew solemn, “You believe, grandfather, that Liang Zixi is exceptional in some way?”

These last few years, he was the only one who had discussed current politics with his grandfather. And so, he was the only one who knew that his grandfather had long perceived that the world was falling into chaos. Having experienced three dynasties and lived nearly a hundred years, though the old man remained home, his mind was sharper than it had ever been. And yet now, he’d shown favor to a frail and sickly youth – how could he not be shocked?!

The old man vaguely inclined his head, “In his mind, there is a singular ambition, in his heart, there is the world. He far surpasses Yuanhai.” 

The man became even more contemplative. To his grandfather, Liu Yuanhai was both his prized pupil and his malaise. He’d taught Liu Yuanhai too well. Liu Yuanhai had been born with tremendous talent. He was a diamond in the rough that he had carefully polished; if only he encountered a worthy lord, he would certainly be an exemplary subject. But, lamentably, the Sima Clan could do nothing right and had not the virtue to earn his loyalty. They were to other peoples as a steel whip to a wild horse. Sooner or later, their actions would bring about disaster.

It was no matter if a prodigy appeared in a civilized world, but in a lawless world?

And now, there was another one: Liang Zixi. That he “had the world in his heart” was by far the most paramount evaluation he could receive. His grandfather believed that he could stand against the rising tide. Not only did he want to help him, but he wanted the Cui family to stand on his side as well. This had enormous implications for the fate of their clan!

A long silence later, the man said, “There is another year yet.” 

Indeed, there was still one more year – both for Liang Feng and for the Cui family. The old man slowly nodded and shut his eyes.

※

Liang Feng stayed at the Cui Residence for only two days before returning to his estate. As he’d both arrived hastily and left hastily, not many knew he’d been here at all. But there were always busybodies who liked poking their nose into other people’s business.

Layer after layer of brocade veils hung heavily in the perfumed boudoir; it was warm as spring inside. Several noblewomen sat inside, having tea and appreciating the bleak winter view. 

“I fear it might start snowing in another few days. How moving will the snow-covered scenery be this winter?” one of the noblewomen sighed as she plucked her zither.

“Only elegance suits you, ah-Yao, but I am merely a crude being,” another woman chuckled, “They all say that the master of the Liang Family is blessed with noble bearing and magnificent beauty. Ah-Shu, must you hide him so and deprive us of the chance to meet him?”

Liang Shu froze ever so slightly and put down her teacup. She smiled, “It’s been some time since I’ve seen my nephew, what do you mean by that, ah-Lan?”

Li Lan covered her lips with her handkerchief in a put-upon display of surprise, “Why, don’t tell me Master Liang didn’t visit his aunt when he visited the commandery capital?” 

Liang Feng had come to the commandery capital?! When?! Burning coal roiled in Liang Shu’s chest and burst into flame, though she kept her composure and said blandly, “Perhaps there was some urgent matter he had to attend to. With how delicate his health is, he doesn’t leave home lightly.”

“So that’s how it is!” Li Lan grinned and said to her neighbor, “Ah-Yao, let’s have another song!”

The mellifluous music began once more, but Liang Shu was in no mood to continue listening. She had never gotten along with her husband’s younger sister; no wonder she invited her to this get-together – she wanted to make a mockery of her! Just when had that damned invalid Liang Feng come to the commandery capital?! He actually dared to ignore her, his aunt?!

But no matter how embarrassed and infuriated she was, she couldn’t show it. In the last few months, Liang Feng’s name had already soared to the skies. Some nonsense about dreaming of Buddha, stopping the plague, and selling scriptures, of all things! It was all simply unheard of! Now, he was an honored guest of the Taiyuan Wang Clan, a living legend. While her Lang-er had become a laughing stock for being expelled from Sushui Pavilion. 

The gossipers were only too happy to gossip, but what of the one they gossiped about? That incident had tarnished just Li Lang, but the whole Li family. Her husband’s daily mockery and derision nearly made her explode with rage. Things would be unthinkably worse if she hadn’t the foresight to send Lang-er to Ye City!

But still, Liang Shu had her hands tied when it came to her detestable nephew. She had lost many nights of sleep over the Qingyang Stronghold’s vanquishment a couple of months ago. Firstly, because she was afraid that Liang Feng would obtain evidence against her, and secondly because she was alarmed by the Liang Estate’s military might. Her nephew’s reputation and power were like needles under her seat. How had that vacuous weakling become a person like this?

Plus, the fierce fighting over Luoyang that had begun in the tenth month brought her even more apprehension. She had gambled her precious treasure on the Prince of Chengdu; if the Prince of Chengdu lost, then Liang-er would never see the light of day. The army had to take Luoyang, no matter what!

Manicured nails digging into her palm, Liang Shu silently turned her head, looking far out into the east. 

The author has something to say:

Actually, a lot of people have followed the same dead-end train of thought as young Liang. In ancient times, knowledge wasn’t something people used in their day-to-day work, it was used by the ruling class to govern. The so-called “cultivate the self, regulate the family, govern the state, then lead the world to peace,” was the one and only goal of scholars. Under that premise, and before the imperial examination system had emerged, knowledge wouldn’t spread easily. Socioeconomic capital determined the ruling structure, which was true of any society. It wasn’t something the government could change, but times of chaos are different.