Chapter Thirty-Five: The Calm of the Storm (Part Two), First Update

Zheng Shi’an shook his head repeatedly. “Xingyang is too small; if his grandfather and grandson remain here, their influence will be limited. I never expected Zheng Yanqing to possess such talent—back then, I underestimated the boy. Now he has created the Goose Ode style and made his name known across the land with his goose poems. If we do not make proper use of this, wouldn’t it be a waste of his title as ‘Young Master Goose’?

“Rengji, the Zheng family is not what it once was; we need someone to step forward and bring honor to our name. I want you to use every means possible to make Zheng Yanqing’s name famous, so that everyone knows he comes from Anyuan Hall. The more celebrated his reputation, the more cautious the other branches will be when dealing with us. Let him be a carefree scholar, but under no circumstances must he become an official. Let him uphold our reputation in the scholarly world—it will make things much smoother for Hongyi in the future. However, his background must be adjusted; I plan to give him a moderately high status. What do you think?”

Zheng Dashi’s intentions were crystal clear: on one hand, he sought to elevate Zheng Yanqing, while on the other, he meant to suppress him, ensuring he would always remain a dependent of Anyuan Hall. So long as Zheng Yanqing’s future could be controlled, no matter how great his fame, all the glory would reflect back on Anyuan Hall. When Zheng Hongyi grew up, he would have such a renowned scholar as his aide, and Anyuan Hall would be firmly established.

In comparison, although Zheng Dashi was less well-read than Zheng Rengji, his skill in scheming and strategy far surpassed him.

By directly granting Zheng Yanqing a fourth-rank background, he would be firmly established in the literary world. But to succeed in officialdom, he would have to rely on the Zheng family.

According to the old customs, a person’s background ranking—called “local grade”—was closely tied to their official career. To become an official, one’s office must correspond to one’s local grade. Those of high rank started their official careers at a higher level, known as “foundational office,” and were regarded as “pure officials,” advancing quickly and earning respect. Since the beginning of the Kaihuang era, although Emperor Wen of Sui attempted to break this tradition, those in high positions at court were still largely those of noble birth and pure reputation—the aristocracy still held sway.

Even with the imperial examination introduced by Emperor Wen, the successful candidates were still mostly sons of officials; commoners found it exceedingly difficult to enter officialdom.

Those of low local grade typically began as “impure officials,” suffered slow promotions, and were looked down upon.

On the surface, Zheng Dashi seemed generous in bestowing a fourth-grade background, but in reality, if Yanqing wished to become an official, he would still have to start as an impure official.

Without the support of Anyuan Hall, even with great literary fame, his path would remain arduous.

Such is strategy!

To elevate one from ninth-grade background to fourth-grade in a single stroke—what a display of favor! Anyone in this position would surely be grateful beyond measure, perhaps even willing to lay down their life in return. That, precisely, was Zheng Dashi’s aim.

No matter how displeased Zheng Rengji may have been, after hearing Zheng Dashi’s words, he could only nod repeatedly in admiration.

The older the ginger, the spicier it is… Zheng Dashi’s methods were a hundred times more astute than his own.

“Father, awarding Zheng Shi’an a moderately high background is all well and good, but he still needs some arrangement for his livelihood.”

“Is that a problem?” Zheng Dashi smiled. “Take sixty acres of perpetually owned farmland from the estate, and give it to him, along with forty acres of open land, to support Zheng Yanqing’s studies. Wouldn’t his grandfather and grandson be moved to tears? A hundred acres of land, in exchange for a talent for Anyuan Hall… ha ha, Rengji, no matter how you count it, it’s a huge gain for us.”

Indeed, and it would earn the reputation of supporting worthy scholars.

Zheng Rengji could not help but exclaim, “Father, this is a brilliant move—truly masterful!”

Zheng Dashi stroked his beard, his smile widening.

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However, things did not unfold as Zheng Rengji had anticipated.

Because Zheng Yanqing and his companions changed their route halfway and took shelter from the rain on Mount Wan’an, Yan Shigu and the others happened to miss them entirely.

While Zheng Yanqing’s group detoured to Mount Wan’an, Yan Shigu continued along the official road in pursuit. After traveling sixty miles without finding any trace of them, Yan Shigu had no choice but to return to Luoyang. By the time they got back, the rain had stopped. Zheng Yanqing and his group, having departed Mount Wan’an, again narrowly missed encountering Yan Shigu.

A simple bout of rain made matters considerably more complicated.

Fortunately, Zheng Dashi was in Luoyang, and immediately ordered Zheng Rengji to spread the news that Zheng Yanqing was the “Young Master Goose.” At the same time, he released the unfinished half of Yanqing’s “Eight Principles of Writing.” Then, without pause, Zheng Dashi departed Luoyang that very day, hurrying day and night back to Xingyang. After all, Yanqing and his grandfather would certainly return there.

By then, Zheng Dashi could earn the reputation of traveling a thousand miles in search of the Eight Principles—why not?

Since Yanqing’s Goose Ode in Yanshi made his name famous, more than a month had passed without any new works from “Young Master Goose.” Although the term “hype” did not exist in ancient times, the practice certainly did. Without new works, one would gradually be forgotten. Now, with the release of the half-finished “Eight Principles,” the region of Heluo was instantly abuzz.

After more than a month of study, Yanqing’s calligraphic style had grown increasingly mature, his brushwork more refined.

Compared to the later Yan style, perhaps there was still a gap, but the spirit and charm were already evident. Compared to his earlier Goose Ode style, which was merely embryonic and lacked depth, the “Eight Principles” now displayed not only improved technique but, more importantly, offered the first dedicated commentary on the Eight Principles of Writing since their inception.

While poetry was widely circulated, in scholarly circles it was considered a minor art.

The “Eight Principles,” however, were of a different nature—an essay, and thus ranked higher than poetry.

If previously, the Goose Ode could be dismissed as the playful work of a child, the “Eight Principles” now served as Yanqing’s key to acceptance by the scholarly world. Although the essay was incomplete, countless scholars leaped to discuss it.

Within just two or three days, many people came to the Zheng residence, seeking an audience with Zheng Yanqing.

In the ancestral residence of the Dou family, Dou Wei held a rubbings copy of the Eight Principles, procured from the city by his servants. Watching Li Ji, who sat opposite him clutching another copy, Dou Wei’s smile was oddly amused.

“Ninth Brother, I never imagined your pupil would be so remarkable.”

Li Ji looked up and gave a bitter smile. “Uncle, I had no idea about any of this… How was I to know that Yanqing was ‘Young Master Goose’?

“When he was at the academy, I didn’t pay much attention to his handwriting—just noticed that his calligraphy was markedly better than the other children’s. I even gave him a copy of ‘On the Brush.’ Looking at this ‘Eight Principles,’ he must have written it as part of his coursework.”

Dou Wei’s face was wreathed in smiles.

The Hedouling Dou family had risen through military merit, and in Dou Wei’s generation, all his brothers except him were military men. As a child, Dou Wei was often ridiculed by his brothers, yet he never abandoned his love for the literary arts. Thus, unlike the other Dous, he cherished literature and the law. He held Yanqing’s Goose Ode style in high esteem, even practicing it himself.

“Who would have thought, just the other day when I visited the Zhengs, I would happen to rescue such an extraordinary child.”

Dou Wei beamed. “Ninth Brother, you have taken on an exceptional disciple. In the future, you must obtain an authentic copy of the Goose Ode for me, no matter what… Just look, this style is even more vigorous and unyielding than before.”

Li Ji replied softly, “Uncle, now that Yanqing is famous, I fear it will be difficult to see him in the future. Do you think the Zheng family would still accept a man of no reputation as his teacher? Even if he returns to Luoyang, he may no longer be my student.”

Indeed, the Zhengs were an illustrious and powerful family. Now that such a prodigy had emerged, how could they let Yanqing go back to study at the academy? Li Ji’s words made sense—once Yanqing returned to Luoyang, he would likely no longer be Li Ji’s student.

Dou Wei was taken aback, then nodded gently, lost in thought.

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