WSMTATMC C154

Chapter 154

Chen Qingyan and Chen Qinghuai slept a full two days before recovering. Waking in their familiar bedroom felt unreal—yesterday in the exam cell, today back at home.

After eating, they went to the study to recount the provincial exam’s process and questions to Elder Liang, and called Second Cousin in to discuss as well.

Qingsong wasn’t home; the academy had resumed, and he’d gone back to classes.

In the study, Elder Liang had brush and ink ready, telling them to write out the provincial exam questions from memory, then each explain personal approaches to solving them.

Qingyan remembered the clearest—nearly sixty questions from start to finish, written out without a word missed—earning Second Cousin’s total admiration. He could at most recall twenty; the rest he truly could not retrieve.

Though not as exact as his elder brother, Qinghuai still wrote out more than fifty. Elder Liang lifted the draft papers, stroked his beard, and frowned slightly.

“‘Lead them with government, regulate them with punishments, and the people will avoid crime but have no shame; lead them with virtue, regulate them with rites, and they will have shame and be orderly.’ How did you answer this one?”

After a brief thought, Qingyan said, “This passage is where Confucius expounds the Way of governance, distinguishing the differing effects of virtue-and-rites versus government-and-punishments. Its meaning is: if one drives the people with decrees and restrains them with penalties, then though they avoid offense, they lack an inner sense of shame; if one transforms them by virtue and guides them by the ritual order, then the people not only know shame, but also rectify their conduct.”

“In detail: government-and-punishments are external compulsion—swift yet shallow in effect. The people fear penalties, so they dare not do evil, but not knowing the root of good and evil, they cannot truly turn toward the good. For instance, Guan Zhong’s methods made Qi wealthy and strong, yet Confucius deemed his instrument small, because it leaned on law while lacking moral education. Virtue-and-rites differ—they are inner cultivation. The gentleman cultivates virtue in himself, and the people naturally emulate; when ritual norms are clear, the people know advance and retreat. Mencius said, ‘He who acts with virtue and benevolence will rule as king’—speaking of the efficacy of moral transformation—so that the people are sincerely pleased and convinced.

“Yet the two are not absolutely opposed. The sage’s governance takes virtue-and-rites as the root, punishments as support. The Book of Documents says, ‘Be clear about the five punishments to assist the five teachings.’ If one relied purely on virtue-and-rites, the obstinate are hard to change; if one relied solely on punishments, the people scatter. Thus this Analects passage reveals the crux of governing: take the transformation by virtue-and-rites as the foundation, that the people have shame and conform; resort to punishments only when necessary. The Way of ruling lies in correcting the root and clearing the source—so that the people improve day by day without realizing it—that is the effect of virtue-and-rites; to deter evil and forbid vice as warning to others—this is the function of punishments. The two must be used together, yet the root and the branch must not be inverted—this is the profound admonition Confucius leaves us.”

Elder Liang tapped the table with a finger. “Well answered!”

This question was a hidden trap. Though the surface belonged to the “Wei Zheng” (Governing) chapter and Confucius advocated rule by rites, it, in fact, demanded that candidates weigh the advantages and drawbacks of “virtue-and-rites” versus “government-and-punishments” in governance.

It tested the ability to identify the real point of the question. If one parsed only the sentence itself, at most the superficial meaning would be given, while the deeper thrust would be missed.

Qingyan not only targeted the point but wrote with steadiness—his could serve as a model answer.

Qinghuai’s response was also good—he had gotten to the heart. Only Li Bingchen wiped sweat from his brow and, with a dazed look, said, “So that was the point…” It was plain he hadn’t answered that one well.

They remained in the study all morning. Elder Liang had almost gone through all the major questions; finding no big omissions, he said, “The provincial exam completed, the teacher’s work is done. The road ahead is long—exert yourselves. If you two are fortunate to be on the second list, it will be my teaching’s success; if you return with broken feathers, do not lose heart—return to the academy and hone yourselves again for three seasons.

“My years are advanced; the mulberries are lit by evening light. While strength remains, I wish to wander the mountains and waters and also go to Shanzhou to visit old friends and keep former promises.”

At the news that the teacher was leaving, tears streaked from Qinghuai’s eyes. “Won’t you wait for the posting of results?”

Elder Liang waved a hand. “No need. You’ve done your best; whether you pass lies in Heaven’s will. I depart tomorrow. There will be chances for us master and disciples to meet again.”

That night, all learned Elder Liang would go. None could bear to let him leave—especially little Yuanbao. Small as he was, he already grasped what parting meant.

Clutching the old man’s hand, he said, “Grandpa Liang, can’t you stay? Yuanbao can’t bear you to go.”

Elder Liang lifted him onto his knee and pinched the small hand. “Grandpa Liang has other matters to tend. One cannot remain in a single corner forever. Your father and uncle are both accomplished—follow their example and study well, do you hear?”

Yuanbao nodded through tears. “Yuanbao understands.”

Wang Ying’s eyes were red as well. Knowing the elder could not be persuaded to stay, he focused on packing—more food and supplies.

“Why so urgent? Stay a few days and I’ll cure some jerky and make you cakes for the road.”

He was tempted, but after a struggle, shook his head. “Forget it. I’ll try your cooking next time.”

The next day, Elder Liang set off. On the day the provincial exam ended, Chen Guang also rushed back from Laizhou—bringing the cough remedy. To be safe, he had copied it again and would take it to Shanzhou along the courier route.

Wang Ying packed five-spice jerky; Aunt Chen griddled twenty cakes. The weather cooled day by day—these would keep.

Beyond luggage, Wang Ying had loaded half a cart of various medicines—pouches upon pouches.

“That’s enough—don’t pile anything more—we’ll have nowhere left to sit.”

“This is only because you may not find these on the road.”

“Leave it be. Years ago I roamed north and south—just a bundle on the back and a mule to ride—none of this fuss.”

“That was youth. Now the years are on—we can’t be careless.”

Elder Liang had no answer—only watched as more things were stacked on the roof of the cart.

When all was loaded, he called Wang Ying aside. “Though you never told me, I’ve guessed a little of your capability. Be careful—do not let outsiders see.”

Wang Ying nodded. He had known he could not hide it from the elder.

“This provincial—Qingyan has eight or nine chances out of ten. Wait and see. If he becomes a provincial graduate—don’t forget to send me a letter.”

“Understood.”

“Don’t rush Yuanbao’s primer. The child is still young—push too early and he’ll come to loathe study. Go slowly—let Qingyan set the example. This child will turn out well.”

“Okay…” Wang Ying couldn’t hold back his tears and turned to wipe his face. The old man was leaving, yet still fretting over his family.

Saying no more, Elder Liang climbed into the carriage and waved to the Chens. “Until we meet again.”

Qingyan and Qinghuai walked with him to the street corner before turning back. The joy at finishing the provincial exam was dimmed by Elder Liang’s departure; both felt low. Qingsong did not yet know; when he returned, he would surely have a long cry.

The two Li cousins were also preparing to leave. There was still time before results, and there was no reason to stay long in the prefectural city—especially as the elder had office—lingering too long might look bad.

Wang Ying and Madam Li loaded half a cart of goods for the pair—things bought in advance and kept in the storeroom.

Madam Li told them to take care on the road and to send a letter upon arrival.

The bustling courtyard went quiet at once.

In the afternoon, Liu Changyi came. He had slept at home for three days straight before waking; Madam Qin had thought her son might sleep himself away and summoned physicians multiple times—thankfully, nothing serious.

This provincial exam had truly tested him. He lost seven jin in nine days—the baby fat fell off, cheekbones defined—making him look ever more energetic.

“Qinghuai—Elder Brother—how did you do?”

Qingyan said, “Dare not claim absolute certainty, but felt I played to my level.”

“With that said, it’s steady!” Elder Brother Qingyan was not given to empty words—if he said so, he had likely given a full measure.

Qinghuai said, “I broke two questions a little differently from my brother—not sure if they’ll be accepted.”

“No matter. There is always next time. I likely won’t pass—so next round I can accompany Brother Song.”

Qinghuai groaned. “Easy for you to say. I don’t want to endure that again. You don’t know what those nine days were like for me.”

“How could I not know? I barely slept nine nights. At most two hours before the neighbor’s snores woke me. By the seventh day, I couldn’t stand it—fell asleep on the desk—the invigilator had to wake me, or my drool would have soaked the paper.”

The scenes were still vivid to Changyi. “Enough—let’s hope we pass this time—at worst as the tail of the list. By the way, where is Elder Liang?”

Qingyan paused. “He left this morning—said he’d go travel the mountains and waters.”

“Alas, all feasts must end. With Elder Liang’s temper, he couldn’t long be confined. Let it be—we’ll surely meet again.”

Qinghuai said, “Even so, with him gone, I feel unsettled. Enough of that…”

Changyi glanced around. “Where’s Qingyun?”

“Knew you weren’t here for us.”

He chuckled. “Mother bought some honeydew from Hu people. I had one yesterday—excellent. She asked me to bring you two to try.”

Honeydew—unrefined Hami melon—because of lower water content, kept well. It was shipped from the Western Regions—very expensive. Palm-sized ones could fetch three or four strings.

“Wait in the reception hall. I’ll fetch Qingyun.”

Soon, Qingyun arrived with Yuanbao. Today she wore a pale-cyan cross-collared gown, with a light gauze jacket over it, clouds pinned in her hair and a dangling hairpin trembling—especially lovely.

Changyi’s eyes brightened; he stood quickly to greet her; she smiled and returned the courtesy.

Though propriety separated men and women, the two were soon to wed, so there was less fuss. Besides, his character and family style were beyond reproach—he would not commit a breach.

The youths had no end of words—especially with Changyi besotted with Qingyun, ever changing ways to amuse her. From the side, Qingyan ground his teeth—it felt like seeing a fine cabbage nosed by a pig.

Better not to watch—he took Yuanbao and the melons. “I’ll slice some honeydew for your sister-in-law.”

Father and son wandered to the shop. As they arrived, the Marquis of Wuping and Qing’er happened to be there.

Though Qingyan had heard of him from Wang Ying’s mouth, he was still startled by the man’s looks and build. Even in plain clothes, the martial aura could not be hidden.

Li Mu had also heard of Qingyan. The two exchanged brief greetings. Qingyan cut the honeydew and shared it with everyone.

Qing’er and Yuanbao had grown familiar. Being close in age, they played happily when together. Li Mu watched his daughter with a soft smile, then after a while let his gaze fall on Lin Sui—breath catching—a rush of unspeakable pity surging up.

He had not imagined the other had been through such things…