TSLSILMH Ch 37

Chapter 37

Several years ago, Jiang Hong had sent his household servants to purchase this residence in Wenqi Ward, on the east side of Jinling City.

Within Jinling, aside from the central district, the most expensive homes were here in the east. The families who lived in this area were all wealthy or noble, making the surroundings quieter and more refined than elsewhere.

But ever since Master Jiang had moved into his estate a few days ago, all the teahouses around Wenqi Ward had grown lively.

Everyone wanted a glimpse of the celebrated scholar, and many came under orders from their masters to seek out information.

At one teahouse not far from the Jiang residence, business flourished for days. Especially in the upper floors, where one could see clearly the gate of the Jiang household—it was packed with guests, seats scarce.

Here, a tea gathering was being held. Tea tasting had been a long-standing fashion in this dynasty. Scholars frequently hosted such gatherings, inviting a few companions to a refined spot for tea-making contests.

Of course, today’s guests knew well enough—their true purpose was not the tea.

As water boiled twice and was poured over the tea grounds, the brew slowly changed color. The white froth that surfaced was considered the finest.

Yet most produced only cloudy tea, even those usually praised as skilled. The embarrassment was palpable. After a quick round of half-hearted judging, they quickly turned to the true subject of their concern.

“Old Master Jiang has rejected all visitors these last few days. No one’s letters get through. Could it be he truly means never to take another disciple?”

“Who can say? After all, his last student was none other than the Imperial Astronomer Lü Shuo, a man once crowned by the Emperor himself as the top graduate of the imperial exams, celebrated for his essay On the National Tax, which won the Emperor’s special favor. With such a heavenly jewel as precedent, would Old Master Jiang even look upon the likes of us common men?”

This was like a bucket of cold water across the circle. A lull fell, heavy with disappointment.

Yet one man persisted: “But hasn’t everyone heard the rumors? That Master Jiang and Lü Shuo had already broken, master and disciple in discord! I myself heard that when presiding at the Academy, Jiang set forth new standards—assessing students first by virtue, then by governance, speech, and writings. To set virtue in the foremost place—what greater sign?”

This rekindled their hopes. One joked, “Then by virtue, am I not surely first among us?”

Laughter rippled through the room. But another memory surfaced among them, and soon all turned toward Wan Tianyun.

“Wan Gongzi, they say your honored father visited Master Jiang three days ago. Did he bring back any word?”

Flicking open a gilded fan with disinterest, Wan Tianyun looked bored. “If I had known anything, would I be here today?”

In truth, he was still nursing resentment. His father, Prefect Wan Linming, had been the only one admitted inside Jiang’s gates—yet had not thought once to secure him a recommendation.

Though in truth—Wan Tianyun thought to himself—if he were indeed placed under Jiang Hong, even more respected than his father, would he still enjoy his pampered days?

When they saw even Wan Tianyun knew nothing, disappointment spread. Then, with a snap, Wan Tianyun folded his fan and smirked. “But my father did tell me one thing. Jiang Hong has already taken a final disciple upon arriving in Jinling. Who it is, I don’t know.”

When Wan Linming had returned from his visit, Wan Tianyun had questioned him, only to receive this curt reply—and the sight of his father shaking his head in quiet despair. It infuriated him. Could this new disciple truly be so far superior to him?

At this revelation, the gathering erupted like oil meeting flame.

Everyone was astonished. Just days in Jinling, and Jiang Hong had already accepted someone. But who? None of them had seen any visitors entering the Jiang estate!

No one noticed that in a window seat, Wang Jing’s hand trembled, spilling his tea.

He quickly regained composure, but his gut sank.

Three months ago at that poetry gathering, he had recognized the scholar in disguise—“Sir Zheng”—as none other than the Third Prince Zhao Zhen.

And when the prince had personally invited Wang Jing to his faction, he had considered carefully. Though the Crown Prince’s faction brimmed with talent, competition was fierce, while Zhao Zhen still had need of men. Better to join him and grasp the chance of future glory.

Recently, Zhao Zhen had instructed him to use his old tutor, Master Zuo Ran, to arrange an introduction for a carefully chosen follower into Jiang Hong’s circle.

Though Zuo Ran complied and Jiang accepted the letter, somehow Wang Jing had arrived too late.

So who was it?

Could someone else, so far from the capital, already have gauged Jiang Hong’s very nature and tastes?

He knew he must quickly report this failure to Zhao Zhen.

Meanwhile, outside the teahouse, a carriage approached the Jiang estate.

The seal upon the carriage was familiar.

Laughter swept the guests. “Isn’t that the Yu household’s carriage? So it must be Xie Shu!”

Indeed, Xie Shu had risen to fame at the poetry gathering months ago, but since then had kept apart from society. Now, seeing him brazenly attempting to step through Jiang Hong’s gates, they could not help but sneer.

After all, they themselves had only sent letters by servants for fear of rejection. For a man to present himself in person seemed absurdly arrogant.

Sure enough, they crowded the windows, eager to witness him humiliated.

But to their astonishment, the carriage paused only momentarily at the estate’s threshold before being admitted within, gates swinging wide without obstacle.

Ten days had passed since last they met, but now Xie Shu entered to see Master Jiang once more. His bearing had changed: arrayed in loose scholar’s robes, broad sleeves flowing, dignified and majestic.

Xie Shu was unsurprised; he had already discovered his master’s true identity. Bowing respectfully, he presented his gift: “For granting me such favor and agreeing to accept me as disciple, that day I was unprepared and brought nothing suitable. Today I return, bringing with me, together with my household, a set of the scholarly Four Treasures. Please accept this offering.”

Master Jiang betrayed no joy on his face—but inwardly was pleased.

Truthfully, when he had accepted this student at Qixia, he knew almost nothing of him save that—by Abbot Xuanzhen’s word—he was son-in-law to the Yu family, and that he had become a licentiate at the age of fourteen.

But now, Jiang Hong felt he had secured unexpected fortune.

This youth wasn’t only talented at poetry. He was level-headed, composed under pressure, courteous yet calm.

And now, here he stood, no fluster, no vanity, respectful and graceful—further endearing him.

After the boy presented his gift, Jiang had his disciple take it away, then led Xie Shu into the study he had spent days arranging.

When Xie Shu entered, he was struck breathless by the wealth of volumes.

In these months he had sought rare works himself, yet even with the Yu family’s resources, truly fine manuscripts were scarce. Though early printing existed, it had not spread widely, and most scholars still depended on hand copies. To copy even one book required a fortune in paper and ink—and the labor, far more.

Here were thousands, a library beyond measure. His breath caught.

And Jiang Hong sighed softly, eyes roaming the shelves. “So, twenty years—at least I did not labor in vain…”

Then his gaze sharpened. Turning to pierce Xie Shu with intense eyes, he asked:

“Do you know, why it is I took you as my disciple?”

Footnotes

1. 文啓坊 (Wenqi Ward) – A high-class neighborhood of Jinling, historically where wealthy or scholarly families resided. Living here symbolized status and refinement. 
2. 分茶 (Tea Division / Tea Artistry) – An elegant form of tea preparation popular in the Song and early Ming, involving whisking powdered tea so evenly that white foam formed on top. A clear froth was prized as a marker of skill.

    

3. 四書五經 (Four Books and Five Classics) – Canonical texts of Confucianism, which formed the foundation of imperial civil examinations. 
4. 文房四寶 (Four Treasures of the Study) – Essential tools of a scholar: brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Traditional gifts symbolizing respect in literary and academic contexts.