Zhuyun Pavilion, the Angler, Years of Struggle

On the night of the 22nd of the lunar month, Qiantang County was hit by another heavy snowfall.

This snowfall was as heavy as the first snowfall, and it lasted all night, only stopping the following morning.

The twenty-third day of the winter solstice is a day when the clear sounds of winter gather.

Zhu Yingtai stood outside the schoolhouse, her voice still slightly hoarse from just waking up, but unable to hide her joy: "Brother Liang, it really snowed today!"

Liang Shanbo laughed and said, "My brother is truly prescient."

Zhu Yingtai couldn't help but smile.

After washing up, the two followed Meng Wenlang, Wang Shu, Gu Jun, Xiao Hu, and Sun Yuangui, leaving Wansong Academy and heading towards Zhuyun Pavilion on Qiantang Lake, stepping through the snow.

Xiao Hu and Sun Yuangui were also accompanying the group because both came from prominent local families in Qiantang. The heads of the Xiao and Sun families would be present today, and both families had already sent messengers to inform Xiao Hu and Sun Yuangui that they should accompany Meng Wenlang today.

The world after the snow was a vast expanse of white.

In the pine forest, every pine tree was covered with snow, as if they were wearing white fur coats.

The snow on the path had been trampled, leaving several deep and shallow footprints.

The distant mountains were also a vast expanse of white, and the outlines of the mountain ridges were clearer than usual.

The group walked through the snow, the snow crunching under their feet. The sound was monotonous, yet it carried an indescribable sense of peace and security.

Zhu Yingtai walked beside Liang Shanbo with exceptionally light steps. Gazing at the vast snowscape, she felt an indescribable sense of comfort.

After walking for a while, we arrived at Qiantang Lake.

There is a villa by the lake.

This villa occupies a vast area, with white walls and gray tiles. The villa's gate is wide open, and above the gate hangs a plaque with the four characters "Zhuyun Villa". The characters are not written with the silkworm head and swallow tail strokes, but rather with a new style of regular script with square strokes and strong, vigorous strokes.

Wu County was home to four prominent families: the Zhu, Zhang, Gu, and Lu. Among these four families, the Zhu family had the deepest ties with Qiantang. One branch of the Zhu family settled in Qiantang long ago, prospered, and became the largest and most prominent family in Qiantang.

Zhuyun Villa was the property of the Zhu family of Qiantang.

At that moment, several servants were waiting at the gate. When they saw Meng Wenlang and his party coming, one of them came forward and led them through the gate of the villa to Zhuyun Pavilion.

Zhuyun Pavilion is surrounded by the lake on three sides and connected to the shore on one side. The pavilion is quite large and can accommodate dozens of people. The pillars of the pavilion are made of thick nanmu wood and painted with vermilion. The roof of the pavilion is covered with bluish-gray tiles, with snow piled on the tiles, and the eaves are slightly upturned.

A felt mat had been laid out inside the pavilion. The mat was pure white, soft and thick, so soft that one could not hear footsteps. A dozen or so low tables were placed on the mat, behind each table was a cushion, and on each table were celadon cups and saucers. At each of the four corners of the pavilion was a charcoal brazier, the charcoal in the braziers burning brightly, the red light reflecting off the white snow.

Under the eaves outside the pavilion, several servants were warming wine. Steam rose from the wine pot, turning into wisps of white mist in the cold wind.

Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai stood behind Meng Wenlang, surveying the scene in the pavilion.

Many people had already arrived at the pavilion.

In the central seat sat an elderly man over fifty years old named Zhu Tao. He wore a dark ramie robe, with a white jade pendant at his waist. His hair and beard were white, his face was lean, and his eyes were bright. He knelt there, composed and dignified, exuding an air of authority without anger.

Zhu Yingtai's gaze fell on the old man's face, and she was slightly taken aback. She then called out "Brother Liang" in a low voice and took a few steps back.

Liang Shanbo understood and followed her back.

Zhu Yingtai lowered her voice and glanced at the old man in the main seat: "Brother Liang, does that elder sitting in the center look familiar? Isn't he the one who was fishing the other day?"

Liang Shanbo nodded and said in a low voice, "I think so too, but the fisherman that day, dressed in a straw raincoat and bamboo hat, is quite different from this richly dressed elder. I'm not sure."

Zhu Yingtai nodded and said nothing more.

The two returned to Meng Wenlang's side.

From the head seat, Zhu Tao's gaze swept over Liang and Zhu, lingered for a moment, and then looked away. He also felt that the two looked somewhat familiar, but didn't think much of it. They were just two unfamiliar juniors, not worth his attention.

More people arrived one after another.

Everyone settled down.

There are specific rules regarding the seating arrangement in the pavilion.

The person seated at the head of the table was neither County Magistrate Chen Mao nor Meng Wenlang, but Zhu Tao.

Because Zhu Tao is older, and this Zhuyun Villa is currently owned by the Zhu family, and because Zhu Tao served as an official for many years before resigning from his position as Prefect of Wu County this year to retire into seclusion, among all the people in this pavilion, Zhu Tao is undoubtedly the most deserving in terms of seniority, age, and influence in Qiantang.

Chen Mao and Meng Wenlang sat to Zhu Tao's left and right respectively.

Liang Shanbo, Zhu Yingtai, Wang Shu, and Gu Jun all knelt behind Meng Wenlang.

The remaining families each occupied a seat, including Fan Zheng, head of the Fan family of Linping, Qiantang; Chu Wenju, head of the Chu family of Qiantang; Xiao Zhen, head of the Xiao family of Qiantang; Sun Datian, head of the Sun family of Qiantang; and several other local notables.

Xiao Zhen is Xiao Hu's grandfather. Although he is over fifty years old, he is still quite robust and vigorous.

Sun Datian is Sun Yuangui's father. He is nearly forty years old, of medium build, and has fair skin.

In addition to Meng Wenlang bringing several disciples and students, Zhu Tao, Fan Zheng, Chu Wenju, Xiao Zhen, and Sun Datian each had young members of their clans accompanying them, as well as other local celebrities who brought their disciples.

Xiao Hu knelt behind his grandfather Xiao Zhen, while Sun Yuangui knelt behind his father Sun Datian.

After everyone was seated, the servants filed in and placed pastries, dried fruits, and freshly warmed rice wine on the low tables. The aroma of the wine mingled with the scent of the charcoal fire, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

County Magistrate Chen Mao stood up from his seat and picked up the celadon cup in front of him.

The pavilion fell silent.

Chen Mao looked around at everyone and said with a smile, "The gathering of scholars in the cold of winter begins with the gentlemen of Jiankang. Today, all the gentlemen of Qiantang have gathered here at Zhuyun Pavilion, hoping to hear your pure music and not waste this beautiful scenery of lakes and mountains."

He glanced at the snow scene outside the pavilion and said, "This auspicious snowfall before the winter solstice is a sign of a bountiful year and also an auspicious omen for literary pursuits. Today, all the distinguished guests have gathered, young and old alike. I, Chen, will first drink a cup to begin the feast."

After saying this, he drank the wine in his cup in one gulp and knelt down again.

Everyone raised their glasses.

After a round of drinks, Chen Mao turned to Zhu Tao, who was in the main seat, and cupped his hands, saying, "Lord Zhu, you are the most respected elder in the pavilion today, so please decide on the topic of this conversation."

Zhu Tao nodded slightly, not declining.

He glanced around the pavilion and said, "I am not a scholar of metaphysics, and I should not presume to teach others. However, there is a case between Wang Fusi and He Pingshu during the Zhengshi era, which remains unresolved to this day. I would like to take this opportunity to ask you all to discuss it."

He paused, then said, word by word, "Does a sage have feelings? Or is he without feelings?"

The pavilion fell silent once more.

Chen Mao added, "This topic of Lord Zhu's will be discussed by all of you present. As for the younger generation, after the elders have discussed it first, there will be a separate discussion and poetry topic. Today's gathering is not only for discussing principles, but also for encouraging the younger generation."

The saying "a sage is heartless" comes from He Yan.

He Yan believed that sages follow the Way of Heaven purely, without joy, anger, sorrow, or pleasure, and are not enslaved by material things or burdened by emotions.

This saying was very popular during the Zhengshi era, and many famous scholars regarded it as the golden rule.

The saying that "sages have feelings" comes from Wang Bi.

Wang Bi disagreed with He Yan's view, believing that sages are also human, experiencing joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, but their emotions "respond to things without being burdened by them." A sage's emotions are normal reactions to external things, but they are not entangled by them. For example, a clear mirror reflects everything, yet retains nothing.

These two interpretations each hold their own ground and have classical evidence, and have been debated for over a hundred years without a definitive conclusion.

Zhu Tao chose this topic because it was profound and broad enough to match the scholarship of the scholars present, and also because it offered room for debate.