Pine Trees Stand Tall in Autumn Snow, Locust Trees Burn Warm the Stove

Chen Maojing toasted Meng Wenlang, set down the cup, glanced around the pavilion, and said with a smile, "The topic of 'feelings versus feelings' that Lord Zhu just raised has been met with your insightful opinions. Mr. Meng's concise remarks have turned the debate between the two sides into a discussion for the audience, which is truly brilliant."

He paused slightly, then looked at Zhu Tao: "Lord Zhu, how about posing another question to let everyone continue the discussion?"

Zhu Tao waved his hand and laughed, "I set the question just now, so this one should be done by Brother Minze. You are the head of the county, how can you leave me to worry about it alone?"

A soft laugh rang out from inside the pavilion.

Meng Wenlang smiled slightly and said, "Lord Zhu is right. Brother Minze, why don't you pose a question so we can discuss this further?"

Unable to refuse, Chen Mao pondered for a moment and slowly said, "A few days ago, I visited Lord Zhu. He was sitting in the courtyard reading. There were two trees in the courtyard: a pine and a locust. The pine was evergreen, while the locust had long since lost its leaves, leaving only a few withered branches. I said to Lord Zhu, 'Pine and cypress are indeed noble trees, but a mountain full of pines lacks charm.'"

He paused, then smiled and said, "Let's take this as our topic today: Which is more of a gentleman, the pine or the locust tree?"

As soon as the question was uttered, Zhu Tao laughed: "Brother Minze, you've set a tricky question."

Fan Zheng also laughed and said, "The pine and cypress wither last, as the Master has already concluded. Is Your Excellency asking us to defend the locust tree in this matter?"

Chen Mao smiled and said, "It is precisely because the Master has made his conclusion that we can discuss it again. Today, everyone here is quite learned, and I am sure you can offer some reasoned arguments where there is nothing to say."

He added, "Just now, when Lord Zhu posed the question, all the elders offered their insightful opinions. This question will also be addressed by the elders. Young men from all families need not be anxious. Once this question has been discussed, you will have your chance to demonstrate your abilities."

The first to speak was a local celebrity named Du Shiyi.

Du Shiyi said, "Your Excellency has posed an interesting question. Pine and locust, one is evergreen, the other withers. Confucius said, 'Only when the year grows cold do we know that the pine and cypress are the last to wither.' Just from this sentence alone, the pine and cypress are undoubtedly gentlemen."

However, Mr. Du believed that the pine tree's virtue as a gentleman lies not in its "unfading" nature, but in its "non-contention." While a hundred flowers vie for spring's glory, the pine does not compete; while a hundred grasses wither in autumn, the pine also does not compete. It does not sprout before the spring breeze arrives, nor does it fade before the autumn wind rises; when winter snow comes, it remains unchanged, neither increasing nor decreasing. Is this not the virtue of a gentleman?

He concluded, "The pine tree is a model of virtue because it does not contend. It does not vie for spring's arrival, nor does it contend for its fading. Upholding its own principles is true virtue."

Du Shiyi's words, though brief, were insightful. The phrase "non-contention" is a direct paraphrase of Zhuangzi's concepts of "useless material" and "useless utility."

Chu Wenju laughed and said, "Mr. Du's words are quite insightful. Not contending is the mark of a man who upholds his principles."

Fan Zheng slowly said, "Mr. Du said that not competing is the virtue of the pine. But I think the locust tree also has its merits. The locust tree flourishes in spring and withers in winter. When it withers, it does not hide itself, nor does it force a few leaves to make it green; when it flourishes, it is not reserved at all, with lush branches and dense leaves, providing a full shade."

If it withers, it withers completely; if it flourishes, it flourishes to the fullest. Isn't this a kind of magnanimity? Therefore, I believe that the locust tree is also a gentleman. The pine tree is a gentleman who upholds integrity, and the locust tree is a gentleman who is magnanimous.

Sun Datian had been holding back for a long time on the topic of whether sages are compassionate or not, and now he finally had a topic he could discuss.

He sat up straight and said in a loud voice, "I wholeheartedly agree with what you said, Master Fan! But I think it's not enough. The locust tree is more than just open and unrestrained; it is even more difficult to cultivate than the pine tree."

Pine wood is resinous and explodes when exposed to fire, making it unsuitable for firewood; pine branches are knotty and difficult to split and burn. Locust wood, however, is different. Locust wood has a fine grain, burns well, and retains its heat for a long time. In the stoves of poor families, locust wood was excellent firewood. On unbearably cold winter days, a bundle of locust wood could save a life.

Gentlemen, do you know that a locust tree, growing from the ground, flourishes in spring and withers in autumn, eventually being split open and stuffed into the stove, turning into fire, into smoke, into a handful of cold ashes, leaving nothing behind? But on that stove sits a pot, in which porridge is cooked, and the porridge feeds people. Isn't this the way of a virtuous person?

The pavilion fell silent for a moment.

What Sun Datian said was just a little insight from an old farmer who had spent half his life tilling the land and tending the stove, yet it carried a weight that other speeches did not.

Chen Mao nodded slightly.

Seeing that everyone remained silent, Sun Datian became somewhat uneasy and awkwardly picked up his cup: "I am a rough man and speak crudely, please forgive me."

Zhu Tao, however, said seriously, "Uncle Sun, don't be so modest. To think of a bundle of firewood in the stove is the truth."

His tone softened, as if he were chatting casually: "However, listening to your discussions reminds me of an old story. Back when I was serving in the prefecture, I met two kinds of people. One kind was like a pine tree, standing tall in the court, upright and dignified, a pillar of the state; the other kind was like a locust tree, silently burning itself out in the countryside, warming a family and a room. Which one is superior? I've thought about it for a long time, but I still can't come to a conclusion."

He turned to Chen Mao and Meng Wenlang, smiling, and said, "Brother Minze has served as a local official for many years, and Mr. Meng has also been involved in government affairs. Now you've set up a school to teach students. I'd like to hear what you two mean by the weight of the pine and the locust tree?"

This question was asked in a gentle tone, as if seeking advice rather than interrogating.

All eyes in the pavilion fell on Chen Mao and Meng Wenlang.

Chen Mao straightened his clothes and slowly said, "Your Excellency's question is difficult for me to answer. In all my years as an official in this region, I dare not say that I have become a pillar of society. I have only done my best to take care of the people of this county. If I were to compare myself to a pine or a locust tree, I would say that I wanted to be a pine but could not, so I had to settle for being a locust tree, providing shade for as many people as I could."

He smiled and said, "Actually, the principles of governing a county and governing a prefecture are the same. Sometimes, it's not so clear whether the locust tree under the stove is the same as the pine tree on the beam."

Meng Wenlang took over the conversation, his voice calm: "The pine stands tall amidst a thousand autumns of snow, while the locust tree burns warm firewood. The pine establishes itself in the world through its solitary uprightness, while the locust tree preserves itself through its twisted and crooked nature. Those who establish themselves in the world uphold the Way, while those who preserve themselves nurture the people. Each has its own role, and there is no need to force a distinction between them."

I'm thinking, perhaps the pine and the locust tree aren't two different kinds of trees. The locust tree is the shadow of the pine. What withers in the soil in winter is its downward-bending shadow; what remains evergreen through the seasons is its unwavering nature, steadfast even in the harshest winter. True great trees, originally from the same root, one branch withers, the other flourishes. They are simply the same tree.

Meng Wenlang paused, and seeing that everyone seemed thoughtful, he smiled slightly and opened up a bit more: "A person should have a pine tree in their heart, but in their actions, they can be like a locust tree. If you have something to uphold in your heart, you will remain evergreen; if you humble yourself to serve others, even if you wither and fall, you have not lost your true nature. The pine tree is the bone, and the locust tree is the flesh and blood; they are originally one."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Tao laughed and said, "What a wonderful saying, 'The pine is the bone, the locust is the flesh and blood; they are originally one body.' Mr. Meng, your words have indeed cleared up my doubts!"

He raised his cup: "I offer this toast to you both, and also to the pine and locust trees."

Everyone raised their glasses and drank together.

Chen Mao laughed and said, "We spent half a day debating whether the pine or the locust tree is more virtuous, but Mr. Meng said they are the same thing. You've taken over this pleasant conversation again."

His gaze drifted out of the pavilion, and he changed the subject: "We were so engrossed in our conversation that we didn't even realize it had started snowing again. This auspicious snowfall before the winter solstice is truly a sign of a bountiful year and a good omen for literary endeavors."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked out of the pavilion.

Sure enough, it was snowing outside. The snow wasn't heavy, but it was falling softly.

The charcoal braziers at the four corners of the pavilion were still burning brightly.

The servants came up again, added more charcoal, and changed the wine.