Xie Xuan's Connections, the Wind Blows Towards Kuaiji

The next day, the sky cleared after the snow.

After finishing their breakfast, Liang Shanbo, Wang Shu, and Gu Jun, as usual, crossed the fields and headed towards the back of the mountain along the winding mountain path.

Sunlight shines through the pine forest, making the pine needles, washed clean by the snow, appear even greener and heavier on the branches. The remaining snow on the mountain path has been swept to the sides, revealing the wet blue stones underneath.

We've arrived at Songzha.

The snow on the pine fence in front of the house had not yet completely melted.

The three people pushed open the door and entered.

As always, Meng Wenlang sat on the mat under the window. After the three knelt down, he began his lecture for the day.

Today he was discussing the *Records of the Three Kingdoms*, specifically Cao Cao's policy of land reclamation and Zhuge Liang's governance of Shu. He compared the two, saying that Cao Cao's land reclamation was "using the way of a hegemon to implement the way of a king," while Zhuge Liang's governance of Shu was "using the way of a king to govern the way of a hegemon." These two sentences succinctly point out the fundamental difference in their styles of action.

He always taught his disciples history with the intention of using history as a mirror to guide and mold them.

He compared Cao Cao and Zhuge Liang on the same level, not to verify historical facts, but to directly extract the insightful political personalities of Cao Cao, who was "a hegemon within a king," and Zhuge Liang, who was "a king within a hegemon."

He said that Cao Cao "used the way of the hegemon to practice the way of the king," which actually revealed his ruthless nature; he said that Zhuge Liang "used the way of the king to govern the way of the hegemon," which revealed his magnanimity as a prime minister who combined Confucianism and Legalism.

He uses concise and witty metaphors to characterize people, which is exactly the kind of conversation style that scholars today value.

This demonstrates his masterful style of not being bound by literal rules and directly grasping profound truths.

Liang Shanbo, Wang Shu, and Gu Jun listened intently.

After the lecture, Wang Shu and Gu Jun rose to take their leave. Liang Shanbo was about to follow suit when Meng Wenlang called out, "Shanbo, you stay."

Liang Shanbo knelt down again.

Wang Shu and Gu Jun were no longer surprised by this. The two left the pine fence and gently closed the door.

Meng Wenlang picked up the ceramic cup on the table, took a sip of tea, then put the cup down and looked at Liang Shanbo. His gaze was more serious than usual, as if he were pondering something he had been thinking about for a long time.

He slowly began to speak: "Shanbo, as you know, it is extremely difficult for children from poor families to advance in their careers."

Liang Shanbo's heart stirred slightly, and he respectfully replied, "This disciple understands."

Meng Wenlang nodded and continued, "You have talent and good character. But in this world, having talent and good character doesn't guarantee success. Powerful families are like walls; inside the walls are broad avenues, outside are narrow paths. Even if you have lofty ambitions, if no one opens a door for you inside the walls, you'll ultimately only be able to wander around outside."

He paused, his voice deepening slightly: "After much thought, I've decided to make arrangements for you."

Liang Shanbo was startled.

I never expected that the gentleman would suddenly bring up this matter with him today.

One of the main reasons he longed to become Meng Wenlang's disciple was that Meng Wenlang might help him, a poor boy, open the door that was tightly shut by powerful clans and aristocratic families.

Today, the gentleman himself said those words.

He placed his hands on the mat and bowed, saying, "Master, you have gone to so much trouble; I am ashamed."

Meng Wenlang shook his head slightly and offered a helping hand: "There's no need for shame between master and disciple. I taught you to 'use pure conversation as a door,' not to let you break down the door yourself. I still have the ability to open a door for you."

At this moment, Liang Shanbo was both excited and moved. He didn't say anything more, but respectfully straightened up and waited for his master's instructions.

Meng Wenlang instructed: "I previously asked you to write an essay entitled 'The Unity of Substance and Function, and the Non-duality of Manifestation and Subtlety,' which was very well written."

Over the next few days, you will write two more argumentative essays. For example, you could write a piece titled "On the Difference Between Talent and Lack of Talent" based on your discussion at the "Qingyin Ji" gathering yesterday. That would make two essays; then write another one to make a total of three argumentative essays.

Adding your three poems, "Pine Fence," "Snow on Qiantang Lake," and "Remembering My Late Father on a Snowy Day in Qiantang," the three essays and three poems are now combined in one piece. I will write another article to critique your writing and use it to recommend you.

Liang Shanbo bowed respectfully: "This disciple thanks you, sir."

As he straightened up, Meng Wenlang looked at him, his solemnity not diminishing but deepening: "Shanbo, there's something I must tell you beforehand. I'm making arrangements for you, building up your potential, not meaning you're about to enter officialdom. You've only been in school for less than a year, your foundation is not yet solid, and your learning still needs to be cultivated. Just focus on your studies at the academy and don't let my words today make you restless."

He paused, then added earnestly, "After you have studied for three or four years, when the time is right, it will be time for you to take up an official post. You cannot rush it."

Liang Shanbo respectfully replied, "Your disciple will remember your teachings. I will certainly study diligently and live up to your high expectations."

Meng Wenlang nodded slightly and waved his hand.

Liang Shanbo understood, stood up, bowed deeply to the gentleman, and withdrew from the pine fence.

In Songzha, only Meng Wenlang remained.

He sat alone by the window, gazing at the narrow mountain stream outside, lost in thought for a long time. The stream leaped among the rocks, its babbling water seeming to carry his thoughts away, all the way to the Xie family manor in Shiling County, Kuaiji Prefecture, many years ago.

After a long silence, he suddenly muttered to himself, "I wonder if this will work out?"

He had connections in the court and among scholars, the most important of which was Xie Xuan of the Xie family of Chen Commandery.

He had briefly served as Xie Xuan's teacher in the past, and had received some guidance from him. This connection is similar to that of Liang Shanbo's grandfather, who had briefly served as his teacher.

He wouldn't normally use this old connection lightly; even if he wanted to introduce a disciple, he had many other connections he could leverage. After much deliberation, however, he decided to use this old connection on his disciple, Liang Shanbo.

Firstly, he greatly admired Liang Shanbo. This disciple was exceptionally talented and of upright character, the best student he had encountered in all his years of teaching.

Secondly, Liang Shanbo came from a humble background, and without the support of a powerful family, his career prospects would be limited, no matter how talented he was. The Xie family of Chen Commandery, on the other hand, was the most prestigious aristocratic family in the Eastern Jin Dynasty.

Thirdly, Liang Shanbo is skilled in both literature and martial arts, and is also dedicated to military affairs, just like Xie Xuan. If he could follow Xie Xuan, he could better utilize his talents.

He believed that the chances of success were slim. Although Xie Xuan respected him as a teacher, that was many years ago. Xie Xuan might not read the poems and essays of a poor boy because of him, and even if he did, he might not look at him differently; even if he did look at him differently, he might not be willing to recruit him.

But we have to give it a try.

For Shanbo, he was willing to give it a try.

If all else fails, we can introduce Shanbo to someone else in the future.

Outside the window, the wind chimes under the eaves tinkled and rang, as if something was quietly awakening in the sound of the chimes.

got windy.

The wind rustled through the pine forest, creating a sound like the roar of the pines.

Within the pine-covered fence, the fate of a poor boy has been quietly tied to an old friendship, awaiting only to be blown by the wind to Shiling County in Kuaiji Prefecture, and then to the Xie family manor.