Shanbo's poems and essays, Daoyun's favorite.

After taking a bath, Xie Daoyun changed her clothes. Her hair was still slightly damp and carried the faint fragrance of bath beans.

She walked along the corridor to Xie Xuan's study. The door was open, and she walked to the door and glanced inside.

Xie Xuan sat alone at his desk, his back to the door, his head slightly bowed. He held neither a book nor a pen, simply sitting quietly, as if lost in thought.

Xie Daoyun went inside.

Hearing the sound, Xie Xuan turned around and saw her, calling out, "Sister."

Xie Daoyun walked to his side, straightened her clothes, sat down, and gently patted his head.

This was a habit she had developed in the past. Every time she finished teaching Xie Xuan, she would gently pat his head like this. Back then, Xie Xuan was shorter than her, and she could easily reach out and pat the top of his head.

Xie Xuan no longer resists. He maintains a strict demeanor in front of outsiders, but he enjoys his elder sister's intimacy.

Xie Daoyun withdrew her hand and her gaze fell on the desk in front of her.

On the table lay a letter, the paper spread out, and next to it was a stack of manuscripts.

Before she could ask, Xie Xuanxian inquired, "Does elder sister still remember Mr. Meng?"

Xie Daoyun nodded: "Of course I remember. Mr. Meng Wenlang was a man of exceptional talent. Although he only taught you for a few months when we invited him to be your teacher, you benefited immensely from it."

Xie Xuan was skilled in both literature and martial arts. In literature, he was taught by his uncle Xie An from a young age, and Xie Daoyun also frequently taught and supervised him.

In addition, the Xie family hired tutors to teach him, including Meng Wenlang. Although Meng Wenlang was only his tutor for a short time, he has benefited from his teachings to this day, and even Xie Daoyun has a deep impression of Meng Wenlang.

Xie Xuan pointed to the letter on the table: "Mr. Meng wrote a letter."

Xie Daoyun's gaze fell on the open letter, and she asked curiously, "Is it just a casual greeting, or is there something else?"

Xie Xuan picked up the letter and handed it to her: "Sister, you'll understand once you read it."

Xie Daoyun took the letter and looked down at it.

The letter was written by Meng Wenlang himself, with clear and vigorous handwriting.

The letter said that he had taken on a new disciple this year named Liang Shanbo, who was only fifteen years old. Although his family was poor, he was exceptionally talented, had the ability to memorize things at a glance, and was skilled in both literature and martial arts. He was also an expert in wrestling and archery and had devoted himself to military strategy.

The letter described the recent gathering of elegant music in Qiantang, saying that Liang Shanbo had a lively discussion and debate at the gathering, composed two poems on the spot, and afterwards divided the 40,000 reward money into four parts.

The letter also mentioned Liang Shanbo's family background.

At the end of the letter, Meng Wenlang wrote: "This young man is like a fine jade in its rough stone, still needing two or three years of quiet contemplation and refinement. If you are able to recruit him upon his graduation, he will surely become a good advisor to you."

After reading the letter, Xie Daoyun smiled at Xie Xuan and said, "It seems that Master Meng is very fond of this disciple. He is only fifteen years old, yet he has already written to introduce him to you."

Xie Xuan pointed to the stack of manuscripts on the table: "I have just carefully read through Liang Shanbo's poems and essays, and he is indeed a man of extraordinary talent. Even I am amazed by him."

Xie Daoyun, who loved poetry and literature, became interested upon hearing this and stretched out her hand: "Let me see it."

Xie Xuan handed her a stack of poems.

There are three poems, three essays, and a poetry and prose review written by Meng Wenlang. The three poems are "Pine Fence," "Snow on Qiantang Lake," and "Remembering My Late Father on a Snowy Day in Qiantang." The three essays are "On the Inseparability of Substance and Function, and the Non-Dual Nature of Manifestation and Subtlety," "On the Difference Between Talent and Waste," and "On the Superiority of Qu Yuan and Song Yu."

Meng Wenlang sent two manuscripts of poems and essays. Xie Xuan saw Xie Daoyun reading one, so he couldn't help but pick up the other and start reading it again.

Xie Daoyun first read the three poems twice, then picked up Meng Wenlang's poetry reviews, found the comments on the three poems, read them twice, and then read the three poems again.

She couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, "A fifteen-year-old boy can actually write such poetry! This child's poems use landscapes as their foundation and profound principles as their spirit, sweeping away the dryness of our metaphysical discourse. We are far inferior to him!"

Xie Xuan knew his elder sister was exceptionally talented, skilled in poetry, prose, eulogies, and odes, and possessed a discerning eye. Even so, he wasn't surprised to see her praising Liang Shanbo's poems so highly. He had been equally amazed when he read those three poems earlier.

He smiled slightly: "This young man is not only exceptionally talented in poetry, but also quite eloquent. His three argumentative essays are all quite remarkable."

Upon hearing this, Xie Daoyun picked up the three essays again and began to read them carefully.

The first chapter is titled "The Theory of the Interpenetration of Substance and Function, and the Non-duality of Manifestation and Microcosm".

"...

People of today either engage in lofty philosophical discussions, advocating non-action and viewing practical matters as trivial; or they are preoccupied with worldly affairs, aiming for personal gain and considering virtue and conduct impractical. These two approaches are incompatible, like ice and charcoal. The root of their problems lies in separating essence and function as two distinct things. If one could understand that essence and function are fundamentally one and inseparable, that the manifest and the subtle are not two separate things, then self-cultivation and bringing peace to others, achieving virtue and establishing merit, would have no hindrance whatsoever.

The lamp in the wall illuminates objects without flaunting its brightness; the fire under the stove cooks rice without boasting of its doneness. The gentleman's approach to learning is similar. When the foundation is established, its function arises naturally; when the root is firm, the branches naturally fall into place. There is no need for boasting or elaborate planning; sweeping and responding to others reveal the principles of Heaven; coming and going, rising and falling, are all within the realm of profound wisdom.

The second article is "On the Superiority of Qu Yuan and Song Yu".

"...

An ancient saying goes: "He who reads 'Li Sao' without weeping is surely disloyal; he who reads 'Nine Arguments' without feeling sorrow is surely not kind." The loyal are moved by the author's will, the kind by his emotions. Qu Yuan's writings inspire loyalty and righteousness; Song Yu's writings evoke compassion. Both authors offer valuable lessons for the human heart and the world, and neither should be neglected.

So how should one read it? The answer is: Do not let the raging fire overshadow the autumn waters, nor let the autumn waters diminish the raging fire. To grasp its essence and meaning—this is the mark of a skilled learner of the *Chu Ci*.

The third article is "On the Difference Between Useful and Useless".

"...

Someone might ask: "Then, those who stand between being talented and not talented, do they also have something to uphold?" The answer is: This question shows a lack of understanding. "Between" is merely a matter of principle; clinging to it becomes a constraint. In the past, He Pingshu was born into a wealthy family, while Shan Juyuan rose from humble beginnings. Their inherent natures differed, and the principles they upheld differed, yet neither betrayed the spirit of their origins. He Pingshu compiled and interpreted the *Analects*, drawing upon various schools of thought, not confined by any single interpretation. Despite facing criticism, he did not argue, and his book is still passed down to this day. On his deathbed, Shan Juyuan instructed his descendants to maintain frugality and simplicity, not to compromise their principles for wealth or status. These two men, though their paths diverged, shared the same principle.

Therefore, there is no need to ask whether something is useful or not, nor whether it is appropriate or not. Only ask where your heart finds peace, and what your body should do. When you truly understand this, whether you are useful or not is good; when you do not truly understand this, all three become fetters, leaving you hanging upside down. Therefore it is said: Whether something is useful or not, whether it is appropriate or not, all these can be disregarded; only your heart must not be betrayed.

Xie Daoyun first read the three essays twice, then read Meng Wenlang's comments on the three essays twice, and then read the three essays once more.

After reading it, she couldn't help but exclaim again, "Truly unbelievable! This boy is indeed as Mr. Meng said, exceptionally talented. I have never seen a fifteen-year-old boy who can write such poetry and such articles."

Xie Xuan nodded and asked with a smile, "What do you think, elder sister? Should I take this boy in?"

Xie Daoyun paused for a moment, then said, "This young man's literary talent alone makes him worthy of recruitment. Mr. Meng also said in his letter that this young man is skilled in both literature and martial arts, with excellent wrestling and archery skills, and is also devoted to military strategy, making him perfectly suited for your use."

Xie Xuan added, "There's one more point. Although this young man comes from a humble background, his ancestors were an old clan from the Guanzhong Plain who migrated south during the Yongjia era. His great-grandfather was killed for refusing Wang Dun's offer of a position, and the family declined from then on. This family's integrity is commendable. Only those with integrity can be entrusted with one's heart."

Xie Daoyun nodded, but said, "However, I find it hard to believe that there is such a talented young man in the world. To be able to write poetry is already extraordinary, and to be able to write prose is already difficult, and to be proficient in martial arts is even more so. Such proficiency is perhaps too much. Mr. Meng is of upright character and not a person who flatters others, but you should not believe it so readily."

Xie Xuan said, "What my elder sister said makes sense. That's what I think too. Mr. Meng made it clear in his letter that Liang Shanbo is studying at Wansong Academy and will not graduate for another two or three years. There's no rush. If I really want to recruit him in the future, I will definitely meet him in person and examine him."

Xie Daoyun said, "That's how it should be."

Xie Xuan changed the subject and asked with a smile, "Sister, which of the three poems do you like the most?"

Xie Daoyun picked up the three manuscripts, looked at them again, and then put them down, pointing to one of them: "Snow on Qiantang Lake".

Xie Xuan asked, "Why?"

Xie Daoyun said, "This poem is pure, elegant, and unique, with the highest artistic conception."

Xie Xuan said, "I like 'Remembering My Late Father on a Snowy Day in Qiantang' the most. After reading it, I feel a warm feeling in my heart."

Xie Daoyun nodded.

Xie Xuan then asked, "Of the three essays, which one does my elder sister like the most?"

Xie Daoyun did not answer directly, but instead asked, "Which one do you like the most?"

Xie Xuan replied without hesitation: "The Theory of the Interdependence of Substance and Function, and the Non-duality of Manifestation and Subtlety."

Xie Daoyun asked, "Why?"

Xie Xuan said, "Sister, you know that I think about how to achieve great things every day. Studying and practicing martial arts are self-cultivation, while achieving great things is putting them to practical use. This essay has just touched my heart. If what we learn cannot be applied to the world, it is ultimately empty talk. Where there is substance, it should be put into practice."

He was waiting for his uncle Xie An to entrust him with an important task, so that he could demonstrate his ability to govern the world. This essay resonated with him.

A bitter feeling suddenly arose in Xie Daoyun's heart.

My brother spoke so matter-of-factly, as if having talent and ambition meant one could simply put it to use, achieve great things, and build a career.

But what about her? Was she not talented? Was she not ambitious? But she was a woman, and her talent could only occasionally bloom behind a blue silk curtain; her ambition could only remain in the study, fading away with the passing years.

Seeing her silence, Xie Xuan asked again, "Which one do you like best, elder sister?"

Xie Daoyun then countered with, "Which one do you think I like the most?"

Xie Xuan said, "It's probably 'On the Superiority and Inferiority of Qu Yuan and Song Yu.' My elder sister has always loved the 'Songs of Chu.' You've discussed Qu Yuan's fierceness and Song Yu's sorrow with me before. This Liang Shanbo compares Qu Yuan and Song Yu to raging fire and autumn water, saying that there is no inherent superiority or inferiority between them, only a difference in their circumstances. This view coincides with yours."

Xie Daoyun paused, then forced a smile: "Yes, elder sister likes this piece very much."

However, what she actually liked most was "The Theory of the Unity of Substance and Function, and the Non-duality of Manifestation and Subtlety," and she also wanted to perform, achieve, and establish a career like her younger brother.

She reached out and picked up the manuscript, smoothed the paper, and said, "I'm going to make a copy of this poem and keep it for future enjoyment."

Xie Xuan laughed and said, "There's no need for you to copy it yourself, sister. It's perfect. Mr. Meng sent two copies this time. I'll keep one and give the other to you, sister."

Xie Daoyun nodded: "Then I will keep it."