Liang Shanbo's First Meeting with Xie Daoyun

That morning, Liang Shanbo was reading aloud in the Jiazhai lecture hall as usual.

The hall was filled with the sound of students reading aloud. More than twenty students knelt on cushions, some reading aloud and others reciting softly.

Liang Shanbo remained seated in the back row, with Zhu Yingtai still beside him. Sun Yuangui, meanwhile, sat in front of them, swaying his head as he read aloud.

Suddenly, a figure appeared at the entrance of the lecture hall.

He wasn't a gentleman, but a servant.

The sound of reading in the lecture hall immediately fell silent, and the eyes of more than twenty students all fell on Cangtou.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the servant looked towards the back row and called out, "Young Master Liang, Mr. Meng wants to see you in his study."

Upon hearing this, all the students in the hall turned to look at Liang Shanbo. Some were curious, some were puzzled, and some whispered among themselves, trying to guess the reason.

Zhu Yingtai turned to look at Liang Shanbo, her eyes filled with inquiry.

Liang Shanbo was also puzzled. Although Master Meng sometimes sent his servants to summon the students during morning reading, he rarely summoned him at such times. He wondered what the reason was for this sudden summons.

He paused slightly, gave Zhu Yingtai a reassuring look, then straightened his clothes and followed the servant out of the lecture hall.

The autumn morning breeze carries the fresh scent of pine resin.

Liang Shanbo arrived at the door of Meng Wenlang's study, straightened his clothes, and then raised his hand to knock on the door.

"Come in," came Meng Wenlang's voice from inside the door.

Liang Shanbo pushed open the door and entered.

The study was filled with the subtle fragrance of ink.

Meng Wenlang was sitting behind his desk. When he saw him come in, he pointed to the cushions opposite him and said, "Sit."

Liang Shanbo knelt down as instructed, his back straight, his hands folded on his knees, and his eyes looking straight ahead.

Meng Wenlang looked at him, remained silent for a few breaths, and then slowly spoke: "Shanbo, do you still remember last winter, when I asked you for those three essays and three poems, saying it was to make arrangements for you?"

Liang Shanbo respectfully replied, "This disciple remembers."

Meng Wenlang nodded slightly, his expression solemn, and then slowly said, "I will not hide anything from you. I have already recommended you to Xie Xuan of the Xie family of Chen Commandery."

Upon hearing this, Liang Shanbo, despite his usual composure and steadiness, couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.

Xie Xuan.

The name resounded powerfully in his mind.

His mind raced with thoughts.

The Xie clan of Chen Commandery is the most powerful clan in the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Xie An is currently in charge of the central government, and his power is comparable to that of a prime minister.

Who was Xie Xuan? He was a renowned general of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the main founder of the Beifu Army, and served as the vanguard commander in the Battle of Fei River. He led 8,000 elite troops across the Fei River, decisively defeating the massive vanguard of the Former Qin Dynasty and achieving this classic victory against overwhelming odds. Throughout his life, he was brave and skilled in battle, achieving numerous merits and leaving a lasting mark on history.

The gentleman actually recommended him to Xie Xuan, secretly paving the way for his advancement.

He was overjoyed, but his expression showed only a slight change. He quickly composed himself, knelt down on the cushions, and bowed respectfully, his voice earnest: "This disciple is deeply grateful to you, sir. I will never forget your great kindness."

Meng Wenlang reached out and helped him straighten up, then briefly recounted his connection with Xie Xuan.

It is said that he briefly served as Xie Xuan's teacher and had the kindness of instructing Xie Xuan.

It is said that he would not easily use this connection, but considering that Liang Shanbo was exceptionally talented, upright, and from a poor family, he would not be able to realize his ambitions without the support of a high-ranking family, so he recommended him to Xie Xuan.

He continued, "Xie Xuan is currently in Qiantang. He is passing through this area on his way to Jiankang and is staying at Zhuyun Villa. He will arrive at Wansong Academy in about half an hour. He will come to visit his former teacher and also to see you in person and give you a personal examination."

He smiled slightly: "With your talent and character, you should be able to pass the test. Go back to the lecture hall and wait. When Xie Xuan arrives, I will have my servant summon him."

Liang Shanbo bowed again in thanks, gave a deep bow, and then stood up and left the study.

As I stepped out of the study, the morning breeze greeted me, and the fragrance of pine resin seemed to grow even stronger.

He stood under the veranda, took a deep breath, his heart still churning with emotion. Like a pond suddenly stirred, the surface calmed, yet ripples still lingered beneath.

"Xie Xuan."

He murmured the name to himself, then straightened his clothes and strode toward the lecture hall.

……

……

Two quarters of an hour after Liang Shanbo returned to the lecture hall, the servant came to the lecture hall again, still looking at the back row, and called out: "Young Master Liang".

Liang Shanbo gave Zhu Yingtai a reassuring look again, then followed the servant out of the lecture hall, and then followed Meng Wenlang to the school gate to greet the guests.

Two oxcarts slowly made their way along the bluestone path through the pine forest. Both had black-lacquered carriages and blue-curtained windows, and were quite exquisitely decorated, clearly not the vehicles of ordinary people.

The entourage consisted of a dozen or so people, including mounted guards, foot attendants, Xie Daoyun's personal maid Qingxiao, and Wang Ningzhi's trusted confidante Aqi.

The oxcart slowly came to a stop in front of the school.

A man stepped off one of the oxcarts. He looked to be about thirty years old, but was actually only in his twenties. He wore a leather belt around his waist, a headscarf wrapped around his head, with the corner of the headscarf brushing against his shoulders. He was somewhat robust, with a handsome appearance, prominent brow bones, and piercing eyes.

He possesses both the air of a well-read scholar and the spirit of a hero; the two qualities blend together harmoniously.

This is Xie Xuan.

Liang Shanbo's heart stirred slightly. This person's appearance finally overlapped with the Xie Xuan he had read about in history books in his previous life.

Xie Xuan got out of the carriage and bowed to Meng Wenlang: "Mr. Meng."

Meng Wenlang smiled slightly and returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "You Du's demeanor is even more refined than before."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Meng Wenlang stepped aside to make way for Liang Shanbo behind him, gesturing with his hand and saying, "This is my unworthy disciple, Liang Shanbo."

Liang Shanbo stepped forward, bowed respectfully to Xie Xuan, and said in a clear voice, "Liang Shanbo respectfully pays respects to Master Xie."

Xie Xuan sized him up from head to toe. The young man was dressed in a simple, clean linen-lined blouse, without a single patch or ornament. A plain linen belt cinched his waist, and a gray linen headscarf covered his head. He had a handsome face, sparse eyebrows, and a composed demeanor.

"Okay." Xie Xuan nodded slightly, saying only this one word without saying anything more, but there was already a hint of approval in his eyes.

The other oxcart had its windows closed, and Xie Daoyun, who was inside, did not appear. Instead, she spoke in a clear, gentle voice through the window to Meng Wenlang, saying, "Mr. Meng, it has been several years since we last met. I, Jiang Jin, send my regards."

Meng Wenlang cupped his hands in greeting toward the oxcart and said with a smile, "Greetings, Madam Xie."

Liang Shanbo looked calmly at the oxcart and the green curtains by the window, but his heart was secretly turbulent.

He knew from his previous life that Xie Daoyun, courtesy name Lingjiang, was a talented woman of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, renowned for her refined and elegant demeanor. With Xie Xuan present, he was now certain that the woman sitting behind the green curtain was indeed Xie Daoyun.

Unexpectedly, today I not only met Xie Xuan, but also met Xie Daoyun for the first time.