Chapter 179: Not Asking

When Liu Cheng went to chase Wei Kuang, by the small stream, several people at the table were reviewing the linked verses just now.

Wang Yang earned the most flowers and won the prize for this round—a Boshan bronze incense burner with gold inlay, with the two characters "Qinghe" engraved on the base, which is said to be an object used by the great Western Jin talent Lu Yun when he was the Prefect of Qinghe; a silver incense box, silver spoon and chopsticks; plus a cake of blended incense made by the Le family themselves (blending incense is called blended incense), based on a secret recipe left by Fan Ye.

This is a Boshan incense burner unearthed from the tomb of Liu Sheng, Prince Jing of Zhongshan in the Han Dynasty, now housed in the Hebei Museum. Boshan is a fairy mountain in the sea, a popular incense burner shape at the time.

(Due to image character limits, the introduction of the picture is continued: once the incense is lit, it is like a misty fairyland, with hot water placed on the lower plate to steam the incense, like the image of the sea surrounding the mountain)

The so-called "red sleeves adding fragrance," the ancients were very particular about the way of playing with incense, considering it an elegant affair. Wang Yang didn't care much about this, but he was in a good mood looking at Lu Yun's incense burner, quite interested in playing with antiques.

Although Le Zhan was the one giving the things, he was even happier than Wang Yang, who received them, because he got a good poem, especially a good poem he participated in! He liked Wang Yang more and more the more he looked at him! He immediately laughed and said: "Zhiyan, I have a cousin, she is of age, not yet married, not to mention virtue, appearance, speech, and work, she is also like a flower—"

Le Pang looked at his old father, dumbfounded.

When Madam Le heard the words "cousin," she knew it was bad, and seeing Xie Xinghan's little face sink, she hurriedly interrupted with a smile: "How can you praise your own niece like that? And you don't blush!"

Le Zhan smiled: "Madam, don't you think—"

Madam Le shouted: "Old Cai, is the poem copied? Quickly present it for me to see, I can't wait to see it!"

Le Zhan still wanted to speak, but Madam Le directly ordered the poem draft to be handed to Le Zhan: "Poetry uses sound as its function, and its wonder lies between the rising and falling of the tone. If you don't chant it, you won't be able to experience its flavor. Husband, you have an elegant voice when chanting poetry, so I will trouble you to chant it for us!"

Le Zhan was very willing to do this job, so he sat upright and read the poem aloud. Reading it like this, he became immersed in it, throwing all other things to the back of his mind. Between chanting and reciting, he gradually entered a wonderful state:

"Drinking horses at the Great Wall's crevice, the water is cold, wounding the horses' bones. At three years old, I learned to fence, at ten years old, I shot a swan.

In the courtyard, playing with toy carriages, pointing at generals, often standing on the roof. Not fond of reading the classics, forced by mother:

'You are a child of a great family, for generations, all have been famous scholars. Mastering the classics is the basic profession, a smooth flow to the pivot of power.

The Eastern Palace selects its staff, with your family background, you can be selected. This morning, I fill the post of a horse-washer, next year, I transfer to the Secretariat.'

'A man should live in the far-off frontiers, to be enfeoffed as a marquis of ten Battalion Commander, a husband who breaks formations, why spend a long time with brush and inkstone?

Not willing to toil over official documents, willing to be the Imperial Guard.'

Holding a halberd, five hundred and two, carriages and clothing guide the way. Fine wine with golden vessels, skilled hands call for gambling.

Delicious food, extreme joy, silent, the intention is uniquely different. Softly chanting the *Outing Carriages* poem, the four seats are just noisy.

Suddenly heard the feathered letter come, beacon fires spread to Luodu:

The Xiongnu are invading the border! Controlling the bow, three hundred thousand! The city of surrender is already isolated!

The whole court is pale, the edict issues for the soldiers of the world to strike the Hu!

A good family child from the same county, together we agree to join the martial soldiers. Galloping horses out of Yunzhong, ten thousand miles of grass are all withered.

Three battles to become a cavalry general, daring to penetrate deep with shock troops. Vanguard out of Longxi, capturing heads without counting.

Engaging in close-quarters combat again, increasing the fief by eight hundred households. The Chanyu passes on the name, clouds are from the general's family.

Meeting without lining up, first, break through with strong cavalry. The Hu soldiers are naturally good at galloping, in every battle, they are always inferior.

Appointed as Grand General, all generals belong to the army. Ten thousand out of Yanmen, ten thousand out of Dai Commandery.

In the chaos, one must draw the sword, there is no complete skin! The killing and wounding greatly exceed the equivalent, the Hu King is completely driven north!

On the day the great army returns to the fortress, drink horses at the Great Wall's crevice. Drinking horses at the Great Wall's crevice, those who come together mostly do not return! Drinking horses at the Great Wall's crevice, the water is cold, wounding the horses' bones."

Everyone sighed and discussed endlessly. Some discussed the syntax of a certain line, some described their intention when connecting a certain line. Although the points made were different and there were subtle differences in specific opinions, overall, they all believed that this linked poem was written with generous words and high spirit, inheriting the style of the long songs of the two Han Dynasties. It was decided to name it *Linked Verses of the Green Woods and Winding Water*, with Le Zhan writing the preface, imitating the story of Shi Chong and Wang Xizhi (old story).

Le Zhan was discussing happily when he caught a glimpse of his son looking around, unable to sit still, and was displeased, asking: "Gao'er, what do you think of this linked poem?"

Le Pang was named and had to answer with a stiff scalp: "Very good."

"Where is it very good?"

"Uh... it's just... very good."

"If you can't say it, listen carefully, what are you looking around for!"

"Uh... child has a place I don't understand, want to find someone to ask."

"Where don't you understand?"

"That... it's saying this person is 'not fond of reading the classics,' then how is he 'softly chanting the *Outing Carriages* poem'? Shouldn't there be a line in advance, saying that although he doesn't like reading the classics, he has memorized the *Outing Carriages* poem, or when he is softly chanting, he is holding a book and reading it, so it would be more reasonable..."

Le Zhan was stunned for a moment, then waved his hand repeatedly: "Throw him out, throw him out!"

After the meal was the nap time, and Wang Yang was arranged to stay in the "Duijing Pavilion" on the south side of the villa.

Opening the east window to look at the green mountains, opening the west window to gaze at the mountain springs, this is the view.

The room had been arranged properly, and mosquitoes and insects had been driven away in advance. Wang Yang didn't have the habit of napping, so he took the *New Sayings of Master Gu* from the bookshelf to read.

Chen Qingshan was also reading, but she was reading the *Records of the Netherworld* brought from home, which was a collection of strange stories compiled under the auspices of Liu Yiqing, Prince of Lincuan in the Liu Song Dynasty, which Wang Yang had picked up from the book market. Speaking of which, since Wang Yang had a family foundation, he began to buy books, plus what others gave him, or what he specifically asked others to find, he had collected quite a few before and after.

Wang Yang was immersed in it, like drinking sweet spring water, and from time to time, it also made Chen Qingshan curious, occasionally peeking at what Wang Yang was reading, so fascinated. Wang Yang was eloquent, could prescribe the right medicine, and had deep learning and humorous language, so he explained a small book in his hand to Chen Qingshan, which was both profound and simple, and vast and magnificent! Little Shan listened with great interest, reluctant to leave, and actually started reading books with Wang Yang!

To maintain Chen Qingshan's interest in reading, Wang Yang naturally wouldn't let her read the Five Classics of Literature and Fu as soon as she came up, but chose some miscellaneous books with strong interest to feed her, and the effect was excellent. After Little Shan developed the habit of reading and thinking, if she still had interests she wanted to explore, it wouldn't be too late to go deeper.

At this time, Little Shan saw something she didn't understand and looked up and asked: "Who is Liu Yao?"

Wang Yang answered while reading: "He was a monarch during the chaos of the Five Hu."

"Then why did a little child perform magic and say he saw a soldier, 'tall, white, and different, with red silk tied around his elbow,' and then Fotudeng said this was Liu Yao?"

When Chen Qingshan read the original text, her fingers pressed on the ink characters, reading them in a jerky way, looking a bit clumsy, but also a bit cute.

Wang Yang's gaze was still on his book, and he said casually: "Because he looks like him."

Chen Qingshan tilted her head slightly, her phoenix eyes full of confusion: "Then why say 'with red silk tied around his elbow'?"

Wang Yang was startled and looked at Chen Qingshan: "Bring the book here."

Chen Qingshan put the book in front of Wang Yang, Wang Yang read it carefully, thought for a moment and said:

"In ancient times, there was a tradition of hanging the seal behind the elbow. The *Book of Later Han* says Zhang Feng liked magic, and a Daoist priest catered to his wishes, saying Zhang Feng should be the Son of Heaven, and used a five-colored bag to wrap a stone, tied it to Zhang Feng's elbow, and lied to him that there was a jade seal in the stone. The *Records of the Three Kingdoms* writes that Yuan Shao got a jade seal, 'lifted it to his elbow,' which means taking this seal to compare with his own elbow, and Cao Cao saw it and 'laughed and hated it,' because he suspected Yuan Shao had the heart of usurpation. The so-called 'red silk' should be the 'ribbon,' the ribbon of the seal. The little child didn't know the ribbon, so he called it 'red silk'."

Chen Qingshan looked at Wang Yang with an expression of "so amazing," stayed for a while and asked: "Is it only the Son of Heaven's jade seal that is tied behind the elbow with a ribbon?"

"No, official seals can be tied. During the Jin Dynasty, Wang Dun rebelled, and Zhou Yi said 'This year, kill all the thief slaves, and take a gold seal as big as a bucket and tie it to the elbow.' This can prove that official seals at that time could also be tied."

"Oh."

Chen Qingshan lowered her head, after a few seconds, looked up again and asked: "Since official seals can also be tied, then Yuan Shao used a jade seal to compare with his elbow, why say it was a heart of usurpation?"

Wang Yang patiently explained: "The *Shuowen Jiezi* says 'Seal, the seal of the king.' Seal is actually a type of seal. It's just used by the Son of Heaven, so it's called 'Seal.' And in the Han Dynasty, only the Son of Heaven's seal could use jade. Wei Hong's *Han Old Rites* says: 'Since the Qin Dynasty, only the Son of Heaven uses the seal, and only jade, no group of ministers dares to use it.' So the jade seal Yuan Shao got, in the eyes of people at that time, only the Son of Heaven was qualified to tie it behind the elbow."

Chen Qingshan's lips moved, but no sound came out, she stood still for a moment, lowered her head, hid her slightly dim expression, and said softly: "I know."

Wang Yang's voice suddenly became much softer: "What did you want to ask just now?"

Chen Qingshan shook her head: "Nothing."

Wang Yang looked at Chen Qingshan: "Do you want to ask if official seals are still tied behind the elbow now? Do you want to ask why you didn't see father tie the official seal behind the elbow?"

Chen Qingshan looked at Wang Yang in shock.

"Why don't you ask?"

Chen Qingshan's phoenix eyes were slightly red, her shoulders trembled slightly, her lips were tightly pursed, she refused to say a word, just shook her head continuously.

Wang Yang said softly: "I know, you are afraid that I will have pressure, so you endure not asking me. Since that day, you have never mentioned your father's affairs again, not even once, because you are afraid that I will think you are urging me, you are afraid of adding trouble to me. But actually, it doesn't matter if you ask or not."

Wang Yang looked into Chen Qingshan's eyes and said seriously: "I have always kept your affairs in my heart, I have my plans, it's just that it's not the time to implement them yet."

Chen Qingshan burst into tears, nodded continuously, and choked: "I know... I have always known..."

Wang Yang felt a bit guilty, because on his father's case, he had long seen a clue but had never told Chen Qingshan, not because of malicious concealment, but because he felt that revealing this clue to Chen Qingshan now would not only be of no benefit, but might even spoil things.

Wang Yang handed over a handkerchief and smiled gently: "Little Shan, stop crying, okay? Wipe your tears, let's go to that mountain spring next door for a stroll."

Chen Qingshan's body stiffened, she looked at Wang Yang with tearful eyes, clenching her fists, as if she was making some big decision.

Wang Yang looked at Chen Qingshan's dazed appearance and asked worriedly: "What's wrong with you?"

Little Shan gathered her courage and was about to step forward when the door suddenly knocked.

Little Shan was startled by the knock, quickly retreated to the wall, and wiped her tears in a panic.

Wang Yang went to open the door, and a Le family servant stood at the door, bowing and saluting: "Young Master Wang, my young master has prepared something good and invites you to play."

"Something good? What good thing?"

The servant's expression was playful: "Young master won't let me say."

"Still selling suspense? Fine, I'll go see."

The servant whispered: "Young master said, it's best not to bring women."

Wang Yang:???

The servant had a smile of profound meaning: "Young master means that the place he invited you to play is not very suitable for women to be present."

"What place exactly?"

"You'll know when you go, I guarantee you'll be satisfied!!!"

Wang Yang looked at the servant for three seconds and smiled: "Fine, I'll go back and give instructions, you lead the way."

——————

Note: ① *Biography of Fan Ye in the Book of Southern Qi*: "Ye's nature is subtle, has thoughts, and is good at everything. Clothes and utensils, none of which are not increased or decreased in system, and people in the world learn from them. Compiled *Blended Incense Recipe*."

② I didn't write the whole poem as water, but as a linked poem, the whole poem has not been connected in the same text, and it is not good to not have the fun of reading it. In the past, Mr. Hu Xiaoshi lectured on Liu Zongyuan's *Reward to Cao Shiyu passing Xiang County and seeing the gift*: "The green jade flows in front of the broken forehead mountain, the poet stops the magnolia boat far away. The spring breeze has infinite Xiaoxiang meaning, wanting to pick duckweed flowers is not free." Chant it five times, I have told you everything." (Gong Bendong *Cheng Qianfan Shen Zufen Study Notes*) Mr. Tang Lan lectured on the *Collection of Flowers*, using Wuxi accent to chant: "Double temples separated by fragrant red, phoenix on the jade hairpin." This poem is considered passed. (Wang Zengqi *Southwest Associated University Chinese Department*, *Complete Works of Wang Zengqi*)

This is what Yuan Mei's *Suiyuan Poetry Talk* calls "Writing is called creation, poetry is called chanting, so it is known that rhythm cannot be ignored." This is also the reason why Madam Le wanted her husband to chant it once.

I will not water the words, I have said before, watering words has no meaning to me, some plots are light, some plots are thick, between the staggered, there is its own intention. Since a certain plot is written, even if it is a seemingly daily chat, it must have something I want to express, or it is shaping, or deepening, or filling, or paving, etc., and will not be written without reason. ===== CHAPTER 180 =====