[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou":3,"chapter-the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-28":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Ink Saint of Great Zhou",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2291991,4481,"Chapter 28","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-28",28,"\u003Cp>Taihe Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emperor Ji Feng of Zhou was in an unusually good mood today; before his desk, he first wrote the poem “Lime Song,” then copied the “Verse of the Stubborn Stone at Qinggen Peak” from Honglou Meng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lacking the talent to mend the blue sky, I vainly entered this mortal world for so many years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the tale of my before and after life—pray, who will send it forth as a divine legend?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Classics always withstand the test of time; Honglou Meng, upon its emergence in Great Zhou, transformed from initial skepticism to a text now everywhere copied and explored, its words destined to endure for ten thousand generations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was undoubtedly a groundbreaking triumph for Great Zhou’s literary world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Zhou Literary Gazette specially created a Honglou Meng feature page, containing not only serialized continuations of the story but also commentary and annotations by various scholars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take, for instance, the “Verse of the Stubborn Stone at Qinggen Peak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yu, relying on his understanding of Honglou Meng’s original text and textual analysis of the four verses, ultimately penned this annotation:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alas, the stubborn stone could not aid in mending the heavens; it came in vain to this mortal world for so many years, etching its mundane experiences upon stone to chronicle the lives of a few extraordinary women…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon the release of this annotation to the “Verse of the Stubborn Stone at Qinggen Peak,” a small wave of enthusiasm arose, prompting numerous talented men and women to begin studying Honglou Meng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In their study, many cultivated the aura of scholarly fragrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the latest issue of the Great Zhou Literary Gazette, Lu Fang officially published the extraordinary power and effects of the aura of scholarly fragrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So there truly is scholarly fragrance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Feng had just finished copying the “Verse of the Stubborn Stone at Qinggen Peak” when he noticed colorful scholarly fragrance between his fingers, his eyes filled with surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Consuming scholarly fragrance can enhance the body, heal internal and external injuries, replenish stamina and “momentum,” and elevate one’s realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet it has no connection whatsoever to the Three Teachings’ righteous qi, primordial qi, or Buddhist dharma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, consuming large quantities of scholarly fragrance can elevate one’s realm, yet it cannot enhance the consumer’s righteous qi, primordial qi, or Buddhist dharma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the only flaw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But without doubt, the emergence of scholarly fragrance grants humanity a new possibility to shatter its constraints—this contribution is immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang explicitly stated in the Great Zhou Literary Gazette that scholarly fragrance is an extraordinary power generated only when humans read the elegant texts he wrote.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, non-human beings—demons, barbarians, mountain spirits, or wilderness monsters—cannot produce scholarly fragrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Feng tried consuming a small amount of scholarly fragrance, closed his eyes to sense it, then smiled: “Scholarly fragrance truly enhances the body. Send an imperial decree to the Minister of Patrols in the Northern Frontier: have the Zhenbei Army read Lu Fang’s elegant texts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chief Eunuch bowed and replied, “Yes.” He turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Feng called him back:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Draft an imperial edict: Lu Fang’s two ‘elegant texts’ produce scholarly fragrance, benefiting Great Zhou and countless future generations of humanity. I hereby grant him the title of Marquis ‘Wenguan,’ along with a mansion, silver and gold…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this mortal world, who does not delight in the achievement of being enfeoffed as a marquis or appointed as a minister?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang was no exception; upon receiving the imperial edict granting him the title of “Wenguan Marquis,” he bowed in thanks for the imperial grace, then walked back to his temporary residence with a giddy, swaying step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marquises operate outside the official bureaucracy, yet their status transcends all ranks, and they possess personal territories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just this alone was enough to make him boastful, let alone the mansion and bundles of silver, gold, and silk bestowed by the Son of Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he not been under house arrest, he would have rushed to inspect the granted mansion and carefully selected a territory from the Ministry of Revenue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Great Zhou’s territory is vast; marquises and above have the right to choose their own lands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet these lands are typically remote and harsh; within them, marquises may establish private armies and appoint officials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That one will do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang distributed silver fragments to the several Li family servants who had carried the chests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servants, having received their rewards, uttered a few auspicious phrases and departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a short wait, Lu Fang shut the door to his room, rubbed his hands, and opened one by one the three large chests bestowed by His Majesty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gold, silver, jewels, silk, and brocade filled all three chests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was also a property deed, clearly stating: “At the center of Wansheng Street, south of the Imperial Capital,” a five-court mansion facing the street…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only a five-court mansion befits the Wenguan Marquis’s residence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang flicked the property deed with a cheerful smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hoarse laugh echoed through the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the chair in the main hall sat an elderly Confucian scholar, his hair unkempt and face grimy, leaning on a wooden cane, his eyes piercingly sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When did you arrive, Senior Brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang forced a nervous laugh, tucked away his glee and the property deed, and bowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Li gently supported him with a light gesture, stroked his beard, and smiled: “I’ve been here a while; you were so absorbed just now that you didn’t notice me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re only twenty, yet you’ve earned the title of ‘Wenguan Marquis’ through your own merit. Back when I was forty, I was still just a lowly lecturer at a small academy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang chuckled nervously: “I got carried away—I’ve made a fool of myself before Senior Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Li shook his head seriously: “A fool? If I had achieved what you have at your age, I’d want all of Great Zhou to witness this ‘foolishness.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At your age, with this achievement, you are unprecedented—no doubt about it. Don’t be so modest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My purpose in coming now is to speak a few words to you before I depart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang bowed. “Senior Brother, speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Li sighed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A tree towering above the forest invites the wind’s destruction. You bear the title of ‘Prophetic Figure,’ have written one prophetic poem and one image-revealing poem, composed two ‘elegant texts,’ and even condensed a spirit of scholarly fragrance—now you’ve been enfeoffed as Wenguan Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is both good and bad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Achieving success young is wonderful, but do not become arrogant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take this incident: though killing Xiao Jincheng was justified, you must consider the consequences.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Xiao family of Xiao State holds three half-sages; their influence in the Imperial Capital is deeply entrenched. I happened to be in the capital and could speak up for you this time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what if I weren’t?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You did nothing wrong, yet you must think thrice before acting—anticipate every outcome.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From the moment you became a Prophetic Figure and entered our sect, countless eyes have been fixed upon you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you understand what I mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang’s expression turned solemn: “Thank you, Senior Brother, for your teaching—I’ve remembered every word.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything Senior Brother said was for his own good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are many kinds of geniuses, but few grow into success without perishing early—he must indeed speak and act with caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Li nodded slightly and continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A true man acts where he must, and refrains where he must. The essence of being human lies in staying true to one’s heart—never let fleeting gain soil that heart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Secondly, one must uphold trust.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The three half-sages of the Xiao family personally promised me they would no longer harass you, and I accepted on your behalf—on my word, you will not seek revenge against the Xiao family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When the Duke of Xiao led armies north and south, countless members of the Xiao clan perished, their service to the nation and people of unparalleled merit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If they are willing to let go, we need not pursue them to annihilation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This serves no benefit to humanity, to Great Zhou, or to the common people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang was deeply moved by Su Li’s words and bowed deeply: “Senior Brother is right: without trust, a man stands not; without trust, an enterprise thrives not; without trust, a state decays.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since the three half-sages of the Xiao family have promised not to trouble me, and Senior Brother has accepted on my behalf, I, Lu Fang, swear: so long as the Xiao family keeps their word, I will never seek revenge against them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang did not consider himself a virtuous gentleman, nor had he ever claimed to be a good man—but he had his limits: he targeted deeds, not people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Li said, “Good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this brief exchange, his junior brother’s responses had pleased him thoroughly—he was indeed worthy of the Master’s attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After carefully studying Lu Fang, Su Li frowned:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve written two ‘elegant texts’ and two image-revealing poems, yet your realm remains at Eighth Rank, First Level—have you been restricted by the Dao?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dao restriction?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang froze—he had never heard this term before.\u003C\u002Fp>",1528,"2026-06-20T03:56:21.568Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e68a3f55b753436da05f38761f545bd69d3b0d4324452c6114fcbd8d57d003f6","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-29","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-27",289,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-cover.jpg"]