Chapter 557: Reading and Not Reading

The rain seems to never stop.

The harder it fell, the harder it fell, turning the outside into a vast white expanse.

Raindrops hammered the roof, making a dense pattering sound, as if someone were incessantly beating a drum up there.

Occasionally a roll of thunder passed, shaking the beams and posts of the wooden house so they trembled slightly.

Li Er, who had been standing at the doorway, also had to retreat back inside.

That cool wind, laden with moisture, blew the rain inside, striking the face with an icy chill.

He reached out, picked up the wooden door that had fallen to one side, and, after some effort, set it back in place to block the torrential rain outside.

Fortunately, the roof of the wooden house remained largely intact.

Only a few gaps at the edges leaked, dripping steadily and forming small pools of water on the floor.

The spot at the center of the room stayed relatively dry, becoming the place everyone fought over.

Three hunters took the spots near the inner wall, gathered around a fire that had just been lit.

The firelight played across their dark faces, now bright, now dim.

They were baking hardtack on the fire; the biscuits turned a scorched yellow, giving off a grainy aroma.

One of the hunters, flipping the biscuit as he spoke, had a loud voice that rose above the rain.

"That wild boar yesterday was a fine fellow—must have weighed three hundred catties! I shot it with an arrow, hit it right in the heart, and it still ran half a mountain before collapsing!"

"What's your arrow compared to that? The bear I ran into the day before yesterday slapped a tree as thick as a bowl's mouth clean in half! If I hadn't been fast, you wouldn't see me today!"

"Hahaha, your bear is nothing—let me tell you, back then I…"

The three hunters spoke with great enthusiasm, occasionally bursting into loud, coarse laughter that shook dust from the beams down in a fine shower.

On the other side of the house, the four young nobles huddled together in a relatively dry spot.

They had no need to light a fire; they pulled silk cloths from their travel packs, wiping off the rain and straightening their soaked robes.

The one in green robes, called Zhao Wen, was chatting with the person beside him.

"The Book of Documents says, 'The people are the foundation of the state; when the foundation is solid, the state is at peace.'" He raised his voice deliberately:

"Those words are quite right; I see that the present strife among the states stems from an unsteady foundation."

The man in dark‑blue brocade beside him nodded in agreement: "Brother Zhao, your insight is excellent."

"I often read the Book of Documents as well; the accounts of the sage kings' rule in the Yao and Shun chapters inspire awe."

"I prefer the Rites of Zhou," interjected the one in brown brocade.

"The system of the six ministries, with its strict statutes, truly is the foundation of governing a state."

"The Rites of Zhou are certainly good, but the Rites of Etiquette must not be abandoned," said the fourth, who was somewhat younger.

"Without rites and propriety, how could we distinguish rank and order human relations?"

As they talked, the subject shifted from the classics to the affairs of the world.

"I've heard that Jin and Chu are again facing off at the border; this time it looks like they'll come to blows."

"If they fight, they fight—I Jin have nothing to fear from Chu. At the Battle of Yanling, Chu suffered a crushing defeat, their lord Gong was shot blind in one eye; now that he's dead, who in Chu can stand against Jin's cavalry?"

"You can't put it that way; although Chu lost, its national strength remains intact, and its strategists and capable men are not easy opponents."

"What's there to fear? My Zhao clan in Jin holds heavy troops; if war truly comes, my Zhao clan is willing to serve as the vanguard!"

Their voices grew louder and louder, yet their glances occasionally flicked toward the corner of the room.

There, seated, was that young lady.

She leaned against the wall, her eyes lowered slightly, her lashes casting a small shadow on her face.

Rain seeped in through the cracked wall, gathering in a little pool beside her feet; she drew her feet back slightly, moving as lightly as if afraid to disturb someone.

The maid named Xiao Chun sat beside her, pulling a piece of hardtack from her bundle, breaking it into bits, and handing it to her young mistress.

She took it, but did not eat; she merely held it in her hand, her gaze fixed on some point, lost in thought.

Li Er finished fixing the wooden door and turned around.

His gaze swept the interior, lingered on her for a moment, then shifted as he walked toward the other side of the corner.

There was an open spot there—not large, but still fairly dry.

He prepared to sit down there and close his eyes to rest.

Just as he passed beside her, she gave him a faint smile.

That smile was pale, as faint as a wisp of smoke after rain.

Li Er stared for a beat, then nodded at her, tugged at the corner of his mouth, and returned the smile.

Then he walked to that open spot, leaned his back against the wall, sat down, and closed his eyes.

This scene fell into the eyes of the four young nobles.

Zhao Wen's face darkened.

The man in dark‑blue brocade beside him furrowed his brows and lowered his voice:

"Who is this brat? Why is the lady smiling at him?"

"Who knows where this country bumpkin came from," another snorted.

"Just look at his attire—he's almost certainly a poor scholar from some village."

Zhao Wen's gaze swept over Li Er from head to toe.

He wore coarse cloth, his hair tied haphazardly with a strip of fabric, lacking a jade crown or jade pendant, and there was nothing valuable about him from head to toe.

His contempt grew a bit stronger.

On what grounds?

On what grounds did they fawn over her all afternoon, while she wouldn't even give them a glance, yet she smiled at this impoverished youth?

Zhao Wen drew a deep breath; the gloom on his face vanished, replaced by a gentle smile.

He stood up, walked to Li Er, and cupped his hands.

"I am Zhao Wen, a person of Jin Guo," he said politely, "May I ask how you should be addressed?"

Li Er opened his eyes and glanced at him.

"Li Er," he said in a flat tone, "Chen State, a village person."

Zhao Wen's smile deepened.

A person of Chen State, a village person.

Even if he were a noble of Chen State, he would have to bow his head before Zhao Wen.

He, Zhao Wen, is a descendant of the Zhao clan of Jin Guo!

One of the Six Ministers of Jin Guo, wielding power over court and countryside, holding heavy troops.

Not to mention a village fellow of Chen State, even if a noble scion of Chen State came, he would have to be polite to him!

He felt even more contempt inside, but showed nothing on his face, instead revealing a hint of admiration.

"Ah, it's Li Jun; I see Li Jun has an extraordinary bearing, though simply dressed, he naturally possesses a tranquil air—must have read much."

He paused, then said:

"I have a presumptuous request; I would like to ask Li Jun a question."

"Now the states are in conflict, the feudal lords fight without cease; according to Li Jun's view, where will the state of the world go?"

His tone was sincere, his manner humble, as if truly seeking advice from an expert.

But was he really seeking advice?

He merely thought, what could a village fellow know about great affairs of the world?

Wait until you speak, then I will tell you my view, so you will know what a gap is!

Li Er looked at him, silent for a moment.

Then he shrugged and shook his head.

"I can't, I don't know."

Zhao Wen froze for a moment.

He didn't expect the other to be so straightforward, not even bothering to pretend.

He smiled, that smile carrying a faint, barely perceptible contempt.

"Li Jun is being modest; with Li Jun's bearing, he must be……"

"I also want to ask Li Jun a question."

The man in dark brocade robes nearby also came over, smiling, but his tone carried a hint of provocation.

"The Book of Rites says, 'Ritual is the order of heaven and earth.' May I ask Li Jun, where lies the foundation of ritual?"

Li Er glanced at him and shook his head.

"I haven't read it, I don't know."

That person froze for a moment, exchanged a glance with Zhao Wen, the curve of his lips widening.

"What about the Book of Music?" he continued, "Music is the harmony of heaven and earth; can Li Jun understand musical theory?"

Li Er still shook his head.

"I haven't read this either."

That person was about to ask again—

"Enough!"

A rough shout cut them off.

The leading hunter stood up, frowning, looking impatiently at the four young nobles.

"You guys, why are you making things difficult for him?"

His loud voice made the room buzz.

"You think just because you've read a lot you can give him a hard time?"

He stepped forward, looking down at the young nobles, "You like comparing your strengths to others' weaknesses? Why not come and match me!"

He slapped his broad chest, the solid muscles gleaming with a bronze hue in the firelight.

"Come, let's compare fists and feet!"

The four young nobles' faces changed.

The man in dark brocade robes beside Zhao Wen flushed red, embarrassed and annoyed, letting out a cold laugh:

"Truly a savage, utterly uncouth! We scholars could never lower ourselves to fight with a brute like you!"

"Scholars?" the hunter scoffed, glancing over them, "You dare call yourselves scholars? After reading so much, all you've learned is to give a hard time to a passing youth?"

"You——!"

That man trembled with anger but could not speak.

Zhao Wen raised his hand to press him down, his smile frozen, yet he barely maintained his composure.

"That strong man speaks the truth," he gave a dry laugh, "we have spoken too much."

He turned around, returned to those people, his smile vanishing instantly, leaving only gloom.

Li Er leaned against the wall, watching the hunter.

The hunter met his gaze, revealing a few yellowed teeth, and said:

"Kid, don't mind them."

"Is being well-read impressive? Laozi doesn't read, yet lives just fine! No stealing, no robbing!"

"Thanks, big brother!"

Li Er gave him a grin.