Chapter Sixty-Three: The Bond Between Teacher and Student

(1/3)

The tale of Emperor Guangwu and Yan Ziling has always been celebrated as a classic story, while the account of Grand Duke Wang executing the esteemed scholar of Qi is equally well-known—let alone Zhu Yuanzhang in later times, who was even more forthright: if someone could not be of use to him, he would simply execute them! Ah, early in the morning, I continue to plead for votes of recommendation…

Though the inn had often hosted officials bound for the capital, or provincial scholars who, after their exams, leapt into the ranks of the gentry, the arrival of the imperial envoy with a proclamation made the innkeeper instantly realize that this time, a renowned recluse was staying under his roof. Unable to restrain his repeated entreaties, he begged Lu Hong for a calligraphic masterpiece. Yielding to the innkeeper's persistence, Lu Hong sketched a plum tree in the courtyard with a few deft strokes, creating a painting titled "Admiring Plum Blossoms at the Guesthouse." Yet, as he penned the inscription, his face revealed a trace of hesitation. Witnessing this, Lu Wangzhi, standing nearby, furrowed his brow and opened his mouth as if to speak, but ultimately remained silent.

At that moment, a knock sounded from outside, followed by Du Shiyi’s voice: "Master Lu."

"Come in," Lu Hong replied.

Du Shiyi, after accompanying Lu Hong to his room following the imperial proclamation, had gone out again for some time. Now, entering and seeing that the horizontal scroll was nearly complete, he quietly stood by to observe. Lu Hong, without lifting his head, suddenly asked, "Nineteenth Young Lord, when you first advised me to answer the summons, did you have any other concerns?"

After a moment's hesitation, Du Shiyi nodded. "Master Lu, I once copied Han Feizi in the thatched hall, and there was a passage as follows. Grand Duke Wang was enfeoffed in Qi. There was a sage by the sea, wild and eccentric. Grand Duke Wang heard of him and sought him out, but was thrice refused at the door, and the sage did not grant him an audience. Grand Duke Wang then executed him. At the time, Duke Zhou was in Lu; he rushed to intervene, but by the time he arrived, the sage had already been killed. Duke Zhou said: 'He was a sage known throughout the land. Why did you execute him?' Grand Duke Wang replied: 'He defied service to the Son of Heaven, refused friendship with the feudal lords. I feared he would disrupt laws and corrupt teachings, so I made him the first to be executed. Now, here is a horse that resembles a thoroughbred, but when driven it will not go, when led it will not advance. Even a slave would not trust it enough to turn his carriage.'"

He paused, noticing the gloom clouding Lu Wangzhi’s face and Lu Hong’s steady composure, then continued: "Though the world boasts tales like Guangwu and Yan Ziling, which have been celebrated for centuries, there are also stories just as enduring that send chills down one's spine. Whether Han Fei fabricated these words or not remains uncertain, yet his reasoning—that those whose influence cannot be transformed must be eliminated—has certainly taken root in people's hearts. When Master Lu repeatedly declined the summons, the Assistant Director Li returned with the edict, this time with much sterner language than before, and Cui Eleven sent word. At that point, I felt Master Lu could no longer refuse to answer the call."

Seeing Lu Hong’s thoughtful expression, Du Shiyi stepped forward to the desk and addressed him directly: "May I ask, Master Lu, when you enter the palace in response to the summons, if the Emperor entrusts you with an official post, how do you intend to respond?"

This was also the question Lu Wangzhi most wished to probe. Seeing Du Shiyi ask so straightforwardly, he too stepped forward to stand beside him and inquired, "I would also like to know Master Lu's intentions."

"Nineteenth Young Lord, do you recall your advice to me at Song Mountain when I first received the summons? Repeated refusal can be seen as disregarding the essential bond between ruler and subject. Now that I am in Luoyang, I can decline the Emperor’s generous offer in person. Governing the state is not within my abilities—this is the truth. Moreover, the court is rife with intrigue, and I have no interest in it. Rather than risk losing my integrity in old age, I would prefer to continue teaching my disciples in the mountains, living freely." With these words, Lu Hong inscribed his painting with the signature "Lu Haoran, the recluse of the wilds," then laid down his brush. "Yan Ziling’s legacy exists; I may yet fulfill my own wishes."

"If the Emperor offers you a post equivalent to that of a Censorate official?" Du Shiyi thought of Lady Du De’s subtle hints and spoke frankly, "In that case, even if you claim no talent for governance, you could still advise and correct, filling gaps and rectifying errors. The Emperor and the ministers alike would surely see this as within your grasp."

"Has our junior already discovered the truth?" Lu Wangzhi, normally calm and composed, could not help but exclaim, "If that is so, how will Master Lu refuse?"

"Strict remonstration is already the domain of Chancellor Song. Just last year, when the Emperor visited the Eastern Capital, Chancellor Song offered direct counsel, but the Emperor took no heed. With Song’s experience and favor, even he cannot sway the Emperor; whatever I might say about rise and fall, the Emperor is unlikely to listen. Rather than repeatedly counsel in vain and then resign, it is better to abandon such thoughts and focus on teaching." Lu Hong smiled indifferently, then rose and walked slowly to stand before his two disciples. "The Emperor is wise and the court is full of talent; why would he need a vain and useless recluse like me?"

The word “pride,” along with Lu Hong’s reference to Yan Ziling as mentioned earlier by Du Shiyi, made Du Shiyi exchange a glance with Lu Wangzhi, both of them experiencing sudden enlightenment. Du Shiyi then bowed deeply and said, "If that is so, I have an engagement tonight I must attend. May Master Lu forgive my absence."

(2/3)

Once Lu Hong nodded and allowed Du Shiyi to depart, Lu Wangzhi returned to his side and asked quietly, "Does Master Lu truly plan to take such risks?"

"Song Mountain's Hanging Curtain Peak has over a hundred scholars seeking knowledge. Even if not for myself, for their dedication in coming such a distance, I must do all I can."

Though not as bustling as the South Market, the Virtue Lane, with its gates closed, became its own small world. Behind the closed doors, apart from the residences of nobles and ministers, the taverns and eateries within shone brightly, filled with people of every sort. In particular, the tavern at the southeastern corner, run by a Persian hostess, was the liveliest place at night. The dances favored by nobles, like the Hu-teng and Hu-xuan, were commonplace there. Especially the dancer who performed the Hu-xuan, whose skill was unmatched in the eyes of regular patrons. As her wide skirt spun open once more, the room erupted in cheers.

"Bravo! Bravo!"

Dressed as a commoner, Dou Shilang clapped and shouted his praise. When the performance ended, the dancer bowed and winked alluringly at the regulars before descending from the stage. Dou Shilang drained his cup in one gulp, pondering whether the dance could be adapted for his own performers at home. At that moment, a servant leaned in and whispered, "My lord, the other night’s Mr. Du is drinking alone upstairs in a corner. I hear he ordered a whole bucket of wine and has drunk quite a lot!"

"Du Shiyi?" Dou Shilang suddenly recalled their conversation with Wang Wei that evening. After a moment's contemplation, he asked, "Is there anyone else with him?"

It was common knowledge among noble youths to frequent taverns or brothels in disguise for entertainment, but the greatest taboo was being seen by acquaintances. The servant shook his head, and Dou Shilang, after brief deliberation, nodded. "Take me upstairs. Bring a few men to clear the nearby seats so I can speak with him."

Once everything was arranged, Dou Shilang ascended to the second floor. At the small table by the window in the corner, he sat cross-legged without ceremony before Du Shiyi, who was lost in his own melancholy drinking. After waiting a while without any response, Dou Shilang, frustrated, slapped the table hard in front of him.

"Hmm? Dou… Dou Shilang? Truly, life… life is full of unexpected encounters!"

Seeing Du Shiyi’s drunken, bleary eyes and the strong smell of alcohol, Dou Shilang frowned and spoke in a low voice, "Isn’t Lu Master scheduled to enter the palace on the fifth day of the second month? How do you have time to leave him and drink alone here?"

"To be summoned for an audience? Precisely… precisely because of that, I am drinking here."

Remembering Du Shiyi’s earlier confessions, Dou Shilang’s heart stirred. He moved to sit right beside him. Down below, another Persian hostess began dancing, the room noisy enough to prevent their conversation from being overheard. Dou Shilang asked directly, "Is it because Lu Master does not wish to serve?"

"Master Lu loves teaching, cherishes poetry, painting, and friendship, treats his disciples as his own children—how could he abandon the students at Song Mountain, or the friends he has known for years!" Du Shiyi spoke all at once, then suddenly looked up, staring straight into Dou Shilang’s eyes. "Just as you, Dou Shilang—if you were asked to give up music and dance, to spend your days debating with old men at court, would you accept?"

(3/3)

"I wouldn’t agree for anything!"

Dou Shilang, who held a ceremonial post but never attended the guardhouse, shook his head without hesitation. At that moment, Du Shiyi, disregarding all decorum, grabbed his collar, stunning him.

"Dou Shilang, if you can help Master Lu return to his mountain life, I’ll give you two—no, three new songs as thanks. What do you say?" Seeing Dou Shilang’s wide-eyed stare, Du Shiyi released him, forcing a bitter smile. "Such a matter is beyond you, I suppose. Just pretend I never said anything… Master Lu only wishes for the life of a wandering crane, but as his disciple, I cannot help at all. If I don’t drink, what else can I do?"

Watching Du Shiyi lift the hefty wine jar and pour it straight into his mouth, soaking his garments and intensifying the smell of alcohol, Dou Shilang, after much consideration, slammed the table, seized the jar, and exclaimed, "It’s no small matter, but it’s not impossible! If Lu Master can firmly refuse before the Emperor, I can help you think of ways to deal with others!"

No sooner had he spoken than Du Shiyi’s eyes lit up, prompting Dou Shilang to add, "But remember, you owe me three songs—not one less!"

"If you help me achieve this, three songs are nothing!"

"Good, a promise made is a promise kept!"

Without thinking, Dou Shilang uttered these words, then smiled broadly. "Wait for good news."

As Dou Shilang descended the stairs, the neighboring patrons, previously absorbed in the music and dance, soon followed him out. Du Shiyi buried his head in his hands, letting out a long sigh. If Wang Wei hadn’t said Dou Shilang had no interest in office, if he hadn’t moved him once with a song, if Dou Shilang hadn’t expressed respect for Lu Hong, if Lady Du De hadn’t told him that Lu Hong’s appointment was not desired by most ministers—thus leaving room for maneuver—if, in other words, the majority at court were not eager for a reclusive sage to take their positions, he would not have resorted to such tactics.

But these schemes could only take effect once Lu Hong entered the palace. The most crucial moment would be the audience on the fifth day of the second month, yet he could not accompany him! However illustrious Lu Hong’s name, it could not rival a single word from those in power at court. In this world, even to protect oneself or those one cares about, one must first possess influence, or else progress is impossible! While in Luoyang, he must prepare for the future!