Chapter Ninety-Nine: Repeated Obstacles

The meal lasted for more than half an hour. Everyone was fully satisfied, and the old servant surnamed Ding cleared away the dishes. The group remained in the hall, engaging in lively conversation. Most of the speaking was still done by Xu Jing, who generously shared numerous insights he had gained from composing the traditional eight-legged essays. Lü Xingchuan, Fan Jin, and the others all found his words quite beneficial.

Though Zhou Zhi had not yet studied the eight-legged essay, listening left him somewhat confused. However, he committed everything Xu Jing said to memory, knowing that when he studied it in detail later, it would surely prove very helpful.

Xu Jing basked in the admiring gazes of the others, feeling quite pleased with himself and exceptionally cheerful. Yet whenever his eyes rested on Zhou Zhi, an uneasy feeling crept over him.

This Zhou Zhi, so young, possessed an almost photographic memory and even wrote small regular script calligraphy remarkably close to that of Zhao Mengfu. What Wu Wending had said was not wrong; this boy’s chances of passing the examinations for county or provincial scholar, or even the metropolitan exam, were just around the corner.

In the end, I, Xu Jing, a newly minted scholar, have had much of the spotlight stolen by this rustic youth. Hmph! It’s displeasing! Truly displeasing!

As these thoughts crossed his mind, a sudden idea struck him. Smiling faintly at Zhou Zhi, he said, “Brother Zhou Zhi, I’ve heard you often write couplets. I imagine you must have considerable skill in that art?”

Xu Jing’s seemingly inexplicable tendency to pick on him from time to time gradually irritated Zhou Zhi.

He thought to himself, “You, Xu Jing, are a scholar; I, Zhou Zhi, am but a commoner. We are not on the same level. Why do you bother competing with me?”

Though displeased, Zhou Zhi was careful not to offend Xu Jing and showed no sign of his irritation on his face. Instead, he smiled modestly and said, “I only write a few couplets casually to sell at the market at year’s end, to earn some silver to help support my family. Haha! They’re nothing refined, just simple verses that wouldn’t grace the halls of the cultured!”

Xu Jing nodded lightly. As an expert in couplets himself, having brought up the topic, he was hardly going to let it drop so easily.

He then addressed the group, “It’s rare for us to gather like this. Spirits are high. Haha! Why don’t I compose a few couplets, and you all respond with matching ones to enliven the mood?”

For scholars and literati, drinking, chatting, composing poetry, and matching couplets were common pleasures. Lü Xingchuan and others responded enthusiastically.

Fan Jin, who had eagerly agreed with Xu Jing earlier, was the first to speak up, “Excellent! I’ve grown weary of toiling over eight-legged essays. Let us play a game for a while. If anyone has good couplets, please share them so we may all admire and learn, broadening our horizons.”

No sooner had Fan Jin spoken than Gu Dingchen chimed in agreement.

Gu Dingchen was usually taciturn, so his joining in showed just how interested he was.

Others did not wish to dampen their enthusiasm, and soon many voices echoed their approval.

Xu Jing laughed heartily. “Very well, then. I shall present the first couplet for you to match: ‘Willow threads, oriole shuttles, weaving the scenery of Jiangnan in March.’”

This was a fairly ordinary couplet, not too difficult to respond to.

Everyone immediately assumed thoughtful expressions.

Gu Dingchen almost without hesitation replied, “Cloud paper, wild goose characters, carrying letters from the northern frontier in autumn.”

Xu Jing then offered another, “Flower valley in spring sunshine, bird melodies playing flawless flutes.”

As soon as he finished, Gu Dingchen responded again, “Tree courtyard at dusk, cicada sounds pluck the strings of an unstrung zither.”

Xu Jing had presented two couplets in succession, both matched first by Gu Dingchen, drawing everyone’s gaze to him. Indeed, Gu Dingchen was a diligent scholar with a quick mind.

Zhou Zhi was also astonished, thinking silently, no wonder Gu Dingchen later became the top scorer in the imperial exams—his mind truly brimmed with talent. Zhou Zhi cast admiring and respectful looks toward him.

Gu Dingchen’s face flushed slightly, as if shy, yet his enthusiasm remained undiminished.

Fan Jin, who had been the loudest in support of Xu Jing, grew a bit anxious since Gu Dingchen had answered both couplets before him. Though over fifty, Fan Jin remained a scholar, well-read and practiced in composing couplets. He hurriedly said, “Brother Zhifu, please continue with another couplet!”

Before he finished, Fan Jin took on a posture as if to strike first. Xu Jing’s lips curled into a barely perceptible mischievous smile. “Fan Jin, haha! I will not let you respond to this one.”

After a brief pause, Xu Jing composed, “The bright moon shines through the gauze window, each one a Zhuge Liang or Kongming.”

He spoke with a slight squint, thoroughly pleased with himself. This couplet was an absolute challenge in the Jiangyin region; no one had yet matched it.

Xu Jing was close friends with Tang Yin, who, though only twenty-five, was already a successful scholar and renowned throughout the Southern Capital region. Tang Yin was skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, widely known as a “romantic talent.”

If not for recent commitments keeping Tang Yin busy, he would have accompanied Xu Jing northward. Though Tang Yin was not acquainted with Lü Xingchuan or his cousin.

Tang Yin was a master of couplets, and this upper line was his creation, though he had not provided the matching lower line. To Xu Jing, Tang Yin was an idol; if even Tang Yin could not furnish the response, surely no one present could.

As soon as Xu Jing uttered his couplet, the hall fell silent, everyone deep in thought.

The first part, “The bright moon shines through the gauze window,” painted a scene, but the latter half cleverly referenced a person’s name, making it extremely difficult to match.

For several moments, no one uttered a sound.

Composing couplets and poetry was a treasured pastime for literati in the Ming Dynasty, yet such entertainments were scarce in later times. Thus, Zhou Zhi had little study in the art.

Though Zhou Zhi was a time traveler and graduate from a renowned modern university, it was natural he had seen neither the couplets Xu Jing had just recited nor could he immediately respond.

However, this particular couplet was a famous classical one, and Zhou Zhi had encountered it online in later centuries, leaving a strong impression. Three possible responses quickly formed in his mind.

Yet he had no desire to steal the spotlight or dampen the group’s enthusiasm, so he remained silent, feigning deep contemplation.

At this moment, Xu Jing chuckled, “This one is quite difficult. It’s no disgrace if no one can respond.”

No sooner had he spoken than Gu Dingchen said, “I have thought of a lower line: ‘Dragon King raises a torch, step by step illuminating clouds and the young Zhao Yun.’”

Zhou Zhi’s heart skipped a beat. Gu Dingchen was truly impressive!

This was precisely one of the matching responses Zhou Zhi had seen online in later times.

Xu Jing was momentarily stunned, then slowly recited, “Dragon King raises a torch, step by step illuminating clouds and the young Zhao Yun! A marvelous match! Well done, Gu Dingchen!”

Unexpectedly, Fan Jin stroked his beard with a smile and said, “I too thought of a response: ‘Clear scrolls illuminate official histories, everyone a righteous son like Taishi Ci.’”

After reciting, Fan Jin’s face brightened with satisfaction, though he feigned modesty in a comical manner.

Xu Jing was utterly taken aback. This was Tang Yin’s absolute masterpiece, yet here these men had matched it. Gu Dingchen’s response was one thing, but why was old Fan Jin equally formidable?

How disappointing! Truly disappointing!

Was I, Xu Jing, to let Fan Jin and the others have the last laugh?

Certainly not.

Xu Jing forced a dry laugh, complimenting their skill, then turned his gaze once more to Zhou Zhi. “Brother Zhou Zhi, since you often write couplets, I imagine you can come up with a matching response?”

His tone was clearly a provocation, aiming to put Zhou Zhi on the spot and reclaim his pride.