Jinting Han people

Chapter 11 Chen Shou Settles Down in Beimang

When Chen Shou woke up and fetched water, the morning mist on Mang Mountain had not yet dissipated. A faint trace of water vapor permeated the air, turning the bright light of the morning sun into a thin mist, reflecting the countless dust particles among the grass and trees, floating up and down like phantoms, and making the crabapple trees beside the mountain road look even more delicate and bright.

Behind the crabapple tree lay a pool of clear water, no more than a foot deep. The fish fry were as clear as drops of ink. Chen Shou waved his hand in the water, the icy coolness comforting him, and the fish vanished, as if they had melted away in an instant. After filling his gourd ladle with water, he turned and walked back. Just in time, he saw two crested ibis fly overhead, perch on a sycamore branch, and chirp softly at him.

Chen Shou smiled and continued walking. There was a gentle slope under the sycamore tree, where was the thatched hut he had built with his own hands.

The hut was simple: six wooden stakes with planks laid on them, and the roof covered with several layers of thatch. To protect against the approaching rainy season, the thatch was densely packed. On the other side, directly adjacent to the hut, planks rested on the stakes, and two wooden pillars supported the thatched roof. This area, facing the hut, was open and bright on three sides, with no walls. Books and boxes were piled in the corner, clearly a place for reading under the sun and shelter from the rain.

Back in the thatched cottage, Chen Shou placed the pottery cauldron on the stove, put in a handful of beans and wild vegetables, poured water, lit the fire, and sprinkled salt. Then he sat on a stool nearby, picked up a volume of "The Spring and Autumn Annals of Emperor Xian", and occasionally looked at the fire and occasionally flipped through the book.

This was the forty-seventh day that Chen Shou had settled in Mangshan. In January of that year, his mother, Cui, had passed away, and Chen Shou had to resign his post as Imperial Secretary to observe mourning for his mother.

According to the custom of returning to one's roots, Chen Shou should have taken his coffin back to Shu and observed mourning for 27 months before returning to Luoyang. However, Cui Shi admired the prosperity of Luoyang and, having heard that many wealthy Luoyang families were buried in Mangshan, she left a will, changing the burial location to Beimang. This caused considerable controversy within the court, with some arguing that Chen Shou was clinging to power and fame, using the will as an excuse to avoid returning home.

Despite the criticisms leveled at court, Chen Shou remained unwavering. After building a thatched hut near his mother's tomb, he ordered most of his servants to return home, leaving behind only one maid, Ananda, who would occasionally bring him food and clothing, finding peace and quiet. During the day, he would lean against a tree to read, and at night, he would lie in bed listening to the wind. The forest, with only monkeys and birds as his constant companions, only fueled his inspiration. The Records of the Three Kingdoms, later known as one of the "Four Early Histories," was largely completed during this period.

Chen Shou originally thought that such a leisurely life would last at least for a while, but for some reason, he was a little restless today. After breakfast, he couldn't concentrate on reading.

Is he missing his hometown? Chen Shou wondered.

Despite having been in Luoyang for two or three years, Chen Shou still hadn't integrated into the city's scholarly community. The upper classes mocked his poverty, prominent scholars discriminated against his accent, and the few who treated him kindly were merely casual acquaintances, far from sincere. In contrast, Chen Shou had reason to miss his hometown.

Yet, when Chen Shou mentioned his hometown, his memories weren't all good. He recalled his journey north to Luoyang, passing through Yangping Pass and Jiange Pass, and familiar people and events would always come to mind. But they were all gone, and the memories only brought sadness, as if he were the residue of a millstone.

Perhaps it was loneliness. Chen Shou put down his book, turned back to look at his mother's grave beside him, and for a moment he was lost in a long memory. Who could have imagined that the young man who had followed the general across the plateau, determined to support the Han Dynasty, would be an old man with nothing to show for it sixteen years later.

Just as he was daydreaming, a rustling sound suddenly came from the south. At first, Chen Shou thought it was a fox running through the grass, but as the sound got closer, he realized that it was human footsteps.

He looked around and saw an elegant woman coming up the mountain path, holding a child in her hands. It was Zhang Ximiao and Liu Xian.

Chen Shou had never met Xi Miao before, let alone Liu Xian, but it was clear that both men were looking for him. This puzzled Chen Shou. In his three years in Luoyang, this was the first time such a group had come to see him, especially while he was in mourning. What were they doing here? How could he help? It couldn't just be a simple meeting. He was already forty-six years old, and it was long past time for him to have such a dream again.

"Excuse me, is Mr. Chen Shou here?"

As Chen Shou lost himself in his reverie, Zhang Ximiao carefully observed him. Chen Shou's features were regular, except for his slightly drooping brows, which made him look sleepy. The corners of his mouth were relaxed, and though he clearly showed no expression, he seemed to be smiling.

"I am Chen Shou. May I ask who your wife is..."

"My name is Zhang Ximiao." Ximiao paused, then pulled Liu Xian forward and introduced him, "This is Liu Xian, nicknamed Biji. I've come specially to bother you, sir. I hope you don't mind."

Zhang Ximiao hadn't revealed her family background, but the name of the wife of the Duke of Anle was well known to the scholars of Liang and Yi. As expected, Chen Shou's face immediately shifted to a complex expression. He glanced at Ximiao, then at Liu Xian, about to say something, but then swallowed it back. Clearly, even though Chen Shou was well-read, the sudden appearance of his former master's descendant still left him bewildered.

Zhang Ximiao had anticipated this situation. According to Liu Yao's arrangement, she wouldn't have had to come; he could have hosted the meeting. However, considering the emperor's suspicion of Chen Shou at the palace, Chen Shou would likely decline for the sake of his career. So, she insisted on coming herself, hoping to catch him off guard. And now, she had indeed taken control.

She smiled at Chen Shou and continued, "When I was in Chengdu, I had long heard of your great name. You were so famous that you followed Xiangru and your writing was comparable to Sima Qian, but I never had the chance to meet you. It was truly a lifelong regret. Now that my youth has passed, so many of our stories have become a thing of the past. I never expected to hear about you again in a foreign land. It is truly a lifelong blessing."

After this round of flattery, Chen Shou finally came back to his senses. He bowed and smiled bitterly, "Madam, please stop teasing me. Chen Shou is just a small-time man who has failed in officialdom. How can I deserve such praise from you?" After that, he immediately invited Xi Miao and Liu Xian to sit in his study, took two ceramic cups, poured water for them personally, and then sat down.

By this time, Chen Shou's panic and embarrassment had faded away. He looked at Ximiao and her son with a cautious gaze, while at the same time thinking about Ximiao's purpose in his mind.

Contrary to his imagination of the wife of the Duke of Anle, Zhang Ximiao possessed none of the frailty of a woman or the sullenness of a hostage. Nor did she possess the arrogance that Chen Shou so disliked: the tendency to flaunt her status as a descendant of a prestigious family. Unlike her grandfather, Zhang Fei, Zhang Ximiao's features were delicate and beautiful. Even her inherited large, bright eyes were impervious to offense, exuding a quiet and resilient aura. Though she wore a plain indigo long-sleeved dress, she didn't give off the slightest impression of plainness. Her noble aura seemed to completely overshadow her clothing.

Looking at Liu Xian next to him, Chen Shou's first impression was that he was quiet. After all, children are always energetic and rarely have the patience to sit still for long, but Liu Xian remained motionless, like a Buddha statue. But his eyes were more piercing than those of ordinary children. Chen Shou's gaze met his, and he felt a strange tingling sensation.

This child has an arrogant look in his eyes. This is Chen Shou's judgment of Liu Xian.

So what was their purpose? I'd heard that Wang Fu had died unexpectedly six months earlier, and that the lord's temperament had changed drastically. Had the lady brought the young lord here to ask for his help in persuading the lord to change his ways? Or was it because of the previously clamorous matter of abolishing the Duke of Anle, and was she asking him to intercede? Chen Shou was unsure and could only wait and see what would happen next.

At this time, Xi Miao took out a small clay-sealed jar from his side and held it in front of Chen Shou.

"I heard that you are in mourning and cannot eat meat or drink alcohol. I don't know what to give you, so I brought some pickles I made myself, all Chengdu style. I believe you will like them. I sincerely hope that you can eat more and not let your grief damage your health."

Such a gift was neither expensive nor showed the thoughtfulness, so Chen Shou could not refuse and had to accept it.

"Since it's Madam's doing, I wouldn't be so respectful to refuse it." After accepting it, Chen Shou asked, "But Madam, I'm afraid you didn't come here to give me this jar of pickles, did you?"

"Sir, you have a good eye. I'm sorry for the sudden visit. I do have a favor to ask of you."

"I would like to ask you to be my teacher to ward off diseases." After saying this, Zhang Ximiao bowed to the ground very solemnly, and Liu Xian followed suit.

This formality was so excessive that Chen Shou was horrified. He hurriedly helped the two men up, saying, "Why is this necessary? Why is this necessary?" Once they were on their feet, Chen Shou smiled bitterly and said slowly, "Madam, you've given me such a difficult problem just as we met!" For Chen Shou, going to the court to plead for Anle Gong would be troublesome, but success or failure would have little impact on him. However, becoming the tutor of Anle Gong's son would undoubtedly tie him to the Anle Gong Mansion. If word of this were to reach the emperor in the future, he would be accused of "caring about his homeland and harboring rebellious intentions," which would greatly affect his future career.

He then told Xi Miao frankly, "Common sense suggests that I shouldn't refuse your request, Madam. After all, Duke Anle is my former master, and it's an honor for me to be your mentor. But Madam, you also know that the court situation is complicated right now, and the Duke's Mansion is plagued by suspicion. If I agree, I don't know how many rumors will arise."

At this point, he paused and said, "And to be honest, although Chen Shou is currently in mourning, he still plans to bring honor to our family. This is also my mother's last wish. If I agree to this, Madam, I am afraid I will not be able to fulfill my filial duty to her. Please forgive me, Madam, but Chen Shou cannot agree to this."

The problems Chen Shou mentioned were real, and Xi Miao knew it in her heart, but after hearing Chen Shou point it out in person, Xi Miao still felt a little powerless. However, she was used to forcing others when she was powerless, and this time was no exception.

"Sir, are you really unable to agree?"

"I really can't. Madam, please forgive me. Chen Shou can't be unfilial."

"Sir, don't you mind being disloyal?" Zhang Ximiao lowered her brows and asked, "If you ignore old friendships for the sake of your career, wouldn't it be bad for your reputation if it got out?"

Chen Shou was stunned for a moment, then understood Xi Miao's intention. The wife of the Duke of Anle had made up her mind. If Chen Shou refused to comply, she would spread the news of their conversation, accusing him of being obsessed with fame and fortune and disloyal to his former ministers. While filial piety still held primacy in the Western Jin officialdom, loyalty to the emperor, a 400-year-old tradition passed down through the Han Dynasty, remained a crucial element in the Zhongzheng evaluation process.

This really caught Chen Shou off guard. He hadn't expected Xi Miao to be so determined, even if it meant forcing her to do this. He said helplessly, "Madam, why are you forcing me? Chen Shou believes I only have a little talent, good enough for writing. I can't govern a country, and I can't manage a family. If I force myself to be your teacher, I'll only be misleading him."

"Sir, you are the chief clerk of General Jiang Wei. I only trust you." Xi Miao looked at him and said.

Chen Shou was silent. He wanted to continue refutation, but he felt that this was not an insult to himself, but an insult to Jiang Wei. He could not utter any self-deprecating words.

After a thousand thoughts raced through his mind, Chen Shou finally sighed and said, "Madam, let's put it this way. I previously studied the classics with Master Qiao, and although I have taught some younger students, I have no experience in educating children. And now that I'm in mourning here, I'm afraid I can't come to teach at home. Madam, you can only ask the young master to come here every day, and I'll teach him as appropriate. If he learns well, I won't refuse. But if the results are poor, or if he can't bear the hardships here, then for his sake, please seek someone else!"

This was undoubtedly a relief, and Zhang Ximiao was very happy. He quickly smiled and said, "Of course, thank you for your hard work, sir!" Then he patted Liu Xian on the shoulder and said, "Quick! Biji, quickly salute the teacher!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Xian immediately took two steps forward and, according to the Confucius's ritual of paying tribute to his teacher, he kowtowed three times to Chen Shou respectfully, and then presented Chen Shou with ten pieces of dried meat. After Chen Shou accepted the dried meat, he took out a volume of "The Book of Songs" from the books beside him and gave it to Liu Xian as a return gift. This simple ceremony of paying tribute to his teacher was officially completed.

Now that the status had been determined, Chen Shou's expression became serious. He looked at Liu Xian and began his first conversation with his disciple.

"Biji, your mother asked you to become my disciple. Do you know why?"

"To learn calligraphy and study, and to resolve doubts."

"Solve the doubts, do you have any doubts?"

Chen Shou originally thought that Liu Xian would say something completely nonsensical, asking why fish can't fly, why tigers don't have wings, why day and night can't be reversed, and why time can't flow backwards. After all, all children are like that.

But Liu Xian had a pensive expression on his face. He thought for a moment and then asked, "Teacher, I want to know, do people still live after they die?"

This was also an unrelated question, but it seemed a bit too early for a child who had just started life. Chen Shou was caught off guard by this and was taken aback. He did not answer immediately, but glanced at Zhang Ximiao quickly. Zhang Ximiao was also embarrassed. Chen Shou asked back: "Bi Ji, you are asking whether there is a soul after death, right?"

Liu Xian hesitated for a moment, nodded, and said, "If people don't have souls after death, why do we remember the names of the dead and what they did? But if they do have souls, why don't they talk to us?"

Chen Shou said, "I don't know whether there is a soul or not."

"Teacher doesn't know either?"

"There are so many unknown things in this world. As the sages said, 'Know what you know, and don't know what you don't know.' I can only teach you what I know. I don't know whether people have souls after death, so I can't answer that."

Looking at Liu Xian's disappointed eyes, for some reason, a sentence suddenly flashed through Chen Shou's mind, and he said inexplicably: "But teacher, I can answer you why we should remember the names of the dead and what they did."

Liu Xian raised his head and asked, "Why?"

Chen Shou said word for word: "Taishigong said that everyone has to die, some are lighter than a feather, some are heavier than Mount Tai."

This sentence carries so much meaning that it could be discussed at length. But after Chen Shou uttered it, his first thought was the moving feeling he had upon first reading the Records of the Grand Historian. It was this sentence that had inspired him to write a history book. Yet, for some reason, his heart felt heavy, a sense of regret filling his chest. Was he worried about his future career? Or perhaps he was yearning for the past? Chen Shou wasn't sure.

Liu Xian was bewildered at first when he heard this, but after chewing it over, a glint of understanding appeared in his eyes. He bowed respectfully and said, "Teacher, please give me some guidance."

Chen Shou looked at him and thought to himself, "Oh no!"

I already like this child a little.

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(End of this chapter)