Jinting Han people

Chapter 39: Xiao Ruan Gong's Farewell (5k)

Time flies by like a white horse, and before we knew it, it was already May of the sixth year of Taikang (285 AD).

It was a hot summer day, and all things were growing. The cicadas were chirping deafeningly, and warblers were occasionally singing back and forth like wind chimes. From time to time, mountain mists would blow through the forest, causing the waist-high weeds and lush branches and leaves to sing wildly. Together with the croaking of frogs in the shallow water and the howling of foxes in the caves, the sounds of all things blended together, as if playing a strong music without beat, making the mountains and hills particularly lively.

But this bustle came naturally, and Liu Xian didn't find it noisy or noisy. Instead, a sense of inner peace allowed him to appreciate the vitality and beauty of the place. His life had returned to a peaceful state.

With the death of King Sima You of Qi, the once intense Qi factional strife finally came to an end, and Crown Prince Sima Zhong's throne was firmly established. Overnight, the political strife within the Western Jin court vanished, and with it, a peaceful life returned to the people of the capital. Luoyang's lockdown was lifted, and the market reopened. Caravans from Liangzhou and Bingzhou once again flowed freely, and the streets of the city's outskirts were once again bustling with activity. Even Liu Xian, who was mourning in the mountains, began to receive visitors.

About a month after the King of Qi's death, Zhang Hua was recalled to the capital by the Emperor and appointed Minister of Rites. Zhang Wei also returned with him. Then, one after another, the children of the founding fathers, whose parents had sent them back to their ancestral lands, returned to Luoyang. Shi Chao was among them. Upon his return, upon hearing that Liu Xian was mourning alone, he immediately rode to Bianshan to visit him.

Seeing that Liu Xian lived in such a simple place and ate only vegetables and fruits, he frowned at first, then smiled and said, "When your mourning period is over, I will invite you to my sixth uncle's house to experience some world-class delicacies." From then on, Shi Chao came to see him every now and then.

Then came childhood friends Xi'an and Zhang Gu, who had also returned to Luoyang. Around the age of eight, after Liu Xian had begun studying with Chen Shou, their respective parents had called them back to begin their studies, a process that had lasted nearly five or six years. Xi'an's father was Xi Zheng, and Zhang Gu's father was Zhang Tong, both loyal followers who had followed the Anle family to the capital after the fall of Shu Han. Now that both had passed away, their sons had inherited their father's legacy, continuing to serve as retainers of the Anle family and, in the future, Liu Xian's followers.

After not seeing each other for a few years, the two childhood friends have changed a lot.

Because Xi Zheng had previously been appointed by the imperial court and served as the prefect of Baxi, his family status had risen. Furthermore, Sima Yan had specifically praised Xi Zheng's loyalty, saying, "In Chengdu, despite hardships, he remained steadfast and loyal," Yizhou Zhongzheng placed a special value on him, and the Xi family quickly became a renowned clan in Baxi. When Xi An returned, he also took on the air of nobility typical of the aristocracy, eager to discuss profound theories with Liu Xian. His eloquence and skillful manner reminiscent of those of an ancient counselor.

Zhang Gu's father, Zhang Tong, had previously served as a military governor of the Shu Han Dynasty, renowned for his bravery and strength. At Liu Xian's trial, he expressed his desire to cultivate Zhang Gu's bravery, but unfortunately, his wish was unsuccessful. Later, Zhang Gu returned home and was meticulously trained by Zhang Tong, strengthening his strength and instructing him in archery, horseback riding, swords, spears, and clubs. By the time Zhang Gu rode to meet Liu Xian, his childhood friend had grown to over seven feet tall, sporting a broad waist and impressive spearmanship, a true formidable warrior on the battlefield.

They joked with Liu Xian, "Biji, you have us, one civil and one military, by your side. You should be going out and making great achievements! Why are you wasting your time here?"

Liu Xian laughed and said, "There's still a lot of time. I'm like a tiger lying in wait on a desolate hill, hiding my claws and fangs and enduring."

So they often came to the border mountains to accompany Liu Xian, and sometimes they even slept together in the thatched cottage, listening to the sound of wind and waves between heaven and earth, while talking about heroic deeds from ancient times to the present. Their hearts were surging with excitement and their thoughts were full of thoughts. It was rare for them to fall asleep soundly as soon as they lay down.

Of course, besides these peers, Young Ruan Gong would occasionally come to visit Liu Xian. First, to check on his progress, second, to test his academic performance, and third, to bring some close friends to promote Liu Xian. After all, Liu Xian had already decided to enter the government, and with Duke Juancheng's support, the relevant preparations could begin now.

So by the fifth year of the Taikang reign, Liu Xian's supposedly lonely mourning life wasn't dull at all. He had friends to keep him company when he was bored, teachers to guide him when he was lost, books to comfort him when he felt empty, and clear goals and hopes for the future. Even the Duke of Anle had become more restrained. After returning to his palace, Liu Xun reverted to his old ways within a few days, still indulging in wine and women, but at least he no longer committed any shocking acts of violence.

All of this made Liu Xian happy. The only thing that made him sad was that his mother could not see all this with her own eyes. He could only pray at his mother's grave every night, hoping that if she knew about it, she would be happier.

On this particular day, Liu Xian was weeding in front of his thatched cottage. He planned to clear a patch of land in the mountains and plant some delightful flowers—orchids, chrysanthemums, whatever. It was a sudden inspiration, a chore Zhang Ximiao had enjoyed during his lifetime.

While plowing the soil, Liu Xian heard a familiar long whistling sound coming from the foot of the mountain. He immediately put down his wooden shovel to look. Sure enough, he saw an ox cart. A young man slightly older than him was driving in the front, and an old man with a bun and a robe reclining in the back, leaning against the cart and whistling loudly, was Ruan Fu and Little Ruan Gong. Little Ruan Gong saw Liu Xian from afar, stopped whistling, and waved the dust tail in his hand back and forth to express his joy at seeing his favorite disciple.

Liu Xian hurriedly donned his robe and went to meet them. He then respectfully led the ox for Little Ruan Gong, leading them to a flat area surrounded by water on three sides and topped by a bamboo forest. This was because the sun was scorching, and the heat was sweltering. Although their original thatched cottage was located in an open area, it was scorched by the sun and was far less cool than this place.

After Little Ruan Gong sat down, Liu Xian brought them two pots of water, then sat down at the bottom and asked Little Ruan Gong, "Teacher, should I follow the custom and play some music first?"

Little Ruan Gong clapped his hands and said with his eyes closed, "Okay, let's start with 'Strange Bird'!"

The "Strange Bird" that Little Ruan Gong was referring to was one of his uncle Ruan Ji's "Poems of Reflection." Liu Xian had already learned it by heart. He nodded, pulled out his bamboo flute, took a deep breath, pressed his fingers against the holes, and slowly let the air flow into the flute.

The music begins with a melodious, expansive sound, as if woven into a vast chaos. Above, it's dim; below, it's boundless, shrouded only by an elusive spiritual energy. Yet, in a flash, the music blazes like a stunning bird song, and the chaos blossoms like a fleeting flower, transforming into a distinct world in the blink of an eye. Clouds and mist part in the sky, pine trees rustle in the mountains, and a clear river flows through it, rushing towards the sun's radiance.

At this time, Ruan Xian beat the rhythm and sang:

"There is a strange bird in the forest, which calls itself a phoenix. It drinks sweet spring water in the morning and rests on the hills at night.

The cry echoes through the nine states, and the neck stretches out to look into the vast wilderness. When the Shang wind rises, the wings are shattered and hidden.

Once I leave for the west of Kunlun, when will I return? I only regret that I am not in the right position, and the sorrow makes my heart sad.

Mr. Ruan was nearly sixty years old and had a hoarse voice, which did not match the melodious flute music at the beginning. However, as the song reached the middle part, the flute sound became lower and quieter, which made the song have a sense of vicissitudes and sadness, like the setting sun, when all sounds are quiet and only the yellow sand is flying.

Then the flute's sound suddenly picked up, like a gust of wind sweeping back across the land and mountains. Little Ruan Gong's singing followed suit, surging like the Yangtze River flowing eastward. In a flash, the music faded away, the song faded away, as if the previous chaos, the heavens and earth, the mountains and rivers, had all vanished, leaving only an indescribable sorrow...

After finishing his piece, Liu Xian lowered his head, awaiting Xiao Ruan Gong's criticism. After all, no matter how well he practiced his piece, it was only about technique. He lacked a good sense of pitch, so he would always be far from Xiao Ruan Gong's level. But to his surprise, Liu Xian waited for a long time, but Xiao Ruan Gong remained silent. Looking up, Liu Xian saw Xiao Ruan Gong staring upwards, and for a moment, he felt a sense of loss.

He had no choice but to ask, "Teacher?"

Little Ruan Gong suddenly woke up, picked up the dust tail and scratched his back while saying with a smile: "Biji, you played this piece of music very well. I have nothing to say to you."

"Really?" Liu Xian was a little skeptical. He put down the bamboo flute, picked up the Zhaowu sword and stood up, intending to practice swordsmanship with his teacher. Unexpectedly, little Ruan Gong waved his dust tail back and forth, signaling him to sit down quickly.

Liu Xian was very surprised. He knelt on the mat and asked respectfully, "Teacher, do you have any instructions?"

Little Ruan Gong straightened his expression and suddenly said, "Huai Chong, how many years have you been following me?"

Liu Xian was stunned for a moment, then replied, "I started studying with my teacher in the first year of the Taikang era. This year is the sixth year of the Taikang era, so it's been almost five years."

Little Ruan Gong nodded, looked down at his fingers and sighed, "Five years, I don't have anything to teach you now, it's time for us to part ways as master and disciple."

This statement came without warning, shocking Liu Xian greatly. He quickly bowed and said, "Teacher, why do you say that? I am only fourteen years old. I still have many questions to ask and many skills to learn. Could it be that I am unfilial and have angered you?" Young Master Ruan repeatedly waved his hands to appease Liu Xian. He finally explained the whole story, "It's none of your business. The imperial court has appointed me as an official to be the governor of Guanxi."

So that's how it is. Isn't this a happy occasion? Liu Xian breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, a question loomed in his mind: Logically speaking, for someone with a long-standing reputation for virtue like Little Ruan Gong, being a prefect would be just a formality. After six months, he would be summoned back to the capital to take up a minor position in the Secretariat, and in a few years, he might even be promoted to one of the Three Dukes or Nine Ministers. So why did Little Ruan Gong look so worried?
Ruan Fu saw Liu Xian's confusion and explained, "The Duke of Juancheng has news that this recruitment has nothing to do with the emperor, and he doesn't intend to use you..."

In fact, many years before this, Shan Tao, one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, had recommended Xiao Ruan Gong several times, but the emperor always rejected him. The ostensible reason was that Xiao Ruan Gong was considered unfit for the important task due to his excessive drinking and lust. However, even if these criticisms were entirely true, they were not sufficient justification. There were countless drunkards and lustful individuals throughout the court, so how could he be rejected for this reason? The emperor simply disliked Xiao Ruan Gong.

The reason why Xiao Ruan Gong was recruited by the court was simple: Xun Xu, the Minister of the Chancellery, considered himself unrivaled in music, but was often considered inferior to Xiao Ruan Gong. He harbored a grudge and planned to use the opportunity of recruiting him to expel Xiao Ruan Gong from the capital. He feared that once he went to Guanxi, he would never be able to return eastward.

This reason left Liu Xian dumbfounded. He had heard of scholars looking down on each other, but he had never expected it to be reflected in the officialdom in this way. For a moment, he didn't know what to say, let alone how to comfort his teacher.

Young Master Ruan seemed quite open-minded. He took a sip of the water Liu Xian offered him and chuckled, "It's not surprising. I had anticipated the country falling into the hands of this group of people long ago." He paused, then suddenly asked Liu Xian, "Huai Chong, have you ever thought about why I, a scoundrel who drinks and plays the zither all day, would teach you horseback riding, archery, and swordplay?"

This was indeed the question Liu Xian had been wondering about. He nodded, and then listened to Little Ruan Gong's explanation: "Everyone says that we, the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, are hermits who dedicate ourselves to nature, are unrestrained and uninhibited, and disdain etiquette, fame, and wealth. But that's not the case."

"In the early years, the seven of us gathered together because we were filled with a desire to serve our country. We either wanted to ride on the battlefield and achieve great things in the Gobi Desert, or we wanted to govern our region and speak for the people. Every day when we got together, we either discussed the pros and cons of current affairs or practiced swordplay and archery. How could we have time for poetry and wine?"

Young Master Ruan paused, then lamented, "Who could have known that in the blink of an eye, the Sima family would exploit the Gaopingling Incident to seize state power, then plot to usurp the throne and establish their own family. Did we cultivate our civil and military skills just to sell them to him?"

"Later, when Sima Shi and Sima Zhao came to power, they violated human ethics even further. Not only did they exclude dissidents, they even committed the crime of regicide. If such people were to govern the country, with power but no virtue, how could the country last long?"

"That's why the seven of us, good friends, have turned to discussing profound theories, disregarding etiquette and pretending to be eccentric, all to mock Sima Shi and Sima Zhao, and they know it all too well. So many years have passed in the blink of an eye, and some of us have died, some have left, some have become officials, some have become hermits, and we've all gone our separate ways. I was only transferred out of the capital today, and it's probably because of the current emperor's magnanimity. After decades of leisurely wandering, it's time I do something practical for the people."

Having said this, Ruan Xian paused and said to Liu Xian earnestly, "Therefore, Huai Chong, I came here today specifically to say goodbye to you."

Farewell? Liu Xian was overwhelmed with emotions. From what his teacher had said, this time he was going to Guanxi, he might never come back. But Little Ruan Gong had clearly promised his mother to treat him as an adopted son, so why was he leaving?

Liu Xian felt both reluctant and sad, but after his mother's death, he had become somewhat accustomed to separation. He also knew that at this time, he should show the spirit of a man, so as to comfort the teacher who despised etiquette.

He lowered his head and thought for a while, then said to Little Ruan Gong, "Before we part, please teach me a skill."

Little Ruan Gong asked curiously, "What skill?"

"Teacher's whistle! This is what I wanted to learn the most when I first met the teacher."

Little Ruan Gong's eyes widened, and then he burst into laughter, laughing so hard that he fell over and his clothes were in disarray. After a long while, he said, "Why do you need to be taught this? As long as you want to, you will be able to do it."

"Really?"

"Really, you already know how to do it. You can try it now."

Liu Xian was still a little embarrassed under the encouraging gaze of Little Ruan Gong. Little Ruan Gong did not say much, but directly recited a poem, which was Ruan Ji's "Poems of Thoughts", but Liu Xian had never heard of it before. He recited:

"The blazing light stretches for thousands of miles, and the mighty river surges with rapids.

The bow is hung with fusang, and the long sword is leaning against the sky.

Mount Tai is a chasm, and the Yellow River is a belt.

Looking at Zhuang Zhouzi, what can one rely on for success or failure?
Sacrifice your life and abandon the Central Plains, and let the black kite become a nuisance.

How can it be compared to a heroic and outstanding person, whose fame and achievements will be great from now on."

After reading the poem, Liu Xian was suddenly struck by its majestic spirit. Old Ruan had placed his ambition above all else!
In his poem, he declared that he would hang his bow on the Fusang tree, lean his sword on the cosmos, use Mount Tai as his sword whetstone, and the Yellow River as his belt. To him, the so-called unrestrained Zhuang Zhou was nothing more than a cawing crow, one who neither cherished himself nor cared for the common people. How could he compare to a true hero and patriot?

One's heroic name should be passed down through the ages, and one's achievements should be admired by all. This is the greatest meaning of life.

What a hero!

Who could have imagined that Ruan Ji, the man weeping in despair and scorning mortals, actually harbored heroic ambitions? Liu Xian slowly stood up. Once again, he heard the symphony of heaven and earth, saw the countless creatures in the mountains and the endless sound of pine trees. At the same time, a sense of enlightenment arose within him:

Sitting and observing the world day after day, how could one not feel some resentment in one's heart? Meeting a true friend in life, how could one not feel the ambition of a hero?!
A heavy air surged toward his throat, and Liu Xian let out a long, rich, melodious whistle. The throaty, nasal notes swirled several times before finally settling between his lips and teeth. It became a thunderous whistle, drifting elegantly and cleanly among the twilight mist of the mountains. But Liu Xian couldn't hear it. For a moment, he lost the feeling of his chest, his flesh, and bones. He felt only as if he had been reborn, completely merging with the world.

When Liu Xian recovered, he saw Little Ruan Gongzheng looking at him with a smile. He quickly thanked him, "Thank you for your guidance, Teacher."

Little Ruan Gong waved his hands and sighed, "You are a child with a high level of understanding. Hey, if my third uncle were still alive, we would definitely become close friends regardless of age difference!"

Before leaving, Little Ruan Gong stopped at the front of the car, looked at Liu Xian and said, "Huai Chong, I forgot to tell you a good news."

"Ok?"

"I received news that Chen Shou has finished visiting the various tribes in Jiangnan and is on his way back to Beijing."

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(End of this chapter)