Red Heart Patrols the Sky - Chapter 402 - Scholar

Chapter 402 - Scholar

Words : 1491 Author : Deep Feelings

Chapter 402 of "Red Heart Patrols the Sky" begins with suspenseful moments: When I arrived at the Qingya Sub-court in Linzi, the place was noticeably emptier than... Don’t miss it!

When I arrived at the Qingya Sub-court in Linzi, the place was noticeably emptier than usual.The students of the Academy bathed every five days, and today was their day off.

But it was not peaceful.

Jiang Wang hadn’t even entered the courtyard when he heard the old headmaster’s voice, full of grief and indignation, “Withdraw, how can there be another withdrawal?”

Then came Xu Xiangqian’s voice, full of righteous confidence, “This is what I rightfully deserve, merely taken a little in advance.

How could it not be withdrawn?”

Salary, in this context, refers to dried meat.

It is generally used to denote a teacher’s remuneration.

The old headmaster’s voice trembled, probably with anger, “Preposterous!

You’ve been withdrawing against your salary for thirty years ahead!”

“Do you doubt my loyalty to the Academy?

Won’t I spend my lifetime here?

Or do you think I won’t live for another thirty years?

Are you cursing me — such a promising young man in his prime?”

“Get out of here, stop your pestering nonsense with me!”

“Ah, Headmaster, such an attitude truly disgraces the literati.”

“What do you mean by ‘disgraces the literati’?”

“Disgraces the literati means…

Are you making fun of me?

Just tell me if you’ll give it or not!”

Jiang Wang hesitated for a moment, but still entered.

He heard the old headmaster asking, “Do you see that door over there?

What style is it?”

Xu Xiangqian, clutching his sleeve and refusing to let go, said, “Headmaster, are your eyes failing you?

That’s a wall.”

“Exactly,” the old headmaster scoffed and shook off Xu Xiangqian’s hand, “No way!”

“How dare you!” Xu Xiangqian pointed at his departing figure, “Wait until I write a poem to criticize you.

When your reputation is ruined, do not say I did not warn you!”

Criticizing through writing is a rather mainstream practice among literati.

It includes various forms of literature such as poetry and prose.

It’s generally taken seriously and needs to be handled with caution.

For instance, Mo Ya, a great Confucian of Qingya, once wrote: “Clinging to riches and honor till death, a nameless general who gives his life for his country.”

This almost pinned Jinghai Gao to the pillar of shame, and it wasn’t a good reputation for Qi Country itself either — which is why it was rarely recited in Qi Country.

However, to Xu Xiangqian’s weighty threat, a common tactic among the literati, the old headmaster only responded with a cold snort, completely indifferent and unconcerned.

“Ah, how infuriating!”

Xu Xiangqian’s forehead creased with anger, feeling that his talent was greatly disrespected.

Turning his head, his eyes lit up when he saw Jiang Wang.

Today, Jiang Wang was dressed in a pure white scholar’s robe.

His appearance was naturally elegant and refined, and he had a fair complexion, which suited white very well.

This scholar’s robe, quite unexpectedly, suited him.

“Brother Jiang, in this attire today, you could join me as one of the twin stars of Ganma Mountain!”

Ganma Mountain was the burial site he had chosen for Xu Fang…

Jiang Wang had no interest in being paired with Xu Gaoe as the twin stars of Ganma Mountain and laughed it off, “When shall we set off?”

Indeed, when Xu Xiangqian went out to take care of Xu Fang’s funeral, it might have involved considerations for Qingya Academy, but the main purpose was to help Jiang Wang resolve this burden.

This was unspoken, but both understood it in their hearts.

“As soon as the coffin is prepared in the mortuary street, we can depart.”

Xu Xiangqian casually mentioned, still feeling somewhat aggrieved, “Why is it so difficult to get an advance on my salary?

Brother Jiang, tell me, does Headmaster Liu look down on me?”

Jiang Wang made no comment on this matter.

The prominent schools of thought like Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism differ from ordinary Sects.

Not all disciples focus solely on cultivation; many are devoted to studying, immersing themselves in the classics, not aiming to transcend through their scholarship.

Of course, those who truly comprehend the classics often rise to great heights overnight.

Although Headmaster Liu seemed like just an ordinary head of a sub-court, who knows if he had complex relationships within the main court of Qingya Academy.

And Jiang Wang did hold such “conservatives” in high regard.

However, Xu Xiangqian’s request for an advance on his salary was clearly to finance the burial of Xu Fang’s remains.

Jiang Wang could not afford it, and Zhongxuan Sheng was even less likely to intervene.

He couldn’t very well ask others for handouts.

Otherwise, given Scholar Xu’s usual carefree demeanor, he wouldn’t need to worry about money at all.

At the Qingya Sub-court, he only had an ordinary teaching position and his salary wasn’t much.

As a Transcendent powerhouse, Qingya Academy’s main campus would cover his daily expenses, but as he spent most of his time at the four famous pavilions, his spending was particularly high.

No matter how renowned Qingya Academy was, it couldn’t possibly support him like the big Aristocratic Families did their own scions.

That’s why Xu Xiangqian was often short on cash and always mooching off friends—”Xu Gaoe, the stingy” was how he got that reputation.

“Ahem,” Jiang Wang considered and said, “About the money…”

“You don’t need to worry about that,” Xu Xiangqian waved his hand dismissively, “I’ll easily take care of it.”

If it really came down to Jiang Wang having to pay for Xu Fang’s funeral, then there would be no point in Xu Xiangqian stepping in.

Jiang Wang said no more, as for a Transcendent like him, such an amount of money wouldn’t pose much of a hardship.

Before leaving the Academy, Xu Xiangqian thought it over and couldn’t swallow his pride; he ran back to his quarters, grabbed an ink stone, and returned.

He stood in front of the courtyard wall and began to reflect in stillness.

Jiang Wang had no idea what he was contemplating and felt it inappropriate to comment, so he just stood there awkwardly watching.

After a long while, a sharp gleam flashed in Xu Xiangqian’s eyes.

With one hand, he pressed on the ink stone, grinding the ink to the perfect consistency of light and dark.

Then, stretching out his hand, he drew the freshly ground ink out, using his finger as a brush, he began to write furiously on the courtyard wall of Qingya Sub-court!

The title read: Inscription at Qingya Sub-court.

The poem went:

Unchanging through the ancient times, this courtyard stands.

In its detachment lies smoky haze, a separate house.

Meal to meal, uncertain of the next,

How could a Phoenix dwell in a mere straw nest!

After finishing, he looked at his work with great satisfaction and turned to Jiang Wang, “What do you think?”

Jiang Wang, still under the obligation of his favor, replied, “The ink is well ground!

The poem is neatly written!”

Indeed, with seven characters per line, orderly and pleasing to the eye.

Pleased with himself, Xu Xiangqian nonchalantly tossed the ink stone into the flowers at the corner of the wall and said, “Let’s go!”

Jiang Wang immediately followed suit and ran.

They had left the Academy far behind.

Suddenly, Xu Xiangqian sighed yet again.

“Sigh.”

“What’s the matter, Brother Xu?” Jiang Wang was genuinely supportive today.

Since Xu Xiangqian had helped with Xu Fang’s funeral, it was as if he was helping him.

“Old Headmaster Liu may be a bit stubborn, but he’s not a bad person.

Having written this poem today, if it becomes famous throughout the land tomorrow, wouldn’t I have ruined his reputation?

Perhaps…

I should go back and erase it,” Xu Xiangqian lamented.

Jiang Wang pondered for a moment before cautiously responding, “I don’t think that’s necessary…”

“Of course, I’m not saying that your poem doesn’t have that impact, nor am I saying that it isn’t well written.

Nor am I lacking in my ability to appreciate poetry.

My point is…”

“A clean-handed person stays clean, and a straight man need not fear a crooked shadow.

What kind of man Old Headmaster Liu is can’t be decided by one or two poems.”

As he spoke, Jiang Wang added, “Besides, he must have seen your poem by now.

Whether to keep it or remove it is for the Headmaster himself to decide.

If we go back now and run into him right when…”

Somehow, one of these points convinced Xu Xiangqian.

After much persuading, Jiang Wang finally managed to quell his impulse to return and face the consequences then and there.

The two men hastened towards their next destination—Old Zhang’s Coffin Shop at Xiao Lian Bridge.

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Chapter 402 - Scholar

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