Chapter Thirty-Two: Two Remarkable Young Men

The first rays of dawn leapt above the clouds, and the morning drum atop Mingfu Gate had already sounded. Its deep, lingering tone spread through the city, awakening markets and neighborhoods in succession. The temples’ morning bells chimed soon after, their solemn resonance blending with the vibrant beats of the drum. In an instant, the entire city of Luoyang stirred to life, greeting the surging sun rising from the eastern horizon.

On once-desolate streets, travelers began to appear—some walking leisurely, others hurrying with urgent expressions. As people gathered, the city’s bustle ascended, swirling above Luoyang.

Within the Academy at the Hall of Literary Excellence, a solitary figure appeared clutching several sheets of paper, making his way toward the rear, stopping before a secluded courtyard.

Soon, an elder emerged from within. Upon seeing the visitor, he smiled and asked, “Mengde, weren’t you planning to set out on your journey today?”

The visitor spoke little, handing over the papers. “Yesterday, I encountered two remarkable youths. Today, I’ve decided not to leave.”

“Oh?” The elder took the papers, glanced through them, and remarked, “These poems are indeed excellent, but I don’t see why you, Liu Mengde, would value them so highly.”

“The scholar who composed them has never apprenticed under a teacher; he’s entirely self-taught. Moreover, he’s only twelve years old,” Liu Yuxi replied with a smile.

“What?” Scholar Zhang’s expression changed at once, and he pressed for details. “Where is this child now?”

“Don’t be hasty, Scholar Zhang. His companion is equally extraordinary.” Liu Yuxi smiled, then recounted the events of the previous day.

After hearing Liu Yuxi’s tale, Scholar Zhang stroked his beard and laughed. “Such insight at so young an age, and he calmly recommended his friend to you—truly clever. He does seem a talent worth nurturing. Yet from what you describe, it seems his heart isn’t set on pursuing an official career through study.”

“That’s precisely why such a youth needs a distinguished teacher’s guidance,” Liu Yuxi said. “Otherwise, his intelligence might be wasted on trifles. Both boys are precocious; the one surnamed Wei even more so. When I spoke with him, I unknowingly treated him as an adult, forgetting his youth.”

“To think you, Liu Mengde, would praise him so!” Scholar Zhang’s curiosity was piqued. “Where are these two now?”

“Haha, I asked them to come early to the Academy today. I expect we’ll see them soon,” Liu Yuxi replied.

The two conversed as they waited. Not long after, a student peeked shyly through the gate. Scholar Zhang and Liu Yuxi exchanged smiles, then walked behind a tree, deliberately turning their backs to the entrance.

The student stood at the gate, bowed respectfully, then darted inside.

Wei Ren-shi and Li He had risen early, prepared themselves neatly, and left as soon as the neighborhood gate opened, heading straight for the Academy.

“Changji, if you wish to become a jinshi, scholarship alone isn’t enough. You need patronage, recommendations, introductions. The scholars in the Academy are eminent Confucians, all holding posts at court. If you gain their favor, your path will be much smoother.” Wei Ren-shi kept half of this thought to himself, thinking that relying on Han Yu alone would not suffice.

“And you?” Li He asked.

Wei Ren-shi shook his head and laughed. “I have no such ambition—just want to live idly as a wealthy gentleman, haha!”

As they spoke, they arrived at the Academy’s entrance, stepped inside, and immediately spotted Liu Yuxi and Scholar Zhang beneath a tree.

The two elders saw them as well. Wei Ren-shi and Li He stepped forward and bowed.

After the formalities, Wei Ren-shi drew back a half step, standing aside.

“You are Li He, called Changji?” Scholar Zhang glanced at Wei Ren-shi, then looked to Li He.

Li He hurriedly bowed again. “Yes, scholar, I am the student.”

“I heard that Mengde planned to leave Luoyang today, but changed his plans because of you two—quite intriguing.” Scholar Zhang addressed Li He, “Where are you from, and how did you come to study books?”

Clearly in a mood to examine, Scholar Zhang asked Li He many questions and listened to his views.

Liu Yuxi and Wei Ren-shi stepped aside. Wei Ren-shi bowed to Liu Yuxi. “On behalf of Changji, I thank you, sir, for your generous recommendation.”

“You seem certain your friend will be favored by Scholar Zhang?” Liu Yuxi asked with a smile.

Wei Ren-shi smiled back. “If he’s earned your esteem, it’s proof of his true talent. Changji and I have been friends since childhood; I know his abilities well.”

“And what of you?” Liu Yuxi inquired.

“Me?” Wei Ren-shi laughed again. “I am far beneath Changji! By the way, sir, you had planned to set out today? I fear my friend and I have disrupted your schedule; please forgive us.”

“I am to take up a post in Weinan, so I returned home for a visit. I meant to depart for Weinan today,” Liu Yuxi replied.

“Weinan?” Wei Ren-shi exclaimed, “It’s a fine place! You are sure to be promoted there, sir.”

“Oh?” Liu Yuxi regarded Wei Ren-shi with interest. “Why do you say so?”

Of course, Wei Ren-shi would not reveal the history—that Liu Yuxi, after arriving in Weinan, soon became Censor. Instead, he merely smiled and said, “The Three Qin region is a vital thoroughfare, connecting all directions, with many fertile fields, abundant sunshine, and ample rainfall... Well, in any case, it’s ideal for farming, and being near the capital, it’s hard not to achieve good governance!”

“You seem well acquainted with Weinan. Have you been there?” Liu Yuxi asked, smiling.

Wei Ren-shi was about to answer when Scholar Zhang burst out laughing in front, stroking his beard and exclaiming, “Excellent! Excellent! Truly worthy of the title ‘prodigy.’ In the future, should you have questions while studying, you may come to the Academy and seek my counsel.”

Li He was overjoyed, bowing repeatedly to express his gratitude.

For students like Li He and Wei Ren-shi, two things were hardest—first, the scarcity of books; second, the lack of someone to resolve their questions. Scholar Zhang was an Academy scholar, his learning beyond question. Now, with his promise, they need not fear being left in doubt.

Scholar Zhang turned again, regarding Wei Ren-shi. “Li Changji is indeed talented. What gifts do you possess?”

Hearing this, Li He anxiously signaled to Wei Ren-shi behind Scholar Zhang.

Wei Ren-shi ignored him, bowing with a smile. “I am dull-witted and possess no notable talents.”

Li He grew anxious at his reply, stepping forward to argue, “Ren-shi’s talents far surpass mine! In Changgu, he improved the plough so that even women, children, and the elderly could use it. With his improved plough, one day’s work yields ten times the land tilled by the old plough, and after one pass, seeds can be sown directly—unlike the current plough that requires multiple passes. He also created an irrigation device, so an entire village need not carry water; it flows into the fields on its own, watering day and night without supervision. Now, no one in the village suffers from laboring over irrigation. Ren-shi’s abilities bring real convenience to the people—he is far beyond me!”

“What?!” Li He's words left Scholar Zhang and Liu Yuxi equally astonished.