Finest Servant

Chapter 148 Scholar of Talent and Learning

"Damn, the old man really left with style." Lin Wanrong watched his departing silhouette, then redirected his attention back to the painting of Misty Rain over West Lake. The ink on it was still wet, revealing four small characters: "Shanyin Xu Wei."

He was familiar with Shanyin, which was known in later years as Shaoxing, but who was this Xu Wei? Not only was his painting superb, but his couplet writing was first-rate as well. Lin Wanrong felt a tinge of regret; he could have acquired two 'Misty Rain over West Lake' paintings. Unfortunately, the old man had some real talent, and he had managed to match the couplet, leaving only one painting of Misty Rain over West Lake.

Lin Wanrong looked at the characters "Shanyin Xu Wei" with indifference, but the scholars around him burst into exclamations, "Shanyin Xu Wei? He is Mr. Wenchang, Master Xu, the Senior Scholar of the Hall of Literary Brilliance."

The Eldest Miss rushed over, looking at the small characters written with delicate strokes and exclaimed joyfully, "Is it really Mr. Wenchang, Master Xu?"

Lin Wanrong was confused, "Eldest Miss, who is this Master Xu, Mr. Wenchang you speak of? Who exactly is he?"

The Eldest Miss gave him a glance, "You just had a poetry match with someone, and I thought you were knowledgeable. I didn't expect that you wouldn't recognize Mr. Wenchang. This Shanyin Xu Wei, also known as Wenchang—"

"Xu Wenchang?" Lin Wanrong leaped up in excitement. Hell, that name was all too familiar. Hadn't he watched cartoons about 'The Smart Xu Wenchang' and 'Wenchang's Battle with Yan Song' as a kid? Weren't they about this literary genius?

After a moment of excitement, Lin Wanrong calmed down. This was a completely different world. Since the era of Chu and Han, history had changed drastically. There were no Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, nor a treacherous minister like Yan Song. The Xu Wenchang of his previous life, despite his overwhelming talent, lived a life of frustration, never attaining a high-ranking post. However, the Xu Wenchang before his eyes was the Senior Scholar of the Hall of Literary Brilliance in the Great Hua dynasty, holding a position of extreme honor.

Therefore, they were two completely different people. The only similarity might be that they both were named Xu Wei and possessed unparalleled talent. Although the river of history flowed in different directions, occasionally it would produce two equally brilliant waves. This Xu Wei was one such wave.

"Do you know Mr. Xu?" The Eldest Miss, sensing Lin Wanrong's tone, hesitated before asking.

"Eldest Miss, you're teasing me again. How would I know such an important person?" Lin Wanrong laughed, clarifying that this Wenchang was not the Wenchang he knew. Nevertheless, in his heart, he was absolutely a celebrity. Merely for the name Xu Wenchang, Lin Wanrong held him in high regard.

The Eldest Miss thought about it and agreed. They had talked about poetry and theory for quite some time without recognizing each other. She then continued, "Mr. Wenchang is the most learned scholar under the heavens. Even before the Emperor ascended the throne, he was the chief strategist in the imperial household. Now, he is the chief Senior Scholar of the Hall of Literary Brilliance and concurrently holds the title of Minister of Revenue. His calligraphy and paintings are usually unsigned, so people can only judge their authenticity from his style. Now, this 'Misty Rain over West Lake,' is the only one that he has unusually affixed his seal to. It is the only one in the world and is hard to obtain even with a fortune. I didn't expect that you would have such luck to encounter this noble person."

Was this 'Misty Rain over West Lake' painting the only piece Xu Wei had ever signed? Lin Wanrong thought to himself. If so, it must be worth a fortune! An overwhelming wave of amusement washed over him as he remembered Xu Wei's role as the Minister of Revenue. Of course, the man would have a profound understanding of commerce.

He pondered for a moment before asking, "Eldest Miss, if Mr. Xu is the Minister of Revenue, wouldn't he be stationed in the capital? What brings him to the West Lake? And why would he take the leisure to paint a scene of the Misty Rain over West Lake?"

Being a quick-witted young lady, she gasped, "Lin San, are you suggesting that Mr. Xu came here for the annual meeting of the Jiangsu-Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce?"

Lin Wanrong nodded, "You mentioned it yourself, Eldest Miss. Jiangsu-Zhejiang is the top commercial region in the country, unparalleled in stature. Every year, prominent figures from the capital attend the annual meeting. This year should be no exception. Given Mr. Xu's unexpected appearance by the West Lake, I find it hard to believe there's anything else that could have attracted his attention."

The Eldest Miss joyfully replied, "If this is true, Lin San, with Mr. Xu's high regard for you, our Xiao family might encounter less trouble."

"Eldest Miss, let's not celebrate too soon," Lin Wanrong warned, "These are just our speculations. We still don't know the real reason why Mr. Xu came to Hangzhou."

The Eldest Miss confidently replied, "This time, I'm sure we're right. He must have come for the affairs of the Chamber of Commerce. If you maintain a good relationship with him, that would be a great thing."

"A good relationship?" Lin Wanrong laughed, "My dear Miss, we only exchanged a few words and shared a couplet. How does that count as a good relationship? I'm just thankful that he didn't blow his top when I mentioned selling his painting."

"Don't worry about that," the Eldest Miss smiled, "You don't understand Mr. Xu's character. He's normally very stern and hardly ever praises anyone. The fact that he complimented you today means he holds you in high regard. He won't cause us any trouble at the meeting. Now, are you still considering selling that painting?"

"Sell it, of course," Lin Wanrong replied, "The better the painting I have, the less it's worth to me. Instead of ruining a great piece, I'd rather sell it to someone who appreciates its value. That's how it would truly attain its maximum value." The Eldest Miss nodded in agreement. Lin San's words did make sense.

Who would have thought that a simple outing to West Lake would lead to an encounter with the esteemed Minister Xu Wei, and even result in winning his painting and matching his couplet? Lin Wanrong grinned at the Eldest Miss and said, "See, getting out more isn't necessarily a bad thing. Look, we scored big today."

The Eldest Miss gave him a subtle smile, "I'll give you this one. Today's donation for the temple incense will be on me."

"You're giving the incense money to the Buddha?" Lin Wanrong was astonished, "Why not give it to me? I'm a living Buddha after all."

The Eldest Miss lightly stepped forward and then turned back to say, "More like a living devil." She covered her mouth and laughed.

Despite the length of the Su Causeway, the two of them, engaged in their playful banter and laughter, traversed it rather swiftly. When they were near the end, the Eldest Miss turned to Lin Wanrong, remembering something she had been meaning to ask, "Lin San, you haven't yet explained to me the couplet you exchanged with Mr. Xu."

Lin Wanrong looked at her in surprise, "A person as intelligent as you, Miss, how can there be anything you don't understand?"

The Eldest Miss sniffed in mock annoyance, "I don't know where you've picked up such obscure phrases. I can't possibly know them all."

At that, Lin Wanrong gave a long, teasing 'Oh,' eliciting a blush from the Eldest Miss, who quickly urged, "Tell me quickly."

Lin Wanrong laughed, "That couplet, when broken down, is quite trivial. The first line reads: 'Tide of the sea, morning tide, morning tide ebbs.' The corresponding line is: 'Floating clouds swell, continually swell, continuous swell dissipates.'"

The Eldest Miss pondered this for a moment before sighing, "Mr. Wen, the most scholarly man in the world, indeed lives up to his reputation."

"Hey, Miss, can't you spare a compliment for me too?" Lin Wanrong grumbled, "Not only did I match the couplet of the most learned scholar, but I also challenged him with one of my own. He was almost unable to respond and was singing my praises. Since you've dubbed Mr. Xu as the best, could you consider me for the second place?"

"Oh?" the Eldest Miss exclaimed, "So you're aiming for second place? I was thinking of placing you alongside Mr. Wen, as the best." She then lightly lifted her skirt and ran forward, laughing.

‘Dammit, this girl is teasing me,’ Lin Wanrong thought, watching the Eldest Miss's vibrant figure. He had a sudden feeling that the Eldest Miss was changing. If before she was like a woman in her thirties, now she seemed more and more like a girl in her teens.

It was autumn now, and among the Ten Scenes of Qiantang, they could only see a few. Places like Pinghu Autumn Moon, Broken Bridge Remnants of Snow were out of sight, and it was not yet the time for the Evening Bell at Nanping Hill. The only place left was Lingyin Temple.

Legend had it that Lingyin Temple was established by a foreign monk who found the landscape of Hangzhou exceptional, deeming it a place where "immortals could hide". Therefore, he built a temple here, named Lingyin, meaning "hidden by the spirits".

With nine towers, eighteen pavilions, and seventy-two halls, Lingyin Temple housed over three thousand monks. In the previous dynasty, someone had rated the temples of Jiangnan, and Lingyin Temple, with its grandeur, was listed as the foremost among the five Zen monasteries, renowned across the world.

When the Eldest Miss and her group arrived at Lingyin Temple, it was during the peak hour of worship. The temple was bustling with worshippers, creating a lively scene.

Lin Wanrong took a look at this world-famous ancient temple. The Lingyin Temple indeed embodied the meaning of "hidden". The entire magnificent temple complex was nestled deep within the lush greenery of West Lake's peaks and springs.

At the front of the temple, on Feilai Peak, and along the cliffs and valleys of Qinglin Cave and Yuru Cave, there were hundreds of stone statues from different dynasties. The most impressive was the Maitreya Buddha, sitting with a jovial smile and exposed belly.

Although the Eldest Miss had been to Hangzhou multiple times, this was her first visit to Lingyin Temple. Seeing the grand scale and bustling atmosphere of the temple, she was filled with admiration, sighing, "The number one temple in Jiangnan truly lives up to its name."

Lin Wanrong had never been particularly enthusiastic about the rituals of burning incense and worshipping Buddha, but seeing the Eldest Miss's interest, he suggested, "In that case, Eldest Miss, why don't you go in? Make a generous offering, pray for some auspicious fortune sticks."

The Eldest Miss, however, discerned his implied meaning and asked, "Aren't you coming in with us?"

With a laugh, Lin Wanrong replied, "I'll take a stroll around the temple first and join you later." The Eldest Miss nodded without any further words, leading her three companions into the temple.

Lin Wanrong loitered around the outside of the temple, aimlessly observing the female worshippers offering incense. Finding it uninteresting, he decided to enter the temple, but just then, he noticed a figure standing in a tranquil bamboo grove in the distance. The man was slowly reciting a poem, "The osmanthus falls in the midst of the moon, and its heavenly scent floats beyond the clouds. Picking vine to climb the distant tower, carving wood to extract the distant spring. The frost is thin, causing flowers to bloom more, the ice is light, the leaves have yet to wither. The early years are still remote and different, searching for a match to wash away the noise. Waiting to enter the road to the heavenly platform, watch me cross the stone bridge."

‘By God, another poet! These days, it seems that any sighting of a beautiful scene triggers people to recite a few lines of poetry. It's become quite a trend.’

The bamboo grove was serene. Around ten burly men were standing guard, scanning the surroundings vigilantly. The man reciting poetry appeared entirely at ease. He was dressed in a satin yellow robe and was leisurely walking in the grove.

Taking his retinue of bodyguards along, he must be either wealthy or noble, Lin Wanrong thought. Just as he was about to turn back, he heard the man call out, "Young man, would you care to join me for a chat?"

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