Chapter 124: Never in a Million Years Would I Have Expected This

While Huang Haoyi stood there looking bewildered, Zhang Yue wondered if he should enlighten him further. However, matters like this were delicate; speaking too bluntly could cause one to lose face and fly into a shameful rage. Suddenly, Zhang Yue noticed a flicker of relief and secret joy on Huang Haoyi’s face. He realized instantly that the other man had been probing to see how Zhang Yue felt about the woman. Had Zhang Yue agreed at the start, Huang Haoyi would likely have backed away.

What was this, then?

"Sanlang, I have something to discuss with you. Yulian has committed herself to me, and she can no longer go out to serve wine. I intend to find a place for her to settle down, but I cannot tell my brother and sister-in-law, so I must ask for your help."

"Silang, I cannot help with this."

Huang Haoyi laughed. "You certainly can. Aren't you well-acquainted with Master Wu? Could you ask him to find Yulian some kind of work?"

Zhang Yue sneered inwardly.

Huang Haoyi continued his persuasion: "Yulian has known hardship since she was a child. She says she is willing to do any menial labor, like washing clothes or cooking. Since she has no livelihood now and has followed me, how could I bear to let her suffer? Since you were able to help Tang Jiu secure a position with Master Wu, surely you can do this small favor for me."

Zhang Yue thought to himself that there are some friends who, while usually seeming dim-witted, reserve every ounce of their cunning for you.

Zhang Yue stopped smiling. "Silang, aren't you also acquainted with Master Wu? Why don't you bring this up yourself? Forgive me, but I cannot help."

Huang Haoyi, not expecting a refusal, asked, "Why? Are you going to stand by and watch your little brother struggle?"

"Silang, anything else I might consider, but not where Yulian is concerned. That is all I have to say." Zhang Yue refused to speak further.

Huang Haoyi said, somewhat displeased, "Sanlang, you won't even do this small favor?"

Zhang Yue countered, "Silang, have you lost your mind?"

Huang Haoyi froze, then said, "Sanlang, Yulian is not an ordinary courtesan; she will be my concubine in the future. Fine, Sanlang, forget it. I... I will find another way! Let us return to the inn together."

Zhang Yue had wondered if Huang Haoyi would turn hostile, which would have made things simple. He had not expected the man to keep up appearances, which was more troublesome. Ignoring him, the two left the Imperial Academy and headed back to the inn.

Before they even reached the entrance, they saw Yulian waiting at a table outside. Many men passing by were staring at her bound feet. Seeing Huang Haoyi, she moved with delicate steps to meet him. "Silang, I thought you had gone and wouldn't return."

"I saw many women with yellow ribbons in their hair (matchmakers) standing at the south gate of the Imperial Academy today. Whenever they saw an Imperial student, they would stop them to ask if they were married. What is going on?"

Huang Haoyi laughed. "Let me tell you, Yulian. The Emperor now favors the Imperial Academy. Not only has he increased the quota, but he has also allowed twenty more Jinshi to be selected than in the past. Imperial students have become even more precious."

"In that case, given your talent, Silang, passing the Jinshi examination should be as easy as reaching into a bag. If you pass, will you abandon me in the future? I am so worried."

"Rest assured, Yulian. I would sooner die than betray you."

Hearing this, Zhang Yue’s eyes watered, and he nearly vomited his previous meal. He hurried to his room to be rid of the sight. Not long after, Huang Haoyi left to stay at the Imperial Academy, though he had not yet checked out of the inn.

That night, Yulian knocked on Zhang Yue’s door, seemingly needing something, but Zhang Yue lay on his bed, motionless, pretending not to hear. Once she left, Tang Jiu remarked, "That woman is not on the up-and-up. It is good you don't pay her any mind, Sanlang."

Zhang Yue smiled. "Tang Jiu, how do you know she is no good?"

Tang Jiu sipped his wine. "I've seen enough people in my time."

Zhang Yue smiled.

***

That day, Zhang Yue and Tang Jiu went to the Wu residence together. Wu Anshi received them but had clearly forgotten the favor he had promised Tang Jiu. When the ship had sunk, Wu Anshi had claimed to treat Tang Jiu like a brother of life-and-death, yet he had forgotten it in an instant. Such was the way of things; how could Wu Anshi ever truly take Tang Jiu to heart?

However, Wu Anshi was pleased to hear that Zhang Yue had been admitted to the Imperial Academy. He mentioned that his younger brother, Wu Anchi—the son-in-law of Wang Anshi—was also there, and suggested that the two of them should get to know each other soon. Zhang Yue thought to himself that this was good; through Wu Anchi, he would have a path to meeting Wang Anshi.

Wu Anshi arranged a post for Tang Jiu at the Bureau of Metropolitan Affairs to keep him occupied, promising to see if he could clear Tang Jiu’s name in a few years. Leaving the residence, Tang Jiu took the recommendation letter without a word, saluted Zhang Yue, and headed for his post with his wine gourd slung over his shoulder.

Once Tang Jiu was gone, Zhang Yue felt a strange sense of emptiness. He tidied himself up and boarded a carriage for Ouyang Xiu’s residence. He was dressed in a plain silk jacket and had traveled a long distance, so he took the carriage to avoid getting dirty. It was still early for the appointed time of the hour of the Rooster, but one must never be late for a meeting with such a titan.

Zhang Yue sat in a teahouse near the Ouyang residence, having tea and snacks. One must do their homework before seeing such a man. Opportunities like this happen only a few times in a person's life, if at all. Even then, not being favored was common; Ouyang Xiu had once told Zeng Gong, "Of the hundreds and thousands who pass through my door, only you have brought me joy."

A great man’s time is precious. If he deigns to see you, you must have a preliminary understanding of every aspect of his life—his experiences, his background, his character—before you can appropriately showcase yourself during the conversation.

Who was Ouyang Xiu? He was the second-in-command under Fan Zhongyan during the Qingli Reforms. Today, he was a Hanlin Academician, the chief examiner for the 1057 Jinshi examination, and the vanguard of the literary world. This was all common knowledge. As for his character, Zhang Yue was less certain, as none of his associates had dealt with him personally.

Yet, what student hadn't memorized the "Record of the Old Drunkard Pavilion"? Zhang Yue used to get a headache just seeing the words "recite the full text." It was recorded in Song dynasty notes that when the "Record of the Old Drunkard Pavilion" was published, the whole world recited it, and the price of paper soared. Since Ouyang Xiu was already a grandmaster of literature, there was no need for Zhang Yue to shower him with praise for that piece; he would be sick of such flattery.

Fan Zhongyan and Ouyang Xiu, the two leaders of the Qingli Reforms, had written two immortal essays reflecting their moods after the reforms failed. The famous "Record of Yueyang Tower" and the "Record of the Old Drunkard Pavilion" were both written in the sixth year of the Qingli era. One spoke of "worrying before the world worries, and enjoying only after the world enjoys," while the other spoke of "the joy of mountains and waters, realized in the heart and entrusted to wine."

Two men, both politically disillusioned by the failure of reform, yet one was sorrowful and one was joyful. One possessed the clarity of drinking in the wind, while the other held the sentiment that the "drunkard's intent is not in the wine." One could read Fan Zhongyan’s scholar-official spirit—that he still considered the world his responsibility even in exile—while the other read Ouyang Xiu’s optimism and open-mindedness.

Su Shi’s final poem read, "My heart is like dead wood, my body like an unmoored boat. Ask of my life's achievements: Huangzhou, Huizhou, Danzhou." Those were the three places of his exile, which he claimed were his true achievements. His remark about eating three hundred lychees a day in Lingnan was his way of saying, "You thought exiling me to this hell would destroy me? No, I lived well. Does that make you angry?"

In short, it was the spirit of "one's ambition cannot be taken away." I have become the person I wanted to be.

And Ouyang Xiu? "People know the joy of visiting with the Governor, but they do not know the Governor’s joy in their joy." Though he could not ensure the joy of the entire world, in the small place of Chuzhou, he could share the joy of the people. Could a great man lie in his writing? It was possible, but generally unnecessary.

When the time came, Zhang Yue left the teahouse for the Ouyang residence. After he was announced, Ouyang Fa came out to greet him. "My father has set aside his official duties today specifically to see you, Sanlang."

Zhang Yue was delighted. "I am overwhelmed by the Academician’s kindness. I am truly flattered!"

Ouyang Fa led Zhang Yue to the parlor, where a maid served tea. A moment later, an elderly man in informal attire entered. Zhang Yue and Ouyang Fa rose to greet him. Zhang Yue stepped forward to pay his respects, and Ouyang Xiu smiled. "Sit."

Zhang Yue sat below Ouyang Fa and dared to look up at Ouyang Xiu. Rumor had it that Ouyang Xiu was unattractive, with a pale face and teeth that protruded. It was said that the year he passed the Jinshi exam, the chief examiner, Yan Shu, had passed him in a carriage and remarked, "Why is this fellow so scrawny and dull-eyed?" and left him standing there in confusion. But Ouyang Xiu had been the top of the provincial exams chosen by Yan Shu himself; he would never have criticized his own prized student with such superficiality. The remark likely meant he was criticizing Ouyang Xiu for writing nonsense on his palace examination paper, which had offended the Empress Dowager and caused him to drop from first to fourteenth place.

But looking at him now, Zhang Yue thought Ouyang Xiu’s appearance was fine; he was not as unsightly as the rumors suggested. Could it be that "the ugly should study more" was true because reading could improve one’s looks?

While Zhang Yue was observing Ouyang Xiu, Ouyang Xiu was observing him. He stroked his beard and laughed, "Sanlang, you have a fine appearance, and you are tall and sturdy. You will surely be a man of distinction when you grow up!"

"You are too kind, Academician."

Ouyang Xiu smiled. "It is no idle talk. When I served in court with Duke Xun (Zhang Dexiang), I once said that while people say Min people are short and small, those who are tall and sturdy are destined for greatness. Duke Xun was tall and had a voice like a booming bell—he was clearly an extraordinary man. Among the Min people today, you and Zhang Zihou are the two of the Zhang clan who remind me of him. Zihou was just married last month. Tell me, Sanlang, are you betrothed?"

"Not yet, I..."

Ouyang Xiu interrupted, "Are you betrothed back in your hometown?"

"Not yet, I..."

Ouyang Xiu slapped his thigh. "Good, good! Then your marriage is in my hands. Fa-er, see if there are any young ladies in Bianjing we know who would be a match for Sanlang!"

Zhang Yue was stunned. He had never expected this turn of events! Ouyang Xiu was acting as his matchmaker the moment they met!