Chapter Ten: Such Is the Conduct of a True Gentleman
The magistrate, upon hearing this, once again turned his gaze toward Liuping and asked, “How does one repay resentment?”
Liuping replied, “Repay virtue with virtue, repay resentment with justice.”
The magistrate shook his head and said, “Justice without benevolence—what justice is there in that?”
Hearing the magistrate’s words, Liuping felt a surge of joy in his heart and hastily responded, “Indeed.”
“Indeed?”
Liuping said, “Repay virtue with virtue, repay resentment with justice. Justice without benevolence is neither just nor righteous. One must find the middle path; a gentleman should act thus.”
The magistrate did not reply, merely squinted his eyes, a glimmer of approval flashing within them.
Beside them, Bai Zhi and Yingning understood nothing, merely gazing at Liuping with an expression of vague admiration.
Wang Hong, however, grasped the meaning. Though the reasoning was simple, ordinarily, after some thought, he could have articulated it himself. Yet, to speak so calmly before the magistrate, under such pressure, stirred in him a torrent of admiration for Liuping.
Not long ago, after witnessing Liuping drive away the giant wolf and save him, Wang Hong was struck by his courage and courtesy, thinking him worthy of friendship. Now, he saw that Liuping possessed not only remarkable skill but also sharp intellect, unflinching in adversity and composed under pressure. Such a person was destined for greatness; as Liuping would say, he was a strong pillar worth grasping tightly.
A satisfied smile appeared on the magistrate’s lips as he murmured softly, “A fine example of the doctrine of the mean.”
The accompanying officials, however, failed to notice the magistrate’s smile. When the young girl had berated the magistrate moments ago, most were too stunned to react. Now, as realization dawned, they hastily spoke, “This is already a fault, and yet you wish for impartiality, neither excess nor deficiency? Using the doctrine of the mean to trap the magistrate’s words? What sophistry—how utterly ridiculous!”
The county magistrate of Qinxian declared, “Such twisted logic! Truly a villain! Injuring others and still speaking of justice in repayment? I say the main culprit is you!”
The county assistant echoed, “Indeed, it must be so.”
After all, the Wang family had close ties with him; to ensure Wang Hong’s safety, he would try to shift the blame onto Liuping. Who was Liuping, after all? Making him the scapegoat would leave far more room for maneuver.
“Yes, we never did anything to wrong them! They struck first!” The three burly men wailed opportunistically.
Liuping listened to their words, secretly amused. He lowered his head and remained silent.
Sure enough, the magistrate barked coldly, “Silence!”
The surroundings fell quiet at once. Everyone, hearing the magistrate’s anger, felt a chill in their hearts, confused as to where they had erred.
“Master Bai, please rise,” the magistrate said to the elder kneeling on the ground.
Then, turning his head, he asked coldly, “I merely asked him a few questions, without rebuke, yet you heap reproach upon him—what is the meaning of this?”
They had flattered the wrong horse!
The faces of those around immediately darkened, horror rising within them, cold sweat breaking out on their backs.
These officials, all local, naturally sought to curry favor with the magistrate, hoping for a good impression. But to have things turn out this way left their hearts bitter, uncertain how to respond.
“One and all, ignorant fools, only knowing to exaggerate my words. From start to finish, I have not been angry; now you dare to contradict me? What does this mean? I say the ones twisting words are you! The ones turning black into white are you!” The magistrate rebuked, “Do you truly wish for me to punish virtue and reward evil? Well? Why is no one speaking now?”
“Forgive us, Magistrate!”
“Forgive us, Master!”
The officials, terrified, hurriedly bowed to apologize, some so frightened they fell to their knees.
The three burly men stared wide-eyed, unable to comprehend how the situation had changed so suddenly. They knew only one thing: they were done for. Their faces turned ashen, terror flooding their hearts.
“Rise,” the magistrate said with a frown, clearly displeased. “What a disgrace! Be clear-minded in the future. These local ruffians, punished for their mischief, this matter can be grave or trivial—but to blame two scholars and invert black and white is absolutely intolerable.”
---
After flattering the wrong horse, the group dared not speak further.
The magistrate again turned his gaze to Liuping and said, “Reading the classics, propriety and benevolence are important, yet one must also possess righteousness. Otherwise, one is merely a pedant, unfit for the affairs of state. You are quite good; I had thought you acted rashly, but you truly understand this point.”
So he had been probing him all along? Liuping realized with a tinge of mute annoyance, though he could not show it and merely cupped his hands, “Magistrate, your praise is unmerited.”
“You reckless lot! Such brazen lawlessness!” Seeing the situation settled, the county magistrate immediately changed his demeanor, scolding the three burly men.
The three knelt, faces ashen, knocking their heads and pleading, “Forgive us, Master! We were compelled!”
Yet their hearts were full of resentment. Though they were in the wrong, to suffer such injury and then be disregarded? The magistrate’s words made it clear why: they were mere ruffians, while Wang Hong and Liuping were scholars.
“What compulsion?” The county magistrate sneered. “No need for excuses. Guards, take these three to the prison!”
“Please wait, Master,” Liuping interjected quickly. “May I speak?”
The county magistrate’s tone softened considerably, “What is it?”
“These three are guilty, but only as accomplices, not the main culprits. Let them recount the entire affair, so we may know who directed them. Only then can confession be rewarded with leniency.” This whole disturbance had been caused by Wang Ke, whom Liuping would not soon forget.
Having spoken, Liuping turned to the three men, “Speak the truth without omission. Confession brings leniency, resistance brings severity—do you understand?”
The three then revealed everything. The county magistrate erupted in anger, “Wang Ke? So it was him! I always heard of his poor conduct, but never imagined such audacity!”
“He must be nearby,” Liuping glanced around. With his despicable nature, he would surely want to watch the spectacle from afar, convinced Liuping would be ruined.
Indeed, Liuping spotted Wang Ke and grinned at him.
Wang Ke felt uneasy—those three had knelt and pleaded, then risen again. What was happening? He sensed something was amiss and tried to leave, only to catch Liuping’s gaze and smile.
Damn!
Wang Ke turned to flee, but did not get far before the guards seized him like a chicken and brought him before the magistrate.
“Student Wang Ke greets the magistrate.” Wang Ke, fearful inside, forced a calm demeanor and asked, “May I ask why the magistrate and the county magistrate have summoned me?”
The county magistrate asked, “These three are your associates?”
Wang Ke shook his head, “I do not know them.”
The three burly men immediately cried, “How can you be so heartless? You engaged us, driven by need, for money! Now you push the blame onto us—how are our wives and children to live?”
“I truly do not know them,” Wang Ke glared at the three, refusing to admit anything.
Liuping smiled and asked, “Do you know me?”
“No,” Wang Ke shook his head.
“Then why were you watching from afar? Why did you flee when I smiled at you? Why, now caught, do you turn pale and tremble?” Liuping asked.
Wang Ke was speechless.
The county magistrate waved his hand and sent him straight to prison. Thus, the matter was settled.
Having watched the farce, the magistrate shook his head and then said, “This pavilion of yours is quite fine. Might you invite us in to rest?”
Wang Hong and Liuping immediately replied, “It would be an honor.”
Thus, all took their seats. Liuping asked Bai Zhi to take Yingning away for a while, and Wang Hong watched Yingning depart with a sigh, though he had no reason to stop them.
---
“You two are both scholars, yes?” The magistrate looked at Liuping and Wang Hong. “Are you confident in passing this year’s examination for xiucai?”
Wang Hong replied, “Nine chances out of ten.”
Liuping said, “I am confident.”
“Straightforward enough. After all, the xiucai exam is not too difficult.” The magistrate smiled; for one who had once achieved third place in the imperial exam, the xiucai was child’s play.
“This time you were nearly wronged; I shall give you both an opportunity. Let me test you. The Four Books and Five Classics aside, this is meant to be a pleasant outing—let us have some refinement. Compose a poem, with maple leaves as your theme. If you satisfy me, I will recommend you both to Tianqi Academy! How does that sound?” The magistrate smiled.
“Tianqi Academy?” Liuping was puzzled.
Wang Hong, however, understood perfectly. Even with his family background, without first-class honors as xiucai, entering Tianqi Academy would require considerable effort.
Moreover, this was not merely a privilege, but signified the magistrate’s patronage.
Hearing Liuping’s uncertainty, Wang Hong tugged at him and said, “Thank you, Magistrate.”
But… having thanked him, he was at a loss. Poetry without inspiration cannot be forced; even if composed on the spot, it would likely be mediocre, unworthy of the magistrate’s approval.
What to do? Wang Hong’s mind was a tangle, racking his brains for ideas.
Liuping, seeing Wang Hong’s anxious gaze, understood. After a brief pause, he walked three steps and recited,
“Rain strikes green pines,
Frost dyes maple leaves red.
Wind stirs white clouds,
Sending gentle feelings ten thousand miles.”
“Hmm, not bad,” the magistrate nodded in approval.
“Indeed, quite passable,” several officials murmured, nodding quietly. The poem was not extraordinary, but at least it was adequate.
Wang Hong’s jaw dropped—Good! As long as it’s passable!
Yet he missed the regret in the magistrate’s eyes; although not bad, it fell far short of his expectations. He had intended to take Liuping as a protégé, but if this was the extent of his talent, perhaps not.
But Liuping took two more steps and continued:
“Far up the cold mountain, the stone path slants,
In the depths of white clouds, there are homes.
Stopping my carriage, loving the maple forest at dusk,
Frosted leaves are redder than the flowers of February.”
The magistrate repeated the lines twice, unable to help but clap his hands in praise, “Excellent! Truly excellent!”
Hearing such a fine poem, those present were dumbfounded, exchanging glances, unsure what to say. Was this youth truly just a scholar?
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PS: Still quite far from three hundred… sigh. A bit disappointed, a bit relieved—the only chapter I had in reserve managed to survive, but the slow increase in collections is frustrating… Enough said. Three chapters finished, nearly ten thousand words, equivalent to four or five chapters for others—exhausting! Monday’s ranking battle is underway—please support with a recommendation vote or two; my heartfelt thanks!