After a long journey, we finally arrived at the most sacred place in the hearts of the world at that time, the largest library: Zhou Shou's Collection Room.
When Li Dan received the news from the guard, he waited at the door early just like he did on the "Xiyue Festival" last time.
"It's been a while since we've seen each other. Fortunately, Brother Dan has never given up. Xiang Zhong is here at the invitation. How are you doing?"
When he saw two people getting off the carriage, a junior fellow student Yan Yu and a young man who had just grown up, the young man asked in a loud voice, which made Li Dan laugh. He quickly approached the carriage and the three of them saluted each other.
"An! An! Brother Xiang is already a talented person. Brother Yan Yu, he will soon surpass you! Haha, it's been a long journey, please come in quickly!"
In these years, Yan Yu often met with Li Dan to learn martial arts because he worshiped Chang Zong as his disciple. However, he had not seen Xiang Chong for more than ten years. At most, they only exchanged letters. Now we are seeing each other in person, and it is inevitable to look at each other carefully and get to know old friends again.
Li Dan was already thirty years old this year. Facing Xiang Zhong, who was half his age, the young man was so heroic and energetic that he couldn't help but look at him with admiration and praised him repeatedly: "Brother Xiang is born like this now." He is so handsome, compared to the self-made words in your letter, he is really too humble. He is truly a young boy with sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, which makes my brother envious!"
That being said, the person who is more modest is actually Li Dan himself. Although he has been respectfully called "Laozi" because of his talent and academic skills, his appearance is still as young as ever. It seems that he has not aged much in the past twelve years. Adding a touch of worry to him only adds to his mature charm. When he smiles, he still looks full of youth, as if he just saw him yesterday.
Xiang Zhong was also looking at Li Dan, sighing in his heart, it turns out that outstanding talent and appearance can be enjoyed by one person at the same time!
"Brother Dan, you are so complimentary! Now everyone in the world has called you 'Lao Tzu', but we still meet brothers. How happy! One cycle of reincarnation is like time. I would like to hear more about today's 'Lao Tzu''s words. To prove the years!”
Xiang Zhong was still full of respect. After twelve years of study, he had a deep understanding. It turned out that "study hard in the cold window" was true. In the heavy literary environment that downplayed "mathematics, physics and chemistry", if he wanted to learn the ancients well, Learning is not easy. Even so, he has not forgotten what he learned during his "Xinwu" era, and always reminds himself: In that life, there was still a very important problem that needed to be solved: thesis! And my own "box" theory, even if it is placed in the Spring and Autumn Period, must be a rare experience that can be verified. Therefore, there is no waste, and we must "not forget the original intention"!
"Well done, Brother Xiang! Today's 'I' must talk to our two brothers about everything and teach them without hesitation! Only then can I show my caring and loving brotherhood as always!"
Yan Yu also responded together. Although he and Senior Brother Dan usually had many discussions on swordsmanship, when it came to knowledge, they rarely had the opportunity to chat at the same table.
Li Dan smiled slightly, stared at the long-bearded hair that was still hanging lightly by Xiang Zhong's cheeks, and said softly: "Why do you need to prove it? Back then, we all had such gentle hair brushing our faces like Brother Xiang, so comfortable; now I I can only meet with Junior Brother Yan and think about the young boy. I envy Brother Xiang that you still have a great time to be as happy as you want!"
"Haha, don't be jealous. Recently, my father has agreed to perform a 'crowning ceremony' for me in advance. At the end of the year, I am also eager to compete with these two brothers and try out what it feels like to be 'mature'! You two are not the same. Being able to see outsiders like this, protect my children, and be able to speak my mind freely makes me really make progress!"
Xiang Zhong is not willing to accept the "look down" from the two as a person with a "generation gap". Although he will get some care, it goes against the original intention of truly gaining something.
"It's so gratifying that Dr. Xiang agreed to crown you three years in advance! It's also because you are sharp! In recent years, I have also heard that you are from the Song Dynasty and have become famous for your literature. You have achieved great success in poetry, painting and piano skills. A merchant could exchange ten stones of millet and five bolts of silk for Wenzi's poetry and painting manuscripts in the market. I also have a collection in my house. It can be seen that you, brother, are truly an extraordinary person! It's too late to invite you today. I hate you. If we meet earlier, we can get a few more poems, calligraphy and paintings, and we don’t have to waste time trading in the silk market!"
If "I" hadn't said this, Xiang Zhong would never have thought that his manuscripts that had disappeared inexplicably had been sold to other places. In this way, the "value" could be considered realized!
"Brother Dan is joking! My paintings and compositions are just for practicing my skills. I have no intention of making money, and I didn't even know that they would be scattered to the market and reach Brother Dan's hands. Now I am here just to ask for advice. How dare I be so shameless in the holy place of guarding the treasure room? I’m showing off in front of you!”
Xiang Zhong knew that he couldn't say "doing anything" at this time, because Lu Ban was not born yet!
"It is not unique to the Song Dynasty to emphasize literature over business. It is shameful for literati's poems to be seen in the market and used to make money, and it is even more insulting to gentlemen. I naturally understand the intention of emphasizing it, but I should also ask for advice, is the 'Wenzi' related? Is it because of Xiang Zhong’s self-title?”
Li Dan knew that his joke was a bit inappropriate. After all, at that time, the status of businessmen was still very low. Speaking of "business" in the aristocratic circle would have a derogatory meaning and could easily be misunderstood. Hurry up. Apologize.
"My word '文' was written on the jade pendant given to me by my father when I was three years old. He said that when I grow to fifteen years old, that is, this year, I can choose the word according to it. What's more, I also like to be quiet. I am not active, good at writing but not good at martial arts, so I just thought that the word "文" is very good and very suitable for me to choose a word. In addition, I also have something to ask for. I hope that one day, my knowledge can reach the highest level like Brother Dan, and I can also step up to the level. The way of 'Laozi' has become the title of 'Wenzi'. To say this in front of Brother Dan today is to use all my courage, so don't make fun of me!"
Xiang Zhong revealed his new title to his idol in advance, hoping to get the "power of role models" so that he could progress faster. At this time, he didn't care about being shy anymore, and officially signed the contract between the two. In front of his brother, who is a close friend, teacher and friend, Guan declared his ideals.
After telling this "secret" that he thought he had buried deeply, Xiang Zhong's face couldn't help but blush with a layer of "reward for the brave" brought about by his small self-esteem, and he smiled like a little red flower. This made the two brothers extremely happy. They really couldn't bear to see this boy, and the little girl acted as coquettishly as if she were meeting an outsider for the first time. It was somewhat funny, especially Yan Yu. He couldn't help but smile and replied: " Haha! 'Wenzi' is very quiet, and my sister is too cheerful. Your quietness matches her very well!"
"Oh! Your sister, the little girl who used to catch earth dragons and understand whether the fish was happy or not has grown up now. Shouldn't she marry Bi Bin? How about this 'Wenzi' in front of me, who is gentle and quiet, It could not be better!"
Li Dan also felt that the topic had been changed very well, so he quickly encouraged them together and made additional remarks.
