eight years ago.
Nanjing.
The man whose surname is Wei, whose given name is Huai, and whose courtesy name is Ji Min, who is offering wine in the Imperial Academy, is planning his own reform career.
What is he planning? A student became confused when he saw Wei Huai's absent-mindedness while counting the classics.
But he didn't speak. He watched as Wei Huai finished his work and steadily left the bookstore.
Wei Huai walked through another section of the corridor, arrived at the door, and passed under the plaque with the name 'Imperial Imperial College' printed on it.
He walked out of the Imperial Academy, walked through several alleys, and arrived in front of a library that was about to close. He stopped the owner of the library who was about to close: "Brother Shen, I have something to do with you."
"Please come in."
Wei Huai walked in and the owner closed the door.
His name is Shen Rong, and he is a native of Nanjing. He has known Wei Huai since he was a child. When he grew up, he still had a friendship with Wei Huai. He opened a library here on weekdays and hired people to write articles. For example, if you set up a few long tables at the door and call for customers to buy ink scroll novels, the business will be pretty good.
"Ji Min came out so early today?" Shen Rong asked.
"Don't I want to see you today?" Wei Huai took off his robe and poured out three taels of silver from his robe. "I'll ask you to do something with this money." As he said that, he put the silver on the table beside him.
"Oh, why did Jimin give you so much money?"
"I want you to ask someone to write an article for me." Wei Huai said.
"Want an article?" Shen Rong shook his head, "Hey, why don't you just tell me?" He pushed the money back to him, "I will pay for you to find someone to write it myself."
"That's not what I meant. Please listen to me slowly," Wei Huai said. "I just want to take this opportunity to find a few knowledgeable people to work with me on reform and educate the people. If I go around speaking out all by myself, , he is alone and will not be taken seriously by the court."
"So you want to attract those literati with lofty ideals so that you can talk to them. If there are like-minded people, we can work together to reform, save the world, and preach righteousness. Isn't this right?"
"Exactly. Since Brother Shen understands," he pushed the silver back again, "then take it."
"Okay, then I'll accept it."
Early the next morning, Shen Rong sent people to spread the word everywhere that he was willing to give him two taels of silver as a fee for his manuscript. When everyone heard this, they all rushed to help Wei Huai write an article; but Shen Rong was afraid that many of them were just cheating. After wasting time, he posted it in the library: "Wei Jijiu is a member of the literary world. If you want to get articles, you must strive for excellence." If you are not familiar with your skills and show off and make Mr. Wei angry, you will not be rewarded.
Some people who were illiterate in writing gave up.
Shen Rong originally thought that he could avoid the rest of the crowd, but after all, there was still a shameless person who was stalking him to show off his skills. He was talking about the man in front of him who was still wearing a patched cotton-padded jacket in the hot summer weather. His face seemed to be covered with a layer of dust, his hair was disheveled, and debris of various things adhered to his beard. His expression was anxious, and he looked at it like a man of letters.
"Didn't you see the words I posted?" Shen Rong yawned and said.
"Oh, look down there...see...I saw it." He stammered.
"I'm not telling you," Shen Rong saw that he still knew the etiquette, so he gently advised, "No one believes you have any talent even if you dress like this... If you are really poor and see the worker next door... …”
"Please stop talking, I really need this money..." His eyes almost turned to tears, "I need it so much... Please!"
"Do you need to write an article?" The person standing behind him stretched out his neck impatiently and asked Shen Rong.
Shen Rong was afraid that he would delay things, so he replied impatiently: "If you are short of money, I will give you these two taels, okay? You are willing to let others in, right?"
"No, no, no," the man spoke as fast as possible, "I can never take your money in vain! Then I will become a beggar? Why don't you believe me! Please let me..."
"Okay, okay, okay..." Shen Rong was upset by what he said, so he had to agree as if he was coping.
This person was invited into the tavern, and Shen Rong got out and apologized to the person behind him: "This person is stalking you, and there's nothing you can do about it? I'm afraid of ruining Wei Jijiu's reputation, so I won't argue with him. Feel sorry……"
The man waved his hand, muttered something dissatisfied, and walked towards the street.
Shen Rong's face was full of shame, he lowered his head and turned back to the house, trying his best to restrain his embarrassed look.
"What's your name?" Shen Rong asked.
"My surname is Yang, my given name is Huaisheng, and my given name is Zhongfang."
"There are still words..." Shen Rong said to himself.
"how?"
"Nothing, nothing," Shen Rong raised his head and smiled at him, "Then please ask Zhong Fang to go upstairs and write."
"Yes, yes." Yang Huaisheng seemed to have angered him accidentally, so he acted very respectfully.
"Wait a moment." Shen Rong walked to the candlestick in front, took a knife from there, and handed it to him: "I think you haven't groomed it for a long time... You might as well use this to trim your beard."
"Thank you." He bowed, carefully took the knife from Shen Rong's hand, put it into his bag, and climbed up the stairs.
Shen Rong sat downstairs for a long time, feeling really uneasy about that person, so he strode upstairs and saw Yang Huaisheng sitting calmly on the chair writing, and he was quite elegant when he started writing. He really looked like that thing.
He slowly approached, Yang Huaisheng looked back at him, he just smiled and nodded, then walked to the table to read his article.
This sight really shocked him.
His calligraphy is neat and clean, leaving no redundant strokes. He also combines hardness and softness, making him a style of his own. Throughout the article, the language is simple and there is no sloppiness, which is really admirable.
"Do you think it's okay to write like this?"
"Great, great..." Shen Rong said to himself.
This article was written in just three days. Shen Rong took the manuscript to Wei Huai. Wei Huai looked at it carefully without moving his attention. When he read the end in one breath, he was deeply impressed: "This is a unique article in the world!"
Shen Rong also had to admit this man's literary talent, and sighed that "people cannot be judged by their appearance." Despite this, one thing worried Shen Rong. He had made an appointment with Yang Huaisheng for two taels of silver, but suddenly he opened his mouth and wrote a letter asking him to give him two more taels of silver. At first, he pretended to turn a blind eye, but Yang Huaisheng wrote four or five more letters in a row, his tone was urgent, and he insisted on four taels and would not let go.
Shen Rong was helpless and asked Wei Huai if he wanted this article. Wei Huai did not hesitate at all and said resolutely: "Of course! Brother Shen doesn't have to pay for it himself. I will give it. Not only will it be given, but it will be generous." , I will pay him ten taels of silver for this article!"
Wei Huai called the housekeeper's servant over and asked him to take a ten-tael silver note and smash it on the table:
"Brother Shen, just give this to him!"
