Chapter 27: An Unexpected Encounter

  After finishing breakfast, Liu Yitiao put his hands in his pockets and carried the bamboo basket he used to sell vegetables out the door. He didn't want to buy too much garlic at once and attract attention, so this time he prepared to carry a bit more blood. Anyway, the Spring Festival was approaching, and they needed to stock up on some New Year's goods at home.

  The vegetable market is very lively, after all, it's Chinese New Year, and everyone needs goods for the festival, with vegetables being the most in demand.

  Thinking that there was still some Chinese chives left at home, Liu Yitiao bought some dried mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms which are nutritious and delicious side dishes. He cut up a few catties of pork, bought two hens, picked out over ten live fish, and then bought nearly half a basket of garlic from a small stall.

  Everything added up to about fifty or sixty catties, and carrying it on my back didn't feel heavy at all. I figured it was just exercise. After leaving the market, Liu Yitian found a large and impressive mounting shop and walked in.

  The shop assistant saw Liu Yitiao wearing a coarse cloth and carrying a basket of radishes and green vegetables, and he sat down again after standing up. Based on his past experience, people like this usually just look but don't buy, so he didn't bother to greet him.

  Seeing this, Liu Yitiao shook his head. People with power have always been like this since ancient times. He didn't bother to respond and instead put down the bamboo basket, placed it aside, clasped his hands behind his back, and began to admire the couplets hanging in the shop.

  "Danfeng presents auspicious dragon, red peach congratulates the year and plum welcomes spring." Seeing a couplet, Liu whispered it out, after finishing, he shook his head and said: "The couplet is good, but the words are a bit forced. Mei Ying Chun can form a pair with the upper couplet, but it doesn't match well with Hong Tao. If you change Mei to Xing or perhaps it will be better."

  "After finishing, he glanced at the next one and read: "Yellow oriole sings green willow, purple swallow cuts spring breeze. Good! Oriole song swallow dance, just two short lines of words can present a picture of spring returning before our eyes, good couplet!"

  "The vast universe shares the same age, huh? Why isn't there a matching couplet?" Liu Yitiao thought for a moment and said: "Hmm, if the next line is: The bright sun and moon compete in glory, adding a horizontal inscription to celebrate the festive season, it can also form a pair."

  "The vast universe ages with me, and the bright sun and moon compete in radiance."

  "Good! Wonderful!" A voice of admiration came from behind Liu Yitiao.

  Liu Yitiao turned around to look, and it was a handsome young man with a face as white as jade. This young man wore a blue long shirt, a light blue scholar's hat on his head, his complexion was delicate and pale, with a hint of red glow. His features were regular, his eyes were bright and his eyebrows were fine, he was a beautiful man who looked like Song Yu. Even the book boy following behind him was so handsome that Liu Yitiao couldn't help but feel a little inferior.

  "This gentleman is polite." The white-faced scholar bowed his head and made a courtesy to Liu.

  Liu Yitiao returned the courtesy and said: "I don't know what teachings this young master has for me?"

  "I don't dare to accept your compliment, I just heard that you spoke eloquently and responded cleverly a moment ago, I deeply admire you, knowing that you are an extraordinary person, so I came to make friends with you, please forgive my suddenness."

  "Oh?" Hearing the bookworm say this, Liu Yitiao's gradually declining confidence rose again. As the saying goes, "With poetry and books in one's belly, one's words are naturally elegant." Liu Yitiao smiled calmly and said: "Young master is overpraising me. Judging from your attire, you must be a refined scholar. I'm deeply grateful that you would condescend to associate with this coarse and unrefined farmer like me."

  Liu Yitiao stretched out his right hand to Shu Sheng and said sincerely: "Liu Yitiao!"

  The young man was stunned for a moment, but soon understood Liu Yitiao's meaning. It might be the first time he had encountered such etiquette, and the young man's face turned slightly red as he stretched out his hand to shake hands with Liu Yitiao, saying: "I am Li Rusi."

  At this time, Liu Yitiao noticed that the book boy behind Li Rusi seemed to dislike himself. Since he shook hands with Li Rusi earlier, he had been staring at him inexplicably. Liu Yitiao, who never wanted to suffer a loss, also stared back at him childishly. The little book boy was so angry that his mouth was pouting, and he gave Liu Yitiao a white eye, which made Liu Yitiao very happy in his heart. This book boy has some meaning.

  "Mr. Liu," Li Rusi said with a bow, "I just heard you commenting on the couplet, and I know that you must be a scholar of profound knowledge. I have a couplet here that has been difficult to match, and today I am fortunate enough to meet you, please teach me."

  Liu Yitiao put his hands behind his back and said to Li Rusi, "I don't dare to be called profound, but I do have some insights into couplets. You try saying one, and see if I'm lucky enough to come up with a matching second line."

  Mr. Li seemed to see a willow branch and replied with joy: "Sir, listen carefully, my upper verse is: Gourd on the pagoda top, fist clenched to punch the white sun."

  "Gourd on the pagoda top, fist clenched to punch the white sun." Liu Yitia repeated it again, furrowed his brow, and made an analogy. This kind of couplet is generally closely related to one's experience. Only those who have seen a lot can find objects that correspond to the first couplet.

  Liu Yitiao closed his eyes and meditated for a moment. The only thing that could match this gourd in power was an arrow.

  He opened his eyes and said, "Li Gongzi, listen carefully. My next line is: On the city wall, arrows are piled up, inverted teeth biting into the blue sky. What do you think, Li Gongzi?"

  "Ah?" Li Rú seemed to have been startled, thinking of the next line so quickly? The book boy behind him was also stunned, no longer giving Liu Yitiao a white eye, and when looking at Liu Yitiao, he felt more comfortable, thinking that this farmer was quite capable.

  "The pagoda's top gourd, sharp fist pounding the white sun; The city head arrow pile, inverted teeth biting the blue sky. Good match! Wonderful match! The momentum is evenly matched, and the flags are equally divided. It's been a long time since I've seen such an absolute match. The two young brothers are great talents, Huang certain has courtesy." At this time, a round-faced little fatty walked out from the inner room of the store, loudly praising.

  "Who is this gentleman?" asked Liu Yitiao.

  "Huang is not talented, he is the boss of this humble shop, Huang Zichu." The little fatty introduced himself.

  "Oh, it's Old Master Huang. Greetings." Liu Yitiao hastily cupped his hands in respect to Huang Zichu. Li Rusi also nodded slightly, without saying a word, and it was clear that he had some literary elegance and wasn't too fond of merchants.

  Huang Zichu smiled and said, "Two young masters come to our humble shop, are you here to mount calligraphy or paintings, or buy couplets? Whatever you need, just say it, and Huang will definitely satisfy your requirements for free with the previous couplet."

  "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Huang." Liu Yitiao bowed his hands in gratitude and refused, saying: "Although my family is poor, we can still afford the money for a few paintings."

  Looking around the whole shop, Liu Yitiao asked: "I wonder if Old Master Huang has brush, ink, paper and inkstone here. I'd like to write a couplet myself as a gift."

  After hearing this, Li Ruxue's eyes lit up in front of him. After learning about Liu Yitiao's talent, he really wanted to see how Liu Yitiao's words were. Is it also as amazing as his talent?

  "Of course, of course, how could we, who run a stationery shop, not have these basic things?" Huang Zichu turned around and ordered the store clerk: "Xiao Wu, quickly go get pen, ink, paper and inkstone for Mr. Liu! Remember to use high-quality Xuan paper!"