Chapter 9: Four Steps to Poetry

  On the second day, Wu Qing walked into the county school, first greeted Wang Fuzi and then was arranged to a seat to listen to the lecture.

  However, when Wu Qing arrived at Wang Fuzi's study, he was informed that the master had already left and told Wu Qing to go to Shuxiangyuan on his own. Wu Qing had no choice but to ask for directions and then headed towards the Shuxiangyuan of the county school, where classes were held.

  Wu Qing walked into the Shuyang Garden, took a glance around and found that this courtyard was indeed not ordinary in size, at least five or six mu. The pavilions, waterside pavilions, were all majestic and elegant. Walking on the small road paved with green bricks, passing through several flower beds, a pavilion stood by the pool, the water was clear to the bottom, and several lotus flowers were about to bloom. Not far away was an open space, where many desks had been placed, some students were already sitting on them, some were reciting poems in the pavilion, and others were playing with water at the edge of the pool. This was completely different from the teaching buildings and classrooms of later generations! This is what it means to be close to nature! In such an elegant environment, reading can be truly enjoyable!

  "Where did this country bumpkin come from? Get out of here quickly!" A fierce voice came from the side.

  Wu Qing was taken aback, and immediately turned around to see a young man of about twenty years old, dressed in the attire of a scholar, wearing a hat and holding a fan, with a hint of mockery at the corner of his mouth.

  Wu Qing cupped his fists and asked, "I am Wu Qing, this scholar is polite."

  "Hum, didn't you hear my young master speaking? My young master is the son of County Magistrate Zhang, show some respect and scram, don't block my young master's line of sight." A sly-looking servant standing beside him spoke up.

  He was originally a yamen runner, no wonder he was so arrogant. Wu Qing clearly understood that in this era, when encountering a yamen runner, one could only retreat first and then talk about it later. A good man does not take advantage of the situation, let alone having no real power to resist such a yamen runner. He cupped his fists and smiled: "Young Master Zhang, I am here to attend classes, and have already obtained Mr. Wang's consent."

  Wu Qing said clearly that he came here with the consent of Wang Fu Zi. In this era, Emperor Taizong attached great importance to education, and scholars held a high position. Although Emperor Gaozong was not talented enough, he continued the legacy of Emperor Taizong and valued scholars highly. Therefore, the entire Tang Empire respected scholars greatly, let alone Confucianism, which emphasizes respect for teachers as its first principle. Zhang Gongzi, although an official in the imperial court (a term that only appeared after the Song Dynasty), also understood this principle. The Tang Dynasty's imperial examination system for selecting talents still relied on the recommendations and evaluations of scholars like Wang Fu Zi.

  At this time, many students were attracted here and couldn't help but gather around. Some people asked about the situation and were very interested in this child who looked only six or seven years old. Looking at Wu Qing surrounded by the crowd, he was surprisingly calm, neither arrogant nor humble, responding fluently, and many people began to inquire about him.

  "Where is Wuqing from?"

  "Wu Qing, isn't he that child prodigy from Xubei Village?"

  "Prodigy? You believe in this nonsense?"

  An elderly man soon cupped his hands and said, "Everyone, since Wu Qing is here in person, being praised by the streets as a 'prodigy', why don't we ask Wu Qing to compose a poem for us, so that we can also see the elegance of this 'prodigy'!"

  "Good, I agree!"

  At that moment, cheers and jeers erupted one after another. Just as Wang Fu was about to enter the Shu Xiang Garden, he couldn't help but furrow his brow. His servant wanted to speak up to stop it, but was blocked by Wang Fu, who said: "Wait a minute, let's see how Wu Qing responds!"

  It has to be said that the literati of this era just love this kind of thing, always reciting poetry and composing essays to show off their talent, attracting countless eyes. Perhaps it was like this that countless tender ears were won over.

  Wu Qing's face still didn't show much expression, he really didn't dare to compare with these people on what was learned. He had only studied for three years, and had put in a lot of effort into phonetics, characters, and interpretation, but when it came to writing poetry, his own level was something he knew himself. However, seeing the group's indignation, he didn't know what would happen if he refused. In this era, scholars were known for their pride and willingness to speak out, even daring to remonstrate with high officials until death. If he backed down today, it might affect his reputation as a person.

  A man cannot live without dignity, especially a scholar!

  Of course, if this were said over a thousand years later, Wu Qing could be thrown directly into the trash.

  "What's going on? Wu Qing, are you saying that 'prodigy' is a self-proclaimed title?"

  "It's true, after watching 'Prodigy', it can be changed to 'Dog Prodigy'!"

  "No, no, no, I think 'cowardly child' is more suitable." The one who said this was Zhang Gongzi's servant, Jia Shu Tong, while Zhang Gongzi himself was sneering on the side.

  Wu Qing glanced at Zhang Gongzi, seeing the ridicule in his eyes, and those two servants were even more arrogant. Wu Qing really wanted to raise a middle finger. Looking around again, some people showed puzzled expressions, while others were still discussing it.

  Heaving a sigh in his heart, he wondered how to get through this situation today. He pushed open the crowd with both arms and walked towards the small pavilion. Although Wu Qing's face was still calm, his brain was desperately recalling the few poems he remembered from before.

  Dozens of book boys rushed up, seemingly without letting go of Wu Qing's meaning. What Wu Qing was most satisfied with when he came to the Tang Dynasty was his own memory, and it could be said that he had a photographic memory, which might be the blessing brought by the crossing. Even some vague things in the past, under constant recollection, can slowly remember.

  It's summer, and the morning is slightly humid due to the dew that has accumulated overnight. Although it's already mid-morning, you can still see sparkling dew drops on the emerald green lotus leaves. A few dragonflies have landed on the buds of the water lilies that are about to bloom.

  Suddenly, Wu Qing remembered a poem from his third-grade language textbook.

  "Wu Qing cupped his hands and said: 'Seniors, since you want to test my knowledge, please give me an object, I'll compose a poem on the spot, let each of you seniors appreciate it.'"

  "A student stepped forward and said: 'What about the topic? I think we should take the lotus in that pond as our subject!'"

  "Not good, not good." Zhang Gongzi shook his fan and said: "Today we came to see the style of the divine child, if we use objects as a topic, it won't show off Wu Qing's style. I think let's use this season as a topic, what do you all think?"

  "Good, good!" The crowd echoed in agreement.

  Wu Qing cursed Zhang Gongzi's eighteen generations in his heart, knowing that people with such a twisted mentality would have an episode like this. Fortunately, it wasn't about writing some sentimental love poem; the one he thought of happened to be about the current season.

  Wu Qing clasped his fists and said, "Since that's the case, please take four steps back, everyone. Let me think!" These people were really standing too close, if only there were this many fans in reality, it would be enough to satisfy a star's craving.

  Wu Qing adjusted his clothes, cleared his throat lightly, and took the first step. The young general's demeanor was revealed, and he recited: "The spring eye is silent and the fine stream is wasted."

  A group of scholars bowed their heads in contemplation.

  Wu Qing took a second step forward, his voice loud and clear, reciting: "The tree's shade shines on the water, loving the gentle breeze."

  A group of scholars started reciting a couplet in unison. Wang Fuzi, who was standing still with his feet together, lit up his eyes and stroked his goatee.

  Wu Qing ignored the group of trouble-making scholars, pretending to think for a moment, gazing at the lotus leaves in the pool, and took his third step, reciting: "The small lotus has just revealed its pointed corners."

  A group of scholars also followed Wu Qing's gaze and saw that the lotus flowers were indeed budding, hadn't they just revealed their "sharp corners"?

  Wu Qing quickly took the fourth step, pointing at the dragonfly that was just starting to dance with his hand, and recited: "Early has a dragonfly standing on its head, it's over, thank you for your appreciation."

  Wu Qing swaggered through the crowd, flapping his sleeves, and sat down at the desk. In his heart, he apologized endlessly to that Song Dynasty poet. What could be done? Who made him come to such a crappy era? Without plagiarizing or imitating the cultural heritage of his predecessors, how could he get by?

  In an instant, the excited scholars fell silent. Wang Fu Zi remained still, with a burst of astonishing brightness shooting out from his old eyes. Some scholars counted Wu Qing's steps and when this seven-character poem was finished, they shouted: "Four steps to complete a poem! Four steps to complete a poem!"

  This is a very refreshing little poem, everything is so delicate and smooth, without any luxurious descriptions or extravagant vocabulary, just using a spring eye, a fine stream, a pool of tree shade, a few green lotus leaves, and a small dragonfly to depict a different early summer, everything looks so harmonious and natural.

  Is this done by a child under seven years old? It's so delicate, truly a prodigy.

  Wang Fu was somewhat skeptical, but after thinking about all the poems and essays he had read, he couldn't find one like this. At this moment, he had to admit that this child prodigy was indeed a real child prodigy.

  A group of scholars fell silent for a moment, then suddenly became noisy. Some loudly recited poems, some carefully analyzed, and some couldn't help but praise the scenery depicted in them. Others constantly cursed and slandered, like Zhang Gongzi and others. Now it's not just mockery that's so simple, there's even jealousy - they're so fierce at such a young age, what about in the future?

  Wang Fu couldn't let this situation continue and walked over. The students saw him and bowed to show their respect, as etiquette cannot be neglected!

  "What's all this commotion about?"

  The students immediately stopped making noise and sat down at their desks, and for a time it was very quiet.

  He didn't introduce the new student Wu Qing and started teaching directly.

  "Today, I will lecture on the Xiaojing."