Chapter 59: The Abundant Fish Residence

  Cheng Bin's experience was very deep, and in just a few seconds, he had already filtered it through his mind. He said with joy: "Young Master Changsun is really talented! Even this can be thought of! Cheng Yuan, hurry up and buy me 50 blank books from the bookstore, I have a big use for them!"

  Before long, Cheng Yuan bought a blank book. Cheng Bin took one and said: "Since it was Young Master Changsun who brought it up, then Young Master Changsun should be the first person to write in our Bai Wei Lou. Please bestow your writing."

  Changsun wrote "Couplets" on the cover. As an opening, it's natural to have some difficulty, so he came up with a long couplet and wrote: "Heaven matches earth, rain matches wind, continent matches vast sky. Mountain flowers match sea trees, red sun matches blue sky. Thunder is hidden, mist is hazy. Sun sets in the middle of the sky. Autumn moon is white, evening clouds are red. The Cowherd and Weaving Maiden stars are on either side of the river, the Dipper and the Ladle are in the eastern and western斗. In October, the border is sealed, and the cold frost surprises travelers; in the third winter, the Yangtze River is frozen, and the old fisherman is chilled.

  And below "Feng Yu Ju Shi", originally Zhangsun Chong wanted to write "Pang Ju Shi" but felt it was a bit indecent and not mainstream, so he changed the phrase. Pang = Feng Yu, Feng Yu and Feng Yu have the same pronunciation, so he fabricated the pen name "Feng Yu Ju Shi".

  Cheng Bin, as the head of Baiweilou, was also quite talented. After reading it once, he nodded repeatedly and said: "Young master, your writing is really good! I'll put this in first place. Whoever wants to write poetry or essays will have to match this, otherwise they won't have the face to show off at our Baiweilou."

  "Too kind, too kind!" Zhang Sun rushed out with a big smile on his face, waving his fist in excitement.

  Cheng Bin suddenly remembered that Young Master Changsun hadn't paid the bill yet, so he hurriedly chased after him and said: "Young Master Changsun, about this meal's bill..."

  Chang Sun Chong smiled with satisfaction and said, "As Uncle Cheng said, from now on, when members of the Chang Sun family come to Bai Wei Lou for a meal, we don't need to pay. By the way, your braised pork belly is very good, give me three portions, I'll take them back to show respect to my parents."

  Chang Sun had already said so, and Cheng Bin couldn't refuse, let alone when Young Master Chang Sun had just given him a good idea.

  Cheng Bin didn't have time to think about Long Sun Chong not giving him money for food, he was ordered by the old master that Young Master Long had arrived and must be treated well. He quickly found a worker to brush the walls and also ordered several long wooden strips with many small hooks on them. The corner of the book went through the line and hung neatly on the hook.

  And since the posting of the works, those refined scholars became extremely interested. They left their masterpieces and could receive others' comments while also being able to comment on others', which felt incredibly good. For a time, the Hundred Flavors Building not only became the most delicious restaurant in Chang'an but also a gathering place for scholars and writers. After all, who wouldn't want to know if anyone had commented on their poems and essays? Back and forth like this, it also increased the Hundred Flavors Building's income by more than twenty percent.

  To become a fashion in Chang'an, if you haven't left your mark on Baiweilou, it's embarrassing to open your mouth.

  Chang Sun-chung's couplet was evaluated by many people and matched with a lower line by many others.

  "River to Han, green to red. Yu Bo to Lei Gong. Smoke tower to snow cave, moon palace to heavenly palace. Clouds are layered, the sun is hazy. Lai Lu to Yu Peng. Shooting stars like arrows, the moon spits out souls like a bow. Travelers at the post-house meet plum blossoms in the rain, people by the pool pavilion enjoy the lotus flower breeze. In front of the thatched cottage village, the bright moon falls into the forest and the chickens sing in harmony; on the plank bridge road, the green frost locks the path and the horses' hooves leave marks."

  "Mountain and sea, Hua and Song. Four sacred mountains face three noble officials. Palace flowers face forbidden willows, border geese face river dragons. Qingxu Hall, Guanghan Palace. Pick up the green to write red. Zhuang Zhou dreams of transforming into a butterfly, Lü Wang's auspicious sign is flying bears. Northern windows stop summer fans, southern curtains dry winter heat. Crane dance on the rooftop, jade flute plays the residual fairy maiden moon; Phoenix soars on the platform, purple pipe blows the broken beauty wind."

  But all of this is for later, Zhangsun Chong brought some braised pork shoulders to satisfy his younger brother and sister's hunger.

  "Father, mother, uncle and aunt asked me to accompany the prince to study every day for a whole morning." Chang Sun said while eating. In Chang Sun's family, they no longer followed the old rules of not speaking while eating or sleeping.

  Chang Sun Wuji nodded and said: "Well, after all, reading books is the right path. As for making money, there are servants to help with that, you don't need to put in much effort."

  Dong Shi looked at Zhangsun Long and said with even more affection, "Long, in the palace it's not like at home. You must listen to what people say and don't be naughty. Chang Le is also grown up now, you'll see her often from now on, but you can't tease her like before, or she'll dislike you even more."

  Chang Sun Chong thought to himself: "I don't care if you don't like me."

  Dong's family took one look at Zhang Sun-chung's expression and knew what he was thinking. She pinched his ear and said, "Chung-erh, you're a clever boy, so let me tell you something from an old person's perspective. Since we can't change the fact that you two will be married in the future, why not just accept it calmly? A couple with feelings for each other is much better than one where they sleep in the same bed but have different dreams. After all, you two will be living together for decades to come, and some things must be accepted openly."

  Chang Sun Chong actually didn't dislike Chang Le, but felt that Chang Le was a superficial person who temporarily couldn't meet the requirements of Princess Chang Le and was looked down upon by others, which made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

  "Got it, mom, don't worry about me, I know what to do." Zhangsun Chong nodded repeatedly, not wanting his family to worry about him.

  Having eaten and drunk enough, Zhangsun Chong suddenly remembered that there were some things he had not done, but for the moment he could not think what they were.

  Huo Qiang had been following Long Sun Chong closely, and had gained some understanding of him. Seeing that he seemed to be thinking about something, and glancing at the sky outside, he reminded him: "Young Master Long Sun, isn't it true that Lord Li Gang asked you to bring six gifts to his house? If we don't hurry, it will soon be curfew."

  Chang Sun suddenly realized, "So that's what it was! I forgot about this matter." He patted his head and said, "Look at me forgetting this. Governor Li asked our family to send six gifts, extorting bribes right in front of us, not even afraid of being impeached by the censor!"

  Chang Sun-chung was half-baked in these ancient rituals and thought Li Gang was asking him for a bribe, never expecting to make such a big joke.

  Chang Sun Wuji was holding a small wine cup in one hand, sipping and savoring the taste. Upon hearing Huo Qiang's words, he was taken aback for a moment before his face lit up with joy. This generation's great Confucian scholar wanted to take Chang Sun Wuji's son as his disciple, an inner disciple, what an honorable thing! The whole of Chang'an would be talking about it, it would be the first such instance!

  However, when he saw Chang Sun-chung's bewildered and nonchalant expression, he suddenly became furious, this degenerate didn't know it was an offer to become a disciple or simply didn't care. Not wanting this honor, Chang Sun-wu could die from regret, stretched out his hand and slapped Chang Sun-chung's head with great force, scolding: "You degenerate, good-for-nothing, this Li Gang wants to take you as his personal disciple, not extort bribes, the Imperial Censor will impeach, I'll be the first to destroy them."

  Dong's family was already stunned and speechless. Lord Li Gang, who taught the Crown Prince, knew that his son accompanied the Crown Prince to read books in the palace, and he already felt extremely lucky. Now, Li Gang wanted to take his son as a disciple, which was a blessing from their ancestors, and couldn't let his son pretend to be confused.

  Taking disciples is just taking disciples, no need to make such a big deal out of it!

  Seeing Changsun Wuji's discontented expression, Changsun Wuji angrily said: "How many people in the Great Tang want to be Li Gang's indoor disciple, do you know?"

  Chang Sun shook his head dazedly, but Duan Shi couldn't wait any longer and said: "Mei Li, hurry up and prepare the best six gifts for the master, quickly, quickly!"

  Seeing the furious Chang Sun Wuji, the small universe is fully open. Chang Sun Chong still has some concerns that he will get high blood pressure and cerebral hemorrhage, and said repeatedly: "I know, we should be more formal when paying respects to our master, shouldn't we change into different clothes?"

  Chang Sun Chong wasn't stupid and quickly changed the subject. Since his father attached great importance to this apprenticeship, he would naturally take advantage of it.

  Chang Sun looked at his own greasy hands, which had just gnawed on a pig's trotter, and hastily said: "I'll go attend to the old master's bath and change of clothes!" Just as he was about to leave, he saw Chang Chong still sitting there, staring blankly at Xiao Baozi and Xiao Mantou. He shouted: "Quickly, help Young Master wash up and change! We set off in a moment!"

  Mei Li moved quickly, Zhang Sun Wu was scalded by the hot water and he didn't care about scolding others anymore. Now nothing is more important than his son becoming an apprentice, if everyone knows that his son has become Li Gang's indoor disciple tomorrow, then he can show off for a long time.

  After a flurry of commotion, Zhangsun Wuji hastily mounted the horse-drawn carriage heading to Li Gang's residence.