Chapter 9: The Talented Scholar of Jiangnan

  "Brother Tang! Idol! I have so many questions for you......"

  "You ask."

  "'Tang Bohu'... is that your nickname?"

  "Why ask like this?"

  "Ba Hu, Bai Hu...... how did your mother come up with such a strange name for you?"

  “…………”

  "Never mind."

  "Ah, thank you."

  "As the leader of the four great talents of Jiangnan, don't you feel a lot of pressure?"

  “…………”

  …………

  …………

  Qin Kan's enthusiasm exceeded Tang Bohu and Du Yan's expectations, and the question he asked left Brother Bohu speechless.

  The two of them naturally did not know that the name Tang Bohu would be so well-known five hundred years later, Qin Kan didn't even know the name of today's emperor, but as soon as he heard the three words "Tang Bohu", a scene automatically appeared in his mind: Stephen Chow with a silly face, along with the other two of Jiangnan's Three Great Talents, walking on the Tianqiao Bridge with their clothes off...

  Du Yan couldn't listen anymore, so she pulled Qin Kan's sleeve. Only then did Qin Kan realize he was a bit agitated, so he suppressed his excitement and coughed dryly twice before giving Tang Bohu an awkward smile.

  "Tang brother, nice to meet you." Qin Kan bowed with a smile.

  Tang Yin also cupped his hands: "I haven't asked for your advice yet..."

  "In the shade of the Qin Mountains, he can barely be considered half a scholar."

  According to etiquette, Qin Kan should have introduced his courtesy name as well. However, since crossing over until now, he really couldn't remember if he even had a courtesy name, so he simply glossed over it and didn't mention it.

  It was then that Qin Kan formally started sizing up Tang Yin.

  To be honest, the so-called number one scholar of Jiangnan in front of me really doesn't have any demeanor of a talented person. Not to mention having an elegant and carefree air about him, at least he should look dignified and composed, but instead he has a messy beard, disheveled hair like dry grass, severe dark circles under his eyes, as if he hasn't slept for many days, even his gaze is so empty and unfocused, completely resembling the image of an old rascal who's been drained of all vitality.

  Qin Kan felt deeply disappointed in his heart, the number one talented scholar of Jiangnan shouldn't be like this.

  In his previous life, Qin Kan was naturally quite familiar with Tang Yin's great name, so he knew a thing or two about Tang Yin's current situation.

  In the twelfth year of the Hongzhi era, Tang Yin went to the capital for the provincial examination and came in first place. This was the most brilliant experience of his life, so later generations called him "Tang Jieyuan". Unfortunately, after reaching this peak, Tang Yin's life began to decline. The following year, he went to Beijing for the imperial examination, but unexpectedly became embroiled in a cheating scandal. The case shocked the imperial court, and in order to calm public opinion, the imperial guards were dispatched to investigate. As a result, Tang was stripped of his official status and never again employed by the government.

  Tang Yin is now over thirty years old, with no prospects in his official career. He can only indulge in the pleasures of life, struggling to make ends meet by selling paintings for a living. The money he earns from selling paintings is not used to buy property or settle down, but rather to indulge in debauchery and pleasure-seeking, leading a very decadent lifestyle.

  Tang Yin, a talented young man who has lost hope for his future life.

  However, a genius is always a genius, and even a hopeless one is still wildly pursued by the scholars of Jiangnan and the famous courtesans of Qinglou.

  His poems, his paintings, are still the insurmountable peaks in the eyes of Jiangnan scholars. His boldness, his unruliness, still make the famous courtesans of Qinlou infatuated and willing to pay him silver money to spend a spring night together.

  To be honest, Qin Kan envied such people, who not only didn't spend money on sleeping with women but also made money from it. This was the ultimate state of being a john.

  From ancient times to the present, only two people have reached this level, one is Liu Yong and the other is Tang Bohu.

  Qin Kan's infatuation with Tang Yin after meeting him has nothing to do with Tang Yin's talent, but rather his envy of Tang Yin's good fortune. A man who is so down on his luck can actually be fought over by the famous courtesans of Qinhuai Tower to sleep with, and this is really something to be admired as a lifelong idol.

  We should be polite and enthusiastic when treating our idols.

  Qin Kan then warmly drew close to Tang Da and started chatting with him in a familiar manner.

  "I have long heard of Brother Tang's great name, today I finally get to see him, this life's wish is fulfilled..."

  Tang Yin repeatedly said "I don't dare" with his hands clasped together, but a look of surprise appeared on his face.

  Although he is a popular Jiangnan genius, in this era, scholars value their reputation. No matter how much respect they have for him, on the surface, they must maintain the dignity and composure of a scholar. This guy is an exception, as he openly shows off his popularity. In front of Qin Kan, Tang Yin has a sense of superiority and satisfaction, like a ancestral tablet, because Qin Kan's attitude towards him is almost like worshiping him as an ancestor.

  The two of you have been exchanging pleasantries for a long time, and Du Yan on the side has already kicked the small stones on the road impatiently.

  "Tang brother isn't living in Suzhou for a long time? Why did you come to Shaoxing?"

  Tang Yin let out a deep sigh, his expression somewhat despondent: "No fame, no gain, nothing to my name, I can only roam the four directions, broadening my horizons. As for now, what I can do is probably just this..."

  It's very subtle and resentful, translated into plain language, the general idea is: I'm already so miserable now, who cares where I go?

  Qin Kan gazed at this fallen genius, and suddenly a flash of inspiration struck him. When he looked at Tang Yin again, his eyes had already taken on a few shades of profound meaning.

  Qin Kan blinked his eyes and smiled: "I don't know if Brother Tang is here in Shaoxing for a long stay or just a temporary residence?"

  "It's just temporary."

  "Does Brother Tang lack money?" Qin Kan asked bluntly and directly.

  "Ah?" Tang Yin was stunned, he found himself seemingly unable to keep up with Qin Kan's leapfrogging thoughts, could it be... that he had grown old?

  Qin Kan explained seriously: "Tang brother has great ambitions, and his love for mountains and rivers is also inevitable. Whether in the temple or in Jianghu, silver and money are indispensable things. Doesn't Tang brother lack money?"

  Tang Yin was silent for a while, then nodded woodenly: "Of course, I'm short of money... I've set my sights on an estate in the northern part of Suzhou City, planning to buy it and spend the rest of my life there. I've even come up with a name for the estate - 'Peach Blossom Valley'. Unfortunately..."

  Tang Yin sighed and shook his head.

  Qin Kan naturally knew what he regretted, that he didn't have any money on hand. To say nothing of buying a villa, he couldn't even afford to buy a thatched hut.

  It's good if you're short of money, I'm just worried that you won't be short of money.

  The smile at the corner of Qin Kan's mouth deepened.

  Du Yan on the side was nauseated by his eerie smile, this guy must be up to some evil idea again...

  He's too bad!

  After learning that Tang Yin was temporarily staying in a hostel on Mashishi Street in Shaoxing City, Qin Kan changed the subject and chatted with Tang Yin about everything under the sun.

  The sky was getting dark, and Tang Yin had no choice but to bid farewell to the strange friend he had just met.

  "Tang brother slow down, I still have one last question..." Qin Kan suddenly called out to him.

  "You ask."

  "Is 'half-step epilepsy with a smile' something you came up with?"

  Staring at Tang Yin's receding back, Qin Kan's mouth curved upwards, his eyes filled with amusement.

  What an honor it is to meet a living historical figure! But why does one think of making money as soon as they meet?

  This is not good, it's narrow-minded and vulgar.

  "Take back that disgusting expression of yours!" Du Yan's pretty face was full of disgust.

  So easily solved the problem she had, and walked out of the predicament with ease. Although Du Yan had no intention of harming anyone, she still felt uncomfortable in her heart, let alone this guy's way of solving problems was so hurtful, which made Du Yan feel even more displeased.

  The current Qin Kan has become a thorough bad person in her eyes, no matter how handsome he looks, how elegant his demeanor is, he is just a handsome bad person, a bad person is a bad person, no matter how good the skin is born, it can't change its bad nature.

  Qin Kan was completely unaware of the thoughts of this official's daughter, and he didn't care what she thought either. In theory, from now on, they had become strangers who would never meet again in this lifetime.

  He let out a long sigh and said, "I'm clearly so handsome, with such a sunny smile, why would someone say my expression is disgusting? Is this person blind?"

  Du Yan sneered, "Whether I'm blind or not is none of your business. What I want to tell you is that although Tang Bohu has no prospects in his official career, he holds a very high position in the hearts of Jiangnan scholars. If you want to frame him, be careful not to offend all the scholars in Jiangnan."

  "What kind of talk is this? I'm at least half a scholar, aren't I? How can a scholar cheat his peers?"

  "Why are you smiling so disgustingly if you don't plan on cheating him?" Du Yan had a very negative impression of his smile.

  "I'll repeat it again, this is what I call a sunny and refreshing smile, it's enchanting, captivating, and not disgusting at all." Qin Kan seriously corrected her biased thoughts.

  Du Yan ignored his self-boasting and stared at him with a suspicious expression: "What exactly do you want to do to Tang Bohu?"

  Qin Kan sighed: "Why do you always think I'll do something bad to him?"

  "I couldn't help but ask, last autumn my father executed a murderer, at the time he was smiling on the execution ground just like you, and with the same ferocious glint in his eyes as you... Look, look, you're showing that ferocious glint again!" Du Yan's expression was full of righteousness.

  Qin Kan could only cast his gaze into the distance.

  From Du Yan, he proved two more things.

  This woman, apart from being cruel and having a low moral bottom line and thick skin, also has many other shortcomings.

  For example, she really is a blind person with no aesthetic ability, and... the eight characters are too hard, and they obviously conflict with him.

  It's really sad that a woman has so many shortcomings. Her old man, Du Zhixian, should seriously reflect on his educational methods...

  In order to get rid of the woman's entanglement as soon as possible, and also to prove that he was a kind and harmless green environmentalist who loved reading, Qin Kan had no choice but to patiently explain.

  Pointing at Tang Yin's back figure that was about to disappear in the distance, Qin Kan said: "Don't you think that Tang Da Cai Zi's back figure has a very special flavor?"

  "What flavor?"

  "It's as if, like a bar of silver walking upright...". Qin Kan's eyes were filled with admiration and praise: "Look, how vividly it moves, standing out... Ah! Quick, look at this bar of silver, even when it falls, it shines so brightly, so unrestrained..."

  There's something I haven't reported to everyone yet, this book has successfully landed on the historical category weekly recommended list. However, the position is very dangerous, the last one, everyone votes enthusiastically, otherwise it will be too embarrassing to be squeezed out.