Hearing this, everyone laughed.
Yuan Zuzhi laughed and scolded, "If you make this statement known, a memorial impeaching you will soon be on the imperial desk."
Lou Jing snorted, "I'll only settle the score with you then."
"What does it have to do with me?"
"Who taught you to remind me?"
Yuan Zuzhi pointed at him and said to the crowd, "Look at how vagrant he is. He doesn't look like an official at all."
Seeing these two old enemies fighting each other again, the others not only did not try to dissuade them, but instead watched with great interest.
Xu Jiang took the opportunity to place the packaged peony cakes, locust flower steamed buns, and mugwort fruits on the table. Each serving contained only two cakes, which sat on the tender bamboo leaves, looking fresh and lovely.
The cakes were served and silenced the two men, and the yard became quiet.
Ji Shan ate half a peony cake and could not eat any more. He asked earnestly, "Shopkeeper Xu, since this is a book appreciation banquet, where are the books?"
When he mentioned this, everyone started asking questions.
Yes, the book.
The appetizers have been served, and it’s time for the main course.
Xu Jiang smiled reassuringly at the crowd, "Gentlemen, please be patient. I will first explain the origin and title of the book I am presenting today, and then I will invite you to read it."
She cleared her throat, then bowed to the crowd and said, "The books I present today are all annotated by my late teacher Xu Yuan. There are eight sets in total, namely 'Laozi', 'Zhuangzi', 'The Analects', 'Mencius', 'Book of Songs', 'Chuci', 'Lotus Sutra', and 'Wenmai Origin'. The first seven sets were privately engraved and annotated by him, while the last set, 'Wenmai Origin', is his most laborious work, consisting of seven volumes and forty-nine chapters."
Except for Ji Shan and Deng Yuechuan, everyone present was surprised and very curious when they heard that the book being appreciated today was written and annotated by Master Xu Jiang.
I seldom heard her talk about teacher Xu Jiang. Occasionally she said a word or two, leaving only a vague impression. I thought she was a somewhat strict teacher, but I didn't expect that she had so many outstanding works.
When Ji Shan heard the title, he immediately understood. The first seven volumes weren't the main focus; today's main course was the set titled "Tracing the Origins of Cultural Context." He urged, "Present it quickly so I can see it."
"Gentlemen, please sit down. I'll present it to you right away." Xu Jiang went to the shop to get a book, and Zeng Zhui followed her to help.
Lou Jing asked Ji Shan, "From the looks of it, has Mr. Ji read Zhe Yun's book?"
Ji Shan stroked his beautiful beard and said complacently, "If you hadn't seen it, why would you be here?"
Deng Yuechuan teased, "Not only has he read it, he even begged and pleaded for two original copies from the shopkeeper, and a few days ago, he swindled one under the pretext of helping to copy it. He's truly a complete bookworm."
"What do you mean by 'illegible'? The sales deed is still at my house." Ji Shan glared at him and said, "I brought you here, didn't you buy a copy?"
After hearing what the two said, everyone became even more curious. These two old gentlemen must have read at least a thousand books, if not ten thousand, and their collection of books was quite rich. Anything that caught their eye must be extraordinary.
Soon, Xu Jiang and Zeng Zhui brought the book.
Xu Jiang put the sets of "Tracing the Origins of Cultural Context" aside and presented the remaining seven sets of classics for everyone to choose from.
These seven sets of classics were all engraved by Xu Yuan himself, and the blocks were well preserved. Only one set of each edition was printed, specifically for his annotations. Each set contained at least three or five volumes, and at most seven or eight. Some people read in order, while others randomly selected a volume, and after choosing one, they could not wait to read it.
Everyone read quietly and attentively, without making a sound for a while. After Zeng Zhui finished reading the book, he also chose a volume of "Mencius" to read.
Everyone here is familiar with these classics, has seen various versions, and may even have copied or annotated them themselves, so this reading will focus mainly on the annotations, with the content being secondary.
Ji Shan was reading Zhuangzi, and having previously read Xu Yuan's two annotated volumes, he immediately spotted the clues. Besides the comments, annotations, reviews, transcriptions, and imitations, these volumes also had some literary commentaries circled in red ink.
He had an idea and immediately went to look for other classics. He marked all the chapters and sentences related to literary theory with the same red ink.
Thinking about the set of grammar he had copied earlier, he felt more at ease and understood Xu Jiang's intention of presenting these classics first.
"These books are thoroughly annotated and full of original insights." Yuan Zuzhi was reading the Chu Ci. "For example, here he refutes Meng Jian's assessment of Qu Yuan as 'unwise,' arguing that he was confined by moral principles and lost his spiritual nature, thus failing to appreciate the true meaning of the poem. This really resonated with me."
Li Tongxue nodded and praised, "Your insights into the Book of Songs are also unique, refuting many of the previous authors' far-fetched interpretations. Your words are sharp, and the use of the word 'nonsense' is quite refreshing."
Lou Jing drew a copy of the Lotus Sutra, which was the translation by Kumarajiva. Xu Yuan did not annotate it much, but only noted and commented on the content in the sutra that used "lotus" to metaphorize "wonderful Dharma."
"The 'lotus' is used as a metaphor for the 'wonderful Dharma'. First, it is both flower and fruit; second, it is pure and untainted; and third, it is restrained and not revealed." He could not help but nod in praise. "It is rare to have such a thorough understanding of the Dharma."
Du Hui read the Laozi, "and through the theory of 'reaching emptiness and maintaining tranquility,' he comprehended the essence of writing, which shows his extraordinary understanding."
For a moment, everyone praised it.
Xu Jiang felt a pang of sadness when she heard this. She couldn't help but wonder what her master would have become if he hadn't spoken up for others, hadn't been beaten with a stick, hadn't missed the imperial examination, hadn't returned home, and hadn't had his legs broken. Would he have been as respected and admired as these gentlemen before him?
But now was not the time to lose her temper. She blinked and made herself a cup of strong tea to hide the inappropriate sadness in her heart.
Just then, Ji Shan waved at her. She straightened her clothes and walked over, smiling brightly. "Mr. Ji, what can I do for you?"
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