Chapter 93. This isn't something you should be reading. ...
Fusu exclaimed, "!!!"
Oops, I let it slip!
The common definition of a child prodigy is usually a child whose knowledge surpasses that of ordinary people. The focus is often on the word "child." Fusu, carrying the memories of two lifetimes, roamed the Song Dynasty without anyone questioning him, because his actions could be reasonably explained by "extraordinary intelligence," remaining within the realm of a child.
But the moment the phrase "a beautiful woman adding fragrance to one's sleeves" appeared... Zhang Zai's gaze towards himself almost became strange! Had he been reading a story written by a few pedantic scholars? How could he be so good at summarizing?
Fusu's forehead was beaded with sweat, and his eyes darted around: "This? I saw it by accident when my family was reading. Doesn't it mean lighting incense or candles at night? What's wrong? Is it strange?"
Zhang Zai immediately frowned deeply: What unreliable family members! What kind of nonsense have they shown the children?
However, his relationship with Fusu was still shallow, and he was not yet at the stage where he could speak frankly about his family's faults. He opened his mouth, but could only say, "It's nothing. You don't understand yet, and don't mention it in front of others in the future."
Seeing that the man seemed to truly believe him, Fusu felt a pang of conscience, but nodded repeatedly, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Brother Zihou. I understand."
Then, like a real child, he tilted his head curiously and asked, "But why can't we say it? Brother Zihou, you clearly know this word, right? Others must know it too."
Zhang Zai: "..."
The founder of Future Guanxue never imagined he would one day be discussing the meaning of "a beautiful woman adding fragrance to one's sleeves" with a four-year-old. He choked up for a moment, then finally offered the universal answer: "You'll understand when you grow up."
Fusu pursed his lips, seemingly sullen, but actually trying hard to suppress a laugh—he was afraid he would burst out laughing if he didn't purse his lips.
"oh."
"And don't ask others what this word means."
"Uh-huh."
Years later, when Zhang Zai recalled this incident, he couldn't help but smile knowingly and recorded it in his notes. Meanwhile, Emperor Renzong would never understand why, when he received Zhang Zai, a friend of Su'er and a renowned scholar of the Guan School, the latter looked at him with such a strange expression. Had he done something wrong?
However, that's a story for another time.
The problem now is whether this mythological story, which is full of what is called "romance" to put it nicely, and "wishful thinking" to put it bluntly, can be included in their collection of writings.
This is going to be difficult.
Fusu stroked his chin and shook his head: "Unfortunately, it's incompatible with other writing styles..."
Zhang Zai asked curiously, "What a pity? What do you think is a pity, Sanyuan Lang?"
He was a straightforward and upright man, able to see through the thoughts of scholars at a glance, and naturally looked down on them. However, he was merely an editor entrusted with the task, and since it involved important matters such as the selection principles of articles, he naturally had to consult the organizers. But Zhang Zai originally thought that Zhao Xiaosanyuan would also criticize him, ultimately ending with him withdrawing from the selection process.
He held the article in his hand again and read it several times, wondering what exactly made Sanyuanlang look at him differently.
"Because the people love it," Fusu said.
“For example, the entertainment districts and brothels in Bianjing.” He pointed to himself, “And children my age. They would definitely love to hear this story.”
Zhang Zai paused for a moment, then said, "What you say makes sense."
The scholar's little thoughts were certainly not hidden, but the story itself was very romantic, which is exactly what the common people loved to talk about.
"So, I'm thinking of starting from scratch and not including this piece in the collection. We can adapt it a little and put it in the brothel as a storybook to spread among the people."
As Fusu pondered, he rested his chin on his hand, lost in his own thoughts. After a while, he suddenly realized he had neglected Zhang Zai: "I apologize, Brother Zihou, I was just lost in thought."
Zhang Zai shook his head: "No, actually I've been thinking about what you just said. It has really benefited me a lot."
"My vision is too narrow. As soon as I hear about writing books, I think that we shouldn't let the writings of common people tarnish our style. In fact, I'm putting the cart before the horse and forgetting that the purpose of the collection of writings was to benefit the people. This thick stack may not be as useful as the one article I just wrote."
Fusu: "...There's no need to reflect on everything."
Just as he was about to open his mouth, two voices suddenly rang out.
"Be careful not to overpraise Zhao Xiaolang."
"Brother Zihou, why do you belittle yourself?"
Fusu and Zhang Zai both looked toward the source of the sound, and saw two figures, one tall and one short, push open the door and enter.
Fusu: "Why are you here?"
Zhang Zai hesitated for a moment: "Brother Chunren, and who is this...?"
Fan Chunren and Zhang Zai, the latter having received guidance from Fan Zhongyan, were of similar age and naturally acquainted. Fan Chunren then took the initiative to introduce them: "Another famous person on the list of child prodigies, the person involved in the case of father and son passing the imperial examination together, is Su Shi."
Su Shi also generously cupped his hands and said, "Brother Zhang, my courtesy name is Zizhan, you can just call me Zizhan."
Fusu exclaimed, "Huh? How come you have characters now?" And they're exactly the same as in history.
Su Shi: "Of course it's because I'm about to become an official, so it's easier for others to address me that my father gave me one. I was wondering why you didn't have one. Oh right, you don't need one, so just call your courtesy name 'Sanyuan' (三元), that's what everyone calls you anyway."
Fusu: "..."
It's the same familiar recipe, the same familiar taste.
He was about to retort when Su Shi turned the tables on him. The latter casually pulled an article from his sleeve and slammed it on the table: "Why didn't you call me when there was such a good thing as collecting articles? You're really not being fair. If the Chancellor hadn't come to ask, we wouldn't have known."
Fan Chunren followed suit, also pulling out an article: "That's right."
Fusu immediately cried out that he was wronged: "Weren't you busy going home and welcoming Lord Fan? How could I dare to disturb you?"
"I still have the skill to write an article," Fan Chunren said with a smile. "Brother Zihou, what do you think? Do you think our two pieces are good enough to be included in the collection?"
"Of course, of course."
Zhang Zai examined the text with great delight, repeatedly exclaiming in his heart: "Truly worthy of being a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination)! This collection far surpasses the average level of the collected works." The original articles, written only by students of the Imperial Academy and the Imperial College, weren't particularly valuable, but with these two pieces added, the collection's value skyrocketed. Furthermore, the initiator was a top scholar in all three categories, which also elevated Zhang Zai's status as editor.
Su Shi then deliberately asked Fusu, "What do you think?"
Fusu rolled his eyes at him.
Su Shi immediately smiled smugly. He casually picked up the article in front of Fusu, saying, "Let me see what level others are at," but after glancing at it a few times, he exclaimed "Eek!"
"My God, how can there be something like this?"
Fan Chunren curiously took it, but after a moment, he too showed an expression of disbelief. His gaze towards Fusu also became puzzled.
Worried that the two might misunderstand Fusu, Zhang Zai quickly explained the whole story. The two responded with an "Oh," and Su Shi then asked Fusu, "What kind of story do you want to change it to?"
"Or, like you said before, like when Zhuge Liang scolded Wang Lang?"
Su Shi firmly believed that the "story" about "shamelessness" that Fusu had told him was a fabrication. He had inadvertently believed it and even received a slap on the forehead from his father for it.
Fusu felt exhausted: "That's a classic story."
However, it will only be possible in the next few hundred years.
"Hmm, allusions," Su Shi replied haphazardly. "So what should we change? Should we make up a story using existing characters, or create a completely new one?"
Fu Su's gaze immediately turned strange: How did this person get into writer mode so quickly? And he even figured out the difference between fan fiction and original works without any instruction.
He suppressed the jumbled thoughts in his mind: "Let's ask the author of this article first."
Unexpectedly, when they went to visit the author of the article and wanted to obtain the adaptation rights, they were met with a cold rejection.
"How can that be?" The man shook his head desperately. "Don't you think cotton is refreshing, warm, and beneficial to us, just like a pure and flawless fairy?"
Fusu: "...I don't think so."
I just feel like you're suppressing your feelings.
The man was still unconvinced and even took out his own sequel, intending to preach to everyone. Because of their height, Zhang Zai and Fan Chunren were the first to receive it. After reading it, they both showed expressions of shock and refused to let Su Shi and Xiao Fusu see it.
Su Shi even jumped up, trying to find out what was written: "What did you write! Is there anything I can't see!"
Fusu feigned curiosity, but in reality felt a sense of superiority and sympathy for Su Shi after seeing through him: "No, it's probably something you really shouldn't read."
You'll understand when you grow up, hmm.
Fusu took another deep look at the writer, who was engrossed in his art, and imprinted his face in his mind. He never expected that the Song Dynasty would have such an extraordinary person.
He seemed to be tirelessly preaching: "How about it? Can it be published in the collection? Can it be?"
"……let's go."
The group returned to the Imperial College.
Zhang Zai's expression remained dazed, as if he had just recovered from the shock: "Maybe we should just forget about it?"
He seemed somewhat hesitant to speak: "After all, our collection has already been organized. And that kind of thing, even if it were kept in a brothel, would probably..."
Fan Chunren also advised Fusu, "Yes, it's really not suitable for polite society. If they find out it's related to you, young master, I'm afraid you'll be impeached."
Fusu waved his hand dismissively: "I'm not afraid of being impeached."
He didn't notice that all three of them had expressions of "Oh my god, I've been tricked!" on their faces, lost in their own thoughts.
"But I just realized that his story describes a cotton fairy who revealed herself to repay a scholar for his careful care. Doesn't that reveal how cotton is grown?"
"If a mistake is written, and the people follow suit, what will happen if the crops die? But if it is written correctly, what will happen if the Liao and Xia people copy it and steal it?"
Everyone's expressions turned serious: Yes, this is a big problem.
Fan Chunren: "Zhao Xiaolang, but you don't seem to want to give up?"
“Yes,” Fusu said. “Since cotton is grown for the common people, in addition to the collection of writings for the officials in the imperial court, I should also tell them stories they like to hear.”
Almost simultaneously, he conceived a bold idea.
The story should not only be told to the people of Bianjing, but also to the people of the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun. Let them remember that a hundred years ago, they and the people on the other side of the border were once one family.
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Author's Note: The story of the Cotton Fairy written by the scholar in this chapter can be referenced from the zero-score college entrance exam essay, "An Encounter Across Time and Space." Those who don't laugh after reading it are [thumbs up].
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