After the formal apprenticeship ceremony, Li Gang introduced Qin Mu to his master again, but this time in much more detail. Apart from his father Qin Qiong and his prospective father-in-law Li Shentong, the others were at least Grand Scholars leading their juniors.
Of course! This "younger generation" is only relative. Compared to Qin Mu, even Kong Xiaoyi, the youngest of Kong Yida's nephews, is more than ten years older than him.
During this meeting, whether it was because Qin Mu had become a scholar or because of Li Gang, Li Shentong's attitude was much better, and he was amiable throughout.
Of course, a banquet was to be held for the apprenticeship ceremony. Qin Mu had informed Li Gang beforehand and arranged for chefs and dishes to be prepared from Ru Gui Lou to be served at the Li family's residence. Although the seating was separate, the chefs from Ru Gui Lou were still able to create exquisite cuisine. Regardless of the world, our people possess remarkable creativity. Even though Qin Mu hadn't visited Ru Gui Lou for over a month, the chefs there had still developed many new dishes.
The wild animals hunted from the Qinling Mountains and other places are used to make braised pork, cured meat, and stir-fries, which satisfy the guests very much; there are also alcoholic beverages, spirits, and fruit wines, so there is bound to be something they like.
When a large group of literati gather, they naturally want to engage in some refined activities. The simplest thing at a banquet is, of course, playing drinking games. However, in the hands of these experts, these drinking games have become more difficult and more elegant.
They each start by having one person recite a beautiful line from a poem or article, and then the next person must respond with a line that has the same or similar meaning. For a more challenging version, a specific word is chosen, and the next person in the line must also use that word.
Watching Li Gang and the others having so much fun, Qin Mu realized his own shortcomings. Even with his exceptional memory, he couldn't match their fluent responses and effortless banter. Not only that, but many of the phrases they used were completely unfamiliar to Qin Mu—though some were even original poems and verses. It took twenty or thirty rounds to determine a winner, which was truly astonishing.
The so-called victory or defeat is not due to a lack of literary talent on the part of one person, but rather because one has encountered too many opponents and experienced a momentary writer's block. In their eyes, this is already a defeat.
Qin Mu thought for a moment before realizing that this should be the prototype of the Flying Flower Game. It was also the first time he had seen the legendary first elegant drinking game among literati, and he watched with great interest.
"I see that everyone here today has brought their juniors with them. How about we let them take the punishment?" Wang Ji suggested with a smile.
"That's very true!"
"That's exactly right!" Everyone nodded in agreement.
Qin Mu and the others naturally had no right to object, so they obediently served them from the side. Qin Qiong had already sat down to chat with Li Shentong while they were playing games.
Qin Mu originally thought that with Li Gang's abilities, he could simply watch the show without worry. However, things didn't go as Qin Mu expected. When it was Li Gang's turn again, he didn't answer. Instead, he turned around and looked at Qin Mu with a smile.
Qin Mu was taken aback. His first thought was, "Why are you looking at me like that, teacher?" Then he realized that the old man was trying to trick him.
"Hehe! I have lost this round!" Li Gang said with a faint smile.
"The students are willing to drink for their teacher," Qin Mu said with a wry smile and a bow.
"Hmm!" Li Gang responded noncommittally.
Everyone present was shrewd; they all understood that Li Gang was intentionally trying to make Qin Mu famous. Of course, they wouldn't let him just have a drink and be done with it. Kong Yida smiled and said, "His Majesty said that Huai Dao is a master of both poetry and prose. How can a drink be enough? Today is also the day you become his disciple, so you must compose a poem!"
"What do you think, Huai Dao?" Li Gang asked with a slight smile, raising his head slightly.
Understanding his teacher's intention, Qin Mu naturally did not refuse. He cupped his hands and said, "This disciple will give it a try. If I do not do well, please forgive me, teacher and elders."
"It's alright, just do whatever you want," Li Gang waved his hand and said.
Qin Mu had already made some guesses in his mind and had been thinking about it, so after a moment of contemplation, he looked up and said, "Teacher is a person of noble character, fair and selfless. I think Teacher is like bamboo."
Embracing both past merits and demerits with humility, laughing defiantly in the harsh winter's frost and snow. A life of tranquility and simplicity, a lifetime of noble character and integrity.
Li Gang was extremely pleased when Qin Mu recited a poem he had seen by chance. He smiled, stroked his beard, and nodded repeatedly.
The others nodded in agreement, expressing their approval of Qin Mu's prompt and appropriate poem.
"Excellent, excellent! Congratulations, Master Li, on gaining such a fine disciple!" Xue Yuanjing praised, cupping his hands in greeting.
"Hehe! Let's continue, let's continue!" Li Gang said with a happy laugh.
Having learned from Qin Mu's example, those who were confident in their juniors would pretend not to know the answer when it was their turn, letting their juniors take the lead.
It must be said that these people are indeed worthy of being trained by everyone. Although it is unknown whether the poems were composed on the spot, they are all above average.
After circling around, Li Gang stopped again and looked back at Qin Mu. Qin Mu was stunned again. His teacher really thought highly of him, actually coming back!
Qin Mu had already thought about it. There aren't that many suitable poems, since many poems are praises with a specific purpose in mind.
"I can't think of any poems for now, but I was deeply moved by my visit to my teacher's residence today. I admire my teacher greatly and can't help but want to express myself." Qin Mu's mind raced, and he remembered an article that he had studied many years ago, but he was sure he remembered it.
"Oh! What did you find out? Tell me!" Li Gang asked curiously.
"Our teacher lived through three dynasties and five reigns, and his residence and belongings were simple and unpretentious. He wrote an inscription for his humble abode, which his disciples use to encourage themselves."
A mountain is not valued for its height, but for the immortals dwelling there. Water is not valued for its depth, but for the dragons residing within. This is a humble abode, yet my virtue makes it fragrant. Mossy traces climb the steps, green grass filters through the curtains. Learned scholars converse and laugh here, no uncultured person comes and goes. Here I can play my simple zither and read the classics. There is no noise of stringed instruments to disturb my ears, no paperwork to weary my body. It is like Zhuge Liang's thatched cottage in Nanyang, or Yang Xiong's pavilion in Western Shu. As Yang Xiong said, "What is there to be ashamed of?"
Qin Mu bowed to Li Gang with admiration, then began to recite. However, since Confucius was a Confucian sage, it was inappropriate to use the character "Kong" in the last sentence, since there were many other characters that could be called "Zi" (子).
"A mountain is not famous for its height, but for the immortals who dwell there! Excellent! Excellent!" Lu Deming savored the words for a moment, praising them repeatedly, then shook his head and said, "Brother Wenji, I'm envious too! How come I haven't met such a good disciple?"
"Hehe! Brother Deming, you flatter me. You are a master of classical studies. Dunxing and Qingye have truly inherited your teachings. Why would you envy me?" Li Gang shook his head slightly. Just by looking at his beaming smile, you could tell how happy he was.
Li Gang genuinely liked Qin Mu's "Ode to a Humble Abode," feeling it was a true reflection of his own life.
…………
There will be another chapter tonight.
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