The next morning, after bidding farewell to his father, Xu Yan, accompanied by his grandfather Chen Han and uncle Chen Zongzhi, went to Gushan to become a disciple.
Xu Yan was no stranger to Gushan. Having lived in Hangzhou for a time in his previous life, Gushan was his favorite secluded spot near West Lake. Strictly speaking, Gushan wasn't a mountain, but an island.
As early as the Tang and Song dynasties, the scenery of Gushan was already famous all over the world.
The Solitary Mountain Temple in the Tang Dynasty and the Western Taiyi Palace in the Southern Song Dynasty were both magnificent sights of their time. But when people mention Solitary Mountain, the first person that comes to mind is probably Lin Hejing.
Lin Hejing was a reclusive poet of the Northern Song Dynasty, known for his aloof and proud character. After traveling south of the Yangtze River, he eventually settled on Gushan Hill in West Lake, where he planted plum trees and raised cranes. He neither took office nor married, leaving behind the reputation of "a wife of plum trees and a son of cranes."
There have been many literati and hermits throughout the dynasties, but most of them were seeking fame and reputation. It is rare to find a hermit like Lin Hejing who is true to his nature.
Xu Yan admired Lin Hejing very much and had even gone to Gushan to pay him a visit in his previous life.
This time when I visited Gushan again, my mood was very different.
After all, he came to Gushan to study, and Mr. Xushan was a direct disciple of Wang Yangming. Having the guidance of such a great scholar would definitely be of great help to the improvement of Xu Yan's writing skills.
West Lake is located in the west of Hangzhou City. Gushan is located between the Inner Lake and the Outer Lake of West Lake, connected to Xiling Bridge in the west and Baidi Bridge in the east.
After leaving the city, Xu Yan, his grandfather, and his uncle walked along the Bai Causeway. Seeing the swaying willows on both sides and the rippling water, his mood naturally brightened. He recited a poem: "Laughter echoes through the empty waves on all sides, the lake's light is clearest today. Boatmen, let us not decide where to sail, but only look to where the mandarin ducks sleep."
Although Chen Zongzhi had never been an official, he had been educated. Seeing his nephew reciting such a poem, he could not help but admire it and said, "Brother Qiu's poem is also suitable for the scene. It makes people feel a sense of vastness when listening to it."
Old Master Chen rolled his eyes. "You lousy chess player, stop criticizing chess here. My dear grandson is going to be an official in the future. How can you possibly understand his literary talent and poetic spirit?"
Seeing his father being so partial, Chen Zongzhi turned his gaze away from his nephew with some resentment, pursed his lips and muttered softly: "No comment, no comment."
However, they did not know how long they had been walking, but they finally arrived at Solitary Mountain.
There are two large vermilion characters engraved on the cliff to the north - "Gushan". It is said that this was written by people in the Southern Song Dynasty.
Although Solitary Mountain is not high, it is lush with flowers and trees, and its beauty is elegant. From a distance, it looks like a beautiful place created by nature.
"Such a beautiful place is indeed suitable for studying."
Seeing his grandson say this, Mr. Chen nodded proudly.
"When we first started building the academy, Mr. Xushan thought it would be better to build it in a more secluded place. The front mountain was too noisy, so we discussed it and decided to build it in the back mountain."
After saying that, Mr. Chen walked ahead with his hands behind his back.
The grandparents and grandchildren climbed up the stairs. The mountains were lush with flowers and trees, and there was a gurgling stream, which made people feel relaxed and happy.
Lonely Mountain was not very high, and they reached the top in no time.
Old Master Chen leaned over the railing, gazing into the distance, and said leisurely, "North of Gushan Temple, west of Jia Ting, the water is just beginning to level out, the clouds are low. Bai Juyi's poem is only truly appreciated when one reaches the top of the mountain. My dear grandson, don't you agree?"
Xu Yan smiled and said, "Grandpa is absolutely right."
Old Master Chen was in a good mood. He pointed ahead and said, "The academy is built on the southern slope. Just follow this stone path and it will be there."
Compared with the North Mountain, the southern foot of Gushan is more beautiful.
As we approach the foot of the mountain, an elegant garden comes into view.
In front of the garden stands a huge stone with the words "Gushan Academy" inscribed on it. This unrestrained and uninhibited style is in line with the artistic conception of Gushan.
The grandparents and grandchildren entered the garden one after another, and saw pavilions, towers, streams, ponds, flowers and plants all around. It was no less beautiful than those famous gardens in Suzhou.
Wow, it’s such a pleasure to study here.
I have to say that my grandfather has really good taste.
"My dear grandson, look, Mr. Oyama is fishing over there."
Xu Yan looked in the direction of his grandfather's finger and saw an old man sitting in a pavilion about ten steps away, fishing with his back to him.
The old man wore a square flat scarf on his head, a green silk Taoist robe, blue shoes and a wide belt, and looked leisurely.
Xu Yan thought this man must be Qian Dehong. He calmed himself, straightened his robes, stepped forward, and bowed to the old man, saying, "I, Xu Yan, greet Mr. Xushan."
Unexpectedly, Qian Dehong raised his left hand and said, "Shh, don't scare my fish."
Xu Yan pondered for a moment and then chanted:
"The Wu people grew up listening to the music of lakes and mountains, breathing the light of lakes and drinking the clear water of mountains.
Whether they are hermit gentlemen or servants and peddlers, they are all as pure as ice and jade.
The gentleman is an extraordinary person, with a clear mind and cold bones, and no worldly feeling.
I don’t know you, but I’ve dreamt of you, your pupils are so clear and bright that they can even be seen.”
When Qian Dehong heard this, he immediately put down the fishing rod and turned around.
He looked Xu Yan up and down, stroked his beard, and said slowly, "You may be young, but you are quite good at flattering others."
Xu Yan quickly said, "I'm sorry to have caused you to laugh, Mr. Xushan. I just recited Su Shi's poem. Although it was a simple tribute, it was truly what I felt. In my mind, Mr. Xushan is a hermit and a wise man like Mr. Lin."
Qian Dehong shook his head and said, "The first few lines are quite consistent, but the last line... Did you really dream of me?"
Xu Yan was quite thick-skinned. He said calmly, "Mr. Xushan, you may not know this, but I have admired you for a long time. Although I have never met you in person, I always encounter you in my dreams. Every time I connect with you, many of my doubts are easily solved. I wanted to thank you in person tonight, but after some inquiries, I learned that you live in seclusion in Gushan, so I hurried all the way from Ningbo."
Qian Dehong naturally didn't believe what he said. Seeing Chen Han not far away, he stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Brother Hanmo, what are you doing?"
Old Master Chen stepped forward and explained with a smile, "Excuse me, Hongfu, but this is my grandson, Xu Yan. He admires your reputation and insisted on coming to be your disciple. I couldn't resist his constant nagging, so I brought him here."
Qian Dehong hummed and thought to himself, "So that's how it is."
"Since he is Brother Hanmo's grandson, he must be extraordinary."
Qian Dehong paused, then changed the subject: "But Brother Hanmo should also know that I have my own rules for accepting disciples. Although your grandson is very talented, he still needs to pass the examination if he wants to become my disciple."
Although Mr. Chen was unhappy in his heart, he smiled: "Of course, we can't break the rules just because of this kid."
Xu Yan followed up the conversation and said, "Please ask Mr. Xushan to examine it."
Seeing that Xu Yan was polite, Qian Dehong nodded slightly.
He twirled his beard and pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Since you just mentioned Mr. Hejing, why don't you write a poem to commemorate Mr. Hejing?"
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