Chapter 280: Lin Feng's Way of the Scholar [Seeking Monthly Tickets]
Shen Tang: "..."
While it's good that the young girl has ambition, I'm definitely not cut out to be a teacher. Putting everything else aside, I'm completely clueless when it comes to making pronouncements.
To be precise, the ability to "transform things through words" is not unique to Shen Tang.
For example, Qi Shan and his group's "scattered like stars" creates a small stage suitable for the display of literary energy, transforming it into walls to block enemies and disrupt formations; this is also "transforming words into objects." For example, Gong Shuwu, Banbu, Gong Xichou, and Zhai Le, these brave warriors, can transform their words into soldiers, armor, warhorses, and weapons; this is also "transforming words into objects."
Shen Tang's only special feature is that her literary energy can take the form of "food" and be absorbed and used by the human body.
It's special, but not that special.
Why is Lin Feng learning this from me?
Shen Tang was ready to have a heart-to-heart talk with the young girl.
Lin Feng was clearly mentally prepared.
Instead of directly answering Shen Tang's question—why she had to learn such a special way of "speaking with power"—she asked a question that had troubled her for a long time: "Forgive my impertinence, but in your opinion, what is the foundation for a stable life?"
Looking at the little girl's thin face, gaunt from mourning and arduous cultivation, Shen Tang was slightly surprised by her question. At the same time, a strange sense of感慨 arose within her; Lin Feng had experienced several major changes and had finally grown up. It wasn't his age that had grown, but his mindset.
She did not treat Lin Feng casually.
"The foundation of a stable life?"
"I need to think about this carefully."
After careful consideration, Shen Tang gave her answer.
"I don't know how others would answer, but for me, my answer would be 'ability'—the ability that you truly control. To some extent, the more irreplaceable your 'ability' is, the safer your situation and the more stable your foundation. Do you understand this answer?"
A hint of confusion appeared in Lin Feng's eyes: "Ability? Forgive my ignorance, I haven't fully grasped it..."
It wasn't that she lacked comprehension skills, but rather that she couldn't think of any abilities she possessed that couldn't be easily replaced.
The thought of this made her feel anxious and distressed.
Shen Tang put his arm around the little girl's shoulder.
"Let me give you an example."
Shen Tangxu pointed to Lin Feng's lower abdomen: "For example, here, as a woman, as long as she does not have a congenital disease, when she reaches the age to conceive, she will have the ability to give birth to children, which is something that men do not possess."
Shen Tang's style suddenly changed.
"But this ability cannot be the foundation of 'making a living'. Because the world is divided equally between men and women, if it's just about having a child, half of the women can do it. The same applies to men. If all a woman wants is a child, any fertile man in the world can give her a child, so why does it have to be a specific person?"
Seeing Lin Feng's even more bewildered expression, Shen Tang realized that her topic might have gone too far, and the example she gave was inappropriate for Lin Feng's age. She changed the subject: "Giving this kind of example is to tell you that dependence is innate..."
Lin Feng replied, "I understand."
Shen Tang was stunned for a moment: "You understand?"
Lin Feng nodded and said, "Yes! Take my mother and the others, for example. Their ability to 'make a living' lies in their family background, in managing the household and clan relationships for their father, rather than in bearing children. Several of my father's children were born to his stepmothers..."
Shen Tang secretly clicked her tongue in amazement.
Lin Feng continued, "But this ability is clearly unreliable... otherwise, my mother wouldn't have died such a tragic death. When we were still in Lingzhou, my mother took me to various homes to admire the flowers. Among them were ladies who were respectful to their parents-in-law, raised their children, and were excellent at managing the household, keeping their large families in perfect order. Yet, they were still neglected and scolded by their husbands, who showed them no respect whatsoever..."
The more she talked about it, the less secure she felt about this ability; Lin Feng's ambitions went beyond just that.
Shen Tang somewhat understood Lin Feng's unease.
"That's why you should study hard with your teacher. You have literary talent and the ability to cultivate your mind; you have far more choices than those women confined to the inner quarters."
Lin Feng shook his head: "It's not enough."
Shen Tang asked, "Isn't that enough?"
"How many literary masters are there in this world? I haven't yet developed my own literary heart, so I don't know my rank or qualifications, except that my gender is the same as yours—but being a woman doesn't make my verbal abilities any stronger! Just considering 'literary masters,' how many in this world could replace me? It's like a woman can bear children for her husband, but if the husband wants a child, it doesn't necessarily have to be this woman. If you aspire to great things in the future, why must you have me?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Tang was completely stunned.
He chuckled and said, "You're worried about that?"
Lin Feng: "I read a passage a few days ago, which contained the line—'I have heard that those who serve others with their beauty will find their love waning as their beauty fades.' That lady served others with her beauty, while the scholar served his master with his 'talent' rather than his 'affection.' My lord is affectionate towards me, but how long can this affection last? Can it allow me to 'settle down and make a living'?"
This statement is indeed quite bold.
In a moment of impulsiveness, Lin Feng blurted everything out. Only after she finished speaking did she realize her mistake. Her face drained of color, and she looked at Shen Tang with trepidation and fear. Shen Tang had treated her well, but her words had been somewhat hurtful and heartless…
But that was not her intention.
Lin Feng felt uneasy.
She just wanted to make herself special.
For Shen Tang, she was unique; few could replace her. In a broader context, she was also special; even if she were ever captured by the enemy, she could protect herself. In that situation, besides her own abilities, who else could she rely on? What chance did she have of encountering another Gong Xi Chou?
As a woman with a refined and cultured air, Lin Feng was truly afraid—afraid of being isolated and helpless, afraid of being replaced by someone more outstanding, afraid of being ignored by Shen Tang, and afraid of being rejected by the entire world.
so--
Lin Feng had been pondering this question.
What is the foundation for a stable life?
Shen Tang did not scold Lin Feng, nor did she show any displeasure. Instead, she chuckled and held the little girl in her arms, gently comforting her. After a few moments, Lin Feng's eyes reddened and tears welled up.
"My lord, I'm not blaming you..."
Shen Tang said, "I know."
Shen Tang: "My answer was unclear."
Lin Feng, suppressing his shame and guilt, said, "I have been learning the ways of governing the world from you, Master, but I always feel it's not enough, and I can't explain why. I worry that my talent is limited, and that I will not be as good as you, Master, or any of you gentlemen... I am truly, truly ashamed that I have such thoughts, but..."
But she couldn't control herself at all.
She didn't know why she was like this.
Because of gender and isolation, the subconscious mind places the mentor and other teachers in the position of competitors.
So she tried to find a way to get out of trouble.
Get rid of this annoying feeling.
She then thought of Shen Tang.
Perhaps I can offer her some guidance.
Shen Tang hadn't expected Lin Feng to be so sensitive and thoughtful, but since she was still young, she could only communicate with Chu Yao.
He scratched his head, deliberating repeatedly, worried that his words might alienate Chu Yao and Lin Feng, the master and disciple.
Her position as lord is too difficult.
result--
Experience is the best teacher, and Chu Yao had already sensed this, otherwise he wouldn't have taken the initiative to bring Lin Feng over.
Chu Yao looked at the bluebird, which was growing sideways and whose wings could barely support its body, and sighed. He then read the letter while highlighting key points. He had also experienced many hardships, and he could completely empathize with Lin Feng's feelings.
But he couldn't console Lin Feng. Compared to his somewhat strict and emotionally distant teacher, Lin Feng felt much closer to Shen Tang, the man who had saved her. Resentment needs to be spoken and laid bare to find a way to resolve it.
Chu Yao sighed inwardly.
Shen Tang and Lin Feng are both women, but their identities are different. Wu Lang is her lord, someone to whom she is loyal and followed, and possesses great martial prowess, while Lin Feng is someone who follows and is loyal to her.
The latter would worry about not being valued or needed, while the former would only worry about not having enough followers. But as long as he doesn't suffer a complete defeat, Goro will never lack followers.
This sense of security and confidence is something Lin Feng lacks. The difference is not only due to his social status, but also because Lin Feng has experienced many changes at a young age.
Lin Feng's aptitude is still unclear. If her aptitude is not high, and she is not like a martial arts expert who can fight on the battlefield and be invincible, then as a rare female scholar, being in the middle would indeed be awkward. Chu Yao vaguely had some plans.
It was also the path he planned and paved for Lin Feng.
The inspiration still came from Shen Tang.
In the past, the teachings of words were mostly based on the schools of military strategy, legalism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Literary figures had their own preferences and inclinations, and the "way of the feudal lords" of various countries also followed this pattern. But my lord is different; her "way of the feudal lords" transcends these schools of thought.
So--
Could the power of words embodied by literary scholars also transcend this realm? This thought made Chu Yao's heart pound like a drum.
If feasible—
Lin Feng will be irreplaceable in the future; at least, she will have a foundation to make a living in this world.
Chu Yao only told Shen Tang about these plans.
Shen Tang: "..."
Do these master and apprentice see themselves as mere mouthpieces?
One remained silent, and the other did not ask.
well--
These days, being a lord isn't easy. Not only do you have to maintain the "father-daughter relationship" and "master-disciple relationship" with your subordinates, but you also have to learn how to soothe the sensitive feelings of young girls. Since Chu Yao asked, Shen Tang naturally wouldn't refuse. The next day, she summoned Lin Feng, whose eyes were red and swollen.
"I've been thinking about this day and night, and now I have a solution."
Lin Feng felt increasingly guilty, and lowered his head.
She never expected that her affairs would concern her husband so much, and thinking about her own thoughts, she felt even more ashamed.
Shen Tang said, "The way to govern the world must be learned."
Lin Feng nodded firmly and solemnly.
That's natural. When she was learning from Chu Yao, she secretly vowed to climb to the top and seize power!
Her ambition had already grown rapidly under the deliberate guidance of Chu Yao and the others, as well as through her own experiences.
Do you know what the common people consider their heaven?
Shen Tang didn't continue speaking, but instead posed a question.
Lin Feng: "There is a saying that food is the most important thing in life."
"Then you should pursue this sky with all your might."
Lin Feng was stunned, puzzled: "Huh?"
Shen Tang said, "Yuan Liang said that my...the way of the literati is related to 'agriculture' or farming. Perhaps that's why food appears when I speak. This proves that the power of words can create food. Even if you can't create ready-made food, your way of the literati or the power of words you control can assist crops, making all grains ripen. You can even promote this way. Who in this world can easily replace you? Lin Feng, in the eyes of your teacher and me, you are unique."
Shen Tang's words were like the clouds parting to reveal the moon, giving Lin Feng a sudden sense of clarity—his limp feet finally touched solid ground.
She fell into deep thought.
After a while, his eyes grew brighter and brighter.
Yes, that's how it should be!
Her martial arts aptitude was not high; she couldn't match the superb swordsmanship of her teacher and the other gentlemen, much less fight on the battlefield like her husband. Her literary talent was still unknown, but she was certain of the direction she would strive for in the future.
Since food is the most important thing for people, isn't it enough for her to protect this land for the people to make a living?
Wasn't this precisely why she wanted to learn her husband's unique way of "speaking eloquently"? She was suddenly freed from her annoying and tormenting worries, and her mind became bright and clear.
I involuntarily closed my eyes and imagined that scene.
Shen Tang: "???"
What's going on?
Sensing an unusual movement in the surrounding天地气 (heaven and earth energy), Shen Tang summoned the Azure Bird to send a letter to Chu Yao inquiring about it.
This time, the bluebird was much slimmer, traveling at seventy miles per hour, its spirits high, heading straight for Chu Yao. When Chu Yao received the bluebird, he thought it was one of Qi Shan's or a few others.
result--
Goro? ? ?
Goro's Bluebird can still be so agile?
Upon opening it, Chu Yao was stunned.
All signs suggest that it might be...
Gu Chi curiously leaned over and asked what was wrong.
Chu Yao's expression was blank for a long time before he finally responded: "Wang Chao, have you ever heard of someone whose literary mind has not yet been formed, yet the way of the scholar shows signs of awakening? Or... is it awakening?"
Gu Chi touched his forehead with the back of his hand to check his temperature.
No fever.
Gu Chi: "Are you dreaming?"
Gu Chi added, "I have indeed seen this situation before."
Chu Yao quickly pressed, "When?"
Gu Chi said, "Stories from the market."
Those who don't even know what Wenxin is love to fantasize about these things: being born with dual or triple scholarly paths, the fusion and evolution of scholarly paths, and even being born with the scholarly path, holding the Wenwang Gua in their left hand and the Hetu and Luoshu in their right, proclaiming "I am the savior of the world" from birth... able to write at three, be skilled in martial arts at four, and be appointed king and prime minister at five...
There's nothing they can't write, only things you can't imagine.
Chu Yao: "..."
Chu Yao said, "...I am not joking."
He was asking about this very seriously.
Gu Chi became more serious upon hearing this: "Who is it?"
Chu Yao said, "My disciple is Lin Feng."
Gu Chi: "...Tell me more about it?"
After listening, Gu Chi decided to make the trip himself.
Having read so many outrageous folk tales, this is the first time I've seen one where someone possesses the Way of the Scholar even before developing a literary mind. I have no idea what the Way of the Scholar is. Not counting Shen Tang, this is the world's first female scholar with a literary mind possessing the Way of the Scholar!
Anyway, with Gong Shuwu around, the people in the valley are safe and sound, so it's fine for Gu Chi to leave for a day or two.
Chu Yao said, "Then I'll trouble Wang Chao to make the trip."
Gu Chi had barely left when Shen Tang received Chu Yao's reply.
°Benefit°
Ugh, so frustrating! There are so many keyboards, I can't type it all with both hands.
(End of this chapter)
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