Chapter 66: The Talented Scholar and the Beautiful Lady

  Gao Yuan and Li Yinghong walked into the pavilion, where there were four tables on either side of the main table. The tables were laden with fruit and fine wine. Six of the tables already had people seated at them, ranging in age from old to young, with the oldest likely over sixty and the youngest possibly under thirty. Some sat with their eyes closed, while others gazed out at the scenery on the lake surface. Two were whispering to each other. Meanwhile, eight beautiful young maidservants stood waiting attendance around the pavilion.

  Although it was already deep autumn, the autumn wind was quite cold, but there were fireplaces around the pavilion, so it wasn't too cold. The small lake was not big, but there were artificial hills and rocks, winding paths, weeping willows swaying in the wind, and the lake's surface was sparkling with water light. From time to time, a few fallen leaves floated on the water, creating ripples, and on the opposite shore, there were green trees, flower clusters, pavilions, and buildings, making it a very good place.

  When the host brought Gao Yuan and Li Yinghong over, a maid led them to sit in the second seat on the left. As they entered the pavilion, the older people were still calm and composed, but two young people couldn't help staring at them, with their eyes mainly fixed on Li Yinghong. After all, beautiful women always attract attention.

  Just as the two of them sat down, they saw Zhao Jia leading the way on the gravel path along the lake shore, followed by a man and a woman, accompanied by several servant girls, walking towards the pavilion. Although they were quite far away and couldn't see their faces clearly, everyone could guess that it was Chun Yu's father and daughter.

  Although the people in the pavilion also stood up one after another, they were all self-respecting and did not go to greet them. However, the two young men who had been paying attention to Li Yinghong earlier were looking out of the pavilion with their necks stretched out. Gao Yuan was still calm, but Li Yinghong's face was full of eager excitement.

  Zhao Jia hastened a few steps ahead, entering the pavilion first. He bowed to the crowd and said: "Zhao Jia welcomes Mr. Chunyu and his daughter. I apologize for keeping everyone waiting, please forgive me."

  Others also shook their heads and said: "Where, where." Some people said: "Gong Yu, please invite Mr. Chunyu and his daughter to come in quickly."

  At this time, Zhao Jia turned around and said: "Mr. Chunyu, Miss Chunyu, please come in."

  The first to arrive was Chun Yu Bo, who appeared to be around forty-five or six years old. He was quite tall, with a high crown on his head and wore a light gray long gown. His face was pale and he had a long white beard, with piercing eyes that shone brightly. Although he was approaching old age, he exuded an air of elegance and refinement, with a natural aura of maturity and masculinity. Moreover, his eyes seemed to hold boundless wisdom and intelligence, making him appear as a man of exceptional talent and ability at first glance.

  But everyone's attention was clearly not on him, but on his beautiful daughter behind him.

  Jun Yu Zhongxiu was no more than twenty years old, wearing a flowing long skirt with wide sleeves and a hem that swept the ground, with a pale pink gauze draped over her shoulders, a silver jade belt around her waist, and a crystal pendant hanging from it, walking like a gentle breeze rustling willows, the pendants tinkling, as if she had drifted into the pavilion on the wind.

  Her hair was styled in a high bun, adorned with a jade phoenix hairpin and earrings made of yellow beautiful jade. Her face, as beautiful as the best carved jade, had delicate features, with eyebrows that seemed to be curved but not quite, like distant mountains veiled in mist. Her eyes seemed to smile but not quite, like autumn water imbued with spirit, and sparkled with a hint of mischief. Not only did she exude an air of noble elegance, but the way her gaze shifted also made people's spirits flutter.

  Although the dragging skirt of her dress was wide enough to cover her entire body, it couldn't hide her beautiful and moving figure. Her slender, snow-white neck, shoulders as sharp as a knife, long and beautiful waist, and almost flawless combination of curves, truly made her a woman of breathtaking beauty. Indeed, she was worthy of being called the most beautiful woman in the world.

  Although Li Yinghong is already an extremely beautiful woman, in terms of the five virtues and beauty, she still slightly lags behind Chun Yu Zhongxiu, and is also two or three years younger. In terms of temperament and maturity, there is indeed a considerable distance. Of course, if another two years pass, and Li Yinghong grows up a bit more and becomes mature, even if she can't surpass Chun Yu Zhongxiu, the difference won't be much.

  Those two young scholars were already staring blankly, their eyes fixed straight on Chun Yu Zhong Xiu, almost as if they had lost their souls. A few slightly older ones were a bit better, but they also sat up straight and proper, putting on a dignified appearance.

  However, Chun Yu Bo apparently was already familiar with this scene, so he bowed to everyone and smiled: "Because my daughter took a long time to dress up, we came late and kept everyone waiting. This is our fault. Zhong Xiu, don't you hurry to greet the gentlemen?"

  Jun Yu Zhongxiu also stepped forward, slightly opening her vermilion lips, curving her knees, and said: "I apologize for keeping everyone waiting, Zhongxiu is here to pay respects to everyone." Her voice was melodious and crisp, extremely pleasant to the ear.

  Others who heard it also hurried to return the courtesy, and a young man was so busy that he accidentally knocked over his wine glass. He was immediately embarrassed and flustered. Fortunately, Zhao Jiadong said: "Mr. Chunyu and Miss are really too polite, please come in and sit down quickly." One sentence brought it over, and this awkwardness was finally resolved.

  Jun Yu's father and daughter were arranged to sit on the right side of the first seat, just next to Gao Yuan and Li Yinghong's seats. As they passed by, Li Yinghong and Jun Yu Zhongxiu exchanged a glance, clearly both taking notice of each other.

  After everyone sat down again, Chun Yu Bo smiled and said: "Of course, there are many distinguished scholars here. However, I am not familiar with these famous scholars, so please introduce one or two to me."

  Zhao Jia hastily introduced the guests to Chun Yu's father and daughter. On the left side of the first seat was a man over sixty years old, named Tian Zikai, who was a famous Confucian scholar in Zhao State. In his youth, he had studied under Zhang Bi, a disciple of Meng Pi, at the Jixia Academy in Qi State. Now, he was also considered the master of Confucianism in Zhao State, with many disciples, some of whom were officials in the court, and held a very high position in Zhao State, which was why he was seated on the left side of the first seat. Although Tian Zikai's hair and beard had turned white, his spirit was still good, and his face was full of rosy glow. Chun Yu's father and daughter also showed great respect for him, addressing him as "Master".

  By Tian Zijings side was a young man of about thirty years old, his proud disciple, named Gong Sunlong.

  The two people on the right are both around fifty years old. The third person is called Song Rong, who has a slender build but a natural demeanor, with an air of elegance and refinement that is characteristic of a Taoist scholar. The fourth person is particularly unusual, wearing no hat, just a simple cloth headscarf, dressed in plain hemp clothes and shoes, and on the table in front of him there are no wine cups or jugs, only a bowl of clear water. It turns out that this person's name is Di Jin, a Mohist.

  For these two people, Chun Yu Fu and his daughter were also very respectful and courteous, but mainly it was Chun Yu Bo who spoke, while Chun Yu Zhong Xiu did not say a word. Song Rong also responded with great courtesy, but Di Jin just slightly nodded his head. However, the Mohist disciples had always advocated for reducing etiquette, so Chun Yu Fu and his daughter did not find it strange.

  The four people on the right have all introduced themselves, and of course, the left side starts with Gao Yuan and Li Yinghong. After listening to Zhao Jia's introduction, Chun Yu Bo's eyes also flashed with excitement, and he cupped his hands in respect: "Gao Daifu, I have long admired your great name since my time in Qin State. Today, I am finally able to meet you, and this trip to Zhao State is not in vain."

  Gao Yuan Dao: "Sir, you've said too much."

  However, when introducing Li Yinghong, Chun Yu Zhongxiu also bowed slightly and said: "I've long heard of Miss Li's great name, today I finally meet you, it's Zhongxiu's good fortune for three lifetimes. In the future, I'll have to get closer to Miss Li often."

  Li Yinghong also said: "Where, where, I have always respected and welcomed Miss Chunyu. In fact, this time is an uninvited visit. Also welcome Mr. Chunyu and Miss Chunyu to my house as guests, my father will be very happy."

  Chunyu Bo smiled and said, "I have always admired Wu Anjun. This time I came to Zhao State, it's rare that Wu Anjun is also in Handan, so I couldn't help but come to visit him."

  Others who heard this were also very regretful, why didn't they bring their wives or daughters? This way, the women could have taken the initiative to invite Xun Yu and his daughter to their homes as guests. In fact, at such gatherings, people usually bring their female relatives, but except for Gao Yuan, everyone else did not bring any female relatives. The reason is obvious: how can they show off in front of Xun Yu's talented daughter when their wives or daughters are present?

  And on the left, there were two others. One was named Shen Chen, who had just knocked over his wine cup. He was about the same age as Gong Sunlong and, apart from Gao Yuan and Li Yihong, they were the youngest of the group. Zhao Jia introduced him as a descendant of the famous Legalist scholar Shen Buhai and also a Legalist scholar himself.

  The last one was called Zhong Lifu, about thirty-six or seven years old, and Zhao Jia introduced him as a military strategist.

  The Warring States period was touted as an era of a hundred schools of thought contending, but in reality, there were only over a dozen influential doctrines, and the rest were just tagging along. This gathering brought together Confucianism, Legalism, Taoism, Mohism, Military strategy, and Miscellaneous schools, all of which were considered to be influential doctrines. Therefore, it was also a grand feast of academic exchange. Of course, such gatherings frequently occurred in this era, with scholars from various schools gathering together, freely expressing their academic views, exchanging ideas, and inevitably engaging in debates. However, compared to the later Han, Tang, Song, and Ming dynasties, the academic atmosphere of this era was indeed very free. Gao Yuan was also quite curious, wondering what kind of arguments these people would come up with.

  After everyone had chatted for a while, Tian Zikai spoke first: "I heard that Mr. Chunyu and his daughter came to Qin State this time for sightseeing, I wonder what they think of Qin State?"

  Xun Yu smiled slightly and said, "In the past, when Xunzi entered the state of Qin, he once said, 'When entering a territory, observe its customs. The common people are simple, their music is not lewd, their attire is not extravagant, they fear the authorities and are obedient - these are the people of old. When arriving at the capital city and government offices, the officials are solemn and respectful, all being humble, reverent, loyal, and trustworthy, without any deceit - these are the officials of old. When entering the state and observing its scholars and gentlemen, they go out from their gates and enter the public gate, exit the public gate and return to their homes, with no private matters; they do not form cliques or factions, occasionally gathering without being secretive or partisan, all being open and fair - these are the superior gentlemen of old. Observing its court, the court is tranquil, listening to and deciding on all matters without delay, calm as if there were no government at all - this is the court of old. Therefore, for four generations they have been victorious, not by chance but by fate. This is what I have seen. Therefore it is said: 'Relaxed yet governed, simple yet detailed, not troublesome yet effective, this is the ultimate in governance.' Qin is indeed like this. I originally had my doubts about this, but after entering Qin and seeing things for myself, which are largely consistent with Xunzi's words, I realized that what Xunzi said was not empty talk."

  Sun Wu said after, Shen Chen showed a happy face, while Tian Zijing and Gongsun Long both sank their faces.

  The gist of this passage is: The people of Qin are simple and honest, their music is not lewd, their clothing is not light or gaudy, they fear the officials and obey the law; the officials are serious and sincere, modest and frugal, loyal and trustworthy without being careless; scholars enter the government office as soon as they leave their own homes, and return home as soon as they leave the government office, with no private matters to attend to; they do not form cliques or factions, but are wise and intelligent, clean and public-spirited; the ruler handles all affairs of state without leaving any unfinished business, so that he appears to have nothing to worry about. This is a situation that only occurs under the rule of ancient sage-kings. Therefore, Qin has had victories for four generations, not by chance, but because it was inevitable. So it is said: To be at ease oneself and yet to govern well, to have simple laws and yet to be thorough, to have few affairs of state and yet to achieve results - this is the highest level of politics. Qin is like that.