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In the early Han Dynasty, most poems contained the character "xi" (兮). Later generations explained that this character had no specific meaning and was used as a modal particle. However, during the Han Dynasty, "xi" represented a form of transition from song lyrics, something that could be chanted. Unfortunately, by later generations, there were no specific records of what tune or rhythm was used to sing it.
Chinese agrarian civilization has endured too many hardships, and many things have been lost in the long river of history...
One of the reasons Cai Yan found Fei Qian's poetry so novel was the absence of the "xi" character. This made it difficult for her to determine whether to use the Chu, Yue, or Zhou rhyme.
No matter how she tried to match it, it didn't seem to fit well, which troubled her, as she prided herself on being quite knowledgeable about music. This junior brother of hers didn't even leave a note beside the poem—how was anyone supposed to guess?
However, Cai Yan still understood the meaning of these two lines. Overall, the idea was good, but—
Hmph, is he calling me a withered tree or a sunken boat?
Most of the Yellow River is still clear, okay?
It's the Jing River that's muddy!
This junior brother really needs to read more books. I should find time to talk to Father about this. If such knowledge gets out, it will embarrass the Cai family...
Let's make a list of books Fei Qian needs to study—
"Chu Ci" should be added, and "Yue Fu" as well. The rhymes are all wrong. If he doesn't like using "xi," then he should at least be familiar with Ban Gu's works... Add "Bai Hu Tong Yi," and "Liang Du Fu" is also well-written. Although it's a fu, never mind, add it too. Oh, and "Han Shu"...
Also, Fei Qian's calligraphy has issues—it has form but no spirit. He needs more practice...
Let me think carefully about what copybooks to find for him...
*******************
Fei Qian was still relieved that Cai Yong hadn't been in the mood to assign him any homework these past few days due to his unresolved worries. Then, he received a long list of books he must read and steles he must copy, assigned by his senior sister Cai Yan on behalf of their teacher.
This long list made Fei Qian's head spin.
Cai Yan, Cai Zhaoji, I haven't offended you!
If Fei Qian had known that casually writing those lines of poetry would bring him so much homework, he would have never written them.
The only consolation was that these assignments could be done slowly, without urgency. Otherwise, Fei Qian would have felt like jumping into the Jing River.
That day, after drinking and practicing martial arts at Lü Bu's house, Lü Bu and Zhang Liao helped him apply a secret ointment made by Lü Bu to relieve most of his muscle soreness. Otherwise, the next day, not only would walking be difficult, but even getting out of bed or feeding himself might have been a problem.
After all, Fei Qian's original body was quite frail and hadn't been exercised much.
As for the embarrassing scene of applying the ointment, Fei Qian decided to selectively forget it.
Although Fei Qian understood that Lü Bu's willingness to use this ointment—reportedly made from the fat of a grassland alpha wolf mixed with herbs—to relieve his muscle soreness showed that Lü Bu indeed thought highly of him, the problem was—Lü Bu didn't even discuss it first...
Or at least he could have found a few maids to help...
Fei Qian still had some complaints.
Actually, Fei Qian didn't consider that such thick ointment needed to penetrate deep into the muscles, which required considerable strength. Moreover, this kind of treatment had to be done in one go; otherwise, stopping halfway would make the muscles even more painful.
If Lü Bu hadn't taken a liking to Fei Qian and found him agreeable, and hadn't helped him find a new suitable weapon, he wouldn't have bothered. Back when Lü Bu was training himself, he endured all the pain alone...
But martial arts training had to be put aside for now. Fei Qian needed to hurry to the east of the city to prepare before his teacher Cai Yong arrived.
Master Liu Hong was about to take up his post in Shanyang Commandery.
Although the two old men had already shared a farewell drink in private, when Liu Hong was officially leaving, Cai Yong still wanted to see him off. Of course, as a disciple, Fei Qian had to be there too; otherwise, it would be extremely rude.
About ten miles outside Luoyang, along the official road, there were small pavilions built. Besides serving as resting spots, these pavilions had another important purpose—they were places for farewells.
When Fei Qian arrived early in a hired carriage, he looked around and didn't see Cai Yong, so he breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he wasn't late; being late would have been very rude.
Fei Qian instructed the carriage driver to help set up the wine and meat he had bought in a pavilion with a good view and relatively clean. Then he stood quietly by the roadside, waiting for Cai Yong and Liu Hong to arrive.
Soon, a simple carriage approached, and Cai Yong stepped out. Seeing the wine Fei Qian had prepared in the pavilion, Cai Yong nodded but said nothing, standing quietly by the roadside like Fei Qian.
Who would know that a court attendant and a great literary scholar, like an ordinary scholar, would stand by the roadside, eating dust while waiting for a friend?
Not long after, a procession of three carriages and a dozen guards slowly approached. On the front carriage hung the tall staff of a governor.
Liu Hong had arrived.
It wasn't that Liu Hong wanted to show off, but it was a court rule that officials on official business must display their staff to indicate their status. Violators would be punished for impropriety. While Cai Yong and Fei Qian were seeing off a friend as a private matter and could dress casually, Liu Hong was taking up a new post, which was official business. Thus, he not only had his staff but also guards assigned by the court.
When the procession arrived, Liu Hong got out of the carriage and walked hand in hand with Cai Yong into the pavilion.
The guards in Liu Hong's procession had experienced countless farewells and didn't need instructions. They found a spot by the roadside to park the carriages and wait.
However, these guards didn't expect that Fei Qian had not only prepared wine for Cai Yong to bid farewell to Liu Hong but had also prepared portions for the guards. Fei Qian, with the help of the hired carriage driver, served the guards, giving them a pleasant surprise, and they thanked him repeatedly.
Seeing Fei Qian's actions, Liu Hong pointed at him and said to Cai Yong, "Look, this young man is quite thoughtful."
"Ziyuan is indeed amiable and considerate in his interactions," Cai Yong agreed. But today wasn't about praising Fei Qian; it was about seeing you off. "Yuanzhuo, our time together has been short, and now we must part again. Who knows when we'll meet again after this farewell."
Both old men were advanced in age.
If they were young, there would still be plenty of time ahead. But now, both were gray-haired, and whether they would meet again was truly uncertain.
After settling the guards, Fei Qian hurried back to the pavilion and saw Cai Yong and Liu Hong holding hands, tears in their eyes...
*****
A/N: During the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Yellow River had not yet completely turned yellow, sometimes clear, sometimes muddy. At that time, the court even used the clarity of the Yellow River to judge the state of the nation... So if any of you are fortunate enough to time-travel, be very careful when quoting poetry. Meeting someone like Cai Yan is one thing, but if you happen to encounter a literary inquisition, even losing your head might not be enough.