Chapter 32: Successfully Hooked a Master

Xi Sheng seemed to be writing something, and Li Su did not speak first. He carefully observed the arrangement of the room and concluded that this elder was a man of refined taste.

When Xi Sheng finished writing, he lifted his head to look at Li Su. Li Su held himself with calm composure, neither arrogant nor servile, showing no trace of anxiety.

Xi Sheng’s face remained impassive. “Tell me your thoughts on the relationship between ruler and people, ruler and ministers, ruler and generals.”

Li Su’s heart skipped a beat. To ask such a question right at the start—either he was testing a traitor, or he was someone of high status.

His mind raced. The man’s mysterious demeanor suggested either possibility was equally likely. In the end, Li Su chose an answer that could not go wrong.

“The ruler is the parent of the people; the people are the foundation of the nation. The ruler is the boat, the people are the water; water can carry the boat, but also overturn it. The ruler and his ministers are as interdependent as fish and water; the ministers are the ruler’s limbs, the ruler is the ministers’ pillar. As for the ruler and his generals, they are like the two wheels of a cart, the twin wings of a bird—only when balanced can they advance far.”

Xi Sheng asked him several more questions, to which Li Su answered each one without hesitation.

At last, Xi Sheng could not help but laugh heartily. “Not bad. Would you be willing to take me as your teacher?”

“May I trouble you to answer one question for me first?” Li Su did not accept immediately.

“Ask away,” Xi Sheng replied, curious as to what he would inquire.

“May I know your identity?” The other had assessed him, but he still knew nothing of the man before him. As for his abilities, Li Su could already sense them through the examination; there would be no issue in learning the essay style from him.

In this era, choosing a teacher was of great importance. With the right teacher, one could avoid many detours; with the wrong one, ruin was possible. A teacher here was as a second parent.

Xi Sheng was momentarily silent. Was he being assessed in turn? This child was rather interesting.

“My disciples have all achieved success in the current dynasty. I myself only wish to retire here. There is nothing questionable about my identity, nor would it affect your imperial examinations. However, being my disciple is no easy matter,” Xi Sheng answered coolly. “Do you have anything else to ask?”

Li Su shook his head and dropped to his knees. “Master above, please accept your disciple’s bow.”

A faint smile appeared on Xi Sheng’s lips. “Rise.”

Li Su stood, poured a cup of tea, and offered it with a sycophantic air. “Master, please have some tea.”

Xi Sheng took the cup, sipped, and nodded slightly.

He had never married, his life devoted to scholarship. He had accepted a few disciples, but now they had all graduated and were busy with their own affairs. Only Uncle Lin had remained by his side.

He had not expected to take on another disciple at this stage of his life.

Xi Sheng took out a jade pendant. “Consider this your gift upon becoming my disciple.”

Li Su rose and accepted it with both hands. At a glance, he could tell the jade pendant was of great value. “Thank you, Master.”

“Come with me,” said Xi Sheng. He led Li Su out, where Uncle Lin waited. Seeing the two emerge together, and noting the rare hint of joy on his master’s face, Uncle Lin knew the arrangement was settled.

Xi Sheng’s expression hardly differed from usual, but Uncle Lin, having served so long at his side, could detect subtle shifts in his mood. That was likely why he had been able to remain by Xi Sheng’s side for so many years.

Li Su and Xi Sheng boarded the carriage together, and Uncle Lin’s attitude toward Li Su became even more respectful.

“Master, young master, we have arrived.” Xi Sheng nodded at him.

Li Su looked at the residence before him and thought to himself that his master was truly a man of substantial means—the house was the very image of understated luxury.

He followed Xi Sheng into the study. Xi Sheng placed a thick stack of books on the table and began to sort through more.

“As my disciple, you will have to study more than others. Some of these books are not for the civil examinations, but if I give them to you, you must memorize and understand them all. I will test you.”

Li Su watched as the pile of books on the table grew, eventually towering over him.

He did love reading, but his main goal was to learn how to write the eight-legged essay.

Then Xi Sheng remarked, “Memorizing and understanding these books will greatly help you in composing the essay.”

Li Su thought this reasonable—the more you accumulate, the more skillful your writing becomes. Very well, he would read them all.

Xi Sheng selected the books he deemed suitable for Li Su at present and handed him two to start. “Take these two home for now. When you have memorized them thoroughly, come back to see me.”

Xi Sheng was not a teacher who micromanaged. He required his disciples to have self-discipline and insight; he would not even set a deadline for them.

Li Su took the two books, resolved to stay up all night if needed to finish memorizing them so he could return to his master and ask to be taught the essay style.

“Very well.”

“You may go for now,” Xi Sheng said, feeling somewhat tired and dismissing Li Su.

Li Su bowed. “Then, Master, I take my leave.”

Uncle Lin was waiting to see the young master’s crushed expression. Every one of the elder’s disciples had experienced this moment, and he always took the opportunity to comfort them and assuage his guilt for having spoken poorly of them before.

Li Su stepped out, gently closed the door behind him, and let out a long breath. It was no easy task to ‘fish’ for a master.

He glanced at the two books in his hands, eyes full of determination.

Uncle Lin studied Li Su’s expression. Why did the young master look so at ease—not at all dejected or distressed?

Could it be that the master had grown gentle with his disciples? That didn’t seem right. Perplexed, Uncle Lin asked, “Young master, did the master give you books as well?”

Li Su nodded. “He did—these two for now. But the ones he stacked on the table were taller than me.”

So the master hadn’t gone soft after all, Uncle Lin thought, casting Li Su a sympathetic look. The young master likely had no idea of the ordeal ahead; once he did, he would not remain so calm.

“Young master, you must study those books well,” Uncle Lin advised. The master never set deadlines for his disciples, but all the previous ones had been scolded mercilessly for this.

Arrive early, and any small mistake or hesitation—scolded! Dared to come unprepared!

Arrive late—directly scolded! Any flaw during questioning—scolded without mercy!

The previous disciples had all been berated to the point of doubting their aptitude for scholarship, yet their examination rankings were all impressive.

Two had even taken the top honors, and neither had been spared the scoldings. One could imagine how intimidating it was. Li Su was the fourth disciple.

Li Su, unaware of his master’s temperament, simply thought Uncle Lin was worried he would not study diligently. He nodded slightly. “I understand, Uncle Lin. I’ll head home now.”

“I’ll drive you back. I have nothing else to do anyway.”

Li Su quickly replied, “No need, Uncle Lin. I can go back by myself. Please take care of Master.”

Only he remained constantly by the elder’s side, though there were plenty of others in the household to look after him.

“Then I’ll have a servant escort you. How could we let the master’s young disciple walk home alone?”

In the end, Li Su agreed. As the carriage entered the village, the returning farmers began to gossip.

“Why is there a carriage in our village? Isn’t that something only the wealthy can afford?”

“It’s heading toward the Li family, isn’t it?”

“Seems so. Has the Li family got some wealthy relatives?”

“The Li family’s been doing better and better lately. They’ve even started a food business in town, and I hear they eat meat every day now.”

As they spoke, the villagers followed in the direction of the carriage, their words laced with envy and jealousy.