Chapter 35: The Master's Satisfaction with the Assessment

Xi Sheng kept a stern face, his expression grave, and instructed Li Su to place the books on the table. Picking one at random, he pointed to a page and said, “This one, page three, second paragraph.”

“Rites begin with people; people have desires, and when desires are unfulfilled, resentment cannot be avoided…” Li Su recited fluently without pause. For such questions, if not for his remarkable memory, he might not have managed to answer at all.

“Stop. The last word of this sentence appears again in the passage on page nineteen.”

“Heaven and earth are the foundation of life…” Xi Sheng’s demeanor remained as stern as ever as he continued the examination, sometimes providing only a single character and a page range, requiring Li Su to recite every sentence containing that word.

By the time Xi Sheng finished testing him on both books, Li Su’s throat was dry from so much recitation.

Though Li Su answered every question, he couldn’t help but inwardly sigh at how extreme this method of examination was. To specify page and paragraph numbers was one thing, but the rest—what was that even?

Xi Sheng raised his eyes slightly, looking at the parched Li Su with a calm expression, but inside, he was in utter turmoil.

His previous disciples, when first confronted with this kind of memorization test, had all stumbled—some could barely recall after pondering for a while, others were simply at a loss for words.

But this new little disciple recited smoothly from start to finish, without a moment’s hesitation, as if there were a book inside his head. And in such a short time, he had memorized the content of two entire books with such clarity.

That memory—Xi Sheng had to admit it surpassed even his own.

With such talent, Xi Sheng’s gaze at Li Su grew bright—he’d found a true gem!

Did this mean he could finally try those teaching methods on this disciple?

He had many ideas he believed suitable for teaching, but after trying them on his earlier disciples, he’d abandoned them—they simply couldn’t bear it.

But Li Su showed him the hope that his methods might finally be applied.

Li Su, oblivious to what was coming, had no idea what kind of days awaited him. When an “extreme” master met an equally “extreme” disciple, the result would be an inhuman set of study methods, unfit for any ordinary person.

“Are you able to understand the meaning of the sentences in these two books?” Xi Sheng asked.

Li Su was silent—naturally, he could not.

He shook his head honestly. Xi Sheng told him to sit, and began to explain each passage in turn.

Li Su licked his dry lips. “Master, may I have some water first?”

Xi Sheng paused for a moment, then poured him a cup of tea himself.

If his previous disciples saw him now, they would be utterly shocked. He used to scold them harshly after their faltering answers, and if they wanted water? He wouldn’t even consider pouring tea for them himself. He’d only say, “With answers like that, you have the nerve to say you’re thirsty? Do you need me to splash water on you to wake you up?”

Li Su received the cup with both hands. “Thank you, Master.”

The more Xi Sheng looked at this little disciple, the more satisfied he was—he only hoped Li Su wouldn’t grow rebellious like his senior brothers as he got older.

As Xi Sheng explained, Li Su made brief marks in the books—just enough to leave himself a memory point.

One taught, one listened, and so they continued until night fell.

Uncle Lin stood outside, looking at the darkening sky. Had the young master been scolded for so long? The master was too strict—the young master was still just a child…

After some hesitation, Uncle Lin knocked at the door, finally rousing the teacher and student from their immersion in the texts.

Lifting their heads, they realized how late it had become, but both were still reluctant to stop.

“Come in,” Xi Sheng called to Uncle Lin outside.

Uncle Lin’s first action upon entering was to observe their expressions, but they were nothing like he’d expected. The master wasn’t angry, the young master wasn’t despairing—if anything, they both looked quite pleased.

Li Su could only think that he had chosen the right master—truly a figure of great ability who pointed out problems with piercing accuracy.

Xi Sheng, too, was thoroughly satisfied with his new disciple—so gifted, perceptive, full of his own ideas, and sometimes surprising even his master with his unique perspectives.

Their rapport was so good they completely lost track of time.

As they emerged from that focused atmosphere, Li Su’s stomach rumbled audibly, and Xi Sheng, finding his own throat dry, poured himself a cup of tea, and another for Li Su.

Uncle Lin’s eyes widened—his master pouring tea for the young master?

Li Su reached out to receive it, as naturally as if he’d done it a thousand times before.

Uncle Lin drew a sharp breath. He’d have to be even more respectful toward the young master—none of the previous disciples had ever been treated like this.

“Uncle Lin, bring the meal in,” Xi Sheng instructed.

“Yes, sir.”

“Li Su, let’s eat together. Don’t go home tonight. Write an essay for me to review,” Xi Sheng said, clearly having high hopes for him.

Li Su was speechless—he was in for a tough time… It looked like a scolding was inevitable.

Still, it did nothing to dampen his appetite. If he was going to be scolded, so be it—as long as his master taught him, he felt he would make rapid progress with such a teacher.

Uncle Lin watched the two interacting and couldn’t help smiling. The master had always been lonely—no wife, no children—now, with the young master’s company, he seemed much happier.

Uncle Lin’s gaze grew gentler as it fell on Li Su, as if he were looking at a younger member of his own family.

…

Li Su spent a long time on his essay before finally finishing it, doing his utmost.

He presented it to Xi Sheng with both hands. Xi Sheng, still smiling, glanced at the handwriting—the smile faded a little. As he read the main text, the smile vanished entirely.

Li Su dared not make a sound.

Finishing, Xi Sheng looked up and fixed Li Su with a deathly stare. “Are you trying to be perfunctory with me? What is this garbage? Utter nonsense! I’ve never seen anything so poorly written in my life!”

Li Su held his breath and shook his head. “Essay writing really is my weak point.”

“You spent all that time and this is what you produced? A three-year-old could do better!”

“This isn’t even a weak point—others at least have something to show, but you have nothing.”

“And look at your handwriting! How did you practice? A chicken pecking at scattered rice could do better!”

Li Su thought to himself, Surely it’s not that bad?

Xi Sheng continued his tirade, leaving Li Su thoroughly chastised.

Outside, Uncle Lin listened to the commotion and, oddly, felt that this was normal.

Li Su’s calligraphy wasn’t actually that bad—just below Xi Sheng’s expectations.

As for the essay, it truly wasn’t good. The ideas and approach were sound, but the writing itself left much to be desired.

“From now on, you’ll come here every day to practice calligraphy for an hour and write an essay. I want to see improvement every day. Otherwise, you can forget about going home. Until your essays meet my minimum standard, you’re not leaving.” Xi Sheng was determined to correct Li Su’s calligraphy and essay writing.

Otherwise, how could he face the world if people said this was his disciple’s work?

As for giving up on this disciple? Impossible. Apart from essay writing, he was more than satisfied—essays could be learned, after all. The approach and ideas were there, it was just the execution that was lacking.

Li Su thought wryly that his words had become a prophecy—he really wasn’t going home.

Well, so be it. Time to work hard on his calligraphy and essays.