Chapter Twenty-Five: A Gentleman Embraces All with Great Virtue

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The “Declaration Memorial” that Zhang Yue encountered in his dream.

The “Declaration Memorial” was a renowned work by Zhong Yao. It was said that Zhong Yao practiced calligraphy with relentless diligence—regardless of place or circumstance, he seized every opportunity to write. Even when conversing with others, he practiced on the ground nearby. At night, he used his quilt as paper, and over time, wore a great hole through it.

The original “Declaration Memorial,” it was said, was sewn into the lining of Wang Dao’s robe during the turmoil of the Eight Princes, with which he crossed the river. Later, he gifted it to his clan nephew, Wang Xizhi, who in turn gave it to Wang Xiu. Wang Xiu was so fond of the piece that, upon his death, he had it buried with him.

The version of the “Declaration Memorial” handed down today is believed to be Wang Xizhi’s copy and is included in the imperial collection of the Song court, the “Chunhua Pavilion Calligraphy Collection.”

When Zhang Yue began writing the first character, “Shang,” of the “Declaration Memorial,” he immediately met with difficulty—no matter how he wrote it, he was dissatisfied.

Zhang Yue knew it was due to his lack of skill.

Fortunately, he had time to practice.

In the art of calligraphy, besides innate talent, the most important thing is effort. Did Zhong Yao not practice with utmost diligence? Even in his sleep, he traced characters with his finger on the quilt until it was ruined.

But no matter how diligent Zhong Yao was, did he ever have as much free time as Zhang Yue?

Here, Zhang Yue’s brushwork and strength were no different from usual.

When reading, Zhang Yue could hardly endure remaining here for six hours, so he usually only studied for five. Now, he forced himself to write for six hours each day and persisted in this way.

He planned henceforth to study for two hours, then write for two, and finally study for another two, so as to make full use of the six hours before leaving.

That night, autumn rain fell without pause.

The next morning, when Zhang Yue awoke, all the basins in the room were overflowing with rainwater.

The sight of rain leaking through the thatched roof had long since become routine.

Casually, Zhang Yue dipped his finger in the basin by the bed and wrote on the desk, “Minister of Works presents a declaration to Sun Quan…” A glance showed that his brushwork had indeed improved, if only slightly.

Guo Lin happened to return from washing up and, seeing Zhang Yue so diligently practicing, felt it a good idea and also dipped his finger in the basin to try… After writing a few characters without clarity, he moistened his finger with his tongue and tried again…

After dressing, Zhang Yue and Guo Lin had two bowls of plain porridge and headed to the Zhang clan academy. Along the way, Zhang Yue noticed Guo Lin frequently rubbing his finger on tree bark, for reasons unknown.

They entered the academy through the back gate.

Having used the main entrance yesterday, they had already familiarized themselves with the general layout of the academy.

Upon entering, to the left was the residence of the professors and lecturers, to the right, the students’ quarters. Passing through a northern gate led to the Hall of Daytime Glory, with corridors before and behind, a central inkstone pond, and willows planted throughout the courtyard.

Behind the Hall of Daytime Glory, in the center, was the archery range; to the northwest, the kitchen; to the northeast, the granary and library.

The Jianzhou Prefectural Academy and Pucheng County Academy both had dedicated copying rooms for the hired transcription of books. The Jianzhou academy even printed books for profit, using the proceeds to support the school’s provisions.

Today, they entered through a small gate in the northwest corner, the entrance used by the kitchen staff. Passing the archery range, they saw many students already practicing archery there.

Scholars of the Song dynasty still retained the old Han and Tang traditions—southerners practiced archery, northerners horsemanship.

Soon, the two arrived at the library gate, where the attendant opened the door for them.

Inside the gate were the granary and the library, both overseen by a single attendant.

This attendant was a man over fifty, with a stern face and an air of “do not disturb.”

“You two are here to copy books?”

“Yes,” Guo Lin replied respectfully.

“This is the place. You must not go upstairs, nor drink water or light candles in the library. Before leaving, you must report to me—even to use the privy…”

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“Yes,” replied Guo Lin.

“In here, my word is law. No arguments, or you’ll be thrown out!” The attendant declared fiercely.

The library had two floors. They were to copy manuscripts on the lower level, a cramped room with just two low desks, reed mats, and the paraphernalia of brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. After a whole day, one’s body would surely ache.

The attendant gave a few more instructions, fetched a book from upstairs, locked the door, and then left.

Facing a desk covered in writing materials, Zhang Yue suddenly understood why Ban Chao had once thrown aside his brush and exclaimed, “How can a real man devote his life to mere writing?”

While Zhang Yue was grinding ink and preparing water, the attendant returned with a stack of manuscripts for Guo Lin to copy, but none for Zhang Yue.

Zhang Yue paused, confused. “What’s this about?” he thought.

Copyists were paid by the page. If he wrote nothing, he’d earn nothing.

“Senior brother, do you need a hand?” As Guo Lin wrote busily, Zhang Yue asked after a while.

Guo Lin glanced at him, “No need.”

His tone was cool, still bearing a grudge from yesterday.

Unable to stand the musty smell, Zhang Yue stepped outside for air and saw the old attendant sitting by the library gate, engrossed in a book.

So studious, even at his age!

No wonder, Zhang Yue thought, that throughout history, librarians have produced so many remarkable people.

Returning, Zhang Yue heard Guo Lin frown and say, “Junior brother, could you please not pace about so much…”

Realizing he’d spoken too harshly, Guo Lin softened, “I know… I shouldn’t have acted that way yesterday. If you’re out of work because you’ve offended the dorm chief, I’ll go with you later to apologize.”

“No need, senior brother,” said Zhang Yue.

“If you won’t apologize, I will. We’re new here—endurance is everything.”

Suddenly, Zhang Yue said, “Senior brother, I’ve gained some new insight from reading the Book of Changes lately.”

“Oh? What insight?”

“It’s about the line: ‘The earth’s virtue is receptive; the gentleman carries things with great virtue.’ The Book of Changes uses the Qian hexagram to symbolize heaven, and the Kun hexagram for earth. Between Qian and Kun—one yang, one yin—are all the pairs: husband and wife, ruler and minister, host and guest, teacher and student, master and servant…

“So, ‘Heaven’s movement is vigorous, the gentleman strengthens himself ceaselessly’ means that when in the principal role—as husband, ruler, or father—a gentleman must rely on himself and not expect others to act. ‘The earth’s virtue is receptive’ means that when in the subordinate role—wife, minister, son—one should be virtuous, as accommodating and supportive as possible.”

In truth, Zhang Yue’s insight was borrowed from the motto of Wudaokou Vocational and Technical College: “Self-strengthening and virtue-carrying.”

Guo Lin put down his brush. “Are you using the Kun hexagram to describe our current position?”

Zhang Yue smiled, “Indeed, senior brother—you understand at once. The Kun hexagram corresponds to the Qian hexagram—it fits our situation. We’re newcomers; we’re in the guest position.”

“Kun is a favorable hexagram. The commentaries say, ‘The gentleman has somewhere to go—though lost at first, he will eventually gain success.’ The point is: persistence.”

Guo Lin nodded, “Makes sense. Tell me about the individual lines.”

Zhang Yue replied, “The six lines show transformation, which is the way of change. The first line: ‘Treading on frost, hard ice will come.’ Just like us, entering a new place—as you said, we’re ‘treading on frost, with hard ice underneath’—uncomfortable at first.”

“The second line: ‘Straight, square, and great; not learning, yet nothing is unfavorable.’ Though we’re new, there’s no real conflict of interest with those in charge—nothing to fear.”

“The third line: ‘Containing brilliance, one can be steadfast; serving the king’s affairs, no achievement, but completion.’ Again, as guests, we should act with virtue, endure, and do as we’re told—don’t seek merit, only completion.”

Guo Lin slapped his leg and laughed, “Well said, junior brother! And what about the next lines? How do you interpret the fourth, fifth, and top lines?”

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Zhang Yue thought for a moment, “The first three lines are the guest’s position, the last three are the host’s. The fourth line is moving from guest to host.”

“Line four: ‘Tying up the bag—no blame, no praise.’ At this stage, we’re half hosts, but should be even more cautious. Say nothing unnecessary—neither merit nor fault is best.”

“Line five: ‘Yellow skirt—great fortune.’ Here, you’re like the prime minister to the ruler, the lady of the house acting on her husband’s behalf, or a favored disciple to a teacher—the perfect harmony of host and guest. The fifth line is the line of merit.”

“Top line: ‘Dragons fight in the wild—their blood is black and yellow.’ At this point, the host and guest trade places, the minister usurps the ruler, the hen crows at dawn—inevitably, there will be conflict.”

Guo Lin laughed heartily at this. “Fascinating, fascinating!”

Zhang Yue continued, “Thus it is said: ‘The way of the receptive is indeed yielding, following heaven’s course. In a household that accumulates virtue, there will be blessings; in a household that accumulates evil, there will be disaster. Ministers slaying their rulers, sons slaying their fathers—these things do not happen overnight, but arise gradually, from failing to distinguish matters early enough.’”

“That is truly the conclusion of the Kun hexagram.”

Zhang Yue had not expected that, by casually speaking, he could recall so many passages from the Book of Changes, so clearly and easily as if reading them from his own palm.

He remembered this era as if it had only flickered before him in a dream the night before, and now…

The knowledge of the Book of Changes, he realized, was neither profound nor mysterious, but as clear and straightforward as this.

As Zhang Yue was speaking with Guo Lin, the attendant stood outside the door, listening for a while. Stroking his beard, he smiled, recognizing that this youth had some substance.

After chatting for a time, Guo Lin returned to his work. Zhang Yue, bored, soon felt sleepy and dozed off.

Not long after, there was a bang!

Zhang Yue was startled awake and saw Zhang Heng standing before him.

“You dare nap during the day? What on earth did your teacher teach you?” Zhang Heng demanded.

Zhang Yue glanced at Guo Lin, who looked utterly mortified with shame.

Zhang Yue replied, “Dorm chief, I didn’t know it was forbidden to nap in the Hall of Daytime Glory. Since you haven’t assigned me any tasks, I had no choice but to rest.”

The rule against napping in the Hall of Daytime Glory could, of course, be interpreted the other way.

Zhang Yue was not one to nurse grudges, but Zhang Heng had spoken condescendingly to him twice in as many days—once might be overlooked, but not twice, especially when just woken.

Even the mildest person has a temper upon waking.

Zhang Heng hadn’t expected Zhang Yue to retort and was both shocked and angry.

At that moment, the attendant entered and said, “Dorm chief, the teacher seems to be looking for you.”

Zhang Heng nodded, tossed a stack of papers onto Zhang Yue’s desk, and said, “Copy all of these. If you’re not done today, don’t bother coming tomorrow.”

With that, he swept out.

Guo Lin went over to console Zhang Yue. “What did you just say? ‘Treading on frost, hard ice will come.’ We’re new here, so we must adapt. Why get upset with him?”

“You’re right, senior brother.”

Zhang Yue then bowed to the attendant. “Thank you, sir, for stepping in just now.”

The attendant paused, turned, and said, “Young man, you’re clever, but I advise you to curb your temper, or you won’t last long here.”

“Thank you, sir. I’ll remember your advice.”