Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Author of the Three-Character Poem (Part Three)

Jianyang, Kouting Villa.

Chen Shengzhi tossed a sheet of paper onto the desk and scolded, "We were nearly deceived by that boy. To think he could compose such poetry at the age of thirteen and be a rare talent of his generation! Turns out he’s nothing but a shameless charlatan.”

The Supervisor of the Prefectural Academy, Li, waved his hand, signaling his attendants to withdraw.

Li turned to Chen Shengzhi and said, "Master Chen, do not let anger get the better of you. The journey to the capital is imminent; it’s hardly worth your health to be upset by such trifles.”

Chen Shengzhi turned and replied, "Fortunately, your people in Jianzhou were cautious enough to send me the poem that boy wrote. Otherwise, I might have made a fool of myself. What kind of distorted poem is this?"

The sheet before Chen Shengzhi contained none other than Zhang Yue’s so-called “Prodigy’s Poem.”

Li said, “You are absolutely right, Master Chen. I have spent these last days studying the 'Three-Character Poem,' examining it closely. Save for the line, 'Uncut jade cannot be fashioned; unlearned men cannot know virtue,' which is lifted verbatim from the 'Zutangji' of the Five Dynasties, the rest shows no sign of being copied or imitated.”

“Moreover, though the language of this poem is simple, its lines are short and the rhymes harmonious. For example, the rhyme schemes of Preface, Suzhou, Jiangyang, Qiyi, and Renchen are all skillfully used. This is by no means a coincidence, nor is it the work of a mediocre student who cannot even manage basic rhyming.”

“What’s more, the boy himself admitted before the Magistrate of Pucheng that he cannot compose poetry.”

Chen Shengzhi looked at the paper on his desk and said, “Indeed, for such a ‘Prodigy’s Poem,’ though there is something unconvincing about it, even a beginner wouldn’t present a work so clumsy in structure. This ‘Three-Character Poem’ is certainly not of his making. At first, I considered bestowing him with honors and wealth—now I am grateful I did not.”

Li hesitated a moment and probed, “Master Chen, your nephew is exceptionally gifted, with poetic talent unmatched among his peers. He is about to accompany you to the capital—would this not be a good opportunity to make his name known in the capital’s circles?”

Chen Shengzhi waved his hand. “No, I would never involve myself in such dubious matters.”

Li immediately stepped back and said, “My words were reckless. I beg your forgiveness.”

Chen Shengzhi, gazing out the window and stroking his beard, mused, “Who do you think actually composed this poem?”

Li replied, “If you truly wish to know, summon the boy and question him. Though he is a student of the county academy, he would not dare defy your inquiry.”

Chen Shengzhi said, “We cannot force a child like that. Still, I am most curious to know who truly authored this ‘Three-Character Poem.’”

Li smiled, “Perhaps it was some reclusive scholar with no interest in fame or fortune, whose verses the boy happened to overhear. It would be difficult to trace the source now.”

Chen Shengzhi chuckled, “Perhaps you’re right.”

---

Chen Shengzhi then asked, “Do you know how Jiaofu responded when I sent him this ‘Three-Character Poem’ by letter?”

Li smiled, “That is a hard question for me. Prefect Wang is acclaimed as a scholar of our age—his standards are so high that ordinary works seldom catch his eye.”

Chen Shengzhi laughed, “Jiaofu is indeed learned, but he lacks consistency in principle. Though he is diligent and well-read, he is also stubborn and proud, rarely willing to praise others easily—this much is true.”

“And what of his opinion on the ‘Three-Character Poem’?” Li inquired.

Chen Shengzhi replied, “He said nothing directly, but kept pressing me to reveal the poem’s author. He mentioned consulting an old friend in Jianzhou, but that friend knew of no such master in Meng studies.”

Li asked, “Is this old friend of Prefect Wang’s Zhang Wangzhi?”

Chen Shengzhi nodded. “Years ago, Zhang Youzhi had a falling out with Li Xiujiang, also known as Li Gou. Li Gou satirized Zhang in a letter, and Zhang Wangzhi corresponded with him as well; both sides took different positions on the question of Meng studies.”

“This dispute drew in many scholars. Li Xiujiang had a student named Zeng Gong, who personally traveled to Jianyang to debate the issue. Jiaofu, a close friend of Zeng Gong, thereby became acquainted with Zhang Wangzhi. They shared views on Meng studies and thus formed a friendship.”

Li said, “Zhang Wangzhi is friendly with Lord Ouyang, the examiner for this year’s tribute scholars. Even Zhang’s courtesy name was bestowed by Lord Ouyang. It is only natural that Prefect Wang and Zhang Wangzhi are friends.”

Chen Shengzhi continued, “But for Jiaofu to bypass me and consult Zhang Wangzhi directly shows that this poem truly intrigued him.”

Li agreed, “Indeed, as a master of Meng studies, Prefect Wang must have been delighted to discover such a poem.”

Chen Shengzhi sighed, “He may be delighted, but now—how am I to answer him?”

Li was at a loss, “I have handled this matter poorly.”

After exchanging a few more words, Li took his leave. Chen Shengzhi pondered the situation—though he had said little, Li understood what was expected. At worst, he would need to employ a few stratagems. As the Supervisor of the Prefectural Academy, it would not be difficult to make a county student reveal the truth.

He need not act himself—a letter to the assistant instructor in Pucheng would suffice.

As he reached the door, a servant approached Li, visibly anxious, and whispered a few words.

Li’s expression changed; he immediately returned to the Chen residence to request another audience with Chen Shengzhi.

He was admitted to the hall, where Chen Shengzhi was reading history.

---

Without lifting his head, Chen Shengzhi asked, “Supervisor Li, why have you returned?”

Li bowed, approached, and whispered, “Master Chen, the second son of the Zhang family has just passed the imperial examination as a presented scholar.”

“What?” Chen Shengzhi looked up, set down his book, and said slowly, “I had long heard that young Master Zhang was no ordinary man, but I did not expect him to achieve such distinction at so young an age. Truly, we have missed our opportunity by a hair’s breadth.”

Li said, “Master Chen, I wonder—could it be that the ‘Three-Character Poem’ was composed by young Master Zhang?”

Chen Shengzhi glanced at Li. “There is much to support that idea. Suddenly everything makes sense. What a pity!”

“If that is the case and I could introduce young Master Zhang to Wang Jiaofu—” Chen Shengzhi mused, “I can inquire of him directly when I reach the capital.”

Li replied quickly, “Rest assured, Master Chen. Before you depart for the capital, I will get to the bottom of this.”

Afterward, Chen Shengzhi shook his head, while Li departed in some embarrassment.

This matter had indeed put him in a difficult position. It was he who had presented the “Three-Character Poem” to Chen Shengzhi, and now the poem had drawn attention. Prefect Wang Anshi of Changzhou had asked Chen Shengzhi about its author, yet Li still could not provide an answer.

Chen Shengzhi’s displeasure reflected his own incompetence. He still relied on Chen Shengzhi’s patronage, but with the latter about to leave for the capital, failure to resolve this would mean losing all future opportunities.

Had young Master Zhang not passed the exam, Li would have had ways to make Zhang Yue divulge the truth. He could have arranged for Zhang to be admitted to the prefectural academy; coming from a poor family, the boy would not have refused. Once in the academy, he would be at Li’s mercy.

But now, even if Zhang entered the academy, what would it matter? To a twenty-year-old presented scholar, Li dared not employ any questionable means.

What was he to do?

Would he have to humbly beseech Zhang Yue for the truth? If force wouldn’t work, he would have to try persuasion.

He had truly hoisted a stone only to drop it on his own foot.

Now, Li could only look up at the heavens in silent despair.