Chapter Ten: The Kong Family Banquet

Song Mu spent only a short while in Master Xun’s study. After a few words of admonition at the beginning, Master Xun proceeded to test Song Mu’s knowledge, checking whether he had kept up with his studies. The Thousand Character Classic, the Four Books and Five Classics—practically everything Song Mu might have learned was put to the test. Having not been idle at home these past days, and with his own considerable expertise, Song Mu found these questions easy to handle. As the examination came to an end, Master Xun, though not expressing utter satisfaction, nodded repeatedly in approval.

Upon leaving the study, Song Mu immediately encountered Kong Zong waiting outside.

“Brother Song, our family is holding a banquet today. I must insist that you attend,” Kong Zong said respectfully, catching Song Mu somewhat off guard. Song Mu promptly clasped his hands in reply.

“That is too much, Brother Kong. There’s no need for such formality between friends.”

But Kong Zong shook his head firmly. “Please do not decline, Brother Song. Today, I owe you a great debt. If I do not treat you with due ceremony, the Kong family will have no face left in this town.”

Solemn and insistent, Kong Zong’s manner left no room for refusal. Song Mu opened his mouth to protest, but seeing Kong Zong’s resolve, he could only agree.

Returning to the classroom, Song Mu at once sensed the change in atmosphere. Both the instructors and his fellow students treated him with unusual courtesy; some of the younger scholars even greeted him with a hint of flattery. Song Mu felt a little uncomfortable but understood the reason. The poem he had just composed had benefited them all, and their attitude toward him had accordingly improved. He responded to several classmates with a smile, but sighed inwardly.

In the past, even as a scion of the scholarly Song family, Song Mu’s relationships seldom went beyond mere acquaintance. Now, however, a single poem that enhanced their scholarly vigor and spirit had brought them tangible benefit, and their faces were wreathed in smiles, their manner suddenly intimate. Such was the result of a society that revered scholars above all; true strength, in the end, was a person’s only foundation.

Even so, friendship aside, the county school remained a place for learning. After a brief respite, everyone threw themselves back into their books with renewed vigor. The county examination was imminent, and the pursuit of scholarly distinction was paramount—everyone strove toward this goal with all their might.

Song Mu, too, was engrossed in a few volumes of commentary he had just borrowed. Though the Song family had long been a house of letters, and their ancestors had left behind a trove of books, misfortune after misfortune had reduced their once vast library to a single chest of volumes. When the creditors came calling, even the sandalwood chest that held the books was taken away; had Song Mu not risked everything to protect them, even the last family heirlooms would have been lost.

These past days, Song Mu had read through every book at home, but still found it insufficient. A true scholar’s breadth could not be satisfied with a single chest of books. Lacking means, Song Mu seized every chance to borrow from others’ collections.

Fortunately, Kong Zong was generous, sharing several volumes from his own family’s library, which Song Mu deeply appreciated. At midday, Song Mu dined simply with a few classmates at the academy. In the evening, after submitting his essay, he was whisked away by Kong Zong to the latter’s residence.

“No need to be reserved, Brother Song. My father has already heard of today’s events. He was delighted by your excellent poem and expressed a strong desire to meet you,” Kong Zong explained as they made their way. Song Mu felt a pang of embarrassment.

Kong Zong’s father, Kong Siqi, had passed the imperial examination as a presented scholar twelve years ago. Though he ranked near the bottom, it was nevertheless a great honor, establishing the third scholarly lineage in Shiyang County. Kong Siqi had been serving in office elsewhere, but had returned for the ancestral rites and to visit family. Upon learning that Song Mu had composed an inspiring poem for Kong Zong, he was overjoyed and insisted on meeting him.

Following Kong Zong to the Kong residence, Song Mu was greeted by a scene of lively festivity. Kong Siqi was hosting not only his clan but also local officials and prominent families; the household was bustling with activity. Song Mu was astonished by the scale of the affair, though Kong Zong seemed unruffled. He led Song Mu through the house and asked him to wait for a moment in the study.

The Kong family’s study was elegantly appointed, not overly spacious, but lined on all sides with bookshelves crammed full. Song Mu was instantly drawn in, though he dared not touch anything, and could only gaze from a distance, filled with longing. To possess a study such as this had been an unattainable dream for him in the past, but now, given a second chance at life, he resolved that he, too, would one day have such a library.

As Song Mu admired the collection, the door opened and two sets of footsteps sounded.

“Father, this is my benefactor, Song Mu,” Kong Zong announced.

Song Mu quickly withdrew his gaze and turned around. At the door stood Kong Zong, introducing him to a tall, dignified man in a red, round-collared robe, sporting a few fine whiskers—none other than Kong Siqi.

Song Mu immediately bowed deeply. “Greetings, Prefect.”

“Ah, so you are Song Mu?” Kong Siqi stroked his beard, studying Song Mu with a look of approval, and stepped forward.

“No need for such formality. You have done a great service to my family; let us be closer. Call me Uncle, and I shall call you my worthy nephew. As it happens, your late father and I were once schoolmates and friends.”

Kong Siqi’s tone was warm and affable, his gaze appreciative. “Indeed, a true scion of the scholarly Song family—handsome and composed. You are destined for great things.”

With a smile, Kong Siqi gestured toward the door. “Come, my worthy nephew, let us go to the banquet together. Tonight, you are my honored guest.”

Song Mu was even more startled by this honor—he had not expected Kong Siqi to personally invite him to the banquet. Such treatment left him feeling somewhat dazed.

“I dare not presume, Uncle. Please, after you,” Song Mu replied hastily.

Kong Siqi did not insist, but the admiration in his eyes deepened. He led the way, with Song Mu and Kong Zong following closely behind.

Passing through two courtyards, the noise grew louder and the scene brighter. In the large main courtyard, over a dozen banquet tables were arranged, and every seat was filled—a truly festive sight. As Kong Siqi entered, all eyes turned toward the two young men following him.

No one wondered at Kong Zong’s presence; instead, their attention focused on Song Mu—the young man, equal in age to Kong Zong and of striking appearance, whose presence at the head table aroused curiosity.

Kong Siqi had just announced that he was going to invite an honored guest—could it really be this young man? The guests began whispering among themselves.

“Who is that young fellow?”

“He looks like Song Mu, the heir of the Song family in town.”

“Song Mu of the scholarly Song family? Why would Master Kong treat him with such respect? Something seems unusual.”

“You must not have heard. There was a strange phenomenon in Shiyang County today. Song Mu composed a poem brimming with talent and inspiration, and it was even entered into the Hall of Literary Glory!”

“A poem of inspiration? Remarkable! In a few days, it might even reach the ears of the Emperor.”

“Indeed! People said the Song family’s scholarly line had declined, but now? This is what you call a stunning rise. Mark my words, the Song family’s future will be anything but ordinary.”

“Oh, he’s still just a student. Let’s see if he becomes a licentiate before praising him further. Besides, did you know that just a few days ago, this Song Mu went out to Yanggang beyond the city...”

As Song Mu entered, the whispers multiplied, but before anyone could say much more, Kong Siqi led Song Mu to the main table and stood to address the guests.

“My dear friends, family, and neighbors, I have invited you here today not only to thank you for your support of our clan’s ancestral rites, but also to express my gratitude to my worthy nephew, Song Mu, for reviving the scholarly spirit of the Kong family.”

…