Song Chuyi cupped her hands in salute and said, “I did not know there were guests. I have been rude.”
“We arrived uninvited; do not blame us, Songzi,” everyone replied with returning salutes.
Song Chuyi adjusted her collar and said with a smile, “Friends arriving suddenly on a snowy day – I’m delighted. Please, everyone, come in.”
Everyone responded with courtesy one after another, removed their shoes on the veranda, and followed Song Chuyi into the main hall.
Ji Mian summoned several maids to serve tea and also followed them in.
Before Song Chuyi arrived, this main hall had been used by Nan Qi alone, and its furnishings were very refined, carrying quite a sense of noble elegance. Now Song Chuyi, standing in the room in complete disarray, looked like a refugee who had wandered into someone else’s home.
After Song Chuyi sat down, she first greeted everyone, “Today’s matter should be settled today. Everyone, please wait a moment. I must first settle accounts with a certain someone.”
“Please go ahead, Master Huaijin,” everyone said, cupping their hands.
As soon as Ji Mian saw Song Chuyi’s posture, he immediately said, “Huaijin, I truly did not use much force. Who knew that door could not withstand my pat? When I turned around, I went to find someone to install a new one for you. Another day I will host a banquet to soothe your shock.”
“You are indeed understanding,” Song Chuyi said with a smile. “Why not make it today? It just so happens that many friends have come specially to visit. With more people, it will be livelier.”
Ji Mian’s smile stiffened slightly, but facing more than twenty pairs of eyes, he could only grit his teeth and say, “Fine.”
“Straightforward,” Song Chuyi said, looking at everyone. “I thank heaven, knowing my purse is empty. Today, with honored guests arriving, I have specially traded a pair of door planks for a banquet to entertain guests. I wonder if you will do me the honor?”
A burst of hearty laughter erupted in the room. Someone said, “For such a grand banquet, how could we dare not attend?”
Everyone chimed in in agreement.
Song Chuyi returned to the bedroom and tidied up her appearance. From the clothes the steward had prepared, she found a large cloak with black fur, grabbed it, and threw it on to shield against the wind and snow.
When the scholars waiting in the main hall saw Song Chuyi again, as with everyone who met her for the first time, they were more or less surprised. Earlier, Song Chuyi had been disheveled, with a head of messy hair covering most of her face. Now that the hair was all combed up, it was clear that she was only a youth.
“I never imagined Huaijin was so young. It truly puts us to shame,” one of the scholars sighed.
Those who came to visit Song Chuyi today were all young people, mostly around twenty, the youngest at least eighteen. Having buried themselves in study for over ten years yet still falling short of a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old – how could they not feel disheartened?
How could Song Chuyi not understand their feelings? So she smoothly gave them a way out, cupping her hands with a smile and saying, “I have only just begun to move through the world, relying merely on some small cleverness. I cannot compare to the breadth and depth of your talent and virtue. In the future, while in Wey, I will still need to seek much advice from all of you.”
“Huaijin’s great talent – we are unworthy of such words,” everyone quickly replied with returning salutes.
Even if Song Chuyi had not said this, none of the scholars would have felt any dissatisfaction. One who could say, ” Those who follow the Dao flourish, and those who defy virtue perish. Reversal is the movement of the Dao; weakness is the function of the Dao” – how could that be mere small cleverness? But seeing that Song Chuyi showed not the slightest arrogance, they could not help but feel even more favorably disposed toward him, and their conversation became more relaxed.
Song Chuyi also well understood that too lofty a tune finds few to follow. She had merely catered to Wey’s national circumstances with a few remarks. Her foundation was unstable; once she became too isolated from the crowd, accomplishing anything would likely be extremely difficult. Without a solid mountain beneath one’s feet, the higher one climbs, the worse the fall. She wanted to establish a foundation in Wey, so she did not wish to elevate herself to the position of a “great master.”
Most scholars under heaven came from Qi, Lu, Wey, and Song. Qi and Lu might not tolerate a youth’s words running rampant, and Song was not a suitable place to remain. This was also one of the reasons Song Chu chose Wey.
The group still went to the tavern from that day. When the wine had flowed freely and everyone was merry, someone asked Song Chuyi, “Huaijin, your gaze is keen and penetrating. Why not give your assessment of the King of Wei and the state of Wei?”
Everyone else wore expressions of eager attention.
Song Chuyi stroked her brow. Just yesterday at the Marquis of Wey’s place, she had criticized Wei as utterly worthless… and today she would have to speak honestly…
After a moment of thought, Song Chuyi said, “Very well. I will venture a few words.”
Song Chuyi straightened up and said, “I once heard someone say that the King of Wei is a wise ruler, only that fortune has not favored him. A few major decision-making errors caused Wei to decline and never recover. I consider this reasonable. However, it was not that fortune did not favor the King of Wei – it is that he lacked the ability to recognize and properly employ talent.”
“It was also because he trusted Pang Juan and discarded Sun Bin,” someone immediately offered as an example.
Song Chuyi smiled and said, “Pang Juan was also a sharp sword, but the King of Wei did not know how to wield him, and in the end it wounded him instead.”
“That Gongzi Ang served as chancellor, but the timing was wrong,” Ji Mian sighed.
Yesterday, Song Chuyi had criticized Gongzi Ang as utterly worthless. First, because his current conduct was indeed so, and second, to make the Marquis of Wey happy listening. In the past, Gongzi Ang had been a highly renowned general. Twenty years ago, at the Battle of Hedong, Shang Yang tricked Gongzi Ang into peace talks with a scheme, seized him, and took him back to Qin. The Wei army was easily routed.
The King of Wei, incited by others, believed Gongzi Ang had betrayed the state. In a rage, he killed Gongzi Ang’s entire family.
Qin, by contrast, treated Gongzi Ang well and entrusted him with heavy responsibilities. During his service in Qin, he led Qin’s armies to two major victories over Chu. Later, when the King of Wei learned that it had originally been Shang Yang’s scheme, he regretted it deeply and ceded territory to exchange for Gongzi Ang’s return to Wei.
After returning to Wei, Gongzi Ang was utterly disheartened. He drank and made merry all day, muddled through political affairs half-heartedly, and behaved more and more absurdly. But the King of Wei felt guilty toward him, and since Wei temporarily had no one else capable of holding the chancellor’s post, Gongzi Ang remained in office.
Gongzi Ang could compose poetry at the age of seven. His learning was broad and profound, and he was a scholar-general. Before surrendering to Qin, when he served as chancellor, he achieved much: encouraging agriculture, promoting commerce, and to a certain extent strengthening Wei’s overall power. It is a pity he was too much a man of clear gratitude and grievance. The King of Wei had killed his family, and he likely could never let that go until death. Now, serving as chancellor was purely a matter of holding the office without performing its duties.
Song Chuyi took a sip of tea and said, “Wei is in a state of overall decline. Fortunately, the King of Wei is not incompetent. Whether the realm can be restored depends on whether there is an unmatched state scholar capable of turning the tide.”
“Well said,” a young voice suddenly praised from the adjoining private room.
Song Chuyi slightly raised an eyebrow, and then heard that person continue, “I wonder whether you can be called an unmatched state scholar?”
The words were sharp and pointed.
Immediately after, footsteps were heard. Everyone turned their heads and saw a youth in splendid robes reach out and lift the curtain. On a handsome, flawless face was a faint smile, like a gentle breeze brushing the face beneath the willow moon.
“Master Huaijin’s great name spread through Puyang overnight like this vast snow. To meet you today is a fortunate occasion.” The youth’s gaze briefly sized up Song Chuyi. “I deeply feel it would have been better to hear of you than to meet you.”
Ji Mian snorted and said, “Gongsun Yingji, you only dare to be so unrestrained because Yunsi is absent. I tell you, the sharp tongue of our Longgu Residence has changed hands.”
“Is that so? I would rather like to see it,” Gongsun Yingji said with a smile, revealing a sliver of white teeth.
Gongsun Yingji was the son of the senior official Gongsun Jian. He was eighteen years old and had considerable talent for eloquent debate. He always came out on the losing end in debates with Nan Qi, but the more he was defeated, the braver he became. Whenever there was a debate, he would oppose Nan Qi head-on.
“Huaijin, scold him,” Ji Mian said, nudging Song Chuyi.
