Chapter Twenty-Four: The Princess Enters the Academy - The Invincible Brick (Part One)

Bier led the way ahead, while Li Lingyue held Li Wei’s hand closely behind, never straying even half a step. The morning sunlight shone on her round little face, beautiful but full of pride.

Li Wei was both amused and exasperated. His little sister had grown accustomed to the benefits of sticking close to him, and now showed an increasing tendency to never leave his side. Had she truly become his shadow?

The deep crimson high walls drew nearer. The Eastern Palace was already familiar from previous visits to Daming Palace, but they had not yet reached Taiji Palace. Facing that imposing wall, Li Wei felt a surge of curiosity.

Step by step, his yellow silk shoes made faint sounds on the flagstones, scattering the sparkling dew into a shower of silver stars across the green grass.

They arrived at the Tongxun Gate, shrouded in the vast shadow of the Left Storeroom, which inexplicably filled Li Wei with a sense of dread.

...

“Those so-called great scholars are truly obnoxious,” Xu Yanbo said angrily. “Their learning doesn’t match mine, yet they gave me a mediocre evaluation.”

“A pack of petty scholars, Yanbo. Why bother? If you’d like, I’ll speak up for you and have them change your assessment. How about it?”

“Thank you for your help, Duke.”

“Then let’s be on our way,” Helan Minzhi said, kindly taking Xu Yanbo’s hand and boarding the carriage together.

...

“In the first year of spring, the enthronement was not recorded, due to chaos. The Di invaded Xing. Guan Jingzhong spoke to the Marquis of Qi: ‘The Rong and Di are wolves and jackals, insatiable. The alliance of the Central Plains must not be abandoned. Comfort and poison must not be embraced. The Book of Songs says, ‘How can I not long to return, fearing this harsh decree.’ The decree refers to mutual aid among those who share enmity. Let us assist Xing in accordance with the decree.’ The Qi rescued Xing. Peace among the people brings prosperity to the nation, but troublemakers disrupt Lu. The ruler’s enthronement was unrecorded, a lamentable thing.”

The old scholar addressed the gathered students, shaking his head as he lectured on the Spring and Autumn Annals.

Yet he was not dogmatic, for the Tang Dynasty’s ethnic policies glossed over the nature of the Rong and Di, omitting discussion of the barbarians.

“In the summer, the sixth month, Duke Zhuang was interred, delayed due to disorder. In autumn, the eighth month, the Duke and the Marquis of Qi swore an alliance at Luogu, seeking the return of Ji You. The Marquis agreed and summoned the others at Chen. The Duke camped at Lang to await them. ‘Ji Zi returns,’ this is praised. In winter, Qi’s Zhong Sunqiu came to resolve difficulties. The text records Zhong Sun, also praiseworthy. Zhong Sun returned, saying, ‘Without removing Qingfu, Lu’s troubles will not end.’ The Duke asked, ‘How should he be removed?’ He replied, ‘If difficulties persist, he will end himself. Wait.’ The Duke asked, ‘Can Lu be taken?’ He replied, ‘No, for they uphold Zhou rites. The rites are their foundation. I’ve heard, when a state is about to fall, its foundation collapses before its branches. If Lu does not abandon Zhou rites, it cannot be moved. Strive to resolve Lu’s troubles and keep close. Respect brings strength; division brings chaos—such is the stuff of hegemons.’ Lu’s chaos meant that Duke Zhuang was buried only in November. The reason: Qingfu lived, so Lu’s troubles continued. Qingfu was Duke Zhuang’s elder brother and Lu’s chief minister. After Duke Zhuang’s death, he plotted against Ban and Min, causing disorder. When the great thief lives, the land cannot be at peace.”

Li Wei happened to pass by with Li Lingyue, catching this explanation and smiling.

Since ancient times, there’s only been talk of peace and prosperity, but this old scholar had reversed the phrase. The chaos in Lu was entirely Qingfu’s doing, the result of power struggles among the upper echelons, having nothing to do with the common people.

He glanced around the room.

Li Shimin, in the Hongwen Hall, had gathered twenty thousand volumes, establishing the Hongwen Academy to convene talent. He had also set a small task: to select royal and noble scions for study of classics and calligraphy. Yet many founding families had faded, and their descendants were no longer as distinguished. In this classroom sat only the youngest disciples, Li Xulun among them.

Yet this fourth son was unlike the mischievous Li Lingyue; during lessons, he dared not greet his siblings, but watched with delight.

Li Wei nodded slightly, signaling him.

The scholar bowed deeply, saying, “Your servant pays respects to the Crown Prince.”

His tone was humble; the older the scholar, the more he revered Confucian titles.

“Please rise,” Li Wei said with a smile, helping him up. “My sister has come today to study; I hope you will guide her well.”

The Hongwen Academy had already been notified, though Li Lingyue had made quite a fuss at Li Wei’s place, only agreeing to come after much coaxing—hence their tardiness.

After speaking, Li Wei turned to see Li Lingyue boldly entering the classroom, glancing about, finally settling on the central seat. She pointed imperiously at a young boy Li Wei didn’t recognize, saying, “You, move.”

The boy was reluctant, but having been forewarned, he suppressed his feelings and grudgingly gave up his seat to Li Lingyue.

Li Wei said, “Princess, come greet the teacher.”

“Why should I greet him? He should be the one to greet me.”

The old scholar, though eminent, was not rigid. Considering Li Lingyue’s status in the Emperor and Empress’s hearts, he said, “Your Highness, as the princess is young, let us waive the ceremony.”

...

This is not a student, but a little aunt—such ceremony, well, the old man cannot bear it.

“Hmm, this afternoon we’re going to the imperial fields. Will you come with me?”

Li Lingyue reluctantly stood, walked to the scholar, and said, “Greetings, teacher.”

Most unceremonious.

The scholar quickly replied, “Your servant dare not accept.”

Li Wei was at his wit’s end. Could lessons continue like this? Well, let’s muddle through for a few months, wait for their parents to return, and let them worry about it.

The scholar moved to Li Wei and whispered, “Your Highness, may I ask something?”

“Please, do ask.”

“What books has the princess read?”

Li Wei hadn’t considered this. As far as he was concerned, getting Li Lingyue into Hongwen Academy fulfilled his mother’s instructions.

The scholar continued, “It is like this: Hongwen Academy and the Imperial College teach similarly. For calligraphy, we start with the Character Forest, then Shuowen, and the Stone Classics. For mathematics, we begin with the Five Departments, Zhou Bi, and the Five Mathematical Canons, then move to Zhang Qiujian, Nine Chapters, Sea Island, and Linked Calculations. For classics, we start with the Analects and Filial Piety Classic, then progress to the Shangshu, Zuo Commentary, and Gongyang. I wonder if this matches the Eastern Palace’s Chongwen Academy?”

How should I know? Li Wei paused, realizing he’d overlooked that this was Hongwen Academy, not Chongwen Academy. In Chongwen, all scholars served him alone, but Hongwen Academy had several students, divided by age.

In other words, Li Lingyue’s arrival meant she would hold back the progress of the other dozen youths.

Seeing Li Wei’s hesitation, the scholar said, “Your Highness need not worry. The Master said, ‘Review the old to learn the new.’ These young nobles are still maturing; an extra round of lessons will be beneficial.”

Li Wei was astonished. He thought, If you’re flattering my parents, you’re neglecting the other students—what’s the point of pretending to be so noble?

He waved Li Lingyue over and asked, “Have you read Character Forest?”

Li Wei had not paid much attention to how many books Li Lingyue had read; she was still a child, though he knew she recognized some characters.

“I have,” Li Lingyue replied proudly.

Li Wei realized his mistake. Character Forest comprised seven volumes with over ten thousand characters, like a dictionary—many students had looked at it, but how many actually knew the contents was questionable. So he asked, “How much have you read?”

“I’ve read it, anyway. How should I know how much?”

That was as good as saying nothing.

“What about Shuowen?”

“I’ve looked at that too.”

Li Wei wiped his brow and asked, “What else have you read?”

“The Analects, Zuo Commentary, Gongyang, Book of Rites…”

“Stop, stop, you’ll give me a headache,” Li Wei cut her off, finally realizing that her ‘have read’ meant she’d merely opened the books and looked at the pages—a superficial glance.

Thinking it over, he said to Li Lingyue, “Just go back to your seat for now.”

Then to the scholar, “Let’s discuss this in private.”

He would rather not have come, but since he had, he couldn’t let the other boys in Hongwen Academy become mere companions for Li Lingyue. Yet he couldn’t ignore her either; if his mother were present, she wouldn’t want the Academy to become his sister’s private school. Considerations of clan and nobility mattered. And his fourth brother was among them—perhaps this was a test from his parents.

Since receiving Li Wei’s notification the previous evening, Hongwen Academy had been troubled. For other students, one could delay and catch up later, but for Li Lingyue, who dared object? Sending her so abruptly was contrary to protocol, but who would dare say so?

...

Hearing Li Wei’s words, the scholar nodded immediately.

The two went to the back hall. Li Lingyue looked at Li Xulun and called, “Fourth Brother.”

Li Xulun answered her. Li Lingyue then turned to the chubby boy beside her and asked, “May I ask your esteemed name?”

She’d picked this up from Li Wei’s storytelling.

The chubby boy was so startled he couldn’t reply.

Li Xulun said, “His name is Yuchi Wenbin.”

“Is Duke of E National Yuchi Baolin your grandfather?”

“Yes, he is.”

“Then is the Monk with Three Carts your great-uncle?”

“What Monk with Three Carts? Among my great-uncles is Master Kui Ji, not the Monk with Three Carts.”

“The Crown Prince said so—your great-uncle is the Monk with Three Carts.”

The moment the Crown Prince was mentioned, the chubby boy dared not protest. After a while he hesitantly asked, “What Monk with Three Carts?”

“Don’t your family know? Fine, I’ll tell you,” Li Lingyue began her tale, recounting the legend of the Monk with Three Carts as told by Li Wei, almost word for word.

“Um, Princess, you’re mistaken,” the chubby boy said, deeply frustrated. His great-uncle was indeed a disciple of Tang Sanzang, but how did it relate to the previous incarnation as an arhat, or the three carts—one of beauties, one of books, one of wine?

“Do you dare say the Crown Prince was wrong?”

“Yes, yes, your family simply didn’t tell you.” The other boys, caught up in the story, all chimed in.

Yuchi Wenbin was so intimidated he dared not speak.

Li Wei and the scholars discussed for a long time, finally deciding to proceed with lessons and observe how many characters Li Lingyue actually recognized. The challenge was handed back to Hongwen Academy. There was no time to delay, for the afternoon meant a visit to the imperial fields outside the eastern suburbs.

As he came out, he found Li Lingyue finishing her story about the Monk with Three Carts. He also saw Helan Minzhi, with another person at her side. Bier whispered in his ear, “This is Xu Yanbo, grandson of Minister Xu. You’ve met him before.”

Li Wei frowned. Minister Xu was Xu Jingzong, renowned throughout the court. How had his grandson become associated with Helan Minzhi? And worst of all, Li Lingyue was telling the wrong story about the Monk with Three Carts. He had only mentioned it casually before, not realizing the legend was incorrect.

Yuchi Gong was a descendant of the Yuchi clan from the Western Regions. Not only did his line produce Yuchi Gong, but also the famous painter Yuchi Bazhi and Yuchi Zeng, father and son—both known as the elder and younger Yuchi. Many of their clan lived in Chang’an; as foreigners, many preferred monastic life. Master Kui Ji was the child of Yuchi Jingde’s concubine, named Yuchi Hongdao. He lost his mother young, grew up reserved, and influenced by his clan, loved Buddhist teachings. He was not sought out by Tang Sanzang, but joined his order of his own accord—Yuchi Gong, reluctant to part with him, sent many gifts. That was likely the origin of the three carts myth.

Moreover, the location of Yuchi Gong’s residence played a part. The Yuchi and Yang estates were both in Changshou Ward, which housed many temples—among the famous were Yongtai, Dafa, and Chongyi Temples. But Changshou Ward, in the southern section of the West Market, was sparsely populated; except for the Yang, Yuchi, and Yan Liben estates, the rest were common homes or ancestral halls.

Even if an arhat sought refuge, he would not have settled at the Yuchi Mansion, despite its vastness.

Since Helan Minzhi dared to insult him openly, Li Wei would not miss the chance to respond.

He pondered his countermeasures, never pausing his steps. As expected, Helan Minzhi came forward to greet him.

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