Martial Saint through Reading-Chapter 50: Who’s Inviting Whom?

Sure enough, in the next moment, Luu Xian saw the floating copy of "Poetry, Politics, and Military" move.

"Ah—" Mo Ran, who was standing in front, let out a muffled groan as he was struck and knocked aside by the heavy book.

Three or four people were pulled down by Mo Ran’s reflexive grab at the same time, tumbling down one after another. Several nearby desks were also knocked askew.

The strength was considerable—it looked like someone with martial training; otherwise, how could he have taken four people down at once?

Chu Ming turned back to glance, "The book is heavy, sorry."

Saying this, he walked toward Ning Hao: "Senior Brother Ning, where’s the political book class?" 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Ning Hao stared at the "Poetry, Politics, and Military" before him, frozen in place.

"Poetry, Politics, and Military" really was heavy, but not so heavy as to knock over five people and three or four desks, right?

"Senior Brother?" Chu Ming prompted again.

"Oh, um, I’m just heading there too." Ning Hao snapped back to reality.

At this moment, Liang Yuan’s languid voice sounded from behind: "Senior Brother Ning, didn’t you take history and rites? What, switching to politics now?"

"I’ve always been interested in the political book," Ning Hao replied with a straight face.

Liang Yuan eyed how Ning Hao could change his stance as quickly as flipping a book, and muttered, "That’s not what Senior Brother used to say."

"The past is past. Now is now. Junior Brother Liang Yuan, don’t get stuck in your old ways and stagnate."

Liang Yuan instantly felt uncomfortable at that.

You want to cozy up to Junior Brother Chu, but must you step on me too?

He walked a few steps forward, then turned back: "So, escorting Junior Brother Chu to the political book class is your giant leap, Senior Brother Ning?"

"...Junior Brother Chu, it’s getting late, let’s hurry."

...

The political book class ended.

"Um, Senior Brother Ning, I’d like to take ’Poetry, Politics, and Military’ back first—it’s awkward to bring it to the dining hall. Could you please let Mr. Shen know for me?"

Chu Ming hugged the heavy tome as Ning Hao walked beside him.

"No problem, Brother Chu, take your time... steady does it. I’ll go talk to Mr. Shen."

On hearing this, Ning Hao was overjoyed—this was a rare chance to ask Mr. Shen for advice face-to-face and in private!

...

Dining hall.

"Excuse me, has Mr. Shen arrived?" Ning Hao, carrying something in hand, didn’t see Shen Yu after searching around, so he ended up asking one of the staff.

"Yes, he’s in private room one." The staff scrutinized Ning Hao. "Are you the one who invited Mr. Shen?"

At once, several onlookers’ gazes zeroed in.

"Ah?" Ning Hao flushed slightly but didn’t explain; head down, he walked toward private room one.

"What took you so long?" Before he’d even entered, Mr. Shen’s voice called out from inside.

"Mr. Shen, it’s Ning Hao—Junior Brother Chu is sending the book back to Yunqi Courtyard, he’ll be here soon." Ning Hao stood at the door, saying softly.

"Ning Hao, come in."

"Yes."

Ning Hao excitedly pushed open the door. Shen Yu was seated upright at one side, the table already laden with dishes.

"Mr. Shen." Ning Hao hurriedly bowed in salute.

"Mm, sit down."

"Yes."

Shen Yu shifted his gaze onto Ning Hao and asked, "You and Chu Ming live in the same courtyard?"

"Replying to Lord Shen, yes."

"How much do you know about him?" Shen Yu asked again.

"..." An awkwardness flickered in Ning Hao’s eyes; he didn’t really know much about Junior Brother Chu, only having met him a day ago. "Replying, sir, Junior Brother Chu only joined the academy yesterday."

"He just joined yesterday, and already lives in Yunqi Courtyard? That kid got connections?" Shen Yu asked again.

"Well..." Ning Hao hesitated, but answered truthfully: "Junior Brother Chu was arranged in by Senior Brother Xu He."

"Xu He?" Shen Yu showed a hint of surprise. "Well, that means Feng Yuan, then."

Ning Hao fell silent.

Shen Yu raised his tea, sipped several times, and looked outside, impatiently asking, "What’s taking him so long?"

"Junior Brother Chu is frail. He walks slowly," Ning Hao replied.

"You really do look out for him," Shen Yu put down the cup, his gaze calm, landing on Ning Hao. "I know you’ve always wanted my guidance."

Upon hearing this, Ning Hao’s heart thudded—he’d been racking his brains over how to get Mr. Shen to mentor him. "I’ve always greatly admired you, Mr. Shen."

"Enough; let’s not waste words." Suddenly, Shen Yu stood and walked to the window, hands behind his back. "You want my guidance—not impossible. But let me tell you: what I teach will have you failing the monthly exams, missing the academy promotion, and dashing your hopes at county level as well. You still want it?"

"Lord Shen..." Ning Hao heard this and felt the instructor simply didn’t want to teach him.

Is it because I lack talent and am unworthy of Mr. Shen’s attention?

"What do you think is the difference between complex text and simplified text?" Seeing Ning Hao still unwilling to give up, Shen Yu continued.

The difference between complex and simple text?

Ning Hao blushed faintly.

He’d always practiced complex text, but knew little about the simple kind—how could he speak to the differences?

"Heh, at least you’re honest. You know you can’t just parrot answers in front of me." Shen Yu chuckled softly, "Actually, many years ago, this distinction between complex and simple didn’t even exist. I was the one who proposed it."

"Complex text is everything you’re learning now."

"As for simple text, that’s my invention—simplified characters and vernacular. In your eyes, it’s low-brow and lacking in literary quality."

"Mr. Shen, I didn’t—"

"Is that what you say, or what you really think?" Shen Yu’s expression grew calmer. "If not, why did you use traditional script to copy my seven-line poem?"

Ning Hao fell silent at once.

"Since we’re here, Ning Hao, out of respect for your sincerity, I’ll say more: There’s nothing wrong with the existence of complex text, but if all poetry, literature, all written transmission is done solely with complex text, that’s putting the cart before the horse."

"When you understand what I mean by that, I’ll not only guide you—I’ll teach you everything I’ve ever accumulated myself."

"But you’ll probably end up like me: stuck here in little Baiyuan County your whole life, never advancing."

At this, Shen Yu checked the time, shook his head, and sighed, "That kid is clever—looks like he isn’t coming."

He glanced at Ning Hao again: "If I’m not mistaken, Chu Ming left this chance for you. Too bad you didn’t seize it."

"Mr. Shen, I..." Ning Hao failed to understand why using complex text was putting the cart before the horse. The Great Qin Dynasty always did it this way, didn’t it?

"Sit and eat something."

Shen Yu ate a few bites, wiped the grease from his mouth, then, hands clasped behind him, said in a deep voice, "I have matters to attend to. I’ll leave first."

"Lord Shen..."

Ning Hao watched the departing figure, then looked at the dishes on the table, utterly losing his appetite.

He kept turning that phrase over in his mind—why is it putting the cart before the horse?

The more he thought, the more confused he became.

"Maybe Mr. Shen just doesn’t want to guide me?"

Looking dejected, Ning Hao drifted out of the private room and left the dining hall.

But just as his foot crossed the threshold, a large hand grabbed him from behind, "You haven’t paid yet."

"What payment?" Ning Hao asked, dazed.

"For the food." The man’s eyes were fierce.

"What food...huh? Mr. Shen didn’t pay?" In a flash, Ning Hao understood.

"So, was it you inviting Lord Shen, or him inviting you?"

"..." Ning Hao turned back into the dining hall.

"What are you doing?" The man asked.

"I’m not finished eating." Ning Hao walked back toward the private room.