Chapter 877: Chapter 520: Wine, the Old Confucian, the Mo Xia Sword, and Yourong’s Calligraphy (Part 1)
Zhao Rong heard the words and became serious, first curiously sizing up the solemn Zhang Huizhi.
He did not speak immediately.
Zhang Huizhi stared into Zhao Rong’s eyes and continued:
“I have heard that back then, Junior Brother Lin, in order to overthrow the great mountain of Chongxu Temple looming over the people of Zhongnan Country, first acted deceitfully, pretending to marry the daughter of the head of Chongxu Temple, who was said to be his childhood sweetheart. But in the end… Ziyu must know… Junior Brother Lin broke the marriage vow, ruining the girl’s lifelong purity on the very day of the wedding, leaving her a disgraced woman before even entering the marriage.”
“Although I admire Junior Brother Lin’s patriotic spirit, his actions indeed lacked personal virtue, and it is said that they were also despised by the people of Zhongnan Country back then.”
“However, from the perspective of national duty, he compromised his personal virtue, but in the end, facts proved he was correct. The only path that benefited both the country and its people allowed his ambition to be realized.”
Today, for some reason, regardless of being outside or inside the house in front of his wife and children, the young Confucian scholar whose hair was always meticulously tied now had his black hair draped over his shoulders.
“Ziyu.”
At this moment, next to the table, Zhang Huizhi leaned forward again, his sharp eyes staring directly into Zhao Rong’s eyes, speaking in a deep voice.
“I am perplexed, how should one choose?”
Zhao Rong remained silent.
Zhang Huizhi’s forceful speech paused for a moment, then continued:
“These things, our teachers at the Siqi Academy have never taught me what to do, and the sages in the sacred books also avoid discussing them. I understand sacrificing life for righteousness, but I don’t know how to choose between national duty and personal virtue. If at this moment I were Lin Wenruo facing this choice, should I pledge to the country or… pledge to you?”
“I… want to hear Ziyu’s answer.”
Zhao Rong had already put down the wine jug, watching him intently throughout.
After quietly listening, he nodded, then raised his head to sip a mouthful of spicy wine.
“Actually.”
Zhao Rong glanced at Zhang Huizhi’s solemn expression, raised the wine jug to him, and calmly said:
“Brother Huizhi already has an answer in mind, doesn’t he?”
“I…”
“Brother Huizhi, don’t explain first; listen to me.”
Zhao Rong calmly interrupted.
“Actually, it’s just a matter of personal virtue versus public virtue.”
“If personal virtue and public virtue can be reconciled, that would be ideal. However, such existence is almost like the saints in the books.”
“For us mere mortals, if personal virtue conflicts with public virtue, then… look deep into your own heart and choose the one that is most correct. As long as you do not regret your choice and can bear all consequences, then it is right, regardless of what others might say!”
Zhang Huizhi was stunned: “Cultivate oneself, govern the country… personal virtue, public virtue…”
Zhao Rong looked at him and nodded, “Back then, Wenruo made his own choice. I’ve never mentioned this to him because it’s his path; he can bear the consequences of that choice. If faced again, he would still choose the same. I, as an outsider, have no right to interfere.”
“Brother Huizhi is the same. Although I don’t know what Brother Huizhi is struggling with, you actually have a choice already. Although, like now, you hesitate and seek my opinion, but so far, your actions have always been quietly moving in that direction, haven’t they? So why ask others?”
With black clothes and black hair, Zhang Huizhi bowed his head and murmured, “Do I already have an answer in my heart?… What exactly is it…”
Zhao Rong, as a bystander, was clear. He felt that before leaving, he could help this agreeable friend to be less lost.
“Brother Huizhi has always respected Wenruo’s actions, inquired about his deeds, hesitated upon knowing he lacked personal virtue, but didn’t decisively reject him… This is actually Brother Huizhi’s answer.”
Zhang Huizhi was completely silent.
Zhao Rong reached out and pushed the wine jug that Zhang Huizhi had put down forward. The latter hesitantly extended his hand, grasped the jug, and took a hearty sip.
“Public virtue… I… I understand.”
Zhang Huizhi exhaled a large mouthful of wine.
With a sense of relief, under the table, the hand holding the piece of jade completely relaxed.
“Ziyu, I understand, but I still have one curiosity.”
“What is it?”
“If it were you, how would you choose?”
Zhao Rong smiled, leisurely drinking, saying: “I would only pledge to you because… I have no country to pledge.”
Zhang Huizhi was slightly taken aback, then laughed and shook his head.
“Ziyu only cultivates himself, responsible only to his loved ones… No wonder he refused the invitation of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager without looking back… But Ziyu indeed lives clear-minded and carefree.”
He glanced toward the back kitchen with emotion, where a pretty and lovely young girl was tasting food for her sweetheart.
Brought by Ziyu, she should be his beloved one.
Zhao Rong nodded, then shook his head, “Actually, it’s just a little cleverness… At least until now, it has been so. I don’t need to struggle in choosing, but if truly faced with it and forced to choose…”
The young Confucian scholar shook his head without saying further.
Zhang Huizhi nodded earnestly, “I understand, thank you, Ziyu.”
Zhao Rong smiled and waved his hand, preparing to respond, when the young Confucian scholar before him suddenly turned back, called toward the western kitchen:
“Yun Niang, suddenly I crave braised beef, perfect for Ziyu to taste as well. Qi brother’s house at the village end seems to have some left. Last time I went to his house for drinks, I took some dishes there, leaving quite a lot behind. Could you fetch it for me?”
In the back kitchen, Yun Niang, little Qian’er, and a group of old servants all turned their heads, looking in unison.
In plain clothes, Yun Niang nodded, wiped her hands on her apron, and was about to leave.
Zhang Huizhi smiled again, “Wait. How about Qian’er girl accompanies my wife to go? Maybe she’ll bring back some of what you like to eat as well?”