Chapter 143
The future Senior Grand Secretary of the Ming Dynasty comes to your home and says, “Little Cui ah, I still need a disciple. Why don’t you follow me?”
At this moment, should you agree, agree or agree?
For the sake of the state, for the people, and for the future historians to have more to talk about, Cui Xie resolutely stepped forward and took on this heavy responsibility!
He bowed to Li Dongyang and Yang Yiqing, his face full of shame, and said, “I never expected that da-ren would have such high expectations for this student and dared not visit before, which was this student’s mistake. Since da-ren has shown such kindness, this student will visit your residence tomorrow, hope da-ren will not reject me.”
Yang Yiqing joked from the side, “Shixiong is not lacking in students anyway. I have had nothing much to do in the cabinet recently, and it would not be bad to have a disciple in my spare time. It is better than just drinking everywhere like this.”
Li Dongyang snorted, glancing sideways at his junior brother, “You are always busy in the Imperial palace. Where would you find the time to teach him? It is more convenient for him to follow me. The Hanlin Academy’s duties end early, and we do not have any records to edit right now, so I have plenty of free time to teach a disciple.”
As he said this, he then downed another cup of wine, eyeing the blue and white porcelain wine jar in the Cui family’s possession, almost tempted to ask Cui Xie to send over a good supply of wine as a replacement for the six gifts and rites required for an apprenticeship ceremony.
Cui Xie’s keen eye caught this, and he immediately went over to refill Li Dongyang’s cup. Seeing that Yang Yiqing’s cup was also nearly empty, he filled it up as well, then raised his own cup to toast them both several times. Cui Xie then ordered fresh pepper powder and dried bamboo shoots from Tianmu to make a few bowls of hot and sour soup to help sober everyone up.
To be able to apprentice under someone like Li Dongyang, never mind the pepper, if they had bird’s nest at home, Cui Xie would put bird’s nest in the soup if he could!
Soon, the kitchen brought the soup, and after drinking the fragrant, slightly sour soup, the two da-ren broke out in a sweat, feeling much less drunk, ready to eat for another ten hours and ready to drink a few more cups.
Worried that they might drink too much and harm their livers, Cui Xie asked someone to bring out the wine Xie Ying had sent the first time. That wine had only been distilled once and had been aged for a year or two, giving it a mellow and smooth taste that would be gentler on the da-rens’ livers and kidneys.
Li Dongyang took a sip and immediately said it was ‘bland’. Yang Yiqing, who had no intention of becoming Cui Xie’s teacher and was content with freeloading, leaned over to persuade his senior brother: “This wine is already rare. How can the wine from Colonel Xie’s house be as abundant as the rice wine sold on the market? They even served us pepper soup, and the dishes had chicken and goose. A proper banquet thanking a Teacher is like this, what more do you want?”
Xie Ying smiled, “This is just homemade wine, not particularly valuable. I was unwilling to send more initially because Cui jiansheng is young and should not drink too much. Had I known he would have such a distinguished teacher coming today, I would have sent more last year.”
Taking advantage of this, Cui Xie raised his cup to toast and persuaded, “Thank you for the reminder, Xie-xiong. I almost forgot. I have not had the chance to invite you over to thank you for the fine wine you gifted me. I’ll drink this first as a toast to you, please feel free to follow.”
He held the porcelain cup in both hands, gently clinking it against Xie’s cup. A little wine spilled over the rims of the two full cups of wine, pooling and melting into a small puddle on the table.
Xie Ying happily drank all his wine, turned the bottom of the cup upside down, smiling, “I haven’t congratulated you yet, Cui jiansheng, on acquiring such a good mentor. Please sit, now it is my turn to toast you.”
Cui Xie poured him another drink. They clinked their cups again and drank. Although their actions and movements were extremely restrained, each glance and each clink of their cups carried a surging undercurrent of emotion, making them feel tipsy and joyous even without the alcohol.
The two da-ren continued to enjoy their drinks. When Li Dongyang was tipsy, he wanted to compose poetry, repeatedly asking for paper and ink, and Yang Yiqing busied himself managing him, not noticing the increasingly ambiguous atmosphere between the two beside him.
However, an interruption dispersed any atmosphere that had been building.
Cui Xie called for someone to bring ink and paper, ground a pool of ink, and let Li Dongyang compose poetry all over the walls. Yang Yiqing could not stop him and seeing Cui Xie’s eager willingness to be Li Dongyang’s disciple and ‘running dog’ and did not even care about the room anymore, he shook his head and said, “This really is a case of a poetry enthusiast meeting a poetry fanatic. Although this hall is not used by your elders, if they see this wall of ink, will they not be disgusted by the ink stains on the walls?”
Cui Xie smiled shyly, “Da-ren need not worry. The walls are all covered with paper. Once Academician Li has finished carefreely enjoying himself to his heart’s content, I will have the paper scraped off and place the scraps in my own courtyard.”
Once the paper is framed, it would be a treasure for his siblings and teachers to see the masterful calligraphy of such a literary giant. It is a shame that his Teacher, Lu juren, had gone back home last month for a visit and to help with local poverty alleviation. Otherwise, he would have been thrilled to meet literary masters and famous child prodigies like Li Dongyang and Yang Yiqing in person.
After writing two poems about bamboo branches on the wall and drinking half a pot of wine, Li Dongyang finally succumbed to drunkenness and collapsed into his chair. Yang Yiqing, though not much better in terms of alcohol tolerance, had been more moderate in his drinking and was younger, so he was still able to sit upright. He bade farewell to Cui Xie and said he would take his senior brother home.
Seeing that Yang Yiqing did not look strong enough to support Li Dongyang, Cui Xie ordered a carriage and Xie Ying’s horse to be brought to the main courtyard. He also planned to borrow his grandfather’s wheelchair to transport them.
Xie Ying grabbed his hand from behind, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “No need to make it so complicated. It is just a few steps. I can take Academician Li out myself.”
With that, Xie Ying went over, draped Li Dongyang’s arm over his shoulder, and effortlessly half-carried, half-supported him to the courtyard, then threw him into the carriage. Cui Xie helped Yang Yiqing into the carriage and made sure both were settled, instructing the driver to buy some hangover medicine from the pharmacy on the way home.
Xie Ying mounted his horse, urging the horse to stand beside Cui Xie, and lightly brushed the steed’s hair, softly reassuring Cui Xie, “I’ll personally ensure that both da-ren get home safely and nothing will happen.”
Yang Yiqing, now sitting up in the carriage and lifting the curtain, added, “There is no need to trouble yourself further. We are seasoned drinkers and know our limits. We will not succumb to alcohol poisoning.” Despite his words, his face showed a comforting smile, and he even seemed interested in taking on a disciple himself.
His shixiong has children and still wanted to take on disciples, whereas Yang Yiqing was alone and should have a disciple to keep him company. Even if the disciple is not as considerate as Cui Xie, as long as he is young, eager to learn, and diligent…
Cui Xie personally carried a lantern, escorting them from the courtyard to the outside. He watched the horse and carriage disappear around the corner before turning back inside, overseeing his family tidying up.
The next day at school, those who had visited his residence the previous night came up to express their condolences, asking how many questions he had been tested on and how hard it must have been during the night spent with Li Dongyang. Those who had not been there were envious and asked how it felt to receive guidance from such talented scholars as Li Dongyang and Yang Yiqing.
Even the usual teaching assistants, such as Teaching Assistant Xie, Teaching Assistant Liu and Teaching Assistant Wang who taught them their daily classes, asked him, “Heard Academician Li and Imperial Diarist Yang were at your residence yesterday? What did they teach you? They are both famous for their talent and excellent poems and essays. Just learning a bit from them would be incredibly beneficial. Do not waste this opportunity.”
Cui Xie modestly replied, “This student understands. Academician Li has already invited me to study at his residence, and this student will devote myself to learning, not wasting the instruction received from all of you.”
Teaching Assistant Xie said, “If you can be taught by Academician Li, it is better than following me. If you need time off to study with him, just say so—do not worry about my feelings. Honestly, even I want to study poetry with Academician Li.”
Assistant Liu laughed and said, “Xie-xiong, you should not think like that. Look at our Cui jiansheng; he is a prodigy. Both Academician Li and Imperial Diarist Yang were also prodigies, so naturally, they feel a sense of sympathy for each other. With our ordinary talents, having passed the Imperial examinations in our thirties or forties, how could we catch the eyes of the Hanlin Academy?”
If we truly had the talent, we would have entered the Hanlin Academy long ago.
They joked about themselves for a while and then patted Cui Xie on the shoulder, saying, “Academician Li is one of the people who sets exam questions for the Crown Prince. If you get the chance, ask him to give you more practice questions. If you master them, you’ll impress both the Emperor and the Crown Prince during the examinations.”
Yes, there were still those exams. Li Dongyang was the one who came up with those questions in the first place. Cui Xie’s eyes almost welled up with grateful tears as he nodded deeply, “Many thanks to the instructors’ advice. I will seek an opportunity to request this from Academician Li.”
After school in the evening, he prepared a post, packed two jars of distilled wine, four types of pastries, and some of his self-printed elegant and high quality stationery, and went to visit Li Dongyang’s residence.
The gatekeeper at Academician Li’s house had received his post last time and did not directly let him in, which had resulted in Laoye saying a few words. This time, they did not even look at the post. As soon as they saw his face, they said, “Cui jiansheng, is it? Laoye has already given instructions. Please come in.”
Academician Li’s family, like Cui Xie’s maternal Liu family, came from a military household, belonging to the Jinwu Left Guard, and had been residing in the capital for generations. However, Li Dongyang’s father did not join the military but instead worked as a teacher, known for his strict and upright character. At this time, Li Dongyang was still working in the relatively low-paying Hanlin Academy, with limited annual salary and additional allowances for ice and charcoal. The family was not wealthy.
As soon as Cui Xie arrived at their door, he noticed that everything in the house was old but neatly arranged and kept clean, and the servants were disciplined—much better than in his own residence.
Li Dongyang was supervising his two sons’ studies when he heard that Cui Xie had arrived. He put down his Four Books, told his children to continue their recitations by themselves, and walked to the side of the study, saying, “Have him sit in the hall. I will come over once I’m done here.”
The chief servant asked, “Cui jiansheng has brought a jar of wine and some pastries as a gift. Will da-ren accept it or ask him to take it back?”
Li Dongyang’s eldest son, Zhaoxian, asked, “Is this jiansheng a talented poet and wine lover? Why is he just a jiansheng?”
Li Dongyang saw the mischievous glint in his son’s eyes and found it increasingly endearing. He smiled and said, “He’s a jiansheng this year, but he will not be next year. He got into the Imperial Academy as the Little Tertiary Winner. If you can also come back as an anshou like him, I, your father, will be content.”
He then instructed his sons to continue studying and went to see Cui Xie, taking the gift list Cui Xie handed over. He asked, with a hint of disapproval, “Why did you bring these gifts? This is not the proper etiquette!”
Where are the six ceremonial gifts? Where is the dried meat? If not dried meat, fresh meat would do. Bringing these useless things, are they for offering to the ancestors or for your teacher?
Cui Xie smiled slightly and said, “The academician is kind enough to teach me, which is my great fortune. How could I refuse? But it is already late today. If I hurriedly brought the six ceremonial gifts and asked to become a disciple as soon as I arrived, it would be too hasty and lack proper etiquette. This student came today to apologize for making the academician wait in vain. On the next holiday from Imperial College, this student will come with a big gift, which is the proper way to formally pay my respects as a disciple.”
Li Dongyang laughed, “So young, yet so full of propriety. Who taught you to be so old-fashioned? You don’t even ask what I plan to teach you, and yet you are already talking about becoming my disciple?”
Cui Xie replied, “Sir is a pedant of Man and Heaven, and even discussing a single chapter of the 《Four Books》can bring forth unprecedented insights. To study under you, regardless of the subject, would be immensely satisfying. However, I have been studying poetry with Teacher Lu at home. If you intend to teach me poetry, I would like to write a letter to inform Teacher Lu, so he can share in my joy.”
Employing a private tutor at home did not count as having an official teacher, and it would not interfere with learning from Li Dongyang. But Cui Xie’s respect for even a hired tutor reassured Li Dongyang that he would not need to worry about disobedience or unfilial behavior from Cui Xie in the future.
Li Dongyang, already considering Cui Xie a disciple, smiled warmly and said, “Go ahead and write your letter. While my initial intention is to teach you classics and principles, a disciple of mine who cannot write poetry might indeed become a subject of ridicule by the rest of the world.”
He then handed Cui Xie a few volumes of his poetry collections and several sets of examination papers, earnestly admonishing him, “These were originally prepared for the Crown Prince, but the questions were too obscure and difficult, and Minister Li wouldn’t allow them. So, I brought them back. You should work on them, and when you formally become my disciple, bring them along to show me.”
Cui Xie had brought a box of gifts, but he left with a box of books and examination scrolls, which were much more valuable than any purchased gifts bought with silver.
He went home and diligently completed the exam papers and studied the poems. He then seriously prepared the six ceremonial gifts to formally become Li Dongyang’s disciple. This month, he could not find time to meet with Xie Ying. Instead, he wrote a short letter detailing his upcoming discipleship with Li Dongyang and sent Cui Qi to deliver it to the Xie Residence.
Two days later, he received a letter from the Xie Residence, with bold, flowing handwriting, apologizing and explaining that Xie Ying had taken on official duties, which were quite challenging and troublesome to investigate, and he might not be able to meet for a while.
Cui Xie immediately thought of the matter discussed during the birthday feast about purging the capital of evildoers. He felt a tinge of worry and asked Li Dongyang about it when he went to formally become his disciple.
Li Dongyang still remembered the incident and, patting his thigh, said, “Colonel Xie is indeed trustworthy. Just the day before yesterday, he submitted a memorial to the Emperor, reporting, ‘In recent times, the number of evildoers in and outside the capital have been growing day by day. By day, they commit acts of violence openly on the streets, and by night, they indulge in gambling and debauchery, with many thefts and robberies arising from these activities.’ He expressed his willingness to lead the Jinyiwei in cleaning up this mess. The Emperor, upon hearing the report, likened these miscreants to the notorious Guo Jie of the Han dynasty1, fearing they might band together to commit more serious crimes to commit evil and never repent. Hence, Xie Ying has been tasked with this mission to investigate and purge the capital!”
Colonel Xie is truly capable; he’s turning the Jinyiwei into the urban management team of our great dynasty!
Cui Xie seized the opportunity and whispered in the ear of his future Senior Grand Secretary and teacher, “I believe Colonel Xie is different from others. The Jinyiwei are the Emperor’s close aides. If all of them were as public-spirited, righteous and kind-hearted as Colonel Xie, they could certainly restrain themselves from the lower ranks to the higher ranks and avoid the chaos that plagued the Eastern and Western Depot in the past…”
Indeed, the Jinyiwei are merely close aides to the Emperor, and their conduct depends on their leadership.
Li Dongyang, the future Senior Grand Secretary, shook his head and sighed, “Your teacher is but a humble scholar and cannot influence such significant matters. I hope that Colonel Xie can maintain his integrity forever and one day bring the Jinyiwei under proper control.”
Footnotes:
- Guo Jie: Guo Jie, courtesy name Wengbo, was a native of Chen County, Henei Prefecture (now Chencheng Town, Jiyuan City, Henan Province). He was a knight-errant in the Western Han Dynasty and the grandson of the female fortune teller Xu Fu . When he was young, he committed robbery and thieves, minted coins, and dug graves. His number was countless. When he grew older, he became frugal, hospitable, and generous. During the reign of Emperor Wu, many heroes were exiled to Maoling . General Wei Qing once interceded for him. Emperor Wu refused, saying, “If he takes off his clothes and lets the general speak for him, his family will not be poor.” When he was exiled, the officials gave him more than 10 million yuan. When he entered the pass, many heroes in Guanzhong vied to make friends with him. Later, one of his guests killed someone. The Imperial Censor Gongsun Hong said that he was a knight-errant who used his power to kill people for trivial matters, which was extremely treasonous and unjust, so he executed his entire family . ↩︎
TN: Have a good rest of your week everyone and enjoy the chapter! I had such a good time with my boyfriend for Valentine’s Day and hope you all had a wonderful Valentine’s Day as well! Apologies for the late upload, I just got back at like 1 AM last night ~
Update 12/23/24: I just updated it so that all my advance chapters for TMD are up on patreon (and will be continually updated)! Sorry for being so lazy with it and apologies for taking so long to do so. I had to organize a lot of my random documents after a long hiatus last year.
Announcement: We have set up a kofi and patreon account! If you would like to support us or get early access to advance chapters for Blood-Sucking Empress OR TMD, those options are available for you (in support us page)! I have just added a patreon tier for Transmigrating to the Ming Dynasty’s Imperial Examinations in which patreons can have access to a google document with ALL of my advanced translated chapters for the novel. Since I am a grad student, there should usually be at least 10 advance chapters in the document at a time, but depending on my schedules, there may be fewer or more. I’m currently extremely busy, but I have translated out some new chapters for you all! But, I will still post each week with the same schedule. Thanks!
Twin Dragons Translations 
Thank You for the new chapter -ω(´•ω•｀)♡
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