RPAGF Chapter 175 Manuscript Review
Chapter 175 Manuscript Review
Chapter 175 Draft Acceptance
As Wen Lue's imperial seal suddenly began to tremble, all the remaining Confucian scholars turned their gazes toward it:
“We’re all accomplished scholars; what haven’t we seen? What’s wrong with you?”
When Cheng Daru saw Wen Lue's shocked expression, he frowned and said in a deep voice.
“What Confucian Master Cheng said is absolutely right. We are great Confucian scholars and should set an example. Making such a fuss is a bit…”
Another great scholar hesitated to speak, but Wen Lue did not argue much; instead, he published the article.
"The so-called tea ceremony, using tea as a medium, is a method of self-cultivation. It has three benefits: first, it can enhance friendship through brewing, appreciating, and drinking tea; second, it can cultivate one's character; and third, it can help one understand the beauty of harmony in Confucianism."
"As is well known, 'harmony' is one of the souls of the tea ceremony, the core of Chinese tea ceremony. Its 'harmony' is a blend of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Confucianism emphasizes harmony through etiquette, a state of moderation; Taoism emphasizes harmony through naturalness, opposing rigid rules; while Buddhist harmony is a harmony within rules."
"Tranquility is one of the souls of the tea ceremony. Harmony and the state of mind are mutually inclusive and transform into each other. Harmony without tranquility is incomplete, and tranquility without harmony is destined to be short-lived."
"The word 'stillness' in 'enlightenment' allows one to perceive all things, to think like the wind and clouds, and to be open-minded and enlightened. The three schools of thought emphasize stillness. Throughout history, whether Taoist priests, eminent monks, or Confucian scholars, they have all regarded stillness as an essential path to self-cultivation. Stillness leads to clarity, stillness leads to emptiness, stillness allows one to be humble and open-minded, stillness allows one to have keen insight and understand the subtleties of the Tao."
"Tea is enlightenment, it is understanding, it is the universe, encompassing the eight directions and six realms. This is the ultimate idea of tea, which is called the Way of Tea."
"This article is a student's reflection and insights. If the writing offends any of you great scholars, please forgive me. After all, the pursuit of truth is endless, and what is true and what is false requires careful study."
"Respectfully presented at nightfall."
Everyone who read the article remained silent for a long time, including the great scholar Cheng, who seemed to have gained a fresh perspective.
“Who was this young man who wrote this? Even if you asked some scholars who are well-versed in the art of tea to write it, it would probably take them two days to complete it. You only sent him the message less than half an hour ago, and he has already produced such a meaningful article.”
A learned scholar looked astonished, then said in disbelief,
"This young man's discussion of the tea ceremony elevates it from its benefits to the level of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. It is well-reasoned and logical, especially his emphasis on 'harmony' and 'tranquility.' Is this the Ye Ru you mentioned?"
The scholar Cheng turned around from his shock, took a deep breath, and then asked.
"Ye Ru, Ru Ye, that's quite a poetic name. So, Master Cheng, does this article meet your standards? If not, I'll speak to him about it."
A mocking smile appeared on Wen Lue's face. Just now, everyone was criticizing Ye Ru's scholarship, but only he knew that Ye Ru was not a scholar with a reputation for nothing. He had his own unique insights, and these insights were ones that he had never experienced.
"Each generation is better than the last. Such unique insights are beyond our reach. I originally thought he was just a fame-seeker, but now I know that he is actually a learned scholar who has thoroughly read the Four Books and Five Classics."
“This boy’s future achievements will surely be no less than ours. As a great Confucian scholar, I am ashamed to slander a young man like this. I will not participate in the evaluation of this issue of the Tea Journal, but this article must be published on the front page, or I will not rest.”
After pondering for a moment, Cheng Daru raised his head and looked at Wen Lue.
"Absolutely, this article will definitely be on the front page, and it will absolutely cause a great sensation in the tea industry. At first glance, this article does not seem particularly special, but upon deeper reflection, it seems to contain a kind of insight into the sacred way. Our Tea Journal is meant to teach people to enter the sacred way through tea. If this kind of article cannot be on the front page of the Tea Journal, then other articles are even less qualified."
Wen Lue laughed heartily. He knew that although these great Confucian scholars' words were barbed, their hearts were absolutely on the path of sagehood. They were just a bit pedantic. Unless the facts were laid out on the table, the words of some younger scholars would never be accepted by them.
“Confucius Cheng, Confucian Wen, we should change our thinking. Kong Yu, the minister of Wei, is intelligent and eager to learn, and he is not ashamed to ask questions of those who are less knowledgeable. We should not always put on such airs.”
A great Confucian scholar.
“What the great scholar Yu said is very true.”
Both Cheng Daru and Wenli nodded in agreement.
"In that case, let's publish this article on the front page, and write 'Night' as the name. Does anyone have any objections?"
Wen Lue then continued.
"No objection."
……
Meanwhile, at the Ye residence, Ye Ru felt somewhat uneasy as he sent the article over, since Lu Yu, the Tea Sage, lived several hundred years later than them, and they didn't quite understand some of his insights.
Lu Yu was a lifelong tea enthusiast and an expert in the art of tea. He had many insights into tea and is famous for writing the world's first monograph on tea, "The Classic of Tea." His philosophy of tea science, tea art, and tea ceremony has been used by later generations to this day.
"Chief Ye, this article can be used. Because of its profound significance, we have decided to put it on the front page. This time, Tea Journal has received very few requests for articles, resulting in too many empty pages. We are very grateful to you. As for the remuneration, rest assured, it will definitely not disappoint you."
Soon after, Wen Lue sent a notification that the manuscript had been approved, which undoubtedly relieved Ye Ru. He then resumed reading and writing.
The two original works, "Changfeng Tie" and "Huangting Jing", are essential to practice. Ye Ru also understands this principle well. As the saying goes, learning is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall behind. Moreover, he discovered that there are some similarities between these two calligraphy works, so he can apply what he has learned to other works and use the wolf-wind brush to incorporate his own talent into them.
After Ye Ru finished writing these two posts and rested for three hours, as dawn broke in the east, he got up and received a message from Hua Mufeng.
"Brother Zhuge has agreed to go to the capital. Yingtian Academy should be opening in a few days, so I specially invited you to come to the government office to meet me, Hua Mufeng."
Upon seeing this imperial seal, Ye Ru nodded. If there were a master of divination like this Qianmen, perhaps he could borrow the Yin soldiers to resurrect the deceased Wu Chang'an and then see if the other party's actions were indeed those of the Left Prime Minister.
"Brother Ye, are you up yet? I've come today to say goodbye."
At this moment, Kong Hexuan knocked on the door, and after obtaining Ye Ru's consent, he came in and bowed to Ye Ru.
"Saying goodbye? You're heading to the academy to report for duty?"
"No, there's something urgent in the family, I have to go to the capital immediately. What about you, where are you going next?"
Kong Hexuan shook his head, then said to Ye Ru.
"I will also go to the capital in a few days when Mr. Zhuge arrives. We will meet again then."
Ye Ru pondered for a moment, then spoke.