Chapter Ninety-Six: Xu Jing's Vanity

Originally, friends from afar visiting one’s home were to be met with warm and considerate hospitality. Yet now, it had turned into a test, even a contest of superiority, which left Lu Xingchuan quite embarrassed.

He hastily smiled to smooth things over. “Brother Zhifu, it’s nearly noon, time for lunch. Since this is the first time the three of you have come to the Lu household, we must have a meal where no one leaves sober! Haha! As for Brother Zhouzhi’s photographic memory, it’s not as extraordinary as Brother Fan Jin claims.

“In my last correspondence with Brother Zhifu, I mentioned the difficulty of tackling the rigid Eight-Legged Essay structure. I asked Brother Zhifu for some guidance.”

Lu Xingchuan was clearly trying to steer the conversation away from testing Zhouzhi’s supposed photographic memory.

But Xu Jing was already captivated, no longer listening to Lu’s words. He was no longer just eager to flaunt his talents as at first. He had always believed that photographic memory was just a legend—after all, even Zhang Song of the Three Kingdoms was mere folklore.

Xu Jing’s mind was conflicted: on one hand, he hoped Zhouzhi lacked such an ability, which would put the ever-boastful and dissatisfied Fan Jin in his place. On the other hand, he truly wished Zhouzhi did possess this talent, so that upon returning to Jiangnan, he could boast of it and intimidate the local self-important literati.

With a smile, Xu Jing said, “Brother Xingchuan, we can discuss essay techniques later. For now, let us witness Brother Zhouzhi’s talent with our own eyes!”

Wu Wending chimed in, “Indeed, if Brother Zhouzhi truly has this skill, we must see it for ourselves!”

Gu Dingchen sat upright as ever, silent but his gaze at Zhouzhi was filled with excitement and anticipation.

Zhouzhi remained calm and silent, as if ready to be tested by Xu Jing.

Xu Jing, now more excited, said, “Brother Xingchuan, please fetch some paper and brushes. I will write an article here and now for Brother Zhouzhi to read and then recite.”

He spoke with such finality that there was no room for negotiation.

Lu Xingchuan shook his head in dismay but was powerless. He could only send the old servant named Ding to the study to fetch ink, brush, paper, and inkstone, placing them on the desk.

Xu Jing immediately rose and stood before the desk, while Wu Wending eagerly prepared the ink. Xu Jing smiled at Zhouzhi, “Brother Zhouzhi, since we are to witness your photographic memory, please step aside for now.”

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Zhouzhi silently stood, smiled faintly at Xu Jing, and walked out of the parlor into the courtyard.

Fan Jin, restless, closely followed him, entering the courtyard as well. Wearing a wry smile, Fan Jin said, “Brother Zhouzhi, it’s all my fault. At my age, I still can’t let go of pride and competitiveness.”

Zhouzhi smiled, “Brother Fan, there’s no blame to be had. You need not feel guilty.

“Haha! Brother Fan, you’d better go back inside. It’s quite cold out here.”

Zhouzhi said nothing about whether he truly possessed photographic memory; instead, he comforted Fan Jin, who was deeply moved and secretly wondered: could it be that Brother Zhouzhi really does have the ability to remember everything after seeing it once?

Feeling apologetic and doubtful, Fan Jin returned to the parlor.

Inside, Xu Jing already had a fine brush in hand, writing swiftly and elegantly. He had given thought to how best to test Zhouzhi’s memory. He could have simply chosen a passage from a book for Zhouzhi to read, but since Zhouzhi claimed to have only studied for three months, the choice of passages would be vast.

Yet Xu Jing insisted on composing a piece on the spot, likely to showcase his own scholarship.

He thought: if Zhouzhi truly could memorize after one reading, then even so, my breadth of knowledge and memory are formidable.

Moreover, Xu Jing’s skill at writing beautiful small regular script was a source of pride, and this was a perfect moment to display it and earn admiration.

In this regard, Xu Jing’s vanity was undeniable.

He wrote an Eight-Legged Essay titled: “Those Who Rejoice in Heaven Preserve the World.”

The Eight-Legged Essay is a classical form with eight distinct sections: breaking the topic, accepting the topic, beginning the discussion, entering the topic, beginning the leg, middle leg, latter leg, and concluding leg. It must be written in the voice of the ancients, “speaking for the sages,” strictly adhering to form without free expression.

At twenty-three, Xu Jing had passed the provincial examination and had developed a unique perspective and skill in this form. This essay on “Those Who Rejoice in Heaven Preserve the World” was the product of several days of contemplation, polishing, and rewriting.

By all standards of the Eight-Legged Essay, it was a superior work. Xu Jing had kept it private, never revealing it to others. Whether Zhouzhi had truly studied for three months or not, he had certainly never seen this essay before. Xu Jing’s live composition was an ideal test.

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Finished, Xu Jing’s face beamed with pride.

Wu Wending was the first to speak excitedly, “What a fine essay! This is yet another private treasure of Brother Zhifu, a masterpiece indeed. Brother Zhifu, you shouldn’t keep such works hidden. You must share them soon so we may admire and learn from them.”

Lu Xingchuan and Wei Haogu also clicked their tongues in admiration, applauding enthusiastically.

Fan Jin, naturally impressed, couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Indeed, this man was a true scholar. Just this one Eight-Legged Essay was beyond his own ability.

He had intended to remain silent but felt it would be stingy, so he added a few words: “Brother Zhifu’s essay is excellent, and his small script is extraordinary—far beyond my reach.”

“Haha! Brother Zhifu’s small script is renowned even in Jiangyin; naturally, it cannot be wrong,” Wu Wending said.

Xu Jing smiled but modestly replied, “It’s average. I still have many misunderstandings about the Eight-Legged Essay and must study harder and read more contemporary works. At my current level, passing the metropolitan examination is still a challenge.

“As for my handwriting, haha! It’s nothing extraordinary, just a style that’s pleasing to the eye.”

Though he said this, his heart was bursting with pride and satisfaction.

Indeed, having passed the provincial exam at twenty-three, he was the highest-ranking person present. It would be unseemly not to receive the admiration he deserved.

Then Xu Jing smiled calmly and said, “Let Brother Zhouzhi come in. Let him read this essay and recite it on the spot!”