Explore Chapter 14 of "八十一梦 五子登科" with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
It so happened that Yang Xingyuan was absorbed in a book in his study when suddenly he heard footsteps outside, followed by a voice asking, 'Is Mr. Yang at home?' Yang Xingyuan put down his book and rose to receive the visitor. There he saw a guest in a gray long gown standing in the courtyard, holding a name card in his hand. Yang Xingyuan took the card and saw the name 'Li Shouyi' written on it, but he did not recognize it. He thought to himself, 'Who is this person? Why this abrupt visit?' With a smile he clasped his hands in salute and said, 'Please come in, please come in.'
Li Shouyi stepped into the study, looked around, and said with a smile, 'Mr. Yang, your study is indeed refined and elegant. No wonder everyone says you are a man of culture and taste.' Yang Xingyuan made a few modest remarks, then invited him to sit and instructed a servant to serve tea. After taking his seat, Li Shouyi produced a letter from his bosom and presented it with both hands, saying, 'This is a letter entrusted to me by my friend Mr. Wang. He has long admired your reputation, Mr. Yang, and had intended to visit you himself, but due to business he could not come in person. He has specially asked me to convey his regards first.'
Yang Xingyuan opened the letter and read it through. It turned out that Mr. Wang wished to ask him to write a preface. He pondered for a moment and said, 'This matter is not difficult, but Mr. Wang and I have never met. It might be inappropriate to start writing so rashly.' Li Shouyi hurriedly replied, 'Mr. Yang, you are too modest. Mr. Wang often says that in the literary world today, only your essays truly suit his taste. If he could be honored with a preface from you, he would be infinitely grateful.'
Yang Xingyuan, seeing his sincerity, acquiesced. Li Shouyi was overjoyed and lavished many complimentary words. The two conversed congenially, and before they knew it, it was noon. Yang Xingyuan invited him to stay for lunch. Li Shouyi demurred but eventually stayed. After three rounds of wine, Li Shouyi suddenly spoke, 'Mr. Yang, I have a remark to make, but I know not whether it should be uttered.' Yang Xingyuan replied, 'Pray speak your mind.'
Li Shouyi lowered his voice and said, 'There prevails a fashion nowadays: all literati of some renown favor Western suits and ties, appearing very stylish. I notice you, Mr. Yang, still wear a long gown. Is that not a trifle too old-fashioned?' Yang Xingyuan listened and smiled faintly. 'In clothing and headwear, each follows his own preference. I find long gowns convenient, and they are traditional Chinese attire. Why must we imitate the foreign style?'
Li Shouyi shook his head. 'That is not the proper way to put it. What age are we living in now? Everything foreign is better than Chinese; we ought to learn humbly. Take clothing for instance: Western suits are crisp and make one look energetic; long gowns are sloppy and always carry a hint of rusticity.' Yang Xingyuan laughed. 'Rustic is fine. I am a country bumpkin anyway. However, I am rather of the opinion that a person's learning and moral character are not expressed through clothing.'
Seeing that Yang Xingyuan was unconvinced, Li Shouyi dropped the subject. After the meal, Yang Xingyuan escorted him out. They shook hands, and Yang Xingyuan said, 'Mr. Li, when you have leisure, do come and sit with us again.' Li Shouyi assented and turned to leave. Yang Xingyuan returned to his study and thought to himself, 'This person is indeed warm-hearted, but he is far too enamored of foreign things.' He sat down again and picked up his book, yet could not concentrate; his thoughts involuntarily drifted far away.
Two days later, Yang Xingyuan was writing an essay at home when he heard another knock on the door. He went out and saw a young man in a Western suit and a bowler hat, holding a leather suitcase, standing at the door. The moment the man saw Yang Xingyuan, he bowed with a beaming smile and said, 'Mr. Yang, how do you do! I have come from Shanghai. My surname is Zhao, and my given name is Zhao Ziang. I have long admired your reputation and have come specially to pay you a visit.'
Yang Xingyuan found the name quite familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere, but for the moment he could not recall. He ushered the guest into the room. Zhao Ziang put down the suitcase and took out several books, saying, 'These are novels I have written myself. I would like to ask for your guidance, Mr. Yang.' Yang Xingyuan took them and saw the title: 'Dream of Shanghai Splendor.' He flipped through a few pages and found the style fairly fluent, but the content rather flashy. He exchanged a few polite words. Zhao Ziang then said, 'My purpose in coming to Nanjing this time is mainly to make the acquaintance of literary men. I have heard that you are a notable here, so I came especially to call on you.'
Yang Xingyuan laughed, 'You flatter me. I am nothing but a poor scholar.' Zhao Ziang shook his head. 'Mr. Yang, you are too modest. In Shanghai I often hear people say that your poetry, ci, songs, and fu are all superb, and you are especially skilled at writing novels. I also want to ask you to write a preface for my book on this visit.' Yang Xingyuan said, 'Well... I have been rather busy of late. I fear it is hard for me to comply at once.' Zhao Ziang quickly replied, 'Never mind, never mind. We can wait until you have time. I have also brought some local specialties from Shanghai as a small token of respect. Please do accept them.' With that, he took out a few boxes of pastries and several bottles of foreign liquor from his suitcase.
Yang Xingyuan declined a few times, but Zhao Ziang insisted on leaving them, so he had to accept. They chatted a while longer, then Zhao Ziang rose to leave. He shook Yang Xingyuan's hand and said, 'Mr. Yang, let us become more familiar with each other from now on. I will be staying in Nanjing for a few more days and will call on you again another day.' Yang Xingyuan saw him out, inwardly feeling that this man was a bit too effusive. He returned to his study, looked at the gifts, and could not help shaking his head.