newbobooks Chapter 126
Chapter 126
Zhou Chu knew very well that if it weren't for his student, the old man probably wouldn't want to stay in the capital for even a moment longer; this was a place of heartbreak for him.
However, compared to the capital, Jiangnan was also a place of sorrow for Tang Bohu. Even if he left the capital, the old man would probably continue to wander the world and occasionally return to Jiangnan.
Upon hearing this, Tang Bohu's eyes lit up immediately. He hurriedly put the incense box in front of him into his pocket, afraid that Zhou Chu would regret it if he was too slow.
Wen Zhengming, standing to the side, was green with envy. These literati loved collecting agarwood, the highest grade of agarwood that was offered as tribute to the emperor. Its production was extremely low, and they had only heard of it, never actually seen it. Now, Zhou Chu had given it to Tang Bohu so casually. How could Wen Zhengming not be envious and jealous?
"What a waste of natural resources."
Wen Zhengming beat his chest and stamped his feet in protest.
"Bullshit! Giving it to me would be a waste, but giving it to you wouldn't be?"
Tang Bohu looked at Wen Zhengming with a face full of disdain.
"Teachers, I need your help with something."
Zhou Chu didn't beat around the bush and spoke directly.
Upon hearing this, Wen Zhengming's eyes lit up. Given Zhou Chu's current status, why would he need to ask for favors? It was a good thing that he could help this student; otherwise, Wen Zhengming would always feel ashamed.
Tang Bohu didn't care at all; to him, Zhou Chu's affairs were his affairs.
"Yang Shen was severely reprimanded by His Majesty yesterday and is currently drowning his sorrows in my Drunken Immortal Pavilion. I'd like to try and see if I can enlighten him. I'd like to invite the two teachers to accompany me."
Zhou Chu told the truth.
Upon hearing this, both Tang Bohu and Wen Zhengming perked up.
After all, Yang Shen was the greatest talent of the Ming Dynasty and a literary giant of the time. Since ancient times, scholars have been prone to belittling each other, and Tang Bohu had never been convinced of Yang Shen's status as the greatest talent of the Ming Dynasty.
Wen Zhengming was also very much looking forward to the opportunity to raise a glass and drink with Yang Shen.
Although he never liked currying favor with the powerful, he always admired Yang Shen's talent and learning, but he did not agree with Yang Shen's stance and way of being an official.
“This is easy to handle. I’ve long disliked that old bastard Yang Shen. Why is he the number one talent in the Ming Dynasty?”
Tang Bohu said with a face full of disdain.
Having reached an agreement, the three headed straight for Zuixianlou. Guided by Sun Qiang, they went directly to the private room where Yang Shen was.
Yang Shen was not surprised by Zhou Chu's arrival. As the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, it would be strange if Zhou Chu did not show up when he himself was in Zhou Chu's restaurant.
He just didn't expect Zhou Chu to bring Tang Bohu and Wen Zhengming with him.
Yang Shen knew these two people; after all, they were both very famous in the literary world of the Ming Dynasty.
Yang Shen was already slightly tipsy, and he looked at the three people in front of him with blurry eyes.
"Zhou Hengqi, I've heard of you."
Yang Shen shook his head and said.
Zhou Chu didn't stand on ceremony and sat down directly next to him, and Tang Bohu and Wen Zhengming also took their seats.
"You want to be a good person, but you can't be a good person. You don't want to be a bad person, but you keep helping the wicked, so you are in pain."
Zhou Chu looked at Yang Shen in front of him and said with some disdain.
Upon hearing this, Yang Shen's smile vanished instantly, replaced by intense pain as he clutched his head with both hands.
"Stop talking."
"What? You dare to do it but not let people talk about it?"
How could Zhou Chu let Yang Shen off so easily? He relentlessly pursued him.
“What can I do? He’s my dad. I’ve enjoyed everything he’s given me since I was born.”
Yang Shen's eyes were bloodshot as he roared.
"Your problem is easy to solve. I don't know about others, but I know two people who have done it much better than you."
Zhou Chu took a sip of wine and said calmly.
"Who are these two people you're talking about? And what's the solution?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Shen, like a drowning person grasping at a straw, hurriedly pressed for answers.
“One is Mr. Yangming. Mr. Yangming’s background was no worse than yours, and even better. But he never confined himself because of his background and class. He attained enlightenment in Longchang, which allowed him to unite knowledge and action. What he knew was what he did, so there was no self-contradiction.”
Zhou Chu spoke eloquently.
Upon hearing this, Yang Shen's eyes lit up, as if he had found the path he should take.
On the other side, Wang Yangming sneezed and glanced at Shen Lian beside him.
"Chunfu, Zhou Hengqi wrote to me, inviting you to come to the capital and join the Embroidered Uniform Guard. What do you think?"
Shen Lian's temperament was different from ordinary people; he was not like a scholar at all. Although he was only fifteen years old, he had a fierce and tough demeanor.
Wang Yangming initially took Shen Lian as his disciple because he was impressed by Shen Lian's temperament, and mainly wanted to pass on his martial arts skills to Shen Lian.
"Students listen to their teachers."
Shen Lian said with utmost respect.
Shen Lian listened to and followed Wang Yangming's advice without question.
"Zhou Hengqi said in his letter that with your personality and having learned the unity of knowledge and action from your teacher, if you were to become an official in the future, you would probably only be able to become a county magistrate. What he said is true. Your personality is too stubborn and not suitable for being an official. The Embroidered Uniform Guard would be very suitable for you."
Wang Yangming considered for a long time before speaking.