The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 095 I Thought, Senior Brother Must Be A Splendid And Handsome Person
The banquet had not yet finished when someone from the palace arrived. Zhao Fu had bestowed a wolf-hair brush upon Tang Shen.
In ancient times, it was rare for a man to pass the imperial examination before the age of twenty and receive an official title before his coming-of-age ceremony. Those who passed the imperial examination and caught the emperor's attention were even rarer. Whenever an official held a coming-of-age ceremony, Zhao Fu would bestow gifts, but the gifts varied.
During Zhao Fu's reign, only six officials received this honor in thirty-one years. Three of them were powerful officials favored by the emperor, while the other three held lower positions and took up official posts away from the capital.
Tang Shen received the gift personally bestowed by Zhao Fu. He accepted the brush with both hands and handed some lucky money to the eunuch who delivered the gift.
The eunuch initially pretended to decline but soon accepted it. He smiled and said, "Congratulations to Tang daren. Tang daren is young and promising with a bright future ahead."
When the moon was at its peak, Tang Shen personally escorted the congratulatory officials out.
As he saw off Fu Wei and Wang Zhen, Tang Shen said, "Tomorrow night, I will host a banquet at home. Sir and Senior Brother must attend."
Both of them naturally agreed.
In the thirty-first year of the Kaiping era, on the seventh day of the third month, it was Tang Shen's birthday.
Because Tang Shen was leaving for Youzhou in mid-March to oversee the Silver Pull Division, he stopped attending the court and focused on preparing for his trip. At noon, he hosted a banquet at Xixia Tower for a few of his friends. None of the attendees were high-ranking officials, with the highest-ranking being Yao Shan.
Yao Shan and Tang Shen were both fellow jinshi in the same year's imperial examination. Four years ago, Yao Shan ranked first in the examination and then went to the palace with Tang Shen to serve as a chamberlain. Two years ago, under the leadership of Left Prime Minister Ji Wengji, Consultant in Policy Affairs of the Chancellery Zhao Jing, and Right Vice Minister of Revenue Qin Si, the Revenue And Expenditure Department was reestablished, becoming the most coveted post among court officials at the time. Yao Shan, who was deeply favored by the emperor, originally held the rank of fifth-rank chamberlain but was assigned to the Revenue And Expenditure Department by Zhao Fu during that period.
At that time, Yao Shan didn't expect that the Revenue And Expenditure Department would end up like that. He and Tang Shen's friend, Mei Shengze, went to the Revenue And Expenditure Department together, but no one expected that it would take a sharp turn for the worse within a year. The Revenue And Expenditure Department was abolished by the emperor, and Zhao Jing and Qin Si were demoted. Minor officials like them also had a hard time.
Mei Shengze was demoted to a county magistrate of Guinan last year and had temporarily lost touch with Tang Shen.
Yao Shan was lucky, though. He had served as a chamberlain for two years and was not demoted despite being scolded by Zhao Fu. Instead, he was transferred to a fourth-rank Senior Official of Consultative Affairs, but his actual power and influence were far less than Tang Shen's.
However, Yao Shan had already made peace with his situation.
Life is full of hardships, but being able to stay in the capital is already a blessing.
At the banquet, Yao Shan drank some wine and said to Tang Shen, "Jing Ze, be careful on your trip to Youzhou. The Silver Pull Division is like the Revenue And Expenditure Department's successor, and its waters are deep. Although I don't know what kind of twists and turns it has, Youzhou is a city between the Song and Liao States, where fish and dragons coexist. The Silver Pull Division is responsible for military supplies, so it must be dangerous. Be careful."
Tang Shen was moved by Yao Shan's concern and said, "Thank you, Brother Wen Ji for your concern. This time at Youzhou, Jing Ze will be very cautious."
Yao Shan then said with lingering fear, "The incident with the Revenue And Expenditure Department has made me more cautious about the dark currents in officialdom. The higher you stand, the colder it gets. Looking down, every step is treacherous."
Tang Shen said, "Youzhou is indeed full of dangers, but luckily, the Silver Pull Division is under my senior brother Wang Zifeng's supervision, so it should be safe."
Yao Shan suddenly remembered, "Ah, yes! I forgot that Wang daren is your senior brother and that he is in charge of the Silver Pull Division."
Tang Shen smiled without saying anything.
Yao Shan's eyes turned green with envy.
"Alas! I'm not even close! Jing Ze, wait until you return from Youzhou and let's have a few cups together to alleviate my bitter feelings. Do you smell the sourness I am emanating? I'm really envious!"
Tang Shen laughed loudly: "It's settled then!"
At noon, he entertained his friends. In the evening, Tang Shen hosted a banquet at home for Wang Zhen and Fu Wei.
The three men raised their cups together and chatted as they ate. Fu Wei occasionally laughed loudly and boasted about his painting skills. He praised his own painting as if it were alive and vivid.
Tang Shen initially believed him at first but thought to himself that his teacher was known as the Master of Insignificant Talent, and his calligraphy was indeed one of Song Dynasty's best works... but he couldn't help but wonder how Fu Wei could create such an excellent painting today? But he turned his head and his eyes met Wang Zhen’s.
Only to see Wang Zhen's clear eyes full of playful teasing and laughter. He didn't say anything but quietly ate his food while listening to Fu Wei bragging on the side.
Tang Shen suddenly realized that his teacher and he were similar in that they were both good at flattery. The only difference was that Tang Shen flattered others, while Fu Wei flattered himself!
Alright, this painting must not be very good and definitely lives up to his teacher's usual standards.
After finishing their meal, the Fu Residence was a bit far from Tanhua Residence, so Fu Wei left first while Wang Zhen stayed behind.
After Aunt Yao cleared the dishes from the table, Tang Shen and Wang Zhen walked in the courtyard.
The Tanhua Residence was not big, just a three-courtyard residence with an east wing connected on the right side. The garden in the manor was in the northwest corner and had a small pond with a grove of bamboo surrounding it. It was March, early spring, and the evening breeze on their faces felt refreshing, rather than cold.
Walking along the edge of the pond, Tang Shen said, "Senior Brother personally chose this manor for me as the Tanhua Residence, but this is your first time seeing it, right?"
Wang Zhen replied, "If you mean completely walking through this manor, then yes, it's the first time."
"I quite like this bamboo grove." Tang Shen stopped by the bamboo grove and turned to look at Wang Zhen, saying, "Bamboo symbolizes a noble gentleman. It's spring, and there's no floral fragrance yet. The study is located nearby, making it the most secluded spot."
The two of them soon entered Tang Shen's study.
It wasn't Wang Zhen's first time at the Tanhua Residence, but it was his first time entering Tang Shen's study.
Tang Shen personally went to the kitchen to pour tea for Wang Zhen. Before leaving, he said, "Senior Brother, feel free to look around. My collection of books at home may not be as vast as yours, but there are still quite a few."
A few moments later, Tang Shen returned with a tea tray. As he entered the room, he saw Wang Zhen standing by the corner of the bookshelf, examining some books on tea art. Tang Shen was startled but quickly composed himself, hiding any trace of abnormality. He placed the tea tray on the table and smiled, saying, "Are you thirsty, Senior Brother? Would you like some tea? It's the Biluochun brought from Gusu by my cousin."
Wang Zhen put down the book and took a sip of tea.
"Senior Brother, were you looking at books on tea art just now?" Tang Shen asked.
Wang Zhen glanced at the book he had just placed back on the shelf, his lips curled slightly. "Yes, little Junior Brother, you do have some books here that I don't have at home. Could you lend me some to take home?"
"Of course," Tang Shen said, taking out several books on tea art for Wang Zhen. After taking those books down, he inadvertently caused the other books on the side to fall over, blocking the gap left by the missing ones. Tang Shen discreetly rearranged the books, ensuring that they completely covered the gap. He smiled at Wang Zhen and asked, "Is there anything else Senior Brother would like to see?"
Wang Zhen seemed to have not noticed Tang Shen's subtle movements. He replied, "I seemed to have seen a book on supernatural fiction from a previous dynasty moments ago."
Tang Shen was surprised, "Senior Brother, you also like reading supernatural fiction?"
Wang Zhen asked in return, "Isn't it little Junior Brother who likes it, since you have a copy in your collection?"
Tang Shen replied, "I just happened to come across it and found the title intriguing, so I bought it to read."
"Then I am also the same."
Tang Shen knew he couldn't compete with Wang Zhen in eloquence. He packed up the books and the two sat on the couch in the study, reminiscing about the past.
Tang Shen spoke for the first time about the painting he saw at thirteen years old, which was painted by Fu Wei and inscribed by Wang Zhen.
Wang Zhen revealed a surprised expression, "There is actually such a thing?"
Seeing the surprise on his senior brother's face, Tang Shen felt elated. It was quite an accomplishment to surprise Wang Zhen. He proudly said, "Yes. Back then, I didn't know the Master of Insignificant Talent was Sir. When I saw Senior Brother's calligraphy, I remembered the name Wang Zifeng. At the time, I even wondered what Senior Brother's name was."
Zi Feng is Wang Zhen's courtesy name, while Zhen is his given name.
Generally speaking, the courtesy names of ancient people either had meanings, conveyed the hopes of their elders, or were related to their given names.
For example, Confucius was named Qiu and his courtesy name was Zhongni. Zhong means second, and Confucius was second in birth order in his family, so his courtesy name was Zhongni. Another example is Qu Yuan, whose courtesy name was Guangping. The area of Guangping represents a plain, so that's how his courtesy name is related to his given name.
Wang Zhen's courtesy name was Zi Feng, and when Tang Shen was thirteen, he secretly pondered, with "Zi" being a term of endearment without an actual meaning, and Wang Zhen's real courtesy name being "Feng."
“Feng” means lush, abundant, splendid, and beautiful.
Does this mean that Wang Zhen was exceptionally good-looking, so he was given the courtesy name "Feng"?
As it turned out, when Tang Shen first saw Wang Zhen, he was indeed briefly stunned by his senior brother's appearance. But Tang Shen always felt that there was more to it than just looks.
Wang Zhen playfully said, "What do you think?"
Tang Shen instinctively started flattering, "I thought, Senior Brother must be a splendid and handsome person, which is why you were given the courtesy name 'Zi Feng.'"
Wang Zhen replied, "That's not entirely wrong."
Tang Shen, “...”
You're not very modest.
"Little Junior Brother once mentioned that you guessed at my name, Wang Zhen, with the character 'Zhen' taken from the Book of Songs, 'Qin Wei.' Qin and Wei are rivers with abundant water sources. The year I was born, my father went alone to Jiezhou for his official appointment, and the Qin River passed through Jiezhou. That year, the Qin River was full but not flooding, leading to a bountiful harvest in both places, and my father's governance in Jiezhou was recognized, earning him the emperor's reward. Coincidentally, I was also born around the same time, and a letter from the Langya Wang family was sent to Jiezhou, so my father chose a name for me, 'Zhen.'"
Wang Zhen recited that poem, "'Rivers Qin and Wei flow freely.' So when I came of age, I was given the courtesy name 'Feng.' May the Qin River flow abundantly every year, bringing blessings to all."
Everyone enjoys hearing stories, and Wang Zhen's storytelling was captivating, leaving Tang Shen thoroughly engrossed.
Tang Shen said, "I didn't expect such a profound origin behind Senior Brother's name."
Wang Zhen replied, "Remember when little Junior Brother once recited the poem 'Qin Wei' to me?"
Upon hearing this, Tang Shen sensed something was amiss.
What did he mean by me reciting 'Qin Wei' to you?
'Qin Wei' was a famous love poem from the Book of Songs, typically recited to express romantic feelings! It's true that four years ago, he did recite this poem to Wang Zhen because it matched his name, but he never intended it as a confession of feelings.
But what Wang Zhen said wasn't entirely wrong.
Tang Shen awkwardly said, "...I did indeed recite that poem to Senior Brother."
"That was on my birthday, and little Junior Brother gifted me a jade pendant and a fragrant pouch."
Tang Shen raised his head, "En?"
The flickering candlelight reflected off Wang Zhen's clear and elegant face, his faint smile melting like ice on a tall mountain, revealing a hint of a smile. With a slight movement of his fingers, Tang Shen felt a flash before his eyes and focused on Wang Zhen's right hand.
In the dim candlelight, Wang Zhen slightly raised his hand, and a tassel slipped from his slender and elegant fingers, with a pure white translucent jade tied to its end.
The beauty of the jade was astonishing, as the dim candlelight failed to hide its delicate warmth. It swayed gently, each movement causing a layer of radiant gleam to flicker across the surface. Although Tang Shen had seen many exquisite jewels and jades, he couldn't help but stare for a long time. Subconsciously, he began to estimate its value...
Just how much gold was that worth!
On this spring night, Wang Zhen's gentle voice sounded, "A gift for your twentieth birthday, little Junior Brother."