Chapter 148: Action Is Formed by Thought, Destroyed by Random Follow

Chapter 148: Success Through Thought, Ruin Through Following

Ma Guan had made some headway in the Way of Calligraphy.

It was not just that Master Yue Ming was taken aback and stirred with excitement; even Master Chen Yi was taken completely by surprise.

Though he did have confidence in the teachings he had imparted to the Way of Calligraphy, and believed that diligent students with sufficient aptitude could ascend the path of letters, he had never imagined that someone would take such a step in the very first lesson.

How extravagant!

It was so extreme that even Chen Yi could not conceive of the upheaval that would ensue once this news spread.

Not to mention the future—let alone the present moment.

In the study hall, once Ma Guan had written the character "Shu" that shimmered and faded, the room fell silent as if all the birds had ceased their songs.

The students sat upright in their seats, their eyes fixed on the sand table before Ma Guan, fixed on the glowing character.

They looked as though they could not quite believe what they were seeing.

Even Ma Guan himself stood gazing at the sand table, as if unable to believe this was his own doing.

He murmured softly, "This—this is what I wrote?"

Chen Yi swept his gaze around the room and approached him, smiling as he said, "Indeed, it was you who wrote it."

"Though if you do not wish for it to be but a fleeting vision, reflect on the state of your mind at that moment, and write several more characters."

Ma Guan paused, yet did not immediately follow his instruction. Instead, he sprang to his feet and bowed deeply.

"A student thanks the master!"

Chen Yi smiled, for this one was indeed as straightforward as he had thought.

Though that bow was not entirely unbecoming.

"Come, thank you, and sit down and write a few more characters."

"Yes, master."

Ma Guan nodded solemnly and returned to his seat beside the sand table, erasing the character "Shu" and smoothing the surface.

He recalled the state of his mind from before.

—A gentleman should be balanced and harmonious, resolute and unyielding, majestic and grand.

After a brief pause, Ma Guan dipped his brush into the ink once more and wrote the characters "Junzi" on the sand.

The strokes were level, upright, and straight, exuding a sense of propriety and grandeur.

At the moment his brush lifted, a faint luminescence began to shimmer on the sand table.

Though not as radiant as Chen Yi’s "Shu," it was undeniably a case of the characters revealing their splendor.

Ma Guan’s spirit relaxed, and he looked up at Chen Yi.

"Master?"

Chen Yi patted his shoulder and praised, "Not bad."

The beginning and ending were satisfactory.

By observing the characters, one could discern the person’s character and mindset.

Indeed, he possessed the "virtue of a gentleman."

Only then did the students, who had been holding their breath, bow their hands toward Ma Guan in respect.

"Brother Ming, congratulations!"

"Brother Ming, may you live long—the day will surely come when you will be the greatest calligrapher of our Great Wei dynasty."

"Why wait for that day?"

"Indeed, right now, in our esteemed Shu College, aside from Master Chuan Zhe, there is no one who surpasses Brother Ming in calligraphy."

"Well said—indeed, even our abbot and Master Zhuo Ying are somewhat inferior."

What the speaking student did not know was that Master Yue Ming and Master Zhuo Ying, who had arrived in a hurry, were standing just outside the study hall, listening to every word.

The previously pleased expression on their faces immediately soured.

Their expressions, which drew laughter from the other elderly scholars, prompted them to tease and jest:

"Master Yue, the Way of Calligraphy still requires your diligent effort."

"Zhuo, is your calligraphy still up to par these days?"

Upon hearing their voices, the students quickly noticed their arrival and straightened themselves in their seats.

Only the student who had spoken remained, his mouth twitching into a bitter smile as he discreetly wiped his lips.

Master Yue glared at the two elders and entered the study hall first, bowing respectfully to Chen Yi before approaching Ma Guan.

After examining the characters "Junzi" on the sand table, he could not help but wear a relieved smile.

Yet Master Yue did not praise Ma Guan first. Instead, he bowed to Chen Yi.

"Chuan Zhe, I, Yue Ming, on behalf of Brother Ming and our esteemed Shu College, thank you for imparting the Way of Calligraphy."

The others behind Master Yue followed suit.

Seeing this, Chen Yi sighed, "I say, Masters, are you trying to kill me with your gratitude?"

To have someone achieve mastery in calligraphy in the first lesson was beyond his expectations, and they were thanking him so earnestly.

How much more could he endure?

Master Yue glanced at him and asked, "What are you babbling about?"

"You have taught a student of calligraphy who has achieved some mastery, a true talent destined to become a great calligrapher of our Great Wei dynasty—should I not thank you for it?"

Chen Yi looked at him, who was earnestly assigning all sorts of titles to Ma Guan, and shook his head with a bitter smile.

"You are the abbot; say what you will, it is what it is."

"Indeed, that is so."

Master Yue’s expression softened, and he praised Ma Guan.

"Ming, you have done well."

"Continue to study under Chuan Zhe, and strive to achieve mastery in the Way of Calligraphy, so that our esteemed Shu College may shine across the nine provinces and three prefectures of Great Wei."

When he had said this, Master Yue paused and glanced sideways at Chen Yi.

"Of course, Master Chuan Zhe, your name too shall become renowned throughout the realm."

...

Chen Yi rolled his eyes in secret.

At this point, there was little he could do but let it be.

Who was this student Ma Guan to emerge from our study hall, with such a profound understanding and refined level of calligraphic skill?

Yet after Master Yue arrived, the lesson could no longer proceed in its usual manner.

The students in the study hall were all preoccupied with thoughts of Ma Guan, their minds in a state of turmoil.

They all knew that, whether Ma Guan would ever pass the provincial or metropolitan examinations in the future mattered not; by virtue of his calligraphy alone, he could achieve fame far and wide.

Outside the Scholars’ Hall, many a diligent student hastened there upon hearing the news.

Some admired him, others envied him, and more still were vexed.

“Before, Master Yue Ming asked me to register and follow Master Qin Zhou’s teachings, but I foolishly refused?”

“Indeed, I did the same—how fortunate for Ma and Ming!”

“Who could have guessed that Master Qin Zhou’s instruction would be not merely simple calligraphy, but the Way of Writing itself?”

“Ah, such a shame—we…”

A few quick-witted souls exchanged glances, then pushed through the crowd, racing toward the Scholars’ Hall.

Missing the first registration was no great loss; they could pay a price to take the place of another scholar within the Scholars’ Hall. Or, by some means or another, seek an introduction to Master Yue Ming, hoping to become Chen Yi’s student. For scholars of noble birth, such matters were not difficult.

Even if Master Yue Ming himself refused, they could devise a plan to visit the Duke of Qinghai’s residence.

They could not afford to miss this opportunity.

For mastery in calligraphy, after all, brought certain advantages in the examinations.

Though no past imperial examination had explicitly required calligraphy, those who excelled in it were known to receive some favor, whether through the mercy of the examiners or the praise of renowned scholars. Such benefits, however slight, were still something.

Beyond the Scholars’ Hall and its students, the busiest of all was Ma Guan himself. Under the orders of Master Yue Ming and others, he labored on the sand table, writing one character at a time.

One after another, the elegant strokes emerged, only to fade again as the sand was smoothed over.

By the end, Ma Guan’s once-ruddy face had grown pale and drenched in sweat.

Chen Yi, seeing this, interrupted: “Master Qin, your writing is indeed exhausting. Let us conclude today.”

Master Yue Ming and the others, still moved by the session, nodded in agreement. “Indeed, Ma Guan should rest and recuperate.”

Ma Guan exhaled a long, relieved breath, rising to bow. “I, your servant, will surely continue striving, hoping to achieve mastery in the Way of Writing soon.”

Chen Yi shook his head. “Do your best, but do not think of running before you have learned to walk.”

Ma Guan hesitated, then bowed respectfully. “Your servant remembers your teachings.”

Just as Chen Yi was about to declare the session concluded, Master Yue Ming approached him, speaking softly:

“Qin Zhou, after all, this is your first time teaching here. It would be a pity to write but three characters.”

Chen Yi glanced at him, understanding his intent. “What instruction, Master?”

“Suppose you wrote a line on this paper, to hang in the Scholars’ Hall, as an admonition to the students of our esteemed Cloud Grove Academy?”

“No.”

“Hmph… I shall offer my gratitude to the students on your behalf…”

Seeing Master Yue Ming incline further in respect, Chen Yi stepped aside. “Wait.”

Master Yue Ming halted, his weathered face stern.

Chen Yi, seeing the situation, sighed and shook his head. “Master, I cannot help but let bygones be bygones, as you are an elder.”

“Should this happen again, I shall swap the Cloud Grove paper for the sand table myself.”

“I promise, I shall not.”

On the sidelines, Guo Ying and others muttered in dismay at the old master’s lack of modesty, yet said nothing to spoil Master Yue Ming’s kindness.

After all, their scheme to “trick” Chen Yi with the Cloud Grove paper over his calligraphy—how could they let anyone know?

For if Chen Yi were to discover their deceit, none of them would gain favor.

Fortunately, Chen Yi remained unaware.

After agreeing to Master Yue Ming’s request, he dipped his brush in ink and wrote on a large sheet of Cloud Grove paper:

“Meticulous effort yields excellence; idle mirth leads to ruin. Thoughtful planning ensures success; heedless action brings destruction.”

Though this couplet fell short of the four lines of the Qin River, it was, in Chen Yi’s eyes, a reflection of the gentlemanly spirit he had witnessed in Ma Guan.

It also served as his message to the students: diligence and virtue must go hand in hand for one to succeed.

When Master Yue Ming and the others saw the words on the paper and felt the grace in their spirit, their earlier scheming hearts were tarnished with shame.

“On my behalf…”

Before they could finish, Chen Yi set down his brush and strode toward the Scholars’ Hall.

Stay?

Do you think my years are endless?

Master Yue Ming and the others exchanged glances, smiling.

“Master, you truly disgrace propriety.”

“Hah.”

“A scamp of propriety!”

“Hah.”

Seeing this, Guo Ying and the others realized Master Yue Ming had abandoned all pretense, and they followed Chen Yi without a word.

Master Yue Ming paid them no mind, carefully tucking away the two sheets of Cloud Grove paper.

Turning, he noticed the students inside and outside the Scholars’ Hall, their faces reddening, pretending to cough, and said:

“Let me first frame this calligraphy, lest it be damaged…”

…

Meanwhile, as Chen Yi was led out to chat and laugh with the esteemed masters of Cloud Grove Academy, the residence of the Duke of Qinghai was far from tranquil.

The magistrate of Shuzhou, Liu Si, arrived with a team of law enforcement officials.

The atmosphere was at first relatively calm.

But when the deputy magistrate, Bao Hou Fang Hong, spoke of the bodies discovered in the western market the previous night, the mood instantly grew solemn.

“The Xiao family?”

“Deputy Bao, you mean to say the killer of Liu Jing was one of our Xiao family?”

The old patriarch remained composed, but Xiao Wang’s face had darkened with anger.

Bao Hou Hong paused, then bowed. “Duke Xiao, forgive me. I merely report the facts, not confirming that the ‘Xiao’ in the slain man’s throat belongs to your household.”

Xiao Wang stared at her, sneering coldly. “You come to my home to discuss this matter, and you do not make it so simple.”

Bao Hou Hong was about to explain further when Liu Si waved him off.

—

This translation maintains the original's literary tone, preserving the classical Chinese narrative style while adapting idioms and cultural references into natural English. Each line is carefully matched to the original structure, ensuring fidelity to the source text.They all knew that, whether Ma Guan would ever pass the provincial or metropolitan examinations in the future mattered not; by virtue of his calligraphy alone, he could achieve fame far and wide.

Outside the Scholars’ Hall, many a diligent student hastened there upon hearing the news.

Some admired him, others envied him, and more still were vexed.

“Before, Master Yue Ming asked me to register and follow Master Qin Zhou’s teachings, but I foolishly refused?”

“Indeed, I did the same—how fortunate for Ma and Ming!”

“Who could have guessed that Master Qin Zhou’s instruction would be not merely simple calligraphy, but the Way of Writing itself?”

“Ah, such a shame—we…”

A few quick-witted souls exchanged glances, then pushed through the crowd, racing toward the Scholars’ Hall.

Missing the first registration was no great loss; they could pay a price to take the place of another scholar within the Scholars’ Hall. Or, by some means or another, seek an introduction to Master Yue Ming, hoping to become Chen Yi’s student. For scholars of noble birth, such matters were not difficult.

Even if Master Yue Ming himself refused, they could devise a plan to visit the Duke of Qinghai’s residence.

They could not afford to miss this opportunity.

For mastery in calligraphy, after all, brought certain advantages in the examinations.

Though no past imperial examination had explicitly required calligraphy, those who excelled in it were known to receive some favor, whether through the mercy of the examiners or the praise of renowned scholars. Such benefits, however slight, were still something.

Beyond the Scholars’ Hall and its students, the busiest of all was Ma Guan himself. Under the orders of Master Yue Ming and others, he labored on the sand table, writing one character at a time.

One after another, the elegant strokes emerged, only to fade again as the sand was smoothed over.

By the end, Ma Guan’s once-ruddy face had grown pale and drenched in sweat.

Chen Yi, seeing this, interrupted: “Master Qin, your writing is indeed exhausting. Let us conclude today.”

Master Yue Ming and the others, still moved by the session, nodded in agreement. “Indeed, Ma Guan should rest and recuperate.”

Ma Guan exhaled a long, relieved breath, rising to bow. “I, your servant, will surely continue striving, hoping to achieve mastery in the Way of Writing soon.”

Chen Yi shook his head. “Do your best, but do not think of running before you have learned to walk.”

Ma Guan hesitated, then bowed respectfully. “Your servant remembers your teachings.”

Just as Chen Yi was about to declare the session concluded, Master Yue Ming approached him, speaking softly:

“Qin Zhou, after all, this is your first time teaching here. It would be a pity to write but three characters.”

Chen Yi glanced at him, understanding his intent. “What instruction, Master?”

“Suppose you wrote a line on this paper, to hang in the Scholars’ Hall, as an admonition to the students of our esteemed Cloud Grove Academy?”

“No.”

“Hmph… I shall offer my gratitude to the students on your behalf…”

Seeing Master Yue Ming incline further in respect, Chen Yi stepped aside. “Wait.”

Master Yue Ming halted, his weathered face stern.

Chen Yi, seeing the situation, sighed and shook his head. “Master, I cannot help but let bygones be bygones, as you are an elder.”

“Should this happen again, I shall swap the Cloud Grove paper for the sand table myself.”

“I promise, I shall not.”

On the sidelines, Guo Ying and others muttered in dismay at the old master’s lack of modesty, yet said nothing to spoil Master Yue Ming’s kindness.

After all, their scheme to “trick” Chen Yi with the Cloud Grove paper over his calligraphy—how could they let anyone know?

For if Chen Yi were to discover their deceit, none of them would gain favor.

Fortunately, Chen Yi remained unaware.

After agreeing to Master Yue Ming’s request, he dipped his brush in ink and wrote on a large sheet of Cloud Grove paper:

“Meticulous effort yields excellence; idle mirth leads to ruin. Thoughtful planning ensures success; heedless action brings destruction.”

Though this couplet fell short of the four lines of the Qin River, it was, in Chen Yi’s eyes, a reflection of the gentlemanly spirit he had witnessed in Ma Guan.

It also served as his message to the students: diligence and virtue must go hand in hand for one to succeed.

When Master Yue Ming and the others saw the words on the paper and felt the grace in their spirit, their earlier scheming hearts were tarnished with shame.

“On my behalf…”

Before they could finish, Chen Yi set down his brush and strode toward the Scholars’ Hall.

Stay?

Do you think my years are endless?

Master Yue Ming and the others exchanged glances, smiling.

“Master, you truly disgrace propriety.”

“Hah.”

“A scamp of propriety!”

“Hah.”

Seeing this, Guo Ying and the others realized Master Yue Ming had abandoned all pretense, and they followed Chen Yi without a word.

Master Yue Ming paid them no mind, carefully tucking away the two sheets of Cloud Grove paper.

Turning, he noticed the students inside and outside the Scholars’ Hall, their faces reddening, pretending to cough, and said:

“Let me first frame this calligraphy, lest it be damaged…”

…

Meanwhile, as Chen Yi was led out to chat and laugh with the esteemed masters of Cloud Grove Academy, the residence of the Duke of Qinghai was far from tranquil.

The magistrate of Shuzhou, Liu Si, arrived with a team of law enforcement officials.

The atmosphere was at first relatively calm.

But when the deputy magistrate, Bao Hou Fang Hong, spoke of the bodies discovered in the western market the previous night, the mood instantly grew solemn.

“The Xiao family?”

“Deputy Bao, you mean to say the killer of Liu Jing was one of our Xiao family?”

The old patriarch remained composed, but Xiao Wang’s face had darkened with anger.

Bao Hou Hong paused, then bowed. “Duke Xiao, forgive me. I merely report the facts, not confirming that the ‘Xiao’ in the slain man’s throat belongs to your household.”

Xiao Wang stared at her, sneering coldly. “You come to my home to discuss this matter, and you do not make it so simple.”

Bao Hou Hong was about to explain further when Liu Si waved him off.

“Fang Baihu, your second young master isn’t entirely wrong.”

“Since the Ministry of Justice hasn’t confirmed the culprit’s identity, mentioning the Xiao family before the Duke is inappropriate.”

Fang Hongxiu slightly pressed her lips, bowed, and retreated to her seat.

Yet the middle-aged man beside her, unyielding, rose and bowed:

“To the Duke, the Ministry of Justice may not confirm the culprit is a Xiao family member.”

“But all current evidence does point to the Xiao family.”

He was around forty, lean in build, with prominent kneecaps and an unremarkable face.

At that moment, as he spoke solemnly, his long face took on a more pointed, monkey-like appearance.

The hall fell silent.

Liu Si furrowed his brow, saying nothing, his gaze fixed on Xiao Wang the Duke.

Fang Hongxiu was taken aback.

Meanwhile, Xiao Wang had erupted in fury, slamming his fist on the table, “Huang Zhuo, do you even know what you’re saying?!”

At that instant, Xiao Wang’s elder uncle slightly raised his hand, his voice calm, cutting through the chaos: “Er, let Huang Zhuo finish.”

Xiao Wang shot him a fierce glance, his eyes narrowing at the middle-aged man.

Huang Zhuo, however, avoided looking at him, fixing his eyes on Xiao Wang the Duke with utmost reverence:

“Your Grace, I speak only facts, pray forgive my candor.”

The elder uncle said nothing, merely remarking: “Huang Zhuo, detail the evidence pointing to my Xiao family.”

Huang Zhuo nodded, then withdrew a scroll from his sleeve and began to read:

“There are three pieces of evidence.”

“First, Liu Jing, the sixth son of the Liu family in Jingzhou, came to Shuzhou to establish the Lingran Pavilion, ostensibly to confront the Xiao family’s pharmacy…”

Before he could proceed, Xiao Wang the Duke interrupted: “So you’re saying the Liu family of Jingzhou is deliberately targeting my Xiao family?”

Huang Zhuo hesitated, his face flushing: “Your Grace, I did not mean that. I merely…”

“Merely what?”

Huang Zhuo quickly amended, “Your Grace, pardon me, I may not have seen clearly. Please wait.”

Though Liu’s family had indeed come to Shuzhou to challenge the Xiao family’s pharmacy, stating it so plainly was an affront to the Xiao family’s dignity. Moreover, if this reached the Liu family in Jingzhou, it might implicate him, Huang Zhuo, as well.

Huang Zhuo glanced sideways at Fang Hongxiu, then continued, his tone shifting to avoid further direct accusations.

After finishing, the elder uncle studied him: “Is that all?”

By then, Huang Zhuo’s forehead was beaded with sweat. “Your Grace, the Ministry of Justice has only uncovered these leads thus far.”

The elder uncle smiled: “These half-formed, suspicious clues—Huang Zhuo dares to stand before my Xiao family and answer for them…”

“Who gave you the audacity?!”

(Chapter Complete)