The poem says:
A hero from Qinghe is remarkable, with a spirit that can shift mountains. He helps others without a second thought, preferring to drink recklessly over turning down a hundred nights of camaraderie.
Hosting a feast with exquisite dishes and entertaining guests, amidst the fragrant air of Wu songs and Zhao dances. In the hall, there are also three thousand scholars; who knows who will repay that kindness in the future?
Ximen Qing sent a messenger from the Miao family back with a letter and some silver. Miao Shi received the letter and reward, bowed respectfully and departed. Shortly after, Chunyan passed away, leaving only Chunhong behind. It truly fulfills the saying:
Spending all your wealth on revelry, leaving little joy for oneself.
On the day of the Double Ninth Festival, Chang Zhi Jie asked Ximen Qing to take care of some business, but nothing got done, and the landlord was urging him. Coincidentally, Ximen Qing returned from Tokyo, and he had been receiving guests every day since returning. It had been over ten days, and he still hadn't laid eyes on Ximen Qing. Chang Zhi Jie thought that face-to-face meetings matter, but what should he do if he can't meet him? He asked Baron Yinge for help every day, but each time he only went to Ximen Qing's doorstep to ask, and when they said he wasn't home, he came back empty-handed. Back home, his wife complained to him: "You're a man, yet you don't even have a roof over your head. You are so useless! You always butter up Ximen, but now that you need his help, you are like a useless bottle dropped in water!" Chang Zhi Jie was at a loss for words and just stood there, dumbfounded. The next day, he got up early and went to look for Baron Yinge, taking him to a bar for a few drinks. The Baron declined, saying, "I can't just drink for free." Chang Zhi Jie urged him to sit down, ordered some food and drink, and after two rounds of drinks, he said, "I asked you to speak to Ximen, but I haven't seen him for days. The landlord is getting impatient, and last night the landlord was arguing at my door all night. I couldn't stand it anymore, so I came out at dawn to ask for your help. While the boss is still around, find an opportunity to talk to him. What do you say?" The Baron said, "Since I promised you, I will definitely help you. Today, I will make sure the boss helps you." After a few more drinks, the Baron decided it was time to leave, but Chang Zhi Jie persuaded him to have one more drink, paid the bill, and the two went to Ximen Qing's house together.
It was just early autumn, and the weather was cool and pleasant. Ximen Qing had been drinking heavily for several days and felt completely exhausted. One day, someone invited him to drink, but he declined, saying he had matters to attend to, and instead, he was in the 'Cangchunwu' garden, enjoying the company of several women: Wu Yueniang, Meng Yulou, Pan Jinlian, and Li Ping'er, having a wonderful time. Chang Zhijie and Earl Ying arrived at Ximen Qing's house and were very pleased to hear that he was inside. However, they waited for a long time without him coming out. At that moment, two young servants entered, struggling to carry a large box of silk and satin, panting as they said, "After waiting for so long, we only brought half." They rested in the hall. Earl Ying asked, "Where is your master?" The servant replied, "He is playing in the garden." The earl said, "Please tell him to come out." The two young servants went back inside with the box. After a bit more waiting, one of the servants came out and said, "My master asks Earl Ying and Uncle Chang to wait a moment; he will be right out." After waiting a little longer, Ximen Qing finally emerged. The two greeted him and then sat down. The earl said, "You've been busy drinking these past few days and haven't had time to see anyone. Why are you home today?" Ximen Qing replied, "Since we parted that day, I've been invited to drink every day, and it's left me dizzy and without any energy. Today, someone invited me again, but I told them I had matters to attend to and didn't go." The earl asked, "Where did that box of clothes come from?" Ximen Qing said, "Now that autumn has arrived, everyone needs to add autumn clothing. That box is for my first wife; it’s not finished yet, just half done." Chang Zhijie stuck out his tongue and said, "For the six concubines, that translates to six boxes of clothes! What a grand gesture! In our modest household, we can’t even afford a scrap of cloth. Brother, you are truly a wealthy man!" Both Ximen Qing and Earl Ying laughed. The earl said, "Why haven't the cargo ships from Hangzhou arrived these past few days? I wonder how the business is doing. By the way, has the silver from Li San and Huang Si arrived at the manor?" Ximen Qing said, "I don't know where the cargo ships are; they haven't arrived or sent any news, which is really worrying. As for the silver from Li San and Huang Si, they said it wouldn't arrive until next month." Earl Ying sat down next to Ximen Qing and took the opportunity to say, "Brother Chang asked you for a favor at your banquet the other day, but you’ve been too busy to discuss it. Brother Chang is being pressed by his landlord and is almost driven mad by his wife's complaints. Now that autumn is here, his cotton coat is still at the pawnshop. If you are kind-hearted, as the saying goes: 'Help those in urgent need,' it would save him from his wife's daily nagging. Moreover, helping him find a place to live would also bring you some face. So, Brother Chang entrusted me to come and ask you for help." Ximen Qing said, "I promised him, but I spent too much money going to the capital and was planning to wait for Manager Han to return before discussing it with him. Is it really that urgent?" The earl said, "It's not Brother Chang who's anxious; it's his wife who can't stand it, which is why he's asking you for help." After hesitating for a moment, Ximen Qing said, "If that's the case, it's not difficult. You can ask him how many rooms he needs." The earl said, "The two of them need at least a storefront, a living room, a bedroom, and a kitchen—four rooms are essential. Factoring in the room prices, they'll need at least three or four taels of silver. You should gather some money soon to help him with this matter." Ximen Qing said, "Let's give him a few taels of silver today so he can buy some clothes and take care of his household. Once he finds a place, I will give him the remaining silver. How does that sound?" Both of them thanked him, saying, "We truly appreciate your kindness!" Ximen Qing called a young servant, "Go tell the madam to take a bag of silver out of the trunk." The servant complied. After a short while, the servant brought a bag of silver and handed it to Ximen Qing. Ximen Qing said to Chang Zhijie, "This bag of silver contains the twelve taels left from the reward given by the Grand Master of the capital that day; you can use it." He opened it for Chang Zhijie to see; it was all small pieces of silver worth three to five coins each. Chang Zhijie took the silver and tucked it into his sleeve, thanking Ximen Qing. Ximen Qing said, "I didn’t mean to hold you up; it’s just that you haven’t found a place yet. Once you find a place and I have money, I will give you the rest together." Chang Zhijie thanked him again. The three sat for a while longer, and the earl said, "Many ancient folks were generous, and their descendants ended up rich and influential, with their family businesses thriving. Those who were stingy hoarded a lot of gold and silver treasures, but their descendants turned out to be unworthy, unable to even protect their ancestral graves. This proves that the universe has its own sense of justice!" Ximen Qing said, "Those things prefer to be in motion rather than still; how could they possibly stay buried there forever! They were originally meant to be used by people; if one person hoards too much, there will certainly be others who lack it. Therefore, hoarding too many treasures is indeed a sin."
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Wow, just as we were talking, the young servant came in with the food. After the three of them finished eating, Chang Zhi Jie thanked them and left happily with the money in his pocket. Just as he entered the house, his wife came running out, shouting, "You falling parasol leaf ─ a walking bachelor! You went out for a whole day, leaving your wife hungry at home, and you come back all cheerful without a hint of shame! We don't even have a place to live, and you've put me through so much humiliation, and now I’m the one suffering!" Chang Er didn't say a word. He waited for his wife to finish scolding before gently taking out the money from his sleeve, placing it on the table, and opening it to take a look. He exclaimed, "Brother Kong, Brother Kong! You shine so brightly and jingle with every move! You are truly priceless. I could just gobble you up! If you had come earlier, I wouldn't have suffered so much from this woman!" His wife clearly saw a pile of twelve or thirteen taels of silver in the bag and happily rushed over, wanting to snatch it from his hand. Chang Er said, "All you ever do is scold me! You come running when you see money. Tomorrow, I will use this money to buy some clothes and move out to live on my own. I won’t put up with you anymore!" His wife smiled and said, "My dear! Where did this money come from?" Chang Er didn't say anything. His wife asked again, "My dear, you're not really blaming me, are you? I just want us to have a good life together. Now that we have money, let's discuss and buy a house to settle down. Why be so stubborn! As your wife, I haven't done anything to deserve this. Even if you blame me, it's unjust." Chang Er still didn't say anything. His wife kept nagging, and when she saw that Chang Er was ignoring her, she felt a bit embarrassed and couldn't help but cry. Chang Er sighed and said, "Women, they don't farm or weave, they only know how to complain about their husbands!" His wife cried even harder. Neither of them spoke, and no one tried to comfort them. They sat in silence. Chang Er thought to himself, "Women really have it hard. They suffer and complain a little, which is understandable. Today, I have money and ignore her, others will say I am heartless. Even if the officials find out, they will think I am wrong." So, he smiled at his wife and said, "I was just teasing you, don't be angry! You're always nagging, that's why I went out to find some peace. Who should I blame? Let me tell you the truth: this money, actually, it's because I couldn't stand you this morning. I specially invited Brother Ying to have three drinks at the restaurant, and we went together to the official's house. Luckily, the official was at home and didn't go out for drinks. Thanks to Brother Ying's sweet talk, I got this money. He even promised to help me find a house and hand me the cash! These twelve taels are for me to live on first." His wife said, "So it was the official who gave it to you. Don't spend it recklessly, buy some clothes for the winter, don't freeze." Chang Er said, "I was just thinking we should talk about it. With twelve taels of silver, we can buy some clothes and household items. When we have a new house, it’ll feel more respectable moving in. I am really grateful to the official, and when we move to the new house, we should invite him to visit." His wife said, "Let's talk about it when the time comes."
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It is indeed:
Only gratitude and resentment, not a speck of dust in ten thousand years.
After chatting with his wife, Chang Er's wife asked, "Have you eaten?" Chang Er replied, "I ate at the master’s house. If you haven't eaten, take some silver and buy some rice." His wife said, "Keep the silver safe; I'll wait for you to come back." Chang Er took a basket and went to the street to buy rice, and he also brought back a large piece of lamb. His wife approached him and asked, "Why did you buy this lamb?" Chang Er smiled and said, "I just said so many things that made you suffer; this piece of lamb is nothing. If it were beef, I would have to kill a few to treat you." His wife laughed and pointed at him, scolding, "You heartless rascal! I’ll remember this today; let’s see how you deal with me in the future!" Chang Er said, "I’m just afraid that one day, you will call me a thousand times: ‘Dear brother, spare me this little naughty woman!’ But I won’t spare you! Just wait and see!" His wife, hearing this, laughed and went to the well to fetch water. After she cooked, she cut a bowl of lamb and placed it on the table, saying, "Brother, it's time to eat." Chang Er replied, "I just ate, so no need. If you're hungry, just eat by yourself." His wife ate a bowl by herself. After finishing the housework, his wife asked Chang Er to buy some clothes. Chang Er took the silver and went straight to the main street. He looked at several shops but he wasn’t satisfied. In the end, he bought a blue silk women's jacket, a green silk skirt, a light blue silk shirt, a red silk jacket, and a white silk skirt, totaling five pieces. He also bought a pale yellow silk jacket, a lilac silk straight dress, and a few pieces of cloth clothing for himself. He spent a total of six taels and five coins of silver. He wrapped the clothes and carried them home to show his wife. His wife looked at them and asked, "How much did you spend on these?" Chang Er said, "Six taels and five coins." His wife said, "Although it’s not cheap, it's worth it." She put the clothes away and planned to buy household items the next day. That day, his wife was happy all day long, and her earlier complaints were forgotten, and that’s all there is to say about it.
Ximen Qing and Count Ying were sitting in the main hall. Ximen Qing said that although he was a military official, he was quite well-known and knew many officials both inside and outside the capital. Recently, he had even taken the Grand Master as his teacher, and he received letters daily like they were flowing water, which kept him busy. He was thinking of finding a scholar to help him write letters and documents at home to save some effort, but he had not found a suitable candidate. So he asked Count Ying if he had any recommendations.
Count Ying replied, "Brother, finding someone else is easy, but finding a good scholar is tough! First, they must be talented; secondly, their character must be upright, and they should be easy to work with. They shouldn’t be the type to stir up trouble or spread gossip; only then can they be useful. If they are mediocre but like to show off their cleverness, that's not gonna cut it! I do have a friend, a scholar from the province, who's tried to pass the provincial exams a few times but hasn't made it. He is very talented and has a good character; we grew up together as close friends. I remember ten years ago, when he took the exam, the examiners praised his essay, but unfortunately, he ran into someone even better and didn't make the cut. He has failed several times since, and his hair has turned gray. Even though he's down on his luck now, he still owns a hundred acres and a few houses."
Ximen Qing asked, "Does his family have enough members? Is he willing to come and teach?" Count Ying said, "His land and house were sold to wealthy families long ago, and now he has nothing left." Ximen Qing said, "So he sold all his land; that’s not a big deal." The Count replied, "Yes, it’s nothing now. It’s just him left; his wife is in her twenties and quite beautiful, and he has two kids around three or four years old." Ximen Qing said, "If his wife is so beautiful, would he even want to come out?" The Count said, "Two years ago, his wife ran off with someone to Tokyo, and both kids died of smallpox, so now he’s all alone; he’ll definitely want to come out." Ximen Qing laughed and said, "You’re just trying to pull one over on me. What’s his last name?" The Count said, "His last name is Shui, and he’s really talented. If you bring him on, his letters and poems will really boost your image, and others will praise Ximen Daren for his talent!" Ximen Qing said, "I don’t buy it. Do you remember any of the letters he wrote? Read me a few lines, and if it's good, I’ll invite him to stay at my house and arrange a room for him. Just him alone is easy to take care of." The Count said, "I remember he once asked me to find him a master and wrote a letter. I recall a few lines, let me read them to you:
[Huang Ying Er] A letter sent to Ying Ge, missing you without saying. The whole family relies on health. The word 'house' is on the side, standing next to the official, sometimes definitely seeking convenience. Envy like a big bird, communication is sparse, writing raises clouds and smoke."
Ximen Qing listened and laughed, said, "He wants you to find him a good master. Why not just write a letter directly, but come up with a little song? It's not very well written! It seems that his knowledge is lacking and his character leaves much to be desired." The Count said, "Don't say that about him. We went to school together since we were young. The teacher said that we were both smart and would definitely have a bright future. Later, we wrote articles together, never jealous, and had a particularly good relationship. So he wrote more casually and came up with a little song. And this little song is quite interesting." Ximen Qing said, "Everything is fine, what does the fifth line mean?" The Count said, "You see, brother, you don't know, this is a bit of a wordplay that others might find tricky. Isn't the character '舍' next to '官' actually '馆'? If he were to become a master, he should definitely be recommended. So it says: 'Sometimes you must seek convenience.' Brother, look at his lyrics; is there a single word that doesn’t make sense? In a few sentences, he wrote out all his thoughts—how good!" Ximen Qing felt touched by the Count's words and had nothing to say, so he asked the Count, "How's his character?" The Count said, "His character surpasses his talent. Two years ago, he was a master at Minister Li's house. There were dozens of beautiful maids in the Li family, and a few young servants, the kind you can imagine... Shuixiu lived there for four years, with no ill intentions. Later, those bad maids and servants saw him as a saint and tried to seduce him every day. Shuixiu has a good heart, so... Eventually, the host ended up kicking him out, and the neighbors started spreading rumors about him. In fact, Shuixiu didn't do anything wrong at all. If you invite him, even if your house has many maids and servants, living and eating together, do you really think he would act inappropriately? Absolutely not!" Ximen Qing scolded with a smile, "You liar, always pulling a fast one! Last month, my colleague Xia Longxi invited Master Ni Guiyan, saying there's a scholar with the surname Wen; let's talk about it when he comes."
It is true:
A general might not excel in martial arts, but a child can always excel in literature.
