Chapter Twenty-Three: The Three Trials of the Lu Family

There were seven or eight thatched cottages, each older the further in one went. When Pei Sanlang led Du Shiyi to the cottage with a bamboo wind chime hanging by the door, Du Shiyi couldn't help but glance at Cui Jianxuan. At this moment, the beautiful youth, whose features were as delicate as a girl's, no longer wore the carefree expression from earlier, nor did his sharp tongue dare utter a word; his lips were pressed tightly together. Only when he noticed Du Shiyi's observing gaze did Cui Eleven quickly turn away.

Du Shiyi was studying the square-faced, thick-browed middle-aged man at the seat of honor. He thought to himself that this renowned recluse, Lu Hong, was indeed a person of imposing presence. But when Pei Sanlang addressed him as "Second Senior Brother," he realized he had made a mistake. Compared to his own careful observation, Cui Jianxuan's reaction was much more direct—he immediately asked, "What, is Master Lu refusing to meet us?"

"If you come seeking knowledge and wish to become a disciple, you must pass the three trials of the Lu family. This has been Master Lu's rule for many years. Of course, even if you don't pass all three, as long as you are willing to stay and pay the tribute, you may attend lectures freely," the square-faced, broad-browed man replied, his voice resonant like a great bell, easily suppressing Cui Jianxuan's doubts. "In the past, Master Lu personally oversaw these three trials, but now, with so many students, the three of us—his oldest disciples—preside over them instead. Just now, both you and young master Cui have received the third senior brother's approval, so now I have a question for you both."

Had they already passed the first trial just now?

Du Shiyi glanced at Pei Sanlang, who remained expressionless and offered no further explanation. This time, Du Shiyi took the initiative to ask, "Brother Pei, may I ask what the first trial was that we just underwent?"

"If you can act to save those in distress without panic, maintaining composure, that alone is proof of your character. Moreover," Pei Sanlang paused, glancing meaningfully at Du Shiyi before continuing in a cold tone, "whether catching locusts is effective or not is secondary—what matters is being unable to bear the suffering of others. Such compassion is something Master Lu values highly."

Now Cui Jianxuan understood. Thinking how easily he had passed the first trial—when he had worried about having to compose poetry or essays—he let out a long sigh of relief. But in the next instant, the second senior brother smiled and pointed at the paper and brush on the desk. "Both of you, please write a poem or a verse on this paper—your own composition, or that of an ancient sage, or even an anonymous author. It need not be a full poem; even a couplet will suffice."

Relieved that it need not be an original work, Cui Jianxuan immediately picked up the brush and wrote in bold strokes on the white hemp paper. After handing it over, he read aloud, "Goose, goose, goose, with a curved neck singing to the sky. White feathers float on green water, red webbed feet stir the clear waves."

Finishing, he added with a slightly provocative tone, "This poem was written by the prodigy Luo Binwang at the age of seven. That counts, doesn't it?"

"Certainly," the second senior brother replied, not the least offended. He nodded with pleasure, glanced at the paper, then looked to Du Shiyi.

Du Shiyi had already guessed that Cui Eleven was being deliberately cheeky by choosing the famous child's poem. Now it was his turn; after a moment's thought, recalling how Du Thirteen had pestered him about a couplet earlier, he was inspired and wrote, "The cascade pours down three thousand feet, as if the Milky Way fell from the Ninth Heaven."

The Lu family's three trials had always been varied and unpredictable. If others were given such a test as this, they would rejoice at its simplicity. After all, anyone who had traveled so far to study here surely had a few choice verses at hand. Yet Cui Jianxuan had simply used Luo Binwang's famed childhood poem, while Du Shiyi offered only a couplet, not a full poem. But the forceful spirit of his words, combined with the powerful brushwork, even made Pei Sanlang, who had heard those lines before, raise an eyebrow.

The second senior brother took the two sheets of hemp paper, pondered a moment, then spoke: "Third brother, take them to see the eldest senior brother."

Had they already passed the second trial?

Cui Jianxuan, who had expected the process of studying at the Lu family’s cottage to be fraught with difficulty, stared in disbelief. It was only when Du Shiyi pulled him along to follow Pei Sanlang out of the cottage that he managed to say, still incredulous, "Was it really that easy? I passed with just a poem about a goose?"

Before he could finish, Pei Sanlang, without turning his head, replied, "Don't celebrate too soon. The second senior brother is kind-hearted; almost everyone passes his trial."

That statement instantly deflated Cui Jianxuan's earlier bravado. Du Shiyi smiled, and, recalling the scale of the Lu family’s school, asked, "Just now, the second senior brother said that even those who don't pass all three trials can still attend lectures. How many are there who attend? How many are true disciples?"

"Master Lu has always taught without discrimination; there's no difference between those who attend as guests and those who are disciples," Pei Sanlang replied, striding ahead. "However, disciples who pass the three trials must face a monthly examination. If they slack off, they are put on probation for a month; if they do not improve, they will no longer be allowed to attend lectures at the cottage."

The rule was no surprise to Du Shiyi. In essence, it was the difference between regular students and auditors: regular students had to pass exams to graduate, otherwise facing penalties or expulsion, whereas auditors only listened and were not tested. Seeing Cui Jianxuan's face fall as he considered making a quiet escape, Du Shiyi calmly grabbed his arm. With Pei Sanlang already far ahead, he whispered, "At least show some loyalty—are you planning to abandon me to face the legendary eldest senior brother alone?"

That one word—loyalty—was enough to outweigh all other arguments. For a moment, Cui Jianxuan, who had been thinking of retreat, had no choice but to brace himself. "Who's afraid? I've never known the meaning of fear in my life!"

Following Pei Sanlang into a thatched cottage built almost against the cliff face, Du Shiyi found the place empty. Unlike the previous, tidy cottage, this room was a mess—cushions and mats strewn about, ink, brushes, and paper scattered everywhere, even outer robes and socks tossed into corners. Faced with such chaos, Cui Jianxuan's expression twisted in disbelief, and even Pei Sanlang's face darkened.

"Eldest—Senior—Brother!"

Pei Sanlang's voice was cold as ice and gritted with irritation. Immediately, a hearty laugh sounded from outside. "Coming, coming! Ah, third brother, you're as impatient as ever!"

When a disheveled young man, collar loose, chest bare, and barefooted, stepped inside, both Du Shiyi and Pei Sanlang could hardly believe their eyes. Yet seeing him smile unabashedly and warmly invite them to sit, they realized that this unrestrained young man truly was Lu Hong's eldest disciple. As soon as they had taken their seats, Pei Sanlang, in an even colder tone than before, said, "Eldest brother, it's only your trial left for them."

"No rush, no rush," the young man replied cheerfully, ignoring Pei Sanlang's obvious ire. "I am Lu Wangzhi. Raised by Master Lu since childhood, so though I lack virtue or talent, I still hold this position. As for the last trial…" He looked around, eyes settling on two garments on the floor, then smiled and asked, "Tell me, gentlemen, which do you prefer: the silk robe or the cotton one?"

"Silk, of course!" The initial shock had faded, and though the question was odd, Cui Jianxuan answered without hesitation.

"And why?"

"Silk is smooth and comfortable, far superior to cotton. If one has silk but chooses cotton instead, isn't that just feigning plainness to win a reputation?"

Lu Wangzhi laughed at his direct answer, then looked to Du Shiyi.

All of Du Shiyi's former anxiety had vanished after passing the two earlier trials. Seeing this surprisingly amiable and humorous eldest brother, he replied with a calm smile, "Just four words: act within your means."

"And what does that mean?"

"If the family is poor, wear cotton; if wealthy, wear silk. That is acting within one's means—not putting on airs."

"Well said! Feigning reputation on one side, acting within one's means on the other!" Lu Wangzhi laughed and clapped his hands, then stood and bowed, "Gentlemen, please come with me to meet Master Lu."