Confucianism under Heaven

Chapter 31 Calligraphy, First Realm: Practicing Calligraphy by the Pond

Chapter Thirty-One: The Realm of Calligraphy, Practicing Calligraphy by the Pond

"Yes, the Wang family is notorious for being vengeful throughout Qingyun County, so you'd better be careful."

Magistrate Zhang's expression changed slightly, but he quickly returned to normal, glancing at Wang Xiaoyang, Liu Zhi, and the others who slunk away.

"I know what I'm doing. Now that I'm a student, I can use my talents, so even if they want to harm me, they'll have to think twice before they act,"

Ye Ru did not mention that he had a feeling with Guan Hai Bansheng. He knew that once he died, that world-renowned war poem would become a posthumous work, and the Academy of Saints and the Arbitration Institute of Saints would definitely investigate it thoroughly.

"That copy of the Huangting Jing is quite good. You can practice calligraphy more. If you can reach the first level of calligraphy, your combat power in poetry will increase by 10% when you fight with others. However, Wang Xizhi's calligraphy is not so easy to learn. I have also made some progress in calligraphy. I will teach you when the results are announced."

Fang Zifeng suddenly remembered something and turned to Ye Ru.

"Really? Then I'll have to bother you, sir."

"Ah."

"The student will take his leave."

Ye Ru was flattered and then bowed and left. Fang Zifeng and the others also got into their carriages and left.

"As expected of a literary treasure, although it is only of the first rank, it is far superior to ordinary robes."

Back at his residence, Ye Ru carefully felt the Zhuge robe. The talent within his body began to flow slowly, and the surrounding wind was directly blocked from the outside.

Then, Ye Ru took out the "Huang Ting Jing" and began to carefully examine it.

This calligraphy is also divided into nine levels, the first of which is practicing calligraphy by the pond.

The practice of calligraphy by the pond originated from the calligraphy master Wang Xizhi. Wang Xizhi was born in Langya County. As a young man, he admired the cursive script of the great Confucian scholar Zhang Zhi, so he practiced cursive script diligently by the pond at home. The older he got, the better his characters became. By then, the water in the pond had turned into ink.

When Wang Xizhi was conferred the title of "Sage," that pond was also designated as one of the Eight Sage Scenic Spots of Langya: the Inkstone Washing Pond.

Later, when he had mastered calligraphy, he led a large army to resist the demon race, but was besieged by them at Lanting in Kuaiji Mountain.

Later, Wang Xizhi wrote the "Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion" and used this calligraphy to kill several demon kings in succession. He led the Right Army to defeat the demon race and made the world crumble with a single stroke. After this battle, Wang Xizhi was honored as the Sage of Calligraphy and was called the Sage of Calligraphy, Wang Youjun. His name has been passed down through the ages.

Later generations called the "Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion" the finest example of running script calligraphy in the

The calligraphy scrolls were slowly spread out on the desk, and a unique fragrance of ink filled the air, making one feel refreshed and invigorated.

"Indeed, it has the spirit of a scholar. It is worthy of Wang Xizhi's regular script. The strokes are square and elegant. If one could obtain the world's number one calligraphy treasure, the 'Preface to the Orchid Pavilion,' even the demon saint would probably have to give way."

Ye Ru felt the literary treasure, then spread out paper on the other side, took out a brush washer, paperweight, and the Three Perfections Literary Heart Brush, and began to copy it.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, different states used different scripts. In 1898, the first emperor of Qin, Qin Shi Huang, commissioned the great Confucian scholar Li Si to unify the script. As history progressed, seal script, clerical script, cursive script, running script, and regular script emerged from hundreds of script styles.

Ye Ru's mind raced through the Siku Quanshu (Complete Library of the Four Treasuries), eventually landing on Song Cao's "A Brief Discussion on Calligraphy: On Regular Script" from the Qing Dynasty. He then slowly began to write according to the methods described in the book.

When writing regular script, one should pay attention to neatness. The characters and lines should give people a stable and dignified visual effect.

"Above is the Yellow Court, below is the Guanyuan, in front is the Youque, behind is the Mingmen, breathing in and out of the dantian..."

After writing for two hours, Ye Ru took a short break and then continued writing. In the end, it took him two hours to finish copying the entire Huangting Jing.

"This 'Huang Ting Jing,' written by the Sage of Calligraphy, is actually a cultivation method?"

Ye Ru put down his pen, his forehead covered in sweat, but strangely, although his talent was almost exhausted, his mind did not feel tired at all.

This undoubtedly surprised him greatly, because in the future, when he felt sleepy while reading, he could practice the Huang Ting Jing once and then continue reading.

After a moment of joy and a drink of water, Ye Ru continued to practice calligraphy. He knew that copying the calligraphy of a sage, especially the "Huang Ting Jing" by Wang Xizhi, the Sage of Calligraphy, which was imbued with the spirit of the book, was even more difficult. However, there was an easy part to the difficulty. If he could master this calligraphy, he would probably directly reach the realm of calligraphy and learn to write by the pond.

Although this is just a rubbing.

After reading Confucius's Analects in the Siku Quanshu (Complete Library of the Four Treasuries), Ye Ru regained some of his talent and began to write again, continuing to copy his works.

Since Ye Ru had already become a student of the first level of the imperial examination, he did not feel sleepy. He did not know how much time had passed, but he found that the sky was gradually turning light.

His small bucket for holding clean water was now completely stained black with ink.

"Today is the day the results are released. I wonder what grade my essay on the classics will get."

Stretching, Ye Ru calmly tidied his clothes, put away his writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone, then opened the door and walked towards the Wenxing Private School's results announcement courtyard.

When Ye Ru arrived at the examination hall, it was already packed with people.

Qian Wei, Zhao Cheng, and the others were also in the crowd. After seeing Ye Ru, they waved to him.

The latter returned the courtesy.

"Brother Liu Zhi, I heard that your interpretation of the classics was praised by Master Wang. It seems that you have a good chance of winning first place in this small test."

One of them spoke to Liu Zhi.

"Ah, it's Brother Li. My interpretation of the classics is just a superficial one. Don't slander me. Look at all the students here. The top spot doesn't belong to me, especially Ye Tongsheng."

Liu Zhi cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, speaking modestly, but a hint of pride was evident in his eyes.

Clearly, although what the other person said was just flattery, it pleased him.

"Isn't this Ye Tongsheng? He's here to check the results today too."

Upon seeing Ye Ru, Liu Zhi deliberately spoke loudly, drawing everyone's attention in his direction.

"I heard that the three masters argued for half a day over his interpretation of the classics, so he probably failed."

"Ah, could it be because of the conflicting ideologies of the Xun family and the Meng family?"

"Then it's all over. In that case, even if Ye Ru has the best writing skills, it's all for nothing if the words don't fit the meaning."

"No one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes. If you lose this time, try again next time. A true man can bend and stretch."

Some people whispered among themselves, their gazes toward Ye Ru becoming somewhat strange.

"I will definitely be the top student in the Wilderness Class this time."

Liu Zhi clenched his fist and looked at Ye Ru defiantly. However, Ye Ru only glanced at Liu Zhi indifferently, which made the former's face even more gloomy.

"Words don't fit? Failing grade? Hehe, this is going to be interesting!"

Wang Xiaoyang seemed to know something, a cold smile appeared on his lips, and then he loudly mocked:

"Yes, Yip Tong-sheng, you stole the spotlight at the literary gathering, and I'm afraid you'll steal the spotlight again at today's exam."