22: How can the affairs of scholars be called deception?

Young Master Zhou Yu Lin's voice carried a hint of artificial maturity, but the condescending scrutiny at the end of his tone couldn't be concealed.

The gray-robed old servant behind him was like an emotionless stone sculpture, his gaze calmly sweeping over the dilapidated room, lingering on Su Ming and Zhao Rui for less than a breath before lowering, as if another glance would be a waste.

Zhao Rui was too scared to make a sound. He instinctively shrank back, unsure where to put his hands and feet.

This was the Qilin Child of the Zhou Family, the sole heir of the Academy Head, an existence that all scholars in Qingshi Town looked up to.

Su Ming, however, simply closed the book in his hand, placed it on the table, then stood up, meeting the other's gaze neither obsequiously nor arrogantly.

“I am Su Ming.”

His voice was calm, as if stating a most ordinary fact.

This calm demeanor, ironically, caused the barrage of questions Zhou Yulin had prepared to get stuck in his throat. He had expected the other party to be flustered, perhaps fawning, but he had never anticipated such candor.

“My father heard that you are investigating the Dao of Investigation of Things here?” Zhou Yulin's gaze finally landed on the three unremarkable clay pots in the corner.

Dirt, beans, hemp rope.

No matter how he looked at it, it reeked of a country bumpkin's poverty and absurdity.

If not for his father's solemn admonition, he would never have set foot in such a squalid place.

Lin Yu's voice leisurely echoed in Su Ming's mind, “Disciple, stay calm. He's here to verify now, and he's more nervous than you. Remember, you're not planting beans; you're expounding the ultimate principles of Heaven and Earth. Put on the same energy you had when rehearsing yesterday, your eyes should be ethereal, your speaking pace should be slow, making him feel that every word you say contains a profound meaning he cannot comprehend.”

Su Ming, the actor, took a deep breath, silently reciting his Master's teachings, a perfectly natural hint of indifference appearing on his face.

“I dare not claim to be expounding the Dao.” He shook his head slightly, pointing to the three clay pots, “I am merely emulating the ancient sages, conducting some shallow verifications.”

“Verifications?” Zhou Yulin frowned. He had heard his father use this term, but hearing it from a country boy felt somewhat strange.

“Precisely.” Su Ming took a step, slowly walking to the clay pots. Seeing this, Zhao Rui quickly followed, like a nervous attendant.

“Young Master Zhou, please observe.” Su Ming pointed to the leftmost clay pot, “This pot, this student calls the ‘Heavenly Dao Natural Group.’ Beans are planted, watered normally according to the four seasons and solar terms, allowed to grow without any human intervention. This is to follow Heaven's way and observe its inherent nature.”

His voice was unhurried, carrying a peculiar rhythm.

Zhou Yulin's gaze, from initial disdain, slowly became focused.

Su Ming then pointed to the middle clay pot, where water was drawn by a hemp rope: “This pot, this student calls the ‘External Intervention Group.’ Water is drawn by a hemp rope, mimicking the ancient method of ‘siphon,’ keeping the soil at its roots constantly moist. This is human intervention, observing its variables.”

Finally, his finger landed on the dry-looking clay pot on the far right.

“And this pot, this student calls the ‘Survival in Adversity Group.’ After planting, not a single drop of water is given for three days, to observe if there is any chance for survival in desperate circumstances.”

The courtyard fell silent for a moment, with only the rustling of old locust tree leaves in the breeze.

Zhao Rui's mouth hung open. He had thought Su Ming was crazy yesterday, but listening to this talk of “groups,” although he still didn't understand, for some reason, he felt like... it sounded really impressive.

Zhou Yulin was completely stunned.

Heavenly Dao, human effort, adversity.

Following Heaven, variables, adaptation.

He understood all these terms; they were in the Sages' books. But he had never imagined that these profound concepts could be presented so intuitively with three broken clay pots and a few beans.

This... was this the “Great Dao is simple” his father spoke of?

His own essays on Investigation of Things, which he had painstakingly pondered, always tried to start from grand topics like wind, rain, thunder, lightning, and the trajectories of stars, but they always felt empty and difficult to put into words.

Yet, this shabbily dressed young man before him had unearthed a whole new world from the most humble dirt and seeds beneath his feet.

“You... why do you do this?” Zhou Yulin's voice involuntarily trembled slightly.

“The Great Learning states: The extension of knowledge lies in the Investigation of Things; when things are investigated, knowledge is extended.” Su Ming looked up, his gaze clear as he met Zhou Yulin's, “This student is dull, unable to comprehend the great principles of Heaven's wind and thunder, so I can only observe the growth of every blade of grass and every tree, the changes of flourishing and wilting, to glimpse a trace of the ‘principle’ behind all things.”

“How a bean breaks through the soil is a principle. Why a leaf turns towards the sun is a principle. How a root seeks water is also a principle. The convergence of these myriad minute principles may help us... to look up to the Great Dao.”

These words, like a clap of thunder, exploded in Zhou Yulin's mind!

He froze in place, his face alternating between green and pale, his eyes filled with shock and shame.

Yes!

Principles exist in all things!

Why did he always seek far and wide, looking down from above, yet fail to see the reality beneath his feet?

His father was right; all the books he had read had gone to the dogs!

“Excellent! Truly excellent!” Lin Yu cheered excitedly in Su Ming's mind, “Disciple, you've got it! For this display, your Master gives you full marks! Look at that boy, his soul is almost captivated by you! This is called 'dimensional reduction attack'! Using our simple materialist worldview to attack his ethereal idealist metaphysics!”

Su Ming's face remained impassive, but he thought to himself, “Master, isn't this called deception?”

“Nonsense!” Lin Yu retorted righteously, “How can a scholar's business be called deception? This is ‘concept reshaping’ and ‘ideological enlightenment’! We are helping a lost lamb find the correct scientific method!”

Zhou Yulin took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart. He took a step forward and bowed solemnly to Su Ming.

“Brother Su, Yu Lin has been enlightened.”

This address of “Brother Su” made Zhao Rui's eyes almost pop out.

Su Ming accepted the bow calmly, stepping aside half a pace to return the gesture, saying, “Young Master Zhou is too kind. This student is merely echoing others' wisdom, just empty talk.”

“No, this is not empty talk!” Zhou Yulin's eyes grew fervent. “Brother Su's method goes straight to the core! Yu Lin... Yu Lin wants to know what results these three sets of verifications will yield?”

He wanted to know too badly!

He seemed to see a world-shattering essay on Investigation of Things slowly germinating in these three ugly clay pots.

The opportunity had arrived.

Su Ming's heart stirred, but a hint of difficulty and regret appeared on his face.

“To be honest, this student and my companion are only temporarily staying here, awaiting registration at the County School. By my reckoning, we will only linger for five or six more days at most before departing.”

He sighed, his gaze sweeping over the three clay pots.

“Plant growth is not accomplished in a day or two. To observe its entire process and see the final results, I'm afraid... this student won't have the opportunity.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the fervor on Zhou Yulin's face instantly solidified, turning into extreme disappointment and anxiety.

What?

He had just seen a glimmer of light, and the person guiding the way was about to leave?

How could this be!

“Master, the timing is about right,” Su Ming said in his mind.

“Hmm, just right.” Lin Yu affirmed lazily, “Disciple, remember your Master's words. Giving a man a fish is not as good as teaching him how to fish. But sometimes, just showing him how to use a fishing rod without giving him bait is more effective. We don't know Zhou Wenhai's character; if he's narrow-minded, you hand over everything, he gets the benefit, and then turns around and cuts off your ‘source,’ wouldn't that be unjust?”

“Adding feet to a snake is a big taboo. We just need to let him know that you have something, and it's good stuff, that's enough. Let him itch with curiosity, let him come to you, and we can maintain the initiative.”

Su Ming, the cunning strategist, agreed deeply.

He looked at the anxious Zhou Yulin and said sincerely, “Actually, this method is very simple. If Young Master Zhou is interested, you can certainly try it yourself. The Dao of Investigation of Things lies in personal practice, not in hearsay. What this student can see, Young Master, with diligence, you can also see. Perhaps even deeper ‘principles’ that this student cannot.”

These words were humble, praised the other party, and also passed the “ball” back.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yulin's anxiety subsided slightly, replaced by a strong impulse.

Right!

Why can't I do it myself?

If Brother Su can think of it, why can't I, Zhou Yulin?

He looked into Su Ming's clear and open eyes, and his last trace of doubt and arrogance vanished.

This person has a broad mind and extraordinary insight; he is definitely not someone who seeks fame by deception.

“Brother Su's words are truly enlightening.” Zhou Yulin bowed again, “Yu Lin will remember today's kindness. After I return and report to my father, I will certainly come to visit again.”

After speaking, he took another deep look at the three clay pots, as if to engrave their appearance in his heart, then turned and quickly departed with the gray-robed old servant, who had remained silent throughout.

It wasn't until their backs disappeared at the courtyard gate that Zhao Rui, like a deflated ball, slumped to the ground.

“Oh my goodness...” He gasped, looking at Su Ming with eyes like he was staring at a monster, “Su Ming... what... who exactly are you? You even... even convinced Young Master Zhou of the Zhou Family?”

“I didn't say anything,” Su Ming, the charlatan, calmly walked back to the table, picked up the essential techniques of farming and husbandry again, and said faintly, “I was just discussing scholarship with him.”

“Discussing scholarship...” Zhao Rui muttered to himself, feeling his worldview profoundly shaken.

So, studying could be done like this?

So, giving gifts could be done like this?

He looked at the hundred-plus copper coins remaining on the table, then at the three clay pots in the corner that only cost a few coins, and for the first time, he felt that Su Ming, this companion, was truly unfathomable.