Right now, Cai Yong strongly agrees with Yuan Shu's ideals, and he also believes that everything Yuan Shu says is true.
Because if he had not experienced the same feelings himself, it would have been impossible for him to resonate so deeply.
However, Yuan Shu was entrusted to him by his close friend Yuan Feng. If he does not make progress in his studies, Cai Yong would have no way to answer to his old friend.
For now, he will make things a little difficult for him. Once his studies improve, he can relax the restrictions later.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Cai Yong said:
"Gonglu, your thoughts are something I can agree with as your teacher.
However, you are still young, and your studies are just as important.
How about this? I will now test your knowledge. If you can satisfy me, then I will allow you a little more freedom in the future."
Yuan Shu thought to himself, "I'm doomed. What do I know about scholarly knowledge?"
Especially Confucianism and literature, which Cai Yong specializes in—these are things he knows absolutely nothing about.
But at this moment, he could not afford to show any weakness. If he displayed even a hint of fear and aroused Cai Yong's suspicion, all his efforts just now would be wasted.
Even though he was panicking inside, Yuan Shu still maintained a confident appearance on the surface.
He confidently said to Cai Yong, "Then please set the question, Master. I will not refuse."
Cai Yong secretly nodded at Yuan Shu's composure. This demeanor—where does he look like an ignorant, spoiled wastrel now?
It seems he had been hiding too well before. Now, this is how my student should be.
What question should I give him?
Seeing how confident this boy looked, an ordinary question would probably be too easy for him.
That wouldn't do. It's only his first day as my student—I need to show him my authority as a teacher.
Suddenly, an idea flashed in Cai Yong's mind, and he thought of a perfect question.
Yuan Shu's words just now had resonated with him, making him feel a sense of kinship.
So why not make him write something about me and see just how well we match as teacher and student?
Then, I will set strict conditions so that he cannot complete it—wouldn't that work?
Cai Yong was quite pleased with his own idea. He cleared his throat and said:
"Gonglu, today I have accepted you as my student. You may write a poem about me as your teacher's gift.
However, this poem must not include my name or the word 'teacher.'
You have fifteen minutes to prepare. If you can compose a poem that satisfies me, I will agree to your request."
As soon as Cai Yong laid out the conditions, Yuan Shu secretly thought, "This is bad."
Writing poetry? How would I, Yuan Gonglu, know how to do that?
And it has to be about you, but without your name? Isn't this deliberately making things difficult for me?
This is no different from how Cao Pi challenged Cao Zhi to compose a poem in seven steps!
But while the old man is making things hard for me, this also presents an opportunity.
If I can handle this kind of challenge perfectly, wouldn't that prove my ability?
Yuan Shu steeled himself. If worse comes to worst, he would just have to copy an existing poem.
Master, you were the one who made things difficult first, so don't blame your student for what comes next.
Yuan Shu didn't remember many poems—only those he had learned in school.
But as luck would have it, among the few poems he knew, there was one that perfectly suited Cai Yong.
Clearing his throat, Yuan Shu recited in a loud voice:
"The wind is strong, the sky is high, and the gibbons wail in sorrow,
The sandbanks are clear, the white birds circle and return.
Boundless falling leaves rustle down,
The endless Yangtze River surges forward.
A thousand miles in autumn, I remain a wandering guest,
A lifetime of illness, I climb the tower alone.
Hardship and regret turn my hair to frost,
In desolation, I set aside my coarse wine."
This poem is "Climbing High," one of the greatest masterpieces of Du Fu, known as the finest seven-character regulated verse in history.
When Du Fu wrote this poem, the imperial court was just as chaotic as it is now, and the world was in turmoil.
At that time, Du Fu himself—just like Cai Yong—was full of unfulfilled ambitions.
Surely, Cai Yong would resonate deeply upon hearing it.
Yuan Shu turned to look at Cai Yong and saw him standing there, already in tears.
Muttering to himself, he said:
"A born sage… There truly exists someone born with innate wisdom in this world! The ancients did not deceive me!"
Yuan Shu's poem had touched Cai Yong's heart completely.
The first four lines, depicting the landscape, naturally led Cai Yong to associate them with the current political situation.
The desolate falling leaves and the surging Yangtze River made Cai Yong, now past his prime, deeply feel the passing of time and the frustration of unfulfilled ambitions.
The lines "A traveler sorrowfully wanders thousands of miles in autumn, an aged and sickly man ascends the terrace alone" completely unleashed Cai Yong's pent-up loneliness and his helplessness over the declining Han dynasty, ultimately bringing him to tears.
The final line, "Through hardships and suffering, my temples turn frost-white," encapsulated Cai Yong's entire life.
Cai Yong gazed at Yuan Shu with tear-filled eyes and asked, "What is the title of this poem?"
Yuan Shu calmly replied, "The poem is titled 'Ascending the Heights.'"
Cai Yong murmured, "Ascending the Heights… Standing at great heights, how could one not feel solitude…?"
Cai Yong could not believe that Yuan Shu had composed this poem, yet he had no choice but to believe it.
Because aside from Yuan Shu, no one else could have produced such a masterpiece.
Using his sleeve, Cai Yong wiped his tears and asked, "Gonglu, did you truly compose this poem?"
Seeing how emotional the old man had become, even Yuan Shu, as thick-skinned as he was, felt embarrassed to claim it as his own.
He could only laugh it off and say,
"Well, they say that true literature is a gift of nature, and sometimes a skilled hand stumbles upon a masterpiece.
This was merely an inspired moment of my humble self."
Yuan Shu thought to himself, "I didn't explicitly say I wrote it, so this doesn't count as plagiarism, right?"
"But if it still does, then my apologies, Sage Du Fu."
Cai Yong softly repeated, "True literature is a gift of nature, and sometimes a skilled hand stumbles upon a masterpiece… My disciple, your talent in literature is something I have never seen before in my life.
I will grant your request."
"Ding! The system has detected that Cai Yong has sincerely acknowledged the host as his personal disciple!
Time-limited mission complete!
Mission rewards: 10 attribute points, 5000 reputation points, and beginner-level steel forging technique!
Would the host like to settle the rewards now?"
Receiving the system prompt, Yuan Shu was overjoyed. It seemed he had made the right bet.
He mentally replied to the system, "Postpone settlement for now."
Unaware of Yuan Shu's inner thoughts, Cai Yong continued,
"Although I've granted you more freedom, you must still dedicate one hour every day to your studies. Understood?"
Yuan Shu respectfully replied,
"Disciple will remember and will diligently complete my studies."
Cai Yong nodded in satisfaction and said,
"Good. Then let's begin today."
He was very pleased with Yuan Shu's attitude, which was nothing like the arrogant and reckless image from the rumors.
Indeed, hearing about someone is not the same as seeing them in person.
While studying under Cai Yong, Yuan Shu felt an unusual ease, as if knowledge was flowing effortlessly into his mind.
It was thanks to Cai Yong's skill, "Teaching," which remained active the whole time, making learning enjoyable and far from tedious.
An hour passed quickly.
It seemed the system had chosen well—apprenticing under Cai Yong was truly rewarding.
…
By the time Yuan Shu left Cai Yong's residence, it was nearly noon.
Instead of going home, he chose to visit Xizhi Cai's residence.
Fortunately, Cai Yong also lived in the southern part of the city, not far from Xizhi Cai's home.
When Yuan Shu arrived, he saw Xizhi Cai leisurely fanning himself in the courtyard, enjoying the cool breeze.
Seeing Yuan Shu step into his courtyard, Xizhi Cai smiled warmly and said,
"I had a feeling my lord might visit today, so I specially prepared a feast.
I never expected my guess to be spot on."