EMHTC -Chapter 17 Explain! The four ways to write the character “回”!

【Murderous Aura!】

Xu Yanmiao suddenly shouted earth-shatteringly loud.

The entire court was startled.

Usually, they could skillfully ignore Xu Yanmiao’s less important thoughts—proceeding with petitions, impeachments, or arguments as usual.

But this “murderous aura” was simply too shocking.

The officials swiftly glanced around using the corners of their eyes, trying not to cause a commotion.

Murderous aura? Where? None?

The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, stationed on the western side of the throne, almost instinctively reached for his blade to protect the emperor. Realizing the misunderstanding, he cast a resentful glance at Xu Yanmiao’s direction.

【Could you not be so jumpy? This is the imperial court!】

Xu Yanmiao looked around, his inner voice still cheerfully self-satisfied:

【Wow, maybe it’s just my imagination? But this phrase is so cool, I’ve always wanted to say it!】

Gleefully, with no regard for others’ reactions.

The elderly emperor slowly cast Xu Yanmiao a glance, his face showing a sly smile.

Imagination?

I’ll make sure you know if it’s imagination or not!

“Xu Yanmiao!”

Xu Yanmiao jolted, nervously stepping forward. “Your Majesty?”

The emperor: “I’ve long heard that you are quick-witted.”

Xu Yanmiao: “?”

【Who said that?! Have I not been lazy enough?】

The emperor ignored the internal protest and continued, “Are you aware of the literary leader of the Zhou Dynasty’s later years, Quan Yizhang of the Quan family from Tianshui?”

Xu Yanmiao nodded gravely. “I’ve heard of him.”

【Who’s this? A literary leader sounds impressive, though.】

The emperor: “…”

The ministers: “…”

Being polite, you actually don’t know? Did you throw away all the knowledge after the imperial exams?

The emperor’s rising authority was momentarily interrupted by frustration, forcing him to explain:

“Quan Yizhang served in the Zhou court, overseeing court documents and leading the literary world for twenty years. After the fall of Zhou, he resided in Tianshui, writing books and establishing doctrines. Despite repeated invitations from the court, he refused to serve, stating firmly that a true minister serves only one lord.”

Xu Yanmiao nodded sincerely. “Mhm, mhm!”

The emperor: “I heard you have a quick mind, so I am entrusting this to you. Go to Tianshui and persuade Elder Quan to serve in the court for the Great Zhou.”

【Seriously, who’s spreading the lie about my quick wit?! If I find out, they’re dead!】 【It’s the dead of winter, almost New Year’s, who wants to travel to Tianshui now?】 【And if he doesn’t want to serve, he doesn’t want to. Forcing someone to become a prostitute would make you a bully, wouldn’t it?】

The emperor had been smug about finally cornering Xu Yanmiao—dragging him out of his lazy comfort zone to work.

Then, he got hit by that.

What do you mean by ‘forcing someone to become a prostitute’?! Watch your words! Who gave you the audacity to talk like that?

The emperor angrily stroked his beard.

I’m trying to provide a home for neglected scholars of the previous dynasty! Not that!

Meanwhile, the ministers, floored by the term “prostitute,” could only glare at Xu Yanmiao silently.

Xu Yanmiao put on an obedient and deferential face, saying to the emperor, “I accept your decree.”

Then, he sweetly asked, “Your Majesty, as long as I bring him back willingly, I can use any method, right?”

The emperor: “Yes, but he must come voluntarily, without coercion.”

Xu Yanmiao: “Got it!”

【So if I burn his house down and he chases me back with a big knife, that counts as voluntary, right?】

The emperor: “…”

Clenching his itching teeth, he emphasized, “He. Must. Willingly. Serve. In. The. Court!”

The last two words were stressed.

Xu Yanmiao: “Mhm, mhm, mhm!”

【Weird, why does the emperor’s tone sound a little off?】

The emperor kept a straight face. “You may depart now. The carriage is ready.”

＊

Naturally, Xu Yanmiao wasn’t sent off alone. Tianshui was a thousand miles away, so the emperor assigned a squad of Embroidered Uniform Guards for his safety.

When they finally arrived in Tianshui, Xu Yanmiao jumped off the carriage, clutching his bruised rear after the bumpy ride.

The guards asked if he wanted to rest at an inn, but Xu Yanmiao refused outright.

“The sooner I finish, the sooner I can go home!”

Standing at the grand scholar’s doorstep, he knocked respectfully. The other side, recognizing him as an envoy of the court, didn’t make things difficult but ushered him in. However, instead of meeting the scholar himself, Xu Yanmiao was received by his grandson.

The young man politely said, “Envoy, please return. My grandfather is too old to serve the court.”

Xu Yanmiao didn’t respond to this directly. Instead, he offered a shy and bashful smile:

“I heard that Elder Quan is deeply committed to traditional studies and a master of ancient texts. I’ve come to seek his guidance.”

Quan Xie, the grandson, was surprised. “You study ancient texts? I mean, what exactly do you want to consult with my grandfather?”

His reaction was understandable. Nowadays, most scholars pursued studies in Confucian classics, split into two major schools: Modern Script and Ancient Script. The two were often debated among civilians, but in court, Modern Script dominated.

The difference between the two could be summarized as:

Modern Script: “Confucius is the most awesome and reformed ancient systems.”

Ancient Script: “Confucius is great, but Duke Zhou is greater. Confucius just elaborated on his principles.”

Modern Script emphasized practical applications and adapting doctrines to contemporary politics.

Ancient Script prioritized accurately interpreting the classics and annotating their philosophical content.

Xu Yanmiao: “I wanted to ask Elder Quan…”

He glanced at the system interface showing that “Quan Yizhang is eavesdropping on Xu Yanmiao’s conversation with his grandson,” and a cunning smile appeared.

“How many ways are there to write the character ‘回’?”

Quan Xie was completely baffled. “What?”

What kind of question is this?

Xu Yanmiao spoke with utmost sincerity: “I’ve heard from many officials in court that scholars of the Ancient Classical School are deeply devoted to studying texts, especially adept at nitpicking words and dissecting phrases. They are exceptionally rigorous in their approach to Confucian classics, even researching all the possible ways to write the character ‘回’ (hui). I found this fascinating, so I came here to seek advice.”

The words sounded polite, but when carefully examined…

Anyway, the hand holding the teacup in Quan Xie tightened. If not for the fact that the person in front of him was an imperial envoy, he would have smashed the teacup at him already.

Suddenly, a loud voice roared from the side chamber: “How dare you, you insolent brat!”

—Who are you mocking with that sarcasm?

An elderly man, leaning on a cane, stormed out with a furious expression and glared at Xu Yanmiao: “Who told you that the Ancient Classical School was so fixated on trivialities?”

Xu Yanmiao replied with utter confidence: “Everyone in court says so.”

Then he cheerfully exclaimed, “It’s an honor to meet you, Master Quan!”

Quan Yizhang glanced at him. Even though he recognized the statement as a provocation, he couldn’t let such a blatant slander against his school go unanswered.

“Go back and tell them: the scholars of Modern Classical Studies are nothing but the prattle of rural fools, frogs in a well! How could they possibly grasp the profound truths of Ancient Classical Studies?”

As for taking up an official position? Hmph. Did they think such an obvious taunt could fool him?

“Got it! I’ll be sure to pass on the message!” Xu Yanmiao’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“But still, how many ways can you write the character ‘回’?”

Quan Yizhang answered coldly:

“We have never studied such things.”

“But isn’t the Ancient Classical School dedicated to exploring the origins of sounds and characters, interpreting and annotating…”

“Ridiculous! How dare you twist our rigorous textual studies and historical investigations into an obsession with a single character? Laughable! You Modernists, always distorting the words of the sages to flatter your emperor and serve your own political ends. It is your faction that seeks to extract meaning from fragments and nitpick trivialities!”

“Mm-hmm!” Xu Yanmiao nodded earnestly.

Quan Yizhang waited for a rebuttal.

After several moments of silence, he frowned. “Do you have nothing to say?”

Xu Yanmiao shook his head honestly. “I don’t understand these things.”

Quan Yizhang: “…” He felt like his anger had been stifled mid-outburst.

Xu Yanmiao added: “By the way, I’ve also heard people say that The Rites of Zhou is a book of conspiracies, promoting a feudal system in politics and an economic policy similar to the well-field system to curry favor with aristocratic families.”

Quan Yizhang exploded: “Nonsense! The Rites of Zhou, originally called The Zhou Officer, is neither a classic nor a commentary. It merely describes the administrative system of the Zhou Dynasty, serving as a historical record for modern readers to understand ancient governance.”

Fueled by his anger, Quan Yizhang ranted passionately: “The Modernists are greedy for power, constantly twisting the principles of the sages to suit their policies and imperial preferences. They are merchants at heart, with politics in their eyes. Modern Classical Studies? Nothing more than the vulgar musings of shallow men!”

“Mm-hmm!” Xu Yanmiao nodded vigorously again.

“You’re so impressive!”

Quan Yizhang: “…”

Though Xu Yanmiao seemed to agree with his reasoning, Quan Yizhang felt inexplicably stifled.

Quan Yizhang asked: “Is that all you came to say?”

Xu Yanmiao replied sincerely: “I don’t understand much about the classics or debates. I just feel that what you’re saying is very reasonable and profound!”

Quan Yizhang, far from pleased, felt even more stifled.

Xu Yanmiao continued: “By the way—”

Quan Yizhang interrupted angrily: “If you don’t understand classical studies, why are you asking all these questions?”

“Huh?” Xu Yanmiao’s tone was cautious:

“I’m asking because I don’t understand… Am I not allowed to ask? Everyone in court speaks about the Ancient Classical School this way, so I just wanted to verify the truth…”

Quan Yizhang took a deep breath.

“I’m tired. You should leave. If you have more questions, ask another time.”

“Got it!” Xu Yanmiao left happily.

Quan Xie glanced at his grandfather. “Grandfather, he’s deliberately provoking you.”

Quan Yizhang nodded. “I know. Such a crude provocation won’t fool me.”

Late that night.

Quan Yizhang sat up in bed, stewing in anger. “Insolent fool!”

“Shallow wretch!”

“Vulgar ignoramus! Blind to reality! Peddler of falsehoods! Nothing but latrine talk!”

Even though he had seemingly refuted the Modernist criticisms of the Ancient Classical School earlier, he felt like he’d been tricked into shadowboxing, venting his fury at nothing.

After an entirely sleepless night, he declared the next morning: “I can’t let this slide!”

Quan Yizhang sought out Xu Yanmiao. “I’ll go with you. But I’m not taking up an official post—I’m going to debate the classics!”

Xu Yanmiao nodded obediently. “Understood, Master Quan.”

When Xu Yanmiao reported back, the emperor was dumbfounded. “How did you convince him to come?”

Xu Yanmiao: “Master Quan came to debate the classics.”

That alone was a significant achievement. In the past, even with the lure of debates, Quan Yizhang had always politely refused.

No matter.

The emperor was deeply impressed: “Xu Yanmiao, you truly are quick-witted.”

【I was just bluffing!】

Xu Yanmiao hesitated: “Your Majesty, I may have used a bit of manipulation and told a few minor untruths. Please forgive me, colleagues.”

The ministers: “???”

A sense of foreboding hung in the air.

Moments later…

An eighty-year-old elder stormed into the court, his face dark with anger, slamming his cane heavily on the ground.

“Who dared insult the Ancient Classical School? Step forward!”

The ministers: “??????”

Wait, when did we…

Sure, we study Modern Classical Studies, but why would we bother attacking the Ancient School? There’s no one left studying it in court anyway—who would even bring it up?

Meanwhile, Xu Yanmiao cheerfully whistled a little tune in his heart, his face radiating innocence.