Shu Ke puede recuperar una fortuna perdida

Capítulo 27

Su Shi stroked his long beard and smiled leisurely, clearly quite pleased with himself. It turned out that he and Huang Tingjian were so close that they didn't stand on ceremony. When discussing calligraphy, painting, and poetry, they would often belittle each other's work, even if they secretly admired it, they would never say it aloud, and would only be satisfied if they said something to put each other down. Huang Zheng, having been trained by Huang Tingjian since childhood, naturally picked up this temperament as well, rarely praising Su Shi's literary talent to his face. Therefore, her praise just now was much more pleasing to Su Shi than to others.

Before Su Shi's smile could fade, he heard Huang Zheng sigh deeply: "But this phrase, 'a toad pressed under a stone,' ruins the entire poem's mood..."

"A toad pressed under a stone?" Zhao Hao, Pang Di, and Wen'er all found this phrase strangely novel and amusing. Su Shi's calligraphy was renowned throughout the land, admired by many, yet this young girl described it as "a toad pressed under a stone." Wen'er suddenly remembered that Su Shi's calligraphy was usually plump and slightly flat, with a horizontal stroke, somewhat resembling the appearance of a "toad pressed under a stone," and she couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Su Shi felt greatly embarrassed and said with a helpless smile, "You're getting more and more cunning, just like your master. Do you really think your handwriting has to look like a dead snake hanging from a tree branch to be considered good?"

The three were still pondering the saying "a toad pressed under a stone" when they suddenly heard a completely new interpretation—a dead snake hanging from a treetop. They realized it was Su Shi's retort to Huang Tingjian, mocking the excessive length of the horizontal strokes, left-falling strokes, and right-falling strokes in Huang's calligraphy. They couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Huang Zheng curled her lip and said, "My master's running script is slender and upright, compact yet not loose, with a lingering charm. His cursive script is lively and leaping, swaying and tilting, even surpassing Huaisu and others. Of course, ordinary people don't know how to appreciate it. I won't say more. Anyway, I dare not accept this piece of calligraphy by Lord Su. Before I left, my master repeatedly warned me, saying, 'If you bring back another piece of calligraphy that looks like a pig in ink, don't come to see me again.'"

The term "ink pig" originates from the famous calligraphy treatise *Bizhen Tu* by the renowned calligrapher Lady Wei, which states that characters with much flesh and little bone are called "ink pigs." Zhao Hao and Pang Di both felt their eyes had been opened today. Su Shi's calligraphy is truly a masterpiece; countless scholars and nobles from across the country sought his calligraphy, but he always disliked giving it away and frequently refused. Yet now, a poem he had personally written at someone's request was rejected by a young maid, who even openly mocked his handwriting as "ink pigs," and he remained completely unperturbed—this was truly strange.

At this moment, Su Shi asked Huang Zheng for her opinion, saying, "How about this: His Highness Prince Qi's flying white calligraphy is highly praised in the capital. Why don't we ask him to copy my poem for you to take back?"

Before Huang Zheng could answer, Wen'er clapped and cheered. Zhao Hao modestly declined, but Huang Zheng was also very interested and insisted on inviting him. Unable to refuse, Zhao Hao picked up his pen and copied the poem.

The brushstrokes were soaring and dynamic, possessing the grandeur of a dragon soaring through the sky. Pang Di secretly admired him, thinking that when the princess had mentioned the exquisite flying white calligraphy of Prince Qi, he thought she was exaggerating because she favored her brother. Now, having witnessed his calligraphy with his own eyes, he knew that what the princess said was true.

Upon viewing the calligraphy, Su Shi exclaimed, "Compared to Your Highness's calligraphy, mine truly looks like a toad crushed under a stone!"

Wen'er smiled broadly and raised her eyebrows at Huang Zheng, saying, "Now, Miss Zheng, are you satisfied?"

Huang Zheng admired the calligraphy for a long time, then nodded and said, "The calligraphy is excellent; only a prince or a descendant of the dragon could possess such a grand style. I will accept this piece. It's just a pity that Lord Su's poem was originally fresh and elegant, describing the beauty of West Lake, but Prince Qi's calligraphy is too bold and does not match the poetic sentiment."

Wen'er scoffed slightly, feeling that this woman was too troublesome. If she were Su Shi, she probably would have already swept her out the door.

Su Shi spread his hands and asked with a smile, "Then, in Miss Zheng's opinion, what should be done?"

Huang Zheng smiled and said, "My master often says that there are few whose calligraphy is worthy of attention, but his wife's calligraphy is much more beautiful. Why don't you ask your wife to come out and copy it?"

Su Shi shook his head and said, "My wife is currently bedridden and is really unable to write."

"Oh, that's a real pity." Huang Zheng looked quite disappointed. In an instant, she suddenly looked at Pang Di and said, "This lady has an extraordinary temperament and her eyes exude a scholarly air; she must be skilled in calligraphy. Then let her copy it."

Pang Di was quite surprised, not expecting that she would be interested in her calligraphy, and quickly declined. Unexpectedly, Wen'er stepped forward to help her and readily agreed, saying to Huang Zheng, "It's fine for you and your husband to see my sister-in-law's calligraphy, but when you go back, you must have your husband properly frame and preserve it for future generations to admire. You should know that not everyone is fortunate enough to receive the handwriting of the Prime Minister's young mistress."

Huang Zheng nodded and said, "Since it is the calligraphy of the young mistress of the Prime Minister's family, my master will naturally cherish it."

So Wen'er dipped the brush in ink and personally handed it to Pang Di, gesturing for her to write. Pang Di had no choice but to pick up the brush and write in regular script.

Zhao Hao stood to one side and watched her finish writing, then commented lightly: "Her writing is delicate and peaceful, elegant and graceful, reminiscent of Lady Wei."

Pang Di's calligraphy had only been seen by his family members before. Although it often received praise, he lacked confidence in front of outsiders. Hearing Zhao Hao's words, he was afraid that Zhao Hao was just flattering him, so he felt a little shy and lowered his head, saying, "I have been studying Lady Wei's calligraphy since I was a child, but I have not grasped its essence. Your Highness is too kind."

But Su Shi later praised it, saying, "Indeed, the horizontal strokes are like a thousand-mile-long array of clouds, the dots are like rocks falling from high mountains, the left-falling strokes are like the broken horns of rhinoceroses and elephants, and the vertical strokes are like ancient withered vines. The whole piece of calligraphy is like a flower-arranging maiden, graceful and beautiful; it is also like a beautiful woman taking the stage, a fairy maiden playing with shadows. If this book is passed down to posterity, it will be another 'Famous Courtesan's Calligraphy'."

"The Famous Concubine's Calligraphy" is a masterpiece by Lady Wei. Su Shi used this to describe it, which made Pang Di both happy and surprised, and he thanked him repeatedly.

After seeing the calligraphy, Huang Zheng finally said nothing more, praised Pang Di's calligraphy a few times, packed up the pieces, and took her leave. Su Shi laughed and said, "This girl, like Lu Zhi, has always been arrogant and looks down on everyone except Lu Zhi's calligraphy. Who knew that today, the young mistress's work would leave her speechless. Since that's the case, next time she comes asking for calligraphy, I'll just tell her to go directly to the Prime Minister's residence and ask the madam to write it for her."

Note: Actually, Su Shi's poem on the painting "Layered Peaks and Misty Rivers" titled "On the Painting 'Layered Peaks and Misty Rivers' in Wang Dingguo's Collection" has a second half: "How did you, sir, obtain this painting? Each stroke, however delicate, reveals its beauty. I wonder where in the world such a scene exists; I long to buy two acres of land there. Have you not seen the secluded and beautiful place at Fankou in Wuchang, where Mr. Dongpo stayed for five years? The spring breeze stirs the vast river and sky, the evening clouds roll up the rain, and the mountains are graceful. Red maples flutter, crows roost by the water, and snow falls on tall pines, startling me from my drunken slumber. Peach blossoms and flowing water exist in the human world; are all those in Wuling immortals? The clear landscape empties my dust; though there is a path, I have no chance to find it. Returning this painting to you, I sigh three times; my old friend in the mountains should have a poem inviting me back." Indeed, it contains the line "Mr. Dongpo stayed for five years," but Su Shi did not yet have the title "Mr. Dongpo" in the fifth year of the Xining era. Therefore, this poem was not written at that time, and the painting was most likely painted after Wang Shen was demoted. But, hehe, it's all for the sake of the plot, for the sake of the plot. Since so few of Wang Shen's paintings have survived, his landscape paintings are almost exclusively limited to "Layered Peaks and Misty Rivers" and "Fishing Village in Light Snow." "Fishing Village in Light Snow" was definitely painted after Wang's demotion, so I have to use "Layered Peaks and Misty Rivers" as an example. Dear readers, please don't take it too seriously; just assume Su Shi wrote his poem in two parts. He wrote the first half in Hangzhou in the fifth year of the Xining era, and later, upon seeing the painting again at Wang Dingguo's house, he wrote the second half... Hey, don't hit me, I'm a lady after all... :)

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Lion's Roar

In the evening, Su Shi hosted a banquet for his three distinguished guests. He usually lived a simple life, but at this moment he ordered his men to work for a long time to prepare a table full of food and wine, with various fruits arranged on the side, making the red and green dishes in the hall look very lively.

Zhao Hao thanked him, saying, "You've gone to so much trouble, Lord Su."

Su Shi laughed and said, "It's just a matter of using someone else's flowers to present to the Buddha. Actually, these few jugs of wine and fruits were sent from the capital by Your Highness the other day. I should be the one thanking Your Highness."

Zhao Hao waved his hand and said, "I only sent some homemade Gui wine and some fruits from neighboring countries as tribute for you. The rest of the famous wines and gifts were brought by others on my behalf." It turned out that Su Shi's friends in the capital and the royal family who admired him had all prepared gifts and wines for him to bring to Su Shi when they heard that Zhao Hao was coming to Hangzhou. So Zhao Hao simply packed them into a cart and sent them to Su Shi in advance.

The group took their seats. Immediately, a maidservant came to pour them wine. Su Shi first offered a cup to Prince Qi, and after drinking it, he said, "This wine is clear, sweet, and fragrant, with the aroma of osmanthus blossoms in August. It must be the Osmanthus Wine that Your Highness personally brewed."

Zhao Hao nodded in agreement. At that time, brewing distilled spirits was very popular in the capital. Not only did various restaurants compete to brew new and famous distilled spirits, but wealthy and noble families were also eager to follow suit, vying to find the best recipes to brew their own homemade wines. Banquets and wine-tasting competitions became a great pastime for the refined people of Bianjing. This Bagui wine was brewed by Zhao Hao with the essence of various osmanthus flowers. It was fragrant on the palate and had a long-lasting aftertaste, and had already become one of the famous wines in the capital.

Zhao Hao ordered a maid to pour another cup from a different pot and asked Su Shi, "Lord Su, can you tell what kind of wine this is?"

Su Shi drank the cup and sighed, "This is Wang Jinqing's 'Bixiang' wine. When I left the capital, he gave me this wine as a farewell banquet."

Zhao Hao smiled. He personally picked up the remaining pot of wine, filled Su Shi's cup, and then asked, "And this one?"

Su Shi held the cup with both hands and slowly drank it. He frowned slightly and pondered for a long time, but could not answer. He said to Zhao Hao, "This wine is exceptionally mellow. Just smelling it makes one feel slightly intoxicated. It is truly an extraordinary product. I humbly request Your Highness's guidance."

Zhao Hao said, “This is Yingyu wine, personally brewed by my grandmother, Empress Dowager Cao. When she learned that I was coming to Hangzhou, she instructed me to bring this wine for you to taste.”

Su Shi was surprised and said, "Does the Empress Dowager still remember me, a person who has been sent to a remote post? It is because I, Su Shi, am unworthy and have failed to live up to her expectations." He then poured another cup, stood up and paid his respects to the Empress Dowager from afar in the direction of Bianjing.

After sharing another drink with everyone, Su Shi looked at the pot of Yingyu wine and recalled past events: "Two years ago, Jinqing and I drank the restaurant's signature lamb wine at the Jiangzhai Garden in the capital. We found it extremely sweet and smooth, with an unforgettable aftertaste, and praised it highly. Jinqing then laughed and said, 'Although this wine is sweet, fragrant, and mellow, it may not be as good as you describe. If you are fortunate enough to taste the Empress Dowager's Yingyu wine in the future, you will find this lamb wine too vulgar.' Now it seems that this is indeed the case. Does Your Highness Prince Qi know what secret recipe Yingyu wine uses to make it so fragrant and mellow?"

"If we're talking about sweetness, aroma, and mellowness, no wine can surpass Yingyu. Since it's a secret recipe, how could the Empress Dowager possibly reveal it?" Zhao Hao replied, "However, when Yingyu is unavailable, lamb wine is quite good. I do know how to make it: Take one shi of rice and soak it in the usual brewing method. Then, take seven jin of fatty mutton and fourteen liang of yeast. Cut the mutton into square pieces and cook until tender. Cook one jin of almonds together. Reserve about seven dou of broth, mix it with rice and yeast, and add one liang of costus root. Do not add water. After ten days, it will be ready to drink."

Su Shi nodded and said, "Thank you for telling me, Your Highness." But his expression suddenly darkened, and he said slowly, with a look of melancholy in his eyes, "However, many things lose their flavor once they leave their original place of origin."

The melancholy in his words was not hard to discern. Pang Di, seeing him all day laughing and joking without a trace of sorrow for someone in exile, secretly admired his optimistic nature of finding joy in hardship and adapting to his circumstances. Only now, through this short sentence, did he glimpse the hidden melancholy within him. Hangzhou was indeed the most beautiful city in the world, and living there could make one forget their worries, but this so-called forgetting was only temporary. Leaving the capital, where he had originally thought he could realize his ambitions, he was ultimately still unhappy.

Zhao Hao naturally understood him. Although their circumstances and positions were different, they shared the same deep sense of disappointment. So they raised their cups again and silently drank together.

Fortunately, someone rushed in at that moment, breaking the increasingly awkward silence.

This man was tall and imposing, about thirty years old, dressed in fine clothes, though he seemed to have ridden a long and dusty journey, his clothes not very bright. He strode into the hall, laughed heartily, and said to Su Shi, "What fragrant wine! It seems I've come to the right place today."

Su Shi rose to greet him, laughing, "How rare! Ji Chang, you dare to go out alone today. Aren't you afraid of your shrewish wife?"

The man waved his hand and said loudly, "Can she control me? Now I can do whatever I want!"

Su Shi introduced him to everyone: "This is my good friend Chen Zao, Chen Jichang, the son of Chen Gongxiliang, the former prefect of Fengxiang Prefecture."

After the formalities were completed and everyone was seated, Su Shi asked, "Does your wife know that Ji Chang has come to visit me today?"

It turned out that Chen Zao was henpecked. From a young age, he admired ancient chivalrous heroes, loved swordsmanship, was well-versed in military strategy, hated evil, and had an extremely forthright personality. However, after marriage, he was completely subdued by his wife, Liu, and obeyed her every whim, never daring to disobey her. One spring, Su Shi invited Chen Zao on an outing, but Liu, fearing that courtesans would accompany him, forbade him to go. Later, Chen Zao swore that he would be punished if courtesans were present, and Liu reluctantly agreed. However, Su Shi, by nature free-spirited and unrestrained, would always find courtesans to sing for him wherever he went, and this time was no exception. Later, Liu found out that they had indeed invited courtesans, and upon Chen Zao's return, she struck him. Chen Zao pleaded for a long time before his wife finally agreed to punish him by making him kneel by the pond instead. Su Shi, also worried that his wife would cause trouble if she found out, rushed over and found Chen Zao pitifully kneeling at the door. Su Shi was furious, considering Liu to be shrewish and rude, and the two began to argue. Liu, already resentful that Su Shi had encouraged her husband to go out with prostitutes, was now interfering in her family affairs. She grabbed a broom and beat him, driving him out. Afterwards, Su Shi was somewhat afraid of her, and because Liu was from Hedong, he jokingly called her "the Lioness of Hedong." Knowing that Liu disliked Chen Zao coming to chat and play with him, he quickly asked if his wife knew when he came alone.

When Su Shi asked Chen Zao, Chen Zao snorted and said, "To be honest, I taught her a lesson before coming to find you. This woman used to be really too much. Taking advantage of my leniency and consideration for her, she became increasingly demanding and fierce. She even disturbed Brother Zizhan that time, and I felt very bad about it. However, I've decided to teach her a lesson in the future. If she behaves disrespectfully again, I will discipline her without hesitation. Today, I told her I was coming to drink with you, but she was unwilling. Without saying a word, I slapped her, knocking her to the ground and making her cry. I didn't bother with her anymore and just flicked my sleeves and left."

Su Shi was so surprised that his eyes widened, and he gave a thumbs up, saying, "A scholar should be looked at with new eyes after three days of separation. I admire you! I admire you!"

Chen Zao laughed and said, "If she were as virtuous as my sister-in-law, she wouldn't have gotten beaten up like this. She thought I was a sick cat until I showed my teeth. Now she knows how powerful I am."

Wen'er, who had been sitting quietly listening to their conversation, suddenly interjected, "Mr. Chen, did your wife resist when you hit her?"

Chen Zao was taken aback, then replied, "No. My palm strike came at her with lightning speed; how could she have had a chance to resist?"

Wen'er asked again, "Then why does Mr. Chen have several fresh scratches on his neck?"

Chen Zao was taken aback and reached out to touch it. He smiled awkwardly and stammered, "I think I was scratched by a tree branch on the way here... yes, scratched."

Wen'er smiled knowingly and said nothing more.

Chen Zao continued his long-winded discussion with Su Shi about his experience in managing his wife, describing how firm he was in his attitude towards her, how submissive and terrified she was, portraying her as a meek and submissive daughter-in-law. However, Pang Di, upon hearing Wen'er's question, knew the situation might not be as he described. He was likely just venting his frustrations about his wife at home, too embarrassed to tell the truth, and instead embellishing his own image as a successful wife-manager. As he continued his eloquent speech, the two women exchanged glances and secretly chuckled.

Su Shi didn't say much, just listened to him with a smile and drank with him.

Until a woman quietly walked in from outside.

She was petite and pretty, dressed neatly and smartly, but her face was cold, as if covered with frost. Chen Zao was sitting with his back to the door and didn't see her. She walked over lightly and silently stood behind Chen Zao. Immediately afterward, a young girl who looked like a maid also came in carrying a basket and stopped silently behind Chen Zao as well.

Upon seeing her, Su Shi's smile froze instantly. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

Chen Zao, completely oblivious to anything amiss, was still smiling as he said to Su Shi, "Speaking of which, I really have to thank you, Brother Zizhan! If it weren't for your repeated letters urging me to pull myself together and reaffirm my husbandly authority, I wouldn't have been able to make the decision to deal with this shrew so quickly..."

The woman behind him gave a cold laugh, her sharp eyes sweeping over Su Shi.

Su Shi felt a chill run down his spine and waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "Ji Chang must have misremembered. When did I ever write to you asking you to restore your husbandly authority? I have always advised you to get along well with your wife; harmony in the family brings prosperity..."

Chen Zao said in surprise, "Why is Zizhan so modest? It's truly rare to see someone who takes credit without being arrogant!"

Su Shi waved his hands and bowed, begging him to shut up immediately.

Chen Zao was puzzled and said, "Why is Zizhan being so polite after not seeing you for several months? I should be thanking you. I need your help later. You said last time that you could use divorce to scare her..."

Su Shi was shocked and almost rushed over to cover his mouth.

Only then did the woman let out a cold laugh, turn to Chen Zao's side, and say softly, "Why didn't you wait for me before you went out to visit Su Zizhan, my lord?"

Chen Zao was stunned for a moment before turning to look at the woman and chuckling.

At this point, Pang Di and the others had figured it out quite well—this woman was Liu, Chen Zao's wife, whom Su Shi called the "Shrew of Hedong".

It wasn't that Chen Zao had actually beaten his wife today; rather, he had been beaten so badly by her that he mustered the courage to rush out and ride off to find Su Shi. Even so, this greatly displeased Lady Liu. She thought to herself that he usually turned the other cheek after being slapped, so why was he acting the opposite today? He had only been slapped halfway before running away—it was outrageous! So she quickly tidied herself up, called her personal maid, and went out to chase after her husband. Knowing he wouldn't dare go anywhere else and would only be looking for Su Shi, she went straight to the Su residence.

"Madam...please sit down." Chen Zao finally managed to utter these words after regaining his senses.

Liu ignored him and walked straight to Su Shi, saying in a friendly manner, "It's quite lively here today, Lord Su. No wonder Ji Chang keeps coming over. I just made a dish and brought it along for you all to try." She then ordered a maid to take out the food box from the basket and open it. Inside was a plate of square-shaped meat that was glistening with oil, the sauce was thick, and the meat must have been very flavorful. The aroma was irresistible.

Lady Liu repeatedly urged everyone to try it. Seeing her smiling and cheerful demeanor, Su Shi feared she might be hiding a knife behind her smile, so he cautiously forced himself to take a bite. Unexpectedly, he immediately discovered that the meat was smooth and creamy, with a rich and savory flavor, making it a rare delicacy.

Overjoyed, Su Shi forgot his initial fear of her and repeatedly praised the deliciousness of the meat before asking Liu about the recipe.

Liu explained slowly, “You must choose pork belly with both fat and lean meat…” She looked Su Shi up and down, then added, “Please refer to Su Zizhan’s description of the fat-to-lean ratio. Then cut it into small cubes about an inch square, blanch them in boiling water to remove the blood and fishy smell, then drain all the water. Add soy sauce and wine, then cover the pot tightly and simmer over low heat. Once the meat is cooked through, add a little rock sugar. When the sauce thickens and the meat turns a glossy red, it’s ready to serve.”

After pausing, he stared at Su Shi and added, word by word, "The key is to simmer and cook it slowly over a fire until the meat is thoroughly cooked!"

Su Shi felt quite uncomfortable under her gaze, and found her actions rather strange. After thinking for a while, he asked her, "I wonder what this dish is called?"

Liu sneered: "I'll name it Zizhan Meat."

Su Shi was immediately horrified, recalling her words: "Regarding the fat-to-lean ratio, please refer to Su Zizhan... The key is to simmer and cook it slowly over a fire until the meat is thoroughly cooked..."

Wen'er was already laughing uncontrollably, her head bowed on the table, but she couldn't make a sound. So, her shoulders trembled from time to time, causing the wine in the glass next to her to sway gently. Pang Di also couldn't help but laugh, covering his mouth with his sleeve.

“Lord Su,” Liu said to Su Shi in a leisurely tone, “If I hear Ji Chang spouting nonsense he learned from you again, I’m afraid I won’t use pork when I make Zizhan pork.”

Su Shi replied with a smile, "Yes, yes. I'm sure beef or mutton would taste just as good!"

Liu remained silent, but slowly began to walk back and forth in the hall, looking around.

Su Shi asked her, "Madam Chen, won't you sit down and have a cup of wine?"

Liu shook her head. Suddenly, she seemed very interested in a fruit on the coffee table next to her and quickly walked over to take a look.

The fruit was as big as a watermelon, with a very hard outer shell and many sharp, pointed bumps.

She asked, "What is this?"

Zhao Hao explained to her, "This is a fruit presented as tribute from Srivijaya, called durian. The outer shell is hard and prickly, but the flesh inside is very soft and smooth, and tastes very good. It just has a slightly unusual smell, so you might not be used to it at first."