Royal Road

praised that it was on par with the works of Ban Gu and Zhang Heng.
For a time, wealthy families raced to transcribe copies, pushing up the price of paper in Luoyang.
In it, there was mention of wángwěi and hóutái: “the hóutái is fish-shaped, like a tadpole, the large amongst them are over a foot, its belly is white, its back is dark green, it has yellow markings, it is poisonous.” But Zuo Si had never mentioned that the fish was edible, and moreover, so delectable! 

Wen Jiao was widely learned and had such excellent memory that no one would question his recollection.
Those who’d read “Ode to Wu” remembered the description and startled.
If lungfish did exist, then king salmon was likely not a fable.
That Liang Zixi’s knowledge was indeed extensive!

Liang Feng smiled at Wen Jiao, “In India there are trees, nine meters tall, which bear large fruits and are called máng.
The fruits can grow to be over a kilogram large, they are round as eggs, the skin is sometimes green, sometimes yellow, the flesh is pure gold.
The skin is thin and the flesh is full with juice, its taste is rich and sweet, its shape and color are splendid.
Its fragrance can fill a room and linger in one’s memory.”

With his reputation as a bodhisattva, people were predisposed to believe whatever he said about India.
Three delicacies, two fish and one fruit, none of which anyone had ever heard of before.
But Liang Feng’s description was detailed as if he had truly tasted them before.
The sashimi they’d just eaten seemed bland in comparison.

Seeing the longing on their faces, Liang Feng said, “The delicacies of the world are uncountable.
If one had to gasp and pale at every one, would you not be changing colors all day? The Sun family is a prestigious clan, you must mind your words, Senior Subaltern.” 

In a few short words, it was immediately obvious who was above and who was below! The Jin people prized poise and stoicism, “calmness in the face of change.” Like Ji Kang, who never in his life was observed to be angry or pleased.
Like Xiahou Xuan, who, when a flash of lightning burst through the roof and struck the column he was leaning against, kept reading his book, completely unruffled.
That was the quality that made a famous scholar!

That was the proper attitude one should have, even when chancing upon lightning, much less when eating fish.
Or were they supposed to ooze tears and mucus from their face to express their enjoyment? Sun Zhi was so utterly plebeian! And to criticize Liang Feng on such base contentions, it was obviously deliberated.
Many of the nobles frowned in distaste.
Sima Teng was embarrassed.
He said to the servant beside him, “Senior Subaltern Sun has imbibed too much, bring him away to waken from his drunkenness.”

Sun Zhi blanched at Sima Teng’s words and looked at the white-robed lord, still leaning idly against his rest.
He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
He silently left the banquet.

Once the vulgar annoyance was gone, Sima Teng laughed, “Though sashimi is good, it is not so rare as what Zixi has described.
Never mind.
Gentlemen, drink to your heart’s content, fine wine, like fine food, is just as intoxicating!” 

Many of the guests laughed in agreement.
Liang Feng picked up his chopsticks again and brought a piece of roast suckling pig to his mouth.
Hmm, it wasn’t bad; he could let the chefs at the estate try their hand at it.
As for sashimi, forget about it.
Not only was in unhygienic, it wasn’t even as good as saltwater fish.
Maybe he’d have them make poached sliced fish.

The banquet went on merrily, with more wine and a dance performance, for another two hours.
Once everyone was tipsy and full, they had to have some recreation to aid digestion, and the most fitting game, of course, was archery.

Sima Teng ordered for targets to be set up.
The guests split up into several groups, to compete against each other in teams.
Sima Temg was full of youthful vigor, and his archery was good, so he very magnanimously only formed a group with a few subordinates.
The other nobles sought out their friends and acquainted.
It was expected that everyone would participate, but the adolescents, like Wen Jiao; the sick, like Liang Feng; and the elderly, weren’t able to draw a bow, so instead they played pitch-pot.

Liang Feng thanked his stars that he’d practiced pitch-pot for a while already, and was able to hold the arrow shaft steady and throw it smoothly.
His wide sleeves fluttered beautifully in the wind like wings of a crane.
More importantly, his accuracy was quite remarkable.
It made one wonder if he were healthy and could wield a bow, how stunning he would be. 

While they were enjoying themselves, the sound of hooves suddenly came from afar.
Shortly, a servant came forward, “To report, Duke, the north division commandant has come to make a call.”

That old coot Liu Xuan had gone out on a spring outing as well? Sima Teng frowned, “Invite him in.”

It wasn’t long before an old man, his hair and beard white, dressed in martial attire, entered the tent.
He smiled and cupped his hands to Sima Teng, “I heard that you were having a banquet here, Duke, so I specially paid a visit.”

Sima Teng returned his salute lacklusterly, “How aesthetic of you, commandant.
I didn’t expect you to be treading the green by the Waters of Jin?” 

That could be interpreted as a question asking why Liu Xuan had left Jiuyuan, where the North Division was located, to take a stroll in Jinyang.
It could also be interpreted as mockery that he, a Xiongnu, had no reason to perform the cleansing rites of Shangsi.

Liu Xuan smiled as if he hadn’t understood, “It’s only natural to take a trip to the river on the third of the third month.
Oh? A shooting for entertainment? I have a few subordinates under my tent whose archery is superb.
Shall I summon them here to perform for you Duke?”

Since when was “performing” ever a part of friendly archery? Sima Teng’s face darkened, but as the other had already suggested it, he couldn’t back down, “A demonstration of archery skill should be a face-off.
Servants, set up targets, bring heavy bows.”

Then, he quietly ordered his attendant to have General Nie Xuan bring his best archers, quickly.
The Xiongnu were, as a whole, excellent at riding and shooting.
It wouldn’t do to lose face in this competition. 

Liu Xuan, his hands clasped behind his back, paid no mind.
He watched, with the corner of his eye, the white-robed figure nearby.

The author has something to say:

Young Liang: eating raw freshwater fish is dangerous.
You know.
In ancient times there were indeed records of people getting sick from the parasites in freshwater fish; apparently one of them was even cured by Hua Tuo, but they didn’t learn their lesson and kept eating raw fish and ate themselves to death [bye bye] so guys, don’t carelessly eat raw fish; safety and health comes first!