Chapter 37: Composed Response

  Wang Can's expression was humble and respectful, but his face didn't show any sign of fear. He bowed to Ma Rong and said: "Sir, today there are guests arriving at the door, I still need to help my teacher welcome them. May I wait until I've finished welcoming the guests before giving you a detailed answer to your question?"

  Ma Riwei heard this and shook his head, refusing: "No way, you must answer now."

  In his tone, Ma Rongqi exuded an unstoppable aura, and with his long stay in a high position, he inadvertently carried an intimidating air about him.

  Wang Can seemed to have not sensed Ma Teng's aura, his gaze shifted towards Lu Zhi, waiting for him to speak.

  Lu Zhi saw this, smiled slightly, and didn't speak to relieve the situation. His gaze fell on the steward standing at the gate of Cai's mansion, asking: "Cai Cheng, which guests have arrived at the mansion?"

  Cai Cheng, the steward of Cai Yong's household, and also a house slave of the Cai family.

  Lu Zhi often socialized with Cai Yong, and it was through Lu Zhi that he learned the name of the housekeeper at Cai's residence. When Cai Cheng heard Lu Zhi's inquiry, his body slightly leaned forward as he replied humbly: "Only Minister Wang Yun, General Yang Bi, and some minor Confucian scholars have come to our residence; no other dignitaries have visited."

  Lu Zhi pondered for a moment, his gaze falling on Wang Can. A hint of a smile appeared on his cold and stern face as he instructed Cai Cheng, "Cai Cheng, most of the main guests invited by Bo Ji have arrived. Except for Wang Si Tu, Yang Tai Wei, and us two old men, the others are not worthy of having Bo Ji's disciples go out to greet them. You will receive the subsequent guests who arrive for the banquet. Do you understand?"

  "Yes!" Cai Cheng's back slightly arched, and he said respectfully: "Your humble servant knows, please come in, both of you."

  Lu Zhi instructed Cai Cheng and then glanced at Ma Rong, a smile spreading from the corner of his mouth, revealing a self-satisfied expression.

  Two old men exchanged a smile.

  Ma Rijun's smile was tightly drawn, and he said in a cold voice: "Wang Can, let's go, talk as we walk."

  Wang Can cursed Lu Zhi in his heart, thinking that Lu Zhi would speak up for him and help him out of the situation. After all, Wang Can was standing at the gate of Cai's mansion, in front of a large crowd, and if he had answered improperly, it would have damaged Cai Yong's reputation. But unexpectedly, Lu Zhi, this old fox, directly ordered the steward to welcome the guests who came and went, saying that the people behind him were not worthy of being welcomed by him.

  Wang Can thought for a moment and felt hatred in his heart.

  However, Wang Can's face did not reveal anything. He slowly followed behind Ma Rong and said: "Sir, the disciple first pays respects to Lu Gong, thinking that the disciple has read the classics of the sages and has heard Mengzi say 'Respect the old and care for the young, do not forget guests and travelers.' Also, he said 'My elderly is my elderly, and also includes others' elderly; My young is my young, and also includes others' young.'"

  "Mencius' words are to teach people to respect their elders. Mr. Lu is already over 60 years old, in his 70s, while you, sir, are nearly 50 years old, which is almost a generation younger than Mr. Lu. In terms of age, you are still Mr. Lu's junior, therefore, as your disciple, I should pay respects to Mr. Lu first and then to you."

  Wang Can is also cunning and directly uses age to determine precedence.

  However, the deceased emphasized hierarchy and respected the elderly and the virtuous. Wang Can's words were also reasonable and did not show any disrespect.

  "Good, well said. Uncle Weng, did you hear that? According to what was just said, you are also my junior now." Lu Zhi's stern face suddenly broke into a smile like a blooming flower, his face unable to conceal his complacency. He and Ma Rong were originally of the same generation, but with Wang Can's one remark, Ma Rong's status had instantly dropped by a generation, making him Lu Zhi's junior.

  Lu Zhi looked at Wang Can with a hint of admiration in his eyes.

  Ma Rong's face turned difficult to look at, his eyes staring at Lu Zhi's wrinkled old face, shouting: "What a fart! Your humble servant and you are of the same generation, how can I be your junior?"

  Wang Can stood beside him, a faint smile in his heart.

  Finally managed to shift the topic, two old guys, actually ganged up on me, humph, you can keep arguing.

  Just as Wang Can was feeling very pleased with himself, Ma Rong's eyes widened and his sharp gaze fell heavily on Wang Can, as if he wanted to pierce him to death right there. However, despite his anger, Ma Rong was still extremely satisfied with Wang Can's answer in his heart. It's just that Ma Rong didn't want to lose face in front of Lu Zhi, so he immediately rebuked: "Wang Can, your answer is passable, barely passing. But I am the imperial court's Guanglu Daifu, ranked alongside the 2,000 stone officials, while Lu Zhi is just an ordinary commoner. When you meet us two, shouldn't you first pay respects to me?"

  At this time, Ma Rong's expression was serious, but his gaze at Lu Zhi had a hint of pride.

  Wang Canshen sneered in his heart and secretly said: Old guy, it's all your doing, can't let you have a good time.

  After some thought, Wang Can's mouth curled up with a smile and said: "Sir, today is Teacher's banquet for good friends, it's a gathering of friends to chat. Therefore, here we only discuss the difference between seniors and juniors, without distinction between superior and inferior. Sir is Lu Gong's junior, so I think it's proper to pay respects to Lu Gong first."

  Wang Can's voice was calm, but when mentioning 'junior', his tone became very heavy.

  As expected, Ma Rong heard this and his face changed color, humming: "Old thief, you also think so?"

  Lu Zhi's eyes flashed coldly, seeing Wang Can with an air of not caring about the matter, his heart suddenly lit up, and he burst out laughing: "Uncle Weng, you really think you're a junior just because I said so? You don't even know such a simple trick as sowing discord, yet you want to make things difficult for me? In the end, it's you who got played by me, what a shameless person!"

  "What? A scheme of separation?"

  Ma Ri's expression changed, his eyes widened at Wang Can for a moment, he snorted and then stopped talking. At this time, Ma Ri also understood that he had fallen into Wang Can's trap. Thinking of losing face in front of his juniors, Ma Ri's face turned blue and white, feeling extremely unhappy.

  Wang Can was also very displeased at this time and secretly cursed Lu Zhi as an old fox.

  However, after this incident, Lu Zhi and Ma Rong did not continue to make things difficult for Wang Can.

  Lu Zhi, Ma Rong and Wang Can went to the guest hall together. Lu Zhi and Ma Rong walked side by side, with Wang Can following behind them. After entering the guest hall, Yang Xiu, Yang Bi and Cai Yong saw Lu Zhi coming in and hastily stood up to bow to him, saying: "Lu Gong, how is your health?"

  Lu Zhi smiled and said: "No harm, no harm!"

  Lu Zhi waved his hand repeatedly, stroking his beard with a smile. Among the high-ranking officials and famous scholars present, Lu Zhi was already over 60 years old and belonged to the respected and revered class of people. Ma Rong, Cai Yong, Wang Yun, and Yang Bi were all younger than Lu Zhi, so when they saw him enter the living room, they stood up to pay their respects.

  As for private dealings with people of the same social status, that's a different matter altogether.

  Cai Yong and Lu Zhi took their seats as guests, while other Confucian scholars naturally sat below them.

  Wang Can stood beside Cai Yong, with a smile on his face, confident and composed.

  Lu Zhi's cold face revealed a smile, and he cupped his hands in respect: "Bo Ji, you were wise and agile from an early age, a young talent. That you can collect such excellent disciples is truly enviable."

  Cai Yong clasped his hands and replied: "Shared joy, shared joy! Isn't this also a source of delight for Master Lu?"

  Lu Zhi nodded, and the crowd began to chat, one by one, the atmosphere in the living room became lively. Wang Can looked at several old men, you flatter me, I flatter you, his back felt a chill, these old men were really "interesting".

  Just then, a loud shout came from outside the living room.

  "Langzhongling Li Ru, Lord Li has arrived."

  The sound fell, and a middle-aged man with narrow eyes, a gloomy face, and wearing a blue Confucian robe walked in. The man had a smile on his face, but the smile made people feel uneasy, feeling oppressed in their hearts.

  "Li Ru pays his respects to all the gentlemen and greets Mr. Bo Qi."

  Li Ru had a smile on his face, but the lively atmosphere made him feel awkward.

  In the hall, Wang Yun, Yang Bi, Lu Zhi and Ma Rong's faces were all stiffened in an instant, their eyes fixed on Li Ru with a hint of impatience. Immediately, several people turned their gaze to Cai Yong, seeing Cai Yong shaking his head, suddenly reacted, Li Ru was uninvited.

  P.S: Xiao Dong has tried his best to write this book. If there are any shortcomings, please forgive him and collect and reward as usual.