Chapter 349: Chapter 139: The Xie Family (Part 2)
That day, after seeing off Huang Chen, Chu Xun, and Ding Shutian on their journey home, Zhao Jing and De’an went with Chen Wanqing to the Xie Family estate early in the morning.
The Xie Family estate was located in Yanghua Square in the Prefecture.
It was named Yanghua Square not because the area was full of brothels, but because it used to be filled with poplar trees.
Every spring, the poplar catkins would drift down and cover the entire city, turning the whole Prefecture white as snow.
Because they were too much of a nuisance to the residents’ daily lives, these poplar trees were all cut down after Mr. Sheng took office as Magistrate, and tall phoenix trees were planted in their place.
However, the name Yanghua Street remained, though rumor had it that it would be changed soon. This was because the name often brought to mind an idiom for being ’fickle and loose,’ which severely damaged the reputation its residents had in the eyes of others.
Lately, the residents of this street had been clamoring for a name change. Perhaps by the next time they visited, the street would have a new name.
But back to the Xie Family. They had made their fortune in the book trade, and their household was filled with scholars and men who had earned official ranks.
Mr. Xie’s ancestors had, over generations, produced eight Scholars, three scholars, and even one Advanced Scholar.
Because of this, the Xie family’s ancestral home was built with great elegance and refinement.
As they walked, they passed by rockeries and flowing streams, ornate windows and elegant pavilions. From winter plums and green bamboo to pines, cypresses, and chrysanthemums, it seemed no classic flower or plant had been omitted.
It was truly a residence of impeccable taste and classical elegance.
"It’s just a shame my descendants have been so disappointing. For twenty consecutive years, we haven’t produced a single new Scholar. Now the family’s fortunes are in decline, and it seems we’re on the verge of being reduced to mere merchants."
The current dynasty did not strictly forbid the sons of merchants from taking the imperial examinations, but if one were truly steeped in the stench of commerce, how could they still appreciate the fragrance of ink and books?
It was feared that after many years, when people mentioned the Xie Family, they would simply call them "the book merchant Xies." They would completely forget that the Xie Family had also produced many men of scholarly achievement and were once known as "the scholarly Xie Family."
"All the books related to the imperial examinations are on the second floor. My ancestors made a point of collecting them, so there is a vast number of such books. Forget three or five months—you probably couldn’t even get through them all once in three or five years."
Mr. Xie led the group into the Xie Family’s Book Collection Building.
It was a small, three-story building. Bronze bells hung from the eaves of the corridor, and the roof was carved with cloud patterns and auspicious beasts.
From the old man guarding the door to the maids and young servants sweeping and cleaning, everyone was neatly dressed with clean hands.
In a nearby clearing, some people were tasked with airing out the books while others specialized in smoothing out creases and treating insect damage. It was clear just how much the Xie Family treasured their Book Collection Building.
The Book Collection Building didn’t look very large from the outside, but the space inside was quite substantial.
Stepping onto the first floor, they were immediately met with a stunning sight: an overwhelming collection of books, stacked high on shelves that reached all the way to the ceiling.
Mr. Xie saw the astonishment on their faces, and a hint of pride appeared on his own.
He said with some restraint, "This is all thanks to the efforts of my ancestors. In my generation, I have collected barely more than a hundred volumes."
"Are those hundred-odd volumes all related to the imperial examinations?" De’an asked.
Mr. Xie nodded. "Indeed they are. This way. The books on the first floor are fine for leisure reading, but I believe you’re more interested in seeing the books on the second floor right now."
The second floor was no smaller than the first, and it was decorated even more elegantly. The walls were adorned with calligraphy and paintings by literary figures, and a large water tank filled with lotus flowers stood against one wall.
It wasn’t the season for lotuses to bloom, so the large tank was filled only with layers of dark green lotus pads. Occasionally, they could hear sounds like PLINK, GLUG, and SWISH. Peeking under the pads, they saw fish swimming playfully.
Since the weather was clear that day, all the windows on the second floor had been opened to let in fresh air.
A gentle breeze rustled the pages of an open book on a desk, making them FLUTTER. The moment had a certain charm.
Mr. Xie said, "The second floor is spacious and holds many books. This entire row contains the writings left by our family’s Scholars. The books over to the east were left by the scholars, and as for those two lonely shelves on the edge, everything on them belonged to the Advanced Scholar."
"Surely the one Advanced Scholar in your family’s history couldn’t have left behind this many books, right?" De’an asked in surprise. "Does this mean that some of the students you’ve sponsored also achieved great success?"
Mr. Xie chuckled. "Well, even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes. We cast a wide net, so we’re bound to catch a few big fish."
De’an burst out laughing. "Mr. Xie, if I were to spread those words around..."
"Would you?"
De’an shook his head with a swagger. "I’m not that much of a gossip."
Leaving the group there, Mr. Xie prepared to go downstairs.
Before he left, he added, "You’ll be having lunch here at noon. I’ve already instructed my wife to make the arrangements."
