Chapter Thirteen: The Rise of Chang'an

  Things didn't develop as Du He had expected. Du He underestimated Wenren's flaunting emotions and the spread of the Great Tang Eight Trigrams.

  In just one hour, Du He's name had spread throughout the entire imperial palace.

  The great Confucian scholar Kong Yingda's apprenticeship was like a thunderclap on a clear day.

  Who is Kong Yingda?

  One of the eighteen scholars of the Tang Dynasty, the right Shu Zi of the Crown Prince, the head of the Imperial College, and the chief educator in charge of education for the entire country. He is a model among great Confucian scholars and can be called the greatest scholar of the Tang Dynasty without exaggeration.

  He is the object of admiration for countless Confucian scholars and the pursuit of countless Confucians, with a reputation that resonates throughout the world.

  Ke Congying disregarded his noble status and bowed down to Master Du He in public, which fully demonstrated the wonders of Du He's calligraphy, astonishing the world.

  This Kong Yingda's reputation is extremely great, and Du He naturally becomes a hundred times more valuable.

  In just half a day, Du He's name shook the entire Chang'an.

  The Tang Dynasty valued both literature and martial arts, calligraphy is a profound art, such as Yu Shinan, Ouyang Xun, Chu Suiliang, who was not admired and sought after by people?

  It's even more curious that Du Huo, whose name was known far and wide in Chang'an, suddenly became a master of calligraphy to the extent that even Kong Yingda, a great Confucian scholar, wanted to become his disciple, which really made people wonder.

  Du He still didn't know that he had shaken the whole Chang'an, and as usual, returned home, paid respects to his mother Zhang Shi, and went back to the west wing to practice his sword skills.

  Everything has to start from scratch, so Du He wants to restore his previous life's level, he must put in more effort to practice.

  Whenever he has some free time, Du He will put down everything in his hands and practice martial arts.

  With the experience of her past life, Du He didn't have to take many detours, and her progress in martial arts was still quite rapid. That set of extraordinary light skills also began to show a hint of effectiveness.

  He performed a set of "Iron Blood Twelve Forms" and let out a long sigh.

  "Tiě Xuè Shí èr Shì" is the ultimate skill of Dà Qí Mén, and also the most sharp swordsmanship recorded in "Liú Xiāng Bǎo Jiàn". Those who have read "Dà Qí Yīng Xióng Zhuàn" should know this swordsmanship, which is a secret technique obtained by Tiě Zhōng Táng from the treasure of Dà Qí Mén.

  Who doesn't know about Chu Liuxiang's background, even his apprentice Du Changtian is unclear, but it can be confirmed that Chu Liuxiang has a close connection with Tie Zhongtang of the Dà Qí Mén.

  At least "Liu Xiang Bao Jian" records many great skills of the Dà Qí Mén, and "Iron Blood Twelve Forms" is just one of them. There are also other profound martial arts like "Dà Qí Fēng Yún Zhǎng".

  He only favored lightness skill swordsmanship, and had the most insight into the application of lightness skill swordsmanship, so he mainly practiced lightness skill swordsmanship, and fists, palms, and legs were just slightly involved.

  "Linglong, how's the young master doing?" Du Hechong glanced at the little loli beside him, who smiled slightly. Every time he practiced martial arts, this little loli would secretly watch him with admiring eyes, greatly satisfying Du He's small vanity, and so he never exposed her.

  After yesterday evening's "teasing" in the study, Du He gradually began to enjoy teasing Xiao Luoli. Every time he teased her until she was face-red and ear-red, he couldn't help but burst out laughing, and his mood would be particularly comfortable.

  Linglong saw Du He discover her presence, let out a startled cry, and turned around to run away like a thief.

  Du He was about to chase after him, but was stopped by the housekeeper, who told him that Du Ru Hui had called for him to go to the study.

  Du Ruohui, as the prime minister of the current dynasty and Duke Cai Guo, naturally had a grand mansion that was not humble in scale, covering an extremely large area that could be divided into four courtyards: east, west, south, and north.

  Du Ruhui, as the head of the household, lived with his wife, Lady Zhang, in the eastern courtyard. His elder brother, Du Gong, was the eldest son and lived with his wife and children in the northern courtyard. He lived in the western courtyard, while the remaining southern courtyard was where the servants resided.

  Du He responded with a sound and quickly walked towards the study in the East Wing.

  Arriving at the study door, Du He knocked and called out "Father!"

  "Come in!" Du Ruhui's authoritative and slightly hoarse voice rang out.

  Du He pushed the door and walked in, Du Ru Hui sat upright on the couch with a pair of bright and spirited eyes that had been staring at him since he entered the room, her gaze was quite piercing.

  Du Ruhui held the position of Chancellor for six years, reaching the pinnacle of power among officials. He had an air of dignity and authority about him that inspired awe in others.

  Du He saw Du Ruhui's face was not good, and his heart was also a little nervous, but as the saying goes, "Don't do anything shameful during the day, and you won't be frightened by knocks on the door at midnight." He calmly replied with composure.

  The two of them remained silent for a long time.

  Du Ruhui nodded and said: "Second brother, I heard that your handwriting is quite good. There's paper, brush and ink here, write a poem as you like."

  Du He suddenly realized that this must be the trouble caused by Kong Yingda, the old man. Whether it's good fortune or bad, it can't be avoided. Du He didn't plan to hide his clumsiness and thought of Tang's ancient poem, thinking of Cao Cao's "Observing the Cang Hai" he picked up his pen and wrote: Facing the vast stone wall, I gaze out at the Cang Sea. The water is calm and peaceful, with islands rising steeply. Trees and plants grow lushly, with a hundred grasses flourishing. Autumn winds howl mournfully, as huge waves surge up. The sun and moon move, as if emerging from within; the stars shine brightly, as if coming out of their hiding places. What a wonderful place! I sing to express my aspirations.

  This is a poem written by Cao Cao, which was created during the Northern Expedition against the Wuhuan in the 12th year of Jian'an. At that time, Cao Cao led his army northward to pursue and annihilate the remnants of Yuan Shao's forces. In May, he took an oath to launch a northern expedition, and in July, he left Lulong Camp and arrived at Mount Pingshi. He rode his horse, waved his whip, climbed the mountain, and gazed out at the sea. Facing the vast ocean with its surging waves, he was inspired by the scene and wrote this magnificent poem. The poem has a majestic momentum and a heroic tone, reflecting the poet's broad and inclusive mind that encompasses the universe and swallows up the sun and moon.

  Du He's regular script was inherited from Yan Zhenqing, with a bold and powerful calligraphy style, precise structure without revealing the skeleton. Matching Cao Cao's poem, it is even more wonderful.

  The momentum of poetry, the momentum of calligraphy, merged into one, can be called a masterpiece for all eternity.

  Du Ru's expression changed, this "Viewing the Cang Hai" written by Du He is a hundred times better than those four characters given to Kong Yingda.

  Du Ruohui was then appointed by Li Shimin as the first of the eighteen scholars, with a talent that didn't need to be expressed in many words. But after reading Du He's "Viewing the Cang Hai", he couldn't help but feel emotional and stood up, carefully appreciating the Xuan paper in his hand.

  "Good calligraphy, good calligraphy! No wonder Confucius would humbly ask Yan Hui to be his teacher."

  Du Ruhui's words made Du He laugh too.

  A month's time is not enough for Du He to integrate into the Tang Dynasty, but it is enough for her to integrate into this family.

  Seeing one's own father smile so happily, as a child it is only natural to feel joyful.

  "Old master, Yu Yongxing, Chu Qiju Lang and Ouyang Shuai have jointly submitted a letter requesting an audience." Just then, the steward presented a delicate visiting card.

  Du Ruhui smiled as if nothing was wrong and didn't find their arrival strange at all.

  He took over the letter of condolence and handed it back to Du He without even looking at it.

  Du He was puzzled and opened the letter of invitation. The first part was some tedious flattering words, but the signature made Du He exclaim in surprise.

  The three people who signed at the end were Yu Shinnan, Ouyang Xun and Chu Suiliang.

  My goodness, among the four great calligraphers of the early Tang Dynasty, three have come from this family.

  Du He felt a little dizzy and lightheaded.

  Du Ruhui smiled slightly and said, "Second Brother, these people have all come to find you. Get ready to follow me to the reception hall."

  Du He had this idea in his heart when he saw the names of these three people, but after hearing Du Ruhui say it, he couldn't help but be shocked and asked: "Looking for me?"

  Du Ruhui playfully looked at Du He, laughing and saying: "Second Brother doesn't know yet, but the four characters you wrote even made His Majesty exclaim in admiration. Now the whole of Chang'an knows that my second brother is a famous calligrapher who can make even the great scholar Kong Yingda surrender."