"Dong!"An old scholar struck the ground heavily with his wooden staff, his beard slightly trembling: "Absurd! Punctuation depends on the flow of the text and resides in one’s mind!"
His voice suddenly rose: "Forcing those bizarre symbols, isn’t it like painting legs on a snake?"
"It brutally severs the veins of the text and ruins the rhythm of the writing!"
Finally, he glanced around and declared loudly: "When have the ancients ever used these? Those illustrious classics still shine through the ages!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than a young scholar immediately retorted loudly: "Sir, you’re mistaken!"
"Commas clarify cadence, periods define beginnings and ends, question marks highlight doubt—these three marks, though simple, are immensely useful!"
He stepped forward and provided an example: "Consider a child reciting scripture, without symbols, they are confused; or look at official documents, with symbols, the content is clear at a glance!"
He then looked directly at the old scholar and countered: "This is an act that benefits the world, how is it severing? It is clearly organizing the text!"
A person beside him nodded repeatedly, adding with conviction: "Exactly right!"
"Imagine, everyone, the official documents pile up like mountains, without these symbols, ambiguities arise, merely increasing litigation burdens."
"The use of these symbols is driven by the times. It’s not about destroying ancient systems, but meeting present needs!"
The debate grew increasingly heated.
Still in that corner.
Li Bai and Du Fu sat opposite each other, pouring their own drinks.
Listening to the old scholar’s impassioned shouts, Li Bai’s lips curled up slightly, raising a cup to Du Fu: "What does Zimei think of this punctuation by the Grand Tutor?"
"Its merit lasts for ages!" Du Fu responded without hesitation, his answer crisp and clear.
Having served many years as an Imperial Censor, unlike Li Bai’s uninhibited nature, he was accustomed to visiting the alleys to observe the hardships of the common people, deeply understanding the practical benefits of these symbols in official documents and enlightening children, making considerable efforts in recent years to implement new policies.
Li Bai nodded with a smile, picked up a wine pot, and drank a gulp.
His gaze drifted out the window.
Returning to Julu, the old scenes were just as before.
Yet to this exiled immortal who had traveled the world for years, what he saw was entirely different.
Though inherently free-spirited, he, too, had poured his heart and soul into supporting the implementation of new policies over these years.
Even if not standing in the spotlight, seeing the hearts of the people gradually change, he and Du Fu were already content.
One cup followed another, the wine feeling gradually intensified.
A gentle blush quietly appeared on Li Bai’s face, just as the debate reached its peak.
He stood up abruptly, perhaps thinking of something, and strode to the neighboring table, grabbing a wolf hair brush.
This sudden action immediately attracted several gazes, and someone exclaimed:
"Another new work from Li Taibai?!"
This shout, like a stone thrown into water, instantly drowned out all the noise.
The whole Yunshao Pavilion fell silent, and all eyes focused entirely on him.
Since the release of those poems that shook the world during the anti-Buddhism campaign, Li Bai’s name had long been at the zenith, instantly drawing everyone’s attention to his actions.
Li Bai seemed oblivious to the surrounding gazes.
With a brush in one hand and a wine cup in the other, under the watchful eyes of all, he wielded his brush with bold strokes!
One line... two lines...
Ink spilled over the paper, and among the onlookers, some were holding their breath, unable to help but breathe heavily—not only due to the grandeur of the poetic lines but also because, embedded within the text, were the very punctuation marks over which there had been fervent debate!
This silent declaration was more powerful than a thousand words, instantly capturing the attention of all the scholars!
Du Fu looked over as well.
He was no longer the obscure figure of years past, but he did not take any grand actions, merely observing from where he sat.
His view was obscured by the crowd.
He couldn’t see the entirety of the content, only glimpsing the last line of Li Bai’s work from a distance.
"As if returning to the flourishing Tang era."
......
(Ps: Begging for monthly votes, brothers, please support, countless thanks from Fish.)
Chapter 656: 101: Renewed Vitality, As If Returned to the Glorious Tang Era
4 min read