System: Master Your Life

Chapter 879 220: Entering the Capital (Career)

January 2, 2027.

The sun was bright and warm.

Xu Lin set out once more on his journey to the Capital City.

At 3 p.m., he arrived at Zhonghai in a Hongqi car.

As soon as he got off the car at Zhonghai, someone came to greet him.

Judging by the man's self-introduction, Xu Lin thought he might be even more influential than Yu Jianhua.

In the shadow of the emperor, it could frighten anyone to death.

Xu Lin had never considered coming here before.

And now it was his second time, he had come once last year too.

After all, this place is the ultimate dream for many men in Huaxia.

Power is more alluring than money and desires, a truth countless ancestors have verified over thousands of years.

Nineteen-year-old Xu Lin stepped into this place a second time.

Before long, led by his guide, Xu Lin reached a room.

"Young Master Xu, he's inside."

The guide led him to the door.

"Hmm, thanks."

"No need to thank me, please go in, he's waiting for you."

"Alright."

Being addressed as "you" by a middle-aged man, and considering this person was quite significant even outside, Xu Lin felt a bit uncomfortable.

But Xu Lin didn't think much of it.

As he pushed the door open, he immediately smelled ink.

It turned out this was a study, and the person inside was writing.

"You've arrived?"

"I have."

"I'm writing now; I heard from old Chi that you also write?"

"Old Chi?"

"It's Chi Lingri, your father-in-law's father. You should call him grandfather, right?"

"Yes, I usually call him grandfather. I didn't expect you to know him."

"I've known him for a long time. When he was young, he had a straightforward nature and offended people, combined with bad luck later on during his tenure, he encountered difficulties. The predecessor left him a mess, which he couldn't handle, and eventually, he couldn't advance further, but he fortunately landed safely and enjoys retirement at home."

"That's good."

Thinking about it, it's normal for people at the top to know each other.

"Old Chi said you write excellently; come see my writing."

"Isn't it inappropriate? After all, I'm younger."

"It's fine, just take a look."

"Alright, then I might be impolite."

As the saying goes, it's hard to refuse kind offers.

"I'm over seventy now, beyond the age of ear-hearing and knowing fate, and now following my heart's desires. Knowledge is acquired in sequence, and each field has its expertise. If your realm is above mine, I'll be all ears."

Xu Lin's gaze fell on the rice paper.

It was a poem written by Wang Anshi in his later years, titled "Self-Praise After Divine Insight."

When Wang Anshi was so ill he could barely walk, he saw his portrait one day and wrote this poem inspired by an epiphany.

On the rice paper, only the first two lines of the poem were written: "I and the figure in the portrait are both illusions, circulating in the world will turn to dust."

Meaning: I and the one depicted are illusory existences, as time shifts and stars revolve, we will become dust.

This poem is very liberating.

Xu Lin said: "Your characters seem to struggle, trying to be carefree but can't, wanting to transcend but are stuck between being worldly and unworldly, ultimately hindered. This poem is actually the result of Wang Anshi's ultimate understanding in his late years."

Implying that the speaker hadn't reached enlightenment, not carefree enough, lacking that realm.

"Yes, indeed, it's somewhat pretentious. Mr. Jing wrote this poem in one seamless go, without any intention."

He said, "Xu Lin, complete the next two lines for me, let me see your writing."

"Alright."

Xu Lin picked up the brush and added the last two lines: "Knowing it is oneself and nothing else, not questioning whether one's current self is still like the past."

Meaning: just knowing this depiction is oneself, without struggling whether your current self is still the same as the past.

The entire poem carries a Buddhist or Zen essence, which Xu Lin also couldn't fully grasp.

Many philosophies are like this, you read them, feel you understand, but in reality, you might not.

Because education is delayed, it will give you a sudden revelation years later, after experiencing something.

However, calligraphy is another matter.

Xu Lin's thinking was complex, encompassing Lao Zhuang and Yang Zhu's ideas, along with Austrian school economic concepts.

That's just part of it, his thinking is always flexible, centered on usefulness and self-importance.

In short, Xu Lin practiced pragmatism.

Thus, influenced by these thoughts, Xu Lin's writing style is both free and dynamic.

In Taoist terms, if something displeases him, he acts immediately, not leaving it overnight, ensuring inner clarity and smoothness.

The saying "a gentleman's revenge is never too late after ten years" is a Confucian concept.

Immediate revenge is a Taoist mindset.

People with blocked and unsmooth minds, who are depressed inside, can they ever live long?

As the saying goes, "deep affection doesn't last long."

This refers to love, and can imply other emotions. Any negative feelings shouldn't be repressed for too long inside.

"Good writing!" the other exclaimed.

Xu Lin: "Just showing off, not worth mentioning."

After all, it's nothing remarkable to flaunt about, Xu Lin has never been conceited.

"You're quite modest; this writing rivals the divine, has its own character. At nineteen, you've traversed a master's lifetime."

He appreciated it greatly.

Xu Lin simply changed the topic, "I don't dare accept the compliment. What's the reason for having me here today?"

"No rush, I'll talk later, accompany me in writing some more."

"Alright."

The two continued to write for over half an hour.

Strictly speaking, his writing was better than Chi Lingri's, much better.