Chen Zhenhui, Hou Fangyu, Fang Yizhi and Mao Pijiang were known as “the Four Most Celebrated Gentlemen” of the late Ming Dynasty. Ruan had tried very hard to curry favor with Chen but always failed. He therefore felt extremely flattered when he was told that Chen wanted to borrow his troupe. He hurriedly urged the troupe to get everything ready, ordering the actors and actresses to prepare their hair, apply their make-up and change into their best costumes. Subsequently, he dispatched an intelligent servant to go with the troupe and report back to him any comments by the three gentlemen.
After the troupe left, a man named Yang Wencong arrived. Yang was the brother-in-law of the governor of Fengyang, a dismissed county magistrate and Ruan Dacheng’s only friend. Yang told Ruan that he came here only to appreciate the new play he had just written. Unfortunately, the troupe was being borrowed by the gentlemen. Though disappointed, Yang was an easygoing person. So he told Ruan, “Now that I have no chance to watch the new play, would you do me the honor of lending me the script so that I may read it?”
Ruan Dacheng could not neglect a friend like Yang Wencong. He asked his servants to prepare food and wine and they chatted while they drink and ate. Shortly afterwards, the servant Ruan had sent with the troupe ran back in a hurry and told him that the three gentlemen spoke highly of his play. Ruan Dacheng was complacent and said joyfully, “That’s Wonderful! I never expected they would truly appreciate my talent. Tell me what they said”.
“They said Ruan Dacheng is a gifted and talented scholar, well-versed in literature, just as we expected.”
“Did they really say that?” Ruan was pleased but his face exposed his surprise. “I feel flattered but I don’t deser ve this praise. I wonder what else they might say. You go and see what they say and let me know immediately.”
At this, the servant hurried away. Ruan Dacheng paced back and forth proudly and murmured repeatedly, “I never expected that these men would turn out to be my intimate friends who appreciate my talent and learning. What a fortuitous thing!”
“Who borrowed your troupe?” Yang Wencong asked.
“Chen Dingsheng from Yixing, Fang Mizhi from Tongcheng and Mao Pijiang from Rugao; these people are exceptionally talented and learned and I never expected that I could win their recognition.”
“Oh, I know those gentlemen. They are indeed knowledgeable people and they rarely praise others. Your play is good enough to deserve the appreciation.”
While Ruan was chatting with his friend, the servant came back and gasped, “I watched the play with the gentlemen until it had come to the middle and the banquet was nearly over, so I hurried back to give my report to you.”
“So what else did they say?” Ruan Dacheng asked eagerly.
“They said you deserved to be called ‘the most gifted scholar in South China’, among other things”
“Did they really praise me like that? What else did they say?”
“They also said that it was a pity that you sought refuge with the eunuchs and that that has ruined your reputation and undermined your integrity.”
At these words, Ruan Dacheng frowned and asked angrily, “What else?”
“I dare not repeat what else they said about you.”
“Go ahead. I will not blame you. I just wanted to know about their criticisms of me.”
“They said that you are shameless person, worse than pigs and dogs and that you abused your power in order to bully others”.
“Enough! Say no more!” Flushed with shame and anger, Ruan Dacheng slapped his hand on the table and screamed, “It is so exasperating! I kindly lent them my troupe and they repaid me by cursing and slandering my name!”
Yang Wencong did not understand and so he asked, “Brother Ruan, have you offended them in the past?”
Ruan Dacheng answered, “Absolutely not. I don’t know why it happened. I was beaten by some scholars at the Confucius temple several days ago and I was humiliated today. How can I protect my reputation from now on?”
With that, Ruan Dacheng sat there with a sad look, sighing in despair.
Yang Wencong thought for a while and said, “Brother Ruan, I have an idea and I wonder if you might give it a try.”
“Please tell me your good idea!”
“Wu Yingji and Chen Zhenhui are the leaders among these scholars. If only you could find ways to make them stop, others would not cause any trouble.”
Ruan Dacheng slapped the table and exclaimed, “You are right there, but how should I start?”
“Wu Yingji and Chen Zhenhui are aloof and proud people who will not be persuaded easily. However, Hou Fangyu is very close with these two, being their pot companion and literary friend. I heard that Hou is living a boring life in Nanjing and desires to make friends with a beautiful woman. I know a courtesan named Li Xiangjun at the Meixiang House (a brothel).
She is notable for her outstanding talent and breathtaking body. I surmise that Hou will be captivated by her charm. My idea is that you could give Hou some money so that he could make this Li Xiangjun his concubine. I am sure Hou will appreciate your help and put in a good word for you to Wu Yingji and Chen Zhenhui. Who would bother you any more If Wu and Chen change their minds?”
“Wonderful! That’s a fabulous idea,” Ruan Dacheng laughed and then he asked, “How much money do you think I should give him?”
“Two hundred taels of silver should cover all the expenses of the wedding banquet and dowry.”
“That should be easy to handle. I will have three hundred taels of silver sent to your house right away, completely at your disposal.”
