The Scholar and the Military Champion Fight Every Day

Everyone in court knew the new top scholars in the civil and military examinations were sworn enemies. Shen Qingyan, the civil top scholar, had a jade-like face, a wicked tongue, and a gift for eloquence. Gu Zheng, the military top scholar, was arrogant and unruly, his sword sweeping across the eight directions. They had been at each other’s throats since they were six, all the way to the Golden Hall. There were endless petty grievances for them to report, and never enough time at morning court to rehash old scores. The emperor groaned, “Did you two come here to help govern the country or to perform a comedy routine?” They went out of their way to ruin each other’s every matchmaking opportunity, and remained single together until retirement. The entire capital was going wild shipping them. “Sirs, why don’t you just work things out between yourselves?” No one knew that they had already “worked things out” in private. The memorial he submitted concealed a love letter from the night before. Behind every “reckless fool” he called him was unspoken worry. On a snowy night at the border, what he held tightly against his chest was the good-luck charm that man had asked for. Later, they died on the same day and were buried in one grave. Their tombstone read: “Enemies for Life.” In the tomb, their hands were clasped together. Beside them lay the coded love letters they had collected over a lifetime. The history books say their political views were opposed, and they fought until death. Only the moon knows that they loved each other, and loved each other until death.