ATPnovel Chapter 23: 8 Shares Started with Me, 1 Piece of Absurdity?
Chapter 23: 8 Shares Started with Me, 1 Piece of Absurdity?
"The powerful clans in the Central Plains have almost disappeared, and there are no more aristocratic families or gentry. The path for us scholars to rise in society has long been cut off. Can this land still become fertile ground for us intellectuals and patriots?"
"A prodigy from Qingfeng, a blessed omen from heaven. Is there truly still a day when the culture and education of the Central Plains will flourish?"
"Hahaha!!! In today's imperial examinations, how can we, the scholars of the North, compare with those of the South, a land of education? I'm afraid that on tomorrow's list, our Northern scholars will be nothing more than unremarkable and few in number."
"Auspicious omens from the heavens? Are these omens real or fake? Qingfeng County? I really have to go there today and see for myself."
……
For a time, the remaining powerful clans, famous scholars, and many officials in the Central Plains all developed a strong interest in this "Qingfeng Prodigy" and planned to go to Qingfeng County to find out more.
Beiping (Beijing)
The Sun family, which had transformed from founding heroes into a powerful clan, was headed by Sun Xingzu, the Grand Commander of this region.
He had just returned home from the garrison today, removed his armor, and changed into a long robe and casual clothes.
The man was handsome with a long beard. As soon as he entered the house, he saw his eldest son carrying a book, rushing over. When the son reached him, he excitedly shouted, "Your son greets Father."
"Father, do you know? Education in our Central Plains is promising. If we can obtain this method for producing prodigies, perhaps I can also pass the imperial examination this time, and build another path to heaven for our Sun family."
Although Sun Xingzu was a military general, he was from Haozhou and was a thorough southerner. He was also one of the core generals who followed Zhu Yuanzhang in the early days.
It was only because he was assigned to a post in the north that his family migrated thousands of miles from the south to Beiping.
Although it's far from the bustling city, it has many advantages.
In the south, the Sun family was merely a second-rate clan, but upon arriving in the north, they rose to prominence and became an unparalleled powerful clan, standing out among the emerging military aristocrats.
However, Sun Xingzu was farsighted and knew that a temporary power struggle was not a long-term solution for the family.
"Are there any noble families in this world that have existed for hundreds of years? Have you ever seen a family that has been noble for hundreds of years?"
Sun Xingzu took the book and read it quickly, finishing it in a short while.
His sharp eyes flickered slightly, then he grinned, revealing a smile: "Ma Wenxiang of Qingfeng County, Daming Prefecture, at the age of twelve, actually claims to be fluent in all the current literary works in the world? What a boastful tone."
"In that case, An'er, go and try it out, and see if this person really has a name, or if it's just someone else creating a false impression."
"Yes, Father."
Upon hearing this, Sun An was overjoyed.
In his view, although his father was well-versed in military strategy and tactics, he only had a superficial understanding of policy essays.
Even though the book only covered the first six sections and much of it was veiled, he had already gained a lot from that mere glimpse, which is why he dared to make such a bold statement about passing the imperial examination.
"A single conversation with a wise man is worth more than reading ten thousand books."
He sincerely believed that this trip to Qingfeng County in Daming Prefecture would bring him a great surprise, allowing him and the entire Sun family to embark on a path to great success.
……
The Yang family of Yangqu in Taiyuan is the family of Yang Xian, the current Vice Minister of the Secretariat.
"Quickly inform Uncle Yang in the court about this matter."
"This matter is of great importance to the Yang family of Yangqu. Perhaps the prosperity of the North and the Central Plains will be comparable to that of the South in the future, but it will still be able to compete with it; in the imperial court, the North may also be able to form a powerful force."
"In the future, perhaps the Yang family will be at the forefront."
Many elders of the Yang family had keen insight and seized the opportunity with great precision. They immediately sent out orders and dispatched messengers on horseback to Qingfeng County, traveling day and night without the slightest delay.
No one dared to neglect such an important matter as the prosperity of the family.
People from all the counties and prefectures in the Central Plains flocked to Daming Prefecture; and in Daming Prefecture, there was a renowned scholar from the previous dynasty, a rare talent in the Central Plains today.
Qin Yubo.
He had already passed the imperial examination during the Yuan Dynasty and became a high-ranking official in the court, renowned throughout the land.
In the third year of the Hongwu reign, the founding emperor Zhu Yuanzhang had issued several orders to recruit scholars in order to win over the hearts of the northern scholars.
Qin Yubo has already left the mountain and is waiting for orders. Presumably, he will be able to enter the court as an official in the fourth year of Hongwu and be highly valued.
I just never expected it.
Just as he was about to enter the imperial court, such a major event occurred in Daming Prefecture, where he was located.
For him, this might enable him to make greater achievements in the affairs of education and culture when he enters the court, and it might also help him reach the pinnacle of a ministerial position.
"Is Lian Po, now old, still able to eat?"
"Such an outstanding person has emerged from Daming Prefecture. It is truly remarkable that they have recruited talent without being bound by convention. This time, I must personally go to Qingfeng County to see this auspicious child prodigy from Qingfeng."
Qin Yubo made a decision, and no one in the Qin family dared to disobey. They could only send elite guards to protect him along the way and ensure that he would not be in any danger.
People from the Central Plains and the north gathered in Daming Prefecture, and people from various counties in Daming Prefecture gathered in Qingfeng County.
As a result, Qingfeng County has become the most central area in the northern Central Plains.
……
Inside the private school of Wang Yangsheng, a scholar from Majia Village.
Today is different from the past: the private school is packed with students, and in the long corridor, many distinguished guests who have come from afar are craning their necks, looking at the auspicious child prodigy who is slowly teaching in the school with reverence and expressions like pilgrims.
"We have already discussed six of the eight essays; today we will discuss the last two."
"The seven or eight strands together are called the 'bundled strands,' echoing the previous text and concluding the entire passage."
"If the article still has much to say, it can continue to elaborate; if the article has said everything, it can simply conclude the article or omit it, but it should have the effect of adding the finishing touch."
Ma Wenxiang slowly began to explain, “For example, ‘If the people are superior to the ruler, even if the country has major events, the internal and external affairs can be taken without shame; if the people are well-off, the ruler is also well-off, even if there is a great invasion in a year, the reserves of three or nine years can be taken without fear.’”
"Finally, there can be a grand conclusion, called the 'Grand Conclusion,' which speaks of the essentials of the great principles, akin to a long-term national strategy, rather than a temporary expedient."
"Therefore, a state must prioritize external matters over fundamental ones in order to accumulate wealth."
As soon as Ma Wenxiang finished speaking, a slight smile appeared on his lips.
He has fully explained the core principles of this eight-legged essay.
The children in the private school were all bewildered, as if listening to gibberish; but in the long corridor, there were many scholars and those who had passed the imperial examinations.
They are the true "students" of today's class.
Everyone who listened gained something from the discussion, and could be said to have benefited immensely. However, one of the elders suddenly asked, "Under such strict rules and regulations, while the essays may appear more refined and proper, isn't this just a way to stifle the intellectual and creative abilities of scholars?"
"Does the young gentleman have any explanation?"
At this moment, among the crowd in the corridor, the renowned scholar Qin Yubo also cast a curious glance, wanting to see how much the title of "Qingfeng Prodigy" truly lived up to.
If asked about other matters, Ma Wenxiang might just be an ordinary person, mediocre and unremarkable. But when it comes to the Eight-Legged Essay, he has indeed studied it for a period of time and has gained some insights into its merits and demerits.
So right now!
Ma Wenxiang smiled slightly, met the gaze of the person who had just asked the question, and began to recite: "Rotten essays, rotten as mud. Three lines to introduce the topic, two lines to break the topic, wagging the tail and shaking the head, and they say they are high-ranking disciples of the sages."
"Do you know what kind of writings the Three Classics and the Four Histories are? And which dynasties were Emperors Han Zu and Tang Zong?"
"Hahahaha!!! It's nothing but a ridiculous piece of paper that parrots others' ideas."
At this moment, Ma Wenxiang suddenly resembled a storyteller under a bridge, shaking his head and swaying his expression, his face full of belittling and mockery of the eight-legged essay and the current imperial examination essays.
This statement came out.
Immediately, the expressions of many scholars in the long corridor changed drastically.