Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Midway through the banquet, the lively atmosphere, filled with the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments and the clinking of glasses, eased slightly.

Sheng Hong was having a pleasant conversation with the two elders who had come from afar. The old man excitedly recalled how the Sheng family had gradually grown from the countryside of Youyang to the prosperous city of Bianjing today, his words filled with vicissitudes and pride.

The guests also went around in twos and threes, toasting and exchanging pleasantries, making the atmosphere at the table less noisy and oppressive for a moment.

Taking advantage of the break, Sheng Changbai put down his wine cup, his gaze sweeping over the crowd and landing precisely on his younger brother. He saw that Sheng Changquan had just finished dealing with the congratulations from a group of guests and was just breathing a sigh of relief, so he gave him a calm and knowing look.

Sheng Changquan immediately understood and politely apologized to another official beside him who had just raised his wine glass and was about to speak with a smile, saying, "I am deeply grateful for Lord Li's kindness. However, my elder brother has summoned me and I am afraid there is something important to discuss. I will have to stay for a moment. I hope you will forgive me."

Lord Li, naturally beaming, replied repeatedly, "You're too kind, Grand Master! The summons from Hanlin Sheng must be for something important. Please, make yourself at home!" His eyes were full of admiration for the two brothers.

Sheng Changquan nodded slightly and followed his elder brother with unhurried steps, avoiding the most lively area in the center of the banquet. They did not go far, but moved to a window seat on one side of the flower hall.

There stands a heavy, intricately carved sandalwood screen, decorated with auspicious patterns such as "Magpies on Plum Blossoms" and "Passing the Imperial Examinations in Three Rounds" using a combination of relief and openwork carving techniques. It is not only an elegant decoration but also cleverly divides the corner under the window into a relatively quiet little world.

The location was excellent, avoiding most of the noise and allowing the two brothers to have private conversations that they wouldn't share with outsiders. It also allowed Sheng Hong, sitting in the main seat, to easily see the brothers standing side by side, seemingly exchanging ideas and discussing matters, a scene that would bring him great comfort.

The window was half-open, and the evening breeze brought in the cool air, slightly dispersing the lingering heat of the banquet.

Sheng Changbai turned around to face his younger brother. The gentle smile that had been present during the banquet gradually faded from his face, replaced by the seriousness and rigor unique to an elder brother and a Hanlin official. His gaze was as calm as a deep well. Looking at his younger brother, who had become the focus of attention in the capital, he lowered his voice to ensure that only the two of them could hear him clearly. His tone was steady, and his words were clear, revealing genuine concern and invaluable experience as someone who had been through it all.

"Seventh Brother," he began, his voice carrying an undeniable solemnity, "while your mind is still clear and before the guests swarm in to offer toasts again, let me give you a few pointers on the most crucial aspects of the palace examination. The detailed procedures and rituals, and the many seemingly trivial yet essential details, can be discussed in detail later in my study after the banquet, when we can talk about them by lamplight."

He wasn't being deliberately mysterious; he was simply very busy with official duties at the Hanlin Academy. He was responsible for compiling classics and serving as a lecturer and reader, and often had to wait for imperial summons in the inner court. He was worried that he might be distracted by official duties or forget some details that he considered minor but could be crucial. So he took advantage of this rare break to give some instructions in advance.

Upon hearing his elder brother's words, Sheng Changquan immediately composed himself, his posture upright like a pine tree. He bowed slightly forward, adopting an attitude of attentive listening, and said with utmost respect: "Please speak, elder brother. These are golden words, each one a gem. I will remember them well, savor them at all times, and never dare to forget them in the slightest."

He knew perfectly well that his elder brother, who was a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, frequently dealt with central documents, and even had the opportunity to meet the emperor, offered invaluable guidance that was the most substantial, practical, and priceless experience, far surpassing the general talk circulating among scholars.

"Hmm." Sheng Changbai was very satisfied with his younger brother's attitude. He pondered for a moment, organized his thoughts, and then got straight to the point, speaking steadily and clearly, striving for accuracy in every word, "The atmosphere of the palace examination is completely different from the rigorous and rigid provincial and metropolitan examinations. Its primary importance is not only about the level of one's writing and scholarship, but also about—the etiquette of meeting the emperor!"

He emphasized his words slightly, his eyes shining brightly, as if he wanted to etch these words into his younger brother's heart: "The majesty of the Emperor is awe-inspiring, and the Emperor's countenance is right before our eyes. This is in the Zichen Palace, under the watchful eyes of all the civil and military officials. Any slight mistake or breach of etiquette, from disheveled attire or unsteady steps to disordered responses or shifty gazes, could be interpreted as disrespect and insolence. This is of great importance and is far from ordinary! It is not as simple as determining the outcome of an examination with an essay."

"Although the current emperor is known for his benevolence and kindness towards scholars, often saying 'all the talents in the world are within my grasp,' his imperial majesty remains unyielding and unassailable." Sheng Changbai lowered his voice, making it even more solemn. "A sense of awe must reside within and manifest outwardly. This 'outward manifestation' is not about being timid and hesitant, but rather about adhering to etiquette, behaving properly, and being calm and composed, without the slightest carelessness. This balance must be carefully grasped." He began to elaborate on the specific steps, his fingers unconsciously gesturing lightly in the air to emphasize: "From when the officials of the Court of State Ceremonial would guide us onto the steps, how we would walk forward—the stride and speed were all important; when to perform the three kneelings and nine kowtows ceremony, how to rise, how to express gratitude and receive the imperial inscription, to the rhythm of each step, the direction of our gaze—we must never look directly at His Majesty's face, our gaze should fall on the jade steps in front of His Majesty or about three feet in front of our toes, even the frequency of our breathing and the amplitude of the swaying of our robes, all of these are extremely strict rules, all of which have been passed down for hundreds of years, and all of them are governed by established principles."

“Turning back,” Sheng Changbai said, looking into his brother’s intensely focused eyes, “I will find you a detailed copy of the ‘Imperial Audience Ritual’ which was meticulously compiled by the Hanlin Academy and gathers the wisdom and experience of officials from previous generations. It even marks when to inhale slightly and when to hold your breath and concentrate. You must memorize it repeatedly and practice it again and again in a quiet place at home, using an incense table as a simulation, until you are proficient and it becomes a muscle memory. Even if you are nervous as a drum in the palace, your body will naturally not make any mistakes.”

Although he knew that officials from the Court of State Ceremonial would guide him and eunuchs would instruct him on the general etiquette beforehand, he was well aware that the more thorough the preparations, the more composed his younger brother would be on stage, and the lower the chance of him making a mistake. After all, at this point, his scholarship and writing were basically finalized; what mattered was the etiquette, mindset, and details at this crucial final stage.

Sheng Changbai paused briefly, seeing that his younger brother was listening intently, his eyes clear and bright, without any of the arrogance or impetuosity often seen in newly appointed top scholars, but rather like the most humble student. He was very pleased and continued to teach him everything he knew without reservation.

"As for the policy questions themselves," he changed the subject, getting to the core issue, "based on what I have seen and heard in recent years as a Hanlin scholar-in-waiting, my participation in compiling imperial edicts and memorials, and my discussions with fellow scholars and colleagues, His Majesty has recently been particularly keen to inquire about topics that combine the meaning of classics and history with practical policies. This is not about empty talk about principles, nor is it simply about discussing specific matters. Rather, it requires candidates to be able to learn from the past to understand the present, to be knowledgeable about world affairs, and to have the talent to apply their knowledge to practical matters. It is to be able to see whether you have genuine insights and are not just a theorist."

He cited numerous familiar examples, offering insightful and accessible analysis: "For instance, last year's imperial examination used the topic 'The Benefits of Water Transport and the Needs of Border Defense.' This question was brilliant. While seemingly two separate issues, they are actually two sides of the same coin, concerning both national welfare and the overall national defense strategy. It tested not only the examiner's profound understanding and unique interpretation of the discussions on waterway transportation and the lifeline of the national economy found in classics such as 'Yu Gong,' 'Guanzi: Du Di,' 'Records of the Grand Historian: Hequ Shu,' and 'Book of Han: Gouqu Zhi,' but also their insights and solutions to practical problems such as the current southeast grain transport system, cooperation between prefectures and counties along the route, dredging and maintenance of the Grand Canal, regulations and management of grain transport vessels, livelihood and welfare of laborers and laborers, taxation and malpractices at checkpoints along the route, and even the supply of military provisions in the northwest, the security of grain routes, and the deduction of losses during long-distance transport."

His eyes were filled with his elder brother's earnest expectations and protective affection: "An essay needs to have a broad vision as well as micro-level considerations. It should be able to cite classical texts and be practical. Of course, given your age and experience, the Emperor will not demand that you propose incisive and immediately implement specific strategies. However, the essay must be well-founded and the countermeasures must be feasible. Even if it is a little immature, it should still demonstrate the depth and breadth of your thinking, showing that you are a promising talent, not just a mediocre scholar who only knows how to read books."

"Therefore," he concluded, "you need to combine the court gazettes you've been reading recently with your father's usual analysis of the court's trends, and prepare further in these areas. You should also broadly study relevant classics and memorials, think deeply, and form your own insights. Only then can you be well-informed, composed, and articulate when facing the Emperor's questions in court. You might even be able to offer one or two insightful observations, which would be excellent and would impress His Majesty and leave a lasting impression."

He concluded by emphasizing, his finger unconsciously tapping slightly in the air, his expression extremely serious: "The essay itself should strive for lofty ideals, rigorous structure, substantial argumentation, brilliant writing, and every word a gem. This is fundamental, your strength, and I have no worries about it. However, the imperial examination is time-sensitive and solemn, and it will be a great test of one's will."

"Furthermore, the handwriting must be neat and clear, with both square and round strokes, each one demonstrating skill and character. His Majesty is quite accomplished in calligraphy and often judges a person's temperament and composure by their handwriting. Although there is writing material in the palace, the time from receiving the topic to collecting the papers is ultimately limited. One must first have a well-developed draft in mind so that the writing can flow smoothly and be completed in one go. Moreover, the paper must be neat and clean, without any corrections or ink stains, so as to leave His Majesty with the best impression. This detail must not be overlooked."

"Of course, Seventh Brother, your calligraphy..." At this point, a rare, proud smile finally appeared on Sheng Changbai's usually serious face. "Your calligraphy is already quite famous among the scholars in the capital, practically priceless, so I naturally have no worries about that. I just want to remind you that calligraphy in the palace emphasizes uprightness, elegance, and inner strength, rather than pursuing something too unconventional or flamboyant. Hahaha..."

Although the two brothers spoke in hushed tones and stood in a relatively secluded corner, Sheng Hong, sitting in the main seat, while chatting with the clan elders, kept glancing with satisfaction at his two most outstanding sons.

Seeing that they could still converse calmly amidst the noisy feast, clearly discussing their academic future, he felt immensely gratified. He couldn't help but stroke his beard and smile, interjecting in a loud voice, addressing not only the elders but also everyone else: "Excellent! Excellent! Every word Bai'er says is golden advice, based on personal experience, and invaluable! Quan'er must remember it well, carefully consider it, and never slacken in his efforts!"

His tone was filled with unparalleled pride and boundless anticipation for the future. He gazed intently at his two sons: "If you two brothers can serve in the court one after another, working together and helping each other, bringing glory to our Sheng family and serving the country, it would be a great fortune for our Sheng family. If our ancestors knew this in the afterlife, they would be extremely pleased and smile in their graves!"

Looking at his two outstanding sons, so perfectly matched, capable of supporting the family's glory for decades to come, his face glowed with health. The fatigue and toil of the past few days seemed to vanish, replaced by boundless hope and pride for the Sheng family's future. (End of Chapter)