A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 241 You're already a widow

Fan Zhongyan asked Song Xuan about his feelings about this trip.

Song Xuan thought for a moment before replying:
"More than a month ago, I embarked on my journey from Songcheng, beginning my first study tour to the west."

"Wherever I went, the people welcomed me with all their heart. The vibrant life and the flourishing of all things are still vivid in my mind!"

Fan Zhongyan raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing Song Xuan's words.

What is he saying?

Something doesn't sound right.

Yan Shu glanced at Song Xuan, who was being fawned over by so many people in Luoyang.

He said he missed it, so why did he come back so early?

I can't figure out what Song Xuan is so smug about.

"Yo ho."

Wang Zhu, Song Xuan's teacher, chuckled:
"Judging from your words, you're getting all cocky?"

"No way."

Song Xuan snorted and laughed:
"Actually, I just met some new friends and broadened my horizons on the road."

"They have also brought some promising students to our Yingtian Academy, who will surely shine in the imperial examinations in the future."

"Hahaha."

Fan Zhongyan was very pleased to hear Song Xuan's words.

This trip is not just for Song Xuan's own benefit; if it can indirectly promote the academy, that would be excellent.

Only in this way will more students understand the motto of Yingtian Academy and be able to do more practical things for the people of the Song Dynasty.

"really?"

Yan Shu pressed for an answer, since those outstanding students all received financial assistance from many people.

The treatment at Yingtian Academy was also quite average.

"Hey, Prefect Yan, please be patient. I'll have them come in shortly and invite all the scholars to examine them in public. Even if they're not the top scholar, they'll certainly pass the imperial examination."

"Hahaha."

Fan Zhongyan was even more eager to see what kind of person Song Xuan had to say about him.

"You yourself are not even capable of becoming the top scholar in our Great Song Dynasty, yet you're here talking about how others can become the top scholar. You're getting more and more arrogant."

Wang Zhu quickly gave a warning.

This is to prevent Song Xuan from going out for a trip and looking down on the students of Xijing, thus developing an arrogant and conceited mind.

The teaching standards in Luoyang are now quite outdated and are quickly being overtaken by schools in other regions.

Song Xuan and his companions went to Luoyang to broaden their horizons; studying was really not their main focus.

Tokyo is too bustling and has too many temptations.

When the imperial examinations are approaching, they go there again. Few people are foolish enough to squander their money there and let the allure of women erode their ambition.

Only after the exam will the students who passed celebrate, and those who failed will also celebrate.

"I have always kept the Master's teachings in mind."

Song Xuan did not underestimate Wang Zhu just because he was young.

On the contrary, Wang Zhu really broke things down and gave each of them targeted review lessons.

Among all the students in Yingtian Academy, the best-performing Class A, along with his most energetic "class teacher," was the class that passed the most entrance exams.

If Wang Zhu doesn't want to stay at Yingtian Academy or take a local post in the future, it's a foregone conclusion that he will be promoted to the Imperial Academy.

"Ah."

Wang Zhu also felt that he had taught Song Xuan everything he could.

The rest is up to him to use his own intuition to summarize the patterns and form his own unique set of answering logic.

Only in this way can one dominate the imperial examinations.

Who doesn't hope that their student will become the top scholar in the imperial examination?
In the Song Dynasty, those who passed the imperial examination and became officials were considered far more prestigious than those who entered officialdom through other means, and their promotions were also faster.

If you become the top scorer in the exam, you will be directly included in the list of candidates for special promotion.

"Alright, bring them over so we can take a look. They're all here."

Yan Shu wanted to see what Song Xuan's judgment was like.

Especially when it comes to judging people, you still need to vet them for him.

Song Xuan didn't waste any words. He got up and went out for a while before bringing Yu Zhouxun and Wang Gongshou into the hall.

Fan Zhongyan tested both of them on the spot.

Despite his young age and growing nervousness, Wang Gongshou's answers to questions were clear and logical.

Even without any teacher's guidance, the fact that he has accumulated such a wealth of knowledge shows that he has put in a lot of hard work.

Fan Zhongyan then inquired about the two men's family backgrounds and learned that they both came from extremely poor families and had achieved their current status through hard work and study.

"Wang Gongshou, although the entrance exam for this year has passed, according to custom there is a separate exam for students from far away. If you pass the exam, you will be able to be admitted to the hospital smoothly."

Upon hearing the dean's words, Wang Gongshou was overjoyed and immediately said he was willing to participate in this separate exam.

As for Yu Zhouxun, since he was studying at Taishi Academy, it would be difficult to transfer schools. If he wished, he could study at Yingtian Academy through a study tour.

Don't worry about accommodation and meals.

Yu Zhouxun was overjoyed and quickly expressed his gratitude.

Fan Zhongyan was also extremely pleased about the two students brought by Song Xuan.

After all, he was still thinking about the academy even after he left.

"Alright, Twelve, take the two of them for a stroll around the academy to familiarize them with the environment. If there's nothing else, you can come back to class in three days."

"it is good."

Song Xuan immediately agreed and led the two of them out for a walk around the campus.

"He's a promising talent."

Zhang Shide stroked his white beard and exclaimed in admiration.

Yan Shu also strongly agreed.

It seems that although Song Xuan did not prove himself to the world through the imperial examination, his judgment was still quite good.

These two young men are clearly diligent students. If they were to enter the academy, they would likely act like two outsiders, igniting the competitive spirit of the other students.

In the imperial examinations, who could guarantee that they would rank at the top in every single one?
If it were really that easy, there wouldn't be so few scholars throughout history who achieved the highest honors in all three levels of the imperial examinations.

"Twelfth Brother has indeed become less composed and more mature."

Fan Zhongyan couldn't help but praise him.

Everyone agreed, and indeed it was so.

Wang Zhu, who had been playing the role of a strict teacher in front of Song Xuan, smiled when he heard the dean praising his student.

If he hadn't pretended to be a strict teacher, this young scholar really wouldn't have been able to keep these people in check.

"Twelfth Brother, you're back?"

Han Qi, the previous top scholar, had already gone on a study tour, so he was somewhat puzzled to see Song Xuan with two new faces.

"Yeah, I just got back."

Song Xuan introduced them to each other as a form of introduction.

Han Qi didn't say much; he was usually quiet and reserved.

Song Xuan did tell Han Qi about what he had seen and heard in Luoyang.

"Twelfth Brother, why don't you mention that you composed three poems that are a once-in-a-century achievement in the blink of an eye?"

Yu Zhouxun had not expected that the taciturn man before him was also a top scholar in the provincial examination.

It's true that you can't judge a book by its cover.

"Means nothing."

After listening to their conversation, Han Qi just smiled. He believed that once the group of classmates returned, they would spread the news widely.

It's better to listen to them when they speak than to listen to them now.

Otherwise, the expression on his face wouldn't be there.

Seeing that Song Xuan had no intention of speaking, Yu Zhouxun decided not to say anything more.

After all, this person was also a top scholar in the provincial examination, and could be considered one of Song Xuan's strong contenders for the title of provincial champion.

"By the way, Twelfth Brother, my brother-in-law asked someone to bring me the exam questions from previous provincial examinations. You can print a copy or two."

Han Qi remembered the important matter, because he knew that Song Xuan improved the grades of the members of the Qinglong Mutual Aid Study Group by doing a lot of practice questions.

Even though the provincial exams may not have the same type of questions in each year, and the examiners may be different, the question patterns are mostly the same, and they cannot escape the same few reference books.

"Your brother-in-law?"

"Correct."

Han Qi introduced his brother-in-law, Gao Zhining, to Gao, a native of Luoyang, who was known for his extensive knowledge and strong memory from a young age.

Now serving as the prefect of Cangzhou, he asked his classmate to do something for his younger brother.

"Okay, I will certainly not let my brother-in-law down. I will make more copies later."

Song Xuan hadn't expected that Han Qi's brother-in-law could get his hands on such a thing.

Whether it's the provincial examination or the palace examination, many of the exam questions are not circulated in the market.

Therefore, the practice of "doing past exam papers" is still not enough.

Some people with ulterior motives will do this kind of business, so that those who are hoping to get away with it might accidentally ask the same question twice.

The examiner cannot remain unchanged forever, lest those clever students be able to guess what kind of questions he will ask based on his personality.

Such extraordinary individuals are never in short supply.

Therefore, many students are very interested in the content of past exam questions.

After all, seeing it is a gain.

Yu Zhouxun had not expected that the two top scholars, who were strong competitors for the provincial top scholar title, would have such a harmonious relationship.

He had met the top scholar at Taishi Academy, and neither of them was willing to admit defeat to the other.

Could there really be any major conflict?
No!

It's just that you may be the top scholar in the imperial examinations, but I am one too.

The competition between the two sides is extremely fierce.

However, there is only one spot for the provincial champion each term, and many people do not have enough years to gamble on a single provincial champion.

Furthermore, the current policy that anyone who fails the provincial examination must retake it will only intensify the competition for students pursuing the imperial examination path.

After Han Qi left, Song Xuan looked at Yu Zhouxun:
"You find our relationship strange?" Yu Zhouxun didn't hide anything and voiced his doubts.

Song Xuan chuckled twice:

"I am usually a kind person. As for the provincial examination, with so many prefectures and cities in the three capitals of the Song Dynasty, dozens of top scholars are produced every year. What's the point of us fighting amongst ourselves?"

"The classmates you know are a bit short-sighted."

Yu Zhouxun didn't say anything more. The logic was sound, but most people only focused on the people around them.

Even if a stranger suddenly becomes rich, he might feel envious for a while.

But if someone you know, who is also struggling financially, suddenly becomes rich, then it's not just a matter of feeling envious for a moment.

After strolling around for a while, Song Xuan took the two of them back to the shop, and then went out with his medicine box slung over his shoulder.

"Twelfth Brother is here?"

Song Xuan pushed open the door and entered, glancing at Madam Gu and then at Sisi, who was still sleeping.

"Yes, I heard you weren't feeling well, so I came to take your pulse."

Song Xuan didn't close the door; he simply walked over and sat down, inviting her to come over.

Madam Gu couldn't help but smile and extend her fair arm.

Song Xuan gently pressed down, but asked aloud:

"did you miss me?"

"I'm too busy taking care of Sisi to have time to think about you."

Mrs. Gu yawned: "The baby wakes up too easily, and poops too easily, so I have to feed him in the middle of the night."

Song Xuan glanced at the sleeping child and nodded slightly:

"He seems to be a bit feverish, like he hasn't been sleeping well, and his breath is a bit bad."

"Pah, so now you're starting to look down on me?"

Song Xuan chuckled:

"How could I dare? When will you move next door to me? That way, it will be easier for me to take care of you and your daughter."

"Don't go."

Madam Gu shook her head slightly, her languid body leaning back in the chair, revealing traces of breastfeeding.

"Ok?"

After all, it was something we agreed on before we left home, so why did you suddenly change your mind?
"With your provincial exam just around the corner, it's absolutely unacceptable for my daughter and I to go and bother you."

Madam Gu shook her head firmly: "In any case, your future is more important."

"Don't worry, becoming the provincial governor is a piece of cake for me."

"Besides, you're already a widow, I can't let you live a life of widowhood."

"People say that sleeping with a widow will bring great misfortune."

"Then he must not have slept at all."

"Pooh."

Song Xuan joked for a while, then added, "You can put your mind at ease, or you can put your mind at ease in my hands."

Madam Gu then left Song Xuan's embrace:
"Shierlang, it's not that I don't trust you, it's just that taking care of a child is truly a very tiring and mentally exhausting thing."

"Don't make grand promises for us, mother and son. Just focus on your studies."

Song Xuan laughed twice, reached out and pulled her close, letting her lean against him.

"How can I let you suffer the hardship of raising children alone?"

Song Xuan reached out and squeezed Madam Gu's small hand: "At least I can help you share some of the burden."

Madam Gu's eyes were filled with tears.

Song Twelve's words were ordinary, but they resonated with her deeply.

It made her feel sweet inside.

She knew perfectly well that Song Xuan would not abandon her and her daughter, but he would never marry her as his legal wife.

Everyone else knew the significance of Song Xuan's achievement of becoming the top scholar in the provincial examination, and she knew it even better.

"Hmph, all you do is flatter people."

Madam Gu leaned into Song Xuan's arms a few times.

"What I said is true."

Song Xuan wrapped his arms around her waist:
"Old Master Gu is gone, and the family has found a nephew to carry on the family line. The old lady is just waiting for you to leave."

The thought of this place made Madam Gu feel upset and confused.

She truly never expected the old lady to be so heartless.

But then she thought about it again, and realized that this was exactly what she wanted.

"Okay, I'll think about it."

Madam Gu responded, pondering how to break free from the Gu family.

"In any case, your studies should be the priority."

"Thank goodness for your encouragement."

"Hate."

The two talked for a while longer, until the child woke up again and needed a diaper change.

Song Xuan helped her out before slowly taking his leave, saying he would prescribe some medicine for her to help her recover.

Madam Gu saw Song Xuan to the door, then, seeing her daughter babbling and begging for a hug, she obediently went back inside.

Provincial examination.

This matter has become yet another knife hanging over the heads of students taking the civil service exam.

It constantly spurred them on to keep moving forward.

In the imperial examinations, no one can succeed easily.

Even players as strong as Han Qi and Song Xuan cannot guarantee that they will always be number one.

Even if Fan Xiang, who ranked last in the exam, couldn't guarantee that he would always be at the bottom of the list.

The competition is that fierce.

Song Xuan's affairs in Luoyang were revealed by Lü Lejian, who had returned from Luoyang, the Western Capital.

It is not just three poems that are rare to find in a century.

What's more, Qian Weiyan also publicized the "Ode to the Red Cliff" that Song Xuan had written during the imperial examinations.

This surprised Zhang Fangping and others greatly at the time.

The accounts between the two parties did not match.

The theme of "Ode to the Red Cliff" is from a very long time ago.

Because Twelfth Brother wrote this when he failed the exam.

How could someone who wrote the Ode to the Red Cliffs, which is so well-written, fail the exam?
They couldn't figure it out, so they decided to let Song Xuan ask Yan Shu when they returned.

Song Xuan didn't bother to ask; it was all in the past.

He felt that although his good nephew Su Shi wrote this Ode to the Red Cliff well, it did not quite conform to the Xikun style.

Bringing it out in the imperial examination hall will naturally elicit different treatment than bringing it out in the entrance examination for academies.

If you want to profit from the policies implemented by the state, you must follow the regulations.

Song Xuan's calm response only made Lü Lejian even angrier.

As expected, Song Twelve didn't take this trivial matter to heart.

If I were to write this Ode to the Red Cliff, it would be wonderful.

The idea of ​​having Song Xuan write for her countless times flashed through Lü Lejian's mind.

He was at least many times better than Song Xuan's older brother.

He took it without permission, which is theft. It was only because Song Xuan covered for her that her reputation wasn't ruined too much.

He wanted to make a deal with Song Xuan, asking him to write him a poem from fifty years ago.

The requirements are really not high.

Anyway, Song Xuan might be too busy with official duties to express his feelings in the future, so wouldn't all the poems in his heart be wasted?

Wang Tai could certainly guess what Lü Lejian, who was somewhat on guard, was thinking.

The things you cherish are things that others wouldn't even bother to do.

Just as he had previously envied Zhang Fangping's photographic memory, Wang Tai always felt that his memory was not strong enough.

Even if you memorize it at the time, you'll forget it after a while.

The most important thing in the imperial examinations was memorization, which was essential to stand out among the students in various prefectures and cities.

Yan Shu had also heard about the controversy surrounding the "Ode to the Red Cliff".

He had been waiting for Song Xuan to come and demand an explanation from him.

But no matter how long they waited, Song Xuan did not come.

Then Yan Shu also broke down a bit.

He had been thinking about when to tell Song Xuan the truth.

I made a huge decision back then, and I went to great lengths to persuade others to keep the secret, all so that you could achieve your goal of winning three consecutive championships.

But Song Xuan seemed completely unconcerned about the meaning of the Ode to the Red Cliff.

While Yan Shu sent someone to investigate, Song Xuan was doing "practice questions."

These are the exam questions that appeared in previous provincial examinations.

It's truly baffling where he got so many past exam questions from previous years.

"So, he really doesn't care?"

Hearing Yan Shu's self-questioning, Song Shou, who was working nearby, glanced at him but didn't say anything more.

That might be the world of "child prodigies," something that ordinary people like myself simply don't understand, what they care about.

"That must be it."

Yan Shu stroked his beard, stood up, and strolled around twice:

"Song Shierdian has also become much more composed, no longer focusing only on the imperial examinations as he did before."

Just as Yan Shu was speaking, a minor official came in to report:
"Reporting to my lord, news has arrived from the capital, Tokyo."

(End of this chapter)