Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 387 The Third-Rank Scholar Finds It Difficult to Enter the Imperial Academy

Zhang Dai passed the imperial examination in the fifteenth year of the Kaiyuan era. At that time, the emperor was still in Luoyang, so there was no Qujiang Banquet or similar event. A group of his classmates drank wine and women at the Xintan boat market for a few days and then Zhang Dai took them to Henan.

Although he returned to Chang'an in the sixteenth year of the Kaiyuan era, the results of the provincial examination that year were announced very early. At that time, it was still freezing cold, and the ice in Qujiang had not completely melted. Naturally, the celebrations for the new Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) did not attract much attention.

This year, Zhang Dai finally managed to catch the right time, and he sat in front of the tent, happily waiting to watch the excitement. He wanted to fill in the gaps in his knowledge about the celebrations after passing the imperial examinations, even if he didn't experience it himself, just watching the excitement from the sidelines was quite enjoyable.

However, he had no idea that he was involved. For some reason, the passersby wandering along the Qujiang River began to call out his name, which startled him. Then, someone rode up to him and shouted, "Please, Zhang Lang, take charge of the garden and oversee the Apricot Garden to examine the younger generation!"

After hearing their explanation, Zhang Dai finally understood what the supervisor of the garden did. He immediately waved his hand and said with a smile, "It is not easy for you scholars to pass the imperial examination. I am just an observer here. Why make things difficult for you? I can only decline your kind offer. Why not choose someone else to supervise this garden?"

He only wanted to be a quiet observer, but those who had been asked to supervise the garden but failed to do so were greatly disappointed upon hearing this answer. Some went straight back to the Qujiang Riverbank and shouted loudly to the two third-ranked scholars who were about to dock: "Zhang Dai himself said that if he were to supervise the garden, you would surely fail to become third-ranked scholars! To avoid spoiling the fun, you should find someone among the mediocre to supervise the garden and add to the excitement!"

These newly appointed scholars, riding high on their success, were furious upon hearing this. Before the two third-ranked scholars could reply, the rest of the scholars on the pleasure boat loudly declared: "Talented people are naturally ranked. Zhang Dai was successful in the past, but he may not be the only one to stand out now! We have just passed the imperial examination and are here to see if the previous selection committee has chosen the right people. What do we have to fear from Zhang Dai!"

The playboys were delighted to sow discord, and upon hearing this reply, they immediately returned to Zhang Dai's tent and shouted to him, "The scholars are about to test whether the selection process has been fair in previous years, and Zhang Lang is not allowed to refuse!"

Zhang Dai had a pretty good idea that these guys were stirring up trouble and trying to create chaos, but since things had come to this point, if he backed down and didn't respond, he would really become a tool for others to use to gain fame!
So he stood up and laughed loudly, saying, "As the supervisor, you should have judges and assistants. You are merely my helpers; you are not allowed to let any of the scholars enter the garden and pick a single branch!"

The young nobles were eager for someone to stand up for them and curb the arrogance of the newly appointed scholars. Upon hearing this, they were overjoyed and dismounted to come to Zhang Dai's side. They moved all the felt carpets and seats to the entrance of Xingyuan Garden, and set up tents on both sides to respectfully invite Zhang Dai to take a seat.

These guys may not be very good at their jobs, but when it comes to having fun, they're professionals. Not only did they set up checkpoints in a very short time, but they also ran around creating hype, quickly gathering at least several thousand people nearby to watch the spectacle.

When the two third-place scholars came ashore and saw the scene, their hearts pounded, and their faces became somewhat uneasy. Even though Zhang Dai had rarely produced outstanding works in recent years, he was still the top scholar in the previous year's three examinations, and the two third-place scholars dared not claim that they could completely surpass Zhang Dai in literary talent.

But now that they were already here, they couldn't back down any longer. In front of everyone, fleeing before even fighting would be even more shameful than being defeated. So the two could only look at each other, encourage each other, and then grit their teeth and head towards Xingyuan together.

"Who is coming!"

Several spoiled brats blocked their way, pointing at the two men and demanding an explanation.

Sitting further back, Zhang Dai watched the two approaching and felt a surge of joy. There was an old acquaintance among them.

The two men accompanying him were both top scholars. One of them, a young man, was none other than Du Mengyin, a scholar from Jingzhao Prefecture who had taken the provincial examination with him the year before. The other man was also not very old, appearing to be in his twenties. He was tall and handsome, but Zhang Dai had never seen him before.

The two men were stopped by the playboys, and were somewhat flustered and restrained. Du Mengyin bowed to Zhang Dai from afar and said, "Zhang Xielu once amazed the world with his poetry, but now he wants to use his reputation to drive people away?"

Zhang Dai knew that Du Mengyin harbored resentment because he had taken away Du Mengyin's position as the top scholar in the capital's examination years ago. He didn't care much about Du Mengyin's stiff attitude and gestured for the young dandies in front to step aside, allowing the two men to approach.

"Former scholar Helan Jinming, having been favored by his fellow students and selected as the third-ranked scholar, wishes to enter the Apricot Garden to gather flowers and return home. He requests guidance from Zhang Xielu."

As the two approached, another scholar, whom Zhang Dai did not recognize, bowed and greeted them first.

"Are you Helan Jinming?"

When Zhang Dai asked him to identify himself, he was slightly taken aback. He first carefully examined the other person for a few moments, and then couldn't help but glance at Nan Jiyun, who was watching the commotion from a distance. He couldn't help but feel a sense of awe, realizing that these two people didn't even know each other yet!
"Does Zhang Lang actually know my name?"

Upon hearing this, Helan Jinming couldn't help but ask a question. He then realized that he had come today as a challenger, not as a patron. So he bowed to Zhang Dai and said, "My humble name is not worth mentioning. I have been entrusted by my fellow students to have a gentlemanly contest with Zhang Xielu. These are a few poems I wrote in my spare time. I humbly request your guidance, Zhang Xielu." As he spoke, he took out a scroll of poems and presented it to Zhang Dai with both hands.

Seeing that Helan Jinming was using his old paper as the subject of the competition, Zhang Dai guessed that Helan was not known for his quick wit and that he might not perform well in the actual test.

As the supervisor of the garden, he should have been the one to propose the form and content of the assessment, but since Helan Jinming had already expressed his opinion, he no longer dwelled on it and immediately took Helan Jinming's poetry scroll and looked through it.

He Lan Jinming wrote very few regulated poems; most of his works were ancient-style folk songs. Among them were old-themed poems such as "The Road to Shu is Hard" and "Ancient Thoughts," which were quite elegant and meaningful. It is evident that he had some real talent to pass the imperial examination.

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Dai specially copied out several of He Lan Jinming's best poems, and then said to him with a smile: "As for the topic of 'The Road to Shu is Hard,' please forgive my short life experience, I have no feelings to respond to this topic, so let's take 'Ancient Thoughts' as the topic and try to write a poem. What do you think?"

Before Helan Jinming could reply, a playboy next to him laughed loudly: "Young Master Zhang is not yet twenty, but he is already famous throughout the land and serves the Emperor. With such early success, how can he complain about the hardships of his journey!"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding onlookers couldn't help but burst into laughter, their laughter tinged with a hint of envy. Zhang Dai was undoubtedly a winner in life; if he were to force himself to write a poem titled "The Road to Shu is Hard" just to fit the occasion, it would truly seem like pointless whining!

Helan Jinming quickly bowed and said, "Young Master Zhang is a talented young man, known throughout the land. If I were to force him to answer with a difficult question about his disappointments, it would be unfair to win, and it would be laughable to lose. Just express your thoughts directly."

Upon hearing Helan Jinming's reply, Zhang Dai began to ponder and compose, while Helan Jinming's poem was picked up by a busybody and loudly recited to the onlookers: "The Qin court first pointed at a deer, and bandits filled Shandong..."

"Ancient Thoughts" usually refers to poems with ancient themes that express the poet's feelings. Among poems with the same theme, Lu Zhaolin's "Ancient Thoughts of Chang'an" is the best. Li Bai, the "Poet Immortal," also wrote a poem with the theme "Ancient Thoughts," but it is not as profound and meaningful as Lu Zhaolin's.

After some thought, Zhang Dai began to write: "The waning moon does not diminish its light, the broken sword does not diminish its strength. The waning moon is easily restored, the broken sword can be forged and strengthened again..."

This is a poem titled "Ancient Thoughts" by Mei Yaochen of the Song Dynasty. This type of poem imitating the ancients is not known for its exquisite language, but rather for its profound meaning and noble spirit. Undoubtedly, Mei Yaochen's poem is full of ambition. It is not only easy to read aloud, but also gives people a sense of perseverance and indomitable spirit.

"Power and influence may crush mountains, but they cannot break the spirit of a man of principle. A man has his own principles; he would rather die than live in dishonor! Zhang Lang truly has a fine spirit; this poem is magnificent and unyielding, a true reflection of the heart of the sons of Shaanxi!"

As Zhang Dai finished writing this poem, the onlookers around him began to recite it.

Regardless of their usual behavior, these playboys admired this kind of heroic spirit and integrity the most. In addition, the poem used straightforward language and did not have any obscure allusions. It quickly became the center of the song and was sung around Qujiang.

Even though Helan Jinming felt that Zhang Dai's poem was too straightforward and lacked embellishment, and was not as elegant and profound as his own, he could only bow his head and say, "Zhang Lang's poem is powerful and vigorous, and I am indeed slightly inferior. I am making a fool of myself here, and I hope Zhang Lang will laugh at me."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai did not say anything more, but turned his gaze to Du Mengyin. Before he could speak, Du Mengyin hurriedly said, "I have no poems prepared for me. I respectfully request that you, Zhang Xielu, provide a poem for me to compose."

Seeing Helan Jinming's predicament, he worried that if he presented his poems first, Zhang Dai would later kill him, so he decided to change the format.

Zhang Dai was not picky about it. Holding his pen, he said with a smile, "This morning, I was moved by what I saw here while traveling by carriage. I composed a few sentences and then showed them to Du Lang."

As he spoke, he wrote down: "The emperor personally held a fast and sacrifice, and the officials joyfully went on a tour... From now on, may the dynasty live for hundreds of millions of years, a prosperous and glorious era."

Although this poem, "Attending a Banquet at Qujiang in Response to an Imperial Command," is not the highest-ranking among Wang Wei's works, as a work from the later period of his artistic career, it fully embodies the artistic characteristics of his poetry, which is like a painting. Reading it, one can vividly imagine the scene of the royal procession and its magnificent grandeur.

Upon seeing this poem, Du Mengyin's face immediately turned pale. He lowered his head, frowned, and muttered to himself, but could not form a single line for a long time. After a quarter of an hour, amidst the rising laughter around him, he blushed and said to Zhang Dai, "I am not a courtier, and it is truly difficult for me to describe such a beautiful scene. Could you please ask Zhang Xielu to give me another topic?"

(End of this chapter)