Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 166 The Ten Circuits of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the Confucian Temple [Sea of ​​Learning]!
The next day.

The morning light is dim.

Jiang Xingzhou woke up in the luxurious No. 1 room of the Tianzi Inn and pushed open the carved wooden window of the Zhuangyuanlou Inn.

He stood by the window, dressed in a plain white robe, with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance.

The street stretches like a dragon, teeming with people, winding its way from the inn's entrance into the distance.

The cries of vendors, the clatter of horses' hooves, and the jingling of camel bells echoed through the streets, weaving together a morning symphony for this great Zhou capital.

Jiang Xingzhou leaned on the railing and gazed into the distance, sighing with emotion.

This is Luoyi!
The capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the most magnificent city in the Eastern Divine Land!

The morning mist, like a veil, obscured the outline of Luoyang, the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty—this city, situated in the heart of the most fertile region of the Eastern Continent, resembled a colossal beast awakening, stretching its limbs in the morning glow.

The outer city wall surrounds the city and has eight gates for entering and exiting the city.

The central city was the Imperial City, the concentration of the royal family and government offices, including the Three Departments and Six Ministries.

To the left and right are the Confucian Temple and the Imperial College of the Great Zhou Dynasty, as well as the national granary and the Honglu Temple, where foreign envoys resided.

The central axis of the city is the Sky Street!

The city of Luojing was divided into 108 wards.

Scattered like stars in the sky, with towering walls.

The streets crisscross, like chess pieces scattered on a chessboard, or like stars fallen from the sky to earth.

Each workshop has a different function.

Shangshanfang – This area is filled with the mansions of princes, dukes, marquises, princesses, and other powerful and wealthy families.

The princely mansions are hidden in deep alleys, with towering red gates and gleaming gold plaques of nobles of all ranks, exuding an air of wealth and power.

Lide Lane—this is a gathering place for barbarian and demon merchants. Blue-eyed Hu women, the jingling of camel bells, and the scents of Western treasures, South China Sea pearls, exotic spices, and demon beast hides fill the long street.

And so on.

Within Luoyang City, there were also four major markets in the east, west, south, and north: the South Market was bustling, the North Market was prosperous, the East Market displayed rare treasures from overseas, and the West Market was piled high with silks and satins.

Merchants hawked their wares, gold and silver clattered, goods piled up like mountains, and wealth rivaled that of a nation.

The Luoshui Canal runs through the city, dividing the capital Luoyang in two.

On the Grand Canal, cargo ships swarmed like ants, continuously delivering rice and millet from the Jiangnan region, brocade from the Bashu region, glass from the northern border region, and even spices from the Western Regions and coral from the South China Sea into this behemoth-like city, nourishing the heart of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Luoyi thus became a hub for the flow of goods and resources throughout the entire Eastern Continent of the Great Zhou Dynasty, attracting a constant stream of merchants and accumulating wealth.

This Scholar's Inn is located right next to the Imperial College on Tianjie Street.

Jiang Xingzhou stood by the window and took a deep breath.

The bustling streets were filled with the aromas of tea, wine, baked flatbread, spices from the Western Regions, and fur coats from mythical beasts—a cacophony of scents that wafted over and filled the lungs.

—This is a flavor unique to Luojing.

The morning light had already spilled through the windowpane; it was time for breakfast.

Jiang Xingzhou straightened his clothes and went out.

At this moment, the lobby of Zhuangyuanlou Restaurant was bustling with activity, and the waiters, with white towels draped over their shoulders, moved nimbly among the tables and chairs.

The wooden staircase creaked and groaned, mingling with the laughter and chatter of the guests, and the rising aroma of cooking wafted through the air.

He chose a square table by the window and sat down. The wooden table was polished to a shine by the waiter, and the aroma of soybean oil could be faintly smelled.

"Sir, what would you like for breakfast?"

The waiter diligently wiped the table, observing cautiously.

Jiang Xingzhou was excessively young, appearing to be only sixteen years old, yet he was dressed in the robes of a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations, with a scholar's pendant hanging from his waist.

This is the demeanor of a young prodigy, far surpassing those ordinary scholars who become successful in their thirties or forties!
"A plate of pancakes and a bowl of soy milk."

Jiang Xingzhou said casually.

Before long, the waiter brought a rough porcelain bowl filled with milky white soy milk to the table. A thin layer of soy milk skin had formed on the surface, and it was slightly shaken.

The pancake next to it was golden and crispy, with curled edges and sesame seeds embedded in the crispy dough, its aroma wafting straight into my nose.

Jiang Xingzhou broke open the pancake, and steam rose up, carrying the aroma of scallions. He ate it slowly and deliberately.

He sipped the soy milk, the slightly sour taste spreading across his tongue.

Brother Jiang!

Gu Zhimian came downstairs and rushed to the table, his clothes fluttering in the morning breeze.

His eyes were dark from staying up all night, but they couldn't hide the excitement on his face.

In Luoyi, he really saw the world!

"This Luoyi City is truly a city that never sleeps!"

Last night I watched the lights from my window for half the night, and today the streets are still bustling with traffic at midnight, without stopping at all!
The restaurant was packed with drunken patrons late at night.

Unlike the countryside of Zhouzhuang Town, where once it gets dark, the fields are deserted and completely silent!
"If only I could live in Luoyang Imperial City forever!"

Gu Zhimian's eyes flashed with envy.
But then, as if deflated, he slumped down on the bench.

Even if he had already become a Juren (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), it would be extremely difficult for him to buy a house in Luoyang, a city where land is incredibly valuable.

Unless one becomes a high-ranking official in the capital and holds a position in one of the Six Ministries, wielding considerable power, it is not possible.

Jiang Xingzhou asked the waiter to add a bowl of steaming hot soy milk, pushed it in front of him, and said with a smile, "Brother Gu, please have some breakfast first."

Later we'll go visit the Confucian Temple in Luoyi—I've heard it's a place of great learning and knowledge, far beyond the ordinary.

The Luoyi Confucian Temple was the most prestigious Confucian temple in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Once the poems and essays are displayed at the Confucian Temple in Luoyang, the capital city, and the bells are rung, they will quickly become famous throughout the entire Zhou Dynasty!
Gu Zhimian gulped down a mouthful of soy milk, which scalded him so much that he stuck out his tongue, but he still couldn't wait to say, "Let's go together!"
I've long heard of the magnificent sea of ​​knowledge at the Confucian Temple; I definitely want to see it sometime!

The two of them were chatting idly.

This three-story Zhuangyuan Tower, with its flying eaves and bracket sets, is like a bright pearl embedded in the vital passageway between the Imperial City and the Imperial College. Its vermilion lacquer and gold plaque shine brightly in the morning sun.

With the imperial examinations approaching, scholars from all directions flocked to the capital to take the tests, filling the inn with their elegant attire.

Inside the hall, several scholars speaking different accents were engaged in lively conversation, discussing everything from poetry gatherings to the upcoming imperial examination questions.

"I've heard that a top talent has recently emerged in Jiangnan Province. This person is the top scholar in the provincial examination of Jiangnan Province, and his poetry and prose are unparalleled!"
The extraordinary poetic phenomenon that occurred in Jiangnan on Qixi Festival can also be seen in our Jingchu region!

A scholar from Jingchu was savoring a freshly brewed Junshan Silver Needle tea, discussing the strange phenomena he had witnessed some time ago.

"Humph!"

A cold snort suddenly erupted at the next table.

Several scholars from Jibei Road slammed their fists on the table and interrupted with utter disdain, causing the teacups to tremble slightly.

The leader's eyes widened, and his voice was like the clash of swords, as he shouted: "Jiangnan poetry? Soft as apricot blossom rain, nothing but decadent music!"
What good are grand phenomena if they're useless?

He gulped down a mouthful of strong liquor, not caring that his sleeves were wet, and shouted:
"When it comes to the grandeur and intensity of poetry, and the destructive power of prose, we must look to the frontier war poems of Jibei, Saibei, and Monan!"

"Yes, what kind of talented scholar from Jiangnan? He's nothing but a poet who indulges in the wind and moon!"

Another scholar standing nearby scoffed, slamming his knuckles heavily on the table, and said, "How many of the poems and lyrics by the scholars of Jiangnan have ever been on the battlefield of the barbarian demons? Have they ever drunk the blood of the barbarian demons? Have they ever rendered meritorious service to the Great Zhou?!"

"Besides, which of the ten provinces of the Great Zhou Dynasty doesn't have a top scholar in the provincial examination? What's so special about a mere top scholar from the Jiangnan Province?"

Another person sneered, "But when it comes to the spirit of killing and the will to conquer, who among the scholars of the world can compare to us, the sons of the North?!"

In an instant, the atmosphere inside the inn changed drastically.

The northern scholars drank heavily, glancing around as they discussed the grandeur and magnificence of frontier poems. It was as if invisible blades were clashing between their words, their voices shaking the rooftops and drawing the attention of everyone in the hall.

At another table, several candidates from Sichuan and Chongqing were completely unconcerned about such matters, instead arguing heatedly about the key points of the policy essays that might be tested in this year's spring imperial examinations.

The dialect, flavored with salt and pepper, exploded and splattered all over the table, chopsticks clattering against the rim of the bowls—

"You son of a bitch! I suspect the Minister of Revenue will be the chief examiner for the spring imperial examination! This year's spring imperial examination will definitely test your knowledge of the Grand Canal!"

"Bullshit! It's the Minister of War's turn to be the chief examiner for the imperial examination! We just had water conservancy a few years ago, this year it's definitely the 'Demon Extermination Strategy'!" Several candidates from Bashu Road argued so fiercely that their veins bulged, and the steamed buns dipped in chili sauce were squeezed out of shape, but they were completely unaware.

The men from Zhongyuan Road remained silent, slowly and deliberately eating their noodles, observing the scene with indifference, without even raising their eyelids.

However, whenever the scholars around them began to engage in lively discussions, their chopsticks would pause slightly—like seasoned officials judging cases, they would memorize every word.

The Zhuangyuanlou Inn is frequented by many scholars, making it a bustling and diverse place to gather the latest news.

Inside the main hall, the scholars were making a great commotion.

The waiters at Zhuangyuanlou Restaurant moved like fish among the tables and chairs.

"Sure!" replied the guest from Sichuan.
"What are you saying?!" he replied to the Central Plains people, then turned around and tried to mediate in the Jibei dialect, his words even more eloquent than those of the locals.

The old shopkeeper behind the counter was used to the scholars' verbal disputes.

These scholars, who were taking the imperial examinations in the spring, were arrogant and conceited; how many years did they not get into fights?!

He even got drunk, drew his sword and spear, and started fighting with all sorts of literary skills, almost demolishing the Zhuangyuan Tower several times!
The scene of this argument is nothing more than a minor matter.

The old shopkeeper just squinted as he fiddled with the abacus, his five fingers flying across the surface.

He was calculating how many successful candidates would be able to move into the side rooms of his "Top Scholar's Building" this year.

How many successful candidates will emerge from the Zhuangyuan Tower this spring? Let's greatly enhance the reputation of the Zhuangyuan Tower!
"What do you know! You've probably never seen the battle poems of the scholars from Jiangnan!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Zhimian immediately flew into a rage, slammed his fist on the table, and angrily rebuked the few scholars from Jibei Circuit.

Jiang Xingzhou! He is the leading figure among the younger generation of literary figures in Jiangnan. Looking across the ten prefectures and hundreds of counties in Jiangnan, who dares to disagree with him?!
His poems once stirred the stars to adorn the plains! His lyrics could change the very fabric of the world!

These northern brutes, with their limited perspectives, dare to mock the weak and effeminate writing of scholars from the south?!
Gu Zhimian's chest heaved violently, his fists clenched tightly in his sleeves, and he was about to stand up and argue with the scholars from Jibei Circuit.

"Brother Gu, there's no need to argue out of pride."

Jiang Xingzhou reached out and stopped Gu Zhimian, took a sip of soy milk, and glanced at the spirited candidates.

The soy milk rippled slightly, reflecting the cold light in his eyes.

He was no longer a newcomer and now had a very clear understanding of the situation in the literary world of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

The fierce competition among scholars of the Great Zhou for literary fame—this was related to their status in the literary world of the Great Zhou, and even more so to their future in the imperial examinations!
Even the chief examiners of the imperial examinations would pay more attention to those with great fame and the most outstanding candidates!
Their exam essays, if appreciated by the examiners, naturally have a greater chance of ranking high on the spring examination list.

All the candidates had come from thousands of miles away to take the imperial examination in the capital next spring, and none of them were willing to concede to anyone else!

Naturally, no one wants to easily praise someone else's literary talent or poetry, allowing others to step on their head.

Who would willingly lower their own literary reputation to become someone else's ladder to success in the imperial examinations?
It's almost instinctive to suppress opponents and elevate one's own literary reputation.

Even ordinary scholars strive for fame and fortune.

Moreover, the scholars from the ten circuits of the Great Zhou Dynasty were strangers to each other, and since they were vying for the imperial examinations next spring, they would naturally not praise other people's articles.

"These people are truly ignorant and narrow-minded! How dare they compare their war poems with Brother Jiang! They're not worthy!"

Gu Zhimian slumped back onto the bench, making the bowls and chopsticks clatter, and said with great annoyance.

He saw it with his own eyes.
When Jiang Xingzhou was still a student and a scholar, he wrote the war poems "The Ballad of the Frontier: Stone Arrow" and "A Great Storm" during the extermination of demons in Taihu Lake. These poems were so powerful that they could split rocks and pierce clouds, kill the turtle demon general, and defeat tens of thousands of demon troops.

"Let them be!"

Jiang Xingzhou smiled and ate his breakfast at a leisurely pace.

The scholars who passed the imperial examinations in the ten circuits of the Great Zhou Dynasty were all the pride of their respective circuits, and none of them were willing to submit to anyone else!

If you want them to submit, you have to defeat them in the literary gatherings and the imperial examinations! Otherwise, they will never submit.

moment,

After finishing their breakfast, Jiang Xingzhou and his companion left the Zhuangyuanlou Inn and headed towards the Confucian Temple. In the distance, the eaves of the Confucian Temple pierced through the thin mist, like a wolf-hair brush dipped in ink pointing straight to the sky.

The two stepped across the threshold of the Confucian Temple.

The Luoyi Confucian Temple is the source of the cultural heritage of the Great Zhou Dynasty and a place of pilgrimage for scholars from all over the world. All those who enter and leave are scholars and literati.

The layout of most Confucian temples in the Great Zhou Dynasty was almost identical.

Wall screen, Lingxing Gate, half-moon pool and stone bridge, bronze Spring and Autumn Bell.

The main hall has a plaque that reads "Teacher for All Ages".

Inside the Dacheng Hall, seventy-two bronze statues of saints stand majestically on the four walls, crowned with the sun and moon.

However, the Luoyi Confucian Temple was the most magnificent in scale, and was the first Confucian temple in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

The scholars entering and leaving this place all lowered their eyes and tucked their sleeves in, their expressions extremely respectful.

"Are you two scholars determined to conquer the mountain of books?"

An old official in the temple saw Jiang Xingzhou and Gu Zhimian, two scholars, looking around as if they were new to the place. He walked steadily to the two men and bowed slightly.

"Old man, what are the rules of the Luoyi Confucian Temple?"

Jiang Xingzhou smiled and clasped his hands in greeting.

"After becoming a student of the first level of the imperial examination, each time one is promoted in literary rank, one can venture into the mountains of books and the sea of ​​learning!"
After passing through, you will receive a reward from the Confucian Temple—the temple's treasures are all donated by local scholars and carry on the legacy of our ancestors.

Luoyang, the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, is a hub of culture and learning; therefore, the rewards here are naturally unparalleled!

The old official stroked his beard and smiled, his eyes seemingly reflecting the figures of countless scholars who had ventured into the mountains of books and seas of learning, and said slowly.

As he spoke, he raised his sleeve and pointed into the distance. Inside the Confucian Temple, one could vaguely see the phantom of a majestic mountain of books, layered like ten thousand scrolls piled up. Amidst the swirling clouds and mist, one could almost hear the sound of students reciting their lessons.

Upon hearing this, Gu Zhimian's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he immediately began to make plans.

He is currently short of money, but if he were to enter the literati's mountain of books and pass through only one or two levels, he could still receive some literary rewards.

If we resell it then, we can get money and our current predicament will be alleviated.

He was about to agree when he saw Jiang Xingzhou's gaze sharpen slightly. He looked around and suddenly whispered:

"Wait a minute."

He had just noticed that although there were many people coming and going from the Confucian Temple, most of them were students and scholars trying to enter the mountain of books, and not a single person who had passed the imperial examinations had stepped into the mountain of books.

"Father-in-law!"

Jiang Xingzhou bowed respectfully, his eyes filled with doubt, and asked, "Why haven't we seen the scholar enter the mountain of books? Could there be some other secret behind this?"

Upon hearing this, the old official stroked his beard and smiled, a scholarly air seeming to flow in his eyes, and said, "The mountain of books is easy to climb, but the sea of ​​learning is hard to cross!"
The young scholars and those who had passed the imperial examinations were traversing mountains of books!

Of those who passed the imperial examinations and entered the Confucian Temple for training, eight or nine out of ten were not there for the sake of books, but rather—for the sake of learning!

He flicked his sleeve and pointed towards the depths of the Confucian Temple.

A vast, illusory image appeared faintly, with surging blue waves and towering black waves, within which countless scriptures seemed to rise and fall, their words like fish swimming among them.

The old official paused slightly, his voice growing deeper:

"Normally, the Confucian Temple is only open for the [Book Mountain] challenge and training."

The door to learning is only opened during the four major solar terms of the beginning of spring, summer, autumn, and winter each year!

In a few days, it will be the beginning of winter.

Most of the new candidates in Luoyang are now waiting for the [academic sea] to open.

After speaking, the old official glanced at the two of them and said, "But the sea of ​​knowledge is vast, and only the most talented can cross it."

Ten men go to sea, nine return empty-handed!
"You two have to wait for the [Sea of ​​Learning] to open?!"

"If that's the case, then let's wait and see!"

Anyway, it's not far from the start of winter.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xingzhou's eyes dimmed slightly, and he shook his head.

Gu Zhimian felt a chill run down his spine, and his earlier eagerness cooled considerably.

He gazed at the faintly emerging phantom of the [Sea of ​​Learning], his throat moved slightly, but he ultimately remained silent.

(End of this chapter)