Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 173 The Confucian Temple! The Ten Top Scholars of the Great Zhou Dynasty!
"Excellent! What a fine sixteen-year-old scholar who has achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations!"

The Duke of Qin suddenly slammed his hand on the table and stood up, his voice booming like a bell, causing the candlelight in the hall to flicker and dust to fall from the beams.

His calloused hand slammed heavily on Jiang Xingzhou's shoulder, his hoarse voice carrying the air of battle: "When I was sixteen, I was still nailing horseshoes for warhorses in the army!"

This top spot belongs to you!

Bring the wine!

The servants brought out an incense-burning altar and a bronze cauldron, where fine wine churned, reflecting the solemn faces of the attendees.

The dukes and marquises, including the Duke of Xue and the Duke of Qin, all drew their knives and cut their palms, letting a drop of crimson blood fall into the bronze wine cauldron, creating eerie crimson ripples under the moonlight.

"Heaven above and the earth above bear witness!"

Duke Meng held up the blood wine with both hands and stood before the altar, his tiger-like eyes filled with power: "Today, Li Jiangxingzhou is the leader of the nobles of our Great Zhou, and we, Duke Xue, Duke Qin, Duke Meng, and Duke Changsun, are willing to be the deputy leaders."

Make a covenant together!

From this day forward, we will be of one mind in the imperial court and work together as one in the officialdom.

"We will surely help the leader take control of the three provinces and six ministries, and restore the century-old glory of our noble family!"

Duke Gongsun took the wine cup, his aged fingers tapping the bronze vessel with a clear, resonant sound: "If I break this oath, may this cup be mine!"

Having said that, he drank it all in one gulp, then smashed the wine vessel heavily on the ground, the flying porcelain shards drawing a sharp, cold light on the bluestone slab.

Numerous calloused hands were intertwined, freshly cracked wounds oozing blood, forming a shocking covenant under the moonlight.

The night wind, carrying the stench of blood, swept through the courtyard, startling a multitude of crows that circled overhead above the Duke of Qin's mansion.

The night is like ink,

After the alliance ceremony concluded, Jiang Xingzhou and Xue Chonghu, the Duke of Xue, left the Duke of Qin's mansion together in a carriage belonging to the Xue family.

The carriage made a dull thud as it rolled over the cobblestone road.

The carriage curtain was slightly rolled up, letting in a sliver of cold moonlight, which shone on the heavy token of leadership held between Jiang Xingzhou's fingers. The dark patterns on it revealed a hidden sharpness.

Xue Chonghu leaned back on the cushion, squinting at the young, almost otherworldly leader, and suddenly laughed, “I thought those unruly brats would cause trouble, but I didn’t expect—” He shook his head, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes, “You didn’t even draw your sword, and they bowed their heads.”

Jiang Xingzhou tapped the token lightly with his fingertips, and chuckled softly upon hearing this: "Uncle Xue is overthinking it."

He looked up out the window, where cold stars seemed to twinkle in the depths of the night. "The tide of events is like a rising tide; those who follow it prosper. Their discontent stems from a failure to recognize their own strength."

Xue Chonghu clapped his hands and laughed: "What a wonderful 'the tide is rising'! No wonder the Duke of Qin said that the one who takes the helm is none other than you!"

The carriage rolled over a shallow rut, and the token twirled in Jiang Xingzhou's palm.

His lips curled slightly, but his eyes remained calm.

The elders devise strategies, while the younger generation exerts their strength.

The younger generation of the Zhou nobility are not even qualified to compete with him, so why should they be dissatisfied?
Duke Xue Chonghu raised his hand and lifted the carriage curtain, gazing at the majestic outline of the palace walls in the distance, and said in a deep voice: "My Great Zhou noble lineage has twenty dukes' mansions and more than a hundred marquises' mansions, with tens of thousands of sons spread throughout the army."

There were the Southern Imperial Guards, the Northern Imperial Guards, and the Shence Army.

The Imperial Guards on the left and right guarded the gates of the imperial city and the emperor's sleeping quarters, and accompanied the emperor on his travels!
The Imperial Guards protect all key locations in the capital!

The border troops in the northern frontier, the northern Ji region, the southern desert region, and the Lingnan region, as well as the city garrison commanders in various prefectures and counties, all have sons of my noble families in charge of military command.

Logically speaking, the sons of noble families in the Great Zhou Dynasty should have immense power and a life of luxury.

He withdrew his gaze and tapped his knuckles heavily on his knee: "What a pity!"

Military officers are forbidden from interfering in state affairs!

Even with the military tally in hand, he couldn't even submit a single piece of advice to the court.

Apart from those few nominal positions in the Ministry of War, our generals who risked their lives in battle were nothing more than talking swords in the eyes of those officials from the three provinces and six ministries.

Only if our people occupy at least one position as Vice Minister or Minister within the Three Departments and Six Ministries can we avoid becoming fish on the chopping block.

Jiang Xingzhou remained silent, his fingertips lightly stroking the tiger-striped relief on the leader's token, then suddenly smiled.

Although swords cannot speak in the imperial court, they can decide at crucial moments who will be silenced forever.

Moonlight swept across his handsome profile, casting a sharp silhouette on the car wall.

The wheel rolled over a pebble, and the tiger's eyes on the token gleamed coldly amidst the bumps, as if they were about to devour someone at any moment.

Xue Chonghu stroked the sword at his waist, then suddenly remembered something and turned to say, "Tomorrow is the Beginning of Winter, and the literary gatherings in Luoyang will likely be quite lively. Do you have any plans?"

Jiang Xingzhou raised his eyes and looked at the faint outline of the Confucian Temple in the distance. He said calmly, "I won't go to the literary gathering. On the day of the Beginning of Winter, the Confucian Temple's 'Sea of ​​Learning' will open, and I wish to cross the [Sea of ​​Learning]."

"Confucian Temple [the Sea of ​​Learning]?"

A glint flashed in Xue Chonghu's eyes, and he clapped his hands and laughed, "Good! That's a great opportunity!"

The Confucian Temple [Sea of ​​Learning] is a place where talents from all over the world gather. In addition to receiving literary treasures as a reward,

In the vast ocean of knowledge, there are even rare and precious fruits, the culmination of thousands of years of literary refinement, seldom seen in the world.

A sigh escaped his throat: "Back when I had just become a scholar, I ventured into the sea of ​​knowledge before the imperial examinations, but unfortunately, my abilities were insufficient." His rough fingertips brushed against the old marks on the hilt of his sword. "I stopped at the first hurdle, and to this day, it remains a regret."

A sudden gust of cold wind swept past the carriage window, carrying the chill of early winter.

The night was deep in the residence of Vice Minister Xu of the Ministry of Rites.

Xu Shilong, holding the hand warmer in his sleeve, stood before the steps and looked up at the strange phenomenon of a divine weapon stretching a hundred feet across the sky—its literary energy soaring to the heavens, its sharpness piercing, it was actually an omen of "Mingzhou".

He frowned slightly and said in a low voice, "Which family has acquired another 'Mingzhou' cultural relic?"

From the shadows behind him, a spy quickly stepped forward, bowed, and reported: "Sir, the strange phenomenon originated from the Duke of Qin's mansion. Tonight, guests have been coming and going at the Duke of Qin's mansion, with carriages and horses coming and going in an endless stream."

However, the Duke of Qin's mansion was heavily guarded, both inside and out, so I dared not approach to investigate.

"The Duke of Qin's Mansion?"

Xu Shilong lightly tapped the stove with his fingertips, and the charcoal fire inside flickered, reflecting a faint light in his eyes.

Recently, scholars from all over the Great Zhou have been going to the capital to take the imperial examinations. Literary gatherings and banquets have been frequent in Luoyang, and it is common for various powerful families and nobles to host banquets to recruit talented people.

However... the artifact that could trigger the "Mingzhou" phenomenon was by no means an ordinary object.

He gazed thoughtfully at the fading light of the inscription.

"It seems that the Duke of Qin's mansion... is not content to remain idle."

beginning of winter.

A north wind swept across Luoyang, carrying frost, and a thin layer of ice formed on the bluestone slabs in front of the Confucian Temple.

Jiang Xingzhou, dressed in a snow-white crane cloak, arrived with Gu Zhimian and several other scholars from Jiangnan, trudging through the frost.

Before the vermilion gates of the Confucian Temple were even opened, hundreds of scholars, both new and old, had already gathered in front of them, chatting in small groups, their breaths weaving into a thin mist in the morning light.

Clearly, they were all there for the "Sea of ​​Learning" at the Confucian Temple, which would open on the day of the Beginning of Winter. The "Sea of ​​Learning" is only open to the Confucian Temple on these four days each year: the Beginning of Spring, the Beginning of Summer, the Beginning of Autumn, and the Beginning of Winter.

Brother Jiang!

"The top scholar from Jiangnan has arrived!"

A commotion arose in the crowd, and many candidates bowed and greeted the crowd.

"My brothers, you've arrived early!"

Jiang Xingzhou nodded in return, the hem of his snow cloak brushing against the remaining snow on the steps, making a soft rustling sound.

In recent days, he has been attending various literary gatherings and banquets in different prefectures, becoming a familiar face. The name of this top scholar from Jiangnan has already spread throughout the scholar circles of Luoyang.

Gu Zhimian rubbed his hands, which were red from the cold, and said in a low voice, "I heard that the top scholars from various provinces have arrived in Luoyang in the past few days. The last one, the top scholar from Bashu Province, arrived last night."

It seems they've all come for the "sea of ​​learning" at the Luoyang Confucian Temple.

Before the words were finished, a series of crisp hoofbeats suddenly broke the silence in front of the Confucian Temple.

Prince Li Yiguang of Langya, dressed in a black fox fur coat, rode a Qilin horse that spewed white mist, leaving ice flowers on the bluestone slabs.

As he dismounted, the jade pendant at his waist struck the scabbard of his sword, producing a clear and melodious sound.

"The Heir Apparent of Langya!"

"Your Highness, I am from Qufu Prefecture in the Central Plains. I hope to pay you a visit another day when I have time, so that I may seek your tutelage!"

The crowd parted like a tide, with fawning greetings rising and falling.

Those candidates who felt hopeless about passing the imperial examinations had an eager glint in their eyes—if they could gain the favor of the princes and become officials in the prefectures and kingdoms, it might not be a bad path to success.

Prince Li Yiguang of Langya casually tossed his riding whip to a guard, his gaze sweeping across the crowd of candidates like a blade, finally settling on Jiang Xingzhou in the distance.

The young scholar, dressed in a snow-white crane-patterned cloak, stood silently before the steps of the Confucian Temple. Even when the young prince arrived, he remained motionless, like a sword yet to be drawn.

"Jiang Jieyuan, you're up early!" Li Yiguang's lips curled up, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

Ever since the day the Langya Prince's Mansion offered Jiang Xingzhou the prestigious position of Langzhong (a high-ranking official with a salary of 2,000 shi) to recruit him, only to have him decline, the young prince's appreciation for the top scholar of Jiangnan Road turned to ice.

Jiang Xingzhou cupped his hands in greeting: "Greetings, Your Highness."

The voices were neither humble nor arrogant, and their breaths briefly intertwined between the two before dissipating into the biting north wind.

Jiang Xingzhou's cold attitude, which kept everyone at arm's length, did not surprise the other candidates.

The surrounding scholars exchanged knowing glances—

If this top scholar from Jiangnan were to achieve the highest rank in this imperial examination, becoming the first, second, or third-highest scholar, according to the ancestral system of the Great Zhou Dynasty, he would at least be a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, directly entering the ranks of Hanlin Academicians.

Compared to ordinary Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), being assigned to local prefectures and counties, and undergoing a long career of assessment and promotion, is worlds apart.

A few meaningful chuckles came from the crowd.

Who doesn't know that feudal lords and kings love to recruit talented scholars from humble backgrounds?
But today, in front of the Confucian Temple, one dares to be disrespectful to the Crown Prince, while the other is willing to humble himself and befriend him—it's quite a show.

Jiang Xingzhou lowered his eyes and brushed away the frost flowers on his sleeve.

Only those who have passed the imperial examinations can enter the palace!
The Hanlin Academy is a prestigious and prestigious institution, historically the foundation of prime ministers and the selection of ministers and vice ministers for the three provinces and six ministries.

Let alone the princes' heirs, even if the King of Langya himself came, he wouldn't dare to show any disrespect to the future ministers of the Great Zhou.

This principle was perfectly clear to all the students present.

moment.

The crowd suddenly became agitated again.

A young man strode through the snow, his dark brocade robe shimmering with gold threads in the morning light, and his jade belt reflecting the snow's hue, making him even more dazzling than the Prince of Langya.

He stood tall and straight like a pine tree, his brows radiating a commanding presence. Wherever he went, the scholars would involuntarily make way for him.

"Li Yuankui, the top scholar from Longyou!"

A wave of cheers swept over him, and the gloom on Li Yiguang's face vanished. He laughed heartily and stepped forward to greet him: "Brother Yuankui!"

"Sir."

Li Yuankui returned the greeting with clasped hands, and an ancient bronze bracelet on his wrist gleamed with a faint light as he moved—it was an ancestral heirloom worn only by direct descendants of the Longxi Li clan.

In a corner, some candidates whispered among themselves: "Did you see that jade belt with a coiled dragon on his waist? I heard it was a gift from the Prince of Langya himself, given at a banquet held at the Prince of Langya's residence."

"Li Yuankui, the top scholar of Longyou Province, has pledged allegiance to the Prince of Langya?"

"Shh, don't talk nonsense—"

The older scholar quickly stopped him, saying, "The Li family of Longxi is one of the five surnames and seven prominent families, extremely large! Li Yuankui's lineage has a ancestor who was a prime minister."

With such a distinguished family background, how could they possibly stoop to serve in the household of a prince or duke?
They're just distant relatives of the Prince of Langya by marriage; they're only giving the heir some face.

Jiang Xingzhou observed coldly and noticed that although Li Yuankui was all smiles, he always kept a three-step distance from the heir of Langya—this was a sense of propriety ingrained in the bones of a noble family scion.

Most of the top scholars in the various provinces of the Great Zhou Dynasty came from such powerful and prestigious families, making it extremely difficult for the feudal lords to recruit them.

one after another.

The area in front of the Luoyang Confucian Temple is becoming increasingly lively.

"Qin Wen, the top scholar from Guanzhong, has arrived—"

A scholar in a blue robe walked through the snow, a bronze sword hanging at his waist, exuding an air of unyielding integrity as he moved.

The Qin family of Guanzhong has been a renowned family for generations, and Qin Wen was already famous throughout the world.

"Liu Chun, the top scholar in the Bashu region!"

Suddenly, a commotion arose in the crowd, and a handsome young man dressed in an indigo brocade robe arrived with a smile, a bamboo flute at his waist, and cloud patterns embroidered on his sleeves, a feature unique to Sichuan.

That bamboo flute was actually made from thousand-year-old purple bamboo from Jian Ge, and it was worth a fortune.

"Song Chu, the top scholar from Jingchu, has arrived!"

A crimson cloak swept by as Song Chuwang held a gilded and silver-inlaid wine pot. He had attended some banquet last night, and was still half-drunk, laughing with a hint of drunkenness before uttering a word.

The unconventional and eccentric manner of the Chu scholar caused many candidates to secretly shake their heads, yet they dared not underestimate his brilliant and exquisite poetry.

"Zhang Heng, the top scholar from Jibei Circuit!"

The sound of hooves thundered as Zhang Heng, dressed in black robes, dismounted with a frost-like glaze.

This talented scholar from Jibei, who once led his family to defend the city and repel the barbarian army when they invaded the border, has also come to the Confucian Temple in Luoyang.

"Cao Jieyuan from the Central Plains has arrived!"

Cao Jin arrived slowly in a plain sedan chair, and stepped down from the carriage carrying a scroll of bamboo slips.

Despite his frail appearance, he was the headmaster of Songyang Academy in the Central Plains, a disciple of a great Confucian scholar, whose scholarship was praised even by Hanlin scholars.

In addition, Lu Mengzheng from the Northern Frontier Circuit, Wang Wei from the Southern Desert Circuit, and Mo Yanqing from the Lingnan Circuit—all ten top scholars from the Great Zhou Dynasty had arrived.

The area in front of the Confucian Temple was immediately filled with a great uproar.

The scholars and top scorers from all provinces gathered together, exchanging greetings and engaging in conversation. Some were ambitious young men from humble backgrounds, while others were scions of powerful families, chatting and laughing amiably.

In the shadows, countless eyes swept back and forth among the top scholars of the ten major provinces of the Great Zhou Dynasty—

They whispered amongst themselves, wondering who was the strongest.

These top ten scholars from the Great Zhou Dynasty are too strong!

The fiercest competition for the top scholar position in this year's imperial examination will likely be decided among these top scholars!
"clang--"

The bronze bell of the Confucian Temple suddenly rang, its sound resounding through the heavens.

Frost accumulated on the eaves fell in a soft patter, shattering into countless glittering points in the morning light.

The vermilion gate of the Confucian Temple slowly opened.

An official in purple robes, holding a jade ruler, stepped out slowly through the frost, his robes billowing as if carrying an aura of scholarship.

"Listen carefully, all candidates!"

Every scholar who advances through a literary level gains a chance to enter the Confucian Temple [the mountain of books, the sea of ​​learning]!

The official's voice was like the striking of metal, drowning out the clamor of the room.

He pointed the jade ruler in his hand diagonally into the Confucian Temple Hall, and the seventy-two lamps with their gentle flames suddenly surged, their blue light weaving into a net that condensed into a rainbow bridge in front of the hall.

At the end of the rainbow bridge, the void twists and turns, and one can vaguely see towering mountains of books and boundless seas of learning.

"There is a path to the mountain of books, but only the diligent can enter."

He lightly tapped the jade ruler, and lightning flashed across the Rainbow Bridge. "The sea of ​​learning is perilous; only the brave can cross it."

The scholars looked up and saw that in the virtual realm, there were fierce winds that could split rocks in the mountain of books, and huge waves that could surge in the sea of ​​learning.

Many candidates had already turned pale and unconsciously reached for the jade pendant at their waists—the only guarantee for leaving the mountain of books and the sea of ​​learning.

The official in purple robes from the Confucian Temple had eyes as sharp as lightning, sweeping over the thousands of candidates present: "If you are not strong enough, strike the jade tablet immediately."

Delaying will at least damage one's literary talent, and at worst, shatter one's writing confidence!

"I'll go first!"

Song Chuwang of Jingchu, please enter the mountain of books!

Holding a gilded and silver-inlaid wine pot, Song Chuwang stepped onto the Rainbow Bridge of the Confucian Temple and instantly transformed into a streak of light.

"Sailing on the Jiangnan River, please enter the mountain of books!"

Jiang Xingzhou suddenly chuckled and stepped out of the crowd.

Her snow-white crane-feather cloak fluttered without wind, and a jade pendant at her waist jingled softly.

As the sound faded, the person transformed into a stream of light and disappeared into the colorful rainbow bridge.

"Li Yuankui, the Circuit Intendant of Longyou, please enter the mountain of books!"

Upon seeing this, Li Yuankui laughed heartily, his jade belt gleaming as he followed closely behind.

The top scholars from each province bowed deeply and led the way into the hall.

Hundreds of candidates followed.

Suddenly, beams of brilliant light filled the sky in front of the Confucian Temple, like stars falling into the Milky Way.

(End of this chapter)