Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 181 Minor Snow! Confucianism and Buddhism Discuss the Dao at White Horse Temple! It doesn't matter who you step on, just step on this monk!
Luoyang Tianjie.

Zhuangyuanlou (状元楼).

The moonlight, like water, poured down on the bluestone courtyard in the cold dew.

Jiang Xingzhou leaned against the rattan chair under the corridor, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest, his gaze sweeping over the crescent moon on the eaves.

First Steps in Luoyang—He and Other Newly Appointed Scholars Venture into the Sea of ​​Learning

After completing his poem "Viewing the Sea," a masterpiece intended to bolster national pride, he originally envisioned it as a baiting ground for fishing, hoping to open up new opportunities.

Unexpectedly.
Although this poem, which was considered a national treasure, was widely circulated among scholars, the excitement was limited to the common people.

In the streets and alleys, people eagerly copied down the poems that protected the nation; storytellers in teahouses and taverns sang "Looking east to Jieshi, to view the vast sea" so well that it became a household name.

But within the vermilion walls of the temple, the officials and ministers remained as silent as a deep pool or an ancient well, without any reaction, not even a ripple.

On the stone table under the corridor, there still lay the letter of apology from Censor Zhang Ji—quietly unfolded, the paper pale white, just like Censor Zhang Ji's terrified face.

Jiang Xingzhou tapped lightly with his fingertips, and the ink characters gleamed faintly in the moonlight!
His carefully laid trap only caught this skinny little fish.

Zhang Ji, born into a poor family, had no connections or influence in the court; he was a headstrong and impulsive censor.

The impeachment memorial, submitted to the Ministry of Personnel overnight, was written with great passion and fervor!
But in this vast city of Luoyang, not even an echo was stirred.

The officials and dignitaries from the Three Provinces and Six Ministries, the Censorate, the Nine Temples and Five Directorates, the Hanlin Academy, the families of sages, and various prefectures and counties... didn't even lift their eyelids.

Imperial relatives, powerful families, princes and dukes, and even Li Yiguang, the heir apparent of the Prince of Langya who was hostile to him, all remained silent and did not respond.

There's not much point in eating Zhang Ji, this skinny little fish!
Let's talk about it when I'm a bit fatter!

"Ugh……"

Jiang Xingzhou sighed softly, flicked his finger, and tucked the letter of apology into his sleeve.

He originally thought that the emergence of "Viewing the Sea," a poem that subtly contained imperial aura and was considered an "overstepping" act, would surely cause a stir in the imperial court.

Who knew these old foxes were all so cunning, none of them took the bait!
"Could it be that my bait was too obvious?"

"Are they seeing the wrong color?"

Jiang Xingzhou squinted and looked out the window. The night in Luoyang was as dark as ink, and the lights of thousands of homes reflected countless lurking shadows.

—In this capital city of Luoyang, where hidden talents abound, it is indeed not so easy to catch a big fish and kill it to establish your authority.

Jiang Xingzhou pondered to himself.

But if we don't show off our fighting strength, kill one to warn a hundred, and establish our authority by killing a big fish!
When the imperial examinations are held next spring,

Some people in Luoyang City thought he was easy to mess with.

They might resort to some low-down tactics—like splashing ink on his exam paper to defile it.

It's not very harmful, but it's very insulting!
He needs to strike first to establish his authority, and catch a big fish of importance to kill! Only then will those petty scoundrels in Luoyang be in awe and restrain themselves.

"Brother Jiang, why do you sigh so deeply?"

Gu Zhimian paused slightly in the hand holding the book, and looked up at the corridor.

The moonlight bathed the corridor, making the lychee between Jiang Xingzhou's fingers appear as if it were made of ice, but it could not reveal the deep meaning in his eyes.

"What can you do if the fish won't bite?"

Jiang Xingzhou sighed softly, and with a flick of his fingertip, the crystal-clear shell cracked open, the juice staining his fingertip a bright red.

The original intention was to create a huge wave – a grand debate among Confucian scholars would have been ideal!

As a result, all the old foxes in Luojing avoided him, giving him no chance to use his strength.

A masterpiece of national significance, "Viewing the Sea," has been used to bait the fish in vain!
"Brother Jiang's combat prowess is too strong. His story in Jiangnan is probably known to many people in Luoyang as well."

No one dared to step in easily!

Li Pan, a poor scholar from Jiangnan who was standing nearby, suddenly burst out laughing.

Li Pan was over thirty years old and a veteran scholar from Jiangnan Province. Despite failing the imperial examinations repeatedly, he remained undeterred and quite optimistic.

He waved the newly bought "Luoyang Gazette" in his hand: "Brother Jiang, I just bought a copy of 'Luoyang Literary Collection,' which already includes your newly written poem 'A Gift to Zhang Ji on His Exile to Lingnan Road,' and the whole city is talking about it now!"

The official gazette rustled, revealing a commentary with ink still wet:
"Some people praised you for your broad-mindedness, and you wrote an inspirational poem in the style of Mingzhou, which you presented to your exiled enemy to encourage him to start anew."
Some even accused you of killing his spirit by attacking him; he'd already been exiled to Lingnan, yet you still used satirical poems to smear his reputation…!

All poems and articles written outside the county are publicly recorded at the Confucian Temple.

Any scholar can inquire about this.

Although Jiang Xingzhou did not show this poem to anyone else, a discerning person discovered that another poem by Jiang Xingzhou, titled "Presented to Zhang Ji in Exile in Lingnan," had been added to his collection.

"The world sees a thousand different Lingnan."

Jiang Xingzhou suddenly chuckled and shook his head casually, "They may suffer and sink into misery in a land of miasma, or they may undergo tribulations and ascend to heaven in the land of lychees."

Whether one becomes a fish or a dragon depends entirely on one's own destiny—let them argue about it.

Gu Zhimian frowned and closed the book: "If the fish don't bite... then the bait must not suit the fish's taste!"

"Yes! It's not to my taste!"

Jiang Xingzhou watched the startled birds take flight, a smile deepening at the corners of his lips.

Those old foxes in Luoyang probably already sensed the flaw he deliberately revealed—their chances of winning were less than 10% or 20%. How could these seasoned veterans of power struggles take the bait so easily?

unless
A cold glint flashed in Jiang Xingzhou's eyes.

Unless he truly reveals a fatal flaw,

Only when those lurking opponents see a 70-80% chance of victory will they pounce on you like hungry wolves!
But he is meticulous in his actions and always deliberates carefully; how could he allow himself to make a mistake and give them a real chance?!
"That's it!
Since no one is in a hurry to make a move
Then let's just wait it out!
Let's see who gives up first!

After passing the provincial and palace examinations next spring...

It will be difficult for anyone to stop his meteoric rise in Luoyang!

Under the eaves, the scholar Li Pan was flipping through the "Luoyang Gazette" when he suddenly came across an interesting story.

"Huh!

On the day of Minor Snow, Baima Temple holds a sutra translation ceremony!
The eminent monk Shihuai opened a forum to debate Buddhist scriptures and spread the Dharma, publicly inviting Confucian students from the Imperial College to participate in a discussion on Confucianism and Buddhism!
Those pedantic scholars at the Imperial Academy are probably going to get restless and will definitely go to the appointment to debate scriptures and doctrines with that monk!

Many high-ranking officials and nobles in Luoyang would go to the Taoist temple to listen to the teachings.

May we go and take a look?

"Brother Li, who is this monk? Is he quite famous?"

Upon hearing that many high-ranking officials and dignitaries would be attending, Gu Zhimian immediately perked up his ears, closed his book, and his eyes gleamed.

This is a great opportunity to network with the elite circle in Luoyang!

"That's natural!"

Li Pan slammed the official gazette onto the table, causing the ripples in the teacup to tremble three times: "Since I passed the imperial examination at the age of twenty, I have gone to the capital three times to take the exam."

On my two previous visits to Luoyang, I had the opportunity to listen to this monk Shihuai hold debates on Buddhist scriptures and doctrines!

This person is extremely powerful; he has almost no rivals in debates and discussions of doctrines, and is a perpetually victorious general!

Many high-ranking officials and nobles in Luoyang believed in this monk Shihuai.

Previously, Daoist scholars from the Imperial Academy had debated with him on the classics and doctrines, but were utterly defeated and forced to retreat.

There was a scholar from the Imperial Academy who specialized in agricultural studies. He was so thoroughly debated by him that he vomited three liters of blood on the spot. After returning home, he fell ill and never recovered. It took him half a year to recover!

At this forum, he challenged the Confucian scholars of the Imperial Academy to a debate, intending to engage in a lively discussion among them!

"Oh, really!"

Jiang Xingzhou smiled as he accepted the official gazette, his gaze lingering slightly on the four large characters "Confucianism and Buddhism Discussing the Way".

The fragrance of ink wafts between the pages, yet it cannot conceal the sharp edges of words hidden between the lines.

The various schools of thought and the diverse teachings of the Zhou Dynasty were integrated into the "Wen Dao" – relying on poetry, classical texts, and essays to demonstrate literary skills, and using talent to drive the application of literary skills!
However, despite the unity of all schools of thought!

But the struggle for the orthodox lineage of the various schools of thought has never ceased.

However, the various schools of thought have survived to this day, still vying for supremacy in their respective orthodox traditions and attempting to make their own school the mainstream of literature and morality. This debate, ostensibly about metaphysics and the Way, was in reality yet another challenge issued by Buddhism to Confucianism.

"Having nothing better to do, I naturally had to go and see what the fuss was about!"

Jiang Xingzhou suddenly chuckled and lightly tapped the five characters "Guozijian Shizi" with his fingertip.

The paper rippled with subtle waves, stirring up a glimmer of talent.

He wanted the Ministry of Rites to hold a "Debate on Classics by Great Confucian Scholars," but it didn't happen!

This Buddhist monk, Shi Huai, held a forum at Baima Temple, successfully sparking a "Confucian-Buddhist debate" that attracted the attention of the entire city!
This idea is probably similar to his desire to have a "debate between great Confucian scholars"!
and,

This monk Shihuai is very cunning!
They specifically chose to hold the debates on scriptures before the spring imperial examinations, which take place every three years, around the time of the Minor Snow solar term.

Once he wins, his fame will spread throughout the prefectures and counties of the Great Zhou Dynasty, along with the thousands of candidates who went to the capital for the imperial examinations.

The monk Shihuai only needs to win such a debate on scriptures and doctrines to become famous throughout the Great Zhou Dynasty!

There's no need to travel to various regions of the Great Zhou Dynasty to debate scriptures and increase one's reputation!

"Excellent!"
"Then I'll borrow your two venues for a bit!"

Jiang Xingzhou smiled.

—Wouldn't it be a pity if he didn't add fuel to the fire and make the Confucian-Buddhist debates, which were a great scene of a hundred schools of thought contending?
Anyway, stepping on anyone is the same as stepping on them!

Any one of the fat fish that Zai Luojing had could establish his authority!

We caught this monk; well, what can you do when he's so unlucky!
Minor Snow - White Horse Temple

Frosty winds cut across the face, and thin ice condensed on the bluestone steps.

Jiang Xingzhou and his entourage arrived at Baima Temple in the east of Luoyi City by car.

As he lifted the carriage curtain, he saw a group of Imperial Academy students walking towards him, their feet crunching through the morning frost.

What surged between the Confucian scholars' blue robes and wide sleeves was clearly a fighting spirit fiercer than the north wind.

"What a big battle."

Gu Zhimian rubbed his hands together, exhaling white breath.

indeed!

In front of the White Horse Temple Square, a nine-zhang (approximately 33 meters) debate platform was erected, towering like a sword, with its hanging banners fluttering in the wind.

Although it is Minor Snow today and the cold wind is biting, it still cannot dampen the enthusiasm of the people to watch the excitement.

Among the vast crowd below the altar were nobles in brocade robes and jade belts, and commoners in plain clothes and hemp shoes.
At the very front stood hundreds of students from the Imperial Academy lined up in formation.

Confucian disciples wore blue robes and turbans, Taoist cultivators wore flowing crane cloaks, and even Mohist disciples, who rarely appeared in public, showed up with black waistbands.

"We must not lose today's debate on scriptures and doctrines!"

We must make that bald monk—the monk Shihuai—know what the 'Way of the Sage' truly is!

An elderly scholar from the Imperial Academy, with a flourish of his sleeves, roared angrily, the jade belt hook at his waist clanging loudly.

Behind him, hundreds of scholars and officials, full of imposing momentum, echoed his words in unison, their shouts causing the prayer flags to flutter. The blue-collared figures stretched as far as the eye could see, resembling an unmelted snowfield.

In previous years, the Daoist scholars and agricultural scholars of the Imperial Academy had lost two consecutive debates on classics and doctrines.

The Taoist priest broke his whisk, and the farmer lost his plow and hoe.
These Confucian scholars, who had passed the imperial examinations and were admitted to the highest level of the imperial examinations, were under considerable pressure!
Imperial relatives, eunuchs, nobles, and powerful families arrived at Baima Temple in a continuous stream of luxurious carriages and horses.

Gu Zhimian stood on tiptoe to look around.

Suddenly, a gap appeared in the crowd—eight young novices carried a gilded palanquin slowly in. On the palanquin, a monk closed his eyes and twirled prayer beads, a red dot on his forehead as bright as blood.

Li Pan suddenly gripped the official gazette tightly: "The monk Shihuai is here?!"

at this time.

Outside the White Horse Temple, a thunderous sound of hooves echoed as a seven-jeweled chariot crushed the thin ice.

Numerous maids attended to him.

Meng Zhan, the Left Feathered Forest Guard Captain, led hundreds of elite Imperial Guard soldiers, surrounding the Seven Treasures Carriage.

Those seated in the magnificent carriages and jeweled wheels are the true spectators of today's drama.

The carriages of numerous imperial relatives and nobles wisely stopped behind them, not daring to overstep their bounds in the slightest.

Meng Zhan was leading the Imperial Guards, cautiously surveying his surroundings.

The frost on his armor had not yet melted, but suddenly his gaze sharpened.

He saw a familiar figure—a hundred paces away, a young scholar stood with his hands behind his back, like a sword yet to be drawn.

Jiangnan Road, Jieyuan River, sailing!

"Keep a close eye on the imperial carriage."

I'm going to patrol the field!

With a low shout, Meng Zhan's armor clanged as he passed through the bustling crowd, silently arriving beside Jiang Xingzhou.

"The imperial carriage?"

Jiang Xingzhou didn't even look at him, and asked calmly.

This jeweled carriage was the emperor's private vehicle, but it wasn't necessarily the emperor himself inside! There might have been a double inside!
Meng Zhan shook his head, dipped his fingertip in the cold snow, and drew two strokes on the rough wooden table—writing the words "female official"!
Then, without saying a word, he went to inspect other areas.

Jiang Xingzhou's eyelashes twitched slightly, and he immediately understood.

His Majesty did not come, but the most favored lady-in-waiting in the imperial court, Nangong Wan'er, did. She was in the Seven Treasures Carriage, watching today's "Confucian-Buddhist Debate".

Clearly, she will return and report the results of today's debate to His Majesty the Emperor.

Jiang Xingzhou pondered to himself.

—It turns out that the debate between the Buddhist monks and the Confucian scholars of the Imperial Academy on this stage was for the emperor's benefit.

The jeweled carriage with its beaded curtains swayed gently, vaguely revealing half of a slender hand holding a scroll.

The gold-inlaid jade "forbidden step" pattern on her wrist is the "Nine Phoenixes Holding a Fungus" pendant worn exclusively by the head of the imperial ladies-in-waiting.

Where is Commandant Meng?

The voice coming from behind the beaded curtain was clear and cold, like a jade chime, startling the adjutant so much that his back straightened.

He dared not look directly into the carriage, but stared at the frost that had formed on his armor: "Reporting, Lord Meng has gone to patrol the area. Today is a mixed bag, so we must be careful!"

"Oh!"

She glanced at it, then suddenly tightened her grip on the Diamond Sutra in her palm, which was already yellowed from being turned so many times.

A hundred paces away, Meng Zhan's iron armor swept past a scholar in a blue robe.

To her surprise, she saw a figure that looked somewhat familiar.

—The top ten scholars from each of the Great Zhou's provinces have long been listed in albums and sent to Luoyang.

Meng Zhan passed by the boy and disappeared into the crowd, his footprints on the snow vanishing in an instant.

"Jiang Xingzhou, the top scholar of Jiangnan Province?!"

Her fingertips traced the nine-phoenix pattern on her wrist, and a strange look appeared in her phoenix eyes.

This young man is way too young!

"Oh! It's about to start!"

A cold wind swept by, and a child from somewhere cried out in surprise.

Everyone looked up and saw a snowflake land right on a giant bronze chime in the center of the altar.

"Boom!"

A crisp sound rang out from the bronze chime!
(End of this chapter)