Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 211 Unprecedented and Unparalleled: He Wants to Write Ten Chapters on the Great Zhou Dynasty?

"Five articles to protect the nation?!"

The Grand Secretary Chen Shaoqing swayed suddenly, and everything went dark.

Outside the Chen residence, the fifth beam of Wenhua light shot straight into the sky, illuminating the night sky of Luoyang as if it were daytime.

The blinding light was like a sharp sword, dazzling and glaring.

It would be pointless to send the chief examiner, Zhao Mingcheng, to warn Jiang Xingzhou now; Jiang Xingzhou obviously wouldn't take Zhao Mingcheng seriously.

He has to go there in person and make a decision on the spot.

"grown ups."

The servant's voice trembled as he tried to speak.

Even a nobody like him knows that something big is about to happen!

"Prepare the car!"

Chen Shaoqing abruptly flicked his sleeve, a sharp glint in his eyes, "Head to the examination hall immediately!"

His voice was filled with an unprecedented solemnity.

In the spring imperial examination, one person produced five essays that could be considered national treasures—this was unprecedented in the history of the Great Zhou Dynasty!

Even during the most prosperous periods of previous dynasties, no one had ever performed such an astonishing feat.

No official in the court liked new forces entering the court and taking a share of the spoils.

They would work together seamlessly to keep all those who posed a threat out of the court.

However, when a candidate rises to prominence in the imperial examinations and becomes unstoppable, he is bound to enter the imperial court.

There will inevitably be high-ranking officials who will secretly form alliances with him in order to gain benefits in advance.

This will cause the entire previously monolithic court structure, which tacitly resisted the new forces, to quickly disintegrate.

The sound of horses' hooves was rapid and thunderous.

Chen Shaoqing sat in the speeding carriage, his knuckles gripping the window frame tightly.

Tomorrow at court, someone will surely make a big deal out of this.

And Jiang Xingzhou, the poor scholar, will officially become the focus of discussion among high-ranking officials, influencing the power dynamics of the court.

"Ah"

He suddenly let out a cold laugh, a chilling glint in his eyes.

This Great Zhou court is, at present, ultimately a court of powerful clans and aristocratic families.

Even if a student from a poor family who has just taken the imperial examination is exceptionally talented, it is still too early for him to shake the foundation of the ancient aristocratic families.

The imperial examination hall.

Inside the examination hall, the copper lamps glowed dimly, and the air was filled with the fragrance of ink.

Liu Chun, the top scholar in the Sichuan-Chongqing region, suddenly put down his pen, his fingertips trembling slightly, his mind in turmoil.

On the unfolded Xuan paper stood a poem by Mingzhou, each word resonating like gold and jade. If it were on an ordinary day, others would surely marvel at its talent and praise it highly.

However, at this moment, in this imperial examination hall...

Liu Chun felt as if a huge rock was pressing on his chest, and his breathing became heavy.

He was unwilling to be stopped at [Mingzhou]!

For him, the poetic realm of "national treasure" level is still something he has sought but not yet attained.

The view outside the examination room window was faint, and the spring night was slightly chilly.

An indescribable sense of bewilderment, and... fear, began to creep into his heart.

Do not!
It wasn't the fear of success or failure in the examination hall, but rather the sudden sense of suffocation that scholars felt when they gazed at each other from afar at the pinnacle of literary achievement.

"Brother Jiang, how would you write about Sichuan and Chongqing?"

Liu Chun murmured.

Jiang Xingzhou is the strongest rival in this spring's imperial examination.

Brother Jiang has already written five pieces, each covering five different aspects of the Great Zhou Dynasty: "Remembering Jiangnan" in Jiangnan, "Sent to the Frontier" in the North, "To My Son" in the Central Plains, "Liangzhou Ballad" in Longyou, and "Remembering Tongguan in Guanzhong".

Given Brother Jiang's temperament, he will surely write an article about the scenery and customs of Sichuan and Chongqing.

only……

What exactly will he write?
Is it the morning clouds and evening rain of Wushan, vast and boundless?

Or is it the towering peaks and steep mountains of Sichuan and Chongqing, standing majestically in the southwest?
As the ink faded, Liu Chun looked up at the deep rain curtain, and it seemed as if he could hear the distant roar of a dragon.

What kind of grandeur will Brother Jiang's upcoming chapter on Sichuan and Chongqing be?
"It must be an aura that protects the nation!"

Liu Chunyao's thoughts were filled with longing, yet also with bitterness.

That's a kind of atmosphere that can't be created by his pen.

The imperial examination hall is now the most sacred place for literature and scholarship in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Those who enter with sacred scrolls and vermilion brushes all aspire to leap over the dragon gate.

If one wins the top prize, the path to success will open up—from Hanlin Academician to Grand Councilor, and even the future position of one of the Three Dukes will all be within reach.

Moreover... five articles to protect the nation!
This is no longer just a beautiful piece of writing, but a manifestation of a literary destiny that has dominated an entire generation!

The ink marks become text, the brilliance shines into the sky, and the grand occasion of fame spreading throughout the land will be like a wildfire - the streets are deserted, farmers stop hoeing, and merchants close their shops, all just to catch a glimpse of that timeless poem.

The scholar in purple robes knelt and offered his remonstrance, and the great Confucian scholars of the time knew his name.

The emperor personally held a vermilion brush in the Taiji Hall and inscribed the names on the golden list;
Even the seventy-two kingdoms of Dongsheng Shenzhou, the Southern Wilderness Demon Court, and the Northern Barbarian tribes... all spoke of his name!
Liu Chun's breath hitched.

These are the opponents he will face—either forgotten in the dustbin of history centuries later, or… astonishing the sages with their poetry!
Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Wei Fu.

Spring is in full bloom.

The eaves bells trembled slightly in the drizzle.

Minister Wei Min lay half-reclined on the rosewood couch, fast asleep and completely undisturbed.

Outside the window, bamboo shadows sway gently, and the fragrance of incense wafts through the air.

Today, due to the spring imperial examinations, all three provinces and six ministries are on holiday, and he can finally steal half a day of leisure from his busy life.

"grown ups!"

The head steward rushed in hastily, his black boots shattering the tranquility, and reported: "Jiang Xingzhou, the top scholar from Jiangnan, has composed five essays in the imperial examination!"

"what?"

Wei Min suddenly opened his eyes and stood up before he could even straighten his official robes.

He stood by the window, letting the raindrops hit his face, his complexion gradually turning pale.

—In the thousands of years since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, has there ever been such a monster?
Five articles to protect the nation!

what does this mean?
He knew all too well his position and power in the court.

"Tsk, what an eventful spring, not a moment's rest. It seems someone from the three provinces and six ministries will have to make room for him!"

Wei Min forced out a cold snort through gritted teeth, "Prepare the sedan chair and head to the examination hall, immediately."

The three provinces and six ministries of the imperial court are all full, and someone has to step down to make way for a new person.

But which one should give up a spot?
Who will step down from this position?
This requires careful discussion and a decision among the high-ranking officials of each department!
Outside the examination hall.

The thunderous sound of horses' hooves raised clouds of dust from the bluestone slabs of Zhuque Street in Luoyang.

The purple-curtained carriage of Chen Shaoqing, the Grand Secretary, came to a stop.

Outside the examination hall, yamen runners and imperial guards from Luoyang Prefecture stood in formation, surrounding the entire examination hall like an iron barrel.

The Imperial Guards clashed, their spears gleaming coldly, their tips reflecting a blinding sharpness in the sunlight.

No unauthorized persons are allowed to approach the examination hall where ten thousand candidates are taking the exam.

"Your Excellency, Grand Chancellor!"

Before the Imperial Guard captain could finish bowing, the sound of carriages creaking and groaning could be heard, and several more ornately decorated carriages arrived at the gate almost simultaneously.

As the carriage curtain was lifted, Chen Shaoqing, the Grand Secretary, stepped off the carriage and bumped into Guo Zheng, the Attendant-in-Ordinary, and Wei Min, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.

The three exchanged glances and bowed slightly.

"Mr. Chen."

"Master Guo".

"Wei Gong."

During the Great Zhou Dynasty, all three of the cabinet's top leaders arrived.

Before the greetings had even finished, carriages and horses arrived one after another from behind—Li Qiao from the Ministry of Personnel, Yang Sizhi from the Ministry of Revenue, Zhang Jianzhi from the Ministry of Justice, and Yao Zhen from the Ministry of Works.

The left and right vice ministers and vice ministers of each department... a vast expanse of purple robes and jade belts, actually summoned all the principal officials and assistant officials of the three provinces and six ministries!

—Apart from Tang Xiujin, Minister of War, and Wei Shili, Minister of Rites. At this moment, these two are in the examination hall, serving as the chief and deputy examiners…

The sun is directly overhead.

A group of people in purple robes gathered in front of the vermilion gate, but not a single one stepped over the one-foot-high threshold of the examination hall.

The officials of the three provinces and the senior ministers of the six ministries all stood solemnly outside the gate, letting the distant sound of the water clock from inside the examination hall drift over.

This was not the Imperial Guards obstructing the process, but rather a century-old ironclad rule of the imperial court—

Within the imperial examination system, only the chief examiner appointed by the emperor can hold absolute power.

Even if the Grand Secretary himself were to arrive at this moment, he would have to wait outside this vermilion threshold.

At this moment, the high-ranking officials were no different from the poor scholars—they all had to wait for Minister Tang to release the results.

"Lord Guo, Lord Wei," Chen Shaoqing began slowly, "in your opinion... if we consider the system of the Three Departments and Six Ministries, where would be the most appropriate place to place him?"

Without hesitation, Guo Zheng replied, "Five chapters to safeguard the nation. One can be appointed from among the vice ministers of the Six Ministries."

This is absolutely an extraordinary upgrade!
Normally, even if the top scholar enters the Hanlin Academy as a compiler and then enters the Three Departments and Six Ministries, he will only be a junior official, far from becoming a vice minister.

It takes many years of experience to gradually rise to the rank of Vice Minister, and may even be sent to local areas to accumulate experience before returning to the central government.

He was promoted directly to the position of Vice Minister, which was an extraordinary promotion.

Of course, for someone who wrote five essays in the imperial examination, such an exceptional promotion was entirely justified.

Wei Min chuckled upon hearing this, his tone carrying a hint of deeper meaning: "Among the six vice ministers, they are all brothers and sisters of the court. What difference does it make which one you choose? They are all flesh and blood in the end."

In these few words,

The three cabinet ministers have reached a tacit agreement—at the very least, they must offer Jiang Xingzhou a position as vice minister of one of the six ministries to appease the rising power of Jiang Xingzhou and satisfy him.

They can accept this situation!
A vice minister of the Ministry of Works couldn't help but frown and say, "Your Excellencies, even if Jiang Xingzhou wins the imperial examination, according to regulations, he must first serve as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy for three years."

When he was transferred to the position of Vice Minister of the Six Ministries, who knows how many more years would have passed.

Is it too hasty to discuss his promotion so early?

He was anxious.

The positions of Vice Minister of the Six Ministries are highly coveted; if a new person is to be promoted, someone else will inevitably have to step down.

The Ministry of Works was the weakest of the six ministries and had little say. Who knows, it might sacrifice him, the Vice Minister of Works, who had finally risen through the ranks.

Before he could finish speaking, Wei Min glanced at him and said calmly, "Is it because we're in a hurry?"
This young man passed the imperial examination with five outstanding essays, a testament to his ability to govern the country. Once he enters the Hanlin Academy, he will be far more than just an ordinary Hanlin scholar.
Such a rare talent, His Majesty must certainly give him an important position; how can we wait three more years?

Back then, Chen Shaoqing achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations, but it took him twenty years to be promoted to Grand Secretary. This was because the late emperor had put him through a lot of hard work, which is why it took so long.

Previously, the imperial examination and the civil service examination were conducted in parallel.

Now the new emperor is determined to reform, and he has made the imperial examination system his sole focus, leading to a surge in the number of scholars who take the exam.

Those officials who were recommended by Chiang Kai-shek were all replaced.

Even ordinary candidates who passed the imperial examinations were given important positions, and even ordinary second-class candidates had more opportunities than before.

Moreover, what about a prodigy like Jiang Xingzhou?

His talent was exceptional; he wrote five essays on a single subject, a feat unmatched in the millennium of imperial examinations.

After this spring imperial examination,

His Majesty surely has eyes for him, so why would he leave him to languish in the Hanlin Academy for three or five years?!

"Do we have to wait until His Majesty personally asks for official positions before we hastily make our moves?"
"If the emperor is enraged then, things will be troublesome!"

Minister Wei Min's cloudy eyes were unusually clear.

At present, the three chief ministers can still discuss and make room for His Majesty in advance.

His Majesty would most likely tacitly agree.

If they don't make arrangements, once Her Majesty speaks up personally, she will probably directly appoint a position within the Three Departments and Six Ministries.

The situation is out of control!

Who knows who will be sacrificed?

Chen Shaoqing's gaze was cold and stern as he slowly swept over the assembled officials.

The faces of the six ministers and high-ranking officials appeared even paler in the candlelight, and several ministers even unconsciously clenched their sleeves—the knuckles of their fingers beneath their official robes were faintly blue.

Who among them didn't spend ten years studying hard?

Thirty years of operation?
The five clans and seven noble families behind these people all exhausted the connections and wealth accumulated by their families over generations to send them to these important positions in the three provinces and six ministries.

They are all in their prime now, their careers are at their peak, and they are hoping to rise to the rank of minister in a few years.
Now they're being asked to obediently relinquish their official positions?

Who would agree?

Chen Shaoqing suddenly chuckled softly, which sent a shiver down everyone's spine.

"My lords, someone will eventually have to step down!"
It's more dignified to back out voluntarily.

They might be transferred to local prefectures or retire to their hometowns!
If you're unwilling to back down voluntarily, that's not dignified.

His voice was soft and gentle, yet carried an undeniable air of authority: "Does His Majesty perhaps believe that a court official would tolerate blocking Jiang Zhenguo's path to advancement?"

These words were like a bucket of ice water poured over them. The ministers and officials exchanged glances, their eyes filled with resentment, their faces bitter, and their backs drenched in cold sweat.

Ugh!
They toiled for half their lives, but have yet to reap the rewards of greater success.

However, it has already been trampled underfoot by the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), becoming a stepping stone for advancement.

As the officials were arguing, a deafening explosion suddenly resounded throughout the examination hall—

"boom!"

A dazzling beam of light shot straight up from Zigongyuan into the sky, illuminating the entire city of Luoyang as if it were daytime.

"Farewell to a Friend at Yellow Crane Tower"

[My old friend bid farewell to the Yellow Crane Tower in the west,]
Fireworks go down to Yangzhou in March.

A lone sail disappears into the vast blue sky.
Only the Yangtze River flows to the horizon.

Immediately, a loud bell rang out from the Imperial Ancestral Temple, startling the bronze bells on the eaves into trembling.

"Jingchu, another poem that protects the nation!"

Wei Min was stunned.

Within the radiant glow of the sunset, a majestic phantom of the Yellow Crane Tower seemed to stand in mid-air, with immortals waving their sleeves amidst the vermilion railings and jade steps.

Below, the Yangtze River surges, and a lone sail disappears into the distance, disappearing into the clouds and water.

"Is he still writing?"

Chen Shaoqing's voice trembled, his eyes reddening with the brilliance of his talent, "Six pieces. The sixth [National Defense] poem!"

The ministers and high-ranking officials in the hall all turned ashen-faced.

No matter how much you hear about it, nothing compares to seeing it with your own eyes!
The top scholar from Jiangnan who was writing furiously in the examination hall was like a brick or stone being added to his official hat with every character he wrote.

Suddenly, another strange phenomenon occurred in the direction of the examination hall.

Beyond the nine heavens, a faint paw of a Qilin, formed from the essence of talent, is visible, clearly a sign that the seventh masterpiece, a work to protect the nation, is about to be published.

Inside the examination hall, all ten thousand candidates from the ten examinations were completely stunned.

They stopped writing, their minds blank, staring blankly at the sky as one strange phenomenon after another appeared.

The exam papers were whipped up by a sudden gust of brilliant inspiration, swirling wildly in the air like snowflakes.

The talented scholar from Jiangnan gripped his pen tightly, his knuckles turning white.

He had only written three lines of "Dreaming of Jiangnan" before him, but now he could hardly put pen to paper again—the lingering resonance of his earlier work, "Yellow Crane Tower," still resonated in his veins, making his internal organs tremble.

"The Ten Paths of the Great Zhou..." someone murmured in a corner as if in a dream, "Could it be that he intends to use the ten paths as a theme, each one a testament to the stability of the nation?"

"The seventh chapter... the Southern Desert Chapter!"

"From the Army"

Long clouds over Qinghai darken the snow-capped mountains, while a lonely city gazes afar at the Jade Gate Pass.

"I've worn my golden armor through a hundred battles in the yellow sand, and I won't return until I've conquered Loulan."

Before the words were even finished, golden light shot into the sky!

This time it's a battlefield of iron and blood, with the yellow sand forming an armored giant that beats war drums in the clouds.

Many young men from the southern part of the desert suddenly broke down in tears, bowing their heads to their desks—the biting winds and frost of the frontier described in the poems were clearly the scent of the place where their fathers and brothers were buried on the battlefield.

"This is insane...it's absolutely insane..."

The white-haired old proctor staggered and leaned on the bronze lantern stand, watching the starry river of talent constantly exploding in the dome of the examination hall.

The ten imperial examination lanterns swayed violently, casting shadows on the ground that looked like demons dancing wildly.

The most terrifying thing was that inside the examination room, the figure in the blue robe was calm and composed, still writing, his pen pointing to the last three questions: Jibei, Lingnan, and Bashu!

(End of this chapter)