Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 220 The New Top Scholar! The Heart of the Holy Path!
"clang--"

"Second question of the Great Zhou Imperial Examination, submit your paper!"

With a clear ringing of a bronze chime from the Directorate of Ceremonial, the second question of the palace examination was officially collected.

The three hundred scholars, as if granted a pardon, all put down their pens and handed in their papers.

Some people gripped the answer sheets with white knuckles, some slumped back in their chairs, and many more secretly glanced at the plain-clad boy at the very front of the hall.

All their struggles and hopes have become meaningless.

No one can challenge Jiang Xingzhou's position as the top scholar in the imperial examination!
The agonizing ordeal of the imperial examination has finally come to an end.

They no longer needed to worry about offending the feudal lords or the imperial court—all the strategies they wrote on their answer sheets were now insignificant.

The Hanlin Academy's readers, carrying gilded trays, moved among the papers, which were piled up like small mountains.

These "Policies on Reducing the Feudal Powers," which had once required the scholars to rack their brains to write, are now nothing more than stacks of waste paper about to gather dust—they will all be thrown directly into the Hanlin Academy's library and shelved.

Because on the dragon's desk, already lying quietly was Jiang Xingzhou's scroll, destined to rewrite the history of the Great Zhou Dynasty—the first open conspiracy of all time, the "Decree of Grace".

Nangong Wan'er caught a glimpse of the Empress's fingertips still lingering on the scroll of the "Decree of Grace," her beautiful eyes lingering there.

His Majesty is clearly very fond of this [Policy to be Passed Down Through the World].

She finally found the greatest strategy she had ever dreamed of, completely dismantling the vassal kings and princes of the Great Zhou and eliminating this huge hidden danger within the Great Zhou.

The dark clouds outside the palace dispersed, the rain stopped, and a ray of sunlight pierced through the carved window lattice, landing right on Jiang Xingzhou's shoulder.

This sixteen-year-old boy has achieved a rare feat throughout history: "passing the imperial examinations with top honors in six separate examinations," "composing ten consecutive poems to bolster the nation's reputation," "his poems are renowned throughout the land," and "his strategies are widely known throughout the land!"
This top scholar from Jiangnan, with his seemingly casual words, has paved a broad road to the heavens for the centuries-long internal strife among the feudal lords in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

In the sixteenth year of the Tian Shou reign, the imperial examination in spring concluded.

The eunuch in charge of ceremonies held the gilded jade scroll listing the candidates for the palace examination, the vermilion imperial seal as red as blood, dazzlingly bright in the morning light.

With each name he uttered, a wisp of smoke rose from the bronze crane incense burner outside the hall, as if to etch these newly rich officials into the glorious annals of history.

"First Class A—"

The sound was like tearing silk, startling the sparrows perched under the eaves.

"The top scholar is Jiang Xingzhou!"

The hall, filled with people in crimson and purple robes, suddenly fell silent.

As those three words were spoken, the scholars below the steps clearly heard the jade chimes ring out—this young man from a poor family in Jiangnan was receiving the imperial gift of a golden-embroidered python robe.

"Second place, Liu Chun!"

A scholar in a blue robe quickly stepped forward, his face beaming with joy.

Being ranked second is already a pleasant surprise.

"The third-ranked scholar, Cao Jin!"

The young man in purple smiled and bowed.

The Cao family, a scholarly family from the Central Plains, was finally outshone by the scholars from humble backgrounds in Jiangnan and Sichuan on the day of the imperial examination.

However, he had no complaints.

Faced with Jiang Xingzhou's unprecedented achievement of passing the imperial examination with six top honors, he could only admit defeat.

"The top-ranked player in the second class is Song Chuwang—"

The Taoist priest from Jingchu suddenly burst into tears.

He recalled that when he left his hometown, his father gave him a handful of yellow soil from his book bag, telling him to sprinkle it on the road to success in Luoyang.

Gu Zhimian, the last name of the top three scholars, disappeared into the evening breeze just as the sunset pierced through the clouds.

Among the three hundred successful candidates, some were like tigers and wolves lurking in the shadows, while others were like new bamboo shoots breaking through the soil, displaying their sharp and vigorous spirit. The majesty of the top scholar had already silently enveloped the entire Luoyang Palace.

outside the temple.

Dusk is falling.

After the scholars handed in their papers...

The feudal lords who had come to watch the palace examination left the hall dejectedly.

The robes and jade belts of the various princes were disheveled in the evening breeze.

Prince Li Chong of Langya was pale and staggered as he stepped over the vermilion threshold. Suddenly, he felt dizzy and the world spun around him—the setting sun was as blinding as blood.

He was about to leave the palace.

"Your Highness, please wait."

The Xuanjia Imperial Guards stood like ghosts blocking the center of the imperial road. The iron-faced captain, Meng Zhan, bowed respectfully, but the longsword at his waist gleamed coldly: "His Majesty has decreed that all the princes are invited to the Qionglin Banquet tonight."

Prince Li Chong of Langya was taken aback, his expression bitter.

The Empress clearly intended to use the Qionglin Banquet to keep them there, waiting for the golden edict, adorned with feathers, to be delivered by fast horse throughout the Great Zhou Dynasty—

His sons who were enfeoffed in Langya,
They may have already drawn their swords and torn off all pretense of civility over three acres of land. If that happens, even a powerful vassal state will face collapse in an instant.

Commandant Meng Zhan's sword sheath silently blocked the princes' path, inviting them to Qionglin.

The Prince of Langya glared at Meng Zhan, then turned away dejectedly.

Dozens of barbarian demon envoys staggered out, the snow wolf clan envoy's golden claw boots shattering the jade steps, and the tiger demon's bronze wrist guards were soaked with cold sweat.

They have long lost their former arrogance and disdain for others.

The ink marks on the scroll of the "Decree of Grace" that had been in the hall just now seemed to have transformed into chains, making the demons' throats taste bloody and sweet.

"Is that human being?"

The snow wolf envoy's fangs clenched so tightly they rattled, and he clenched the wolf fur in his palm until it fell out. "My king desires revenge for the seventh prince... but with his terrifying literary skills and political maneuvering... who in this world can do anything to him?"

"What a monster!"

The blue-faced tiger demon growled, its teeth chattering, and its tail whip cracked the stone pillar behind it. "Today, he can use the Edict of Grace to destroy the vassal states of the Great Zhou. In the future, why can't he destroy the alliance of demons and barbarians in my northern border!"

The fox demon's nine-tailed embroidered robe fluttered without wind, her foxy eyes filled with confusion. "My fox kingdom has schemed for thousands of years..." she said, digging her fingertips into her palm, "but not a single plan has been as ruthless as his 'Decree of Grace'!"

The faint sounds of gratitude from the newly appointed top scholar Jiang Xingzhou and other successful candidates could be heard from inside the hall, clear and melodious as a spring.

The demons, however, reacted as if to poison—the man smiled and wielded his brush in the Golden Palace, splitting the feudal lords in two with a single stroke, and shattering the demons on half a sheet of paper.

With the most gentle demeanor, he set up the most insidious trap to kill the feudal lords.

The wolf demon envoy suddenly vomited a mouthful of black blood, his anger and injury causing him distress.

The high-ranking officials, clad in crimson robes and jade belts, filed out in a procession, their robes fluttering in the wind like a herd of old, ferocious beasts.

silence!

Their expressions were all filled with melancholy.

Grand Secretary Chen Shaoqing stood on the steps, his expression complex as he gazed at the dazzling lights of Qionglin Garden in the distance, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the goldfish pouch at his waist.

The late emperor once personally inscribed the words "Triple Top Scholar" for him, but now those four characters are like a rusty knife, viciously piercing his heart and lungs.

People all over the world will compare him with Jiang Xingzhou, the newly appointed top scholar.

"Six yuan and the third place...!"

Chen Shaoqing swallowed hard and tasted a hint of blood.

After twenty years of painstaking effort, he built a powerful network of influence with hundreds of his students and former officials, eventually reaching the pinnacle of the Three Departments and Six Ministries.

To become second only to one person, above all others!

At the prime of their lives, eager to realize their grand ambitions.

But he encountered Jiang Xingzhou, a scholar from a humble background who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, making his own status as the Grand Secretary, who had achieved the highest honors in all three levels of the imperial examinations, seem utterly ridiculous.

In the past, the rise of any genius would be met with all sorts of attacks from the old ministers of the court. Only the geniuses who survived would be qualified to chat with the bigwigs of the court and talk about learned scholars.

However, no one dares to make any move now—to obstruct or eliminate Jiang Xingzhou's thoughts.

Jiang Xingzhou's "Decree of Grace" was like a boning knife—with a gentle stroke, it caused the regional warlords to fight amongst themselves.

This strategy can do more than just destroy the feudal lords!
It can even kill everything!
This young man's mind is terrifying! He can be called a grandmaster of political intrigue—which means that Jiang Xingzhou's skills in court intrigue have reached their peak, surpassing all his previous opponents.

Who would dare to harbor any wicked thoughts?!

"Gentlemen, let's go back now!"
Think about how to deal with this new situation in the imperial court!

Chen Shaoqing suddenly chuckled helplessly, his fingers digging into his palm from his sleeve.

Now, the newly appointed top scholar, Jiang Xingzhou, has risen to prominence in the palace examination with an even more formidable record of "six top scholars," "ten consecutive national champions," and "his reputation spread throughout the land."

How vast a power will he wield within the Great Zhou Dynasty?!
I still remember three years ago, when they were in the Hall of State Affairs, they joked that there were no more outstanding talents from poor families!
Minister Wei Min's brow twitched.

Guo Zheng, the Chamberlain, looked at the newly hung lantern outside the palace wall, and the lantern's shadow meandered like a snake on the brick ground.

He suddenly remembered that when Jiang Xingzhou expressed his gratitude this morning, the young scholar's fingertips had inadvertently brushed against the plaque of the Secretariat—now that he thought about it, it was clearly measuring dimensions.

As Chen Shaoqing turned around, the South China Sea pearl on his purple-gold crown suddenly fell to the ground. "Tomorrow at the morning court... His Majesty will surely order us to discuss what treatment to give the new top scholar!"

He paused, his voice revealing an unprecedented weariness.

In the deeper darkness, the green bamboo of the future top scholar's residence is breaking through the soil—its momentum is like a sword, its joints are like iron.

Guo Zheng, the Grand Secretary and Attendant-in-Ordinary, sat upright in his carriage, slowly returning to his residence with the sound of the wheels rolling over the bluestone slabs.

His eyes were slightly closed, and his knuckles tapped lightly on the rosewood armrest, as if he were plotting something.

"Grandfather, we have arrived at the mansion."

Guo Ziyi respectfully reported from outside the car.

"Go to the Jiang residence."

Guo Zheng opened his cloudy yet sharp eyes. "Present my visiting card, inviting the top scholar to my residence for a chat tomorrow. Have your sister dress up nicely."

Before he could finish speaking, he saw his grandson look troubled.

"Grandfather is unaware of this,"

Guo Ziyi lowered his voice, "The newly appointed top scholar is now residing in the Xue family mansion, and I've heard that he's already engaged to Miss Xue."

Even if one wanted to find a son-in-law through the imperial examination results, it would probably be too late.

"The Duke Xue's Mansion?!"

Guo Zheng's aged fingers suddenly tightened, creating deep wrinkles in the brocade carriage curtain.

Although the current head of the family, Xue Chonghu, is only a prefect, the hereditary title of Duke still holds considerable weight among the nobility.

Guo Zheng frowned deeply—he hadn't expected the Xue family to seize the initiative.

"Since the position of principal wife is unattainable, becoming a concubine... is not necessarily a bad thing!"

Guo Zheng pondered for a long time, a resolute glint flashing deep in his turbid eyes.

"Grandfather! This... is too unfair to my sister!"

Guo Ziyi couldn't help but speak up, his brows furrowed with resistance.

Although the Guo family is not a top-tier, thousand-year-old family, the old man still holds a high position and is in charge of the Secretariat. He would not allow his eldest daughter to be subservient to others and become someone else's concubine!
"What do you know?"

Guo Zheng snorted coldly, his aged fingers tapping heavily on the armrest. "If this person were to one day become the Minister of the Three Provinces, in charge of the court, or even ascend to the position of Grand Secretary, or even... be granted sainthood!"

His gaze was intense, his voice deep and sharp, "At that time, even if my Guo family were to marry our eldest daughter to him, it would still be considered a great honor! And now you complain that you're being wronged?"

"But...but he hasn't been canonized yet!"

Guo Ziyi said urgently.

"By the time he's made a saint, will it be your sister's turn?"

Guo Zheng sneered, "If we don't seize this opportunity now, in the future... I'm afraid we won't even be able to step into the Jiang family's door!"

Guo Ziyi was speechless, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty.

Yes, if that person could truly be made a saint, not to mention the Guo family, even the great families and clans of the entire Great Zhou Dynasty and the Eastern Shengzhou would probably flock to him!

At that time, what will a mere eldest daughter of the Guo family be?
The carriage of Chen Shaoqing, the Grand Secretary, slowly drove along the long street of Luoyi, the wheels rolling over the bluestone slabs with a dull sound.

He was originally going back to the Chen residence, but halfway there, he suddenly raised his hand and knocked on the carriage wall, saying in a deep voice, "Change course and go to the Dong residence."

—Dong Xian, a great Confucian scholar of the time, was also his mentor.

In front of the Dong Mansion, the pine trees remain unchanged, and the stone steps are mottled.

As soon as Chen Shaoqing stepped into the courtyard, he heard an aged voice coming from the inner hall—

"Ten years have passed, and you still remember this old man's humble home."

Dong Xian sat upright at the table, the teacup in his hand steaming, his tone calm yet revealing a hint of aloofness.

Chen Shaoqing's heart tightened, knowing that his master was dissatisfied with his words. He quickly bowed and said in a low voice, "This student is ashamed... I have been busy with official duties in recent years and have not been able to visit my master often."

Dong Xian looked up at him, his gaze as calm as still water, and said indifferently, "Speak, what brings you here today?"

Chen Shaoqing remained silent for a moment before finally speaking: "Today is the palace examination..."

"The Imperial Examination?"

Dong Xian chuckled lightly, "You mean Jiang Xingzhou, the one who 'passed the imperial examinations with top honors six times, wrote ten essays to defend the nation, and whose policies were renowned throughout the land'?"

He tapped the table lightly with his fingertips. "Now, in the entire city of Luoyang, who doesn't know the name of this young man? If he hadn't suddenly appeared out of nowhere, I'm afraid you, the Grand Secretary, wouldn't have thought of visiting my residence."

Chen Shaoqing's expression stiffened slightly. After a long while, he said in a low voice, "This student is ashamed... my mind is in turmoil."

Originally, the "six top scholars passing the imperial examination" was considered a good and joyous occasion for the Great Zhou Dynasty.

He's not that petty.

However, people like to compare his "triple top scholar" achievement with Jiang Xingzhou's "six top scholars" achievement, which makes him very uncomfortable.

As a leader among officials in the court, he was compared by the world to Jiang Xingzhou, the newly appointed top scholar in the imperial examination. It seemed that his achievements in the past half of his life paled in comparison to the glory of "six top scholars in the imperial examination".

Dong Xian sighed softly, looked at the swaying bamboo shadows outside the window, and slowly said:
"The flowing water does not compete to be first, but to flow endlessly."

Plants and trees do not compete to be tall; they compete to live on endlessly.

He withdrew his gaze and looked at Chen Shaoqing, his expression meaningful: "When faced with such a monster... who can do anything about it?"

Since Sheng Yu, He Shengliang?
As dusk settled, the bamboo shadows swayed gently in the courtyard of the Dong residence, occasionally rustling softly in the night breeze.

The tea on the stone table had gone cold, but no one touched it.

Chen Shaoqing slumped into his seat, his knuckles unconsciously stroking the celadon teacup. After a long while, he smiled bitterly and said, "This Jiang Xingzhou... truly leaves one with a lingering sense of unease."

Dong Xian glanced at him with his lowered eyes, his aged fingers dipped in tea, and slowly wrote the character "Dao" on the table: "Do you know why, in the imperial court, all those who are promoted to the rank of 'Great Confucian Scholar' will retire gracefully?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Shaoqing was startled and immediately sat up straight, bowing deeply to the ground: "Please enlighten me, my esteemed teacher."

Dong Xian looked up at the sky, his gaze seemingly piercing through the heavy clouds: "The realm of a great Confucian scholar is only one step away from becoming a sage. But that one step..."

He suddenly spilled all the tea on the table, "as different as heaven and earth."

"Power and wealth are nothing but fleeting clouds to a great Confucian scholar."

Dong Xian turned to look at his beloved disciple and said earnestly, "You are exceptionally talented, so don't get bogged down in the petty squabbles of the court."

Your true opponent is not Jiang Xingzhou! The Path of the Sage of Literature is your final destination.

"You are the most promising person to achieve sainthood in the last hundred years, I have high hopes for you! ...But now, there's another one, Jiang Xingzhou!"

Chen Shaoqing stared blankly at the water stains on the ground that were gradually drying, his throat bobbing.

He certainly understands these principles.
However, Jiang Xingzhou's unparalleled glory of "passing the imperial examination with top honors" and the resentment of being compared by the world were like a thorn, deeply embedded in his heart.

"Student understands."

Chen Shaoqing finally let out a long sigh, his voice drifting away in the rising evening breeze.

In the distance came the sound of the night watchman's clapper, one sound after another, as if questioning his heart for literature and morality, whether it was as firm as a rock.

(End of this chapter)