Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 159 The Myna, the Myna, Singing and Weeping

Of the ten questions in the classic texts, nine were "reverse-pull questions".

The difficulty was considerable, but after careful consideration, Lu Beigu answered each question correctly and confirmed that there were no errors.

In fact, a person's first reaction when searching their memory is often correct.

He had great faith in his memory, and after confirming it, he didn't dwell on it repeatedly, lest he get caught up in the details and start to doubt himself.

The difficulty of the "Ink Meaning" is also quite high.

For example, one of the questions was from the Book of Rites.

The *Quli Shang* states, "Rites are learned from others, not from others." Zheng Xuan's commentary explains, "This means that a ruler learns from others." Jia Gongyan's *Zhouli Yishu* states, "A ruler should accept others as models, not learn from others himself." However, the *Xueji* says, "A gentleman knows the difficulty and ease of learning, and knows its merits and demerits. Only then can he make broad analogies. Only by making broad analogies can he become a teacher." These statements seem contradictory. Let us elaborate on their meanings and discuss the similarities and differences between the ways of learning for a teacher and for a ruler.

This question is a typical example of one that touches on the intrinsic connections between the meanings of the scriptures. It requires candidates to have extremely strong critical thinking skills. They not only need to understand the meaning between these words, but also to sort them out and explain them clearly, and even avoid the language traps deliberately set by the question setter.

Lu Beigu's mind instantly flashed back to the two methods Yan Zheng emphasized at the training session: "extracting the essence" and "integrating and applying knowledge."

He hesitated for a moment, then picked up his pen and wrote.

The phrase “taken from others” in the Book of Rites refers to the fact that the ruler, being of high status, should serve as a model for the world. Therefore, he should “take others as his models”, which shows that the ruler’s power is divinely ordained and that he can govern by doing nothing. This is the way of “being a ruler”, which emphasizes dignity and sets standards.

The "extensive analogy" and "being a teacher" in the "Record of Learning" refer to the art of teaching. If a teacher wants to impart knowledge, teach skills, and resolve doubts, he must first "learn from others" and humbly observe the talents, strengths, weaknesses, and difficulties of the students so that he can teach according to their aptitude and use extensive analogies.

Therefore, the two are not contradictory, but each has its own meaning—a ruler should set an example and should not "take orders from others"; a teacher should teach and value "being able to use broad analogies" and "learning from others".

The way of the ruler is like the North Star, where all the stars revolve; the way of the teacher is like a river, flowing and nourishing all things. Their methods of "taking the law as a model" differ: one establishes the ultimate standard from top to bottom, the other observes from bottom to top. Though different paths, they both lead to the essence of "education and transformation."

Time passed quietly, the sun gradually rose higher, and sunlight slanted in through the open examination shed, casting bright spots of light on the cutting board.

Because the examination room itself was not large and the examination booths were distributed very densely, the air became very stuffy after so many candidates, invigilators, and support staff gathered there.

There was even an unpleasant smell of urine and feces.

As the temperature rose, fine beads of sweat appeared on Lu Beigu's forehead, but he was completely unaware of it. His mind was completely immersed in the vast ocean of classical texts, quoting classics and analyzing them meticulously, striving to make every sentence hit the mark and every word stand up to scrutiny.

And coincidentally, the "laoshizi bird" that had appeared in the county examination appeared in the question on the topic of ink interpretation in the Spring and Autumn Annals.

"The Spring and Autumn Annals record the 25th year of Duke Zhao's reign: 'A myna bird came to nest.' The Gongyang Commentary says: 'It is not a bird of the Central Plains; it is suitable to burrow and nest.' He Xiu's commentary says: 'This is an omen of a powerful minister wanting to rise from below to above.' The Zuo Zhuan, however, quotes Shi Ji's words: 'Myna bird, myna bird, going forth singing and coming forth weeping,' foretelling Duke Zhao's flight. Analyze the similarities and differences between the two commentaries on calamities and discuss their connection to historical events."

However, compared to the county-level examinations, the questions in the prefectural-level examinations were clearly more difficult.

At this moment, Lu Beigu recalled that he had read some obscure essays on a certain year in a certain state on the fourth floor of the library, which included a discussion on the theory of calamities in the Gongyang Commentary.

He concentrated, picked up his pen, and then wrote.

"After the Gongyang Commentary, He Xiu's commentary follows Dong Zhongshu's theory of 'interaction between Heaven and man,' and further points out that the myna bird's dwelling in caves and nesting is an ominous sign of 'yin occupying yang positions' and 'powerful ministers wanting to rise from the bottom to the top.' It directly points to the fact that the Ji family monopolized Lu and Duke Zhao lost power. By using the image of the bird to illustrate human affairs, it highlights the purpose of the Spring and Autumn Annals to 'establish laws for future kings' and 'warn and frighten the rulers.'"

Although the Zuo Zhuan also records Shi Ji's nursery rhyme prophecy, it focuses on narration, regarding "coming to the nest" as an unusual event, and quoting the nursery rhyme as a prophecy for the subsequent flight of Duke Zhao, which is quite different from the theory of calamities in the Gongyang Zhuan.

Both are related to the historical event of Duke Zhao's misrule, but the Gongyang Commentary contains subtle yet profound meanings, while the Zuo Zhuan records unusual events in its historical narrative; both aim to elucidate the Spring and Autumn Annals' purpose of 'distinguishing between good and bad, and clarifying right and wrong.'

When Lu Beigu finished writing the answer to the last question in the Mo Yi exam and put down his pen, the sun was already starting to set. After stretching his wrists and neck, which were stiff and sore from writing for so long, he began to carefully check his answer sheet.

Is the handwriting clear? Are the punctuation marks distinct? Are the quotations accurate? Is the meaning clear and logical?

He reviewed it word by word, like a seasoned craftsman polishing the final product, until all the issues were confirmed to be correct, before finally letting out a long sigh of relief.

He had already given his all on the first day of studying the classics and the meaning of calligraphy.

He was confident he could get all the answers right on the calligraphy test, but whether he could get full marks on the calligraphy test was another matter; it depended on the examiner.

Regardless, he had mobilized all his knowledge reserves, especially the part on Mo Yi's "Spring and Autumn Annals," and had made the most of what he had learned from the workshop and the insights gained from filling gaps in the library.

Then, about half an hour later...

"clang--!"

The gong, signaling the end of the examination, rang out again, its sound echoing through the empty examination hall.

The clerks acted swiftly, collecting the answer sheets that carried the students' hard work and hopes.

Lu Beigu felt relieved as he watched the exam papers being taken away.

Outside the examination hall, the yamen runners began distributing today's dinner along the passageway.

Just like at noon, there were two warm steamed buns, a dish of pickled vegetables, and a bowl of water.

Lu Beigu silently took the steamed bun and slowly chewed it with water. Although the taste was a bit bland, it was enough to replenish his energy.

He needed food, but even more so, he needed rest, because tomorrow there was a tough battle of poetry, and the day after that there was a decisive strategic discussion!

As dusk settled, more lights were lit inside the examination hall.

The examination area was divided into countless isolated islands, each containing a weary and anxious soul.

Lu Beigu leaned against the cold brick wall and closed his eyes.

He didn't dwell on the gains or losses of today's exam, but forced himself to clear his mind and let his highly tense nerves slowly relax.

The night breeze, carrying a coolness, passed through the examination hall, dispelling the daytime heat and bringing with it the faint sound of the watchman's clapper in the distance.

As the night deepened and the dew grew heavy, all was silent.

I don't know if it was because the nights in Luzhou in August weren't cold, or because they were afraid of cheating, or because they thought the candidates were all strong and healthy enough, but in any case, no warm clothing was distributed at night.

In the simple examination shed, Lu Beigu wrapped himself tightly in his thin school uniform and fell into a deep sleep, gathering his last strength for the approaching dawn.

If the three-day provincial examination was like climbing a mountain, then the first day's examinations on calligraphy and painting were like the foot of the mountain, and he had already steadily climbed up.

Although the mountain path ahead was difficult to climb, Lu Beigu was confident that he would reach the place where he could "view all the mountains as small".

(End of this chapter)