Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 178 Lu Jieyuan, accept this reward! [Seeking monthly votes!]

Ji Yun's reaction was the simplest and purest. He was stunned for a moment, then burst into a huge cheer: "Lu Beigu, the top scholar! He's the top scholar! The number one scholar!"

He grabbed Lu Beigu's arm tightly and shook it, as if he wanted to lift Lu Beigu up.

When Cui Wenjing saw that he was in third place, a position that would guarantee him a spot on the honor roll, he breathed a sigh of relief. However, he quickly looked at his young classmate with a complicated expression.

At this moment, the joy in my heart was completely overshadowed by the brilliance of this young scholar who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Cui Wenjing took the provincial examination four times over the past ten years and passed all of them. Three of the times he was selected to go to Beijing to take the provincial examination of the Ministry of Rites. Once he even got the top score in the provincial examination, but unfortunately he never passed the imperial examination.

He was already a recognized genius at Luzhou State School.

Even such a genius, if he were to ask himself honestly, could not have achieved the same feat as a freshman, in the year he enrolled—no, just over two months after enrolling—by taking the provincial examination for the first time.

Looking at Lu Beigu, Cui Wenjing realized for the first time what it meant that "there are differences even among geniuses".

The gap between geniuses may even be greater than the gap between a genius and an ordinary person.

Han Ziyu was also focused on checking his own name first. He was ranked fifteenth. Although it was unlikely that he would pass the imperial examination, as a student who had only been in the state school for three years, this speed of progress was already quite fast. Perhaps after one or two more state examinations, he would have the opportunity to go to the capital to take the imperial examination.

He first breathed a sigh of relief, then heard a noise and looked at the top name on the list, his face filled with disbelief and shock.

The top scholar in the provincial examination!

This means that Lu Beigu is the top student among all students in Luzhou this autumn! What an honor! What strength!

When he first met this young man at Fawang Temple in Hejiang County a few months ago, he could never have imagined that he would actually come this far!
Han Ziyu opened her mouth, but for a moment she didn't know what to say.

In his heart, he felt a little regretful. Lu Beigu had gone to Yujingjian in Lunan with Fan Xiang the day after Lu Beigu finished the state examination, and only returned yesterday. He hadn't been able to take Lu Beigu home.

Now that the other party has become a top scholar, many things are hard to say.

The students from the surrounding state also instantly erupted in an uproar!

"Lu Beigu? Is that Lu Beigu who just enrolled not long ago?"

"The top scholar in Hejiang County! The champion of the New Year's gathering! It really is him!"

"My God! A seventeen-year-old top scholar! This...this breaks the record for Luzhou for so many years?!"

The discussions, like a boiling tide, instantly swept over the entire group of state students under the east wall of the state government office.

Countless gazes—astonished, envious, admiring, and incredulous—were all focused on Lu Beigu.

This young man, dressed in a dark blue school uniform and with an upright posture, seemed to be enveloped by an invisible spotlight, becoming the most dazzling presence at the scene.

For Lu Beigu, however, the surrounding noise seemed to disappear from him in an instant.

When his name, hanging high at the top of the list, clearly came into view, an indescribable burning sensation instantly shot from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, as if a tremendous force was penetrating through his limbs and bones.

It was the ecstatic joy of a dream coming true, the fruitful result of countless days and nights of tireless effort, and the most powerful affirmation of all my efforts since I transmigrated!
Lu Beigu closed his eyes, took a deep breath of the cool autumn air, and when he opened them again, his eyes were clear and calm, with only an uncontrollable smile on his lips.

He took this crucial first step!
From then on, he truly possessed the qualifications to go to Bianjing and question the imperial court!

Students, whether they knew him or not, flocked forward to offer their congratulations.

Congratulations, Scholar Lu!

"Brother Lu is truly talented and deserves the title!"

"Our Hejiang County has learned from you, bringing glory to Luzhou!"

Lu Guangyu and his friends, including Huang Jingji, Zhu Nanxing, and Zhu Zhen, who were also from Hejiang County School, were thoroughly shocked by Lu Beigu's amazing achievements and squeezed in from behind.

Exclamations of amazement, envy, and flattery filled the air. Lu Beigu returned each greeting with composure.

"Silence! Silence! Welcome the Prefect and the Judge!"

Just then, the loud announcement of the yamen runner pierced through the clamor of voices.

The main gate of the prefectural government office was wide open, and another group of yamen runners in official uniforms filed out and lined up on both sides.

Then, two officials dressed in official robes walked out slowly, surrounded by their subordinates.

The leader, with an air of composure, was none other than Liu Yong, the prefect of Luzhou, and the dark-skinned man beside him was Li Pan, the judge of Luzhou.

Prefect Liu's gaze swept across the crowd, finally landing on Lu Beigu, who was the center of attention, and a smile of approval appeared on his face.

He did not speak immediately, but Li Pan, the chief examiner of this state examination, stepped forward first.

Li Pan's gaze also fell on Lu Beigu, his eyes containing complex emotions: the appreciation of an outstanding candidate as the chief examiner, the satisfaction of witnessing a rough gem finally shine as a talent scout, and the certainty that "this boy has indeed lived up to expectations."

He cleared his throat and said loudly.

"In the first year of the Jiayou era, the Luzhou prefectural examination was successfully completed!"

He paused slightly, his gaze fixed on Lu Beigu once more, and announced loudly, "Lu Beigu, the top scholar of this prefecture!"

"Wow—" A suppressed gasp of surprise rang out again.

At this moment, Li Pan raised his hand to signal for silence and continued, "Lu Beigu, a native of Hejiang County, Luzhou, is seventeen years old and a student of the prefectural school. His calligraphy and painting skills are profound; his poetry and prose are exceptionally talented; and his historical essays and policy questions demonstrate his ability to govern the world! His essay 'On the Currency of Yelang' is meticulously crafted, profound in its intent, and hits the nail on the head regarding current problems, prompting deep reflection; his five policy proposals on current affairs are well-organized, practical, and feasible, deeply in line with the court's policy of seeking talented people! He is truly deserving of the title of the top scholar in this prefecture!"

Li Pan's comments were not only an official endorsement of Lu Beigu's achievements, but also a high praise for his abilities!
In particular, he highlighted the essay "On the Currency of Yelang" that shocked the examiners and the extremely important policy essay, which gave everyone present, especially the students from the prefecture, a deeper understanding of the young top scholar's abilities.

After Li Pan finished speaking, he stepped to the side, giving the center position to Prefect Liu Yong.

Prefect Liu stepped forward with a smile, looking at the young, yet incredibly composed, newly appointed top scholar with eyes full of admiration.

He said gently, "Lu Jieyuan is a young prodigy who has won first place in the imperial examinations. This is a great event for the education of Luzhou! This achievement is not only an honor for you personally, but also for the scholars of Luzhou!"

He paused, then raised his voice, tinged with expectation: "I hope you will guard against arrogance and impetuosity, and devote yourself to your studies. Next January, in the provincial examination held by the Ministry of Rites in the capital, I hope you will continue your efforts and bring glory to Luzhou!"

As he spoke, he slightly turned his head to indicate.

A clerk immediately stepped forward with a tray, on which was a silver plaque.

Unlike the Ming Dynasty, before a large influx of silver from outside the country, silver was not the mainstream currency or a common means of payment in the Song Dynasty. However, as a scarce precious metal, it had value in itself.

Generally speaking, the shape of Song Dynasty silver ingots evolved from that of Tang Dynasty silver ingots. They were mainly flat-headed and waisted, with flat ends and a slightly constricted waist in the middle. The bottom often had honeycomb-shaped holes, and the front edge was covered with silk patterns. In terms of weight, large ingots weighed fifty taels, while small ingots came in sizes of twenty-five taels, twelve and a half taels, and six taels.

This silver plaque was probably made by melting down silver ingots. Judging by its appearance, it must weigh at least several tens of taels. It's hard to say exactly how heavy it is because the lower part is embedded in brocade and its thickness cannot be seen.

"This was made by the prefectural government as a token of commendation."

Prefect Liu personally handed the tray to Lu Beigu.

Li Pan laughed from the side, "Lu Jieyuan, accept this reward!"

At this moment, everyone is watching.

The hustle and bustle in front of the prefectural government office seemed to have faded away, leaving only the prefect's gentle encouragement, the judge's approving gaze, the complex and enthusiastic stares of his classmates, and the heavy symbol of honor in his hand.

Lu Beigu took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions in his heart, and steadily took the tray with both hands.

Looking down, he saw that the silver plaque on the tray was engraved with the words "Top Scholar in the Luzhou Prefecture Examination of the First Year of Jiayou".

(End of this chapter)