Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 180 How many heroes are there in the world! [Seeking monthly votes!]

Lu Beigu pushed open the door and entered.

The room was dimly lit. Li Tian was sitting behind his desk, not buried in his books as usual, but seemingly waiting for him.

"You're back?" Li Tian laughed. "How did it feel to parade through the streets on horseback, drawing huge crowds?"

He deliberately used the phrase "crossing the horse," with a hint of subtle mockery.

He was well-informed in the state school and naturally knew that Lu Beigu was riding a mule. He also knew that this "parade" was not a "show of off" by the imperial court, but a spontaneous act driven by the will of the people.

Lu Beigu walked to the desk, not flustered by the teasing. He gently placed the silver plaque on the desk and bowed respectfully.

"Sir, I have not failed you."

These few words contain a thousand meanings.

He won first place in the provincial examination and earned the title of Jieyuan, living up to his mentor's rigorous tests and meticulous teaching before the provincial examination.

Li Tian's gaze lingered for a moment on the silver plaque symbolizing the glory of being the top scholar in the state examination, before slowly shifting back to Lu Beigu's face.

"Sit down." Li Tian pointed to the chair next to him. "I have seen the examination papers for the prefectural examination."

Lu Beigu sat down as instructed, a slight stirring in his heart.

Although Li Tian did not participate in setting the questions or grading the papers for the state examination, given his position in the Luzhou State School, he was naturally able to see copies of the answer sheets of the candidates he wanted to see as soon as the examination hall closed.

"Your essay, 'On the Currency of Yelang,' was so challenging from the very first glance that I knew it was a difficult topic that only someone well-versed in the history and geography of Southwest China and knowledgeable in both ancient and modern commerce could write. Yet you were able to apply it to Han Dynasty history, moving from the isolation of ancient Yelang to the present day. It is truly an outstanding piece."

"As for the five current affairs policies," Li Tian paused, "they are detailed, practical, and feasible, especially the policy of 'negotiating prices at teahouses.' These policies are in line with the court's policy of seeking talented people and are of great importance. Your achievement of becoming the top scholar is also largely due to these five policies."

Li Tian picked up the rough pottery teacup on the table and took a sip of tea.

“I remember when the flood had just passed, you were worried about grain prices. At that time, I said that in this Luchuan area, the powerful and ruthless people acted, and the local government was either helpless or hesitant to act. Later, you used myths and nursery rhymes as a pretext to get the Han family to take action. Although it was a risky move, it solved the immediate problem and proved that my strategy of ‘letting the big families fight each other’ was feasible.”

He put down his teacup, his voice lowering slightly: "Today, you are the top scholar in the provincial examination, your name known throughout Luzhou. However, do you still remember the question I asked you when there was a food shortage?"

Lu Beigu felt a chill run down his spine and immediately understood what his mentor meant.

That was the extremely tricky real-world test that Mr. Baisha threw out on the spot before he formally became his apprentice, in addition to examining the manuscripts: to analyze the responsibilities and balances of all parties in the Luchuan famine using the theory of responsibility of the commander in the Spring and Autumn Annals!

Lu Beigu raised his head to meet Li Tian's scrutinizing gaze: "This student dares not forget."

Li Tian listened quietly, his expression remaining unchanged.

When he asked Lu Beigu, he wasn't just asking if Lu Beigu remembered; he was giving him pointers.

Lu Beigu continued, “Today, I have been fortunate enough to become the top scholar in the provincial examination, and to receive this silver medal and this empty title. However, I know very well that the title of ‘top scholar’ is an expectation and an encouragement for the prefectural government; for the people, it is an honor and a responsibility. What I fear is not the difficulty of the road ahead, but whether I will remember my original intention today if I hold that position of ‘commander’ and that power of ‘weighing’ in the future, whether I will still be able to uphold the fundamental principles of ‘benevolence’ and ‘righteousness’, whether I can truly live up to the warning that ‘historical pen is like a knife’ taught to me, and whether I will live up to the earnest expectations of the people of this city today?”

A tiny, genuine smile finally bloomed on Li Tian's face, which had been as somber as withered tree bark. The smile even seemed to linger in his cloudy eyes. "Knowing fear is a good thing!" Li Tian said with satisfaction. "Your ability to feel fear is my greatest comfort in accepting you as my disciple! You must wear this shackle at all times. It is heavier than this silver plaque, but it will also allow you to navigate the ups and downs of officialdom with greater stability and longevity!"

He reached out, not to take the silver medal, but to gently pat the back of Lu Beigu's hand, which was resting on his knee, with a gentle gesture.

"Winning the prefectural examination is something you earned through your own ability, and it's worth celebrating. However, the provincial examination of the Ministry of Rites is just around the corner. There are so many heroes in the four hundred prefectures of the Song Dynasty. The real experts in the imperial examinations are far superior to these students from Luzhou."

Li Tian's tone became serious again: "Today's glory is but a fleeting moment. Starting tomorrow, put aside all your worries and focus on preparing for the exam! I will teach you for the next ten days, imparting to you the essence of the provincial exam. After ten days, you can sail down the river and go your own way!"

"I will heed your instructions!" Lu Beigu stood up and bowed deeply.

He picked up the heavy silver plaque on the table, and felt that it seemed to weigh even more than when he received it in front of the state office.

As Mr. Baisha said, there are so many heroes in the world!

Putting everything else aside, just looking at the strength of the imperial examinations, isn't Su Shi, who was the top scholar in Meizhou next door, strong enough?
But even someone like Su Shi, when compared to the heroes of the world, was he really among the strongest?

Obviously not.

Leaving aside Zhang Heng, a historically exceptional exam-taking monster, he was a super genius among academic geniuses.

Take, for example, Liu Ji, a student of the Imperial Academy, who frequently appears as a villain in the Millennium Dragon and Tiger List.

This student, who led the trend of the times, encountered Ouyang Xiu, who advocated classical Chinese writing, and failed the exam because of his flamboyant "Imperial Academy style".

After failing the exam, Liu Ji, deeply saddened, abandoned his martial arts skills and began studying classical Chinese literature again. Just two years later, he made a comeback, changed his name to Liu Hui, and won the top prize.

Just thinking about how difficult it is to completely change one's writing style habits is incredibly challenging.

Liu Ji could not only change the style of writing, but he could also use the changed style to pass the imperial examination with top honors. What terrifying learning ability this is.

Faced with such academic superstars, who dares to claim invincibility? Who dares to call themselves undefeated?
Moreover, if we go down one tier, the "Two Sus", the "Two Zengs", and the "Two Chengs" are all exceptionally talented, their talents almost overflowing.

Even those who were less well-known, such as Lü Huiqing and Wang Shao, were all exceptional talents who understood the ways of the times.

Those who left their names on the Millennium Dragon and Tiger List but were unknown to later generations were all unique geniuses in their own stories.

Therefore, upon realizing this, Lu Beigu instantly suppressed the arrogant emotions that were growing within him.

For him, the glory of the prefectural examination was a thing of the past, and the journey of the provincial examination of the Ministry of Rites was already in sight.

Outside the window, the autumn sun shone brightly, shining through the window frame and onto the master and his apprentice.

Li Tian, ​​who had a distinguished teaching career and mentored many successful candidates in the imperial examinations, began his final intensive training for his last disciple without reservation.

(End of this chapter)