Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 217 Kaifeng, a City Where Geniuses Abound

Song Xiang put the exam paper back on the desk, and in the afterglow of the setting sun outside the window, he precisely pointed his finger at several joints on Lu Beigu's answer sheet.

"The current strategy is reasonable in its intent and fairly well-organized. However, it is too simplistic!"

Song Xiang tapped his finger heavily on the words "corrupt officials and rampant smuggling" and said, "The evils of the salt monopoly are well known. However, you only talk about its harms, but you do not discuss why it is harmful, nor do you mention the difficulties the court faces in maintaining this system, or the obstacles local officials face in implementing it."

“It’s good to be insightful, but the provincial examination essays are not for street gossip. They require a sense of ‘understanding the country and managing the people.’ The way you write it might make the examiners think you have sharp insights, but they might also think you are young and impetuous, ignorant of the ways of the world, and only know how to criticize without caring about the difficulties of the country.”

Lu Beigu felt a chill run down his spine.

He immediately realized that this was a result of his subconscious "God's perspective" from the future, combined with his eagerness to impress Song Xiang today.

He was too focused on getting straight to the point, but neglected the "formality" and "comprehensiveness" that were unique to the imperial examination essays of the Song Dynasty.

From then on, Song Xiang's comments were like precise scalpels, dissecting the problems beneath the surface of Lu Beigu's article.

These problems might not even be problems in state schools.

The problems are even bigger because of what the students wrote.

But the provincial exam is different. It's not a competition of who is the worst, but rather a competition of who is the most outstanding.

This is the ultimate test that brings together the best talents from all four hundred prefectures of the Song Dynasty. Therefore, every problem that was not a problem in the prefectural schools before will become a potential risk point for being eliminated by the more outstanding ones if not paid attention to.

To put it bluntly, in Luzhou, a top scholar in the provincial examination is indeed extraordinary, but in Tokyo and Kaifeng, what does a top scholar in the provincial examination even mean?
Needless to say, there were countless civil officials in the imperial court who had once achieved the highest rank in the provincial examinations.

In Kaifeng alone, there are now more than four hundred people preparing for the provincial examination!

And each of these people, in their own state, in their own story, is an undisputed genius.

But in Kaifeng, a city teeming with geniuses, it's nothing special.

That's why Lu Beigu had no pride whatsoever, and he was well aware of just how valuable this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity truly was.

—In the century since the founding of the Song Dynasty, only three people have ever achieved the "Triple Crown" (winning the top honors in all three levels of the imperial examinations), and Song Xiang is one of them.

Only a genius among geniuses can do something like this.

Moreover, we cannot judge Song Xiang's academic level with a rigid, outdated mindset, because Song Xiang's academic level did not stagnate or regress like most civil officials after becoming the top scholar; on the contrary, it continued to improve.

This year is the first year of the Jiayou era.

Thirty-two years ago, in the second year of the Tiansheng era, Song Xiang's knowledge was already sufficient to achieve the highest honors in all three levels of the imperial examinations.

Twenty-two years ago, in the first year of the Jingyou era, Song Xiang's knowledge was already sufficient to qualify him as the chief examiner.

Song Xiang was known for his diligence and tireless study. Twenty-two years after he took charge of the imperial examinations, only God knows how terrifyingly his knowledge had grown.

It can be said that, in terms of ability in the imperial examinations alone, Song Xiang was already at the level of Dugu Qiubai.

Therefore, Lu Beigu had no intention of being dissatisfied with Song Xiang's comments.

Cold sweat beaded on his forehead as he bowed and said, "Master Song's teachings are truly invaluable; I have learned a great deal from them! Indeed, my thoughts were not thorough enough, and my understanding was superficial."

Seeing his earnest attitude and lack of resistance, Song Xiang nodded slightly and softened his tone: "Being able to realize this immediately is the beginning of progress. Your foundation is decent, and your thinking is clear. However, the imperial examinations now place more emphasis on current affairs than during the Jingyou era. What you lack is a deep understanding of the practical affairs of the court and a grasp of the 'degree' of provincial examination essays." He glanced at the sky outside the window. Dusk was falling, and lights were being lit throughout the mansion.

"To make a name for yourself in next year's imperial examinations is not something that can be achieved overnight. It is getting late, so you should go back now."

Song Xiang said, “Starting tomorrow, you will come at the beginning of the 11 PM and return at the end of the 5 PM. Apart from the necessary interpretation of the text, I will use past policy essay questions, court gazettes, and local memorials as a basis to analyze current affairs and polish your writing.”

The reason it was in the afternoon was that although Song Xiang was retired and at home, he sometimes still had to attend court with the officials of the Secretariat, so it was definitely not possible in the morning.

But staying up too late is also not good, as Song Xiang is already in his sixties and his energy is really limited.

Therefore, the afternoon, when the sun is shining and you have plenty of energy after a nap, is the best time to go.

As for poetry and prose, Zhao Bian made it clear that he could teach them, and the results would be about the same.

So, basically, he memorized the classics himself, Zhao Bian was responsible for poetry and prose, and Song Xiang taught him calligraphy and policy essays.

Lu Beigu bowed deeply: "This junior will humbly follow your teachings! I will work diligently day and night to live up to Lord Song's kindness in nurturing me!"

"Hmm." Song Xiang responded lightly, waving his sleeve. "Go back now, be careful on the road, and don't be late tomorrow."

Lu Beigu bowed again and respectfully withdrew from the study.

The steward of the manor was already waiting outside the pavilion, and led him back the way he came.

Stepping out of the heavy vermilion gate of the Song residence, a cool breeze blew, and Lu Beigu realized that his back was already soaked with cold sweat.

As dusk falls and the city of Kaifeng comes alive with lanterns, it becomes even more bustling and vibrant than during the day.

According to historical records, Kaifeng was known as a "city that never sleeps," with many night markets "opening until the third watch of the night and then again at the fifth watch. If you wanted to have a lively place, it would be open all night long." The literati were also very keen to go to the seventy-two main restaurants for banquets and entertainment.

Therefore, this area in the northwest corner of the inner city, where the powerful and wealthy gathered, now had more sounds of carriages and horses coming and going.

However, Lu Beigu didn't have those thoughts on the matter at the moment; he was just very excited.

He breathed in the chilly air of the autumn night, looked up at the deep blue, almost inky night sky, where a few cold stars were already quietly twinkling.

Song Xiang, whose academic ability was almost the strongest in the world, was now willing to devote his precious time to this opportunity, which was undoubtedly brought about by Song Qi's affectionate letter home.

However, a high level of teacher expertise does not necessarily guarantee good student performance.

Ultimately, this isn't a martial arts world, so there's no way to impart skills through initiation. As for how much of Song Xiang's knowledge Lu Beigu can absorb, it depends on his own comprehension and diligence.

Before this, Lu Beigu had been somewhat apprehensive about the spring imperial examination in the second year of Jiayou, but after visiting Song Xiang today, his heart was completely at ease.

Lu Beigu was confident that, with good teachers, his talent in learning would be no less than that of other geniuses!
However, the opportunity was right in front of them.

The road to success in the imperial examination has only just begun, and it is destined to be full of thorns.

He was a little cold, so he tightened his clothes, checked the direction, and after leaving the area where the powerful and wealthy gathered, he hired a donkey cart for 23 copper coins and returned to Tianqing Temple.

(End of this chapter)