Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 225 War on the "Imperial Academy Style"!
"The aroma of tea and the sweetness of the fruit should not be missed."

Ouyang Xiu smiled and said, "However, it is better to enjoy happiness together than to enjoy it alone. It is rare for us to gather here today, so we should have some refined and elegant things to do. I acquired a painting the other day, but I have not been able to appreciate it in depth. I would like to invite you all to take a look and discuss its merits and demerits."

He clapped his hands lightly twice.

The steward standing by the door understood and immediately turned and went out. A moment later, two servants carefully carried in a long, slender brocade box and placed it on a large rosewood painting table in the center.

Ouyang Xiu personally got up, opened the brocade box, and took out a scroll painting from it.

He gently untied the silk ribbon, and he and Zeng Gong each held one end, slowly unrolling the scroll.

As soon as the scroll was unfurled, a sense of vast antiquity washed over you.

This is a landscape hanging scroll.

"It looks like the style of Li Yingqiu."

Zeng Gong, who was closest, stared intently at the scene and spoke first.

In the early Song Dynasty, there was a so-called "Three Masters of Landscape Painting," referring to Li Cheng from Yingqiu, Shandong; Guan Tong from Chang'an, Shaanxi; and Fan Kuan from Huayuan, Shaanxi.

This painting, primarily in light ink, depicts a distant, desolate forest.

In the foreground are several withered trees, their branches gnarled and strong like crab claws, standing tall and desolate in the cold wind, their ink tones pale yet full of strength; in the middle ground are gentle hills, with a few village houses hidden behind sparse woods, creating a desolate atmosphere; in the distance, extremely light ink is used to render misty, endless mountains, giving people a sense of vastness that feels "a thousand miles in a short distance".

"Looking at this desolate atmosphere, the clear and open forest, the sharp and elegant brushstrokes, and the exquisite ink technique, it truly resembles the style of Yingqiu!" Mei Yaochen also approached to take a closer look, his eyes revealing appreciation.

“The brushwork is exquisite, but alas,” Yan Jidao observed more closely, his brows furrowing slightly as he pointed to the texture of the rocks in a corner of the painting. “The axe-cut marks here appear somewhat deliberate, slightly losing the natural charm of Yingqiu. It is probably a forgery by a master.”

Zhang Zai, who was by the window, was also drawn to the painting. He gazed at the desolate and distant atmosphere in the painting and thought to himself: "The atmosphere of this painting can instantly clear the dust from one's heart. However, Yingqiu's paintings have a kind of lofty and unrestrained spirit in their desolation. This work is a bit lonely."

Cheng Hao seemed to have little interest in landscape paintings. He glanced at one and said, "It's a good painting, but it's too cold and desolate. It's not as lively and interesting as flowers, birds, and feathers."

The group discussed the painting from multiple perspectives, including brushwork, ink tones, composition, artistic conception, and authenticity, drawing on classical texts and expressing their own opinions.

Lu Beigu is tall, so even from a distance, he can see clearly.

He wasn't particularly skilled in calligraphy, painting, or singing—things that lean more towards art than literature—so he didn't offer any commentary. At that moment, he simply listened attentively, taking in the artistic insights of these people.

Among the dozen or so people present, besides the historical figures whose names he knew, there were also many old members of the Qingsong Society whose names he did not know.

Among these veteran members of the Green Pine Society, there were quite a few who, seeing the young man remain silent, felt a slight sense of contempt.

This mentality is not surprising, after all, Lu Beigu is not only the youngest among these people, but also a newcomer to the society, and he is not familiar with these veteran members of the Green Pine Society.

Since Lu Beigu didn't immediately demonstrate his exceptional talent, he was naturally easily regarded as a clueless child by some older and more experienced members, which is true in any era.

Ouyang Xiu stroked his beard as he listened to everyone's comments, nodding frequently. Finally, he smiled and said, "You all have excellent eyesight! This painting is not an original by Yingqiu, but a forgery. However, its artistic conception of 'distant distant forest' truly captures the essence of Yingqiu's style."

Appreciating calligraphy and paintings, engaging in refined conversation, the atmosphere inside Songtao Pavilion gradually became more pleasant.

Two more calligraphy pieces were brought up, and most of the crispy abalone and snails on each person's table had been gone, and the tea had been refilled twice.

The topics of conversation were no longer limited to calligraphy and painting, and began to veer off course.

Just as the conversation turned to the Imperial Academy, Yan Jidao suddenly spoke up: "Lord Ouyang, I heard you give a lecture at the Imperial Academy the other day, and you commented on the recent habits of the students at the Imperial Academy?"

Upon hearing this, the room fell silent for a moment.

The Imperial Academy was a place where scholars from all over the country gathered, and it was also a benchmark for guiding literary style.

Yan Jidao's question, seemingly casual, actually touched upon the most pressing concern of many young people present—literary style and the imperial examination system, which was inextricably linked to it. Lu Beigu's heartstrings tightened as well; this was one of the pieces of news he most wanted to hear today.

He slightly adjusted his posture, his gaze falling on Ouyang Xiu, listening intently.

Ouyang Xiu stroked his short beard, the usual humor on his face fading slightly. He looked around and slowly said, "The students of the Imperial Academy are the future pillars of the nation, but I cannot agree with their writing style in recent years."

"His writing deliberately seeks the bizarre and strange, piling up obscure allusions, with fragmented syntax and obscure meaning, claiming to be 'profound,' but in reality it is pretentious and completely misses the point of writing! This kind of 'Imperial Academy style' is nothing more than picking up the leftovers of predecessors and adding some strange and difficult words and phrases, vainly trying to use novelty to shock people and cover up the poverty of thought and the shallowness of learning. If this continues, not only will the writing style be corrupted, but the habits of scholars will also become exaggerated and absurd, leaving endless harm to the country and learning."

Ouyang Xiu was very outspoken, and this criticism was extremely sharp, directly pointing out the shortcomings of the literary style of the Imperial Academy and even the entire scholarly community at that time.

This kind of writing style is something that ordinary people wouldn't dare to criticize.

Because the main base of the "Three Masters of the Early Song Dynasty" was the Imperial Academy, and in the more than ten years since the rise of education during the Qingli era, many great scholars joined the Imperial Academy. In recent years, while serving as examiners for the imperial examinations and permeating this literary style throughout the scholarly community, these great scholars have also been continuously cultivating talents who use the Imperial Academy style, making it the most mainstream literary style among the current group of young candidates.

Therefore, if Ouyang Xiu wanted to correct the Imperial Academy style, which was "more archaic than classical prose," he would face considerable resistance from all sides.

Mei Yaochen sighed softly and replied, “What Yongshu said is quite right. This trend originated from the remnants of Mr. Shi Jie’s ‘strange sayings.’ Later scholars, without understanding its meaning, merely imitated its form, and it has become increasingly rampant, turning into a chronic problem. The way of writing should be like the Book of Poetry and the Book of Documents, where the value lies in ‘clear and concise language.’ How can obscurity be considered superior?”

"Master Mei is absolutely right!"

Ouyang Xiu clapped his hands in agreement, then his gaze swept over the young faces present, including Lu Beigu: "Therefore, I believe that eliminating the current abuses and getting to the root of the problem is of utmost urgency! And the most direct and effective way to do this is through next year's Ministry of Rites provincial examination!"

The words "provincial examination" were like a boulder thrown into calm water, instantly creating ripples within the pavilion.

All eyes were fixed intently on Ouyang Xiu.

The provincial examination administered by the Ministry of Rites was the most important event that determined the fate of all candidates in the country, and it was also the most authoritative guide for literary style!

What was Ouyang Xiu's intention in saying this?
Lu Beigu also sat up straight involuntarily. Since his transmigration, all his planning and hard work had been aimed at the upcoming spring imperial examination of the second year of Jiayou!

Ouyang Xiu observed the reactions of the crowd, but his expression remained unchanged. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and continued, "The provincial examination is a grand ceremony for selecting talents. The selection of the chief examiner and deputy examiner is related to the standards for selecting officials, and even more so to the shift in the literary style of the country. What I say today is from the bottom of my heart."

He set down his teacup and looked openly at the crowd: "I will not hide anything from you. His Majesty is wise and discerning, but this matter is of great importance, and the selection of a candidate has not yet been finalized. However, if Heaven grants me the opportunity to oversee the provincial examination this year..."

Ouyang Xiu's voice suddenly rose in pitch.

"I will certainly advocate classical Chinese literature and reject all the frivolous and bizarre 'Imperial Academy style'! I want all scholars to understand that the essence of writing lies in conveying truth and reason, in being plain and fluent, and in having substance! It is not about using strange and bizarre words to pander to the public! I want to use this list to sweep away the decadent and pretentious style of the current literary world!"

Lu Beigu felt a sudden "boom," as if something had exploded in his mind!
Although he already knew that Ouyang Xiu would vigorously crack down on the Taixue style in the imperial examination of the second year of Jiayou, causing the highly controversial "Jiayou Imperial Examination Incident", when he heard this literary leader and future chief examiner make such a powerful and resounding declaration, clearly expressing his determination to "change the literary style of the literati" through the imperial examination, the sense of historical reality and the impact of being deeply involved in the torrent of history still shook him to his core!
The pavilion was completely silent, with only the faint sound of water outside the window and the hustle and bustle of the distant streets.

Ouyang Xiu's earth-shattering declaration left everyone momentarily speechless.

After a moment of silence, Mei Yaochen spoke first, his tone carrying a reminder: "Yongshu, your ambition is commendable! However, this move may attract a lot of criticism and face considerable resistance."

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Xiu burst into laughter, a laugh filled with magnanimity and fearlessness, and a sense of unwavering responsibility: "Brother Shengyu, in my writing, I only seek to be true to myself and consider the well-being of the world. What fear is there of slander and gossip? In the past, Han Yu raised his arm and rallied the tide, turning the tide and bringing about the revival of classical prose. Today, the decline in literary style is even worse than in the late Tang Dynasty! Although I am not talented, I am willing to emulate the sages of the past and be one who dares to be the first in the world! Even if a thousand people point fingers at me, I will not hesitate!"

His eyes shone brightly as he surveyed the assembled young talents: "You are all the future hope of our Great Song Dynasty. You should know that literature is a great undertaking for governing the country and an immortal achievement! Do not be misled by momentary fame and go astray. Focus on the fundamentals, hone your knowledge, cultivate integrity, and your literary talent will naturally flow forth unstoppably!"

These words were both a declaration of war against the Imperial Academy style of writing and a heartfelt expectation and guide for everyone present.

Inside Songtao Pavilion, the lights were bright, illuminating Ouyang Xiu's face, which was flushed with excitement, as well as the faces of the young people present, some excited, some solemn, and some deep in thought.

At that moment, Zhang Zai, who was sitting by the window, suddenly stood up.

He said, "In my humble opinion, what the scholars of the Song Dynasty need to cleanse today is not just the 'classical style'!"

"Oh?" Ouyang Xiu looked up at him, somewhat surprised.

(End of this chapter)