Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 250 Peerless Sword
As Lu Beigu made a name for himself, Liu Jineng could clearly sense that the gazes that had previously admired his literary talent had now quietly shifted.

Liu opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but he didn't say anything.

Hu Yuan didn't look at Yang Anguo, nor at her distraught disciple Liu Ji. Her gaze swept over everyone and finally landed on the calm-looking Ouyang Xiu.

His gaze was complex, carrying a hint of profound understanding.

Ouyang Xiu advocated the classical prose style and opposed the style of the Imperial Academy. Hu Yuan, who was in charge of the Imperial Academy, would certainly protect this style of writing.

Although Lu Beigu's writing style did not deliberately imitate classical prose, its powerful and simple style, which went straight to the core and abandoned superficiality, was precisely the model of "literature that carries the Way" that Ouyang Xiu advocated.

He originally thought that by taking advantage of the situation today to suppress the Imperial Academy, he could vindicate the Imperial Academy style of writing. However, he did not expect that Ouyang Xiu, through Lu Beigu, would deliver the heaviest blow to the Imperial Academy style of writing with a magnificent treatise!
Hu Yuan sighed inwardly; the situation was hopeless.

He stood up, not looking at anyone else, but nodding slightly to the old Confucian referee, his voice carrying a calm that came after the dust had settled.

"Now that the verdict has been reached, the Imperial Academy admits its defeat."

Having said that, he was about to leave with everyone from the Imperial Academy.

Hu Yuan's aging figure appeared somewhat desolate in the late autumn light.

Several students from the Imperial Academy looked at each other, and in the end, under a complex gaze, they could only help the distraught Liu Ji up and follow Hu Yuan away dejectedly.

They came with great fanfare, but left in complete silence.

Yang Anguo addressed the crowd in the hall, saying, "As you all have witnessed, although the Imperial Academy is in a humble state, its flame has not been extinguished! Lu Sheng's essay shines brightly like the sun, proving that our great Imperial Academy is not without talent."

After everyone else had left, he suddenly turned to Lu Beigu, Cheng Hao, and Cheng Yi, his wrinkles smoothing out with a smile, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration.

All three of them relaxed.

They won the competition.

The Imperial Academy's century-old collection of classic texts, the renowned scholars who lived in seclusion, and the invaluable resources that led to the path of becoming a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) were now all within its grasp.

At this moment, Yang Anguo was so excited that he wanted to pat Lu Beigu on the shoulder, but then he felt it would be impolite and his hand stopped in mid-air.

"Lu Sheng, the Imperial Academy Library will henceforth be your study! I will fulfill every promise I have made and will never break my word!"

"Both of you, Brother Cheng, also performed exceptionally well. I am fortunate to have done so and dare not take credit for it."

Lu Beigu quickly reminded him that he didn't want the promised group reward to end up being his alone. If that happened, who would want to associate with him in the future?

"Of course! Of course!"

Yang Anguo immediately realized that he had been so excited that he had almost forgotten the feelings of the Cheng brothers. He quickly laughed it off and added, "What I mean is that this great victory was achieved because the three of us were of one mind! The Imperial Academy treats all three of you equally and will certainly reward you handsomely!"

At this moment, he thought to himself, "This Lu Beigu is so young, yet he is not only incredibly talented, but also so mature and thoughtful in his dealings with others. He is truly a rare find."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Hao smiled gently and cupped his hands, saying, "Scholar Yang, you flatter me. This is simply our duty."

He was kind-hearted and didn't care about these things.

Cheng Yi, upon hearing Lu Beigu's words "I dare not take credit," felt somewhat ashamed.

Because he really dragged us down today.

Although he was proud and self-possessed, he was also reasonable. Lu Beigu's pragmatic strategy pulled the team back from the brink of failure, and today's historical analysis is the key to victory.

Then, Lu Beigu turned to the truly important figure here, Ouyang Xiu.

"This argument is inspired by history and also by concerns about the present. I would like to offer my humble opinion to experts for their guidance."

Ouyang Xiu stroked his beard, looking at Lu Beigu with a faint smile on his lips.

—This is an unparalleled sword.

The sword's edge has been revealed, and it points precisely at the deeply entrenched problems of the Imperial Academy's literary style, and the complex and intricate system of talent selection behind it. Lu Beigu's essay, "On Zhongda," today, for Ouyang Xiu, not only proves that young people studying classical prose can surpass those studying the Imperial Academy's style, but also holds a deeper significance in terms of its content.

Because Lu Beigu's "On Zhongda" provided an irrefutable theoretical foundation for his upcoming reforms of the imperial examination system and literary innovation, which included the statement that "the Nine-Rank System inevitably led to the emergence of powerful ministers in the later Cao Wei period."

The Imperial Academy style of writing has been the standard literary style for the selection of talents in the Song Dynasty for more than ten years. During these ten years, the Jinshi graduates from the Imperial Academy have shown a clear tendency to form cliques in the four imperial examinations.

If things continue to develop like this, who can be sure that it won't lead to the rise of factions, and even the reappearance of powerful ministers like Sima Yi?
Therefore, it was absolutely necessary for Ouyang Xiu to replace the Imperial Academy style with the classical prose style, thus revitalizing this stagnant upward path.

Once this article is published, it will surely shake the scholar community. Its principles of "selecting talents and valuing public service" and "system checks and balances" will be deeply rooted in people's hearts as countless scholars copy and recite it, becoming the most powerful weapon to undermine the orthodox status of the Imperial Academy system!
This is the fundamental reason why Ouyang Xiu admired Lu Beigu.

Lu Beigu truly helped him promote the development of the Classical Chinese Literature Movement!

"The writing reflects the person; a righteous heart leads to righteous writing. Since you have such talent and responsibility, you should take this writing as a starting point, and not fail to live up to what you have learned or to the government's eagerness for talent."

Unlike Yang Anguo, Ouyang Xiu did not make any promises, but only said something meaningful at the end.

"Just work hard."

at the same time.

On the carriage back to the Imperial Academy, which was not far from the Imperial College, Hu Yuan leaned against the soft cushions on the side of the carriage, her eyes closed, her face looking particularly tired in the dim light.

His hand, covered in age spots, rested limply on his knee, swaying slightly with the bumps of the carriage.

Liu Ji sat opposite him, his head bowed.

No one spoke; only the monotonous rumble of wheels rolling over the stone pavement assaulted our ears.

After a long while, Hu Yuan slowly opened her eyes.

His gaze no longer held the same authority he had shown in the Imperial Academy. He looked at his most prized student, without much reproach in his heart.

Do you think that today's defeat is only for you, Liu Ji?

Liu Ji raised his head.

"What we lost today is the Imperial Academy style, the literary foundation we have painstakingly maintained for more than a decade."

Liu Ji was stunned for a moment, then his face turned pale.

He was not a dull person, but he had been blinded by a huge sense of failure and personal honor and disgrace. Now, when his teacher's words were enlightening, he felt a chill instantly run from his spine throughout his body.

"Teacher?" Liu Ji's voice was filled with confusion and fear.

Hu Yuan let out a long sigh, a sigh filled with a weariness of helplessness.

"I'm getting old."

Hu Yuan's voice grew increasingly low: "This crippled body is already like a candle flickering in the wind. It's already a struggle that it has lasted until today. From now on, you can only walk the road ahead on your own."

He looked at Liu Ji's wide eyes and said, word by word.

"Remember my words: If the Imperial Academy is still afloat, you can use it to raise your sails. But if it really sinks, do not perish with it. As long as the green hills remain, the torch can be passed on."

Hu Yuan stopped speaking and slowly closed his eyes, as if his words had exhausted all his strength.

He leaned against the wall of the bumpy carriage, his face showing only deep wrinkles in the dim light.

The carriage rolled over the last stone slab and entered the Imperial Academy.

The Imperial Academy archway, still majestic in the twilight, was shrouded in a heavy shadow.

(End of this chapter)