Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 326 Pick Your Own Opponent
As soon as Xu Shunqing finished speaking, the Jinjiang Pavilion fell into complete silence.

The lively atmosphere seemed to freeze instantly, and the crackling sound of the silver charcoal in the charcoal brazier sounded particularly clear and jarring at this moment.

His words used the examples of Zhang Yuan and Wu Hao, two traitors who defected from Song to Xia and became Li Yuanhao's chief strategist, bringing countless border troubles to the Song Dynasty, to satirize the Song Dynasty's civil service examination system for burying talent and forcing the virtuous and capable to rebel.

Furthermore, those who passed the provincial examination of the Ministry of Rites today are being distorted into those who benefited from the "resistance" of traitorous officials!
This was tantamount to slapping the face of the Song Dynasty's imperial examination system in front of everyone, and it was also a great insult to all the candidates present who had passed the exams based on their true talents and learning!

Cheng Jianyong, Yang Yaozi, and others suddenly changed color, their eyes filled with anger.

Su Shi's pale face, which had been pale after his illness, suddenly flushed with a healthy glow. He gripped the still-warm wine cup tightly in his hand, his knuckles turning white, as if he were about to throw the cup down at any moment.

Su Zhe quickly pressed his brother's arm gently under the table, his eyes fixed on the Tangut warriors.

Although these people did not carry knives, they were still warriors. If they really started fighting, these scholars, even if they were young, were still learned men and would probably be no match for them.

"Xia people?"

Su Xun, being older and having experienced more, maintained a calm demeanor despite his solemn expression.

He slowly put down his wine cup, his gaze sweeping over Xu Shunqing and the burly Tangut warriors behind him.

"I am indeed ignorant. May I ask, is this the etiquette of you Xia people?"

Su Xun spoke with sarcasm, not directly responding to the provocative poem, but instead focusing on the word "propriety".

Xu Shunqing was clearly taken aback by the composure of the old man in the main seat.

If he were truly a Tangut, he would have already resorted to violence. However, Xu Shunqing was, after all, a Han Chinese who had studied for over a decade and had other plans at the moment. So, he offered a forced smile and bowed apologetically.

"My apologies, my apologies. I am Xu Shunqing, and I am the Imperial Censor of the Privy Council of the Xia Kingdom. I heard your familiar accents from next door and came to pay my respects. I hope you will forgive any disturbance."

His demeanor appeared polite, but his eyes held an arrogant air, clearly showing his pride in his official position.

The Xia Dynasty's temple system was developed based on the Tang and Song Dynasties. It also had institutions such as the Secretariat, the Ministry of Personnel, the Privy Council, the Three Departments, the Censorate, and even the Kaifeng Prefecture. However, the official system was rather chaotic, and some strange-looking official titles often appeared.

For example, the "Privy Councilor" who did not exist in the Song Dynasty at all.

Although the exact rank of his position is unclear, judging from the name, it is likely a key military-related post.

"As for that poem, it was merely a work of Zhang Yuan and Zhang Zhongshu. You are all outstanding talents from Sichuan, and I presume you are all broad-minded. Surely you wouldn't be offended by a mere poem?"

Su Shi could no longer restrain himself, and abruptly pushed Su Zhe's hand away and stood up.

He was still recovering from his illness when he got up in a hurry. His body swayed slightly, but his cheeks were flushed with anger: "You tiny little country, you have only gained temporary power by relying on the advantages of your terrain. How dare you deceive Heaven like this? The soldiers of my Great Song fought bloody battles on the border. Their heroic spirits have not yet faded away. How can you be allowed to spout such nonsense here!"

His voice was high-pitched, and although it sounded sickly, every word was firm and resounding.

Xu Shunqing's face darkened immediately after being rebuked by Su Shi, and the Tangut warriors behind him took a step forward, exuding a fierce aura.

"Such a fiery temper."

Xu Shunqing, harboring his own ambitions, ultimately restrained himself, merely sneering, "A good bird chooses a good tree to perch on, and a wise minister chooses a good lord to serve. Mr. Zhang and Mr. Wu are unparalleled talents, shining pearls in the Song Kingdom, yet in my Xia Kingdom they have realized their ambitions and achieved great success. This is the will of Heaven. As for deceiving Heaven? Heh, who is it that now stands west of Quye River, unable to even protect their own land, with their people at the mercy of my iron cavalry, and their government troops afraid to leave the city?"

He brazenly brought up the latest border conflict without any attempt to conceal it, displaying extreme arrogance and seemingly intending to provoke everyone into taking action and further escalating the conflict.

"you!"

Su Shi was about to argue further when Lu Beigu stood up at that moment.

He moved slowly, even straightening his robe sleeves, which were slightly wrinkled from sitting for so long, before looking up at Xu Shunqing.

"Imperial Censor Xu".

Lu Beigu spoke, his voice calm: "There is a mistake in what you just said, and I must point it out."

Xu Shunqing raised an eyebrow, looking at the young man with a hint of mockery: "Oh? What brilliant idea do you have?"

"What I want to say is that the matters of Zhang Yuan and Wu Hao have absolutely no connection with the success of the examinations of all of you present today."

Lu Beigu calmly said, "Our dynasty's imperial examination system, though it may have some regrets about overlooking talented individuals, is still strictly governed by laws and regulations, selects officials for the public good, and seeks out the true talents of the nation. Candidates who pass the imperial examination ultimately succeed because of ten years of diligent study, the contest of their essays in the examination hall, and the impartial judgment of the examiners. Which candidate needs to use the affair of a traitor to enhance their reputation? Even if someone fails the palace examination, who would be alarmed if they passed based on their genuine talent and learning?"

His tone was calm and unhurried, yet he clearly dismantled Xu Shunqing's distorted logic and brought him back to the right path.

"As for the border issues at Quye River, the imperial court has its own far-sighted plans, and it is not something we scholars can presume to discuss. However..."

Lu Beigu changed the subject slightly, his gaze sweeping over the Tangut warriors behind Xu Shunqing.

"Since Imperial Censor Xu has come to pay his respects today, he should know to respect local customs. This is Kaifeng, the capital of the Great Song Dynasty. Your Excellency has brought elite soldiers to a private banquet and speaks rudely. Do you intend to discuss matters of state with us, or are you deliberately causing trouble? If you truly wish to discuss matters of state, you can do so in the imperial court in the future, or when envoys from both countries are exchanging envoys. If you are deliberately causing trouble, showing off your military prowess in front of us scholars here is hardly a sign of skill."

Lu Beigu first presented the facts and reasoned with the other party, refuting their fallacies and upholding the greater good. Then he pointed out the other party's impolite behavior, thus gaining a foothold. Finally, he turned the tables on them, mocking their behavior as neither the proper way of an envoy nor the conduct of a gentleman.

It can be said that he maintained the demeanor of a scholar while also standing up to them without showing any weakness.

Xu Shunqing was speechless for a moment after being choked by Lu Beigu's words, which were laced with sarcasm.

He originally intended to use Zhang Yuan's poem to provoke and humiliate these newly appointed and proud scholars of the Song state, hoping to provoke them into losing their temper and taking the initiative so that he could order his men to beat them up and then spread the word that the scholars of the Song state were vulgar and rude.

If the other party were to back down, it would be just as easy to spread the message that the scholars of Song were terrified of Xia. But Xu Shunqing had not expected the young man to handle the situation so well and logically, which put him at a disadvantage.

"No, neither. It just reminded me of what happened back then. I also went to Kaifeng to take the provincial examination more than ten years ago, but unfortunately the examiners were blind and I failed."

He looked at the crowd in front of him and changed the subject, saying, "I wonder if any of you, like me back then, have failed the exam?"

Lu Beigu's eyes narrowed, and he understood the other party's intention almost instantly.

Sure enough, Xu Shunqing continued, "If you are interested, why not come to Xia Kingdom and show your talents? Xia Kingdom has always valued talent. If you are willing to come, high-ranking positions, generous salaries, mansions, and beautiful maids are just commonplace. Why suffer in Song Kingdom? Song Kingdom's civil service examinations only promote bookworms and bury true heroes."

Among those present, some had passed the provincial examination, while others had not.

For those who passed the provincial examination, Xu Shunqing's recruitment was of no appeal, because they were guaranteed to become Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), and the Song Dynasty also treated scholar-officials with the same respect.

But what about those who didn't pass the provincial exam? How would they feel after hearing this?
It should be understood that under the brutal imperial examination system of the Song Dynasty, it was the norm for the vast majority of scholars to fail the provincial examination of the Ministry of Rites even after taking the exam for decades.

Even Su Xun and Zeng Gong took the exam for twenty years, and this year only Zeng Gong passed, while Su Xun still failed.

Therefore, none of these failed scholars from Sichuan were truly confident that if they didn't pass the exam this year, they would definitely pass it in two years.

These scholars from Sichuan who failed the exam all believed they were capable. After all, those who could participate in the provincial examination of the Ministry of Rites were at least in the top five of their respective prefectures, and in their own stories, they were all geniuses, one in ten thousand.

If you have the ability, why didn't you pass the provincial exam?
Some people will certainly reflect on their own shortcomings, but the vast majority will still think that the examiners were blind, or that factors such as the weather played a role. And at this banquet, seeing the smug looks of their fellow townsmen who passed the provincial examination, they will inevitably feel jealousy and disappointment. This is human nature.

The Xia Kingdom does indeed value talent. With precedents like Zhang Yuan being "bought with a thousand pieces of gold," the Xia Kingdom would offer generous treatment such as "high-ranking official positions, generous salaries, luxurious mansions, and beautiful maids" to anyone who came to join them.

Therefore, Xu Shunqing's persuasive rhetoric took effect almost instantly.

Although there was no infighting among the group, the attitude of those who "failed the provincial exam" had subtly changed from what it had been before.

Seeing that his words had divided the other side, Xu Shunqing walked to the window, put his hands behind his back and looked at the night view of Bianjing outside the window. His voice carried a deliberate sense of emotion: "When I first arrived in Xia Kingdom, I felt quite lost in a foreign land. Fortunately, Zhang Zhongshu comforted me, saying, 'Why should a hero worry about not having a place to use his talents?' After personally experiencing the Battle of Haoshuichuan, I felt even more deeply Zhang Gong's heroic spirit. At that time, I wrote an essay entitled 'On Heroes'."

“Since Imperial Censor Xu has already submitted to Xia, why bring up his old writings again?” someone asked abruptly.

"That is not true! Writing is an eternal affair, and its gains and losses are known only to the heart."

Xu Shunqing turned around and said with great confidence, "Although I am in the Xia Kingdom, I have always prided myself on my literary talent. Since we have the opportunity to meet today, why not take this chance to make friends through literature?"

It was said that they were making friends through literature, but in reality, Xu Shunqing was arrogant about his talent and intended to overshadow these scholars from Sichuan who had passed the provincial examination, so as to further demoralize them.

Without waiting for anyone's response, he picked up the paper and pen beside him and wrote with great speed and vigor, his handwriting showing a remarkable grasp of the essence of Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy style.

Su Shi intended to denounce his hypocrisy, but Su Xun stopped him with a look.

Su Xun stroked his beard slowly and said in a low voice, "Let's observe for now."

Before long, Xu Shunqing put down his pen and stood up, presenting a still-wet essay entitled "On Heroes" to everyone.

He then picked up the article and read it aloud.

"On Heroes"

A hero is not merely one who is renowned for his courage and strength, but also one who understands the times and knows when to advance and when to retreat. The stories of Guan Zhong releasing prisoners to assist Duke Huan in establishing his hegemony, and Han Xin abandoning Chu to return to the Han dynasty and lay the foundation for a great dynasty, are they not clear evidence of their ability to assess the situation and act accordingly?
Modern critics often use loyalty and righteousness as a pretext for judgment, but a bright pearl will not shine if it is cast in the dark, and a fine steed will not display its brilliance if it is kept in its stall. Therefore, a wise person observes the changing times and chooses the right path to establish their destiny, and will not be bound by a small piece of land.

I once observed that Zhang Gong of Guanzhong possessed extraordinary talent from a young age and was well-versed in military strategy. When he first entered the Song court, he repeatedly failed the imperial examinations. The officials selected scholars based on the writings of jesters, forcing even the most brilliant minds to conform to rigid rules. He fled to the western border, where the Xia emperor greeted him with utmost respect, appointing him to the position of Grand Secretary and consulting him on matters of state and military affairs. His victory at the Battle of Haoshuichuan shook the world, causing the Song emperor to lose sleep over him. He was truly a hero.

Some might question this, saying, "To betray Song and join Xia is not the way of a loyal subject." Such a statement is utterly base! In the past, Confucius went to Chu, and Mencius traveled to Liang; sages and worthies did not cling to one state. Today, the Song ruler possesses talented individuals but cannot utilize them, while the Xia ruler is ambitious and opens wide the path for talent, attracting heroes from all over the land to serve him, displaying their abilities to stabilize the country and assist a wise ruler in achieving hegemony, shining brightly in their time, and leaving a lasting legacy in history. How can this compare to the officials of the Song court, who spend their days indulging in poetry and romance, forming cliques and attacking dissidents, forgetting the humiliation of the Yan and Yun states?

Furthermore, a good bird chooses its tree not because it admires the tallest branches and abandons its old forest, but because a fine tree can accommodate its wings; a wise minister chooses his lord not because he covets official rank and position and betrays his former country, but because only an enlightened ruler can fully utilize his talents. Consider the two officials Zhang and Wu: in the Song Dynasty, they were failed candidates, but in the Xia Dynasty, they became important ministers in the inner court. This was not because their talents suddenly increased or decreased, but because they were employed by different people.

Therefore it is said: The rise of heroes depends on the opportune moment and favorable circumstances; the service of outstanding individuals is revealed through a wise ruler. If Wei Sheng clung to the pillar until death without realizing his mistake, would he not have been better off dying of old age under the window, rotting away like the grass and trees?

Xu Shunqing's voice was melodious and highly persuasive.

With each sentence he read, the expressions on the faces of Su Xun and the others in the hall grew increasingly grim.

This "On Heroes" is full of sophistry. It compares itself to Guan Zhong and Han Xin, glorifies the treasonous acts of Zhang Yuan and Wu Hao as heroic deeds of "understanding the times and knowing when to leave and when to stay," denounces the imperial examination of the Song Dynasty as "the writing of jesters" that suppresses talent, praises the Xia ruler as an enlightened ruler who "welcomed him with open arms," ​​and even cites the examples of Confucius and Mencius traveling around the states to justify his treasonous behavior!
In the final paragraph, those who uphold their integrity to their homeland are compared to Wei Sheng, who foolishly clung to a pillar and died, suggesting that their fate was not as good as that of the traitors who "chose a tree to perch on" and were able to achieve great things and avoid "dying of old age under the window."

This is not just a provocation, it is a blatant eulogy for traitors and a trampling on loyalty and integrity!

After reading it, Xu Shunqing stood with his hands behind his back, but his face showed a smug look.

"My humble work is here. I wonder if anyone would be willing to offer their guidance, so that I, Xu, may also witness the literary talent of this 'Great Song Dynasty scholar'?"

The pavilion fell silent for a moment.

Although this article is a defense of Zhang Yuan's betrayal of the Song Dynasty, it must be admitted that its writing is sophisticated, full of allusions, and powerful, making it no ordinary work.

If one's skill level is insufficient, attempting to improvise at this point will certainly fail to suppress Xu Shunqing's arrogance and will only bring shame upon oneself.

"Our Great Song Dynasty is full of talented people, and Sichuan's culture and education are even more outstanding, producing many outstanding individuals. How could we possibly bully the few with our superior numbers?"

At this moment, Cui Wenjing, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up and suggested, "Of the two people facing Imperial Censor Xu, the older one failed the exam and the younger one was the provincial champion. Why don't you choose one of them as your opponent?"

(End of this chapter)