Top Scholar

Chapter 373 Gilding at the Deer Cry Banquet
There were special servants in the side room to help the newly appointed scholars remove their scholar's attire and put on the robes of the successful candidates.

There are two types of hats for those who pass the imperial examinations. One type is the black gauze hat worn on formal occasions. Its style and material are exactly the same as those of official hats. It is a stepped shape with a lower front and a higher back, called "front house and back mountain", and has a pair of hard wings.

Another type is the large hat worn daily, resembling a flying saucer...

Today we are going to the Deer Cry Banquet, one of the four banquets for the imperial examinations, and naturally we will be given an official hat.

He changed his wide-sleeved robe into a blue silk round-necked robe. The round collar was the style of official robes, which ordinary people, no matter how rich, could not wear.

This was the summer attire; in winter, a warmer black brocade robe was worn. Moreover, these official robes were all made and distributed free of charge by the Imperial Hat and Headwear Bureau.

Finally, the servants threaded the blue silk ribbon through the loops of the round-necked robe, letting it hang loosely around the waist and tying it behind the back, thus completing the attire of the newly appointed candidates.

The scholars looked each other up and down, praising how impressive the outfits were, saying that they made them look completely different!
“Brother Weixin, you look much more mature and composed in this outfit.”

"Yes, Brother Shunyu, clothes really do make the man, and gold plating makes the Buddha. You look quite impressive in this outfit."

"Brother, are you praising me or praising me?"

"Wow, Brother Yingzhi looks absolutely stunning in this outfit, even surpassing Pan An in beauty. Would I look like that in this outfit?"

"Of course...it's impossible! Even if Brother Yingzhi wore a rag, he would look better than you do now."

However, there is no doubt that everyone's aura has become much stronger.

The round-necked robes they wore, the black boots on their feet, the black gauze hats on their heads, and the wide silk ribbons tied around their waists were all symbols of their official status, completely distinguishing them from ordinary people!
“The only difference between your attire and that of officials is the official insignia,” Yan Song said with a smile. “Once you are dressed, please come out. Don’t keep the two provincial governors waiting.”

"Yes, sir." Su Lu and the others hurriedly clasped their hands in response and followed Yan Song out of the side room.

~~
The Deer Cry Banquet was held in the back garden of the Provincial Administration Office. At this time, the autumn air was crisp and clear, the golden chrysanthemums were in full bloom, and the sweet osmanthus was fragrant, making it the perfect time to hold a victory celebration banquet.

Dozens of square tables have been set up in the courtyard, with plain tablecloths on the tabletops and blue and white porcelain wine cups and celadon food plates arranged on them.

However, as a regular banquet for the provincial examinations as specified in the "Regulations on the Imperial Examinations," the Deer Cry Banquet had its own strict etiquette. The candidates and officials who arrived early waited in the covered walkway for the banquet to begin.

Officials from the Provincial Administration Commission flocked to chat with the newly appointed scholar. Su Lu, the top scholar in the provincial examination, was naturally the person they vied to befriend, but Yang Shen had the most officials around him.

The officials of the Provincial Administration Commission lined up to congratulate him and his Grand Secretary father...

"What happened?" The classmates were confused. How did Yang Shen suddenly steal the limelight?

Zhu Zihe, the quick-witted one, whispered, "I heard that Grand Secretary Yang has been reinstated and even promoted to Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion..."

"Really? When did this happen?" His classmates were dumbfounded, but seeing Yang Shen surrounded by a group of officials, they had no choice but to believe it.

“It must be true,” Zhu Zihe said. “I heard the provincial governor congratulate him with my own ears.”

"Great!" The members of the Lizhe Society were overjoyed. Their powerful backer had returned, and their future looked even brighter.

The other candidates were also very happy, as it was always excellent to have a son of a high-ranking official among them in the same year.

The members of the Yangjiang Society looked at their eldest brother, Su Lu, who smiled brightly and said, "That's great! This shows that Liu Jin can't cover up everything, and there's still hope for the righteous path!"

"Yes, this is a great thing for the world and for Sichuan!" The other students agreed wholeheartedly and secretly praised: The vision of the top scholar is truly magnificent!

"Hahaha, well said!" At this moment, a group of high-ranking officials in scarlet robes appeared in the corridor.

The speaker was Liu Zhongcheng, who was about to step down. Beside him was Liu Bing, the chief examiner of the provincial examination. The two provincial governors stood beside him, as did Xiao Tixue, who was also about to leave office.

The newly appointed scholars and officials from both inside and outside the cabinet hurriedly made way, bowing to welcome him. As Liu Zhongcheng led his entourage forward, he laughed and said, "Grand Secretary Yang's return to the cabinet is a heavy blow to the arrogance of the eunuch faction!"

The candidates were utterly impressed; Liu Zhongcheng was truly fearless in the face of power and had a clear and unequivocal attitude!
Liu Zhongcheng and others took their seats at the main table. Liu Fantai, the provincial examination supervisor, slowly rose and delivered his opening remarks in a bubble-like voice:

"Thanks to the concerted efforts of all the officials in charge of the inner and outer curtains, this year's provincial examination has been successfully completed! Seventy talented individuals have emerged and been honored with their names in the register of worthy scholars. On behalf of His Excellency the Grand Chancellor, the Provincial Governor's Office, and all the examiners, I extend my congratulations to you all!"

Then, he changed the subject and raised his voice, saying, "The reason you all have been able to pass the imperial examinations is because of the careful selection and fair assessment of talents by the examiners! Now, I would like to introduce the chief examiner of this year's provincial examination—Hanlin Academician and former Guizhou Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, Liu!"

Liu Bing then calmly stood up and nodded to the group of candidates.

All the candidates immediately bowed and thanked their mentor, saying respectfully, "Thank you for your guidance, Master!"

The voices were filled with gratitude, and the authenticity was guaranteed.

Liu Bing raised his hand and said in a deep voice, "Please excuse the formalities, gentlemen. I have never met any of you before. I have only selected you based on the quality of your writings, without any personal bias. I am only doing this for the court to select talent. I hope that you will not become complacent and slack off because of your success. You should still maintain your ambition, continue to study diligently, and strive to achieve even better results in the imperial examination next year, so as to serve the country as soon as possible! Only then will you live up to the court's grace in establishing this examination system."

"Yes, we will keep our master's teachings in mind!" Su Lu led the group in receiving the instruction.

Then Liu Fantai introduced the deputy chief examiners and examiners of each room in turn. The careful candidates noticed that the examiners of the rites room were not present.

Liu Fantai then introduced the officials in charge of internal and external supervision, the officials in charge of collecting documents, the officials in charge of copying, the officials in charge of reading aloud... Taking advantage of the opportunity of the roll call of all the cats and dogs, Yang Shen whispered to Su Lu again.

"Do you think that what I'm thinking right now is that I wish my dad would be reinstated a few days sooner?"

"..." Su Lu shook his head slightly, indicating that he did not think that way.

“No, you’re wrong.” Yang Shen said to himself, “I’m glad my father was reinstated on the same day he announced the good news, so no one will say that I only passed the imperial examination because of my father.”

As he spoke, he sighed and said, "Actually, I would have preferred that he stay in Nanjing for another six months, and return to the capital after the results of the imperial examination were announced."

"..." Su Lu couldn't hold himself back and said, "You are a traitor."

"No, I just hope to make you accept your defeat wholeheartedly." Yang Shen said, then sighed, "Now even if I win back, you can have an excuse to say that I relied on my father."

"Don't worry," Su Lu said softly, reassuring him, "I won't say that."

Yang Shen was deeply moved and said, "I never expected that you, the top scholar, would have such faith in my father and me."

“No,” Su Lu gently shook his head, “it’s because I won’t give you a chance to win it back.”

"Pfft..." Yang Shen almost lost his composure.

~~
After the introductions were completed, Governor Du, as was customary, presented the examiners and officials with gifts such as honeysuckle, cups and plates, and red silk shawls as rewards.

After the examiners and officials took their seats, the music troupe played "The Phoenix Leads the Way".

The newly appointed candidates, accompanied by music, followed Yan Song to pay their respects to the chief examiner, supervisors, and other officials before taking their seats, officially commencing the Deer Cry Banquet.

With a clear, melodious chime, the master of ceremonies announced in a drawn-out tone, "Please welcome the top scholar to sing 'The Deer Cry'! And the five top scholars to perform the Kui Xing Dance!"

This is an essential part of the Deer Cry Banquet. Yesterday, Yan Song spent half a day teaching Su Lu how to dance, and even sent someone to Xindu to teach Yang Shen and others to dance.

'This is the highest honor.' Su Lu hypnotized himself with this thought, then straightened his blue robe and led Yang Shen, Shi Tianzhu, Feng Xun, and Liu Jingyu steadily to the center of the courtyard. Facing the officials and his fellow graduates, he bowed deeply.

Musicians played elegant music, and the ancient melody of "Deer Cry" flowed slowly, the music solemn and refined.

After the prelude, Su Lu raised his head and began to sing:

"The deer cry out 'yoyo,' as they eat the wild apples. I have guests, so I play the zither and the sheng."

Playing the sheng and drum, carrying baskets of offerings. Those who are kind to me show me the right path…

Amidst the deep and clear singing, Yang Shen and the other three stood in four directions, solemnly performing the Kui Xing Dance.

The dance moves were not particularly graceful, but the movements were precise and uniform, the steps were well-paced, and every move strictly adhered to the rules, without the slightest hint of frivolity. Clearly, the dancers had practiced quite a bit at Guiyuan these past two days…

"The deer cry out, grazing on the wild herbs. I have guests, so I play the zither and the lute."

The zither and lute are played in harmonious and joyful accompaniment. I have fine wine to share with my guests…

After Su Lu finished singing, the four of them stopped and bowed to the esteemed officials once again.

After the five people returned to their seats, the banquet finally began!

According to custom, the Deer Cry Banquet uses a "Shao Lao" (少牢), which is a main dish consisting of a whole sheep or a whole pig. Furthermore, since today's banquet is a farewell feast for several important figures, the dishes are exceptionally lavish.

After several rounds of drinks, Su Lu and the other five top scholars toasted the chief examiner on behalf of all the candidates.

Liu Bing happily drank a cup, looking at Su Lu and Yang Shen, but secretly smiled bitterly to himself, thinking that he was in for a lot of trouble when he returned to the capital.

Yang Tinghe was his senior in the Hanlin Academy, and his style was extremely assertive. If he hadn't chosen Yang's son as the top scholar in the provincial examination, he might be accused of being disloyal and taking advantage of Yang's misfortune...

But he had served as a provincial judge; how could he let anyone see through his thoughts? With a beaming smile, he said, "Very well, the top scholar's elegant singing conveys ancient charm, and the five best performers' graceful dance displays Confucian elegance. This year's examination is brimming with talent, living up to the court's expectations for selecting officials."

"Thank you for your kindness, Master. I am deeply grateful." Su Lu and his entourage expressed their gratitude again and were about to take their leave when Liu Fantai stopped them, saying:
"Gentlemen like you are enjoying such a glorious day, how can you not compose poems to commemorate it?"

Liu Fantai's men chimed in, "Very well, let Jieyuanlang and Yang Yongxiu each compose a poem for the Deer Cry Banquet."

At the banquet, everyone cheered, but Su Lu declined, saying, "I apologize, esteemed gentlemen. I come from a humble background and am not very talented. I have devoted all my energy to writing, and I have not put any effort into poetry."

He smiled apologetically and said, "So I won't embarrass myself. Please let Brother Xiu show off his talent."

"Hahaha!" Xiao Tixue said happily upon hearing this, "Hongzhi has taken my words to heart. It was I who advised him that diligence leads to mastery and idleness to ruin, and that he should not waste his time on poetry."

"..." Yang Shen glanced at Xiao Tixue and said, "You're not on his side?"

(End of this chapter)