The Great Song Dynasty: You were put in charge of teaching, and you produced a whole bunch of prime

Winter came earlier than usual in the first year of the Jiayou era.

In the streets and alleys of Runzhou City, the cold wind swirled withered leaves, but this did nothing to dampen the burning passion in the hearts of the scholars.

Because a piece of news from Bianjing (Kaifeng) spread like wildfire throughout the Jiangnan region in just a few days—

Next spring, the imperial court will hold a special imperial examination.

This meant that the imperial examinations, originally held every three years, were brought forward thanks to the emperor's favor. For those scholars who had studied diligently for many years, this was not only an opportunity, but also a gateway to success.

……

Inside the lecture hall of Jing Shi Academy.

The charcoal brazier was burning brightly, occasionally sputtering out a spark or two.

Jiang Lin remained sprawled on the rattan chair, looking as if he had no bones, holding an exquisite hand warmer in his hands—this was specially commissioned by Qian Duoduo from a craftsman, and it burned smokeless silver frost charcoal.

"Sir! Enko! It's Enko!"

Su Shi tumbled in like a 300-pound ball, waving a gazette in his hand, his face flushed with excitement. "The imperial court has issued an edict: the provincial examination will be held next February, and the palace examination in March!"

Su Zhe and Zeng Gong followed behind, and although they were somewhat reserved, the light in their eyes was undeniable.

"Okay, okay."

Jiang Lin yawned, too lazy to even fully lift his eyelids, "Why are you shouting so loudly? Anyone who doesn't know better would think your wife has given birth."

"Sir, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

Zeng Gong couldn't contain his excitement either, saying, "If we can catch up with this special imperial examination, we can save two years of our lives!"

Jiang Lin changed his posture and hugged the hand warmer even tighter.

He certainly knew this was an opportunity.

The historically renowned "Jiayou Second Year Dragon and Tiger List" is about to arrive. It represents the pinnacle of the imperial examinations throughout history; a single list can bring fame to Suzhou and shine for eternity. Su Shi, Su Zhe, Zeng Gong, Zhang Zai, Cheng Hao... these names will compete on the same stage, illuminating the entire Song Dynasty.

"Now that we know it's an opportunity, let's pack our bags."

Jiang Lin said calmly, "Runzhou is too small to contain you dragons. After the New Year, you will set off for Bianjing."

Su Shi was taken aback, then rubbed his hands together and asked expectantly, "Sir, what about you? Will you come with us?"

"I?"

Jiang Lin glanced at him. "In this freezing weather, are you trying to freeze me to death? I'm not going."

"Ah?" Su Shi looked disappointed. "If you don't go, sir, we're not confident about staying in the capital."

"Useless."

Jiang Lin tapped Su Shi on the head with his folding fan. "If you scholars are still afraid of exams, then all the scholars in the world should jump into the Bian River."

There was a reason why Jiang Lin didn't go.

He was waiting for someone.

A key figure in history who was destined to be intertwined with Su Shi and to drive this reform of the imperial examination system.

"Oh, right."

Jiang Lin seemed to remember something and asked casually, "Has the chief examiner for this year's special imperial examination been decided?"

Su Shi quickly checked the official gazette: "It's settled! It's Hanlin Academician and Vice Minister of Rites—Ouyang Xiu, Lord Ouyang!"

Upon hearing this name, Su Shi's eyes lit up. Ouyang Xiu was the leading figure in the literary world at the time, an idol in the hearts of all scholars.

Jiang Lin's lips curled up slightly, revealing a smile that seemed to indicate he had expected it.

"It really was him."

"Since he's the chief examiner, your trip to the capital is practically guaranteed."

……

Meanwhile, in Bianjing, a thousand miles away.

The Imperial Palace, the Hall of Hanging Arches.

Emperor Renzong of Song, Zhao Zhen, was sitting upright on the dragon throne, looking at the middle-aged minister below the stage who was thin but had sharp eyes.

"Minister Ouyang, I entrust this imperial examination to you."

Emperor Renzong spoke gently, “The literary style of the Song Dynasty is currently pretentious, with the Imperial Academy style being prevalent, and the articles are obscure and difficult to understand. I hope that you can use this imperial examination to select some truly pragmatic talents for the Song Dynasty.”

Standing below the stage was none other than Ouyang Xiu.

He wore a scarlet official robe and had a solemn expression. What he hated most in his life was the kind of flowery and empty "Imperial Academy style" writing. He always wanted to promote the Classical Prose Movement and advocate a writing style that was "substantial".

"Your subject obeys the decree."

Ouyang Xiu bowed deeply, saying, "Your Majesty, I will certainly live up to your trust, sweep away the accumulated ills of the literary world, and select true talents for the Song Dynasty."

Having finished discussing the important matter, Ouyang Xiu did not leave, but hesitated for a moment before speaking again:

"Your Majesty, I have another request."

Emperor Renzong was taken aback: "Please speak, my dear minister."

"Although this imperial examination is scheduled for next spring, I would like to take advantage of this period before the end of the year to request permission to leave the capital."

"Leaving Beijing? Where to?"

"Jiangnan, Runzhou".

Ouyang Xiu raised his head, his eyes gleaming with intense curiosity. "I have recently been in the capital and heard that a strange thing has happened in Jiangnan. In the Runzhou Prefecture examination, the top three students all came from a little-known private school—Jingshi Academy."

"Oh?" Emperor Renzong's interest was piqued. "Is that so?"

"Not only that."

Ouyang Xiu took out a transcribed scroll from his sleeve—it was Su Shi's "Strategy for Enriching the Country and Strengthening the Army." "Your Majesty, please take a look. This is a sample scroll sent by Shen Li, the Transport Commissioner of Jiangnan, on horseback. This article is logically rigorous, directly addresses the current problems, and has a simple yet sharp writing style, which is completely different from the Imperial Academy style currently popular in the capital."

Emperor Renzong took the paper, glanced at it, and exclaimed with delight, "Excellent essay! It's substantial and insightful!"

"I believe that a teacher who can produce such students must be no ordinary person."

Ouyang Xiu bowed and said, "As the chief examiner for this examination, I do not wish to miss any hidden talents. Therefore, I wish to travel south incognito to personally meet this 'Emperor of the Nation.' If he truly possesses great talent, I am willing to personally recommend him!"

Emperor Renzong looked at this literary leader who was eager to find talent, and waved his hand with a smile:

"Granted. Since you have such a wish, how could I not grant it? Go and see for me what extraordinary person has emerged in Jiangnan."

……

A few days later, in Runzhou.

The cold wind still blows at the entrance of Jingshi Academy.

Qian Duoduo, wrapped in a thick cotton coat, was directing his workers to load things onto the truck—supplies for Su Shi and his companions to prepare for their journey to the capital for the imperial examinations.

"Ten pounds of cured pork! Two jars of salted duck eggs! And plenty of the master's special hot pot base! Things in Beijing are expensive and tasteless!"

Qian Duoduo shouted as he stuffed silver notes into the carriage, "This is two thousand strings of cash! Be generous when you're on the road, even if you're poor. Don't skimp on the academy's money when you get to the capital, but don't be a sucker either, remember to bargain when you buy things!"

Su Shi, watching from the side, was deeply moved: "Duo Duo, you're practically my own father..."

"roll."

Qian Duoduo rolled her eyes. "I was afraid you'd get too thin in the capital, and when you come back, your husband will blame me for not taking good care of our money tree."

Inside the lecture hall, Jiang Lin was staring blankly at the plum blossoms outside the window.

The system interface flashed in his mind:

[Historical Node Warning: Ouyang Xiu has left the capital and is expected to arrive in Runzhou in three days.]

Jiang Lin gently rubbed his fingers, a playful smile curving his lips.

He knew that history had taken a slight turn here. Originally, Ouyang Xiu was only impressed by Su Shi when he was reviewing examination papers in the capital, but now, because of the great commotion Su Shi had caused in Runzhou, this literary leader had actually come to him on his own initiative.

"gentlemen."

Su Zhe entered the lecture hall and bowed respectfully. "My luggage is all packed. But... I've heard that the examiners in the capital prefer 'unconventional' writing styles. Will our plain language really be enough?"

This was Su Zhe's biggest worry. The current literary scene favored the "Imperial Academy style," where the more incomprehensible something was, the more profound it seemed. Their straightforward writing style might be appreciated by Lord Shen in Runzhou, but what if, in the capital, those old scholars found it too simplistic?

Jiang Lin turned around, looked at the cautious student, and smiled.

"Ziyou, remember one thing."

Jiang Lin walked up to Su Zhe and straightened his collar. "Fashion is cyclical, and so is aesthetics. When everyone is dressed in bright colors like parrots, the person in plain clothes is the most eye-catching."

"and……"

Jiang Lin looked out the door, his gaze seemingly piercing through the wind and snow, and saw the old man hurrying along the road.

"The chief examiner this year, Ouyang Xiu, has the same excellent taste as me."

"Your articles are the best gift we could have prepared for him."

Just then, Old Li, the gatekeeper, ran in, trembling.

"Headmaster! Headmaster!"

Old Li's expression was a bit strange. "A few people came in from outside, without any visiting cards, and they looked travel-worn. The leader was a middle-aged man riding a skinny horse, who insisted on coming in to ask for a cup of hot tea."

Su Shi perked up immediately: "Ask for tea? In the dead of winter, are you trying to freeload? I'll go get rid of you!"

"Wait a minute."

Jiang Lin suddenly stood up, and the folding fan in his hand opened with a "whoosh," although the wind he generated made him shiver.

He straightened his slightly wrinkled blue robe, his eyes revealing an unprecedented solemnity.

"Zizhan, you must not be rude."

Jiang Lin took a deep breath and stepped outside.

"Open the main gate and brew the best pre-Qingming Longjing tea."

"Distinguished guest, you have arrived."