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

Ten days later.

When the majestic Bianjing city wall lay across the horizon like a giant dragon, Su Shi, on horseback, was so startled that he dropped the sesame seed cake in his hand.

This is Kaifeng, the CBD of the Song Dynasty, a megacity with a population of 1.5 million.

Before even entering the city, the sheer bustle of the Bianhe River wharf outside the city left the three "country bumpkins" dumbfounded. Thousands of boats shuttled back and forth, masts like a forest, carrying grain, charcoal, and silk, their shouts echoing through the air.

"Goodness..."

Su Shi swallowed hard, picked up the sesame seed cake, blew off the ash, and said, "This is no city, it's a giant beast that devours gold. Compared to this, our Runzhou is just a slightly larger village."

Su Zhe, being more composed, was also shocked, but immediately clutched the money pouch in his arms tightly: "Brother, Senior Brother Qian said that prices in the capital are high; even breathing costs money. Let's hurry into the city and find a place to stay."

Zeng Gong looked at the scholars passing by with burning passion: "This is right under the emperor's nose... how many scholars' dreams are within these walls."

……

Once inside the city, the dazzling array of flowers and plants was truly breathtaking.

The streets were packed with people, and there were so many shops on both sides that it was impossible to count them all. There were vendors selling incense and medicine, fruit, acrobats, and even delivery guys (called "suohuan" at this time) rushing around with food boxes.

Following Qian Duoduo's advice, the three of them didn't dare to stay in those fancy restaurants that overcharged tourists. Instead, they wandered around and found a mid-range hotel called "Gaosheng Inn" in Xuezi Lane, near the Gongyuan (Imperial Examination Hall).

The name may be a bit common, but these days, people taking exams just want something auspicious.

Upon entering the lobby, a wave of heat hits you.

This place has become an "information exchange" for all the candidates in the Song Dynasty.

Scholars from all over the country gathered together; some were exchanging exam questions and prediction papers, some were bragging, and some were cursing.

"Have you heard? This time, the chief examiner is that old man Ouyang Xiu!"

At the next table, a plump scholar in a brocade robe was spitting as he spoke, "That old man hates the 'Imperial Academy style' the most. If anyone dares to write obscure characters, he'll throw them straight into the wastebasket!"

"Oh no! I'm doomed!" someone next to me wailed. "I just memorized a hundred obscure characters, ready to show off!"

Su Shi and his two companions found the conversation interesting, so they found a corner to sit down and ordered a pot of tea and several plates of snacks.

While we were eating, a commotion suddenly broke out at the door.

Several well-dressed young men, each carrying a gilded folding fan, entered. The waiter immediately greeted them with a fawning expression: "Oh! Young Master Liu! We've reserved a superior room for you!"

Those were wealthy local examinees from Kaifeng, the legendary "young masters from the Beijing elite circle".

When Young Master Liu passed by Su Shi and his group's table, he wrinkled his nose, as if he could smell the dust and grime on the three of them from their journey.

"Where did this country bumpkin come from, blocking the way?"

Young Master Liu covered his nose with his folding fan, speaking softly but clearly enough for everyone around to hear, "Waiter, this inn is getting lower and lower in quality, letting in just any Tom, Dick, or Harry?"

The lobby fell silent for a moment.

Many out-of-town test-takers showed indignation, but seeing Young Master Liu's attire, they dared not utter a sound. In the capital, even a brick thrown could hit a member of the imperial family; who would dare to cause trouble?

Su Shi was gnawing on a chicken foot when he heard this and paused.

He looked up at the young master Liu, then at his own clean but plain blue robe.

"Zizhan, don't cause trouble." Su Zhe kicked him under the table.

Su Shi chuckled, put down the chicken feet, and wiped his hands.

"My friend."

Su Shi stood up, a kind and harmless smile on his face. "We came from Runzhou. We've been traveling for ten days, so we do smell a bit. Sorry about that."

"Runzhou?"

Young Master Liu scoffed, his eyes growing even more disdainful. "Oh, that little place in Jiangnan. I've heard that besides producing salted duck eggs, it hasn't even produced many decent scholars in the imperial examinations, has it? What, you want to try your luck in the capital?"

A few jeers rang out from the surrounding area.

Regional discrimination has been a recurring phenomenon in every dynasty. People in the capital viewed outsiders as nothing more than country bumpkins.

Su Shi was not annoyed and continued to smile.

"It really is a small place; they've never seen the world."

Su Shi cupped his hands in greeting, "However, before I left, my master did say something."

"Oh? What did your country bumpkin say?" Young Master Liu asked with a mocking expression.

Su Shi blinked, then his voice suddenly rose, becoming so clear it echoed throughout the entire hall:

"The master said that when we arrive in the capital, if anyone asks about our origins, we should tell them—"

"The top three in last year's Runzhou Prefecture Examination were all from our academy."

"Oh, by the way, my name is Su Shi, this is my younger brother Su Zhe, and that is Zeng Gong."

Su Shi pointed to himself, then to his two junior fellow students, and finally added insult to injury:

"Those three good-for-nothing students that our teacher mentioned."

boom--!

These words were like a thunderclap, thrown into a calm fishpond.

The lobby, which had been watching the spectacle with amusement, suddenly erupted into chaos.

"Su Shi?! The Su Shi who wrote 'Strategies for Enriching the Country and Strengthening the Army'?!"

"That talented scholar from Runzhou, personally praised by Lord Ouyang Xiu?!"

"My God! It's someone from Jing Shi Academy! Alive!"

Just moments ago, Young Master Liu had been arrogant, but now his face turned a deep shade of liver. His folding fan froze in mid-air, unsure whether to open it or close it.

A person's name, a tree's shadow.

In the past six months, with the circulation of caravans and Ouyang Xiu's vigorous promotion, the name "Jingshi Academy" has long become a legend in the scholarly circles of the capital.

That was the "Immortal Academy" that even the emperor summoned, but was politely declined!

"So...it was Su Jieyuan in person..."

Young Master Liu stammered, trying to say something more, but the "you don't know what's good for you" looks he received from those around him made him wish he could disappear into a crack in the ground.

In the end, he could only sheepishly bow and leave, abandoning his lodgings and fleeing in a sorry state with his followers.

"Whoa—"

A chorus of boos erupted in the lobby.

Immediately afterwards, countless candidates surrounded them.

"Brother Su! I've long admired your name!"

"Brother Zeng! Could you tell me how your teacher usually teaches?"

"Young Master Su, I've heard that you have a kind of 'world-saving magic pen,' is that true?"

Seeing the scene instantly turn into a "fan meeting", Su Zhe sighed helplessly, while Zeng Gong shook his head with a wry smile.

Only Su Shi, standing in the center of the crowd, basked in the feeling of being the center of attention, secretly pleased with himself.

"Sir is right. When you're out and about, sometimes you don't even need to lay a hand on someone; just announcing your name is enough to get them slapped in the face."

……

Late at night, in a guesthouse room.

The commotion finally subsided.

The three sat around the table, the oil lamp flickering dimly.

Although they had put on a big show during the day, now that it was late at night and they were looking at the unfamiliar night view of Bianjing outside the window, the three of them still felt a little uneasy.

After all, tomorrow is the first round of the imperial examination. It's a highly competitive process, like thousands of soldiers crossing a single-plank bridge; who can guarantee they'll pass?

"Brother, I can't sleep." Su Zhe flipped through the book, feeling restless.

"I'm panicking too," Su Shi said, touching his chest.

There, lies the red brocade pouch that Jiang Lin gave him before they parted.

"The master said it should be opened the night before the imperial examination."

Zeng Gong took a deep breath, his gaze hardening. "At this point, let's stop guessing. Let's see what brilliant plan the master has left us."

The three exchanged a glance, and Su Shi, with trembling hands, untied the red knot.

The brocade pouch was opened, and inside was only a neatly folded letter.

Su Shi unfolded the letter and read it by the lamplight.

With just one glance, all three people's eyes widened simultaneously, and their breaths caught in their throats.

"This...how is this possible?!"

Su Shi gasped, nearly dropping the letter in his hand.

At the very top of the letter, written in that familiar, wild cursive script, was a line of large characters—

[Jiayou Second Year Imperial Examination Prediction Question Bank - Top Secret Edition]

The first title listed was: "On the Utmost Importance of Fairness in Punishment and Reward".