I'm coming clean: I'm the reincarnation of the God of Literature.

The air in Tianxiang Pavilion was a bit sticky, as people were stunned by the twenty-two characters "Alone, I wept bitterly," and it took them a while to recover.

Liu Wenyuan took two deep breaths, forcefully suppressing the feeling of defeat.

He was a big shot in the capital, the face of the Liu family, and a figurehead promoted by the powerful figures behind this provincial examination.

Losing a bit is okay, but if I lose everything, I won't be able to explain it when I get back.

"Gu's poem is indeed quite interesting."

Liu Wenyuan sat back down behind the large sandalwood desk, now holding a new folding fan, which he apparently pulled out from somewhere.

His calm and collected demeanor returned, but this time it looked a little stiff.

"However, poetry is ultimately a leisurely pursuit, while governing a country and bringing peace to the world requires real ability."

"In this second round, we'll compete on the principles of Confucianism."

Liu Wenyuan rolled up his sleeves, and without asking Gu Ci for his opinion, he picked up his pen and wrote the title on the paper.

The characters, written in bold strokes, seem to penetrate the paper.

"On the Way of the Sage and the Rule of the King"

As soon as the question was presented, the old scholars on the second floor began stroking their beards and nodding.

"This is a big topic! It's orthodox!"

"Young Master Liu is getting serious now. This question tests one's foundation and overall understanding; without a thorough understanding of the Four Books and Five Classics, one won't even know where to begin."

"Gu Ci is still just a child. His life experience is limited. How could he possibly understand what the rule of a king is? He probably hasn't even touched the threshold of a sage."

The buzzing of voices filled the air.

Gu Ang didn't understand these convoluted arguments, but he couldn't stand the "you're doomed" attitude of others. Just as he was about to stand up and curse, Gu Ci grabbed his sleeve.

Gu Ci glanced at the question and wanted to laugh.

Liu Wenyuan was trying to overwhelm him with his vast knowledge.

In this era, classical texts were the lifeblood of scholars.

If you dare to say the wrong thing, it's not that you lack talent, it's that you have a problem with your thinking, and you'll be nailed to the pillar of shame.

"Since Young Master Liu has set the question, please proceed." Gu Ci leaned back in his chair and even crossed his legs.

This action startled Wang Qingya, who quickly tugged at his sleeve, signaling him to sit down.

Liu Wenyuan didn't stand on ceremony and started writing.

I have to say, this guy is really something.

The pen moved swiftly and smoothly, and the article was completed in one go.

His approach is the standard Cheng-Zhu school of Neo-Confucianism, which advocates "preserving heavenly principles and eliminating human desires," and emphasizes the proper relationships between ruler and subject, father and son.

In his writings, sages are heaven, kings are shepherds, and the people are sheep.

As long as the ruler cultivates his character and follows the way of Heaven, the flock of sheep will naturally become obedient, and the world will naturally be at peace.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn has passed.

Liu Wenyuan stopped writing, and the article was picked up by his page and read aloud to everyone.

"good!"

"Lofty ideals, balanced and moderate! No wonder he came from the Hanlin Academy!"

"This is the true path to a just and prosperous nation! Look at that phrase, 'The ruler is the head of state, the people are his brothers and sisters.' It possesses both authority and benevolence; this is the best way to govern a country!"

The hall erupted in applause.

Liu Wenyuan put down his pen, looked at Gu Ci, and raised his chin slightly.

This is his home turf.

He had practiced these orthodox classical texts for over a decade, refining every single word. Even the most renowned Confucian scholars of the time couldn't find a single flaw in them.

"Chief Gu, it's your turn."

All eyes turned to them.

Some gloated, some felt sorry, and some were waiting to see the joke.

Gu Ci slowly stood up.

He walked to the desk, but instead of picking up a pen, he looked at Liu Wenyuan's article, which was being lauded by everyone.

"It's well-written." Gu Ci nodded, his tone as flat as if he were commenting on cabbages at a market. "Unfortunately, it's all nonsense."

The lobby fell silent instantly.

You could hear a pin drop.

nonsense?

How dare an eight-year-old child say that the essays of a scholar who passed the imperial examinations are nonsense?

"presumptuous!"

An old scholar on the second floor slammed his fist on the table, his beard trembling with anger. "You ignorant brat, how dare you presume to discuss the ways of the sages!"

Liu Wenyuan's face darkened: "Chief Gu, you can't speak recklessly. My essay has been reviewed and corrected by the Grand Tutor."

Gu Ci smiled.

He picked up the pen and dipped it in ink.

"So what if the Grand Tutor gives guidance? Is the Grand Tutor always right?"

"The way of the sage lies in loving the people, and the way of the king lies in benefiting the people."

"To treat the people like sheep to be herded is called shepherding, not governing a country."

After Gu Ci finished speaking, he slammed his pen down.

He didn't write a long essay.

He wrote just one sentence, a few large characters, dripping with ink.

"The people are the most important, the state is next, and the ruler is the least important."

As soon as these nine characters were uttered, the pageboy's hand trembled, and he almost tore the paper apart.

Liu Wenyuan's pupils suddenly contracted, as if he had been punched hard.

These are the words of Mencius!

However, in the Great Feng Dynasty, although Mencius was also respected, these words were deliberately downplayed.

Especially the three characters “君为轻” (the emperor is of little importance), which are taboo for the royal family. Who would dare to write them so blatantly in public?

"It's not over yet."

He continued writing.

"Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it."

"Without the people, what is a king? Without a foundation, what is a platform?"

"The true meaning of a ruler's governance is not about letting you stand high above and herd sheep, but about letting you know who truly provides for the world!"

Gu Ci wrote very quickly, his handwriting even somewhat sloppy, but the sharpness that emanated from his very bones almost burned through the paper.

In his previous life, he was a history professor.

He has witnessed too many dynasties rise and fall.

He knew how many bones were buried beneath those so-called "prosperous times".

Standing at the height of five thousand years of civilization, looking at these ancient people who are still playing power games, is itself a kind of dimensional reduction attack.

"You...you're going against the grain!"

The old scholar, his finger trembling, pointed at Gu Ci and exclaimed, "Are you trying to turn the world upside down?!"

"sky?"

Gu Ci threw the pen onto the desk with a crisp sound.

"If this oppressive sky makes it hard for the people to breathe, then what's wrong with overturning it?"

boom!

These words completely blew up Tianxiang Pavilion.

Those bookish pedants blushed with rage, wishing they could tear Gu Ci's mouth apart.

"Outrageous! Outrageous!"

"How can we allow such a madman to take the imperial examination! He's going to throw the court into chaos!"

Liu Wenyuan stared intently at the piece of paper.

He was trembling.

It wasn't because of anger, but because of fear.

He found himself unable to refute it.

Logically and logically, Gu Ci's words are impeccable.

If his articles are exquisite pavilions, then Gu Ci's words are the foundation.

No matter how beautiful your building is, if you demolish the foundation, it will all collapse.

"The people are the most important... the ruler is the least important..."

Liu Wenyuan muttered to himself, his face deathly pale.

At this moment, cracks appeared in his otherwise proud knowledge system.

Gu Ci stood before the desk, and the aura emanating from his small body was so overwhelming that all the powerful and influential people in the room could not even lift their heads.

"It seems that Young Master Liu doesn't intend to comment on the meaning of this classic text?"