Words Strategize for the World

After reading "The Founding Emperor," Zhou Yi slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed in surprise, drawing the attention of everyone in the study.

"Why is the Book of Changes so agitated?"

Zhou Yi is a calm and reserved person who does things properly. Under normal circumstances, he should not be so excited, which is why Qu Yashi looked at Zhou Yi and asked strangely.

"Xuezheng, here is an article that I think is very well written. I was so excited after reading it that I exclaimed in surprise."

"Oh, let me see it," Qu Yashi said.

Everyone in the study was very curious: could the poems and essays of the students in the beginner class of elegant scholars have excited the Book of Changes so much?

Qu Yashi took the poem handed to him by Zhou Yi, unfolded it, and was immediately attracted by the title "Emperor Lie".

After reading it, I was truly amazed by the entire poem. This poem is considered a masterpiece among sacrificial texts. I have seen similar poems by scholars, but the fact that it was written by a student makes it all the more remarkable.

"Yes, it is indeed a rare masterpiece." After praising it, Qu Yashi looked at the signature. When he saw that it was Fang Wei, he felt gratified and realized that he had not misjudged the person.

When the surrounding teachers heard Qu Yashi praise it as a masterpiece, they couldn't contain their curiosity. If the poem hadn't been in Xue Zheng's hands, it would have been snatched away long ago.

Qu Yashi knew his teachers well, so after reading the signature, he handed over the poem.

The poem was passed to a teacher, and before the teacher could even see the words clearly, the other teachers craned their necks to look at it.

"Emperor Liezu. Hmm... a good start." After saying that, he continued reading word by word: "Alas, Emperor Liezu! His blessings were abundant and boundless, extending to this place..."

After the teacher finished reading, he quietly savored the meaning. After he finished, he exclaimed, "It is indeed a masterpiece!"

"Yes, it is indeed a masterpiece," several teachers who peeked over agreed. Only one teacher was strange; instead of speaking, he stared intently at the poem.

"Gao Liang, why are you still watching? Is there something wrong with it?"

"No, no. It is indeed a masterpiece. I'm looking at the font. I've never seen this font before; it's beautifully written."

Upon hearing this, the teachers looked at the poem again and found that the handwriting was indeed excellent, and they had never seen it before.

"This font was written by Fang Wei, a student in the beginner's class of elegant scholars. It is a font he created himself," Zhou Yi explained.

"Oh, a custom-made font?"

After hearing Zhou Yi's words, even Qu Yashi couldn't contain his excitement. Ever since Fang Wei became a scholar, he had been constantly surprising him.

From a child born into poverty to achieving personal breakthroughs, to producing excellent poems and essays, and now creating his own font. In less than a month, the surprises have been endless.

When Qu Yashi received Fang Wei's sacrificial poem, he was indeed struck by a calligraphic style he had never seen before. Although he had never seen this style before, anyone with a discerning eye could tell at a glance that it belonged to a master.

Qu Yashi couldn't help but sigh inwardly: What a remarkable young man from a humble background! Since you possess such talent, I will certainly not let you down.

Because Fang Wei's sacrificial poem was unanimously approved by all the teachers, it was finally decided to use "The Ancestor" as the sacrificial text for the day of the ceremony.

Fang Wei was unaware that his sacrificial poem had been selected as a memorial text, nor did he know that he had aroused the appreciation of Qu Yashi for his talent.

Feeling that he was about to break through to the Law level, Fang Wei was currently working hard to cultivate the Law, hoping to enter the Law level as soon as possible.

Breaking through to the Law level only requires a process, a process of continuous practice, so all you need to do is be diligent and hardworking. Besides, Fang Wei has a cheat code.

Sacrifice is a religious activity, a belief in the harmonious coexistence of heaven and earth. It is an extension of totem worship and ancestor worship.

Of the five classics of rites, none is more important than sacrifice, for it is through serving the gods that blessings are attained.

The main purpose of the festival is to worship Heaven, Earth, and ancestors.

On the day of the memorial ceremony, everyone from the prefectural school would arrive at the drill ground and stand in formation at dawn.

A high platform was erected on the training ground, and on the platform was a table with ceremonial objects on it.

Fang Wei had been at the academy for over a month, but this was the first time he had seen all the students standing together on the training ground like today.

Fang Wei carefully examined the room and found that the number of people in the Elegant Hall was the smallest, less than 60. Next was the Martial Hall, with more than 200 people, and finally the Literary Hall, with more than 400 people.

Although scholars and literati are abundant and refined people are rare on the Yongping Continent, there are also quite a few martial artists.

A warrior can become a general, charging into battle, slaying enemy generals and capturing flags; a scholar can govern the people and bring peace to the country; and a refined gentleman can be both a scholar and a warrior, able to stabilize the country and bring peace through his writings, and kill people invisibly through his martial arts.

Although scholars cannot charge into battle like warriors, warriors and armies can become several times more powerful with the assistance of scholars.

There is an unwritten rule on the Yongping Continent: an invincible army must have a powerful advisor. Whether the advisor is a general or an assistant, they are indispensable.

Otherwise, this would be a second-rate army, not even worthy of being called an army, at best it would be bandits.

The ranks of martial artists are the same as those of refined scholars: Dao, Heaven, Earth, General, and Law.

Martial artists cultivate their qi and blood, while scholars cultivate their spirit. Martial artists have physical limitations, while scholars have limited energy. But generally speaking, compared to those of the same level, energy is more abundant and enduring than physical strength.

Therefore, in a direct confrontation, the refined scholar would always have the upper hand over the martial artist.

There are many martial artists, but those with truly high-level skills are few and far between. Like refined scholars, Dao-level martial artists are few and far between across the entire continent.

The time for the sacrificial ceremony had to be chosen at an auspicious time. At the moment the sun rose, the students who had been waiting anxiously in the training ground finally saw their teacher.

Before the teachers even began climbing the platform, some people started carrying the three sacrificial animals and placing them on the ritual vessels.

After the sacrificial animals were placed, Qu Yashi walked at the front and led the group of teachers to climb the platform.

After ascending the platform, incense was burned and prayers were offered, followed by the recitation of the sacrificial text.

Most of the students, like Zhang Nianwei, found it incredibly boring. Fang Wei also felt that it would be better to use this time to practice rhythm, but he still sincerely watched the teachers complete the entire process.

Fang Wei was taken aback when the teacher read the eulogy. He hadn't expected that his own sacrificial poem would end up being the eulogy. At least he'd gained a little bit of fame.

After all the rituals were completed and the sacrificial vessels and offerings were removed, Qu Yashi began his address.

"April 5th is the day of worship, a day to worship Heaven, Earth, and ancestors. Everyone must understand the importance of this worship."

"The harmony and coexistence of heaven and earth is the basis of sacrifice. The hardships of our ancestors' founding of the nation and the long-lasting peace are the basis of sacrifice. The prosperity and flourishing of future generations are the basis of sacrifice. Of the five classics of rites, none is more important than sacrifice. May heaven, earth, and ancestors bestow blessings of peace and prosperity upon us, and may our times be prosperous and flourishing."

"Today, on this day of sacrifice, the prefectural school is thriving, with numerous students achieving remarkable results. This is a blessing for the prefectural city and a blessing for the nation."

"The eulogy 'Emperor Liezu' is perfectly eloquent and fitting, a magnificent chapter in the sacrificial ceremony. However, it was written by the student Fang Wei. How fortunate, how fortunate..."

As Qu Yashi finished speaking, soft murmurs arose from below the platform, turning the previously quiet scene into a bit noisy.

Standing in the front row, Zhang Fengyi heard that the eulogy was written by Fang Wei, and then heard that it was an imitation. He was immediately filled with jealousy and anger. He was extremely displeased that a country bumpkin like Fang Wei, whom he had not wanted to pay any attention to, could receive such treatment.

Besides Zhang Fengyi, many other self-proclaimed outstanding scions of prominent families and wealthy households were also very unhappy with Fang Wei.

Qu Yashi originally intended to tell the students to learn from Fang Wei, but he did not expect that people's minds are fickle, and a good deed turned Fang Wei into a target of public criticism.