Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Chapter 214: Thousands of People Recite the Lofty Sentiments

Jia Cong had only met Zhou Junxing once at Prince Jiashun's Shuyun Villa, but they had never dealt with each other.

However, Zhou Junxing's lackeys almost took his and Qu Hongxiu's lives.

It was said that Zhou Junxing was a harsh person, good at framing people and making up charges. He had never actually seen that, but his son seemed to have inherited his father's skills.

With just a few words, he framed himself with a bunch of false charges and successfully incited the emotions of the students present. He is quite a powerful figure.

He looked at the list very carefully just now and did not find Zhou Zian's name. What Cai Xiaoyu said just now was right, this person failed the exam this time.

Then it is probably understandable that this person just made such accusations and provocations. He was just upset because he failed to get the honor, and he couldn't bear to see me, the top of the list, being so proud.

It’s just that his behavior is too vicious. Like father, like son.

But his words aroused the students' suspicion and resentment towards himself, and the crowd was in an uproar, as if there was really some trouble.

"Brother Jia Shi was able to get the top spot in the provincial examination, so his essay must be brilliant and extraordinary. Today, all of you fellow students must want to see him and ask for his advice, to see the style of the top scholar!"

The person who spoke was a blue-robed student standing beside Zhou Zian. Jia Cong had just heard Cai Xiaoyu mention that he was Shi Yongxin, the nephew of Shi Jian, the vice minister of the Ministry of Justice.

This guy and Zhou Zian are of the same mind. He wants to make a big deal out of this. I don't know where his resentment comes from. It's likely that he failed the exam just like Zhou Zian.

Some students around were already clamoring in a sarcastic tone, "We all want to see Brother Jia's elegant writing style, why not show it to everyone and see who is at the top of the list..."

Intellectuals have always looked down on each other. Now that someone has taken the lead, others will avoid the risk of being the first to stand out.

There are those who like to stir up trouble and those who are jealous. It is inevitable that they will take advantage of the public's excitement to fish in troubled waters and make a fuss.

There are thousands of people at the scene, who knows each other? After you say some cold words and leave, who will still remember you?

Just like the online commentators of later generations, they can speak freely on the keyboard because the cost and risk are almost zero, and they can show off their strength. Who knows whether there is a human or a dog on the other end of the cable?

Just when the situation was beginning to get out of control and out of control.

Suddenly, in the Imperial Examination Hall, the drum for passing the imperial examination was struck. The rumbling sound of the drum spread out like boiling soup and water, and all the students present were silent.

The gate of the Imperial Examination Hall was opened, and four or five people in official uniforms walked out. The leader was a man with a gaunt face, a stern demeanor, and an air of majesty without even getting angry.

Some students recognized that the leading official was Zheng Yan, the chief examiner of the Yongzhou Special Examination.

Because today was the day the results of the provincial examination were announced, the chief examiner Zheng Yan and related officials happened to be on duty at the Imperial Examination Hall today. When they heard about the commotion during the announcement of the results, they rushed out to investigate.

No matter it is the provincial examination or the metropolitan examination, thousands of people would gather on the day of the announcement of the results, and most people would fail.

It is common for students to lose control of their anger due to failing the entrance exam. If the situation is not resolved and stopped in time, it may lead to major disasters such as quarrels and trampling among students.

Therefore, it has become a routine for relevant officials to be present at the Imperial Examination Hall on the day when the results are announced, but it is rare for the chief examiner to be present as well, so today was a coincidence.

The students who were still making noises and cold remarks just now, as soon as they saw the chief officer Zheng Yan appear, all stopped talking as if they were frightened. The noisy and exciting scene just now became strangely cold.

The chief examiner Zheng Yan was the teacher of all the students taking the provincial examination. He was not only famous for his outstanding literary talent, but also had a very strong and upright character.

If he finds that a student has done something inappropriate, no matter he is the teacher or the chief official, he has the right to punish every student. Who would dare to offend him?

Moreover, the top spot in the provincial examination can only be selected with the approval of the chief examiner.

Even if they felt aggrieved and made false comments behind his back, no one dared to say it to his face, for fear of angering the strong-willed Lord Zheng and being expelled from the school, their official career would be ruined.

Zheng Yan asked the official from the Ministry of Rites who was responsible for posting the notice, and soon found out what had just happened on the scene, and his face darkened.

He concentrated and asked, "Is that Jia Yuzhang?"

Jia Cong hurried forward and said, "Student Jia Cong greets the master."

That day in Wenhua Tower, Jia Cong's essay on the decline of moral integrity among scholars shocked everyone. Zheng Yan then specially reviewed his three test essays and, deeply impressed by his talent, selected him to be the top of the list.

But everything was kept secret, and he had never met Jia Cong in person.

Now that I have seen him in person, I can see that he is not yet a student, but he is already handsome and charming. I can't help but admire him secretly. He is indeed a man of outstanding talent and appearance. Zheng Yan's originally solemn expression softened slightly and said, "The essay you wrote on the failure of scholars to improve their moral character is a rare and magnificent article. It is very good."

After hearing this, the students nearby looked at each other in shock. What kind of policy essay did Jia Cong write that could be praised as excellent by such a famous scholar?

Zheng Yan has always been famous for his strong character and uprightness, and he is extremely rigorous in his academic research. The three words "excellent" coming from his mouth are extremely rare words of praise.

Jia Cong said modestly: "I have not been studying for a long time, I am young and ignorant, I am sorry for the compliment, Master."

Zheng Yan nodded, then turned to the thousands of students in front of the Imperial Examination Hall, and his expression became solemn and serious again.

"All of you are well-read people, and you should know that the learning of the sages is not only about hard work at the desk, but also about cultivating virtue!
Instead of making up for one's own shortcomings, one is jealous of others' strengths and even makes groundless accusations, thus corrupting one's personal morals. How can one have the face to read the books of sages and speak their words?

Since the students have doubts about Jia Yuzhang being the top candidate, we can resolve the doubts before the Imperial Examination Hall today!"

After saying this, he gave instructions to an official beside him. After a while, the official came with a few yamen runners and posted a dozen pieces of paper under the notice.

Zheng Yan pointed at the paper that had just been posted and said in a stern voice: "This is the copy of the Chengwen essay written by Jia Yuzhang for the third test. It has a rigorous structure and profound academic background. It is the best among all the students.

Moreover, the essays written by scholars who passed the three examinations on the lack of moral integrity can be regarded as great works of the time. If anyone can write such an essay, I will select him as the top of the list, what harm will that do? "

The students present were all shocked after hearing Zheng Yan's words. They wondered what kind of article could make Zheng Yan, who had a very broad academic vision, praise it so highly.

Many people rushed to the newly posted paper, vying to look at Jia Cong's test paper.

If the people behind cannot see clearly, the people in front will read it aloud for evaluation.

Whether it's jealousy or the intention to read it, everyone wants to see how good this article at the top of the list is.

As the sounds of recitations were heard one after another, the doubts and resentments that had been provoked by the words and filled the hearts of the students soon subsided.

They are all people who have studied hard for many years, and those who can enter the provincial examination can naturally distinguish the quality of essays.

The Cheng Wen Ce Lun that has been passed down is indeed the best choice because of its sophisticated structure, skillful writing and novel arguments.

Although many people felt a little disappointed, they had to admit that this son of a noble family was ranked first, which showed that he had some talent and learning.

Soon, the last essay on the scholar's lack of moral integrity was also recited aloud by the person who was reading the essay in front.

The ancient sages first set clear goals and then traveled far and wide to study hard. Therefore, their learning and virtue improved every moment.

Today's so-called scholars steal the gold and jade from the sages and wise men, and steal the aspirations of enlightening virtue. Compared with the ancient sages and wise men, they are truly shameful.

……

They are immersed in discussions of decline and decay, and enjoy talking about them with relish; they have abandoned the method of investigating things and gaining enlightenment, but are unaware of it.

He has spent his whole life studying classics, and regards the suffering of the people as a fire across the river; he has spent his whole life in idle talk and empty poetry, and discards the ambitions of ancient sages to help others and benefit the people as if they were grass or a worn-out shoe...

……

As Jia Cong's essay was recited sentence by sentence, the crowd began to stir, and a strange emotion surged in the hearts of thousands of students.

At first, only a few people read it aloud quietly, but soon, more than a dozen people in the front row were attracted by the passionate and profound ideas in this policy paper, and they recited it aloud in unison without realizing it.

When reading the Dao: Scholars use books and classics to get a job, fall into the vain ambition of fame and fortune, and abandon the teachings of the saints. ... Their words are worldly, their smiles are dirty, and their desires are rampant.

Many people thought of how Jia Cong was chosen to be the top of the list just now. They were jealous, made sarcastic remarks, and took pleasure in believing in the frame-ups of others. Wasn't this the best portrayal of Jia Cong? They couldn't help feeling ashamed.

As more than a dozen people sang the poem, their voices gradually became louder and louder, following the rhythm of the article, sometimes deep and solemn, sometimes inspiring and enlightening. The clear and loud voices seemed to cleanse the filth in their hearts!

When reading:
Therefore, observe the laws of heaven and earth, examine the origins of all things, explore the subtleties of scholars' aspirations, and use them to correct them.

We should cultivate our lofty aspirations, establish our mind for the heaven and earth, establish our destiny for the people, carry on the lost knowledge of the ancient sages, and bring peace to the world for all generations!

More and more people were attracted by the literary inspiration and began to recite silently. The solemn and dignified recitation sounded at the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall...

(End of this chapter)