Confucianism under Heaven

Chapter 10 Inter-county Literary Competition

Chapter Ten: Inter-county Literary Competition

"Study for the rise of the human race!"

The clear shout echoed in the room, making the three people feel respect and giving Ye Ru a lot of admiration.

They never expected that such a sentence would come from the mouth of a fifteen-year-old boy.

"Very well. As General Huo Qubing once said, 'If demons are not destroyed, how can we have a home?' Now, as you, Ye Ru, have said, 'We should study for the rise of the human race.' If all the scholars in our Yanhuang Kingdom had your great ambition, why would we worry about not being able to reclaim the fifteen states of Yanbei?"

With a sudden slam on the table, Magistrate Zhang stood up, his previous seriousness replaced by a look of grief and indignation.

"You flatter me, sir. I am merely fulfilling my duty as a scholar."

Ye Ru shook his head, without the slightest arrogance.

From Ye Ru's memories, he learned that his Yanhuang Kingdom was beset by internal and external troubles. The northern demon race occupied the area, the southern demon race was eyeing it covetously, and in the depths of the sea, the dragon race was half friend and half foe.

Domestically, treacherous officials hold power, and when the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken.

This is to save the world, and also to save himself.

“I have summoned you because I have a request.”

Magistrate Zhang said solemnly.

"What is it, sir?"

Ye Rudao.

"You may not know this, but in the Book Tower of the Four Pavilions and Three Bright Platforms in Qingyun County, there is a book core enshrined. Although this book core is only of low grade, it is very important to the scholars of Qingyun County."

"However, the distribution of these books was uneven, so the counties reached a tacit agreement to engage in literary contests between them."

Ye Ru stared at Magistrate Zhang, seemingly lost in thought.

He knew that possessing the talent of a scholar, such as a talent that flows like a spring or a talent that flows naturally, can bring great benefits to a scholar.

Seeing that Ye Ru did not make any move, Magistrate Zhang gave a wry smile and said:

"Our Qingyun County has already lost two matches in this competition. If we lose this one too, the scholar from Ningfeng County will snatch the book away."

"So, the magistrate wants me to participate?"

Ye Ru finally spoke, but he couldn't understand why so many scholars had chosen him.

"Yes, this competition can only be held between students who have completed the preliminary examinations; those who have passed the provincial examinations or the imperial examinations are not eligible."

Magistrate Zhang said solemnly.

"I have just entered the first year of the imperial examination, and I have not participated in the county examination. I have not obtained a degree, and the future of the scholars in Qingyun County is entrusted to me. I am afraid I am not capable of shouldering this great responsibility."

Ye Ru gave a bitter smile. If he lost, he would be condemned by all the scholars in Qingyun County.

"Your poem is so virtuous and astonishing. Even as a scholar who has passed the imperial examinations, I cannot hope to match it. Among all the students in the county, there may not be anyone as talented as you. Therefore, I urge you to represent Qingyun County in this literary contest!"

Magistrate Zhang cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and asked for the favor.

"Ye Tongsheng, this is Qingyun County's last chance. If we fail again, the scholars of Qingyun County will not be able to be enlightened by books, and their talents will be greatly reduced. This will be a fatal blow to the imperial examinations of the scholars of Qingyun County."

"Therefore, I hope that Mr. Ye Tongsheng will represent Qingyun County in this literary contest!"

Registrar Wen also spoke solemnly.

"My lords, you are too kind to ask me to participate. However, I would be grateful if you could tell me the rules of the literary contest."

Seeing this, Ye Ru smiled wryly and quickly helped the two up. If outsiders saw the county magistrate in such a humble posture, they might use it to tarnish his literary reputation.

"On behalf of the scholars of Qingyun County, I express my gratitude."

"This literary contest is divided into three rounds: a poetry contest, a music contest, and a chess contest. Each side will field three players, and the contest will be a best-of-three format."

Magistrate Zhang cupped his hands in a respectful gesture once more and said...

"But although I can compose poetry, I am not good at playing the zither or chess."

"Don't worry, we have people for chess and music. You just need to surpass Ningfeng County in poetry."

Before Ye Ru could finish speaking, County Magistrate Zhao interrupted.

"Okay, when does the competition start?"

"If you can really help us win this literary contest in half a month, then I will give you my humble book to study for three days. It will greatly benefit your talent and courage."

Magistrate Zhang pondered for a moment and then spoke.

"Okay, then I'll go back and prepare."

Ye Ru nodded. If he could study the essence of this book, it would greatly benefit his talent and courage in writing.

After agreeing to Magistrate Zhang's request, Ye Ru, who was unfamiliar with the history of the Confucian Continent, headed to a bookstore called Wencai Bookstore in Qingyun County.

In the Confucian and Taoist continent, many bookstores are monopolized by the Holy Academy, and there are very few private bookstores, unless one makes a great contribution.

That is, state-owned enterprises.

"Hello, what kind of book are you looking for?"

"I'll just take a look."

After casually answering the servant's question, Ye Ru strolled through the bookstore.

A quick glance revealed that most of the books here were written by living Confucian scholars or semi-saints.

"The Complete Works of Li Bai?"

Ye Ru casually swept the area and found a book covered in dust.

He wanted to know if this Li Taibai was the same Li Bai, the "Poet Immortal" of the Tang Dynasty.

However, just as he was about to take it, a hand slapped Ye Ru's hand away.

This made Ye Ru turn his head.

"Sir, may I have this book?"

Upon closer inspection, a young man in a scholar's robe spoke with a smile.

"Sorry, I need this book."

Ye Ru shook his head and refused.

"Brother, you seem to be only fifteen years old, and still quite young. The complete poems of Li Bai are obscure; with your intelligence, you cannot possibly study them in depth. The Zuo Zhuan says, 'If you have the strength, advance; otherwise, retreat.' Therefore, I urge you to act according to your abilities."

The young man in the scholar's robe paused for a moment, then said with a hint of sarcasm.

"But the Analects says: 'He who is quick to learn and eager to ask questions is not ashamed to ask those who are less knowledgeable than himself.' Could you please explain this to me, brother?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Ru frowned. Wasn't this blatantly calling him an idiot? He immediately retorted sarcastically.

The saying "A person who is intelligent and eager to learn is not ashamed to ask those of lower status or less knowledge" means that a person who is intelligent and eager to learn will not be ashamed to ask those of lower status or less knowledge for advice.

This remark allowed Ye Ru to subtly mock the scholar-robed youth for being less learned than himself.

"Sharp-tongued, you've got guts!"

The young man in the scholar's robe had a gloomy face. He was speechless after being refuted, then he flicked his sleeves and left.

Ye Ru narrowed his eyes, looked at the young man in the scholar's robe, touched the one or two taels of silver he had won in his pocket, paid fifty coins, and left with the book.

Back in his room, Ye Ru began to study the "Collected Works of Li Bai".

"Viewing the Waterfall at Mount Lu"

"Thoughts on a Quiet Night"

"Departing from Baidi City at Dawn"

Could these really be Li Bai, the poet from the Tang Dynasty?

Ye Ru was greatly surprised and continued reading, finding Li Bai's biography:

"Li Bai, the half-saint, whose birth is unknown, has blessed the Shu Kingdom for a thousand years with his poems 'The Road to Shu is Hard' and 'Ode to the Knight-Errant'. He wrote 981 poems and was named the Poet Immortal. Later, he mysteriously disappeared, leaving behind only the Azure Lotus Sword Domain."

Upon seeing this, Ye Ru closed the book, took a deep breath, and murmured in shock:

"I never imagined... that he really was the Poet Immortal of the Tang Dynasty..."

"Li Bai!"