Confucianism under Heaven

Chapter 66 Imperial Examination and Literary Gathering

Chapter Sixty-Six: Imperial Examination and Literary Gathering

Upon hearing Ye Ru's question, Chen Sijun and the others all wore somewhat strange expressions.

"How is the Wang family?"

Ye Ru repeated it.

"This once-prominent family, which had stood in Qingyun County for over forty years, is truly finished. First, Teacher Wang Ren severed ties with them, causing the boy to lose his confidence and likely only be able to remain a scholar for the rest of his life. Then, Magistrate Zhang reported to the court that the Wang family was suspected of murdering a student. Yesterday, he led his troops to seal off the entire Wang family's property. Now they have moved on to another place."

Chen Sijun said in a deep voice, then sighed:

"This move can be considered an exception."

Ye Ru remained silent. He had not deliberately targeted the Wang family; it was all the Wang family's own doing.

"The Holy Journal and the Congyun Holy Journal will be published tomorrow. I'd like to see how many poems you can publish in this Holy Journal."

Pang Jun interjected, then exclaimed in admiration.

Everyone nodded and looked at Ye Ru, eager to know how many poems he would have in tomorrow's issue of the "Holy Journal".

Ye Ru just smiled and didn't say anything. Anything he said now would sound like showing off, so he might as well be careful with his words.

"Alright, I need to study this poem and this novel carefully. The imperial examination is coming soon, and you must win first place this time."

Chen Sijun said seriously.

"Just do your best."

Ye Ru smiled slightly and then took his leave.

As Ye Ru walked out of the Four Mirrors and Three Bright Hall, he breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that this matter was finally over and that he should now prepare for the imperial examination.

After that minor imperial examination, he gained a better understanding of the imperial examination system.

Back in his dorm, Ye Ru gave Su Tongyao some instructions and then began to read.

The imperial examinations primarily tested knowledge of the classics, while the interpretation of those classics was considered last.

After all, the meaning of the scriptures is written by oneself and has nothing to do with the scriptures of sentient beings.

The day after Ye Ru began reading, Chen Sijun brought the book "Investiture of the Gods" to the National Academy and found Chen Changfeng.

"Sijun, what brings you here?"

Chen Changfeng was reading at the time. When he saw Chen Sijun arrive, he frowned and said...

"Professor Chen, there is likely to be a major upheaval in the publishing industry and among novelists in the future."

Chen Sijun cut straight to the point and said.

"What's going on? What turmoil? And what's the deal with the novelists?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Changfeng was completely bewildered and said...

"look."

Chen Sijun took out the book "Investiture of the Gods" from her bosom and handed it to Chen Changfeng.

"Investiture of the Gods? This is written by Ye Tongsheng? I heard that you went to the Holy Academy Publishing House to seek publication, but the Legalists interfered, believing that novels were second-rate works and that only the classics of the saints could educate the people. Therefore, they did not grant you the qualifications. How could it be published?"

Upon seeing the author's name, a look of shock appeared on Chen Changfeng's aged face, and he slowly tightened his grip on the teacup in his hand before speaking.

"Yes, Ye Tongsheng is very talented. After he finished writing this novel, he printed five copies using his own printing method. This is the second edition."

"A self-created printing method? How is that possible!"

"Not only that, Ye Tongsheng also wrote a poem, the omen of which is a poem that will amaze the saint!"

"Crack!"

As soon as Chen Sijun finished speaking, Chen Changfeng stood up abruptly, crushing the teacup in his hand into pieces. Tea spilled onto the ground, and his face changed from shock to horror.

"Show me this novel and that poem."

Chen Changfeng quickly wiped the water from his palms and then took the book "Investiture of the Gods" and the poem "Thoughts on Recovering from Illness" and began to read them carefully.

Chen Sijun also waited cautiously for Chen Changfeng to finish reading.

"He truly is a genius. Let alone the fact that there are no Supreme Saints now, if there were, I'm afraid it would only be Ye Ru!"

Chen Changfeng finished reading it very quickly, practically skimming through it. After finishing, he sighed and exclaimed in admiration.

"Yes, the Legalists really made a mistake this time. I wouldn't dare say that there will be no one like them in the future, but there is definitely no one like them before!"

Chen Sijun frowned.

"The Holy Academy's publishing house is about to be overthrown. The novelists who were once looked down upon and ridiculed as the lowest of the low during the Hundred Schools of Thought period are about to rise to prominence."

Chen Changfeng sighed, then looked up at the sky, where the Wenqu Star shone even brighter than before.

"Alright, you can go back now and wait for my message."

"Professor Chen, this novel and this poem..."

Seeing that Chen Changfeng had no intention of returning the poems and novel to her, Chen Sijun tentatively asked...

"Sijun, it's been a long time since you've come. Every time you come, you come empty-handed, without bringing anything. This time you finally brought something."

Chen Changfeng nodded and said seriously. Afraid that Chen Sijun would snatch it away, he subtly stuffed Ye Ru's book into his pocket.

Seeing Chen Changfeng's actions, Chen Sijun was speechless. She had only asked the teacher to take a look at the book; when did she say she was going to give it to him?

"Um...Professor Chen, this novel and poem..."

"Don't worry, a gentleman doesn't take what others cherish. I haven't finished reading this 'Investiture of the Gods' yet. I'll return it to you when I'm done. Don't worry, don't worry, haha."

Chen Changfeng chuckled, seemingly afraid that Chen Sijun would try to snatch it again, and quickly got up and strode towards the outer door.

"Teacher Chen, is there really no room for negotiation? This is the second edition, and only five copies were published in total. It's practically out of print."

"What do you say?"

Chen Changfeng turned around and smiled, but in his eyes it looked particularly lewd.

"And Sijun, I have some things to attend to, so I won't be coming back for the next few days. You can stay at my residence now. You can go back whenever you want. I won't see you off."

Having said that, fearing that Chen Sijun would actually try to snatch it, Chen Changfeng quickly recited the Swift Movement Poem and disappeared, leaving Chen Sijun speechless and utterly dejected.

"How despicable! How shameless!"

Watching the figure disappear into the horizon, Chen Sijun felt like crying but had no tears left. He knew that although it was supposed to be a loan for reading, the book had been wasted.

I should have known better than to come here...

"No, I have to get Ye Ru to help me publish another copy. This time I have to hide it well."

Thinking of this, Chen Sijun decided not to stay there any longer and hurried towards Qingyun County.

……

next day

At this moment, Ye Ru is studying "Han Feizi" at Ye Ru's residence.

The Confucian-Legalist debate is well-known in history. I criticized the Legalists in public at the Hall of Four Mirrors and Three Brightnesses. Now that the Legalists are refusing to grant me publishing rights, I'm afraid I've offended them and will inevitably face some trouble in the future.

Reading "Han Feizi" now is a good opportunity to study the Legalist doctrines of Han Fei.

While Ye Ru was studying Han Feizi, there was a knock on the door, and then Fang Zifeng and others came in.

"Ye Ru, there will be a literary gathering for the imperial examinations in a few days. It aims to mobilize the talents of the Literary Star to encourage all the students. Our Literary Star Academy has unanimously decided to invite you to participate. What do you say?"

Fang Zifeng got straight to the point.

These words made Ye Ru put down "Han Feizi," then raise his head and ask in confusion.

"The Imperial Examination Literary Society?"