roccoschili Chapter 90 0088 [Imperial Academy, Level 1]
Chapter 90 0088 [Imperial Academy, Level 1]
Chapter 90 0088 [First Place at the Imperial Academy]
Gong Dingchen is 100% on Han Qi's side, and is a key figure in helping Han Qi control the flow of information.
However, he had reservations about Han Qi, Ouyang Xiu, Cai Xiang, and others, believing that these veteran officials of the Qingli era had changed. For example, Gong Dingchen strongly opposed the lavish funeral for Emperor Renzong and the excessive bestowal of imperial favors, but Han Qi insisted on doing so.
At the same time, he disliked the practices of Sima Guang and Lü Hui. How could they cause trouble during the sensitive period of power transition?
So Gong Dingchen's life is very tiring. He dislikes all these people, but he still has to help them maintain the status quo.
He criticized both sides when setting questions for the Imperial Academy, which meant he didn't criticize anyone; he was just venting his frustrations and incidentally asking the students to discuss and learn from his mistakes.
"Gong Jianyuan, here's another one." Yang Bao, the lecturer at the Imperial Academy, walked over.
Gong Dingchen gave the examiners an order: any paper that was rated as excellent should be shown to him immediately.
Before even glancing at the answer sheet, Gong Dingchen asked, "How is this one?"
Yang Bao replied, "A worry within a worry."
"Oh?"
Gong Dingchen's interest was piqued, and he immediately lowered his head to read.
On the Importance of Caution in the Initial Stage of a Ruler's Governance
[Having observed the patterns of order and chaos throughout history, I humbly believe that at the beginning of a new ruler's reign, all subjects of the land are focused on his virtues, hoping for peace and prosperity. At this opportune moment, every decree issued and every policy implemented will resonate throughout the land, inspiring unanimous support. If the beginning is not careful, even with benevolent governance later, the people will not believe it. Therefore, Yi Yin advised his ruler, "Nothing is more important than the beginning": Ancient rulers and ministers alike warned each other: "Nothing is more important than being careful at the beginning." Is this not an empty saying?]
Gong Dingchen nodded and smiled, "This opening is well written."
It gets straight to the point, highlights the key issues, and even quotes the story of Yi Yin.
The difficulty for a ruler in establishing his government lies in being cautious from the beginning and ensuring a successful end. The Book of Poetry says: "Nothing is without a beginning, but few things have a good end." Confucius also said:
Only a sage has a beginning and an end — Emperor Zhao of Han ascends the throne —
This is an argument developed based on the materials provided in the question.
The following paragraphs are all correct but meaningless statements.
When Xu Lai wrote his articles, he himself thought they were nonsense. For example, "(The new emperor) rectifies his mind to rectify the court, and rectifies the court to rectify all officials, so that no one, near or far, dares to be unconventional in his righteousness."
But as a morally upright man and the head of the remonstrance officials, Gong Dingchen really fell for this!
The real highlight comes later, when Xu Lai shifts the focus of his argument to finishing what he started and staying true to his original aspirations.
The Spring and Autumn Annals emphasizes five beginnings, the first being the beginning of a ruler's ascension to the throne—therefore, the successor's enthronement is not valued for establishing authority, nor for—but rather for maintaining unwavering loyalty, being cautious at the beginning, and ensuring a good end.
[I have previously argued that being cautious at the beginning does not mean being timid or following old ways. It means drawing lessons from the past and present, gathering diverse opinions without being self-serving, assessing the times and circumstances, and conforming to the will of the people without going against the natural order. This will ensure that all good things in the world are embraced and all evil is eradicated. Thus, one begins by cultivating virtue and never loses virtue; one begins by accepting advice and never rejects it—in this way, the effects of being cautious at the beginning will be evident, and the stability of the nation will be assured.]
The saying goes, "Be cautious at the beginning, for the end will be the best outcome." This is what it means.
After reading the article, Gong Dingchen felt as refreshed and invigorated as drinking ice water on a hot summer day.
This is absolutely a top-notch historical essay for students of the Imperial Academy.
First, it conforms to the unadorned and literary style that has been promoted since the second year of the Jiayou era, which emphasizes the use of literature to convey moral principles.
Secondly, it uses numerous allusions without being abrupt; each allusion is natural and appropriate.
Third, the author of the article is well-versed in Confucian classics and historical allusions. From this article, it is evident at least that the author has read classics and historical texts such as the Analects, Zuo Zhuan, Shangshu, Shijing, Hanshu, and Tangshu.
Fourth, the author is very clever; the first paragraph points out the current urgent situation. However, the author stops there, only discussing general principles because the topic is too sensitive. Therefore, the middle section deliberately veers towards a good beginning and a good end, hoping that the new ruler will understand the original intention and remain unchanged.
The above four points combined made Gong Dingchen very happy.
Absolutely perfect!
In fact, Xu Lai hadn't read that many classic texts. He simply had a broad knowledge base before his transmigration and remembered some classic passages from various historical texts.
It's just a famous anecdote.
But Gong Dingchen doesn't think so; he firmly believes that the author of the article has thoroughly read and understood those books.
Whose essay is this?
Another day passed, and the papers were opened and names were recorded.
Gong Dingchen, along with Sun Sigong, Li, Yang Bao, and others, gathered around to await the answer.
Ministers involved in education have a particular fondness for mentoring younger generations.
Firstly, it can bring fame.
Secondly, any of the younger generation they mentor who later become successful will remember their kindness. It's a kind of angel investment in the political arena.
"Xu Lai?"
"That essay and historical commentary were both written by Xu Lai!"
"Quickly look at his strategy document."
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The exam rankings had already been determined, and Xu Lai's poems, essays, and policy proposals were all put together.
Sun Sigong, who was tutoring Prince Zhao Xu part-time, was both amused and exasperated after reading the essay. He said to Gong Dingchen, "This student named Xu Lai is really cunning. He doesn't seem like someone who can be an advisor. The essay question you set was too risky. He wrote the whole thing in circles, explaining his reasoning in a very logical way, but after reading it, it felt like he didn't say anything at all."
Gong Dingchen asked, "Does anyone know this student?"
"I've heard of it," Yang Bao said.
Gong Dingchen asked, "Whose disciple is he?"
"Yu Wuxi's only disciple is currently studying composition with Zuiweng," Yang Bao replied.
No wonder.
Everyone nodded in agreement; that made sense.
Yu Jing's only disciple also studied composition with Ouyang Xiu, no wonder he was so knowledgeable about the court situation and could write such excellent examination essays.
Yang Bao then asked, "Have any of you visited the Great Xiangguo Temple in the past month?"
Everyone shook their heads.
Yang Bao laughed and said, "Xu Lai wrote a poem on the wall of a restaurant in the Xiangguo Temple, which has already spread widely in Tokyo. The poem reads: 'The poems of Li Bai and Du Fu are recited by ten thousand mouths—'"
"Hahaha!"
"Such arrogance."
""
"It's normal for a talented person to be confident."
"Literature and Du Fu are no longer novel, and we are all getting old."
"Young people should be this energetic."
"6
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If Xu Lai had no social standing, he would likely have been ridiculed for being arrogant and conceited if he had written the same poem.
But since he was Yu Jing's disciple and also studied literature under Ouyang Xiu, it didn't matter if he spoke a little loudly; on the contrary, people thought he was energetic.
Yang Bao added, "The flower scissors that are currently popular in Tokyo, as well as the abacus with seven beads, were all invented by this person. He was also skilled in mathematics and is probably quite knowledgeable about the Book of Changes."
Why does Yang Bao know so much?
Because he heard it from Su Song.
Yang Bao's salary was very low at this time, and he also liked to drink and collect books, so he often couldn't even afford to pay the rent.
But he's really good at making friends.
In recent years, he has become friends with a large number of people, including Mei Yaochen, Ouyang Xiu, Wang Anshi, Sima Guang, Han Wei, and Su Song.
The names of these people reveal that Yang Bao had friends from all age groups, factions, and forces.
He's a true expert at making friends.
Gong Dingchen picked up a brush and wrote the words "Exempt from Explanation" after Xu Lai's name.
This means Xu Lai no longer needs to take the provincial examination; he can directly take the imperial examination from now on.
In the entire Imperial Academy, this situation would occur in no more than five people per year. Sometimes, it would even be only one or two.
The teachers called in several top students from the Imperial Academy, copied down their exam scores, and posted them out.
At the same time, the top students were asked to copy Xu Lai's articles several times. In addition to posting them as model essays, the teachers also took a copy to share with their friends or children.
The Imperial Academy has already started its holiday, and Xu Lai is studying the "Correct Meaning of the Book of Rites" at home.
He has already studied two-thirds of this 200 million-word classic text, and has written tens of thousands of words of reading notes.
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"Do it! Do it!"
The Yu family uncle and nephew rushed over.
Xu Lai turned his head and asked, "What is it?"
Yu Shuying exclaimed excitedly, "The Imperial Academy has posted the annual examination results! Guess where you ranked?"
"It should have a pretty good ranking, right?" Xu Lai didn't think about it too much.
Yu Sigong said, "You are number one! This year, students from both the inner and outer academies took the exam together, and their rankings were also the same. You came in first place in the entire Imperial Academy!"
Xu Lai was surprised: "My articles were just so-so."
This wasn't Xu Lai being modest or pretentious; he genuinely felt his writing was mediocre.
However, Xu Lai forgot his own advantages.
He was a time traveler, a master of philology, and also enjoyed studying ancient philosophy and history. His ideas stood on the shoulders of countless predecessors, far surpassing those of his contemporaries.
Now, he has also studied the Analects, Mencius, and Zuo Zhuan, and has learned two-thirds of the Book of Rites. He has made up for a lot of basic knowledge.
Even if it's a set topic essay, and many ideas can't be written in it, it's still enough to make those college students look bad.
After all, he only needed to compare himself with the students of the Imperial Academy, not with the real big shots.
Even if you dig out all the essays written by the top scholars in the imperial examinations over the years, to be honest, they're all pretty much the same, with very few that are truly insightful.
"Xingzhi is too modest!"
Yu Shuying and Yu Sigong, uncle and nephew, initially didn't understand why Yu Jing wanted to take on disciples, but now they are finally convinced of the old man's good judgment.
He had only been in the Imperial Academy for a year, and hadn't even been promoted to the inner dormitory, yet he still managed to get first place in the annual examination.
He's definitely a shoo-in for the imperial examination.
Xu Lai asked, "How did you all do on the exam?"
Yu Shuying laughed and said, "Hehe, it's nothing special."
"Anyway, we've all passed and won't be punished." Yu Sigong was quite smug.
Xu Lai understood. These two were below average in the Imperial Academy. They were the kind of students who barely passed, would definitely not pass the imperial examination, and wouldn't know how to hold a funeral procession.
Because there are even worse ones than them!
Among them were many who were exceptionally talented in local state schools, but quickly became disillusioned and lost their ambition after entering the Imperial Academy. This was because Tokyo was too prosperous and had too many entertainment options, making it difficult for young scholars to resist.
"Xu Sanlang, a dozen or so imperial students are looking for you," the old gatekeeper ran up to report.
Yu Shuying laughed and said, "Haha, it must be a classmate who came to visit after seeing the list. Come on, let's go have some drinks and celebrate with Xingzhi."
Xu Lai, who originally wanted to continue studying, was pulled away by the Yu family uncle and nephew.
He couldn't study if he didn't leave, as more than a dozen students from the Imperial Academy came to visit him, and he had to spend time entertaining them.
This time it's gotten a bit big.
A student from an outside school actually ranked first in the Imperial Academy examination. If this had happened during the reign of Emperor Huizong, he could have been directly granted the title of Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination).
Gong Dingchen, holding Xu Lai's article, ran to Ouyang Xiu with a grin: "Ouyang Jiu, you're quite capable! Did you teach him how to write articles?"
Ouyang Xiu looked completely bewildered: "Teach whom?"
Gong Dingchen slammed several articles on the table: "Yu the Dwarf's apprentice."
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"Haha, you mean Xu Lai?" Ouyang Xiu asked with a smile, "How did he do on the exam?"
Gong Dingchen said, "If I rank first in the Imperial Academy, I will be exempt from the provincial examination next year."
Ouyang Xiu was somewhat surprised: "Really number one?"
"The article is right here, read it yourself," Gong Dingchen said.
Sun Sigong took only the historical essay with him to the Prince of Huaiyang's residence to see Zhao Xu.
He believed that this article was suitable for the princes to read, to cultivate in them the virtues of being concerned about the country and its people, and to see things through to the end.
As for the current emperor, Sun Sigong had given up hope; he only hoped to educate the princes well.
"Mr. Sun, please have a seat. I have a question I'd like to ask you." Zhao Xu treated his teachers with great respect.
Sun Sigong said, "Your Highness, the Imperial Academy has just finished its annual examination. There was a student from an outside school who came in first place this year."
Zhao Xu found it amusing and said with a smile, "An outsider student can get first place?"
Sun Sigong presented the article with both hands: "This is that student's historical essay. Your Highness, I wish to appreciate this masterpiece together."
Zhao Xu glanced at the name and muttered, "Xu Lai? That name sounds familiar; I feel like I've heard it somewhere before."
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The eunuch Zhang Anji stood beside him and reminded him, "Your Highness, it's the one who wrote 'Each person has led the way for hundreds of years.'"
"It's him!"
Zhao Xu suddenly recalled: "It seems that he not only writes poetry well, but also studies the classics and history well. Otherwise, how could he have passed the Imperial Academy exam with top marks?"
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