northernbook Chapter 87 Classical and Modern Learning
Chapter 87 Classical and Modern Learning
Chapter 87 Classical Studies (both ancient and modern)
When this light appeared, the entire Academy, including the Confucian Temple, was enveloped by a strange power.
As the light enveloped them, the fatigue they had experienced gradually dissipated.
"How is this going?"
Chen Tianjian and the other examiners exchanged bewildered glances, their faces showing shock.
"Logically speaking, all students taking the imperial examinations should study the classical texts. Apart from Dong Zhongshu, a semi-sage of the Han Dynasty, who once attempted the modern texts in the imperial examinations and caused a celestial phenomenon, only today has this happened. Therefore..."
One of the examiners pondered for a moment, then looked up and spoke to Chen Tianjian.
"Could it be that someone in the examination room is also studying the New Text School of Confucianism?"
Chen Tianjian stiffened, shocked.
The New Text School and the Old Text School of Confucianism were two schools of thought in Confucian classics studies that emerged at the end of the Western Han Dynasty. The terms "New Text" and "Old Text" originally referred only to two different scripts, but they gradually evolved into two distinct schools of thought.
The debate between the Old and New Schools of Classical Learning essentially boils down to who is the orthodox authority on classical studies and how to unify the ideas within classical studies.
"Perhaps, the emergence of the Modern Text School originated from the ideology and policies of Qin Shi Huang. It was a school of thought formed during the Han Dynasty based on the study of Confucian classics. It could have consolidated and perfected the orthodox status of Confucianism, but it was attacked by the conservative schools of Legalism, the School of Diplomacy, and the Miscellaneous School. After all, the various schools of thought were also competing at that time. However, due to the policies at that time and the emperor's ideas, the Dong family was able to defy the world and exclusively uphold Confucianism. As a result, it also incurred the resentment of other schools. After the death of Dong Sheng, the Dong family, one of the many schools of thought, never recovered."
The examiner said in a deep voice.
"So, if this light is real, then the Dong family will definitely reappear and befriend this writer? In order to restore the Han Dynasty's unified rule of 'dismissing all other schools of thought and exclusively honoring Confucianism'?"
Chen Tianjian was incredibly astute, and he immediately guessed that if the Dong family were to step forward and offer their assistance, perhaps he and the Wen family would have a chance to compete with the Left Prime Minister in the imperial court.
"Judging from the light, it must be Ye Ru from the examination room."
One of the examiners laughed.
Everyone looked around.
Ye Ru was startled by the light, and after it disappeared, silence returned.
At the same time, that page of paper also stopped moving, except for what Ye Ru had written.
"Could it be that I flattered him to the point of making a mistake? Impossible. In the Temple of Confucius, the standard will naturally be Confucius's words: 'It is better to be poor and happy, or rich and courteous.' If what I wrote is not true, I will surely be stopped by the power of the sage."
Thinking of this, Ye Ru gritted his teeth and picked up his pen again to write:
"Your Majesty is wise and virtuous, and your wisdom and decisiveness are unparalleled. However, to secure internal stability, we must first pacify external threats..."
Ye Ru pointed out the strengths and weaknesses of the Yanhuang Emperor. He was upright and honest, without any flattery or sycophancy. The power of the Holy Temple no longer showed any unusual signs.
This relieved Ye Ru once again. He didn't know that the tremor he had just experienced was from the modern text of the classics he had unintentionally written. He thought it was because he had violated the rites of Confucius, causing the tremor in the Confucian Temple.
This put Ye Ru at ease, and he resumed writing.
Finally, Ye Ru began to recount his own experience, quoting what Zhuge Liang had said to Wang Lang when he was reading the Romance of the Three Kingdoms:
"In this chaotic and turbulent year, the nation is in turmoil, and chaos reigns on all sides. In the imperial court, corrupt officials hold office; within the palace walls, beasts feast on their sustenance. Those with wolves' hearts and dogs' deeds throng to the court; those with servile faces and obsequious manners seize power. As a result, the nation is in ruins, and the people suffer terribly, truly arousing the people's indignation. Your Majesty, possessing both virtue and wisdom, has the virtues of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Your humble servants, though far removed from the court, are deeply concerned for the ruler and the people, taking it upon ourselves to restore the glory of the Yellow Emperor, worrying about the world's troubles before enjoying its pleasures..."
After Ye Ru finished recounting his story, there was nothing wrong with it. He simply vehemently criticized the treacherous officials in the court, without mentioning the Left Chancellor.
However, Chen Tianjian and the others at the Confucian Temple were all shocked. If it weren't for the imperial examination, they would probably have rushed in and revised Ye Ru's self-description.
Ye Ru's move is a formal declaration of war against the Left Prime Minister's faction!
If this interpretation of the classics were widely circulated, the entire lineage of the Left Chancellor would hate him to the core!
"Even the Prime Minister Wen doesn't dare to formally declare war on the Prime Minister Zuo. This kid's gone mad!"
Chen Tianjian stood up and was about to go to Ye Ru's examination room when he was stopped by the examiners.
"It's the imperial examination system now."
"This is really bad news, we must tell Minister Wen right away."
Chen Tianjian sat down and calmed himself down for a moment, then quickly used the Hongyin Seal to send a letter to Minister Li Baiyuan.
"Ye Ru, who passed the imperial examination, vehemently denounced the Left Chancellor's treacherous faction in his classics. Although he felt triumphant, if the treacherous faction found out, they would surely regard him as a thorn in their side. What should be done? Please advise and reply quickly."
At that moment, Prime Minister Wen was reviewing some documents. When he saw Chen Tianjian's message, he smiled calmly:
"Just wait and see what happens."
Although Chen Tianjian was meticulous, he was still far from understanding the intrigues of the court. Ye Ru's words were partly a self-description, but also meant to embarrass the treacherous officials in the court.
After all, no one would stand up and admit to being a treacherous official.
"This Minister Wen is driving me crazy with worry!"
Upon seeing these four words, Chen Tianjian stomped his feet in anger, wanting to rush to the capital immediately to strangle Prime Minister Wen.
Should we stop it or not?
"General Chen, this is the imperial examination, we can't stop it, we can only wait and see."
The examiner patted Chen Tianjian on the shoulder and then sat down.
At this moment, Ye Ru began working on the last poetry question, the title of which was:
"Xiangling".
Ye Ru had done this type of question before. This type of question was called a poetry question, also known as a test poem. This kind of poem is generally five characters long with six rhymes and has strict rules of meter. It is easy to restrict the author's thoughts, so it is difficult to write well. It is a new type of examination for poetry and prose.
It is rare for exam-oriented poems to become famous.
The term "Xiangling" originally referred to the legendary goddess of the Xiang River, namely the sisters Ehuang and Nüying, consorts of Emperor Shun.
The topic is easy to understand, but creating a rhyming poem is not so simple.
Ye Ru pondered for a moment, then thought of a poem written by the Tang Dynasty poet Qian Qi during the imperial examination.
"The Provincial Examination: Xiangling Plays the Zither"
This poem established his immortal reputation in the world of poetry.
And the last two sentences:
The music ended, but the person was gone.
There are several green peaks on the river.
The "Biography of Qian Zheng" in the Old Book of Tang states that these ten characters were derived from a "ghostly rhyme".
Although the questions in this exam differed slightly from those in the past, the differences were not significant.
Ye Ru then began to write:
"Skilled in playing the cloud and zither,"
I have long heard of the divine power of the Emperor's son.
Feng Yi danced in vain.
The traveler from Chu found it unbearable to hear.
The mournful tune is as sharp as metal and stone.
The clear sound entered the deep darkness.
Cangwu comes to resentment and longing.
Angelica dahurica exudes a fragrant aroma.
The flowing water carries the fragrance of the Xiang River.
A mournful wind sweeps across Dongting Lake.
The music ended, but the person was gone.
There are several green peaks on the river.
The moment the last word was written, his talent soared three feet higher.
Amazing!