Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 104 The top scholar's answer: "Shennong's Twenty-Four Solar Terms"! The Deer Cry Banquet!
Xue Chonghu suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. A bone-chilling coldness exploded from his tailbone, winding up his spine like a venomous snake, straight to the top of his head.

Cold sweat instantly soaked through his inner shirt, clinging stickily to his back; his official robes were completely drenched.

His pupils contracted sharply, his gaze fixed intently on Jiang Xingzhou's seven orifices—

Seven-colored lights flowed like a rainbow, seemingly tangible as they intertwined and swirled in the hall.

The radiance sometimes condensed into the wings of a blue phoenix, and sometimes transformed into a jade dragon soaring into the sky, making the hall appear like a magnificent palace.

The files on the desk were turned over with a rustling sound, and even the dust particles floated up and turned into stardust fragments in the halo of light.

"Seven orifices. Exquisite literary mind! That's ridiculously strong!"

Xue Chonghu's Adam's apple bobbed, as if he had swallowed a mouthful of iron filings, and even the gaps between his teeth were filled with a metallic sweetness.

The writer's mind is too strong!

It was so strong that it instilled fear in him.

"boom--!"

The century-old nanmu beams and pillars in the hall suddenly groaned under the weight, and wood chips and dust fell in a flurry from the joints.

Only then did everyone realize that the entire main hall of Jiangzhou Prefecture Academy was trembling slightly under Wenxin's oppressive aura.

Between the electric light and stone fire,
"This may not be all a good thing; insufficient literary talent and strength could bring disaster!"

Prefect Xue Chonghu revealed deep worry, his mind flashing through the images of the Great Zhou court, and the sinister gazes hidden behind the imperial crowns in the Zichen Hall—

In the Great Zhou Dynasty court today, various forces are intertwined like ancient locust trees, their roots deeply entrenched.

When the empress took power, she opened up the imperial examination system and recruited talented scholars from all over the country.

However, looking at the court of the Great Zhou Dynasty, one finds many ruthless and cunning individuals.

In the teacups of several idle princes of the Great Zhou royal family, unfulfilled imperial dreams floated, their eyes fixed on the throne.

The noble clans, whose members have served in the imperial court for generations, formed an iron curtain based on their military achievements, and possessed a tiger tally that was forged into an iron certificate that was passed down through generations.
Imperial relatives, eunuchs, and female officials colluded to seize control of the inner court's secrets, extending their influence to the court and the countryside.

For thousands of years, powerful clans and aristocratic families have used marriage alliances to weave a vast network that covers all counties and prefectures, with their members serving as magistrates and governors in various places.

Even the sage's residence and the Imperial Academy, which prided themselves on being pure and upright, could not escape being mired in this quagmire of factionalism and exclusion.

Various factions vie for power in the grand court of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Even if a scholar who has passed the imperial examination is talented, if he does not serve one of the powerful factions in the court and receive their protection, he will surely be crushed into nothingness by factional strife.

He had seen it with his own eyes.
Grand Chancellor Chen stroked his silver beard, threw a secret report into the incense burner, and then ordered a fierce crackdown on a certain talented man from another faction.

With a smile, Cui Yan, the Minister of Rites, poured a cup of poisoned wine into the prison and ordered the death of a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) who refused to follow him and was unjustly imprisoned.
These powerful figures who control the court have no regard for the so-called literary geniuses of the human race!
Those who are not my disciples will surely become my enemies—how many brilliant talents have fallen victim to the turmoil of court factional strife before they could even bloom and display their talents?
In this situation,
A scholar from a poor family, possessing a brilliant and insightful mind, has not yet formally joined any faction of the imperial court.

He only had the identity of the son of the sworn brother of the Prefect of Jiangzhou from the Duke of Xue's mansion—but this did not qualify him as a member of a family of noble and high-ranking officials.

Like a luminous pearl, it has attracted the covetous eyes of countless forces!
If those old fogies from the Three Provinces and Six Ministries were to discover that a scholar with a seven-aperture literary mind had been born in Jiangzhou Prefecture, threatening their positions as ministers and vice ministers of the Three Provinces and Six Ministries in the imperial court...

They will spare no effort to win over those who want them to serve them, or to suppress them relentlessly.

Furthermore, those rebellious scholars lurking among the human race, once they learn of this news, will surely write secret letters to the East Sea Demon Court, urging the barbarian kingdom to strike down human geniuses as soon as possible.

Once they find out, they will probably go crazy and do anything to assassinate him.

Jiang Xingzhou had just become a scholar, and his strength was exceptionally formidable.

But we must also be wary of these rebellious intellectuals resorting to desperate measures.

This matter must be suppressed and kept strictly confidential!
Xue Chonghu looked out the window, his mind clear:

At least hold on until—Jiang Xingzhou, on the day the results of the autumn imperial examinations are announced, when the God of Literature bestows upon him! Or, after the spring imperial examinations, when he dons the green robe of a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination)!
Fortunately,

Those who know about this matter are now all in the main hall of Jiangzhou Academy.

Only a little over a hundred people!
Most of them were his trusted and reliable officials who had followed him for many years.

The rest were a hundred scholars—they had just been promoted to scholars and had a bright future ahead of them, so they wouldn't risk their future and lives for the time being!

Xue Chonghu's face was frosty and gloomy. Suddenly, with a "bang!", he slammed his hand on the corner of the table, shattering it, and shouted sharply:

"Everyone present today—"

"Anyone who dares to divulge even a single word of Wenxin's thoughts!"

"Exterminate their entire family!"

His gaze was like a knife, chilling to the bone.
He slowly surveyed the crowd below—the officials and over a hundred scholars in the main hall of Jiangzhou Prefecture Academy.

"Yes!"

"We have not seen! We have not heard! We do not know!"

The officials under his command, including Prefect Cui Chengye and Chief Clerk Liu Mingchuan, remained silent and bowed respectfully.

The back of the scholar's robe in the front row was instantly soaked with sweat.

They knew this was no ordinary matter!
Without a doubt, Lord Xue Chonghu, the hereditary Duke of Xue and Prefect of Jiangzhou, would actually do such a thing!
a long time.

Jiang Xingzhou sat cross-legged with his eyes closed. The purple aura surrounding his seven orifices gradually dissipated, like morning mist meeting the sun and returning to nothingness.

He slowly opened his eyes, his pupils seemingly sparkling with starlight. His mind was clear, and he felt completely relaxed, as if he had just experienced a wonderful dream—his seven orifices of spiritual consciousness had been opened.

Although they were currently inside the main hall of Jiangzhou Prefectural Academy,
However, when he closed his eyes and concentrated, he could clearly "see" the vendors' steamers being opened in the streets and alleys a hundred feet away, with white steam rising and the aroma of meat filling the air.

You can even smell the fresh aroma of the pork filling and the rich flavor of the crab roe buns, all lingering around your nose.

He shifted his gaze slightly, looking towards the interior of the hall.

Silence reigned all around.

The hundred newly appointed scholars stood ten feet away, their expressions solemn, their eyes filled with both reverence and a hint of awe, as if they were looking at a deity.

"Have all my brothers succeeded?"

Jiang Xingzhou was slightly surprised.

Shen Zhiyun smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "Congratulations, Brother Jiang! We have all broken through to the Xiucai rank. We are now just waiting for Brother Jiang to awaken!"

Naturally, no one mentioned the words "literary mind".

Seeing that Jiang Xingzhou had woken up, Zhou Yuanjun lowered his gaze slightly, then turned to the assembled scholars and said in a deep voice:
"Now that the task has been accomplished, I, the abbot, will, in accordance with custom, bestow upon the top ten candidates of the first rank in the prefectural examination as a reward."

With a flick of his sleeve, he proclaimed in a loud voice:

"Second to tenth in Class A—Shen Zhiyun, Han Yugui, Lin Haizhou, Du Qingyin, Zhou Wenyuan, Lu Ming, Cao An..."

As soon as he finished speaking, a court official presented a brocade box containing a scholar's writing brush, a jade inkstone, pine soot ink sticks, and other exquisite writing implements, all of which were displayed on the table.

"Thank you, Professor Xie!"

The nine scholars stepped forward solemnly and bowed to receive their reward.

"Jiang Xingzhou, ranked first in the first class and the top scholar in the county-level examination!"

Zhou Yuanjun's clear and solemn voice echoed in the hall.

He personally took a sandalwood tray from the clerk, on which lay a jade scroll, its surface smooth and lustrous, with a subtle shimmering light.

"This is the jade slip of the 'Shennong Twenty-Four Solar Terms Book' from the Confucian Temple. It was specially made by the agricultural sage and can only be obtained by the top scholar in the prefectural examination."

Zhou Yuanjun gently stroked the jade slip with his fingertips and said in a deep voice: "After practicing this technique, whenever you release a literary technique containing the twenty-four solar term characters—from 'Beginning of Spring' to 'Great Cold', all forty-eight characters can activate the energy of heaven and earth, doubling the power of the literary technique."

Inside the hall, the newly appointed scholars gasped in astonishment.

This literary skill is far superior to ordinary literary treasures.
Jiang Xingzhou accepted the jade slip with both hands and immediately felt a slight tremor in his palms, as if spring thunder was stirring.

He bowed solemnly and said, "This student thanks the Dean for his generous gift."

The moment the jade slip touched his hand, a faint ray of light flashed across its surface and disappeared into his palm in an instant.

"go!"

"The newly appointed scholar of Jiangzhou Prefecture parades through the streets and attends a banquet at Luming Pavilion!"

Prefect Xue Chonghu of Jiangzhou Prefecture waved his sleeves and walked side by side with Zhou Shanzhang, followed by a host of officials of all ranks.

One hundred newly appointed scholars, dressed in brocade robes and jade belts, marched out in a grand procession, surrounded by the ceremonial guards of the Jiangzhou government office.

"clang--!"

With gongs leading the way, hundreds of yamen runners held aloft signs that read "Prosperity in Literature and Art."

The sound of firecrackers was like thunder, and red paper fluttered like butterflies, instantly bringing the entire long street of Jiangzhou Prefecture to a boil.

"Look! The young scholars of this year's imperial examinations are coming out!"

The streets were already packed with onlookers.

Along the street, young ladies adorned with gold, jade, pearls, and jewels pushed open their carved windows, their handkerchiefs fluttering as they secretly cast flirtatious glances at the young scholars.

Jiang Xingzhou rode a snow-white dragon horse at the head of the procession.

The clear, melodious sound of the golden bells on the horse's neck made his moon-white robe appear even more elegant.

Faced with cheers from the crowd, the young scholar merely nodded slightly, but a faint blush crept onto the tips of his ears.

"Look at me, Jiang Lang!"

The day before yesterday, that infatuated girl was jumping for joy in the attic again, and the apricot blossoms she threw down landed on his shoulder.

Shen Zhiyun wore a purple robe and a golden crown, and waved a fan in her hand.

Han Yugui, dressed in a blue robe, was upright and honest, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes.

The Xue brothers rode side by side, laughing all the way. Even at the very end of the procession, the white-haired old scholar Zhang Youyi straightened his back, riding a tall horse, his wrinkles filled with smiles.

A hundred riders galloped past, their hooves kicking up a shower of crimson petals.

The ten-mile-long Chang'an Street in Jiangnan is adorned with vibrant colors.

Beneath the vermilion archway, young women carrying flower baskets scattered crabapple and apricot blossoms at the scholars.

Flowers flew all over the city in celebration, and countless hearts, along with the jingling of horses' hooves and bells, drifted leisurely to the horizon.

Before long, the magnificent procession turned onto Zhuque Street, and suddenly the sound of string and wind instruments could be heard. They had arrived at the famous Zuixianlou in Jiangzhou Prefecture.

They looked up and saw twelve glazed palace lanterns under the triple eaves of Zuixianlou, reflecting the radiant glow of the golden plaque inscribed with "Golden Scale Dragon Gate".

On the bluestone slabs in front of the building, one can still see the dents left by the hooves of the newly appointed scholars over the years.

Today, the newly appointed scholars, their boots treading over those faint marks, enter the Deer Pavilion.

Outside the Deer Cry Pavilion.

The gate was wide open, and dozens of servants in blue robes stood with their hands at their sides.

He hurriedly took the reins from the officials and scholars. In the instant the reins were handed over, no one dared to look directly at the cloud-patterned official boots on the saddles.

The pavilion was already brightly lit.

Before the twelve gilded screens, the sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air.
The musician's fingertips plucked the first harmonic on the Jiaowei Qin, and the elegant music of "Luming" from the Book of Songs (Xiaoya section) flowed through the hall like a clear spring.

This is the "Deer Cry Banquet" of Jiangzhou Prefecture, an essential performance for scholars who have passed the imperial examinations.

"The deer cry 'yoyo,' as they graze on the wild apples. I have guests, so let us play the zither and the flute!"

The songstresses, their hair adorned with dogwood ornaments, parted their crimson lips slightly.

The leading singer, none other than Xiaomannu, the most sought-after courtesan in Jiangzhou Prefecture, gazed tenderly at Jiang Xingzhou as he entered the Deer Cry Pavilion.

The glow emanating from the bronze lanterns under the eaves fell precisely on the intertwined floral patterns of their apricot-yellow silk skirts.

The powerful and influential figures from the five counties of Jiangzhou Prefecture were already seated inside the Luming Pavilion, waiting patiently.

The rosewood tables and chairs were arranged one after another along the vermilion hall, reflecting the candlelight that illuminated the expressions of everyone present.

On the east side sat dozens of heads of the mansion with graying temples, while on the west side a group of scholars and officials in blue robes sat upright, but couldn't help but glance at the gate out of the corner of their eyes.

The gentry and wealthy families, dressed in fine robes, were all seated, waiting patiently and eagerly anticipating their arrival.

"The Prefect has arrived!"
Lord Insei has arrived!

"The newly appointed scholar has arrived!"

Suddenly, they heard the steward outside the door shouting.

The entire assembly of distinguished guests rose to their feet in an instant, like waves of wheat swaying in the wind, to warmly welcome Prefect Xue Chonghu, Headmaster Zhou, and their entourage.

Hundreds of gazes wove an invisible net, sweeping over the newly appointed scholars.

The hundred scholars straightened their clothes and entered the Deer Cry Pavilion in turn.

Today's grand banquet is not only a celebration for the newly appointed scholars, but also a stepping stone for them to officially join the ranks of Jiangzhou's "elites".

Inside the pavilion, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, and the table was laden with delicacies.

Jiang Xingzhou, as the top scholar in the county-level examination, was led to the seat of the chief scholar.

The hall was filled with guests in red and purple robes, who clinked glasses and toasted each other.

“Nephew Shen, your father and I are old friends and classmates! If you have some free time, would you like to come and visit my Han residence?”

"Since Senior Han has invited me, I will certainly pay him a visit!"

The head of the Han family in Jiangzhou Prefecture nodded repeatedly to Shen Zhiyun, clearly intending to win her over and make her his son-in-law.

Even the white-haired old scholar Zhang Youyi was surrounded by several local gentry who offered him wine, and he got completely drunk.

At this moment, these hundred students in blue robes, though still only scholars, already had the hope of achieving the glory of passing the imperial examinations and wearing the imperial robes in the future.

Who dares to say that future high-ranking officials or regional governors won't emerge from among them?
It's not uncommon for people to pass the imperial examinations at the age of seventy or eighty, becoming successful candidates in the provincial or metropolitan examinations, and even being appointed as prime ministers or marquises!

"The Gu family? They look somewhat familiar. Your father, Gu Run, was the former magistrate of Jiangyin County? I do know him quite well!"

A scholar asked the question unintentionally.

"It is indeed my father!"

Gu Zhimian was excited, his fingertips trembled slightly, and after three cups of amber liquor slid down his throat, he was already overwhelmed by the alcohol. His face, like rice paper dyed by the sunset, gradually turned a rosy red.

If he hadn't passed the Jiangzhou Prefecture examination today and become a scholar, he wouldn't have been able to attend this Deer Cry Banquet!

Who would remember that his father was once the magistrate of Jiangyin County, and that his ancestors for three generations were once a prominent family?

The Gu family of Dongchianli, Jiangyin

The lintel, silent for over a decade,
In his hands, the first ray of dawn finally pierced through, promising a return to the upper echelons of Jiangzhou Prefecture.

On the Deer Cry Pavilion,

Amidst the clinking of glasses, the most powerful group of scholars in Jiangzhou, their faces flushed from drinking the fine wine, chatted merrily.

"Everyone!"

Prefect Xue rose, holding a golden goblet, his voice booming like a bell.

The entire hall fell silent, and all eyes turned to the chief disciple.

"This is Jiang Xingzhou, the top scholar in this year's prefectural examination! As everyone knows, he is the son of my sworn brother Jiang Yan, and the nephew of the prefect. I hope you will all give him your guidance in the future!"

"He is also a nephew of this academy!"

Zhou Shanchang stroked his beard and added with a smile, while the jade slip in his sleeve gleamed faintly.

Jiang Xingzhou straightened his clothes and stood up; his moon-white robe fluttered without wind.

He held the ceremony with the utmost respect, and the jade pendant at his waist did not tremble at all when he bowed: "Junior Jiang Xingzhou greets all seniors."

The candlelight in the pavilion

The light illuminated his handsome, aloof face, his sharp, cold eyebrows, a few specks of frost at his temples, and a bright red cinnabar mark at the corner of his eye.

The composure in his eyes was not what one would expect from a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy.

At Luming Pavilion, many of the heads of various families and scholars were seeing Jiang Xingzhou for the first time, and they were all secretly surprised.

Prefect Xue Chonghu and Headmaster Zhou are two of the most powerful figures in Jiangzhou Prefecture, which comprises five counties.

Both of them strongly supported Jiang Xingzhou.

"What a brilliant 'Jiang Xingzhou'!"

This young man's face was extraordinary at first glance!

The Book of Physiognomy by Liu Zhuang states: "A man who is mature beyond his years will surely hold a high position in the government!"
Before reaching thirty, a few strands of silver appear at the temples, indicating precocious intelligence and a glimpse of heavenly secrets. If this is combined with a strong, upright physique, it is a sign of a literary genius descended to earth!
The outer corner of the eye is red like cinnabar, and the Yang Blade conceals its brilliance. The left eye signifies military nobility, and the right eye signifies literary excellence.

Your cinnabar birthmark, located precisely on the right, is an auspicious sign of academic excellence!

It's incredibly expensive!
His eyebrows, like swords piercing the heavens, her youthful achievements brought him fame. If paired with eyes as cold as stars, he would become a high-ranking official before thirty!

During the meal, an elderly man surnamed Wu, his eyes still blurry with drunkenness, stared at Jiang Xingzhou's face and sighed with delight.

"This is Elder Wu, a scholar who, after retiring to the countryside, devoted himself to the study of physiognomy for many years and is extremely proficient in it!"

Prefect Xue and Headmaster Zhou looked at each other and smiled, the wine in their cups reflecting the stars.

Without even needing to look at his face, they knew that Jiang Xingzhou's future was limitless.

"I am deeply grateful for your kind words, Elder Wu."

Jiang Xingzhou had a slight smile on his lips as he picked up a celadon wine cup with a flourish of his wide sleeves.

The amber light rippled gently in the cup, perfectly reflecting the starlight that shone in his eyes.

"Nephew Jiang!"

Suddenly, a golden goblet was tapped, and an old man dressed in a brocade robe with a python pattern walked in from the crowd. Before the wine cup was even placed in his hand, the jade buckle on his belt made a series of clear sounds.

"I am Zhao Huai, the Transport Commissioner of Jiangzhou!"

The old man bowed deeply, revealing a sable fur lining peeking out from his sleeves. With a forced smile, he looked at Jiang Xingzhou and said, "My grandson Zhao Zilu is young and impetuous, and has offended many people! I apologize for this and have already severely punished him!"

"Clan Chief Zhao, I dare not accept such an honor!"

Jiang Xingzhou's eyes narrowed, and his fingers suddenly gripped the celadon cup tightly.

Jiangzhou Grand Canal Transport Commissioner!
This seemingly low-ranking official position, wearing a blue robe, actually controlled the most important water transport lifeline in Jiangzhou Prefecture, Jiangnan Circuit—copper coins, silver, millet, cloth, and various other goods were transported to and from the south and north, and were directly under the jurisdiction of the imperial court.

Three million shi of grain were transported here every year.

Silk and tea caravans were traded here.
The official ships of the Salt and Iron Commissioner had to stop here for supplies.

Not to mention the undercurrents of illicit goods, smuggling, and kickbacks... all happening right under the nose of the Jiangzhou Transport Commissioner.

This is a top-tier, lucrative post in Jiangzhou Prefecture!
This job is so easy; you can render ten pounds of fat from just one pound of pork!
Everyone knows that the Zhao family, one of the ten great families of Jiangzhou Prefecture, spends money like water and is extremely extravagant.

Countless people coveted the position of Grand Canal Transport Commissioner, but it ended up in Zhao Huai's hands.

He heard that
Zhao Huai, the patriarch of the Zhao clan in Jiangzhou, was able to hold his position for many years because his eldest daughter married into the household of the Vice Minister of Rites, becoming his third wife. It was through this marriage connection that he secured this lucrative post.

If it weren't for the presence of Zhao Huai, the transport commissioner, Zhao Zilu, relying solely on Zhao Bingzhu, the head of the Zhao family and a mere scholar, probably wouldn't have lived to participate in the prefectural examination.

(End of this chapter)