Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 4 Cloud Character Writing
"Yes, Master!"

When Jiang Xingzhou saw that Master Pei had called out his name, he immediately picked up his sleeve and stood up, his expression respectful and composed.

Deconstructing and interpreting characters is not about breaking them down arbitrarily, but about having solid classical texts as evidence.

Otherwise, if the dissection is done incorrectly, the literary style will collapse, destroying the very essence of literature.

The "cloud" character formula can be broken down into two parts.

"Two", pure qi is yang, and turbid qi is yin. When pure and turbid qi meet, they transform into "厶".

The character "厶" is formed by the swirling of clear and turbid energies, which condense into a ball, hence the shape of "厶".

Therefore, the meaning of the character "云" (cloud) is that the clear yang and turbid yin energies meet, swirl, and condense into clouds.

This method of analyzing characters by breaking them down is supported by classical texts.

The Shuowen Jiezi (a dictionary of Chinese characters) says: "Yun (雲) is the vapor of mountains and rivers. It is composed of the radical 'rain' (雨) and the character 'yun' resembles the swirling shape of clouds."

However, the *Huainanzi* also states: "When yin and yang interact, they become thunder; when they surge, they become lightning; when they harmonize, they become rain; when they rage, they become wind; when they are disordered, they become fog; and when they condense, they become clouds. When yang energy prevails, it disperses as dew; when yin energy prevails, it condenses as frost."

Jiang Xingzhou's voice was clear and resonant, each word ringing with conviction.

"cloud!"

After saying that, he used the two fingers of his right hand as a pen, and with the energy flowing from his fingertips, he outlined the character "二" (two) in the air.

He suddenly uttered the sound of the word "cloud" from his throat, like the lingering echo of a bronze bell. Accompanied by the vibration and resonance of the air, the word "two" quickly transformed into two different streams of air, one clear and one turbid.

Jiang Xingzhou suddenly flipped his palm.
Two clear and turbid air vortices collided suddenly in mid-air, forming a vortex a meter in size, which quickly condensed into a thick cloud shaped like the Chinese character "厶".

He turned his palm over.
Under the manipulation of literature,

Within this ten-foot-long cloud, lightning flashed intermittently, sometimes sparks surged, sometimes a light drizzle arose, sometimes howled like wind and clouds, and in an instant, it was like a vast expanse of white mist, almost reaching the realm of literary arts that could transform at will.

"Jiang Xingzhou's 'Cloud' technique can be transformed at will into different forms such as thunder, lightning, rain, wind, and fog?"
Their strength is truly astounding!

"His comprehension is terrifying!"

The students in the hall were immediately taken aback, their eyes filled with shock.

This means that Jiang Xingzhou's literary skills can be varied, making them impossible to guard against!

Even many young children were completely bewildered, not understanding how Jiang Xingzhou had managed to do it.

Li Yunxiao, the magistrate's son, narrowed his eyes, a hint of surprise flashing in them, his expression turning serious. His cold gaze fixed on Jiang Xingzhou, as if reassessing his classmate's abilities.

Jiang Xingzhou withdrew his magical power, and the clouds and mist instantly vanished, restoring peace to the private school.

"good!

Xingzhou, your interpretation of the "cloud" principle is excellent.

It contains the secrets of heaven, the two energies of yin and yang, purity and turbidity, and the transformations of dragons and snakes!

It can transform into rain to nourish the area!
It can also be used to suppress and kill with thunder!

Master Pei nodded slightly, stroked his beard and smiled, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

The Huainanzi belongs to the "Zi" category of books, which combines Daoism, Confucianism, and Yin-Yang theory. It is classified as a miscellaneous classic and was not a classic text that the Great Zhou Dynasty officially required to be studied and examined in the imperial examinations.

Ordinary students don't even look at it, and even scholars rarely touch it.

For a beginner, using the Huainanzi to analyze and interpret characters is already far beyond the scope of the curriculum.

Jiang Xingzhou lived in the Langhuan Pavilion of the Duke of Xue's mansion for five years. It seems that he had a wide range of knowledge and a profound and skillful ability to analyze and interpret characters, far surpassing most of the students in Jiangyin County.

Throughout the history of Jiangyin County, there have probably been no more than three or five people who could rival Meng Sheng.

"Thank you for your kind words, Master!"

Jiang Xingzhou bowed respectfully and said.

He glimpsed a new set of notifications flashing across the bronze panel:
Jiang Xingzhou deciphered the characters in Xuefu's private school, reaching the level of 'observation of the subtle', and solved the combination of textual techniques [cloud and thunder, cloud and rain, cloud and lightning, cloud and wind, cloud and fog], gaining +100 points in cultivation!
Ding! You have received praise and comments from Hanlin Pei Jingyi, increasing your favorability by 5 points, currently at 86/100.

Ding! A sudden surge of 65% in Li Yunxiao's malicious intent has been detected, far exceeding normal levels!

Jiang Xingzhou was surprised when he saw the last string of data.

Can malicious values ​​also be displayed?
He frowned slightly, pondering to himself.

As a person from a poor family, I had never had any relationship or conflict with Li Sanlang, the son of the magistrate of Jiangyin County.

Why did this person's malice level spike so quickly?
“Students, you shall use the character ‘cloud’ to demonstrate your literary skills!”
When performing a spell, you can't use the same method every time; you have to put in your own unique ideas!
During the county-level examinations, if one's writing skills are not outstanding, they will not catch the examiners' eye!

Master Pei spoke solemnly, his voice booming like a bell.

"Yes, Master!"

Upon hearing this, the students in the hall all focused their attention and nervously began to unleash their respective "cloud" script techniques. They hoped to impress their teacher and receive personal feedback from Master Pei.

"Baiyun!"

Xue Fu made a hand seal first, and clouds of energy quickly emerged from his palm, condensing into a ball the size of a football, forming a white-gold cloud, magnificent and imposing.

Li Yunxiao, standing by the north window, scoffed, "Xia Yun!" With a flick of his finger, he conjured a seven-layered, rainbow-colored cloud. In an instant, it shone like the evening glow, its shimmering colors dazzling and captivating. "A showy display!"

Master Pei glanced at it, stroking the ruler, and then turned his gaze to the other students.

The clouds among the students vary in size.

The cloud is ten feet thick, suspended in mid-air, and can even carry people and objects in flight.

A single foot of cloud is too small to stand on; it will scatter in the wind.

"Whispers of Clouds!"

Gu Zhimian, a student from a poor family, raised his fingertips to condense a cloud of energy. As soon as the energy left his fingertips and emerged in a single wisp, it shattered into a pile of tattered cotton.

Just then, a draft of wind leaked through the window, carrying snow and sleet from outside, instantly scattering his remaining clouds.

"Master, your disciple is nervous!"

Gu Zhimian's voice trembled, and he was at a loss for words.

His abilities were among the best in the private school.
However, under Master Pei's stern gaze, he always felt inexplicably flustered. The more he wanted to perform well in front of Master Pei, the more mistakes he made in his panic.

Sparks crackled and popped from the charcoal brazier in the corner, illuminating the bright red, burning tips of the poor boy's ears.

"That's it?"

"Zhimian, this is far below your usual standard!"

Upon seeing this, the students burst into laughter.

Master Pei, amidst the clouds of disappointment from the audience and students, shook his head in dismay, showing no interest in offering any commentary.

The clouds that guide the students are either weak and soft, or clear and pure.

It seems that the apricot blossom rain in the Jiangnan water towns is ultimately too far from the northern frontier, untouched by war, and lacks the biting, chilling fighting spirit.

"Alright, Zhi Mian, make sure you don't make any mistakes on the day of the county examination!"

Master Pei gave Gu Zhimian some instructions, his tone both concerned and stern.

Then, he turned to Jiang Xingzhou and asked, "Xingzhou, I see that your cultivation is quite profound. What level have you reached in your practice?"

"Master, your cultivation has reached ten thousand points!"

Jiang Xingzhou answered respectfully with his hands clasped in front of him.

"oh?!"

Master Pei looked surprised, pondered for a moment, and then threw out a jade token, which flew into Jiang Xingzhou's palm.

"[Ten thousand points of knowledge are the bricks that knock on the door of the Confucian Temple's mountain of books.]"

For every 10,000 points of cultivation, one can gain an opportunity to enter the "Book Mountain" at the Jiangyin County Confucian Temple to attain enlightenment.

They should have gone on to the trials after obtaining the title of Junior Scholar.

But you have now attained sufficient skill!

Tomorrow at 3:45 AM, take this document and cross the Wen Bridge to enter the Confucian Temple of this county to seek enlightenment.

"Yes, thank you, Master!"

Jiang Xingzhou accepted the jade tablet.

He looked down and saw that the jade pendant was smooth and lustrous, with the character "Pei" engraved on the front, the characters in an ancient style.

The dozens of students at Xue's private school stared longingly at the jade token in Jiang Xingzhou's hand, their eyes red with envy.

You should know that the county examination will be held in about half a month.

The preliminary examination for children was the first major test of literary and academic achievement in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

The county examination was extremely difficult to pass, with an extremely low acceptance rate of only one in a hundred.

It is common for old scholars to take the exams for thirty or fifty years, until their hair and beards have turned completely white, before they finally achieve the rank of a junior scholar.

However, once one passes the imperial examination, one will receive a monthly stipend of three bushels of "literary millet" from the court, enough to sustain one's literary talent. From then on, one can devote oneself wholeheartedly to literary cultivation without having to worry about making a living.

The imperial court would also bestow upon them a "literary robe" that was impervious to water and fire.

Such treatment made the students of the Great Zhou Dynasty flock to the imperial examinations.

Before the upcoming county-level examination for children, accumulating 10,000 points of cultivation will grant a chance to enter the Confucian Temple's Book Mountain in advance, which can increase a child's strength by at least 20% to 30%!

However, accumulating 10,000 points of cultivation is not easy!
This isn't something that can be achieved simply by studying hard; it also requires sufficient comprehension.

What troubles students the most is that sometimes their progress is slow or even regresses significantly.

The vast majority of students only accumulate enough points of cultivation to enter the Confucian Temple [Book Mountain] after passing the county examination and being promoted to the Tongsheng level. This allows them to gain enlightenment, acquire literary skills and treasures, or awaken their unique literary talents.

(End of this chapter)