Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 90: Preparing Questions for the Prefectural Examination and Copying the "Six Secret Teachings"!
In the study of the backyard of the Duke of Xue's mansion, the night rain was pattering.

Rain tapped against the carved window lattice, and candlelight flickered on the rosewood table, casting shimmering, uneven glows.

Eight people in blue robes sat around them, their clothes still carrying the chill of the rain and dew that had come from the corridor.

Jiang Xingzhou held the scroll and pondered deeply.

Gu Zhimian frowned and pondered.

Han Yugui tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, lost in thought.

The Xue brothers remained silent.

Cao An, Lu Ming, Li Yunxiao, and the other sons were all top-ranking candidates in the Jiangyin examination. They were all young and promising, but at this moment, they had all restrained their usual arrogance and their brows were furrowed with deep solemnity in front of the prefectural examination.

On the desk lay a pile of past years' Jiangzhou Prefecture examination questions and answer sheets—the ink-stained pages faintly conveyed the resentment of those who failed in previous years.

"First, review all the exam questions from the past twenty years of the prefectural examinations to familiarize yourself with the difficulty level of the exams."

"Then let's begin, predicting the exam questions!"

Jiang Xingzhou said calmly.

Predicting exam questions—is a strategic simulation of the upcoming prefectural examination, a battleground of intense competition!

In Jiangzhou, a prefecture with five counties, two thousand students competed for the prefectural examination, but only one hundred were selected as scholars, a race of twenty to one, like a thousand soldiers vying to cross a single-plank bridge.

Even those who topped the county examinations often failed the prefectural examinations, ending up with only the empty title of "discretionary scholar," which only brought ridicule and caused them to lose face.

Jiang Xingzhou dared not slacken his efforts.

At this moment, within the city of Jiangzhou, more than two thousand students had already divided into countless small circles. After the Grain Rain Literary Gathering, they immediately stayed up all night to deduce the examination questions.

Those with powerful connections, like them, gathered at the Duke of Xue's mansion, their desks piled high with secret examination papers from previous years, deducing strategies as if they were reviewing troops on a battlefield.

There were also a large number of servants and attendants who ran around collecting all sorts of information.

Those with limited connections and no influence can only hold onto crude collections of prefectural examination questions from the marketplace, racking their brains, scratching their heads, and sighing in vain.

However, the matter of predicting exam questions has always been limited to close friends and acquaintances.

Only three to five people should participate to pool their wisdom, gather information, predict and solve problems to win.

No more than ten bets should be placed, lest too many bettors win and the game turn into a free-for-all.

This is a silent, yet deadly, battle in the imperial examination system of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

During the Guyu Literary Gathering, Jiang Xingzhou accompanied Zhou Shanchangyuan to tour the entire event. He was just a few steps away from Zhou Shanchangyuan and was one of the top six students in the examination.

He listened most clearly, remembered the most completely, and was best able to understand Zhou Yuanjun's thoughts. At this moment, he became the backbone of the eight young men in the Xue family who were preparing for the exam.

Gu Zhimian was the only one among them who was good at predicting exam questions.

In the past, during the Jiangyin County Examination, he had collected the "Collected Works of Cai Chao" and accurately predicted a question set by the chief examiner, Cai Chao. He had rich experience and insights into predicting exam questions.

Today's exam prediction simulation wouldn't be complete without him.

The Xue brothers were the legitimate sons of the Duke's mansion, and as brothers-in-law, they naturally had to get involved.

Han Yugui, Cao An, Lu Ming, and Li Yunxiao,
They weren't particularly good at predicting exam questions or understanding the examiner's mind, but they were all exceptionally talented writers who could analyze questions and devise solutions—and solving questions was precisely Gu Zhimian's weakness.

Fellow students and old friends from the same county have always been helpful in one's official career.

If more people can pass the imperial examinations, they will be able to support each other in the future court of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

The teenagers tacitly understood this.

The more questions you guess correctly tonight, the better your chances of making the list when the results are released tomorrow.

The candle flame popped open with a "pop," casting a flickering light in the study.

Gu Zhimian carefully opened Zhou Yuanjun's "Qingya Collection". The dense red annotations on the yellowed pages gleamed dark red under the candlelight, soaking in the ink and blood of his heart.

All of Zhou Yuanjun's exquisite poems and essays from the first half of his life are treasured here.

"The thing that the chief examiner of the prefectural examination liked to do most was to use his own best work to set the questions."

Then let the test takers predict the exam questions.

Our primary focus for predicting exam questions lies in the articles in Zhou Yuanjun's book, *Qingya Ji*!

Han Yugui frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled: "If it's so straightforward, wouldn't everyone be able to guess correctly? Does the examiner really know how to set questions like this?"

He had never bothered with predicting exam questions before, nor had he ever studied it.

But this Jiangzhou Prefecture examination put him under immense pressure—he couldn't bear the humiliation of failing.

"Exactly!"

A glint flashed in Gu Zhimian's eyes. "The examiner wants the candidates to guess correctly, but the prerequisite is—" he emphasized, "they must be thoroughly familiar with his essay."

He looked around at everyone and continued, "Imagine if all two thousand students in Jiangzhou Prefecture could recite the examiner's beautiful poems and essays, and spread the word throughout the Great Zhou Dynasty."

How could these articles not be passed down to posterity years later?

[Leaving the county] to be promoted to [Da Prefecture]!

[Dafu] or even [Mingzhou]?

What the examiners feared most was that their brilliant essays would go unrecognized and ultimately fade into obscurity.

"so,"

Gu Zhimian held the book "Qingya Collection" and let out a clear laugh: "The examiners of the prefectural examination will always use their most outstanding essays to test the students. As for who can have the discerning eye to predict the best and answer the most questions—" he raised the corners of his mouth slightly, "that depends on their own abilities."

In the flickering candlelight,
The young men realized what was happening and all looked at the "Qingya Collection" on the table, as if gazing at a single-plank bridge leading to the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the imperial examinations).

Jiang Xingzhou's eyes flickered slightly, as if suddenly enlightened.

Suddenly I understand why the practice of predicting exam questions is so prevalent.

It was clearly a tacitly agreed-upon deal!

By having two thousand students speak out, Zhou Yuanjun ensured that the students' writings would be remembered for generations, elevating them to a higher level.

The students, on the other hand, need to dig out the most dazzling masterpiece from the calligraphy of the academy master, "Qingya Collection"—perhaps the most outstanding poem in "Qingya Collection," or perhaps the most exquisite argument in a certain policy essay.

These exquisitely written articles, each word a gem, could at any moment become a test question on the imperial examination list.

Memorize it all, and make it second nature to you.

Those who have the discerning eye to identify talent and predict exam questions have grasped the ladder to success in the imperial examinations!
"so."

Han Yugui suddenly dipped his teacup in tea and drew a circle on the table. "The first question we need to bet on is the masterpiece that Lord Zhou most wants the world to remember?"

"boom--!"

A sudden clap of thunder sounded outside the window, and the pale flashes of lightning cast flickering light on the faces of the teenagers.

The rain poured down, and large raindrops pounded against the windowpanes.

The boys, without prior arrangement, lowered their heads to read "Qingya Collection," the rustling of the pages mingling with the sound of rain echoing in the study.

moment,

Gu Zhimian slowly closed "Qingya Collection".

He had thoroughly studied the "Qingya Collection"—from the preface to the postscript, from the poems to the policy essays, he had even repeatedly pondered every single red-inked annotation.

The more I read, the colder my heart grew. Apart from the poem "A Journey to Chaisang," which could barely be considered a work from outside the county, the rest of the articles were utterly unremarkable!

"I'm afraid it will be another ten years,"

Gu Zhimian stroked the thin layer of dust that had accumulated on the book cover. "This copy of 'Qingya Collection' will become a dust-collecting book, sitting untouched on the bookshelf in my study. No wonder it was covered in dust when I bought it."

"This book, 'Qingya Collection,' is probably doomed!"

The boys couldn't help but feel sympathy.

"Brothers!"

"I searched through the entire 'Qingya Collection' and found Zhou Yuanjun's writings from his youth—"

He jabbed his finger heavily on the page, “His writing was sluggish when he was a child student, and he was still dull when he became a scholar. He didn’t even have a single piece of writing about his hometown. He was mediocre.”

"It wasn't until they became successful candidates in the provincial and metropolitan examinations that their talent began to shine."

Gu Zhimian shook his head and sighed, "Even so, his greatest achievement in his life was only that poem 'Chai Sang Xing,' which barely made it out of the county."

He surveyed the crowd, his gaze intense: "This 'Qingya Collection,' I doubt even Lord Zhou himself believes it will survive. Literature is truly his lifelong Achilles' heel!"
However, Zhou Yuanjun's profound literary foundation, formidable combat prowess, and boundless talent make him a standout among his peers who passed the imperial examinations!

He couldn't help but applaud and exclaimed with great admiration, "Now that you are the Prefect of Jiangzhou, and your cultivation has reached its peak, you are truly remarkable!"

"This is what it means to be ordinary in youth but achieve great things later in life—a role model for us all!"

Han Yugui couldn't help but laugh.

“Since Lord Zhou only has one poem written outside the county, ‘Chaisang Xing’,” Gu Zhimian said, “this poem will undoubtedly be included in the examination questions and should be listed as the primary subject for preparation.”

If this poem were to be promoted to a higher rank in the future, His Highness the Imperial Academy would surely be very pleased!

He suddenly raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the crowd with piercing intensity: "But the prefectural examination has three questions; where should we begin with the remaining two?"

The study fell silent for a moment, with only the sound of rain hitting the windowpanes.

"That's all,"

Han Yugui suddenly sighed and threw the "Qingya Collection" in his hand onto the table. "The other articles by Zhou Yuanjun are indeed not worthy of being read. It's better not to read them."

Let's start with the Grain Rain Literature Club!

The Grain Rain Literary Gathering, which others regard as a refined game for scholars, is, for the students of this year, a matter of their future and destiny.

"Do you all remember? At the very beginning, Professor Zhou asked the six students a question—'The Origin of Talent'?!"

"This question hits right into his area of ​​greatest pride and expertise. I dare say this question will definitely be on the test!"

"Not bad!"

"Furthermore, when Zhou Yuanjun went to the capital to take the imperial examination, he wrote 'On Agriculture and Sericulture as the Foundation of the State'—though not a famous piece, it was excellent because it hit the nail on the head regarding the current problems!"
Now, looking back, Gu Yuwen first offered "Ji Shen Xiang" as a prize, so the academy master certainly wouldn't give out rewards casually.

It was no coincidence that he later shared the "Spring Ploughing Picture" with Prefect Xue.

This is a key point that will be tested!

"Don't forget, at the Grain Rain literary gathering, he specially arranged the play 'Shooting the Pot' for the six top students to compete in."

Of the six arts of a gentleman—rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics—is it possible that he would be tested on archery?

"And that couplet!"

The flickering candlelight reflected the uncertain expressions on everyone's faces.

Gu Zhimian, Han Yugui, Cao An, and others analyzed each item carefully, identifying potential test points.

Then list them out and organize them.

Gu Zhimian dipped his fingertip in ink and heavily drew several marks on the paper—[Journey to Chaisang], [The Source of Talent], [Incense of the God of Millet], [Spring Ploughing Picture], [Shooting the Pot], [Couplet of Chickens and Dogs on Frosty Bridge]!

Each stroke is like a knife carving, the ink seeping deeply into the back of the paper.

"Brothers,"

He looked up, his eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight. "This literary gathering by Professor Zhou may seem casual, but in reality, it has set the scope of the exam questions."

Han Yugui suddenly pulled out a piece of white paper, picked up a pen, and quickly wrote down the key points:

【A Trip to Chaisang】—Zhou Yuanjun’s only poem or prose written outside the county, a must-know for the exam!
[The Source of Talent] - The foundation of Zhou Yuanjun's rise: his literary and classical knowledge, his proudest achievement, and the key point!
【Ji Shen Xiang】—Agriculture and sericulture as the foundation of governance: a key policy direction!
[Spring Ploughing Scene] - Agriculture and farming!
[Archery] – One of the Six Arts of a Gentleman, namely rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics! It might be on the test!
[Couplet]—That couplet about chickens, dogs, and a frosty bridge! It might be on the test!
"The prefectural examination consists of three sessions, and the questions will mostly fall within these broad categories!"

Han Yugui summarized the discussion, put down his pen and ink, and smiled.

Before the ink was even dry, Jiang Xingzhou reached out and pressed down on the corner of the paper: "We can add one last bit." He dipped his brush in water and wrote three characters on the table: "Poem on Leaving the County!"

Everyone was taken aback.

"The articles written by Professor Zhou throughout his life were extremely mediocre!"

Jiang Xingzhou said softly, "So he must be hoping to see that a student can write a poem or essay of at least the level of a county-level scholar."

Even if it's not entirely relevant to the topic, it's probably still enough to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar!

"Not bad!"

Upon hearing this, the students' eyes lit up.

Writing a poem about leaving the county on a fixed theme is extremely difficult!

However, if the requirements are relaxed and a poem or lyric about leaving the county is written in a general way, it will obviously be much easier!

"If I really can't answer the questions in the examination hall, I'll use this last strategy to try my best to write an essay that will get me out of the county and guarantee me a degree!"

Gu Zhimian's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but lick his lips.

The young people continued to work diligently.

They discussed the details incessantly, talking late into the night—predicting the exam questions and breaking them down!

The teenagers were still discussing it all night.

Jiang Xingzhou did not speak again, and sat alone at his desk copying books.

He wore a blue robe with his shirt half-rolled up, and was holding a scholar's brush that exuded a faint air of talent. He was slowly writing on bamboo slips, copying a military treatise called "Six Secret Teachings".

The ink, as black as blood, gradually spread across the green and yellow bamboo strips, each character sharp as a knife, exuding a chilling aura of battlefield desolation.

This was a habit he had developed in his previous life: he would spend an hour every night copying books until he knew them by heart.

The Six Secret Teachings is a book of warfare, and writing it on bamboo slips makes it even more sharp and incisive.

"Brother Jiang, is it really necessary to copy all 20,000 characters of the Six Secret Teachings onto bamboo slips? Wouldn't it be more convenient to copy it onto paper rolls?"

Cao An stared at the bamboo slip in Jiang Xingzhou's hand, puzzled.

Once the bamboo slips were copied, they would probably weigh at least ten kilograms, making them inconvenient to carry.

As for the paper, it was just a thin booklet of a few dozen pages.

"It certainly has wonderful uses!"

Jiang Xingzhou smiled, without looking up, and continued writing.

He didn't say anything; what good would it do?

Having obtained a piece of [Ji Shen Xiang], he naturally had to carefully consider how to make good use of this literary treasure and unleash its greatest power!
(End of this chapter)