Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 84 Poetry
It must be said that the interpretation of characters in the county-level examination is indeed different from that in the ten-day examination.

On the one hand, the difficulty level has been increased, and on the other hand, the mindset is different. If you make a mistake on a test, it doesn't matter whether you're nervous or not. But in a big exam like this, once you get nervous, you feel like your memory is leaking out like a bamboo basket. The more anxious you are, the faster it slips away.

This time, Lu Beigu didn't finish answering the questions too early. After he checked the exam paper several times, the gong rang again.

Just as the gong signaling the end of the exams sounded, a muffled thud suddenly came from the nearby examination hall.

A short while later, through the gap in the bamboo curtain, Lu Beigu saw two yamen runners carrying a pale-faced examinee out. The man's sleeves were still stained with wet ink.

"Is this so difficult it's making you dizzy?"

However, as long as it's not cheating, it's not a big problem. If you take him out and let the doctor on site give him a couple of acupuncture treatments, he should be able to come back in time to continue the exam.

"Take a short break."

A sound came from the middle of the "回"-shaped examination room.

The two subjects, Calligraphy Classics and Calligraphy Theory, are tested consecutively. By this time, the candidates are already under a lot of pressure, so giving them some time to rest and refresh their minds is essential.

Besides, some people also need to use the restroom.

I looked at the sun through the bamboo curtain.

Lu Beigu estimated that although it was not yet noon, it shouldn't be too far away.

He stretched his stiff neck and thought about his previous answers.

Logically speaking, the answers to the questions on the postscript should be completely correct, so getting a grade of A is not a problem. However, the answers to the questions on the meaning of the characters are harder to say. This does not entirely depend on how the examiner answers the questions. Sometimes it also depends on the examiner's opinion. But a grade of B or above is guaranteed.

Next, all I need to do is solidly improve my poetry and prose, and then put some effort into my policy essays. I should be fine for this county-level exam.

However, there are definitely still variables.

After all, whether it's poetry or policy essays, it all depends on the specific topic.

The two-quarter break passed quickly.

The gong sounded again, and the inscription was passed on.

The normal order is to write the poem first and then the prose. Lu Beigu unfolded the scroll and looked at it. The title of the poem was quite meaningful.

—The poem is titled “金在镕”, and is limited to the rhyme “侵”.

The reason why there is a saying is because Fan Zhongyan wrote a poem called "Ode to Kim Jae-yong".

In other words, "A natural treasure, a precious metal. Its potential for melting is evident, its transformative power is imminent. Its brilliance and essence leap from the furnace; its shaping and transformation depend on the skillful craftsman's vision."

Fan Zhongyan's "Qingli Education Promotion" directly influenced the establishment of the current two-tiered education system of "county schools-prefecture schools". Therefore, many teachers in prefecture and county schools highly admire Fan Zhongyan, and setting such questions can be considered a tribute.

Similarly, this is essentially a subtle hint that test takers can quote from Fan Zhongyan's "Ode to Jin Zairong," which effectively lowers the difficulty of the question.

Lu Bei thought for a moment. The examination poem for the Fu De Ti style requires the use of the oblique tone pattern. The first two characters of the first line are oblique tones, and the first two characters of the second line are level tones, and so on. It is best to avoid the isolated level tone and ensure the alternation of level and oblique tones.

In addition, the rhyme scheme requires that the rhyme be used consistently throughout the entire poem, and that the rhyme be changed. It must strictly follow the official rhyme scheme and must not deviate from, reverse, or repeat the same rhyme.

The rhyme of the character "侵" is one that is easy to change, and it is not difficult to rhyme.

As for the couplets in the middle, apart from the first and last couplets, they all need to be perfectly matched, relevant to the topic, use many allusions, and have a dignified style, which goes without saying.

He calmed himself down and picked up his pen to first address the theme of "Kim Jae-yong".

"The skill of the smelter is in full swing, and the power of the furnace is admirable."

"Exemplary models and profound transformations, refined gold in harmony with the will of Heaven."

The first couplet uses "fine smelting" and "furnace" to introduce the theme, while the second couplet quotes "only refinement and unity" from the Book of Documents to illustrate the virtues of sages.

The second couplet needed to be filled with allusions, and Lu Beigu continued writing with flowing strokes.

"The leaping smelter amazes Ou Ye, and the auspicious signs remind us of Fu Lin. The more it is hammered, the purer its light becomes; the more it is refined, the deeper its quality becomes."

Why chase after the stains of worldly glory, when I'd rather sink into the rubble?

Tao Jun, through his masterful skill, has honed his craft to this day.

The third couplet uses the allusion of "the great smelter casting gold" from "The Great Master" in Zhuangzi, the fourth couplet adapts the phrase "not light even after a hundred refinements" from Xunzi, the fifth couplet contrasts with "true gold is unblemished", and the sixth couplet returns to "the teachings of the sage king". It can be said that the degree of completion in the progressive layering is quite sufficient.

As for the examination poem, which was a poetic form specifically used in the imperial examinations, it was usually in the form of sixteen lines with eight rhymes and five characters.

The final two couplets should be carefully considered, conforming to the "conclusion" requirement of the examination poem's structure of "introduction, development, transition, and conclusion," thus elevating the entire poem.

After considering the tones and parallelism, Lu Beigu wrote.

“I wish to enter the praise of the Hong Fan (仄仄平仄仄), with the sound of the eight tones resounding (平平仄仄平).

The sacred dynasty's great treasures are recognized (仄平平仄仄), their fame will be forever sung (仄仄仄平平).

The antithesis between "Holy Dynasty" and "Eternal Remembrance" is very well done.

The poem rhymes with the words "钦、心、霖、深、沉、今、音、吟", ensuring a consistent rhyme throughout.

Concluding the entire piece in this way can be seen as elevating the symbolic meaning of "Kim Jae-yong." Fan Zhongyan's "Ode to Kim Jae-yong" metaphorically refers to talented individuals who, after being tempered and refined, ultimately become pillars of the nation.

After all, Fan Zhongyan clearly wrote at the end of his poem, "A scholar should cultivate sincerity and wisdom, and uphold benevolence and righteousness. He should await the great use of a wise ruler, and be tested like fine metal. He should reside in the furnace of the sage's heaven and earth, and perhaps become a pillar of the state." If one does not follow this and elaborates on it, one will be penalized.

So how well is this poem written?

From a literary perspective, it's actually quite ordinary.

However, the exams were not really testing literature, and for this reason, apart from "Ode to the Ancient Grassland at Parting," there are not many good poems of this genre that have been passed down through the ages.

However, what was written did indeed meet the requirements of the imperial examination and fit the theme of praising the emperor in the imperial examination poems.

In conclusion, it has a good theme, allusions, and a profound meaning. The tonal patterns and rhymes are all correct. From the perspective of impromptu performance in the imperial examination, it can be considered a good examination poem.

The gong sounded again, and the poetry scrolls were finished.

When Lu Beigu put down his pen, his fingertips were slightly stiff. He moved his wrists and glanced at the sun's shadow gradually reaching mid-sky outside the bamboo curtain, estimating the time in his mind.

The essay questions should be coming soon. After a quick meal and rest, it should be the last exam, the policy essay. I should be able to leave around the afternoon, and then the examiners will grade the papers and rank the results.

If all goes well, the results should be available before dusk today.

You did well on the previous tests, so you can't afford to fail on the rest.

Therefore, he needs to be extremely cautious with the remaining time.

After a short wait, the essay prompts were distributed.

—Ode to a Thousand-Mile Horse

Lu Beigu stared at the question paper, his eyebrows slightly raised.

This question may seem ordinary, but it contains a hidden meaning.

The idiom "a thousand-mile horse" originated from Bo Le's judgment of horses in the "Strategies of the Warring States" and has been thoroughly discussed by scholars throughout the ages, as evidenced by Han Yu's "On Horses" which states, "A thousand-mile horse is common, but a Bo Le is rare."

If we simply say in general terms, "Only when there is a discerning eye can one recognize a fine horse," we risk falling into a cliché. On the other hand, if we use this as a metaphor for politics, we risk being too sharp.

He tapped his knuckles lightly on the edge of the table, his thoughts churning.

"This question should be framed around the concepts of 'talent' and 'opportunity'..."

After all, the metaphor of a thoroughbred horse has always been a self-description for scholars from humble backgrounds.

Although the imperial examination system in the Song Dynasty opened up a wide path to officialdom, the system of hereditary privilege and recommendation still existed, and many talented people were trapped in the examination halls, never achieving success even in their old age.
(End of this chapter)