Confucianism under Heaven

Chapter 36 I'll Try It With You

Chapter Thirty-Six: Let Me Try It With You

"Once you obtain the title of Tongsheng (a scholar who has passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations), you can also come here to further your studies. The resources here are vastly different from those of the three major private schools."

Zhang Wenyin said casually, then suddenly looked toward one of the literary contest platforms, where many people were standing. These students were wearing blue academic robes and were cheering each other on.

Looking through the crowd, Ye Ru saw a handsome young scholar competing against someone dressed in the robes of a student from Qingyun County on the literary duel platform.

The two men, one a student from Ningfeng County holding a chessboard, and the other a student from Qingyun County writing rapidly with a brush.

However, the students in Qingyun County were severely suppressed and could only write when they had the opportunity to hide.

Therefore, over time, the students from Qingyun County will fall behind.

As expected, the black pieces landed and formed a chess formation, eventually trapping him inside. The student from Ningfeng County, not one to back down, struck the student from Qingyun County in an instant when he conceded defeat, causing his legs to buckle and almost causing him to kneel on the ground.

"Forgive and forget, for this is fratricide. Are you not afraid of the judgment of the Holy Word?"

"You petty scoundrel! Brother Feng has already admitted defeat, why are you still so unforgiving!"

At this point, the people of Qingyun County couldn't stand it anymore and started cursing.

“We people from Ningfeng County came here to exchange ideas and learn from each other on the path of sainthood, but now it seems that you people from Qingyun County are indeed a bunch of pedantic scholars, utterly useless. We are determined to take this Book Heart.”

The young scholar from Ningfeng County was not as humble and cautious as Confucius described; instead, he spoke with unusual arrogance.

This smile immediately drew angry glares from the people of Qingyun County, but the student from Ningfeng County ignored him completely, instead looking around at the crowd on the stage:

"No matter how hard you try, it will all be in vain and meaningless. It will only bring a bad reputation to your Qingyun County. Scholars and common people who know how to adapt to the times value talent. Why don't you hand over the book to us? We can come with high spirits and leave with high spirits, can't we?"

"Besides, my strength is only second-rate in Ningfeng County. You can't even compare to me, so what face do you have to participate in that literary contest? Wouldn't that just invite ridicule from the whole world?"

Having said that, the student from Ningfeng County flicked his finger, sending two black and white chess pieces flying directly at the student from Qingyun County.

"How shameless!"

"not good!

Countless people closed their eyes, their faces filled with worry.

boom!

However, at that moment, a chanting sound rang out, followed by a series of wind blades that instantly sliced ​​the black and white pieces into pieces.

The wind blades gradually disappeared, and a slender figure appeared before everyone, holding a brush in one hand and supporting the Xuan paper in the other.

When the crowd saw Ye Ru, they immediately burst into cheers. Regardless of anything else, their courage and determination impressed these scholars.

However, they then became somewhat worried, as the boy in front of them was only about fifteen years old, very young.

Confucius said: "A gentleman has three things to be wary of. When he is young, his blood and energy are not yet settled, so he should be wary of lust; when he is strong, his blood and energy are vigorous, so he should be wary of fighting; when he is old, his blood and energy have declined, so he should be wary of greed. This fellow from Ningfeng County is being rather aggressive."

Ye Ru raised his head slightly and looked at the young scholar from Ningfeng County with a smile.

Ye Ru's words seemed to have a magical power, echoing in the ears of the young scholar from Ningfeng County, diminishing his arrogance and causing him to lower the chessboard in his hand.

"Brother Xu Ming, let's show Qingyun County what Ningfeng County is all about!"

Suddenly someone shouted, which immediately brought Xu Ming back to his senses, and his eyes showed some surprise.

"Hmph, at this moment, it is just as the great Confucian scholar Zhao She once said: 'The road is long, dangerous, and narrow, like two mice fighting in a hole. The brave one will win.' Your words have no effect on me. Choose one: a literary contest or a war of words. Come on."

The literary contest, on the other hand, is a competition of poetry, lyrics, and prose to see who can do it better. The losing side will suffer losses in the library.

The literary battle, like the talent contest between Zhang Wenying and Ye Ru, is also known as a martial arts battle. This method is extremely harmful to the scholars and scholars, but its only advantage is that it allows them to skillfully use profound meanings in concise words.

Let's have a literary contest.

Ye Ru shrugged and said indifferently. This disregard for Xu Ming's words made the latter's face darken. He was already arrogant enough, but he did not expect the other party to be even more arrogant than him.

"Let's have a literary contest then. Let's see whose book's core and structure are more robust."

Xu Ming's words caused everyone's expression to change drastically, and they began to discuss among themselves.

They all knew that those who could reach the level of a child scholar were all better at reading and writing than ordinary scholars.

The study is the foundation for a scholar to store his talent, so attacking the study is the most dangerous way.

If the library is destroyed, one will instantly lose all literary rank and talent, and will be unable to use that talent to study for the rest of their life, thus becoming a useless person.

To repair the Book Palace, one must go to the Academy of Saints to seek the help of a demigod to restore it.

"This fellow should also be a student, but judging from his age and talent, he is lacking and will definitely not be a match for Xu Ming."

"The people of Ningfeng County are truly shameless. Not only do they bully the weak, but they even have a contest to see who can smash the Book Palace the most."

“I have a classmate studying in Ningfeng County. I will write a letter tomorrow to summon him back.”

Many people looked at the people of Ningfeng County with a growing sense of anger.

"Don't mess around!"

Zhang Wenying's expression changed, and she said.

Although Ye Ru is very talented, he is currently only a beginner in the first stage of the imperial examinations and his academic career is not yet stable.

No one had any hope for Ye Ru.

"Haha, I've heard it before. Everyone says that the people of Qingyun County are not afraid of the powerful and wealthy, nor do they covet fame and fortune. Their lifelong ambition is to pursue the holy path and serve the Yanhuang Kingdom. But seeing it today, I am extremely disappointed. A dignified Qingyun County doesn't even have a single person who dares to compete with me in the Book Palace."

Seeing that everyone around him was whispering, and then seeing that Ye Ru refused to agree, Xu Ming couldn't help but loudly mock him.

"Qingyun County is deserted!"

"Some people are also cowards who are afraid of death."

"A mere scholar, utterly useless!"

The people from Ningfeng County laughed heartily, their gazes towards the people from Qingyun County filled with deep sarcasm.

"Are you sure you want to compete with me in the art of books?"

Surrounded by onlookers, Ye Ru slightly raised his head and suddenly smiled, a smile tinged with pity.

Now that he knows which school of thought the other party specializes in, as the saying goes, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated." Once he understands the other party's background, there is nothing to worry about.

"What? You little brat, you dare to compete with me in the art of calligraphy! The capable shall prevail. If you dare not, quickly send someone else up!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Ming's face turned ashen, and he angrily pointed at Ye Ru, instantly losing his composure.

Ye Ru bowed slightly, uttering only two simple words, yet they undoubtedly caused a huge uproar.

"I'm willing to try."