Confucianism under Heaven

Chapter 18 Ye Ru Enters the Examination Hall

Chapter Eighteen: Ye Ru Enters the Examination Hall

Hearing Liu Zhi's words, many people scoffed, which undoubtedly made the former's face extremely ugly.

"You say Brother Ye Ru isn't qualified? If you can write a poem about cultivating virtue, we'll support you, what do you say?"

At this moment, a student made a sarcastic remark.

"This... there must be someone guiding Ye Ru behind him. Have you forgotten that student from our Wenxing Private School who was exposed for copying poems and became a disgrace to Qingyun County, and was expelled from Qingyun County!"

Liu Zhi said sharply.

"Hmph, I choose to believe Ye Ru!"

"I choose to believe too!"

Before long, the students subconsciously moved a little further away from Liu Zhi.

"Hmph, you're so ignorant. Which genius in the top class doesn't have the talent to serve the country? That classic text on the bulletin board was probably written by a classmate from the top class. You're like people who are in a fish market and don't notice the stench. It's a huge joke that you're pinning your hopes on Ye Ru."

Liu Zhi shook his head, looking at everyone as if they were looking at a fool.

creak.

However, at that moment, the door opened, and Ye Ru, dressed in a blue scholar's robe and carrying a book box containing writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, appeared with a newfound composure and confidence on his handsome face.

"Young Master looks so handsome today..."

When Su Tongyao saw Ye Ru, she lowered her head and blushed.

"Brother Ye Ru."

When the square-faced man and the others saw Ye Ru come out, they greeted him warmly.

"So it's Brother Zhao, Brother Qian."

Ye Ruchao exchanged a few pleasantries with these people. He knew them; they were all students from poor families who only aspired to serve their country and were true gentlemen.

"Brother Ye Ru, I've heard that your poetry is quite remarkable. I wonder if it's truly as good as it sounds, or if there's something else going on?"

Confucius said: "A man without trustworthiness, I do not know what he can do. To have someone else write a poem in advance and then recite it yourself is an extremely despicable thing in the Confucian and Taoist continent."

Liu Zhi said sourly, wanting to take the opportunity to damage Ye Ru's literary reputation.

"Liu Zhi, don't push your luck! You're clearly a traitor to Brother Suan Yeru!"

The square-faced boy named Zhao Cheng shouted sternly.

"Exactly! Just because you can't write such profound and virtuous poems yourself doesn't mean you can't let others write them?"

The remaining few also spoke with righteous indignation.

"If someone wants to find fault, they will always find a pretext. My innocence is as clear as heaven and earth. How can you accuse me of copying poems?"

Ye Ru smiled and looked at Liu Zhi, and said.

"Actually, that's not the case. Copying poems has existed since ancient times. You were extremely stupid before, a descendant of the lowest class, even worse than a fool. If you hadn't copied poems, how could you have attracted the attention of the county magistrate and the teacher in just a few days? As a mere student, how could you have done it without the help of a master!"

Liu Zhi was not provoked. Instead, his eyes darted around, and he then said sarcastically.

"If you don't believe me, you can leave it to the magistrate to judge for himself."

Ye Ru gestured for him to enter and said.

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhi looked somewhat panicked. He had gone to the magistrate, but there was no evidence; it was a deliberate frame-up of someone's literary reputation. He then outwardly praised but inwardly slandered:

"Even if you excel in poetry, your understanding of the classics is probably subpar. The preliminary examination for the imperial examination requires both excellent understanding of the classics and poetry. You are avoiding the important points, so it is unlikely that you will be able to obtain a place in the imperial examination."

"There's a classic text on the notice board. It was probably written by that scholar who passed the provincial examination or the imperial examination. I advise you to study it. It won't be too late to take the preliminary examination next year."

Ye Ru smiled but said nothing, thinking that Fang Zifeng was quick enough to post his interpretation of the classics on the notice board in just two days.

“Ye Ru, let’s not stoop to his level. There’s still some time before the preliminary examination for the imperial examination. Let’s go and take a look at that classic text. I’ve heard it’s exceptionally well-written. If this person had taken the imperial examination back then, he would definitely have been the top scorer based on this text.”

Zhao Cheng ignored Liu Zhi and pulled Ye Ru's sleeve, walking away into the distance.

The crowd followed closely behind, but Liu Zhi didn't move; instead, a sinister glint appeared in his eyes.

"Hmph, the day the results of the fake imperial examination are released will be the day you, Ye Ru, humiliate yourself!"

Ye Ru was pulled by the three men to the notice board, where he indeed saw his interpretation of the classics displayed in a prominent place.

"This is the one. The writing style of this classic text is exquisite and wonderful. It is impossible for anyone but a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) to write such a flowing and elegant article."

"The writing is superb, seemingly written in one go. The balance is the essence of moderation, it's wonderful beyond words."

"It's just that there's no name. I wonder which gentleman has such a talent. I really want to see it for myself."

"Hmm, if it were written by a student of my Wenxing Private School, I'm afraid that if it were read aloud at the students' literary gathering, my Wenxing Private School would probably come out on top."

"Impossible. Anyone who could write such an article must be either a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial civil service examination) or a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the metropolitan civil service examination)."

Dozens of people crowded around the notice board, carefully reading the meaning of the text and praising it.

Ye Ru didn't speak. There were too many people around, and he wouldn't be foolish enough to shout that he wrote it himself.

“If I possess this understanding of the scriptures, why should I worry about not being able to enter the court as an official?”

Qian Wei, who came with Ye Ru, suddenly sighed and said.

"What official position can I take? With demons running rampant outside and eunuchs interfering in politics inside, and repeated defeats in border wars, we cannot abandon the safety of the country for our own selfish desires. I do not seek officialdom, but only to abandon my pen for the sword, guard the border, protect my home and country, and dedicate my blood and loyalty to the millions of people of my Yanhuang nation!"

Zhao Cheng raised his head and pounded his chest, speaking with great passion, which drew the attention of passersby, most of whom looked on with admiration.

“Brother Zhao is of noble character and has his heart set on the battlefield. Therefore, the responsibility today does not lie with others, but entirely with us, the youth. When the youth are wise, the nation is wise; when the youth are wealthy, the nation is wealthy; when the youth are strong, the nation is strong; when the youth are independent, the nation is independent; when the youth are free, the nation is free; when the youth progress, the nation progresses.”

Ye Ru recalled Liang Qichao's "A Discourse on the Youth of China" and then spoke aloud.

Upon hearing this, everyone pondered for a moment, and then their eyes revealed expressions of approval.

"it is good!"

He shouted something, which drew chuckles from everyone.

Fifteen minutes later, a resounding bell rang from the bell tower, and the crowd stopped their noise and headed towards the examination room, forming a long queue.

Wang Xiaoyang was also among them. He gave a signal to the examiner in Ye Ru's examination room, who understood immediately.

One by one, the students were put to the test and entered the examination room. After a long time, it was finally Ye Ru's turn.

“Documentary evidence”.

The teacher extended his hand, and Ye Ru opened his book box, handing the teacher a piece of paper with Ye Ru's information on it.

"You are Ye Ru?"

The teacher glanced at Ye Ru and said.

"Yes."

Ye Rudao.

"Give me the book box."

Ye Ru handed the book box to the teacher, who began to examine it. Inside the book box were writing brushes, Xuan paper, ink sticks, inkstones, and other items.

The teacher reached in, fiddled with it casually, and finally handed it to Ye Ru.

"go in."

After Ye Ru went inside, the teacher looked up and exchanged a glance with Wang Xiaoyang in the distance. Wang Xiaoyang nodded, clenched his fists, sneered, and a chilling glint flashed in his eyes...